J. Tony Serra

Legal Legend. Cannabis Consumer and Patient.

I sat down with the great Tony Serra for a “privileged” interview in the conference room of his eclectic offices on the infamous strip joint lined street of Broadway in San Francisco. The interview is privileged because technically Tony is one of my attorneys. I met Tony in 2002 at his famed Halloween party that his law offices throw every year at The Great American Music hall on O’Farrell Street; But I got to know him much better after the 2007 raid on my business, Tainted Inc./Compassion Medicinal Edibles, by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration. I chose Tony to be one of my attorneys because he is a well-known political activist and long-time supporter of cannabis and, of course, because he represented Brownie Mary, a volunteer that made brownies for patients in the AIDS ward of SF General Hospital, when she was prosecuted for her actions. It was obvious he was more than qualified to represent our cannabis foods case in a federal courtroom.

Tony and my other attorney, Sara Zalkin, escorted me to the front of the federal courtroom when I surrendered myself after the raid. The Judge looked up with a smile and said, “Well. Hello, Mr. Serra. How have you been?” You see, everyone in the legal world knows Tony Serra. He has been fighting some of the most highly politicized cases of the last 40 years and at 75-years-young he looks as if he is nowhere near finished. He is still full of fight and spirit at every level. His clients include the likes of Huey Newton, Dennis Peron, Ellie Nesler, members of The Symbionese Liberation Army, The Hells Angels, The White Panthers, and Earth First!, and, well, me. He says he will never retire. “I want to die defending someone in jury trial and have the Judge say ‘Well, his client is guilty as hell but give it to him because he tried so damn hard.’”

Tony’s passion is jury trials. He likens it to a fix that he needs to get to feel alive. He is a “jury trial junkie.” It is his drug of choice. The courtroom is his stage and he is a loud and buoyant player in the masterpiece that is the law. He does federal in-state trials, he does state medical cannabis trials, and he does federal cases nationwide. He has come to specialize in medical cannabis cases at both the federal and state levels, as he has a vested interest in these cases because Tony Serra is also a medical cannabis patient. “I am the experiment,” Serra says. “I began smoking grass in ‘65 or ‘66. I suppose I was always a patient, but the term medical never occurred to me. In retrospect I can see how this sacrament expanded my transcendental view and helped to medicate the stress. It adds to my life.”

I asked Tony if he was optimistic that medical cannabis would be legalized under the Obama administration. He said he was still pessimistic. “We haven’t seen anything dramatic happen, yet,” he says. “The administration could easily move (cannabis) from a Schedule 1 to a Schedule 3, which is where it should be. A trial lawyer lives to hear two words: Not Guilty. I have yet to hear that. I see (Brian) Epis getting 10 years. Dr. Mollie Fry and Dale Schafer get five years each. Rosenthal is still a convicted felon. All Guilty. It is a downer.”

He believes that the overzealous law enforcement community may be jealous of those who choose cannabis. “Marijuana people are more free,” declares Serra. “It is simple. It is a form of treason and they know they must crush it. Because they know it opens up a realization for people. (Cannabis) will make you empathize with mans’ brutality against man, and people will refuse to participate. I won’t be your marine. I won’t be your bomber. I won’t kill people in the Middle East for you. Some cops have just bought this shit about marijuana and gateway drugs and being lazy. There is no one real reason for their actions.”

I asked him what he thought about the legalization efforts that were on the horizon with Tom Ammiano’s bill and the Tax and Regulate Cannabis effort for a 2010 proposition. “I haven’t completely studied them, but I don’t believe the government should be in it,” he said. “Once it is legalized the greedy corporations will get their hands in it and it creates this corporate moral disability. Some large dispensaries already practice acts of corporate moral disability. I want it to stay with the mammas and the pappas. The small and unique places. I want the government out of my closet. It should be free, man. I am never for more taxes. I am a tax resister.”

Tony is a tax resister from way back. He says he is a libertarian in that respect. In 2005, Tony was sentenced to 10 months in federal prison for “willful failure to pay taxes”. He refused to pay them in an act of protest. He saw the country heading in the wrong direction and did not want to help fund the corrupt politics our country was engaged in. He served most of a 10-month sentence in Lompc Federal Prison for his beliefs and protest. He is a man of conviction.

Tony lives a very humble life. He is known for driving and old beater of a car, wearing second hand clothes, and pays himself just enough to cover his minimal expenses. I can attest to the clothing, as he wore a dress shirt with a small rip across the chest right underneath his suit jacket to my preliminary hearing. Tony is a no frills kind of guy. His reward is not in accumulating wealth and possessions. He is rewarded with a magnificent and exciting life where he makes a difference in the world of real people.

He has always had an “intrapersonal relationship” with cannabis. Tony states, “I started smoking back in the black jazz clubs in the 60’s. People would have kilos from Mexico with stems and seeds all in it, and everyone thought it was fine. I have used cannabis regularly since then and have stopped for many periods of time when I traveled or when I was in jail and I can live with or without it. I just choose to live with it. The ‘pot addict’ theory is bullshit.”

Tony admits that he has tended some small gardens in his time and that he loves to watch the cannabis plant develop into a resinous and sticky beautiful healing plant. He enjoys smoking cannabis from his pipe and does not consider himself a connoisseur in any respect as he enjoys smoking whatever he has available at the time.

Tony loves marijuana. He will undoubtedly continue to fight for the rights of cannabis patients and providers until either this war on cannabis is over or he is long gone, and he has some words of wisdom for those of us on the front lines of the cannabis movement:

“We CANNOT be complacent. We are still martyrs. The growers. The dispensaries. The patients.” He explains, “It is like the second half of a football game and we are still not ahead. We cannot say that government is coming around, because they are not. We cannot afford to sit on our hands. People must put forth a full effort. We must put in every intellectual, psychological and every kind of group effort. This happens in a myriad of ways, like protests, letter writing, and attending all types of cannabis related events. We cannot rest until we put this thing to a finale.”

Let those words marinate for a second. From a man who spent the last four plus decades inside of a courtroom watching this movement become what it is today, we can learn that this fight is far from over. Tony Serra has seen cannabis prohibition grow since LSD was still legal and they sold fresh peyote openly in Golden Gate Park, and he has fought the system on it every step of the way. We owe it to him to “put this thing to a finale.”

On Tour in the Great Pacific Northwest

Three can’t miss events in Washington and Oregon

Seattle Hempfest:

Seattle Hempfest is the godfather of cannabis festivals boasting over 100,000 cannabis enthusiasts from all over the globe gathering to educate and share in the cannabis plant for two days on August 15^th and 16^th in Seattle, WA. As like minds and bright colors converge on Myrtle Edwards Park in Seattle there is an explosion of positive energy and realization of just how far the cannabis and hemp movement has come. A sea of enthused onlookers listen intently as Vivian McPeak hosts the event’s main stage and there are booths with cannabis related products as far as the eye can see. The park runs along some of Seattle’s most pristine waterfront. The backdrop is breathtaking as the cannabis smoke begins to rise from the crowd. The line-up includes cannabis inspired bands, guest speakers from the cannabis movement, comedians, and panels of experts on hemp and cannabis.

The event boasts six stages of entertainment and there is sure to be something interesting for everyone. The theme this year is “2020: A Green Future,” highlighting the many uses of Hemp in creating a greener future. Be sure to check out the Hemposium for tradeshow presentations, product sampling, and speaker panels on all sorts of interesting topics. The Hempstory Booth is a must see, as it chronicles the growth and emergence of this storied event. Seattle Hempfest is a free event but please donate to the cause as you enter or exit to ensure that this event can continue to lead the charge in raising awareness for the cannabis and hemp cause. This year the entire festival is made and run from hemp, including generators, banners, staff shirts, and foods. Anyone who is anyone in the world of cannabis is normally at the Seattle Hempfest, so I guess we will see you there.

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How to get to Seattle Hempfest:

Seattle Hempfest may be one of the most accessible places on earth. You can arrive at Hempfest via SeaTac Airport, Amtrak train, State Ferry, Bus, Bike, or foot; and of course automobile. If driving, take the Mercer St. Exit off Highway 5 towards Seattle Center (Home of the Space Needle). Turn LEFT onto Fairview and then Right onto Denny to Broad St. Continue in a downhill direction on Broad towards the waterfront and the south entrance to Hempfest will be on your right. For info on parking and other transportation options please visit: http://hempfest.org/drupal/attendees.

