Word Play: Mainstream Journalism’s Ignominious Attitude Towards The Emerald Triangle.

written by Daniel Montero @gwsmokebreaktv

" 'Crisis mode': Failing pot farms are killing this California town’s economy " - These were the January 2023 headlines I read six months ago in an article digitally published by the The San Francisco Chronicle. The title didn't sit well with me in the same way that eating undercooked food would turn your stomach. So I impulsively began combing through the article.

I was disturbed and appalled that every effort was made by the author to push the impression that the nature of the socioeconomic disparity in the Emerald Triangle is in the form of a deep, self inflicted wound. By the way, ignominious means to be deserving of or causing public disgrace, dishonor or shame.

Another quote from the article makes the author's point of view quite clear "For decades, this area was the cannabis-growing capital of the entire country, but now the pot farms are going out of business and bringing down the local economy with them."

Well please allow me to share my side of the story It's after 1am, I'm stoned as usual, yet my brain is ready to retort methodically to such an aggressive perspective on the beautiful community that I've learned to love and admire

For starters, legalization was, from the onset, rapidly contorted from the public facing spirit of Prop 64 Leaders like Gavin Newsom touted and preached about how making pot legal would provide a pathway for legitimate success The famous boiling point was when California rescinded on the crux that fair play would be ensured by implementing a 1 acre farm cap This meant that no license would be issued to a farm with over one acre of canopy space Weasels like Steve De'Angelo, who at the time was the face and voice of Harborside, colluded damn hard to destroy small family owned cannabis farms in California We must never forget these bold faced transgressions against our community Legacy operators willingly trusted the legal system based on the swooning tenor and pitch for the call to legalize marijuana Public leaders spouted propaganda to the point that a majority of the legacy community, including myself, were blind to the true intent behind 64.

So many hard working cannabis farmers, many family men and women, handed over, and still do, tens and hundreds of thousands of dollars, vulnerably and half heartedly, daring to trust the same government whose terrible historical precedent is to criminalize, aggressively pursue and imprison cannabis operators like it's business as usual. What we have here is a socioeconomic precedent featuring at it's core a corrupt, militaristic agenda to dismantle and ultimately eradicate all cannabis plants, seed and the industry itself. It's no wonder that so many journalists, undoubtedly conditioned by the War On Drugs, take ownership of such embarrassing articles that let us appreciate the undue bias and ignorance that pervades professional, newsworthy institutions today.

The difficult pill to swallow is that the world of politics lacks the moral backbone that most of us pride ourselves in developing over the course of our lifetimes. Historically, the attituded is that the ends justify the means when it comes to power and in this case capitalism. It's no problem to go to war and even ending the lives of burgeoning presidents is a piece of cake. So it's no fucking mystery that what's really happening in California when it comes to marijuana is a disgusting unabashed power grab not witnessed since the gold rush of 1849.

The reward is to not only dominate and monopolize weed here in Cali, but to also legally steal some of the most beautiful, privately held properties on the West Coast. We're talking about homesteads that have been stewarded for decades, pristine sources of spring water, world famous redwood forests and a coastal climate kissed by the Pacific Ocean. The legacy of California politics is proving itself to be one of greed, shortsightedness and without the full hearted leadership that historians have exalted since the beginning of time.

The opposite holds true for the legendary cannabis community of the Emerald Triangle The yearning for freedom, the instinctual love for the true nature of the human spirit manifested into a real migration from urban centers like San Francisco to the backroads, hills, valleys and ultimately the redwood forests of Mendocino, Humboldt and Trinity counties For the record, there are vibrant and established cannabis communities across the state, Santa Cruz, Big Sur, Topanga Canyon come to mind But none come close to what the pioneers of the Emerald Triangle were able to accomplish in their lifetimes Their legacy will last in perpetuity

What amazes me at this very moment is how alive and well that rebellious and loving spirit has been cherished and maintained I had the fortune of attending the Mateel Community Center 46th Annual Summer Arts Fair this past weekend and I'm still buzzing, literally buzzing from what I witnessed, danced and experienced Most of all, I'm moved by the opportunity to be introduced to so many pioneers and legends that are revered and loved by all who know them. Thank you Aiyana for these beautiful introductions.

You see, this tight knit community is rather adept at thriving through hard times versus being directly responsible for them. Furthermore, the only thing that fun loving hippies have ever tried to kill is the unnatural, inhumane impulse to destroy the environment. Oh yes, killing bad vibes is at the top of the list too. However, it's important to clarify the intention here. The phrase 'kill them with kindness' comes to mind.

Words do matter because they shape our perception of the world around as we continue to learn, experience and interact with it's ever evolving nature. I for one can assure you that my words are a result of living and breathing this business as a professional operator involved in selling and growing weed full time since I was 18 years old. I first smoked at 15 and started handling herb for sale at 16. The problem for the San Francisco Chronicle and other major publications is that more and more legacy operators are rising up to the challenge to not only share our stories and perspectives but to also take it upon ourselves to empower our community and to even author articles that state the truth when it comes to this mysterious world of marijuana, the Goddess and the culture devoted to her. The cultural sovereignty held in this space is unprecedented in modern America and will continue to overgrow the status quo.

The search for personal freedom and love to discover our true nature are quests that we should all feel inspired to embark on. The reward is a chance to experience that priceless gift of living in a higher vibration. Let it be known that the rebels, hippies, outlaws and ex-soldiers that continue to pioneer this industry possess some of the most uninhibited, free thinking minds in the universe.

Implied ignominy, unbridled greed and even artificial intelligence cannot and has never defeated the human spirit. The power of love is so legendary and true, that the next chapter of this industry is to celebrate through song, film and all forms of artistic expression the bond that exists between ourselves, the Goddess and the natural world that envelops us and guides us to a better tomorrow. This too shall last in perpetuity. Easy Fucking Day.