Special of the Day: Kung Pao Dan Tang
June 26th, 2009 by Rick
Anyone that is a fan of the show Weeds, would appreciate a story coming out of Colorado about a drug ring network that was busted that eventually led to the arrest of Dan Tang, owner of the Heaven Dragon restaurant that catered to many politicians for many years.
Despite a possible leak at the time, the operation named Fortune Cookie, busted 25 houses that had more than 24,000 marijuana plants spread out between them. Around $3m in cash was also recovered, along with $1m worth of grow equipment.
Jeff Sweetin, special agent in charge of the Denver field division of the DEA, said:
It’s the largest, most organized indoor grow operation I have ever seen.
Tang himself has only been charged with money laundering in the case, but the U.S. Attorney’s Office plans on making him the last person to be put on trial for connection to the drug ring. Twenty people have already been charged with state and federal crimes ranging from growing pot to distributing it and even money laundering and fraud.
Former Congressman Wants to Legalize Drugs
May 27th, 2009 by RickThe drug legalization movement received an unexpected ally last Wednesday, when always outspoken former Republican Congressman, Tom Tancredo, gave a speech at the Denver Lincoln Club in Colorado in front of a mostly conservative audience. He says the drug war has been a failure and that it’s time to legalize drugs before the cartel violence, that has already crossed the border, becomes any worse.
Another reason to legalize, Tancredo says, is because the children are able to get drugs before they can get alcohol. This is the classic argument when it comes to legalization and the kids – dealers don’t check ID’s.
Some believe that Tancredo plans to run for Governor or even Senator for Colorado (even though he himself has not decided on what he’ll be doing) and feel that speaking out against prohibition and siding with drug legalization is political suicide.
Tancredo says:
People may not be ready for this, all I’m asking the people to do is to think about this issue, very carefully.
Tancredo also wants the states to individually legalize drugs in their own way and then have the other states, unsure of what direction to go in, to use them as an example. Question is, which state would take that leap of faith and open up a whole new can of worms with the federal government by legalizing drugs?
Pro Pot Group Proposes $5 Fine
May 22nd, 2009 by RickEven though Colorado legislature passed a law in 2001 that brought marijuana possession from a misdemeanor to a petty offense, one little town named Longmont is apparently still reaping in the rewards of the cash cow system created by the war on drugs.
A group called, Free Marijuana in Longmont, wants the $100 fine and possible jail time for possession of marijuana reduced to $5. They feel community service and a $25 fine, instead of jail time and $100 fine is the way to go for public display or consumption of marijuana. This would just be a change for the adults however, the minors would still have to fork over their drug lunch money and allowance and pay the current fine.
The group plans to bumrush city council members the next time they hold a meeting and basically give them an ultimatum of agreeing to changing the code or they would send out petitions and collect signatures to get the issue on the ballot in November and therefore let the people decide.
Although medical marijuana is legal in Colorado, Paul Tiger, another Longmont resident worries about the chances of people smoking marijuana for recreation and not medication if it’s decriminalized and the penalties are reduced.
Kevin Clowers, leader of the group, uses the logic that if the fine is reduced to something like $5 then the authorities won’t bother in chasing the potheads and thus they save money in the long run with the courts and freeing up police officers to go after the real bad guys.
Teen Denied Entry to Prom Because of Pot
May 12th, 2009 by Rick
It’s a case of he said she said in Brighton, CO, where 18-year old Sarah Heideman is smoking mad that her school ruined her prom.
Apparently Heideman and her date, Jason Schweinsberg, tried to get into the Wings Over the Rockies Museum in Denver, where the Brighton High School prom was being held. It is unclear as of yet who it was, but someone refused them entry because they smelled of marijuana.
Heideman claims a Brighton High School Resource Officer turned them away but a spokesperson from the Brighton Police Department said that it was a school official. The school district spokesperson said that it was an officer out of Denver.
Turns out 20-year old Jason Schweinsberg is a medical marijuana patient and under Colorado medical marijuana law is allowed to use marijuana to relieve his intense pain that he gets from a car accident that he was involved in. Schweinsberg said he hadn’t used the marijuana for hours before going to the prom and Heideman insists that she doesn’t smoke weed.
Heideman is looking for an apology and $460 rembursed to her to cover costs for the runied prom including; dinner, tickets, hair and dress. Heideman’s attorney, Robert Corry, may be seeking a lawsuit.
theFreshScent’s 2009 4/20 Wrap-up
April 22nd, 2009 by RickA Collection of YouTube Videos for 2009’s 420
Check out these YouTube videos of people celebrating 4/20 all over the country.
[Santa Cruz, CA] Partied like Potstars in UC Santa Cruz
Everyone usually arrives early to walk around and truly enjoy the festivities before heading off to Porter Meadow to light up at 4:20 p.m. Mother Nature threw some heat Santa Cruz’s way on 4/20. At UC Santa Cruz, the brave people that did venture forth into the baking sun, carried water bottles and suntan lotion.
A newly added oddity to the party were religious, sign-wielding protesters. If anyone needed pot clearly it was those that were questioning the morality of smoking pot and holding signs that read ‘Highway to Hell’. Even bare chested dudes blowing smoke into their faces didn’t entice them to come to the dark side.
All in all, the 96ºF heat didn’t result in any medical incidents and the police got a chance to rescue a dog trapped in a car that had it’s windows up. 5-0 were also happy to give out 200 parking citations.
[Boulder, Denver] No Tickets Issued for Possession
Roughly between 8,000-10,000 people showed up at the University of Colorado for their 4/20 rally. At 4:20 p.m. they let out a cheer and a cloud of smoke filled the air.
Another 3,000 people showed up at the Civic Center Park in Denver, CO. People heard live music and speeches from activist groups. 80 police officers were present as well but no drug arrests were made.
[Vancouver, BC] 4/20 Draws Another Big Crowd
Vancouver’s huge 420 Bash at the Art Gallery had all kinds of people, from all different walks of life; they all had one thing in common — the love of cannabis. This video is from Thorny Bleeder Records and gives you a quick run down of the kinds of activities and people that made the event what it was.
It starts off with a questionable taste of music and an even more questionable dental plan. Then after some of the crowd is shown, some retro dressed clown trying to emulate the naked cowboy from Times Square says ‘I want to be high!’ You and everybody else buddy!
It’s a time when people can come together and vendors can capitalize on the cannabis craze by advertising their kush buds. It looked like a peaceful event, not a cop in sight. The Canucks really know how to throw a party.
Family Guy 420 Episode
If you missed the Family Guy 420th episode on April 19th, then visit Hulu and watch the latest episode with limited commercial interruption.
This year’s 4/20 has come and gone but here’s to the next 4/20, look for theFreshScent to have a significantly larger impact on the holiday.
Edit: Joy & her significant other tied the knot on 4/20. Congratulations to you both! :)
Colorado University Holds Largest 4/20 Event
April 15th, 2009 by Erin
While most of us will be rolling joints and crafting gravity bongs out of household objects with our friends to celebrate my favorite holiday (4/20), the Colorado University chapter of NORML will be holding the largest organized annual 4/20 event in the world… and this year is extra special.
With the growing awareness of the importance of cannabis legalization comes increased participation and support from marijuana activists all over the world. NORML is encouraging college chapters of NORML and SSDP to hold marijuana discussions and gatherings next week to encourage a fresh perspective on cannabis laws and the much-needed reformation.
Next weekend at the University of Colorado at Boulder will consist of panels and speakers, doctors, lawyers, students, activists and professors as well as supporters of cannabis prohibition engaging in discussions, and anyone and everyone is encouraged to attend.
If you’re lucky enough to reside in the area, I highly recommend you consider making a stop and listen to some of the speakers; your voice and support is vital to the marijuana movement!
National Marijuana Forum
April 18-20, 2009
University of Colorado, Boulder
Click right here for a complete schedule.
Colorado Battles Meth With Television Program
January 9th, 2009 by Perry
In an effort to raise awareness of the drug’s dangers, all Colorado television stations will be airing “Childhelp Crystal Darkness,” an hour-long documentary about methamphetamine abuse.
Jeannine Truswell, United Way of Weld County’s executive director, said:
The hope is that many of these will be families and individuals seeking help with meth addiction. This is a night for families to block out everything else and watch this together. We believe it will make a difference in many, many lives. Meth is so destructive to our children, our families and our community. We have to come together to take a stand against this terrible drug.
The program and its showing are the results of a grassroots campaign started by the United Way. “Childhelp Crystal Darkness” will feature testimonials by recovering addicts from all over the state.
Federal Heights Reduces Marijuana Penalties
January 7th, 2009 by Perry
In Colorado, penalties for possessing pot in certain areas just got a little more affordable.
The city council in Federal Heights recently dropped the fine from $1,000 to $500. Most cities in Colorado only have a fine of $100, which was one of the reasons used to justify the reduction.
Mayor Joyce Thomas said it was an initiative to move city law closer to state law.
