1. Medical Marijuana Crackdown

From California to Washington State to Montana, it was a rough year for medical cannabis dispensaries and the thousands of patients who depend on them. Montana abolished the statewide industry, and the Feds moved against shops in California, Washington and other states. Meanwhile, new state programs were hampered by threats from U.S. Attorneys. Dispensaries in New Jersey, Rhode Island and Arizona have yet to open shop, and only a handful dared to operate in Maine. Governors railed against the threats, Barney Frank and Ron Paul called for marijuana to be descheduled, and Delaware became to the 16th state to approve medical use.

2. Occupy Wall Street

Though the #OWS protesters in New York and elsewhere didn't specifically address the marijuana issue, it's implicit that legalization is among the core values of the movement. Starting on Sept. 17 in New York's Financial District, the protests went national in heartbeat. With more than 5,000 arrests, and the use of pepper spray and tear gas, police showed their true colors, defending monied interests rather than allow free speech to blossom. Bruised and battered during the evictions of camps all over the country, expect the protests to pick up again in the spring during the election season. Occupy Everywhere!

3. Charlie Sheen

Charlie Sheen's highwire act may seem trivial compared to the Fed crackdown and OWS struggle, but it sure did capture Americans' short attention span. When Sheen was bounced from Two and a Half Men, he went ballistic. The actor's bad behavior with women and use of cocaine led to his dismissal by CBS. Sheen responded with a series of kooky interviews, during which he coined the term, "Winning!" Then he launched a month-long tour in April, which was met by hecklers at many stops. Sheen regularly told audiences, "I would legalize pot. Everywhere. Vending machines, all of it. And subsidize everything." With that in mind, a Southern California grower named a strain after him.

4. Dutch Pot Backlash

The international home of rational drug policy took several giant steps backwards in 2011. First, the Dutch government began implementing a new law that bans foreigners from the country's hundred of coffeeshops, where marijuana is openly sold. This policy has started in the Southern part of the country on the Germany and Belgian borders, and will become law in Amsterrdsam in 2012, unless shop owners and the city's mayor can fight it off. In November, Dutch authorities raided the High Times Cannabis Cup, which takes place in Amsterdam. While no attendees were arrested, it cast a pall over the event.

5. Connecticut Decriminalizes It

In June, Connecticut became the 14th state to decriminalize marijuana. Thanks to a receptive governor, the bill sailed through the state legislature and was swiftly signed. The bill makes possession of a half-ounce akin to a speeding ticket, with a first-time fine of $150 that escalates to $500 upon repeated offenses. "There is no question that the state's criminal justice resources could be more effectively utilized for convicting, incarcerating and supervising violent and more serious offenders," Gov. Malloy stated.

6. TV Goes to Pot

From Weeds to Wilfred to Weed Wars, TV gave stoners plenty to watch in 2011. While Weeds moved to New York for Season 7, Wilfred featured a pot-smoking dog and Weed Wars opened the door to the how a dispensary (Harborsdie Health Center) works. There were several new pot docs, such as The War on Weed, The Pot Republic and Marijuana Gold Rush. Other shows (Sons of Anarchy, Gossip Girl) featured dispensaries in their storylines. Sadly, HBO canceled its pot-friendly hipster show, Bored to Death.

7. Celeb Drug Arrests on the Rise

It was a banner year for celebrity drug arrests. CelebStoner cited a 47% increase over 2010. Among the biggest names to get their mug shots, hauled to jail and treated like common criminals for possessing drugs (79% for marijuana) were Montel Williams, Sebastian Bach, Big Boi (left), Marcus Camby, Theodora Richards, Julie Pacino and Sly Stone. Pot charges were dropped against Camby, Wiz Khalifa and Laurence Maroney. Buju Banton received 10 years for 11 pounds of cocaine. Busted in 2010, Willie Nelson's case dragged out for months, with a the Judge reprimanding the local DA for making a mockery of the it. Nelson pled no contest and paid a $3,000 fine.

8. Amy Winehouse RIP

British soul diva Amy Winehouse joined the Dead-at-27 rock star club when she died from alcohol poisoning on July 23. Winehouse had a history of drug abuse and hadn't performed much before her death. The "Rehab" singer won five Grammys in 2008. More 2011 RIPs: Nick Ashford, Clarence Clemons, Jeff Conaway, Gil Scott-Heron, Loleatta Hollaway, Lloyd Knibb, Steve Jobs, Ben Masel, Jani Lane, Sidney Lumet, Joe Morello, Nate Dogg, Poly Styrene, Gerry Rafferty, Michael Sarrazin, Gerard Smith, Phoebe Snow, Owsley "Bear" Stanley, Mike Starr, Philip Walden Jr., Mikey Welsh, Snooky Young.

9. New York Marijuana Arrests

After years of complaints about New York police busting pot perps in record numbers, the City Council, State legislators and even NYPD chief Ray Kelly took action. More than 50,000 residents of the Big Apple were run through the system that allows for arrests when marijuana is in "public view" in 2010. When marijuana was decriminalized in New York in 1977, this loophole was written into the law. Assemblyman Hakeem Jeffries and State Senator Mark Grisanti sponsored legislation to strike that provision. In the meanwhile. Kelly instructed his troops to stop the busts when marijuana is found during a routine frisk. Following that order, arrests declined 13%, but will still top 50,000 again in 2011.

10. K2/Spice Sales Spike Despite Bans

Interest in so-called synthetic marijuana continued as more states hurried to enact laws banning the herbal concoctions laced with the lab-made cannabinoid, JWH-018. Known as K2 and Spice with brand names like Dead Man Walking, stoners looked to such legal highs in order to get a buzz and skirt around drug tests. While there were some reports of deaths related to these products, most people appeared to be able to handle the mystery smoke.

Also see:
New Year's Eve Concert Guide
Top 10 Stoner Movies of 2011
More CelebStoner News