Sativa Magazine The Voice Of The People by Sativa Magazine

november 2013â&#x20AC;

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Do your part to grow the culture. Let our advertisers know that you saw them in Sativa Magazine. Atmos Rx Bubble Bowls Cannabis Camera Cannaline Cannaventure Seeds Celebration Pipes EZTrim Flipz Guardian Data Systems Happy Daddy Products Herbivore Designs Kasher Tools Kushed Clothing Method Seven MTG Seeds Shaman Genetics Stoner Couture Threefourink

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Sativa Magazine Online Issue No. 10 November 2013 President & Publisher Tiffany Greene Editor-in-Chief Michael Carter Managing Editor & Design Director Cheryl Addington Marketing Director/Project Manager Jason Osburn Social Marketing Director Mekinsey M. Molinaro Social Marketing Expert Carly Hofer Art Director Josh Clappe Designers Emily Cain Mekinsey M. Molinaro Photographer Max Bortnick Executive Editor Gloria Martinez Assistant Executive Editors Paul Josephs R. Robinson Writers Dan Bariault Johnathan Cilia Richard Drew Gina Epps Cory Francis Hippy KK Adam Kain Kip Jarvis Paul Josephs Joe Martin Michael Mojave Suzanne Quiett R. Robinson Sarrah Safi Samuel Wells All contents ÂŠ2013 Sativa Magazine. Sativa Magazine is published and distributed by Vanguard Click Publishing, Seattle, WA. Sativa Magazine does not condone or endorse any illegal use of any products or services advertised herein. All material is for educational purposes only. Sativa Magazine recommends consulting an attorney before considering any business decision or venture. We take no responsibility for the actions of our readers.

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Help us sow the seeds of freedom

Welcome to the tenth issue of Sativa Magazine. It’s almost our birthday. This month we are shining our light on the wonderful people and organizations that help drive the Cannabis movement. Some do not focus their efforts on Cannabis specifically, but they help the movement in their own way. We want to show appreciation and recognition for their hard work — with special recognition going to NORML for their worldwide dedication to fighting for our freedoms. This issue is dedicated to those who do a little or a lot for the Cannabis and hemp movement. Sativa Magazine is a cause company in itself. Our love gets poured into bettering this industry and creating jobs in a very exciting market. Without these advocacy groups, we wouldn’t be as close to full legalization as we are today. In 1978, the Cannabis movement was almost where it is now, and then it reversed. We have to keep fighting. Support your lobbying and advocacy groups that fight for you and your freedoms. Please sign up and vote. Many citizens are under the impression that their voting rights were taken from them. Quite often people discover that they only have to fill out a couple extra papers. Please go to the courts and check your status. We need your vote. There is much information and rumor that has spread about a felon’s ability to vote. Please do some research. We need all the voters that support our personal freedoms to stand up and make a difference. Please. Take a friend with you to vote.

but we have roughly 20,000 readers. Most of you have friends you can take to the voting booth. Many of you have Facebook accounts or some other social media platform with which you communicate with your friends. Spread the word. Organize rides to the booths for as many people as possible. Please, take action. :) There are many selfless organizations such as Sativa Magazine that want to do something positive for the movement. We want to create jobs. Jobs create taxes. The government does not like to turn down free money. The stronger the Cannabis and hemp industries are, the louder our voices become. Please take some time to read through the advocacy groups and causes we cover in this issue. Also please recommend any we didn’t cover. There are plenty. We want to help as much as we can. We work for you. Do you want to join the movement? Would you like to work in the Cannabis Industry? If so, please look up “Sativa Jobs” on Facebook for future job listings from all over the country. And please add any we didn’t find. Thank you all for your support. We’ve built this out of love with the goal of being a vehicle that helps people live better lives. Michael Carter Editor-in-Chief michael@sativamagazine.com

One voice might not make a huge difference,

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november 2013 coLuMNs business Highdeas empowering the empire from the inside out Tools for change.

bright shiny objects Diamond vaporizer & 2k Diffuser Beads Hippy KK heaps high nugg-counts on these stellar products.

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tHE advocacy issuE Advocacy: All Hands on Deck for Cannabis Reform Pick one â&#x20AC;&#x201D; or three. Get involved. Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s how it works.

Top Ten Celebrity Advocates 60 Need more inspiration? These visible people make their views known.

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Within NORML Limits The granddaddy of all advocacy orgs points the way.

What is a Non-Profit Organization? Kip Jarvis explains the nuts and bolts of the NFP.

Get Up and Go! Inspired? Randy Robinson has a roadmap and some trail mix.

Did Our Founding Fathers Inhale? Oh, George! Part Two.

The Hemp Conspiracy: Part Two When last we left our intrepid millionaires...

Portfolio Our monthly collection from around the country.

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business highdeas HIPPY KK/carter

Empowering the empire from the inside out Non-profit lobbyist group Do you want to make a difference in the Cannabis industry and at the same time create jobs? Every industry needs an advocate with a strong voice to lobby for its rights. If that is your passion, then starting a non-profit lobbyist group or NPLG might just be your niche. With a clear objective and a well-developed business plan to present to potential contributors, your group could be well on its way to making a difference. Since an NPLG is simply another form of a business, you’ll need to develop a solid business plan and guide the execution through implementation. A business plan is essential for procuring nonprofit funding from donors and the government, and is a great tool to help recruit volunteers. You will need to establish board members and incorporate your organization. You’ll also need to understand how to structure your non-profit, what tax exemptions you may qualify for, as well as how to obtain government grants.

well-organized presence within the media, individual state capitols and the nation’s Capitol, are key factors to securing a future for the Cannabis industry. Advocating for people who share the same viewpoints is imperative when it comes to making a difference.

Advising, informing and encouraging changes in legislation by maintaining a professional and

Lobbying is a regulated industry and a protected activity under the First Amendment of the U.S.

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Constitution that guarantees rights to free speech, assembly, and petition. There are two forms of lobbying. Direct lobbying is communicating directly with a legislator, or any covered executive branch of or other government employee by meeting with them in person, by phone or corresponding with them in order to influence their vote. Grassroots lobbying is

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Advocating and education are imperative for non-profits.

when everyday citizens contact their own legislators to try to influence legislation and policy. Either works as effectively and is just as important as the other. If you seem to find yourself wondering if there is something more you could do to make a difference in the Cannabis industry, form a non-profit lobbyist group, and lobby for policy change. Help bring awareness and educate those that have otherwise turned a deaf ear to Cannabis reform. URLs: www.changepromoter.com www.advocaters.com www.lobbyistlounge.com www.advocatespeaker.com www.advocatelounge.com www.pushchange.com App for non-profit company for activism and education Everywhere you look, there’s an app for this and an app for that. With the touch of a finger, anyone pro-Cannabis could have a wide range of information readily available to them. Creating an app for a non-profit 12

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company to use to encourage activism or to educate potential activists could prove to be invaluable for many non-profits. Of course you’d have to follow the same procedures when forming the non-profit app as you would for any other non-profit company. Not only will you need to create a business plan, form a board of directors, incorporate the organization and recruit volunteers, but you must also be certain that in order to receive government grants for the education part of your nonprofit organization, you must meet certain standards for the type of grants that will ultimately help you with your organization’s goals. Advocating and education are imperative for non-profits. Without education on Cannabis reform, facts can be hard to come by; without advocates, support may dwindle. Together, the two go hand-in-hand, providing the world with vital knowledge and igniting the passion that paves the way to reformation of current laws. The app should be rich in educational resources and facts regarding Cannabis, to teach

those that might be newcomers to Cannabis reform. It should also provide reliable information on what they can do to make a difference, as well as links to current events, such as individual state medical legalization laws, state legalization, house and state bills that have been introduced and where to lobby. It would be ideal if while on vacation, one could type in the visiting state and find out if there might be a rally at that state’s capital that would benefit from their support and attendance. A wealth of information could be provided on this app, and I for one, would certainly volunteer to beta-test it once a tech-savvy genius designs it. Advocate! Be in the know. Learn, teach, be active, support and sponsor. Be the voice that our government needs to hear. URLs: www.activistbutton.com www.opiniontouch.com www.tapvoter.com www.activistinhand.com www.civilwhistle.com www.civiltap.com S sativamagazine.com

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Diamond Vaporizers V-Pen™ Red Diamond

Rating: 5 nuggs Diamond Vaporizers V-Pen™ has a direct-contact heating element and is made to be used specifically with wax products. Available in either red or black, its small, sleek design is only three-quarters of an inch wide by 4 and one-quarter inches long and easily and discretely fits into your pocket or purse. It’s easy to grip thanks to the smooth rubber coating and never gets hot or even warm to the touch. The power button is easily accessible which allows for easy, happy dabbing. This little gem is perfect for any ganjapreneur but especially those looking for discretion. To see if anyone noticed otherwise, it was put to the test first while sitting on a bench outside of a busy mall. No one gave a second glance to what was being consumed. In fact, no one seemed to pay any attention at all. It started to rain so indoors we went. While inside, with passersby on both sides, I continued hitting the V-Pen™ and again, not a single person did a double take. Only in small enclosed areas such as a vehicle is a brief, faint scent noticed, and

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then it’s more like the remnants of burned incense, emitting a muskysweet smell. Diamond Vaporizers V-Pen™ quickly became a household favorite and has just about replaced all other methods of consumption. Not for convenience alone but the product used with the V-Pen™ contains a higher THC content over bud so less is needed and the high lasts longer. Weekly consumption costs have decreased by more than 50 percent. The V-Pen is our favorite of a whole crop of new accoutrement that can bring exceptional revenue opportunities for the savvy dispensary or head shop owner. The pens, dabbing tools and, of course, the wax

itself, gives ganjapreneurs lots of products to offer consumers. Digging deep into your wallet is not required. The Diamond Vaporizers V-Pen™ is affordably priced for individual sale and they offer wholesale prices for quantity orders. Don’t leave home without it, visit their website or contact a sales representative today and get these little beauties in your pocket and on your cannabusiness shelf today! A full list of available products and replacement parts is available on their website. S Diamond Vaporizers: http:// www.diamondvaporizers.com/ products.html

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diffuser beads by 2k industries, LLc

Rating: 5+ nuggs compliments to 2K industries, LLc for creating a product that allows cannabis consumers ease and enjoyment when taking water pipe hits. Harsh hits and endless coughing are history when using these colorful beads in conjunction with your water pipe. not much larger than a bb, 2K diffuser beads are available in two sizes: small, for straight-neck glass, and extra-large for the beaker style. Simply fill the stem with diffuser beads to the water line and then cover with water. 2K’s creation ‘diffuses’ or breaks up, and cools down the smoke, making inhaling tolerable and pleasurable, just as it should be when consuming cannabis. 2K diffuser beads are available in a wide array of colors including glow-in-the-dark and are completely re-usable. Simply clean the beads with green glass clean, a cleaning solution made specifically for these beads, which allows them to be used time and time again. What a significant difference this little jar of beads made to my lungs and ability to draw in a big hit. i’m

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not in high school anymore and haven’t been for a long time; my lungs aren’t what they used to be, but my love for cannabis remains true. old-school consumption of cannabis using a water pipe had nearly been forgotten until Sativa magazine received 2K diffuser beads; now it’s hard to put down that piece of glass and enjoy cannabis by any other method.

beads are only slightly higher in head shops. This product should be sold hand-in-hand anywhere cannabis or cannabis accessories are offered. no water pipe s hould be sold without the salesperson recommending 2K diffuser beads. S 2K Industries llc - http:// diffuserbeads.com/

2K industries offers diffuser beads at a price any cannabis consumer can afford. With sale prices starting as low as $3.99, and regularly priced beads starting at $5.99 and up on their website; 2K diffuser

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business as unusual paul josephs

Business Spotlight: Centennial State Distributors

Anyone passing by Centennial State Distributors (http://www. centennialseeds.com) in Lafayette, Colo. will see a storefront with an operating hours sign posted on the door just like any other business, which is exactly what Centennial is — with the distinction that this business involves Cannabis — Cannabis seeds to be specific. Ben Holmes, who owns the business, has operated his business as a Cannabis seed farmer openly and in complete compliance with the law since the company’s inception in 2009. His brand is Centennial Seeds. The business is an excellent model for those looking to seamlessly enter the Cannabis industry where it is legal for medical or recreational consumption. The inspiration leading up to the formation of Centennial Seeds is both interesting and familiar to many growers. Holmes wanted to grow his own Cannabis and satisfy his scientific and horticultural interests at the same time; however, to start this process Holmes needed seeds, and obtaining them proved to be problematic. His first attempt involved placing an order

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for seeds that never arrived. Once he finally obtained some seeds, he was disappointed with the genetic quality of the resulting plants, which seemed to be very inbred and expressed undesirable recessive traits like hermaphroditism and overall lack of vigor; he also paid quite a bit of money for them.

average seed cost was for the over one thousand varieties advertised in Cannabis magazines. That figure, after factoring in the valuation of the different currencies, ended up being $7.32 each, a figure unheard of in other seed markets. A savvy businessman, Holmes hatched the idea of Centennial Seeds.

Holmes knew that to create strains correctly, he needed excellent and genetically diverse foundation strains to work with so he could make his own distinctive hybrid and heirloom seeds. This involved obtaining seeds of landrace strains from a variety of geographic locales around the world, and also what are best described as much-valued heirloom hybrid strains. Holmes acquired several large Cannabis seed collections and now possesses an impressive and invaluable Cannabis seed library. Some of these strains are in Centennial Seeds’ current offerings. One of Centennial Seeds’ goals is to preserve the original landrace and heirloom strains by performing periodic seed increases of them.

Centennial Seeds started with the purpose of providing unique and high-quality genetics for medical Cannabis patients in Colorado. Holmes obtained a farmer seed labeler license from the Colorado D epar t m e n t of Agri c u l t u re. A c c o rd i n g t o t h e D e p t . o f Agriculture, “Farmer seed labelers are those persons who only label seed produced on property owned or rented by such person or such person’s employer.” He worked with Colorado State University to certify the viability of his seeds in accordance with federal and state regulations, and eventually began performing his own tests in compliance with those regulations.

