cannabisnews.com: Keep On The Grass





Keep On The Grass
Posted by FoM on December 01, 2001 at 08:56:03 PT
By Spider Robinson
Source: Globe and Mail
I've just had a glimpse of the future . . . in a city that was old long before Europeans settled in North America. At the 2001 Cannabis Cup in Amsterdam last week, I acquired some sense of what decriminalization of pot might one day mean for us here in Canada. And was reassured.Signs and portents suggest this may be marijuana's magic millennium. Bill C-344, sponsored by Canadian Alliance MP Keith Martin (a most interesting man, a former corrections officer and emergency room physician) would replace criminal penalties for personal use with civil fines. 
More than 200 MPs have expressed support, as have the Canadian Association of Police Chiefs, the Canadian Medical Association, the Canadian Council of Churches and, depending on who's doing the polling, anywhere from 47 to 74 percent of the Canadian public. The federal government is currently growing its own stone in a Manitoba mineshaft; a Ministry of Medical Marijuana seems inevitable.It's in the air. Italy and Spain already handle cannabis possession with fines. This summer, Portugal startled Europe by decriminalizing personal amounts of any drug. A month later, Britain declared its intention to decriminalize pot, and is currently going forward despite some resistance.Eleven states have already legalized medical marijuana in defiance of the U.S. government. And there's Holland, where as everyone knows, the weed is perfectly legal, smoked openly -- Wrong.Whatever you've heard, smoking grass in public is not legal or polite in Amsterdam, or anywhere in the Netherlands. If you light a joint on a crowded street (all Amsterdam streets are crowded), you may not do time . . . but passersby will probably glare, may berate you, and the police might haul you before a magistrate for a stern lecture and a stinging fine.But anywhere in the city, you're within walking distance of one or more of the famous coffee shops, within which you may legally and safely consume as much as you like of the world's very finest marijuana or hashish.And you are allowed to purchase up to five grams to go, if you're discreet about where you smoke it. Or you can avoid smoking altogether: I saw dozens of edible pot products, including (thoughtfully) throat lozenges.Twenty-two coffee shops participated in the 14th annual Cannabis Cup, sponsored by High Times magazine -- http://www.hightimes.com -- and 420Tours -- http://www.420tours.com So did more than a dozen "seed companies," competing to do with cannabis what Bill Gates did with computers, gain control of the basic software: the DNA of the best possible pot. Many firms exhibited pot-related products (grinders, pipes, growing gear), and countless purveyors of non-intoxicating items (hemp products, posters, music) also participated.So did hundreds of potheads from all around the world. Some came by day to the Pax Party House (Ferdinand Bolstraat 194) to see and hear charismatic counterculture icons of the millennium past -- Paul Krassner, breathtakingly-audacious editor of The Realist in the sixties, and editor of the new book Pot Stories for the Soul; Stephen Gaskin, merry founder of the most successful spiritual community in North American history, the Farm, now in its fourth decade in Tennessee; his wife, Ina May Gaskin, president of the International Midwives Association, who literally wrote the book on home birth, Spiritual Midwifery.At least as many people came to the huge Melkweg hall (Lijnbaansgracht 234a) each night for the music. Singers, rappers, musicians and DJs from everywhere were headlined by well-known "stoner band" 311 and backstopped by the tireless house group, the Five Points Band. Easily a dozen people came to hear the British Columbia science fiction writer/folksinger the festival had apparently invited on the theory that this was 2001, and he was cheaper than an astronaut.And, of course, nearly everyone came for the weed. Attendees were given a "passport" and invited to have it stamped in each of the 22 participating coffee shops -- most of which had a house strain entered in competition.Celebrity judges got 11 different samples, identified only by number -- indica for gentlemen; sativa for ladies -- and spent the week ranking them in five categories (appearance, smell, taste, burn, strength). The Vancouver outfit, Amsterdam Seed Co., came in second for best indica.There were so many events and exhibits, I managed to visit only a few coffee shops; I particularly enjoyed De Rokerij (Lange Leidsedwarsstraat 41), Barney's Breakfast Bar (Haarlemmerstraat 102), and the dreamy undersea motif of the Greenhouse Centrum (Oudezijds Voorburgwal 191), but for all I know others are even better.But I hadn't come for the coffee shops . . . or the music, or the notorious Red Light District, or even the ganja. I live in B.C. I came to see Amsterdam.I wanted to know what a city that tolerates pot and prostitution and considers junkies treatable sick people is like. I had heard conflicting propaganda -- it's paradise/it's seedy -- and wanted to see for myself.There seems reason to believe Vancouver might adopt something like the Amsterdam model: Both the mayor and the province are considering safe-injection sites, the police have recently begun to feel murdering prostitutes is a crime, and the BC Compassion Club Society -- http://www.thecompassionclub.org -- provides medical marijuana to the sick with little harassment.But what happens when a city goes that one step further, and tolerates marijuana clubs? Do the sidewalks fill with smiling tie-dyed zombies with the munchies? Does the quality of tourists you attract change, and if so, for better or worse? Do lenient laws encourage them to think "anything goes," and behave even more obnoxiously than Spring Breakers in the French Quarter of New Orleans?Do stoners start flooding in from neighbouring countries -- bringing along users or sellers of harder drugs perhaps? Does the city's drug/crime problem get better or worse, net? Beyond that, what happens to its overall look, flavour, sensibility?Amsterdam first stunned, then awed and finally shamed me. I was born and raised in New York, and have visited every large city in the United States and Canada: We have nothing on this continent that can touch it. Several centuries' head start is no excuse. I have never seen -- rarely even imagined -- a city so consistently beautiful and aesthetically aware, so proud of its public places and supportive of its arts.The dominant architectural landmarks are vast museums, opera houses and theatres -- all in active, vibrant use. One of our happiest afternoons was spent in the heavily attended Van Gogh Museum (Paulus Potterstraat 7 -- http://www.vangoghmuseum.nl -- gaping at more than 200 of his paintings, plus an extensive collection of other excellent 19th-century art for context.Another memorable afternoon was an utterly fascinating canal-boat tour of that city of 2,500 houseboats, and a leisurely stroll through the pristine Vondelpaark.Nor have I ever seen a city so clean and well-maintained, outside Disneyland. Brick buildings that were standing (below sea level!) when Henry Hudson sailed from Amsterdam are, today, in better average condition than most of the buildings in New York. Every streetlight works.I saw zero potholes, broken windows, spilled garbage, vandalism, graffiti, or abandoned cars.On the third evening, leaving our charming and comfortable canal-side Quentin Hotel (Leidesekade 89; phone 3120-626-2187; around the corner from the lovely Leideseplein or "Plaza of Lights"), I spotted two grape-sized dog turds on the sidewalk."Thank God! A flaw," I cried, pointing, and my American companions grinned. Returning later, we found someone had drawn chalk circles around the offending items, and what I presume was a stern admonition in Dutch.I had been told that everyone in Amsterdam spoke English. I was pleasantly surprised to learn they enjoy doing so.What confused me most, though, was what I couldn't find. In a seaport renowned for brothels and bongs, I could not seem to detect one person who scared me. If there are bad neighbourhoods, I missed them. I'm from the Bronx; I have pretty good street sense.I did not spot one jonesing junkie.Not one pusher or dealer. No muggers, beggars, thugs, dips, crackheads, posturing gangbangers, child hookers, dumpster divers, squeegee kids, winos, abandoned mental patients -- no street people. I take that back: In a week of wandering, I noticed one bag lady, camped inside the archway of the Opera House.As I followed giggling crowds in and out of public places reeking of THC, I also watched to see what ordinary Amsterdammers thought of their coffee shops -- and of us. Were they appalled by this annual swarm of beaming foreign dopers, ashamed of the thriving soft-drug industry that attracted us? Not that I could see.Wearing a goofy grin and a large laminated badge identifying me as a Cannabis Cup participant, I never drew so much as a frown. Amsterdam didn't seem to notice us. We drew less attention than a comparable crowd of tourists leaving a wine-tasting festival, because none of us was staggering or acting belligerently. They simply threaded their nimble way through us, by foot, bike, tram or car; if we smiled, they smiled back. And we always smiled . . .I'll never forget the well-cherished beauty of Amsterdam, the universal civility, kindness and tolerance of its people, or the good sense of its city council.Back home again, as I drove past the edge of the horrid open sore that is Vancouver's Downtown Eastside, I decided that any way at all in which this city becomes more like Amsterdam will be a long overdue improvement.For tourist information, contact the Netherlands Board of Tourism at (888) 464-6552. Internet: http://www.goholland.comSpider Robinson's latest novels are The Free Lunch (Tor) and Callahan's Key (Bantam); see: http://www.spiderrobinson.comAmsterdam's high streets: Here are the coffee shops and seed companies that took top honours in last week's Cannabis Cup in Amsterdam: Best coffee shop: Greenhouse (Tolstraat 91) Best indica: Sagarmatha seeds (Marnixstraat 255) Best sativa: Homegrown Fantaseeds (Nieuwezijds Voorburgwal 87a) Best hashish: Crystal Clear/Katsu (1e van der Helstraat 70) Cannabis Cup: Sweettooth/Barney's (Haarlemmerstraat 102) Best booth: Sensi Seeds (Oudezijds Achterburgwal 150 Best product: Metal grinder/Sweetleaf Grinders Best hemp product: Hemp Chocolate/Hemperium Also recommended Abraxas: Jonge Roelensteeg 12-14 Blue Bird: St. Antoniesbreestraat 71 Blue Velvet: Haarlemmerstraat 64 The Bushdocter: Thorbeckeplein 28 Dampkring: Handboogstraat 29 De Rokerji: Lange Leidsedwarsstraat 41 The Dolphins: Kerkstraat 39 Dutch Flowers: Singel 387 Grey Area: Oude Leliestraat 2 El Guapo: Nieuwe Nieuwstraat 32 De Kuil: Oudebrugsteeg 27 The Noon: Zieseniskade 22 Paradox: 1e Bloemdwarsstraat 2 Rusland: Rusland 16 Siberië: Brouwersgracht 11 Seeds of Passion: Utrechtsestraat 26 Flying Dutchmen: Oudezijds Achterburgwal 131 Nirvana: Toldwarsstraat 24 The Hash Marijuana Hemp Museum: Oudezijds Achterburgwal 148Complete Title: Keep on the grass despite, or maybe because of, coffee shops where marijuana consumption is both safe and legal, Amsterdam remains a clean, attractive and cultured city. Vancouver sci-fi novelist Spider Robinson discovers a future that works.Newshawk: puff_tuffSource: Globe and Mail (Canada)Author: Spider RobinsonPublished: Saturday, December 1, 2001 – Page T1Copyright: 2001, The Globe and Mail CompanyContact: letters globeandmail.caWebsite: http://www.globeandmail.ca/Related Article & Web Site:FTE's Canadian Linkshttp://freedomtoexhale.com/can.htmTravel and Pot Security in the New World Order http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread10966.shtml
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Comment #17 posted by kaptinemo on December 03, 2001 at 08:56:08 PT:
We already have "King" George
We already have a monarchy in all but name; de facto dynasties, pols families related by blood and marriage, corporations run on equal degrees of nepotism and political graft, etc. All swearing fealty to the two-in-one party system...and it's royal gatekeepers.The only things that are missing are the bejewled crowns and the fur robes...we already have the 'divine right of kings' supplanted by the War Powers Act relegating Congtess to the status of a rubber stamp.Really makes you wonder, doesn't it? In any event, I am a surly old republicanist (note the lower case) who has no respect whatsoever for the trappings of monarchy. I'm just happy with Mister...not 'master'.
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Comment #16 posted by qqqq on December 03, 2001 at 05:54:14 PT
Kap......
