Lester Black
@leddder.bsky.social
Journalist, stoner, malcontent, cannabis editor at SFGATE.com
Reposted by Lester Black
"We are barely floating by on a week to week basis."
via @leddder.bsky.social
sfgate.com/cannabis/article/monterey-county-california-cannabis-decline-21141231.php?mrfhud=true
via @leddder.bsky.social
sfgate.com/cannabis/article/monterey-county-california-cannabis-decline-21141231.php?mrfhud=true
It was once California's top pot-producing county. Now it's a bust.
“Cannabis has bottomed out and it’s not what people thought it would be."
sfgate.com
November 10, 2025 at 6:11 PM
"We are barely floating by on a week to week basis."
via @leddder.bsky.social
sfgate.com/cannabis/article/monterey-county-california-cannabis-decline-21141231.php?mrfhud=true
via @leddder.bsky.social
sfgate.com/cannabis/article/monterey-county-california-cannabis-decline-21141231.php?mrfhud=true
After Prop. 50 victory, Newsom vows Dems can ‘de facto end’ Trump presidency
www.sfgate.com/politics/art...
www.sfgate.com/politics/art...
'This bear roared': Newsom celebrates Prop. 50 while scorching Trump
Newsom spent nearly his entire Tuesday night victory speech attacking the president.
www.sfgate.com
November 5, 2025 at 6:11 AM
After Prop. 50 victory, Newsom vows Dems can ‘de facto end’ Trump presidency
www.sfgate.com/politics/art...
www.sfgate.com/politics/art...
The Republican healthcare plan decimates the finances of these middle class people.
Over a million Californians are facing ‘catastrophic’ health care cost increases www.sfgate.com/politics/art...
Over a million Californians are facing ‘catastrophic’ health care cost increases www.sfgate.com/politics/art...
Over a million Californians are facing ‘catastrophic’ health care cost increases
One couple is seeing costs go from $4,200 this year to $26,652 next year.
www.sfgate.com
November 3, 2025 at 3:45 PM
The Republican healthcare plan decimates the finances of these middle class people.
Over a million Californians are facing ‘catastrophic’ health care cost increases www.sfgate.com/politics/art...
Over a million Californians are facing ‘catastrophic’ health care cost increases www.sfgate.com/politics/art...
This isn't surprising, but that doesn't mean it's not worth documenting fully. The terror is the point.
'Terrifying': Federal immigration agents found patrolling LA in horror masks www.sfgate.com/la/article/l...
'Terrifying': Federal immigration agents found patrolling LA in horror masks www.sfgate.com/la/article/l...
'Terrifying': Federal immigration agents found patrolling LA in horror masks
"They're terrorizing our communities."
www.sfgate.com
October 31, 2025 at 10:23 PM
This isn't surprising, but that doesn't mean it's not worth documenting fully. The terror is the point.
'Terrifying': Federal immigration agents found patrolling LA in horror masks www.sfgate.com/la/article/l...
'Terrifying': Federal immigration agents found patrolling LA in horror masks www.sfgate.com/la/article/l...
The highly unusual donation ask is what makes this news, but the governor signing off with “Mad respect to all of you” is what makes it fascinating.
'You can stop donating now': Newsom doesn't want any more of your money www.sfgate.com/politics/art...
'You can stop donating now': Newsom doesn't want any more of your money www.sfgate.com/politics/art...
'You can stop donating now': Newsom doesn't want any more of your money
"I never thought I'd ever say that."
www.sfgate.com
October 28, 2025 at 7:24 PM
The highly unusual donation ask is what makes this news, but the governor signing off with “Mad respect to all of you” is what makes it fascinating.
'You can stop donating now': Newsom doesn't want any more of your money www.sfgate.com/politics/art...
'You can stop donating now': Newsom doesn't want any more of your money www.sfgate.com/politics/art...
The tech giants are all-in on the oligarchy.
Bay Area tech giants helping fund Trump's $300M ballroom www.sfgate.com/politics/art...
Bay Area tech giants helping fund Trump's $300M ballroom www.sfgate.com/politics/art...
Bay Area tech giants helping fund Trump's $300M ballroom
“So the People’s House is basically being sold to the highest bidder."
www.sfgate.com
October 24, 2025 at 5:24 PM
The tech giants are all-in on the oligarchy.
Bay Area tech giants helping fund Trump's $300M ballroom www.sfgate.com/politics/art...
Bay Area tech giants helping fund Trump's $300M ballroom www.sfgate.com/politics/art...
Reposted by Lester Black
It has been a sad week, as news came that Terrance Alan, owner of @floredispensary & @cafefloresf in the Castro neighborhood has passed away suddenly.. 😢 Lester Black, @leddder.bsky.social of sfgate.com, has written a story, ⬇️, a review of Terrance Alan's life here in San Francisco ... 💚 🌉 🙏🏽
October 23, 2025 at 3:58 PM
It has been a sad week, as news came that Terrance Alan, owner of @floredispensary & @cafefloresf in the Castro neighborhood has passed away suddenly.. 😢 Lester Black, @leddder.bsky.social of sfgate.com, has written a story, ⬇️, a review of Terrance Alan's life here in San Francisco ... 💚 🌉 🙏🏽
Pioneering SF activist accused of being part of the 'gay weed mafia' dies www.sfgate.com/cannabis/art...
Pioneering SF activist accused of being part of the 'gay weed mafia' dies
"He was the symbol of resistance and resilience."
www.sfgate.com
October 22, 2025 at 10:13 PM
Pioneering SF activist accused of being part of the 'gay weed mafia' dies www.sfgate.com/cannabis/art...
Thank you to KQED for having me and hosting this really important conversation. We had some incredible on-air callers, including a mom who said her 17-year-old almost died from 7-OH and a man who said he fell into 7-OH addiction. Listen at the link below:
🎙️ON AIR:
We're talking to @sfgate.com's @leddder.bsky.social and addiction physician Brian Hurley about 7-OH, a potent new drug being sold openly at gas stations and causing addiction, overdose and death.
❓Do you have experience with kratom or 7-OH? How do you want the state to act?
📻 Listen:
We're talking to @sfgate.com's @leddder.bsky.social and addiction physician Brian Hurley about 7-OH, a potent new drug being sold openly at gas stations and causing addiction, overdose and death.
❓Do you have experience with kratom or 7-OH? How do you want the state to act?
📻 Listen:
California Takes On Potent Synthetic Drug 7-OH | KQED
We talk about 7-OH, a lab-made offshoot of kratom dubbed “gas station heroin,” and how California is trying to curb its use.
www.kqed.org
October 22, 2025 at 8:54 PM
Thank you to KQED for having me and hosting this really important conversation. We had some incredible on-air callers, including a mom who said her 17-year-old almost died from 7-OH and a man who said he fell into 7-OH addiction. Listen at the link below:
Reposted by Lester Black
Calif. Republican Kevin Kiley is dealing with his long reelection odds by doing something hardly any Republicans in the US are willing to do: defy the party’s national leadership.
by @leddder.bsky.social
sfgate.com/politics/article/california-republican-shutdown-fights-21104952.php?mrfhud=true
by @leddder.bsky.social
sfgate.com/politics/article/california-republican-shutdown-fights-21104952.php?mrfhud=true
This 40-year-old Calif. Republican has become a 'nightmare' for DC leadership
The Republican has become a lone presence in Washington.
sfgate.com
October 17, 2025 at 6:07 PM
Calif. Republican Kevin Kiley is dealing with his long reelection odds by doing something hardly any Republicans in the US are willing to do: defy the party’s national leadership.
by @leddder.bsky.social
sfgate.com/politics/article/california-republican-shutdown-fights-21104952.php?mrfhud=true
by @leddder.bsky.social
sfgate.com/politics/article/california-republican-shutdown-fights-21104952.php?mrfhud=true
This feels performative until you get to the healthcare subsidies and Epstein files...
This 40-year-old Calif. Republican has become a 'nightmare' for DC leadership www.sfgate.com/politics/art...
This 40-year-old Calif. Republican has become a 'nightmare' for DC leadership www.sfgate.com/politics/art...
This 40-year-old Calif. Republican has become a 'nightmare' for DC leadership
The Republican has become a lone presence in Washington.
www.sfgate.com
October 17, 2025 at 3:16 PM
This feels performative until you get to the healthcare subsidies and Epstein files...
This 40-year-old Calif. Republican has become a 'nightmare' for DC leadership www.sfgate.com/politics/art...
This 40-year-old Calif. Republican has become a 'nightmare' for DC leadership www.sfgate.com/politics/art...
Reposted by Lester Black
Read the full story here:
This Bay Area teen was set to go to college. Then he found ‘gas station heroin.’
"It's just a matter of time until people start dying."
www.sfgate.com
October 15, 2025 at 11:42 PM
Read the full story here:
Reposted by Lester Black
Synthetic kratom is exploding in California, leading to overdoses and fears of a new opioid crisis.
✍️ @leddder.bsky.social
✍️ @leddder.bsky.social
October 15, 2025 at 11:42 PM
Synthetic kratom is exploding in California, leading to overdoses and fears of a new opioid crisis.
✍️ @leddder.bsky.social
✍️ @leddder.bsky.social
Is the AI boom driven by a spectacular technology, or just incestuous capitalism at its peak?
There's a handful of executives and a few dozen board members controlling decision-making for so much of this economy, what could go wrong?
There's a handful of executives and a few dozen board members controlling decision-making for so much of this economy, what could go wrong?
'Circular' mega-deals by Bay Area tech giants are raising eyebrows
"A lot of big companies have a lot of skin in the game on OpenAI."
www.sfgate.com
October 7, 2025 at 11:50 PM
Is the AI boom driven by a spectacular technology, or just incestuous capitalism at its peak?
There's a handful of executives and a few dozen board members controlling decision-making for so much of this economy, what could go wrong?
There's a handful of executives and a few dozen board members controlling decision-making for so much of this economy, what could go wrong?
Newsom facing pressure to veto controversial cookware ban www.sfgate.com/politics/art...
Newsom facing pressure to veto controversial cookware ban
Some of the chefs sell products that could be banned under the proposed law.
www.sfgate.com
October 7, 2025 at 8:03 PM
Newsom facing pressure to veto controversial cookware ban www.sfgate.com/politics/art...
In an unprecedented move, California authorities have declared kratom and synthetic kratom completely illegal, launching a major new crackdown on the drugs.
www.sfgate.com/bayarea/arti...
www.sfgate.com/bayarea/arti...
California declares kratom illegal, raids stores in Sacramento and San Diego
The new crackdown comes after three LA deaths were attributed to the drug.
www.sfgate.com
October 2, 2025 at 11:49 PM
In an unprecedented move, California authorities have declared kratom and synthetic kratom completely illegal, launching a major new crackdown on the drugs.
www.sfgate.com/bayarea/arti...
www.sfgate.com/bayarea/arti...
Few things more satisfying than getting a correction demand, responding quickly, and never hearing anything back.
October 2, 2025 at 11:48 PM
Few things more satisfying than getting a correction demand, responding quickly, and never hearing anything back.
'All bets are off': AOC launches new ad supporting Prop. 50 www.sfgate.com/politics/art...
'All bets are off': AOC launches new ad supporting Prop. 50
"California, you know we don't back down from a fight."
www.sfgate.com
September 23, 2025 at 9:33 PM
'All bets are off': AOC launches new ad supporting Prop. 50 www.sfgate.com/politics/art...
has anyone done work looking at the zero sum nature of the AI economy? It seems like best case scenario for the big AI firms is that their tech replaces white collar workers, making companies more profitable. But...
