Saturday, July 29, 2017

We Can Be So Much More Than This


Have you ever thought about the corrosive nature of capitalism on the human spirit?
Here we have a system of running society -- I'd call it an "economic system," but it's more than that -- it's a system that takes over not just the "economy," but everything else. It commodifies EVERYthing. It attaches a dollar amount to everything. It forces everything to become measured by, not the amount of "intrinsic good" contained therein, nor even by the amount of "human good" it does through enriching lives and alleviating suffering, but by the BOTTOM LINE -- the profit -- the return on investment for shareholders.
I would suggest to you, brothers and sisters, that when we look clearly at that system, based on acquisition, exploitation, and outright greed, we see a system that rewards and valorizes one narrow range of human activity (the acquisition of money, power, objects and property) while denigrating almost everything else in our world (human dignity, non-monetary worth, charity, altruism, responsibility to the planet, and responsibility to each other, to ourselves as human beings).
As evidence of what I'm saying, look at our heroes. Corporate heroes aren't admired for the totality of their lives. They are admired and valorized for what they have been able to acquire through exploiting the resources of the planet, and taking advantage of their fellow human beings.
The entire object of capitalism is to keep as much as possible for yourself. And then we call those guys heroes, and examples of "success." We put them on the covers of magazines, and admire them as "leaders," when all they've ever shown is the ability to exploit others for profit.
When we elevate these corporate "heroes" to the level of cultural touchtones, as symbols of "success" (actually excess), when we fool ourselves into believing that's what it's all about, we are losing much of what is most important, most beautiful, most precious about being human.
When we elevate the ability to acquire the most money into some sort of cultural fetish of power, we ignore knowledge, we ignore compassion, we ignore empathy, we ignore humanity itself. We end up with corporations poisoning the planet in the name of profits. And we end up with an administration like the one currently in the White House.
We are so much more than this. We can be so much more aware, so much more caring, so much more charitable, so much more compassionate, so much more HUMAN. We have to find a better measure of "success" than the ability to exploit others and the beautiful planet upon which we live.
#RESIST the corporatization of the human spirit! #RESIST the fetishization of wealth and the denigration of human worth!
Love, wisdom, compassion ~~ Blessed Be

Thursday, November 17, 2016

Legalization, 4 Years Later: What Happened In Washington State?

Legalization, 4 Years Later: What Happened In Washington State?

Patient collectives which had provided safe access for ill Washingtonians for a decade or more were suddenly deemed “dangerously unregulated” by legislators who, not coincidentally, were receiving advice (and did I campaign contributions?) from I-502 merchants who didn’t enjoy the untaxed competition (and often superior products and customer service) of the medical side.

Monday, August 1, 2016

Steve Elliott ~ Olympia Hempfest 2016







Here's what I had to say at Olympia Hempfest on Saturday.

Friday, January 15, 2016

Toke Radio 112: Marijuana Doesn't Reduce IQ! AZ Legalization Nears Goal! Board Allows Medical Marijuana On School Grounds!


Find out what you need to know about the week in cannabis / marijuana news, in just 16 minutes!

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Toke Signals Bud Pick of the Week

Toke Signals Stories of the Week

Major Study Finds Marijuana Does Not Reduce IQ In Teens

(Hemp News)

Reefer Madness has been debunked yet again, as a large study conducted in the United Kingdom failed to find any evidence of a link between cannabis use and lower intelligence among teenagers.

 

 

Arizona Marijuana Legalization Campaign Nearing Signature Goal

(Hemp News)

A campaign to legalize marijuana in Arizona is nearing its goal of 150,000 valid signatures to qualify for this November's ballot, supporters announced on Wednesday.

 

 

Oregon: Marijuana Shoppers Adjust To 25% Sales Tax

(Hemp News)

Recreational marijuana shoppers in Oregon are taking a new 25 percent sales tax in stride, according to many dispensary owners and industry observers.

