I remember seeing booths at Santa Cruz street fairs calling for the legalization of cannabis. I used to laugh and think those people are smoking too much of their product because that’s never going to happen.
Oops.
Now dispensaries are everywhere and a generation has grown up knowing they can buy cannabis as easily as they can buy alcohol.
Then, 14 years ago, I published in Santa Cruz Patch a regular column by David Jay Brown, who was leading the push toward legalizing psychedelics, noting studies that showed they were critical in helping mental health problems such as PTSD.
I worried about having this in a mainstream publication, until I saw the numbers. Brown’s column had hundreds of thousands of views each week from all over the world. He was at the forefront of a movement and catching on fire. And now, you can buy psilocybin mushrooms in all kinds of places, legally.
The author of 19 books, heralded as a “psychedelic laureate,” he is the subject of our cover story by the mononymous comedian and journalist DNA. This is living history and we are at the tip of the spear here in Santa Cruz. It’s a fascinating read.
On the psychedelic theme, we have a story on a therapist using plants in treatment, written by Amy Smith. And Ruby Lee Schembari meets up with a mushroom fairy who dispenses her wares downtown.
You can’t say we don’t take you down paths you might not ordinarily find.
Are you troubled by the closing of the Crow’s Nest Thursday beach parties because of a shooting in the parking lot a few weeks ago? We are for several reasons. First, we’re shocked there’s been no arrest. There were witnesses who saw it and took down the license plate of the shooter. But one thing I know about police reporting: they may have good reasons for not talking about the case yet. Then there was the move to shut down the Crow’s Nest beach parties, which has elicited many negative notes and letters. Why shut this one down and not the other gatherings in town, including the Capitola Wednesday beach party and the Midtown Friday party? Josué Monroy updates the news in this week’s issue.
Thanks for reading and please let us know your thoughts at editor@weeklys.com
Brad Kava, Editor
PHOTO CONTEST
WASSUP? Shadowy characters seek shelter at Seacliff. Photograph by Eric Olsen
GOOD IDEA
Have your apple pie announced as the “Best in Santa Cruz County and the Pajaro Valley” at the 47th Annual Apple Pie Baking Contest, held on the opening day of the Santa Cruz County Fair.
The contest is coordinated by the Santa Cruz County Farm Bureau and has been held every year since 1977. It is sponsored by the Pajaro Valley apple growers, shippers and related industries as well as pie lovers throughout the county. Entry forms are at the Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds Office, 2601 East Lake Ave in Watsonville, and at santacruz.fairwire.com. Deadline is Sept. 3. Judging will be at noon Sept. 11 at Paddy Smith Park.
GOOD WORK
The Ocean Film Festival World Tour comes to the Rio Theatre Sept. 7 with more than two hours of movies to inspire you to explore, respect, enjoy and protect oceans. The festival includes films of varying lengths and styles covering topics such as ocean adventure and exploration, the oceanic environment, marine creatures, ocean-related sports, coastal cultures and ocean lovers. A portion of ticket and beer sales will be donated to Save our Shores.
For a list of films and ticket information, visit riotheatre.com/events.
QUOTE OF THE WEEK
“Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist when he grows up.” –Pablo Picasso
