Skip to main content

Latest

Chronicle
Blog

Attention Marijuana Users: Hershey™ Doesn’t Want Your Business

I never thought this day would come. But when greed and idiocy converge, the effects can be catastrophic.
SAN JOSE, Calif. - Hershey Co. has sued a Lafayette man who admitted to making marijuana-laced candy and soft drinks, claiming his products violated the company's trademarks.

Kenneth Affolter, 40, was sentenced in March to more than five years in prison for manufacturing forbidden treats with names like Stoney Rancher, Rasta Reese's and Keef Kat. [MSNBC]
I'm not an expert in trademark law, but those don’t sound like Hershey products to me.
Hershey's suit, filed earlier this month in U.S. District Court in San Jose, accuses Affolter of trademark infringement, trademark dilution and unfair competition.
Unfair competition!? To whatever pathetic extent this man actually competed with Hershey, he's now been taken out of commission by the Drug Enforcement Administration. If there's anything unfair going on here, it's the incarceration of a man who provided marijuana edibles to sick people.

So I guess Hershey Co. has nothing better to do than piss off stoners around the world, which is foolish for reasons so obvious they need not be stated. And all they're asking for is $100,000 from a man who is now either destitute due to legal fees and forfeiture, or has buried his assets so deep that neither DEA nor Hershey's will ever see a dollar.

Suddenly those irresistible Hershey's Cookies & Cream™ bars don't sound so good. If Nestle™ has a decent white chocolate product, I can cost Hershey $50 a year on my own. Who's with me?

Chronicle
Chronicle
In The Trenches

Job Opportunity at the Criminal Justice Policy Foundation, Silver Spring, MD

The Criminal Justice Policy Foundation is seeking a Program Manager to work directly with the CJPF President. This is an ideal position for a detail oriented person who wants to work with a high degree of independence in a small office for social justice. CJPF is one of the nation's leading voices for drug policy and criminal justice policy reform, and collaborates closely with both movements. CJPF responds quickly to new events and frequently develops new projects. More information about CJPF's activities is posted on its website, www.cjpf.org. The administrative duties involved include providing general administrative support to foundation president; paying bills; recording and depositing checks using QuickBooks online; advertising for, hiring, and managing the foundation’s internship program; updating the website; managing computer systems, software and technical support; developing and maintaining necessary relationships with vendors; and making recommendations for administrative improvements. The program responsibilities include writing miscellaneous correspondence; managing the research, writing and production of the quarterly newsletter; editing drafts written by foundation president, providing research assistance to the foundation president; and making recommendations concerning research and program activities. Qualifications include a minimum of one year work experience and Bachelor’s degree, a high degree of competence with Office programs, including PowerPoint, Excel, and Outlook, and experience with Dreamweaver and QuickBooks is preferred. Job performance criteria include work being performed promptly, intelligently, self-confidently, accurately and thoroughly; writing that demonstrates a high degree of English literacy; undertaking projects only at which time the employee understands the project's objectives (projects are carried out with self-confidence and the ability to solve problems); well-organized work, work environment, use of time, and responding to priorities as they change; and developing and maintaining familiarity with issues addressed by the foundation, with the clientele with whom the foundation works, and with the political environment in Washington and other relevant jurisdictions. The ideal employee will learn rapidly, require minimal supervision, is self-directed, and demonstrates keen problem solving skills. He or she has a high degree of curiosity, a passion for the mission of the organization, and an eagerness to serve and to learn. He or she is mature, professional and enthusiastic. The salary will depend on experience. To apply, send a fax to 301-589-5056 or an e-mail (with MS Word attachments) to [email protected]. Before applying, go to, www.cjpf.org to familiarize yourself with CJPF’s work, and the writing of the foundation president. Please send a cover letter, a resume, your best writing sample, and the names of at least three references. The position is open until filled.