2017! I’t’s  days away from a  new year! 
2016 was I believe a good year for Cannabis - As in ending the insanity and sending less humans to prison/court for it!  More states in the USA became legal, recreational (i think they like to call it ‘Adult’) and more medical, more lives helped.  Advances are being made, although the DEA still wants some way to convict and control.  I think this will always be the case, and IF you are doing something you should not- then you have to prepare for the possibility of still being prosecuted and going to jail.

What can I say? I don't agree with the ‘drug war’ at all, anymore.  I am just stating what I see & read happening.  We all understand BIG pharma will also want a piece of the Cannapie, still less will be in jail because of cannabis!  Fewer minor possession charges, and in Canada- wow- legalization in 2017 - fewer lives ruined for possession & growing. Everyone eventually able to grow 4 plants- I hope they do, it is such a beautiful plant!  
You then will also see fresh cannabis appearing  at the super market- for those that wish to juice and add some peppery bud to a  fresh salad! It will be all the rage!  Nom Nom Nom!  The times are changing. Thank God

Fellow Canadians, please let us not forget how terrible it was under Stephen Harper, the constant harassment, serious insults and more.  Patients never knowing which way to go- PRIVATE classified information being given out for everyone to see & note.  THREATENING Canadians (patients, many very sick & terminally ill)  to destroy OUR medicine in with ‘kitty litter’ - or we would be persecuted - raided by the police- shoot our dogs?  YES, a reality for some. 
I felt an incredible weight lifted off my heart when Justing became prime Minister.  Breath. 
It takes time, he said he would. He will.  A new era has arrived in Canada - a healthier one IMO. 

2016 brought positive change for cannabis but some countries are still struggling.  
We can not make them change their minds but we can educate by example.  
Less Alcohol, lower addiction rates for tobacco as well- If you believe what you read. Research it.  People are puffing more bud, with far less harmful results- as for brain damage- long term- careful- if that were the case we would see it amongst all those that did ‘inhale- back in the day, and pretty much calling the shots NOW.  
& More revenue going to go to our schools, hospitals and cities & towns etc. because of CANNABIS. I seriously hope the Indian reserves in Canada are researching growing as well. 

I just bought a tube of ‘Brilliant green’ gouache, for more Brilliant Bud painting!
Now, it’s a few days of painting & praying for me.. no social media. 
What do you want in 2017?  I hope you get all you desire.

So - SMILE as we get set to burn the last bud of 2016 & turn over he new leaf of 2017!
Give Thanks! 

                  Fill your bowl and hold  up your BONG with a cheer!  
                              2017 is going to be a  BETTER YEAR!!


Have faith
xox
<><

Joy to the World!  Cannabis is changing for the better!  Yahooooo!!!
Wow, are you watching what's happening with the cannabis industry in Canada? 
I can't keep up.   ;)
Mostly good.. Some  crazy ideas about cannabis and alcohol
- that should never happen. 

Tis the season to be joyful!  I hope more people choose to smoke this season rather than drink alcohol! That being said - if cannabis impaires your ability to drive then refrain, especially if you are NOT use to it.  Alcohol is damaging on several levels & with the season comes 'have another!'   Please do not drink & drive with Alcohol in your sytem.
OR  text!   

Isn't he the cutest little bud!? He makes me smile! I think I'll make some cards! 
Yes, he will be my Chrsitmas card for this year!  I will spead Joy, Truth & Education hopefully the card will be displayed with all the others causing a conversation:

            Tiny child: "hey that's a neat little tree on this card  grandma!"
          Grandma: " yes, yes it is.. my friend Georgia drew that, that little cannabis tree
                                  helps people feel better.  It's a giving medicine tree."

                     & the JOY of a new Christmas tradition will be born!!!

Amen.

A positive note!  
I've spent  the day designing a new logo!  How exciting!
I presented it to the client, his comment   "I thought it would be more cartoony"  
I replied:  "No, I do know how to get a little serious now & then." ...lol      
He "Loved it".                 I knew he would. 
He offerd a couple of 'changes' and I offered my opinion on why I thought otherwise, he agreed.  I do have a bit of artistic experience ;) It's nice to be  appreciated.  Althought, I won't deny - he came to me with the idea & thought it was terrific, so my creating was quite simple.  

Spread some JOY this season!
Are you on my naughty or nice list!?
I guess you'll figure it out if you get a card or not!    Ho Ho Ho!  ;)

Have Faith
<><
xox   

Alcohol.. is abused more than any other drug.. well sugar.  Don't get me started.
It will be, soon in Canada a & I am thrilled.  Provided people educate themselves.
There will always be some shady character  to buy drugs off- we can
t stop human trafficking- we will never stop drugs, why bother!
Spend the money on education & rehabilitation. xox

Please think about that drink. How many did you have tonight?
I read about a man (my heart breaks for him) who left his babies in the car on a hot day, went in and had a drink, then a nap and his babies died.  It read very sad for him.  ;(  
How many times around the world, every day does someone die because of alcohol?
Cheers. I know I 'piss people off' with this. Good.  
You should be having 2 days a week where you do NOT drink. Do you?
Storm clarified it nicely when he commented: a Rye & Coke = ethanol & fructose-glucose.
It is that simple..   Who wants to put that into their body? Mind? Poison 
**According to The Office of the Surgeon General, alcohol is used by more young people in the United States than tobacco or illicit drugs, resulting in a serious public health concern.
Alcohol can be lethal if the amount of alcohol reaches a concentration above 460 milligrams of alcohol per 100 milliliters of blood (0.46 g/dL). Death from respiratory depression can occur with severe alcohol intoxication, and this can be hastened if alcohol is combined with CNS depressant medications.
Mixing alcohol with caffeine, either in premixed drinks or by adding liquor to energy drinks has become a common way for younger crowds to consumer alcohol. With this dangerous combination, drinkers may feel somewhat less intoxicated than if they had consumed alcohol alone. However, they are just as impaired and more likely to take risks. This drinking practice often takes place in and around college campuses.
Excessive use of alcohol can lead to alcoholism, or alcohol dependence. There are four cardinal symptoms in alcoholism: craving, loss of control, physical dependence, and tolerance. A clinician is able to diagnose alcoholism based upon a specific set of criteria published by the American Psychiatric Association and the World Health Organization.5

Alcohol is a poison - check  out this site for facts and what To Do and what NOT to Do - Yikes, I was doing ALL the WRONG stuff! Do not make drunks drink coffee, do not let them 'sleep it off'...

Please, think about what you put in your body and don't judge others...  been there done that,  help if you can, raise up.  
​Play Now, Pay later.  
​
Have Faith
xox  <>< 

Who is not in agreement?
What ever you do - 'IF' it impaired your ability to drive , DON'T DO IT. Simple.  
There are many  things that will and can impair your ability.  
I had a  'fender bender' - crashed into Norm - LOL!  He was in front of me and I looked down at the radio- had to find that perfect song for the long drive up North.. SMACK.
Luckily, no one was hurt- except my pride - hitting my own husband - I never will live it down.  Should all radios be removed from automobiles?
Do you know how many drivers get into accidents because they are eating?  
Should we close all drive through windows that offer take out?
The worst culprit for IMPAIRED driving is Alcohol.  It truly 'impairs your' ability IMO.
Cannabis will never surpass this IMO- most people I know who use cannabis - like to CHILL  or relax, unwind - not go for a drive.  Alcohol charges for impaired driving increase every year, as does alcohol abuse.
PUT me behind the wheel with anyone who  consumed a joint over a drink any day.
I KNOW the difference.  Shall we close all bars? BBQs and restaurants that serve alcohol? 

Lets not forget HOW many MILLIONS are currently IMPAIRED driving with pills in their system- Not just opiates, many medicines tell you: DO NOT OPERATE HEAVY MACHINERY while using this medication -  the average car weights:

So, while the press will soon have you terrified about all the POTential dangerous of cannabis patients on the road- do not fool yourself - because it could save your life., being educated on the subject.

DO not USE anything that could impair your ability to drive, stupid.  
I will call you stupid - because if you send that text while driving, YOU ARE.    
Is my own son stupid if he preforms this task?  You bet.
I know he is aware of the dangers associated with..   so many smart people behave so stupid when driving.
Unless using that phone to save someone's life - while driving- you are stupid and you are WORSE - IF you practice this behaviour with your children watching your every move.  
Maybe  parents need to look into the future for just a moment...  who will 'they blame' when their teen is in a car accident while impaired (in any way) driving?  
Sadly, probably themselves. 

Harsh, fine by me, especially IF it makes you for one second THINK about any of what I said.

I love my fellow humans.  
I love my own son more than most and he is on the road with you.

If you see anyone who is clearly IMPAIRED/distracted, texting and driving...
FOCUS and try to get safely away from them as soon as possible.
IF something impairs your ability to drive - Don't Do it.

It is that simple.
FOCUS

PLEASE make educated drivers - do not believe the lies & fear mongering regarding cannabis.

​Believe
​<><  

Justin trudeau - I love him . and no it's not his looks although - they are NOT bad if I do say so myself and good on him for working to keep in shape... but his  "&^%! " outburst.. 
when I read it  'get the fuck out of my way'. I can tell you, I think it too many times a day.. some days.

As in, Don't try to stop me.  Don't stop him. He is a breath of fricken fresh AIR! Thank god. Canada was getting miserable under Harper, not to think of his damaging Canada any longer -  selling off everything, we probably don't even KNOW  the 1/2 of it.
Breath in that FUCKING fresh air.  What a bunch of hypocrites and I strongly believe Justin Trudea would never intentionally physically hurt a woman - so for all this drama again.. what is it?  I can't even read it any more. It is all bullshit. I Thank God we have someone like him who see's it and recognizes it for what it is and is not afraid to say 'get the fuck out of my way.'  He did LOSE control, yes he did and it shows HE is HUMAN.  NOT some lying 2 faced *** who is going to ACT all nice in public and  different  at other times. he did show us who he is and I love him more for it. Strictly plutonic Justin, I'm good in that dept.
Amen      hee hee..

To criticize his PARTNER Sophie, for asking for 'more HELP' - please. WE ALL want more help and  IF we were in her situation - I would be asking the same.  She is far from a 'princess/Kardashian". I'm not even going to continue glorifying- you know how I feel about  hard working mothers and she is a hard working mother/woman who does US proud. 

I am thrilled to have them both -  it is why perhaps, I am so upset by the Mayor of  Toronto saying a few things.. Here we fucking GO AGAIN! Please.  I like John Torey - still. If you follow the blog You read, I was never a Rob Ford fan, I really felt bad for him - he was surrounded by nasty,  people with evil intentions.  Who does that? Sneaks... snakes.  
I wished he would have quit sooner.. he might still be here ;(.   He was sick and he had STRESS. I am sick and tired of being sick and  tired and know how MANY seriously ill Canadians feel.  The media is portraying a negative image of Cannabis still - every day I talk to someone who's 'Aunt has now tried it at 67 and is so happy with her Cancer treatments'.I had one  a few days ago. FIRST hand, yes, I guess because people know what I do. bring it on. BUT they are still confused - how, where and what.  They need compassion clubs.

If not for a compassion club all those years ago-  what a night mare this would've been- never mind living in fear from S.H., Rona.Ambrose. and - I forget the name of the other woman  already..  good. Constant threats about our sons medicine.  It is not politically correct behaviour" .  Why portray some Torontonians/Canadians  as criminals because we have made a different MEDICAL choice?  A LEGAL medicine in Canada I might add.. Do what you need to do BUT do not take away the small independent business that MAKE this country & HELP.  Not just a few-  he works for ALL Toronto.  Healthy and Sick.

I am understanding that these people all work for someone- so it appears... but it is Mr. Torey  who is "representing' - so that is who is addressed.  I wish he would just stop.  
Canada has  so much going on.. kids being used and abused every day.. so Please do not use 'Oh the children' - it can't be too close to schools' .  * I AGREE, just like I don't think a school should be beside the L.C.B.O. OR any BAR with an outdoor patio - which would do way more harm than any dispensary.   Don't believe me - research the studies with children who are abused and beaten by alcoholic parents compared to ONLY cannabis using parents.  I dare you and then come back and tell about it.  
You won't be able to.   I'm not making this stuff up. 

There is no need for Mr. Torey to include a negative connotation to Cannabis. ENOUGH. 
AND IF WE LET that happen  -what next I can't smoke my cannabis near a school?
Good luck with that.  Focus on sexual offenders of CHILDREN  who hang around schools and destroy our children mentally for life... unlike  a second hand puff of cannabis.
Get real.  Get the fuck out of my way.  

Thank You Justin & family.  
​
Tomorrow the coloring sheet! It's been a beautiful day out in the gazebo!
I decided I was going to give something to the universe and it gave me something back- such fun! lol  until.. tomorrow.  By the Grace of God. 

Believe
​xox <>< 

 my outdoor office..  under construction.

Just to name a few.

Believe
xox
<><
​

As you might be aware, I've been taking a break fro Cannabis cartoons - it is never far from my mind.  That is the problem, when it does enter my mind - be it the news or comment I've read elsewhere - it usually pisses me off to be blunt.
There is hint in the air -to be fair- the government or those in it, wish to treat Cannabis *which will eventually become legal in Canada much like the L.C.B.O.  
​* L.C.B.O.  For those that are not aware - In Canada- that is where we go but our booze.
Alcohol, You name it - it is there!  every kind of GIN, Whiskey, Tequila 'T-killya', Rye & wine- of every kind from every corner! Now they want to sell Cannabis too.
For one reason $$$ and to every patient who truly uses cannabis for what they NEED it for- it's a slap in the face. A slap I feel fresh every time I pick up the paper,  moms (dads) who fight still for very sick children - who Cannabis has PROVEN to help - you just kicked them in the gut.
The articles alone - I am so sick of the lack of respect - for anyone really - wording that makes me wonder what happened to 'professional journalism', which I have looked up to all my life (and wished I could be capable of- without grammar errors ;)) I do understand it tho.. its all to do just that. Piss us off. Hopefully  it gets people thinking which, I do like this particular journalist for. 

Let me tell you FIRST hand: We would have been LOST without the help of  'compassion clubs'.  That is who I am for!  Compassion Clubs.
When you find a club that is professional and cares- they take the initial time to explain,
teach- take one through the process, even shows one hoe to vaporize for example- and they do- wow! Stress can be lifted by those that KNOW best. Surrounded by it - made a profession from it.  My friend Neeve has been in the Cannabis industry in Toronto long before any of this was even a spark. Yes, I trust his opinion on what strain he thinks works best for what. Adam runs a club in Montreal that makes some od the best baked goods I've ever had. Yes, I trust his opinion before I trust the opinion of anyone at the L.C.B.O. 
YOU must find a club 'you feel good' about. You will be the ones dealing with them every time you need your medicine. 

God did put us on the right path back then!  We were blessed to have people who cared about this journey, about Storm and our family.
My Gosh! You have no idea.  I am forever grateful to them. Gabe, who I've not spoke with for years still holds a special place in my heart for the time he took and the degree that he helped us. Many are still friends today.