AI works > high unemployment > economic recession > no ad dollars for Meta/Google.
AI works > high unemployment > economic recession > no ad dollars for Meta/Google.
September 22, 2025 at 8:07 PM
has anyone done work looking at the zero sum nature of the AI economy? It seems like best case scenario for the big AI firms is that their tech replaces white collar workers, making companies more profitable. But...
AI works > high unemployment > economic recession > no ad dollars for Meta/Google.
AI works > high unemployment > economic recession > no ad dollars for Meta/Google.
Data centers are giving strong echoes of the subprime mortgage crisis. They're built using high interest debt under the promise that eventually AI becomes profitable. But if it doesn't? Good luck to the US tech economy.
www.nytimes.com/2025/09/20/b...
www.nytimes.com/2025/09/20/b...
What Wall Street Sees in the Data Center Boom
www.nytimes.com
September 22, 2025 at 8:04 PM
Data centers are giving strong echoes of the subprime mortgage crisis. They're built using high interest debt under the promise that eventually AI becomes profitable. But if it doesn't? Good luck to the US tech economy.
www.nytimes.com/2025/09/20/b...
www.nytimes.com/2025/09/20/b...
Debates over the war in Gaza and homelessness have plagued a small California town council. Then an armed man showed up.
Armed man arrested after storming California city council meeting www.sfgate.com/northcoast/a...
Armed man arrested after storming California city council meeting www.sfgate.com/northcoast/a...
Armed man arrested after storming California city council meeting
"For some reason, my mind went to the Charlie Kirk shooting."
www.sfgate.com
September 19, 2025 at 5:38 PM
Debates over the war in Gaza and homelessness have plagued a small California town council. Then an armed man showed up.
Armed man arrested after storming California city council meeting www.sfgate.com/northcoast/a...
Armed man arrested after storming California city council meeting www.sfgate.com/northcoast/a...
SF Supervisor Joel Engardio faces crushing recall loss in early vote returns www.sfgate.com/politics/art...
SF Supervisor Joel Engardio faces crushing recall loss in early vote returns
Voters deeply resented Engardio for supporting a car-free Great Highway.
www.sfgate.com
September 17, 2025 at 4:46 AM
SF Supervisor Joel Engardio faces crushing recall loss in early vote returns www.sfgate.com/politics/art...
It's pretty incredible to see how fast conservatives are leveraging cancel culture against universities
Calif. professors placed on leave for 'deeply offensive' Charlie Kirk comments www.sfgate.com/bayarea/arti...
Calif. professors placed on leave for 'deeply offensive' Charlie Kirk comments www.sfgate.com/bayarea/arti...
Calif. professors placed on leave for 'deeply offensive' Charlie Kirk comments
Professors, teachers and school officials across the state are being placed on leave.
www.sfgate.com
September 17, 2025 at 1:01 AM
It's pretty incredible to see how fast conservatives are leveraging cancel culture against universities
Calif. professors placed on leave for 'deeply offensive' Charlie Kirk comments www.sfgate.com/bayarea/arti...
Calif. professors placed on leave for 'deeply offensive' Charlie Kirk comments www.sfgate.com/bayarea/arti...
She's a suburban soccer mom. Her downtime is spent chasing ICE officers out of LA. www.sfgate.com/la/article/a...
The suburban LA soccer mom who's become a headache for ICE
Angie "the ICE Chaser" Vargas strives to document immigration crackdowns.
www.sfgate.com
September 16, 2025 at 7:47 PM
She's a suburban soccer mom. Her downtime is spent chasing ICE officers out of LA. www.sfgate.com/la/article/a...
3 healthy California residents die after ingesting synthetic kratom www.sfgate.com/la/article/k...
3 healthy California residents die after ingesting synthetic kratom
Authorities said kratom users do not know that 7-OH can cause a fatal overdose.
www.sfgate.com
September 13, 2025 at 3:20 PM
3 healthy California residents die after ingesting synthetic kratom www.sfgate.com/la/article/k...