tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18719873537804082962024-03-12T21:17:12.941-07:00Wicked Chronic ChroniclesAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18300052947576881668noreply@blogger.comBlogger10125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1871987353780408296.post-35052975269269859312017-03-20T06:01:00.000-07:002017-03-20T06:01:17.302-07:00Part IX - The Fire<div class="MsoNormal">
In the early morning hours on Saturday March 11, 2017 Wicked
Chronic and 9 other small businesses were destroyed by fire. The entire plaza
is a total loss for all businesses. The fire investigator believes the fire
started in the center of the plaza, most likely in the attic area of the Bella
Sisters Salon and Spa. It was most likely accidental and electrical in nature.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It was sometime after 6:00 AM when I was woken by Beverly
yelling across the house that she had a voice mail message from our alarm
company, ADT. As I laid in bed trying to
wipe the fog from my head over the suddenness in which I was awoken, my first
thought was it would turn out to be our second false alarm. I was remembering we
had just hung a lightweight flag in our front window, which is near a motion
sensor. This had happened to us before when we hung a decoration from the
ceiling too close to the sensor and the heat kicked on blowing the decoration
around tripping the sensor. I was
thinking the same thing had happened until just a few seconds after Beverly had
awoken me, she yelled again.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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“I just hung up on ADT! It was a fire alarm! I’m headed over
there now!” Bang. The door closed behind her.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Fuck.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Ok, now I am moving much quicker. I was also thinking about
what could have started a fire in our store. We have a lot of candles, incense,
lighters, butane cans and matches. Sometimes we light candles, but we are
usually super careful to make sure they are all out before we leave for the
day. The only light that is left on we actually can’t turn off. It is a safety/security
overhead light. It’s always on, 24 x 7.
There was (ouch, I have to use the past tense of a word to describe our
dream store) an LED sign in our storefront window that we always left on. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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As I was getting my coat on and heading out the door Beverly
called me.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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“It’s all gone!”<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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I could hear the stress in her voice. This was no joke.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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“The whole plaza. It’s all gone. Everything.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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“I’m on my way.” was the only response I could come up with.
By the time I got to the scene Beverly had already left for home. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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It was indeed all gone. At 6:45 AM only one fire engine
remained and was still pouring water down into the plaza from atop a high
ladder. They were focusing on an area that was still smoking. There was no roof
over any of the 10 businesses. The entire roof had collapsed down. Luckily for
us, all of the exterior walls remained upright. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It has been exactly one week as I write this and it is still
heartbreaking and difficult to talk about. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Wicked Chronic, Trinity Optical, J & M Diner, Do Dance
Ballet & Fitness, Bella Sisters Salon & Spa, Merle Norman Cosmetics,
Chiropractic Solutions, Styles & Smiles, The Predaxis Encounter and
Holistic Health & Nutrition all destroyed and gone.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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The loss of our “baby” has been and still is a roller
coaster journey of emotions. I still haven’t made it through a day without
feeling sad to the point I have to stop what I am doing and go have a good cry,
again. How many tears can the human body hold onto? Buckets worth.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Those first two days it was just shock and tears. At least since Monday we have been able to
focus on actually moving forward a few small steps at a time. We were finally
able to talk to our insurance company’s adjuster and learn what to expect going
forward. Even with some businesses having the same insurance company, we know
there will be at most 8 independent insurance investigations into the cause of
the fire, along with the Framingham Fire Department’s own investigation. This
could take up to a year to complete.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In the meantime we have a lot of paperwork to re-create and
put together for our claim. Stock levels and values, furniture and build-out
costs and media items like computers and printers all have to be documented and
what the cost is to replace all of it as well. We are killing a lot of trees
printing out invoices. Our insurance adjuster prefers we fax all of our
documentation instead of sending it electronically, because more trees need to
be killed by the fax machine.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Then comes Friday the 17<sup>th</sup>. All business owners
were invited to meet with our State representatives, Senator Spilka and
Representative Walsh, who showed up to see the destruction, get in a photo op
and discuss with us how our government could potentially help us. The YMCA in Framingham (across the street
from our businesses) was gracious enough to allow us to host our meeting.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Access was clearly the number one concern for every business
owner. None of us have been allowed
inside our stores to try and salvage what we can. The scene is fenced off and
there is usually someone sitting in a car watching to make sure no one goes in.
The landlord’s insurance company has control over the scene and will not allow
any access until after their investigation is complete.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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On the Monday after the fire and one day before a blizzard
dumped 12 inches of heavy snow on top of the plaza, I did manage to get up
close to our front door and window to peek inside. The way the roof collapsed,
even if I could get through the front door or window I would not be able to get
more than 2 feet inside because the roof has cut off all access to any part of
the store. Our store is also 1 of 2 that
did not have a rear entrance. Our only way in is through the front or cutting a
hole through the adjoining wall between our store and our neighbor, Trinity
Optical.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Not knowing what is left inside that is salvageable is
disheartening. The stock and display cases are easily replaced, but there are a
few personnel possessions that we want to recover or at least know they can’t
be recovered. The not knowing is killing me.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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There is an antique wood desk that my grandfather had passed
down to my father and he passed down to me. It was hand carved with very
intricate details, a leather top and a secret hidden drawer in the back. We had
it in the back of the store and setup as a Wicca alter. It was beautiful and
Beverly gets all the credit for setting it up. Every customer commented on how
amazing the desk looked. At this point
it could just be a pile of ash. We just don’t know.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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The Friday meeting with our government representatives was
surprisingly calm. No one was yelling or trying to throw blame around. And no one was making any unreasonable
requests. Our landlord, the Brossi Brothers, gave all of us envelopes with
checks. We received our full March rent and security deposit back. That helped
a great deal and they didn’t have to give it back to us right then and there
just a week after the fire. They could have waited the 90 days specified in our
lease agreement and they could have given us just a partial refund of our March
rent. But they didn’t because they are as devastated as we are and they are
trying to do the right thing. The Brossi Brothers have always been great
landlords and have always done right by us. We will miss them.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Other big issues that came up during our “government” meeting
was around licensing and how might the government help speed up the process of
getting us re-licensed at new locations.
Of course they said they could help, but then this was said by the
Chairperson of the Framingham Selectmen.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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“It’s the government. It’s slow. Everyone knows this. It’s
just the way it is.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Holy crap are you kidding me. Not one person blinked or
huffed or said anything about that last statement, ‘it’s just the way it
is.’ Not even I said anything. Every American in our country has accepted as
fact that our government is slow to help people and there is nothing that can
be done about it. Sad.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Most of their help being offered comes in the form of their
offices calling the insurance companies on our behalf to put pressure on them
to keep things moving along quickly. Pot calling the kettle black. So we have a
slow responding government who is going to call the slowly moving insurance
companies to get them to move quicker. Yikes.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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As for Old Path Village, the Brossi Brothers plan to rebuild
as quickly as possible. The original building was a one story plaza. They are hoping to add a second floor for
more retail space. Whatever they do decide to do it will take at least a year
and probably longer before any new businesses can occupy the space again. Wicked Chronic cannot wait a year or more to
re-open and most of the other businesses will also re-open elsewhere. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Our plan for Wicked Chronic moving forward is to find a new
location in the Natick/Framingham area and reopen as quickly as possible. I am
thinking less than 6 months. Hopefully we can do it in 3 to 4 months. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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The outpouring of support from our vendors, fellow headshop
owners and the community has been unreal. One of our vendors is sending a care
package of glass and pipes to us. Others have offered free merchandise when we
re-open so we can fill shelves. Thank you.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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One of our closest friends has created a GoFundMe page on
our behalf. I love you Lisa, you are the sweetest person in the world. Thank
you.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And to my new boss, Deana, thank you for the job. This is a
huge burden lifted from my shoulders knowing we will at least have a little
money coming in to pay our bills. One day I will find a way to repay you for
your kindness. Thank you.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Now it is time to find a new location for Wicked Chronic.
Onward and upward. Forward we march. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18300052947576881668noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1871987353780408296.post-7718852117084454022016-12-06T12:46:00.000-08:002016-12-06T12:46:31.466-08:00Part VIII - The Legal Federal Business of Cannabis<div class="MsoNormal">
The federally legal business of cannabis the US government
has been enjoying for nearly half a century is just a little bit closer to
bankruptcy after the 2016 elections. The agency running the federal
government’s cannabis business is the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA). The DEA’s federal
monopoly on the cannabis industry gets a little smaller after each election
cycle with the increasing passage of marijuana reform at the State level.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The DEA has cost the American tax payer over $1 trillion
since President Nixon created this agency and requested the Food and Drug
Administration (FDA) to schedule cannabis as a Schedule 1 drug, alongside
heroin, LSD and ecstasy.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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The DEA has also made the government a lot of money over the
past 40 plus years. And it’s not just the Federal government that enjoys the
fruits of the DEA labors. Every State and most local Town budgets also receive
“payments” for cooperation and equipment rental.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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This is how it works on a small scale using my home town of
Natick as the example. The Natick Police voluntarily re-assign one of its
full-time police officers to the DEA’s Marijuana Eradication Task Force. This
officer’s salary is paid by the Town of Natick, but he does not work in the
town of Natick. The re-assigned officer
reports every day to the DEA Task Force in Boston. For “voluntarily” giving the DEA an armed
police officer to use in its task force the DEA gives the Town of Natick money
in the form of payments received from search and seizure operations. This money
goes into the town’s general fund to be used by the town however it wishes.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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The amount of money given back to the town covers the cost
of the officer’s salary (approximately $62k) and adds additional money into a town’s
budget to spend as they wish. In 2016, as of November 3<sup>rd</sup>, the Town
of Natick received over $100k back from the Federal government in the form of equitable
sharing from drug forfeitures. Your elected Selectmen know about this, so too
does the Finance committee members in your town. So none of them have any incentive to stop
this. Why would they? It’s basically free money.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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This arrangement and payment occurs at the State level as
well. For each Massachusetts State Police officer assigned to the DEA Task
Force there is a payment back to the State’s general fund. Therefore, no
elected official would dare attempt to put an end to this arrangement. It’s all
about the money.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Why would YOU want to put an end to this arrangement? Because this is the next step the voters in
the Commonwealth of Massachusetts need to take next in order to end the War on
Drugs. We must kick the DEA out of our state for good. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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The DEA needs boots on the ground to conduct their search and
seizure of your grandmother’s glaucoma medicine growing in her garden. If you take away the men and women the DEA is
using as their “troops” on the ground you will effectively stop the DEA’s
ground war.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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How can you accomplish this? Use your local town’s ballot
initiative and have your town pass new regulations that forbid the use of any
police officer being paid by your local town (and your taxes) to participate in
any Federal Task Force. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Is this legal? Yes.
You pay taxes. Your government only exists to provide you with a
service. That’s it. Our government exists only to provide us with services. If you
don’t want your local police to participate in a task force that you don’t
agree with, then by a majority vote in your town you can put a stop to this.
But it is up to you to take this action. Every official you have elected has no
incentive to stop this. They care too much about the money and not enough about
the people and communities they are supposed to be serving. <o:p></o:p></div>
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The national trend toward
legalizing cannabis state by state is an important first step toward ending a
failed government policy that has lasted over 40 years. Now it’s time to start putting the final nail
in this coffin. Bring your local police officers back to your home town and
keep them there.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
</div>
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With the election behind us it is time to pick up the
wrecked pieces of our political lives and focus on what to do next. With the passage of Ballot Question 4, the
legalization of cannabis for adult use, the really hard part begins now:
Watchdogging Our Legislature.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Create a list of every elected official that represents you and
stood in opposition to Question 4. Begin targeting them with phone calls,
emails and any other social media means of communication they open themselves
up to and bombard them with messages like, “Just do your job.”, “You had your
chance, now implement Q4 the way it was written.”, “Give it a chance before you
change it.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Don’t let up. Send them messages every week. Make yourself a
calendar reminder to send one communication each week to at least one
politician that represents you.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Seriously I can’t believe all of the noise our government
officials have been making over deadlines, tax rates and home grow. They had
their chance 2 years ago to implement their own form of cannabis legalization but
they chose not do anything about it. So we the people took it upon ourselves to
tell them what we want. All they have to do is write the rules around it; don’t
change it.<o:p></o:p></div>
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We have 4 other States that can be used as the starting
point for our regulations. <o:p></o:p></div>
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If State Treasure Deb Goldberg
spent less time on press conferences and complaining, she would have enough
time to get this done within the given timeframe. <o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
<hr />
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Just say “Trump You”.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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From this point forward I am making a conscious decision to
always replace the word “fuck” with “trump”. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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“That car just cut me off on Rt 9”… my thoughts and words
now are, “Trumping asshole!”<o:p></o:p></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18300052947576881668noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1871987353780408296.post-91930552964898666382016-11-10T12:01:00.000-08:002016-11-10T12:01:38.235-08:00Part VII – Excited to be on the Verge of the Apocalypse<div class="MsoNormal">
Ok, let’s rip the band aide off this quick. Donald Trump is
going to be our next President. Gulp. That was a painful sentence to write.
Fortunately Massachusetts residents will be able to self-medicate with cannabis
and we can keep ourselves in a happy haze until the next election season
starts. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I have never experienced an election year where words like “apocalypse”
was used to describe what the aftermath of both candidates election to the presidency
would look like for our country.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So how bad could a President Donald Trump be for the
cannabis industry?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Here is a short history reminder: February 2003 Attorney
General John Ashcroft (under the George W. Bush presidency) implemented
Operation Pipe Dreams and Operation Headhunter which targeted the drug paraphernalia
businesses across the country. This was
the last time the Republicans controlled the White House, Senate and House of
Representatives.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Since I can’t trust or believe a single word Trump says
about his stance on cannabis (or any other issue) and the current movement
toward legalization, I will look closer at the people Trump has surrounded
himself with and those the media believe are highly considered candidates for
senior appointments in the Trump White House.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Vice President elect Mike Pence from Indiana believes marijuana
is a gateway drug and has refused to sign any legislation in his home state
that eased that states drug laws. There are no medical marijuana laws in
Indiana despite a 73% approval for support of a medical marijuana program.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As mayor of New York City, Rudy Giuliani oversaw major
crackdowns on illegal drug use, especially marijuana. He has indicated he would
continue to arrest, prosecute and imprison medical marijuana patients.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Governor of New Jersey Chris Christie did sign into law
medical marijuana use in his state in September 2016, but he is 100% against
recreational marijuana. In July of 2015 while still running for President,
Christie warned: “If you’re getting high in Colorado today, enjoy it. As of
January 2017, I will enforce the federal laws.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Former speaker of the House of Representatives, Newton
“Newt” Gingrich introduced the “Drug Importer Death Penalty Act of 1996.” The bill would have required a “sentence of
death for certain importations of significant quantities of controlled
substances.” It would have applied to anyone convicted more than once of
carrying 100 doses — or about two ounces — or marijuana across the border.
Defendants would have had a window of 18 months to file their one and only
appeal.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Senator Jeff Sessions of Alabama gets a grade of “F” from
the NORML Congressional Scorecard. He is quoted in 2016 saying: “It is false
that marijuana use doesn't lead people to more drug use. It is already causing
a disturbance in the States that have made it legal.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So there you have it. Just a few of the prohibitionist Trump
may have in his ear telling him to stop the cannabis legalization movement. If
I don’t have your attention yet let me lay this one out for you. By far the
worst part of a Republican controlled government is the selection of a Supreme
Court Justice. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Once again the Supreme Court will have a conservative majority.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The legalization of cannabis across the Unites States has
taken huge steps forward in the 2016 election, but we have no time to celebrate
our victories. HOW the laws are written
to implement Massachusetts ballot question 4 are crucial to its success. WE the
people must become vicious watchdogs over every single person who is involved
in this process. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
EVERYONE must watch over their local town governments who
are now scrambling to implement new zoning regulations to keep pot shops out of
their towns. Small local boards have the power to change local zoning
regulations without a town-wide vote.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As a new small business owner in the cannabis industry there
is a great deal of excitement over the potential prosperity in our near future.
However, we must not rest on our recent success. <o:p></o:p></div>
<span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Congratulations to all who voted Yes on 4,
changing history and America for the better.</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18300052947576881668noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1871987353780408296.post-48966030967277483742016-06-14T23:58:00.001-07:002016-06-15T00:38:43.682-07:00Part VI - You Can't Regulate Crazy<div class="MsoNormal">
June 14, 2016 and I have just started to write the next Wicked
Chronic Chronicle. It has been 2 days since the attack in Orlando crushed our
hearts and souls. I don’t care who you are in this world, if you are not
saddened to tears over this senseless act of violence against innocent
bystanders, then you absolutely have no right to exist with the rest of
humanity.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The stories and pictures are difficult to watch and hear. I
can’t stop thinking of the girl whose selfie-video is showing herself inside
the club while the attack is happening. You can hear the bullets being shot in
the background. She didn’t survive.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Why? Why did this happen? If we knew the answer I would
assume our government would go through hell and high water to put a stop to it.