I was wondering if my candidancy would hassle you into responding.......no,,I wouldn't wish the oval office on you,or anyone else,,it would be hell,,,and you would be much too honest to be prezident...it would be a curse,because any third party candidate,would fall into the crosshairs of JFK...sad,,but probably true.....Could we even imagine an upset victory by Harry Browne,or Ralph Nader in '04?,,,no way,,and if it did somehow happen,,the republicratic empire would not stand for it...........I still like the idea of FoM being the Queen of the United States.......she would knight you as Sir Kaptinemo,as soon as she took the throne.
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Comment #15 posted by kaptinemo on December 03, 2001 at 05:20:07 PT:
WHAT?! ARE YOU TRYIN' TO GET ME KILLED?
President? I assure you, I have no need of the frontal lobotomies that seem to be performed on our so-called 'leaders' as soon as they enter office. How else can you account for the seeming intelligence many demonstrate before an election, and the rank stupidity they evince after the election.
 
My brain cells may be occasionally cannabis-sodden, but unlike alcohol-swillers, they are nonetheless intact. I wish to keep them that way...
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Comment #14 posted by FoM on December 02, 2001 at 09:51:05 PT
qqqq
You totally crack me up. I'll gladly do that job no money or any benefits. You would see me pull my hair back into a big bun, carry a rolling pin, thumping it in my hand from time to time and grinning a lot! LOL!ONCP. (Office of Niceness Control Policy).
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Comment #13 posted by xxdr_zombiexx on December 02, 2001 at 06:50:48 PT
What is qqqq schmokin?
Doc Zombie...Presidential????I can't be President...I smoke pot.
I like it a lot
I'd never support sprayin' it with Paraquat.I' legalize it from the ground up
end the aerial sprayin of Round-up
free all the money that's wound up
and will bring down the co-rupt....
make sure the Constitution aint Tore-up
and repair the damage done.well...you get the picture.I accept your looney nomination!FREEDOM ENDURES
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Comment #12 posted by qqqq on December 02, 2001 at 02:30:37 PT
yea,,,goneposthole
....FoM,would make a lousy president.(no offense FoM),,,,,,,I think EJ,,or Kap,,or perhaps Ethan,or Lehder,, ,, maybe doc Zombie,,or doc Ganj,,or Observer would be better for presidentness,(I would pick CongressmanSuet as the top advisor on everything..)..,,,,,,FoM,would be better suited to being a British style Queen,or head of the ONCP. (Office of Niceness Control Policy).
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Comment #11 posted by E_Johnson on December 02, 2001 at 01:23:52 PT
He's a Russian, but OF COURSE!!!! He understands
The director of Resin is a former Soviet dissident documentary filmmaker who was jailed for his work by the Commies.I have found that the one group of people in my field whom I can count on to understand without too much explanation about cannabis prohibition and the link to other injustices and the political scenario are the people who grew up in the Soviet Union, who were adults when the system fell.A real Soviet dissident is joining the war on marijuana prohibition! Oh the Republicans must be overjoyed. These are the people they used to champion. What ever happened to that party eh?A Texas Republican is shaking hands with a man trained in the KGB Academy, sealing a deal to further promote marijuana prohibition in their respective countries, and the former Soviet dissident the KGB man was trained by his government to harass and intimidate is making a movie trying to undermine them both.This New World Order looks um a MIGHT STRANGE if you ask me!!!
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Comment #10 posted by E_Johnson on December 02, 2001 at 01:14:11 PT
resin home page
Here is the web page for the movie:http://www.resin-themovie.com/
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Comment #9 posted by FoM on December 01, 2001 at 14:49:58 PT
Elfman_420 
Enjoy the movie and I'll keep my eyes out for a review!
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Comment #8 posted by Elfman_420 on December 01, 2001 at 14:12:56 PT
Resin (Off the topic)
I am going to a movie today called Resin. It starts at 4:20. It is about a cannabis dealer in my college town Isla Vista, next to UC Santa Barbara who gets caught. Since it was his third felony, he may end up with life in prison under the three strikes law.Anyways, I think it will be playing other places too, eventually. If you can find a story or review on it, you might post it FoM. 
