Growing Weed at the White House... a Historical Insight from the streets of Detroit

by Richard C. Clement


Urban Farming has a strong tradition from the White House to the City of Detroit. The people in the neighborhoods grow just like the slaves did when they worked at the White House for President George Washington. While walking down the street on 7 Mile, I ran into an old friend from the neighborhood. He was an urban farmer who wanted to remain nameless.






“The Greening of America began at the White House” stated the gentleman as we were walking down 7 mile road past Mr. Mapps Lounge. I am growing my own personal garden with food and medicine to pay homage to those slaves and First Lady Michelle Obama. The first president, George Washington had a farm on the White House Grounds. The man was a natural born famer and owned slaves who he treated well. They took care of his farm and other emotional needs. He loved him some sisters and all they had to do was take care of the farm and him.


Now that a daughter of the slaves is living IN the White House, it would be a total honor to have her grow some Industrial Hemp and Medicine in the White House right next to the oregano, cilantro , basil, or parsley. Growing this group of plants in the same area contributes to the spices of each other and feed on each other’s organic makeup. Potatoes and Tomatoes are a favorite of mine. This is because sweet potatoes, beets, turnip greens, are a group to keep together because everything is underground. Interested people would keep up with the growth rate of the plants on the White House website just like Farmville on face book. Since medical marijuana is allowed in D.C., The White House fits the definition of a secure and locked facility.


That was a lot of information I thought to myself and as my friend got into his car. What about all of that hemp that comes from Canada? By trading in hemp, we will have free trade with Canada. The bridge to be named later project over the Detroit River would be paid for by the revenue from the Cannabis trade. Along with farmers, the duty free shops would generate massive amounts of revenue with duty free Cannabis products being sold at the border. Finally City of Detroit employees will be able have an even healthier pension fund by investing in alternative fuel research and manufacturing in Michigan. Cannabis creates jobs and opportunity for an entire earth community.

A “Bong for Bing will solve everything” or Pot for Pugh will help all of you” was the text message I received from my friend.

I sent him back a message saying that “Weed shall overcome and we have only just begun”.





Sent from the spirits of an IBM 370/115 with an IBM 029 keypunch.

Lansing Michigan Ordinance seeks to restrict and relocate the number of dispensaries in the City Limits.

An ordinance proposed by City Councilwoman Carol Wood will force new dispensaries to move into certain areas of the city. If this ordinance is passed, it will force new businesses into specific light industrial zones that will have the potential to create a marijuana free enterprise zones in the City of Lansing. Current owners will be allowed to stay in their present place of business until ownership transfers or a catastrophic event such as a fire or natural disaster.

One of the more controversial parts of the ordinance is the elimination of 24/7 dispensaries in the City of Lansing. Dispensary businesses will only be allowed to operate between the hours of 10am to 7pm Monday through Saturday. Another controversial part of this ordinance is not allowing consumption by customers in the place of business. These provisions were fiercely objected to by shop owners and Ingham County NORML.

Supporters of these controversial changes are hoping to force all of the businesses from Michigan Avenue and other places into a few designated areas within the City limits. Another excuse brought up by the neighborhood associations is the electrical draw down of current if these businesses are allowed to cultivate the medicine onsite. If these people are successful in forcing business to move, Michigan Avenue in Lansing will return to empty buildings and abandonment again. Another danger is the invitation for felony acts of arson by deranged individuals forcing the business to move. The draft ordinance as written will force a burned down business to move to a newly zoned area in the City.


There is still time before this ordinance becomes the law to act. We are encouraging all shop owners and customers to contact Councilwomen Carol Wood, A’lynne Robinson, Tina Houghton, and the Lansing City Council to tell them to remove these job killing provisions from the ordinance. This must be done before Thursday June 3rd, 2011 @ 3pm. After this date and time you must show up in person on the 10th floor of Lansing City Hall @ 4PM.

Ending the War on Drugs in Eaton County MI - Man facing Jail time for being a valid Michigan Medical Marijuana Patient.

