TresSugar

California Cracking Down on Pot Clubs High on Profits

LibertySugar — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 10:03:54 -0700

He may have been Governor Moonbeam in the '70s, but today California Attorney General Jerry Brown has cracked down on the state's pot clubs. When California legalized medical marijuana 10 years ago, medical dispensaries started popping up, only to see profits as high as a kite.

AG Brown said, "The voters wanted medical marijuana dispensaries to be used for seriously ill patients and their caregivers - not as million-dollar businesses."

Brown may be correct, but couldn't he apply his logic to other pharmaceutical companies? Pot wouldn't be the first drug to help businesspeople get rich. Even so, Brown has a new set of rules for these medical dispensaries. To see what they are, read more.

According to the SF Chronicle they include: Sell only to legitimate patients; operate as nonprofits; and only buy pot from fellow cooperative members at prices that cover cost, as opposed to professional growers who are out for big bucks. Though, of course, these medical providers can always get caught by the federal government, which doesn't recognize California's legalization. Is Brown right? Is pot as medicine OK as long as it's not an issue of profit?

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Do You Think Prop. 8 Should Be Repealed?

LibertySugar — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 03:01:12 -0800

This weekend CA Attorney General Jerry Brown asked the CA Supreme Court to void Proposition 8 because it is unconstitutional. The attorney general must defend the laws of California. Yet Brown says Prop 8 makes his job impossible, because the amendment contradicts another part of the state Constitution: the equal protection clause.

Right after 52 percent of voters passed the gay marriage ban, Brown claimed he would uphold the will of the voters, and when the Court legalized same-sex marriage earlier this year, Brown had argued against it. But now, Brown says:

"Proposition 8 must be invalidated because the amendment process cannot be used to extinguish fundamental constitutional rights without compelling justification."

Brown thinks that in the conflict between the people's amendment power, and the court's duty to protect minorities and liberties, the court's duty should prevail. What do you think?

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Ex-eBay CEO Launches Bid to Be First Female Governor of CA

LibertySugar — Mon, 09 Feb 2009 13:30:12 -0800

Californians will have the chance to order their very own executive as governor in 2010. Meg Whitman, former eBay CEO, has announced her intention to run for the post. In her fight for ~~bids~~ votes, Whitman can tout her corporate experience and economic expertise, and she'll likely call on her personal fortune of about $1.4 billion to do so.

Meg got all political last year, supporting Mitt Romney for president and then serving as national cochair for John McCain. As CEO of eBay for 10 years, she helped the small startup grow at record pace.

If she beats out other contenders for the Republican nomination, she'll face whomever wins the Democrats' primary. Likely nominees on the left include San Francisco mayor Gavin Newsom, current attorney general and former governor Jerry Brown, or even Senator Dianne Feinstein. And if she manages to keep the governor seat in Republican hands, she would become California's first female governor.

Meg Whitman has no experience in public office. But considering the current climate, do you think a business background is more important?

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Gay Marriage Goes Down, But Not Without a Fight

LibertySugar — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 09:25:00 -0800

California county registrars may have stopped issuing licenses to same-sex couples, but not all Californians are ready to accept the newly approved marriage ban. The city of San Francisco filed lawsuits challenging Prop. 8's passage, and California Attorney General Jerry Brown says he will fight to defend the legality of the marriage licenses already issued to 18,000 same-sex couples.

Last night at a West Hollywood rally, 2,500 joined a protest of Prop. 8, which eventually clashed with the LAPD. Seven protesters were arrested. In San Francisco's Castro neighborhood the rainbow flag is flying at half-staff, and last night gay marriage supporters held a candle light vigil at San Francisco's City Hall. Rallies of support for gay marriage were held in other parts of the state, too.

Gay marriage bans also passed in Arizona and Florida on Tuesday, along with an Arkansas ban on adoption by anyone except a married man and woman. How long do you think the struggle for gay marriage will go on before it is completely successful? Will it ever be?

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GiggleSugar Reader Spotlight: Moni B

GiggleSugar — Fri, 23 Mar 2007 15:01:58 -0700

Our GiggleSugar spotlight shines this week on Moni B, shown here standing next to a chicken in a suit and a giant ear of corn (naturally). When she isn't studying her socks off at Brown University as a sociology student, she's posting witty comments on GiggleSugar. (I'm sure she has other activities to entertain her, but this is one of our faves.) Let's hear from her in her own words, and be sure to check out the gallery of images at the end of the interview.

GS: What is your motto?
MB: "I'll be everything you taught me" from "One Sweet Day" by Mariah Carey and Boyz II Men in memory of my high school senior English teacher. He died at the end of my first semester of my freshman year of college. He truly believed in me and treated me like I was his own daughter. I took it upon myself to do my best in his honor. (GS: What a touching tribute to his memory, Moni B! He'd be proud.)

GS:Where are you from? MB: Born and raised in Pawtucket, Rhode Island (birth of the American Industrial Revolution!) Now I'm in Providence, RI.

GS: What do you do? MB: I'm a full time college student at Brown University, candidate for a Bachelor of Science degree in Sociology.

GS: How would you describe your sense of humor? MB: A little bit of sarcasm and a whole lot of silly! (GS: Can I steal that as our motto? Sounds about right!)

GS: What's your favorite GiggleSugar post? MB: Best Music Video of 2006- OK GO's "Here It Goes Again" and usually any Family Guy clip...LOVE Family Guy.

GS: Who's the cutest funny man and woman? MB: Hands down: Dane Cook. For woman it's a little harder, but definitely Drew Barrymore.

GS: Who are your favorite comedians? MB: Here are my staples: Robin Williams, Dane Cook, Greg Proops, Mitch Hedberg and Eddie Izzard.

GS: What's your favorite comedy? MB: Too many to mention. A good rule of thumb is if it has anyone from the Frat Pack, I'll dig it. Adam Sandler is also a plus. I also like, Super Troopers and Broken Lizard's Beer Fest. I'm anxiously awaiting Super Troopers 2...which reminds me...I want to go bookmark some Super Troopers clips to spread the giggles!

GS: If your life were a comedy, what would it be? MB: It would probably be based around quirky, silly things that happen to me every day. There's always something amusing that goes on, from blond moments to shared humorous moments with friends and coworkers. (GS: May I suggest Legally Blonde?)

GS: Do you ever get told you look like someone famous? MB: When I was younger, apparently I looked a little like Charlotte Church, but that's the end of it. And that was based on one person. So probably very little significance.

Free-for-all. About me: Moni B = Monica. 20 years old. College student/ dog lover/ reading enthusiast/ sushi addict/ health nut/ tech nerd/ I can't believe I'm doing this instead of doing homework for tomorrow.

GS: When are you online for other readers to chat with? MB: It really varies. I have such a hectic school schedule I hop on whenever I can. Ballpark estimate: usually at night.

Thanks, Moni B!

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(Moni B on a rocking cow at Ben & Jerry's; Dane Cook; Drew Barrymore; Robin Williams; Greg Proops; Mitch Hedberg; Eddie Izzard.)

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