They either don’t have the answer or chose to ignore the solution. Or perhaps
they are simply incompetent at their jobs.
Historians will have to answer that question in a hundred years or more.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It is our responsibility as human beings to never assume anything.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I do know prohibition and violence are not the answers. I
know this as certain as I know the sun will rise tomorrow. I believe every human
being with even a small amount of common sense can see this is true. History
says it is true over and over again. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Our policies of prohibition on every major issue has never
worked. Whether it is alcohol, cannabis, segregation, civil rights,
internment camps or terrorism. They all breed a never ending cycle of violence
and disobedience. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We have tried trade embargo policies and funding/equipping
the lessor of two evils only to realize too late the lessor evil is now tomorrow’s
well-funded and equipped enemy number one.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
At some point humanity must let common sense prevail or we
are all doomed to destroy our very existence on this planet. And we might take
the planet down with us</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Killing terrorist leaders with surgical strikes or “shock
and awe” with hundreds of thousands of troops in a long bloody war are not the
answers either. How do I know this? I have my eyes open. It hasn’t worked so
far. The only thing it has done is escalate and get bigger and bloodier. Sounds
a lot like the war on drugs too. Another failure.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We need to know why these extremists hate us so much. What
are we doing that is pissing them off? Please do not reply to me with any crap
about this just being a holy war for them and their only thought is we
shouldn’t even exist. I don’t by that. That is what the government is feeding
the media and the masses. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This comes down to money, power and Israel. Most of
the big issues are typically about money and power. The cannabis industry does
not have the exclusion on this. The Unites States has bullied itself with the
Middle East (and the world) creating fictitious wars like “The Search for
Weapons of Mass Destruction”. Anyone reading these words that still believes
WMD’s existed instead of the truth, it was for the oil, then please stop
reading now. You will not agree with anything else I have to say.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The terrorist want the power and control of the oil fields. It provides great wealth to those that control them. The industrialized countries dependency on fossil fuel is why our
government creates these wars. As long as the oil fields remain secure and flowing, then the
industrialized nations’ economies remain stable. And the masses, humans, remain
employed and happy. It is for the greater good, right? And of course the
Republicans and Democrats both love these wars because of the money their rich
friends are making. It is the capitalist machine working to perfection.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The killing and atrocity that our own soldiers commit
against an indigenous populace just breads more hate against Americans. They don’t
want us there and most polls say American’s don’t want to be there either. I
don’t.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So if violence is not the long term answer then what is? Why
not a completely hands off/neutral position as a new policy? They don’t want us
there, fine. We will leave. And I mean leave them completely alone. Every
Middle East country, no exception. No guns, no money, no advice, nothing, zip,
nadda. Close every military base and
every consulate. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Republicans see this as weakness. I see it as diffusion.
We need to diffuse their anger and issues.
If they see our existence in the Middle East as part of the fuse that
fuels them, then we must walk away, temporarily. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
What about Israel? I want to support Israel but I
believe they need to fight this fight without us now. They are more than
capable of handling themselves. They have proven that over and over again. That
is one mother fucking tough military. Don’t fuck with Israel. They don’t need
our help any longer. Some of the religious zealots have this bug up their hole.
They hate us because we support Israel, their sworn enemy. Fine, we will walk
away for now.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When you teach a child to finally stand up for themselves against a bully one of the most important rules to teach is, you
must never back down once you have stood up for yourself. If you back down it
will be 10 time harder to stand up for yourself the next time. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
That is what the terrorists are doing. They are standing up
against their bully, the US. They are not going to back down. But at some point
in time the bully must realize the futility in the senseless violence and walk
away to diffuse the confrontation.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The terrorist will see that we are no longer involved and
they will no longer target Americans. They will celebrate in their short term
victory. And we will have to eat crow. Sometimes you do. We can be the better human beings here. We
have to. Bonus, we never have to see a flag draped over a military coffin shipped from the Middle East back home with another one of our dead sons or daughters inside. Senseless.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We need to wait at least 4 generations before we can
approach talks with the Middle East again. Their hatred for us runs deep and
vice versa with many Americans. With satellites that can read license plates
from space, the media, social and otherwise, plus the smart-phone using masses it
will be easy to keep an eye on what is happening in the Middle East: From a
distance. And as fast as technology continues to advance it will become easier
and easier. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Terrorism is the most important matter to deal with in our
society today. It is in “how” we fix terrorism that is the key to a lasting
peace with our enemies. This could become a key moment in human history where
we make a giant positive leap forward as human beings. One thing I do know is
violence is not the answer. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Let me say this about how I feel about gun control, which
rears its head after every senseless shooting. And that is often, way too
often. It is so often now, that again, common sense should tell you something
must be done about gun control now not later.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I applaud the Congressmen who stepped out in the middle of the
moment of silence held at the Capitol for the fallen victims in Orlando. “We
don’t want any more of these moments of silence.” Enough is enough. Action is
needed. But let’s not completely lose our heads over this issue either. I’m
going to give you something very strong to think about.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
You can’t regulate crazy. Until science catches up with
humanities natural evolution we have to all realize some of us are just a
little off our rockers. Maybe it’s genetic or maybe it’s a mental issue that hasn’t
been properly recognized and dealt with. And the environment and culture under
which we are raised plays a key factor well. Whatever the case may be, monsters
exist. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The second amendment also exists. Good or bad it exists and
we need to tame this monster head on and stop fucking around. There is no one
who can convince me that everyday Americans need any weapon that can kill more
than one person (or animal) within a few seconds of each other. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
That is what machine guns, sub-machine guns and
semi-automatic weapons are used for. They are weapons of war
manufactured and modified to murder in cold blood as many humans as quickly as
possible. No one needs this. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
One bullet from a decent marksman can take down a buck with
a single shot. Besides if you riddle the deer with bullets from a sub-machine gun
you ruin the meat. Hunters do not need them. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
You do not need them for home protection. I’m sorry but you
just can’t convince me that you need more than a handgun, shotgun or hunting
rifle to defend yourself from an intruder. You can have all three if you like.
As many as you want. Again, simple common sense thinking.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The NRA extremists argue you need these weapons to protect
yourselves in case it is necessary to rise up and overthrow a US government
that is beyond saving from the democracy it was founded upon. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">"A
well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the
right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed."</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As I think about the possibility that a man like Donald
Trump could actually become our President, I start to wonder if the extremist are
right.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
No they are not. Common sense tells me our modern society is
too connected and smart enough to never allow our country to fall to such
desperate measures. I hope that is not a silly dream. History is not on our
side. The Roman and British Empires once thought that as well. They all fell.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Our modern democratic society will never let it get to that
point. Such high powered weapons are as unnecessary as our reliance on oil. We
do not need either one nor should we ever rely on either. We need to learn to be self-sufficient.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Here is the start of sensible, common sense gun laws. The
details can be argued over later. But let’s at least get the basics written
down and agreed upon. That shouldn’t be too difficult, right?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
One: The definition of an illegal weapon is any type of
weapon that can kill more than one human being within <b><i>x</i></b> number of seconds. The exact
number is a detail to agree upon later, but again, approach it with some common
sense. I know the number is at least 2 seconds. I would be happy at 5. My mind
is open to rational explanations as to what this number might be, but there is
a number.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Two: Background checks. It has to happen. We have heard the
stories about how far behind our government is with staying current in the
realm of technology, connectivity and information sharing. I am calling shenanigans
on this one. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As a nerd and 24 year career man in Information Technology, specifically in
large scale data sharing and web application design I can tell you for a fact
this excuse is unacceptable. We should be sparring no expense to connect every
local, state and federal crime database together with a single point of entry.
And we can afford it after we implement our new “hands off” the Middle East
policy. The cost of the actual hardware to do this is relatively cheap compared
to the labor to get it done, which will create jobs.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We need your fingerprints (or other acceptable bio-metric scan) and two government issued photo
ids. Driver’s license, passport, military id. As long as we can positively
identify that you are an American citizen of legal adult age and you have not
been convicted of any violent crime nor are you on any active watch list then
you will get approved to buy your gun(s). But if you are not approved…<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
A big red flashing warning should automatically show up on local
authorities screens to say, “the person pictured here, identified as such and
such, last known address is bladdy blah, please go speak with him/her face to face immediately
regarding their application to purchase weapon(s).”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
One concern I here from the opposition on this is the wait
time to get approved. It should be reasonable of course. For me, reasonable is
24 hours. With the connectivity issue solved, it will be easy enough for a seller
to capture all the required information from the buyer. Standard issued government ids have bar codes to make it
easy for the seller to capture all the data necessary to process an
application. Today’s technology also makes it easy to capture a photo of the
buyer for his new id and his fingerprints. This step should always be done face
to face to ensure a human being actually looks at the person applying and the
photo ids presented match what comes up on their screen. It also ensures the
bio-metric is from the person applying.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The buyer can return the next day, but not before 24 hours
have elapsed, and get a temporary print out of his/her id from the seller. The seller
would not even be able to print out the temporary certificate until 24 hours
have elapsed. A permanent government issued photo id is mailed to the buyer within
14 days.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
What is not reasonable about that?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Three. Registration. Believe it or not I am actually going
to side with the NRA on this one. I don’t think you should have to register the
weapons you purchase. You shouldn’t have to register with the government to
gain access to medicine either. A gun doesn’t kill humans. Humans kill humans.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Let’s start with just these three. I want to believe that
most Americans could agree on at least these 3 necessary rules. We need to take
baby steps. Let’s not solve the entire issue at one time. Go slow. Titrate.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I do not have much hope that any of these sensible solutions
will gain any traction. Our attention is on these issues today, but as soon as
the next big story hits, the media will divert the short attention span of the American
populace to something else. Our attention span and our willingness to accept
our role in society has left us incapable of necessary change.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As for the Orlando killer we will never be able to stop
this. You can’t regulate or stop crazy. This man was mentally ill. Someone who can’t
control their dark side will fall prey to any extreme whether it is a radical
interpretation of the Koran or a perception of being looked upon as an outsider
to classmates. We are never going to be able to regulate all of the possible
situations that can be a trigger for a mentally unstable person.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">“</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Pain is
the price we pay for being alive. Dead cells—our hair, our fingernails—can’t
feel pain; they cannot feel anything. When we understand that, our question
will change from, “Why do we have to feel pain?” to “What do we do with our
pain so that it becomes meaningful and not just pointless empty suffering?” ―
Harold S. Kushner, When Bad Things Happen to Good People</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Today we must come together as one species with only love and peace
in our hearts. Do not hate. There is no room in our hearts for hatred of any
kind. Do not hate the Orlando killer for he may just be a victim of the
environment and policies we have allowed to rule our world. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We need to focus on the issues within our own borders and
stop trying to police the world. The world is policing itself now. Let it
happen. Time does heal all wounds. We have been hurt and we have hurt them.
Take a break and allow time to heal us all, for the sake of humanity itself.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">A hundred years is less
than a microsecond when you look with perspective at the period of existence
for humans on this planet. While time passes generation after generation to
allow the Middle East to cool off, let’s solve the immediate domestic
terrorism threat that we have with weed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Can cannabis help? Maybe. In a recent conversation I took
part in regarding the Orlando killings I half- jokingly suggested we need
everyone to consume weed one way or another. I know this is no joking matter,
but hear me out.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Everyone should be smoking weed. If the entirety of our
society was chillaxed out on marijuana, no one would ever pick up a gun and
kill anyone else intentionally. It would take too much effort, harsh your
euphoria and get in the way of your pursuit to satisfy your munchie or nap
needs.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We have to get it in the food supply. We need our scientist
to cross breed at the genetic level, corn with cannabis. Get the TCH, CBD
and all those other wonderful cannabinoids into every American diet. We will
call it “Cornnabis” or “Cornannabis” or “Potcorn”. We’ll come up with a good name
by the time you get the stuff grown.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I had to find a way to end this chronicle with a little
laughter. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
One Love,<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Robert<o:p></o:p></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18300052947576881668noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1871987353780408296.post-14095969176682126702016-05-17T10:56:00.000-07:002016-05-21T11:46:36.438-07:00Part V - Help Wicked Chronic<div class="MsoNormal">
We now have our feet under us and are getting into a
groove operating the store. It is now
time to turn toward the first unattainable goal…acquire a Tobacco Permit from
the Town of Framingham, MA.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I probably have a better chance of winning Powerball than
getting a Tobacco Permit from the Town of Framingham. And that is a very sad
statement. My own community is unwilling to help one of their own in our effort
to run a quality small business in this town. Shame on them.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I’ll get to why this is going to be next to impossible in a
moment, first a little background as to why I even need a Tobacco Permit. Along with the 80 year-long ban on cannabis,
there has also been a ban on “drug paraphernalia”. Bongs, pipes, rolling
papers, vaporizers are all considered drug paraphernalia and illegal to
sell/buy in its originally manufactured intention. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
However, this is one of those “gray areas” in the laws of
most states that allow the sale of these items as a tobacco accessory. Every
person with just a smidgen of common sense knows that 99% of these items are
never used with tobacco, but it makes our government officials feel like they
have some sense of control over things. So we have been giving them this one for
decades.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
If you want to be a head shop and sell “tobacco accessories”
then you need a <i>Tobacco Certificate</i>
from the State<b> and</b> a <i>Tobacco Permit</i> from the local town you are
setup to do business in. We have our
State certificate, but we are not able to get a permit from the Town of
Framingham because they have stopped issuing new permits (as of July 2015).<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Why has this town (and all other towns in the Metrowest
communities) stopped issuing new Tobacco Permits you ask? Because these towns
are run by a very small select group of individuals who act out of fear first.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
They publicly stated these new regulations were to “hold off
until the federal government decides what to do about e-cigarettes and the
vaping industry.” The Federal Drug Administration (FDA), the same folks who
have been holding cannabis hostage for over 50 years and counting, have been
contemplating over the past several years whether or not they will regulate the
e-cigarette industry or not, and if so, how will it be regulated.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As usual the FDA dragged their feet on these so called
“deeming regulations” for as long as they possibly could, but in early May 2016
the FDA announced they will indeed regulate the industry under their “tobacco”
rules and they spelled out the details. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So we should be all set to start issuing new Tobacco Permits
now that we know the federal government’s response to the e-cigarette and
vaping industry right? If the Framingham Board of Health does not want to be
called liars, then they should start issuing new permits.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I ain’t hold’n my breath.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
For some reason, I can’t quit fathom the sense of it: The
local Board of Health (BOH) in all of the Metrowest towns is the governing
board that issues Tobacco Permits to businesses. I would love it if someone could use common
sense to explain to me why a BOH has authority over a type of business license?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I get that a BOH should determine where a smoker can or
cannot smoke in public places. And I understand they should be able to set age
limits, like 21 or older, to be able to purchase tobacco products. But why should this group have the authority
to prevent commerce of legal products from happening. To me, this way over
steps their authority. The granting of a business license, like tobacco or
liquor, should reside with the town Selectmen or even just the Town Clerk. But
that’s just me, what do I know.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In 2015 all of the Metrowest communities updated their
Tobacco Permit regulations and added a paragraph similar to this one shown
below. This is from the Town of Framingham.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Regulation of the Framingham Board
of Health</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Restricting the Sale of Tobacco
Products</span></b><b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">SECTION E, Paragraph 11: Maximum Number of Tobacco Product
Sales Permits</span></i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">(a) At any given time, there shall
be no more than sixty (60) Tobacco and Product Sales Permits issued in Framingham.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">(b) As of <b>July 1st, 2015</b>, any
permit not renewed either because a retailer no longer sells tobacco products,
as defined herein, or because a retailer closes the retail business, shall be
returned to the Framingham Board of Health and shall be <b>permanently retired</b>
by the Board of Health and the total allowable number of Tobacco Product Sales
Permits under paragraph 11(a) shall be <b>reduced </b>by the number of the
retired permits.</span><br />
<!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--><br />
<!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
These regulations implemented in 2015 effectively create a <b>new
prohibition</b> of tobacco products and tobacco accessories. Eventually this
will create <b>monopolies</b> for the few businesses left holding a tobacco
permit.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The group responsible for these totalitarian regulations is
the MetroWest Tobacco Control Coalition.
