HOME INTERVIEWS COLUMNS ARTICLES FRANTIK GIRL ABOUT CONTACTBy: Gian Erguiza
The dawn of a new age for marijuana is here. Medicinal marijuana has been made easier to get since the opening of medical cannabis dispensaries all over southern California. But there is a conflict going on about the purpose. Some say (DEA) that this is a way for marijuana abusers to take advantage of the system. Some say that it is strictly for the purpose of medicinal values only. I conclude that it is both. I also conclude that the marijuana conflict is a bit complicated.
The biggest problem to date is, marijuana is illegal. Prop 215, the first statewide medical marijuana voter initiative, was passed in 1996. Prop 215 ensures that ill patients have the right to obtain and use marijuana for medicinal purposes without having to face criminal prosecution or sanction if approved by an appropriate certified physician. In 2001 though, in a surprising turn of events, the Us Supreme Curt ruled that state and federal laws do not need to conform to each other giving the DEA the satisfaction they have been craving since the DEA still forbids the use of marijuana. Senate Bill 420, passed in 2003, embodies the purpose of Prop 215 by issuing identification cards to qualified patients under a voluntary program. Most recently, both Prop 215 and SB 420 have failed to protect the Medical Groups since there is nothing on both bills that state how much money proprietors out of the 170 dispensaries can make. The DEA in turn finds this as a big problem as the state has failed to regulate pot clubs since legalization over 10 years ago.
Oakland’s measure Z marijuana oversight committee made a report about how much Californian’s use medicinal marijuana. Californians precisely consume about $870 million and $2 billion in medical marijuana each year. That is a huge number certainly not to be ignored. If medical marijuana was taxed legally like any other medicines, the state can literally receive approximately $70 million to $120 million in sales tax revenues alone. That is a staggering number and would sure really help our Nations debt. Presently, only, a portion of the 200 plus medical cannabis dispensaries pay taxes so imagine if all of the medical cannabis dispensaries were being taxed legally….The sales tax revenue would see a great jump. The problem with this idea is most of these dispensaries are non-profit cooperatives and selectives. Taxing them would be completely wrong.
I just recently read an act to amend the Health and Safety Code of California and I found it interesting. Act 11357.5 states that, No person, 21 years or older, shall be prosecuted, be denied any right or privilege, nor be subject to any criminal or civil penalties for the possession, cultivation, transportation, distribution, or consumption of cannabis/hemp/marijuana, including: Cannabis Hemp, Hemp industrial products, Hemp medicinal preparations, Hemp nutritional products, and Hemp intoxicating products. One of the other important facts that its states is that, The manufacture, marketing, distribution, or sales between adults of equipment or accessories designed to assist in the planting, cultivation, harvesting, curing, processing, packaging, storage, analysis, consumption, or transportation of cannabis hemp plants, industrial hemp products, hemp medicinal preparations, hemp nutritional products, hemp intoxicating products, or any cannabis hemp product shall not be prohibited. Wow. Now this sounds like a solid amendment act and a huge step forward to protecting the whole cause of legalizing marijuana. It looks very promising but is Congress, Washington, DEA, and all of the anti-marijuana groups going to let this happen? I think not. But I do think that adding 11357.5 to the Health and Safety Code of California would make millions of people happy, especially the terminally ill. To read the Proposed act, click on this link: http://www.jackherer.com
What seems to bother me the most from the whole marijuana conflict is that it focuses only on marijuana. Drug-prohibition is in place for all drugs but for some reason, marijuana is always center stage. Anti-marijuana ads and commercials are all over the place while anti-methamphetamine, pills, cocaine, heroin and crack ads are rarely seen. You don’t see movements and groups trying to fight for legalization of these drugs. You don’t see much about it nor hear much about it either. But you do see that distinguished doctors, scientists, farmers, patients, adults, and other marijuana activists are supporting the movement to legalize marijuana. Why? Because, the truth of the matter is, marijuana is not harmful compared to those other drugs. I know for a fact that marijuana is nontoxic and to me, that’s better than any pill that has all of these death inducing side effects. If the government can agree to legalize marijuana for the sick, then maybe, just maybe, they can also agree that adults can take marijuana and be responsible for their actions. It is a free country right? ?
