Marijuana Legalized...City Council discusses tax on killer weed! Oct. 27th!

The Rules and Election Committee for the Los Angeles City Council will receive a report from the Chief Legislative Analyst (CLA) on the taxing of medical and non-medical cannabis at a hearing tomorrow (October 27th).

The CLA is recommending that the City Council place a tax on the March 15, 2011 city ballot that would establish taxes in the sum of (1) $500 per plant cultivated for medical cannabis patients’ collectives, and (2) 10% of gross receipts for non-medical cannabis sales if Proposition 19 is adopted.

Americans for Safe Access (ASA) is concerned about the proposed tax on medical cannabis plants as it will increase the cost of medicine for legitimate patients.

Interested California residents may  read the proposal @

http://safeaccessnow.org/punbb/viewtopic.php?id=6028

Staff at Americans for Safe Access are urging concerned citizens in support of the legalization of marijuana in the State of California to attend the hearing and get vocal!

See 'ya there!

Event

What: Rules and Elections Committee Hearing

Location:
City Hall
Room 340
200 N. Spring Street
 Los Angeles, CA
90012

Time:3 p.m.

Date:
October 27th (2010)

Info:

don@safeaccessnow.org

http://www.thetattler.biz

Medical Marijuana...Pot dispensaries go for the standard Neon storefront look! Government issue?

Medicinal Marijuna legal in California

Do you find it curious that a police car cruised by while I was shooting this?

http://www.julianayrs.com

Michael Phelps...disciplined for dope-smoking incident! Suspended 3 months...

For medicinal purposes, dude!

Late today - surprise! surprise! - news was filtering out on news wires that swimmer Michael Phelps - hot-shot Olympic Gold Medalist (turned druggie?) has been suspended from competition for three months by USA Swimming.

A forthcoming slap on the wrist was not unexpected to keen observers on the shore, though - who even anticipated possible jail time for the jock - after amateur paparazzi snapped a revealing still of Phelps smoking dope at a party a few months ago at Southern California University with stoned pals.

Although it is doubtful a suspension of financial aid will cramp Michael's style or his ability to tool down to the local pot dispensary to scarf up a bag of the sweet-smelling hootch at whim, officials chose to do just that anyway, effective Thursday.

"This is not a situation where any anti-doping rule was violated," a rep noted for the record, however.

In view of the seriousness of the scandal , the powers-that-be opted to fire a warning shot off Michael's bow, though.

Yeah, in addition to being labelled a dope smoker - caught up in wild reefer madness - the kid-from-nowhere has now become an International scape goat!

Officials argue that because the Olympic Gold Medalist disappointed fans and young kids who looked up to him as a role model, that they must extract a pound of flesh.

Apparently, it is no water off this duck's back, though.

“Michael has voluntarily accepted the reprimand and is committed to earning back our trust," piped in another Official on the sideliness.

Stay tuned for part two of the saga.

News at 11!

http://www.julianayrs.com

Barack Obama...DEA Raids 4 pot dispensaries! Locals hopping mad at Prez & Eric Holder...

Good stuff, dude!

The locals are in an uproar.

Yup, they are mad as hell, and they're not going to take it anymore.

So, what's all the fuss about in LA-LA Land?

Yesterday, the DEA raided 4 pot dispensaries in Los Angeles County, in spite of spirited campaign pledges last fall - by then presidential hopeful, Barack Obama - that there would be an end to the use of Federal funds (and resources) to undermine State Medical Cannabis laws.

Now that the political upstart is firmly ensconced on Capitol Hill for four years - God willing - has a painful reality sunken in?

Is it wholly possible Obama realizes now - that in order to effect honest-to-goodness change in Washington - he and his political cronies may have to grease a few palms and utter up a promise or two to rivals if they want to cut a dignified (and successful) swath through the corridors of power?

Top guns at Americans for Safe Access, who have been in-and-out of the courts on the West Coast over the past year securing court orders to ensure law enforcement upholds the "will of the people" in respect to the compassionate use of medical marijuana in California, are angered about the pot busts for a couple of reasons.

For starters, the U.S. Senate just confirmed and gave the nod to Eric Holder to head up the Department of Justice under the Obama administration umbrella this past week.

Therefore, the leadership at ASA (Americans for Safe Access) have publicly noted for the record that the four raids on Tuesday (February 3rd) should be the "first" and "last" of the DEA raids under Holder’s leadership.

