On Aug. 2, 1937, the Marijuana Tax Act passed. Although later laws would codify punishment for cannabis smokers, sellers and cultivators, House Resolution 6385, drafted by Harry Anslinger, the first commissioner of the U.S. Treasury Department’s Federal Bureau of Narcotics, is regarded as the first time the federal government laid its heavy hand on the plant. The […]
marijuana
Posted inLetters + Opinion
Our Shrinking Habitat
For too long now, Humboldt County has encouraged the reckless and destructive expansion of black market marijuana in forest habitat. The recently proposed commercial marijuana ordinance continues this dismal policy. Rather than learning from the massive failure of the medical marijuana ordinance, the proposed commercial marijuana ordinance continues to coddle black market growers. Rather than […]
Posted inNews
Country Music Singer Tries to Mainstream Humboldt Cannabis
Continuing his now decades-long attempt to strum along to the zeitgeist of popular culture, country music singer Toby Keith recently released a song titled “Wacky Tobaccy,” and, guess what? Yeah, it mentions Humboldt County. “You got your Mexican and Jamaican with those buds of blue/ Humboldt County and Hydroponic too/ Okeechobee Purple from down in […]
Posted inNews
Sessions Fights to Fight Legal Weed
Lost in all the reports of his testimony before the Senate Intelligence Committee was news that last month U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions asked Congress to give him broad authority to crack down on medical marijuana cultivators and distributors acting in accordance with state laws. On May 1, Sessions penned a letter to congressional leaders […]
Posted inNews
Eureka Council Slated to Talk Wards, Budget, Recreational Pot
The Eureka City Council will take a first look at the 2017-2018 budget on Tuesday and examine possible customized approaches to the recent legalization of recreational marijuana rather than having the state’s default regulations apply inside city limits. But before tacking those weighty items, the council will discuss ward redistricting during a 4:30 p.m. special […]
Posted inLetters + Opinion
How to Not Fuck Up Humboldt
Every year, hundreds of people travel to the Emerald Triangle in hopes of making a few grand trimming cannabis during harvest season. Some use that money to finance further world travel. Some stay in the area, hitting the wall of the region’s limited housing market and washing up in homeless camps. These seasonal workers, dubbed […]
Posted inArts + Scene
Cannifest Destiny
Attending Cannifest at Redwood Acres was clearly a high point of the weekend for a large crowd in attendance on Saturday. The “sustainable agriculture” event, billed as “Humboldt’s manifest cannabis festival and trade gathering,” was quite a contrast from the recent Logging Conference also held at Redwood Acres. It was a look into the rapidly […]
Posted inNews
TL;DR: The Cannabis Issue
Busy week? We get it. Here are some highlights from this week’s cover package to get you caught up. Humboldt County’s biggest industry is in flux as it moves from the shadows out into the light. This week, in the Journal‘s first ever issue dedicated almost entirely to the industry, we look at various aspects […]
Posted inNews
Sessions: Marijuana Only ‘Slightly Less Awful’ than Heroin
U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions tossed some more shade on marijuana this week, adding to growing concerns that a federal crackdown is looming for the $7 billion industry. Speaking about efforts to combat violent crime and “restore public safety” before a group of state and local law enforcement in Richmond, Virginia, Sessions spoke about the […]
Posted inLetters + Opinion
Yes, Another Pot Story
I can hear you groaning. Yes, not only is it another local media story devoted to cannabis but it’s virtually an entire issue on the subject. I get it. You’re tired of talking about it. We all are. But whether you smoke shatter on the hour or have never touched a joint, you need to […]
Posted inNews
The Trump Card
There’s no doubt that marijuana money plays a pivotal role in Humboldt County’s economy, not only buoying the balance sheets of local businesses but also the budgets of local police agencies. Over the years, millions in seized cash and property have gone toward Humboldt County Drug Task Force operations — basically paying for almost everything […]