User:Hogan
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Rev. Don Hogan, Canada's High Priest of Pot
I have been involved in Marijuana Law Reform for well over thirty years. To many of my fellow Canadians especially in Winnipeg, I am considered to be a "Living Legend." I jokingly tell people that if you check out Irish History, you'll still find "Galloping Hogan" riding through the pages of history! I currently have a Constitutional Challenge encompassing both the medical and non-medical, recreational use of marijuana before the courts which will be heard on June 11th, 12th, & 13th at Provincial Judges Court, 420 Cumberland Road, Courtenay B. C., Canada.
"A Poet Should Have On His Casket Not A Wreath But A Gun To Show That He Was a Faithful Private In The Liberation Struggles Of Humanity."
- Heinrich Heine
Profile: Rev. Don Hogan
1950. Born on the Winter Solstice, December 22, Montreal, Quebec, Canada to Thomas Hogan &
Viola Long. My mother, (who recently celebtated her 80th!) gave birth to 12 children.
Three died at birth...Shawn, age 4, died in a fire that took our home in 1968.
From the time that I was a young fella I've been in the service in one form or another,
mostly as a magician...I was booted out of kindergarden. In grade 1 on Registration Day,
the school principal, Mrs. I.E. Current wanted to put me in reform school. In grades 6 & 7
I was twice elected over the brains of the class, Editor of the Vincent Massey School news
-paper. These were the same fellas who told me that I was too stupid to learn chess, (which
I didn't learn untill much later at the age of 18) and so refused to teach me. Two years in
a row the school Authority not only shut down my newspaper, but also attempted to put me
in reform school. Two years in a row I made the same mistake of asking the same question in
print, "How come we are forced to learn French and they are not forced to learn English?"
At the time I was much too youg to raelize what a potential political time bomb that I
was playing with!
In the 1950's I was a member of the Wolf Cubs of Canada doing my "good dees" every day or
whenever my mother decided that it was time for me to do one. From a Wolf Cub I became a
Wolf with both "eyes open" and the proud sixer of a pack. I was also awarded a Certificate
of Merit. Hell I was just a natural born leader! I graduated in a special ritual ceemony to
the Boy Scouts of Canada in the early 1960's.
I was still doing my "good deeds" every day as well as managing 3 newspaper routes. I de-
livered the Montreal gazette first thing in the morning, the Montreal Star after school,
and Le Echo, a once a week community newspaper. I also sold Black Market margarine for my
aunt and uncle, Girl Guide cookies for my two older sisters as well as helped to raise
funds for the Boy Scouts of which I became Leader of the Ravens. I also had to spend a
lot of time chopping wood for the family woodstove as well babysit younger brothers and
sisters. You'd think for a moment that I would have my hand full. Not a chance!
I lived in a French dominated neighbourhood. I was the local gang leader of those of us
who banded together for 'Street Survival." At school I was more than just a gang leader.
I was General Robert E. Lee of the Rebel Confederate Forces of the Confederacy of the
Southern States. I dared to openly challenge School Authority and in doing so, helped to
change the course of Social History.
1965. Member of the Royal Canadian Engineer Cadet Corp., Westmount, Montreal, Quebec, Canada 1966-68. Canteen Representative, Men's Mess, 3rd Battalion, Black Watch, Royal Canadian
Highland Regiment, Montreal, Canada ( The Black Watch were called, "Ladies From Hell"
by the Germans during WW 11. As a member of the Black Watch I met the Queen Mum whom
was the honourary Colonel-In_Chief when she reviewed our regiment during the Queen
Mum's Royal Visit to Gagetown, New Brunswick, Cannada.
1968. Founding Member, The Greenfield Park Boys and Girls Club,
Greenfield Park, Quebec, Canada
1968-69. Secretary-Treasurer, the Greenfield Park Boys & Girls Club. It was disbanded due to an
unusual Christmas Eve event at Saint Mary's Church in Greenfield Park, Quebec. Midnight
Mass turned into a minor battlefield; us against the Christian Soldiers. The war,
(that's what it was!) errupted in the middle of closing prayer. One of my buddies
cracked a joke...No matter how hard I tried to stop laughing, I wasn't able to. As soon
we new that all hell was about to break out, we sent for reinforcements.
