BRING ON THE LOVE

Two events dominated discussion last week: the unveiling of Apple's iPad and President Obama's State of the Union address. Leading up to last Wednesday, many wondered if Apple's event would overshadow Obama's. On social media, that was certainly the case.
As the infographic explains, however, even if Apple had the buzz, Obama brought the honey. Generally, 42% of Apple's mentions were positive and 46% were indifferent, whereas 65% of his mentions approved of Obama's address and only 19% were indifferent.

Court of Appeals Harshes Bogus Religion's Pot Buzz

No, you can't have special permission to smoke weed because you're part of a non-religious religion, said the United States Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit to Marc Perkel, founder of the Church of Reality.

While smoking weed nine years ago in San Bruno, Perkel came up with the idea for the Church of Reality, a "reality-based" religion that embraces smoking pot as a gateway to inspire creative thinking and "really good ideas." It has since become a tax-exempt non-profit and amassed thousands of followers. The church philosophy, according to the Web site, is essentially this: "If it's real, we believe in it."

Though not necessary for Church of Reality practice, weed is apparently a really important aspect. So eventually Perkel decided to ask the Drug Enforcement Administration for an weed exemption from the Controlled Substance Act under the Religious Freedom Restoration Act. The DEA said no way.

It likely didn't help that the Church of Reality isn't even really a religion. Even if it was, the inability to lawfully smoke weed doesn't impose a substantial burden on the exercising members, the DEA said.

Perkel wasn't satisfied that. He filed a petition for a review of the order with the 9th Circuit, stating that marijuana "has been misclassified and is a relatively harmless substance" used by church members to "inspire creative thinking, for medical purposes, relaxation, and socially -- like social drinking." He admitted, though, that the drug isn't consumed during any particular ritual or ceremony and that its prohibition would not coerce the members to act contrary to their beliefs (or, uh, non-beliefs).

Perkel's best argument, according to the court's denial of his petition, was that withholding weed causes members "a diminishment of spiritual fulfillment." Still, this didn't quite quality him for protection under the Religious Freedom Restoration Act. Bummer!

2 More Colorado Towns Could Decriminalize Pot

LEADVILLE, Colo. (AP) -- Two more Colorado towns could be voting this year on whether to decriminalize marijuana possession.

The Leadville City Council on Tuesday voted unanimously to direct their city attorney to draft language that would change city code to waive pot fines. Currently Leadville law allows for a fine of up to $100 for possession of less than an ounce of pot.

In Aspen, attorney Lauren Maytin said there are talks to bring a marijuana decriminalization move to voters there this fall. Denver and Breckenridge have already voted to waive criminal penalties for possession of small amounts of pot by adults over 21.

Decriminalization moves are largely symbolic, though. Pot possession remains a state crime.

Penn Jilette Says: Legalize Marijuana

As the one guy who's never smoked dope, Penn Says, STOP the war on drugs now! When Penn Jillette has an opinion, it's a safe bet he won't hold back.

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Photo of Phelps smoking bong unites pot smokers

The photo circulating around the internet of world-famous Olympian Michael Phelps smoking a bong seems to be getting a positive response from the outspoken internet community of marijuana users. The photo first appeared in 'News of the World', and made it's way to the celebrity magazines.

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Marijuana Porn: 12 Strains of Medical Pot and How They Heal

Colorado Springs-based Cannabis Therapeutics, the state’s largest medical marijuana dispensary, has lots of meds to suit your fancy – at least 35 varieties. To help patients pick their potent poison, here’s a primer on some of the operation’s top selections. Take three tokes and call us in the morning.

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Racism, Fear, and Ignorance: Why Marijuana is Illegal

A brief history of the criminalization of cannabis

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