Who you wonder? This Coalition is a nine-town group consisting of
Ashland, Framingham, Hudson, Medway, Millis, Marlborough, Natick, Southborough,
and Sudbury and is helmed by the Natick Health Department. Last year they
picked 27-year-old Fall River resident Sarah LeRoux as its new control agent.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
That is a lot of power for one person to have. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And since these new regulations went into effect, along with
new age limits of 21 or older to purchase (which I do agree with), the local
authorities have been touting how proud they are at all the recent busts in the
area, cracking down on the business owners who are not complying. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So I wonder if there are any particular groups of
stores/owners that are not getting harassed by the tobacco police. Perhaps
these owners know someone, who knows someone who perhaps is helping to get them
their monopoly sooner rather than later. Nah, that’s just a preposterous
conspiracy theory. Or is it?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
What happens when businesses with current Tobacco Permits
start getting cited for violations? The local BOH now has the right to revoke
or not renew that permit based on these violations. That number of available
permits quickly begins to drop from 60 to who-knows-where, but it won’t be
good. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This prohibition will only create a new black market for criminals
and a monopoly for the last business standing with a permit.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As a side note to the FDA’s recent “deeming regulations”,
they screwed us again. What was an entrepreneur and small business person’s
industry that provided a legitimately healthier alternative to smoking
cigarettes and a scientifically backed legitimate smoking cessation device, is
now out of the hands of those folks and now in control of the millionaires and
large tobacco firms.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Once again the spirit of America and the ingenuity of the small
business folks gets stepped on by their own government. Shame.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So, how can you help Wicked Chronic? If you read this far
then take it one step further. Open up your email and send one or all of the
folks below a little note that kindly asks them to begin issuing new tobacco
permits so small businesses like locally owned and operated Wicked Chronic can
give the community what they want, choices.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Ways to help:</b><b><o:p></o:p></b></div>
<ol start="1" style="margin-top: 0in;" type="1">
<li class="MsoNormal">Email the Framingham Board
of Selectmen at <a href="mailto:selectmen@framinghamma.gov">selectmen@framinghamma.gov</a><o:p></o:p></li>
<li class="MsoNormal">Email the Framingham
Health Department at <a href="mailto:Health@Framinghamma.gov">Health@Framinghamma.gov</a><o:p></o:p></li>
<li class="MsoNormal">Email MA State
Representative Chris Walsh at <a href="mailto:chris.walsh@mahouse.gov">chris.walsh@mahouse.gov</a><o:p></o:p></li>
<li class="MsoNormal">Email MA State Senator
Karen Spilka at <a href="mailto:Karen.E.Spilka@state.ma.us">Karen.E.Spilka@state.ma.us</a><o:p></o:p></li>
</ol>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18300052947576881668noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1871987353780408296.post-20162409372636489372016-04-20T15:59:00.002-07:002016-05-17T10:44:25.180-07:00Part IV - It is a conspiracy<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It’s just a word. What possible harm could come of it?
Chronic, as in the name of our business, Wicked Chronic. Here is a list of “what the f@#k”, thanks for
being so closed minded you a-holes.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It started with our bank loan, which I wrote about in a
previous chronicle. For over a month the account manager we were working with
on our SBA loan kept saying over and over again, “It’s looking great. I don’t
see any problems.” He kept saying that
until he abruptly called and said, “Sorry, you are not approved for the loan.”
They didn’t want to give us the loan because our name has the word “Chronic” in
it, and that associates us too closely with the cannabis industry. And the SBA is controlled by who? The
government.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Next up was a piece of mail I received that was ripped open.
The mail carrier handed me the mail that day, at our store. I immediately
noticed a large white envelope from our insurance company had been completely
ripped open down the long side. I feel confident my insurance company put that
envelope in the mail without the giant rip down the side. So somewhere between
them and me was…the government. And the
only reason I could possibly think of as to why this would be ripped open is
because it was addressed to “Wicked Chronic” right on the shipping label.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The next “what the f@#k” happened with our press release. I
signed up with PRLog to distribute our press release for our upcoming Grand
Opening on April 20<sup>th</sup>. The online signup was easy and our press
release was approved and pushed out on their website within an hour. That was
Saturday afternoon. Sunday evening I got an email that my press release had
been refunded with this explanation: “<i>We
are unable to promote "Cannabis" related content. We've refunded your
money.</i>”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So far the folks at Business Wire have been just fine with
our press release. So far.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-element: para-border-div; padding: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in;">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in; padding: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in; padding: 0in;">
To be continued.<o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And then there are moments that surprise you in a good way.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It was our own fault, mine specifically, for not planning
further ahead in order to get logo specific items in our store for our grand
opening. Specifically, a t-shirt with our logo on it. We didn’t want to print
it on just any old fabric, we wanted hemp or some other eco-friendly material.
After a quick Google search for local screen printers I found <a href="http://www.tullyink.com/">Tully Ink</a>. Tully can print the shirts on
100% organic cotton. Our first choice was hemp, but time was critical as we
were only 8 days from our opening.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Tully originally offered to do it with a large rush fee to
guarantee we have the shirts by 4-20, but since money is short and the cost was
too much we agreed to wait the typical turnaround time and not have our logo
shirts for our opening. It was very disappointing, but I completely understand
why they have to charge so much. Tully is very busy this time of the year,
printing items for the Boston Marathon, which is 2 days before our opening. And
I was a brand new customer with a brand new setup for them to deal with.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And then something wonderful happened. I got an email from
the owner letting me know he would get us our shirts done in time for our
opening without the rush fee. He just got himself a client for life with that
move. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
To the folks at Tully Inc. who are working extra hours to
get our shirts done in time I want to say, “Thank you, Thank you, Thank you.”
You guys are awesome, wicked pissah awesome!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Speaking of awesome, the family-run <a href="http://jmdiner.com/">J & M Diner</a> two doors down from us not only serves
amazing breakfast food, but they are also amazing people to know. I have only
briefly met our new neighbors, Karen and daughter, Mihlan (apologies for not
remembering the names of the other two I met), but I instantly got a great vibe
from them. And during our brief conversation Karen said this in regards to life
in general, “As long as you’re not causing harm to anyone else, then you should
be able to do whatever you want.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I couldn’t agree more. Stop trying to regulate the hell out
of every aspect of our lives. Let’s get back to some basic freedoms again. Do
whatever you want with whomever you want, as long as it is consensual and no
one gets hurt. Don’t tell me what I can
or can’t put in my body. If I know it is poison and I still want to take, then
I should be allowed to take it.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
“<i>I think it’s consensual.</i>” – Dale Denton, Pineapple Express<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
If I believe smoking weed is medically good for me and I
also happen to enjoy it recreationally then so be it. I’m putting this into my
body of my own free will. No one is forcing me to do this. And I feel I am
educated enough on cannabis to take whatever risks there might be. I’m not
forcing this onto anyone else. All I ask is that the world (our government)
just leave me alone. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-element: para-border-div; padding: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in;">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in; padding: 0in;">
The only regulations I would
deem acceptable would be ‘No driving while impaired.’ Whether its alcohol,
cannabis, opiates or anything else that degrades a person’s ability to safely
operate a vehicle, I would absolutely be OK with this regulation. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in; padding: 0in;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Tuesday night, err, make that early Wednesday morning 12:12
AM and got home around 10:30 after working 13 hours today. But we have made it
to the finish line. Tomorrow is April 20<sup>th</sup>, (Happy 420 everyone) and
Wicked Chronic will officially be open. Yeay!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
How am I feeling? A nervous wreck. I keep remembering last
minute details. There aren’t enough yellow sticky notepads in the house.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Right at the last possible day, our exterior sign finally
arrived and got installed. And it came out way better than I thought it was
going to. Thank you to <a href="https://www.signarama.com/ma-framingham">Signarama
of Framingham</a> for getting this done on time and making an absolutely
fantastic sign</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And really and truly at the last hour Greg from <a href="http://www.tullyink.com/">Tully Ink</a> shows up with our logo T-Shirts
and they look and feel amazing. 100% Organic Cotton.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-element: para-border-div; padding: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in;">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in; padding: 0in;">
The store looks great and we
managed to get enough product in to at least get us off to a good start. We
still have new products coming in and we will be expanding a lot over the next
few months, especially after the Champs Trade Show in Atlantic City. Really
looking forward to that at the end of May.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in; padding: 0in;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
6:35 PM, April 20<sup>th</sup> – Our Grand Opening is behind
us and I am exhausted from head to toe. I feel like I could sleep for a week. The
amount of physical and mental energy I have expended over the last several
weeks (months) leading up to today has caught up to me.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I am extremely happy with how the store came out. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Van Halen, “Everybody Wants Some” (great song, one of my
all-time favorites), is playing on the store music system as our first official
day comes to a close and I couldn’t be happier. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Big THANK YOU to everyone who stopped by to shop and support
us.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>One Love. Peace Out.</b><o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>POST UPDATE #1 </b>(hopefully there won’t be more than one, but
you never know)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
On my morning commute to the store the day after our Grand
Opening I answered a call on my cell from our security company informing me a
motion sensor has gone off and asking me if they should send the police. I was 1.5 miles from the store but I didn’t
want to take any chances so of course I said “Yes, please send the police.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I got to the store before the police and with the help of
the properties maintenance person (thanks Lenny) we determined that a new decoration
hung from the ceiling the day before was too close to a motion sensor. When the heat kicked on, the decoration was
blowing in the wind right in front of the motion sensor.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So no big deal. Except now the police were arriving, two of
them. I had no idea what to expect and what happened next shocked me.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Both officers loved the store, the name, the concept and
both of them seemed disappointed we were not selling glass, pipes, vaporizing
and other “marijuana” related devices. After explaining why we couldn’t sell
those items (read <a href="http://wickedchronic.blogspot.com/2016/01/part-1-birth-of-wicked-chronic.html">Part
1 - The Birth of Wicked Chronic</a> for the explanation) one of the officers
started talking about how ridiculous prohibition is and why he supports the
legalization of marijuana. He believes it will make our community safer and
eliminate the dangerous black market.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The officer went on to say he has never been attacked by
anyone on marijuana and the second officer confirmed the same. When I asked if
he had ever been attacked by someone who was drunk he said, “Not just alcohol, but
cocaine and other hard drugs. But never anyone on marijuana.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
He then went on to say he has never busted anyone for possession
of marijuana unless there was a gun involved.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The entire 10 minute interaction with them was eye opening
and wonderfully refreshing to hear common sense, educated opinions from my
local police officers. Now we just need to
get the local politicians and board of health to open their eyes. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>UPDATE #2</b><o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
After re-reading this post I realized I forgot to mention <a href="https://www.facebook.com/uplifting.healthandwellness">Dr. Uma Dhanabalan</a>.
