Celebrities

Damian Marley was born into two worlds – reggae and marijuana. So the singer understandably laughs as I sit with him at L.A.’s storied Sunset Marquis and ask him about his collaboration with Ocean Grown Extracts, a company whose about page declares, “Ocean Grown Extracts produces cannabis concentrates with the same integrity and attention to detail as cultivating our award-winning flowers. We grow our cannabis under local compliance free of pesticides, molds, or other contaminants.”

“It goes without saying that for marijuana the attraction is very natural,” he chuckles.

Read More:http://www.forbes.com/sites/stevebaltin/2016/10/11/damian-marley-invests-in-marijuana-futures/#3f94d4cd1dff

The drug law reform world needs more celebrities to come out in favor of marijuana legalization and ending the drug war. Yesterday I read a blog, by David Downs at SFGATE, that detailed how Justin Bieber supports marijuana law reform, and maybe even broader drug law reform efforts. Hopefully, Justin decides to give generously to the drug law reform efforts across the country.

David writes:

Medical marijuana just got a major new ally in the bruising election battle: pop music icon Justin Bieber.
Just in time to help swing pitched election fights for medical marijuana in Florida, and other states, Bieber called out prescription drug companies battling cannabis legalization Sunday, tweeting “This is important. … We all need to pay attention” and linking to a video summary of the issue.

Read More:https://www.theweedblog.com/justin-bieber-supports-marijuana-law-reform/

I came across  an article at Entrepreneur.com by Kim Lachance Shandrow. In it she asks the investors from the popular TV series, Shark Tank, about their views on investing in the cannabis industry.

Many of their responses were familiar because savvy and successful investors like them won’t invest in an industry where there is no access to banking. Because of federal laws, and IRS tax code 280e, it is too risky for many investors when they have to think about losing their investment to the federal government, or having the feds come after them personally. Furthermore, having to stash hundreds of thousands of dollars of cash everywhere isn’t something a successful investor is going to want to do. For them, it’s all about timing, most likely when the federal laws are changed.

Read More:https://www.theweedblog.com/shark-tank-investors-talk-marijuana/

It would be easier to list the things Jesse Ventura hasn’t done in his life. He’s a Vietnam War veteran (1969-1975), World Tag Team Champion pro wrestler, the former governor of Minnesota (1999-2003), a bodyguard for the Rolling Stones bodyguard and a TV talk show host (Conspiracy Theory with Jesse Ventura).

“Author” has long been a part of Ventura’s resume. He’s penned ten books, including his latest,Jesse Ventura’s Marijuana Manifesto (Skyhorse Publishing), released this week, co-written with Jen Hobbs.
Manifesto will inspire readers with positive pot developments, but will also anger them as Ventura cites the shameful criminalization of cannabis and Big Pharma’s manipulation of the truth regarding this miracle plant. Ventura has never aligned himself with a particular ideology, or associated himself with a one-dimensional political party. Ventura maintains that corporate control of America is a very real threat to freedom and prosperity. 

Read More:http://hightimes.com/culture/jesse-ventura-the-marijuana-manifesto/

Get the Gin & Juice ready, grab your cups and pitch in, Snoop Dogg has teamed up with Martha Stewart to bring a new show to VH1 this fall.

The unscripted show will be entitled, Martha & Snoop’s Dinner Party. The series will focus on the odd-couple bringing their celebrity friends to a dinner party each week.

“At our dinner party, we will exemplify America’s fascination with food, entertaining and celebrity,” Stewart said. “‘Martha & Snoop’s Dinner Party’ will redesign the traditional food competition shows in a new, different and very funny way.”

Snoop Dogg added, “My homegirl, Martha and I have a special bond that goes back. We’re gonna be cooking, drinking and having a good time with our exclusive friends. Can’t wait for you to see how we roll together!”

Read More:http://www.theweedblog.com/snoop-dogg-and-martha-stewart-to-host-new-show-on-vh1/

MTV’s new pot-based comedy, Mary + Jane, which is set to premiere Monday, September 5, is a creation from the ganja-god himself, Snoop Dogg.

The comedy is based around the lives of cannabis start-ups Jordan (Scout Durwood) and Paige (Jessica Rothe), who run an all-female weed delivery service in Los Angeles.

Snoop will be guest-starring on the show – not as himself, but as “a very, very special person,” executive producers Deborah Kaplan and Harry Elfont revealed at the Television Critics Association’s press tour on Sunday.

Read More:http://www.theweedblog.com/snoop-doggs-new-pot-comedy-show-coming-to-mtv-in-september/