Down for the Cause (eBook)

Bruce Margolin, Parvati Markus (Autoren)

eBook Download: EPUB

2025 | 1. Auflage
216 Seiten
Bookbaby (Verlag)
979-8-3509-9567-1 (ISBN)

Infos

Down for the Cause is Bruce Margolin's memoir, covering his career as the 'dean of cannabis law' and as an ardent advocate for the decriminalization and legalization of marijuana. He has been 'down for the cause' since the heyday of the 1960s in Los Angeles, when he quickly became well known for defending those who didn't 'just say no' and keeping them out of jail and prison. Bruce struggled with undiagnosed dyslexia, but his older brother had wanted to be a lawyer and when he died at an early age from leukemia, Bruce took up the mantle. His father's untimely death also made Bruce seek out the answers to the deeper questions of life. To explore his search for meaning, Bruce left his booming law practice to travel, winding up in India where he met Ram Dass (whose book, Be Here Now, had a profound impact on him) and Ram Dass's (and his) guru, Neem Karoli Baba, who touched his heart deeply. When Bruce returned to the West, he brought to his law practice a spirituality based on the Vedic concept of dharma (right living) mixed with the Jewish concept of Tikkun Olam (the 'repair of the world'), and a regular meditation practice. He was called upon to defend Dr. Timothy Leary, the Pied Piper of LSD, in the trial that followed his escape from prison. It was a valiant attempt to bring the concept of the punishment fitting the crime to the forefront of America's attention, as Leary had originally been sentenced to ten years for simple possession of a small amount of marijuana. As the founder and director of the Los Angeles chapter of NORML (the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws), Bruce ran for political office a number of times in order to promote the idea of legalization, and came close to winning. In Down for the Cause, Bruce shows how legalization, in all its complexity, was finally accomplished in his home state of California.

PARVATI MARKUS is the author of Whisper in the Heart: The Ongoing Presence of Neem Karoli Baba (Mandala Publishing, 2022); Love Everyone: The Transcendent Wisdom of Neem Karoli Baba Told Through the Stories of the Westerners Whose Lives He Transformed (HarperOne, 2015); and a children's book, Isabella Castaspella: The Happy Little Witch and Her Friends (SitaRam Press, 2022), with co-author Radha Baum, which is in development as an animated television series, Izzy Casts A Spell. Parvati is a developmental editor who has been midwifing spiritually oriented, non-fiction books and memoirs since her first efforts with Ram Dass's classic Be Here Now and has helped with spiritual organizations (past President of the Board of the Neem Karoli Baba Ashram and Temple in Taos, NM) and events (as a development consultant for the Global Peace Initiative of Women). She is on the Board of Advisors for the Love Serve Remember Foundation.

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Down for the Cause is Bruce Margolin's memoir, covering his career as the "e;dean of cannabis law"e; and as an ardent advocate for the decriminalization and legalization of marijuana. He has been "e;down for the cause"e; since the heyday of the 1960s in Los Angeles, when he was horrified by teenagers and young adults with no criminal intent being thrown behind bars along with rapists and murderers for enjoying a little weed or hustling to supply their friends with some friendly smoke. He quickly became well known for defending those who didn't "e;just say no"e; and for keeping them out of jail and prison. Bruce struggled to become an attorney his undiagnosed dyslexia meant he had to study a lot harder than others but his older brother had wanted to be a lawyer, and when he died at an early age from leukemia, Bruce took up the mantle. His father's untimely death also affected Bruce deeply, making him seek out the answers to the deeper questions of life. To explore his search for meaning, Bruce left his booming law practice to travel, winding up in India where he met Ram Dass (whose book, Be Here Now, had a profound impact on him) and Ram Dass's (and his) guru, Neem Karoli Baba, who touched his heart deeply. When Bruce returned to the West, he brought to his law practice a yogic outlook, a spirituality based on the Vedic concept of dharma (right living) mixed with the Jewish concept of Tikkun Olam (the "e;repair of the world"e;), and a regular meditation practice. He was called upon to defend Dr. Timothy Leary, the Pied Piper of LSD, in the trial that followed his escape from prison. Margolin's defense of the man President Nixon labeled as "e;the most dangerous man in America"e; was a valiant attempt to bring the concept of the punishment fitting the crime to the forefront of America's attention, as Leary had originally been sentenced to ten years for simple possession of a very small amount of marijuana. As a prominent voice for those imprisoned for cannabis, and as the founder and director of the Los Angeles chapter of NORML (the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws), Bruce ran for political office a number of times in order to promote the idea of legalization, and came close to winning. Today, when an overwhelming majority of US adults say marijuana should be legal both for medical and recreational use, Bruce provides an overview of how legalization, in all its complexity, was accomplished in his home state of California. He publishes the The Margolin Guide to Marijuana Laws, used across the country by those in law enforcement, judges, lawyers, and cannabis advocates and users alike to make sure they know the most recent rulings. Down for the Cause is a slice of history as seen through one man's life and his passionate plea to leave behind the days of "e;reefer madness"e; and harsh penalties in the war on drugs..

