Oh Cannabis Summer 2020 Newz y Viewz!

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 "STONERs Guide 2 Oh Cannabis News Y View" @ Directory! 

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davidchiarelli 

OH CANNABIS

Racism, Policing and the War on Drugs continue to taint the Canadian legalization process. Racialized Canadians still face discrimination within the cannabiz sector. The police arrests continue. While the same former top cops and politicians behind the War on Drugs still run the show, only now from on high, within our legal system, government task forces and the corporate weed world. NORML Canada's Caryma Sa'd explains why Canada's cannabis activists and entrepreneurs need to be both resistant and transformational, for any real change to occur @ ITJ 

Double Standard; Canadian authorities are big on law and order, when it comes to busting the unregulated cannabis market. But then turn a blind eye when the government LP's [Licensed Producers] also break the law. Take CannTrust's recent hijinks; will that get them a criminal .... or ..... a regulatory charge?!? @ 420Int

Prohibition 2.0: Canada's legal pot shops are helping launch the new War on Drugs. Yup! They're pushing the RCMP to bust Weedmaps and the unregulated market, so we'll have to buy their often inferior, B-grade crap instead @ BNN @ BNN

Canuck Imperialism: Aphria and Aurora are among the Canadian LP's cutting their losses in Jamaica and heading home, during the Covid-19 pandemic. There's an upside to that for the local Jamaican growers and producers. Now they can set up and run their operations, to better help and serve their own community, not ours, without any foreign interference. Yeah. Canadians can be nice, nice, very nice. But I bet given the chance, we can also be big, bad imperialists too. Calling the $hot$. Throwing our dollar$ around. $idelining the local$. $cooping up the big profit$. As Canadians, we are better than that! Should know that bigger isn't always better. And that foreign control comes at a very steep national cost. So instead why not fix your screwed up corporate business model back home here in Canada, eh? To actually work ... ummm ... for us?!? @ Forbes

IN THE NEWS

Stoners Guide to the Fall US Election: Donald Trump? Joe Biden? The Lawmakers? Senators? State legalization referendums? Here's an excellent pot election prospectus, with plenty of helpful links @ Leafly

Trumped? Sadly, Der Donald's got one over Democratic Presidential contender Joe Biden on legalization, as he targets Joe's role as an "architect of the War on Drugs". Expect lots of pot smoke and mirrors from both sides, in the fall election race ahead. Neither Biden nor Trump seem likely weed champions. Too bad, with legalization scoring much higher approval ratings than either of them, in the polls @ MM @ MF

Donald on Weed: At best, he's for the status quo. Claims he isn't opposed to medical pot. Supports state legalization rights. But his actions in both departments are often very questionable. All over the map. For example, he apparently doesn't want legalization to become a federal or state issue during the election, if it'll help the Democrats. But still, there's speculation that he might support MORE and legalize weed before November, if he thinks that's to his political advantage. Go figure @ Fool @ MM @ Forbes

VP Mike Pence, on the other hand, remains a hardcore, prohibition, reefer madman @ OTI

Slow Joe -Reefer Madman? Sadly, Joe Biden; the Dem's Presidential candidate isn't exactly a big fan of our favourite weed. Too bad. As support for legalization continues to grow across the US, Joe still isn't on board. Nor is it included in the party platform for this fall, either @ Atlantic @ Leafly @ MM

More Democratic Reefer Madness: At least, like Joe Biden, VP running mate Kamala Harris is open to reforming America's cannabis laws. She even claims to be pro legalization. However, her past record in the weed department, especially as a former California AG, was often spotty at best @ RS @ MN @ SFG

Up In Smoke: Pot shops across the US are getting hit hard by burglars and vandals during the widespread protests sweeping Trump Nation. So who's to blame? Enough with the crazy Antifa conspiracy theories. Try your typical professional thief instead. It's a rare opportunity that they can easily exploit for personal gain. Unlike the more high minded everyday American taking to the streets and risking Covid-19, to protest police brutality and racial injustice. @ MBD

George Floyd Prohibition 101: America's drug laws specifically target blacks and POC. The police killing of George Floyd provides a case in point. See "Higher Learning" below and @ Leafly

By the Numbers: Black Americian's continue to suffer the most in the War on Drugs. While most white toker's, are keeping silent. Rather than protesting this very grave, racial and social injustice too @ PN

Death 2 Tokers? GOP Lawmaker Rep. Mo Brooks [R-AL] slams the widespread protests against the brutal police killing of George Floyd as "undeserving" -because he was an ... ahem ... "marijuana user". 

