I’ll tell you the story of Dennis Peron
Our neighborhood dealer, well liked and well known
his stuff was organic, it was always on sale
and now he’s facing more time in jail

Tell me how many ways and how many times
must we be the victors of victimless crimes?

Coming out of the service, finally free
An idealist wondering what should I be?
Living with friends in a house in the Haight
he decided a new kind of space to create

A place you could come to, hang out and try
Gold in the old days, Colombian, Thai
and listen to music and choose what you want
without giving strangers no money up front

They didn’t sell hard drugs no downers no speed
only some magic mushrooms and weed
And hippies and housewives and hardhats came
and Dennis knew everyone by their first name

How many ways, how many times
must we be the victims of victimless crimes?

Rip-offs arrived with guns and knives
Dennis and Cloud fought to survive
‘Cause they had a purpose and a whole lot of nerve
and a whole lot of “the people” to serve

They busted him all the time way back then
when just holdin a joint was a felony and a sin
Before the miracle ounce came in
Well would you believe he’s been busted again!

On Castro off Liberty one night in July
with Eyewitness News just crusing by (sure)
Ten cops got nothin better to do
Than bust Dennis Peron and his pot-smokin’ crew

How many ways, how many times
must we be the victims of victimless crimes?

How many muggings went down on the street
Those cops could have stopped out walking a beat
And how many murders, arsons and rapes
While they’re runnin around makin sure no damn pothead escapes…

Listen up people, wherever you’re at
A downtown office, a Haight Street flat
That miracle ounce y’all legally own
Might have come from a pound care of Dennis Peron

Better get into his cause ‘cause it’s yours
We’ve got to get rid of these dangerous laws
If Dennis can’t deal with those terrible pounds
How can y’all score your miracle ounce?

And how many ways, and how many times
And how many victims of victimless crimes?

New ending, 1996
Many a year has passed since that one
and Dennis has seen a few friends come and gone
So all for love in the heart of the state
He decided a new kind of space to create

A place you can come to and hang out and buy
Cannabis if you got a good reason why
Like it settles your tummy, clears up your sight
helps you relax and have bon appetite

Just an herb that groweth in God’s green earth!
Where Eli Lilly can’t patent its worth
So sign that petition, demand a truce
in the war on drugs for medical use

It could happen to you, we’re all flesh and bone
But then you may find that you ain’t all alone

‘Cause now there’s a club, organically grown,
With care given thanks to Dennis Peron
Thanks to Dennis Peron