Doctors can't recommend a strain - they are NOT the cannabis exerts, they are 'health' experts.
For Journalists or anyone else to ASSume, compassion clubs are run by people who do not know what they are doing- that could be said for any business.
Find one that is working and frequent them. Let them prove themselves.
Below are three I know of, but I suggest you Google  'compassion club' - in your own area, home town. You might get closest city. Or ask people - it is more common then you realize. There are many cannabis friendly communities online.
I do not recommend buying from people online you do not know.
I do not recommend anyone online, I do not recommend any LP... yet.
CALM  is the club we first went to  in Toronto - what seems like a very long time ago, we have not been in years, again I stress - find one that suits you and your 'vibe' YOU must 'feel' comfortable.
Sante Cannabis Is in Montreal.  I had delt with them over the years - they had incredible baked goods, IMO.   ;) 
 The Medical Cannabis Dispensary_   is run by a woman I have come to know  and  think she is very helpful. They are in B.C.
The above are - If asked - I point in the direction, it's you own path.  

Phhhhhbt! If you think the drug stores are any different - they want the same thing the L.C.B.O. does - don't fool yourself $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

IF they do will they hand out free samples like they do at the L.C,B.O.?  
More on that soon...

I read a comment on FB Mandy McKnight made a while back and it stuck with me..  I'm not sure of Her exact words but it was something along the lines, IF Health Canada could not get it right - in HOW LONG???  -What makes them think the L.C.B.O. will be any different?
Compassion clubs started for a reason. 
Thank God. 

Believe
xox <><

Next post... back to something less stressful. Holding hands.
​

  Tis the season!
Office parties!  Christmas open houses, parties, family gatherings and we get there by car most of us & we drink. Most of us. Fact.  Office parties and alcohol* - BTW are the start to many affairs and destruction of many marriages. 

Every year people die at Christmas in traffic accidents related to alcohol - over indulgence. That is what it is.
I really do not believe people get drunk and then try to  kill someone in their car on the way home.  Those who do and escape alive, live with it for the rest of their lives. 

Please think, If you are serving alcohol make a sign that says:
I LOVE you. Please remember that when you are drinking & driving home from your celebration.  Please moderate your drinking. 

I'd rather that sign, than a hospital  or morgue visit.

Kevin assisted me again with this  little poem ;)  I have a couple more as well on the desk.
Today, it's all about painting that elephant.
Merry Christmas! Happy NEW year...  Have fun! 
Cannabis IMO is much safer than alcohol.
I'd feel much safer driving with someone who has smoked than drank.  
Norm and Storm are both very responsible drivers.
Norm won't even attend  functions- he does not want to go and drink, he does not do it any other time - so.. I use to say GO!!  But now, I get it. 
Storm, will also have a glass of wine or two but then stops. Even if we are at dinner in the city he usually only has a glass of wine or a beer.   Thank God.  
I know too many lives ruined by alcohol.

Have Faith! Believe!!
xox <><

I took this a while back  lol    I love my son!
DON'T text either!!!!

Sunday we had a trip to the city planned, visit a few stores and see a couple of friends.
I had it in my mind how the day would go.  It went another way.
Storm and I had a good day and did see some people we have not seen in a while,  & it was great to say Hello and catch up a bit.
But the day had an event that really stuck in my head. Enough to draw it.

I suggested to Storm that we find an outdoor patio so that I could medicate. Which was badly needed. Young st. was busy - what else is knew... the level of poor was new, to me anyhow. Everything you see in the cartoon is TRUE and more.  It was a visual smorgasbord!   

The color, the people, the noise were slightly overwhelming as it is but when we finally found an empty patio and had just ordered a coffee, was about to medicate, I heard this strange beeping...  you know s sound you know but are not sure where....

I turned to see a woman in a hospital gown, no shoes on her feet... walking towards us - with an IV pole - she was hooked up. The blood backed up into the line connecting to her arm.  The machine on the IV pole beeping! 

I instantly thought of TIFF and thought it might be some stunt.. 
She walked right where we were sitting, when an EMT worker pulled up beside her and started to question her. We were sitting right beside her.