Legislators in Lansing must work together to end the abusive drug war and the impact on Michigan Citizens. The following article addresses the injustices being practiced in Eaton County Michigan. This is a tax on the backs of citizens especially people of color.


Man facing Jail time in Eaton County Michigan for being a valid Michigan Medical Marijuana Patient.

A Report from the frontline in the War on Drugs
By Richard C. Clement
January 11, 2011

On January 26, 2011 @ 5:30pm Medical Marijuana Patient and a male City of Lansing Resident will go before Judge Judith Reincke to have the terms of his probation modified. He is being denied the right to use his medicine by the Judge based on an interpretation of Federal Law. He was convicted of domestic assault of when he disciplined his two teen age children for improper cell phone use. Mix in the heated atmosphere of a separation and divorce; the man's ex-wife filed a police report that was embellished, giving the appearance of child abuse and excessive violence. His mistake started with not reading what was written on the police report and, pleading no contest without legal counsel.


He was placed on probation for 24 months and as a condition of his probation has to submit to random drug tests, Alcoholics Anonymous meetings, and Domestic Violence Counseling that is very expensive. This man has the qualifying medical condition of degenerative spinal stenosis, an illness that was a result of a motorcycle accident that brings on chronic pain. The condition is controlled successfully with Marijuana which works better than all other pharmaceutical drugs combined. Therefore when He shows up for weekly drug testing, he always tests positive. This has been happening since November 2010 frustrating his probation officer Liz Hoogstra. Ignoring his doctor's medical advice, Judge Reincke ordered him not to take anything and just suffer the pain until the hearing on January 26th.


The cost breakdown is as:

Weekly Random Drug Test (one per week for 24 months)
104 weeks @ $25.00 a week. Total Cost $2600.00

Weekly Drug Counseling sessions for the Marijuana addiction
Total Cost $985.00

3 AA classes per week for 24 months (Marijuana Addiction)
With “Donations Accepted” on a volunteer basis $20.00 per session.


Domestic Violence Prevention Classes $200.00

If you happen to go to jail and spend any time there your cost breakdown is:

Room and Board @ $40.00 per night
Use of Telephone @ $5.99 per minute

This person is a first time “offender” and if you multiply these figures by the number of prisoners taken in per week, you have a money cash cow for the Eaton County Sheriff Department. If we are serious of cutting government spending, we must cut the cost of these hidden taxes on the backs of people who could least afford it. The Michigan Medical Marijuana Act has become the equivalent of a tax cut to people who use Marijuana as a medicine at the expense of the County Sheriff’s offices in the State of Michigan.

Given the failure of regular pharmaceutical drugs, his health is being affected by the Eaton County Court that erroneously refers to Marijuana as Schedule I. This means that it is a drug with no medical value, similar to crack and heroin. Natural grown Medical Marijuana works better than the store bought and prescribed medicine from pharmaceutical companies. At this hearing his doctor will be allowed to testify on his behalf, while the Eaton County Prosecutor’s office will be pushing federal law and attempting to put him in Jail. He is willing to do time in jail rather than to take Marinol, morphine, and other dangerous over the counter drugs prescribed by the Eaton County Judge. He is currently looking at 7 to 10 days in Jail if found in violation of his terms of probation.


The breakdown of the family structure in the African American community requires that a father has to lead by survival. When the children want to “take over” a home by: not following rules and talking back, a father has to put his foot down. This father will be putting his foot down by standing up for the law and his right to use Medicine prescribed by a certified medical professional.

Name withheld at the person's request.

10/20/10 - Vote in Person on October 20, 2010 and let your voice be heard...

The Friends of George Cushingberry Jr.
October 18, 2010




Make October 20th the VIP day for all compassionate care providers, Medical Marijuana patents, and caregivers. VIP stands for Vote in Person which is a project of the Ingham County Chapter of Michigan NORML and associated compassion clubs in the City of Lansing. On this day the cannabis community has pledged to show up in person on the 9th floor of City Hall and vote absentee.Low voter turnout is an issue that must be addressed for the future and direction of all of us regarding Medical Marijuana, Health Care, and Financial Banking reform. During the primary race in August, volunteers like myself and Griffin Rivers walked door to door for Rep. Cushingberry’s unsuccessful bid for State Senate. A number of them were medicating as we walked up to the door in the hot sun. They told us that they would go out and vote however, we saw the result of their words.