Thank you Dr. Uma for supporting our grand opening by not only stopping by to
say hello, but she also brought lots of water, food and flowers. We won’t forget to hydrate!<o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18300052947576881668noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1871987353780408296.post-20815440652495755432016-03-26T11:33:00.002-07:002016-03-26T11:33:24.877-07:00Part III - How do we pay for this?<div class="MsoNormal">
Right from the start my wife and I had planned on getting a
Small Business loan from a bank to fund most of our new retail store for the
first 3 to 5 years. Well, that was the plan. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We went to the U.S. Small Business Administration web site
at <a href="https://www.sba.gov/">https://www.sba.gov/</a> and was connected
with a local bank in our area that does SBA loans. We provided them with a
solid business plan and right from the start of the loan process to the end we
had been led to believe we were a slam </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
dunk to get approved for our loan. Not
so fast my friends. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We were not approved. The minutia of the details is not important. What is
important is how the hell do we pay for our dream shop? <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As
a backup plan of not getting the loan we decided to put all of our eggs into
this one basket and pay for this ourselves out of our life savings. It’s a plan
that we have total control over, but it makes me very nervous to be putting
this much of our savings into it. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The
alternative is for me to go back to the IT corporate world and get a so called
“real job”. This plan does make the most logical sense. The wife can take over
the shop and grow the business until we have enough income from the shop to
allow me to quit my horrible corporate job. This really wasn’t a good option
for me. I really don’t want to ever go back to any other job where I am not my
own boss. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
(Pause
for a safety break) <o:p></o:p><br />
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Over
the many years of medicating and using for recreational purposes I jotted down
on paper all of the things I should never do while recreationally high (RH).
Yes, there is a difference. I have strains I use just for my pain and other
conditions, but I also have my favorite strains I use to just get fucking high
(RH). <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Now,
when you are RH there things one should never do. For example, never try to
write your blog. And never ever push the ‘Publish’ button. Ever! You see, when
you are RH you might be super creative, but the reality is you’re really only
being super creative in your own head. When, the next day, you re-read what you
wrote you will realize you are either completely insane or you just really
fucked up.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
What else shouldn’t you do when you are RH? Do not get a
haircut. We have all been there right? No? Is it just me? Ok, so I had been
thinking for a while I should change up my hair style a bit? I have had the
same hair style for over 20 years. Now it’s just a bit greyer then it use to
be. But when you are seriously RH, you should not tell your barber, “How about
something new today?” Big mistake. Huge. Let’s just say I did not want that
carved in the back of my head. Hell no.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
You might think this next one is obvious, but when you are
RH nothing is obvious. Do not try to shave. Ouch. You might miss a step or
worse you might add a step never tried before. If you plan on being RH later in
the evening make sure you shave early in the day, before you start down the
magic dragon path.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Never assemble Lego toys. They laughed and made fun of me, not
with me. Fortunately enough years have passed and there are no more Lego toys
in the house to toy with my emotions like that. The Millennium Falcon/Slave I
hybrid-cross-combination would have been a seriously kickass ship. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
By the way, if you are not sure if you are seriously RH then
here are some clues to help you determine how high you are? If you get out of
the shower and start to dry yourself and 5 minutes passes and you are still
wet, standing there wondering, “Why is this part of my body wet? Oh right I
just got out of the shower, I haven’t dried that area yet. I’ve been drying the
same arm for 5 straight minutes. Man this new towel is super soft.”… You are
seriously RH at this point.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-element: para-border-div; padding: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in;">
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<br /></div>
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As you are pulling a tissue out
of the box you realize you just blew your nose 5 seconds ago…or did I? Serious
RH.<o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
All of a sudden when you are paying for things out of your
own pocket versus a bank loan, you re-evaluate everything you were going to do
before. Those boutique style, real wood counter tops, displays and flooring all
of a sudden become economy laminate flooring and fake wood counter tops and
displays. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The super fancy security system with all the bells and
whistles gets reduced down to just the basics. And so does everything else we
wanted to do for the initial launch of our store. But that still doesn’t stop
us from having our dream. It just keeps delaying and delaying it. Two steps
forward, three steps back.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I sound fairly optimistic in this month’s chronicle despite
not getting the loan, but that is because we had a backup plan. Always have a
backup plan for everything you do. This is especially true when your fate is in
the hands of others. In our case it was a bank. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Funding this dream entirely on our own has actually been a
bit liberating for me. I’m disappointed we have to cut corners, but we still
don’t have to answer to anyone. Every penny we spend is ours. Every penny we
will make will be ours. It’s a feeling of having just a bit more freedom. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
You have to be a certain type of person that is comfortable
taking risks. You also have to be comfortable working long hours. With a little
short of a month away from our target opening day I’m averaging 60 to 70 hours
of work a week, seven days a week. Even when I’m not physically doing something
for the business I am always thinking about it and nothing else. It will
consume you.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The tension and stress levels of both my wife and I have
also been drastically increasing lately. The more the store comes together and
the faster we approach our ‘open’ date the more stress there is between
us. And our home life is suffering as
well.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We use to eat at the dinner table at least 5 nights a week,
mostly 6 out of 7, but lately we are too tired to food shop and too tired to
cook dinner. Dinner has become, “whatever
you can find, make for yourself.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Our hope of being open before the end of March is becoming
highly unlikely. We need more product, especially the ‘chronic’ side of the
business. It is disheartening to not be
a “real” headshop. Without a tobacco permit, you can’t legally sell any tobacco
accessories. Which means we can’t sell any local artisan’s glass, bongs, pipes,
etc. Nor can we sell any vaping devices.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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We are having to become creative with hemp. Fortunately
there are thousands of potential uses for hemp and anything made from
industrial hemp (less than 0.3% THC) is 100% legal to sell in every state. Finding quality hemp products has been a
challenge. Manitoba Harvest, makers of great hemp foods, wouldn’t deal directly
with us because of our store name. They didn’t like the name “Chronic”. It is too close to marijuana for them.