In Tennessee, GOP Lawmaker William Lamberth [R-Portland] blocks a resolution to honour murdered, black, teenage LGBTQ activist Ashanti Posey. Why? Get this -police allege that she was involved in a small time pot deal, just before she was shot and killed, by suspects unknown. Instead of considering it as a hate crime, like her family suspects ... 

Meanwhile Bernie Sanders [I-VT] and Cory Booker [D-NJ] plus a chorus of Democrats, are focusing their attention squarely on the war on drugs, where it belongs. Weed should be treated as a health rather than a policing issue. It's high time to stop letting the over zealous police, be the weed judge, and jury. Plus far too often, as in Floyd's case, the executioner too @ MM @ MM

Take A Hit: With legalization stalled, NM's progressive are now handing out walking papers to the anti-pot senators, in the Democrat state primaries. Bravo @ BW

A Single Convention: US Imperialism, racism and the worldwide War on Drugs still go hand in hand, even today @ Vice

GREEN MARKETING

Covid Cannabis Sales: Despite the pandemic, worldwide legal sales will hit a whopping $20.4 billion in 2020. Think that's a lot? In 2019, the unregulated market earned $214 billion in sales! Compared to $14.8 billion for the legal market! The greedy, hamstrung LP's and their ditch weed still don't lead the pack. Far from it. Doesn't look like that's about to change anytime soon @ GMR

Pot Recall: Yup. Across Michigan. After a worker is accused of licking a joint at a Bay City processing plant. Ha. Ha. Er .... @ MSN

Ontario Cannabis 2.0: The cannabis sales figures for the first year of legalization are now available for Canada's largest province. Aurora Drift, Canna Farms and Redecan are among the winners. More on the leading brands, products and areas of concern @ GO

Support The Tyendinaga Mohawk Pot Shops!

Indigenous Weed: Meet Tim Barnhart, owner of the Legacy 420's Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory dispensary, in south eastern Ontario. Tim discusses the economic, legal and community challenges of Covid-19. The economic fall out to follow. Plus how that's all being very responsibly handled by the First Nations in Canada @ RPM

Tyendinaga Pot Shopping: Back in cottage country for the summer, I recently made a supply run to some of my favourite pot shops on the reserve. Staff are protected by glass dividers. Wore PPE's. Social distancing is in effect. Apparently, so far, no Cover-19 cases, even though they've remained open during the pandemic.

The weed selection seemed more limited than in years past. Still, I scored some tasty Headband and Bruce Banner strains -$50 and $60 a quarter respectively. A taster of Rockstar cost $8 gm. Great looking buds. Never any tax. 

The edibles are now individually wrapped. Are moreso in the 10 and 20 gm THC range. Perhaps a nod to the federal regulations? I still scored a few 50's. Some 100's for when I go kayaking. Prices vary, but basically $25 for a 500 gm THC pack. 

Service was a bit more kurt and rushed than in years past. Understandable under the conditions. But everybody was still friendly and cool.

Legacy 420 remains the one stop super shop for most anything and everything cannabis related that you'd want. All the weed's tested. There's a 20% seniors discount too. 

Otherwise? Many different strains at Peacemaker 420. Lotsa great starter plants at Better Buds. A fun selection at Big Greens. Plenty of CBD's and candy at the Medibles dispensary. With el cheapo $80 to $120 generic ounces are available most everywhere.

All power to the Mohawk dispensaries. They always keep me coming back. Coz they do it right!!!

Weedmapped: Why are US federal prosecutors targeting the popular weed finder app? Because it breaks US drug, banking, tax and communication laws? Are they after some corrupt state officials? Or about to bust the unregulated pot shops? Hmmmm. Well, know this: Weedmaps is "co-operating" with the fed's "info requests" @ Leafly

HIGHER LEARNING

The War On Drugs 101: Historically, our societies "fear of drugs" has provided a ready excuse for police brutality against people of colour @ Vice 

Here's more on how the fears are racially motivated, and prevent people of colour from equal justice and protection under the law @ Hill 

On "Drugs": Basically, "drugs" is little more than a white, linguistic construct. It evokes our worst prejudices and fears about "other people". Those whom seem different from us! 

Unlike "medicine", big bad "drugs" like weed, create a scary, nightmarish spectre! Of villains. Death. And insanity. Such that now, only the police can protect us! From the blacks. Mexicans. Indigenous and asian "foreigners". Whom live among us. Maybe using "drugs". 

Since these dangerous "drugs" are an ...ahem ... "law and order" issue, enforcement is largely left up to police. Unlike if we consider "drugs" as a social or medical issue instead. That other trained experts could handle better, without the horrible beatings, killings and arrests. But no. Not when the police are protecting us from those awful "foreigners" and "others", whom we fear and really don't like or trust anyway, because they seem different than us @ Volte

Harry's Reefer Madness: Racist Federal Narcotic Bureau [Nee DEA] Chief Harry Anslinger was the "mastermind" who ran the War on Drugs from the 1930 through 1962. Harry warned that a black or latino man who smokes weed, thinks that he's as good as a white man. He'll have sex with white women. And find a way to corrupt the white youth. So if the police wanted to arrest him, for whatever reason, they could just cut to the quick and bust him for weed. The oh so worried white folk certainly didn't ask any questions, nor complain much either @ TL

"Marijuana" was a racist slang term that Anslinger used to help make "cannabis" sound more Mexican. Dangerous. Exotic. And scary for white people. Nowadays, some tokers argue that the name is commonly used without any hateful intent. It can simply serve as a reminder of the plant's troubled past. Other's argue that enough is enough -it still has a racist and hurtful connotation for our BIPOC community. My editorial policy is to respectfully use the medical term cannabis instead of marijuana, whenever possible. More @ V @ G

Canadian Reefer Madness was built upon the fear of Chinese immigrants and "mixed race babies". Oddly, there wasn't even a debate in our House of Commons, over the prohibition of cannabis in 1923. The Chinese generally preferred opium, if they used "drugs". Not pot. But Canada was only too glad to unquestioningly follow the US lead. Make cannabis illegal too @ Con

An "African Weed Report" or "Drugs: Let's Admit We Were Wrong": The former Presidents of Nigeria and South Africa carefully reconsider the dire effect of the US War on Drugs. In short, prohibition didn't work there either. Far from it. But some good news: legalization and decriminalization are now finally taking root, across the African continent @ AR

HIGH TIMES

Summer of Love Revisited: Though not as super strong as today's weed, these classic "landrace" strains are still available in many pot shops, for a cool, laid back, 60's high; Acapulco God, Afghani, Thai, Durban Poison, Lamb's Breathe and Thai @ Leafly

Make Love Not War: These popular weed strains can enhance your mental and physical high while getting it on in bed, or wherever; Blue Dream, Cheese, Granddaddy Purple, Skywalker, Trainwreck, Sour Diesel @ IGL

Reefer Madness: The US Library of Congress is now thoughtfully highlighting the racist news coverage used to justify Prohibiton 1.0, the criminalization of cannabis, in year's past. Think fake news. Lots of it! And please note -it's still happening today!!! More @ MM

More Reefer Madness: Hollywood gave the War on Drugs it's B-Grade appeal vis a vis such so-good-it's-bad-golden-oldie-klassics as 1936's "Reefer Madness". Naive, white, high school teens smoke the deadly weed at a wild house party. Dance madly. Make out. An old white man gets run over. A young girl dies. And the hipster drug dealers have pencil thin moustaches and wear funny suits. Will the drug horrors never end?!?

I often post these flics on Twitter come 420. Do drop by and check out the fun.[LINK] Meanwhile, here's a trez kool review and colour copy of Reefer Madness for you to enjoy @ YT @ YT2

COMMENTS:

Santiago de Cuba 2020 2: In The City

Week two of our trip: Off we go to Santiago de Cuba, the island's second largest city. We got lucky with the Melia Santiago de Cuba hotel. Scored a great, corner room overlooking the city, with huge floor to ceiling windows. A whirlpool bath. 

Like much of Santiago de Cuba, the Melia seems lost in time. It's a glittering steel and glass, post modern artifact protruding over the sleepy, centuries old barrio of District Reparto Sueno. Even at the best of times, it's 5 star pretences are hard to convincingly pull off, with any aplomb. 

Usually the Melia's pricey. Not really worth it. But this trip it only cost $800 Canadian each, with breakfast included. It soon became clear why. Despite being high season, the Melia was nearly empty. 

Occasionally, a German or Italian tour bus would arrive for a day or two. We regularly rubbed shoulders with the sweaty, tired guests, in the crowded hotel elevator, and at the breakfast buffet. Think nothing of it.

On vacation, far from home, nobody including ourselves, was much aware of the Covid-19 virus. Nor the risks we faced.

At the time, we were happy for a great deal. Plus I've known Gretel, the concierge, since she was a toddler. We brought her a suitcase of baby clothes. Gretel's father, Aurelio, was a teaching colleague of mine during the 1990's. Later became a tour guide. Lotsa fun. We go back a long way.

Our porter, Rene, is another familiar face. Seemingly has been there forever, at the front door. Lending a helping hand, as we come and go, during our many visits, over the years. Making sure that we're always welcome, safe, and comfortable during our stay.

There was a breakfast buffet. And a dinner buffet, when the tours arrived. The menu? Very limited. They'd try to get fancy with it, but invariably fail. Rather miserably. The service? Downright awful. Totally, a lost cause. 

Still, the Melia's sprawling pool complex is magnificent. We'd enjoy a refreshing morning, and/ or late afternoon dip. Work on our tan. Lying under an umbrella with a good book. A cold drink. Maybe just surfing the net. Pretty much had it all to ourselves too!

The towel service was dicey. So too, the linen in our room.

Like the Brisas, the Melia was built in the 1990's, but it's still in pretty good shape. Sadly, it's 5 star services and amenities are now indefinitely on hold. For the foreseeable future. In the tight, deadly vice grip of the US sanctions.

No matter. Most of the week was spent visiting our teacher friends. We'd go house hopping during the day, inbetween visiting the old familiar sights. 

Unfortunately, they were feeling the squeeze too. Professors Jose y Martha are retired now. It's hard to make ends meet. There are chronic shortages of food. Toiletries. Even the most basic, household necessities. Also medicine too, as the US sanctions kick in.

With Jose!

Their grandson Ernesto, has finished his military service. Begun first year at the medical school. He lives at their home in the city centre, helping out as best he can. Queuing up at the shops. Hunting down much needed supplies. The necessities of life.

Even everyday items like soap, shampoo, detergent, and toothpaste are once again very hard to find. Milk is now rationed, for the young children only. Flour and bread are in very short supply. Medical prescriptions hard to fill. The lack of painkillers and anathestics is even holding up surgery at the local hospital. 

At Aurelio y Jamie's Casa!

Aurelio still takes tours about the city. But nowadays, they are few and far between. The US sanctions have blocked most of the cruise ships. Leaving only the leaky, old tramp steamers which are still willing to risk Trump's wrath, on a desperate supply run, to the once bustling port of Santiago de Cuba.

With wife Jamie, he's bought a 3 bedroom house, in the city centre. The owners left for South America. Leaving their furniture behind too. Perhaps someday, if the tourists return, they can run it as a B+B. Run their own tours. Better support their family. But for now? No.

At Jose's y Martha's Casa

We brought everybody a few suitcases of clothes, medicine, household supplies. Mostly just our own stuff, as we downsize for our retirement years. It certainly helps. 

Dinner wasn't a problem. We'd visit one of the many local particulars. These popular, family run restaurants are giving the big hotels a real run for their money. No bad service or limited menus here.