 

 

Maine School Board Allows Students Medical Marijuana On School Property

(Hemp News)

The school board in Auburn, Maine, this week voted to allow students to be administered medical marijuana while on school property.

 

 

Illinois: Change.org Petition Launched To Add Conditions To Medical Marijuana Law

(Hemp News)

The medical marijuana program in Illinois just officially came online in November. Now a push to get the state to allow people with a growing number of medical conditions to legally qualify is picking up steam.

 

Fans Mourn Death of Longtime Cannabis Enthusiast, Music Legend David Bowie

(Hemp News)

A lifetime of music came to an end on Sunday, January 10, as music legend David Bowie, 69, died after an 18-month struggle with cancer.

 

Customs Seizes Fake Carrots Stuffed With More Than A Ton Of Marijuana

(Hemp News)

U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents on January 10 discovered more than a ton of marijuana disguised as carrots on the border between Mexico and the United States near McAllen, Texas.

 

Toke Signals Must Read of the Week

Lance Gloor Medical Marijuana Trial, Day 6: Juror Taken Out On Gurney

(Toke Signals)

By Miguel AKA Miggy420

“Another day, another decision not made, one juror taken out on a gurney, perhaps due to stress of being in control of a man’s life”… Is how is how I shared the news of Day 6 of Lance Gloor’s federal trial.

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Friday, January 8, 2016

Toke Radio 111: VT Governor Calls For Marijuana Legalization! CA Initiative Cleared For Signatures! NY Launches Medical Program!


Find out what you need to know about the week in cannabis / marijuana news, in just 21 minutes!

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Toke Signals Bud Pick of the Week 

Vermont: Governor Calls For Marijuana Legalization in State of the State Address

(Hemp News)

Vermont Governor Peter Shumlin on Thursday, in his final State of the State address, called on lawmakers to pass legislation legalizing and regulating marijuana.

 

California: Adult-Use Marijuana Initiative Cleared For Circulation

(Hemp News)

Proponents of a statewide ballot measure to "control, regulate and tax adult use of marijuana while protecting children" on Wednesday announced that they have received an official title and summary for their proposed November measure, have been cleared for circulation and intend to “hit the ground running” to qualify their measure for the ballot.

New York Launches Medical Marijuana Program

(Hemp News)

The New York State Department of Health (DOH) opened New York’s medical marijuana program on Thursday, January 7.

 

Oregon: World Famous Cannabis Cafe Still Open Despite Clear Air Provisions

(Hemp News)

Oregon's newly expanded Indoor Clean Air Act kicked in on New Year's Day, but the World Famous Cannabis Cafe in Portland remains open this week, hosting popular Stoner Bingo games and Thursday night jam sessions.

 

Oregon: 142 Marijuana Applications Received On First Day

(Hemp News)

Monday was the first day for license applications to enter Oregon's new recreational marijuana retail market, and the Oregon Liquor Control Commission had received 142 applications by 8 a.m. Tuesday morning.

Michigan: Group Forms To Repeal Marijuana Prohibition

(Hemp News)

A ballot question committee has been formed to make use of the cannabis/hemp plant legal in Michigan and repeal marijuana prohibition.

 

California Deputy Arrested In $2 Million Pennsylvania Pot Bust

(Hemp News)

A deputy sheriff who worked for a Northern California anti-narcotics task force got caught in a $2 million marijuana bust in Pennsylvania last week.

Authorities are now trying to figure out if any of the cases that Deputy Christopher

Toke Signals Must Read of the Week

Cannabis POW of the Month: James Tranmer Is Serving 35 Years For Marijuana

(Toke Signals)

A true hero of the movement, James Tranmer has never wavered from his convictions, despite having the full weight of the United States federal government thrown at him. Unlike most defendants who are hauled into court and try to disavow their involvement with the thing that brought them there, James Tranmer proudly and defiantly admitted to his marijuana use.

Toke TV / Toke Radio = a joint production
of Toke Signals and Indie Media Weekly

 


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Sunday, December 20, 2015

Friday, December 18, 2015

Toke Radio 110: Congress Tells DOJ Hands Off Marijuana States! No Increase In Teen Pot Use Under Legalization! Decrim In Delaware!


Find out what you need to know about the week in cannabis / marijuana news, in just 20 minutes!

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Toke Signals Bud Pick of the Week

Toke Signals Stories of the Week

DOJ Will Continue To Be Prohibited From Interfering In State Medical Marijuana Laws

(Hemp News)

The Justice Department will continue to be prohibited from interfering in state medical marijuana laws under the new federal spending bill unveiled late Tuesday night.

 

 

DOJ Asks Supreme Court To Dismiss Suit Against Colorado Legalization

(Hemp News)

The U.S. Solicitor General, on behalf of the federal Department of Justice, on Wednesday filed a brief urging the Supreme Court to dismiss a lawsuit that the neighboring states of Nebraska and Oklahoma filed against Colorado's marijuana legalization law.

 

 

Survey Of Teens Finds No Change In Pot Usage Rates For Past 5 Years

(Hemp News)

The results of an annual survey of U.S. middle and high school students released Wednesday refute claims that reforming marijuana laws and debating legalization will lead to increased marijuana use among teens.

 

 

Washington Board To Increase Number Of Retail Cannabis Stores

(Hemp News)

Following an analysis of the entire marijuana marketplace in Washington state, the Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board (WSLCB) on Wednesday heard a recommendation from staff to increase the number of retail marijuana stores from the current cap of 334 to a new cap of 556.

 

 

Terminally Ill N.H. Woman Will Finally Access Medical Marijuana

(Hemp News)

A terminally ill woman who successfully sued the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services to obtain the state’s first medical marijuana patient ID card will visit a medical marijuana dispensary in Portland, Maine on Friday.

 

 

Delaware: Marijuana Decrim Law To Take Effect Friday

(Hemp News)

Marijuana decriminalization legislation adopted earlier this year in Delaware will officially take effect on Friday, making it the 19th state in the nation to remove the threat of jail for simple marijuana possession. (A 20th state, Missouri, has a similar law on the books that goes into effect in 2017.)

 

 

Kentucky: Cannabis Freedom Act Filed To Legalize Marijuana

(Hemp News)

State Senator Perry B. Clark of Louisville on Friday said he has pre-filed the Cannabis Freedom Act, which would legalize and regulate the use of marijuana in Kentucky similarly to alcohol.

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Friday, December 11, 2015

Toke Radio 109: Cops Put Young People At Risk! Chile Takes Weed Off Hard Drug List! Decrim Bill Introduced In Illinois!


Find out what you need to know about the week in cannabis / marijuana news, in just 15 minutes!

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Toke Signals Bud Pick of the Week 

Toke Signals Stories of the Week

Law Enforcement's Use Of Young Drug Informants Ignites Controversy

(Hemp News)

The use of young people by law enforcement as confidential informants in drug cases is more controversial than ever before after the practice was spotlighted Sunday night on TV news show 60 Minutes.

 

 

Chile's President Removes Marijuana From List Of Hard Drugs

(Hemp News)

Chilean President Michelle Bachelet has signed into law an executive order that removes marijuana from the South American nation's list of hard drugs.

 

 

Illinois: Bill Introduced To Remove Criminal Penalties For Marijuana Possession

(Hemp News)

Rep. Kelly Cassidy on Thursday announced that she is introducing new legislation for 2016 that would replace criminal penalties with a civil fine for possession of a personal amount of marijuana in Illinois.

 

Missouri Medical Marijuana Petition Approved For Signatures

(Hemp News)

Missouri Secretary of State Jason Kander on Tuesday announced an initiative petition to legalize marijuana for medical purposes meets state standards and may be circulated for signatures.

 

 

Marijuana Possession Could Soon Get Tickets, Not Arrests, In Dallas

(Hemp News)

Dallas Police Chief David Brown said he has mixed feelings about allowing his officers to write tickets instead of arresting people who are caught with small amounts of marijuana. But he said the approach is "just so damn practical."

 

 

Indiana: Sheriff's Deputy Arrested For Meth, Selling Marijuana

(Hemp News)

A Marion County, Indiana sheriff's deputy was arrested on charges of possessing methamphetamine and dealing marijuana with the help of a confidential informant, police said last month.

 

 

Uruguay: 3 Types Of Marijuana To Be Available In Pharmacies Next Year

(Hemp News)

Adults in Uruguay will be able to choose from three varieties of marijuana when it starts being sold in state-licensed pharmacies next year, the National Drug Board announced on Saturday.

 

 

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Friday, December 4, 2015

Toke Radio 108: Congress Tired of War On Pot! Alabama Mom Fights Marijuana Charges! Legalization Closer In Mass.!


Find out what you need to know about the week in cannabis / marijuana news, in just 17 minutes!

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Toke Signals Bud Pick of the Week

Toke Signals Stories of the Week

U.S.: Some Members of Congress Ready To Call It Quits On Marijuana Eradication

(Hemp Ne

 

Massachusetts: Marijuana Legalization Drive Gets A Little Clearer

(Hemp News)

The push to legalize marijuana in Massachusetts got a little less complicated this week. Voters had faced the possibility of two separate pro-legalization questions on next year's ballot, but now only one group's initiative is still standing.

 

 

Alabama: Epileptic Mom Who Used Medical Marijuana Raising Funds To Fight Charges

(Hemp News)

An Alabama mother who faces up to 10 years in prison after using marijuana to treat her seizures while pregnant has started a funding campaign for her criminal defense.

 

 

Minnesota: Intractable Pain Added As Qualifying Condition For Medical Marijuana

(Hemp News)

Minnesota Commissioner of Health Dr. Ed Ehlinger on Wednesday announced that intractable pain, as defined in Minnesota law, will be added to the list of qualifying conditions for which patients can legally access medical marijuana.

 

 

Nebraska: Tribe Interested In Growing Marijuana

(Hemp News)

The Omaha Tribe of Nebraska and Iowa, with a 300-square-mile reservation about 90 minutes north of the city of Omaha, is interested in growing marijuana.

 

 

Chile: Mother Restricted From Access To Baby For Smoking Marijuana

(Hemp News)

A Chilean mother says a hospital is restricting her from seeing her newborn daughter because she admitted smoking marijuana a few days before she gave birth.

 

 

California: Leaders Call For DOJ To Halt Enforcement Against Medical Marijuana Dispensaries

(Hemp News)

California Representatives, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA13) and Congressmen Dana Rohrabacher (R-CA48) and Sam Farr (D-CA20) on Tuesday urged Attorney General Loretta Lynch to reconsider enforcement actions against California’s medical cannabis dispensaries following comprehensive, stringent and enforceable industry regulations recently signed into law.

 

 

Toke Signals Must Read of the Week

Cannabis POW Craig Cesal: A Life Sentence For Repairing Trucks

(Hemp News)

When Craig Cesal heard the judge condemn him to a sentence of life without the possibility of parole, he felt relief. Despite the ludicrous prosecution he had just endured, Cesal thought there was no possible way a judge on appeal could ever let a first time offender, who did nothing more than repair trucks that had been used to transport marijuana, serve a life sentence. Craig Cesal was wrong.

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Friday, November 13, 2015

Toke Radio 107: Senate OKs Medical Marijuana For Veterans! DEA Chief Calls MMJ A Joke! First Dispensaries Open In Illinois!


Find out what you need to know about the week in cannabis / marijuana news, in just 25 minutes!

