Hey Gloops Fans! For all of you living in Southern Oregon, there will be a book signing and Meet the Author with J.R. Fox at one of the Rogue Valley's best cannabis dispensaries, Pharm To Table, this Saturday! Come on by to pick up a copy, meet J.R., and support cannabis education!
Happy Holidays!

Here is a short article about The Gloops in the Rogue Valley Messenger:

"On a planet, not too different than ours, a young girl’s parents are gardeners. They grow a special plant many revere for its medicinal properties, as well as for the way it makes them “feel silly,” but  the “Kings” think it is bad. And so is the story of “The Gloops and the Special Plant,” a children’s book by J.R. Fox, written to broach the subject of discussing cannabis with children.
It’s a story that hits home for many Southern Oregon families. From parents that grow cannabis, to ones who use it for pain relief, or simply enjoy it the same way one would a glass of wine, many are doing their best to find a reasonable way to explain it to their children.
Fox describes one of the inspirations for the book: a friend expressed discomfort at having their children over because they knew cannabis was present in the home. It struck Fox that there would likely be no qualms if there was knowledge of wine or whiskey in the cupboard. With a background as a children’s behavioral therapist, Fox set out to create a tool to help parents talk to their kids about weed, in an entertaining format. The main goal: cannabis is a plant of many uses, is a normal part of some families’ lives, and it does not need to be feared..."
Read more on The Rogue Valley Messenger's website.
 

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From J.R. Fox-

As I'm working on the second book, The Gloops and the Special Plant: Molly Knows Safety, my time and thoughts are all about cannabis safety for family life. I wanted to provide a simple, quick-tips guide for parents and guardians who are also thinking about safety during this time of exciting changes. There are so many aspects of medical and adult-use cannabis to consider when teaching children about safety. How much do we say? How do we explain the seriousness of underage cannabis use without scaring children unnecessarily? 
If you are on this website, I'm going to make the assumption that you acknowledge cannabis as a useful plant. So, we don't want to paint the picture that cannabis is the Boogeyman. In order to normalize this plant, and still make sure children understand that it is not safe for them (unless given by an adult in the proper form as needed medicine, of course) parents have to take time to consider their approach.

That's why I created the Parents' Corner. If you or a loved one are seeking some simple tips to a safe home and a safe child, check it out!

Hey fans! The Gloops and the Special Plant will have a sequel book coming out in 2016! If you loved The Gloops, you'll get to see Molly and her family again as they teach about safety with cannabis. Get ready for The Gloops and the Special Plant: Molly Knows Safety! Here's a glimpse of illustration in process...
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Today marks the first day of recreational cannabis sales in Oregon. There will be a Meet the Author and book signing at Talent Health Club in Talent, OR today. J.R. will be talking to fans and new readers about this big change and how important it is to be open with children and meet their curiosity with real answers.
KOBI-NBC 5 interviewed J.R. Fox for a story on The Gloops and the Special Plant yesterday. This is the first television spot for the book, and we're excited for more! Getting the word out is the best way to make The Gloops accessible to families everywhere. What a win for cannabis education!
Thanks to all of you readers for caring about the difficult issues. The future looks bright.

Story HERE

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For all you fans and curious cats who may have missed it, J.R. Fox was featured on Farm Talk Radio on KSKQ 89.5 recently. This So. Oregon station my be small, but they take on some big topics! Host Dave Munson deserves a huge pat on the back for putting himself out there. The topic of cannabis and family is an important one, but not very easy to introduce.

J.R. gives some provocative insights and information on the cannabis movement, farming, history, and parenting. Click HERE TO LISTEN to listen to the interview!

​AS "THE GLOOPS AND THE SPECIAL PLANT" IS MAKING ITS WAY IN TO THE CANNABIS COMMUNITY, PEOPLE MAY BE TEMPTED TO JUDGE A BOOK BY ITS COVER.

SO, FOR THE WONDERING READER: WHAT IS IT ALL ABOUT?

"THE GLOOPS AND THE SPECIAL PLANT" IS A STORY, FIRST AND FOREMOST.  IT TALKS ABOUT THE USES OF A SPECIAL PLANT AS IT EXISTS ON ANOTHER WORLD, AND TELLS ABOUT THE HISTORY OF THE OLD KINGS TRYING TO BANISH THE PLANT.  THEY DID NOT SUCCEED, HOWEVER, BECAUSE THE RESIDENT GLOOPS REFUSED TO GIVE UP THEIR RIGHTS TO MAKE USE OF THE SPECIAL PLANT.  