Manitoba is trying to maintain a significant distance from marijuana or
anything associated with marijuana (CBD).<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As April comes upon us we are fortunate to have the Boston
Gift Show so close to home and in the first weekend of April. Hopefully we will
come away with more products. And hopefully it won’t break our budget. At this point we really need to get our doors
open so we can start bringing in some money.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And if the Boston Gift Show doesn’t pan out we have NECANN
(New England Cannabis Convention) at the end of April.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Until next month I leave you with this advice; if it’s not
4:20 where you are, it is somewhere in the world or at least close enough to
toke up in honor of them.<o:p></o:p></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18300052947576881668noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1871987353780408296.post-69612250233714542672016-02-13T15:03:00.000-08:002016-02-13T15:03:14.443-08:00Part II - Let's take a "safety break"<div class="MsoNormal">
Over the past 5 months I have gone from occasional,
recreational toker to registered medical marijuana patient who is highly
educated in the cannabis industry and am now a connoisseur of this wonderful
plant.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I have learned a great deal about cannabis, cannabinoids,
terpenes and the endocannabinoid system. And along this journey I have begun to
also learn some of the more interesting ways folks communicate with each other
when they are talking about marijuana. It is unfortunate that so many people
still feel it is taboo to talk about their own personal involvement with
marijuana.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
For example, if you and a co-worker want to take a break in
the middle of your work day to consume your strain of choice, you can’t just
walk up to them and say, “Hey, let’s go outside and get high.” That probably
would be overheard by the wrong person.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
One way to say this is to say, “Hey, let’s go for a safety
break.” That’s a nice way of saying, “if I don’t go outside right now and take
a puff to calm myself from the stress of my job right now, only god himself
will be able to save the next person who calls me with a stupid question.
You’re toking and chilling is for the safety of all us around you. “Safety
break time. Who’s with me?”<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Why do you think people enjoy taking smoke breaks? Even
those nasty cigarettes. It’s because all
of us need to take breaks to chill out.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The best place to take a safety break and have a business
meeting is in your happy room. If you don’t have a happy room, get one. Mine is
an enclosed and heated 4 season porch with a hot tub and super comfy chair, the
Love Sac (check them out at your local mall, they’re awesome). I live in New
England so having the hot tub outdoors only lasted a couple of winters. Getting
out of a hot tub in the middle of a very cold New England day needing to race
into the warm house before you freeze like a Popsicle is very hazardous to
one’s health. You’re wet, you slip, you fall on the frozen ground and that
hurts a lot. So it had to come inside.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Now when having a business meeting on your safety break it
is very important to lay down some rules early on as to what you can actually
talk about. You should never try to talk about finances, loan applications or
POS systems. Oy, wait until I tell you about POS systems. You’re taking a safety break for a reason, to
relax of course. And the last thing you want to talk about is boring stuff and
stuff you will actually have to pay attention to and remember. The likelihood
of you remembering what you talked about during your safety break is slim.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So what business can you talk about when you’re high?
Marketing ideas are OK. Marijuana is very often associated with enhancing
creativity. Just remember to have pencil and paper with you and right down your
brilliant ideas immediately. My wife and I came up with some of our best ideas
for product names and loyalty program ideas while we were “being safe”. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
For those of you thinking of taking your own safety break
right now, that would be a bad idea. Because you will never remember the
important advice I am about to drop on you regarding POS systems. If you’re
going to open a retail store, you are going to need a cash register. But you
can’t just buy a cash register and start shoving your customers’ money into it.
Nope, you need an all-encompassing, all-connected, all-powerful piece of
software to connect your brick and mortar store(s) and your online website
together with your customers and your social media/marketing outlets like
Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, etc. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Since I have a background in IT and I love to research
things to death before I buy them I was more than happy to do what is my
bread-n-butter, my element of expertise. If this were in the hands of the wife,
she would have talked to one person and bought what they wanted her to buy. She
is the type of person that will buy the first thing she sees that someone tells
her will be perfect for her. I am a lot more distrusting, especially with
salesmen. And remember, POS does not stand for Piece of Shit, at least not in
this articles context. It stands for Point of Sales.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Whatever POS system you buy, just make sure it meets all of
your required needs. Do not buy anything that almost meets your needs. And if
the software company that created and supports the system tells you they are
working on the feature you want and it will be available in the next release.
Do not believe them. Even if it does come true, you would be working with a
first version of that feature you require. As a former software developer I can
absolutely tell you beyond any doubt in my mind, don’t ever buy any version 1
of any software.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
If it’s a big feature that you must have to meet your
business needs and the POS system you are investigating doesn’t have it in
their currently released version then you should move on to a different POS
system. If it’s a minor feature you can live without for the short term knowing
they are going to add it to a future release, then keep investigating and
comparing.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
For a head shop we had a requirement that our POS system
must have the ability to scan a driver’s license to do age verification. You
must be 21 years of age or older to purchase goods from a head shop. First I
was surprised to learn that many of the systems did not have this feature or it
was implemented poorly. The second surprise was how much they jack up the price
of a barcode scanner when it needs to support both UPC scans and barcodes on
the back of drivers’ licenses (PDF417 is a stacked linear 2D barcode). The
price for the scanner jumped from $150 to over $400.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Since, as previously written about, we moved on from a head
shop to our Wicked Chronic idea, we no longer needed to maintain the
requirement for age verification in our POS system. However, even though I did
pick a POS system that does not currently have age verification, I did make
sure they would be adding it in the very near future. After all, our long term
dream store is going to require age verification.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As a self-described computer geek I was immediately
attracted to cloud based POS systems. Cloud
based POS systems met several of our needs. We wanted the ability to keep
inventory in sync between our brick and mortar and our online website. We also
wanted to take sales at trade shows. When you are new to any industry and even
more so in a re-emerging industry like cannabis, it is a good marketing
opportunity to have a booth at local industry trade shows. For the cannabis
industry there are a lot of trade shows to choose from. Don’t spend a lot of
money traveling to trade shows. Pick the ones that are within driving distance
for you.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
** Safety break **<o:p></o:p></div>
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I can’t believe I just bored my
readers with advice on POS systems. <o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18300052947576881668noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1871987353780408296.post-25988866552896226092016-01-17T07:04:00.001-08:002016-01-17T07:04:20.502-08:00Part 1 – The birth of Wicked Chronic<div class="MsoNormal">
After identifying what our dream looked like: A retail
cannabis shop where we can sell our own strain grown by Beverly and sold in our
own shop. What next? How do you open up any retail shop? The answer is to do a
little reading, ask questions of friends and family and in general educate
yourself. Lesson number one in being an entrepreneur: No one will give you
anything. If you want something, do it yourself.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Our first realization was that the laws in our state would
not allow us to legally operate this type of business, at least not in 2016. In
2012 Massachusetts past “AN ACT FOR THE HUMANITARIAN MEDICAL USE OF MARIJUANA”
(General Law Chapter 369). The use of marijuana for recreational purposes,
which is what our dream requires, will be determined by ballot question in
November 2016. Even if this does pass, which I believe it will, the actual
implementation of the laws and licenses would still be at least another year
away, if we lived in Fantasy Land. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It should be no surprise that it took The Bay State nearly 6
months from voter approval of Question 3 in November 2012 to approved
regulations in May 2013. Yet is was still another 2 years and 2 months before
the first dispensary was able to open up…albeit by appointment only. Good
grief.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So our reality is we are several years away from having our
ultimate dream, but that didn’t mean we couldn’t have a small slice of it now.
We decided the best way to put our foot forward into the cannabis retail
industry would be to open a head shop. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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There were other ideas floated around before we settled on a
head shop, like opening a vape shop or even our own medical marijuana
dispensary. The vape shop lost its luster when we both realized neither one of
us was passionate enough to be involved in this segment. Neither one of us were
ever tobacco smokers. We were only interested in making money with a vape shop,
it wasn’t something we were going to be happy with. We worked the vape shop
idea for several months before moving on to our next idea.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
If you are passionate about vaping and promoting vaping as a
healthier alternative to smoking tobacco, I highly recommend this as a great
start-up business. There is a fairly low cost to enter this industry and there
are many ways to make money at it. It just wasn’t for us.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The medical marijuana dispensary would be a perfect place
for us to start except this is Massachusetts and not only does it help to know
the right people, but you must also have an absurd amount of money to even
begin the process of opening a dispensary in this state. You must have
$500,000.00 of verifiable liquid assets just to start Phase 1 of a multi-step
process which will eventually cost you $81,500.00 to open your doors. That cost
only gets you your certificate to operate. And you have to pay an annual fee of
$50,000.00 to stay in business. It is legalized organized crime. You pay a
ridiculous fee every year or they shut you down. Sounds like a mafia, but
instead of burning your place of business to the ground, an official with a
badge shows up and shuts you down.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So not being millionaires put the idea of our own dispensary
out of our minds. Congratulations to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts for
keeping the average American small business wannabe out of this industry and
allowing the rich to get richer. It’s
the American way right?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So it is the head shop idea we ran with that gives us the
opportunity to get into retail, get into a segment of the cannabis industry and
allows us to be in a “ready” state for when the laws eventually change. And
they will change. We are counting on it.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As we moved forward with the head shop idea we learned a
very valuable lesson, you must pay attention to your local town politics at all
times. They are sneaky S.O.B.’s putting forth their own personal agendas with
no regard for anyone but their own interests.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
After finding the perfect location to open a head shop, we
found out the local town’s board of health had just recently pushed forward new
regulations that prevented the town from issuing any new tobacco permits.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In the state of Massachusetts you need a tobacco license
from the state and a tobacco permit from the town your brick & mortar
retail store will operate from in order to legally operate a head shop. Why? Because 79 years of prohibition of
cannabis has relegated all smoking accessories as a tobacco accessory. Manufacturers
of bongs, pipes, rolling papers, one-hitters, etc. can’t sell these products as
a marijuana smoking accessories because marijuana is illegal at the federal
level. A retail store is forced to get around these laws by selling these items
as tobacco accessories. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I researched why we couldn’t sell the “tobacco” accessories
as medical marijuana devices? After all my brain thought, “Well, Massachusetts
now says marijuana is a legal medicine. So why can’t a glass bong or pipe be
sold as a medical marijuana device?” It didn’t take long to get to the answer.
