Brooklyn Judge Supports Medical Marijuana

Apropos of yesterday’s post about Betty’s (Little Basement) Garden, a Supreme Court judge in Brooklyn is making news because he has come out in favor of medical marijuana.

As always, Brooklyn ahead of the curve.

Judge Gustin Reichbach, 65, has admitted to smoking medical marijuana while being treated for pancreatic cancer. And he wrote about it in an op-ed in the New York Times.

He says in that article:

“Inhaled marijuana is the only medicine that gives me some relief from nausea, stimulates my appetite, and makes it easier to fall asleep. The oral synthetic substitute, Marinol, prescribed by my doctors, was useless. Rather than watch the agony of my suffering, friends have chosen, at some personal risk, to provide the substance. I find a few puffs of marijuana before dinner gives me ammunition in the battle to eat. A few more puffs at bedtime permits desperately needed sleep.”

Wow.

In the new novel by Laurel Dewey, an acclaimed mystery writer and proponent of alternative health, the protagonist slowly begins to open her mind to the idea of medical marijuana and in the process embarks on a bold path as a cannabis grower and caregiver. Dewey’s novel, out  June 12 from Story Plant, raises awareness of this hot-button issue.

illustration from Toke of the Town by Reality Catcher

Betty’s (Little Basement) Garden: Love, Middle Age & Medical Marijuana

I am helping a friend get the word out about a new novel with a great name on a topic that might be of interest to the OTBKB, Brooklyn Reading Works and Edgy Moms audience, as well as others. I am setting up a blog tour for this book if anyone wants to review and/or interview the author.

In Betty’s (Little Basement) Garden, novelist Laurel Dewey introduces a dynamic heroine—58-year-old Betty Craven, former beauty queen and recent widow, the epitome of elegance and propriety—who gets involved in the controversy over medical marijuana, in shocking, convention-defying, emotionally complicated, and life-transforming ways.

Driven by memorable, colorful characters and packed with intrigue, humor, romantic tension, and enlightening facts about the healing properties of cannabis, the novel gently raises awareness of a timely subject matter while drawing readers into the story of a woman who gradually comes to question her long-held beliefs and principles, let down her facade, and rediscover her true and amazing self.

I won’t say anymore but  Betty’s (Little Basement) Garden takes a sharp turn for the unexpected…

Interestingly, the author is best known for her gritty crime thriller series featuring Denver homicide detective Jane Perry (Protector, 2007; Redemption, 2009; and Revelations, 2011).

But hey, Park Slope Food Coop members, she’s written two books on plant medicine, along with ten booklets and hundreds of articles on alternative health. She lives with her husband in rural Colorado

Edgy Moms Relocated to Two Moon Art House & Cafe

May 10, 2012 at 8PM: Brooklyn Reading Works presents the 6th Annual Edgy Moms, an annual reading of writing about motherhood and mothers by writers with sharp pens and razor fine wits, sponsored by Babeland.

FREE GIFT BAGS FROM BABELAND PLUS FREE WINE AND REFRESHMENTS!

This year’s line up includes Elizabeth Laura Nelson, Hoong Yee Lee Krakauer, Nicole Callihan, Karen Ritter, Jezra Kaye and special guests!

So what is an Edgy Mom?

She’s feisty and fun and a little bit zany. She whines to her friends and can be a bit of a martyr. She fantasizes about taking long trips without her children. She lets her kids have dessert before dinner and reheated pizza for breakfast. And she NEVER remembers to bring Cheeros or tissues to the playground. Except when she does and then she feels victorious.

Her kids have seen her fight, yell at her mother, and curse her sister on the phone. They’ve watched her cry. More than once. She’s been know to throw away her children’s old toys and art supplies when they’re not around. And then pretend she doesn’t know where they are when they ask.

And she knows not to miss Edgy Moms on May 10th because it’s gonna be a blast and the wine is free.

Continue reading Edgy Moms Relocated to Two Moon Art House & Cafe

Edgy Moms at Two Moon Art House & Cafe on May 10


May 10, 2012 at 8PM: Brooklyn Reading Works presents the 6th Annual Edgy Moms, an annual reading of writing about motherhood and mothers by writers with sharp pens and razor fine wits, sponsored by Babeland.

FREE GIFT BAGS FROM BABELAND PLUS FREE WINE AND REFRESHMENTS!

This year’s line up includes Elizabeth Laura Nelson, Hoong Yee Lee Krakauer, Nicole Callihan, Karen Ritter, Jezra Kaye and special guest Michele Madigan Somerville.

So what is an Edgy Mom?

She’s feisty and fun and a little bit zany. She whines to her friends and can be a bit of a martyr. She fantasizes about taking long trips without her children. She lets her kids have dessert before dinner and reheated pizza for breakfast. And she NEVER remembers to bring Cheeros or tissues to the playground. Except when she does and then she feels victorious.

Her kids have seen her fight, yell at her mother, and curse her sister on the phone. They’ve watched her cry. More than once. She’s been know to throw away her children’s old toys and art supplies when they’re not around. And then pretend she doesn’t know where they are when they ask.

And she knows not to miss Edgy Moms on May 10th because it’s gonna be a blast and the wine is free.

Continue reading Edgy Moms at Two Moon Art House & Cafe on May 10