Pot at the polls

I hear the AUMA has made it to the ballot. Which way are you leaning?

—Imonda Phince

The Adult Use of Marijuana Act has indeed made it to the ballot. California voters will get a chance to join states like Oregon, Washington, Colorado and Alaska by legalizing recreational marijuana use for adults. Other states with adult-use initiatives on the ballot this year are Maine, Massachusetts and Nevada.

I am going to support AUMA and do all that I can to get this initiative passed. It isn’t perfect, but it’s really, really good, and it’s high time for California to retake its proper place as a leader in the recreational cannabis industry. I have traveled extensively through Washington, Oregon and Colorado, and I have to tell you that the freedom (and the money) that comes with cannabis legalization is incredible. And dig this: If the AUMA does pass, it doesn’t mean that our jobs as activists are done. The AUMA is just a step. A big step, but there will be things we need to change, and we will need pot activists to stay involved.

This election is gonna be nutty. Last time a legalization initiative was on the ballot, people lost their minds; some folks said unnecessarily harsh things and friendships were lost. Let’s all try to remember that no matter what side of the debate we are on, we all want what is best for the cannabis plant. Also—and don’t tell anyone I said this—but the growers that can’t handle the new rules will still be able to make a living on the deep black market, at least until Idaho and Texas and Georgia pass their own legalization laws. So everyone stay polite, be nice, smoke weed and vote!

What’s the biggest epiphany you have ever had while under the influence of cannabis?

—Coffeeshop Christiana

Good question. I don’t ever think I have thought about it. I am not sure if pot is really an epiphany-giver like, say, LSD or psilocybin. I don’t think I have had any thoughts while stoned that were mind-blowing or life changing, but when I am high, I generally have a pretty good time. Weed, at least for me, is more of a flavor enhancer and a smoother-outer. I would say that cannabis reminds me that it is easier to be kind than it is to be mean.

What do you think is going to happen to Dabbenport?

—Livermore Larry

No idea. To sum up: The folks at Dabbenport Extracts (winners of the 2016 High Times Cannabis Cup for best concentrates) were arrested last month by the Livermore police. They face multiple felony charges for manufacture and sale of cannabis. Alameda County (aside from Oakland. Oakland is awesome) has been against medical cannabis since forever. Hopefully, Dabbenport’s lawyers can get the charges dropped. I wonder if Alameda will continue to prosecute if AUMA passes.