Only the FDA can approve a device for medicinal purposes. And it is the FDA
that has cannabis classified as a Schedule 1 drug. No way in hell will the FDA
approve anything for medical marijuana purposes. The world may stop spinning on
its axis if that happens.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Ridiculous is the word that always pops into my head when I
think about that. I bet if you surveyed 100 people on the street, “What do you
think people buy in a head shop?” I’m guessing over 98% would say the person
shopping in a head shop is buying something to be used with marijuana. No one
would ever answer, “They’re buying a tobacco accessory”. Unless of course the
person asking the question had a badge.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Even in a state, like Mass, where marijuana is now
recognized as medicine and possession has been decriminalized, you can’t sell
these items as marijuana accessories. Mass still recognizes these items as an
illegal drug paraphernalia. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Further research into the tobacco permit problem uncovered
the realization that most of the towns in the Boston Metrowest area were no
longer issuing new tobacco permits. What these towns are saying publicly is the
reason for doing this is to stop the sales of e-juice and tobacco vaping
devices to children. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
If you want to pass a new regulation, no matter how absurd
it is, all you have to do is say, “We are doing this to protect our
children.” Unless you want to be thought
of as a monster who doesn’t care about kids, no one would ever argue against
that statement. Bull Shit. I smell shenanigans.
Call me a monster.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
There is a bigger underlying truth behind these new
draconian regulations. (Who doesn’t love a good conspiracy theory?) It is in fact related to the impending
recreational marijuana regulations. These towns are proactively creating
regulations in an attempt to keep any recreational marijuana stores from ever
opening in their towns. I know that theory is full of holes, but I like it
anyway.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The local boards of health have over stepped the power they
have been given by preventing new small business from opening. These new
regulations already state no one under 21 can purchase vaporizing devices and
e-juice. That should have been more than enough to protect the children. All
you have to do now is enforce that law. Institute massive fines against any
business that violates this rule. But that wasn’t enough for them. They took it
one step too far and created local monopolies.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When a current business operating with a tobacco permit in one
of these towns does not renew their permit or closes their business, the number
of allowable tobacco permits issuable in these towns is decreased by one. Thus
no new businesses will ever be able to have a tobacco permit. Over time as
these current tobacco permit holding businesses close, the few remaining will
have a monopoly on all tobacco products.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So now we can’t even open up a head shop. Our dreams continue to be crushed around every
new corner we turn. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And just as a side note to the new ban on issuing tobacco
permits, this is just another prohibition that has been created. And
prohibition does not work. It didn’t work for alcohol in the 1920’s nor has it
worked for marijuana and the war on drugs covering 79 years and counting.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Attempting to limit and eventually ban the sales of e-juice
and vaping devices will only create a new criminal element to fill the supply
that will be demanded by the people who want to use these products. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As for me, I moped around for a week hating myself for not
being more involved in the local town politics. If I had been involved from the
start, perhaps I could have prevented the ban on permits. More great conversations between Beverly and I
occurred and we arrived at our next and current idea. We would focus our store
on counter-culture type items related to the cannabis industry and include some
Wiccan type items as well. Items similar to what you mind find in those unique gift
shops in Salem, MA.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And thus is born Wicked Chronic. ‘Wicked’ to represent the
Wiccan side of our store and ‘Chronic’ to represent the cannabis side.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As soon as you figure out your name, register yourself with
the Feds for an FEIN, with your state(s) as a business and purchase the URL you
want. If you have come up with a clever name, make sure no one else is using
before you start registering yourself.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I will caution you on this, do not jump too quickly into
registering your company name until you are 100% sure of the name and the type
of business you will have. I made the mistake of registering Blue Sky Vape
before we decided that we would not open a vape store. Trying to get a company
name changed is a hair-pulling experience. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Even with the great technological advances and connectivity
we enjoy every day, the state government is tragically decades behind the
private sector. There is no way to change a company name with the state unless
you fax them instructions. You can’t do it on their website, or by email with
scanned documents, nor can you call them on the phone and ask them to do it. I
thought fax machines were walking the green mile at the turn of the century. Turns out state governments can’t do anything
without receiving the same fax at least 6 times. That is how many times I faxed
the same document to the same number over a 4 week period.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Once I was able to confirm our name finally changed, then I
had to start getting the name changed at our bank. At least that what a little
bit smoother, not much? So Wicked Chronic is off and running. Hopefully we will
achieve our ultimate dream.<o:p></o:p></div>
<span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><div>
<span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span></div>
Our ultimate fantasy dream would be to have a
shop in a beach community in Florida and a shop in New England. This way we
could live and work in the shop in Florida during the cruel winter months that
New England tortures me with year after year. And live and work in New England
during the nicer, warmer times of the year. Hey, if you’re going to have a
dream, why not have a fantasy too. It could happen.</span><br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18300052947576881668noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1871987353780408296.post-31854008331763912432016-01-05T09:25:00.001-08:002016-01-13T16:47:40.761-08:00Introduction<div class="MsoNormal">
These are the chronicles of Robert and Beverly. Married for
over 10 years, this upper-middle class family is embarking on their version of
the American Dream…to own and operate their own cannabis business. <o:p></o:p></div>
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I, Robert, am documenting our journey from a life of certain
and reliable comfort into a highly risky venture, the re-emerging cannabis
industry. I hope to share with my readers not only the process of changing your
life, but the emotional roller coaster that goes with chasing your dreams. Unfortunately
I will also need to share with you the many frustrations we have encountered
with outdated laws and regulations, local town bureaucracies and the societal stigmatism
that follows everyone in this industry like a black cloud.<o:p></o:p></div>
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After 11 years as an IT Manager with a Fortune 500 company
(top 50 actually), I was unceremoniously laid off by a descendant of Darth
Vader, as evil a boss that ever existed. At 47 years-old and 23 years of
working for “The Man” I had decided (a) I will never be able to work for any
large company ever again, and (b) I was losing interest in my own career as a
software developer and IT manager.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Thankfully my wife Beverly is the most supportive and
understanding person I have ever known. We had the most wonderful conversation
that every married couple should have. It started with a simple question: What
do you really want to do that will make you happy? A future chronicle will
delve deeper into this conversation.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Our conclusion was that we both wanted to open our own “Mom
and Pop” retail store. Something that would at least replace the income we lost
from what I was earning. We don’t need to be millionaires (although I wouldn’t
mind giving that a shot), we just wanted to continue to live the life style we
had been enjoying for the past decade. <o:p></o:p></div>
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In the spring of 2015 I was a regular user of cannabis,
self-medicating for various ailments and also enjoying the pleasure that comes
along with the side effects of marijuana. Bev was an occasional toker. What we
both could clearly see was the re-emergence of cannabis in our own state,
Massachusetts. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Our American Dream is to open a retail cannabis shop where
we can sell our own strain grown by Beverly and sold in our own shop. Seems
simple enough. Until you actually try to do it. And our ultimate fantasy dream would be to have a shop in a beach community in Florida and a shop in New England. This way we could live and work in the shop in Florida during the cruel winter months that New England tortures me with year after year. And live and work in New England during the nicer, warmer times of the year. Hey, if you’re going to have a dream, why not have a fantasy too. It could happen.<o:p></o:p></div>
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These chronicles are both an education for the reader who
wishes to get themselves into the cannabis industry and a shared experience
with my family and I as we attempt to live our American dream.<o:p></o:p></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18300052947576881668noreply@blogger.com0Natick, MA 01760, USA42.2775281 -71.34680909999997342.1835556 -71.508170599999971 42.3715006 -71.185447599999975