BY TELLING THIS STORY, CHILDREN ARE ABLE TO GRASP THE PRINCIPLES OF THE CANNABIS MOVEMENT AND LEARN THE TRUTH BEHIND THE SPECIAL PLANT IN A SAFE WAY.  WITHOUT BUZZ-WORDS THAT CAN CAUSE PROBLEMS.  WITHOUT IMAGERY THAT PARENTS AREN'T READY FOR THEIR KIDS TO SEE.

THE MOST IMPORTANT GAIN FROM THE CANNABIS MOVEMENT IS THE FREEDOM TO GROW AND USE WHAT COMES FROM THE EARTH, AND THE CONSERVATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS.  THIS BOOK CAN BE READ TO CHILDREN WITHOUT BRINGING THEM IN TO THE CONTROVERSY, BUT INSTEAD HELP THEM TO UNDERSTAND THE CONCEPTS SO THAT AS THEY MAKE THEIR WAY IN THE WORLD, THEY CAN DEVELOP THEIR OWN INFORMED RESPONSE.

WE CAN'T KEEP CANNABIS IN THE CLOSET ANYMORE.  WHETHER OR NOT IT IS USED IN THE FAMILY HOME, KIDS ARE SEEING IT ON THE FRONT OF MAJOR MAGAZINES AT THE CHECKOUT STAND, HEARING IT IN THE NEWS, OR EVEN FROM OLDER STUDENTS OR SIBLINGS.  IT IS ONLY NATURAL THAT THEY WILL HAVE QUESTIONS.  SOME WILL ALSO BE WONDERING IF IT IS OKAY THAT THEIR PARENTS OR LOVED ONES SUPPORT CANNABIS.

THE BELIEF BEHIND "THE GLOOPS AND THE SPECIAL PLANT" IS THAT BY ANSWERING THEIR QUESTIONS IN A SIMPLE, STRAIGHTFORWARD WAY, WE WILL PREVENT HAZARDOUS KINDS OF CURIOSITY AND EQUIP THESE KIDS FOR NAVIGATING THEIR CHANGING SURROUNDINGS WITH CONFIDENCE.

IT'S EASIEST TO DISMISS A CHILD'S QUESTIONS WITH THE COMMON ANSWER, "IT'S JUST MEDICINE, AND ONLY FOR GROWN-UPS."  THE TRUTH IS THAT CANNABIS IS NOT JUST MEDICINE; IT HAS HIGHLY BENEFICIAL INDUSTRIAL USES, AND PEOPLE DO USE IT RECREATIONALLY (SOME RESPONSIBLY, SOME UNFORTUNATELY NOT).  IF WE GIVE INCOMPLETE ANSWERS, KIDS WILL STILL LEARN THIS INFORMATION FROM OTHER SOURCES OR "REEFER MADNESS" STYLE PROPAGANDA.  THE BEST PEOPLE TO TEACH THIS INFORMATION IS PARENTS.

THAT IS WHY "THE GLOOPS AND THE SPECIAL PLANT" WAS WRITTEN.  THIS BOOK IS A TOOL FOR PARENTS WHO HAVE MADE THE DECISION TO HAVE AN HONEST CONVERSATION WITH THEIR CHILDREN.  WHEN THE BOOK ENDS, THE REAL CONVERSATION BEGINS.  "THE GLOOPS AND THE SPECIAL PLANT" IS HERE TO HELP OPEN UP THE TOPIC OF CANNABIS, SET THE STAGE FOR KIDS TO ASK, AND FOR PARENTS TO ANSWER.

SO, THAT'S WHAT IT IS ALL ABOUT-- ENCOURAGING UNDERSTANDING THROUGH EDUCATION, LEAD BY THE PARENTS WHO CARE MOST.

The public release of the book happened this past weekend at the Medford/ Ashland Hemp and Cannabis Fair.  The event was so much larger than anyone expected, with over 2,000 people lined up and excited to see what is happening in the cannabis community.  
We definitely stood out among all of the booths.  With vendor after vendor sporting cannabis edibles, concentrates, and services, people definitely did a double-take as they walked by our booth with colorful cartoons and the big question in print:
"How Do We Teach Our Children?"

Locals were so supportive, with smiles, thumbs-up, and thanks!  It touched our hearts to hear from so many parents and grandparents that they have been needing a book like this.  We sold out of stock, but the connections made and smiles received were what we came for.  It was a wonderful event!

Keep your eyes peeled, because "The Gloops and the Special Plant" is going to be in several storefronts here in the Rogue Valley soon.  This is just the beginning, and with the continued support of cannabis-advocating families, we will go nationwide soon.

Let's keep promoting understanding and education! You fans are fantastic.
-J.R. Fox