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Glasstown U.S.A., Grants Pass and Southern Oregon By Keith Mansur Oregon Cannabis Connection
Southern Oregon is known for many things, including great weather, wild rivers, and friendly people. In the Cannabis industry, it’s known to have the best climate in the state for growing the versatile plant. However, a new industry is blossoming over the past few years that’s also a part of the cannabis industry: glass pipes.
Oregon News
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It got started back in 1990 when a glassblower named Bob Snodgrass came to Eugene, Oregon and started blowing hard glass, or borosilicate glass, which is resistant to temperature shock and commonly used in glass cookware, laboratory glass and pyrex®. In addition to heat resistance, borosilicate glass is also very durable, providing a longer life expectancy for pipes than typical glass. Snodgrass developed numerous techniques and tools for blowing this glass, and admits “I am an inventor. I got stuck in glassblowing because there are so many things to invent in it.” He also trained a huge number of blowers that migrated across the country to teach the many techniques, developed their own, while passing on their knowledge the entire time. Snodgrass helped to establish Oregon as a glass blowing Center. Eventually, many glass blowers emerged in the Rogue Valley, between Ashland and Grants Pass. Brent Kenyon, Owner of Operation Pipe Dreams (yes, named after the federal program) in Medford, Oregon, has been involved in the glass industry for many years. He agrees that Snodgrass got the glass market moving. “Snodgrass excited the glass market and made it main stream in Oregon, starting in Eugene, and then Southern Oregon picked up”, he said. He also added, “That’s where I went to get my first torch”. He said that most blowers in Oregon learned right here, mentioning “most people learn from friends or learn to blow in a local shop.” According to Kenyon and others, there are hundreds of blowers in glass shops as well as in garages.
Though the ubiquitous glass pipe has been around for decades, it was not until the early 1990’s that the industry began to evolve into the vast commercial success it has become. Even with the scare from federal raids on pipe makers in 2003, called “Operation Pipe Dreams” (which eventually landed Tommy Chong of Cheech & Chong in prison), the Oregon glass industry thrives today. From simple “spoons” (simple spoon shaped pipes) to “bubblers” (small, artistic water pipes made of glass) to large “ice dams” (water pipes that hold ice to cool the smoke), the glass pipe industry has developed new products and numerous business models that work. This allows a higher standard of “art glass” to be developed along with the high volume “production” glass pieces. In fact, glass blowers from this area have won a number of prestigious awards and accolades from the industry leaders, such as High Times, Flow Magazine, and more.
Kenyon, himself, blew glass many years, but now has started a number of different business ventures. He opened a Medical Marijuana clinic, Southern Oregon Alternative Medicine, and a seafood restaurant, The Wharf. For his glass pipe supply, he works closely with D. Lee, a longtime glass blower from Medford Oregon. Lee, and his company D. Lee Glass, have been nationwide wholesalers of glass pipes for years, blowing their glass here in the Rogue Valley, Oregon. He is one of Kenyon’s main suppliers, and provides a large selection of quality Oregon blown glass of all kinds. Dragon’s Lair in Grants Pass, Oregon is another head shop that caters to the burgeoning glass industry in the region, especially the “functional” art pieces they term “heady”. Yusef Guient, the owner, has built a unique studio in the back of his store where glass blowers can demonstrate their techniques and show the public how glass pipes are created.
Customers can get within a few feet of the artists and watch how they manipulate the glass into amazing, functional, pieces of art. Yusef ran into some delays whilebuilding his demonstration room in his store. Since glass blowing requires a large gas torch (much like an enormous Bunsen burner), a red hot kiln to slowly cool the glass down, and serious ventilation, he had expected a few problems. Unfortunately, he said, “The city is so unfamiliar with what is going on that they are kind of creating hoops for me to jump through”. Now that he’s got it up and running, he doesn’t foresee any major setbacks. Hoping to bring more light to the incredible glass that is being made in Grants Pass, Yusef has demonstration glassblowing events called “First Friday” at his store, which will be held, not
surprisingly, on the first Friday of every month. He said, “We’ve been getting tons of support from the local glass blowers, they’ve been stepping up to do the demos, giving me ideas, and purchasing the raw glass from here.” He wants to appropriately brand Grants Pass, “Glasstown USA”. One local glass artist that sometimes participates on “First Friday” is Nate Hussey. Nate is a native of Grants Pass and has been blowing glass since the late 1990’s. He was exposed to glassblowing by Darby Holm, arguably the most recent star in glass blowing from Oregon. Unfortunately Nate didn’t have a real opportunity to start blowing regularly until years later. Cont. Next Page
Recipes on Page 14
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Since Nate had become hooked, but lived in Washington at the time, he began to educate himself. He said, “I read everything I could read, I watched every video I could watch, and then I eventually bought my first torch and kiln.” As he worked at his technique on his own, Nate came to Grants Pass periodically and, according to Nate, “Darby would be gracious enough to tell me ‘that’s a pile of junk’ or ‘you’re on to something, keep it up’”. Darby provided Nate with advice and tips, but Nate is essentially self-taught, as are many of the glassblowers in the region. As Nate mentioned, “most everybody that’s in this industry is so cool that, if you’re into it, the exchange of information is awesome.” Nate’s work is sold under his brand Euphoria Glassworks and can be seen at www.myspace.com/eu phoriaglass or Dragon’s Lair in Grants Pass. Another glass blower inspired by Darby is his brother, Carsten Carlile. Carsten has made quite a name for himself in the industry and spent years learning with his brother. He plans to move over to Bend, but while back in Grants Pass the past year, or so, worked with Darby and other local glass blowers, such as Eusheen. They created collaborative pieces and exchanged ideas and techniques. Carsten said, “I came down here to do a year tour with a bunch of good glass blowers…It definitely helps.” He is originally from the Eugene area, and learned the very basics from a blower that had been a Snodgrass student. He moved down to Grants Pass about 15 years ago to work with his brother, and as he said,“ we started, just, going off!”. The artistic pieces Carsten now creates are a long way from the simple work he and Darby began making. He explained “We really didn’t know anything, we just started going for it.” The supplies and knowledge were limited, so they learned a lot on their own, often by trial and error.
Carsten said “when we started there were four colors that worked, that was it, and only one company that sold color rod, and we were lucky to get it.” He admits things have changed a lot. “There’s a lot of artwork going on now”, he said. Carsten’s pieces can be found at Dragon’s Lair, or you can see more online at www.glasspipes.org/ca rstencarlile Eusheen is another superb artist from Grants Pass. He admittedly grew up all over the Rogue Valley, including Cave Junction, Ashland, and Grants Pass. Though he has left the valley a number of times, he said “I always come back, it’s my home”. Eusheen was recently featured in High Times “Glass of 2010” issue in March along with other local artists, including Darby and Banjo. His “facets” on his pipes are amazingly intricate and beautiful (see photo).
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When he started in 2000, Eusheen worked for Mike Luna in Selma, Oregon. At the same time, he said Mike “was learning from Darby” and passing a few methods on to him. Although he worked in a glass shop, Eusheen was mostly self-taught. He explained that while he worked for “Studio G”, he learned mainly through trial and error and by making pipes, many pipes. He explained that, in the Rogue Valley area, the number of glass blowers “is in the hundreds”. 8 Exchange of ideas and techniques keeps the industry thriving. Eusheen’s work is also at Local Stores, or visit www.myspace.com/eush The glass pieces that come out of Southern Oregon, specifically Grants Pass, are some of the most beautiful, artistic, and creative glass pipes available anywhere. Stores that sell Oregon-made glass are obviously important to the industry, but adding a literal window into their fiery, molten glass world is a unique way to make it accessible to everyone. The glass blowers, store owners, and
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9 passionate people of Grants Pass and Southern Oregon truly make this …Glasstown, USA!
