NCAA lowers penalties… Martinez outlaws cannabis gardens… Did pot overdose lead to student death?... Cannabis vending machines in Colorado… “420” event in danger of being shut down… Willie Nelson smokes pot!... and more.
LEGALIZATION
City of Martinez bans outdoor cannabis gardens // KTVU-TV It joins 89 other California cities and counties with restrictions.
NCAA lowers penalties for players testing positive for pot // CBS Sports “Without saying it out loud, the NCAA's relaxed standards seem to be reflecting society.”
Big changes in Maryland’s cannabis laws // High Times.com The governor signed a bill this week making possession of small amounts of cannabis a civil offense, not a criminal misdemeanor.
Uruguay legalized marijuana late last year. Here’s an update. // Vice.com “Marijuana” seems too difficult for this reporter to say. He consistently calls it “weed."
COPS & COURTS
Marijuana intoxication is listed as a "significant contributing factor" in the death of college student. // NBC News Friends, who tried to restrain him before he jumped, report the victim saying,” ‘This is a sign from God that this has happened, that I can't control myself,'" adding, "'It's not because of the weed.'"
BUSINESS
Cannabis vending machines come to Colorado //SF Gate No, you can’t have one in your dorm.
HEALTH
An inconclusive report on an inconclusive study // CBS News “Even casual use may alter neural pathways in the brain,” according to a study involving a total of 20 people. And if you’re having trouble sleeping, watch the video accompanying this listing. Zzzz.
420 NEWS
Hippie Hill in Golden Gate Park will likely see its massive non-sanctioned 420 gathering. Participants in Sunday’s celebration – peaking at 4:20pm - should remember what happened when Halloween in the Castro got out of control a few years back; it was all but shut down. The Bay to Breakers race faced a similar threat. And that’s the warning the chief of police has about 420 this year: "If everyone would just be cool, it's cool,” he says, adding, “but as soon as it affects everyone else, then it could be the end of something that we are saying already has reached a tipping point." Here’s video from last year.
And remember that this Sunday is also Easter, so there will be family egg hunts in the park. Plus the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence will have their Easter celebration in Golden Gale Park’s Hellman Hollow, while Dolores Park (their usual spot) gets a remodel because of overuse. MUNI is promising increased transportation.
South Lake Tahoe’s 420 cancelled // Inticketing.com Sponsoring dispensary was threatened with closure if event proceeded. Julian Marley concert moved to Reno.
What’s up with “4/20” anyway? // Wikipedia.org Here’s the origin tale – from San Rafael.
OPINION
Consumers demand free –range eggs, but who certifies their cannabis? // SF Gate Answer: probably no one. Jon Carroll asks why.
IN OTHER NEWS…
Willie Nelson smokes pot every day // SF Gate That’s hardly news, but it’s notable that he said it to veteran interviewer Larry King.
#