Riding into camp on Day 2 after a 107 mile ride. This was my first century ride - ALC 10

Finding a cure for HIV or bringing an end to AIDS might sound impossible but we DO have the power to make the impossible possible. I met so many energetic and strong people whose personal stories inspired, and continue to inspire me to pedal even harder during the ride, and after.

My name is Daniel and I am a new employee or “budtender” at the PCC dispensary. I may even have helped you select a delectable flower or two for your medicine. This year will mark my second year riding in the AIDS/Life Cycle. Last year, my premier ride in ALC 10 combined two of my greatest passions – cycling and riding for a great cause like HIV.

Originally from San Antonio, Texas, I moved to the Bay area in 2005 seeking a new state of consciousness. I found it in my new neighborhood in the Berkeley-Oakland borderlands, and in work with youths as a medical case manager, youth program coordinator and HIV Test Counselor at an HIV Youth clinic in Oakland.  There, I provided education, support, acceptance and compassion to youth recently diagnosed with HIV and assisted them in navigating medical systems and the sometimes tumultuous road of living with a chronic illness.

For those who may not know the AIDS/LIfeCycle is a 7 day, 545-mile long HIV/AIDS awareness and fundraising bike ride from San Francisco to Los Angeles. This intensive ride through beautiful California delivers a life-changing experience for thousands of participants from all backgrounds and fitness levels united by a common desire to raise awareness about the fight to end HIV/AIDS. Not to mention the necessary challenge of raising funds for HIV/AIDS patient services in the San Francisco and Los Angeles areas.

    From June 3rd to 9th, 2012, TEAM: “¡Sí SE PEDAL!,” A. Daniel Ramos (myself) and Deanna Deolloz will ride in the AIDS/LifeCycle11 along with teammate Sarah Guerra as Roadie.

By integrating a Chicano movement slogan, TEAM: “¡Si SE PEDAL!” aspires to raise awareness among the Latino community and all communities about the rising number of HIV and AIDS diagnoses within Latino US population.  In 2009, Latinos accounted for 20% of HIV infections while representing 16% of the United States population.                                                People of color communities continue to represent a disproportionate percentage of HIV cases and deaths in the United States.

All in all, HIV does NOT discriminate and infects straight and gay people alike, young and old, and people of all ethnicities and classes. Every new case of HIV comes from an old case of HIV.  One in five people who are HIV positive do not know their status and may continue to infect others.  However, research studies indicate once a person has received an HIV diagnosis, their risk behaviors decreased. If we work to provide much needed services to HIV positive individuals, then we will make an impact on HIV transmission.

Compassion, education, testing, and access to medical care are crucial in the fight against HIV. Join us in bringing an end to AIDS. Get tested. Know your HIV status.

If you can, please make a donation today of $10, $20, $50, or more, and fuel my tanks by supporting me and TEAM: “¡Si SE PEDAL!” in achieving our fundraising goal of $10,000.  All donations go directly to HIV medical care, HIV prevention and case management services, and are tax deductible. Just follow this link to my AIDS/LifeCycle donation page. It’s quick and easy!

Muchas gracias! Thank you for your support!

Crossing the finish line in Los Angeles after riding for 7 days, 545 miles from San Francisco to Los Angeles

There’s a ton of interesting things happening around the Bay Area this 420 weekend ~ some of which are all about the medicine, while other events listed are just enjoyable, and could be combined with some discreet, personal medicating.  First off though, a brief history of 420 for those who may not have heard of it ~ Drinkers have long had a monopoly on holidays designed with them in mind – St. Patrick’s Day, New Years Eve, Mardis Gras, and Cinco De Mayo.  It wasn’t until the 90′s, that cannabis smokers first started celebrating their own unique holiday in California (of course) on April 20th of each year.  A phenomenon now celebrated (or should I just say practiced) on 4/20, and especially at 4:20 pm, around the world.

So, beginning at PCC, here are some options for your 4/20 2012:

For our 420 celebration, we will be holding an all day raffle in store ~ every patient will have the chance to win!  Prizes will include 1/8 oz’s of high grade medicine, grams of medicine, T-shirts, PCC Trading Cards, pens & stickers. Donation not required. While supplies last.

~ Galvanized rather than defeated by the recent federal actions in Oakland, California and throughout the state, CA NORML are staging a protest and a film festival in the town known as Oaksterdam this Friday, April 20. Supporters will gather at 11 AM at the Federal Building in Oakland (1301 Clay St.) to protest the federal attack on Oaksterdam and medical cannabis.  Then, beginning at 12pm, march to make our views known. Participants are invited to drop by the Oaksterdam Student Union, 1915 Broadway for refreshments after 1 PM.

At 3 PM, a 4/20 Film Festival begins with a showing of A NORML Life, a terrific film that should be widely seen by reformers and others.  At 4:30 PM, California 90420 will hit the screen, as it will at theaters across the nation. Directed by one of the guys who produced the hit comedy WAITING.. Starring Ryan Reynolds and Justin Long, California 90420 is a character-driven, informational comedy about real people, and a glimpse into the world of weed through the eyes of Cannabis College Students and Oaksterdam University’s Chancellor and Prop 19 Spokeswoman, Dale Sky Jones.  At 6 PM, The Green Goddess will be shown as a sneak preview.  This special screening of The Green Goddess will feature a Q&A with filmmaker Chris Iverson and other members of the cast and crew. Tickets are $10 for the Film Festival, which benefits Oaksterdam University and California NORML. Please visit the Oaksterdam 4/20 Film Festival Facebook event page or buy tickets online.

~ Don’t feel like a watching movies indoors? Check out a FREE HIP HOP SHOW at Sproul Plaza on UC Berkeley Campus at 5pm.  Check out Detroit’s hip hop artist Danny Brown, whose much critically acclaimed 2011 album “XXX” earned him #1 hip hop album of the year on Spin magazine.

~ At night, our hilarious friend, comedian, and former editor of West Coast Cannabis Magazine Ngaio Bealum will be hosting a fun 420 event in SF ~ “Celebrate 4/20 with Ed Rosenthal, Ngiao Bealum. Music by Shuckah. Followed by the most triumphant return of Most Chill Slack Mob. 8pm start time. $15 suggested cover.” Check out the Facebook event page here. 

~ Huge event happening that night on Treasure Island: Womp Island 420 Music Festival will feature 3 stages of sound, visuals and 18+ entry (bar for over 21).  Check out the event page and place to buy tickets, here.

Another classic place to spend your 420 is the aptly named “Hippie Hill” in Golden Gate Park. This event requires no ticket, and is has been participated in for many years. Check out this video of last years celebration of cannabis, here. >>

~~ Other events: Smoke n’ Destroy at 924 Gilman, Berkeley, Hemp Royal Reggay at Oakland Metro Operahouse, The 4/20 Bake Off feat. Wiz Khalifa at Bill Graham Civic Auditorium, 420 Stones Throw Showcase at 10pm at 103 Harriet, 103 Harriet St., San Francisco, Dark Side of Oz at the Roxie Theater in SF. Plus, many more.

All this should get you nice and ready for the DEEP GREEN FESTIVAL and CONFERENCE ~ and Earth Day celebration of Cannabis, Health & Ecology happening on SATURDAY 4/21/12 Noon – Midnight, live musical acts all day, workshops, all day Vapor Room, plus much more. Check out the event website here >>> recommended event! 

This is Part 2 of our Testing with SC Laboratories blog post. To read Part 1 please visit the link.

I have embedded some informative videos made in partnership by SC Laboratories and WeedmapsTV. These videos really help to understand the testing process and the science behind cannabis medicine.

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THC ~ Delta 9 Tetrahydrocannabinol is the psychoactive component of the cannabis plant and it’s most abundant cannabinoid. Learn about it’s unique properties and attributes, including specific symtoms that THC has shown to work really well in treating. Yay, science!

