Greetings! I am a consumer, cultivator and tireless advocate for the legalization of both Industrial Hemp and personal/medical marijuana use and cultivation. My belief system regarding the value and politics of marijuana began forming while I was making deliveries for my ma as I was just entering my teens ...and, as such, has become part of my DNA. I am young enough to still enjoy a good puff, and old enough to remember the introduction of sensimilla to my hometown of Detroit, MI in the early 70's. My experience with cultivation began when I was 12 and I discovered a handful of seeds that were still in my jeans pocket after cleaning a batch for my mother -- while at my grandparents near Port Huron, MI [eek!] -- I panicked and threw them on the ground next to my grandparents garage. Needless to say, and master-gardener grandparents aside, the plants that resulted were more prolific with the passing of every season, and my grandfolks spent many, many hours every year attempting to eradicate the "evil weed" ...all to no avail. I began to recognize the value of industrial hemp while designing, managing and producing content for an environmental website during the Gore/An Inconvenient Truth debacle. As my own belief system formed around the advent of the Global Warming debate and my own understanding of fierce but delicate eco-systems (I lived in Gulf of Alaska coastal communities for 30+ years while I built a commercial fishing career and F/V fleet) I began researching sustainable ways to bolster the planets' 'immune system'. Since those early days I have written, referred, argued and testified at legislative hearings to encourage the DEA to re-classify industrial hemp. So, though I have lost many battles, the war is far from over. Now retired from fishing, I am -- and have always been -- a writer and techie who is family-oriented. I am currently working on my memoirs (don't look for the finished project anytime soon...still young, it is a work-in-progress that I savor every day) while I enjoy the company of my young nephews and the climate in Southern California. I am also an Internet Marketing Consultant and a student at Writer's Digest University. So, thanks for stopping by for the R&R! And remember -- industrial hemp is a resource, NOT A DRUG.
Welcome to the city! I love seeing people actively being involved in changing the laws, always puts a big smile on my face and motivates my own efforts. We can take comfort in the fact that legalizing cannabis has come so far since we were younger, it's only a matter of time until everyone who wants to enjoy it can do so in peace. You appear to be a very experienced and intelligent person and I look forward to seeing you out there in the forums.