Holmes had enlisted the aid of an intern to research just how much the

One of the aspects of purchasing seeds that makes some would-be buyers wary is that unlike purchasing a toaster, you cannot tell for

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certain what you are actually getting when you receive a packet of little brown Cannabis seeds. What makes Centennial Seeds unique in the Cannabis seed business is that as a licensed farmer seed labeler, the seeds come labeled with information required by the Federal Seed Act which include the scientific species and common name, the packed-for date, the seed lot designation, and contact information. The seeds are carefully wrapped in wax paper and packed in an airtight tin. Centennial Seeds currently can only sell seeds in a patient-topatient scenario in Colorado. That is set to change once Cannabis is legal for sale to all adults in that state over the age of 21 beginning Jan. 1, 2014. Centennial Seeds’ products include a Hawaiian Cannabis sativa landrace Waipi’o Hapa which is featured in the Green Candy Press book Cannabis Sativa Vol. 1, and the landrace Rio Negro Columbian Sativa which will be featured in their upcoming Cannabis Sativa Vol. 3. If Cannabis indica is your preference, Centennial Seeds offers Dakini Kush, which is Pre ‘98 Bubba Kush x Hindu Kush. In the not-too-distant future, these superb varieties and more will be available to the public in Colorado. Centennial Seeds works with local medical Cannabis growers as part of

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the development process of their strains, receiving feedback on growing characteristics and phenotype expressions under a variety of cultivation environments. Holmes has licensed some of his strains to Bay State Seed (http://baystateseed.com) in Massachusetts, giving them the exclusive right to reproduce them for sale in that state. Centennial Seeds’ Ben Holmes is a strong advocate for hemp as well as Cannabis and is serving on the Colorado Industrial Hemp Advisory Board for a three-year term. The board has drafted the rules for the regulation of the cultivation of hemp in Colorado scheduled for a public reading on Nov. 6, 2013. Centennial Seeds is currently working with a few European hemp cultivars and is planning to scale up hemp seed production as the new hemp industry expands in Colorado. Hemp will be legal for registered farmers to grow in 10-acre allotments in Colorado beginning March 1, 2014. Holmes also operates Centennial State Distributors, which sells growing supplies. These supplies are not what one normally encounters in a typical hydro shop. The products are all developed for mainstream horticulture, brands like Peters fertilizers and Fafard growing media line his shelves. Centennial Seeds grows their seed-producing plants

in the manner a commercial grower of tomatoes or peppers would, with precision fertilizer injectors and standardized growing media used to maximize economy and efficiency. As Cannabis becomes legal for recreational consumption in more states, these techniques will be utilized more frequently; Cannabis is ultimately just another herbaceous annual plant, albeit one with unique and valuable qualities. One practice Centennial Seeds has transferred over from the commercial production of tree seedlings is the use of 2-inch by 7-inch tree seedling pots. These are placed in holders that allow for 400 cuttings or seedlings in a 4-foot by 4-foot tray, which is an extremely efficient use of space and electricity. Their website has a very informative blog format packed with information about their products. It is inspiring to see how successfully Ben Holmes and Centennial Seeds has worked within the existing state and federal agriculture regulations concerning seed farmers to openly produce Cannabis seeds legally. The irony of that is not lost on this particular writer. It is a model other seed farmers should be encouraged to pursue as we enter the new era of legal Cannabis and hemp. S

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THe NEEd For sEEds

Paul josePHs

shining bright in a galaxy of stars

it’s a jungle out there Unless you are greenhouse Seeds, Sensi Seeds, Dutch Passion, or another of the big-name companies that have made a solid business dealing in cannabis genetics for many years, you could be considered just another pollenchucker until proven otherwise. The cannabis seed market is very chaotic right now, and new players must contend with a few rip-off artists, bad actors, and thieves. it’s a buyer-beware market, and you need to take steps to distance yourself from the bad apples. Listed below are some very important qualities reputable and successful businesses strive hard to maintain. availability not just an inventory issue, availability in this context is about being accessible to answer questions,

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JorDan DUSeK

So, you’ve done some breeding and have seeds to sell. excellent! How are you going to promote your products to distinguish them from the hundreds already out there, as well as the newcomers that seem to pop up every day?

resolve problems, and assist your customers however possible. a prompt response to all existing and potential customer inquiries is very important, especially if the contact is a negative one such as a complaint. This little gem could be repeated throughout this article, but this is a good place for it; unhappy customers are rarely repeat customers, and they are much more likely to tell others about bad customerservice experiences than good ones. There are many reports that verify this; one that is cited often is from the now-defunct

White House office of consumer affairs, Washington, D.c. The disgruntled customer might not tell you, but you can be sure they are likely to tell their friends about their unhappiness — and in the internet age, word can travel fast. That’s not a good thing for your business, so resolution of customer problems is important. if you are using the services of a seed broker, make sure they have a good customer service reputation. Honesty Don’t lie or stretch the truth. i’m saddened by the need to mention

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this, but it happens all too often. Don’t represent your F1 hybrid as a stable strain, because it isn’t. Tell your potential customer the truth that it’s an F1 hybrid. There’s a lot to be said for an F1, it’s going to have hybrid vigor, the offspring are generally uniform with perhaps a few different phenotypes and some really good ‘keepers’ could result. Please report if the seeds are from a selfing because all of the seeds will normally produce females and that’s not necessarily what a breeder may want and some people have an issue with feminized seeds. Others will like that aspect, so just be honest. Please do not list a parent you are not absolutely certain is the real thing. This is becoming an issue as breeders use clones as parents that have origins that are uncertain. If you don’t know the provider of the cutting and trust him or her completely, it’s best to address that honestly. I don’t have a problem with a seed breeder saying the pistillate parent is an unknown indica/ sativa hybrid. I definitely have a problem with people using a rockwool-rooted clone they purchased that was sitting in a labeled cup if there’s the chance that someone took a few out to look at the roots and put them back in the wrong cups. It happens — I’ve seen it. Don’t change names! Let me repeat that politely — please do not change names. Yes, that clone-only

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parent you used was one given to you with the expressed understanding that you wouldn’t distribute it or breed with it. You did so anyway and called it something else that sounds plausible. That’s uncool on several levels, especially when others breed with the plants that resulted from those seeds. Another disturbing trend is for growers to name a nice phenotype cutting as if it were a new strain. If it’s an awesome pheno of Lemon Skunk, say so and name the cutting — Lemon Skunk “Citronella cut,” for example. Don’t refer to that parent plant as Citronella. If you crossed Cinderella 99 with Lemon Skunk that’s another story altogether, and Citronella would be an appropriate hybrid name for that cross. Use photographs of your plants, not somebody else’s. There are some photos in use out there that are from really old seed catalogs and others that are clearly not of the plant in question. Don’t be that guy, it’s likely to come back and haunt you either with reduced sales or threatening messages from lawyers. Realism I like to see new companies charge realistic prices when first starting out. I’ll try a hybrid if I get a good feeling and trust the breeder’s description, and the price isn’t outrageous. True, feminized seeds should cost more because it takes a lot of effort to produce them, but

regular seeds should be priced attractively. If the parent plants are award winners, that might justify a little bit of a price increase, but I also know that amazing parents do not guarantee you great offspring every time, so keep that in mind. Integrity This is honesty’s close cousin. If seeds get mixed up somehow, try to sell them as a mix. If you offer them as a specific cross knowing some of the seeds are not from that cross, you will have unhappy customers, and that definitely won’t help your repeat business prospects. If you know the seeds have a low germination rate, either say so or don’t offer them. Quality control Do you know what the germination rate is for your cross? An informed and educated customer is going to ask about this, so do a test every six months to be sure. This is very helpful when a customer complains that none of their seeds germinated when you consistently get 100 percent germination from the same batch — it’s not going to be a pleasant conversation, but you know it’s almost certainly not the seeds. Send some seeds to friends where it is legal to do so to be sure your shipping method and carrier are not subjecting the seeds to continued on page 89//

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November 2013 25

BALTIMORE (Sept. 17) Researchers at the National Institute of Drug Policy announced that Cannabis is traceable in breath samples, bringing a DUI breathalyzer one step closer to reality. The researchers concluded: “Breath may offer an alternative matrix for testing for recent driving under the influence of cannabis, but is limited to a short detection window (between 0.5 hours and 2 hours).” Among chronic smokers, all breath samples were positive for THC at less than an hour; 76.9 percent at an hour and a half; 53.8 percent at 2.38 hours, and only 1 sample was positive at 4.2 hours after smoking. Among occasional smokers, 90.9 percent of breath samples were THC-positive at 0.95 hours, and 63.6 percent at 1.49 hours. Source: http://www.clinchem.org/content/early/2013/09/17/ clinchem.2013.207407.abstract SWITZERLAND (Oct. 3) Switzerland decriminalized possession of small amounts of Cannabis, making it a misdemeanor that will not go on one’s criminal record. While Cannabis production and sales are still not legal, authorities will not prosecute residents caught with 10 grams or less. The Swiss government hopes the move will bring unity to legal practices which until now varied wildly from one local system to another. It is also expected to save money, eliminating an average of 30-thousand cases for smoking Cannabis that appear before the courts each year. The revision does not apply to anyone under 18, against whom legal proceedings can still be brought alongside judge-imposed fines. Along with decriminalization, dealers selling to young people will be more strictly punished under the new revisions and children with problematic Cannabis use should be able to get expert help more easily. Source: http://www.independent. co.uk/news/world/europe/switzerland-changes-lawto-decriminalise-marijuana-possession-8856308. html ROMANIA (Oct. 15) Authorized medical patients in Romania may now use Cannabis derivatives

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under new provisions in two of the country’s narcotic laws, though medicinal and recreational use of Cannabis itself remains prohibited. Manufacturers will be able to apply to the National Agency for Medicines for approval to market drugs that contain Cannabis byproducts like resins or plant fragments. Romania is the tenth country in the European Union to legalize medicinal use of Cannabis. Source: http://www.romania-insider. com/romania-becomes-10th-country-in-the-eu-to-allowmedical-use-of-marijuana/107500/ WASHINGTON, D.C. (Oct. 20) The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority alerted investors about the possibility of Marijuana Stock Scams, as the Cannabis industry has been growing and attracting the attention of scammers. FINRA, an independent, not-for-profit organization authorized by Congress to protect American investors, warned that pitches to invest in potentially fraudulent Cannabis-related companies may arrive in a variety of ways including faxes, email or text-message invitations to webinars, infomercials, tweets or blog posts. FINRA warned investors to be wary of aggressive offers from people or companies they didn’t know and to research companies before investing. Source: http://www.finra.org/Investors/ProtectYourself/ InvestorAlerts/FraudsAndScams/P325352 URUGUAY (Oct. 20) Uruguay will sell legal Cannabis for $1 a gram to combat drug trafficking, according to the country’s drug tsar. President José Mujica’s efforts to explore alternatives in the war on drugs will make it the first country in the world to license and enforce rules for the production, distribution and sale of Cannabis to adults. Cannabis sales, meant to combat crime and not make money, should start in the second half of 2014 at a price of about $1 a gram, drug chief Julio Calzada told Uruguay’s El País. Local residents would be able to buy up to 40g a month, but sales to tourists are restricted. Smoking Cannabis has long been legal in Uruguay but growing, carrying, buying or selling it has been punishable by prison terms. Source: http://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/oct/22/ uruguay-legal-marijuana-drug-traffickers

sativamagazine.com

a compendium of legal news from around the country...and beyond by adam kain

BOULDER, Colo. (Oct. 22) Boulder County commissioners approved a license measure making medical Cannabis facilities in the county’s unincorporated areas eligible to seek county licenses to grow, manufacture, test, store and sell Cannabis and Cannabis products for recreational use. The measure said that only establishments with current county medical licenses may apply for recreational licenses until Jan. 1, 2015, and any other businesses wishing to establish themselves must wait for that date to apply for county recreational Cannabis licenses. Included were several regulations intended to prevent or discourage underage purchases, including prohibiting anyone under 21 from being inside a store and visible posting of notices stating that it’s illegal to transfer or sell Cannabis to anyone under 21. Source: http://www.timescall.com/longmont-local-news/ ci_24365999/boulder-county-commissioners-approverecreational-marijuana-licensing-requirements PORTLAND, Ore. (Oct. 23) The Oregon Court of Appeals overturned a decision to suppress evidence from the raid of an indoor medical Cannabis grow site in Beaverton, Ore. in 2010. A trial court judge ruled earlier that police had no probable cause to search the house of three people charged with possession, delivery and manufacture of Cannabis since the person who was registered at the address possessed a medical Cannabis card. The Appeals Court ruling said the officers’ training, along with the observation of a purported drug deal and a spike in power usage at the house gave reason to believe there was more

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Cannabis being grown than allowed for medicinal purposes. The case was sent back to the trial court. Source: http://www.kgw.com/news/local/ Police-had-right-to-search-Beaverton-home-formarijuana-grow-228998201.html SPOKANE, Wash. (Oct. 23) Spokane County commissioners voted to restrict retail Cannabis sales to light industrial and regional commercial areas to keep the businesses away from neighborhood zones or smaller commercial areas. The same zoning would be used to regulate processing facility locations. Licenses for growing operations will be allowed in agricultural, light industrial, mineral and regional commercial zones. Under rules adopted by the Washington State Liquor Control Board, Spokane County is allowed up to 18 retail licenses, with eight of those in the city of Spokane, seven in the unincorporated county and three in Spokane Valley. Shops cannot be within one-thousand feet of an elementary or secondary school, playground, recreation center, child-care center, park, transit center, library or arcade. There are no limits on the number of licenses for growing or processing facilities, but growing facilities will be limited to a total of 2- million square feet, statewide. Growing and production facilities must each have their own separate licenses. Producers or processors cannot hold retail licenses. Source: http://www.spokesman. com/stories/2013/oct/23/spokane-county-to-zonemarijuana-away-from/ S

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incredible medibles hippy KK

Pumpkin cupcakes with cream cheese frosting It’s that time of year again, friends. Thanksgiving is quickly approaching and soon families and loved ones will be gathered around tables to give thanks and stuff themselves, as well as their turkeys. This year, try something different rather than the traditional pumpkin pie or roll. Let everyone grab their own personal pumpkin cupcake with delicious cream cheese frosting. Yield: 12 150-mg. THC cupcakes

two minutes.

Prep Time: 45 minutes

4 Fill cupcake liners two-thirds full and bake 20–25 minutes, or until inserted toothpick comes out clean. Allow to completely cool on wire rack before frosting.

Ingredients: For the cupcakes: 1 16.5-oz. packaged spiced cake mix 1.8 grams hash 2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice 1 cup 100% pure pumpkin 1 cup water For the frosting: 2 8 oz. packages cream cheese, softened to room temperature 1 cup sugar 1 teaspoon vanilla extract You will also need a cupcake tin and 12 cupcake liners and a wire rack for cooling. If desired, top frosting with holiday-themed candy. Cupcakes: 1 Assemble ingredients. 2 In a large mixing bowl, combine cake mix, hash and pumpkin-pie spice. Mix on low speed until all dry ingredients are incorporated.

Frosting: 5 In a large mixing bowl, combine softened cream cheese and sugar, mix on medium-high until cream cheese becomes fluffy. 6 Add vanilla to mixture, mix on medium speed for approximately two additional minutes. Note: to make pumpkin cream cheese frosting, add 1/2 cup pure pumpkin to cream cheese mixture. To frost the cupcakes use either a knife, spatula or pipe it on. There is no right or wrong way to frost a cupcake. Get creative and top with candy appropriate for Thanksgiving such as candy corn or candy pumpkins. Although I want you to enjoy these cupcakes, it is important to remember that medibles take up to an hour or more before you begin to feel the effects. At 150-mg. THC each, it is recommended that you DO NOT eat more than one at a time. Do not drive or operate machinery after eating. S

3 Add pumpkin and water, mix on medium speed for

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The Advocacy Issue • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

ADVO

aLL HaNds oN dEck f

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• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

OCACY

foR caNNabis REfoRM

As you may or may not know,

the Sativa magazine staff is, in effect, a cannabis advocacy group. We range in age from student to grandparent, we live in a dozen different states, we have day jobs ranging from accounting to web developer, we are married, single, gay, straight, but we all have one thing in common: the relentless desire to see this nation’s (and the world’s) laws outlawing the cultivation and consumption of cannabis (and, by association, hemp) abolished. We’ve seen some good progress, but we are far from done. The war will only be won if every single reader and their friends and family link arms and join the fi ght. The following pages summarize some of the best groups out there for moving the mountain. but here’s the thing — they all need more hands. So read up, sign up, and man up.

