When we look back on our era in American history, I think most of us will say we lived in a pretty strange time. I’m not one to judge, and I know these drugs help some people, but damn. With all the luxuries we enjoy, and the advances of modern society, people still just don’t seem happier. Anxiety, depression, panic attacks. Prescriptions by the tens of millions. If I can try to drastically oversimplify the problem, the data suggests to me that folks are left feeling unfulfilled by the society we’re living in.
At the end of the day, the pharmaceutical industry is probably as grimy as any other industry, and they have a product to sell like everyone else. Convince people they need something external to solve an internal problem, and you turn a profit. Just take a look at the numbers above. When medicine becomes a for-profit business, you run into some pretty interesting statistics. Thanks to the folks at Good, as always, for making a complex issue seem relatively simple. Informative as usual.
For the folks who have been advocating for the legalize-and-tax model, this looks like a step in the right direction. Yesterday, the Oakland City Council voted to approve the licensing of four major marijuana production plants. For all intents and purposes, trees might as well be legal already in the Bay, but this measure takes on a new frontier for the medicinal cannabis market. The four plants will likely be massive in size and scale of production (upwards of 20,000 pounds per year), with their licenses carrying $200,000 in annual fees, as well as heavy taxation.
So what exactly does industrial marijuana mean for the local businesses that have spearheaded the movement so far? Opponents worry that these production plants could put small dispensaries and growers out of business for good. In any case, it’ll be interesting to see where this goes. Thanks to Samra for the heads up.
Cocaine Cowboys has got to be one of the most eye-opening films I’ve ever seen. For those of you who might not be familiar, Cowboys is director Billy Corben’s documentary, illuminating the real-life story of Miami’s multi-billion dollar cocaine trade in the ’70s and ’80s. If for no other reason, the movie is fascinating simply because the events it covers actually happened. Kingpins, traffickers, and hitmen all lend their perspective to the film, breaking down the real story behind the controversy that shaped modern Miami. Actor and screenwriter Brett Tabor also took an interest in the film, but his was pretty specific. Over the past few years, Tabor spent countless hours trying to track down Max Mermelstein, the most infamous smuggler in the Cocaine Cowboys era, in order to write the script that could save his career. Lucky for us, LA Weekly‘s Gus Garcia Roberts has the whole story.
According to the New York Times‘ John Tierney, hallucinogenic drugs have caught the attention of doctors lately, for their effectiveness in treating certain cases of depression and other mental health problems. Most notably, Studies like this are interesting for a number of reasons. To a certain degree, I think it shows how arbitrary the lines we as a society set up, really are. It just seems strange that drugs that regularly cause addiction or even overdose (Xanax, Oxycontin, alcohol) are legal, accessible or even socially acceptable as a treatment, while others are feared and criminalized, despite having fewer health risks. We’ll save the whole pharmaceutical lobbying discussion for another day though. Obviously, I’m not going to advise you to drop acid on a daily basis. But if Bowties is doing anything, I hope it’s making you question things every once in a while. Because maybe, just maybe, things aren’t the way everybody tells you they are. Samra feels me. Read the full story after the MORE.
Maybe we should call this recycling on a higher level. Haha. I’m laughing. It’s Saturday, so please enjoy yourself.
Using the last remains of joints, visual artist Cliff Maynard arranges the ends of roach papers into these magical works of art. Originally a student at the Art Institute of Pittsburgh, Cliff originally was introduced to the art through his study of mosaics, “I was studying mosaics in school, and I just remember sort of making this connection in my head between the tiles and roach papers.” From there, Cliff set out to create his portraits by cutting up the roaches into little pieces of paper, and reorganizing them by shade and size to form his portraits. Peculiar and extraordinary.
Now this is just a compelling piece of journalism. In a three-part piece, LA Times columnist Sam Quinones documents a strange trend in the world of illicit drug trafficking. Apparently, immigrants from a small rural community in Mexico have created an ingenious, highly effective business model for moving black tar heroin in small towns across America, spreading addiction nationwide, but also revitalizing the economy back home in Xalisco. Targeting white communities almost exclusively, and operating with little to no violence, the delivery service seems to go against the headline-grabbing cartel model that has become synonymous with Mexico in recent years. All moral judgments aside, the whole situation is just crazy. Free market capitalism turned on itself. Read on for the full story.
