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Head out with Uncle Weed on cannabis-inspired adventures, spontaneous commentary and eclectic sounds from around the world since 2005. Anecdotes and observations include: public policy, transportation, economics, architecture, entrepreneurship and cannabis culture and discourse about harm reduction, environment, international travel and foreign affairs. Usually recorded on-the-go, Uncle Weed (sometime) invites curious pals and erstwhile strangers into the hi-jinks and conversation.
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Beginning with a static-y 1996 AM radio interview during a power outage on the island of Guam Micronesia, then checking in from a goat farm in Japan decades later, then again from tiny isle in Indonesia, Uncle Weed weaves hempen stories and personal anecdotes about life on this remote USA “territory” including: selling hemp bags … Continue reading …
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From SXSW 2008 – amidst sirens and Austin, Texas 6th St. street noise – comes an interview with filmmaker Erich Weiss premièring “Hori Smoku, Sailor Jerry” about the originator of contemporary tattoo-ing – and iconoclastic libertarian American – Norman Collins who combined Japanese technique, Polynesian traditions, and American motifs in Hawaii dur…
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On a forgotten forest walk, Dave riffs a story about first trip to Europe – starting with trying not to puke over an Amsterdam bridge after a meeting new temporary coffee shop pals – with flashback to Mexican desert trips with Grandpa, LSD trips with VW bus-fixing pals, and family Grateful Dead road trip to … Continue reading Eyes Towards Europe – …
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High in Jamaica, Uncle Weed visits Black Ras’ abundant mountain growfield to discuss “swamp weed” grown in morass versus “hard land weed” grown in volcanic soil with bat guano, plus varieties of ganja strains – both domestic and imported. Plus background about his family teaching him the ways of growing most anything and living an Ital … Continue r…
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In-depth discussion with rock art photographer bev. davies including: hippie days with Neil Young and Joan Anderson (Joni Mitchell), shooting punk pioneers DOA and Subhumans, Motörhead in a park, David Bowie in a stadium, Brian Jonestown Massacre flipping off crowd and so many more. Also stories from backstage with Iron Maiden and Twisted Sister, N…
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Embarking on meandering natural healing journey around Asia, Indian sub-continent, Arabia, Mediterranean, across Canada, US rocky mountain canyons, and to Grateful Dead anniversary shows while emerging from a fog after chronic and complex illness diagnosis resulting in lost years due to prescription meds. Hit the golden road for: Field Notes from E…
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With scant days to go, Uncle Weed reflects on expectations, better realized – plus shares affection for kind people, the important of finding authenticity and supporting local economy– all while embarking on final steps before leaving, including: visiting Mr. Lawrence, the lifeguard; packing up jerk spice and mango chutney; detailing the geometric …
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“Mongooses are like ninja squirrels – stealth, rat-eating machines. They kinda look like squirrels but squirrels are gentle, nut-eating creatures and mongooses (mongeese) are feared sniper killers.” After more banter about lobsters, reggae and food, Uncle Weed offers observations about music industry, taxi drivers, civic pride, pothole filling, cor…
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Visiting pal Hemp Ed in Pe Ell, Washington, Uncle Weed gets up to date on the emerging and ambiguous regulatory framework for production, distribution and retailing of cannabis in the aftermath of Washington Initiative 502. Plus conversation on the state of industrial hemp, small scale growing operations, the impact of state-imported weed, and the …
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Friend Nadine banters with Uncle Weed about Jamaica’s national dishes and alias nicknames before gamely sharing her techniques for the unofficial people’s favourite “jerk” along with a real-time example of a pork shoulder sizzling on a – ubiquitous and rugged – gas-can grill while sharing her tips for choosing the right cut and combinations of … Co…
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Sparking a morning joint, Uncle Weed recounts a skiff boat reef trip with Harold, acquiring lobster from John Wesley – member of The Silverlights – house band of Leroy’s bar, breaks down lobster physiology, discusses geo-cultural differences between parishes & regions, reviews of recent meals of skipjack and coconut chicken lobster, and takes a ste…
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Recollections from a wasp poison haze including fleeting messages delivered by film strip, endless fortune cookies and fuzzy memories from forgotten incidents. Plus the backstory about Leo of Little Bay and details of his colourful cabins, banter and rum on the tiny store’s porch with Brodie, plus tales of bonfire ganja mechanics, fortified brownie…
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Now from the north side of Jamaica at Queen’s Cottage, Uncle Weed recounts the aftermath of a wasp bite with recollections from 3 days in a daze including time with Leo of Little Bay, ganja trips with Fire and Foot, kayak to Bob Marley’s swimming hole, and waking dreams with crickets and frogs soundtrack whilst … Continue reading Cabin Dreams on Li…
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On a hike to a mountain top ganja patch, a new pal called Foot shares his curing technique to make the chocolate weed, plus opinions on Jamaica cannabis strains, and effects on his stamina. Then, a Rasta bushman called Fire gleefully explains Ital food traditions while grating coconut for a hearty natural stew cooked on … Continue reading Fire on C…
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A Nyabinghi Order Rastafarian called Lion Claw testifies to Uncle Weed about defending against evil, liberation, redemption and freewill and recounts days-long sessions on his hand-carved drums en route to Zimbali bush retreat. Marko at the wheel passing through Old Hope (down the road from New Hope), he and Uncle Weed banter about his life on … Co…
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Catching up after a Heroes’ Day trip to Negril, Uncle Weed discourses about the people, ganja, foods and animals of Jamaica with two pals whilst roasting down around a beachside campfire. Riffs include: handmade charcoal, mutton, ital food, meditation, daily life, kindness, big hearts, evil minds, daily life, community life, neighbourliness, ice cr…
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Arriving in Little Bay, Jamaica into a hammock with a joint and beer, Uncle Weed documents surroundings including cabins, fisherman’s bar, reggae music sound system, eating conch, mineral pool, sea swimming, and drinking all the Red Stripe in Little Bay. Then discusses Heroes’ Day with locals around a campfire + Jamaica family, skills and abilities…
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Coming into Hornepayne with Tracks on Tracks, Chris Ho plays croons out some tunes, while Shred Kelly shreds on the banjo. Uncle Weed chats up some superfans who agree that Portage and Main have been a highlight of the trip, and Top less Gay Love Tekno Party gets interviewed in their matching onesies. Chantel, the … Continue reading Descending upon…
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As Tracks on Tracks comes in to Winnipeg, Uncle Weed bemoans the rigidity of meal times on trains, and the lack of food that the train station offers. Portage and Main plays an acoustic number on the train, and plugs in for the stop in Winnipeg. When pulling out of the city, Grant Lawrence banters … Continue reading Portage and Winnipeg – Chooglin’…
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As Tracks on Tracks pulls in to Melville for a whistle stop, Shred Kelly basks in the attention of the locals from the town while performing. The young and old of Melville come out to listen to the music, with notable (and memorable) guests including the Mayor, who asks for an encore, and Doug the Old … Continue reading Shredding on Melville – Choo…
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Continuing east with Tracks on Tracks train journey, Uncle Weed rolls along the Athabasca River and VIA Rail’s ban on smoking in ALL forms is lamented. Uncle Weed chats with CBC R3 superfan @_Rebby as they discuss life on the train (and staff’s bafflement with the unusual people they are encountering), Newfoundland music, her epic … Continue readin…
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Getting settled in to train life, Uncle Weed and friends ponder the meal schedule, sleeping schedule, timezones, awesome showers, random rules, and what staff must think of them. With Grant Lawrence interviewing Adaline, she shares how she has used road rage for a musical muse. She also fills us in on what Tracks on Tracks has … Continue reading Bo…
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Uncle Weed heads east out of Vancouver on a train with 10 bands. Rolling along with Tracks on Tracks, he gets a feel for life on the train with its one-dimensional freedom of movement, CCR-like effect on music, well-matured demographics, and abundance of jam sessions. Live musical performances include acts by Maurice and Portage and … Continue read…
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From the summit of a tiny island in British Columbia’s Howe Sound, Uncle Weed discusses cultural traditions, social contracts and organizational auspices with two local diplomats, plus spiels about a trip to Pelilu, Palau and exploring themes of self-reliance on micro-islands. Topics include: geo-thermal power, deer culling, island trusts, boat acc…
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On a trail to interesting boulders along Lynn Creek, Uncle Weed enjoys beer, bread and cheese while exploring the impact of bohemian painter Fredrick Horsman Varley on West Coast art culture. Varley, a member of the venerated Group of 7, lived in Vancouver for 10 years during which he moved from Jericho to Lynn Valley … Continue reading Portrait of…
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Continuing on a conversation about Iraq and Afghanistan, Lt. Magnum of the US Navy shares experiences from an assignment helping the Philippines recover from a variety of natural disasters aboard the USS Pelilu (named for the Palauan island). Stories include logistics of engineering, construction projects, diplomatic relations, ingenuity on the gro…
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Just back from New Orleans, Uncle Weed shares anecdotes from a stop on hi-jinks-laden drive-away car delivery journey from Miami to Dallas and recounts recent culinary forays including turtle soup, Po’boy sandies and crawfish ettouffee, along with social observations about the French Quarter and Frenchmen’s street including the joy of brass bands a…
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Geeky discourse about the culture and rituals of the people at SXSW Interactive conference/festival specifically with cyborg anthropologist Amber Case who gamely banters about: human-techno-social-experience within information revolution; how future is created; how geek inherit/acquire power; micro-economics of start-ups; perils of venture capital;…
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photo by UW on Christmas Eve at the hotel bar, art’ed up by Bread the Producer who also edited and mixed this episode During the Festive season – holed up at an historic hotel in Nelson BC sampling local hashish – a sloppy Uncle Weed stumbles through stories with the loquacious harmonica master Xomaha who … Continue reading Harmonica and Hash at th…
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Hustling to a bus, Uncle Weed ends the festive period with vaporization session and recounts highlights, hi-jinks and life remixes from 2010 including gut surgery, True North Media House social reporting at the Olympics including Olympic Outsider podcasts, Subpop Records, Hockey Hall of Fame, SXSW, Komasket Music Festival, UW40 party, Halloween at …
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While at Komasket music fest, Uncle Weed describes a visit to a traditional Moroccan shish lounge with tea run by a guy named Guy. Also describes performances by Wolf Child and Cowboy Bandit plus describes a morning visit to yoga. Plus preview of Delhi to Dublin, Alex Cuba and Shamik on agenda. Musical interludes feature … Continue reading Shisha L…
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Wandering through the festival grounds, Uncle Weed talks to first aid crew, interviews a 2nd year attendee about a kayaking trip, tipi camping, Brazilian capoeira and dancing workshops, while Canadian entertainer Fred Penner shows his multi-linguistic skills. Plus bits of other artists, and chatter about vendor alley, African drums and recounting j…
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Koolant, sitting in the Bob Marley hot seat singing with the legendary Wailers featuring Aston “Family Man” Barrett, speaks about the joy of singing reggae music for people around the world. He recounts growing up in Jamaica learning the music and mentions the beauty of the Komasket location and audience. Plus peaceful warrior troubadour Fred … Con…
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Renegade musician Ken Giles recounts stories about backwoods huckleberry pancakes and picking with the Beaver Bottom Boys with Uncle Weed backstage at Komasket Music Festival near Vernon, BC. He also tells about hijinks ensuing when moose hunting en route to recording sessions, hijinks with Merry Pransters and Hunter Thompson, and the importance of…
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With a US Naval Lieutenant at the table, Uncle Weed traces the history of the Tigris and Euphrates crescent and discusses the ground level experience of life in Iraq. Lt. Magnum explains his rebuilding mission to Kurdistan, plus quests to various coalition bases including visits with Korean, Slovakian and Polish forces. Anecdotes include Haliburton…
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Australia’s organic electronic band Oka talks with Uncle Weed backstage at Komasket Music Fest to discuss trips across Canada, the perils of equipment damage, psychology of jamming, global nature of music, combining ancient and modern instruments and keeping it all together — plus the happiness of the lovely locations and the power of community and…
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Walking around the campground at the Komasket Music Fest near Vernon, BC, Uncle Weed and Quebecois Correspondent discuss the layout of the performance stages, various yoga workshops, Moroccan shisha lounge, and the movie tipi. Plus they recap pleasing performances by Bochephus King and Oka while previewing The Wailers and other leisure time activit…
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Sitting around a candle, Uncle Weed kicks of a weekend at the Komasket Music Festival with pals including the Quebecois Correspondent. After a journey through Manning Park with canoe trips, wildlife sightings and botanical changes, they preview bands and workshops ahead. Musical interludes feature jams with Bocephus King and Oka, beatboxer Shamik a…
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Hazy with a sore throat, Uncle Weed documents journies to the legendary Salt Lick bar-b-q for a slice of rural Texas, plus breakfast oysters, trip to riverside green belt, and rocking out to Black Joe Lewis and the Honey Bears at the Twitter party at The Parish. Plus riffs about drought, reasons for free beer, Big … Continue reading Fleeting Memori…
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En route to breakfast at SXSW, Uncle Weed recounts a night of arts and crafts burlesque and barbarians at Emo’s Jr. and forays to various Austin bars and various dot-com parties for tasty beers. Stops include smoothies at The Hideout, Counter Cafe for pancakes, plus field notes about lanyards and badges, making marketing envelopes, living on … Cont…
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Poet Randall Maggs discusses his book “Night Work” about the troubled soul of legendary hockey goalie Terry Sawchuk plus the nuances of story-telling, conversations with goaltenders, Sawchuk’s Ukrainian heritage and convergence of history and hockey with host Dave Thorvald Olson at the Robson Square covered outdoor rink in Vancouver following a poe…
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Contributed as special segment to the Dopecast episode 221 on Dopefiend Podcast Network based in the London, UK, comes a bonus “Tokes on the Porch” segment about cooking with cannabis, introduced thusly: “Canadian hemp activist and cannabis podcaster Uncle Weed as he interviews Chef Boy-am-I-hungry about some methods of ingesting our secret sacrame…
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Go grab Dopecast221 and/or check out the whole Dopefiend network in iTunes or give a listen below: 17 May 2010 Blurb: On this week’s episode of the Web’s Favourite Cannabis Podcast, the Dopefiend talks about how Canadian Prince of Pot Marc Emery has been sold out by his own government and faces five years in a … Continue reading Uncle Weed on Dopef…
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On a visit to the hamlet of Pe Ell, Uncle Weed checks in on the emerging super powers of The Numbskulz [MySpace] – Nolan, Seth and Graham. The 3 young rock and roll brothers recently recorded tracks at a studio and are seeking to load up their camouflage RV for a NorthWest summer tour. They … Continue reading Rock n Roll Heroes – The Numbskulz – Ch…
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En route to Toronto on a red-eye flight, Uncle Weed shares flashbacks from the Big Smoke from Summer of 87 and recounts gaps in memory from SXSW including poolside broken legs, bar-b-q trips, bike shops and grand hotels and recaps a trip to SubPop Records HQ in Seattle including meeting Mark Arm of Mudhoney and fore-shadowing adventures … Continue …
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On the opening night of SXSW Interactive/Music/Film fest in Austin, Texas, Uncle Weed strolls 6th St. in search of rolling papers and describes the surroundings of partiers from geeks to spring breakers, police on horseback, tattoo parlours, death metal pizza, bars, grills, taverns, microbrews, civic economics and impending cultural chaos. Featurin…
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In between Winter Olympics and SXSW, Uncle Weed soothes a sore throat on a couch and talks about global parties of note (including Oktoberfest, Mardi Gras, Carnival, etc.), plus extols about the Olympic Outsider podcast, True North Media House, importance and nobility of documentation, SXSW preview and recap of recent trip to Pe Ell to … Continue r…
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Upon the untimely passing of a friend Ian Christiancy (aka Gazoo), Uncle Weed cracks a tall can of beer and sparks a bowl of sour diesel on a dock in Harrison Lake to share memories of friendly adventures to Darrington Rock Fest, Amsterdam Cannabis Cup, curling in Portland, parties at the cabin and hangouts on … Continue reading Tribute to the Fonz…
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Shortly after New Year’s Day, Uncle Weed recounts highlights from the passing year including a surprising visit with bong-toting ice fishermen on a frozen neighborhood lake, plus recaps on concerts, spreading messages to media and youth, voting often, speaking out, supporting soldiers and peaceniks, resisting cynicism, researching the painter Varle…
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In the last narrative from the Clayquot trip in Summer 2006, the water ban is lifted and Uncle Weed discuses the economic costs caused by the shutdown as well as the tensions about tourist based economy and village lifestyle, considers ingredients for positive development, and tries to resolve some conundrums by evoking Henry David Thoreau … Contin…
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