The Straight Toke - THE Marijuana Blog

Dear Julius:
I've read a couple articles recently about the DEA seizing/harassing medical users/growers in California. What's up with that? Isn't grass legal there if its [sic] used as medicine?

That's exactly what I thought when I started seeing those sort of articles -- what is up with that? After all, California passed Proposition 215

To ensure that seriously ill Californians have the right to obtain and use marijuana for medical purposes where that medical use is deemed appropriate and has been recommended by a physician who has determined that the person's health would benefit from the use of marijuana in the treatment of cancer, anorexia, AIDS, chronic pain, spasticity, glaucoma, arthritis, migraine, or any other illness for which marijuana provides relief.

Justice John Paul Stevens may well be one of the most well-articulated legalization supporters we've ever heard of:

[T]he current dominant opinion supporting the war on drugs in general, and our anti-marijuana laws in particular, is reminiscent of the opinion that supported the nationwide ban on alcohol consumption when I was a student. While alcoholic beverages are now regarded as ordinary articles of commerce, their use was then condemned with the same moral fervor that now supports the war on drugs.

Dear Julius:
I am interested in growing marijuana outdoors this summer. Do you have any tips or suggestions for what strain to grow?

First, I'll start by saying that unless it is legal to grow marijuana where you are, you shouldn't do it. I do not advise people to break local, state, national drug laws, no matter how unjust/unfair you may think them to be.

Now, assuming that it's legal to grow Cannabis where you are, here are some simple tips for growing pot outdoors: