Swaggering at the ERNC?

Tim Ryder July 14, 2011 at 02:11 am

Thanks Ajay, actually I was there to help fulfill the educational mission of my (grass)roots organization-Cannabis Clubs United With the Community-to try to educate the council on this unique plant from which medical marijuana comes from. Bringing a real marijuana plant in would probably have gotten me 10 years in jail so I had to make do with some native Eagle Rock brand.

Ajay Singh (Editor) July 14, 2011 at 02:36 am

Tim: I thought there was just one cannabis plant—cannabis sativa—the one that, as you say, would get you 10 years of anything but bliss. What on earth is this native Eagle Rock brand that throws the DEA?

Tim Ryder July 14, 2011 at 05:42 pm

Good question, Ajay, there are actually (3) species of Cannabis, two of which are available for medical purposes, cannabis sativa and cannabis indica. I only know this because I have been educating myself about this plant the last year or so. There has been so much fear mongering, misinformation and propaganda put out by the un-American Prohibition crusaders that I had to do my own research on this unique plant. You can go to my website at www.CCUWC.org for more information on how I am exposing the lies and distortions of the Prohibitionists in our Eagle Rock community.

Ajay Singh (Editor) July 14, 2011 at 05:50 pm

Thanks, Tim. Which one was the plant you brought to the ERNC meeting—sativa or indica?

joyce hong July 14, 2011 at 06:21 pm

Thank you Tim, I really wish more people in out community were as thoughtful and level headed as you are. Unfortunately lies and misinformation is continually spread about this plant. I applaud your effort to inform the community about cannabis and its properties.

Michael Larsen July 15, 2011 at 01:11 am

Ajay, I might be wrong, but I think that's a papyrus plant. Of course, if I'm wrong, I offer my utmost sincere apologies to the plant. One must always be careful not to mischaracterize , malign, demonize, or morally undermine any plant... especially papyrus.

Ajay Singh (Editor) July 15, 2011 at 06:03 am

Michael, if you're right, I must ask Tim what's the story here. The life-saving properties of papyrus?

Philipp Sander July 15, 2011 at 06:06 am

Bringing written word and knowledge to mankind, Ajay!

Ajay Singh (Editor) July 15, 2011 at 06:35 am

Papyrus pun: The hand that wields the plant defeats the Feds.

Tim Ryder July 15, 2011 at 04:38 pm

Thanks Joyce, I actually believe most people in the community are supportive of the medical marijuana collectives because most people understand the "War on Drugs" has been an insane failure and adults have a fundamental Right to their bodies and choice of medical treatment. Mr. Larsen may disagree but that's just his opinion and our Rights are not subject to his or any other public servant's fanciful whims.

Michael Larsen July 15, 2011 at 04:53 pm

I support the concept of Medical Marijuana 100%. I just think it should be well regulated to ensure the safety and well being of the patients and communities. Right now there are no such regulations in place on any level, local, state or federal. This concerns me. What do you think about the lack of regulation?

Tim Ryder July 15, 2011 at 06:53 pm

Here's a riddle for you Mr. Larsen. How do you regulate a commodity that is under Prohibition? Come on Mr. Larsen, stop with the crocodile tears. You don't give a damn about the patients or these collectives. If you would have taken some time to visit these dispensaries you would have found them very clean and professionally managed. I think the medical marijuana dispensaries are an excellent way to reintegrate a commodity that has been unconstitutionally banned for 50 years. I think we have been given a great gift to have these little businesses in our community. They are good for the community and so I defend them against your baseless accusations against them.

Tim Ryder July 15, 2011 at 07:49 pm

For example, Mr. Larsen and his Prohibition crusaders have tried to scare everybody by saying that medical marijuana dispensaries bring in crime to the community. This is patently false! I just checked the LAPD's crime map for this year and there are ZERO crimes on any of the blocks with dispensaries in it. I call this scare tactic a 'Canard' because it is a falsehood that is passed off as truth by the Prohibitionists who use it all the time to spread terror among the people. These fear-mongering Prohibitionists are the true 'terrorists' in our society!!!

joyce hong July 16, 2011 at 04:21 pm

Good points Tim, Mr. Larsen does not base his opinions on facts such as actual crime statistics but chooses to perpetuate lies that are based on fear, racism and greed. Mr. Larsens actions have created a laughing stock of the Eagle rock community and have made the situation worse.. I am glad that people are starting to hold him accountable for his actions and to start calling him out on his lies and misinformation.

Ajay Singh (Editor) July 16, 2011 at 06:16 pm

Ms. Hong: I know Mr. Larsen both personally and professionally as the editor of this site, and I think you need to know two things—the first one about him, the second one about your comments about him:
First, Mr. Larsen is large-hearted, level-headed and liberal enough not to flag numerous comments such as your latest one, which appear to say more about the commentators than about him. Second, it's unfair to the point of being potentially libelous to suggest that Mr. Larsen "chooses to perpetuate lies" and that "racism," of all things, is a factor in his opposition to loosely regulated medical marijuana dispensaries, some of which many members of the community consider a public nuisance.

joyce hong July 16, 2011 at 06:48 pm

Mr. Singh, please do not misquote me, I as well as Mr. Ryder have observed how Mr. Larsens actions are similar to the Marijuana prohibitionists. In case you do not remember Marijuana prohibition has been perpetuated by lies to keep it from competing with other industries such as paper and pharmaceuticals. The drug war in general has also been linked to racism due to sentencing disparities between minorities. I am only making the casual observation which others have already done. I feel that Mr. Larsens actions are dangerous to our community, and do not believe many of his statements on this matter. .

Ajay Singh (Editor) July 16, 2011 at 06:57 pm

Ms. Hong: I'm not misquoting you—I'm pointing out that you cannot call an elected official a "liar" without facing the possibility of proving in a court of law that what you say isn't slanderous.

Michael Larsen July 16, 2011 at 07:05 pm

Thanks Ajay. You're right. Comments like Ms. Hong's reveal the character of those who are so set against any regulation of this industry, and I think it's important for the community to see that character as they learn more about this particular issue.
It's estimated that the marijuana industry will bring in over ONE BILLION dollars in revenue this year in California alone, and yet there is not one page of regulation on the state level or in the city of L.A. Of course those who are making all of that money will do almost anything to keep it that way, which, in my opinion, is why we see the kind of flailing vehemence in comments such as Ms. Hong's and Mr. Ryder's.

Rick Shaw July 18, 2011 at 02:40 pm

"Bringing a real marijuana plant..."
Tim, a real plant would have been silly. A shrub from your yard is sillier. Your tactics and name calling show a lack of substance as far as the debate goes. Do you profit from the ERock pot trade?

Rick Shaw July 18, 2011 at 02:42 pm

Same with you, Joyce. The name calling and hysterics are not helping your cause.
Is the cause helping your pocketbook?

Tim Ryder July 18, 2011 at 04:26 pm

Ajay, I think you are being completely unfair to Ms. Hong! She never called Mr. Larsen a liar and I resent you saying that she did. I understand that you take money from Mr. Larsen and are beholden to him and the ERNC but I think it lacks journalistic integrity to express you own opinion on what is blogged here. I wouldn't directly call Mr. Larsen a "liar" but what do you call someone who makes up accusations, slandering people and businesses in our community without any evidence. Mr. Larsen has called these medical marijuana clinics all sorts of names like "drug traffickers", "drug dealers", "criminals", etc. As you know, I have a Public Records Request to see any evidence Mr. Larsen has regarding any problems these new businesses may be causing and has has NONE!!! Ms. Hong is right, Ajay!!!

Tim Ryder July 18, 2011 at 04:35 pm

Sure Rick, I profit from the drug trade. Why don't you go call the Feds and have them question me about it. You might get a big medal. Seriously, Rick, you may call me "silly" for attempting to educate the Council about this amazing plant (do you know there are 150 different strains of marijuana) but that is just your opinion and I wouldn't give two cents for it. In fact just for you, I will bring a bigger and bushier plant at the next Council meeting. You are invited to come and express your ignorant opinion about my silliness in person if you want. By the way how much is Mr. Larsen paying you to be one of his prohibition crusaders???

Michael Larsen July 18, 2011 at 07:00 pm

Mr. Ryder knows very well that he has been given all the information he requested, and that we were legally able to give him. Beyond the fact that shops like House of Kush, American Eagle, Cloud Nine, Organic Healing are operating illegally, Eagle Rock Herbal Collective was recently robbed by armed men, resulting in them now posting armed guards outside their shop for protection. Is this the kind of street that you'd like to walk your young children down? http://eaglerock.patch.com/articles/update-police-looking-for-2-men-who-robbed-medical-pot-shop-at-gunpoint

Rick Shaw July 19, 2011 at 12:11 pm

Tim said, "I profit from the drug trade. By the way how much is Mr. Larsen paying you to be one of his prohibition crusaders???"
Your drug profits shape your dishonest debate tactics...Noted.