In addition - ASA and medical marijuana advocates have stridently lamented to the press and to anyone within ear shot that will listen - that because Obama said he would stop the raids they intend to hold the "wishy-washy" White House honcho to his word!

In jest, irate advocates have wondered aloud (alongside Los Angeles Times editors) if the powers-that-be at the DEA are unaware that the old cowpoke - George W-ah-Yah Bush - is no longer sitting in the hot seat where slick Willy kicked back for one of his first ruby-red lipstick-laden Lewinski's a scant decade or so ago.

Well, no matter, 'cause they don't intend to dial 'em up to rustle up an answer.

ASA, grass roots supporters - and others - have sprung into action!

In fliers, e-mails, and at rallies, ASA has been urging Californians to make a couple of highly-motivated phone calls to Obama's office at the White House to inform the PREZ that they are sick and tired of DEA interference and their ongoing intimidation tactics in states where the compassionate use of Marijuana for Medicinal purposes is legal.

"Tell your federal government that you will not tolerate wasteful spending by having DEA harass innocent civilians with smash and grab tactics," urged one ASA employee this morning.

Obama may be reached at (202)456.1111.
(Office hours Monday-Friday)

Likewise, you can toss a few choice words at Attorney General Holder by dialing his office directly on the "hill" at (202)353.1555.

For those of you unfamiliar with the DEA raids, the laws pertaining to the compassionate use of Marijuana for medicinal purposes in California, and the ongoing controversies that have split the community over the past year or so, I have posted a handful of links to news reports I penned and published to this site in respect to the raucous raids, angry protests, and complex court proceedings that went down in Los Angeles this past year.

Post: 05/16/08
Reefer Madness

http://ijulian.blogspot.com/2008/05/insomniac-cinemareefer-madness-screens.html


Post: 05/06/08
House Judiciary Committee to probe DEA Raids

http://ijulian.blogspot.com/2008/05/deaabuse-house-judiciary-committee-to.html

Post: 04/07/08
City Council votes yes on SRJ 20 (Funds for DEA Raids)

http://ijulian.blogspot.com/2008/04/los-angeles-city-councilvotes-yes-on.html


Post: 03/24/08
ASA protest @ Federal Building (DEA Raids)

http://ijulian.blogspot.com/2008/03/drug-enforcement-agency.html


Post: 11/29/07
Court Victory re: Medical Marijuana

http://ijulian.blogspot.com/2007/11/medical-marijuanacourt-victory.html

The DEA must be smokin' the stuff 'cause they're keen on the munchies, too!

http://www.julianayrs.com

Reefer Madness! Take your bong, Michael Phelps...

After an announcement that John Conyers (House Judiciary Committee) would be investigating the DEA in respect to recent Paramilitary-style raids on local pot dispensaries - the country's top Drug Czar released a notice to the public warning that the habitual use of marijuana could heighten depression - and ultimately - result in an ongoing development of mental and emotional problems.

If you're in the dark about the veracity of those statements - you may want to take in a screening of "REEFER MADNESS" - when it next screens at a local theatre near you.

After all, "Reefer Madness" is a wicked hilarious twist on the whole controversial subject.

The cult classic was originally conceived as a propaganda tool to quell desire for the evil drug among troubled rebellious youth - with the ultimate aim - of curbing any bold-faced effort to legalize the leafy substance for use in polite social circles.

In fact, the 1936 exploitation film revolves around the fictional tragic events that ensue when a handful of naive high school students are lured by dreaded pushers to smoke "marijuana".

For instance, the filmmakers focus on a hit and run accident, manslaughter, suicide, rape, and - in at least one instance - a descent into madness.

The film was directed by Louis Gasnier and starred a cast of mostly unknown actors.

"Reefer Madness" was originally financed by a church group and crowned with the inspiring title, "Tell Your Children".

The film was intended as a morality tale and - likewise - cleverly crafted to warn teenagers about the alleged pitfalls of using illicit drugs such as cannabis.

As fate would have it, soon after the film was shot, a visionary producer - Dwain Esper - bought the unreleased project and re-cut the raw footage for distribution on the exploitation film circuit.

Early on, the film never garnered much attention, though.

But, in the 1970's, it was rediscovered and gained a persona of its own as a piece of unintentional comedy among cannabis smokers.

Today, it is in the public domain in the United State, and is considered a cult film which has inspired a musical satire (playing off-Broadway in 2001) and a Showtime feature film titled - "Reefer Madness" - based on the musical.

Don't forget to take along your "Volcano" when you screen it, Michael Phelps!

http://www.julianayrs.com/