“Canadian artist Gordon Ball was born in Montreal, Quebec. He began taking photos of his friends skateboarding, doing drugs, playing in hardcore bands, making out, and skinny dipping in 1994. Today, nothing much has changed”. So reads the artist statement on Ball’s website. While that definitely seems to be the case, it should be noted that Gordon is amazing at what he does. Visually speaking, work boasts vivid color and thoughtful composition. More importantly though, his photography has raw, human touch to it, turning debauchery and fun into something poetic. Pretty inspired, if you ask me.
I’ve been told that reality is stranger than fiction, and recently, I’ve become convinced that it’s true. As a brief preface for folks, Pablo was the most legendary and ruthless figure in the history of the international drug trade. At the height of his career, the Colombian drug lord was estimated by Forbes to be among the ten richest men on the planet, almost exclusively off yayo. Boasting one of the most luxurious estates in the world, Escobar even owned a handful of exotic animals, among them four hippopotamuses. In the years after his fall, that original population of four has ballooned, and now threatens to alter the ecosystem in the surrounding area of the Magdalena River. By now, I would hope you have enough reasons to watch this. Thank National Geographic for documenting.
Today, I’d like share one of my favorite movies with you. Sweet Elizabeth brought this into my life many years ago and it has been my answer to “what’s your favorite movie?” ever since. I can’t even begin to relate to you how wet this movie is. Kof & Lan know. I watched it over and over in Tendrich. I don’t know. It’s just my kinda shit. Reality will always outdo fiction, because that shit actually happened. And nothing is crazier than that.
Growing up, our image of the ’60s was shaped as a time of massive social and cultural change. After all, this was the era synonymous with political upheaval, brilliant popular art and sexual freedom. It’s also no secret that these movements were linked inextricably to drugs, and a little healthy experimentation. The Harvard Psychedelic Club, written by Don Lattin, documents the life and work of Timothy Leary, later known as the “high priest of LSD” and Richard Alpert (Ram Dass), the two Harvard professors whose research led them from being fired at Harvard to becoming veritable leaders of a movement, all amid heavy drug experimentation alongside icons like Allen Ginsberg and William S. Burroughs. Below is an excerpt from the book, which is available here and here.
Some artists show you beautiful things, and others show you things that are truly ugly. Some take you places you never want to leave, and others show you places you wish you never saw. Before his tragic and untimely passing via heroin overdose last year, Dash Snow could do all of the above, sometimes all in the same image. After running away from home at 13, Dash started his photography career to document places he saw, that he might not remember in the morning. Running the gamut anywhere from hilarious to outta pocket to downright nasty, his work is some of the most inspiring art I can remember seeing. Just don’t say I didn’t warn you.
On paper, pretty much everything about this movie sounds dope. When You’re Strange, directed by Tom DiCillo is made up of archival footage, documenting the legendary band from their rise to stardom up until Jim Morrison’s death in 1971. With narration by Johnny Depp, the film will give its audience a chance to see live performances and studio footage not seen anywhere else. When You’re Strange is an official selection for Sundance, as well as the LA film festival, and will be making its debut this June. For now, peep the trailer above.
Does everybody fuck with trees yet? Someday. No peer pressure I guess. Cudi definitely seems to enjoy the greenery though, as the latest clip from director Jason Goldwatch can attest. Nothing too fancy, but some fun visuals to accompany “Cudderisback”, the latest from hip-hop’s resident Moon Man, over Vampire Weekend’s “Ottoman”. Why the OG didn’t surface on the album is beyond me, but Cudi did definitely did his thing on this. Now tentatively titled Cudder And The Revolution of Evolution, his sophomore album is scheduled for release later this year. We’ll be listening.
Yesterday, L.A.’s City Council voted to limit the number of medical marijuana dispensaries in Los Angeles to 137, with a target goal of 70. The number is a drastic drop from the figure of over 1,000 currently operating in the county. Additionally, dispensaries will not be allowed to operate within 1,000 feet of schools, parks, libraries or residences. Why local government is focusing on shit like this in a time of economic distress is just confusing. The numbers would certainly seem to suggest that cannabis clubs are one of the few avenues where small business is still flourishing. What does this mean for the business owners who opened their shops legally, or the employees who make a living working there? The vote goes down today. Hopefully the L.A. Times will help us make sense of it all.
For all the advances folks have made in neuroscience and psychology, I don’t think we’re even close to understanding what the human mind is capable of. James Blagden of No Mas came correct with this one, the animated story of Dock Ellis, who pitched a no-hitter under the influence of acid. This is just a hell of a story. Let Dock put you up on game.