Myrtle Edwards Park

3130 Alaskan Way W

Seattle, WA 98121

Where to Stay:

If you can afford it, the Edgewater, one of Seattle’s premiere hotels is stumbling distance from Hempfest and home to some of the most legendary Hempfest parties. It is the home of the famous Beatles fishing out the window photo and there is a suite dedicated to the legendary band. The restaurant and bar are great too and a great meeting place for Hempfesters from all over. If you cannot afford these deluxe accommodations worry not. There are many of accommodations throughout the city that are great as well and more reasonably priced. There are many hotels in the area, some great bed and breakfasts, extended suites, hostels, seedy motels, and beautiful campgrounds. For more details on the many different great lodging choices in Seattle visit: http://hempfest.org/drupal/attendees

When to Come and When to Leave:

Saturday, August 15^th: 10 am to 8 pm

Sunday, August 16^th: 10 am to 8 pm

What to Bring:

Yourself, Your Friends, An Open Mind, A Good Attitude, Sunscreen, Camera, NO DOGS

Other Stuff to Do In Seattle:

• Go see the Space Needle (It is crazy phallic)
• Check Out Pike’s Place Market and watch smelly grown men throw fish around. Great shopping and food, as well.
• Check Out a Seattle Mariners Game. The Yankees are in town that weekend.
• Take a Boat Ride. There are some very cool boat tours that take you out on the Puget Sound and Lake Union. There are usually salmon jumping everywhere in these brackish water tours. (You can see the houseboat from Sleepless in Seattle too if that is your thing.)
• Visit the U-District. This college town area by UW is famous for its counterculture stores and awesome eateries. Grab a Dick’s hamburger if you are in the neighborhood.

Volunteer Opportunities:

Seattle Hempfest is the world's largest cannabis policy reform event, staffed entirely by over 1,000 volunteers. With over 56 different crews, here are many year-round volunteer opportunities. Go to Hempfest.org and click on "volunteer' to see a list of crews and shifts for working the event. If you are interested in becoming a full time year round member, send an e-mail to volunteers2009@hempfest.org, because the seed is mightier than the sword.

Contact:

Vivian McPeak,

Hempfest Director

206-522-0846

www.hempfest.org

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Olympia Hemp, Love, and Freedom Rally

Stay on tour in Washington State and head to the Capitol for the Olympia Hemp, Love and Freedom Rally (Formerly Olympia Hempfest) in Olympia, WA on August 22^nd and 23rd. This growing event is a great time for cannabis and hemp consumers, and the many members of the local community that attend each year. Since 2003 this event has grown incredibly and now thousands of attendees come together for an enjoyable weekend of love and sharing in Olympia’s beautiful Heritage Park, adjacent to Capitol Lake near downtown. This year’s theme of “Active Citizenry” is sure to inspire people to be a part of the process to free the cannabis and hemp plant from misinformation and to open the hearts and minds of the community through being active.

There are over ten great bands set to play, many guest speakers to educate the crowds such as the great Jack Herer and WCC’s own Ngaio Bealum, a bunch of great vendor booths to spend your money at, some medication tents for approved patients, and much much more. The teardrop shaped event is packed with goodwill and joyful people coming together to enjoy a great weekend of cannabis fun in the sun. Be sure to get your accommodations set as early as possible, as things can fill up fast. The Olympia Hemp, Love, and Freedom Foundation is a non-profit corporation of committed volunteers, so be sure to donate to the cause so we can continue to see this event grow and progress into the future.

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How to get to Olympia Hemp, Love and Feedom Rally:

Olympia is south of Seattle and Tacoma and is accessible by many forms of transportation, with SeatTac Airpot being only about an hour away. By car, take Interstate 5 to Exit 105 and follow the signs to the State Capitol through the East Campus Tunnel. At the light, turn right on Capitol Way. Go six blocks down and go left onto Legion go 2 blocks to down to Water Street and park.

Heritage Park

330 5th Ave. SW

Olympia, WA 98501

Where to Stay:

There are 2 great patient friendly hotels within walking distance of the Olympia Hempfest; One being The Governor hotel located at 621 Capitol Way S. Olympia, WA 98501 (Website:http://olywagov.com) and the other is The Phoenix Inn located at 415 Capitol Way N Olympia, WA 98501 (Website: http://www.phoenixinn.com). There are many other great accommodations of all kinds in the area, including great camping areas and reputable hotels and motels.