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Now, More Than Ever By Jenifer Valley, Portlandsterdam University My Representative actually took the time to show up on my doorstep in March to tell me that medical marijuana patients must get involved in public policy at the grass-roots level. If we ever want to see any positive change to our program, we all must get involved. Caregivers and Growers must be included. This includes everything from getting involved in local elections by talking to the candidates who are running for your district, to going to public policy making meetings. The two most important conversations right now are Healthcare and Employment, exactly what M74 is all about: creating jobs and containing Healthcare costs while improving Healthcare outcomes. That is why we need to be a part of these conversations. To show the rest of Oregon that medical marijuana can help free up resources for all Oregonians by improving the Healthcare outcomes of the sickest among us. We can make a difference that makes life better for all Oregonians. Each one of us needs to stand up and tell the Health Improvement Plan Commision and the Oregon Health Policy Board about how medical marijuana is affecting our lives. They need to know that medical marijuana patients drastically reduce
hospital and doctor visits and use far less medication. If you are a senior, the Governor’s Commission on Senior Services needs to hear from you. They are grappling with the issue of funding long term care facilities: they need to hear about how medical marijuana friendly facilities could contain costs. None of us wants to end up like Jack Herrer, in a facility where we can’t use our medications, so we better let them know. There’s also the Oregon Pain Management Commission. They are working on curriculum for doctors and would love to hear from us about how we use medical marijuana to treat our pain.
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get access under the current law. But it’s very difficult.” Oregon Green Free’s club house may demonstrate how medical marijuana users would benefit from a more open and mainstream method of distribution. However, Oregon’s dispensary initiative is coming at a time when Los Angeles is cracking down on its own marijuana dispensaries. California has allowed dispensaries since 2007. But Los Angeles has seen an explosion of illegal dispensaries since the laws took hold On June 7, a new ordinance took effect that closed some 400 of the city’s medical marijuana stores. Cornelius Swart is a writer for enzymepdx.com, visit them online at www.enzymepdx.com
There are many places where we can bring medical marijuana into the public conversation. We need to do it now, more than ever. Don’t be afraid to say that “M” word in your next conversation. The public needs a lot of education and they can only get that from you, the patient. We can’t count on our local media and news papers, such as The Oregonian, to print the truth.
Marijuana Reclassified Cont. from Page 3
Jenifer Valley is the Owner of Stoney Girl Gardens, a marijuana seed company, and founder of Portlandsterdam University. She is a longtime OMMP cardholder and activist. Reprinted from Toke of the Town, http://www.tokeofthetown.com - Copyright (c) 2010 Village Voice Media.
Oregon's Future Cont. from Page 3
Joshua Brewer
Anthony Johnson, a board member of Oregon Green Free and one of M-74's chief petitioners, sees a problem with the current system. “If that’s the way it was for food we’d all starve,” Johnson said. “We do the best we can to help patients
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Want to Network on Medical Cannabis?
T h e Me r c y C l u b meets every Wed. 7pm - 9pm at the
Medford police took all of the cannabis in the home, despite the fact that Oregon law (ORS 475.324) states that "A law enforcement officer who determines that a registry identification cardholder is in possession of amounts of usable marijuana or numbers of marijuana plants in excess of the amount or number authorized by ORS 475.320 may confiscate only any usable marijuana or plants that are in excess of the amount or number authorized, [2005 c.822 §10]". Medford police were not prepared with scales, and no weighing of the cannabis was performed at the scene. And again, the cannabis that they seized was not usable. Joshua was convicted of 2 counts of felony possession and manufacture of cannabis. He is awaiting sentencing on August 30th. He is already planning an appeal with his attorney, Jess Barton, and support from his friend Rick Maughs.
The Doctor is In ... Salem! the
Medical Cannabis Resource Center
MERCY - the Medical Cannabis Resource Center - is hosting Medical Cannabis Consultations in the Salem, Oregon area to help folks get their card when their regular care physician won't sign for them. They will happen at 1469 Capital Street NE, Suite #100, Salem, 97301 Call 503.363-4588 to make contact and start the process of transferring records.
Want to Get Your Card? Need Medicine? Mon - Fri, Noon – 5PM the MERCY Center will be Open to help folks get their card, network patients to medicine, and other resources depending on the issue. Pi o n e e r i n g Co mmo n S e n se Co mp a ssi o n in Oregon, across America and around The World
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C a n n a bi s C o n n e c t i o n
Wal-Mart Is at the Center of a Major Legal Battle Over Pot Patients' Rights Mike Meno, Marijuana Policy Project & Scott Michelman, ACLU Drug Law Reform Project On June 29th in Michigan, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) filed a lawsuit against Wal-Mart that has significant implications for the thousands of seriously ill Americans across the country who legally use medical marijuana under state law, but still face employer discrimination because of the continued stigma attached to the medicine that brings them relief. The plaintiff in the case is Joseph Casias, a 30-year-old married father of two, who was wrongfully fired from his job at a Battle Creek, Mich., Wal-Mart after he tested positive for marijuana following a drug screen. I emphasize the word "wrongfully," because Casias is a legal, registered medical marijuana patient in Michigan; he takes marijuana on the recommendation of his oncologist to help relieve the effects of sinus cancer and an inoperable brain tumor that was the size of a softball when diagnosed. This treatment--which Casias says relieves his symptoms more effectively than, and without any of the side effects caused by, his previous medication--became a legal option for Casias in 2008, after Michigan voters overwhelmingly approved a medical marijuana law that was drafted and sponsored by the Marijuana Policy Project. In accordance with that law, Casias never
National News the country in the 14 states and the District of Columbia where medical marijuana is legal. All too often, even after state law and a physician sanction a patient's use of marijuana -- a legitimate and safe medicine backed by countless studies, medical professionals, and public health groups -- employers still punish them for it. But no patient should be forced to choose Walmart is firing employees that are abiding by between adequate pain relief and the Michigan Medical Marijuana Laws. The gainful employment, and no ACLU's lawsuit could impact on many medical marijuana patients if unsuccessful. employer should be allowed to intrude upon private medical choices made used marijuana while on the job, nor did he by employees in consultation with their ever work under the influence of marijuana. doctors. In fact, during his time at Wal-Mart, Casias Cont. on Page 11 was able to rise from an entry-level stocking position to a managerial role, and along the way was named the store's 2008 Associate of the Year. But Casias's diligence meant nothing to WalMart. In clear violation of Michigan's voterapproved law, which states that medical marijuana patients "shall not be subject to ... [any] penalty in any manner, or denied any right or privilege, including but not limited to civil penalty or disciplinary action by a business," Wal-Mart fired Casias simply because he had marijuana metabolites in his system, which says nothing about whether he was under the influence of marijuana at the time. WalMart even had the temerity to challenge his unemployment benefits, though they retracted their opposition and issued a hollow statement calling the situation "unfortunate" after a barrage of protests that followed Marijuana Policy Project's call for a nationwide boycott. The Casias case will have great significance not only for Joseph's own life and livelihood but also for thousands of patients around
By Keith Mansur Oregon Cannabis Connection The Veterans Affairs Department is back tracking on its previous stance on Medical Marijuana(MMJ) for treatment of VA patients. Pressure from Veterans groups and political leaders has forced the VA to issue a directive that allows VA patients in legal marijuana states to use MMJ when recommended by a physician. Previously, the VA had taken a position to not allow its doctors to recommend MMJ, and to possibly deny other pain medication while they are using it. Although the new directive, released on July 22nd, will not allow VA physicians to recommend MMJ, it does loosen these rules so doctors in legal states can allow its use, and treat each patient on a case by case basis, instead of a blanket policy against MMJ. The directive said, in part, “VHA policy does not prohibit Veterans who use medical marijuana from participating in VHA substance abuse programs, pain control programs, or other clinical programs where the use of marijuana may be considered inconsistent with treatment goals. Although patients participating in state medical marijuana programs must not be denied VHA services, modifications may need to be made in their treatment plans.” Michael Krawitz, of Veterans for Medical Marijuana Access, recently explained to the New York Times that the directive is important to veterans that find MMJ an effective treatment. Krawitz explained that it will send a clear message through the VA system that Medical Marijuana use is not a reson for denial of services or prosecution. Unfortunately, a note in the directive made one thing perfectly clear…”Possession of medical marijuana by Veterans while on VA property is in violation of VA regulation 1.218(a)(7) and places them at risk for
Page 9 prosecution under the Controlled Substances Act.” So, if you are a patient that needs medical marijuana to help ease your suffering, you’ll just have to suffer a bit more while you’re at a VA facility.