We’re all counting on you. sativamagazine.com

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Association of Cannabis Trades for Colorado “ACT for Colorado is a member-driven organization of independent cannabis professionals organized and dedicated to ensuring patient access to quality medicine from diverse local sources through advocacy and education.” – http://www.act4co.org/ ACT for Colorado seeks to organize Cannabis industry professionals. Their focus is more at the grassroots level than in the bigger political arena, though to quote their site: “We go where our members need us. Our business doesn’t happen at the Capitol, although we show up when we need your voice to be heard.” This group is focused on furthering the cause of keeping the Cannabis trades thriving in Colorado by advocating good business practices, compliance with regulations and ensuring access to quality medicine for patients. Members have access to exclusive industry-specific information, business support manuals, webinars and more.

American Civil Liberties Union “The ACLU is our nation’s guardian of liberty, working daily in courts, legislatures and communities to defend and preserve the individual rights and liberties that the Constitution and laws of the United States guarantee everyone in this country.” – https://www.aclu.org/

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The American Civil Liberties Union is the largest public-interest law firm in the United States and one of nation’s most iconic nonprofit groups. Formed in the aftermath of WWI, the ACLU initially protected American communists from a wave of unconstitutional persecutions and abuses at the hands of authorities. They soon won national attention through their involvement as catalyst for the famed Scopes Monkey Trial of 1925, which fought a Tennessee ban on the teaching of evolution in public schools. Brown v. Board of Education, which ended racial segregation in public schools in 1954; you may thank the ACLU for that. Roe v. Wade, that assures a woman’s right of choice to continue or terminate a pregnancy; also ACLU. Have you ever used indecent language online or looked at porn on the world-wide web since 1996? Didn’t face prosecution as a result? Again, thank the ACLU. The stalwart organization has also begun standing up for the rights of Cannabis users. In 2011, the ACLU fought in two cases on behalf of medical Cannabis patients against two powerful sovereignties, Arizona and Walmart, and has already succeeded in the former. The group has also recently encouraged legislation to decriminalize possession of small amounts of Cannabis. While continuing its traditional courtroom battles, since 9/11 the ACLU has kept busy fighting civil and human rights violations

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resulting from the Patriot Act and policies put in place under the Bush Administration. Many of these issues, like rendition, torture, and drone strikes, have pushed the ACLU into the international arena, although their primary focus remains on domestic problems. For funding, the ACLU relies most heavily on grants and contributions, which makes up 57 percent on their $100-million budget. The rest of the budget comes from membership contributions, bequests, and legal fees awarded from court victories. With half a million members, 2,000 volunteer lawyers, and 100 attorneys on staff, the ACLU is able to organize community outreach and assemble effective legal action on multiple issues at any given time.

Americans for Safe Access “Americans for Safe Access (ASA) and Americans for Safe Access Foundation (ASAF) share the mission of ensuring safe and legal access to cannabis (marijuana) for therapeutic uses and research.” – http://www.safeaccessnow.org Americans for Safe Access is a one-stop resource for everything someone would need to know relating to the therapeutic use and research of medical Cannabis. This writer was so impressed when researching this organization that I became a member within minutes of navigating around their web site. Its main focus is providing legal resources for medicinal Cannabis providers and patients, while also providing information about Cannabis as a medicinal herb. If you are consuming Cannabis medicinally, the ASA offers a wealth of information and resources. There is excellent information about becoming a patient, the science behind the medicine, how to grow your own medicine

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Americans for Safe Access in an act of civil disobedience outside the Department of Health and Human Services in October 2005.

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and useful legal information. they even offer resources for your family and physician. if, heaven forbid, you are facing state or federal charges, the asa has resources to help with that as well. their legal resources are thorough and very useful. the asa provides information about each state’s laws, and even helpful information about your rights even in states that do not have laws allowing medicinal cannabis. the information provided by the asa can be very helpful and reassuring if you are concerned about your rights, whether you are facing charges or just wish to be adequately informed about them. the publications section is an incredible compilation of information and research pertaining to medical cannabis. the state legal manuals and the condition-based booklets are indispensable resources. asa has an active advocacy program. they have a very strong presence in washington D.c. in their own words, “asa is the only organization in our nation’s capitol working exclusively to advance safe and legal access to cannabis for therapeutic use and research.” the asa is working hard to foster sane and rational approaches to cannabis as a medicinal herb on capitol hill and within the current administration.

caMP “CAMP

concurs with this conclusion of the most exhaustively comprehensive study of marijuana to date. Until the government of the United States can produce conclusive medical and/or scientific justification for pot prohibition, all marijuana laws constitute a vindictive violation of the constitutional rights of citizens in simple pursuit of happiness in

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their own fashion.” – http://www.worldcamp.org

worldcamp, or the coalition for the abolition of marijuana prohibition, is a ground breaking non-profit that has been battling the cannabis war for decades. “the organization coalesced in the spring of 1978 in atlanta, georgia in a last ditch-effort to defeat pending anti-paraphernalia legislation on a constitutional basis,” the website states. when they began their work, they focused on trying to change the outdated cannabis laws that imprisoned people for extended periods of time for possession of truly minute amounts of cannabis. they quickly grew from there. they decided to strike against marijuana prohibition, by hosting non-violent protests where they invited other cannabis activists to share their ideas and thoughts. their website states, “this concept involves providing people with effective opportunities to demonstrate public outrage with the harmful side effects of prohibition to the individual as well as society in general.” as camp has grown, the laws have grown and changed drastically. what was taboo 15

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years ago is the topic of heated political debate today, partly due to CAMP’s continuous efforts and other organizations like them, all striving towards the same goal of prohibition repeal. Their website seems a little dated as far as events, but it still has quite a bit of information about what they do and how to get involved. There is also personal contact information so you can e-mail them to find a location nearest you. Their gift shop has lots of different products like stickers, and they even have a fun page of Cannabis supporting celebrities that surprised me. Lots of links to more information, and blogs also fill the site to further enhance your knowledge. Overall its easy to use and find what you’re looking for.

Canadians for Safe Access Canadians for Safe Access or CSA is “an actionoriented, grassroots campaign of patients, supporters and suppliers working at the local, provincial and national level to change the unjust laws that prevent Canadians from accessing therapeutic cannabis.” – http://www.safeaccess.ca/index.htm Canadians for Safe Access was inspired by Americans for Safe Access, a U.S. organization that fights and defends the rights of legitimate Cannabis consumers, cultivators and distributors through legislative strategies, the media and “non-violent” direct action. Currently, over 80 percent of Canadians support medical Cannabis and CSA promises to defend the rights of patients who seek alternative medication with Cannabis, as well the dispensaries that provide Cannabis for them. “Canadians for Safe Access will begin an aggressive media and grassroots campaign designed to pressure Health Canada to live up to its court-ordered obligations and follow the

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will of the Canadian people by opening up access to therapeutic Cannabis.” CSA’s objectives are to, “educate the public, policy makers and elite opinion makers about the futility of the war on drugs and the value of medical marijuana. Defend therapeutic Cannabis dispensaries, clubs, and societies and other safe and effective means of distributing marijuana to patients who need it. Frame a debate around Health Canada’s inability or unwillingness to meet its court-ordered obligations to supply therapeutic cannabis to Canadians with a legitimate medicinal need. Unify medicinal Cannabis advocates, patients, and caregivers on a focused campaign. Strengthen alliances between dispensaries and patients throughout Canada.” By promoting grassroots support and training, creating an emergency response plan that will deal with persecution and prosecution of medical Cannabis users, developing a relationship with the media to educate the public and government officials that are misled regarding Cannabis, are just a few ways CSA plans to achieve their objectives. Canadians for Safe Access encourages everyone to join their mailing list and take the “Pledge of Resistance.” In doing so, you will vow to either support or take nonviolent direct action for making Cannabis accessible to those that need it.

Cannabis Patients Network “Cannabis Patient Network’s mission is to empower patients to take an active part in their healthcare, their recovery, and in research that highlights their knowledge and embodied experience.” – http://www.CPNInstitute.org Cannabis Patient Network (CPN) is a

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dream for founder Mark Petersen. He began interviewing Cannabis patients across the nation in 2006. Hundreds of patients, most from non-medical states, have shared their stories — and Petersen has shared these stories over the Cannabis Patients Network YouTube Channel in documentaries and in support of Cannabis education efforts. CPN has grown to become a national organization focused on merging science with the patient experience. It has now launched a membership organization, the CPN Institute. Through the CPN Institute, Petersen plans to build a National Archive of patient stories as more patients become empowered to share their experiences and knowledge of Cannabis use. Cannabis Patients Network Institute’s (CPNI) National Sponsors Program provides other organizations an opportunity to provide hope for Cannabis patients — and save lives — through supporting education and research, gathering of patient testimonials, and community development projects across the nation. Currently, CPNI is the active recruitment arm for a national meta-study seeking more than 10,000 veterans across ‘medicalized’ states to join the study. The Cannabis Patient Network has partnered with Patients Out Of Time’s Mary Lynn Mathre, and the American Cannabis Nurses Association to present the “2013 Caregiver Seminar Series” across the United States. Dates have already been scheduled in New Mexico, Colorado, and Michigan. This is the first offering of a “Certificate of Completion” for a Continuing Education Accredited Endocannabinoid Course for Cannabis Healthcare Personnel and Medical Professionals.

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Cannabis Patient Network is moving into publishing. With Petersen’s experience as editor-in-chief at Medical Cannabis Journal a huge success in California, they are taking their first venture at a national Cannabis journal and are self-publishing Cannabis Medicine Today; a journal that connects Cannabis science with the patient experience, not as a Cannabis culture magazine, but as a true medical journal. The vision for Cannabis Medicine Today (CMT) is to provide an informative, national medical Cannabis magazine for patients, healthcare providers, and the public. The primary goal is for CMT to become the primary resource material for patients and care providers helping them set a course of action for improved health. Through membership and support, CPN Institute will continue to bring hope to a hurting world.

Campaign for the Restoration and Regulation of Hemp “The Campaign for the Restoration and Regulation of Hemp (CRRH) is working to end the prohibition of cannabis hemp, the oldest and most resourceful crop sown, and to promote justice, freedom, and peace with political action and education.” – http://www.crrh.org/crrh/mission.html CRRH’s Cannabis Tax Acts were created in order to restructure Cannabis laws in favor of regulating and taxing its sales and cultivation. Their mission and purpose is to give legislation a push, making such Cannabis Tax Acts appear on ballots, starting with Oregon. This campaign is in favor of farmers growing without a license as well as allowing doctors to prescribe untaxed Cannabis to patients who need it, instead of asking state government to

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Peter reynolds, leader of clear.

provide a prescription. on their website, they include vital facts for non-cannabis consumers as well as the already-informed consumer. they highlight community volunteer opportunities, events, and history of the plant. their website is the home of “hemp tv,” one of the largest archives of educational and political hemp-related videos that exists on the web. one of these videos, entitled, “cannabis common sense,” is becoming quite popular as it focuses on cannabis and the effects prohibition has had on the economy and society. though this movement was founded based on oregon laws — mainly the oregon cannabis tax act — as its central focus, the group is now expanding and offering information to the united states and beyond. crrh recognizes that, with the legalization of hemp, local jobs will be created and ultimately shape a better economy. included on the crrh website are lists of industrial, medicinal, and recreational uses for cannabis and hemp, and addresses the many ways they can be incorporated into the economy that will result in a positive, thriving market. it seeks to: “end adult marijuana prohibition, restore industrial hemp and help medical marijuana patients through our ground-breaking cannabis tax act legislation.” they will continue to promote legalization and have contributed significantly to breaking cannabis prohibition. For more information: http://www.crrh.org/

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cLEaR — caNNabis LaW REfoRM “To end the prohibition of cannabis” – http://www.clear-uk.org that is the first stated aim and objective of clear, a united kingdom organization that is working hard to bring about the realization of that goal. the following are the rest, quoted directly from the clear website: “to promote as a matter of urgency and compassion the prescription of medicinal cannabis by doctors. to introduce a system of regulation for the production and supply of cannabis based on facts and evidence. to encourage the production and use of industrial hemp. to educate and inform about the uses and benefits of cannabis.” clear, like all of the causes working for cannabis law reform, has their work cut out for them, and like the other causes, they are proving worthy of the challenge. their website has a slideshow of banners on the homepage showcasing their strong stance in support of legal cannabis, pointing out the often

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ludicrous and hypocritical perspective of antiCannabis groups, businesses and governments. Clear offers up-to-date news that isn’t as U.S.- centric as what Americans are used to, yet similar themes recur. One can read about hemp in Russia and Irish politicians in support of Cannabis. One sentence that really points out the populist nature of CLEAR’s approach to educating people about Cannabis cultivation is in regards to medicinal usage: “Before pharmaceutical companies can patent and control all aspects of the plant we aim to explain how easy it is to grow, how safe to use and inexpensive and natural are its benefits.” CLEAR makes education about the medicinal aspect of Cannabis a priority in their overarching goal of ending the prohibition of Cannabis in the U.K.

Common Sense for Drug Policy “Common Sense for Drug Policy is a nonprofit 501(c) (3) organization dedicated to reforming drug policy and reducing the harm it causes. CSDP disseminates factual information and comments on existing laws, policies and practices.” – http://www.csdp.org Common Sense for Drug Policy is working to reform drug policy. They offer a vast number of links to valid research, articles and books that allow people to become educated to the actual harm from drug use, contrasted with the harm that results from that same use under prohibitive legal and social environments. Organizations in need of supporting evidence and resources to assist them with presenting reasonable proof for drug policy and law reform will find the CSDP home page very useful. It is be filled with up-to-the-minute news from around the world. Journalists

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and researchers will find a treasure trove of research articles and documents in the research section. Want to know how Americans over the age of 55 feel about drugs? There is a link to an AARP article in this section. What is the difference in drug use patterns between European men and women? That report is in this section also. The public service announcement section has a poignant heading: Is Truth a Casualty of the Drug War? The CSDP has compiled a compelling collection of public-service announcements that have misled the public regarding drug use and policies. If you want factual ammunition in PDF and camera-ready form to dispel myths and distorted information about drugs and the war on drugs, here is an essential resource to utilize. This is the CSPD policy about using them: “These PSAs may be reproduced in whole or in part without permission and with or without attribution provided the meaning is faithfully maintained.”

Diego Pellicer, Inc. “Diego Pellicer is the first retail brand in the United States focused exclusively on legal, premium marijuana for pleasure and creative pursuits. It is important for us to emphasize that everything we do, is and always will be, completely legal” — http://www.diegopellicer.com/ During the peak of the Spanish Empire, Diego Pellicer (pronounced payee-sayr) was the largest hemp grower in the world and provided hemp rope to the Spanish Armada during the Spanish American War. Diego Pellicer served as the vice governor of the Island of Cebu in the Philippines from 1890–1898. Carrying on the legacy of his namesake, Diego Pellicer’s great-grandson, former Microsoft Corporate

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strategy manager, Jamen Shively is the founder and executive director of Diego Pellicer, Inc. Cannabis of exceptional quality holds the brand name, Diego Pellicer. The company believes that the Diego Pellicer brand should be “savored, analogous to how one enjoys a fine cigar, a premium chocolate or cognac.” Diego Pellicer will provide legal, responsible adults with Cannabis that is 100 percent safe, and they guarantee their costumers will enjoy a consistent, high-quality product, time after time. To quote Diego Pellicer’s website, “Think of us as the ‘Davidoff of marijuana,’ with great attention given, from genetics to the finished product.” Diego Pellicer believes that medical Cannabis should always be available at a reasonable cost to patients. Their product stands high above that of medical-quality Cannabis, and to those who are truly Cannabis connoisseurs, Diego

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Pellicer is top-quality. As their site states: “Premium marijuana for pleasure, creativity and realization should be considered more of an occasional luxury.” Although the federal government still languishes in a gray area when it comes to legalization, by individual states or otherwise, Diego Pellicer states: “We are committed to building our business under the assumption that the federal government will permit us to operate in the states of Washington and Colorado, and eventually other states, as they adopt their own specific initiatives. We believe the writing is on the wall that marijuana will become legal in the entirety of the United States in the next decade or so.”

DIY Democracy “The Ultimate Civic Engagement Tool. The DIY Democracy app is the most powerful tool for citizens

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in the 21st century. The only app that connects you at the federal, state, and local level, DIY Democracy makes self-government a reality” – http://www.diydemocracy.org Upon first glance, one might think that an app for the iPhone being a cause for social change is a stretch. To anyone who grew up with phones that were physically wired to the phone system, having the sole function of transmitting and receiving analog signals, today’s smart phones far exceed any cartoon or science-fiction depiction of Dick Tracy’s wrist radio or the Star Trek communicator. The creators of the free DIY Democracy app have taken the power of the iPhone and put it to use for social change. While notifying a Public Works department about a massive pothole or a traffic light malfunction is useful for the local community, DIY Democracy is also a very convenient tool for easily accessing government agencies. The app can connect to local, state, and federal elected officials when you wish to make your voice heard. The feature that shows what your federal and state constitutional rights are is a very useful resource if you find yourself needing to know them quickly. Coupled with the iPhone camera, documenting violations of your rights or someone else’s is easy. While you are about to go viral on YouTube with your footage, you can also send it to your elected representatives and local officials. What would Dick Tracy think about that? Right now the app has support data for California, Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Massachusetts, Michigan, Nevada, North Carolina, New York, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, and Virginia.

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Drug Equality Alliance “Our mission is to use domestic and international legal jurisdictions to interrogate the law and its application to those who produce, commerce, possess and consume such drugs. We believe governments have failed to administer drug law in an evidence-based manner. This failure contributes to hundreds of thousands of unnecessary deaths and imprisonments each year. The Drug Equality Alliance seeks to remedy this.” – http://www.drugequality.org/ The Drug Equality Alliance (DEA) is a UK-based not-for-profit organization that is all about stopping what they call “drug discrimination.” Its purpose is to transform the “War on Some People who use Some Drugs” from its subjective historical and cultural roots into a rational and objective legal regulatory framework that secures equal rights and equal protection to all those who are concerned with dangerous or otherwise harmful drugs. The organization states that governments have refused an urgently needed evidencebased review of the drug classification system. Governments have ignored its independent advisory panel on issues such as the classification of Cannabis, persistently favoring “historical and cultural precedents” over scientific evidence. All of the information on their website, including arguments that have been used in court cases, resources for research, video interviews, and more, is available for use and distribution by anyone as long as it is prefaced with the following attribution: “you are free: to share, to copy, distribute and transmit this information under the following conditions: Attribution. You must attribute the work in the manner specified by the author or licensor (but

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not in any way that suggests that they endorse you or your use of the work).” To use one of their court arguments in an active court case, all they ask is that they be notified by mail; however, they do stress that they do not offer legal advice or representation. The Drug Equality Alliance is working diligently to educate and support those who have been victims of the war on drugs.

Drug Policy forum of Texas “Mission: To provide scientific information and expert opinion about drugs and to suggest a path to better policies.” – http://www.dpft.org The Drug Policy Forum of Texas works closely with local organizations and media in providing the public and policymakers with accurate and balanced information regarding drug use and policies. Their site provides strong and compelling evidence and arguments that the current U.S. drug policy is an abject failure. To that end, the DPFT arranges speakers for civic groups. They work with the media to improve accuracy. Who hasn’t read something in the news that makes them bristle with indignation — DPFT members strive to correct that. DPFT also provides brochures and other educational materials. They also provide information to legislators at all levels of government, from local to federal. Sharing a border with Mexico that spans 1254 miles, Texas is on the front lines of the failed

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so-called war on drugs, though they do not directly mention their neighbors to the south. Advocating for drug policy reform is in the best interest of Texas and the United States.

DrugSense “DrugSense is an award winning (501)(c)(3) nonprofit organization incorporated in 1995 to inform citizens and encourage involvement in drug policy reform. It has developed a number of projects and services that have become a foundation for drug policy reform. The Media Awareness Project (MAP) Drug News Archive encourages unbiased media coverage, online media activism and a drug policy research tool. Drug Policy Central’s Web-based services provides subsidized technical services for drug policy organizations organization to empower their members to organize and share information and resources. DrugSense operates behind the scenes to keep the reform community and the public engaged in our collective mission: ending drug prohibition.” – http://www.drugsense.org One of the most striking aspects on the homepage of the DrugSense website is the Drug War Clock. This simple graphic shows how much money is being spent on the war on drugs at the state and federal level. And it shows how many people have been arrested this year to date on drug charges, figures derived from the US government’s own statistics. DrugSense has links to the latest relevant news and editorials on their homepage, a good reminder that people can be informed and get involved in the drug law reform movement.

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DrugSense also has the Media Awareness Project, or MAP, that is, “A worldwide network dedicated to drug policy reform. We inform public opinion and promote balanced media coverage.” MAP is a clearinghouse for news and opinion pieces from all over the world. If you are looking for news about anything related to drug law and policy, or data to back up a position, that information is probably found on the searchable MAP website at http://mapinc.org.

Efficacy “Efficacy was founded by Cliff & Margaret Thornton and is a Connecticut-based organization advocating drug policy reform. Efficacy provides leadership on a way forward into a new responsibility for problem drug use and educates the public on the consequences of the current approach — the “war on drugs.” – http://www.efficacy-online.org The Thornton’s Efficacy organization promotes an approach to drug policy that emphasizes a compassionate and realistic view of the problems that result from the current way the United States is trying to manage drug use. Efficacy is composed of concerned citizens who see that the war on drugs has failed. They are not users promoting drug use. As they put it, “Appropriately, those calling for an end to drug prohibition are primarily non-users of illicit drugs. We are parents and grandparents — serious citizens who want to see the street dealers shut down for good. We see the drug war as mean-spirited. We believe that risky drugs should be licensed and sellers regulated, just as is currently done with alcohol, tobacco and pharmaceuticals.” The Efficacy website has links to position papers and reports that underscore their message that the current approach of

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criminalizing drug use is not effective. The PDF of the June 2011 report of the Global Commision on Drug Policy is a recommended read for anyone seeking a balanced view of this failure, and the position paper, In Search of a Messenger by Clifford W. Thornton, offers a compelling argument that the conversation about drugs is most effective at the community level. In his words, “In a civil society, it ought to be communities — in all its forms — that communicates a moral compass. Laws, although supportive, are not that compass. Even so, Efficacy is not advocating removal of prohibition unless an effective replacement system is securely in place. Nor are we advocating that the dealers and distributors be given a free hand to engage in their trade with impunity. Ending of the drug war requires there be in place social institutions, communities and wisdom folk providing a community-based backstop of mentoring and prevention. And for those who use drugs anyway and manage to get caught in a cycle of problem drug use, then there must be in place adequate, accessible and effective treatment.”

F.E.A.R. “Forfeiture Endangers American Rights is a national nonprofit organization dedicated to reform of federal and state asset forfeiture laws to restore due process and protect property rights in the forfeiture process.” – http://www.fear.org Most people do not realize that without good cause, or even a warrant in most cases, an officer can confiscate items from your home, without future compensation or recompense, and this organization works to put an end to such constitutional abominations. F.E.A.R. was formed in New Jersey in early 1992 by John Paff and some other members of his

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local chapter of the Libertarian Party. They had become concerned about asset-forfeiture stories they were reading about in the newspapers and even brought in some victims to speak to their group. “Several of the people present decided to do something about the issue. F.E.A.R. was a spin-off of that meeting.” According to their website, “Familiar phrases from the Constitution do not mean what they seem to mean when “civil forfeiture” rears its ugly head — or so says the Supreme Court. Relying on forfeiture’s ancient “legal fiction” that it is the property that is on trial — not the property owner — the courts have interpreted away most due process protections in forfeiture cases, on the theory that property does not have rights.” A disturbing fact is that “until 1984, civil asset forfeiture was so rare that few Americans had ever heard of it. Even now most Americans don’t know what it means, even when it has become so widespread as to generate half a billion dollars a year in revenue for the Department of Justice alone — close to a billion a year between all the federal agencies.” To put it short and sweet, the police are using this oversight of laws to skirt past the Constitution in their war against drugs on a federal level, simply because the majority of the population has no idea that this even happens, until it happens to them. With now over threehundred offenses that can get you in trouble, these same people, once ignorant about the law, are now sitting in jail due to illegal search-andseizure incidents that their lawyers can barely fight. They are also using this law to line their pockets, with unjust and unfair fines and fees. F.E.A.R. tries to help educate people to the truth of what is happening so that they can better protect themselves and their property in the future.

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Flex Your Rights “Flex Your Rights (Flex) is a 501(c)(3) educational nonprofit launched in 2002. As a civil liberties organization, we are laser-focused on improving the constitutional literacy of all Americans. To accomplish this, we create and distribute the most compelling, trustworthy, and practical know-yourrights media content in the universe.” – http://www.flexyourrights.org/about-us/ Flex Your Rights is a non-profit organization celebrating its 12th year running. Founded in 2002, this amazing organization believe that people need to know more about their rights and laws, and become involved. They do not specialize in one area because they want people to have a broad knowledge about all of our rights; they believe that knowledge is power. Are they telling you that every time you are stopped by an officer you should challenge them? Absolutely not — what they are telling you to do, is know the laws and abide by

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LEAP in action during the Yes on 19 campaign.

them, know your rights, and do not let them be abused. Most people have had at least one bad experience with a police officer when they felt they were being treated unjustly. This organization encourages you to learn what your rights are, so that you will know if you are being violated, and can properly assert yourself without causing any further legal troubles. While they are not Cannabis supporters, they do encourage people to learn about Cannabis laws and know where it is legal, for recreational use or medicinal purposes, and abide by those laws to ensure a strong defense if you are facing charges. In two states, it’s completely legal for recreational use, while in others, it is only legal for medicinal use; and some states continue to completely ban it. The

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key element here is to know what you can do locally, and federally, to cover all of your bases. Their website, www.flexyourrights.org, has informational videos available for purchase, as well as some other merchandise; proceeds help fund their organization. The site is userfriendly with hyperlinks to blogs, stories, and tons of other information to help you get started on your educational journey through our judicial system and our constitution. They also have an awesome section, “Success Stories” that I got lost in and had a good chuckle or two, where a variety of people have shared their experiences about being able to defend themselves and “flex their rights.”

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Law Enforcement Against Prohibition “The mission of LEAP is to reduce the multitude of harmful consequences resulting from fighting the war on drugs and to lessen the incidence of death, disease, crime, and addiction by ending drug prohibition.” – http://www.leap.cc/ Law Enforcement Against Prohibition or LEAP “is an international 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization of criminal justice professionals who bear personal witness to the wasteful futility and harms of our current drug policies. Our experience on the front lines of the “war on drugs” has let us to call for repeal of prohibition and its replacement with a tight system of legalized regulation, which will effectively cripple the violent cartels and street dealers who control the current illegal market.” Unlike any other organization formed to help end the war against drugs, LEAP was founded by five police officers in March 2002. And, is staffed with a board of directors of both active and retired law-enforcement officers. Since its conception some 11 years ago, LEAP has grown to almost 100,000 supporters that include active and retired judges, prison personnel and wardens, police officers, prosecutors, DEA and FBI agents, as well as civilian supporters of drug policy reform. With over 150 speakers in 190 countries, anyone, civilian or otherwise can join LEAP. However, only current or former members of law enforcement can be board members or speak publicly for LEAP. Aug. 2013, proved to be LEAP’s busiest month of all time with 215 public appearances. LEAP’s two goals are: one, educate the public, the media and policy makers about the failure of current drug policy by presenting a true

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picture of the history, causes and effects of drug use and the elevated crime rates more properly related to drug prohibition than to drug pharmacology; and two, restore the public’s respect for police, which has been greatly diminished by law enforcement’s involvement in imposing drug prohibition. To accomplish these goals, LEAP will “create a constantly growing speakers bureau staffed with knowledgeable and articulate current and former drug-warriors who describe the impact of current drug policies on: police/community relations; the safety of law enforcement officers and suspects; police corruption and misconduct; and the excessive financial and human costs associated with current drug policies.” LEAP has made great strides and has played a vital role in Cannabis campaigns for both Colorado and Washington’s legalization. Postelection polling showed that retired police and law-enforcement professionals were the most visible and influential group voters saw publicly supporting both states initiatives. With such a strong presence, LEAP’s voice is not one to be ignored and by joining forces, we have a fighting chance to end prohibition.

Marijuana Australiana “Cannabis prohibition has been an absolute failure. It is a counter-productive policy that inflicts more harm on society than cannabis itself. To date, there has not been a national, coordinated effort to dismantle cannabis prohibition throughout Australia. We hope to change this.” – http://www.marijuanaaustraliana.net Visiting a site such as MarijuanaAustraliana. net is an excellent reminder that Cannabis is prohibited almost everywhere. Marijuana Australiana is tackling the same issues many

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other countries face concerning Cannabis laws and policies. This quote from their Australian Newshawks project sums it up well: “Drug law reform has been hampered by myths, halftruths and lies — it is time for the truth to be heard. We need an honest and public debate.” What is a newshawk? The Media Awareness Project describes it this way: “Newshawks are volunteers who send us newspaper articles related to illicit drugs and illicit drug policy for placement in our Drugnews Archive. In addition to encouraging letter writers to respond to these articles, our free, fully searchable database contains articles and opinion pieces from every side of the drug war and is a valuable resource for reporters, activists, historians and many others.”

Marijuana Policy Project “Increase public support for non-punitive, noncoercive marijuana policies. Identify and activate supporters of non-punitive, noncoercive marijuana policies. Change state laws to reduce or eliminate penalties for the medical and non-medical use of marijuana. Gain influence in Congress.” – http://www.mpp.org The above four goals that the Marijuana Policy Project list as their mission sums up very well the point many Cannabis policy and law reform advocacy groups make — that repressive and punishing Cannabis policies are not working. The MPP works on creating and promoting real changes in Cannabis policy and law. Some of the achievements the MPP has made in this area are very useful. A fine example of this is the MPP creating and making available three model bills for proposing legislation to enact; a state medical Cannabis bill, a state Cannabis

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decriminalization bill, and a state bill to replace cannabis prohibition with a regulatory system. The MPP has a very strong staff of dedicated advocacy experts. Their key staff page reads like a Who’s Who of Cannabis advocacy, and several have been pivotal by writing and working for the passage of existing legislation that allows medical Cannabis, decriminalized Cannabis, and even the legalization of Cannabis at the state level. The MPP has links to groundbreaking research regarding the medicinal efficacy of Cannabis, and the science to help with creating DUID laws, limits, and testing techniques that make scientific sense. There are also links to the latest news concerning pending Cannabis reform legislation. The MPP’s Top 50 Most Influential Cannabis Users is very interesting and informative. There are some very important people who have consumed Cannabis, and a few that could make a big difference if they chose to be actively advocating cannabis law and policy reform. The MPP has 125,000 members and supporters who share the MPP vision: “MPP and MPP Foundation envision a nation where marijuana is legally regulated similarly to alcohol, marijuana education is honest and realistic, and treatment for problem marijuana users is noncoercive and geared toward reducing harm.”

Moms for Marijuana “Moms for Marijuana is a grassroots network and organization of parents and other citizens across the world who are concerned with the ignorant war that continues to be fought against the Cannabis (Hemp or Marijuana) plant, and how it is negatively affecting the future generations of this earth.” –http://www.momsformarijuana.org

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as her important role in moms for marijuana international, she is involved in several other organizations such as idaho norml, and is a co-founder of compassionate idaho. she is also a member of the norml women’s alliance, and has her own blog linked to the site that has some excellent information as well.

Image courtesy of www.georgiatoons.com

the moms for marijuana organization has a great website that provides facts and links where you can learn about the many uses of cannabis, which range from medicinal to industrial, beauty and health products, and even as a fuel source. they inform the public about the renewable and sustainable aspects of the cannabis plant, as well as stating: “... as with all drugs, marijuana should not be used by developing minds under the age of legal consent, without parental guidance, as well as the recommendation and continuous evaluation by a licensed medical physician.” i highly recommend reading their “cures” section to discover the many curative aspects of cannabis-derived medications for killing cancer cells, a safer treatment than chemotherapy with a comparable outcome. the group believes that everyone should educate themselves, do their own research, and most importantly, make their own decisions. the founder and executive director, serra Frank, is their fighting frontrunner. as well

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i encourage you to go to their website and check out some of the great things they are doing at moms for marijuana international. while you are on the site, be sure to check out their online store, where they have some creative stickers to show your support. if you like what you see, and what you’ve learned, consider making a donation as they depend on donations and volunteers to keep them running.

MotHERs agaiNst MisusE aNd abusE “MAMA’s mission has always relied on providing accurate and rational information about drug use issues including drug policy reform, parenting techniques, and informed decision making. We believe that through accurate and objective information we can begin to affect public opinion and create real change for a more compassionate future.” – http://www.mamas.org impartial education about drugs is the focus of mama. rather than telling people what to do, which is one way of interpreting the current drug policy in the united states; mama takes this approach: “mama believes that we can reduce many of the harms that are associated with drug use and substance abuse by giving people the knowledge they need to make an informed decision. our approach to these troubling issues comes from a belief in personal responsibility, informed decision making and respect for self and others.”

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MAMA has an entire section of their website devoted to parents. Addressing the topic of drug use with children is a tricky proposition in a society immersed in and bombarded by the media — both mainstream and social. MAMA’s Executive Director, Sandee Burbank, wrote a compelling article published in Alternatives magazine titled “Dare to Tell Your Kids the Truth — Quandaries of a Thinking Parent,” that offers a rational and balanced approach parents can utilize when tackling this very important subject. This article is available on the MAMA website and can be seen in Alternatives here: http://alternativesmagazine. com/20/burbank.html MAMA runs medical Cannabis clinics in three Oregon communities: The Dalles, Bend, and Portland. They offer comprehensive education about Cannabis as medicine, harm reduction, and information about the Oregon Medical Marijuana Program. If MAMA’s focus on drugs and drug policy could be condensed into one word, it might be: educate. Good decisions about any subject arise from education about the facts concerning it.

National Cannabis Coalition “The National Cannabis Coalition supports sensible cannabis policies based upon science and not upon fear and propaganda. We work with groups and cannabis activists across the country who are striving to improve cannabis laws and policies.” – http://www.nationalcannabiscoalition.com/ about/ Instead of using fear and propaganda to promote their mission, the National Cannabis Coalition (NCC) is determined to use scientific facts to end Cannabis prohibition. The NCC is comprised of various groups and Cannabis

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activists who wish to change their country’s Cannabis policies. They recognize the social interests that accompany Cannabis prohibition and are not afraid to “stir up” politics and organizations to ensure that facts are available to the public. Their website lists various political issues and well-known people who are involved in the Cannabis movement, displaying both their stance on the issue and how they’ve contributed to the cause. A list of news stories concerning Cannabis is available on their homepage, encouraging their viewers to stay up to date on what is taking place in their country. This list is accompanied with NCC’s own blog, which adds input and information when needed. Available on the NCC’s website are links for other Cannabis-related movements, as well as businesses, encouraging visitors to branch out and become informed about groups and campaigns that are currently fighting against prohibition. They also include dispensary location information for patients. Recognizing that prohibition has caused more harm to society than good, NCC tells the story of how mobster Al Capone rose to power as a result of alcohol prohibition. Currently, the drug cartels have risen to power as a result of Cannabis prohibition. The NCC is dedicated to informing the public of the good Cannabis can provide to the community as a whole — by using science to prove that it is a useful – not dangerous – plant.

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National Cannabis Industry Association “Our mission statement: To promote the growth of a responsible and legitimate cannabis industry and work for a favorable social, economic and legal environment for that industry in the United States.” – http://www.thecannabisindustry.org Since its inception the NCIA has been lobbying Congress as well as other parts of the government to treat Cannabis as any other commodity. The NCIA is focused on three main issues concerning the Cannabis trade: protecting legitimate businesses, allowing banking access, and fair tax policy. The fundamental lobbying effort of the NCIA is protecting legitimate businesses. Cannabis is legal under state law for medicinal and recreational consumption in two states, and it is legal for medicinal purposes in 20 states and the District of Columbia, despite federal laws prohibiting Cannabis. President Obama has indicated that as long as businesses are in good standing with their state’s laws regarding Cannabis, they will not face federal prosecution. However, this policy hasn’t been the case in actual practice, and many businesses in compliance with state law have been raided. The NCIA lobbies on Capitol Hill to address this issue. The second lobbying effort by the NCIA concerns banking access. The federal government, seemingly in order to hinder the Cannabis industry, has told the banking industry to stop doing business with the Cannabis industry or face prosecution. This may be changing since Attorney General Eric Holder announced that the Department of Justice wouldn’t interfere with the two states that recently passed Cannabis legalization

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legislation, with exceptions spelled out in Deputy Attorney General James Cole’s memo regarding the new DOJ “Trust but verify” policy regarding those two states. The current system of “cash-only” makes it much more difficult to make purchases, pay employees, and increases vulnerability to theft. The third lobbying effort by the NCIA addresses fair tax policy. Many businesses in the Cannabis trade are not able to take deductions that other businesses are allowed to take. They are, in some cases, not allowed to write off any business deductions and the NCIA is lobbying on their behalf to resolve this inequity.

New Zealand Drug Foundation The New Zealand Drug Foundation, or NZDF “is committed to reducing and preventing the harms caused by drugs in New Zealand. This includes harms caused by legal drugs, such as tobacco and alcohol, as well as illegal drugs, such as Cannabis. Our commitment to reducing drug harm includes moderation in the use of alcohol and ensuring that any illicit drugs, if used, are used safely.” – http://www.drugfoundation.org.nz/ Recognizing that drugs, legal or otherwise, are indeed part of everyday life and can cause severe health, social and economic harm to individuals, families and entire communities, the NZDF advocates and focuses on policies and services “that build a healthy society where there is the least possible harm from drug use.” The NZDF is there to help. Their services support alcohol and drug workers in New Zealand communities, provide a range of public and member services, training workshops, health promotion and drug education resources. While providing

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Re:Vision Drug Policy Network “Our mission is to work with young people and interested organisations to create the belief that a drug policy based on the ideas of human welfare and human rights is both possible and necessary.” – http://www.revisiondrugs.org/about-us

leadership on major policy issues, and advocating directly to politicians for a major drug reform, NZDF is there working for you. “We maintain a high media profile to communicate directly to the public about important drug issues. Our media comments are honest and factual, and seek to inform the public. We host the annual Parliamentary Drug Policy Roundtable for members of Parliament, government officials and alcohol and drug sector leaders. Recent roundtables focused on alcohol policy, and drugs and young people.” Keeping themselves up to date with the international drug policy issues, the New Zealand Drug Foundation’s efforts are supported by government funding, corporate and private grants and donations that enable the foundation to maintain their efforts to be a voice of reason. “All efforts to control or reduce the harm from drugs must be evidence-based, socially just and maintain the rights of individuals and the aspirations of communities.” The New Zealand Drug Foundation is also a part of the following: The International Harm Reduction Association, The International Drug Policy Consortium and The Global Alcohol Policy Alliance.

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The Re:Vision Drug Policy Network is a nationwide network of young volunteers, dedicated to getting young people active in making moves in reforming drug policy nationwide. Their website explains it best, “We are seeking to empower all young people aged 16–25 to campaign for effective drug policies, control and regulation, and harm reduction methods. The Drug War is fought in the name of youth, so it is essential that we as young people argue for an end to punitive, harmful drug laws.” The network believes that Cannabis, like tobacco and alcohol, can be abused, and instead of making it a criminal offense, they believe that programs should be in place to get the people the help they need. They clearly state on their web site: “Re:Vision does not condone or condemn the use of drugs; we believe in promoting a drug policy which is grounded in rational debate, and one which reduces the harms of drugs instead of increasing them.” Their vision is not limited to Cannabis however, and they seek to reform all drug laws. They also believe that local governments should get to have more of a say in the drug laws made in their area, and not be overruled by a centralized government. If a town does not want a medical Cannabis dispensary, they shouldn’t have to have one, and vice versa, if they do, then the city council should vote it in, and provide safe access, as well as standard

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civil instability, and public health crises; and that the currently prevalent arrest- and punishment-based policies toward drugs are unjust.” – http://www.stopthedrugwar.org/about

testing procedures for quality control and safety of the product. Their main platform is education, education, education. The more you know about something, the better the decision you can make, right? That’s what they believe over at Re:Vision, and want information about all drugs readily available to persons of responsible age, including the risk factors, help with quitting, and alternative suggestions to drug use. They want substance abuse treatment centers readily available for people who’ve become problematic users, without fear of punishment for seeking help. Their website is user-friendly and can be found at www.revisiondrugs.org. Take some time to peruse the information they have to offer, from their blogs, to their Resources, and Frequently Asked Questions pages. If you want to become involved or support their cause, you can do so right from the website, making it easy to get details. As they believe, read the information, gather your facts, and make your own decisions.

Stop the Drug War “StoptheDrugWar.org works for an end to drug prohibition worldwide, and an end to the “drug war” in its current form. We believe that much of the harm commonly attributed to “drugs” is really the result of placing drugs in a criminal environment. We believe the global drug war has fueled violence,

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StoptheDrugWar.org is a tour de force of legislative, judicial and fact-based drug news, a concentrate among drug war websites. Stop the Drug War is literally packed with layer upon layer of the latest news about drug policy and policing, locally and internationally. And, its extensive back catalog is a vast catacomb of Congressional and courtroom decisions about the war on drugs and its victims, direct and collateral. Its content is based on official documents, proceedings and research, not hearsay, speculation or heard through the bud stem. The organization, driven by founder David Borden, works to eliminate the prohibition of drugs worldwide by raising awareness through publishing and reporting. The website is devoted to seeing an end to a war on mostly non-violent offenders given draconian minimum sentences arrested by law enforcement getting paid on commission instead of actually fighting crime. The war on drugs has wrought nothing but havoc, despair and generates more crime in its wake, but Borden and team have been working diligently for decades to take bites out of a fear- and greed-based system against drug users. Borden said in October from Denver where he was accepting an award for journalism from the Drug Policy Alliance that the organization believes in some form of legalization of drugs. Borden added that not all drugs are the same, and should not treated the same. But there are a number of options for how to proceed once the drug war ends. One is a hands-off approach, letting people do what they please, and another

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is a system of counselors that provide users with information about their drug of choice, its risks and how to minimize harm.

“Congratulations to the team are fully deserved; when the Drug war ends, the role of the Chronicle in its downfall will not be forgotten.”

“We believe adults should have safe and legal access,” Borden said.

The website’s Legislative Corner is carefully cataloged with every bill Congress acts on, federal and state law or decision concerning drugs, good and bad in the past years. Subjects range from drug testing to harm reduction, racial disparities, pain treatment, recovery, prohibitions and collateral consequences. There are also tracking tools used for legislation in the process and on the voting floor. Borden said other organizations have used the Corner to find and publish information about their causes.

Borden gained notoriety as the founder of the Drug Reform Coordination Network, DRCNet in 1993, working on the Higher Education Act Reform Campaign to rescind the laws banning felons from receiving federal financial aid for college. The issue came before Congress in 2010, but was tossed out along with the entire education component of the bill. Borden said there is interest in bringing the subject to light again soon. Borden is also credited with starting the John W. Perry Fund scholarship program and the Out from the Shadows international conference series. Shadows was organized by Borden and others that brought together international groups such as Columbian senators, Mexican drug reform groups and European groups all to talk about drug reform. Borden is now a Washington D.C. watchdog, journalist and public head and advocate for the anti-drug war movement. Stories and investigative pieces by Borden and the Drug War Chronicle, the newsletter edited and written by Phillip S. Smith, considered the “heart of its website,” cover every drug-related topic from legalization of marijuana to local stories about the latest and nonsensical new drugs killing kids. The Chronicle is penned by veteran journalist and foreign correspondent, Smith. Smith has reported from the poppy fields of Afghanistan to the coca fields of Bolivia. While there is still a long way to go before the drug war ends, the organization has already been making headway. A prophetic and hopeful statement on its website sums up the organization’s vision,

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Stop the Drug War receives some funding from grants but the majority from donations. It is a 501(c) (3) group and donations are tax deductible. For more information go to: stopthedrugwar.org.

Students for Sensible Drug Policy “Students for Sensible Drug Policy is an international grassroots network of students who are concerned about the impact drug abuse has on our communities, but who also know that the War on Drugs is failing our generation and our society. SSDP mobilizes and empowers young people to participate in the political process, pushing for sensible policies to achieve a safer and more just future, while fighting back against counterproductive Drug War policies, particularly those that directly harm students and youth.” — http://www.ssdp.org/about/ Founded in 1998, the SSDP membership consists of students from across the globe who believe that the war on drugs has failed. Using collective knowledge, students from all across the United States contribute their ideas and

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Clockwise, from top left: Cal State Fullerton SSDP chapter. Students at federal lobby day in Washington, D.C. last June. Team of student volunteers canvassing Colorado campuses to get the vote for Amendment 64. WVU students for SSDP tabling with Amplify Project at the Big Gigantic show and collecting signatures in support of West Virginia medical marijuana bill.

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innovative techniques that they have used to educate their communities. Justice, liberty, compassion and reason are what drive SSDP’s young members as they advocate for a more sensible drug policy that works in favor for the community, not against it. Any student is invited to become a member and spread the vision for sensible drug policies and reform to the youth of the world — so that the next generation of students can become educated on the issue. The SSDP website features a blog, campaigns that they support, charts, events and ideas on how to contribute to and take action to become a community advocate. They are committed to helping the community at large, taking bold steps towards building a larger network to spread the wealth of knowledge they’ve collected. Included on their website is a “DrugSense Drug War Clock” that shows in real time the amount of money both state and federal government has spent so far this year on prohibition. It also lists the total drug/Cannabis arrests. SSDP does not condone nor condemn drug use. They identify and respect the rights of the individual, including their belief that every person should make their own decisions concerning their health and well-being. SSDP legally consists of two branches — Students for Sensible Drug Policy Foundation and Students for Sensible Drug Policy, Inc. The former participates in outreach and education and its contributions are not tax-deductible, however, contributions to SSDP Foundation are.

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Texas Coalition for Compassionate Care The Texas Coalition for Compassionate Care or TCCC “seeks to be an integral part of creating laws, programs, and support services for patients who would both qualify and benefit from the medical use of cannabis. We additionally strive to become a source of information and education through our website, publications, speakers and network of supporting organizations. Specifically, we seek to create a framework for patients’ legal protections to use medical marijuana when recommended by a medical professional. Additionally we work to secure patients and caretakers rights to possess and manufacture medical marijuana when their doctors deem that its benefits outweigh the risks for the patient. The coalition also works to facilitate the creation of a secure distribution system for medical marijuana in the state of Texas for safe and legal access for qualified Texas patients and Veterans. This system must be secure and separate from the black market for the safety of patients and the community at large.” – http://www.texascompassion.com/ TCCC’s purpose is to educate the public and lawmakers about the facts related to the benefits of medical Cannabis for certain patients and veterans. “TCCC has no other interest, nor does the organization have any opinion, stated or unstated, about any issue other than therapeutic cannabis (marijuana). All educating, lobbying, communication or any other endeavor of TCCC is limited to the sole issue of marijuana as medicine!” “When those around us are suffering from the physical and mental burdens of illness, or wish for comfort and dignity near death, they would benefit from the option of safe access to medical marijuana. Patients who depend on marijuana also need legal protections.

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The so-called “War on Drugs” is targeting organized crime, not sick or dying patients, and our empathy for the sick and dying compels us to remove them from the battlefield. Safe access to medicines that include cannabinoids (marijuana) is about science, not politics and law; and in the end, for those who need it most, it is only about compassion.” Texas Coalition for Compassionate Care is a non-profit organization that relies solely on volunteers. For the past 10 years, TCCC has been lobbying in an attempt to pass a bill that will allow patients and caregivers the right to use medicinally prescribed Cannabis without the fear of imprisonment.

Troy Dayton of ArcView.

Group provides the opportunity for Cannabisrelated companies to present their business to angel investors who understand and support the industry. Each investor is willing to provide at least $50,000 of investment capital to companies they choose to invest in.

“At The ArcView Group, we believe that business is the most powerful platform for political change and that the development of a responsible, respected, and politically-engaged legal cannabis industry will be the single biggest factor in hastening the day when not a single adult in the world is punished for this plant.” – http://www.arcviewgroup.com

ArcView is interested in companies that present business plans and financial projections rather than just business ideas. Prospective companies looking for investment capital are vetted and if they meet with enough interest from the group they are given the opportunity to present their company at ArcView events. Investors may collaboratively or individually invest in companies that attract their interest. ArcView events provide opportunities for investors and business owners to interact and foster connections within the industry.

The ArcView Group investor network is a collection of more than 75 accredited investors — investors who are able to provide substantial amounts of investment capital to Cannabis businesses. Currently led by CEO Troy Dalton and president Steve DeAngelo, the Arcview

ArcView is not directly involved in political change per se, but as their statement makes clear, they realize that assisting the growth of the industry is vital to effecting that change. By providing the opportunity for investors and entrepreneurs to connect, they are facilitating

The ArcView Group

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the accelerating growth of the Cannabis industry. That growth in turn affects the perception of the industry, and of Cannabis itself, by society as a whole. The ArcView Group is closely allied with the National Cannabis Industry Association and has started several projects in the form of See Change Research, Cannasure Insurance, Canna Domains and WeCanna Crowdfunding.

The Drug Policy Alliance “The prohibition of marijuana is an utter failure. The United States wastes billions of dollars enforcing marijuana laws even for low-level offenses, incarcerating and penalizing marijuana users, and denying seriously ill patients access to beneficial treatment. Prohibitionist laws have led to unprecedented levels of violence and corruption, while marijuana remains widely consumed and almost universally available to young people. Even as public opinion has shifted in favor of marijuana law reform, arrests for marijuana possession have swollen over the last decade, with disproportionate targeting of blacks and Latinos at the heart of that enforcement surge.” – http://www.drugpolicy.org/reformingmarijuana-laws The Drug Policy Alliance has this vision and mission: “The Drug Policy Alliance envisions a just society in which the use and regulation of drugs are grounded in science, compassion, health and human rights, in which people are no longer punished for what they put into their own bodies but only for crimes committed against others, and in which the fears, prejudices and punitive prohibitions of today are no more. Our mission is to advance those policies and attitudes that best reduce the harms of both drug use and drug prohibition, and to promote the sovereignty of individuals over their minds and bodies.”

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As far as Cannabis law reform is concerned, the DPA has made this an important priority. Though the DPA, as stated above in their mission and vision statement, is focused on the laws and policies surrounding all drugs, they devote a great deal of their resources to Cannabis law reform. The DPA website has some very interesting features worth noting. One is the “I am…” drop down menu that links to sections pertinent for advocates, students, parents, women and music fans in regards to how current drug policy affects each group. Another interesting feature is a similar drop down menu for drug policy in every state. To get a sense of the wide gulf between different states’ laws, clicking on the neighboring states of Colorado and Wyoming is particularly educational, showcasing just how far we have come and how far we have yet to go as a nation regarding drug law and policy.

The Human Solution “No victim. No crime. No one should go to jail for a plant!” – http://www.the-human-solution.org The Human Solution, like many of the causes featured in this issue, is striving to work themselves out of a job. When their goal of preventing anyone for being imprisoned for a Cannabis plant is realized, they will be close to being done. When everyone incarcerated for Cannabis has been released they will have decisively won a big battle in the struggle against the War on Drugs. The Human Solution is focused on helping people facing non-violent Cannabis-related charges avoid imprisonment and supporting those who end up incarcerated. The three main

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parts of their website are their court support program, prison outreach program, and education and resources sections. The court support program involves organizing supporters to quietly show solidarity with accused persons inside and outside the courtroom. Another aspect featured in this program is promoting jury nullification whereby jurors can refuse to hand down a guilty verdict if they feel the law is unjust, even though they believe the defendant to be guilty of violating that law. In a recent segment of CBS 60 Minutes, the Boulder County, Colorado District Attorney Stan Garnett mentions jury nullification as a reason that most Cannabis cases are not worth spending the time to pursue in his jurisdiction. The entire segment can be seen here: http://www.cbsnews.com/ video/watch/?id=50155080n The prison outreach program encourages people to write and correspond with those they refer to as Prisoners of War, the war being the so-called War on Drugs. They also encourage visiting the POWs and helping them by donating money for basic necessities and sending reading materials. Detailed information about how to do so is provided on

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the website. The education and resources segment has an excellent legal section that explains jury nullification and raises constitutional arguments against federal laws prohibiting Cannabis cultivation and possession. There is also a segment with valuable information about the Cannabis plant, the endocannabinoid system in humans and much more. The Human Solution has taken an admirable stance in creating awareness about the injustice of unreasonably punishing citizens and their families because of a plant that offers so much to mankind, assisting and helping people who have been punished, and showing citizens how they can help prevent guilty verdicts from being handed down by juries.

United Kingdom Harm Reduction Alliance “The United Kingdom Harm Reduction Alliance UKHRA is a campaigning coalition of drug users, health and social care workers, criminal justice workers and educationalists that aims to put public health and human rights at the centre of continued on page 88//

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TOP

Celebrity Cannabis Supporters by suzanne Quiett

Woody Harrelson

woody harrelson sits on the norml advisory board and has lent his celebrity status to the cause on numerous occasions. a life-long environmental activist, it is no surprise that he rallies behind cannabis and the unfair laws that restrict it. he has been jailed several times in his campaign to free hemp, including planting cannabis seeds in protest, in support of farmers lobbying for legalization.

Willie Nelson

a norml advisory board member, and long-time cannabis law reform advocate, it should not surprise anyone that this gentleman makes the list. according to wikipedia: â&#x20AC;&#x153;in 2005 nelson and his family hosted the first annual willie nelson & norml Benefit golf tournament. after he was arrested for possession in 2010, he started the new teapot party using the motto: â&#x20AC;&#x153;tax it, regulate it and legalize it!â&#x20AC;? willie nelson also recently filmed a new public-service announcement for norml that can be seen on their website.

Tommy Chong

long time cannabis activist and comedian tommy chong has had a long history with this controversial plant. Born in canada, he openly supports politicians in favor of cannabis reform. very unlike the witless stoner he portrays on television, he astutely speaks about the necessity for cannabis laws to be reformed, and also touches on the money-making potential the government would have in regulation. after being imprisoned for nine months in california for selling bongs over the internet, he sees also that legalization would free up a lot of room in jails and prisons for bogus cannabis offenses.

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any celebrities have commented at one time or another that they support the decriminalization or use of cannabis, for whatever reason, but what makes them part of the “top 10”? even prince charles was quoted saying cannabis may be acceptable for medical reasons, but in 2007 opened a public garden, grown under lock and key, where they labeled plants such as cannabis “poisonous.” so unfortunately the good prince does not make the list this time, despite his compassion for medical patients.

Jack Black

a musician and actor that is not normally known for his serious side, Jack Black feels that when it comes to decriminalizing cannabis, there is nothing to joke about. he is on the advisory board of the marijuana policy project (mpp), a non-profit organization whose goal is to “pass federal medical marijuana legislation, as well as to replace marijuana prohibition with a system of sensible regulation and control…” according to their website. a former habitual cannabis user himself, Jack Black has since reportedly slowed down his consumption to once in a great while.

Snoopzilla

the rap icon formerly known as snoop Dogg, and snoop lion, has been associated with the cannabis plant publicly since he became famous, and has never been shy about his consumption. Despite his numerous possession charges and even jail time, he still speaks about his support of the cause, from talk shows to even speaking about the matter during his performances, and can certainly be considered a cannabis connoisseur.

Whoopi Goldberg

while she doesn’t belong to any groups nor advocates for any specific laws, and may not currently consume cannabis, whoopi goldberg has admitted to smoking in the past, and has used it as a topic in some of her early standup comedy. she has defended michael phelps alleged use on the daytime talk show the view, where they have also discussed legalization many times. even though she was asked not to glorify illegal drug use, it is public knowledge where she stands on the issue.

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i decided that there had to be some parameters set, and i wanted to consider only openly supportive celebs, even though they may not actually consume cannabis themselves — people that have spoken out for cannabis rights, decriminalization, and even used their fame to help spread the message. many names on this list will not surprise you, however one or two might.

Bill Maher

the politically incorrect late-night talk show host Bill maher has openly made his statements of support for legalization of cannabis, and even written articles where he holds nothing back in both defending cannabis, and attacking the government for keeping it illegal when so much good can come from legalizing it, including economic incentives. he provides logical solutions, and facts to support them. his view about cannabis is simple, “pot is the new gay marriage, and that is the next obvious civil rights issue that needs to fall.”

Morgan Freeman

academy award-winning actor morgan Freeman had this to say about cannabis, “it’s just the stupidest law possible... you’re just making criminals out of people who aren’t engaged in criminal activity. and we’re spending zillions of dollars trying to fight a war we can’t win! we could make zillions, just legalize it and tax it like we do liquor. it’s stupid.” while he may not partake himself, he clearly believes that the laws are doing more harm than good.

Brad Pitt

actor/producer Brad pitt has played many characters, some of which were certainly “on something” and despite the fact that he quit smoking cannabis, still supports legalizing it. although he does not condone drug use, he has been quoted saying, “we have spent a trillion dollars. it’s lasted for over 40 years. a lot of people have lost their lives for it ... it’s an incredible failure... the drug war is actually being used to hold a portion of our society down ... it’s criminal in itself...”

Susan Sarandon

academy award-winning actress susan sarandon has openly spoken about her stance on cannabis law reform in many interviews and stated in one, “i support proposition 19 [to legalize marijuana] because it controls cannabis like alcohol, making it harder for minors to get marijuana. proposition 19 will also allow police to focus on more violent crimes and generate billions in revenue to fund vital services in california.” while she denies ever having tried cannabis, although once it’s legal she says she is not opposed to it and even says it will be on her bucket list until then. S

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The Advocacy Issue • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

[ [ within

NORML

limits

The granddaddy of all advocacy orgs points the way to the new normal.

By Hippy KK Illustration by Josh Clappe sativamagazine.com

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The headquarters of the world’s oldest, largest, and most respected Cannabis law reform organization, the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws — NORML, is located on K Street just two blocks from the White House. NORML was founded in 1970 by public-interest attorney Keith Stroup, with the sole purpose “to change both the public attitude and laws such that the responsible use of Cannabis by adults is no more consequential than the lawful use of alcohol, tobacco and caffeine products.”

The NORML Mission Statement is: “to move public opinion sufficiently to legalize the responsible use of marijuana by adults, and to serve as an advocate for consumers to assure they have access to high quality marijuana that is safe, convenient and affordable.” – Adopted by the NORML Board of Directors, June 29, 2013.

A voice for responsibility For the past 43 years, NORML has been the loudest voice for responsible Cannabis consumers. Founded at a time when only five percent of the American public supported Cannabis legalization, NORML’s educating voice has played a great role in raising awareness and the number of Americans who currently support legalization to 58 percent today, and rising. Back in the 1970s, NORML helped lead efforts on decriminalizing minor Cannabis offenses in 11 states and in all others, Cannabis penalties were significantly lowered. Who does NORML advocate for, and what defines a ‘responsible Cannabis consumer’?

