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History of the Cups

Denver Cannabis CUp

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It is finally time for the Denver Medical Cannabis cup.  If you are in Denver this weekend, please come and visit us as we will be one of the sponsors of the event!  We are sure patients will gather for another safe event as they have in the past.  But first, a quick look on how we got here…

The first Cannabis cup was organized by Steven Hager, of High Times Magazine.  In 1987 Amsterdam was the most famous of cities for legalized consumption of marijuana. So it was held there, in a great smoke-off to find the finest marijuana that a person could smoke.  In 25 years the contest has matured; there are multiple categories, seeking the best strains, hybrids, consumables, seeds and so forth.  It has also developed into a massive trade show, where builders of bongs can showcase their latest pipes, vaporizers, and novelty papers.  Vendors also bring in t-shirts and other apparel and all other kinds of accessories.  As the Cup has grown, it has incorporated other elements that have accompanied marijuana use.  It has embraced spirituality and the counterculture ideas of the late 60’s and 70’s.  Also, as politics have shifted across the world, so have the ideas espoused by the Cup’s sponsors and attendees.

 

Today, the United States is host to four of High Times’s Medical Marijuana Cups.  In Detroit, Denver, Los Angeles and San Francisco.  The First one was the San Francisco Cup in 2010.  Last year saw the inaugural events for Denver and Los Angeles also.  These are not just pothead toke-fests as conservative demagogues would paint them; they’re not dens of sin, iniquity and crime, or doorways to destruction.  These are modern affairs, full of people with honorable agendas seeking to help people who are suffering from various ailments. For many of these patients, cannabis holds the best treatments they can hope to receive.  New categories include judging for high CBD (cannabidiol) strains, which the medical community now agrees hold the key to treating many neuromuscular disorders.  One of the largest growing segments of the Cup community is for political activism.  Most major events now have devoted sections to increasing political awareness.  On a national stage most politicians won’t touch the topic of marijuana; there are few candidates, like Ron Paul and Gary Johnson, who are willing to discuss it.  But on state and local levels, many politicians are eagerly discussing with their constituents.  Also, there are many active groups like NORML, LEAP and ASA who attend these gatherings and try to increase awareness and activism.  For years the pro-marijuana lobby was small and quietly ignored.  Now attitudes are turning from universal recreational use (like alcohol and tobacco)  to a focus more on compassionate care and medical use, at least in enough cases now to be taken more seriously.    Also, by highlighting the many failures of the 40 year-old “War on Drugs” people have realized that change, on a federal level, is necessary for the health of the Union and its people.  All of this has helped the Cups to grow from crowds of hundreds to tens of thousands of supporters.

The Seattle HempFest is another event that has grown from very humble roots.  The first one was held in Seattle in 1991, with only 500 people in attendance; last year’s event estimated close to 300,000 attendees!  At each of these events people have gathered peacefully for several days.  Recently, Cannabis use, in public, has been tolerated with no ill effects.  Alcohol sales are banned at Hemp Fest, too.  And in that wake, there have been no riots, no fights, no dangerous crimes committed.  This is a far cry from the mighty fears that Henry J Anslinger stirred up when he pushed to have marijuana made illegal in the 1930’s.  In 1991, there were no laws anywhere for compassionate use.  Then, in 1998 Washington State passed their medical marijuana legislation.  In 2003, Seattle made marijuana its lowest police priority and in 2008 the city stated it “would no longer prosecute simple possession cases.”  This year, the state legislation approved patient cannabis gardens and an ordinance for cannabis collectives.  With perseverance and patience, even the smallest of groups can hope to accomplish great deeds.

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Calling All Activists!

tommy Chong

When the 2008 election was still up in the air, Barack Obama was campaigning as a medical marijuana-friendly candidate.  In that time, we have seen numerous states struggle towards legalizing medicinal marijuana, and still others that have already passed their legislation are finding constant resistance in the forms of unconstitutional bans and arbitrary paperwork that continually holds up the process of getting safe medicine to patients.

