Ed Rosenthal The Guru of Ganja

There is No Doubt What Impresses Me The Most About Ed.That is The Fact that he Never Hid.He always published Cannabis writings and evaluations that were accurate and from hands on experience.He was not afraid to say that in HIS NAME.He Never made up a Fake Persona like many do to avoid Being Prosecuted.He Put Himself Out There for the Good of the Movement.Then When they Prosecuted him he Never even Thought about A DEAL.He Took The Fight To The Feds.He had Big Time Attitude About it!!The Deal Was He Was Right and The Government was Wrong.YOU ROCK ED!!



I No Doubt Love Ed Rosenthal but you would not think so when I make cracks about him.Sorry Ed you are a Big Narcissistic Target that I Love Dearly.Ed Rosenthal is a Narcissist with Credentials.He Does Know It All when it Comes to Cannabis!He is a true American Cannabis Advocate that has taken the fight all the way to the Supreme Court and Lost but it was an important Fight.He is still in the Feds face and would not accept the conviction period.Ed was a man who was an early pioneer in the Cannabis Advocacy Department.He wrote books and was a columnist for High Times and wrote many other articles that were great and informative.He was in the City when Dan Lundgren was messing with Dennis and he grew and distributed GOOD medicine through OTHERS.He really entered the battle though when he was deputized by Oakland to grow cannabis and was busted by the Feds.He was convicted but the conviction was overturned by the 9th District Court of Appeals.He then was tried again and convicted.He was not allowed to argue that he was a deputy of Oakland and That was Wrong and they Screwed ED Good. Judge Breyer tried to make up for what he Knows is a travesty by only sentencing him to A Day and Time Served.Ed Bitched about that because he was still convicted Federal Felon and that had implications that he does not need besides it was a Shallow victory and he knew it he wanted what was right he wanted full acquittal on all counts.He was Acquitted of the Charges stemming from the Harm Reduction Center Raid.When prop 215 was passed he worked with local authorities to help implement a safe supply.He is a Big Harm Reduction Fan and I expect to hear from him soon in the political fight for legalization in California just before we go to the ballot box.He has been a long time resident in the Hills of Oakland and was helping to supply some of the early Clubs but he knew himself that his ties to High Times Magazine and his Years of Being an Advocate wouldn't go unnoticed by the Feds nor does it have a Medical Appearance.So when he did finally get in the Spotlight he was Slammed Down Hard by the Brutal FEDS.Ken Hayes went to Canada and is just now facing the Feds Fury.James Halloran got Screwed too.The crowd at the Commonwealth Club chanting FEDS GO AWAY still bring tears to my eyes ED I was there and I had my Heart in it.I know what it feels like to be persecuted for cannabis is sucks.Ed Is An Important Asset to Oaksterdam University and What he does isn't work it's Love.He is Co Founder of The Bay Area Chapter of Ajnag which is Involved in The E-Future of Cannabis(Great Work).Ed is satisfied for the most part now with being an expert witness(he CHARGES of Course)and writing an Article now and then and Teaching at Oaksterdam University.That's All!!I am Quite grateful that you were a contributor to the Patient Defense Fund.Thanks for that Kindness Ed.You are an Activist who cares About the safety of all and a Big Hero TOO.When you announced to the crowd at a Green Function in San Francisco once that you had no underwear on under you Toga it was as FUNNY as Can Be but Strange.Jeff Blushed he was in the Audience passing around a Vapor Bag.That's what Makes you so Damn Interesting Ed You Have the Balls to say What's on Your Mind.Thanks Ed for Fighting The Good Fight. GOD BLESS ALL

The Lemon Drop

Mark Belote Opened a Cozy Cannabis Dessert Spot.The Lemonade was Great.

The Chocolate Decadance Cake was out of this world.Sorry it was Not tainted and was available to Everyone.The Dispensary was Downstairs and The Goodies Upstairs.

Mark Belote was a real go-getter who opened a very Artsy dispensary and chocolate Seller.He had Nice Artwork all over the Dispensary showing his taste and appreciation for the Art World.His Chocolate Cake was GOOD and the Cannabis to go with it was the Highest Grade for 50 bucks.Mark had some very good kief and hash that everyone liked.The Girls he had dispensing were Sweethearts and I can remember them working elsewhere in the System I wish them well.Mark is a Very friendly man who would always take time to talk.He had plans to expand and wanted to become wheelchair accessible but that would have been TOO expensive.He had to many Issues that were hard to resolve so he was closed Down.It was SAD for the Lemon Drop to be closed down it had it's own little distinct Personality that Harborside can't duplicate.These sort of small cozy clean and Artsy clubs need to always be allowed,I feel that this will be sort of the way to go With Club Zs.Marks Club was a Club Z just too early,DAMN!!Mark Loves everyone and was not a Snobby Club Owner at all.He never had a problem with Ken (like Larry) he liked Ken and also purchased medicine from him a couple times.I can remember him saying Ken Picked the Business up here Big Time and he admitted it.He is not a spiteful person and I expect to see him pop up somewhere if he hasn't already and I just don't realize it.The Proliferation of Clubs was Great and should have stayed that way.Every club had it's own little personality that HARBORSIDE will never have.Lemon Drops personality was awesome.I will never forget The Lemon Drop Mark and your Damn good Chocolate Cake and Lemonade. GOD BLESS ALL

Andrews Grow Shop and Class

Andrew Glazier is a very important early Player in Oaksterdam History with his extensive Knowledge of Cannabis Growing.He Opened a grow shop next to the coop and took risks selling Light Fixtures and nutrients because he was exposed to the Feds.He was threatened by the Feds and I think that made him turn over the shop to someone else.He was quite the explainer for me when I was confused how much water and how long to soak during Hydrponic water fills.THe Champagne Gals Mist the roots.Taking a look at the Grow Jim McClelland had in the Glove Building,The Zoo(In your face FEDS) and his place in Jack London Square Area long ago was also a learning experience and I was honored and hella lucky to be trusted.I found there are so Many ways to grow.Some prefer to let the roots be in the water all the time and some soak cubes.Andrew explained the different ways to me the in the most simple way and he explained exactly what to put in DIRT when I was using that.I prefer DIRT and Nutrients as well as many other Growers now.Hydrponics is too picky and easy to make mistakes and the damn Algae was FUCKED.He helped me through it ALL.Andrew went back into Partial Absentia and GREW his ASS off and luckily he never caught a bad case.Andrew has had an angel on his shoulder for awhile.I could never figure out what he did with the Grow shop supply store on Broaway but Somehow I believe that growing was important and having connections that could have legal implications for just supplying a Product for cannabis was too great. I also believe many people in the cannabis community have no idea how much these people risk when supplying these kind of supplies.The FEDS totally came down on Advanced nutrients because they worked so well.I love those nutrients.The beneficial Bacteria are a good addition.I have made root mass Double easily in 10 days.Andrew was a founding memeber of OShaugnesseys.He has served the cannabis community well.Jeff picked him as well as Richard does now because I believe he is one of the most underrated Experts in the business.I put him in the TOP TEN he knows his shit.Then he is a very easy going man who is not even close to Narcissistic like some of the other Experts.

Larrys Compassionate Caregivers

The Compassionate Caregivers on the Third floor have always had the Commercial attitude and High Prices.He has been moving all over California like Ken and never really ran into problems until of all the Places Hollywood was being ASSHOLES and LA finally came down on the Vague USE permits.He had ambitious expansion plans that always run into problems.Larry ran into problems when his old location at 1740 Telegraph(The Third Floor)was raided and the HUGE grow shut down.THe Case Against Beyond Bomb was a dispensary Exterminator and also took down some effecient not so stealth growers.Thank God they didn't keep on going in this area because the Feds would have a field day.Larry went from the third Floor location at 1740 Telegraph to a store on Broadway/21st for a moment.The City still said NO!!I can't understand Why they were doing nothing WRONG but overcharging a bit!!This is when Larry went on his Statewide Campaign to dispenses cannabis that was Bold.I really like Drew one of his Employees who also had a link to the Butte County cannabis community like I did and was not Greedy.Sparky Rose tried doing his own thing but he was still considered a part of the Organization and had a hard time breaking free of Larry's and CCs Stigma and The Mission St Collective was turned upside down when THe Charges were filed.The Beyond Bomb Boys had really hemmed themselves into a corner when they used the Labels that were so close to Hersheys products and Hershey started throwing Lawyers at the whole damn thing.That kind of Label Mimicking lead to legal Stupid Provoked complications.Mike one of his Buyers split off and started the Green Door and a Scandal Rumor followed him and Luckily THe Feds haven't messed with The Green Door.Larry also had a decent Northern Connection but he Charged more for the Real Deal.Larry always had some decent high grades and a variety.CC had some BOMB Kiefy Romulan that was real tasty and some M39 that was incredible.Larrys TOO FAST thinking and trying to open up a dispensary everywhere put him in the Big Boys Radar and he really blew it when he could not Control the behavior around "The Yellow House"in West Hollywood.The LA Sheriffs had a hard on for Larry and he did not Squash it.The Yellow House started to get the kind of Bad Reputation The Brick House had for Ken Estes in Berkeley. I think Larry is a great advocate that will become well established in California's Cannabis business he may have been sentenced but time passes by quickly and he will come back.He hopefully will not succumb to the WEED Emporium mentality but has come CLOSE.I can remember when Larry kept copies of the Express on his table with "The Devil in The Wheelchair" Article made available along with The "When Pot Clubs go Bad" article by Chris Thompson.Ke Estes did not bad mouth Larry but Larry bad mouthed Ken.Ken was busy selling herb across the street and I was making deliveries from Humboldt.Larry's employees used to sneak into Kens dispensary because we were selling a damn good product.So was all of Oaksterdam. Larry was a very good speaker at City Hall so I really do not understand what he did wrong besides grow TOO MUCH at his dispensary and charge too much.The West Hollywood location was his downfall.The Feds Have really pulled the Plug on Larry but he will come back someday.OH WELL GOD BLESS ALL

Steve DeAngelo Top Notch Cannabis Advocate

Steve De Angelo Operates a Top of The Line Bright and Shiny Dispensary.

Steve is a CLASS ACT !

HOWEVER I feel that Steve De Angelo IS SOMEONE WHO WANTS TO COMMERCIALIZE CANNABIS AND BE A POT CEO.He really riled me up when he said BIGGER DISPENSARIES and less of them is the way to go.SCREW THAT,this is the type of thinking that clogs our medical system WITH PRICE GOUGING to begin with.He has a Dispensary that charges too much for Concentrates and Buds are priced according to growers and deals made,Harborside Charges 60 dollars an Eighth Sometimes for the highest grade.

That is High but is WAS GOOD.

I have seen that same price elsewhere for schwag in the CITY.

Harborside is a bit higher but the quality is good most of the time.The Summer months are the best test for a club and price and quality.The Pre Harvest Prices can be a bit high.The Buds are priced fair and they need to lower the price of concentrates.

Harborside has many FREEBIES that are NICE but are subsidized through the Price.I think the sit down and write a letter to a POW is an outstanding idea.The BIG PROBLEM I HAVE though is the fact that the place is huge and that is what seems to be Oaklands Medical Cannabis Future.

The small club mentality is being MURDERED!!

Please NO LARGER "Buds Are Us" Emporiums Please.The Lemon Drop just came to my mind Damn I loved that place.Mark Belote was a pleasant host.

The grower as everyone knows is always the one who makes out.Harborside Grows some of his Stock and of course has many vendors to keep up with the demand and Harborside is making MONEY and investing it in Expansion and They give Compassion to those in dire need all you have to do is sit down and write a POW a letter.Haborside has a price that is 10 dollars higher than the Green Door in the City and 15 higher than Richard.He has some grades he calls High grade for 40 and 45 and I think they are Boo Boo SCHWAG.I know my medicine and Ken still brings in some good product even though he charges 50 and is not in Oakland in a physical sense.Ken has been moving Grandaddy Purple and He still brings QUALITY product to a certain dispensaries.That GODS Gift that has been floating around is HUMBOLDT quality.Richard has a decent Eighth at a better price but the quality varies.The quality varies with it being outstanding sometimes and just OK other times but it is worth the money.That is the same for many other ORGS that also charge more than they should but have the REAL DEAL.A Huge Reality is that GROWERS can make more from LA and other venues and that dictates the price in the medical community but growing ON PREMISES can help bridge the gap but it is a High Security risk.The Big Huge Places have to go through so many checkpoints it becomes almost impersonal but it needs to be done.The STREET THUGS find a way to obtain the REAL DEAL like anyone else.They tend to use big places like Harborside but that is IMPOSSIBLE to control once it leaves the premises.Some Clubs like The GREEN DOOR in the City get a REP for serving Questionable clients.This is the reason for Club Zs then Who Cares?Harborside has a bunch of youngsters just like a few others but no one criticizes them for it because they have CARDS so WHO CARES but a Total idiot.Steve DeAngelo is a TRUE Advocate of cannabis and has Grandiose Plans I hope he Splits up and has More smaller personal Locations .Everyone has their opinion and I have mine.He has been at the forefront of safe extraction methods for concentrates and that is real good.He was and still is a professional advocate but His Corporate Thinking is not inclusive.He has the BIG way of approaching it that Irks some of us I am not alone.I get most of my meds from up north and the City so it is not MY problem.He is a bit elite and a Seeker of Followers Big time.The same for many club owners I suppose.Jack Herer his friend was totally different but they both are awesome activists.RIP Jack.Why did he start thinking SO BIG.Steve you really came off as an Exclusive elitist when you said such a thing.Oaksterdam was founded on smaller more personal clubs.I can see a Compromise if there is an allowance for SMALL competition.I REALLY WAS IRKED by the Statement he made about WEED EMPORIUMS.We didn't see Richard Trying to have a huge space and hogging market share he was opening a school TOO.

Steve DeAngelo provide a service that is very well organized and most of the PRICING is not his CALL.

But even so IT IS A TAD HIGH STEVE.

The Prices are Determined by THE LAW,Prosecutions,THEFT and POLITICS.

IT SUCKS !!

To the CITIZEN who commented on how much cash Steve DeAngelo HIMSELF is making PERSONALLY.HE HAS GREAT PERKS and He pays himself less than one would think and does give compassion out PERSONALLY to many people.

YES THE PRICE IS TOO HIGH and Mostly due to many reasons.Steve is taking a HUGE RISK heading up such an ORG..

Harborsides CUT isn't as much as one would think when he is paying most of the CASH directly to the GROWERS.Growing large amounts is EXPENSIVE,A HUGE LEGAL RISK,A HUGE SECURITY RISK,TOO DAMN POLITICAL and NOT EASY.You do not think so GROW SOME.

UNTIL the Laws change protecting the GROWERS there will be disparity in pricing.Steve grows SOME HERB and could hardly GROW all he sells without a huge LEGAL RISK so truth be known most of what you pay goes to the GROWER for taking a RISK BIG TIME.

Don't like that then get YOUR MEDICATING ASS IN MOTION and help Change the Frigging Law.OR BE WILLING TO DRIVE UP NORTH on a REGULAR BASIS and ESTABLISH a BETTER DEAL.

It isn't EASY.SCOTTY Can't Beam it up and Back down.

Running Cannabis made me a NERVOUS WRECK !!

Glad the HUGE OAKLAND GROWS MAY BE CHOPPED DOWN TO SIZE.

GREED SUCKS !!

GOD BLESS ALL

Pete Sutton Hash Oil King

Some of the most Pure Medicine in US History was produced by a Man named Pete Sutton.Pete Sutton made hash oil using the commercial grade ether method that many tried to copy and could not.Pete was told by the Feds after they busted him that his oil was anywhere from 96 to 98 percent THC and that is why it was the purest form of instant cannabis there ever was.The last VIAL of Petes OIL was saved by Kathleen Lemons and was presented to Kelly Sutton(his Widow) one day while we(Kelly and I) visited Kathleen(Kelly was a Good friend then)and KELLY SHARED IT WITH ME AND I WAS FLATTERED TO SAY THE LEAST.Kelly was in tears while we medicated thinking of her Late Husband Pete.I am NOW!!I never grew tired of her talking about Pete and I was smitten for her no doubt she was MY KIND of WOMAN.We eventually went our own ways and I expect to run into her again when the time is right.Pete Sutton delivered the Oil to only a few lucky vendors.Ken Estes was one of those.He liked Tom L from "Berkeley" also and Delivered to Jim McClelland.He lived in Oakland for awhile before moving to Reno.He loved the Oaklnad hills and lived close to Ed he said.I think he delivered some of the best OIL and concentrates ever to Oaksterdam.He would always stop off and leave 30 vials with Ken at least then go the CHAMPS and THe Hemp Center in the City and Jim McClelland and Tom L.Pete liked Ken Estes and Ken like him.Pete would get his ether from Olaff and Chemicals for Research and Industry in East Oakland before the Feds shut his doors.Jerry Brown made it clear that the days of ETHER extraction are over and he will prosecute anyone who does it now.The process is dangerous but Pete was careful and did only small batches and worked hard.I was privvy to the process and I feel it DIED with Pete because I will respect Jerrys wishes,HE's right it's dangerous.Pete was quite the Character and I am smiling thinking of him and Kelly.That damn Black Ice in April 2001 near Reno off Hwy 89 and that was it for Pete. GOD BLESS ALL

Jack Herer RIP

THE HEMPEROR

Jack Herer has died a couple days after my aunt.This is a bad week for deaths.He no doubt was one of the Older Advocates who will be missed at hemp festivals this year.He had a heart attack and never really truly recovered.He did have some great moments and I was at one of them when he really worked a crowd.I will never forget talking with him for a couple minutes during an Oregon Hemp festival.I was surprised to See him because I heard he was ILL and He seemed real jovial.He was medicating and just enjoying PEOPLE like he always did at these functions.Your strains are Kinda old school now but still good if you grow it for an extra long cycle(9 weeks)they will be better.His books were always informative and I needed some of his advice and received it because he would answer an EMAIL.Pete Sutton the OIL man loved Jack and he loved Pete.Now there both gone Damn!!THANKS JACK GOD BLESS ALL