The Marijuana Policy Project recently began airing television ads in New York in favor of pending medical cannabis legislation. In the commercial, Burton Aldrich, a quadriplegic man from Kingston, explains how medical marijuana helps with his excruciating pain and spasms by saying, “I … don’t know if I would be around if it wasn’t for marijuana.”

Being a New Yorker, this hits very close to home. This man doesn’t live even an hour away from me. I really, truly hope that legislation passes and New York becomes the 13th Medical Marijuana state, not only for my own sake, but for everyone in New York suffering like Mr. Aldrich.

If you’re from New York, I urge you to please visit NYPatients.org and contact your legislator. All you have to do is fill your information into the form – The letter is pre-written for you. It can’t get any easier than that! You can also learn more about this issue by going to NYCompassionateCare.org.

No, this isn’t another post about going natural and organic. Summer is here and Festival Season is upon us. Many people have been planning for months to go to a festival, whether it’s Bonnaroo or Lollapalooza or Gathering of the Vibes, etc. and one thing that I’m sure has come to everyone’s mind is How am I going to get high while I’m there? which is probably closely followed by …Without getting arrested?

The police are out in full force, waiting for you to mess up so they can arrest you. I suggest you not carry anything with you, but if you’re worried and absolutely feel the need to carry your weed with you, you should know how to do so safely…

I went to Bonnaroo in 2006 and the police caught the people that were supposed to be supplying the entire festival’s weed. I don’t remember the specific amount they got, but I remember it being extremely hard to find any weed during the entire weekend… But extremely easy to find anything else in the world that you could think of. Perhaps if they had known their rights, it would have been a much greener weekend.

ø Break one law at a time. You’re already in possession of illegal drugs – Don’t drive without your seatbelt or talk on your cell phone. Pay attention to traffic signs and don’t go over the speed limit. Use your blinkers. You get the idea…

ø Don’t smoke in the car. Weed has a very distinct smell and cops aren’t [completely] retarded. They know what it smells like and the smell alone is probable cause for a search. If you’re going to smoke on the way, do so with all the windows down to let the air flow freely and smoke cigarettes or spray air freshener after.

ø Don’t freak out. Cops will often set up signs with things like DRUG CHECKPOINT AHEAD – These checkpoints are unconstitutional; the signs are fake – and watch closely to see who veers to get off the next exit or throws something out of their window. Instead, maintain the speed limit and obey traffic laws and keep going. Stay calm.

ø Do not allow unwarranted searches. It is not illegal to refuse a search if you have not given the police probable cause. Be polite but straight forward – Keith Stroup said, “If you give permission, you waive your Fourth Amendment protections. They may say it’ll go easier if you cooperate, but that’s bullshit. Their only reason for being there is to see if you have contraband and arrest you and put you in jail if you do.”

ø Be careful who you talk to. Once you get to the festival, beware of undercover cops. Many people believe that police officers are required to reveal if they’re an undercover cop, but that’s far from true. It is legal for them to lie while doing their job and they will.

The most important thing is that you know your rights and are comfortable practicing them. If you’re still confused, check out this video, released by Flex Your Rights…