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The primary functions of NORML are to: • Educate the public, media and elected policymakers about Cannabis and alternatives to failed prohibition laws. • Actively lobby elected policymakers at the local, state, federal, and international level to change Cannabis laws. • Litigate in the state and federal court systems to advance reforms (or to challenge prohibition-related laws). • Maintain a massive and publicly accessible repository of Cannabis-related information. • Provide Cannabis consumers with verifiable and credible legal consultations, scientific information about Cannabis’ health effects and drug testing information. • Social and political organizing of Cannabis consumers and citizens who do not support Cannabis Prohibition.

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every calendar year. NORML takes part in making a difference in these outrageous statistics by supporting the removal of all penalties for personal possession and the responsible use of Cannabis by adults, including cultivation for personal use. Otherwise known as decriminalization, this would remove the Cannabis consumer from the criminal justice system, which in turn would reduce overcrowding, leaving plenty of room in our prison and jail facilities for the real offenders. The Foundation In 1997, NORML branched out and formed a sister organization, The NORML Foundation. The foundation sponsors public advertising campaigns to help better educate the public on Cannabis and the alternative to the current Cannabis policy. It provides legal assistance as well as support to the victims of the current laws and relevant research. A ‘responsible Cannabis consumer’ is defined by NORML as: • A person of legal adult age. • Does not drive under the influence of Cannabis. • Practices “Set and setting” (instilling values and is aware of their surroundings). • One who resists abuse (doesn’t over-use Cannabis). Throughout the duration of this senseless war on drugs, digging deep into taxpayers’ pockets has always been a consequence, as the astronomical cost to enforce Cannabis prohibition is at an estimated $10 billion annually. Not to mention, prohibition has peaked to more than 750,000 individual arrests

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The NORML Foundation’s mission is “to educate the public about the costs of marijuana prohibition and the benefits of alternative policies, to undertake research into various aspects of marijuana and marijuana policy implication, and to provide legal support and assistance to victims of the current laws.” — Approved by the NORML Foundation Board of Directors, April 18, 2001.

Reliable information The website of NORML and the NORML Foundation provides a slew of need-to-know information for any Cannabis consumer. With a list of FAQs providing answers to questions one might have regarding Cannabis, the legalization of Cannabis, as well as information about why the Supreme Court recently ruled that the U.S. Justice Department, including the Drug Enforcement

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All photos courtesy of NORML archives.

Agency, may prosecute state-authorized medical marijuana patients for violating the federal Controlled Substances Act. Wondering what this decision means for seriously ill patients and the ongoing tension due to the differences between state and federal laws? NORML answers that question as well. Be in the know, check out NORML’s FAQs and find the answer to the questions you might have. Since 1992, every Thursday night and when breaking news warrants, NORML and the NORML Foundation have been issuing weekly press releases for Cannabis supporters and the media. Archives dating back to 1996, of NORML’s weekly press releases, are available on their website, which is a very resourceful and valuable tool that keeps concerned citizens up to date regarding Cannabis-related news and legislation.

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NORML offers a library that includes reports and other relative information on topics such as: health, driving and Cannabis, legalization, arrest, medical Cannabis, hemp, European drug laws, Cannabis crop reports and many others. But one that must be highlighted is NORML’s collection of testimonies that are available for all to read. Representatives and staff members of NORML have testified in all 50 states and abroad, advocating for reforming Cannabis laws for responsible adults, medical Cannabis and industrial use. NORML has rightfully earned the reputation as being the ‘spokesperson’ for responsible Cannabis consumers as they have testified before local commissions, state and federal officials. NORML is the largest Cannabis advocate. In addition, they are doing their part to keep consumers up to date by providing as much information as possible, NORML has compiled

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the latest studies, surveys statistics, reports and polls and created “NORML’s Big Book of Marijuana Facts” edited by Russ Belville. The Big Book features large infographics and detailed data tables with links to the original sources. NORML encourages you to return often because new slides are constantly being added and/or updated. Many Cannabis consumers like to stay updated on their individual state’s statistics, such as arrest rates, etc. Instead of searching the internet and coming up with various and possibly conflicting information depending on the site being utilized, where the information may or may not be accurate or consistent, NORML has reliable information for all 50 states. From anywhere on their website, simply click on “State Info.” You’ll be taken to a map of the United States and all you need to do is click on the state of interest and it’ll bring up stats on all drug arrests, all drug possessions, drug sales, arrest rates, state arrests, state crop estimates, Cannabis possession, Cannabis

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sales, and so forth. By checking out several NORML chapters across the United States via Facebook, I saw one of the most well-stated remarks regarding NORML that I’ve ever read; it was posted on the Washington NORML chapter Facebook page on Wednesday, Oct. 16, 2013: “NORML advocates truth in information. For example, reading about marijuana is very different from actually using it. Learning about cannabis and its related extracts is advisable, especially prior to use, and hopefully will contribute to wise use and abuse prevention. In a free society everyone has the right to choose for themselves. Know the facts, your limits, local taboos and prohibitions, etc.” The wide array of information available on NORML’s user-friendly website is impressive. With the click of a button, you can find an attorney, discover FAQs, find an event, get the latest updates on state laws and data and locate local chapters; the list of informative

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information available at one’s fingertips goes on and on.

An enduring legacy Since its inception many years ago, NORML has left its mark all across the county for their enduring stance to end Cannabis prohibition. NORML has once again made quite an impression as they made it to round two of Intuit’s “Small Business, Big Game,” an ad contest, for a commercial that will be aired during the XLVIII Super Bowl. Although NORML finished first with the most votes in round one, and advanced to round two, Intuit notified NORML on Oct. 28, 2013, that they would not be advancing to the final round. The reason for this decision was not disclosed to NORML, but assumptions can easily be made. It’s unfortunate for NORML and the tens of millions of viewers who will be deprived of the first pro-Cannabis commercial publicized on national television. One thing for sure, it wasn’t for lack of trying!

the NORML website, perform desktop publishing and graphics tasks, help organize conferences, concerts, benefits, seminars, and press conferences, provide background information to writers, editors and producers from major media outlets and perform various office responsibilities. If you are interested, please note that NORML does not monetarily compensate their interns, but the learning experience is invaluable. For additional information, please see the list of NORML links below, to find out where to send your resume and cover letter.

Make a difference Sativa Magazine encourages our readers to take the opportunity to become a supporting member of NORML by contacting and joining your local NORML chapter, making a donation, purchasing NORML products, or registering for a NORML-related event. Together we can make a difference, and together we will make a difference. S

Intern program Looking for a challenge? NORML and the NORML Foundation are seeking student interns to work in the national office in Washington, DC. Students who support their policy positions, and are looking for a real challenge should seriously consider gaining valuable experience working on one of America’s most highly-debated publicpolicy issues. NORML often depends on the work of interns to expand their effectiveness. Depending on a student’s academic pursuits or skills, NORML interns are asked to conduct research online through the Library of Congress and other government agencies, attend press conferences and legislative hearings, manage email, organize and archive all forms of information, help maintain

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NORML: http://norml.org/ NORML Twitter info: https://twitter.com/ NORML

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NORML Facebook: https://www.facebook. com/#!/norml NORMAL telephone: 202-483-5500 NORMAL email: norml@norml.org NORML and the NORML Foundation internship program: Send resume and cover letter to: NORML Foundation Attn: Allen St. Pierre 1600 K Street, NW, Mezzanine Level Washington, DC 20006-2832

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Nearly everyone is familiar with the term, ‘nonprofit organization,’ but may find themselves at a loss when trying to explain the full spectrum of what this encompasses. Most people can get through the gist of it in understanding that nonprofit organizations use their accrued revenue to further the goals specified in their mission statement, often charitable, all the while resisting the urge to retire at 45 filthy rich in a palace on the French Riviera. Beyond this, the details become sparser. That’s okay. We know it isn’t Monopoly, so what exactly is a nonprofit organization?

By Kip Jarvis Illustration by Josh Clappe

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Nonprofit organizations use all the money they bring in for the sole purpose of making their organization better at what is does.

Define your goal As alluded to above, every nonprofit needs a goal, a purpose that justifies its existence. This purpose is more often than not going to be something that the public sphere sees as being inadequately addressed by the status quo. Be it feeding the starving and impoverished, exposing and rectifying social injustices, bringing counseling to the disillusioned or just bringing awareness to a line of rationale to the public and powers that be. In this day and age, the examples of causes for a nonprofit are truly endless. As Janis Joplin once said, “I don’t understand why half the world is still crying, man, when the other half is still crying too, man….now toss me that bottle of Southern Comfort.” All one needs to do is select one of the world’s countless woes that incite passion in the soul, create a plan for addressing it, and concoct an appropriate name for your nonprofit organization. Okay, there may be a bit more to it than that, but you’ll want to read the “How to start a nonprofit” article for that. Suffice it to say, a person only needs a noble goal. From there, they can organize a nonprofit and hopefully set about making the world a better and more just place.

Members, volunteers and a board Of course, like most worthy endeavors, you’re going to need more than just you. Even the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, the most well-funded NPO in the Union, is made up of

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more than just Bill, his wife, and a mountain of money. Most nonprofits are led by a board of directors that direct operational goals and actions. Beyond this cohort of directors, there’s likely to exist a sizable contingent of volunteers to carry out the leg-work. Membership to a nonprofit is not a requirement for volunteers, depending on the organization. Collecting a roster of volunteers is far more important than collecting actual members when it comes to achieving the organization’s goals. Still, documented members and volunteers often overlap. Members can also provide a source of revenue for the nonprofit through membership dues, though this is also not a requirement for many groups.

Fundraising Although any nonprofit’s primary goal will be achieving its mission statement, funding will always be of vital concern. As noted above, funding can come from membership dues, but this is hardly the only form of revenue available to a nonprofit. Given the activities of nonprofits, many gain the majority of their revenue through grants. Funds are also garnered through networking with wealthy and like-minded donors. Funding drives are another option often employed on scales appropriate to the size of the nonprofit, to gain funds from the general public. As gaining revenue for a nonprofit can often be a massive task in itself, many have a sister entity to focus

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solely on fundraising. These normally share the name of the nonprofit and add Foundation to the end of it, like the ACLU and the ACLU Foundation. This allows the primary organization to focus more on achieving its mission statement and less on the daunting task of collecting the capital to do it. Once the funds start rolling in, it is usually the Foundation’s responsibility to approve their allocation. In case the name isn’t clear enough, a nonprofit cannot make a profit. Any funds obtained must be put back into achieving the directives or facilitating the expansion of the nonprofit. Funds may be directed to paying permanent staff, but the number of paid staff should pale in comparison to the number of volunteers. Without following an honest format as a nonprofit, an organization may lose its status as a nonprofit.

Tax-exempt status Another notable bonus of being an officially recognized nonprofit organization is the ability to gain tax exempt status. That’s right, your group can set about bettering the world without being shackled with the cruel chains of taxation. Naturally, the specifics of this exemption will depend on which state a nonprofit is located in regards to state taxes. Federal tax exempt status will relieve the organization of paying any federal taxes on income related to their designated purpose, with the exception of employment taxes.

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So long as a nonprofit registers with their respective state, the Internal Revenue Service, and maintains a virtues implementation of their finances, they can retain this enviable status through the duration of their existence. Now, keep in mind that this definition of a nonprofit is limited to the United States. Nearly every nation on the planet has comparable groups that follow similar motivations and likewise maintain similar graces from their ruling governments as recognition of their social worth. Still, the details that comprise these nonprofits will vary slightly depending on the nation in which they reside.

A passionate cause Nonprofits can vary immensely in size, depending on their focus. A community theater group in a small rural town can be a nonprofit, so long as all the proceeds from the performances go back into the group. Their noble endeavor could be as simple as cultivating an appreciation for the arts within their community. Alternatively, a nonprofit can be a group that spans the world, like Amnesty International, supplied with hundreds of thousands of members and volunteers. Regardless, nonprofit organizations use all the money they bring in for the sole purpose of making their organization better at what is does. As such, a passionate cause is the best start. S

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GET UPa

By Randy Robinson Illustration by Emily Cain

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GO!

and

how to start a nonprofit organization

In the world of business, “nonprofit organization” usually gets some negative reactions. Sour faces, eye rolling, etc. Most Americans regard nonprofit organizations as simple charities, filled with college students begging people for money to raise awareness for some cause. Get that picture out of your head. Instead, think about NORML. The Marijuana Policy Project. The Phoenix Tears Foundation. Those are probably the three heaviest-hitters in the non-profit sector of Cannabis reform. That’s right, they’re all nonprofits, and chances

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are you’ve heard of them. A nonprofit can be a small, grassroots campaign made up of a handful of dedicated friends. But a nonprofit can also be a social movement. They can even be social movements that survive way beyond just being fads and catchy slogans. Think bigger than ‘a cause.” Think about a mission. Think about a force of change that keeps everything moving in the right directions. Think National Public Radio or the Smithsonian Institution. Think the ACLU. Think Doctors Without Borders. Think Invisible Children or the American Red Cross.

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You get the picture. A nonprofit could be something you run out of your garage for less than a year. Or it could take over the world.

Why start one? Nonprofits motivate and organize people to make a change. Change rarely comes easy, however, especially when we all live in the real world where money’s involved. A nonprofit operates much like a business, in that it has managers who dole out assignments and paychecks to their fellow employees. A nonprofit differs from a business because it doesn’t focus just on the money, hence “nonprofit.” Nonprofit groups make just enough money to keep the group going, but that money can include salaries. Yeah, that’s right. People can make a living from working for a nonprofit, if the nonprofit gets the funds. Getting funds is the hardest part, but think of it like a challenge rather than an obstacle. This may seem especially daunting given our current economic situation, because no one seems to want to just give away money these days. Nonprofits are usually where entrepreneurs get their start, so think of fundraising as job experience you’ll carry with you your entire life. If you can master this part of running a nonprofit, you’ll have a lot of doors open for you in the world of business if you choose to take that route.

Getting started Before jumping up from your couch-lock and rushing out to start your very own nonprofit, there are some questions to consider.

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First, is your nonprofit unique? Is it even needed? Chances are you’ll be starting at ground zero, right where you live, so keep your general location in mind. Cross-reference all of the other nonprofits in your area. You don’t want overlap. You want to be your own creature, a completely distinct entity from any of the other nonprofits near you.

fter you determine you’ve got a good idea, you’ll need to start thinking like a manager — sorry, just coming up with a great idea isn’t enough. To think like a manager, consider your resources. What do you have right now? Can you liquidate anything? Can you do most of this from home or will you need an office? Can you afford an office, and if not, will a nearby organization let you use their space to hold meetings and gatherings? Once you’ve got your space and cash figured out, you’ll want to think about human resources. Do you know anyone who would join your cause? What special talents or skills do they have that could benefit the nonprofit? Will you pay your nonprofit’s employees, or will they be volunteers?

Qualities of leaders All of these considerations may be daunting, but consider that this is in essence a business, even if it’s not-for-profit. Sure, you’ll have a lot more flexibility than a tried-and-true-business, but treating this endeavor like a business will make it thrive; and to run like a business, you’ll need two things: energy and insight. By “energy” I mean enthusiasm. I mean gumption. Motivation. Drive. Passion.