by Phillip Smith Stop the Drug War A poll released July 14 by the Cornell University Survey Research Institute found that nearly two-thirds (64%) of New Yorkers are in favor of legalizing marijuana for medical use. The poll results are similar to a Quinnipiac poll in February that measured support at 71%. Despite broad public support, medical marijuana legislation failed to pass either chamber of the New York legislature this year. For a dozen years, proponents have pushed medical marijuana bills, and twice the Assembly has approved them, only to see them die in the Senate. That was understandable when the Senate was controlled by Republicans, but is less so now. Among Democrats, 66% support medical marijuana, and so do 68% of unaffiliated voters, while a mere plurality of Republicans (48%) oppose it. When broken down on ideological, as opposed to partisan lines, 79% of liberals support medical marijuana, as do 63% of moderates. A majority of conservatives (51%), on the other hand, oppose legalizing medical marijuana, but only a slight majority. Somewhat surprisingly, upstate residents had higher levels of support (67%) than people who live downstate (62%). Men were more likely to support it (67%) than women (61%), and whites were more likely to support it (66%) than non-whites (60%). Medical marijuana won majority support across every age group, and was 65% or higher for every age group except those over 65, where support declined to 52%. It also won majority support across every income bracket, increasing steadily from 53% among those making less than $30,000 a year to 73% among those making more than $100,000 a year. Fourteen states and the District of Columbia have approved medical marijuana. Maybe one of these years, legislators in New York will get around to enacting the will of Empire State voters. (http://stopthedrugwar.org/chronicle/archive Go to Chronicle #640, number 10.)
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DEA Raids Pot Protestor By Steve Elliott Toke of the Town John Roberts, 48, said he and his fiancee, Stephanie Whisman, 38, were raided after he organized a medical marijuana protest earlier in the month. Roberts is holding a syringe of Rick Simpson hemp oil, a liquid cannabis extract ingested orally for pain and to induce sleep. Perhaps as a warning to those who dare to speak out, federal Drug Enforcement Administration agents on Tuesday raided the home of a Michigan medical marijuana patient, activist and caregiver after he organized a protest outside the Saginaw County Courthouse last week. John F. Roberts, 49, of Thomas Township, said he believes the raid was in retaliation because he organized a protest he organized less than a week before the raid, accusing the Saginaw County Sheriff of raiding patients and caregivers, reports Kim Russell at NBC 25. Protesters had come from around the state, some holding signs reading, "Learn The Law." "Our patients had to suffer because they [law enforcement] don't believe in it," said Roberts at last week's protest. "I don't give a rat's ass what they believe in." According to Roberts, a member of TriCounty Compassion Club, he has patients who depend upon him for their marijuana supply, who will now suffer. Saginaw County Sheriff William Federspiel claimed his department "had nothing to do" with the raid, and that it was part of a federal investigation. Robert said all of his equipment and marijuana were confiscated by the DEA. Roberts said he was near the back of his multiple-acre property when unmarked cars pulled onto the shoulder of the road near his home. He said agents exited the vehicles with their guns drawn, reports Gus Burns at The Saginaw News. According to Roberts, he was handcuffed less than 10 yards from a pile of protest signs left over after Friday's protest rally. One of the green "Learn The Law" posters lay visible atop the pile. Behind the pile of signs were some children's toys and a large shed where Roberts and his fiancee, Stephanie Whisman, 38, also a caregiver, had been
Compassion Club, reports Gus Burns at The Saginaw News. "They act like kids, the way they love to go in there and tear stuff up."
cellular respiration and tumor growth in human oral cancer cells. Specifically, investigators reported that cannabinoids were a “potent inhibitor” of Tu183 human cancer cells, a notoriously difficult to treat type of oral cancer.
