Contest-y Goodness!

What's better than pre-ordering Mark Haskell Smith's new book "Heart of Dankness: Underground Botanists, Outlaw Farmers, and the Race for the Cannabis Cup"?

Why, that would be receiving a Goodie Bag and contest entry for pre-ordering Mark's new book, Heart of Dankness!

Broadway Books is happy to celebrate its new publication and anyone who pre-orders a copy of Heart of Dankness before April 3rd. – via ANY retailer – will receive a Goodie Bag with rolling papers, a signed bookplate, and an entry to win a copy of Jason King’s amazing Cannabible boxed set. It's Contest-y Goodness!

Pic courtesy of http://heartofdankness.tumblr.com/

"In Heart of Dankness: Underground Botanists, Outlaw Farmers, and the Race for the Cannabis Cup author Mark Haskell Smith guides us through the fascinating world (and underworld) of high-end cannabis. While reporting on the Super Bowl/Mardi Gras of the marijuana world, the international competition held annually in Amsterdam known as the Cannabis Cup for the Los Angeles Times, Smith sampled some rare high-grade weed in an Amsterdam coffee-shop, which left him relaxed, happy, lucid, and energetic—anything but stoned. He realized this weed had a superior smell, taste, and high, the “dankness” so sought after by true pot connoisseurs. This intrigued him so much that he set off on a quest for what brings about these qualities.

Also, stay tuned for my review!

"What does “Dank” mean to you?"

Love From The Nurse Nut

This is very exciting for me! I received an email letting me know that The Nurse Nut has chosen my l'il Awkward Blog as one of the "Top 50 Blogs on the Medicinal Marijuana Controversy". Awesome! Reading the other websites listed, I am in amazing company!

I've been sharing my thoughts, views, opinions and yes, sometimes rants, on here for just about a year now and am very happy that people have supported me and joined me for the ride. I started writing about cannabis because lives literally depend on it, and sometimes, some things, are just too important to not speak out about.

Thank You Nurses, I'm honoured with the recognition! And Thank You to everyone who has visited my little corner of the internets over the past year, I really appreciate it and hope you'll continue on this journey with me.

One day, our miracle plant won't be so "Awkward" to talk about. Until then, the crusade for true freedom will soldier on.

Education, Regulation, Legalization. Pass It to The Left.

~Love, MaryJane




Read more HERE.

Jumping Back In

A Happy New Year to all my Awkward readers out there! I know I've been M.I.A. these past couple of months so here's a little rundown of the crazy end to 2009:

1. My Mom had her cancer surgery in November, she was a trooper and walked out of the hospital a week to the day after having half her lung removed. At 76 years old, the Doctors and Nurses were amazed with her recovery. Tough old Irish gals are hard to keep down! I spent 3 weeks with her while she recovered, I was due to spend some time in the home I grew up in. I hadn't been back so much since my Dad died 3 years ago as it had just felt too hard to be there without him, but for my Mom I'd do anything. My wonderful Husband did an awesome job holding things down on the homefront while I was gone and it was heartwarming to hear my kids tell me they missed me while I was away at Gramma's.

While the surgery went amazing, upon post-op testing we have now found out the cancer may have spread. She is now seeing 2 more specialists and will be commencing radiation treatments this week. I pray she can conquer cancer, maybe you can say a little prayer for her too. Her primary cancer doctor has also given her the go ahead to apply for a Medical Marijuana Card - he believes in it - Hallelujah! She's never tried Cannabis in her life but is willing to give the edibles a go - she wants to be around for her grandkids she says. *sigh...* ...cancer really is an evil bitch.

2. I had been so worried to distraction that I hadn't realized that the reason I was so extremely exhausted and was craving orange juice so bad was not because my blood sugar was out of whack, (which happens because of my PCOS) but because I was knocked up! Yes, my darling Hubby and I are blessed to be having another baby this July. We're all very excited and my Sons can't wait to find out if they are getting a sister or a brother. My 5 year old said he wonders if it will be a boy, girl, or madam. My 7 yr. old is hoping the baby is born on his birthday as my due date is only 4 days prior. I'm starting to feel better, but I gotta say November, December and nausea really kicked my ass!

3. My computer crashed. I only hope I will never have to deal with Dell Tech again! I'm back online now after about a month and minus the dollars I had to spend on a new hard drive. Give me a bit - I've got alot to catch up on - but I will be jumping back in.

I've decided to not do a 2009 review as right now I'm just thankful to be getting back into the swing of things. Life - its got its ups and downs and all arounds - but I guess that's what makes it interesting!

All the best to everyone in 2010, may it be Happy, Healthy and Hempy!

Pass It to The Left,

MaryJane

Stoner Etiquette - Code of Ethics for a Cannabis Vaporizer Party

Brilliant. :-)

(Yes, I just put a smiley-face on my usually serious blog)

vaporizerexpert - Code of Ethics for a Cannabis Vaporizer Party

UPDATE: The original WordPress blog where this article was published is no longer online, but I have found it reposted here.

Mother Knows Best

Marie Myung-Ok Lee deserves a Mother of the Year Award. In a society that still harbors much prejudice against cannabis and those who use it she is to be commended for ignoring the "Judgy Judgerson's" and doing what is best for her child.

Last May her article "Why I Give My 9-Year-Old Pot" was a true testament of a Mother's Love. Now Marie continues the story about her son "J" and her family's journey after discovering that one of the worlds oldest medicines has new found benefits.

This is Your Country on Drugs

Interview with Ryan Grim, senior congressional correspondent for the Huffington Post and author of the new book, "This is Your Country on Drugs: The Secret History of Getting High in America".

I Am What I Am

A truly insightful article!

Popeye the pothead | Cannabis Culture Magazine

“Bad Journalism”

While surfing the 'net tonight I came across this article from 2002. I believe it is still relevant today as many of us try to expose the madness of the war on drugs. You'll read here on my own site about both Canadian and American issues and policies regarding cannabis and drug laws, and this is because I believe that our two countries are quite intertwined when it comes to Prohibition.

Good Reading

There is an absolutely awesome website called Show Me the Facts that answers questions regarding Cannabis - and backs it up with Scientific Research. I recommend everyone check this site out. Whether you smoke it or not, whether you agree with Legalization or not, there is 70+ years of Propaganda to consider. Society as a whole deserves to know the Truth - that Prohibition is not based on Scientific Findings, but Racism and Corporate Greed.

"Why is Marijuana Illegal?" has a great historical overview of Cannabis and Hemp and the origins of Prohibition. Regarding Medical Marijuana, "Common Sense and Compassion Overcome Marijuana Propaganda" is an absolute must read.

It's 2009 - Education about Cannabis is the Order of the Day.

Pass it to the Left.

And in the Beginning, it Was Awkward......

I set this Blog up about a month and a half ago. Since then, I've been writing a lot, and wondering just what way would be best to begin. Tonight, I finally decided to just throw something fun out there, relax a little. And now I feel better. More important stuff to come.... phew, that was only a little awkward......