Category Archives: California

From PotHead to Pot Educator

By Bart Bright

I once was pure Libertarian, an ally of Dennis Peron, and especially a Libertarian when it came to marijuana. Here’s how I transformed from a PotHead to a passionate Pot Educator.  My love of children makes this urgent.  ……

 It was in the 1970s, growing up in Marin County, that I became a pothead.  I went to college in San Francisco. My roommates and I grew pot in our apartment. It wasn’t so unusual at the time.  Continue reading From PotHead to Pot Educator

California Child Cannabis Poisonings taken up by AB1207

At long last, California has taken action to stop the surge of cannabis poisonings in children. The Cannabis Candy Child Safety Act, AB1207, passed in the legislature and went to Governor Newsom’s desk for his signature last week.   It won’t solve the problem, but it may keep California emergency rooms slightly less busy.

The California State Senate voted 23 Aye, 10 No and the Assembly voted 63 Aye, 0 No,  landmark measure.  Introduced by Assemblymember Jacqui Irwin of Thousand Oaks, The Cannabis Candy Child Safety Act – will implement key measures to protect children and youth. It defines more clearly types of unacceptable products, packaging, and labeling attractive to children or teens. Continue reading California Child Cannabis Poisonings taken up by AB1207

Marijuana Legalization is Closely Linked to the Homelessness Crisis

There’s no question that marijuana and other drugs – in combination with mental illness or other disabling conditions – are essential contributors to chronic homelessness.”   Senator John Hickenlooper made that statement when he was governor of Colorado in 2017.

This is one of the results of the legalization of marijuana in Denver, and we’re going to have to deal with it.”  Mayor Michael Hancock was talking about a violent incident on 16th Street Mall.  He described the “urban travelers” who came to Denver following legalization.  That was seven years ago, and a new mayor will have to deal with the problem, a problem that now extends to more cities.

Photos of unhoused people living in squalid camps of Los Angeles (shown above), Portland and Seattle show up in our social media feeds.  They’re taking over the streets in San Francisco, Vancouver and Denver.  New York City, with its 1400 illegal pot shops, has a growing homeless population, too.

And although homelessness is a national problem, and substance abuse is not the only cause, the common factor of the worst-hit cities and states is legalized marijuana. In some areas, it has reached crisis levels.  Even local leaders have declared a state of emergency to address the urgency of the situation.
Continue reading Marijuana Legalization is Closely Linked to the Homelessness Crisis

A beautiful voice, a beautiful light lost to this world

Krystal Kazmark’s sudden passing in a tragic, preventable car crash left an irreplaceable space in the hearts of her parents, Mary and Craig Kazmark, and her brother Kyle.  

Krystal performed an inspirational song of tribute to her classmates at the Palos Verdes High School graduation in 2013.  But, on July 25, 2020, the light went out instantly for this young lady who was so vibrant and full of life. She was a California girl. Continue reading A beautiful voice, a beautiful light lost to this world