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Safety is the main reason we are now lab testing our medicine. Cannabis is used to treat a variety of illnesses including many that cause a compromised immune system. These patients in particular can be highly sensitive to chemicals and other contaminants. It is also our belief that everyone should only put the minimum amount of artificial ingredients and unnatural chemicals into our bodies ~ our focus is always on organic, natural and healthful. Through cannabis lab testing we can be 100% sure that our medicine is safe and contaminate free.

To find the results of any of lab tested strains, concentrates or edibles, just visit our WeedMaps Menu page or the menu page on our website. Hover over the small test tube icon to the right of the strain name and a box with all the lab information should appear. You can also visit us at the dispensary and see the results in store.  We look forward to being able to provide our patients with specific and more accurate scientific information.

The production, processing, and oversight of medical cannabis in California currently straddles a line between pharmaceutical and food product.  Although intended for patients that are seriously ill, the normal safety nets applied to medicine by government entities, like the the FDA, for example, have been absent due to the unjust scheduling of the cannabis plant. Additional research is needed into how these legal compounds participate in providing medicinal properties to marijuana. In the inexistence of government oversight, labs operating in California and Colorado, have begun testing cannabis medicine for potency and safety.

This is important information for patients and dispensaries who increasingly seek out these profiles.  The availability of cannabis testing promotes better access to medically important cannabis options such as CBD-rich cannabis, through identification. Laboratory testing is also key for strategic breeding programs and promotes the overall legitimization of cannabis for therapeutic use.

Thus begins our relationship with SC Laboratories.

So, how does lab testing work?  What exactly are SC Labs testing for when we send them samples of our medicine? And where can you, the patient, find the results published?

Because of the recent partnership between Weedmaps and SC Laboratories, several videos have been made by the two companies to explain the case for lab testing, the scientific process, and how to interpret the results. The videos have been published on WeedMapsTV. Here I have embedded some of the most informative.

Above we see Weedmaps host, Tang and world renowned botonist, Steve Tuck, as they take a tour of Santa Cruz Labs in Santa Cruz, California.  Key topics include why the founders of SC Labs saw the need for cannabis lab testing, an introduction to the lab and testing equipment, and explanations as to how they interpret the results. They also discuss really interesting subjects like the potential role of Terpenes and the future of DNA/RNA sequencing in regards to cannabis breeding techniques.

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This video shows a way more in depth, step by step, look at Cannabis testing. It’s fascinating what happens to our samples once they leave the PCC!

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What is CBD? I’m sure by now you’ve heard about this extremely medicinal cannabinoid that does not have psychoactive qualities. This video will answer any further questions you may have and also explains why SC Labs uses HPLC (High Performance Liquid Chromatography) method as opposed to GC (Gas Chromatography) for their cannabinoid tests.

You can always find our CBD Challenge – Staff Strain Report, here.

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Following soon will be Part 2 of our PCC Tests Potency and Safety with SC Laboratories blog which includes a profile of THC, the psychoactive and most abundant cannabinoid found in all cannabis strains. We will also explain the most important reason to lab test our cannabis medicine ~ Safety.  

Check it out here!

Lab Testing Results: 17.0% THC,  0.5% CBD, 0.1% CBN

Medicinal Uses: Pain, Muscle spasms, Nausea, Appetite, MS, AIDS, Anxiety, Depression, PTSD, Glaucoma, Migraines, Gastrointestinal Issues, Cancer, Epilepsy, Arthritis, Alcoholism, Anorexia.

PCC Report:

Like just about every other industry, Cannabis is no different in falling prey to fads and what is ‘trendy’. In the past, we have seen crazes over a variety of strains: from OG Kush, to Haze, to just about anything with the color purple.  Most of the time it’s simply the appearance of something new to the cannabis scene: an effect that is more pronounced, a smell or taste that has never before been explored, or a look that seems to not belong on cannabis at all. The very complexity of cannabis in and of itself makes for such vast and pronounced differences that it only makes sense that some strains would resonate with people more than others. It seems obvious then, when someone decided to breed not only OG Kush and Granddaddy Purple but Durban Poison as well, the result would be a bud almost universally loved: Girl Scout Cookies or G.S.C.