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Toke Signals Bud Pick of the Week 

Toke Signals Stories of the Week

U.S.: Senate Approves Funding Bilal Allowing Veterans Access To Medical Marijuana

(Hemp News)

The Senate on Tuesday passed the FY2016 Military Construction and Veterans Affairs (MilCon-VA) Appropriations Bill, which includes language to allow Veterans Administration (VA) doctors to recommend medical marijuana to their patients in states where medical marijuana is legal. The language was included as an amendment in the Senate Appropriations committee in May.

 

 

DEA Chief Called Medical Marijuana A Joke; Patients Calling For His Resignation

(Hemp News)

Last week, acting administrator Chuck Rosenberg of the Drug Enforcement Administration called medical marijuana "a joke" while talking with reporters. Medicinal cannabis patients are now calling for Rosenberg's resignation, with an online petition getting more than 16,000 signatures on Change.org.

 

 

Oregon Federal Lawmakers Say University, Dept. of Agriculture Resisting Hemp

(Hemp News)

Oregon State University and the Oregon Department of Agriculture have screwed up a chance to make the state a leader in the production of industrial hemp, according to Democrats in the state's Congressional delegation.

 

New York: Gov. Cuomo Signs Medical Marijuana Emergency Access Bill

(Hemp News)

After months of pressure from patients and advocates, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo on Wednesday signed a bill that will expedite access to medical marijuana for critically ill patients.

 

 

Hempseed Oil Production Hobbled By Low THC Limits

(Hemp News)

What if I told you that every legal hemp field in the world is being artificially limited in its productivity?

 

 

Illinois: First Medical Marijuana Dispensaries Open

(Hemp News)

Illinois’ first medical marijuana dispensaries have opened across the state, with five opening on Monday, including locations in Addison, Canton, Marion, Mundelein, and Quincy.

 

 

Toke Signals Stories of the Week

Cannabis POW of the Month: Andy Cox Is Serving Life For Pot

(Toke Signals)

When the media talks about harsh sentencing for nonviolent drug crimes, we often hear about mandatory minimums as the culprit.  While it’s true these sentences that take away the judge’s ability to “judge” are often the culprit, the biggest reason people get egregiously long sentences, even life, is usually ignored, and that is America’s conspiracy laws.

 

 

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Friday, November 6, 2015

Toke Radio 106: Sanders Intros Federal Repeal In Senate! Mexico Supreme Court Opens Door To Legalization! Ohio Rejects Marijuana Monopoly!


Find out what you need to know about the week in cannabis / marijuana news, in just 19 minutes!

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Toke Signals Bud Pick of the Week

Bernie Sanders Introduces First-Ever Senate Bill To End Marijuana Prohibition

(Hemp News)

Sen. Bernie Sanders (D-VT) on Wednesday introduced a bill that would repeal all federal penalties for possessing and growing marijuana, allowing states to establish their own marijuana laws.

 

 

Mexico Supreme Court Opens Door To Legalizing Marijuana

(Hemp News)

The Mexican Supreme Court on Wednesday opened the door to legalizing marijuana, delivering a direct challenge to the nation's harsh drug laws and adding to the debate in Latin America over the costs of the War On Drugs.

 

Flawed Marijuana Legalization Bill Rejected By Ohio Voters

(Hemp News)

Ohio voters have rejected a controversial marijuana legalization initiative that would have set aside all of the state's cultivation licenses for the drafters themselves. Issue 3 would have restricted commercial marijuana production to the 10 properties owned by the principal investors in the initiative.

 

Steps Being Taken Towards Legalizing Marijuana and Opium in Iran

(Hemp News)

Iran has an image as a hardline conservative nation, but drug policy is one of the areas in which the Islamic Republic has produced some paradoxically progressive policies. During a recent conference on addiction held in Tehran, a prominent Iranian official outlined what could become alternative to the country's current drug policy, including the legalization of cannabis and opium.

 

California Secretary of State Clears Cannabis Hemp Initiative 2016 For Signatures

(Hemp News)

California Secretary of State Alex Padilla this week announced that the organizers of the California Cannabis Hemp Initiative (CCHI) 2016 can begin collecting signatures to qualify the initiative for the November 8, 2016 California state election.