At La Narajana, we'd get heaping plates of fried shrimp or a tasty chicken dinner for a few dollars tops. Ditto, at the Rock cafe. A night out with pizza, pork and fish plus an endless array of finger foods and party drinks, cost about $100 US for our group of 10.

Our favourite city sites, were mostly devoid of tourists. We'd laze unbothered on the terrace of the downtown Casagrande Hotel, overlooking Cespedes Park. Or leisurely stroll along Enamarados Avenue, it's usually bustling stores and bars, as empty as the barren shop shelves. Late afternoon would find us at the Case De Trova for a fabulous Cuban musical matinee, in a roomful of empty chairs.

A drink or shot at most restaurants or bars cost about a dollar or two. Maybe $3 at the tourist hotspots. 

Beware! Cannabis is strictly forbidden in Cuba. Hard to find. Not worth the risk. 

My doctor in Canada prescribed Naboline and Sativex instead. Both are very discreet. And are also legal in many places one might travel too, for various medical conditions. 

Bottom line? Prescription drugs come with a prescription label, from the pharmacy. Look perfectly legit along with all the other assorted medicines and what not, in your kit bag. 

Maybe someday ...

Quite frankly, few custom agents will recognize them. If they do, the risks are minimal. Perhaps they'd confiscate them. But basically, they're very unlikely to create any suspicion at all, a big plus, when travelling outside Canada.

It's too bad. Cuba grows the best tobacco. But unfortunately for the Cuban economy, that just isn't very much in demand anymore. 

On the other hand, think of all the great weed Cuba could produce! And the much needed dollars it could bring.

Hmmm. Maybe some day?

Anyway, in the evening, we'd head to classes at the [TFS] Toronto Friendship school. 

Nowadays, attendance is down to about 50 students. Ironically, the TFS has largely become a victim of it's own success. Very leading edge in the 1990's, lots and lots of these nongovernmental, English language schools now dot the city. 

The TFS is the only school where I still like to teach. I always like to drop by when I visit Santiago, to help the students and teachers with their Engllsh speaking skills. 

I noticed Janet would always soon retreat to the back row, near the window and door of the tightly packed classroom. With the Cubanas. Decked out in their finery. Toying with their make-up. Yakking away.

That's very insightful, from a teachers perspective. And as her mate. I can see her doing just that, back in the good old days too. Irritating at times. But pure Janet. A very human touch.

During my school visits, I often ask the Cuban students why they are studying English. They usually say to get a good job. 

Now, most just expressed curiosity. They want to learn more about the outside world. Sadly, with the US economic squeeze, the work opportunities are just no longer there. While our world grows more distant. So far away.

I donated some school supplies. While covering the start up costs for a new revised edition of the Ingles para Ti English instruction workbook. 

My fundraising days are now long over, but I still make a few personal donations on my own. 

A lot of charities are pretty dubious. I like to know for sure where my dollars go. How they are spent. So I'm sure that they directly help those in need.

As we flew out of Santiago de Cuba, I gazed at the city disappearing among the mountain tops and clouds below. Lost in my thoughts.

Tragically, despite all the progress made in Cuba, US President Donald Trump is cruelly tightening the US economic sanctions even more. 

He's really putting the screws to them. Driving Cuba back into another horrific "special period". As even the most basic medical and humanitarian aid to the embargoed island grinds to a halt.

Considering his high praise for such dubious, hell holes like China, Vietnam and North Korea, that's extremely hypocritical. It's unjust. Unnecessary. And impossible to accept. 

Back to Toronto now, we still keep in touch. Facebook Messenger and email are very common in Cuba nowadays. Both work great.

The Covid-19 pandemic has made the shortages there a lot worse. While, we are all distracted. Looking the other way.

Trump's sadistic attack on Cuba is hardly newsworthy anymore. As the horrors continue to mount at home and abroad, Cuba's become just another outrage among many. It's people's plight, an overlooked, forgotten tragedy. 

I can only hope that my Santiago de Cuba 2020 blogs put a more everyday, human face on this awful crisis. Hopefully, as social justice activists we can help spread the word. Come up with other ways of helping out too.

Please stay tuned! Teacher Free Speech News and Views will continue providing more important Cuba updates during the critical daze ahead ....