Top 10 Stoner Stories of 2008

[llamabox]

1. Barack Obama elected President

Without a doubt the biggest story of the year, Obama tantalized stoners with his quips ("I inhaled frequently") and statements ("we need to rethink and decriminalize the marijuana laws"). The question remains if and how he will address the nation's misguided Prohibition of marijuana and other illegal drugs.

2. Cheech & Chong reunite

Twenty-seven years after the dopey duo split up, they finally got back together for the Light Up America comedy tour, which continues through March. Another Cheech & Chong movie has yet to be announced, but would appear to be inevitable.

3. Massachusetts decriminalizes marijuana

Question 2 passed with 65% of the vote, making Massachusetts the first state to liberalize pot laws for recreational use since 1979 - and the 13th state overall to go decrim.

4. Pineapple Express rakes in $87 million

Seth Rogen and James Franco hit the jackpot with this stoner-action comedy that had people rolling in the aisles. They also pulled the joint stunt at the MTV Movie Awards. Bravo!

5. Michigan votes for medical marijuana

Voters favored Prop 1 by a 63% margin, making Michigan the 13th state to legalize pot for patients. Which state will become No. 14?

6. Weeds goes South of the Border

Nancy Botwin (Mary-Louis Parker) blew the whistle on a drug tunnel to Mexico, jeopardizing her life during Weeds' fourth season on Showtime. Meanwhile, Nancy's enterprising son Silas (Hunter Parrish) converted his van into a growroom.

7. New York named "Pot Arrest Capitol of the World"

The Big Apple earned this title when it was revealed that nearly 400,000 people had been busted for marijuana in the city since 1997.

8. Huge 4/20 celebrations in Boulder and Santa Cruz

On the Stoner National Holiday, tens of thousands of students puffed en masse at 4:20 on Colorado and California campuses, defying school authorities and local police.

9. Barney Frank's decrim bill

His Personal Use of Marijuana by Responsible Adults Act (H.R. 5843) would allow adults to possess nearly a quarter pound of weed without facing criminal penalities. Ask you Representative to please pass this bill right away!

10. The 2,700-year-old stash

Nearly two pounds of granulated ancient cannabis was found in Northwest China, where hemp is originally from. It's still not clear if the researchers inhaled the well-preserved weed.

R.I.P

George Carlin, Albert Hofmann, Heath Ledger, Paul Newman, Isaac Hayes, Bernie Mac, Brad Renfro, Roy Scheider, Dick Martin, Dock Ellis, Bo Diddley, Levi Stubbs, LeRoi Moore, Pimp C, MC Breed, Odetta, Miriam Makeba, Eartha Kitt, Rudy May Moore, Sidney Pollack, Harvey Korman, Bettie Page, Dr. John Morgan, Mae Nutt, William F. Buckley, Tim Russert, Michael Crichton, Studs Terkel, Gerard Damiano, Christian Brando