Legalize Marijuana on Califonia's November Ballot!

The California Secretary officially certified the Regulate, Control, and Tax Cannabis Act of 2010 for the state’s November ballot. This means that on November 2, Californians will be able to vote to send marijuana prohibition to the ash heap of history!

The groundbreaking initiative would make personal possession and cultivation of marijuana legal for adults over 21 in California. It would also allow cash-strapped cities and counties to tax and regulate marijuana sales in order to reap millions in new tax revenues. The proposition will also call on the legislature to enact a statewide system to tax and regulate marijuana.

Will the nation’s largest state finally create a legal market – complete with tens of thousands of new jobs – for what’s already its top cash crop?

From MPP Blog

Q & A

Q: What is the difference between Indica and Sativa?
A: Scientifically (and legally), all cannabis plants are Cannabis Sativa.

In practice, indica and sativa are the names used to distinguish each end of the cannabis 'spectrum'. There are a multitude of different growth-patterns, qualities and effects within this spectrum, most of which are a result of cannabis' remarkable ability to adapt to its environment. Genetically, and in terms of interbreeding, all cannabis is in the same family.

Q: What is the sativa cannabis high?
A: The sativa high is often characterized as uplifting and energetic. The effects of a sativa marijuana are mostly cerebral. They give a feeling of optimism and well - being, as well as providing a good measure of pain relief for certain symptoms. A few pure sativas are also very high in THC content. They are known to have a quite spacey, or hallucinogenic, effect. Sativas are a good choice for daytime smoking.

Q: What is the indica cannabis high?
A; The indica highs are most often described as a pleasant body buzz. indicas are great for relaxation, stress relief, and for an overall sense of calm and serenity. Marijuana indicas are also very effective for overall body pain relief, and often used in the treatment of insomnia. They are the late - evening choice of many smokers as an all - night sleep aid. A few pure indica strains are very potent in THC, and will cause the "couch lock" effect, enabling the smoker to simply sit still and enjoy the experience of the smoke.

Ways to Medicate

Vaporization is an alternative to smoking. Rather than burning the herb, which produces irritating, toxic, and carcinogenic by-products, a vaporizer heats the material in a partial vacuum so that the active compounds contained in the plant boil off into a vapor. No combustion occurs, so no smoke or taste of smoke is evident. There are numerous designs of vaporizers you can find out there. The typical design is a box shaped heat source with a separate rubber or plastic hose guiding the THC byproduct to a mouthpiece for inhalation. A new design rising in popularity is the bag system. In this design the heat source mounts a balloon style baggy on its top and collects the THC byproduct, for an easy handheld inhalation system. Whichever design catches your eye, know that vaporizing provides a different high. Try one out and see if this is the high for you. Enjoy!

I Left My Heart in San Fran-Bleezy

by Chris Greeley

Having lived in San Francisco for quite a number of years now, I have been able to experience the beauty of Liberalism at its finest. Marijuana is perhaps the sweetest taste of Liberalism I think I have come to encounter in the City. However, it has been a long time coming: after numerous years of networking to find the finest quality of bud for the best price, I finally got my medical cannabis card. Though it is true that the Los Angeles area (however big you’d like to expand that to) has the most amount of medical dispensaries, San Francisco has a more concentrated amount of dispensaries. (For instance, on my birthday, I went to about 8 clubs in the matter of two hours on my bike; that included patient sign up and purchase-time as well.) I guess it really doesn’t matter, since all you need is one fine, local dispensary in your backyard. But because I get anxious and excited easily, I like to try many different clubs in search of the best quality and experience. If you are thinking of making your way to this beautiful city, and you find yourself in the Haight-Ashbury (like I’m sure many of you will), you should take a stroll down to The Vapor Room in lower-Haight. Perhaps you have heard of it, perhaps not. This dispensary has anything and everything you would probably want. Here is just a short list: at least 3 strands of each kind of buds—sativa, indica and hybrids; edibles—pastries, butters (coconut, too), ice-cream and more; pre-rolled joints of all qualities; and perhaps the best amenity: four perfectly working volcano vaporizers. With a name like Vapor Room, how could they not? For you smokers who enjoy a nice bong, they have a few of those as well. The wood finishing on the ground, the nicely-painted walls, the sliding-door bathroom, the miniature palm trees, the personable personnel; all make for a pleasant experience to enjoy your tasty buds with your buds. I have met a new individual every time I have gone to The Vapor Room, though they have been mostly older middle-aged men who just like to talk. But, shit, they always have the best stories to tell. What can I say, blonde busty babes don’t just linger around medical dispensaries. If you are looking to get blitzed to the dome, The Vapor Room will always have the best Trainwreck your little heart and head will desire, since they have used the same supplier for years now. But like I said, they will always have some of the finest quality for whatever you are looking for; it just depends on your personal preference of high, taste, and price. The Vapor Room, like most dispensaries, has their own strange specials specific to their club, but if you are looking for yr basic bud, it is a standard $50 out-the-door eighth. If you are willing to pay the price, I promise you’ll be feeling nice.

