Anthony Citrano is a recovering technology entrepreneur. He is a writer, fashion photographer and consultant with two decades of experience in information technology, communications, and public policy. Of the companies he has started, one published The Virtual Journal, the world’s first web magazine. Another invented dynamic customer acquisition, an e-commerce method now used in millions of transactions each year. Another became a leading Boston PR firm. In the mid-90s, he served as chief technology advisor to Maine Governor Angus King, helping Maine set an early example of the successful use of online technology to improve government. He co-founded Pop!Tech, the world's preeminent conference about the intersection of technology and culture.

In 2008, he served on the Grassroots Finance Committee of Obama for America.
He is a frequent commentator on American culture, regularly pontificating in and contributing to a variety of publications. He lives in Venice, California.

Blog Entries by Anthony Citrano

Task Force Raids LA Marijuana Dispensaries, Shoots Dog (HuffPost Exclusive: Search Warrant)

60 Comments | Posted August 18, 2009 | 05:00 PM (EST)


There has probably never been a more confusing legal environment regarding marijuana than there is right now in California, and last Wednesday's multi-agency raids on two Los Angeles medical marijuana dispensaries serve as perfect illustrations.

In February, U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder said that the DEA would no longer...

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California TV Stations "Just Say No" to Drug Policy Ad

5 Comments | Posted July 8, 2009 | 09:50 PM (EST)


A new advertisement produced by the Marijuana Policy Project was launched this week with the intention of catalyzing new debate about marijuana policy. But in a move the ACLU describes as "bad citizenship," several major television stations -- including NBC, ABC, and FOX affiliates in Los Angeles and San Francisco...

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Stressless Tests: Our Treadmill Of Delusion

49 Comments | Posted May 6, 2009 | 02:22 PM (EST)


What if you were worried about your heart and your doctor said he wanted to perform a "stress test" on you - then he sends you home to fill out a questionnaire. Upon returning the questionnaire, you steel yourself for the physical exam, the EKG, the treadmill, and all the...

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Four Course Insanity

Posted April 29, 2009 | 01:20 AM (EST)


At the Milken Institute Global Conference tonight, a techie friend of mine and I pondered (over cocktails, of course) whether the evening dinner panel would be worth seeing. It wasn't a question of interestingness; the speakers were former San Francisco mayor Willie Brown, Congressman Harold Ford, entertainer-commentator Rush Limbaugh,...

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Sunshine, Recessions, and Imperialism

Posted April 28, 2009 | 06:04 PM (EST)


The Milken Institute's 2009 Global Conference has again assembled an impressive group of business and political heavyweights. It's clear that Wall Street has descended on these generally laid-back hills; the last time the Beverly Hilton saw this many wingtip loafers was surely during a movie filming.

Milken's ambitious agenda...

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Nationalization Is A Bridge Over Troubled Waters

Posted March 5, 2009 | 04:56 PM (EST)


As many of my HuffPo friends know, I don't have a socialist worldview and am a believer in free, functional, and fair markets.

But the last few years have shown us how - and how spectacularly - a poorly-operated market can fail. And contrary to the religious tenets of a...

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Bill to Tax, Regulate Marijuana Introduced in California

Posted February 23, 2009 | 04:28 PM (EST)


Today, California state Assemblyman Tom Ammiano (D-San Francisco) introduced Assembly Bill 390, titled "The Marijuana Control Regulation and Education Act".

The bill's language is not yet available on the Assembly's bill retrieval system, but according to reporters who were at the press conference, the bill enables the...

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An Opportunity For President Obama: Change America's Status Quo on Drug Policy

Posted February 15, 2009 | 10:20 PM (EST)


During the President's transition to power, his "Open For Questions" web site received thousands of questions. The most popular question concerned marijuana decriminalization. While many were deemed worthy of serious, nuanced responses, the marijuana question was dismissed with a single sentence: "President-elect Obama does not support the legalization of marijuana."...

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