The conflict stands. Will marijuana ever be legalized? Will the whole movement to legalize marijuana be shut down or is there actually a light at the end of the tunnel. Only we the people can answer this question. The 2008 initiative for an act to amend the Health and Safety Code of California is pending.
By: Gian Erguiza
American Idol has become the show to watch for the newest up n coming stars this world has to offer. I don’t agree with most of the singers they choose but who am I to judge right? Right. The part I really watch is the first few shows where they show the worst of the worst and man, it sure does get worse when you think it can’t anymore. Some of them make my ears bleed! Vocal Warm-Ups are crucial to any singer if they care and love their instrument. After all, their instrument is part of their body, not some instrument you can just pick up and play. Throat care is vital to having a long and successful term with your instrument. If you don’t care for your throat now, the damage might be too much for repair. Here are some Vocal Warm-Ups to start the day.
Hum real low like you’re starting an engine and gradually increase the hum to your comfortable key/register and hold it there for a few seconds. The vibration in your throat loosens up mucus and any other things that may be stuck in your throat.
Start your Hum engine again but this time, when you get to the your key/register, end it with “me-me-me” repeatedly. Yeah I know it sounds ridiculous like Mickey Mouse singing but this helps the pronunciation of your vowels.
The next step is to start your engine hum, gradually increase into “me-nee-a.” Hold the “a.” Repeat this three times, alternating the endings with “a,” “u,” and “o.” hold each ending note for a few seconds.
Now to add to the previous exercise, add the three vowels into the ending of “me-nee-a”. Ex: “me-nee-a-o,” “me-nee-a-u,” and “me-nee-a-a.”
The last step would be the 1-9 exercise. Start off with “me” and then add “1,” “9.” Ex: “me-1-9,” “me-2-9,” “me-3-9,” and so on until you get to “me-9-9.”
This warm up is great to start your day. The full vocal warm up with scales is a different story. This warm up is provided to help your speech throughout the day. Remember, don’t push and don’t sing from your throat. You know what they say, the way you talk, should be the same way you sing. Enjoy!
By: Gian Erguiza
You wake up to someone you barely know. She is undressed and so are you. She is hot, Sexy and Unconscious, what do you do? For those of you that have had a one-night stand, chances are, you had no clue on what to do before you parted ways. Let us help you out.
First off, always have a condom handy. No one wants to sleep with a dirty unprepared candidate. The more prepared the easier the catch. Second, do not leave your phone number for any reason when you part ways. This leaves no strings attached and no “next time” scenario. If you think you can handle this situation anyhow, then go ahead and leave your number but it is not wise. Third, watch what you say. Do not say things that you don’t mean or won’t be following up on. Remember, You are trying to get laid therefore, don’t have to lie! Fourth, if they don’t plan on staying the night, do not let them leave intoxicated with shoes in hand, leaving their cell phone (or anything for that matter, purposely, whatever). Offer for them to stay or at least sober up so you don’t go on wondering if they ever made it home alive. Fifth, always leave them with a scribbled note or a kiss goodbye while they are sleeping. You are leaving at a skirmish of 5:30 a.m. and it is only proper. Sixth, leave in the clothes you came in. Borrowing a sweater or a shirt only suggests a return of the clothing. Seventh, if you have to call them about the sweater you let them borrow, shame on you because by this time, you have already provided a phone number/email. Do not just call back asking for the sweater. Dumb Move. A simple email or voicemail saying, “ Hey ______ I had fun last night. I’ll see you around.” Will suffice. Now, she has your email/phone number and when she answers, that’s the time to politely ask for the sweater back. Keep it quick and simple.
In the end, good etiquette and proper treatment goes a long way. You both did have a “lustful experience,” an exchange of bodily fluids, and a damned good time, hopefully. After the liquor has faded, the sun has risen, and the moment becomes a dream, you’ll be glad to know that you were well versed in the One-Night Stand etiquette. Whore.
