Michael Montoya

It snowed. Many of the blossom-laden cherry trees lost huge limbs. Expressways clogged with fallen trees. First time in all recorded history that it has snowed in this place on April 11. According to the forecast, it may snow again tonight. Pray for houseless people. Chances of hypothermia continue.

But the Cannabis Press Conference organized by one of Jo Ann Hardesty's bureaus went on. Currently Michael Montoya is the director of that bureau and has recommended a City-led and funded expungement bureau for marijuana convictions. It's nuts that marijuana is legal but criminal records for marijuana charges still stand. Jo Ann spoke in support of the policy, but I'll spare you another portrait of her because I loved the pride I saw in Michael Montoya's face. He took over an agency whose director was fired for creating a toxic environment, and in one year he has succeeded in healing that agency and bringing some of the best minds in the field of cannabis and community involvement to work there.