The 22nd HIGH TIMES Cannabis Cup

Celebrate the most amazing year in modern marijuana history at the 22nd Annual HIGH TIMES Cannabis …

Mon Jul 27, 2009 more videos 20

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Activism, Athletics and Agriculture at the 2009 NORML Conference

Mon, Sep 28, 2009 5:17 pm


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September 24-26, San Francisco, CA -- Many, many marijuana activists left their hearts in San Francisco this weekend, especially those of us destined to return to states decidedly less free and rational than California when it comes to cannabis. After three days of inspiring speeches and informative panels, followed by three nights of epic merrymaking, the highly optimistic attendees at this year’s annual national NORML Convention will hopefully head home with a firm resolve to work hard and continue the amazing momentum of the marijuana movement this year.

 

With legalization all over the news, and the economy driving a serious debate about the benefits of “green jobs” and increased tax revenue, many notable speakers identified this moment as a potential “tipping point,” including PBS travel host Rick Steves, Marijuana Reconsidered author and Harvard professor Lester Grinspoon, and, fittingly, Tom Ammiano, the California State Assemblyman whose “tax and regulate” legalization bill, introduced last spring, strongly contributed to the brushfire of grassroots activism that’s still growing across the country.

 

In the wake of Michael Phelps’ bong smoking photo, one of the most interesting panels of the weekend brought together former NFL All-Pro lineman Mark Stepnoski, Mixed Martial Arts champion Toby Grear, and professional wrestler Rob Van Dam for a discussion of “Cannabis and Athleticism.” While all of the panelists reported that marijuana helped them in their sports careers, whether as a way to relax after competition or as an effective, safe pain reliever – only Van Dam described toking up right before entering the ring.

 

Naturally, the conference also featured top marijuana activists from across the country, including NORML founder Keith Stroup, NORML Executive Director Allen St. Pierre, Drug Policy Alliance founder and Executive Director Ethan Nadelmann, former Seattle Police Chief Norm Stamper, NORML’s Daily Audio Stash host Russ Belville, Mason Tvert, Paul Armentano and Steve Fox, authors of Marijuana is Safer, and Oaksterdam proprietor Richard Lee, whose campaign for “The Regulate, Control, and Tax Cannabis Act of 2010” may have inspired Dr. Grinspoon’s suggestion of changing the name of NORML to the National Organization for the Repeal of Marijuana Laws.

 

Agriculturally minded attendees, meanwhile, filled the room for HIGH TIMES Senior Cultivation Editor Danny Danko’s presentation: “More Root, More Fruit: Growing Medical Marijuana in the Era of Plant Limits.” Fresh off an amazing tour of Northern California, Danko shared some of his jaw-dropping photos from that trip and ably addressed the concerns of medical marijuana growers seeking big yields while following the law. Danko also took questions on all aspects of cultivation and participated in a discussion on “vegaponic” growing techniques with former HIGH TIMES cultivation reporter and current medical marijuana consultant Kyle Kushman.

HIGH TIMES also received an award from NORML named after longtime board member Hunter S. Thompson, in recognition of the magazine's positive portrayal of marijuana in the media and 35 years of staunch support for NORML. HIGH TIMES "head honcho" Michael Kennedy accepted the award on behalf of the entire staff with a rousing, inspiring speech in favor of true "grassroots" activism.

Finally, with so much good news for the cannabis community “floating in the air,” leave it to the kind folks at the Harborside Health Center to outdo themselves once again with a closing night party for the ages. The self-dubbed “Extravaganja” allowed old and new friends to put their heads together one last time before the smoke cleared for another year. Perhaps before too long we’ll have a chance to look forward to the first annual conference of the National Organization That Repealed Marijuana Laws!  



» add a comment

spun bun

Oct 26 2009, 4:35 am

Should people be allowed to eat Big Macs?

Should people be allowed to consume any unhealthy foods at all?

Should people be allowed to play football despite the risk of serious injury?

Should people be allowed to skydive or rock climb?

Should people be allowed to ride in cars without seatbelts?

Should unprotected sex between consenting adult strangers be allowed?

Should consenting adults be allowed to have sex in exchange for money?

Should adults be permitted to ingest marijuana for health reasons?

Should adults be permitted to ingest marijuana for mere personal pleasure?

Should competent adults be allowed to voluntarily end their lives if they choose?


who decides what free Americans can and cannot do anyway.

HU210

Oct 3 2009, 8:32 am

Legalize it!

http://cannabisculture.com/v2/content/descriminalization-decrim-myths-decrim-facts#

kush

Oct 2 2009, 3:30 pm

WE HAVE THE CHANCE TO TAKE THE MILLIONS AND MILLIONS AWAY FROM MEXICO, CAL GROWS THE BEST! GIVE THE USA THE MONEY WE NEED IT MORE ! 21 AND OLDER,,,,,,THINK OF THE EXPORT MONEY TOO,WE THE USA SENDS ALCOHOL AND CIGERATTES ALL OVER THE WORLD,ADD MARJUANA TO THAT LIST,,,

IAMZMOLE

Oct 1 2009, 3:26 am

We may as well finally get with the times and legalize marijuana. The amount of tax payers dollars that goes toward the effort intricate this plant is enormous. We waste precious space within our prisons and jails, to house people for a very dumb law and in the end it just becomes another way the courts, police, and politicians, to create a sort of anti pot industry for themselves. Important police resources are spent chasing down pot dealers and growers when those resources could be used elsewhere. If they decide to actually consider this an option they better not make a thin line that you and I would have to walk. JUST LEGALIZE IT AND DEAL WITH IT!!!!!!!!!! Regor.........

Fuck Anonymous

Sep 30 2009, 4:52 pm

You are an imbecile. KoL is one of the hardest working bands out right now. Go play in a busy street you fuck.

RVD

Sep 30 2009, 1:29 pm

before i knew RVD as a cannabis activist, i knew him as my favorite wrestler in ECW. high flying, athletic, quick, progressive, intelligent are five adjective i'd use to describe his unique style. yes i knew what "RVD:420" alluded to, but as a teenager i always thought "surely he doesn't REALLY smoke pot, nobody in that good of shape can be a pot smoker, after all, isn't pot like cigarettes?" man, i was wrong about everything. we need more current professional athletes to lead a charge for change....how many starting pitchers in MLB toke up? PGA pros? the NBA?

stepnoski

Sep 30 2009, 1:25 pm

also, mark stepnoski looks amazing for a former NFL center. A lot of O-lineman retire and then fall into obesity...glad to see mr. stepnoski has dropped some weight and looks athletic, not massive

anon

Sep 30 2009, 11:33 am

I blaze at least once a day and i run track at a division 1 school, I run the mile in 4:06... marijuana at least in the short term is not bad at all

FUCKING HOSTILE

Sep 29 2009, 11:10 pm

RVD RULES

the informer

Sep 29 2009, 4:09 pm

if he can get as much worldwide public support during this upcoming month before November, It will be enough to help Marc Emery out against being extradited to the U.S. and he will get to stay in Canada and still have plans, tell everyone about this that you know will support Marc Emery Right now, go to cannabisculture.com to find out how to help.

The informer (update)

Sep 29 2009, 2:42 pm

Marc Emery is in a canadian jail and needs worldwide public support to keep his ass away from U.S. extradition, go to cannabisculture.com for find out how to help.

the informer

Sep 29 2009, 2:17 pm

Has anyone been to pot.tv?, Marcy Emery might still need help with public support to get his ass away from getting extradited to the u.s., go to cannabisculture.com to find out what you need to know to help if still possible.

anonymous

Sep 29 2009, 1:41 pm

keep the batteries out of your cell phones, all phones have technology, they have GPS's and hearing devices when the battery is in, on or off..

the informer

Sep 29 2009, 1:18 pm

long story short, the world is still corrupt, bests options are freedom of choice, either decriminalize bud, or create new laws governing leveled laws that every human should have such as how many quantities of property someone can have, or rebel against inhumane corrupt laws, or wait for jesus's second return, etc. seek help where ever you can people.

Jokerneck1q

Sep 29 2009, 11:46 am

Hey it's your favorite can of tuna : jokerneck1q !!!! Judge Karen Bennett-Haron let me off with only a slap on the wrist! My public defender Mr. Len Avantz had me plead guilty to the 2nd DUI and possession of 1oz. or less of marijuana and I was given 58 hours of community service, no fine and no jail time! No more Vegas for me. South Weber, Utah! So it's not the end of the world. Haha, just kidding.

for what it's worth

Sep 29 2009, 11:15 am

HATE SPEECH IS NOT PROTECTED SPEECH.
i'M SURE THAT EVEN EVEN A TERRORIST INFESTED RATHOLE LIKE TORRONTO HAS LAWS AGAINST BROADCASTING HATE SPEECH. i'M ALMOST CERTAIN THAT THREATENING DEATH OR INJURY TO WORLD LEADERS BOTH PRESENT AND FORMER IS ALSO A VIOLATION OF INTERNATIONAL LAW. I'M 100% SURE THE RETARD THREATENING A NEW '9/11' IS ALSO VERY AWARE THAT HIS HATE SPEECH WILL BE PASSED ALONG TO THE PROPER PEOPLE AND THEY WILL FIND AND ARREST HIM. wHERE IS THE PATRIOT ACT WHEN WE ACTUALLY NEED IT? OBVIOUSLY THEY ARE TOO BUSY RAIDING MEDICAL CLINICS OUT WEST TO TAKE NOTICE OF THESE THREATS WE ARE SUBJECTED TO HERE EVERYDAY.

fuck off radiation fucktard

Sep 29 2009, 11:06 am

of course animals feel no remorse. Keep holding your head up you fucking retard. And keep sucking those dicks for smack you looney tunes asshole. Free tin foil hat with high times subscription these days. Most people just come to read the articles about pot, but the radiation retard brainwashing and hitler youth antisemetic and homophobic rantings are a new added bonus. way to go high times. There is some animal threatening a new '9/11' on your website everyday, yet you continue to do nothing. Does the illegality of marijuana prevent you from contacting the FBI/Homeland security? That is a shame. You can possibly save lives, yet the moderators continue to allow this fourm to be a billboard for radiated wanna be terrorists with neither balls or a clue to spew their hate speech and insane rantings. epic fail yet again high times. epic fail.

anonymous

Sep 29 2009, 4:03 am

their will be no remorse
i will always hold my head up

anonymous

Sep 29 2009, 1:53 am

The only drugs the human needs is cannabis, opiates and caffeine, cannabis cures all internal trauma, opiates for severe pain and caffeine for everyday well being. and all is being altered by the Jews.. cannabis here, the cia is crossing G13 with hemp... and all morphine is being altered but its needed for all humans......

Merkel vs. Sarkozy

Sep 28 2009, 10:56 pm

War in the E.U.

james

Sep 28 2009, 7:41 pm

dave - have u been smokin weed or ur own pole? fucking dumbass, and the pulmonary artery is in ur heart, nowhere near ur brain.

American foolishness

Sep 28 2009, 6:44 pm

American citizens are at an all time high risk environment for contracting cancer. We have a 1 in 3 chance of contracting
some form of cancer.
Indian citizens,where cannibus has always been used for food,medicine and recreational,are at a 1 in 10 chance of contracting cancer.
And numbers don't lie. They can be interpreted many ways,but
it would seem very important too find out why such a discrepancy in cancer cases exists.

Dave

Sep 28 2009, 5:34 pm

the guy in toronto is world killas number 1 hit with nuclear and biological oxided. Every business owner is involved they told them that he is related to Hitler. The Jews have technology that they implant in the pulmonary artery and they can really read the thoughts in your mind and they use it against you but in a court of law thoughts that are thought in your head without saying or writing it on paper is irrelevant so they communicate with the owner and tell them to spray your food you can not beet the government with their technology and money. Everyone works for the government, yeah they sell drugs, fuck prostitutes, murder, anything that turns on a prostitute. They like to buy homes and murder their victim with torture in privacy, it all starts with the prostitutes they have sex with.... one thing is when the government wants to kill you they will if your white with biological and nuclear radiations and black a gun. Get even!!

mba1189

Sep 28 2009, 5:24 pm

It is refreshing to hear about all of this news, however I still would LOVE to see/hear more on national news networks. More Specifically Donald Tashkins findings on how Cannabis does not cause lung cancer. Lets keep the ball rolling...

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