By: Gian Erguiza
It is a beautiful day outside and you decide to go out and enjoy the wilderness. You hike the trails, swim in the river, climb the mountain, and go deep into the forest. But now it is getting dark and you have no clue how to get back to where you were or where you started. You are stranded. Do you have the knowledge and the right stuff to get out alive? Search and Rescue personnel will find you within 3 days, dead or alive. So what do you need to survive? What do you need before going off into the wilderness? The military school of survival will help us learn.
Bring the right clothes. Knowing how to dress properly is essential to survival. Summertime in the mountains means bringing along wool/fleece hat and gloves, moisture free long underwear, a fleece jacket, and windproof/waterproof jacket and pants. I know it sounds like a great deal to be carrying but it’s an insurance policy. Summertime in the desert is another story. Loose fitting light colored cotton clothing works best because it traps the sweat and repels the sun to keep you cool. Wear pants not shorts, a T-shirt, long sleeved, collared shirt, and a wide-brimmed hat will do the trick.
Leave a detailed plan or tell someone where you’re planning to go. Even if you are just going to hike up a hill or ride your mountain bike, spell out where you plan on going and what car you are driving with someone from the home base. Leave a map and highlight the route you’re taking. Write down when you plan to return. There should be a 3-6 hour delay in your plan if it’s a multi day trip. Tell your friend at home that if you are not back or have not called by the deadline, they are to notify the nearest search and rescue immediately.
Have a map or a compass. Plotting your location continuously is the way to go. A common mistake that people do is pulling out the map when they get lost. Too Late. When the terrain stops matching what’s on the map, stop moving. Backtrack to where the map and the terrain were in agreement. Locate your starting point on the map and rotate the map until it agrees with the landscape. Even if it is upside down already, you will get a rough fix on where you are and where you should be heading.
Remain in one place if you’re in trouble. Stay calm and Stay put. Rescue logs are filled with the same story of the plane or vehicle being found first and then the dead corpse being found days later. To make the situation not worse than it is, stay put. If you are stuck with your car, the international sign of distress is a popped hood. Pop your hood. Make a good decision by staying put especially if you are stuck in the middle of a blizzard.
Stay Warm. Ever heard the Rule of 3’s? 3 hours without warmth, 3 minutes without oxygen, 3 days without water, 3 weeks without food. You will die of hypothermia before you die of thirst. If you are in your car, Use your backseat as a partition and duct tape blankets and trash bags so the heater will warm up faster. Start the car every 10 minutes each hour. In the wilderness, sleep inside a plastic sack instead of trying to build a log cabin. In the desert, rig the bag as a sunshade and by the second day, construct a debris hut made of stick poles, boughs, and branches and make sure you face it against the wind. In other words, create a shelter until help comes.
Signal for help. Find an area that is visible form the air. Create a giant X with rocks and whatever you can find as big as you can. In the snow, use the trees and green boughs. A music CD comes in real handy at this point, as you will use it as a signaling mirror to flash aircrafts. A rearview mirror can work just as good. Make a lot of noise with whatever you can. Remember, Contrast and movement is the biggest eye catcher to a rescuer’s eye.
Build a Fire. It boosts morale, gives light, provides warmth and you will be able to cook. If you have cotton balls and petroleum jelly, soak the cotton ball in the jelly and put twigs on top of it. This should help you start the fire. Once you get the fire started, keep it going and keep fueling the fire with twigs, branches, tinder, kindling and whatever else resource you can come up with. Wool rubbing against a 9-volt battery will also act as a fire starter.
Find Water. Usually, the search and rescue teams will find you before dehydration. If it’s deemed necessary for you to go find water, try not to drift too far away from camp. An old condom is actually useful in this case in that it can actually make a nice water jug. No lubrication I hope. Rationing water is also not recommended because in order to beat dehydration, you have to drink the water you have. When you do find water, drink it and don’t be too conscious about the purity of water. Dehydration can kill but an intestinal disease can be treated once rescued.
Necessary Gear:
First-aid kit
Knife
Strike anywhere match
Waterproof match case
Whistle
Space Blanket
Signal mirror
Orange Flags
Penlite (LED)
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