Pubdate: Thu, 13 Jun 2013
Source: Sacramento News & Review (CA)
Column: Medical-Marijuana Guide
Copyright: 2013 Chico Community Publishing, Inc.
Contact:  http://newsreview.com/sacto/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/540
Author: Ngaio Bealum

FAVORITE STONERS

Remember back in May when I asked people to tell me their favorite 
spot to toke in Sac? This is one of the responses:

I like the park atop the subterranean building [Seventh and Eighth 
streets at N and O streets]. There's a sculpture garden, an 
amphitheater, lots of park seating, and a big, open space for pacing 
back and forth. (Why they don't hold food-truck events [here] is 
beyond me-there's even driveway access up there.) Great view of 
downtown buildings, including the light show atop the building that 
houses Morton's [the Steakhouse], and a view of the harlequin 
building that is the state power station, plus the Stanford Mansion 
and a view of the state Capitol dome. There is hardly anyone up there 
day [or] night, and especially weekends. For a cozy smoke spot 
nearby, try the passageway beneath N Street that connects the 
subterranean building with the state [Employment Development 
Department] building. When I'm really stoned up there, it's fun to 
pretend that the place is an empty Star Trek set, and Kirk and Spock 
are just around the corner getting high.

- -Lalo in Alkali Flat

Who are some of your favorite cannabis users?

- -420 Legends

That's a tough question. There are so many cool, talented, 
productive, creative people that have admitted to using and enjoying 
cannabis, it's hard to narrow it down to just a few favorites.

In sports, there are NBA Hall of Famers Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (he uses 
it for his migraines) and Bill Walton (he uses it because he's a 
Deadhead), 18-time Olympic gold medalist Michael Phelps (never smoke 
weed with an Olympic swimmer; they have huge lungs).

When it comes to musicians, I like Paul Simon, Tom Petty, Redman, 
Rihanna (don't judge me), Louis Armstrong, Bing Crosby (weed helped 
him to stop drinking), and we can't forget Snoop Dogg (duh) and 
Willie Nelson (double duh).

Turning to politics, how about Barack "Choom Gang" Obama? No? Arnold 
"It's Not a Drug, It's a Leaf" Schwarzenegger? Not him either? I see 
your point. Maybe we should keep politicians out of this.

How about global entrepreneur Sir Richard Branson or scientist Carl 
Sagan? I have a special place in my heart for activists like Seattle 
Hempfest organizer Vivian McPeak or the late, great Jack Herer.

I can keep going: Cheech. Chong. Seth Rogen. James Franco. Melissa 
Etheridge. Just about every famous stand-up comedian ever, including 
George Carlin and Dave Chappelle. Hal Sparks is one of my favorite 
nonstoner comics, because even though he has never smoked weed, he's 
a pot-legalization activist, so he gets an honorable mention. You 
can't pick just one-or even a few.

Pot has been helping people think and create since before Moses saw 
the burning bush and came up with 10 cool rules for how to behave 
toward your fellow man. Just think: If weed didn't exist, the Beatles 
would never have written the Rubber Soul album.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom