Pubdate: Thu, 20 Aug 2015
Source: Sacramento News & Review (CA)
Column: The 420
Copyright: 2015 Chico Community Publishing, Inc.
Contact:  http://newsreview.com/sacto/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/540
Author: Ngaio Bealum

CLAIMS OF BRIBERY GET ACTIVIST DAN RUSH BUSTED

So did some big marijuana person get arrested or something? What's going on?

- -Connie Phused

Yup. United Food and Commercial Workers honcho and cannabis activist 
Dan Rush has been indicted on a variety of bribery and corruption 
charges. The FBI alleges that Rush solicited bribes in exchange for 
him influencing the dispensary permitting process in Oakland, as well 
as taking bribes to teach dispensary operators how to avoid becoming 
a union-run shop. (Read more at 
http://weedactivist.com/wp-content/uploads/rush_indictment.pdf.) This 
allegation, if true, is heartbreaking. The idea that a union 
organizer would give advice on how to break unions is stunning.

I've known Rush for a while (we have never really worked together, 
but we have chopped it up on a few occasions) and he always seemed 
like he was aboveboard in all of his dealings, but one never really 
knows, I suppose. This is a blow to many cannabis law reform 
organizations. Rush was on the board of the Coalition for Cannabis 
Policy Reform, and worked closely with many cannabis law reform 
organizations here and in Nevada.

As a Cynical-American, I have to say that I am not totally surprised 
at the level of corruption seemingly exposed by this FBI 
investigation. Any time something of immense value is up for grabs 
(and a cannabis dispensary license in Oakland is worth millions of 
dollars per year), people will scheme and cheat to give themselves 
every advantage possible. Maybe if we could stop treating cannabis 
like crack and more like wine, we could have less corruption and more fun.

I enjoy your column every week. My wife and I both have California 
med cards. We will be traveling to Costa Rica to celebrate my 65th 
birthday soon. My question: How "dangerous" is it to take some 
cannabis with us to enjoy on vacation? If it is detected on our 
outbound flight from California, aren't we "legal" with our cards to 
possess it and therefore will not be in any trouble at the airport? 
We wouldn't bring any herb back into this country on our return, but 
are thinking of returning with our favorite vaporizer, which we would 
like to take to Costa Rica. Again, assuming we have it packed and 
cleaned well enough, wouldn't we be OK if it was found in California 
upon our arrival home, since we have our cards? Thanks for giving me 
your thoughts on this dilemma.

- -Buzz

Dude. Really? You are planning to bring marijuana across an 
international border? Why? First of all, from what I understand (I 
have a few friends that go to Costa Rica every year), weed is pretty 
easy to find in Costa Rica. It's illegal, but in that kind of 
California way, where if you are being an indiscreet ass, you will 
get in trouble but if you stay cool you will be fine. Secondly, never 
carry drugs across international borders! Jeez. Eat a big edible, 
stumble onto your flight and find a connection when you get to your 
hotel. Have a fun trip!
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom