The Times They Are A-Changin'

Willie Nelson's weed brand is now backed by private equity:

Willie Nelson has just scored private equity backing.

Tuatara Capital, a New York-based private equity firm, has said it will lead an investor group that is financing the development of Nelson's namesake cannabis brand, Willie's Reserve.

Willie's Reserve is set to be grown, distributed and sold by local businesses in Colorado and Washington. The company plans further expansion as state laws change.

Altered States

From Why Legalizing Marijuana Makes Sense by Joe Klein:

For the past several years, I've been harboring a fantasy, a last political crusade for the baby-boom generation. We, who started on the path of righteousness, marching for civil rights and against the war in Vietnam, need to find an appropriately high-minded approach to life's exit ramp. In this case, I mean the high-minded part literally. And so, a deal: give us drugs, after a certain age — say, 80 — all drugs, any drugs we want. In return, we will give you our driver's licenses. (I mean, can you imagine how terrifying a nation of decrepit, solipsistic 90-year-old boomers behind the wheel would be?) We'll let you proceed with your lives — much of which will be spent paying for our retirement, in any case — without having to hear us complain about our every ache and reflux. We'll be too busy exploring altered states of consciousness. I even have a slogan for the campaign: "Tune in, turn on, drop dead."

Read the rest here.

The Honchos Of The Heavenly High

From Laws go to pot over religion by Les Brost:

Things have really gone to pot for the Church of the Universe in Hamilton, Ont. Church founders Walter Tucker and Michael Baldasaro are facing hefty jail terms and have had their east-Hamilton "church" seized.

Tucker and Baldasaro were found guilty of selling small quantities of marijuana to an undercover police officer. The church, established in 1969, has used marijuana as a sacrament for the past 30 years.

Many folks won't be upset with the news that the Honchos of the Heavenly High will be spending time in the hoosegow.