Steven first heard my song on Legalize It VOL.1: It's Natural, an 18 song CD compilation produced by Ploppy Palace Productions and CMI Vibe. The CD supports the reform of marijuana laws. It's a diverse collection of music that primarily features South Florida performers and includes a special track by Snoop Dogg.
JB: Beyond crafting and producing a wonderful anthem for the Legalize Pot movement, have you noticed any positive developments on that front? Are we making progress?
EB: Oh, yes! With Colorado and Washington State starting to tax and regulate recreational weed sales, and medical marijuana legal in 18 other states (and counting), the financial benefits are becoming evident and I am certain that the medicinal benefits will change the face of disease and suffering in our country dramatically over time. Perhaps the AMA will finally wake up and give credence to alternative forms of treatment and cures for so many ailments being treated successfully with the Charlottes Web* strain of cannabis, for starters.
Big Pharma, encouraged and supported by people in government, has had too much power and people are finally standing up and doing something about it. I see this as a peaceful and beneficial revolution. My personal contribution is to incorporate the message into my songs and live performances.
I recently presented the video Who's The Pusher Now? at a medical marijuana business opportunity seminar sponsored by Robert Platshorn, author of the Black Tuna Diaries and America's longest imprisoned nonviolent marijuana offender (30 years!). He is providing information to people who want to get into the cannabis business and open dispensaries here in Florida in anticipation of the passage of a bill that is on the ballot this November. And, more important, through his "Silver Tour," he has been providing valuable information to Florida's elderly on the benefits of medical marijuana. He's a hero in my eyes. I'm still hoping for cannabis to become completely legal here as well, but, for now, it's a good, compassionate start. We just need to get the right people in office.
JB: That is encouraging! It will definitely be interesting to watch new developments as they unfold. And let's not forget the New York Times' editorial board's recent, historic and timely endorsement of national legalization of marijuana! That's a biggie. Anything you'd like to add before we wrap this up?
EB: I would like readers to know that, in addition to other subjects, I love to write humorous songs, too. A fan favorite is Is It Hot In Here, Or Is It Me? written with my friend Nancy Wuerzburger. It's my most requested song of all time and you can probably guess it's about menopause. Autobiographical, of course! Need I say more? Check it out and get a good laugh!
JB: I can definitely relate to that one! Anything else?
EB: I want to emphasize the important role that my three artistic and talented children and my life partner, Brian Wolfsohn, have played in my songwriting. I already spoke about my two sons, Brett and Todd Segal. My daughter Margo Segal is a professional makeup artist and wire art sculptor who creates incredible silver and armature wire jewelry and life-sized guitars that I display at all my concerts. They are the center of my world!
JB: Those three apples didn't fall far from your very creative tree. How lucky you are to have one another. Thanks for sharing so much of yourself in this interview, Ellen. It's been quite a ride!
***
New York Times editorial board made history by officially calling for an end to marijuana prohibition. Read The Injustice of Marijuana Arrests - NYTimes.com July 28, 2014
*NOTE from Ellen: A non-euphoric strain of marijuana called Charlotte's Webb, that will treat conditions such as epilepsy, Lou Gehrig's disease and cancer, is what is specified in the bill that is on the ballot for NOV. It is not enough but it is a compassionate start. The Charlotte's Webb bill legalizes strains of marijuana that are high in cannabidiol, or CBD, but low in tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the compound that produces a high.
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