States are decriminalizing marijuana in ever increasing numbers.  This last week, Hawaii’s Senate passed a bill (22-3 how do you like that margin?) to eliminate all penalties for the possession of one ounce of pot except the lucrative fine system of $300 for first offense and $500 for anything after that. A combo of three bills increased the amount of cannabis a medical patient could possess, decreased the penalties for possession, and agreed to tax the herb at $30 per ounce. Granted, the bill still needs to pass the house and get the governor’s signature but this is one more sign that the North Coast needs to get moving on managing marijuana legalization to benefit the local economies. If another state liberalizes their cannabis laws before we do, it will seriously injure attempts to legitimize the marijuana business for when it almost assuredly goes legal here.

Last Night, Anna Hamilton did a talk show on KMUD.  In it she talked about meetings being held ever Monday at 3PM at Calico’s in Garberville to discuss the issues involved in legalization.  Most excitingly, there is a Forum on the 23rd of March at the Mateel Community Center that is seeking to mobilize all aspects of the community from growers to business owners.