Lester Black
@leddder.bsky.social
Journalist, stoner, malcontent, cannabis editor at SFGATE.com
Reposted by Lester Black
Here's our story on Lincoln suspending its 2026-27 season, and Desmond Gumbs stepping down as head coach (but remaining as the school's athletic director), in the wake of our investigation into the program. www.sfgate.com/collegesport...
January 7, 2026 at 10:03 PM
Here's our story on Lincoln suspending its 2026-27 season, and Desmond Gumbs stepping down as head coach (but remaining as the school's athletic director), in the wake of our investigation into the program. www.sfgate.com/collegesport...
Reposted by Lester Black
Here's a link to the story, which, again, is very well done: www.sfgate.com/tech/article...
and a shoutout the reporters, Lester Black @leddder.bsky.social and Stephen Council @stephco.bsky.social
and a shoutout the reporters, Lester Black @leddder.bsky.social and Stephen Council @stephco.bsky.social
A Calif. teen trusted ChatGPT for drug advice. He died from an overdose.
"Who on earth gives that advice?"
www.sfgate.com
January 6, 2026 at 2:19 AM
Here's a link to the story, which, again, is very well done: www.sfgate.com/tech/article...
and a shoutout the reporters, Lester Black @leddder.bsky.social and Stephen Council @stephco.bsky.social
and a shoutout the reporters, Lester Black @leddder.bsky.social and Stephen Council @stephco.bsky.social
Reposted by Lester Black
“ChatGPT started coaching Sam on how to take drugs, recover from them and plan further binges. It gave him specific doses of illegal substances, and in one chat, it wrote, ‘Hell yes—let’s go full trippy mode’”
www.sfgate.com/tech/article...
www.sfgate.com/tech/article...
A Calif. teen trusted ChatGPT for drug advice. He died from an overdose.
"Who on earth gives that advice?"
www.sfgate.com
January 5, 2026 at 6:28 PM
“ChatGPT started coaching Sam on how to take drugs, recover from them and plan further binges. It gave him specific doses of illegal substances, and in one chat, it wrote, ‘Hell yes—let’s go full trippy mode’”
www.sfgate.com/tech/article...
www.sfgate.com/tech/article...
Reposted by Lester Black
"ChatGPT started coaching Sam on how to take drugs, recover from them and plan further binges. It gave him specific doses of illegal substances ... Then, last May, tragedy struck."
Incredible piece of journalism from @leddder.bsky.social and @stephco.bsky.social:
www.sfgate.com/tech/article...
Incredible piece of journalism from @leddder.bsky.social and @stephco.bsky.social:
www.sfgate.com/tech/article...
A Calif. teen trusted ChatGPT for drug advice. He died from an overdose.
"Who on earth gives that advice?"
www.sfgate.com
January 5, 2026 at 4:04 PM
"ChatGPT started coaching Sam on how to take drugs, recover from them and plan further binges. It gave him specific doses of illegal substances ... Then, last May, tragedy struck."
Incredible piece of journalism from @leddder.bsky.social and @stephco.bsky.social:
www.sfgate.com/tech/article...
Incredible piece of journalism from @leddder.bsky.social and @stephco.bsky.social:
www.sfgate.com/tech/article...
A Calif. teen trusted ChatGPT for drug advice. He died from an overdose. www.sfgate.com/tech/article...
A Calif. teen trusted ChatGPT for drug advice. He died from an overdose.
"Who on earth gives that advice?"
www.sfgate.com
January 5, 2026 at 4:19 PM
A Calif. teen trusted ChatGPT for drug advice. He died from an overdose. www.sfgate.com/tech/article...
some would say DCC is bad at *the most important part* of its job.
December 11, 2025 at 1:33 AM
some would say DCC is bad at *the most important part* of its job.
Reposted by Lester Black
Public billionaire insanity intensifies:
“Come watch me trip balls.”
Marc Benioff and Naval Ravikant join Network State Cult member Bryan Johnson's livestreamed mega mushroom trip.
www.sfgate.com/tech/article...
“Come watch me trip balls.”
Marc Benioff and Naval Ravikant join Network State Cult member Bryan Johnson's livestreamed mega mushroom trip.
www.sfgate.com/tech/article...
Marc Benioff joins wild hallucinogenic mushroom livestream
The billionaire ended the holiday weekend cheering on a friend taking mushrooms.
www.sfgate.com
December 1, 2025 at 10:38 PM
Public billionaire insanity intensifies:
“Come watch me trip balls.”
Marc Benioff and Naval Ravikant join Network State Cult member Bryan Johnson's livestreamed mega mushroom trip.
www.sfgate.com/tech/article...
“Come watch me trip balls.”
Marc Benioff and Naval Ravikant join Network State Cult member Bryan Johnson's livestreamed mega mushroom trip.
www.sfgate.com/tech/article...
Introducing the FDA's new drug approval process...
Marc Benioff joins wild hallucinogenic mushroom livestream www.sfgate.com/tech/article...
Marc Benioff joins wild hallucinogenic mushroom livestream www.sfgate.com/tech/article...
Marc Benioff joins wild hallucinogenic mushroom livestream
The billionaire ended the holiday weekend cheering on a friend taking mushrooms.
www.sfgate.com
December 1, 2025 at 10:13 PM
Introducing the FDA's new drug approval process...
Marc Benioff joins wild hallucinogenic mushroom livestream www.sfgate.com/tech/article...
Marc Benioff joins wild hallucinogenic mushroom livestream www.sfgate.com/tech/article...
Almost like Modest Mouse wrote an entire album about this 30 years ago.
Dying Shopping Malls Are the Roman Ruins of Our Civilization www.nytimes.com/2025/11/11/m...
Dying Shopping Malls Are the Roman Ruins of Our Civilization www.nytimes.com/2025/11/11/m...
Dying Shopping Malls Are the Roman Ruins of Our Civilization
www.nytimes.com
November 13, 2025 at 2:30 AM
Almost like Modest Mouse wrote an entire album about this 30 years ago.
Dying Shopping Malls Are the Roman Ruins of Our Civilization www.nytimes.com/2025/11/11/m...
Dying Shopping Malls Are the Roman Ruins of Our Civilization www.nytimes.com/2025/11/11/m...
why would cannabis plants on fire be more dangerous than a poinsettia on fire?
November 11, 2025 at 12:23 AM
why would cannabis plants on fire be more dangerous than a poinsettia on fire?
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...
big claim comparing yourself to the honorable Iroh!
October 24, 2025 at 5:28 PM
big claim comparing yourself to the honorable Iroh!
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