Most Down for the Cause

by Matthew Delarosa

“Any friend of yours is a friend of mine.” Has anybody ever told you that? Have you ever really concluded that any friend of “yours” is actually compatible with that particular person? For that matter would you be equally compatible with all of their friends? After heavy consideration I could only muster up one bud, no pun intended, that truly fit the bill to qualify that statement... DING DING DING! You guessed it, marijuana! So I asked myself, “Who is consequently my pal for sharing an interest in my other pal, Mary Jane?” that's when I started my research on celebrities and other various figures in the public eye that possessed this common friend. Results included the likes of Al Gore, Neil Young, Calvin Klein, Brad Pitt... wait Brad Pitt? I love Brad Pitt! Seven, Fight Club and Inglourious Basterds! All films that were made paramount by the quality acting of my newly found smoking mate, Brad Pitt. It enthused me needless to say. I looked deeper into Mr. Pitt's support for marijuana and my findings revealed that this actor has more than just a simple admiration for greens. Recently in an interview, Bill Maher recalls Brad's rolling paper skills as … “better than a cigarette.” Brad replied, “I'm an artist.” Another interview following the grand success of Inglourious Basterds, uncovered that Quentin Tarantino had recruited the actor for the role of Lieutenant Aldo Raine during a quaint hash and wine session. It was clear to me that marijuana has played a positive part in Brad Pitt's life. So what kind of positive influence has Brad put back? Newsweek Magazine named him as one of “15 People Who Make America Great.” Charities that Brad supports include: Right To Play, Human Rights Watch, the ONE campaign and many more successful organizations providing better lives for people around the globe. I believe it is important we become aware of our fellow stoners, both in the lime light and in your communities, that are contributing role models to society. “Any friend of yours is a friend of mine.” Brad Pitt, I salute you as this issues OtherSide Farms Most Down for the Cause. Each OtherSide Farms Newsletter will include one new Most Down for the Cause candidate who has respect for the sweet leaf and the sweet life. Until then my friends, enjoy life, liberty and the right to medicate!

Another World-Class Athlete Gets Punished for Using Marijuana

Twenty-four-year-old American Ivory Williams—one of the fastest 100-meter sprinters in the world—will not be allowed to compete on the U.S. Team for this year’s World Indoor Championships.

His offense? He tested positive for marijuana. Now Williams, who just last month ran the fastest 60 meters in the world, will be ineligible to compete for the next three months and will have to complete an anti-doping educational program.

It’s simply maddening to see a 24-year-old world-class athlete get sidelined from his sport just because he used a substance that is safer than alcohol and isn’t exactly what you’d call a performance-enhancing drug. To add insult to injury, his manager felt compelled to issue a token apology, saying Williams exhibited “poor judgment.”

In a related, possibly even more frustrating story, the defending champion in the Iditarod—where dogs do the racing, not humans—might now be disqualified because he uses medical marijuana to treat the effects of throat cancer.

From
MPP Website

Insurance Agency Becomes First to Offer National Medical Marijuana Coverage

A spokesman for Statewide Insurance Services said the new program will include operations related to medical marijuana dispensaries and growers, including workers’ compensation, general liability, auto insurance, equipment breakdown and damage, and property or product loss—including marijuana spoilage.

As the cultivation and distribution of state-sanctioned medical marijuana proliferates in 14 states (and counting), it is only right that such establishments receive the same protections as other legitimate businesses. By taking this much-needed step, Statewide is helping to send a strong message to the rest of the country that this nearly untapped-market is not just credible, but ripe for new business opportunities, and here to stay.

From MPP Website

Your Tax Dollars

Heres another bit for you that your "unbiased media" hasn't told you, the city of Costa Mesa and several other local cities are using YOUR tax dollars to help the city of Anaheim fight its lawsuit against a group of dispensaries! And we have Firefighters on furlough? WHAT IS THIS?

Keep following your orders and most definitely DON'T think for yourself! 95% of DOCTORS see the benefit, HELLO!!!

How can you stand up for the fight against this with SO MUCH OVERWHELMING evidence contradicting your cause? I guess that kind of answers it for me.

Those oppossed should be ashamed and embarrassed for falling for this!

By the way, is anyone else concerned about the pharmaceutical ads on TV? You know the ones that have side effects like "may lead to Thoughts or sctions of suicide" WHAT? And we're fighting MEDICAL MARIJUANA???

What is going on people? Why do we let those whose children don't have to go to war decide on whether we send OUR children to war or not? Or let those who have health care decide on OUR health care? It's ridiculous, and we sit and watch.

Get up and do something about it! Write letters, talk about it, this is OUR Country too.

How come everyone is so focused on Medical Marijuana?

It's natural and has been PROVEN to have great success at helping a vast amount of ailments. Whether your need is one due to a terminal condition or not, it works and ALL should have access to it.

Why isnt our government concerned about the effects of cigarettes or alcohol? People die from those and yet there are legal. As a matter of fact WE ALL KNOW CIGARETTES KILL so why are they legal? Name ONE benefit from a cigarette? Can you think of one? Didn't think so but keep picking on medical marijuana, that makes sense.

How about the fact that the DEA has a schedule of drugs in which Schedule 1 is the worst and considered to have NO social or medicinal value. Schedule 2 is next and so on... Well, here's the kicker...
Schedule 2
PCP
Crack
Meth
Crank
LSD

Schedule 1 (the worst)
Marijuana

Now, I think we can ALL agree that pot is far less of a threat than ANY of those listed above as a "Schedule 2" drug. Why do we allow this? This is what allows the Government to justify the ridiculous amount of money they spend on the "War on Medical Marijuana"

I we're in a recession! AWESOME!!!

Our cities are cutting back everywhere but they have no problem wasting money pursuing the pot industry when they could be making money from it, that's lame! Think about that. Your property tax money going to wards fighting something that is LEGAL by law of the State but the cities want to ban it and prosecute those involved in this industry, even the ones who AREN'T operating illegally. all the time wasting your money. 56% of California voted for medical marijuana 13 years ago, how many stoners do you think didn't even show up to vote? Remember, that was when college students and such didn't vote in large numbers. Since then, public knowledge and support have grown since then and people are voting now, it's changed. Large amounts of revenue could be generated from regulated medical marijuana, it's a benefit to so many, a threat to none. Why?

Please do the right thing and help us bring the reality of the necessity of medical marijuana to those who oppose our cause.