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ADVANCE PRAISE

“Down for the Cause is a fascinating account of the legal history of cannabis in the United States. From criminalization to legalization, Bruce invites the reader to travel in time to understand better how a plant with thousands of years of use for medicinal, religious, and recreational purposes goes from being one of America's most demonized drugs to one that is widely used and increasingly legalized for medicinal and recreational purposes around the country. Through his personal journey growing up in Los Angeles, becoming a successful criminal defense attorney, a husband, a father, and a grandfather, Bruce connects the reader to the cannabis world, exposing the policy failures of the War on Drugs. In search of his own place in the universe, Bruce's spirituality, love for his family, and compassion for others inspire and educate the reader in ways most policy-driven books on the subject cannot. A great read for anyone interested in seeking to avoid past policy failures of America's Wars on itself.”

~ George Gascón, the Los Angeles County District Attorney

“Margolin takes us on a delightful visit to the vibrant American counterculture beginning in the late 1960s and introduces us to a list of the leading anti-government activists from those decades, some of whom, including Tim Leary, he represented. The theme that binds his stories together is his passionate drive to legalize marijuana and his commitment to helping the many victims of marijuana prohibition.”

~ Keith Stroup, Director and Founder of NORML

“The fascinating tale of a true believing Buddh-ish, Hind-Jew, heartfelt champion of underdogs, and a pioneering marijuana defense attorney—an engaging countercultural odyssey from 1940s Cleveland to 1960-70s Los Angeles, Hollywood, and Beverly Hills, from high school through law school, boot camp, a pioneering marijuana defense practice, then onto a life-altering pilgrimage to a guru in India, then back to the courts of LA county and founding the marijuana movement with NORML. The book includes personal encounters with chimpanzees and horses, Baba Ram Dass, Indian gurus, and yogis, Timothy Leary, Keith Stroup, Leonard Cohen, the Panthers, Charles Manson, and Gavin Newsom, among others. No one has blazed the trail more originally or faithfully than my longtime friend and colleague Bruce Margolin.”

~ Dale Gieringer, Director, California NORML

“Down for the Cause takes a wild ride through post-WWII America and through the first decades of the 21st century, as experienced by one of the best-known marijuana defense attorneys of his day, Bruce Margolin. The story moves at a good pace as he and co-author Parvati Markus fill in the details of people, history, and political context to keep the reader from getting lost in the sea of celebrities and characters who flow through Margolin’s colorful life and role in the legalization movement. Along the way, he shares a lot of entertaining tales and memories while also presenting his philosophy of life and the universe. A fun, informative, and compelling read.”

~ Chris Conrad, Editor, the LeafOnline.com

“Reading Bruce Margolin’s book was a revelation! It’s full of a lifetime of extraordinary experiences that blew me away, even though I’ve known Bruce since the 1960s. Riding horseback as a kid in the untamed San Fernando Valley; losing a brother; traveling the world; finding his guru, Ram Dass, and peace in India; beginning the long trek to legalize marijuana in California with NORML while saving thousands arrested for pot from jail; running for political office; representing Timothy Leary in court, and so much more—Down for the Cause takes you on a wild and true ride. Fasten your seatbelt and enjoy!”