He was nice and asked her where she was going, he said she had walked 5 km from a hospital?!  5 km and no one stopped her? No one asked her where she was going or what she was doing. ;(  The conversation continued and he expressed concern about the IV Pole  stating a few times “it’s worth about $3,000...  “  I was thinking - buddy - she is in her hospital gown in the middle of young street attached to an IV POLE do you think she was thinking about the cost?

Well a couple of police cars later... she had slid down the railing where we were sitting almost within touching distance.. she did turn and say “sorry”

I told her she had no need to apologize.  I felt bad for her. She was here from Alberta, no family, at a shelter and sick., She had a bad infection and was in the hospital to get better. It is great in this country she can be treated!  I get it bout the IV Pole.. but really? What has played on my mind is the fact that he got so far. How sad. :( So many people just ignoring everything. stepping over the poor liek they re trash on the street. 

I bet people looked at her  when she was not looking and they thought she must be crazy. Who is cray? THOSE who see and do NOTHING are the closest to mad there is. No compassion.

I did not leave, We sat there. I at one point thought the conversation might have gone differently if she were alone. The other officer made a point about asking her is she had been in trouble and  also the cost of the Pole.
Then they talked about how they needed bigger cars. 

An ambulance finally arrived and she had to go back. Back to where she was so very tired of.  I don’t have the answers. Better security at the hospitals?

This cartoon is full of mental illness. Alcohol abuse. Sexual obsession,  Shopaholics. The rich and the poor. People together but a great percentage alone.  Many on phones. Obese people getting more obese on the takeout  Blvd. as they stroll past a woman begging for food. 

Everyone in their own world. 
NOT.   

WE ARE here TOGETHER!  One day that might be you! 

What is happening to you Toronto? Not the city I know and loved. 
That could easily be someone's sister or mother. 
I talked it over with a friend who work in the city and she said “you see so much so often you just learn to turn your head.”

I don’t think that is what Jesus meant when he said ‘Turn the other cheek’.
Forgive us, for we know squat.  ;( .
xox <>< 

There is a sign of hope in the cartoon. Can you find it?

When I read about Powdered Alcohol being approved in the USA I thought it was a joke.
I looked at the links and still thought it was a joke.  An Onion perhaps?   
I then went to the companies WEBpage.. No joke.  
It should be.  

YEP, the U.S.A approved Powdered Alcohol - Making the world a better place every step of the way.. SIGH.  

http://globalnews.ca/news/1284210/five-things-you-need-to-know-about-palcohol/
"It’s a fact that Canadians love their alcohol. According to a 2012 Canadian Alcohol and Drug Use Monitoring Survey (CADUMS), 78.4 per cent of Canadians consumed alcohol over a 12 month-period and risky alcohol consumption, common in under-age youth, young adults, and males up to age 54, is on the increase."        DRINK UP!   

Americans are having to MOVE to different states to HELP save the lives of their seriously ill/dying children to access CANNABIS, A MEDICINE the USA  DOES acknowledge has all sorts of  healing properties- (including CANCER, they even took out the patent on it years ago),  yet POWDERED ALCOHOL  is about to hit the market. 
WOW. 
Imagine the possibilities.  
It makes me sick to my stomach.

Clearly someone was BOUGHT. As usual. 
I'll be paying VERY close attention as to what and WHEN Health Canada decides.

We don’t have ENOUGH BOOZE? One coming to every local corner store  near you!  I noticed on his site he has ‘reviews’ from organization like M.A.D.D,.  but NO actual links.  Go figure. It goes on to tell of the endless possibilities including sprinkling on Food!  A whole new way for pedophiles to ready their prey.  FACT.

Oh, BUT don’t SNORT IT! It also said in the web site - but know, there will be those that do.  It will happen, It will be a bigger problem that it already is. 
Alcohol/powdered alcohol... People will continue to die from it, kids will abuse it - so will many  more adults.

 ONE MORE REASON CANNABIS is STILL ILLEGAL. 
 The competition want’s it that way.  

CHEERS. 
xox <><