Dear reader, I want you to feel good about yourself. I even want you to be proud. You are part of a vibrant and unique culture which is opening up its leaves and flowering around you. We have accomplished some great things together over these past few months, and are now beginning to experience a greater freedom than we have experienced for many years.
Cannabis is the herb of warriors and shamans, merchants and kings. This issue we bring you all of those things, from all around the world, starting off here in Vancouver with some exceptional news.
The most significant and interesting of recent events from around the world are summarized in the Milestones. The biggest milestone for Vancouverites came on June 17, along with a great deal of excitement and confusion, as The Province newspaper revealed that it had seen a letter to Vancouver police from BC's senior federal drug prosecutor, saying that they would no longer approve charges for simple possession of drugs in Vancouver. Subsequent backpedalling and shaky denials aside, this is a monumental step forward in ending the oppression of the cannabis culture. We explain the strange turn of events more clearly when we ask about Decriminalization in Vancouver? For now, rest assured that you can inhale a little more easily than you used to.
This victory in Vancouver must be vigorously pursued in other cities and areas of influence. One of these is the Justice System, and our publisher Marc Emery outlines the three constitutional challenges to prohibition underway in his article called Battlefields. All of these challenges are in desperate need of financial support, and Marc explains his frustration at public apathy and the immediate need for donations and assistance.
The most recent of these challenges is being put forward by Chris Clay, owner of the Great Canadian Hemporium, who was arrested recently for selling cannabis seedlings at his store. A great deal of other merchandise has been seized pending the trial, but Chris and his lawyer Alan Young are unflinchingly attacking the constitutional basis for all of the charges against him. Chris has written an article for us detailing his experience and intentions, Hemp Nation Under Seige.
Social understanding and respect for cannabis is growing at an astonishing rate, but there are still pockets of resistance. In our last issue we told you about Back to the Garden, a hemp store in Prince George that was threatened with criminal charges for selling information supporting cannabis, like this magazine. Well, our investigative reporter Dan Loehndorf has uncovered the dark force behind this persecution, and he tells us in his article Hemp Haters In Prince George.
During World War II, young Canadians gave their lives in liberating Amsterdam from the Nazis. Perhaps the Dutch experience with totalitarianism is what has given them such a respect for freedom, for the Dutch have a worldwide reputation for tolerance and fair-mindedness. This is most clearly demonstrated by their drug policies, which they have steadfastly maintained despite international pressure.
Our own Dr. Sumach recently visited Amsterdam, and he brought us back a fascinating look at this important European port and its long connection with the trade in intoxicants. His story is called Dr Sumach Goes Dutch.
Jamaica is another land with immediate marijuana associations. Although cannabis use is common there, their government has chosen a different path than the Dutch. Native Jamaican and local Vancouver cannabis advocate Rev. Leeroy Campbell takes us back to Jamaica for a look at the hypocrisy and oppression that has been the result of US involvement in his country. Nevertheless, as his article so eloquently explains, in Jamaica there is 'Nuff Ganja, No Problems for Visitors.
When you inhale the vapours given off by burning cannabis you are partaking in an ancient tradition that is tightly woven into the fabric of human history. Last issue Chris Bennet showed us how cannabis and other illuminating plants might have helped humans to develop the full level of consciousness we enjoy today. Chris presents us with The Scythians, ancient Persian pot smokers who rode their horses into battles that won them an empire strectching across Eurasia. These fierce warriors helped spread the many uses of cannabis across the ancient world.
Which came first, the seed or the clone? In this issue Dr. Clone does seeds, getting back to his roots and showing us how to go from seed to sprout in a few easy steps. Darren Morgan makes his first appearance in this issue, presenting us with A Grower's Primer, an overview of what you need to know and do in order to grow yourself some happy and satisfying cannabis plants.
Canada's not the only country in the world trying to come to grips with the rapid developments in hemp cultivation and agriculture. Agriculture Canada's Gordon Reichert visited a hemp expo and symposium called Bioresource Hemp 1995 in Frankfurt last March. This massive event was the world's largest ever gathering of hemp researchers and merchants, and featured a great many astounding advancements in hemp breeding and processing technology.
Europe is also developing new policies in response to changing patterns of drug use. We take a brief look at some of the more interesting changes.
The Hempress isn't with us this issue, but her friends Prof. Lovejoy O'Neil and Chef Pierre have dropped by to share some of their knowledge and expertise. The good Professor discusses the finer points of smoking and purchasing etiquette, while our Chef takes some time out of his busy schedule to provide us with the recipe for an intoxicatingly delicious milkshake!
We encourage our readers to respond to us. We might not be able to answer every letter receive, but we try, and you can be sure they are all read. No-one has sent us any kind buds yet, but we're still hopeful. We present some of the Letters we have received.
We conclude this issue with the Hemp Directory, it alone provides clear evidence of the dramatic growth the Canadian hemp industry has seen over the past months. We still have a long way to go, but we have broken through the soil, the Sun is strong and the earth is rich and deep.
Cannabis Canadians have a right to be proud. We have accomplished more than we expected, but perhaps less than we had dared to hope. I did not think that I would be seeing these signs and wonders so soon.
Our efforts have begun to pay off. This does not mean that this is the time to relax. We must not allow ourselves to become slack at this crucial time. In 1978 many Canadians believed that the decriminalization of cannabis was at hand. Our governments openly discussed the subject. Since then we have had seventeen years of brutal oppression. It is time that this matter be dealt with and put aside.
Our nation has many important challenges to face in the coming years. We must stop directing our resources towards the persecution and imprisonment of peaceful Canadians. These tentative steps towards the end of prohibition are long overdue.The War on Drugs is over.
Let us now negotiate the peace.
Dana Larsen, editor Cannabis Canada