Around the corner from the church where I lived with a family of five brothers of
Spanish decent, (That's Scythian Kelts I'm speaking of!) my eighteenth birthday party
was still going on. It began Dec. 22, and was still in full swing. Only a handful of us
had gone to church to get our souls saved! The calvary arrived. I survived to tell the
tale...
1969. Editor, Plaza News & The Black Cat (Underground Newspapers)
Greenfield Park, Que.
1969. Secreatry-Treasurer, The Coffin Cheaters Motorcycle Club,
Montreal, Canada
1969-2007. Druid/Magician of the Tuatha de Danann (The Tribes of the Goddess, Danu)
Tuatha de Danann is also the ancient for the Irish
1970. Inmate Member, Drug Film Review Committee, Headingly Correctional Institution,
Headingly, Manitoba, Canada
1971. Married Japanese Canadian Janet Louise Sasaki daughter of W.H. (Bill) Sasaki, a prom-
inient Conservative Winnipeg businessman, I.C.E.C. (Independent Citizen's Election
Committee) City Councillor who was Chairman of the Winnipeg Finance Committee, Chairman
man of the Maintenance Committee for the Winnipeg Convention Centre, Chairman of the
Welfare Committee, & a member of the Winnipeg Police Commission.
1971. Member, South Shore Tenants' Association, Greenfield Park, Que. 1972. Public Relations Representative for Gil Burrows, New Democratic
Party ( N.D.P.) Canadian Federal Election, Wpg. Man., Can.
1973. Shawn Patrick Hogan was born March 7th, Saint Boniface Hospital, Wpg., Man., Can. 1973. In May I was awarded a Grade Eleven High School Equivalency Diploma Based upon Tests Of
General Educational Development, Department of Education, Wpg., Man., Can.
1972-73. Employee member of organizing committee, Old Dutch Foods for the Canadian Food
& Allied Workers Union in a successful certification bid. Wpg., Man., Can When Old
Dutch employees walked out on strike, it was recorded as being the longest, bitterist
strike in the history of Manitoba unionism. As one of the main players, I was inter-
viewed by the Manitoba Department of Youth & Education which produced a course on union
-ism which was to be introduced into the Manitoba public school system. The idea was
quickly trashed under the following Conservative government.
1974. Block representative, Rothesay-Sutton Tenants' Association,
Winnipeg, Manitoba.
1975. Mary Ellen Hogan was born September 16th Saint Boniface Hospital, Wpg., Ma., Can. 1975-2007. Amateur Keltologist 1975. President, Rothesay-Sutton Tenants' Association, Wpg., Man. Can. 1975. Member, Manitoba Tenants' Association, Wpg., Man, Can. 1975. Chairman (By Acclamation) Publicity & Communication Committee,
the Founding Convention for the Municipal Wing of the Manitoba
New Democratic Party (N.D.P.) Wpg., Man., Canada
1975. Publicity Officer (BY Acclamation) N.D.P. Action Club (Political
Intelligence)
1975. Presented Brief on Public Housing to Premier Edward Schreyer of Manitoba, (who later be-
came Governor-General of Canada), Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
1977. Member, National Society of Published Poets, U.S.A. 1979-81. Member, Safety Committee, Inland Steel, Wpg., Man., Can. 1980. Scrutineer At Large & Special Campaign Advisor to Ray Brunka, Independent Candidate for
Elmwood, Winnipeg General Election. Ray Brunka was the only member of the Liberal Party
of Canada to publicly stand up to the Canadian Prime Minister of the day, Pierre Elliot
Trudeau. In Winnipeg's previous General Election, I had actively campaigned on behalf of
Alf Skowron, New Democratic Party (N.D.P.). He had won by a landslide victory of over
5,000 votes. I went door to door and narrowed down Skowron's lead, slicing him to ribbons,
resulting in a legal recount. My former business partner, Alf Skowron won by only a few
votes! That was the extent of my influence on Winnipeg politics!
1980.-82. President (By Acclamation) The Royal Road Society, ( A National Political Movement
To Legalize Marijuana in Canada) Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. The Society's foundation
was inspired by "Panama Red" by Steve Diamond, Sunset Blvd., Hollywood, Calif, USA.
Steve is a Honourary Member and wrote to say how his friends all thought that the
membership cards were great and to please send some more!
1980. Submitted Resolution to Winnipeg City Council requesting that they not expend resources
or manpower on the enforcement of Canada's Marijuana Laws. My resolution was actually
introduced to WInnipeg City Council and voted on. It was soundly defeated.
1980-84. Publisher/Editor, High Society, (Counter Culture Newspaper)
Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
1981. Submitted a Proposal for the Legalization of Marijuana in Canada to the Federal Liberal
Government of Canada. The Toronto Globe Mail delivered it on behalf of the Royal Road
Society. The newspaper contacted me to tell me basically, "Don't ever do that again!"
1981. Employee Member, Organizing Committee, Inland Steel, Wpg., Canada 1982. Ordained Minister for Life, Universal Life Church, Modesto, Calif 1982. Honourary Doctor of Divinity, Doctor of Metaphysics, Universal
Life Church, Modesto, Calif., USA
1982. Lifetime Member of the National Organization for the reform of
Marijuana Laws in Canada (N.O.R.M.L.) Winnipeg, Canada.
1983. The People's Choice, Winnipeg Sun's First Annual News Maker of the Year, Wpg., Canada 1984. Independent Candisate, Winnipeg North Centre, Canadian General Federal Election. ( I ran
for public office to mark the year for George Orwell.
1984. In Feb. I recieved a letter from Canada Pension awarding me Disability Pension of $226 a
month. I was also informed that my payments for 1985 would be $235.94 a month
1985. Separated from wife of 141/2 years. 1986. Mounted on my stallion pony, Thunder, I headed West for Hornby Island, B.C., Can. 1989. Self-published Playwright - "The Garden of Eden's Tenants' Association: The First Book of
Moses," a satrical account of the Christian Creation Myth, (25,000 copies sold World-
Wide!) Hornby Island, B.C., Can.
1990. Canada's High Priest of Pot, (By Acclamation), Hornby Island, BC, Canada 1990. Published B. C. Poet - My poem, "The People Ceased To Be Amazed" was selected by the Rain
Forest Committee and published by the Alberni Valley Arts Council for the Arts for daring
to step outside the boundaries of structure. This was the first Rain Forest publication
after a laspe of several years.
1991. Received "Deed of Gift Certificate," from the Hornby Archieves gratefully acknowledging
the gift of archival materials: Personal Papers of Don Hogan, Hornby Is., BC, Canada
(Serious Researchers are permitted access to the Hornby Island Archives)
1992. Silver Lifetime Membership in Jack (The Emperor) Herer's H.E.M.P. ( Help End
Marijuana Prohibition)
1992. To mark the 1st Annual International Drug Policy Day, I wrote to the mayors of Canada's
major cities requesting that they declare their respective cities, "A Drug War Free Zone"
1992. Sponsored Hash Bash at the Hornby Community Hall to mark the 1st International Drug Policy
Day, Hornby Island, B.C., Canada
1993.-94. Member, International Committee of Recommendation for the Nomination of Drug Pacifists
for the Nobel Peace Prize, Amsterdam, Holland (The Canadian Nominee was Marie Andre
Bertrand, Professor of Criminology, University of Montreal. On the committee I was
listed next to Dr. Albert Hofmann, Inventor of L.S.D.
1994. -2007. Internationally Known Collage Artist. My poetry and collage take on an urgent
responsibility in raising social awareness for a lot of issues that never seem to
quite make it on to anyone's political, economic, (spelled GENOCIDE) or religious
agendas. By confronting the REAL ISSUES it makes it possible for open debate to
take place. My collage are layered with esoteric meaning to tease the mind and
challenge thought patterns as well as disturb linear thinking. As a poet, artist,
parent, and magician, I want to leave behind - A Legacy of Truth.
1996. Artist Representative for Hungarian "Artist of Life," Vass Eva whom I also worked with
on a few art projects as well as hanging and curatoring many of her Art Exhibitions. Eva
also does illustrations for some of my books. We also jointly hold the copyright to my
"Book of Dragon Lore" which is beautifully illustrated by her. Published by Synergebooks.
I secured a 7 year contract for both the book and for Vass Eva's art works.
1997. Debut Poetry & Collage Art Show, (Club Nite) Joe King (Ball) Park, Hornby Is., Can. 1997. Honourary Mention, "The People Ceased To Be Amazed," Illiad Press Spring Awards, USA 1997. Published by the Poet's Guild, USA 1997. Published Collage, Midus Tides, Denman Island, BC, Canada 1998. The President's Award for Literary Excellence, "The People Ceased To Be Amazed" was
determined to have the rare talent necessary to be awarded this special achievement "as
this honorary award establishes you as an outstanding writer who demonstrates the tech-
nical and creative skills and talent necessary to set the standard by which future gener-
ations can be judged." National Authors Registry, USA
1998. Published by the Canadian Poetry Institute, Victoria, B.C., Canada 1998. Published by the National Library of Poetry, Owing Mills, Maryland, USA 1998. Published by the Famous Poets Society, Hollywood, Calif., USA 1998. -2007. Events Manager, Joe King Chess Team, Hornby Island, B. C., Canada 1999. President's Recognition of Literary Excellence, The National Authors Registry, Sterling
Heights, MI., USA
1999. "By Invitation Only," Distinction of Literary Excellence, "Don Hogan, you were selected
because you have proven yourself, to be well crafted in writing, exhibiting a strong sense
of craetivity and a grasp of the technical aspects of writing." The National Authors
Registery, Sterling Heights, MI., USA
1999. Debut Chapbook, "Rough Edge: A Collection of Reflections," The Plowman Printing House,
Whitby, Ontario, Canada ( 3 year publishing contract) - ( A Chapbook in standard cont-
ains no more than 24 pages. Once more I have stepped outside of structure of boundaries
for mine contained 32 pages!)
2000. Poet of the Year Award, Reciepient of the Prometheus Muse of Fire Trophy, Famous Poets
Society, USA
2000. Tied with Hornby Island Internationally Known Photographer, Bob Cain for Hornby Chess
Tournament Championship, Hornby Island, B.C., Canada
2000.-2002. Speed Chess Champion, Hornby Island, B.C., Canada 2000 Enrolled in International Correspondence Schools, Canadian Ltd., Montreal West, Canada. I
took the computer course: PC Specialist W/Multimedia. I was an average 80% - 90% student.
The young computer experts here on Hornby call me a Wizard as most of the time I don't
really have a clue of what I am doing. I'm excited when something actually works!
2002. Poet of the Year, Famous Poets Society, USA 2005. Trail Member, (Canadian Content) - The Trans Canada Trail, 43 Westminister Ave. Montreal
West, Quebec, Canada. The trail is a national project linking Canadians with a trail
which can be traversed by foot, bike, horse, or other means of travel not requiring a
motorized vehicle. Contributors can have their name on a plaque commerating their dona-
tion. I chose to make mine under my business name of Canadian Content.
1972.-2006. Over 200 (handwritten) Published Letters to the Editor addressing a wide asssort-
ment of social, economic, and political issues. - The Montreal Star, Winnipeg Free
Press, Winnipeg Tribune, Winnipeg Sun, Toronto Star, Courtenay?Comox Valley Record,
Community Newspapers in Winnipeg & Hornby Island First Edition
2007. Treasurer & Events Manager, Joe King Chess Club, Hornby Island, BC, Canada
1968.-2007 Civil Rights Activist - Montreal, Winnipeg & Hornby Island, Canada. 1988. -2007. Member Hornby Island Athletic Assocaition, Hornby Is., BC, Canada.
ARTIST STATEMENT
Through collage, poetry and satire I interpert the world around me in the way that I perceive or imagine it. All of my work reflects the way in which I am able to determine the distinction between the artificial and the reality of the world - past, present, future...I strongly believe that it is the duty of artists, poets, writers, and satirists to not only report and record the events of their day, but to also take up the position of being Watchdogs of socety: to explore, to experiment, to test the boundaries of freedom of artistic expression. Freedom of expression liberates the spirit - the child - the soul...
Poetry and art for me is not only its beauty; it should indeed be a reflection and political statement of its own time, but also too, a mirror into the past. Only by knowing the past can we decide on the future...
It is in the sense of helping to create a new society that we are artists, poets, writers, and satirists in whatever we do or accomplish. And it is our own supreme gesture against Death... As artists, poets, writers, and satirists we know that we are immortal because we strive to create in our artistic vision, our song, our Poem of Tomorrow...
The art, poetry, literature, and satire of a period does not necessarily reflect the social conditions that may be prevalent, but gone unrecorded or much worse, recorded in an altered form. It is therefore very essential that environmental, social as well as political disasters be recorded by the artists, poets, writers, and satirists of today for it represents a very strong social statement of the day. We must indeed be the modern day Prometheus and Promethea and carry forth the Fires of Truth...
Perhaps political satirical collage is simply a Truth that has been lost to art among the political correstness of Academia? It most certainly is an art form that cannot be accused of rendering a neutralized view of history...
I share with others who learn about me through my collage, poetry and writings in order that I may relate with them on a "down to earth" level. I make history, literature, the mantic arts, and the sciences vitally important as I seek a higher understanding of the world about us through the use of the collage art form.
My collage art can be found in the form of "photo copy art" in the homes of thousands of people in Canada, the USA and in other countries around the world. On Hornby Island especially where I am ostracized for my politics, my collage has become popular underground art as well as avant garde bathroom wall paper. I have been told that when party guests disappear en mass, they can usually be found in the bathroom reading my collage.
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR:
(Please Note That I Hold The Copyright To All Of My Published Letters)
The following letter which is of extreme importance was deemed unworthy of publication by the Vancouver Sun:
The Vancouver Sun, The Editor, April 26, 2007.
After reading in the Vancouver Sun "National status gives human rights centre access to federal cash," I could not but help respond especially after finding myself a victim of Pime Minister Harper's "first" initiative regarding humna rights.
As I continued to read the article I thought to myself, "What a sham!" $311 million is a lot of money to be spending on what really amounts to nothing more than expensive lip service.
Don't get me wrong! I'm all in favour of a Canadian Museum for Human Rights. As a matter of fact, as Canada's High Priest of Pot, I expect that one day my own life will be portrayed in a museum exhibit titled the Age of Marijuana Prohibition which will explain to future Canadians how Marijuana Prohibition made criminals out of a whole generation of youth for smoking cannabis/hemp/marijuana.
In the meantime, despite Prime Minister Harper's PR image surrounding human rights, let's instead explore the realities of his short-term Conservative government and its fresh track record of trampling on the rights of Canadians.
On forming government, one of Harper's first contribution to human rights in Canada was to dash the hopes and dreams of many Canadians striving for equality by axing the Canadian Court Challenges Program leaving persons such as myself under-funded for important constitutional challenges involving human rights.
When one compares the $2.85 million annual funding for the Court Challenges Program to the $9 million annual funding just to cover operating expenses of the Canadian National Museum, one can see that it was not a matter of saving Canadian taxpayers their hard earned dillars.
Although the Court Challenges Program provided me with $10,000 of funding to retain legal counsel to conduct research and develop my equality case involving medical marijuana, I now find myself like many other Canadians who were depending on the Court Challenges Program to fund and protect our human rights, we are now left out in the bitter cold while Prime Minister Harper and his Conservative cronies rush off to celebrate the $$expensive$$ event which will proclaim the Canadian Museum of Human Rights a national institution.
Perhaps, just perhaps...if enough cannabis consumers and human rights activists along with my fellow Canadians who are genuinely concerned with the advancement of human rights in Canada write Prime Minister Stephen Harper, I can be named a national institution thus qualifying me for the badly need funding that I require in order to advance my constitutional challenge involving another attempt on my part to end Marijuana Prohibition.
On June 11th, 12th & 13th I will be in Courtenay Provincial Court, 420 (the code for sparking up!) Cumberland responding to the charge, "Possession of Controlled Substance" with a partially government funded Constitutional Challenge which encompasses both the medical and non-medical, recreational use of cannabis/hemp/marijuana.
I believe that the complexity of my Constitutional Challenge will indeed be the most exhaustive and comprehensive challenge to Canada's drug laws. I also am of the opinion that the magnitude of this Constitutional Challenge has never been attempted by any other Marijuana Law Reform activist.
Sincerely,
Rev. Don Hogan, D.D., D.M.
High Priest of Pot
Hornby Island, B.C.
Winnipeg Free Press, March 32, 1981.
Not harmful?