~Linda Lucks, political activist, currently working for affordable housing in Los Angeles

“1969: the year of Woodstock, 250,000 people marching on Washington against the war in Vietnam, and Richard Nixon as president. That year, Bruce hired me; it was my first job as a lawyer. Every day, I would go to court and represent Bruce's clients, primarily young hippies accused of possessing marijuana. The hallways leading to Bruce's suite were lined with hippies waiting to tell their stories to Bruce. I found it curious that Bruce had a very profitable law practice based primarily on representing clients for possession of marijuana. At the same time, he was working hard for the legalization of marijuana in California, which would drastically reduce his income if it happened. I realized then that Bruce was an unusual person who lived by his principles, even if it was to his financial detriment. This book is an interesting story —which took place at an interesting time in our history—about Bruce’s unique law career and his eventual triumph as a major force leading to the legalization of marijuana in California.”

~ Don Kottler, attorney

“I know Bruce Margolin primarily as a fellow devotee of Neem Karoli Baba. We were together in India over fifty years ago. I am in awe of the many different paths that Baba-ji’s devotees have taken over the years. Baba-ji always encouraged us to serve others, and Bruce’s path through this world is another bead in the mala (necklace) of love that surrounds the Universe. The goodness of his heart merged with universal love for all . . . in the form of the LAW. How amazing!”

~ Krishna Das, chant master and recording artist

“Down for the Cause is a strong and powerful story. I liked the details of Bruce’s background, and I was impressed with his dedication and humanity in trying to right the many wrongs of the American legal system. I am honored to know Bruce.”

~Yannis Zervos, author of Passage to Paradise; Director/Founder of the Athens Cultural Center

“Bruce Margolin’s book adds to the lore of the origins of the cannabis movement in America. His fun, funky attitude and spiritual reverence for the plant are at the core of his professional contributions to ending the War on Drugs. If you have an interest in cannabis, California counterculture, or how law can be used to fight for social justice, this book is for you.”

~ Dale Sky Jones, Director of Oaksterdam University

“Bruce Margolin has been my friend and colleague for more than fifty years. We have consulted on numerous criminal cases. We first met when he was Timothy Leary’s lawyer. I was the family doctor for the Leary family, as well as the ‘Dr. Hip Pocrates’ newspaper columnist and radio show host. Bruce was a major force in the decriminalization of marijuana in California and nationwide. Readers of his autobiography will find fascinating his turn toward Eastern spirituality and close association with Richard Alpert, AKA Ram Dass.”

~ Dr. Eugene Schoenfeld, “Dr. Hip Pocrates” and Timothy Leary’s physician

“Unlike most autobiographers – whose exploits are largely behind them – newly minted octogenarian Bruce Margolin, Esq. doesn't seem to be coasting to a stop, he's accelerating. After reading this vivid account of Bruce's wild adventures in law, love, and pot (and love of pot), our first thought wasn't “What a life!” but “What's next?”

~ Monte Montgomery, author of Hubert Invents the Wheel and Melvin Invents Music

“I recommend Bruce Margolin's book Down For The Cause to anyone who is interested in the behind-the-scenes practice of criminal law in Los Angeles. I have known Bruce for forty years and we have worked on numerous criminal cases together. In one case, we jointly represented a defendant charged with murder in a jury trial. Although the client was convicted by the jury, Bruce made critical legal arguments during the trial that ultimately led to a reversal of the conviction on appeal and the client's ultimate release from prison. Bruce frequently credited his wins in court to just being lucky, but I know from firsthand knowledge that he won cases based on his skill as an experienced criminal defense attorney.”

~ Joseph F. Walsh, Los Angeles Criminal Defense Attorney

“I have known Bruce Margolin for thirty-five years. He is loving, funny, and extraordinarily devoted to that which he is passionate about. His story would make a great movie. Ninja lawyer!”

~ Gary Horn, writer at Hanuman Entertainment

“I worked with Bruce as his assistant and driver for several years, and I witnessed the great successes he obtained in the courts throughout California. I was often approached by people that I came to know; they took me into their confidence about their concerns and fear of going to jail or prison. I assured them that I had witnessed Bruce's experience and expertise in defending cases. Without exception, those people came to me to express their appreciation for my assurances and their delight with the results. Bruce cared for his clients and did not give up until he got true justice for everyone he...

Produkt-Details

• Erscheint lt. Verlag: 20.4.2025
• Sprache: englisch
• Themenwelt: Literatur ► Biografien / Erfahrungsberichte
• ISBN-13: 979-8-3509-9567-1 / 9798350995671