Pubdate: Thu, 01 Aug 2013
Source: Sacramento News & Review (CA)
Copyright: 2013 Chico Community Publishing, Inc.
Contact:  http://newsreview.com/sacto/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/540
Author: Ngaio Bealum

PENS AND E-HIGHS

Is California really gonna outlaw vapor pens?

- -Vinny the Vapor

The state isn't trying to outlaw vapor pens: It is trying to keep you 
from using your pen indoors. California Senate Bill 648 would treat 
using an electronic cigarette or vapor pen just like a real 
cigarette, making it a misdemeanor to vaporize in nonapproved areas. 
No more vaping at the movies or on the elevator or at your desk at 
work. This bill is ostensibly aimed at the e-cigarette industry, but 
cannabis users also have skin in the game.

The California branch of the National Organization for the Reform of 
Marijuana Laws issued a letter to the Assembly, stating that S.B. 648 
"would adversely impact public health by discouraging safer 
alternatives to smoking. 'Medical cannabis users already find it 
difficult to find a legal place to medicate under current 
anti-smoking laws,' says California NORML Director Dale Gieringer. 
'Precluding the use of vaporizers will only make matters worse. The 
state should encourage, not discourage, the substitution of 
vaporizers and e-cigarettes for smoking.'"

I can see both sides. People love the convenience of being able to 
"light up" without having to stand in the wind and rain. But for 
other people, the idea of anyone doing drugs in their vicinity is 
upsetting. The bill is scheduled to be considered by the Committee on 
Governmental Operations on Wednesday, August 7. Call or email your 
representative if you have an opinion.

I would like to start a collection of books about marijuana. Where 
should I start?

- -Billy Budd the Bookworm

Good question. There are oodles of good books about weed. I know I 
mention Jack Herer's The Emperor Wears No Clothes every eight columns 
or so, but it's one of the best books about the history of weed ever. 
When it comes to books about growing weed, I like The Secrets of the 
West Coast Masters by Dru West, Marijuana Buds for Less from Ed 
Rosenthal and Marijuana Outdoors; Guerilla Gardening by Jorge Cervantes.

If you like the picture books, check out the offerings at Green Candy 
Press (www.greencandypress.com) and Rosenthal's Quick Trading Company 
(www.quick trading.com). Dank 2.0, from renowned West Coast cannabis 
cultivator Subcool, is especially good.

Wait. I just used the Internet to look for books about weed, and it 
turns out that Amazon.com has a pretty good list. I may not agree 
with the order, but I like all the books on the list. Look it up. 
Enjoy yourself.

Have the feds figured out what they are going to do about Washington 
and Colorado?

- -Curious Sam

Not yet. However, on July 21, the California Democratic Party passed 
a resolution asking the feds to leave Washington and Colorado alone. 
To wit: "The California Democratic Party requests: President [Barack] 
Obama to allow the newly enacted marijuana legalization laws in 
Colorado and Washington to go into effect with no federal interference."

This is awesome sauce with hash on it. The fact that a mainstream 
political party has passed a resolution supporting marijuana means we 
are winning.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom