Use This As You See Fit: The Diary of Mari

We're always learning some new from Mari and the cannabis professionals interested in exploring her diary! Do you remember the first time you consumed? Do you remember what you were watching on television? Cannabis professional, music-maker, photographer, branding ace, and all-around fantastic fella Brian Aufdenberg does! He shared a bit about his cannabis journey when he joined Brandon and Angela...

You've got questions...and Angela and Brandon have answers! On this episode, the pair explored questions posed by listeners about Mari and her fascinating diary. In early 2023, when Angela received an anonymous package containing an old diary with no explanation beyond a note that said "use this as you see fit," there were immediate questions. Who sent it? Why was it sent to Angela? What should be...

Episode Summary Even though there's no national holiday celebration in August, we had plenty to celebrate on this episode! Returning for another entry, South Jersey cannabis attorney and all-around interesting human Mike Hoffman joined Angela and Brandon to read through another one of Mari's writings from the 1970s. Mike shared some insight about what motivated him to get involved in the clean-up...

Episode Summary In memory of John Sinclair, American poet, writer, and political activist October 2, 1941 – April 2, 2024 What is medicine? Which state had legal cannabis for 22 days in the 1970s? Is advocacy a default for anyone working in the cannabis industry? These are all questions that the diary entry review crew talked through while reading through Mari's writing from 1972. While exploring...

Episode Summary " Does anyone smell that skunk weed ?" The scientific reason behind why we equate skunk spray smell with the aroma of cannabis was just one of many things explored from this 1975 entry. In this episode, the conversation was nonstop. Brandon and Angela talked with cannabis educators and advocates Andrea Raible and Sam Reichbart about Mari's writing that described a fun night of pain...

The reefer man invades college campuses! Special guest Northeast Corridor Provisions Inc. CEO and New Jersey Cannabusiness Association vice president Dr. Marianne Bays helps to delve into this entry from 1937, a notable year in the history of cannabis. On this episode Marianne, Brandon, and Angela explore what happened when two colleges publicly denied marijuana invasions on their campuses during...

When Angela and Brandon received another mysterious package, they realized that their efforts to learn more about the diary filled with intimate stories involving Ms. Mari Juana were being noticed...maybe by Mari herself?!?! The box contained a variety of items that seemed cryptic at first. In this Season 2 kickoff episode, they follow the trail of clues in the box to April 1, 1980, which happened...

The same, but different. Cannabis and hashish. Love and hate. Corey Feldman and Corey Haim. Angela and Brandon acknowledge just how complicated a relationship with cannabis can be when they explored an entry from 1856, while they considered their own relationships with Mari’s diary. In this entry, Mari comments on Fitz Hugh Ludlow’s anonymous description of his own complex relationship with cannab...

Brandon and Angela have a new favorite quote from the diary - " If I could, I’d wrap each first time in a blanket of peace to set the stage for good, open spirit." If they haven't learned by now...this entry has undoubtedly taught them that Mari has a way with words. In this one, going back to September of 1961, Mari described how every person reacts differently when introduced to her and what she...

Special episode alert! Each week, Brandon and Angela dive into a different entry written by Mari. This time, though, they're answering questions. Questions about the diary (what does it smell like?) and Mari's writing (does she mention any strains?) and shared custody (is there any fighting over it?) are just some of inquiries that have come in from around the world. So far, diary entry adventures...

Mari was just relaxing in her hammock, letting the summer breeze gently rock her into a very chill state. But, as Brandon and Angela learned, her laid-back afternoon was cut short. Mari came across some concerning news about the Pure Food Bill (aka Pure Food and Drug Act), which was passed in 1906. They discover that Mari sees the value of this legislation, but has concerns about how cannabis is p...

The approach of the New Year prompts reflection for many. And Mari is no exception. In this episode Brandon and Angela talk through what Mari's reflections on the approaching new year (in 1898!), how conflict plagues mankind, and the importance of truth-tellers. The featured text in her diary entry dates back even further...to 1860. Mari finds Doc McMeen's "Report of the Ohio State Medical Committ...

Lucky number #13! On this episode, Brandon and Angela stroll down memory lane. They paused their entry exploration to stop and take stock of what they've learned from the 12 entries they've explored so far. From Dr. Raphael Mechoulam's discovery of THC to the obituary of Harry Anslinger, from a riveting game of Boggle to the infamous Mr. X reveal, they've explored some of Mari's writings to learn...

Today, it's all about New Jersey, the only state in America that's actively disliked by the general population (yes, an actual study found this to be true). Angela, a native New Jerseyan, absolutely takes offense to this position held by many Americans. In this episode, Brandon and Angela had a lot to talk about when it came to the Garden State. From produce - Jersey tomatoes and cranberry bogs -...

Two entries in one day! Brandon and Angela covered a short, intriguing entry that left them with more questions than answers...137 questions to be exact. After that, they dove into an entry that explored one of the most infamous figures in the complex history of cannabis. Born on May 20, 1892, Harry Anslinger was the head of Federal Bureau of Narcotics (the predecessor agency to the DEA) for three...

Everyone loves getting mail, even Mari. But it wasn't just the letter that made her day. While reviewing this entry, Brandon and Angela learned about the contributions that Garcia de Orta made to medicine and botany through his book, Coloquios dos Simples, e Drogas he Cousas Mediçinais da India . Angela came ready to share her research about Portugual and Fado music and why Garcia de Orta has been...

Brandon wanted to know more about hemp. That's exactly what he got, plus a bit more about Woody Harrelson and jello-salad. Towards the end of the 420 episode, Brandon asked Angela to find an entry about hemp in the diary. Again, she delivered. Mari wrote about her cousin Hemp and his feature in a Kentucky newspaper from 1948. While they explored the entry, they learned more about the family dynami...

For cannabists everywhere, it's a special day! During Episode 7, Brandon challenged Angela to find an entry that provided some insight, from Mari's perspective, about 420. She certainly delivered! In this entry from 2010, Mari praises a Huffington Post article that explores the origin of the 420 code. Most people assume it comes from a police code or a legal abbreviation of sorts. We learn, throug...

Mari appreciates a presenter who appeared on the “TEDS.” Well, a TEDx Talk, actually. On this episode, Angela and Brandon take a break from the more distant past and opt to explore a recent diary entry dated April 27, 2019. Mari described attending the University of Oregon Tedx Talk featuring Dr. Rachel Knox, an Endocannabinologist and Cannabinoid Medicine Specialist. Mari was obviously impressed...

When one puts fountain pen and ink to paper... On this episode, Angela and Brandon reviewed an entry about “Therapeutical Uses and Toxic Effects of Cannabis Indica,” and learned that the title and the rest of the op-ed-style response in The Lancet - written by JR, better known as Sir John Russell Reynolds (personal physician for some very regal patients) let the wicked mic drop. He unequivocally s...

If you could consume cannabis with anyone - living or dead - who would it be? That’s just one of the things that came up in today’s diary entry. On this episode, Brandon finally gets to pick the diary entry, something he's been hoping to do for a while. The entry, dated February 2, 1972, is full of wishing for a different set of circumstances. In 1972, cannabis remained a controversial topic, whic...

Oh Mezz. " Really the Blues" is REALLY important to our author! On this episode, Angela and Brandon examine an entry from 1946 that celebrates notable jazz musician Milton Mesirow, better known as Mezz Mezzrow, and the publication of his autobiography. They learn more Anslinger's distinction about jazz musicians, "not speaking about the good musicians, but the jazz type" and Mezz's first time with...

There are certain things that are universally funny. That’s one of the most important takeaways for Brandon and Angela in this episode. But that wasn’t all they realized. After reading the entry dated July 27, 1974, they also learned more about the kind of company kept by the still-unknown author. With each new entry they examine together, some of the staff of Elucidation Strategies discover a bit...

After she received the diary, Angela couldn’t put it down. The next time they were together, Angela and Brandon picked another random entry to review to try to learn more about the diary. The page they landed on was dated 1945. The author of the diary was particularly interested in what happened after an article entitled “Experts Discount Marijuana as Big Factor in Crime but Drive on It Will Be Pr...

It arrived in a standard, brown, cardboard box, wrapped in nondescript white tissue paper, the kind that you can buy anywhere that sells wrapping paper or gift bags. After the delivery driver dropped the box off, Angela and Brandon didn’t immediately notice that there was no return name or address. It wasn’t until after they flipped through the pages of the old, handwritten diary (the only item in...