Maximum Yield Cannabis USA December 2017 / January 2018 | Page 54

Photo by Tonya Perme Photography learn

Photo by Tonya Perme Photography learn

HIS PLACE IN THE
CONTEMPORARY CANNABIS
SPACE IS A COMBINATION OF
HORTICULTURAL LEGEND AND
MARIJUANA ADVOCATE — A FACT
THAT IS REFLECTED IN
HIS WIDELY CIRCULATED BOOKS

CONCERNING CANNABIS GROWING .

ED ROSENTHAL

HORTICULTURE & ADVOCACY
The name Ed Rosenthal has become synonymous with world-class marijuana cultivation wisdom and techniques . Rosenthal , now in his early 70s , is perhaps the most famous cannabis consultant in the world , being dubbed the “ Guru of Ganja ” early in career in the 1970s . His place in the contemporary cannabis space is a combination of horticultural legend and marijuana advocate — a fact that is reflected in his widely circulated books concerning cannabis growing . Many of these books were published at a time when the cultivation of marijuana was still a highly secretive affair and spreading knowledge promoting this illegal activity put Rosenthal directly on the frontlines of legalization controversy . Rosenthal ’ s career has been highlighted with various advocacy efforts in California ( CA ) and beyond , drawing particular recognition with his contributions to CA Prop 215 and the organization Green Aid . California ’ s Proposition 215 was enacted in 1996 and is recognized as the United States ’ first medical marijuana program . Rosenthal ’ s involvement with Prop 215 dealt primarily with consultation concerning patient treatment and access . By way of his cannabis expertise , Rosenthal advised the State of California on structures and avenues for patients to follow in the acquisition of pharmaceutical-quality marijuana . Rosenthal complements his legislative acumen with his work as the executive director of Green Aid , also referred to as the Medical Marijuana Legal Defense and Education Fund . Through Green Aid , Rosenthal spearheads campaigns to spread awareness about such topics as law enforcement zealotry and the legal complexities of traveling with medical marijuana . As seen with many marijuana industry icons , Rosenthal has faced his fair share of legal troubles in his time — namely in Oakland , CA , in the early 2000s . While the exact details of the case are somewhat convoluted , it is clear that Rosenthal was precariously positioned between the State of California and federal cannabis law on a variety of charges . To illustrate , it is reported that the City of Oakland had “ deputized ” with the ability to legally grow and dispense medical marijuana . Nonetheless , as federal prosecutors became aware of Rosenthal ’ s role as both a public figure and marijuana grower , they arrested him in 2002 and indicted him on a number of charges . Interestingly , a number of jurors in the case walked out on the proceedings upon learning about Rosenthal ’ s cultivation sanction given by the City of Oakland . The case dragged on until 2007 , when he was convicted on three charges , yet only spent one day in jail . Rosenthal ’ s legal battles represent one of the first highly publicized court cased that directly pinned state and federal law against one another concerning medical marijuana ; his trial became an example of advocacy efforts in itself . Today , Rosenthal continues to spread awareness about medical marijuana cultivation and consumption through written works , business ventures , and educational programs . To date , Rosenthal has published more than a dozen books relating to cannabis cultivation that have been printed in over a million copies and sold worldwide . Rosenthal adds to his literary expertise as a cannabis university faculty member , contributing to horticultural coursework at both Oaksterdam University and The Cannabis Training Institute . Finally , through his company Quick Trading , Rosenthal has developed an organic insecticide dubbed “ Zero Tolerance ,” which can be found on the shelves of hydroponic shops across the United States .
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