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Comment #7 posted by FoM on December 01, 2001 at 10:35:18 PT
goneposthole 
Thanks! I appreciate it! I would never want to be president. Yuk! Compromising my beliefs is something I won't do. To be president you compromise way too much. 
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Comment #6 posted by goneposthole on December 01, 2001 at 10:24:30 PT
I'll say (write) it again
FoM for President
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Comment #5 posted by fivepounder on December 01, 2001 at 10:10:00 PT
ain't it the truth
I too am from nyc and I have been to Amsterdam for the cup in 98 and 99. And it is all absolutely true. There is so much to learn from the Dutch. In one word- tolerance. Just being ther is such a pleasant feeling.   Not only is prohibition stupid and ridiclous it is OLD. It is nice to be somewhere that you don't have to play the dumb game of hiding the smokng of a plant.
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Comment #4 posted by FoM on December 01, 2001 at 10:00:18 PT
I am not a crook
I am not a terrorist. I am not a criminal. I just believe that this plant has been treated so wrong for so long that the truth must be said. I know you all know and agree but we must make them understand. Does anyone realize how many citizens want to be more pro government? We want to have a good government. A fair government. If they stop this abuse against us they will win some of our respect back and we might just have faith in their decisions.
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Comment #3 posted by Sam Adams on December 01, 2001 at 09:53:48 PT
Amsterdam
I also spent quite a bit of time in New York growing up. My first visit to Amsterdam was part of a month-long tour of European cities. My friend and I had been warned by a lot of tourist books & stuff: "Watch out, Amsterdam is the "seediest" city in Europe, really bad stuff in the Red Light District, junkies, crime, watch your back, etc, etc". I remember one night at about midnight my friend and I got lost and all of sudden we were like, "on no, this is the worst area of the entire city! the worst of the Red Light district!" We both took a long look around, and then we collapsed in laughter against the nearby brick wall - we both felt safer and more comfortable than in any area of downtown Manhattan. What a joke, we thought. Pick any block in Brooklyn or Queens and it's like Fort Apache, the Bronx vs. Utopia.After the month-long tour of Europe, we concluded that Amsterdam had both the friendliest people to tourists, and the best-looking women of anywhere we visited (OK, the best-looking women was actually a tie with Nice, France, but that's a resort town so it didn't really count. Our second overall favorite city was Munich, BTW).Just as the Arab people are programmed to believe that America is the land of heathen infidels (many honestly believe that all American women are prostitutes), we have been programmed by our Establishment to believe that Amsterdam is some sewer of human decadence. In reality, I think the only city we've got that can even come close is San Fransisco. But I think Amsterdam is probably nicer than SF as well. We're culturally retarded - in my city, many of the nicest districts were bulldozed and blown up in the 60's and 70's to make way for hideous, ugly, high-rise apartments and offices that are now the eyesores of the city. I think the Europeans lack the cultural arrogance to disrespect the architectural and cultural gifts of the past.
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Comment #2 posted by Patrick on December 01, 2001 at 09:47:13 PT
andylee we are fugitives
Here in our precious land of DEA restricted freedom we are criminals for smoking the herb cannabis. We have to hide for fear of being arrested, fined, jailed, and having our property confiscated for smoking a plant that has such wonderful properties. Personally, cannabis enriches my life with the exception of the nervousness that comes by constantly staying under the radar of the jack-booted nazi drug cops that want to spoil my pleasant trip through this life. So much for the pursuit of happiness don't ya think.
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Comment #1 posted by andylee on December 01, 2001 at 09:12:34 PT
I miss Amsterdam
I was there for the 2000 cup and it is exactly as you explained.  I never felt threatend or scared my whole time there. I was always in awe and always had a smile. There are some dealers in the red light district but nice guys the same, a lot cleaner than most places here in DEAlandIf the world could be like Amsterdam!man I want to go back, argggggg this drives me nuts. I was at peace with myself and I feel like a fugative here in the states.
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