I take exception to the Alstate ad in the Weekend Magazine. I challenge the statement that the Traffic Injury Research Foundation of Canada has irrefutable research proving that one of every eight victims had been uding cannabis.
My organization, The Royal Road Society ( a political movement to legalize marijuana in Canada) has irrefutable findings that cannabis has not directly caused the death of one single person as opposed to the 24,000 people killed by tobacco smoking in Canada each year, or the countless persons who are either seriuosly injured or killed each year by alcohol.
The LeDain Commissionspent over $4 million and its report on marijuana represents one of the more complete and exhaustive studies that has ever been conducted. The commission concluded that alcohol was the major drug problem in Canadian society and not marijuana. The report also concluded that the only harmful effect of smoking marijuana was the legal penalty if caught.
D.P. Hogan, President
The Royal Road Society,
Winnipeg
The Courtenay Comox Valley Record
Friday, March 15, 1991.
Hemp for Victory! is our cry
Sir:
In March of 1989, an historic event took place in Italy which was widely ignored by mainstream news media.
The International Anti-Prohibitionist League (I.A.L.) was founded by 45 recognized experts in the field of law, sociology, anthropology, psychology, medicine, criminology, and journalism.
On January 17, while bombs were being dropped on Baghdad, another historic event was taking place. For reasons of security, the m,edia were not invited to attend.
The first Hemp For Victory conference was being held on Hornby Island. A committee was immediately established to promote Hemp For Victory, and to disseminate as much information on marijuana as possible.
The Hemp For Victory campaign has been brought to the attention of Prime Minister Brian Mulroney, Jean Chrieten, Audrey McLaughlin and the Hearst Corporation. The Hearst publishing empire used its newspaper chain to spread fear and evils of marijuana, which were unfounded.
With more and more responsible persons in government, the legal, medical, and business community giving marijauana legalization serious consideration, the politicians of this country can no longer ignore it, or put it off through election gimmicks.
The voice of dissent can no longer be muzzled through manipulation of the court system.
The issue that no one wants to talk about is finally out in the open.
Persons interesred in the facts can contact I.A.L. at 97 Rue Belliard, Rem 512, 1040 Brussels, Belgium.
Hemp For Victory!
Don Hogan
Hornby Island, B.C.
North Island News,
Sunday, February 23, 1992.
Illegal, but could save the world
A very grave and serious historical blunder is presently being committed against both humankind and our sacred Mother Earth. Governments around the world are working toward the extinction of a species of plant that is arguably the planet's primary renewable resource, one that has literally thousands of critical uses - especially in replacing the majority of uses of fossil fuels, timber, and petrochemicals as well as being very beneficial in slowing down global warming that the politicians pretend to be worrying about!
The full impact of destroting this species of plant has never been considered by thoses who seek only to destroy it. Although marijuana legalization has been the subject of political and legal controversial debate for quite a number of decades, there is indeed a a growing public feeling that it is an idea whose time has come. There are many today who realize that the laws against marijuana have failed miserably and the financial costs of maintaining them are no longer deemed justified.
Support for marijuana legalization comes not from only those concerned about the erosion of civil liberties, biut from some of North America's most eminent scholars, medical experts, experts in almost every professional field as well as top officials and experts in the judicial, legal, and political areas. More and more people are inclined to believe that the realities of the war on drugs cannot correspond with the reality of hard cold fact - marijuana prohibition has failed!
It is our duty as world citizens to prevent governments from destroying our planet! We only have one Mother Earth. Let's all start taking better care of her!
Rev. Don Hogan
High Priest of Pot
Hornby Island
The Courtenay/Comox Record 1994.
The Rev. to help suggest Nobels
Marijuana legalization is the single most important issue facing the world. Hemp encompasses civil liberties, environmental concerns, religion and medicine: it will prevent clear-cuts for newsprint, create massive employment and could quite eaisily reverse global warming.
With this in mind, I am both previledged and honoured to announce that I have accepted an offer to be a member of the International Committee of Recommendation for the Nomination of Drug Pacifists for the Nobel Peace Prize.
The drug war is indeed a peace issue, one that needs to be addressed by the United Nations General assembly and by world government leaders.
Rev. Don Hogan,
Hornby Island
(To Be Continued....)
