BY RUTH HILL R.N.
In December 1999, the Inland Empire (IE) met with six people attending the first meeting of the Marijuana Anti-Prohibition Project (MAPP) at The Hemp Store in Desert Hot Springs, CA. Fast forward to Saturday, Dec. 21, 2024, at 7 p.m., MAPP is cordially inviting you to join in making cannabis history again by celebrating its 25th Anniversary at the 420 Bank Dispensary and Lounge in Palm Springs, CA.
If someone predicted 25 years ago that Coachella Valley (CV) stores would be selling cannabis, farmers would be cultivating legal crops, businesses would be manufacturing edibles, tinctures, oils and concentrates, the public would have wondered what they were drinking. Today, people convicted of cannabis violations are released from jail, and their convictions are being expunged from their records. Medical facilities are allowing patients to consume cannabis. California State Fair now awards Blue Ribbons for the best cannabis. The wholesale price of cannabis has plunged from $2,000 to $3,000/pound to $1,000/pound.
MAPP convinced the city of Palm Springs (PS) in 2008 to be the first city in the IE to allow the legal operation of medical marijuana dispensaries in Riverside County. In 2015, PS’s medical cannabis cultivation ordinance allowed patients at one residence to cultivate up to 24 plants indoors and outdoors. MAPP effectively turned Riverside County from the backwaters of cannabis accessibility to a leader.
Unfortunately, San Bernardino County has been a much harder nut to crack. The County has always been a reactionary curmudgeon from their ill-fated lawsuit to have Senate Bill 420 declared unconstitutional to their fortunately ill-fated attempt to have Larry Swiekart imprisoned for his cannabis activism. Larry brought hundreds of patients to SB County Board of Supervisors meetings and harangued them about their refusal to implement Prop. 215 and Prop. 64, which was approved by their voters. SB County is losing the battle as several cities in the County have allowed businesses to make cannabis available. SB County has a long way to go to catch up with Riverside County.
Yes, there are still problems, and much more work needs to be done to make cannabis as easy to obtain and as affordable as a bottle of wine. To prove cannabis prohibition has ended, celebrate in 420 Bank Dispensary MAPP’S 25th Anniversary by consuming cannabis – smoking, vaping, vaporizing, eating, and, for those who dare, dabbing with no fear of arrest.
This is a rare opportunity to reconnect with many of the folks with whom you worked side-by-side as MAPP lobbied, marched, protested, and picketed during the last 25 years, demanding legal access to cannabis. In both counties, MAPP also provided court support for those who got caught up in the legal system for the use and/or cultivation of cannabis. Some of those maiden activists will be joining the celebration.
The 25th Anniversary Party will be held at the fabulous 420 Bank Dispensary and Lounge, located at 296 S. Palm Canyon Dr. in downtown Palm Springs. One of the largest cannabis dispensaries and lounges in California, the 420 Bank Dispensary is a gem. We will have a private room for our celebration, but the entire premises will be open and available for your enjoyment.
In keeping with the celebratory theme, the event will provide a scrumptious, non-medicated dessert and ice cream buffet. 420 Bank Dispensary is providing a private lounge and use of the entire facility gratis, so please DO NOT bring your own cannabis.
The 420 Bank is a licensed dispensary that offers an amazing variety of cannabis products, from the finest buds and intoxicating oils to the strongest concentrates and delicious edibles. Since December 21 is also the Winter Solstice (the day with the shortest period of daylight and longest night of the year), a pagan holiday dating back 5,000 years, it will be a double celebration with MAPP’s 25th Anniversary party.
Please send an email to rnlanny@aol.com or phone Larry at 760-799-2055 how many will be coming so MAPP can plan properly.