There is time to rectify that error and we are calling on all of you contact members of your churches, compassion clubs, bars, fraternities, sororities, to mobilize on October 20th and Vote In Person at the City Clerk’s Office in Lansing MI. Maybe Chris Swope will move operations to the Washington Ave facility if it gets too crowded but, will work with the 9th floor for now. Concerned medical patients statewide are mobilizing to support candidates who are supportive of Michigan Medical Marijuana law that the voters passed overwhelmingly in 2008.


David Leyton is the best choice in the Attorney General’s race to replace Republican Mike Cox. Bill Schuttee the republican is a throwback from the Bush and Cheney years supporting secret prisons in Michigan and jailing ANY medical marijuana user in the State. In the Secretary of State race Jennifer Benson would get an edge because her office could take over the processing of Michigan Medical Marijuana cards eliminating the 120 day backlog.


In the State Supreme Court race it is Alton Davis and Denise Lankford Morris to replace Robert Young, a known enemy of the people when it comes to insurance and consumer protection. In-Justice Young was the one who said that ANY amount of marijuana in your system constitutes impaired operation of a vehicle. This decision was properly overruled by Justice Diane Hathaway in powerful decision.


As for the Governor’s race it is important to know that Lansing has over 14 compassion clubs operating within the City. Mayor Benero has been very tolerant of these businesses as they do pay property tax and, more people are moving into the city because of the new law. Mr. Snyder directly refuses to engage and does not have a direct answer for the issue. Furthermore he would promote people like Mike Bouchard and Gene Wrigglesworth to be Department Directors in the Michigan State Police. These men would harass and arrest Michigan Citizens for petty marijuana use for the purpose of charging room and board.


This election is very important for the future of Michigan’s Medical Marijuana patients and caregivers. This is no time to sit on the sidelines depending on someone else to do your voting for you. Take your bud to the ballot box and vote. Vote In Person and if you need a ride our cannabis warriors will pick you up and take you to the City Clerk’s office. If you don’t someone else is putting someone in charge that will have an adverse and detrimental impact on you and the community.

Vote Early and be done with it.

Voting in Detroit Nov 2010: Detroit Election Commission's decision on Cannibis Reform is guarnteed to reduce voter turnout.

The Friends of Cushingberry
Sept. 9, 2010


The decision by the Bing Administration to revoke the right of the people to vote on the issue of Marijuana reform will cause lower voter turnout in Detroit. This decision gives an advantage to GOP candidates like Bill Schutte. The action taken by the Detroit Election Commission will have a negative effect on the interest of the citizens of Detroit and will affect the outcome of statewide races for Governor, Attorney General, Secretary of State and State Supreme court. Furthermore races for board of trustees for State supported institutions like Michigan State, Wayne State, and University of Michigan will be impacted also. With one swoosh of his tush, City Council President Charles Pugh did a better job than Al Quaeda by not allowing the voters to decide if the law was bad or good. Despite their actions, there is still time to correct the error and the administration has two ways to choose from.

1. Issuing an executive order to place the issue on the ballot.
2. Supporting David Leyton for Attorney General.

Choice #1 would allow the people to vote on the issue of Marijuana use on private property. The possession of 1 ounce or less at your home or private property will not subject a person to arrest by Law Enforcement officials. This law is different than the State of Michigan law whereas you are not required to have a card in your possession. Currently a large number of Detroit Police transactions deal with simple marijuana possession arrests. When you start adding legal costs such as lawyers, transportation, and lodging fees, it becomes a hidden tax just like the driver responsibility fee. The City of Detroit Law department and the Detroit Election Commission have the ability ask for a default judgment to the State Supreme Court to reverse their decision and allow the people to vote.



Choice #2 would give the people a lawyer who will issue clear and sound guidelines on the distribution, use and legal procedures for law enforcement to follow. Asset forfeiture will be a thing of the past for all citizens who follow the law of the State of Michigan. Mr. Leyton if elected will not repeal the current law as it stands and supports the choice of the citizens. Marijuana possession will be the lowest law enforcement priority in Michigan allowing legal resources to be re-directed toward child molesters, mentally ill criminals, and other more serious crimes. His opponent Bill Schutte supports asset forfeiture and shooting marijuana users if necessary. He supported the Bush Administration action on the Rainbow Farms property in 2001 and other draconian acts that will increase the incarceration rate by %50. These numbers are detrimental to people of color especially African Americans who make up %80 of all marijuana arrests.

The Bing Administration gives the appearance of supporting GOP candidates by proxy when they decided to remove the Marijuana issue from the ballot. While the Democratic candidates Virg Benero and David Leyton support the current Michigan Medical Marijuana Law, the GOP candidates adamantly oppose the law as demonstrated by Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard. Mr. Bouchard will be the next director of the Michigan State Police if Governor Snyder takes office in January. Issues like home foreclosure and community banking needs will never be addressed by the Republican Party in the City of Detroit.

I spoke with the esteemed Griffin Rivers of the Ingham County Democratic party and trusted aide to our friend George. Griff told me that cannabis consumers do not vote. I did not want to believe him but in this primary election in August he was right. The main reasons were the lack of communication along with people not taking their bud to the ballot box.




Lastly this message is for all City of Detroit residents, especially the ones in the 18-30 year old age group. Take your bud to the ballot box and vote! By sitting on the sidelines, the citizens of Detroit will get dogged in Lansing again. With Bill Schutte as your Attorney General, you have a State of Michigan version of George Bush and Dick Cheney rolled into one. So in November I want you all to remember that by voting you will putting out your own W.M.D. which stands for Weed Makes a Difference.

Restoring the Revenue: Growing Hemp in Detroit with House Resolution 314

The Friends of Cushingberry
August 19, 2010


Rep. Lamar Lemmonds has introduced legislation to allow Michigan Farmers to grow industrial grade hemp for use by businesses and industries doing business in Michigan. On July 28, 2010 Mr. Lemmonds made this a reality when this bill was referred to the commerce committee. The benefit to the community is that it will create jobs in manufacturing and correct the trade imbalance with Canada regarding hemp products.

HR 0314 is a resolution to memorialize Congress and the administration to recognize industrial hemp as a valuable agricultural commodity and to take certain steps to remove barriers in order to Industrial hemp refers to the non-drug oilseed and fiber varieties of Cannabis which are cultivated exclusively for fiber, stalk, and seed. Industrial hemp is genetically distinct from the drug varieties of Cannabis, also known as marijuana. Industrial hemp has less than three tenths of one percent of the psychoactive ingredient, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC).
The flowering tops of industrial hemp cannot produce any drug effect when smoked or ingested.

Industrial hemp is an incredible plant that offers a plethora of uses, which among other things could reduce our dependency on foreign oil AND help curb deforestation for paper products and most importantly bring jobs back to Michigan.

There are thousands of ways that various parts of the hemp plant can be used: paper, ethanol, textiles/clothing, food (hemp seeds contain all essential amino acids humans need), oil paints, plastics, cordage, drywall, and insulation to name a few.
Hemp products abound in the United States. Nutritious hemp foods can be found in grocery stores nationwide and strong durable hemp fibers can be found in the interior parts of millions of American cars. Buildings are being constructed using a hemp and lime mixture, thereby sequestering carbon. Retail sales of hemp products in this country are estimated to be $1 billion annually.

Currently the State of Michigan imports %100 of our hemp from Canada. This must change because the agriculture community has high unemployment and the massive benefits from using hemp products. Agricultural institutions of higher learning will be able to develop research programs to use hemp products for industry and foster developments of urban grow centers. Students attending Michigan State University for example will see the cost for their books and tuition remain constant for 10 years from the revenue generated by hemp. For example a place like Old Tiger Stadium which has been renamed Ernie Harwell Park can grow legitimate hemp instead of the weed that is growing there now.


Due to term limits, Rep. Lemmonds will not be there when this bill gets to the promise land of becoming a law. The City of Detroit and the State of Michigan need the money in the worst way. Revenue from hemp would reopen or rebuild neighborhood recreation centers like Johnson Center, Coleman Young, and other civic projects. It is up to you and other interested citizens to contact your new elected officials like Rep. Elect Thomas Stallworth, Senator Elect Virgil Smith and others who will have a job in Lansing at the Capitol. Demand that this bill gets a full vote by the entire House and Senate as soon as possible because the main excuse is that no one contacts their offices about anything. Make this excuse go away by using your phone, email, fax, and letter if you have the time to write one. Ask your State legislator for a hearing and a full vote on HR 314 today.

Congratulations to Virgil Smith - Senator Elect District 4

The Friends of Cushingberry
by Richard Clement
Aug. 6, 2010

The people have spoken and they have selected Virgil Smith as their next senator for the 4th Senatorial District. Rep. George Cushingberry and Friends of George Cushingberry are congratulating Mr. Smith on his hard earned victory. We wish him well in the next legislative session. We also want to congratulate his replacement for the 8th House of Representative district Mr. Thomas Stallworth. Even though our friend George had 28 endorsements as opposed to 8 for Mr. Smith the end result did not reflect it.


Mr. Cushingberry accepts full responsibility for the City Pension debacle. After being prodded and pulled on by Mayor Bing and staff, he thought he was acting in the best interests of the people. Papa Clement warned me beforehand that a lot of City Retirees were totally ticked off and it would not be forgotten at the voting booth. Dad was right again. The citizens of Detroit do not want the State of Michigan managing their money or schools and I don’t blame them at all for it. The mayor does not need another job duty like running the school system. There are too many other issues for a Mayor to deal with already. If the mayor is running the school system, the mayor is going to pick his own boss and board members. Detroit Public School employees and children have a rich tradition of success and do not accept the figures being exploited by others. All you have to do is to attend a graduation ceremony at any one of the high schools and you start to question how the figures are calculated.


Besides the issue of his name not being printed on ANY slate material at the polls, the Medical Marijuana community has lost their champion for their cause. While they were sitting at home or other places enjoying their medicine, none of them turned out at the polls. This same behavior if repeated in November will result in the entire law being modified by people who do not care for marijuana at all and continue to label it a gateway drug and “the devil weed” by certain religious groups and pastors. The people who are sabotaging the Medical Marijuana program may have gotten a reprieve for a minute but there will be other champions coming behind Mr. Cushingberry to take up the slack. We hope for the people sake that this person has the ability and tenacity to finish the job that was started by Mr. Cushingberry.


Mr. Cushingberry fully supports Virg Benero as the candidate for Governor of the State of Michigan. Mr Benero has the right attitude and has witnessed the pain and suffering right before his very eyes. Homes being trashed out by Wall Street investors through bank foreclosure proceedings have caused massive pain, discomfort, and death to citizens of Michigan. General Motors with Oldsmobile and Pontiac disappearing cost many people their jobs and livelihoods in and outside the auto industry. The same banks that got the bailout money laid off people, invested the difference and got bigger and fatter while entire families were made homeless. Mr. Benero also supports the Medical Marijuana law and is allowing the citizens of Lansing to provide input on zoning regulations instead of moratoriums like other cities.


Detroiters want a makeover, not a takeover.


Make a point of investing into Detroit’s future by attitude and financial means. Teach the young the value of having a pension vs. a 401k, 403, and other financial products that will generate long term financial growth while meeting short term goals. This not the time to sit on your behinds and wait for others to make quality of life decisions at the voting booth. Remind your friends and family to vote in November by selecting Virg Benero as your Governor and, supporting Senator Elect Virgil Smith in November.