Grow Life 420

What does every pothead need almost as much as a fine selection of dank herb and a useful array of smoking accessories?

A momentous multitude of munchies, of course!

With your unsatiated appetite in mind, Cannabis Culture has expanded our retail store in Vancouver to include a wide selection of rare snacks and unique drinks to please the hungry and high.

For our famished friends who can’t make it down to the shop in person: we gotcha covered!

CC is proud to present our Smoke ‘N’ Snax Subscription Boxes, a curated collection of dope stoner gear and delicious goodies to satisfy your cannabis-related cravings.

Smoke ‘n’ Snax boxes bring you the worlds of cannabis and confectionary curated by Cannabis Culture for the cannabis culture!

Let us surprise you every month with essential toking supplies, new smoking tools, plus rare and vintage treats to satisfy your bountiful hankerings.

Choose from three different sized boxes and customize to your personal preferences.

The Smoke ‘N’ Snax Box ESSENTIALS: Our most affordable option! All the basics you need for Smoke ‘n’ Snax – this option is to help you keep your stash stocked with papers, munchies, and more.

The Smoke ‘N’ Snax Box PLUS: This box is perfect for those looking to start or expand their gear collection. Includes products from your favourite smoking brands, as well as artisan glass, local artist content, and delicious rare snacks to you keep you satisfied.

The Smoke ‘N’ Snax Box PREMIUM: Designed for the cannabis and confection connoisseur, this is our most exclusive box full of local art features, great smoking brands, rare and delicious munchies, exclusive content and lots more great surprises. This Premium Box is our highest value package!

Sign up today and receive our Special Edition 4/20 box as your first delivery.

Your April Smoke ‘N’ Snax Box includes a retro collectable Cannabis Culture Magazine from our archives, 420 merchandise, original artwork and glass art, exclusive content, delicious rare snacks and other surprise items that you’ll love.


Visit smokensnax.com to order your subscription boxes today!

CANNABIS CULTURE – A cannabis comedy podcast with a feminist twist. 

Stoner Chicks, a local comedy foursome, has launched a brand new podcast. Stoner Chicks Podcast (http://www.Anchor.fm/StonerChicks) is a love letter to the stoner comedy genre with a focus on the modern cannabis industry, women’s roles in the shaping of cannabis history, and is geared toward comedy fans of all genders and ages 21+.

The first two full-length episodes of the podcast will be released on April 2, 2021, and will have weekly releases every Friday thereafter.

Podcast co-host Kayla Teel says, “The four of us have been having a blast getting high and exploring the important role women have played in the cannabis industry, an industry yet again dominated by cis men. I hope that listening to us will help people relax, laugh, and feel the joy of sharing a joint with a few close friends.”

Listeners of the podcast can contact the hosts via email at [email protected] or via @stonerchickspodcast on social media.

You can listen to Stoner Chicks now on:

Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify, Amazon Music, Audible, Anchor, Castbox, Breaker, Google Podcasts, Pocket Casts, and RadioPublic.

CANNABIS CULTURE –  Prolific Downtown East -Side Artist Alan Sayers has died.

You may not know his name, but if you are Vancouver resident or a regular follower of this magazine — you’ve seen his work.

Known for his “rockstar” portraits and evocative renderings of the architecture and individuals of Vancouver’s core communities, Sayers and his portfolio were a constant presence at events and demonstrations.

Now, Sayers is counted amongst the legions left dead —  nearly 5 people per day in British Columbia — by the Opioid Crisis, another casualty in the continuation of a failed policy known as the International Drug War.

Sayers, a born Vancouverite and resident of Chinatown, had made his living as a designer and art director when he decided to remove himself from the dilutions of the art for profit world and dedicate himself to painting his neighbors  — and his neighborhood — full-time.

“The last twelve years of my life have been very interesting and creative — monetarily challenging but creative.” Sayers said in a 2018 interview with Access Television (featured above).

His choice of perspective was atypical, painting the alleyways and shady back entries of iconic buildings, rather than the street view. Sayers painted his architectural studies most often in black and white, absent of people and from a high perspective. “Everybody down here has their head down and I want people to look up,” he said. “Who draws the back of the Dominion Building? I mean why would you? It has its place and its place in society.”

Sayers portraiture featured several members of Vancouver’s Cannabis Activist community, as well as other prominent voices in the fight against prohibition.

Jodie Emery, a prominent guiding star of the movement and the CEO of Cannabis Culture, herself immortalized by Sayers pencil, had this to say, “Very stunned and saddened by this news…his artwork adorns our building and we will ensure his memory is remembered.”

As an illustrator, Sayers said he drew everything. “from famous people, to some guy, to rockstars.” And the list goes on. Sayers worked constantly — and showed his work constantly. On the bus, on the sky train, in parks – to large groups or just one person. “I carry my prints just for, mad money. To stay alive in this world. But other than that I am happy being here.”

Sayers was a joyful, creative figure in the community, his presence will be missed and his artwork will live on.

CANNABIS CULTURE – There are many unsung heroes of the marijuana movement, but Greg “Marijuana Man” Williams is one of the greatest. Loved by all, disliked by none, this man gave his all to our shared cause.

PLEASE DONATE NOW to the Greg Williams Support Fund – CLICK HERE 

It is fair to say that of all the cannabis being grown today, much of it –– possibly even most of it –– can be traced back to seeds distributed by this wonderful soul. Decades ago, cannabis was not easy to find or to grow, and for most gardeners, the strain selection was limited. Greg Williams began working for Marc Emery’s world-changing “Emery Direct Marijuana Seed Bank” in 1996, when it was nearly impossible for growers to access seeds and a wide range of genetics.

Greg ran the Seed Desk in the landmark Cannabis Culture Headquarters building in downtown Vancouver, BC. Together with Marc and the late Michelle Rainey, Greg spent a decade selling many millions of seeds across Canada and the United States, and beyond. For that, they were arrested in 2005 and faced life in US prison; Michelle and Greg were spared with probation, while Marc served a five-year sentence. Greg stood by Jodie and everyone else at Cannabis Culture through those hard times. For this, Greg is a marijuana movement hero.

Greg is also responsible for the first-ever marijuana growing videos produced on the internet, made for the groundbreaking video companion site to Cannabis Culture Magazine called Pot TV. His show “So You Wanna Grow Pot” was launched in 2002, and taught thousands of people how to grow marijuana properly. He also wrote the instructions that were included in every mail-order seed purchase, and contributed articles to Cannabis Culture Magazine. For this, Greg is a marijuana movement hero.

The U.S. Government itself credits Greg, Michelle and Marc –– known for years as “the BC3” –– for overgrowing North America with millions of marijuana plants, and using the millions of dollars raised to finance the marijuana movement, long before anyone else contributed so greatly to the cause. Greg Williams was an essential part of that activism machine that changed laws and saved lives. For this, Greg is a marijuana movement hero.

Greg spent decades being the beloved MC of some of the best cannabis events ever held on earth: the famous “4/20 Vancouver” rallies and July 1st “Cannabis Day” festivities. He was consistently found holding ground as the calm, cool, always-smoking and always-eloquent host of those very special events. He gave and received respect to and from everyone. He represented the best of us all. For this, Greg is a marijuana movement hero.

Greg opened and operated the much-loved Cannabis Culture Dispensary on West Broadway Street in Vancouver in 2016, and provided high-quality cannabis to locals and tourists alike as a model of what legalization should look like. He represented the best of what cannabis access should be –– but was forced to give up his livelihood with so-called “legalization” in 2018. Like many other grassroots legacy pioneers, Greg lost everything after giving everything. He sacrificed himself while others advanced. For this, Greg is a marijuana movement hero.

There are many other words to be said about this magnificent man, and those stories should be shared everywhere. His contributions to our movement’s progress should never be forgotten.

And now, Greg is in need of our help.

In early January 2021, Greg began having difficulties with his health, which quickly advanced into a serious state. Always the strong, silent and brave soul, he didn’t want to add any worries to anyone else’s burdens, so he kept quiet about his condition. But his friends and loved ones began to notice, and had to intervene when he suffered severe health issues that resulted in his admission into Vancouver General Hospital. The prognosis was not encouraging, and he has been in need of dire help.

Greg needs financial support. His medical care is costing thousands of dollars, in part because he was not registered with the British Columbia “Medical Services Plan”, which until 2020 had required individuals to pay monthly minimums in order to receive health care. Like others in the original cannabis industry, he was not able to contribute to coverage plans for later-life healthcare and emergencies.

At this time, Greg’s longtime friend and partner Rose is directly caring for him as his sole next-of-kin, and is working every day with Vancouver General Hospital and Vancouver Coastal Health to ensure he gets the care and medicine he needs. His closest friends Victoria, Alek, Jodie and others have been stepping up to assist in every way possible. Extended close friends are also reaching out to contribute to Greg’s care in various ways.

Greg has been receiving cannabis-based Phoenix Tears treatments, so is not in need of donations on the natural medicine front –– but he has mounting personal rent and bills and medical costs that need to be covered. He and Rose have asked that Jodie oversee the fundraising effort, which will be managed in an official and fully transparent way with Greg and Rose involved in every aspect.

Here is the most recent statement provided by Rose, on February 14th:

“It’s with heavy heart we wish to inform our family and friends that Greg Williams, Marijuana Man, is in Vancouver General Hospital and in good care, being kept comfortable. This latest admission comes after several weeks of battling what doctors are terming “advanced widespread metastasis”. Your thoughts, best wishes and prayers are felt and needed. Greg wanted you all to know the truth about his health, but wasn’t able to communicate the way he had in the past and also didn’t want to worry or upset people. If you have any questions or concerns please forward them directly to Jodie Emery or Victoria Bougious. Thank you. -Rose”

If you would like to send Greg a message to share memories and let him know you’re thinking of him, please post messages on his Facebook page, or drop off cards and non-digital donations in his name at Cannabis Culture Headquarters, 307 West Hastings Street, Vancouver BC, V6B1H6.

Time is of the essence. Thank you in advance for your love and support. Our friend Greg Williams needs it more than ever.

In closing, as our beloved Marijuana Man always says: 

“Peace, and Pot.”

PLEASE DONATE NOW to the Greg Williams Support Fund – CLICK HERE

CANNABIS CULTURE – Former President Donald Trump’s list of last-day pardons included 12 people imprisoned for non-violent cannabis offenses, some of who were under life-without-parole sentences. 

Last Prisoner Project Executive Director and General Counsel, Sarah Gersten said in a press release that the act was, “…further evidence of the overwhelming bipartisan support for broad-based cannabis policy reforms.”

Corvain Cooper, 41, was sentenced to life without parole for distribution of marijuana and money laundering. Cooper has served more than 7 years in prison. Upon release, he plans to take care of his family and work for his local church.

Cooper told CAN-DO Clemency, “When the judge tells you that you have a life sentence, it feels as if you actually have a death sentence. For that is what it actually is, a natural death sentence.”

John Knock, 73, was sentenced to life in prison for a marijuana conspiracy charge. In prison, he was known as the professor and has taught various classes on exercise, construction, and meditation. He plans on living in Philadelphia.

Ferrell Damon Scott, 56, was sentenced to life without parole for conspiracy and possession of marijuana. Acting United States Attorney Sam Sheldon wrote he strongly does not believe a life sentence was warranted for Scott, who has served 11 years. According to CAN-DO Clemency, Scott plans to be with his family and start his own business.

Anthony DeJohn was sentenced to life in prison for conspiracy to distribute marijuana. DeJohn has served 13 years. DeJohn has employment and housing available upon release and will be reunited with his wife and two children.

Michael Pelletier, 64, was sentenced to 30 years for conspiracy to distribute marijuana. Pelletier, who has served 12 years, is an artist that works with oil paints on canvas. He has employment and housing with his brother upon release. 

Craig Cesal, 61, was sentenced to life in prison for leasing two tractor-trailers to smugglers driving from Mexico across the Texas border into Georgia. “I never received any direct revenue from marijuana,” Cesal told Chicago Sun-Times. He plans to live with his daughter and hopes to play a role in her wedding. 

Brian Simmons was sentenced to 15 years for conspiracy to manufacture and distribute marijuana. He has served 5 years and upon release, he will be supported by his fiancée and community.

Lynn Barney was sentenced for distributing a small amount of marijuana along with a firearm charge.

James Romans was sentenced to life without parole for conspiracy to distribute marijuana. Romans has served 10 years. A father and grandfather, he has secured a job and is looking forward to returning home to his family.

Jonathon Braun was sentenced to 10 years for conspiracy to import marijuana and money laundering. He has served 5 years and will be reunited with his wife and children.

Way Quoe Long, 58, was sentenced to 50 years for conspiracy to manufacture marijuana and distribute. During his 22-year incarceration, he got his GED and will be reunited with his family who will support his reintegration into society.

Noah Kleinman, 45, was sentenced to nearly 20 years for distributing marijuana. Kleinman has served 6 years. He is looking forward to living with his father, working for the family business, and caring for his children.

There are an estimated 40,000 individuals still serving time for cannabis-related offenses. Gersten stated LPP looks forward to working with the Biden administration “…to create a more formal process for expediting the consideration of similar cases.”

If you would like to donate through LPP to recently-released individuals to help with reentry, please visit: Donate to Last Prisoner Project Support Fund

Closing the door on 2020,  NORML counts down the year’s best in cannabis news.

#1: Advocates Run the Table on Election Day

Voters approved every statewide legalization measure put before them on Election Day. Voters legalized the possession of marijuana by adults in Arizona, Montana, New Jersey, and in South Dakota. They additionally approved ballot measures legalizing of medical cannabis access in two states, Mississippi and South Dakota.

Commenting on the Election Day victories, NORML’s Executive Director Erik Altieri said: “These results once again illustrate that support for legalization extends across geographic and demographic lines. The success of these initiatives proves definitively that marijuana legalization is not exclusively a ‘blue’ state issue, but an issue that is supported by a majority of all Americans — regardless of party politics.”

#2: House of Representatives Votes to Repeal Federal Marijuana Prohibition

Members of the United States House of Representatives voted in early December to approve the Marijuana Opportunity, Reinvestment, and Expungement (MORE) Act, HR 3884, which removes marijuana from the federal Controlled Substances Act — thereby eliminating the existing conflict between state and federal marijuana laws and providing states with the authority to establish their own cannabis laws free from undue federal interference. The vote marked the first time in 50 years that a chamber of Congress has revisited the classification of cannabis as a federally controlled and prohibited substance.

Following the historic vote, NORML’s Executive Director Erik Altieri said: “By going on the record with this vote, House members have set the stage for a much-needed legislative showdown in 2021 when we will have the Biden administration in office — one that has publicly expressed an appetite for advancing the restorative justice remedies outlined in the MORE Act. We are primed and ready for this legislative debate and we expect, ultimately, to win it.”

#3: Tens of Thousands Have Their Marijuana Records Expunged

Tens of thousands of citizens previously burdened with the stigma of a lifelong marijuana conviction had those convictions expunged in 2020. In California alone, over 100,000 citizens had their records expunged. In several other states – including Colorado, Nevada, Illinois, and Washington – public officials granted pardons to tens of thousands of citizens with cannabis convictions. In addition, lawmakers in various states, like Michigan and Vermont, enacted legislation in 2020 explicitly facilitating the expungement of low-level marijuana records – joining over a dozen other states that have passed similar legislation. According to 2020 polling, 70 percent of Americans now favor expunging the criminal records of those with marijuana-related convictions.

Said NORML’s Deputy Director Paul Armentano: “Millions of citizens unduly carry the undue burden and stigmatization of a past conviction for behavior that most Americans no longer believe ought to be a crime, and that in a growing number of states is no longer classify as a crime by statute. Our sense of justice and our principles of fairness demand that officials move swiftly to right the past wrongs of cannabis prohibition and criminalization.”

#4: Sales of Retail Cannabis Products Reach Historic Highs

State-licensed marijuana retailers sold an unprecedented volume of cannabis products in 2020, bringing in record levels of tax revenue. Commenting on the historic sales trends, NORML Deputy Director Paul Armentano said: “The dramatic rise in retail marijuana sales is likely not so much a reflection of increased consumer demand, but of consumers shifting from the illicit market to the above-ground legal marketplace. As these legal markets continues to mature, consumers are going to continue gravitate toward it and away from the underground marketplace.”

#5: No Uptick in Youth Marijuana Use Following Legalization

Self-reported marijuana use by young people has either stayed stable or fallen during the time period that numerous states have adopted adult-use cannabis legalization. That’s according to findings compiled by the federally-sponsored Monitoring the Future study and others. Data compiled by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention similarly reported that the number of adolescents admitted to drug treatment programs for marijuana-related issues has fallen precipitously in states that have legalized and regulated its adult-use.

Commenting on the results, NORML’s Deputy Director Paul Armentano said, “These add to the growing body of scientific literature showing that legalization policies can be implemented in a manner that provides access for adults while simultaneously limiting youth access and misuse. Furthermore, these findings stand in sharp contrast to the sensational claims often made by legalization opponents, claims that thus far have proven to be baseless.”

#6: Vermont Lawmakers Legalize Retail Marijuana Access

Vermont lawmakers enacted legislation this fall establishing rules and regulations overseeing the commercial production and retail sale of marijuana to adults. Commenting on the passage of the law, NORML State Policies Coordinator Carly Wolf said, “This is a victory for those who wish to disrupt the illicit marketplace and move forward with an above-ground, regulated cannabis marketplace.”

Prior to the passage of the law, Vermont had been the only state to depenalize marijuana possession without providing adults with legal, above-ground access to cannabis and cannabis products via state-licensed retailers.

#7: More Seniors Report Using Cannabis to Improve Their Quality of Life

A growing percentage of seniors are engaging in the use of cannabis to mitigate symptoms of old age and to improve their overall quality of life. “These results are to be expected,” NORML’s Deputy Director Paul Armentano said. “Many seniors likely experimented first-hand with cannabis during their youth and are now returning to it as a potential therapy to mitigate many of the health-related symptoms associated with older age, including chronic pain. Many seniors are well aware of the litany of serious adverse side-effects associated with available prescription drugs, like opioids, and they perceive medical cannabis to be a viable alternative.”

#8: Cannabis Retailers Designated as “Essential Businesses”

In dozens of states this spring, lawmakers and regulators designated marijuana producers and retailers to be “essential services” – explicitly permitting them to remain open during pandemic lockdowns and loosening rules so that they could expand their operations to include services like curbside pick-up and home delivery. Writing in an op-ed, NORML’s Deputy Director Paul Armentano said, “Regulators’ actions acknowledge that for many Americans, and for chronically ill patients especially, cannabis is not some alternative on-the-fringe therapy option, but rather an essential medicine – one that must be recognized and protected accordingly, particularly during a time of crisis.”

#9: Studies Show Off-The-Job Cannabis Use No Threat to Workplace Safety

Adults who consume cannabis in their off-hours are no more likely to suffer injuries at work than are those employees who abstain from the substance, according to the findings of several studies published in 2020 – including those here, here, and here.

Commenting on the findings, NORML’s Deputy Director Paul Armentano said: “Suspicionless marijuana testing in the workplace is not now, nor has it ever been, an evidence-based policy. Rather, these discriminatory practices are a holdover from the zeitgeist of the 1980s ‘war on drugs.’ But times have changed; attitudes have changed, and in many places, the marijuana laws have changed. It is time for workplace policies to adapt to this new reality and to cease punishing employees for activities they engage in during their off-hours that pose no workplace safety threat.”

#10: Virginia Ceases Arrests for Marijuana Possession

After years of lobbying and pressure by Virginia NORML and others, lawmakers this year abolished its strict criminal penalties for marijuana possession offenses – replacing them with a $25 fine, no arrest, and no criminal record. “NORML is proud to have worked … to bring about these needed changes to Virginia law, said NORML development director, Jenn Michelle Pedini, who also serves as the executive director of Virginia NORML. “Virginians have long opposed the criminalization of personal marijuana possession, and the enactment of this legislation turns that public opinion into public policy.”

Following this legislative victory, NORML immediately pivoted to push for the enactment of adult-use legalization in Virginia – a push that spurred the state’s Governor and Attorney General in November to publicly endorse the policy change.