David Chiarelli - Latest Edition!

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OH CANADA

Justice Delayed: Our unelected senate pushes back a final vote on Canada's legalization bill until June 7th, to provide an extra 3 days for debate. Any amendments could possibly be sent back to the House of Commons, creating further delays. If not, Royal Assent will follow quickly afterwards. However, don't expect any legal pot to go on sale for another 2 or 3 months until late summer, if you don't mind our Conservative senators, trampling all over your basic civil rights, especially as a medical cannabis patients ..... Eh? Say wot?!? It's readily for sale everywhere, anyways. Gee! Why aren't we surprised?!? More @ Star

Trudeau Legalization Follies: Recent estimates are that 60-70% of Canada's recreational market will remain underground after legalization! There are currently 66 dispensaries and 219 weed delivery systems listed on Weed Maps throughout the GTA [Greater Toronto Area] alone! That's despite TPS [Toronto Police Services] Projects Claudia and Gator busts. Also Premier Wynne's threat of a huger impending crackdown before the province's Cannabis Act becomes law in July. Here's a quick reality fix on the street credibility of Justin's weed monopoly follies, with special insights from Toronto "Hotbox" cannabis activist /entrepreneur Abi Roach @ CBC

Where There's Smoke There's Fire: Further estimates are that on average, weed is selling for as little as $7 gram across Canada. Plus, we know It's not uncommon to even score a very decent oz of street kush in Toronto, our largest city, for $150 [Cdn]. So far the proposed government retail price point for legal weed seems to be about $10 plus tax. Ha! Watch government retail plans come off rails, if plenty of cheap, good underground weed continues to flood the streets come legalization this July, August, September, whatever. Of course, Trudeau and many of the Premiers will continue to blame that on organized crime. Desperately continue to try to shut out our long thriving and entrenched indie market and existing dispensary/ home delivery cannabiz industry! All for their nefarious, big, bad, corporate monopoly weed buddies @ CBC

Canuck Price Per Gram: Statistics Canada's new Cannabis Stats Hub presents all the latest findings on cannabis consumption in Canada. Their cross country price per gram survey is determined by surveying anonymous online sites and and our LP [Licensed Producers]. It's a start ..... You'll find more on Stats Can Cannabis Hub under "Higher Learning" below. Also @ StatsCan

LP Pot Shops: Meanwhile, Canada's government licensed producers are left desperately scrambling to reinvent the wheel. Somehow squeeze out our indie pros who've been successfully setting up and running retail outlets for years. Some provinces will allow dispensaries, government run and/or private, others not. Some are slowly warming up to idea, but will it be too little in the daze ahead?!? @ NP

Open Letter To Premier Wynne: Cannabis Activist/ Entrepreneur Abi Roach makes the case for average Ontarians who just want have a safe place to go socialize and toke come legalization. So far, the province is against it! @ Skunk

Ministry of Attorney General: Seems there's a big conflict between Ontario's Cannabis and our Smoke Free Ontario Act! Rather late in the legalization game, the Wynne government is finally surveying we poor plebs on whether cannabis lounges should be allowed or not! Also on whether we should be able to smoke pot in hotel rooms, apartments, workplace and public outdoor places! They want you to write them an essay of sorts online, and it's due March 5th, with implementation expected this summer. Not exactly a realistic timeframe to sort through all that information! Almost sounds to me like they've all ready made up their minds about whatever they are going to do and are now just further wasting our fucking time! Then again, it's hard to resist these challenges, when there's so much to say. Can't hurt! There's always strength in numbers, very real even when ignored. See @ OC

OPSEU: As President "Smokey" Thomas is proud to point out, the Ontario Public Service Employee Union is covering up to $3000 of the cost of medical cannabis for it's staff. Recognizing the medical value of cannabis as an effective treatment for many ailments, they want to "keep up with the times". Here's to setting a good workplace example @ OPSEU

Sunlife Insurance: It's a significant industry shift! Also a strong sign of the growing public acceptance of medical pot. Cannabis is now being added as an option to Sunlife's group benefit plans, for pain management, cancer, sclerosis, arthritis, and palliative care treatment @ FP

Bad Police Trip: TPS suspends two police officers who allegedly consumed the medibles seized in a raid on the Toronto Community Cannabis Clinic dispensary. Seems the officers then began to hallucinate. Needed to call for help ... Dunno. I've consumed well over 500 mg and never actually hallucinated .... no, I don't think so .... tho I suppose have a pretty high tolerance level as a long time, vintage med pot user. But hey! Weren't those medibles court evidence?!? Confiscated and then consumed in a police bust?!? Who's being served and protected here? Whew @ CBC

First Nation Rising: Canadian Indigenous FSIN [Federation Sovereign Indigenous Nations] are feeling left out of the legalization process in Saskatchewan. They're royally pissed that they weren't even included in the governmental process to decide how and where pot can be sold in the province. Our First Nations do not believe that Canada's new cannabis laws necessarily apply on Treaty lands! What next? @ Global

Hamilton High: A tip o' the wise thinking cap to Mayor Fred Eisenberger. Turns out he's a farm shareholder of sorts in a "growing field", tho he won't say where. I hear through the pot patch that at least one councillor is also wisely keeping an open mind to the long term prospects of pot tourism a la B+B's, and fine errr .... high society dining, just as long as it's kept low under the radar for now. Wow! Watch for Hamilton to become one hopping lil' city in the daze ahead @ CBC

IN THE NEWS

CPAC Pot Rodeo: It was high noon at the not-so-ok GOP coral as retired, rogue "cowboy cop" Howard Wooldridge arrived to stir up conservative support for legalizing pot. He refreshingly argued his case on the conservative principles of personal freedom, responsibility and limited government for the party faithful.

Bravo. One can even really respect Howard, even as a principled hard core leftie. Legalization is all about personal responsibility and freedom. It's very much a question of civil rights! It's also just plain, old fashioned grassroot, free enterprise -that's the underground, cannabiz industry in it's purest form, regardless of ones political stripe!

Up here in Canada, Marc Emery like Rand Paul both get that. But ironically, not our own, wider, homegrown, conservative movement, provincially or federally, like in the US. Too bad, there could be a lot of common ground to build on here, in these otherwise so sadly, unprincipled times @ WR

Dollar$ and $en$e: US treasury department officials are finally questioning whether or not it might be better to ease restrictions on cannabiz banking accounts and receipts. It's better and safer than running a "cash only" biz for pot growers, producers, and retailers alike. Oh! And it's also a better way to collect taxes. Duh! Unfortunately, not everyone is convinced @ Forbes

Refusal of Compliance: Massachusetts might become a "sanctuary state" when it comes to legalization. Voters have signalled that they want a "sensible drug policy" and "end to prohibition". Now, along comes Federal AG Jeff Session's War on Drugs! What to do?!? Seems local state authorities might just not be simply cooperating with their fed counterparts when it comes to weed @ PS

Scouts Honor: A very resourceful Girl Scout sells 300 boxes of "Girl Guide Cookies" in 6 hours outside the Urban Leaf dispensary in California scoring $1,500. Girl Scouts in California, unlike Colorado, consider a dispensary to be the same as any other store. Alas. those darn Girl Scouts could sure create quite a shit storm up here in Canada tossing their cookies into the legal quagmire of Trudeau's Prohibition 2.0 legalization mix. More @ Root

GREEN MARKETING

Cookin' With Chef Reena: High Society Supper Club Chef Reena Rampersaad discusses the importance of "microdosing", when figuring how much medibles we'll consume @ CBC BTW, also read my High Society dinner review @

Grass Brownies and Beer: Infused food and drink are all the underground rage! Supposedly, they'll be legalized in Canada during 2019 but ....ummmm .... aaaaaah .... we're kinda hungry and thirsty now, eh! Plus medibles are a very kool, healthy and effective way to enjoy your weed .... unless you're a Toronto police officer! Ummm .... never mind! Or see above! More @ CBC

How To Open Your Own Vapor Lounge: Howdy partner! Got what it takes? Includes helpful tips from Cannabis Culture 5 activist/ entrepreneur Chris Goodwin @ VL

HIGHER LEARNING

Stats Can's High Stat Hub: Yup! The good folks at Statistics Canada have finally set up a site to collect and disseminate info on weed consumption in our country. There's links to "Health", "Justice", "Economy" and "Pricing". Also an online "Question of the Month" survey for your to fill out, straight or stoned @ StatsCan

What Did You Pay? Let's all help out poor old Stats Can with the price of weed! So far, they are limited to LP data and whatever else they glean online visiting various, different sites @ StatsCan

On Why We Need Vapor Lounges: Ontario's lounge scene managed to dodge the Bill-178 bullet last year. The lounges have been granted a temporarily allowing folks, ostensibly med pot enthusiasts, to smoke cannabis when we go out in public, but perhaps not for much longer, not under Premier Wynne's tight ass, Prohibition 2.0, long range plans. Cannabis Activist/ Entrepreneur Abi Roach explains for the real dopes out there that our cannabis community is going to need somewhere public to go to gather, socialize, and enjoy our weed. Keep up the good work, Abi! To quote Baby Huey; Duh! @ NOW

Can cannabis cause hallucinations? The verdict's out. Maybe, if you have history of psychosis @ CBC

Cannabinoids 101: THC, CBD's, CBN's, CBG's, CBC's -all this and more! Check out the medical properties of each. Also, the ailment-treatment chart @ HL

Latest Research In Autism: Promising medical studies in Israel suggest that there might well be many advantages in using cannabis to treat autistic children @ NW

High Anxiety: A mum in New Mexico is charged with "child abuse" and "distribution to a minor" after officials discover she packed her 13 year old daughter some medibles to take to school. Sounds real bad. The article misrepresents the case as a total Reefer Madness horror show! However, read carefully! Turns out the medibles were recommended by a homeopathic doctor, to help the girl deal with anxiety issues. So, would it be better if she was just given lotsa, much, more dangerous, and addictive chemical drugs instead! Bad weed -bad, bad weed?! @ NYP

HIGH TIMES

Pot Farmers Daughter: Gallery Kristen Angelo is a US photographer set on documenting and destigmatizing cannabis. Her pictures show the prohibition era family pot farm where she grew up to reveal the basic, everyday humanity underlying our favourite weed. Critics claim she's very authentic and on the leading edge of a "powerful grassroots social and political movement" Whoa! Check her art out @ PFD Follow Kristen @ Facebook Learn how she's actually "fighting corporate cannabis" with her photos. Trez kool @ Herb

Pot Growing Blogs: Here's a guide to some good sites @ Note

Premier Doug Ford?!? He's back! It's Rob's supposedly smarter bro! The Ontario Neo Con CPC enabler leadership candidate with a very rich history, indeed. Ho boy! Get this -Dougie with a mullet dealing drugs as a high school jock! Then making a fortune off cheapo stickers/ decals! Now, he wants to lead the province, Trump North style! Git jiggy with the dude -goon but not forgotten @ Globe

Doug: Hash? Premier?

THC: More Is Better? Maybe. Maybe not. But recent research suggests that if you have developed high tolerance levels over time like me, the higher doses can also mean more med pot benefits. Hmmmm @ CN

Woman In Weed Power: Here's a Top 10 Cannabis list for the most interesting US women in industry, politics and political advocacy. Hmmm. Here, we've got Jodie Emery, Abi Roach, Lisa Campbell and so many more! Everywhere, it's a cause for celebration! Our sisters are arising to the cannabiz challenge, leading the way as activists and entrepreneurs! More @ WR

COMMENTS:

hEY hO! kEEP ChECKing BAcK! LaTeR AdDITIoNs WiLL bE AddED In LaRgE TYpe SeT! mY Acronym Guide IS @ hErE! ... Legalization news now moved to "Oh Cannabis!" @ TheRe!

EDUCATION BEAT

Inclusivity and The CTF: Canada is well placed for the 21st century. We are one of the most multicultural countries in the world today. This February, the Canadian Teacher Federation leads the way, as it's teachers advocate for our diverse student population during "National Inclusive Education Month". More @ OTF.

#MeToo Or "It's All About Consent" Perhaps you've noticed? White male privilege is now a thing of the past. One hopes that real social change will come as our young folk are educated to demand and expect consent. Also as new laws and procedures are developed so that the abuses can be quickly and appropriately addressed. In the meantime, what does consent mean right now in the Age of #MeToo? When it comes to dating? Relationships? At home? At work? Out in public? In our everyday lives? Some thoughts @ Walrus

OH CANADA

NAFTA Charm Offensive: Surprise! The Trumpster seems to genuinely like Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. The Canadian government's gambling that's worth something as the troubled NAFTA talks precariously drag on, during these highly uncertain times. Despite the occasional political jabs, our provincial premiers, along with leading figures from all three of our main parties, are actually working together behind the scenes with Justin on his "charm offensive".

As Trudeau races about hitting the PR buttons state side, the verdict's still out here on the home front -Should the PM be taking a fairly progressive Canadian stand on social, economic, labour, indigenous and climate issues? When dealing with a very reactionary Trump, not to mention the GOP? Depends upon where you stand on the Canadian political spectrum. Seems sorta centre left but not really?! More @ Global Yay @ UNI Nay @ NP

Buy American/ Canadian: With NAFTA on the brink, Ontario Premier Wynne announces the province's, new, "Buy Canadian", trade policy. It's a response to the rash of "Buy American" trade protectionism sweeping south of our border. Plenty here for patriotic nationalist chest beaters on both sides of the border, but ultimately a zero sum game, with folks sadly loosing sight of the bigger forest for all the towering trees @ Star

Neo Con Party Antics: Former Ontario PC: Progressive Conservative leader Pat Brown disputes the sexual assault allegations that led to his sudden removal from office. Now, on the homestretch to the June 7th provincial election, some are convinced by his rebuttal, others not @ Sun and @ Walrus.

Brown, for his part, blames the Liberal government for his woes @ CTV Meanwhile, the Conservative party suspiciously shifts to the far right, dumping carbon pricing and thereby gutting the funding formula for Brown's centre right "People's Guarantee" election platform @ CBC @ NP What does Brown do? Throw his hat back into the conservative race leadership race! @ Globe

Guilty As Charged? Apparently, PC party members have long had a lot of deep, pressing concerns about Patrick Brown. Now, he also stands accused of "absolute lies", "corruption" and "deceit" in how he was running the party. Also, for "ballot box stuffing", "voter fraud" and "bullying". Some party faithful are arguing that it's "Time To Take Back Our PC Party" @ SCRIBD

Wrath Of Pat Brown: So far the Cons continue to poll well compared to the very unpopular Wynne government. Will Pat Brown's entry into the snap leadership race upset the election cart? More @ NP

Will the Cons destroy their own election chances, opening up a middle path to a possible victory for the NDP's Anrea Horwath? @ Star Interestingly, and often lost among the kerfuffle, is the fact that Andrea is leading significantly in the party leadership polls, has been for awhile now @ Star

Advantages: Who will really benefit the most now that he's been so unexpectedly dumped as party leader? Lotsa interesting links here @ CW

Parkdale Toronto Rent Strike: History repeats itself -Yup! Got my political start organizing a similar "rent strike" in Parkdale against a slum landlord back in the 1970's. It's an age old story: An anonymous, numbered corporation buys a low rental property. "Gentrifies" it to get around rent controls. The poor tenants get tossed out on the street. Unless they can organize and fight back! With a good swift boot where it hurts most -to the wallet! Repeat as necessary; again and again and again @ Metro

IN THE NEWS

Another School Massacre: Student survivors from the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School massacre in Florida are leading the protest for an oblivious US government to do something/ anything about gun control @ Time

Gun Lobby: Will even their protest fall on deaf ears? The NRA [National Rifle Association] is literally calling the shots on the senseless proliferation of guns in the US. Check out how much each elected politico gets to toe the NRA bottom line @ Politico

Why The NRA Always Wins: It's not just the $$$. The US has a deeply entrenched gun culture that needs to change too @ Politico

Security Breach: Staff Secretary Rob Porter's not-so-secret history of domestic abuse raises grave doubts over the mind boggling cover-ups and a horrific lack of national security clearances at the troubled Trump White House. "#MeToo" scores a direct political hit! Even Chief of Staff John Kelly, Counsel Don McGahn and get this .... Jared Kushner feel the heat, further handicapping the Donald's few remaining WH supports @ Slate Moreover, as of last November, 130 WH staffers lacked a permanent security clearance. That's despite their ready access to highly sensitive intel and an inside line to the nation's business! Totally mind bogglng @ DI

Home Security: Trump certainly doesn't cut any corners, nor spare any expense, when it comes to his own personal safety, both as president and at home and on the golf course. Good luck @ BuzzF

Donald Trump -Playboy Prez: The Donald's latest reported sexual escapades with another busty blonde, this time a Playboy model, belies a deeply entrenched system of clandestine meetings, legal pacts and concealed identities. How long before "#MeToo" nails the #1 high profile, not-so-good, ol' boy, US sexual predator too?!? @ NY'er

Post American Century: On a dubious sales trip to hawk luxury condo's in India, Don Trump Jr. stops to compliment the poorest of the poor for having a nice smile on their face. So much for winning hearts and minds @ TP

LGBTQ Woes: Bermuda takes a big step backwards on the human rights front by repealing marriage equality @ HRC

Police + Thieves: Beneath the emergency police crackdown on crime in Montego Bay Jamaica, are a horrific legacy of illegal police tactics and a culture of fear @ Amnesty

KULTURE KULT INK

Team Work!

Congrats: LGBTQ Canuck Figure Skater Eric Radford [centre] becomes the first openly gay athlete to win Olympic Gold @ Huff

Much more to come .....

COMMENTS:

I make a very unlikely Ontario Progressive Conservative Party [PC] supporter, but here I am at the Toronto Congress Centre for Doug Ford's March 19th "Unity Rally". It's one of life's little ironies, I suppose. I have my "Oh Cannabis" media I.D. hanging around my neck. Also, a very important task: To learn more about new Opposition Party Leader and possible Provincial Premier Doug Ford's plans for the sales and distribution of cannabis in our province.

Like him or not -kudos to Doug Ford! Cannabis will be legalized this summer. That's already in the works, come what may. Meanwhile, with a provincial election looming come June 7th, the PC cannabis Blue Meanies have a commanding 50%+ lead in the polls! So what does Doug do?

Suddenly, out the blue, Doug Ford has promised if elected, to take a good, old fashioned, free market approach towards legal cannabis! How? By handing the task over to Ontario's already flourishing private sector cannabiz industry!

Fortunately, for we progressives, PC Doug's actually gone and introduced a much needed legalization debate into our spring election proceedings! With voting less than 100 days away! Offering us a quite possible, free market alternative to the Wynne Neo Liberals! Their nefarious corporate legalization monopoly plans!

No doubt, Doug's caught the provincial NDP napping! MIA! What more can one say? Seemingly they're still in a deep political slumber, nowhere to be see!

The GOP in the US should take note! Canuck PC Leader Doug Ford knows! Legalization is both a good political and business move! Legal weed is a very excellent source of much needed tax dollars to help balance the budget!

Plus Private sector cannabis just makes great business sense! Why reinvent the wheel at great public expense, when there is already a perfectly functional cannabis free market? Already in place?

Should make perfect sense from a fiscal conservative perspective, no?

Ontario's underground cannabiz activist-entrepreneurs have realized that for years! It's grass root free enterprise, in it's most basic and purest form.

Despite decades of Reefer Madness propaganda, lies and bullshit, cannabis is now widely known to be very safe. Much, much moreso than tobacco or booze.

It's enjoyed by lots of folks of every race, age and persuasion. It employs a whole lot of everyday entrepreneurs of most every political stripe.

We all have a great deal in common, across our fair province, in having our next government finally getting legalization right, for once and for all!

Legalization should never have become just another big Corporate Neo Liberal cash grab! But unfortunately, up until now, the Ontario PC party hasn't shown any inclination whatsoever, towards championing free market cannabis, in the so called legalization debate.

Aside from Doug, and maverick MPP Randy Hillier, the Ontario PC's have been blind that, quite simply put, from a fiscal conservative perspective too, free market weed just makes a whole lot of good, old fashioned dollars and sense!

Of course, Doug's Conservative Epiphany of sorts on free market weed all sounds pretty fine and dandy! Still, can he actually turn the party position around, with the provincial election less than 100 days away?

The clock is ticking! Where are the details? Just what exactly does he plan to do?

For example:

Would a Ford PC government completely scrap the Liberal government monopoly stores? Mail order sales? Before they open this summer? Afterwards? Or keep them both in place too?

What's are the rules and regulations? For a start up? To register a business?

Moreover -a free Market? For Who? What? When? Where? Why? How?

On and on it goes!

So here I am! To determine whether our Ontario PC Premier is actually just an emperor with no clothes! When it comes to even the most basic details about his seductive new plan for free market weed?

I dutifully register at the Toronto Congress Centre, as your "Oh Cannabis" reporter, over at the media table. Gingerly wade my way through a huge crowd of perhaps 2,000 of the Conservative Party faithful!

I count two tables of caucus members, their families and friends. Many PC election candidates are out in full force, along with their riding association and election campaign members. There's lots of party operatives and officials. Also, many everyday "just plain folk" voters.

It's a fairly diverse crowd of all ages. Demonstratively, very fed up with the corrupt and wasteful Wynne government. Just plain folks. Desperately, in search of a change.

I am belly up, stage centre, in front of the podium, as Doug arrives with much fanfare. He's flanked by three former leadership opponents, all now seemingly united behind the new Ontario PC leader; Christine Elliott, Caroline Mulroney, and Tanya Granic Allen.

Pat Brown? Conspicuous by his absence.

Much hugs, back patting, sign waving and crowd cheers follow, but interestingly it is Doug alone who speaks.

Alas! Free enterprise weed isn't on the agenda tonight. Nor are any actual platform details whatsoever.

Hmmmm. The PC's did have an election platform up, until a few weeks ago. Remember Pat Brown's "The Peoples Promise"?

Alas! Kaput! All that much touted consultation and long, hard party work is now completely missing in action. The PC election platform sent packing too!

Instead, Doug Ford has arisen from municipal ignominy and defeat. The controversial Ford Nation Toronto Phoenix of sorts, is now stepping up, last minute, as the newly minted PC leader! Reinventing the party on the fly as the election clock relentlessly ticks away!

Can he save the day? Still nail down the PC's huge polling numbers with a majority government? While now also including lefty potheads under the big Ford Nation tent too?

I stare into Doug's sweaty face from a mere few feet away as he speaks. His eyes dart about nervously but he's very deliberate. Focused. Stays on script.

Tonight's unity speech is a full frontal attack on Premier Kathleen Wynne. A call to arms! Doug makes it clear, in no uncertain terms, that he's out to get her.

Still, with less than a hundred days until the provincial election, Doug's Unity Rally speech is totally devoid of any election specifics. Only that we are being offered up Doug, as Kathleen's "worst nightmare".

It's a theme that resonates well with the party faithful gathered at the Toronto Congress Centre. But let me be frank. Or David. As a native Torontonian, I have lived next door to Ford Nation for most of my adult life. Have experienced first hand the Brother Ford's rocky tenure at Toronto City Hall.

Long time readers of my blog site will know that I have been no fan of Rob or Doug!

IMHO, the Fords have been a very toxic, divisive political force, a neo con wrecking ball of sorts, not conductive to good order and government. Plus with Rob and Doug, the devil is always in the details!

I'm certainly not an Ontario PC supporter either, especially their neo conservative thrust. Then again, as a retired teacher, I watched the provincial Liberals compromise our once proud unions and destroy the collective bargaining process, once and for all, far more effectively than the Harris Conservatives ever did.

Recall that it also was our supposed "labour party", the provincial NDP, whom so unceremoniously goosed the so called "social contract" down our union leaders' slippery throats.

Most progressives have our own Ontario political horror stories and pet peeves! With all our parties! On any number of fronts!

Over the last thirty years, time and again, we've been asked to choose between successive turn coat Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum governments of all three party stripes!

Neo Cons? Neo Libs? Or NDP Socialist's - Not Socialist's? No matter!

We've constantly seen our hopes and dreams dashed, on the corporate altar of government austerity, thanks to a whole lot of Oligarchical Rigging 101!

And so, it's provincial election time again? In all fairness, I very much appreciate and will remain open, to Doug Ford weighing in on our provincial legalization debate, from a free market perspective.

Our long suffering cannabiz growers, producers, sellers, dispensaries, bud workers and activist entrepreneurs? They should profit from the long struggle for legalization. Not the government bully boys and their greedy corporate buddies, now so eager to cash in on their grief.

Clearly we need to make a wise and informed choice on June 7th. To do so, we will need to know a helluva lot more about Doug's actual plans!

Truly, between now and election day, it's very necessary for each of us to grill all three parties on free market verses monopoly weed. There are just so many pressing legalization questions that need to be asked.

Here in west Toronto where I live, the early bird candidates are already knocking on our doors. Ha! Truly, this opportunity has been a very, long time coming.

Think about it: Doug Ford has helped finally dragged legalization into the election limelight. An alternative to the Wynne government's corporate weed monopoly is actually on the table! Maybe we will really see some real change?

Doug finishes up onstage, the consummate politician. Stares me in the eye. Gives me a high 5. Then moves on, working the excited crowd, now bubbling over, cheering, clapping, reaching out, shaking hands, taking selfies, bathing in Doug's all encompassing glow.

Doug's on home turf tonight. He's surrounded by an adoring Ford Nation crowd. But it'll be all up or downhill from here, in the short election daze ahead.

To the right hand side of the stage, former Social Conservative leadership candidate Tanya Granic Allen is holding court. She's surrounded by bright camera lights. A gaggle of reporters. A big, excited, adoring crowd of the Ontario PC Tea Party style faithful.

I waste little time. Leap in among the battery of questions about "party unity". To ask if she supports Doug's position on legalized weed.

Doug's the leader. He'll make the policies. The now united party will support him. But in fact, Tanya won't commit. See @ WATCH VIDEO!

Tanya's clearly not impressed, nor ready, willing or able for that matter to answer my question.

That in and of itself says a lot! Are Doug Ford's PC "Party Unity" claims, like his free market weed ones, little more than a glittering generality?

Moreover, what of the PC's large continent of Social Conservatives and other old school Reefer Madness conservatives? Will they also be on board with Doug Ford's cannabis policies too?

When it comes to choosing Ontario's next provincial government, we hardly want to end up with another pig in a poke. However, if we ask enough questions repeatedly, all three parties will know cannabis is an important issue. They will suddenly need to pay attention to us too, come June 7th.

Plus if it's a tight race, with all three parties feeling the pressure, we might just squeeze a compromise or two out of them each.

Think about it! It's not much. But it's a whole lot more than we are getting now!

Imagine! After June 7th, Ontario could have a free market weed market! Instead of the Neo Lib Wynne government's dreadful, government controlled, cannabis monopoly!

So let's start asking questions! Let's work for real change! Let's help grow our Ontario Cannabis Community together!

Pax!

David C

PS: Please: If you get some interesting responses when questioning any of the election parties and/or candidates, please feel free to share them here with us, in the "Comment'" sections below!

COMMENTS:

Sufficiently stoned on some great reefer, I float effortlessly on my back under a light, blue, pastel sky. The fierce, hot sun beats relentlessly down. I feeling calm. Tranquil. Very happy to be snorkelling again in the Caribbean.

I'm a couple of hundred feet off the coast of the Sunsplash [formerly the "Sea Winds"] resort in Montego Bay Jamaica. Where my wife Janet and sister Maryanne work on their tans, in-between relaxing in the shade, under the swaying palms, on the crystal, white, sand beach.

A light sea breeze brushes my face. Slipping my mask and snorkel back in place, with a few effortless flipper flips, I gaze down into the refreshingly cool, deep, dark, blue waters below. 25 feet down to the glistening, sandy white bottom. From 5 to 10 feet down, stretches a seemingly, endless, coral sea.

Schools of bright, colourful, tropical fish swirl about me, as I dive down into the cooler depths. Along the sea bottom, a huge stingray gracefully glides by. A giant, fluorescent eel pokes out his head. A small octopus or two look up, before slipping back into their sleepful slumber.

My third trip to Jamaica, I'm feeling very much at home. There is little I enjoy more than swimming and exploring a coral reef. For me, it's the supreme natural high!

Janet and my last visit to Jamaica was about 4 years ago, shortly after I retired from teaching. A hardcore Bob Marley devoutee, I'd made the pilgrimage up Mystic Mountain to his birth and burial place, Nine Miles, to pay my respects. At his grave site, I imbibed in the holy sacrament; a little weed, for the first time in almost 25 years! [READ] [BLOG]

Yep! That's a long time not to toke my favourite herb. Perhaps longer than some of you, my dear readers, have even been alive.

So why weed? Why now?!?

It works like this: Although I've toked since the early 1970's, like a lot of baby boomers, I later decided that from a career perspective, it just wasn't worth the risk. Plus, for me, hard work and study requires my complete focus. I felt I could hardly talk the talk to my students, if not actually walking the walk myself.

For good measure and health reasons too, I also stopped smoking tobacco and drinking booze. Promised myself I could do whatever I liked later, after I'd grabbed my pension, gotten the job done. It wasn't a lifestyle decision everyone would make, I realize. Strictly a personal choice.

But let's fast forward! It's a whole new millennium now, in more ways that one. Finally retired, I've got a whole of time to relax. Kick back on my own time. Reassess the situation.

Quite frankly, I hardly miss the twin demons nicotine and alcohol, now that I've long got them out of my system.

Good riddance, but damn! Cannabis?!? Except for being illegal, it never did me any harm. But ... but ... but, do I still want all the unjust prohibition hassles and bullshit?

Fortunately, nowadaze, I qualify for medical cannabis. It certainly helps a lot with the aches, pains, shot nerves and whatever ails, of creeping old age. Eliminates a whole whack of big, bad, nasty prescription drugs, including opioids too, which I rarely take anymore, except for my really bad health daze.

Overwhelming, for health reasons, I much prefer to self medicate with my weed.

Plus damn! Let's admit it! Recreational cannabis will soon be legal in Canada. In lots of places! All around the world! And cannabis sure is a whole lotta fun!

Goes great with the tunes, food, and friends. Also let's not forget lying on the beach. Or diving in the sea.

So back to my story! We clamber off our flight from Toronto to Montego Bay. Exhausted. Snake our way through Jamaican customs.

Guess what?

Our ever resourceful, baggage, rude boy asks if I'd like some ganja. Slips me some big, fat goo-ey buds: thick, khaki green and orangey red, very fresh and sooo lush ....

The price? $40 for the weed, plus another $5 to carry our bags! Yeah, he probably ripped me. I've heard it can go for a lot cheaper, but I'm not complaining. Unwilling to risk arrest when we travel abroad, he saved me a lot of possible hassles. [1]

The buds certainly put a smile on my face morning, noon and night as I swam, lay in the sun, listened to tunes and read my book in the shade on the beach. There was even some leftover to leave for the maid, when our week was over!

Yummy! Yummy! Yummy!

Some other notes on this year's beach holiday in Mo Bay, Jamaica:

Sunspash All Inclusive Resort: It's actually the historic "Sea Winds" hotel from back in the days of the Sunsplash Reggae concerts, hence the name. Uh huh, Bob Marley was here, but that was long ago. It's kind of run down now, it's future uncertain.

Still, we really enjoyed our sea view room on the 7th floor of one of the towers. Big. Spacious. A fabulous balcony. Oh my god -the fiery, crimson sunsets!

The white sand beach was hassle free. The huge, shoreline, coral reef never far away, extending endlessly down the coast and out to sea.

Good old school roots, rock and reggae are still the tune-age of choice at the Sunsplash! The staff was very nice! The food good -spicy, but not too much so!

Coral Reef: Alas. I was last here in the early 1980's. Along the coastline, like in much of the Caribbean, the reef is basically dead. The novice diver might not notice, but it's now basically pale white, with small bursts of colour; a fading shadow of it's former, natural splendour and glory. Still, I counted at least a half dozen types of coral, the bigger and better ones, the further out and deeper down you go.

Montego Bay: Except for the shore dives, I think I much prefer Runaway Bay a little further down the coast. As you've probably heard, a military state of emergency has been declared in Mo Bay to try clear up the awful police and gangland mess.

Driving from the airport through the city, one's faced with a very toxic mix of great affluence and appalling poverty! Everybody, uneasily living side by side! Very tighly squeezed in-between the mountain foothills and the deep blue sea.

Hello Jamaican Babylon -it's quite the social justice, political-economic horror show! However, perhaps not much more so than when I was here back in the day.

We only took one excursion, a quick, guided, shopping trip into town, booked through the hotel. Not the way I usually like to go, on our travels.

Still, consider this: The tourist upside, is that there's lots and lots of great deals on resort packages in Montego Bay this year. Meanwhile, It's been an especially cold and bitter winter in Canada.

We were very, very happy to just spend our week on the beach. We had absolutely NO problems, mon. If anything, the staff went out of their way to make sure everything was "irie" for us! Very fine and groovy!

Still, be warned! Everything in town and at the hotel shop is ridiculously overpriced. The crowded areas are probably still pretty risky. Of course, the back alleys too.

We love Jamaica, but it's a fucking mess! My heart totally goes out to the poor sufferers in their war with Babylon.

Decriminalization: Although cannabis has recently been decriminalized in Jamaica, "pot tourism" is still in it's infancy. Ganja is definitely the Jamaican "brand". However, it wasn't openly available at the Sunsplash or the next door Hard Rock Cafe. Then again, we weren't hassled either, though I only toked on our balcony and at the beach.

Let's hope that the sufferers can soon cash in. That things loosen up some more for the tourist trade. Without doubt, it could be a huge, much needed, cash windfall for the real Jamaica we all know and love so well! [2]

Bud and Breakfast: Abi Roach and Hotbox Toronto run one closer to Runaway Bay, that I'd like to try next time. More @ LINK!

FOOTNOTES

[1] = Still, legal, pharmacy, prescription cannabinoids like Naboline, in pill form, or Sativex spray, can provide 2 quite reliable, above ground, traveller friends.

[2] = Check for news updates on my Oh Cannabis News y Views blogs!

RELATED

Bob Marley + The Wailers: The Early Years: Read my blog series -Part 1 @ Here Part 2 @ Here! Part 3 @ Here! Part 4 @ THERE!

COMMENTS

NEW! MUCH MORE LINKS, REVIEWS Y PICTURES COMING!

SPRING IS SPRUNG!

It's time for some cannabis green marketing in the GTA, across Canada, the US, and around the world! Here are some kool green market products that have recently come across my scanner. Also see @ Toke Of The Town 1 Follow me on Twitter @ davidchiarelli

HIGH 5 GREEN MARKETS

Hallelujah! These continue to pop up across Toronto on a monthly basis. You'll find many of your favourite "Oh Cannabis: Toke of the Town" cannabiz producers and vendors available here with their wares! Stay tuned here for more upcoming dates and reviews! Follow the High 5@ Facebook

LET'S VAPE!

Unlike an old fashioned pipe, reefer or bong, vaping is very clean, convenient and discreet. Who's to know if you are smoking E-Juice nicotine, THC or CBD's?!?

Toko [LINK] and Alair [LINK] are widely available across Canada and in the GTA. They're pretty good, with new challengers constantly arriving on the scene. Each vape pen is usually preloaded with 1/4, 1/2 and 1 gram of E-Juice. A disposable pen ranges in cost from $45 to $70. A rechargeable battery with cartridge? from $70 to $120 on average.

Problem: The batteries can and do fail. The cartridges sometimes leak, especially with the cheaper pens. Reliable dealers will gladly replace them. Hopefully, have refills in stock. Generally, it's a very good product, but problems do exist.

Solution: DIY -Make your own E-Juice! Surprise! Your local, nicotine, vape shop sometimes stocks everything you need, minus of course our favourite drug. You'll find it's very easy to make. More reliable. A lot cheaper too.

Stress you know that the Vape shop doesn't sell weed, if they get uptight. Hopefully more will soon get with the THC E-Juice program, once weed is legalized in Canada. Maybe realize that there's a huge market for THC/ CBD E-Juice and supplies! Not just E-Juice nicotine! Bleech! Fortunately, in Toronto, there's at least 2 good Vape shops whom are already very hip. Ready, willing and able to please we cannabis aficionados! Check out E-Smoke Canada [LINK] and Vape To Vape [LINK].

Ready! Set! Go! Start with a good, stand alone, rechargeable battery. Personally, I like a reliable Aspire [LINK] or even the hardy el cheapo E-Smoke Canada's EVOD Twist. Generally these are quite reasonably priced, in the $20 to $50 range. Add a refillable tank. Aspire carries a solid line of glass-omizer refillable cartridges, many in the $20-$40 range.

At the vape shop, you'll also need to buy some EJ Mix Vapor Blend [LINK], or other cannabis compatible E-Juice. Also, an E-Juice syringe, a small glass container, a stir stick. Cost me roughly $40 for 15 mls plus re-usable supplies at E-Smoke on Yonge Street Toronto?

Note well: 1 ml of EJ Mix will make you 1 gram of very potent THC/CBD juice to vape, at quite a savings. It's much cheaper than, let's shelling out $45 to $70 for a 1/4 gram disposable pen. Another plus is that you can mix the strength according to your own needs and tastes -medium to light for everyday use, stronger to party!

Next: Break up a gram of your favourite Shatter, [$45 to $70] or BHO, Honey Oil or Wax. Add to a ml of EJ mix into the glass container. Microwave for 10 seconds or so. Stir til smooth. Inject it into your cartridge using the syringe. Screw on the battery.

Inhale. Hold. Exhale. Smile. Enjoy!

ASSORTED EXTRACTS

[Pix Coming!]

Rasta Pharaoh: The good Pharaoh's back at the High 5 market with their coconut, grape seed and olive oil 15 ml/ 300 gm THC Tincture. Use the squeezer to dab under your tongue for maximum, instant effect. Dose as needed. I found it subtle, almost like a body stone. A nice little pick me upper, or cause for a party. Ditto the Pharoah's 30 ml/ 375 gm Strawberry Concentrate. Add to water, soda or your favourite cocktail. Makes for a high times, party sized, punch bowl too! Let the festivities begin! Rasta's @ Rasta Pharaoh

MEDIBLE MASH

Thanks god for medibles. Here's but a few of my favourite, funky, snacks with a vegan theme. Great for when I'm on the run! Quick and easy to prepare! Dose to taste! Made from the fine cannabis goodies readily available at yer local medible market and finer dispensaries:

Peanut Gallery: THC infused Peanut Butter and Honey [Sofa King Bakery] with bananas on bread has as much protein as a steak. Lotsa new high times are guaranteed with this brunch and snack time, post kiddie favourite!

Double Time: THC Chef Reena Rampersaad's infused chick pea doubles, with an extra spoonful or two or three of her killer infused Sunshine Sauce is a real spicy treat for those of us hungering for something different. Check out Chef Reena @ Instagram

More to come ......

GUMMY'S

Green Chef's 100 mg Medical Cannabis Gummy's: Come in 4 jolly, jelly 25 mg squares. Take one for a nice kick, all 4 for space travel. Makes for a very nice, sweet, delectable addition to the green market gummy wars. Check them out @ LINK

CHOCOLATE

Buudabomb's Chocolate Sweet Tooth: Another High 5 favourite, Buudabomb is back with their new 100 mg infused "Milk Chocolate". Also their "Cookie and Creams". The 5 milk chocolate dud's melt in your mouth. Are sweet, but not too sweet. Take together, or dose separately -at 20 msg each, they pack quite the chocolatey high time kick! Are conductive for space travel too! Check out Buudaboom @ BDB

COMMENTS:

Read "Oh Cannabis News Y View" @ Winter 2 @ Winter 1 @ Fall 2 @ Fall1 @ Summer @ May-June @ Spring 2 @ Spring 1 @ Jan-Feb @ December -Enhale! Hold! Exhale! Smile!

Twitter Feed @ Twitter!

OH CANADA

Senate Vote: Bill C-45, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's legalization bill, passes second reading in the unelected Canadian senate by a 44 to 29 vote. The Conservative senators remain adamantly opposed. Alas! Not much good old fashioned business sense. Just lots of reefer madness ignorance, and fear mongering instead. Delays continue, with the bill now scheduled to pass into law after third reading on June 7th. Regretfully, legal sales and distribution for those who still obey Canada's unjust cannabis laws, will now occur much later on this summer, well after Canada Day, July 1st. As for the rest of us, well .... @ Global

Party Positions: Trudeau's Neo Liberal's continue to push forward Bill C-45; a very restrictive Prohibition 2.0 style Corporate Cannabis style legalization law, as documented on "Oh Cannabis" at great length. But what's up with our other 2 main national political parties?

Basically, Canada's Neo Con-ster Canadian Conservative Party [CPC] remain hyper fixated very negatively on the bill's policing, public health and safety clauses, trying to block it every step of the way. With no thought given to a free market approach, they best they can do is agree that possession should be a ticket able, rather than a criminal offence. Sounds an awful lot like decriminalization, but the details get very sketchy from here!

Of course, decriminalization was the Centre Leftish New Democratic Party's [NDP] platform in the 2015 Federal election [READ]. Sadly, that crashed and burned along with the party at the polls, as on the weed front, the Trudeau Lib's shamelessly stole the issue right out from right beneath them, with all the deceptive bells, whistles and smoke screen of their sham legalization plans.

Still, the NDP's now passed a resolution at their recent party convention to decriminalize all drugs, not just weed. Unlike the other 2 main parties, the focus is on social justice and health care, rather than a punitive, policing approach to public health and safety.

Be that as it may, our truncated NDP "Dippers" are now relegated to the peanut gallery in our House of Commons. Whatever else ails the party, and the concerns are legion, it's too bad the NDP's very level headed approach to cannabis is mostly lost amongst all the noise of corporate legalization rigging in Ottawa to date.

Here's a fairly decent summary of the main three party's positions @ Globe

FYI: All but one separatist Bloc Quebecois MP voted with the Conservatives [RM] against legalization. Party Leader Elizabeth May, the only elected Green Party MP in the House of Commons, supported C-45 [IPol] after proposing a number of progressive policing, health and safety amendments, also a criminal pardon [Green]. Neither party has a sitting member in the Canadian Senate.

Pardon Us: You'll also find an NDP petition to provide a still allusive pardon for any of our citizens whom have been convicted for criminal possession of pot @ NDP

Canadian Pot Tax: The Canadian Federal government only projects a $35 million cannabis tax windfall for 2018. That's after weed is legalized this summer. Then they expect $100 mil in 2019, the first full year of regulation. Or so they say!

Are the sneaky Trudeau Libs low balling the dollar figures? Well, there are the start up costs. But let's not forget, a flourishing underground market, which has hardly been eradicated, whether they want to officially acknowledge it's huge, ongoing tax bite or not.

But what if the revenue is actually somehow surprisingly a whole lot more? Mightn't it also give them a lot of wiggle room to .... Guess what?!? Help balance the budget! More @ Buzzfeed

Ontario "Cannabis" Budget Time: Premier Kathleen Wynne's Neo Libs expect a provincial budget loss for the first year of legalization at least. Start up costs will apparently require extra $$$ for policing and municipal expenses, to help them get onboard with the province's newest, corporate, monopoly program. Not to mention, stomping out all those darn, pesky cannabis activist-free enterprise entrepreneurs too!

One supposes that we medical cannabis heads are supposed to jump for joy at the 8% tax rebate from the HST on our prescription weed! Hmmmmmm!

Our First Nation status bands might not be pleased either with the province again treading on their treaty rights. Seems the $13 HST will apply to any and all "off reserve" [non indigenous consumer] purchases. No word on how much of that goes back to status council.

More on the budget @ Global

Ontario Pot Election: Ontario Progressive Conservative [PC] leader Doug Ford has surprised everybody by promising free market pot if he's elected Premier of our province on June 7th. It's an obvious ploy by the Neo Conster populist to snatch leftie votes from our often quite hapless provincial NDP, who so far seem too afraid to say boo too loudly! Let alone cannabis .... or hash .... or ... or ... or .....

Anyway, Conservatives take note -ever the business man, Dougie is to be complimented. He's actually presenting us all with a real free enterprise alternative! Instead of the Wynne Corporate Neo Liberal's plan for an Ontario government controlled weed monopoly! It's capitalism at it's most basic, grass root level. Also, a free enterprise truism the party faithful, so far at least, just don't seem to get!

So will the Ontario PC's now become Ontario's free enterprise pot party? Or is Dougie making empty promises? Doomed to go up in smoke on a house vote? Can you see his rambunctious, social conservative flank getting on side with weed?

I attended Doug Ford's Unity Rally here in Toronto on March 19th to find out more details. The devil, as we well know, is always hidden in the details. Quite frankly, as far as PC is concerned there are none. The new emperor has no clothes. Nope. None. There were no details on any of his polices, let alone weed, with the provincial election less than 2 months away. Anyway, you can read my blog @ The Doug Ford Unity Rally!

Doug alone spoke. Did his stock "Wynne's worst nightmare" speech. I cornered outspoken PC Social Conservative critic Tanya Grenic Allen, afterwards, at the media scrum. Ostensibly, she was there to show her support for Ford's "Unity" rally, I guess. Asked her whether she'd support Doug's position on free market cannabis. Listen to what she said @ Tanya Granic Allen On Weed?

Whoa! Smooth, but I don't think so! Doug will decide the policies? With no word on whether she will go along! It sure sounds like we'll have a veeeeeery interesting pot election debate ahead!

The match is lit. Anybody could go up in smoke. Please, let's get questioning and apply a little pressure to any and all of the candidates on where they stand; Liberal, NDP and of course, Doug Fords PC's.

How often do they and the teams come knocking at your door? At the very least, this is an excellent chance to make sure our cannabis counter culture concerns are really heard! Face to face!

Hey -it's called democracy.

More on Doug Ford @ Macleans

Let's All Get Abong? Abi Roach Tells It Like It Is!

Why Reinvent the Pot Wheel?!? Around and around the arguments go! Cannabis Culture's Jodie Emery explains why she agrees with PC Doug Ford's free market approach option to the Wynne Lib's government run weed monopoly. Jodie knows the score @ Sun

Political Tactic's 101: Local Hotbox cannabis activist-entrepreneur Abi Roach discusses how Ford's free market weed could well just prove to be a PC election tactic, aimed at little more than siphoning off votes from the left to the conservative fold. Lift writer Kate Robinson doubts his intentions too. She also wonders how many of us will actually follow through and vote for the Ford PC's come election day.

Let's face it -Doug Ford is a well known local Neo Con huckster across the GTA. Like him or not, he's the Party Leader who's introduced our concerns about Wynne's weed monopoly into the provincial election debate! Leaving many progressives wondering; whither too the NDP?!? More @ Macleans

Prohibition 2.0: Premier Kathleen Wynne fights back! Real quick! Free market cannabis is reckless! She flails at Ford! Punching at him time and again with the same, old, tired corporate reefer madness arguments! About policing! Health! Public safety! The same as we hear all the time from Justin T!

What fools we mortals be. If Ford can only sweat the details, so to speak -know them well, then the Neo Lib prayer songbook might well go flying! It's not too hard to rip that BS to shreds!

Kathleen would be down for the election count on pot, that's for sure. Plus, a whole lot of us of all political stripes would be breathing a huge sigh of relief. Inhaling deeply, if need be, as we decide whom to vote for, on election day.

Then again; by going out short on details to fight the cannabis good fight, our clownish Doug Ford might well just make pot matters a whole lot worse. Make no mistake; like her or not -Kathleen Wynne is no dummy! Don't think a few, good sucker punches couldn't knock out Dougie's dim pot lights? Make his arguments look absolutely stupid and foolish? Sigh! Alas! We lose out too! More @ Star

TSX Stock Ticker: Will the Toronto Stock Exchange smoke bubble go burst? How sustainable is it's up and down, in and out love affair with cannabis anyway? Supply? Demand? Capacity? The black market? Legalization? Just what what makes the Canuck pot stocks tick? Some speculation @ Now

IN THE NEWS

US Reefer Madness: There's growing, widespread opposition to President Donald Trump's prohibition policies stateside. His own polling now shows less than 1 in 5 of Trump's hardcore MAGA supporters still believe that cannabis should be illegal. But is the Donald listening? More @ MM

Now It Can Be Told: Surprise! Not! Trump AG Reefer Madman Jeff Sessions has long been in the Big Tobacco lobbies back pocket. Hypocrisy be damned -money talks @ Herb

Pardon Us: US legal activists are demanding criminal pardons for possession in 8 states where cannabis is legalized or decriminalized. Sadly, they are also missing in action in Canada too! For shame -No justice! No peace! @ Intercept

Smile Jamaica: Kaya Farms has just harvested Jamaica's first legal medical cannabis crop. They look forward to using the economically challenged island's ganja "brand" to help Jamaica become the "flagship" location for the new "global wellness industry". Ya mon! Jah Bob would be proud @ J-Observer

Burning: Jamaica is definitely helping lead the charge! It's legalized medical cannabis and decriminalized ganja's recreational use @ MJ

Ja Travel Blog: The legalized/ decriminalized cannabiz tourism industry in Jamaica is still in it's infancy but it looks very promising indeed. Considering the awful economic divide on the troubled Caribbean island nation, it'll hopefully prove very timely for the everyday local folk too. Here's some notes, tips and links from my recent March trip @ MY BLOG

Much more 2 come .....

GREEN MARKET

The Pinking of Pot: Welcome to our new millennium! Nowadaze, Canada's cannabiz revolution is often lead by and for women. Meet but some of our many grrrrrl users and distributers whom are leading the charge @ Chat

Double Standards: Health Canada's packaging restrictions for legal weed will be much harsher than for booze. Why? Enquiring minds need to know @ G-Straight

Much, much more 2 come .....

HIGHER LEARNING

Cannabis Catch 22: Cannabis was a DIY homeopathic cure for whatever ails, long before prohibition came along in the 1920's. Because it's been illegal, very little real scientific research into it's medicinal qualities has been possible, until now. Note well, whenever we hear that there "isn't enough research" to support the medical benefits of weed, that's why. However, with legalization, that's all changing now and the results are often very encouraging, to say the least @ Leaf

Sex + Pot + Rock + Roll: Study shows that our lowly weed is actually a great aphrodisiac! To prick your interest, here's some scientific notes on the research methodology and results, for the .... ah ... academically reclined @ Hytiva

Much, much, much more 2 come .....

HIGH TIMES

Stoner Babes : In Katie Guin's new adult colouring book, each "stoner babe" is a picture of empowerment for our new cannabis age! Inhale deep n' get out yer crayons! All colours, textures and shades! @ KS

COMMENTS:

hEY hO! kEEP ChECKing BAcK! LaTeR AdDITIoNs WiLL bE AddED In LaRgE TYpe SeT! mY Acronym Guide IS @ hErE! ... Legalization news now moved to "Oh Cannabis!" @ TheRe!

Much, much more to come ......

EDUCATION BEAT

OH CANADA

IN THE NEWS

KULTURE KULT INK

COMMENTS:

Bad news! This year's 420 Toronto festivities, which falls a few mere months away from legalization this summer, can't be held in Nathan Phillips Square outside Toronto City Hall! Why? See below:

Hello Mr. Goodwin,

We've reviewed your most recent application for use of Nathan Phillips Square on April 20, 2018 and unfortunately as with your original application we are still unable to permit the 420 Comedy Festival for the same reasons.

Although the 420 Toronto Comedy Festival application states that it will have speakers, vendors and entertainment all of which are acceptable activities it is the other activities that we know to take place at this event that are of concern and why a permit cannot be issued. Through research and in speaking with Yonge Dundas Square and Toronto Police Services staff about the previous events held at Yonge and Dundas Square over the last several years it is clear that smoking of Cannabis takes place at this event.

Current City By- Laws prohibit smoking on City of Toronto Public Squares, including Nathan Phillips Square and in front of Municipal Buildings entrances like City Hall. Attached below is the web link to the applicable By-Law information on the City of Toronto Website:

-Smoking on City of Toronto Public Squares is prohibited under City Bylaw (MCC 636/237) Article III.The City of Toronto Smoking Bylaw (MCC 709) prohibits smoking within 9 metres of entrances and exits of any building that is used by the public @ [LINK]

Further, at the time of your event current Federal Cannabis Laws will still be in effect and Cannabis is still listed as a Schedule II drug under the Controlled Drug and Substances Act @ [LINK] @ [LINK]

We do understand that Federal Cannabis legalization is expected in the coming months and that 420 Toronto has been a part of that movement and wish to celebrate that victory however given the reasons stated above we are unable to issue you a permit for use of Nathan Philips Square.

Regards,

Tamara Williams l tamara.williams@toronto.ca

Event Support Supervisor
FILM & ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRIES
Economic Development & Culture

City Hall l 100 Queen Street West l 9th Floor, East Tower l Toronto, ON l M5H 2N2
416-395-7378 l Fax: 416-392-5600

SOME NOTES:

So much for Toronto as a "people's city"! Our cannabis community just doesn't count folks!

So Mayor Tory is a well known conservative of some standing, eh?

Pffffffft! How disappointing! Quite obviously, "Toronto the Good" doesn't have much business acumen. Not during the John Tory Years!

It's so obvious! April 420 could help launch our city as a world cla$$ pot touri$m de$tination. It's a big day, for pot heads around the world. And this year, Toronto has a whole lot to celebrate, and show off too.

Or do we?

Not at Toronto City Hall! For shame!

Still, our thanks go out to 420 Toronto organizer and well known local cannabis activist-entrepreneur Chris Goodwin! Chris has certainly gone all out this year! To help us most fittingly celebrate the end of a very shameful period in Canadian history -our unjust cannabis laws; the end of prohibition!

What better place to celebrate, than at our municipal seat of government?!? You know -where they are supposed to be working for us! To say good-bye to the end of an awful era!

But it seems not!

So, where do we go from here? To celebrate together anyways? Like we always do?

The provincial election's on June 7th! Wonder what Premier Kathleen Wynne thinks?

No no! One can only imagine!

Then about the NDP's Andrea Horwath? Too afraid of her own shadow?

Or PC Doug Ford???

Then again, maybe a lil' good ol' fashioned civil disobedience is well in order? Or ... or ... or ...

Follow 420 Toronto and vote @ FACEBOOK

Inhale! Hold! Exhale! Smile!

Let's see what happens next ..............................

RELATED LINKS

On Civil Disobedience: My interview clip with Chris Goodwin from during the December 2017 Cannabis Culture 5 court hearings @ Youtube

COMMENT BELOW:

hEY hO! kEEP ChECKing BAcK! LaTeR AdDITIoNs WiLL bE AddED In LaRgE TYpe SeT! mY Acronym Guide IS @ hErE! ... LegaLIZation nEws noW Moved to "Oh Cannabis!" @ TheRe! MuCh, mUch morE to coMe ......

EDUCATION BEAT

Liberal Collusion: Ontario's OECTA Catholic teachers have just reached a $31 million settlement with the Wynne government. It's the result of a grievance over the salary grid delay resulting from the Liberals long, drawn out contract negotiations, since OECTA broke with the ETFO and OSSTF public teacher unions, to sign the contentious 2012 OECTA MOU. Much bitterness and acrimony persists, as the June 7th provincial election approaches, along with a very disturbing, well documented sense of internal/ external union betrayal and nefarious, backroom deals @ Star

For More: Also see my extensive Teacher Free Speech 2011-18 Archives, especially for 2012 to 2013, and 2014-15. You'll find a whole whack of often very illuminating, primary source and news links from back in the day, on the top left of my blog page. More @ Here!

Walking The Talk: In the US, teacher's are breathing new life and vitality into the nation's often long moribund, union movement. The teacher walkouts in Oklahoma, West Virginia and now Colorado too, certainly show a refreshing sense of commitment. No doubt our own impotent Ontario teacher unions could also learn a thing or two from them too @ NYT @ Fox

Teaching Diversity and Equality: Canada is one of the most diverse countries in the world. It's essential that we all learn how to get along as equals. Inclusion isn't just a skill that needs to be taught at school! Parents need to get involved too! Check out and use these educational materials at home, on your own. Remember -Our children are the future @ CYH

Lessons for Life for an Autism Spectrum Teen: In Ontario, like many places, our teachers are required to prepare a useful IEP [Independent Education Plan] for your autistic child at school. Parents have the right and an obligation to get involved and provide direction. Do you? Is your autistic teen learning about more than just reading, writing and math? Are they learning about social justice and the social good too? Check this out @ OECTA

Digital Distractions: Our average attention span nowadaze is just 8 seconds! That's less than for a goldfish! Bowled over? Maybe we shouldn't be! Consider the possible role and implications of smart phones and the new electronic media, in the massive dumbing down of our society today @ PMC

Empowering Our Youth: Today, young folk are entitled to be involved in, and often even make choices, about their own health at the doctor's office. A lot of frustrated parents are upset and don't know what to do. Rather than get angry, perhaps we need to teach and empower our kids how to make more informed healthcare decisions for themselves! Here are some ways to help them become more responsibly involved. It's a very important and useful, life long skill that will serve them well long after they've left the nest @ Globe

OH CANADA

NAFTA Lies: For shame! Turns out that the Donald has been making up stories about a sneaky, unfair US - Canada trade imbalance! Doesn't seem to know his own facts, as released in another White House report, showing that there's actually a slight US surplus instead! It might be a big joke stateside. But such bully boy antics also have a very negative and corrosive effect on others outside the US. Like in Canada; one of America's biggest, trade partners. We're also a long time, trustworthy friend and reliable Allie! Is it really worth it? Sigh! Alas! @ CBC

Trolled: Hmmmm! How about the "Russian troll farms" that meddled in the US election? Might they have also be stirring up shit over Trudeau? The pipe line controversy? Beware! The National Post is a very selective, neo con-ster rag! What about the PC debacle with Pat Brown, Doug Ford and the upcoming 2018 Ontario election?!? Might the "trolls" have a hand in that too? Time to investigate! Dig deep! Enquiring minds need to know what's is really going on @ NP

$15 + Fairness: The protests snowball! Canuck coffee shop Icon Tim Horton's has been caught punishing it's underpaid coffee shop workers over an increase to the Ontario minimum wage! Staff benefit cuts? Unpaid breaks? Cost cutting? Profiteering? The ugly, exploitive underside of Tim's is finally exposed! Nope, it isn't really a Canadian company. Nor does it respect Canadian values, despite wrapping itself in our flag! The once popular, two timing Tim's takes a huge hit, as coffee drinkers wake up, dropping from #4 to #50 in this year's top Canuck brand survey @ Globe

Make That A Double - Double: Oh oh! Double trouble times two! Now, the federal government is investigating Tim Horton's Brazilian owners! Seems they might also be screwing Tim's franchise owners under the Investment Canada Act @ CBC

PC Doug Ford: Will the surprises never end? In the skin tight, controversial leadership race, after PC Conservative leader Pat Brown's sudden ouster on sexual misconduct allegations, populist neo-conster Doug Ford takes charge of the party, just in time for the June 7th provincial election. He quickly kills Brown's "Peoples Promise" to support the carbon tax, which was supposed to finance the PC's many election promises. So, how can Doug still possibly do so without deep cuts to jobs and spending while balancing budget? More @ Macs

Trump North: Yup, he's Ontario's Donald Trump @ WP! No, he's not @ Globe! IMHO? A different Canuck variation, especially in regards to immigration, yet still very much alike! Ooops! Oh no! He's also taking to Twitter ....

Soc Con Hell: During the leadership race, Ford made a whole whack of social conservative promises to court Ontario's extremist, religious, far right. He'll "repeal sex ed", restrict abortion access, facilitate protests outside the clinics, and let doctors opt out of performing the procedure. Often, these promises blatantly run contrary to Canadian Constitutional law and our Charter Rights and Freedoms @ PP

From The Weed Patch: Doug Ford also promised to legalize the free market sale and distribution of weed. Then quickly flip flopped back to the Wynne government's plan for a government run pot monopoly. Seems his social conservative wing, and most, but not all of his party supporters and caucus, are outright opposed to legalizing cannabis at all. More insightful, social con, inner, PC party intrigues @ PostMillennial

Oh Cannabis: Check out the various "Oh Canada" news links and commentary in my "Oh Cannabis" blog and marvel at the many similarities. The focus and underlying themes in both blog features are often complimentary, and not quite as different as you might think @ Oh Cannabis!

Millennial Wynne: Hmmmm. Premier Kathleen Wynne's Ontario Liberal party suddenly announce a wide range of very progressive election promises. These follow years of a very tight ass and corrupt Neo Lib austerity agenda! They included new special education and school infrastructure funding. Free pharmacare. Daycare. And tuition breaks. The list goes on and on. There's lots to appeal to Ontario millennial's, as they overtake the aging baby boomer's in our province. But will they vote? @ Star

Much, more to come ......

IN THE NEWS

US Air Strikes In Syria: Maybe Trump is suddenly a great humanitarian, only out to destroy Syria's chemical warfare facilities. Or there are at least 6 other more likely possibilities for why he'd consider risking a war in Syria. They include petrodollars, a distraction to the Cohen - Stormy Daniels affairs, Saudi or Israeli pressures, and a lot of deep state anxieties. Sounds like a cover up @ ASNM

Military Industrial Complex: Surprise! There's more! The stock value of Raytheon, the US Tomahawk missile manufacturer, and other arm merchants like Boeing, Northrop Gunman and General Dynamics, suddenly rockets up nearly $5 billion after the Syrian air strike @ Fortune

Nothing New: Hardly "recent", US "intervention" actually dates back to "Day 1" of the Syrian war @ ActivistPost

Trumped? North Korea's Kim Jong Un and Chinese President Xi Jinping meet prior to Trump's May visit for nuke talks. Unlike Donald, they definitely have a well thought out, long range plan for the region. Indeed, their goals and strategy for both the nuclear umbrella and trade alone are often quite different and diametrically opposed to those of the US. Are his visit and any "deal" they reach, just a risky US public relations stunt? Will the Donald get trumped? @ FP

Mahjong: China responds carefully to Trump's surprise trade war sanctions, targeting the US states where he enjoys the most support, with a long list of tariffs on agriculture, technology, cattle, chemicals, and airplanes. That's just their opening volley. They still have a whole lot of even much more powerful moves that they can bring into play, as the world's largest economic power @ CNA

Politics of Food: Think about it! Chinese tariffs target soybeans, nuts, pork, fruit and cotton. US farmers whom voted for him will now be cut off from a huge, lucrative market. Too bad the Trumpster doesn't seem to have any back up plan in place. Xi must be laughing so hard so he'll cream his jeans! Here, bite the big one, Don @ Eater

The Law is Coming: The plot thickens as Trump's lawyer and BFF Ray Cohen is busted! His alt facts collide smack head on with the the rule of law. Of course, he denies everything! So who'll win this one?! "President Trump" is the best, reality TV hero and/ or villain ever, depending upon which network you watch, in the complete, value negative sense. A total horror show too. Now, let's see what the US justice system can or can't do about the Donald @ NYT

Emboldened Trump: He's fired about half of his White House staff. Seems to be flying solo now, completely untethered. What next?!? It's all grown very, very tiresome, wearing everybody but everybody down, even we hard core, political junkies. US politics has become completely toxic, muddying any and all political waters. Perhaps Trump's intent? More @ NYT

Facebook Follies: Mark Zuckerberg sits poker faced being questioned by a technologically clueless US senate. The issues? A very worrisome data breach. Plus there's them there election trolls. Sorta like he's being grilled at a piqued, senior citizen gathering about that how that durn, internet thingy of his works! Yiiiikes! Very scary implications for the way forward, no? More @ Wired

Much, much more to come .....

KULTURE KULT INK

Toronto The Good, Bad + Ugly: Cannabis is being legalized! Along with our many other vacation amenities, Toronto could become a very kool stop for a little pot tourism. To get primed, here's but one list of Toronto's Top 100 tunes. Really, the "Tarawna" link here is really pushing it sometimes. Still, it's an interesting, varied list! Included are Drake, the Weekend, Bare Naked Ladies, Broken Social Scene, Viletones, Gordo, Buffy, and The Band! More @ Star

Canada For Sale: The True North is very rich in natural resources. In the very polluted new millennium, many previously overlooked ones are now in big demand! Get this: even Canada's fresh mountain air is being bottled and sold as a "wellness" product! Be well @ CBC

COMMENTS:

Still keepin' an eye on things during summer at the lake!

Summertime finds Janet y I tripping back and forth between town and country; our Toronto home and our countryside summer place near Bon Echo Park, Land o' Lakes. With friends and family dropping by all the time at both locales, I'm taking care of the summer festivities out here on the shores of Lake Mississaganon.

Hard work but somebodies got to do it! I'm retired, so to speak .... Since Victoria Day, I've been busy here cleaning, setting up, kayaking and getting ready. Yup! It's time for another trez kool summer tripping and grooving out by the lake!

As a result, this blogsite will be on reduced hours as we slip into our summer mode until autumn rolls around again. As much as Janet and I love to travel, there's nothing finer than a Canadian summer. We plan to enjoy it fully!

Fortunately, we've got internet here now! Yup! Our trailer's finally "on the grid". So this year I'll still be online, if not as much as usual as during the rest of the year, to attend to the following regular site features:

Summer Daze!

Twitter: Check me out for my regular blogsite updates, lotsa extra news links, pix, and kool tunes etc. etc. at @davidchiarelli

New Blogs: These will become available, as different issues and events warrant, throughout the summer.

Oh Cannabis News + Views -My Stoner Newz Feature: I'm starting a new summer edition, which will be updated on a regular/ fairly regularly basis during the daze ahead. Stay tuned! @ HERE!

Teacher Free Speech News + Views -The Straight Goods: Ditto. My new Summer Edition will continue to keep an eye on the world at large, in all it's folly. Be sure to check it out for updates too! @ HERE!

Wood Shedding: Rainy days can find me busy typing away. Some of my more lengthy features [The "Bob Marley" series, some of my backgrounders on medical cannabis, legalization and on Cuba etc. etc. etc.] get knocked off this way to post later. I also want to update you a bit on my site's new "Oh Cannabis" focus, as it continues to evolve, since I've retired from teaching, so that should be coming your way too, during the summer months ahead ....

Teacher Free Speech News + Views Archive 2011-17: There is ALOT of valuable info here! My teacher readers in particular, might still wish to refer back to those for our contract negotiations with the Ontario government over the years. [Alas!] Then there's the travel blogs, Cuba stories, and all sorts of other dope stuff that's still a pretty good read! It's yours to explore @ Here!

This autumn Janet and I will be travelling to Europe, Rome and Prague. Come winter, I plan to go back to teach at the Cuban schools and do my scuba/ snorkeling thing. There's plenty still coming on this site!

Hope you enjoy the Summer Edition!

Love/
Pax!

David C ..........

Yup! This is pretty much my yearly routine nowadaze. Some links:

Kayaking: My meditation, straight or stoned @ Here!

Trailer Park Boy: Teacher retirement as a seasonal thing @ Here!

Land o' Lake Ontario Canada: Includes "The Spring Mating Symphony Of The Frogs + Toads" @ Here!

Lake Mississaganon beckons ...

COMMENTS:

Pix y Links 2 Come ....

"We're Here! We Toke! Get Use To it!"

Our April 20th rallying call echoes off the stoney, glass silence of Toronto City Hall, where Mayor Tory, our councillors and assorted officials hide, scheming away. Up among the financial towers of Bay Street, the banker and business tycoons lie in wait.

The wisps spread outwards and onwards through downtown Toronto's Skyscraper National Park! Out towards Queen Park. Our provincial politicos bunker down low. Plotting to one way or another sell their dodgy government licensed weed. After the June 7th election. Trying to avoid the good stuff! The real kind we love to toke, illegal or not!

An official 420 city hall permit? Bah! With Canadian legalization but a few months away, 420 Toronto 2018 loud and proudly rocked City Hall, without their damn permit!

Sadly, our elected "bosses" just don't get it! Their corporate Bay Street buddies too! Having completely lost the "War on Drugs", they remain hellbent on now trying to capitalize on our freedom weed! Thinking that come this summer, they can force us to buy their crappy government licensed cannabis instead. However, if this year's counter culture cannabis community celebration is any indication, it's a new battle they've all ready lost! Too little! Too late!

Without the permit -there's no electricity! No main stage. Perhaps they can shut us down that way?

Fortunately a local music store comes to the rescue. I help 420 organizers Chris y Erin Goodwin unload and set the battery powered, make shift speaker system up near a planter stand beside the verbotten main stage. 420 Toronto 2018 will make do!

Erin plugs in a trez kool classic rock mix in. Jimi Hendrix's psychedelic guitar chords explode, along with Bob Marley's chunky reggae grooves, in the springtime air. As local rappers put on an impromptu show. A hypnotic, transporting, drum tattoo and chant echoing off the once forbidding walls too, in Nathan Phillips Square!

420 Toronto 2018 has arrived! So too the security guards! Along with the official, prerequisite, city hall goons. Making their way down from the lofty city hall towers! Ordering Erin and Chris to shut the blasting speakers down! Or perhaps move them over? Or ... or ... or just promise that nobody will sell any weed?!?

No. They just don't get it! Trying to find bosses? To bully around? At a peaceful civil disobedience rally? Pfffft!

Chris leans forward, with a wry smile, the sunshine glistening off his shades. He just keeps asking questions, again and again and again, as they try to dictate and then negotiate their tight ass, dick style terms.

Wasting no time, Grow OP Hydroponics cannabis activist-entrepreneur Katy Perry grabs a blowhorn. Launches into a rousing speech on medical patients rights, denouncing the governments inexplicable tax on our prescription weed. Accompanied by much loud whistle blowing from the growing lunchtime crowd. Very effective, indeed!

Alas. Toronto Police Services [TPS] yellow jackets arrive in mass on bikes, trying to shut down Katy's info table beside her in the square. The irritated festival goers grow quite understandably upset -So much for free speech?

Clearly exasperated, the chief bike cop soon throws his arms up in the smokey air.

Cop: OK. OK. Listen -move the speakers back some more! ONLY use them for your speeches then. NO MUSIC!!!

Chris: Sweet! He keeps asking more questions ..... Say What?!?

Cop: Well then, just play one song. Do it at at 4:20. Only one .... Why not "Stairway to Heaven"??? It's real long, eh.

Unfortunately, for the officer, his demands do not hold much sway. Our ad hoc speaker system stays put. He leaves with the yellow jackets, who spread out, to focus on the dealers instead! The music plays .....

Sadly, the 420 green venders wait about, ready to set up their tables, avail us of their tasty wares. Whenever they do, the yellow jackets quickly move in, issuing stern warnings. Strategically move about their bikes to box everybody in.

The venders sit on their hands. Waiting for suitable crowd cover, to quickly set up, all at once. Unfortunately, it doesn't arrive until 4:20 pm, too late to save the above ground pop up market day at Nathan Phillips Square. As the goodies lie in wait, in the deep, dark labyrinth of the Toronto City Hall underground parking garage below.

By 4:20 the crowd passes 8,000 tokers. Nathan Phillips Square is filling up fast now. Not surprisingly, most tokers bring their own weed anyway, with plenty to freely go around, yellow jackets notwithstanding.

Long time cannabis activist Michael "Smokey" Thompson, here due to health reasons on his final "goodbye" tour, sets up his signs, denouncing the Wynne government's unjust weed monopoly plans, for one last time. Having shouted his legalization message from the mountain top for years, they are a fitting backdrop for our 420 speeches in 2018, as Neo Libber Kathleen Wynne's legalized corporate weed is about to go on sale. Smokey's message carries on!

With Erin and Chris MC'ing, our local weed comedians work up the crowd. I gave a very short speech on peaceful civil disobedience, just in case there's any lingering doubt about what we are doing here today. Thank the Goodwins for organizing this year's successful 420 Toronto, against all odds.

Katy Perry returns for another fiery medical weed oratory! Cannabis Activist Tracey Curley reminds us in no uncertain terms to boycott the official, government, Ontario Cannabis Stores opening this summer.

No problem sister! The move is clearly on!

As the downtown office crowds and workers spill into Nathan Phillips Square, packing it with a crowd of about 12,000 to well past sunset, the huge cloud of smoke envelopes us in it's sweet embrace, ending a most successful 420 day. I help the Goodwins pack up the speakers. 420 Toronto is all but over for another year.

Will we be back? Next year? After legalization?

Picture this: Can you imagine Mayor John Tory hosting the event for his corporate pals? Or how about party leaders Doug Ford, Andrea Horwath or even Premier Kathleen Wynne?

Ughh! A year is a lifetime in politics. Its hard to say who'll still be around, especially this election year. Don't be too surprised to see any of them lording it up on a suddenly official 420 City Hall or Queen's Park stage. Touting their dodgy official OCS weed.

We 420 Toronto 2018'ers know the score! Will still be toking our good, free market weed! Growing our own stuff! Officially or unofficially! As always, legal or not!

They lost the big bad drug war but the good fight isn't over! As 420 Toronto 2018 shows, there's lots of us! We're here to stay! Above or undergound, as always, the real show must go on!

See you there, as need be, to smoke the real, good stuff and set the record straight!

COMMENTS:

Pix y Links 2 Come!

It's Toronto's "Terrorist" Attack! Local, college student Alek Minassian, of European descent, is charged with 10 counts of first degree and 13 counts of attempted murder. Quite deliberately, and at random he mowed down the unsuspecting late, lunch time pedestrians along 16 blocks of busy, downtown Yonge Street in North York, Toronto. It's a copy cat horror show similar to recent incidents in London and Paris, but with a notable exception.

No matter that there aren't any clear indication whatsoever of a terrorist connection! US Fox and Breitbart "news", along with their Canadian right wing social media counterparts, decide to ratchet up the fear mongering. Targeted among the initial shock and confusion are Toronto's incredibly diverse population mix, in an nefarious slew of nasty, racist, Islamophobic memes, rumours, accusations and outright lies! It was an incredible rash of fake social media news stories, rarely seen this side of the border!

However, with amazing calm and resilience, Toronto tensions do not boil over. Instead a very detailed, criminal, police investigation has begun. The inexplicable act and carnage captured live on video by numerous, lunchtime eyewitnesses. The footage including the brave, dramatic and very professional capture of the accused by TPS [Toronto Police Services]. These will now methodologically play their part in the court of criminal rather than public "mediated" justice.

As our diverse citizenry rally together in our collective grief, Minassian, is very much alive. He will now stand trial for mass murder, not political spectacle. It provides a very rare chance to better understand what happened, and why. Perhaps also to help criminally profile what makes such mass killers tick, beyond the bogus, unscrupulous and often quite manipulative fake news eye of our media driven times.

Hopefully, it's also a chance to better precipitate and prevent such horrific crimes in the year's ahead, sans the divisive hysteria stateside in the Age of Trump. Or even the domestic, terrorist, fear mongering of our own Harper Years. From within a criminal justice perspective rather than the often, quite suspect, political realm. In Toronto eh, it's the refreshing, new Canadian way!

NEWS LINKS

Read More About Canadian Domestic Terrorism During the Harper Years @ @

Teacher Free Speech Spring 2018 News and Views@

COMMENTS:

Moved due to technical difficulties! Now @ ABOVE!

No toking allowed! Think you'll be able to peacefully enjoy a toke in the privacy of your own home once Canada's legalization bill is passed? Think again! [NOW!]

The Canadian Senate votes on legalization June 7th. Meanwhile, OREA's [Ontario Real Estate Association] realtor's, developers, landlords, property managers and a lot of lackey condo boards are racing to ban smoking cannabis from their buildings. In some cases medical cannabis patients will be clearly exempt. In many others? Not!

Summer is almost upon us! Regretfully, I'm busy consulting lawyers, cannabis advocacy groups, activists, and other various sundry. Tied up with meetings, messages, you name it. Why? Because it almost happened at our building, and I'm not sure we've heard the last of this yet!

So how will you fare! Have you been looking forward to a nice, legal toke in the sanctity of your home? Be it a condo? A rental? Or even public housing?

Are you aware of OREA's nefarious and politically motivated conspiracy to make that go up in smoke asap before the 7th? Do you realize how little time there is to act? Or you'll face a lot of grief?

Surprise! Neo-conster Tim Hudak is back! As CEO of OREA! That's right! The very same Timbo! The former Ontario Conservative leader! Who's political career crashed and burned along with his parties huge 2014 election lead! The original Mr. "100,000-Public-Service-Cuts" who declared war on our schools, hospitals and other public services!

Yup! Timbo is still very busy! Wasting no time! Remember the hard "hate on" he had for lobbyists and special interest groups! Well, now he's leading one! "Big Brother" and "Nanny State" style! To target cannabis users right in the privacy and sanctity of our home!

Timbo's lobbying the Conservative senators in Ottawa. Also our new Ontario government, whomever that will be. Trying to get ahead of legalization, force hands and subvert the process against everyday folk like you and me. The phoenix is rising! You can even visit his OREA website in full blown glory with all it's bells y whistles @ [OREA]

Be careful! Very careful! Tim Hudak knows that legalization is going to be a total legal mess! So he's being REAL sneaky! It's usually very difficult to change condo "by-laws". They require proper notice, quorum at a meeting and an 80% vote. For good reason! Especially here!

Consider this -OREA's goal is to "grandfather" the smoking of tobacco and cannabis at home for the large number of everyday folk who own a condo or don't live in a house or apartment of your own! It's in the interests of his corporate clients, disguised with a trendy "Smoke Free" thrust. No matter that it's a huge civil liberty issue, setting a very bad precedent for years to come. Our medical or recreational cannabis community be damned! So what's the plan?

Meet reefer mad woman Denise Lash of Lash Condo Law, a so called "boutique" firm! Working with OREA she's gleefully singing their tune! Piling on heaps o' fear mongering, conjecture, and game playing to forward the OREA agenda for Ontario's landlords, property managers, developers and realtor's across the GTA before June 7th.

Imagine this if you can! I certainly can't! Cannabis is legalized June 7th! Crazed pot smokers over run the hallways of your building! Starting fires! Setting up grow ops of the devil's weed that waste huge amounts of precious utility dollars while rendering the units unsaleable.

Get this! Lash Condo Law, probably like a lot of these boutique firms, knows how your condo board can pass OREA's toking ban as a "rule" instead of as a "by-law". That way, it passes within 30 days unless 15% of the condo owners organize and object. If not?

Verboten -No discussion, debate or vote allowed!

How democratic, and community orientated eh? Who's interests are being served? Certainly not the lowly condo owner looking forward to a legal toke in the comfort of their home!

Yup! Lash Law's been busy, busy busy, feverishly whipping up public and condo board support for "the rule". Then it seems, spoon feeding Denise's shocked readers with the low down, nitty gritty on how to use it to meet OREA's goals.

See for yourself! Read her "news" interviews and law blogs @ [LCL] [LCL] and @ [PC].

Alas! The boutique firm somehow left something very important out of the "Smoke Free Environment Rules", and the owner's "Notice of the Rule" that they drafted for our property manager to bring to our condo board for a vote. There wasn't any mention whatsoever of medical cannabis patient rights or accommodation at all!

Welcome to Prohibition 2.0 -condo style! Fortunately, as a board director, medical cannabis activist and patient I noticed right away. Raised the red flag of human rights violations. Made sure the rush "rule" got shot down at an emergency board meeting called for a week later. Sure it took a lot of time and effort. But if I hadn't?

Should your board pass "the rule", it could face a very expensive legal challenge and hike in your maintenance fees! While OREA sits twiddling their thumbs waiting to see how it all works out!

Regretfully, I for one, would immediately hand it over to any number of interested parties to run with as a human rights complaint at the drop of a hat! This is just so plain, terribly wrong!

Think about it! Under our new "rule", even medical cannabis patients "must sign" and identify themselves to the board of directors and by association, our property manager and building superintendant, as smokers. Same with recreational tokers, even though smoking weed is still an illegal activity.

The condo board then also has "sole and absolute discretion" to decide if we 're being an "annoyance or nuisance" and what to do, should anyone object to the smoke or odour from our medical cannabis, while indemnifying the board and holding it harmless! As a medical cannabis patient, I only vape at home, and always try to be reasonable, but this, of course, is totally unacceptable. On these issues the rule is silent. Very unclear for the layman/ woman, at least, among all the legal jargon. Probably our average neighbour, building superintendent, or board member who might act on it too!

No cultivation is allowed either. Hello ACMPR ........

The list goes on and on ....

For shame! Medical cannabis users have been waiting since 2001 at the very least for legalization to end the stigma and discrimination we face daily. We need safe, reliable, hassle free access to our medication, just like any other patient. We await further direction from Ottawa and the province. But not so OREA it seems, even though there will surely be plenty of human right challenges indeed.

Nor would we medical cannabis patients likely be alone! Are you young? Do you belong to a visible minority group? Are you a white collar professional with a legal reputation to uphold? Or just an everyday recreational toker? Or perhaps just someone who might want to try cannabis after it's legalized? You could face arrest for having to go outside for a toke instead. Yes! Under Ontario's Cannabis Act, that'll still be illegal! Hello, police .....? [VICE] [IPol]

Welcome to the new wrath, stigma and discrimination of Prohibition 2.0, courtesy OREA and "boutique" law!

My advice? Act now or get ready for a lot of grief and a big fight ahead! Best contact your condo board or tenants association! ASAP! It's high time to nip any such "rules" in the bud, right now where you live, before it's too late!

COMMENTS:

Coming: Photos y More Links ...

Spring 2018

Disembarking from my Toronto flight is like walking into a blast furnace. I step off the shiny, new aircraft onto the creaky, old, metal steps. Stop to wipe the steady stream of sweat from my eyes.

The heavy air is almost too hot to breath. Lowering my sunglasses in place, I gaze out at the formidable, Sierra Maestra mountains towering around me. Out to the shining, sparkling Caribbean Sea.

Here I am, back in Santiago de Cuba, to visit the Toronto Friendship School. Meet with my colleague, Professor Jose Tejaro, to discuss printing more copies of "Ingles Para Ti/ English For You", our Cuban School Project teacher and student English instruction workbook.

My thoughts drift back. I began the Cuban School Project after a class trip here in 1992. As a Canadian teacher, I was only too happy to assist in providing some educational relief work during the Special Period throughout the nineties, following the collapse of the Soviet Union and the Socialist block.

Back then, the island was teetering on the brink of near chaos and total economic collapse. Overnight the peso became worthless. Jobs disappeared. Hunger and sickness were the order of the day.

Unlike the United States, Canada has maintained a policy of constructive engagement with the beleaguered socialist nation, from the 1959 revolution through until today.
Often during my frequent trips back then, I was the only English speaking person from the outside world most of the Cuban teachers and students had ever meet.

I'm a strong believer in social justice, a still relevant takeaway from my strict, now long abandoned, religious upbringing a lifetime or two ago, as a young man. The Cubans were eager to learn how to speak English. Acquire some basic business skills. Make contact with the world beyond their tightly shut and embargoed borders. It seemed a perfect fit.

I donated what I could to the cause, mostly my time and effort. With donations from the Ontario Teacher Federation, OSSTF public secondary and the OECTA Catholic teachers, we set out to build a small two room rooftop school house in the hillside barrios of Santiago de Cuba. Also, a instruction booklet that was specifically adapted to meet their quite different social, culture, and economic needs.

Having retired 5 years ago, I've continued work on "Ingles Para Ti" with my good friend and colleague Professor y Jose Luis, from the Oriente Pedagogical Institute. Last year, I once again decided to drop by the Toronto Friendship School after a few years absence, happily surprised to find it was still there.

A flood of memories hit me, as I climbed up the wrought iron steps to the rooftop school, in the unforgiving sun. The tired, creaky, old fans feebly rotated back and forth in a last ditch effort at desperate relief from the stifling heat. From the street below, the mad cacophony of old beat up cars, trucks, donkey carts and wagons, echoed off the school's brick and mortar walls. Still, the classroom was packed with students of all ages. Also, a new teacher. There was nobody whom I recognized, or for that matter whom recognized me.

Of course, it was 25 years later. Everybody whom I once knew and worked with there, was now long gone. But, as I saw for myself, the teaching and learning was still going on. Plus, it was a happy place, with a very dedicated teacher. Enthusiastic students. All eager to learn. Nobody putting on any airs. At best now mildly intrigued, by an old white haired stranger from far away, visiting their crowded classroom.

Sitting there quietly, watching and thinking back to much more desperate times, I could have cried. Amazingly, everything had worked out just as we had once hoped, so very long ago! How often in life do our deepest, collective hopes and dreams actually come true? And after all Is said and done, do they really make a difference?

I long ago gave up any hope of saving the world from itself. Thinking that perhaps, if we just tried to help out in the little corner of it where we find ourselves, one might yet still somehow make a difference.

As a teacher, I've started up a lot of school programs and taught a lot of Special Education classes over the years, mostly in Toronto's Jane Finch corridor. Usually been confronted by our first world malaise. Ultimately, everything ends up on the chopping block of economic efficiencies and blatant indifference for the human cost of those whom are poorer, weaker, and get left behind. Not so in Cuba!

In my old age, I'm not religious anymore, but this was definitely a very spiritual moment, realizing that perhaps, in some very small way, here in the barrios of Santiago de Cuba, the Cuba School Project had actually helped make a very big difference. Quite frankly, back in the nineties, I really wasn't very certain if anyone we worked with or taught there would even survive under the added weight of the crippling US economic embargo, as it kicked into overdrive. But they have.

After class, Professor Omara told me that her students enjoy many job advantages nowadays in learning English and some basic economic skills as Cuba works to integrate itself back into the international community. Basic English is now also taught in the public schools, but they are keen to learn much more, even if it is just to dream and discover more about life outside Cuba. Perhaps the Toronto Friendship School is even a victim of it's own success. There are now so many English language schools, that her own student numbers are down.

As I talked with Professor Omara on the sidewalk outside the school, a neighbour walked by. He recognized me with great surprise, claiming that I was one of the "founding fathers" of the Toronto Friendship School. Omara was quite shocked, not knowing what to say. I myself was quite embarrassed. Soon the whole street knew. Folks started leaning out their window, waving, checking me out. Very unreal. I don't want to sound vain, nor overestimate my own importance in the greater scheme of things in our life and times, but it was a truly a homecoming of sorts that I will never forget.

This spring, I came back to volunteer and teach at the school. It's the only "formal" teaching I still do. Nothing too laborious, I helped with the reading, discussions, and to happily serve as more of a language resource than anything else, to Professor Omara and her 3 classes of about 60 students.

It's quite different now. Books and school supplies remain in short supply but the students have more food and medicine now. Cruise ships come and go from the harbour. There is much hope, as always, that perhaps soon the US embargo will be lifted. Like the battered, old clock on the classroom wall, life does not miss a beat. It still ticks on in the now long forgotten, little barrio school that we once built.

After class, I relaxed in my room at a century old Spanish hotel in the city centre, frequently enjoying the live traditional "sons", "bolero's" and "salsa" music at the Casa De Trova/ House of Music, across from the cathedral in Cespedes Parque, the town square. Everybody at the school wants me to come over to visit. For lunch, dinner, or just to watch TV.

We sit in battered old chairs, watching Cuban soaps, old subtitled movies and pirated North American TV shows, on ancient, beat up tube sets. Lost among our reverie of Cuba and the night in the ancient decaying grandeur of this crumbling, 500 year old city. A very simple evening joy in any language, in a world so very far removed from our own.

I'll keep going back, even for just a few weeks here and there. I have found my place in the sun.

LINKS

I've written a lot about Cuba and the Cuban School Project over the years. A lot of these true stories are now gathered here on my blogsite. You'll find some of the links below, which will lead you to many more. They are all true. Real life. They happened. I was there:

The Cuban School Project Story: Here's how it got started in the 90's @ HERE!

The Cuban School Projects: The two key initiatives that I continue today, the Toronto Friendship School and "Ingles Para Ti" are outlined in greater detail @ HERE!

Toronto Friendship School: Join me for an early visit to the school during desperate times -the "Special Period" @ THERE!

Rumours of War: A day in class with the students back when everyone at the school feared that a US invasion was imminent. A US fleet was poised off the coast, with jet fighters taking low run practice flights over the school. Yikes! Lotsa learning, for me too @ HERE!

My Cuban School Project Links: More school links from back then @ HERE!

What the Heck is Going on? More links on the situation in Cuba @ THERE!

What Do They Think? The local view from my friends, students and colleagues now at the school and from others I still see from back in the day @ HERE!

VIDEO LINKS

Rush Hour in Santiago de Cuba: Yup. Lotsa folks still ride around in horse drawn wagons and buggies @

An Evening at The Casa De Trova, with Grammy award winning salsa band Trova Santaguero. Cover charge? Only $5 bucks! @

The Women Put On A Traditional Show: Live from the free downstairs stage @

Toronto Friendship School [2018]: A peak at the class, and the busy street life outside @

COMMENTS:

Read "Oh Cannabis News Y View" @ Spring @ Winter 2 @ Winter 1 @ Fall 2 @ Fall1 @ Summer @ May-June @ Spring 2 @ Spring 1 @ Jan-Feb @ December -Inhale! Hold! Exhale! Smile!

HEADLINES

Canada First Nation in The Developed World, the Second Country After Uruguay, to Legalize Recreation Cannabis! See "Oh Cannabis"

Ontario Cannabis Act: Ford? Horwath? Lounges? Dispensaries? Ford? Horwath? What next???

Canadian Legalization Presents A Big Challenge To US and G7! See "In The News".

Legalization Updates: US! Uruguay! Jamaica! Etc! Etc! Etc!

Canadian Legalization Will Be A Legal Mess! See "Oh Cannabis".

Canada's First Nation Assert Weed Sovereignty On Treaty Lands! See "Green Marketing".

Who Will Win: The Canadian Government's Corporate Legal Verses Free Market Weed?!? See "Higher Learning".

Marijuana is a dirty word. Call it cannabis, weed, pot, anything else! Here's why! See at "High Times"!

More Reefer Madness Movie Links! See at "High Times!"

OH CANNABIS

Canada Legalizes It: With a 56 to 30 Senate vote, Canada's unjust cannabis law's finally go kaput, ending 95 years of Prohibition 1.0! They've been replaced by our new, long awaited Cannabis Act, as promised by the Trudeau government during the 2014 Federal Election. So, is it cause for celebration? Across Canada? From sea to shining sea? Hardly. The initial domestic news reports are extremely guarded. They tout a new, very uptight Prohibition 2.0 focus on strict policing, health, safety measures and a very controversial new corporate Neo Lib regulatory regime. Welcome to our new Canadian cannabis millennium, while we sort out the awful legal mess that's sure to follow for many years @ CBC @ CBC

Ready, Steady, Toke: Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has set October 17th 2018 as the date for legal government weed to go on sale. That's long after the original "Canada Day" date of July 1st previously being kicked around, ostensibly due to a lot of long, drawn out, and ultimately futile Senate delays. Still, the long delay could scare away a lot of pot tourism dollars this summer. Also possibly throw cold water on some long awaited, high time, legal summer fun ... But ... But .. But who's waiting?!? @ CBC

No Cannabis Amnesty: Activist Jodie Emery is distressed that the Trudeau government still hasn't offered an amnesty, pardon, or for that matter compensation for those members of Canada's cannabis community whom were arrested, charged and/or convicted under prohibition @ CTV

Public Safety Minister Ralph Goodale promises the federal government will try to make it "fair" if you have a criminal record for possession sometime after October 17th. However, there are more than a few caveats @ Star

Senate Amendments: Most of the numerous, reefer madness, Senate Amendments to our new Cannabis Act were rejected or changed by the House of Commons before the bill became law. Beware: That includes a limit on the THC count of your government weed, which the Feds could still try to enforce anyway. Here's what's changed or stayed the same @ BSL PDF

Grow Yer Own: It was a real nail biter, but the House of Commons also overturned a Senate amendment that would've let the provinces individually ban the home cultivation of up to 4 plants as per our new federal cannabis law. Expect lengthy court battles as Quebec, Manitoba and Nunavut try to fight back @ CBC

Canuck Legalization: Reefer Madness Galore!

Outdoor Crops: Ottawa will legalize outdoor cannabis crops for it's licensed producers @ Globe

Second Wave: Additional legislation allowing some wiggle room for Canada's "micro producers and processors" offers hope that there might still be a little room for Canada's small craft cannabiz growers, producers and sellers will within the government's tightly regulated, corporate, cannabis model. Activist-Entrepreneur Lisa Campbell explains @ Now

Premier Druggie Ford has promised "more consultation" on cannabis sales. He might be more response to a free market approach to weed sales and in our province than the outgoing, Wynne, corporate, Neo Libs @ Global @ Globe

Ontario's Cannabis Act: Recreational cannabis will now be legal across Canada, and of course here in Ontario. So what does that actually mean for you as a toker? Your new rights and/ or lack thereof are @ Dankr

Condo Ban Update: Realtors, property management, condo boards and apartment landlords are continuing to try to ban pot smoking from their buildings as reported in my recent blog. [BLOG] They might not be able to grandfather you anymore but watch out, they're still very heavy handed and sneaky! At least this "smoke free condo" building is going to allow you to vape @ Now

No Vaping or Toking: Both medical and recreational cannabis are banned from the workplace and most public spaces outside your own home. Looks like vaping lounges will be verboten too @ HRR

Border Alert: Beware! Canadian travellers could get in deep shit at the US border by letting the guards know that you smoke pot! Even though it's legal here and in many US states? Yup! You could get banned from ever entering the United States again! No more cross border shopping for you! Bad Canuck! Bad! Bad! Go figure @ Vice @ CBC

IN THE NEWS

Weed World: The US might still be [or not be] the "leader of the free world" but no matter! With legalization, Canada is now the "leader of the weed world". That presents many challenges stateside and for our G7 partners @ RS @ Vox

Southern View: Here's how Canadian legalization was reported in the US. Of course, as is pointed out, Canada is the second country to legalize cannabis, after Uruguay @ CNN

Legal Uruguay: Only the government can legally sell weed. The low THC count buds cost $1 a gram at the pharmacy. Otherwise you can grow your own, share or join a cannabis club, but absolutely no selling weed .... Uruguay is onto something! The public good truly comes first before the dollar$ and cent$ @ CNN

Legal World: More and more countries across the world are increasingly reforming, decriminalizing or easing their cannabis laws. Leading the pack are Jamaica, besides Uruguay and Canada are the Netherlands, Spain, Portugal, Argentina, Columbia and Australia @ HighTimes

Black = Busted: Mass arrests of black folks, for something as simple as attending a party where weed is being smoked, continue unabated across the US. Meanwhile white folks increasingly find themselves getting off scot free @ Huff

GREEN MARKETING

Mohawk Weed: First Nation dispensaries continue to grow across treaty land at the Tyendinaga Reserve outside Belleville Ontario much to the governments chagrin. Across Canada, our aboriginal entrepreneurs are asserting their sovereignty as a part of the new cannabiz economy, in no uncertain terms. Stay tuned for my reviews this summer while I'm out thattaway! More @ CBC

Jah Ganga: Jamaican weed will be making it's way onto the Canadian medical cannabis menu at 3 government licensed LP's @ Now

HIGHER LEARNING

Money Talks: After all is said and done, it wasn't the high minded, legal principles of justice and fair play that led to legal pot in Canada. Far from it! Rather the sheer corporate hunger and greed for big, cash dividends prevailed. NORML's Alan Young explains how the Trudeau Liberals ultimately did the right thing but for the wrong reasons; legalizing cannabis so that their big corporate buddies could cash in @ CBC and @ Globe

Free Market Pot: Canada has long had a thriving free enterprise, underground, craft cannabis market. The experts argue thats needed instead of, or the very least to supplement the dicey, Ontario government run, corporate monopoly being set up in our province @ MJBiz

Weed Data: Legalization means researchers can begin gathering previously unavailable health, criminology, and economic info that we couldn't get before to guide our public policy decisions. Hard facts will fill in the gaping holes now filled with fear mongering, guess work and conjecture. Don't be surprised if many of their findings undermine the erroneous assumptions upon which our legalization bill and it's attendant regulations are now based, opening up the doorway for change. More @ Wired

Marijuana is A Racist Term: Onehates to be politically correct, but please! Please! Please! Call it "cannabis", "weed", "boo", or what have you! Know that "marijuana", despite it's common usage, is a hurtful, derogatory word born of racist prohibition @ Guardian

HIGH TIMES

High Hopes: The sixties and seventies were a "dope time" for cannabis. Weed was considered an integral social and political part of the "hippy" counter culture movement. On the downside, the THC count of our pot was a lot lower and we got a lot of seeds and stem in the bag too. Remember when @ GH

Reefer Madness: Those of you whom follow my Twitter Feed will see the movie links I often post at 420. Yup! As crazy as these old weed movies where, they seemed very real at the time. Fooled a lot of folks. Created a stigma and consensus that cannabis was evil and bad, bad, very bad for you. It helps to laugh. We expose the lies for all to see. But it makes one wonder; what else are the powers that be still lieing about today eh? Hmmmm! Why not fire up a spliff! Lie back! Ponder the infinite and enjoy these parodies! "Marijuana Ed 101 -1950 Style" @ Youtube "Demon Weed -An Educational Film" @ Youtube "Devil's Grass -A Silent Film" @ Youtube

COMMENTS

HEY hO! kEEP ChECKing BAcK! LaTeR AdDITIoNs WiLL bE AddED In LaRgE TYpe SeT! mY Acronym Guide IS @ hErE! ... LegaLIZation nEws noW Moved to "Oh Cannabis!" @ ThErE MuCh, mUch morE to coMe ......

EDUCATION BEAT

Sex Ed Chopping Block: Premier Doug Ford is promising to "repeal and replace" sex education in Ontario's classrooms despite warnings from educators that it's a bad move. So much for teaching "consent" and recognizing "diversity" and "inclusiveness" within our province. But the premier's social conservative backers won't have it any other way @ Globe

Sign The Petition: Doug Ford -Keep Ontario's Sex-Ed Curriculum! @ HERE!

Janus Decision: The US Supreme Court targets union membership dues in a vicious right wing attack on America's flourishing, activist, teacher movement and other more challenged US labour groups @ NYT

OH CANADA

Harris Redux: In the wake of the election of PC Neo Conster Premier Doug Ford, Ontario's right and left mobilize for a 90's style Harris Era fight to the death befitting the new millennium. Some opening volley's: The view from the right @ Sun @ Rebel And the view from the left @ FB @ Now

No Janus Decision Here: In Canada we have a constitutional right to collective bargaining, unlike in the US. In 1991, our Supreme Court ruled in the unions favour in upholding the Rand formula, unlike the recent Janus decision stateside. That's because paying union dues does not violate our Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms @ CanEnc @ GBP @ WP

IN THE NEWS

Right Wing Horror Show: How the conservative news media in the US tried to manufacture consent for Trump's "child separation" immigration policy. Oh, and then he backed down. Kinda sorta @ Slate

IREALLYDOCARE.COM: Web domain goes viral countering Melania's "jacket stunt", redirecting readers to activist groups whom are really working to help the innocent kids caught up in this truly ghastly, state sanctioned, child snatching scheme of the Donald's. Jeez. Isn't it usually taboo to hurt little children?!? No matter what?!? God help us all @ Adage

4 Explanations: Here's the 4 main explanations floating about the internet to explain Melania Trumps's "I don't care" jacket. Take your pick. Whatever. Complete chaos grips the US, from the top all the way down. Mission accomplished? @ HR

US Trade Wars Galore: US President Trump has initiated "America First" trade wars everywhere with friend and foe alike. Experience shows this story does not end well, for anyone @ WP

Trump Travel Ban: The new right wing enriched US Supreme Court upholds the Donald's travel ban 5-4, because .... well just because he's the prez. That's despite his Islam phobic rants, now that Trump appointee Justice Neil Gorush is onboard @ WDT

Janus Decision: The US Supreme Court veers far right in supporting so called "Right To Work" laws on voluntary union dues, delivering organized labour a sharp blow @ NYT @ NYT Read the Janus Decision @ PDF

Koched -The Attack On The Left: Republican billionaire's like the Koch brothers and right wing non-profit foundations such as the "Freedom Foundation" are behind the effort to weaken America's struggling union movement. The goal? Oligarchical rigging -to increase profits and forward the corporate agenda @ AmProsp @ BloomB

KULTURE KULT INK

Beautiful Toronto: Well, I've heard it called a lot of other less becoming names. Here's a "curated love story in photos and quotes" to honour Canada's largest city and our hometown ... Hey! We could be living in the United States of Donald Trump!!!! Ooops! Sorry US readers... eh ... heh ... er ... er @ Medium

RIP Koko the Gorilla: She could actually speak with humans using sign language. She liked nipples and kittens. Perhaps Homo Sapiens are not as special as we think? More @ CBC

COMMENTS:

Late August can only mean one thing for me -it's time to judge the Karma Cup again! So here I am, out at my retirement retreat, our campsite deep in the woods of Land o' Lakes, Ontario. Communing with nature. Kayaking on Lake Mississaganon. And smoking a helluva lotta weed!

I tripped back into Toronto last weekend to pick up my doctor's bag of over 140 samples of Karma Cup bud, shatter, extracts, concentrates, distillates, terpenes, CBD's, vape pens, pre rolls and topicals. Whoa! It's a stoner's wet dream deluxe! Comes in a big, black bag, with a golden Karma Cup logo on the side. Smelling as dank as can be.

This is my second year judging the cup. With my karma, something quite bizarre always happens, when I go to pick it up. But then, against all odds, it somehow becomes a miraculous non-event. Consider:

Last year I got into a big argument with an angry cop ticketing my car. While I'm holding this giant doctor's bag of dank weed. Expressing my outspoken opinion on parking enforcement matters for all and sundry, in no uncertain terms.

Eh?!? Yes! You could smell the fucking weed a mile away!

Meanwhile, "Toronto's Finest" is quite rightly scratching his head. Totally befuckled. Bewildered. But sober second thought somehow makes me shut up, where common sense otherwise fails.

I take the ticket. Drive off quick. But not too quick. Saving the day. Whew!

This year I thought it would be much wiser to just take the subway. In Toronto, after all, it is supposed to be the "better way".

So, I'm boarding the train, during rush hour, carrying my giant bag of weed. The platform is packed tight. Always the gentleman, I step back to let a young mother pushing a baby carriage enter first. Then, of course, the huge sliding doors crash closed smack tight on my Karma Cup bag, squeezing it so hard, I thought for sure it would burst wide open. Tossing buds, shatter and whatnot all over the subway platform and the train floor!

Fortunately, a kindly little old lady bringing up the rear, noticed my plight. With a well placed shoulder butt, she knocked my bag safely in after me, the doors slamming madly back and forth. Somehow against all odds, saving my day!

Well, it just goes to show! They say we Canucks are extremely polite. How true! Of course, being a grey haired, cranky old man probably doesn't hurt one's chances of getting treated decently either, even in our folly.

Yup! Firstly, overnight, you go from being called "Hey you!" to "Sir!", for some inexplicable reason. Then these kinda Karma Cup "senior moments" increasingly occur more and more and more often, and still somehow work out swell. But I digress .......

So, you might well ask; is there a downside to the Karma Cup? Yes, I suppose so. It costs about $700, with the "early bird special", to register and apply.

But the good news is that it's a fabulous deal! Consider the Karma Cup as a "blind test taste". You get to sample all the latest, greatest ways to toke, injest or otherwise do weed, with enough leftovers to keep one smiling throughout the long, cold, Canadian winter ahead.

Anyway, I'm now safely back at my trailer site in the woods by the lake! Everything in my big, black doctor's bag needs to be very carefully tested by September 7th. And marked between 1 to 9, according to taste, smell, medicinal effect, strength, visual appeal, texture, residue, smoothness, flush/ burn, ease of dosing, enjoyment and on and on and on ....

Important work. Someone's got to do it. I figure the best two decisions I made in life where -Number 1: to get into teaching, and Number 2: to get out of teaching. Plus, let's face it; knowing how to mark things well, sure can comes in handy, at times like this. And that I can end up grading weed, in my August years? Well, that's just plain, old fashioned good karma, pure and simple!

In my next few blogs, I'll provide my notes on the testing process. The results. And then of course there's the big Karma Cup weekend of festivities come September 8th and 9th! Stay tuned!

COMMENTS:

Notes: Links, proofread, edit y photos forthcoming, but have a sneak peak ....

Saturday morning: Strolling towards 217 Adelaide Street West, deep in Toronto's Soho entertainment district, I'm greeted by the huge, omnipresent whiff of good old weed spreading out from Karma Cup 2018. It waffles past the long line ups of eager TIFF [Toronto International Film Festival] goers, gathered outside the local movie theatres and swinging chi chi club hot spots. Offering a none to subtle enticing, hint of the reefer madness lying await just inside the Karma Cup gates!

This years tightly packed Karma Cup main stage, vendors market and outdoor lounge has been set up in a parking lot narrowly wedged between Soho's office towers, condos and converted warehouses, under the looming shadow of the CN Tower. The growing line up to get in, without an advance pass, stretches outward from the gate and around the block, by far the longest I see. Clearly, TIFF is not the only show in town this weekend!

Most of my Karma Cup weekend was spent shuffling back and forth between partying at the Vendors Market, on Saturday on Adelaide West, on Sunday at 612 Church Street, and taking in the speeches and presentations at the Vapor Central lounge on Yonge street.

First, I'd start my day, how else, but by getting high AF on all the free samples and show specials at the vendor tables. I met with the good folks from High 5, Weeds Canadian Glassware, and Shatter Blaster, all of whom I stand in awe. Ditto the fine folk from Shatterizer, where I picked up some more coils and caps, an extra charger as well as a few other cool accessories.