 

 

New Medical Marijuana Petition Would Amend Missouri Constitution

(Hemp News)

A pro-marijuana coalition called New Approach Missouri filed an initiative petition last week to get a proposed constitutional amendment on the 2016 ballot to legalize cannabis for medicinal use.

 

 

Washington: Feds Spend Week On Farmer Tom's Cannabis Farm

(Hemp News)

Federal researchers spent most of the week on a working medical marijuana farm in Vancouver, Washington, studying the working conditions and occupational hazards of cultivating and processing cannabis.

 

 

Toke TV / Toke Radio = a joint production
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Friday, October 30, 2015

Toke Radio 105: Bernie Intros Federal Marijuana Legalization Bill! Canada Prepares To Legalize Cannabis! Croatia Goes Medical!


Find out what you need to know about the week in cannabis / marijuana news, in just 26 minutes!

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Toke Signals Bud Pick of the Week 

Toke Signals Stories of the Week

 

U.S.: Sen. Bernie Sanders Introduces Legislation To End Federal Marijuana Prohibition

(Hemp News)

Democratic Presidential Candidate Bernie Sanders announced at a Wednesday town hall meeting that he is introducing legislation in the Senate that would remove marijuana from the list of federally controlled substances, end federal marijuana prohibition, and let states set their own policies without federal interference.

 

National Cannabis Industry Association Applauds Sanders' Legalization Move

(Hemp News)

The National Cannabis Industry Association on Thursday applauded new legislation to be introduced by Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT) which would remove marijuana from the Controlled Substances Act and allow it to be regulated similarly to alcohol.

 

GOP Candidates Out Of Touch On Marijuana Legalization

(Hemp News)

This week's Republican presidential debate in Colorado showed that the GOP candidates are out of touch with the majority of American voters when it comes to marijuana legalization, according to a leading financial advisor.

 

 

Canada: Trudeau Prepares To Legalize Cannabis

(Hemp News)

As Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau prepares to legalize marijuana as part of his Liberal government's legislative agenda, experts say he'll be able to access a world-class cannabis framework set up under the previous Conservative government.

 

Croatia: Marijuana Legalized For Medical Use (With Tight Restrictions)

(Hemp News)

Croatia has legalized the sale and use of marijuana for medical use, following a campaign sparked by the arrest of a multiple sclerosis patient who grew the plant to ease his pain.

 

South Carolina: Marijuana Charges Dropped After Cop Kills Teen In Parking Lot

(Hemp News)

In a horrific abuse of police power, 19-year-old Zachary Hammond was shot and killed in July in a Hardee's parking lot by an officer after an undercover narc lured 23-year-old Toni Morton, Hammond's date, there to sell marijuana. After Hammond was shot and killed, Morton was charged with possession of 10 grams of marijuana.

 

 

Ohio Poll Shows Support For Legalization, But Not Issue 3

(Hemp News)

A new public opinion poll shows that nearly half of Northeast Ohio residents have tried marijuana, and most support some form of legalization -- but they aren't so sure about Issue 3.

Medical marijuana receives overwhelming support at 83 percent, according to the Baldwin Wallace University Community Research Institute poll released on Monday, reports Jackie Borchardt of the Northeast Ohio Media Group. A smaller majority, 55 percent, favor legalizing possession of marijuana for personal use.

 

Toke Signals Must Read of the Week

Anonymous Marijuana Activist Comes Out of the Closet

(Toke Signals)

By Miguel AKA Miggy420

Everyone remembers their first time, whether it’s sex or trying a taboo plant that’s been demonized for 100 years by the corporate elite because it doesn’t affect them. If you know your small town politics, you know the world. Marijuana, weed, cannabis, whatever word you want to use this year has always been a part of my life; I’ve always known that its properties aren’t evil.

 

 

Toke TV / Toke Radio = a joint production
of Toke Signals and Indie Media Weekly


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