California has seen more dispensary raids from the IRS and DOJ during Obama’s reign than during all of GW Bush’s eight years.  Why is this happening?   We need to raise our voices, louder and more unified than ever.  America stands at a crossroads, but now more than ever patients and all citizens must stand behind what they believe in. In this modern era of instant communication, our country can have a stronger, more powerful voice, if only we are willing to use it.

For people who care about the laws of our land and the future it endows, there is so much that can be done.  Stand up and make your vote count!  Become active in your community.  Join a protest at city hall, help spread education and awareness about all the benefits of medical marijuana, or maybe even go as far as to head to D.C. and march on the state capital. Show them who we are by making our presence known through peaceful protests.  For those who are less inclined to leave the home, or who simply cannot, there is still much that can be done.  Concerned citizens should call their legislators, write a letter to your congressmen, sign petitions, send emails, start a blog and rile up some additional supporters and encourage them to get involved.

Dispensaries have flourished in recent times and have grown some of the finest medication in the world.  Colorado, California and other states have led by example, but make no mistake,we still have a long road ahead.  The medical marijuana system may not be perfect yet, but it is working in the right direction.  Other states, like New Jersey and Hawaii, have passed laws that allow for programs, yet their laws were poorly constructed and they remain unusable.  In Hawaii you can get a card to allow you to medicate legally, but there contain no provisions for legally procuring medicine.  It is legal to grow and own up to seven plants, but it is still illegal to purchase marijuana plants or seeds to begin a personal grow operation.  Also, many employers utilize zero tolerance drug policies that make no exceptions for people who are otherwise abiding by state laws.  How does a patient grow their own plants if they can’t hold down a job, therefore they have no income for a home to grow in, or even have money to feed themselves?

Americans need to stand up now and tell all the power-hungry naysayers that we will no longer tolerate the abuse of power and stifling of freedoms.  We the people have no more excuses for being lazy.  If you can’t figure out how to get involved, then look no further.  Marijuana.net will spell it out for you.

Are you in California?  Cypress Hill’s San Bernadino SmokeOut was Saturday March 3rd, and two days earlier was the March on LA’s City Hall to demonstrate unhappiness with how laws are being carried out.  Thank you to those who made it out. There is more for us to do.  Those near San Francisco will also have their opportunity to ensure Safe Access.  March will see several County Board Meetings that need people to help out.

Maryland is another state seeking to pass laws in favor of medical marijuana.  They need help to guarantee it passes. Furthermore, the right law needs to be passed so that Maryland does not become another New Jersey or Hawaii.  Want to help? Check this out.

Michigan is reviewing its current laws and is looking to alter them with several bills that will give its program a chance to grow into something as grand as California, and not stumble where the Golden state has.  Concerned citizens near Lansing are holding a forum on March 4th to coordinate a uniform front as they approach legislators and hope to pass a proper set of laws.

We can’t list what every state is doing right here, but we encourage you to find out and help wherever you are. Marijuana.net has been covering developments for some time so please check our archives to find what is relevant.  Here are a few other resources for anyone who wants to help.

Americans for Safe Access

Marijuana Policy Project

Drug Policy Alliance

New Approach Washington

National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws

Law Enforcement Against Prohibition

One more thing.  For those who find that political activism is the right thing to do, don’t stop with marijuana laws.  This country needs more people to help it be the best it can be.  As more people stand up for what they believe in, America will find itself less dominated by the interests of corporations and power-grabbing politicians.  It is our country, fight for it.

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Cypress Hill Presents: The 2012 San Bernadino SmokeOut

smokeout festival

Okay patients, waiting for is nearly over.  The 2010 San Bernadino SmokeOut from Cypress Hill is simply nearby.   For individuals individuals that do not know, The SmokeOut is definitely an annual event that Cypress Hill has backed and set together since 1998.  Their mission statement, “The SmokeOut Medicinal Marijuana Expo is founded in the fact that the general public is much better offered when people and public authorities work cooperatively to be able to effectively accomplish goals,” is all about uniting to make sure that the Medicinal Marijuana Movement continues forward, building upon its achievements and conquering the brand new hurdles that rise to bar progress.  It’s also about getting a lot of fun.  The 2010 selection features heavy-players like Korn, Sublime with Rome is headlining, and also the ever-present Cypress Hill, along with a couple of other treats.

How can this be evening not the same as other festivals?  You are able to break it lower into three parts.  First may be the music, which is really a large draw for many people.  Cypress Hill happens to be about disregarding limitations, and then any fan of the music notice they don’t hesitate to combine up styles and influences.  That’s fantastic since it means they’ll draw an audience from individuals with diverse interests.  So, should you appear only for the background music, you’re going to get individuals who like a myriad of tunes.  Which means individuals are getting uncovered to new ideas also it will make them open their brains a little.  Second, it’s a professional-medicinal marijuana event along with a huge setup for individuals individuals who require medication.  You will see another area where people from the medical community will have the ability to medicate (verification needed for those patients trying to medicate for the reason). Third, it’s a massive trade event event for that marijuana community.  Individuals who attend might find vendor platforms for items and tools from the trade.  You’ll also have areas put aside for discussions by experts within the medical area, in addition to individuals pioneers of politics that need to grow the legalisation/decriminalization efforts.  You’ll also have people from Cannabis Testing Labs, that is a large deal.  The regulation and standardization of marijuana for treatment is an integral part from the movement.  All medications are strictly controlled and should stick to recommendations.  It ought to be exactly the same for cannabis therefore, farmers (large and small-scale) have to be educated and attributed for his or her product.

NORML, People in america for Safe Access (ASA), a couple of political figures, LEAP (Police Force Against Prohibition) and many other organizations is going to be getting sections and cubicles to assist spread information and promote activism.  Marijuana.internet may have representation to ensure that people in our community will have the ability to meet those who make our website and work possible.

For individuals who reach attend the big event, you want a safe and enjoyable day.  Make sure to go to the SmokeOut occasions page and appearance the rules for medicating prior to going.  It might be a pity if our buddies weren’t permitted in simply because they did not bring their documents.  Have some fun, but don’t forget it is not concerning the eventually, it’s about using the movement forward.

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A New Year’s Resolution

new year resolution

A New Year’s Resolution from the Medical Marijuana community

This year we resolve to be more responsible members of the medical marijuana community.  For many of us, our pro-MMJ stance has been all-talk and no-walk.  We’re in favor of legalizing it to treat the millions of people who it can help, but are we doing enough?  2012 is the year for action!  There are so many ways to get involved on both local and federal levels. 
Some states, like California, already have programs underway and they need our support to continue and to progress forward.  Americans for Safe Access is one of the leading advocacy groups and they offer so many ways to get involved that it is ludicrous for us to sit on the sidelines.  They even have an iphone app so we can help out while sitting in traffic.  Don’t want to join a group?  Then let your voice be heard individually.  Call, write or email your local government officials.  Start with your state senators since this movement has to come from the states.  Tell them you support changing marijuana from a schedule 1 to a schedule 2 substance.  Tell them you want growers held accountable for the medication they provide.  Let people know about labs that can help grower’s ensure safety.

The Federal government has proved to us that it is static and unwilling to move on it’s own.  The Marijuana Policy Project is yet another resource for us to work with and provides clear directions to contact your representatives.  Our nation is supposed to have a “government of the people, by the people, for the people” yet it seems to be slipping away from us. This year we can reclaim it!  First with medical marijuana, but it doesn’t stop there! We can move on to so many other important issues.  We can because we have to.  Our country should, and will change.  It’s a part of the Constitution; we need to be active to do it.  2012 is an election year; take the time to follow those politicians like Barney Frank, Ron Paul, Dennis Kucinich and Jared Polis, who believe that marijuana is something that can help people.

As the clock counts down to midnight and a new year begins, We must set aside our champagne and say together, “This year I resolve to make the US government listen to the people who need help in our country.  This year I resolve to make my country a better place for people who are sick and suffering.  This year I will not be a spaced-out couch potato staring at girls with pot-leaf pasties selling me the next great herb grinder.  I’m going to get involved with groups like The Drug Policy Alliance and change these laws for a healthier tomorrow.”

Happy New Year!

All of us at Marijuana.net

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