When to Come and When to Leave:

Saturday, August 22nd: 10 am to 8 pm

Sunday, August 23rd: 11 am to 6 pm

(Arrive on Friday to find accommodations)

What to Bring:

Yourself, Your Friends, An Open Mind, A Good Attitude, Camera, Sunscreen, Blanket, Folding Chairs, Smiles, Dancing Shoes

Other Stuff to Do In Olympia:

• Sand In the City: Sand castle building contest at Olympia Port Plaza Aug. 22^nd 23^rd
• Tour the Washington State Capitol
• Olympia Farmers Market: 700 Capitol Way N
• Watershed Park: 2500 Henderson Blvd. SE
• Black River Canoe and Kayaking Trips: rents canoes and equipment Call 360-273-6369.
• Red Wind Casino: 12819 Yelm Hwy Olympia, WA 98513

Contact:

Olympia Patient Resource Center (360)-456-3517

www.olyhempfest.org

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Portland Hempstalk

Keep on truckin’ to the next show and check out Portland Hempstalk for two days of activism, education, and cannabis fun on September 12^th and 13^th at Portlands’s lovely Kelley Point Park. This evolutionary event will host over 10,000 dedicated activists and members of the community to celebrate the many uses of cannabis and hemp in our society. The theme “Hemp Can Save the Earth” will focus on the many benefits hemp and cannabis can have on the planet and will help to dispel the lies and misinformation that has lead to the prohibition of cannabis sativa. The line-up includes many great musical acts, including Los Marijuanos, guest speakers such as NORML Director Allen St. Pierre, and many great cannabis and hemp vendors from all over.

The historic Kelley Point State Park is a wonderful landscape to enjoy a weekend of good-natured cannabis camaraderie and enjoy the company, music, food, and festivities surrounding the wonders of the cannabis plant. Do not miss the Hemposium and activist activities happening everywhere over both days of the event. This diverse compilation of cannabis activists, talented performers, and educated reformers is sure to make this event an exciting and motivating experience. This event is sponsored and hosted by Oregon activist and cannabis policy groups, so be sure to donate your time or resources to the cause so that Hempstalk can continue to evolve into a positive and progressive force in changing the way the world views this great plant.

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How to get to Portland Hempstalk:

Portland is Oregon’s largest city and Portland International is a great airport for those coming from afar for the event. There are also many different light rail, train, bus, and bike routes to get to Portland. By car take I-5 to exit 307 for Marine Dr. Then turn right at N Marine Dr – and go 4.5 mi. Go right at N. Kelly Point Rd and Hempstalk destination will be on the left about a half mile down. For more info visit: http://www.hempstalk.org/directions.php

Kelley Point Park

North Kelley Point Park Road

Portland, OR 97203

Where to Stay:

There are many great hotels, motels, bed and breakfasts, campgrounds, and hostels in the Portland Area. Check out some local unique lodging at McMenamins Brewery’s interesting hotel line ups, including the famed Kennedy School hotel where you literally fall asleep in a classroom and can enjoy handcrafted brews, delicious dining, and a movie in the school gymnasium. There are many other great places to stay in Portland, as well. For more detailed information check out: http://www.hempstalk.org/accessguide.php

When to Come and When to Leave:

Saturday, September 12^th: TIMES?

Sunday, September 13^th: TIMES?

What to Bring:

Yourself, Your Friends, An Open Mind, A Good Attitude, Sunscreen, Camera, Blanket, and Smiles

Other Stuff to Do In Portland:

• Visit Portland Classical Chinese Garden (Impressive Display of “other” flowers)
• Check Out Pittock Mansion, a historic and beautiful turn of the century mansion
• Take a Tour old Mt. St. Helens and experience the beautiful scenery of this active volcano.
• Take a Beyond Bizarre Walking Tour of Portland if you like stories of the paranormal.
• Hit Up Oaks Amusement Park built from the 1905 Lewis and Clark World Expo
• Enjoy the Mini Waterfalls at Ira Keller Fountain Park. A tremendous display of water works.

Volunteer Opportunities:

We are currently looking for volunteers & donations for Hempstalk 2009 September 12-13 in Portland, Oregon. There is a wide variety of jobs to fill and we need all the talents the community has to offer to make this a grand event. If you have something you could offer please fill out our volunteer form and send it back to us ASAP. Thank You for Your help! Find Volunteer Form At: http://www.hempstalk.org/donate.php .

Contact:

800-723-0188

http://www.hempstalk.org/contact.php

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