(Owen Smith, Bill Stewart and Ted Smith at the Royal Theatre for Cheech and Chong) By Ted Smith Fame and fortune are the goals of many youth, but few senior citizens truly get to look back at a long career and feel they have reached the top. Not so for Cheech and Chong, unquestionably the […]
Tag: Ted Smith
Hemp in the Early United States
By Ted Smith There is little doubt the most important crop in the founding of America was hemp. Used for canvas and rope on the British sailing ships, importing hemp fibre was critical to the ambitious monarchs of the UK. Growing hemp to support the British navy was so valuable that from 1631 to the […]
Hemp in Old England
By Ted Smith Relying upon sailboats to expand trade and conquer territories meant the English had to gain access to large amounts of hemp rope and canvas. Since being raided by the Romans, canvas sails made from hemp and hemp rope became very important for their navy and commercial fleets. While most of this hemp […]
The Club Des Hashischin
In the 19th century many intellectuals in Europe were very curious about the use of various plants for mystical experiences. Indeed, with the decline of the church’s ability to condemn people to death for using mind-altering plants, the 1800’s were the first time since before the Dark Ages that anyone in the western world could […]
UVic 420 Holding Its Ground
After 16 years of weekly 420 circles at the University of Victoria campus security are still making appearances trying to stop the UVSS Hempology 101 club from protesting. However, the club has held firm, despite the my arrest for trafficking in 2000 and smoking bylaws that came into effect in 2011. Last week, though, the […]
Middle-Aged Rebel: Rabelais First To Write Cannabis Stories
After Marco Polo opened up the trade routes between the east and west many foreign goods and traditions began appearing in Europe, but none were as intriguing as hash and opium. Despite the best efforts of the church, a surge of interest in secret arts spread like wildfire. Known as alchemy or witchcraft depending upon […]
Cookies in High Court: Appeal Takes Smith to Ottawa – PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release Thurs Sept 11, 2014 Victoria, B.C.: The federal crown has decided to go to the Supreme Court of Canada to determine whether patients should have access to cannabis extracts, appealing the Aug 14 BC Court of Appeal decision in the Smith case. No date has been set yet. For many […]
A Convict and a Gentleman: Marc Emery Beyond Prison
(Ted, Gayle, Marc and Jodie cuddle up for a photo) By Ted Smith After over 4 years in jail one would suspect the first thing Marc Emery would do is run away and hide for a romantic weekend with his beautiful wife, Jodie. Instead, he actually went out of his way to pay a special […]
Hash eating Hashishin
One of the most fascinating societies to have existed are the Hashishins. This Islamic sect lived in the mountainous areas of modern day Iran and Iraq, building formidable defences between the 10th and 13th centuries. Most commonly known as the Assassins, this culture struck fear into the hearts of every ruler nearby despite their heavy […]
19 Years Of Hempology 101
By Ted Smith On Weds Sept 3, 2014, the International Hempology 101 Society will be celebrating 19 years of activism in Victoria with the first 420 of the school year at the University of Victoria and its annual march from City Hall to the Legislature. With each year our list of accomplishments grows, as the […]