"Now I don't know where I'm going to get my medicine that I need," said Zimmer, who said she has had more than 30 surgeries and is one of Roberts and Whisman's patients.
Of course, this is hardly the first time that pot’s compounds have been demonstrated to possess anti-cancer properties. As has been widely reported here and elsewhere, US government researchers were first aware of this finding over 35 years ago, and today there exist published scientific studies demonstrating that cannabinoids can inhibit the proliferation of a wide range of cancers — including brain cancer, prostate cancer, breast cancer, lung cancer, skin cancer, pancreatic cancer, biliary tract cancer, and lymphoma. Nonetheless, abstract prohibitionist concerns regarding marijuana’s supposed cancer risk continue to dominate the headlines while actual scientific studies debunking these allegations tend to go unnoticed.
"What John and Stephanie are growing, it works completely on what is bothering me," Zimmer said. "And I feel better, I don't feel DEA agents Raid a home in Michigan. The raid was pressured with having apparently just a week after the resident had organized a protest against law enforcement. to take pain pills." "We live in fear," Roberts growing marijuana. said. "This is America?" "I don't think so anymore," he said. "I don't This was the second marijuana raid at know what this country is. I really don't." Roberts' home in four months. Neither Roberts nor Whisman have been charged Thomas Township police, ignoring the fact since agents and Saginaw County sheriff's deputies first raided their home on April 15 - that Roberts is legal under the state's medical marijuana law, supported federal - the same day the home of Saginaw agents in the raid. The DEA could not be Township resident and medical marijuana reached for comment. patient Edwin W. Boyke, 64, was also searched. Reprinted from Toke of the Town,
Boyke's grow equipment was destroyed, and his property and marijuana were seized in that raid. Much of it was later returned after Boyke agreed to pay $5,000 to get his own property back. John Roberts organized this protest, criticizing law enforcement tactics -- and got raided JUly 6th. Meanwhile, Roberts and Whisman said law enforcement is unfairly targeting them. According to Roberts and Whisman, they are allowed to possess 132 plants and a little more than 1.5 pounds of "usable marijuana," based on the 10 patients for whom they care -- five each -- and Roberts' individual patient allotment.
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A Couple Of Recent Studies The Mainstream Media Forgot To Mention By Paul Armentano Deputy Director of NORML
Similarly, preclinical data published online June 17th in the journal Cell Communication and Signaling reported that the administration of the nonpsychoactive cannabinoid cannabidiol (CBD) increases adult neurogenesis (the active production of new neurons) in laboratory animals. Authors speculated that cannabis’ pro-neurogenic effects may explain why the plant appears to be useful in the treatment of certain neurodegenerative disorders like Alzheimer’s disease or ALS. As I wrote on July 1st, to date there are now over 20,000 published studies or reviews in the scientific literature pertaining to marijuana and its active compounds — making marijuana the most studied plant on Earth. But what’s the point in further research if nobody even bothers to pay attention to the research that’s already been done? Paul Armentano is the Deputy Director of NORML. Used by permission from http://blog.norml.org
"I may lose everything I own," Roberts said. "I'm terrified, utterly terrified." Roberts, on the advice of his attorney, wouldn't discuss specifically what agents seized, but said they had less than what Michigan law allows. DEA agents confiscated about $10,000 worth of growing equipment. "They came in, and even the cops were there, they said the medical did not matter," Roberts said. "They will not recognize medical marijuana." "They're like Gestapo," said Kim Zimmer, 54, of Saginaw, president of the Tri-County
Investigators and pundits alike are fond of calling for ‘more research’ into the safety and efficacy of marijuana and its active compounds. Ironically, when such calls are heeded and new research is published, nobody wants to talk about it. For example, researchers at the State University of New York (SUNY), Upstate Medical University in Syracuse published data in the June issue of the journal Pharmacology concluding that the administration of the plant cannabinoids delta-8-THC and delta-9-THC halted
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