My vendor village favourites? For weed? Candelivery, Fukushima Pre Rolls, Lotus Toronto, Phat Farms, Sendrbud, and Top Shelf were out in force, with lots of top strains show priced at from $125-$280 [1] for a fat ounce bag! Many of them offering free same day delivery options across the GTA! Very important with a postal strike looming by Oct 17, the official legalization date in Ontario, which as we now know, will only be offering weed by mail at first!

For shatter? Extracts? Concentrates? Distillates?: Diamond was on hand with lotsa dabs of "Pineapple Express", "Gorilla Glue #4", and "Laughing Buddah". Loved the great deals on shatter at the Quadfather. The $15 "God Bud" proved impossible to turn down! Ditto Top Shelf's "Ghost Train Haze" distillate! For $25 I also scored a kool Hippie Hills"Headband" vape pen too.

Shatter was widely available, throughout the show, -ranging in price from $15 to $65 a gram, with plenty of $2-$10 dabs, and lotsa free ones too! Same for the joints, with some of the better ones, quite frankly, being in the lower price range!

In the Medibles Department? Lucky and the crew from Buudobom were back with their potent and mind expanding 10 X 10 mg gummies, also offering free delivery across the GTA. Sugar Shack Edible's 15 X 10 mg "Blazed Blueberry" dummies also helped brighten up my Karma Cup day!

I loaded up on Purple Crown's 200 mg "Choco Budz" for my post Karma Cup party back at the trailer park. Definitely one of my favourite products that I judged this year. Loaded up on Gizen's super fine rolling papers for myself and all my friends. Scored some of Mary's Teas, in particular their "Peppermint", "Sleepy Time" blends for Janet. Also their "Original Blend" instant coffee, for me. Each with 60 mg THC. Likewise, a 10 pack of High Tea's 15 gm " Chamomile Smile" proved irrestably tantalizing for a quick morning pick-me-upper. And of course, I once again picked up some infused pretzels, peanut butter and blueberry jam from SKG Bakery. Picked up one of CabaNorth's new fangled cork screw toking devices.

On Sunday, day 2 of the show, the vendors market was suddenly moved to 612 Church Street, just east of Yonge, the location for the last two Karma Cup, possibly because the Licensed Producers couldn't stand the TIFF Licensed Producers heat. [2] With less space, Sticky Zoo's huge testing tent, along with a few others, got squeezed into the tighter digs. Undeterred the show did go on! Suffice to say, Day one of the Karma Cup usually features the best product, Day 2 the best deals. This year, as in years past, neither were in short supply, plus it was one helluva huge weed party!

In my autumn years, I find myself less and less drawn to large crowds. Also, the irony of the Karma Cup, for me as a judge, is that by the time it arrives I've already toked, dabbed, rubbed on myself and ate over 130 testing samples. Whew, I'm partied out to the max and quite frankly there just isn't much more boo I can still ingest, short sticking it up my ass! [3] And so, by early afternoon each day, I'd invariably make my way to the Vapor Lounge stage for the presentations and speeches, now in search of a better way to feed my mind!

For me, the outstanding Karma Cup 2018 presenters include:

Caryma Sa'd's legal presentation on "Cannabis and the Landlord and Tenant Act." Very timely and helpful! See my blog @

CFAMM's James O'Hara on "October 17th: What to Expect?" Once again, many of our Ontario condo owners and apartment tenants will wake up to a surprise when they learn that they cannot toke in the privacy of their home, let alone out on the street. There will be endless court challenges ahead. I look forward to working with James to see what can be done.

High Society Chef Reena's "Cooking With Cannabis" lesson dished us all up big, scrumptious, THC infused vegan taco to eat, along with Reena's insights into microdosing and cooking with extracts. Chef Reena is certainly no stranger to our southern Ontario audience. Indeed, see my blog @

Peace Natural's Gordon Hagen's powerpoint show on "Legal Cannabis Extraction Challenges" provide much insight into the unreasonable government restrictions and limits which are soon to plague Canada's legal "Licensed producers" as they try to compete, with their hands tied against their back, against our flourishing underground market. Whoa! Low THC levels! Limited product! Quite frankly, as things now stand, come legalization -they are royally screwed!

Hopefully, with legalization next year, the Karma Cup can now organize and unite the show more all under one roof, or in one, integrated Karma Cup locale, so as not to divorce these all important, broadbased info presentations from the more accessible green marketing aspects of the show. It is info that we, as counterculture cannabist activists and enthusiastic will need to know in the daze ahead.

As everybody was quick to point out in their presentations, legalization in Canada is going to be one, great, big legal mess. As cannabists, we will need to be able to wrap our heads around the new Prohibition 2.0 now, more than ever before, to stop it from becoming a total horror show. At present $30 cover charge for the show includes a great green market and one helluva big pot party. That's all fine and dandy, but all the informative proactive content from the presentations certainly needs to be a more central integral part of the show, in this cannabis activists eyes!

Of course, Karma Cup 2018 was once again, a throughly excellent event, from the judging down to the vendors market, presentations and speeches etc. etc. etc. Considering weeds still not legal, it was a remarkable accomplishment, for which under the circumstances, one is loath to seek fault. Still, here's a few suggestions to make it even better in the years ahead:

Organizers: Could we possibly get the judges packages early in the summer? Testing over 130 products in two or three weeks does not really do all the fine products justice and can be quite the challenge, even for the more seasoned toker! A judge's inservice on the evaluation categories and criteria would also help everyone make sure that we are all on the same page and that we are grading the many different products correctly! Also, how about a follow up assessment with the judges after the show? Surely, we have a lot of good ground level advice to share, which otherwise is wasted ....

Contestants: Why not include more product info and instructions in the space provided on the packaging for your samples? Ingredients? Usage? Dosage? It's often quite lacking. That can be very confusing for a judge facing the daunting task of quickly testing all 130+ samples. Regretfully, I found many products in the "CBD", "Distillate", "Topical", "Terps" and "Solvent-Less" categories often, though not always lacked even the most basic info, to help us as judges better give your vast array of many often quite different products all due consideration. It certainly can't hurt you in the marks department when it comes to the very important and perhaps critical "Enjoyment", "Medicinal Effects" and perhaps even "Visual Appeal" categories, among others!

Ditto the apparent attempts to save on packaging costs, especially in the "Solvent Extracts" and "Solventless" categories. Why spoil a truly great products chances by wrapping it in a cheapo wrap or a crappy container? This makes it very difficult to correctly judge your products "Texture", besides creating a lot of doubts in the other aforementioned categories. Chances are that your sample will go through many temperature changes between when you package it and it's finally opened to be tested. Sometimes, with cheap packaging even the finest of the fine oil, shatter, resin, budder can end up little more than a horrible mess!

Last but not least, please don't scrimp on the samples. Many of this years buds weighed in at a gram, providing plentiful leftovers for second thought. However, the shatter samples seemed rather meager on the whole this year. Think about it -What happens then when we want to retry your product after testing the other samples? Is that cost cutting measure really in your best interest for winning?

In Conclusion: Please don't get be confused. These reservations are strictly meant for constructive criticism. Truly, one realizes the terrible constraints and often insurmountable challenges that must be overcome in staging a successful Karma Cup. Nonetheless, a splendid time was guaranteed for all at Karma Cup 2018!

With legalization just around the corner, Karma Cup 2018 showcased what a vibrant, top quality, free market, Canadian cannabiz can really look like. Contrast that with the tired, exploitive, corporate weed model being pushed upon us by the Trudeau government. As your retired-teacher-turned-Karma Cup judge, I can only conclude by heart fully saying; "Keep up the good work!"

So, with no further ado -Here's the Karma Cup 2018 judging results @

FOOTNOTES

1 = all prices in Canadian dollars, currently hovering at the 75 cent US range!
2 = why moved?
3 = Tho, no doubt somebody will come up with a suppository submission for next year .... Er ... er... er ...

LINKS

OK Karma Cup Fans! Here are some of my judging notes from this year's show, to compliment my "Intro" [HERE] and "Review" [THERE!]. A link to the complete results is included below. It includes the full names of all the products and producers, and how they placed.

Where to begin?!? There were a lot more buds [32] and a little less shatter [23] this year. A lot more Terps [14]. About the same "Glass" [14], "Topicals" [12] and "CBD's" [3]. A lot less "Pens" [4], "Edibles" [23], and "Solventless" [9]."Budder/ Live" is no longer a separate category. However, there were two new categories; "Distillates" [2] and "Pre-Rolls" [2].

Girl Scout Cookie strains scored well in the "Hybrid Solvent" category. As with the buds, [1- Zombie, 2-Wedding Cake, 3-Gorilla Glue #4] some of the most appealing Karma Cup strains for me, were definitely in the Hybrid category this year, with Sweet Skunk, Gorilla Glue and Locktite 777 locking up the top 3 "Hybrid Solvent" spots. Loved all the wonderful Sativa-Indica blends! Definitely, the best of both worlds!

Ghost Train Haze, Trainwreck and Grapefruit Haze were the top 3 "Sativa Buds", in that order. Ditto Frodo, Old School Haze Wax and Thai Stick, which likewise won in the "Sativa Solvent" category. Quite frankly, all the entries were very solid Sativa's! So much to sample! Ka-boom! Definitely left me high AF! 10 samples X 10 times over!

Remo Kush, Tahoe OG and Grape Pie were the top 3 "Indica Buds". Regretfully, there were only 4 "Indica Solvent" entries this year, with Death Bubba, Destroyer and Purple Terps being the top 3. At #4, the Nukem still was on par with the others. Actually it was my second choice, with the Purple Terps being my personal favourite.

Everybody loves a great THC high! The Karma Cup 2018 judge's pack certainly delivered in that department! However, I was still kind of disappointed as a medical cannabis patient. I would've like to see a lot more Indica's, not to mention CBD's at this year's show!

The Mendo Breath [#5] and Crimson Crush [#7] quite quite delightful. However, what little hash [2] there was in "Solvent-Less" pretty much got lost among the other 7 entries. Alas! This category is now a mad mix of concentrates, rosin's, oils, budder, what have you. Sometimes, the contestant's choice of containers and wraps left me judging a horrible mess. That didn't do these entries much justice, I'm afraid. Nor, in many cases, did the lack of generic info on ingredients and directions for use on many of the different substances, help much. In general, I wasn't impressed, nor did I particularly enjoy this category much this year. Messy! Messy!

I was glad to see Toronto's Sofa King Good Bakery score the #3/4 "Edible" spots with their delectable Cosmic Pretzels and Space Bombs. Sofa King is always a big hit at our local High 5 and Toronto Green Market shows too. The Twisted Tiramisu Cannabiscotti was #1 again, a huge crowd pleaser for sure. Still, I'm Italian-Canadian, so I can say it .... Biscotti?!? Reminds me of stale cookies! They're just not my thing!

There was lots and lots of chocolate to judge, that's for sure. Sadly, one of my samples had a hair in it! Blech! However, I really liked the Raw Organic Dairy Free Chocolate Bar [#17]. 100 mgs/ 10 pieces. Perhaps it's just a little too raw and organic for many stoner tastes. However, as a judge, I tended to vote for edibles with natural ingredients in them. I was glad to see a lot more this year. I know junk food is a whole lot of stoner fun, also a 420 tradition of sorts, but it's just not that great health wise, and I do eat a fair bit of medibles ....

Missed the gummy bears this year! Know there's tons of great, local gummies in the GTA alone, but they were largely MIA!

Otherwise the white Choco-budz [#2] definitely topped my Edibles list! They look just like a nice, big, fat bud and get you high AF. Break off a piece, as little or much as you wish. Then munch. Wow! A new, pot party snack favourite! For sure!

The "Topicals" also proved to be another mad pot pourri of balms, creams, soap, oils and even a sexual "personal lubricant" too. As a judge, I didn't try voting for what was the best product in each category. Really it often would be like trying to choose between apples and oranges. The Releaf spray [#7], and Mother Mary Pain Balm's [#9] sure helped soothe my sore and aching muscles after all the kayaking I've been doing out here at the lake, while I judged the Karma Cup. So although they didn't make the official Karma Cup 2018 top three, they definitely work for me.

My personal favourite? Dr. Errrl's Refreshing "Lavender Soap" [#4] is all natural. Very organic. I really enjoyed using it for bathing on the far side of the lake, during my morning swim, when I was out kayaking. Add a nice little toke. Off I go, for the day ....

I quite enjoyed Dr. Errrl's "Warm Earth" [#5] massage oil too, but my wife found it had a medicine smell about it that she didn't like. Next we tried Bast Silk [#6] a personal lubricant. I love the idea. I truly wish Bast Box only the very best in their future endeavours. However, we found it was way too watery. Very messy. Not very romantic either!

The instructions say to "apply 2 or 3 squirts of lube to your intimate areas 30-60 minutes before playtime". Unfortunately, I can't comment on any special effects the lubricant might have because, doggonit, there's no way we were going to wait around a friggin' hour to get our jollies, with wet goo smeared all over our "intimate" parts, so to speak. No way! Suppose it would've been much better to test it out with multiple partners too, strictly for ... ahem ... research purposes, but am quite sure that play could be really, really bad, love karma for me. Quite love my gal! Wasn't about to test my luck! Yiiikes! Still, after all is said and done, it was quite smooth and silky, if not very sloppy fun, when you do finally get down to it between the sheets for a good workout, if you know what I mean! Nudge. Nudge. Wink. Wink. Er ... Er ... Er ...

My favourite "Pens" were the disposable Black Dog OG [#2] and Holy Grail Kush [#4]. Quite frankly, I mostly make my own cheap refills these daze. My biggest concern would be the price, which we of course, did not know. The Terp Distillate cartridge [#3] was a nice touch. A great terp idea. The way to go. But it was rather flavourless and nondescript. Some product info on the packaging for each sample would've been a great help!

The lack of info on the "Pre-Rolls" was also very confusing. Plus consistency and price point would seem to be the real deciding factors here. Fukushima's Citrus Skunk [#1] was a very fancy joint with lots added to it, smeared and dusted on the wrapper and so on. But just what exactly? Unfortunately I couldn't really tell in a blind taste test. Dirty Dave submitted a Triple Hash Joint [#2] that I could readily taste and recognize. A fun new category, but but but ....

Super Love Potion, Super Old School Lemon and Black Dog Og were the top 3 "High Terpenes" respectively. This is a great Karma Cup category, still with a very strong medical cannabis angle to it. It was incredible to be able to try all 12 samples. I spaced them out throughout the testing and learned a lot. Came to realize, I've got a lot more to learn. Like the Karma Cup as a whole, it was a real learning experience -an invaluable one, useful for any pothead, medical or recreational, who enjoys the many flavours, moods and medicinal qualities of their favourite, different strains. Once again though -some more info please! The specific type of terp? How to use?

So, all in all, a splendid time was guaranteed for all. Karma Cup 2018 was very educational and it was truly an honour to serve as a judge again this year. One can appreciate how very hard it must be to set up, organize and run under prohibition. Please carefully consider all of the criticisms I've made here in my judges notes, in light of that.

Really, there is great weed. Then there's crud. But for the most part it all comes down to what you personally like. In the final analysis, it's what works best for you that actually counts the most in getting high. So my advice is to just consider the final judging results as but a rough guide, to help you discover what really turns you on!

Here's a link to the Karma Cup 2018 results, so that you can see the complete results, including the full names of all the products and producers I've reviewed, for your scholarly erudition of sorts! Enjoy! @ HERE!

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