Global Ganja Report

For the first time in its 24-year history, the annual High Times Cannabis Cup in Amsterdam was raided by police Nov. 23. Some 100 armed and uniformed Dutch police officers entered the Cannabis Cup Expo at the Borchland Sportcentrum venue, occupying the building and separating the hundreds of attendees from exhibitors, who were instructed to remain at their tables. David Holland, event counsel, Tweeted: "Police are ensuring that all vendors are in compliance with the 500 gram limit under the Opium Law for licensed vendors at the venue." Small quantities of cannabis were reportedly confiscated, but no arrests were made. The Cup awards and entertainment proceeded that night as planned at the city's Melkweg club. (Legalization Nation, CelebStoner, Nov. 28; Legalization Nation, Vancouver Sun, Nov. 23)

The 2011 Hempcon medical marijuana convention in Denver in October prompted local fears of a "green rush" in the Centennial State. Sixteen states now allow some form of legalized medical marijuana, but only Colorado explicitly allows cannabis businesses to operate as such—making it the first for-profit marijuana marketplace in the United States. Between 2000—when voters approved the state's medical marijuana initiative—and 2008, Colorado issued roughly 2,000 medical marijuana cards to patients living in the state. By 2011, that number had jumped to more than 127,000 paying customers, according to the Colorado Medical Marijuana Registry—with at least 25,000 more have applications pending.

The 20th annual Seattle Hempfest drew an estimated 300,000 the weekend of Aug. 19-21—including some big-name politicians. Rep. Dennis Kucinich (D-OH) exhorted from the stage, in an apparent reference to the 1999 World Trade Organization protests: "Seattle you shook the world once; can you shake it again, I ask you!" He urged support for such issues as withdrawal of US military troops from around the world, gay rights and universal health care, as well as an end to the war on drugs. Mike McGinn became the first Seattle mayor to address the Hempfest crowd. Other speakers included state representatives Roger Goodman and Mary Lou Dickerson, and Seattle City Attorney Pete Holmes.

The East Bay Express' Legalization Nation blog reports July 13 that organizers expect up to 30,000 to pack Frank H. Ogawa Plaza in front of Oakland City Hall on Sept 3-4 for the International Cannabis and Hemp Expo 2011—dubbed "Mardi Grass" by blogger David Downs. Tickets for the event just went on sale for $18, marking the first time Oakland has turned over public space for a a paid cannabis-oriented event. Plans call for three entertainment stages, some 400 industry vendors, dozens of food trucks, guest celebrities, and heavy hitters from the movement. The expo will also feature an open-air "215" area for medical cannabis patients.

A debate over California's Proposition 19 was disrupted by critics of the measure, who heckled scheduled speakers and interrupted proceedings at the International Cannabis and Hemp Expo at San Francisco's Cow Palace Sept. 25. What the Legalization Nation blog wryly dubs "Stoners Against Legalization" teamed up with cultural conservative crashers to shout down Prop 19 advocates.

Nearly 4,000 attended the 11th annual Cannabis Revival in Joplin, Mo., on Sept. 25. Among the speakers advocating for legalization of marijuana was former Republican New Mexico Gov. Gary Johnson (1995-2002). Kelly Maddy, director of the Joplin chapter of the NORML and organizer of the Cannabis Revival, said the weekend event was held as a way to encourage public involvement in marijuana law reform. Johnson, who has toured the country speaking on the issue, says the drug should be regulated and taxed like alcohol. (AP, The Fuse, Joplin, Sept. 26)

The first ever High Times Medical Cannabis Cup was held this week in San Francisco. For two days hundreds of guests shelled out $60 a head to pack the Terra Gallery on Harrison Street, where an "all-star" panel of High Times cultivation writers and California medical marijuana experts picked the best product from dispensaries around the Bay Area. 

On July 3, medical marijuana users can head out to Quixote’s True Blue bar in Denver, Colorodo, to experience the HomeGrown Freedom Festival, a gathering and concert exclusively for MMJ patients. This gathering is designed to connect patients with the local dispensaries and caregivers that best fit the individual’s needs.