california considers $50 an oz tax on marijuana

Above: one of this months 'cream of the crop' weed porn photo competition contenders at uk420 [click on photo for larger image].

California would legalize marijuana for recreational use and charge a $50 per oz sales tax under a bill introduced on Monday.

As California teeters on the verge of bankruptcy, the 'pot tax' bill has the public backing of Betty Yee, who chairs the state Board of Equalization, which collects taxes in California. The state would collect an estimated $1.3 billion a year from tax revenues and a $50-an-ounce levy on retail sales if marijuana were legal.

The proposal would sensibly regulate marijuana like alcohol, with people over 21 years old allowed to grow, buy, sell and possess cannabis - all of which is stupidly barred by federal law.

The proposal also has the support of San Francisco's top cop Sheriff Michael Hennessey, but some pot smokers are saying a tax of $50 an oz is too high.

• Reuters - taxing drugs could help US pay for bail outs

kellogg's 'crack' flakes banned worldwide for michael phelps pot bong sponsorship snub

Kellogg's Corn Flakes, which irresponsibly uses the word 'CRACK' in it's advertising, has been officially banned by the worldwide cannabis movement, a powerful global network with weed connections in every part of the planet and supporters from every cast, creed and class of humanity.

Cannabis users from every part of the globe are outraged that Kellogg's Crack Flakes has stopped their sponsorship of swimming hero Michael Phelps after he was pictured proving how good his lungs are with a bong of weed.

The ban on all Kellogg's products worldwide starts immediately, and is for grievous insults to the marijuana/cannabis plant and marijuana/cannabis users, plus actions likely to confuse, misinform and frighten young people.

Many young people enjoy both swimming and toking on bongs and see Michael Phelps as a great role model, and he is. Kellogg's on the other hand has shamelessly exploited and targeted young people for years. They ruthlessly market their 'crack' junkie food mix of sugar and bits of over cooked corn, cut with preservatives and other chemicals which may cause testicular cancer. Kellogg's adverts groom young people for a life time addiction to sugar and junk food. Michael Phelps is well out of there.

Kellogg's, who's global market for 'crack' flakes is tiny in comparison to the multi national cannabis industry is now facing a massive backlash as millions of people all over the world say "SNAP" and boycott Kellogg's forever. Hemp flakes and muesli is so much better for your health.

• free the phelps 8 - further outrage has been caused by the arrest of 8 people and a bong by american police who say the accused may have shared the same bong as phelps. One of the arrested had tried to sell the famous bong on ebay for 100,000 dollars, on hearing of this the local police 'bong squad' mounted a raid and are now proud owners of the historic and valuable item, claiming 'finders keepers' rights.

reefer madness to hit britain

Reefer Madness - the musical - is opening at a West End theater in London on March 24th after sell out runs in LA and 'off-Broadway' in New York.

The musical attempts to blow away the global cannabis policy credibility crunch with music and song as part of an amusing theatrical satire on the classic anti marijuana film 'Reefer Madness' which set a benchmark for being hysterical about marijuana, spreading dangerous miss information, and being utterly racist, all at the same time.

• Reefer Madness sanity talk - On Sat March 28th the 2.30pm matinee performance of Reefer Madness at the Bridewell Theatre, Fleet Street will be followed at 4pm by a free post-show discussion and Q&A with Ben Goldacre, Mike Jay and Steve Rolles on "The Demon Weed! The Past and Present of Cannabis Propaganda". Tickets are £12 Standard for unreserved seating, or you can even get a £20 Reefer Addict Sponsorship Ticket.

obama backs medical marijuana

Repeating a promise made during the presidential campaign, the Obama administration yesterday vowed to stop the federal government from interfering in states with medical marijuana laws as soon as they can appoint a new head of the DEA.

"The president believes that federal resources should not be used to circumvent state laws, and as he continues to appoint senior leadership to fill out the ranks of the federal government, he expects them to review their policies with that in mind," White House spokesman Nick Shapiro told reporters.

Obama promised a hands-off policy on medical marijuana during his campaign, but since he took office the DEA, led by Bush appointed Acting Administrator Michele Leonhart, has nonetheless raided at least three medical marijuana dispensaries in California, each time seizing money and medicine, but making no arrests.

The administration's renewed commitment to respecting states with medical marijuana laws follows thousands of phone calls to the White House, plus a flood of comments on change.gov, all calling for the President to make good on his campaign promise. Americans for Safe Access, the nation's largest medical cannabis advocacy organization, greeted the statement with strong approval.

"Americans for Safe Access acknowledges President Obama's continued pledge to end federal interference with state medical marijuana laws," commented Caren Woodson, Director of Government Affairs. "We look forward to working with the President and his Administration to enact long-term policies that support safe and legal access to cannabis for therapeutic use and research."

Meanwhile, Sarah Pullen, a DEA spokeswoman refused to offer any explanation for the raids. "I can't get into details as to the probable cause behind the warrants," she said. "Except for the fact that they're dealing with marijuana, which is illegal under federal law."

Perhaps the DEA dead enders were trying to throw down a challenge to the incoming President, lest he get any ideas about actually reforming our disastrous war on drugs. Or perhaps it was just an easy payday.

An employee of Beach Center Collective in Playa del Rey told the Los Angeles Times that DEA officers confiscated so much property that the dispensary would not be able to reopen.

"They took everything," said the 32-year-old employee, who asked not to be named. "You name it, they took it - right down to the television. The computer, patient files, medicine, cash in the register - that's it, we're done. It's just too bad. [Our patients] have epilepsy, cancer, MS, diabetes - two of our patients have one leg. They're gonna have to travel a lot farther and go to places that aren't as safe for them."

• COOL COP DRUG TZAR - Apparently Obama is planning to appoint Seattle Police Chief Gil Kerlikowske as the next US 'Drugs Tsar'. Kerlikowske has a good reputation for being sensible and rational about drug policy and believes that arresting people for personal possession is a waste of national resources. Reacting to the news of the likely appointment, Joanna McKee, co-founder and director of Green Cross Patient Co-Op, a medical-marijuana patient-advocacy group said "What a blessing — the karma gods are smiling on the whole country, man.