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A nonprofit could be something you run out of your garage for less than a year. Or it could take over the world.

Whatever you want to call it, you or someone in your nonprofit must possess the fire to keep everything moving. They need to be good with people. They need to have a sense of humor. They need the ability to come up with good ideas on their own. They need to be comfortable speaking to large groups of people as well as individuals face-to-face. By “insight,” I mean the ability to predict the future. I know, it sounds impossible, but good businesspeople can predict the future. Maybe they can’t tell you who’ll win the Super Bowl or who’s your secret crush on Facebook, but they understand finances. They know markets. They know how the news and social media work. They know how groups interact and influence one another.

hese two qualities would ideally be in one person, but they don’t have to be. A successful nonprofit is as strong as all of its members, not just its leader. The beauty of a nonprofit is that it doesn’t have to operate from the top-down. There’s a lot more room for democracy at a nonprofit, and anyone and everyone has something to contribute. If you, individually, don’t have both the qualities of energy and insight, find others who do.

The F-bomb: Funding “Funding” can be a bad word. It means

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depending on the charity of others to give you enough money to stay afloat. But funding doesn’t have to be all bad. I’ll say it again: if you can get funds raised for a nonprofit, that’s a job skill you’ll carry for life. It looks good on a resume. Trust me. I won’t weigh you down with too many details on fundraising. If you want fundraising ideas, there are thousands of books and websites out there that’ll help you. Just remember to tailor fundraising campaigns to your community. Will people in your area care enough about this subject to give donations? If you sell goods or services, will you be able to make enough money from it to put back into the organization? Actually, I will give you one idea for fundraising. We live in the Age of Information, and the Internet’s made armchair financing easy. Online fundraising, also known as “crowdfunding,” allows you to rake in donations from all over the world. A world filled with donors is much easier to work with than a local community that may not be jibing with your mission. According to Forbes, crowdfunding collectively raised $2.7 billion last year. That figure is expected to nearly double — $5.1 billion — by next year. If you’re smart — or lucky — with your crowdfunding campaign, you could take a small slice of that billion-dollar pie.

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Also, don’t neglect personal contacts. Do you have a rich uncle who’s feeling generous? Have some favors owed to you by an old friend? Don’t be afraid to tap into any possibility within your reach.

The finishing touches There are a few other basic tasks to get out of the way. For starters, you’ll need a name for your world-changing organization. Make sure it’s something memorable and not easily … infantilized. By infantilized I mean “made fun of” in the most juvenile way possible. I’m talking about companies like “Analtech” and “Pentaho.” Yes, they are real names Also, there’s a ton of paperwork involved with a nonprofit. You are, after all, making things happen. The authorities want to know about that. You’re also going to be bringing in money, and hopefully lots of it, so that means the IRS will also be quite interested in what you’re doing.

et’s dispel the myth that nonprofits don’t pay taxes. You’ll still need to handle taxes as a nonprofit, at the very least because if you are paying your employees, there are taxes to be paid on their earnings. If you don’t understand taxes, find someone with an accounting background.

You may also want to consider finding a competent lawyer. If you’re a real mover and shaker, you might find an attorney who’ll consult with you for a really low fee — or better yet — pro bono. Don’t count on that, however. Instead, be sure you have some funds set aside in case you need to ring up a legal professional. And expect to set aside quite a

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bit, because a single consultation can run in the hundreds of dollars. Finally, you need to look into getting licenses. This varies depending on the state and city, but it could mean more fees, more paperwork, and yes, more time. If you want the nonprofit to succeed, you’ll need to have someone manage all of these documents and records. If you rock the wrong boat, you may find yourself needing those documents to make your case. Don’t let disorganization destroy your organization. Remember to keep your head straight and focused. Stay impassioned and be infect others with your drive. Keep track of your ideas. Anticipate when changes will happen, but have the cleverness to deal with unforeseen situations. Have a battle plan mapped out before you go forward. You need some idea of how you’re going to start and, most importantly, how you’ll keep going. S “Nonprofit entrepreneurs can change the world.” http://www. thefundraisingauthority.com/strategy-andplanning/non-profit-entrepreneur/

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“Change nonprofits, change the world?” http:// www.asaecenter.org/Resources/ANowDetail. cfm?ItemNumber=45518 “Changing Our World, Inc.” (a private consulting agency for nonprofit organizations) http://www.changingourworld.com/site/ PageServer?pagename=main_fundraising “Nonprofit key to marijuana sales” http://www. ocregister.com/articles/dispensaries-222445profit-marijuana.html

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let’s get right down to it. historically, the primary points of contention with our first president lay in his diary entries of the mid-1760s. robert Deitch briefly highlights these entries in his 2003 book, Hemp: American History Revisited. the first entry examined comes from may 12–13, 1765, where washington writes, “sowed hemp at muddy hole by swamp.” Deitch reasonably concludes that this indicates that ol’ george was planting a separate special plot of cannabis in a secluded location. sadly, a peek at mt. vernon’s grounds, also mapped out by the talented hands of mr. washington, clearly shows that muddy hole was simply one of the large farming plots on the estate. not secluded at all. the aug. 7 entry of 1765 shows a bit more

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promise, in which washington notes, “Began to separate the male from the female hemp at Do…rather too late.” to clear up the ‘Do’ for any potential researchers, it’s most likely an abbreviation for another of mt. vernon’s large plots, named Dog run; washington had a knack for awesome field names. most growers of the intoxicating variant of cannabis would argue that this was no doubt in a failed attempt to grow some continental sticky. the debate resides in the naysayer’s argument that our first president was employing this process to create hemp with stronger fibers. our own paul Josephs, who is no stranger to the finer intricacies of growing, doubts this argument on grounds that harvesting half of one’s crop early makes little sense unless the farmer is looking to bud flowers.

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Inhale?

Did Our Founding

Fathers

Part Two of a Two-Part Series

By Kip Jarvis

The third entry highlighted by Deitch comes a year later on Aug. 29, 1766. Here, Washington writes, “Began to pull hemp at the Mih (not sure on that one) and at Muddy Hole…too late for the blossom hemp by three weeks or a month.” The same arguments remain for this passage, whether he was trying to grow stronger fibers through some lost technique of blossoming or if he was looking for delightful buds to smoke, the truth remains contested. The Aug. 29 entry does show that he was trying the process again, and on a different farm plot.

Washington’s handwriting is so fancy that it borders on illegible. Also be advised in researching this topic that there’s a great deal of misinformation out there on the question of whether the Founding Fathers grew or smoked Cannabis as an intoxicant. Don’t be like Deitch and declare that “No fewer than eight U.S. presidents have been identified as Cannabis smokers,” only to back it up with a citation from a NeoPagan magazine published the 1960s. Just because there are quotes out there, doesn’t mean they’re completely authentic. In the case of George Washington, his diary entries are definitely curious as it relates to Cannabis. Still, the virtual absence of smokable cannabis flowers or hashish in the historical record of 18th century America is a difficult fact to ignore. S

Take what you will from these entries. If you’d like to take more, Washington’s diaries are available online at http://memory.loc.gov/ ammem/gwhtml/gwseries1.html#D, courtesy of the Library of Congress. Be warned, George

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By R. Robinson Illustration by Josh Clappe

ast month, I wrote about the popular idea that du Pont, Andrew Mellon, and William Randolph Hearst manufactured Reefer Madness in order to pass the Marihuana Tax Act in 1937. It’s mentioned in documentaries, magazines (such as this one), and books about Cannabis. Few challenge the story, but, as hemp and Cannabis gain popular acceptance in the United States, we must review it and confront it head-on. There are two camps in this debate. The first is the theorists, those who see a true conspiracy

november 2013

in the history of Cannabis. The second is the skeptics, those who question the conspiracy theory because of a lack of proof and historical context. Before reading on, understand that this article is written by someone who is naturally skeptical. My educational background is in science and history, so I require extraordinary evidence for extraordinary claims. However, I’m also wary of big businesses and their unethical practices. The Age of the Robber Barons was one of the ugliest chapters in our nation’s history, and I wouldn’t be surprised if

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The Powers That Be went out of their way to get rid of hemp. Nonetheless, I don’t see any hard evidence that this conspiracy occurred, only coincidence and conjecture. If you’re a skeptic like me, read on to understand you’re not alone. You’re not crazy. You’re not blindly supporting the hegemony. If you’re a believer, a theorist with passion, you should also read on. I’m going to give you the arguments that you can counter. But I’m also going to point out the holes in this theory. If you can fill in those holes, you’ll convince the rest of us skeptics that you’re right.

The money goes... nowhere When investigators want to find a connection between politicians, federal appointees, and big business, the easiest way to do this is to follow the money. Campaign donations from private corporations say a lot about how that candidate will vote. When Sam Rayburn, the Speaker of the House who introduced the Marihuana Tax Act, called for the vote, he called for tellers. “Tellers” is a term we don’t really see these days, because every representative is required to record their vote and have it publicly announced. But back then, legislators sometimes voted anonymously. That’s what “tellers” are — votes with no paper trail. In other words, we don’t know who voted for the Tax Act. We can probably guess that Rayburn and the other Cannabis-haters at the Tax Act’s hearings voted Yay, but as for the rest of them? We have no clue.

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The next step in our investigation would be seeing who received campaign donations from Hearst or du Pont. If we could show that key figures behind the Reefer Madness received higher sums from du Pont, Hearst, or Mellon, we would have a solid clue that the conspiracy was true.

nfortunately, these numbers aren’t clear-cut. Monetary transactions weren’t recorded down to every miniscule detail like they are today. To make matters worse, lobbyists pushed for laws just prior to the Marihuana Tax Act that prevented the public from knowing who funded who. These laws were the Tillman Act (1907) and the Federal Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) (1910). Tillman banned corporations from making campaign donations, but there was no real federal oversight or enforcement for this law. The FCPA required all campaign donations over $100 to be reported to the feds. Add this up and we have a recipe for cronyism and bribery. I have no doubts that corporations were still funding general election campaigns, but they did so in secret. But who funded whom, and for what reasons, can’t be determined. According to Allison Hayward’s research at George Mason University’s School of Law, there are no documented violations of the Tillman Act until the 1940s. There’s also that slim chance that every corporation followed the law until the 1940s — but c’mon. Furthermore, the FCPA meant that wealthy donors, and quite possibly corporations, got around the law by making multiple $100

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donations from a variety of front donors. The Tillman Act and the FCPA, sadly, created a climate of complete financial opaqueness.

Returning to the mountain of strange coincidences I’m surprised more theorists haven’t picked up on the Tillman Act and the FCPA. Although I’ve cited these laws to cast doubt over the conspiracy theory, there’s an argument here. I’ll take off my skeptic hat and put on my theorist cap....

C Hold on.

onsider the stage. Thirty years before the Marihuana Tax Act, Teddy Roosevelt signs the Tillman Act into law. The Tillman Act allows corporations to covertly fund lawmakers. The law looks like it prohibits corporate donations, but what it really does is provide an apology, an excuse. Corporations will deny giving money to campaigns, and politicians won’t bother to look into allegations of bribery anyway. A few months after the Tillman Act goes into effect, we get the Panic of 1907, one of the biggest financial failures in history. J.P. Morgan got together with Lord Rothschild and couple of other big-time bankers and essentially bought up all the failed banks, trusts, and other investment firms to stabilize the markets. In 1910 the FCPA passed. Three years later, the Federal Reserve was established. In 1919, George Schlichten patents the hemp decorticator. Then, in 1929, after speculative investments wrecked the world’s financial

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systems, the Great Depression began. During the Great Depression, smaller farms were bought up by larger, industrialized farming operations. The small farms that weren’t bought were subsidized and regulated by the federal government. The American system of agriculture became a commodity. By 1935, Roosevelt’s New Deal got the country back on track toward economic recovery. Recovery was slow but steady. This happens to be the same year that nylon was invented. And 1935 just so happens to be the same year that Harry Anslinger and the rest of the prohibitionists begin writing the Marihuana Tax Act. To summarize, two major laws were passed in the early 1900s that made any corporation or robber baron invisible to the courts when it came to influencing elections. When Black Tuesday struck in 1929, this began a series of corporate aggregations that continues to this day. America had no choice but to modernize on a mass scale, an effort directed by both industry and the federal government. Hemp, the one crop that wasn’t making money for the likes of J.P. Morgan, Mellon, Rockefeller, the Rothschilds, the Roosevelts — or the du Ponts — got hit with additional excise taxes and regulations. All other cash crops became tightly controlled and their productions were closely monitored. A mountain of strange coincidences indeed. Next month, this three-part series concludes with more money muddling and the godfather of the Drug War himself, Richard Nixon. S

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ukHRa //From Page 59

drug treatment and service provision for drug users … UKHRA seeks to influence public policy and practice in many ways. Where possible we respond to Government consultation on proposed policy and law changes, we also aim to publish guidance and proposals on policy and practice issues.” – http://www.ukhra.org

use. their primary concern is maximizing the

the ukhra is a British-based organization that employs a harm reduction strategy to drug abuse. in their own assessment of the approach, harm reduction is defined through policies, programmes, services and actions that work to reduce the health, social, and economic harms to individuals, communities, and society; in relation to drug use. to achieve this, ukhra strives to work collaboratively with other not-for-profits, community action groups, and the British government.

heroin. ukhra is a strong advocate of needle

through this doctrine, ukhra stresses the importance of respecting the individual rights of the user. they do this by not only including users as part of their organization, but also by providing counseling services that don’t necessarily insist upon abstinence from drug

that relapse after treatment under traditional

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range of intervention options available and to weigh the costs and benefits of reducing drug abuse with each individual user. with this in mind, the group usually works in addressing the abuse of harder drugs, most commonly exchanges and providing venues that provide clean and safe use of syringe-based drugs. ukhra doesn’t just adhere to this strategy out of some new-age hippy-dippy philosophy. thier approach in harm reduction is based on extensive and solid research regarding success rates for suffering users. the research also takes into account overdose rates of users approaches. through its innovative outlook on substance abuse and treatment, the ukhra has become the largest harm reduction-based advocacy group in great Britain. S

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Need for seeds //from page 24

environmental stresses that might negatively impact their viability such as extreme heat or crushing. Have you grown out a good sample of seeds to determine if the hybrid is a stable strain, or if it is not, do you have a good sense of the expected phenotypes and their ratios? You might be asked about that, too. Expected yields should be presented as just that, an expectation. Too many factors beyond your control will affect yields, but offering

growing advice to bring out your particular strain’s best performance will be appreciated.

poor review of your product or actions will have a lasting presence you will not appreciate.

Put it all together and shine Present your products honestly and ask a fair price. Be available for your existing and potential customers. Educate them about your breeding projects and goals. Do the right thing and act with integrity when confronted with a customer-service issue. Remember that on the Internet, a deserved

Do these things and be patient, because it takes time for the word to get out. Enter flowers in Cannabis quality cups and contests. Advertise your gear attractively or employ a respected seed broker to do that for you. If you do these things and have a quality product then the good news will spread, and your company can become a respected and successful one in time. S

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