The appearance of Girl Scout Cookies is somewhat unremarkable. That is not to say it lacks beauty, but the combination of colors is nothing new to the cannabis world. Shades of light green give way to dark veins of purple, covered by an amber sheen of resin heads. However, one thing that stands out immediately about G.S.C. is it’s incredible density: small tight bud structure, akin to its progenitor OG Kush. Overall, Girl Scout Cookies appearance makes for what can be a disappointing optical illusion when comparing grams and eighths.

PCC GSC Trichome image

In general, I have found strains with similar bud density to have a less pronounced smell.  With G.S.C. this is not the case.  Although not reaching down your nose like Cherry AK, G.S.C. has its own distinct fragrance: deep chocolate notes, with more pungent overtones of fresh soil and mint. These hints of smell intensify as you break down cannabis, making it difficult to fully appreciate until it has been ground up.

Because of G.S.C.’ density, it is difficult to judge how much herb you will need for an appropriate size joint- in my experience, a little bit goes a long way. As expected, the scent of G.S.C. is enhanced after it is broken down, expressing even stronger character from it’s OG Kush side. Dried and cured to the standards I expect, the roll goes without incident and I am ready to medicate in minutes. Like the smell, the G.S.C. taste starts out with a strong OG Kush influence, leaving you licking your lips and trying to place just what it tastes like. As you get further into the joint however, the flavor gets sweeter and richer: elements of cocoa and undertones of Granddaddy Purple battle for your attention.

While there is a veritable bouquet in your mouth, the actual effect of GSC is most noteworthy: starting with an intense mental stimulation right between your temples, it gradually makes its way to the far reaches of your body, relaxing muscles and easing tensions as it goes. The onset of this effect is almost immediate, starting within the first couple drags of a joint. Its continued effect is energizing as well as physically therapeutic, beneficial for ailments such as pain or appetite stimulation. Truly one of the more versatile strains available, GSC is an easy one to recommend to just about everyone.

PCC GCS Trichome #2

This is our second annual Medical Cannabis Round-Up. As time goes by since the passage of Prop. 215 by California voters in 1996, each year brings with it new challenges, successes, clarity and confusion.  I sometimes feel like we are taking two steps forward and at least one step back ~ 2011 was no different.  Nationally, 2011 welcomed Delaware as the 16th State to implement a Compassionate Use Act this May, and 6 other states now have pending medicinal legalization including large states like New York and Illinois.

You’ve probably heard the news and read the headlines. The model that we in California have chosen to dispense medical cannabis to the sick, has not impressed the federal government. With an ever increasing number of US states deciding to adopt medical Cannabis laws, California has acted as a trailblazer with regards to implementation. Growers were licensed and restricted to certain amounts of plants; collectives were established and taxed, and many cities collected hundreds of thousands of dollars in new revenue.  Even though the people of California seemed to be mostly happy with the progression of the movement, the Feds are (again) upholding a national ban on the substance, regulated or not.

"You can't fix stupid - But you can vote them out!"

Since October 7th when Melinda Haag and three other Federal prosecutors declared a crackdown on medical cannabis in California, many dispensaries have been raided or forced to close and others are on the way out of business as their proprietors receive letters, warning of reprisal from the DEA.  Considering the current economy, and the fact these are tax paying, job creating businesses, (never mind we are providing a non toxic, non chemical therapy to seriously ill patients) is this really the best time to perform more DEA raids?  While they may be a few unscrupulous owners and poorly run dispensaries, many of the closures were of long-running, licensed, reputable establishments that provided much needed medicine to patients in their respective areas. Other dispensaries are said to be too close to schools or are being taxed to death.  Back taxes, retroactive fees ~ these are the ugly, bureaucratic tactics currently being used to shut down collectives.

Globally the situation is mirrored. Formerly relaxed and decriminalized Holland has been feeling the squeeze of newly enforced cannabis control.  A 24 year running High Times Cannabis Cup was raided by Dutch police for the first time ever last month. Officers confiscated all cannabis, effectively shutting the Cup down.  In October, the Dutch Government also voted in measures that would ban the sale of cannabis that contained above 15% THC (like New Jersey who limits THC to 10%!). In addition, the southern portion of Holland, closest to the Belgium border, will begin enforcing a ban on foreign customers in the local coffeeshops as early as January 2012. One year later, the rest of the country is expected to follow.

On the other hand, Basque Country in Spain will approve a law in early 2012 which legalizes the cultivation, sale and consumption of cannabis and Czech Republic have implemented a very relaxed medical cannabis law this year. Sativex, the first real ~ not synthetic, cannabinoid-based spray developed by a major pharmaceutical company, continues it’s launch worldwide for the treatment of MS, specifically. Countries where Sativex is now being prescribed include include Germany, Denmark, Sweden and Australia.

Worldwide Medical Cannabis Map

It doesn’t matter if you’re a grower/provider, a patient, a dispensary employee or recreational smoker; what’s happening in California is foreshadowing a potential downturn in tolerance around the country. As quickly as the industry is able to build itself up, it’s torn down again by federal means.

Americans for Safe Access and other medical marijuana activists who represent dispensary workers, have proposed a 2012 ballot initiative that would create an appointed Board of Medical Marijuana Enforcement.  The Department of Consumer Affairs would oversee businesses and nonprofits that grow, distribute, sell and test cannabis. The initiative would also target local governments that have banned cannabis businesses by requiring counties and cities to authorize at least one dispensary for every 50,000 residents. In theory, this measure is supposed to show the Feds that the medical cannabis community is serious about regulation and taxation if it means that licensed establishments can finally operate without the threat of eviction or prosecution.

“We think that this initiative will create a level playing ground that law enforcement will embrace because it creates a sensible process,” said Dan Rush, national director of the United Food and Commercial Workers’ medical cannabis division. “The U.S. attorneys became hostile to medical marijuana in California and what we are doing is offering a responsible, dignified and sincere approach to the citizens of California.”

However, the measure is quite vague in what kind of regulation the Board could actually create.  Although this does sound like a sensible system, giving sole control of future decisions involving medical cannabis to a governmental board, who in the past have been known to make wild, unscientifically based, restrictive guidelines regarding cannabis (look at New Jersey again, 10% limit on THC levels!), and creating a lot of red tape in the process. We will have to wait and see how this plays out in 2012.

Here at PCC, we had a very productive year. We passed a major milestone this April, celebrating 10 years in business, serving Bay Area medical cannabis patients, from our location on Telegraph Avenue in Berkeley. Ten years and counting, providing the level of quality we are known for, in this industry ~ is something we’re very proud of. We also really stepped up our online education and presence. We are very satisfied with what our website has become, and also really enjoy being able to directly communicate with our patients and supporters on Facebook, Twitter, Weedmaps and Yelp.

That feedback and the reviews that patients write of us, is an invaluable way to know we are doing a good job.  It’s also important to new patients, who have never been to PCC, get a sense of what we are all about ahead of their visit ~ Quality and Education. We participated with our very own booth at Oakland’s first ever Cannabis Expo, held this September – that was a lot of fun!  2011 is also the year we began lab testing our medicine with SC Laboratories.  You can now see in percentages, how much THC and CBD is contained in your favorite strains and have the peace of mind that your medicine is safe and completely contaminate free. The results are currently published on our Weedmaps menu page. Coming soon to shelf signs.

On a related but separate note, this year PCC managers created and developed a web based, coordination platform called CannCast. The website is intended specifically for medical cannabis providers and dispensaries. CannCast.com facilitates meetings be­tween providers and dispensaries based on specific strains. Dispensaries can list their requests. Providers post the available types and qualities. Simple search, activity feeds and featured articles allow easy discovery of particular medications and participants, allowing for appointments to be scheduled. Dispensaries get only what they want, providers build a new relationship and the end result is that qualified patients have better access to state-legal medicine.  Good job, guys!

Your continued support means a lot to us and it’s because of that support we are here today. We hope 2011 was a good and prosperous year for you, and that your 2012 is even better!  Do you have a PCC story from 2011? How about a personal story? We’d love to hear it ~ Comment here, or find us on any of our online platforms! Happy New Year to All!