Category: All Medical Marijuana News

Delaware: June 7 Town Hall Scheduled To Discuss Cannabis Regulation

I received the following alert out of Delaware. Neill Franklin is one of my personal heroes. Attend if you are in the area, and spread the word: I am pleased to inform you that the Coalition to Regulate Cannabis in Delaware is holding a town hall forum on Tuesday, June 7 at 7 p.m. Come

Alaska: Proposed Cannabis Café Rules Now Available For Comment

I received the following alert out of Alaska: Thanks to pressure from advocates and the public, Alaska will become the first state to allow regulated cannabis cafés later this year! The Marijuana Control Board recently published proposed rules governing the cafés and is accepting public comments. We encourage you tocheck out the rules and weigh

What Will Happen to Office Drug Testing Post-Legalization? Cannabis Attorneys Weigh In

A group of cannabis attorneys and industry advocates participated in a recent Reddit AMA, or “Ask Me Anything,” in which notable figures or persons of interest make themselves available to answer questions submitted by Reddit users. The lawyers weighed in on a variety of topics, from boating with blunts to post-legalization workplace drug testing.

Here’s a recap of the AMA featuring the following participants from Gleam Law, which practices in Washington and Oregon:

• Representative Roger Goodman, a five term Washington state representative and a long-time drug policy reform advocate
• Mike Herron, managing attorney of the Oregon Gleam Law office and its primary corporate attorney
• Rachel Kurtz, drug policy reform advocate and policy wonk
• Ammon Ford, Gleam Law clerk who started the Cannabis Law Society (CLAW) at Seattle University School of Law

What does the future look like for office drug testing in the states where it has been legalized? Can people looking to get a job still be penalized for using a recreational and legal substance?

Gleam Law (Neil): While it is federally illegal, an employer can still discriminate against cannabis users, even if it is permitted by state law.

What do you think the most difficult obstacle will be in making cannabis into a commodity that is comparable with alcohol in terms of ease of distribution and regulation?

Gleam Law (Neil): The current issue is that the agencies are trying to adapt alcohol regulation to cannabis. It is not an easy application for numerous reasons. Unlike alcohol, which is based upon one (-OH) group with predictable effects, we don’t understand how or why different strains and different administration methods have different effects. Commodification is much more difficult with such a wide variation in the product/medicine.

Do you see federal legalization for recreational or medical purposes on the horizon? If so what sort of timeline for it happening do you approximate?

Gleam Law (Neil): It is definitely coming. It will be determined by the next president. We have an inter-office betting pool on when it will occur. There are few bets on less than 12 months.

How does patenting strains work? Is that a possibility, or can you copyright a name for your strain?

Gleam Law (Neil): Technically it is possible. Plant patents have two main requirements: Novel and Non-obvious. The hurdle to overcome here is the obviousness rejection. Simply crossing two known strains is obvious. One would want to find a variation that is substantially different and not an obvious variation to already existing strains.

I’ve heard anecdotally that states are struggling with marijuana from the legal market being diverted to the black market, where it can be sold while avoiding taxes or regulation. Do you actually see this a lot in your business, and do you think it is a major unaddressed problem with legalization?

Gleam Law (Mike): Diversion into the black market is always a concern for legitimate cannabis business. What gets talked about less is the concern for diversion into the legal market from the black market. If you are going to break the law either way, which makes more sense: produce at a lower cost in an unregulated/unlicensed grow, and then try to sell for much higher prices into the regulated market, or produce at a much higher cost on the regulated market and sell at a much lower cost on the black market?

But to say either type of diversion is unaddressed is a vast understatement. The Department of Justice issued the Cole Memorandum in 2014, outlining the key factors any state’s regulatory system needs to address in order for the DOJ to take a less “hands on” approach to enforcing federal drug laws in that state as they apply to marijuana. Oregon’s regulatory framework was created with these factors in mind. Seed-to-sale tracking is an important element of that system, but it is not the be-all, end-all of anti-diversion measures. At some point a self-policing element will enter the industry and those who are set on operating a legitimate, law abiding business will have a lot of incentive to ensure their competition is playing by the same rules. Prices will also continue to drop in the regulated market, placing additional competitive pressure on black market operations, but we have to give these things time to work.

Neil: In WA and OR, there are traceability systems in place to track the plant from seed-to-sale. This mitigates some of the risks. My worry is that if we overtax and over-regulate it, closet grows will persist and undermine the new regulatory system. To use the alcohol system as an analogy, we do not see basement distilleries causing any major issues.

In addition, legal regulated marijuana provides some benefits that black market does not – proper testing, proper labeling showing cannabinoid content, proof that the product is made without harmful chemicals, and infused products created in sanitary conditions, to name a few.

There was a study recently done by some group on how hard it is to determine how much THC is in one’s blood stream and how the effects of the THC vary from person to person. In your opinion, does this hinder or help the [cannabis] community, and what would the laws on the amounts look like in the future?

Gleam Law (Ammon): The difficulty of determining the THC content in the blood is coupled with the difficulty of determining how much THC renders the user “high,” for different people it is different.

This comes into play most in drugged driving cases. Here in Washington, it is illegal to drive while under the influence or affected by an intoxicating substance. Statutorily, this is satisfied if the driver has a blood THC content of 5 nanograms per milliliter or greater. In order to determine this, the police need to take a blood sample at the station and then present that evidence in court.

These can be very difficult to beat, but we know trial lawyers who have successfully beat these cases by relying on the weak science. 5ng in the blood doesn’t tell you when the driver smoked. It doesn’t tell you whether they were high while driving. it doesn’t tell you that they were impaired or affected by the drug. If there was no affect by the drug, then arguably the act was not illegal.

What does this mean the future of the industry? It means that the science will continue to get better and law enforcement will continue to get smarter. Hopefully, as everyone gets smarter we will also get safer.

Can I take a [cannabis] vape pen on a plane from CA to NV? I have a CA prescription. I don’t plan on bringing it home with me on the return flight. Just wondering if it [is] ok to take with me on the flight from CA or will law enforcement be waiting for me when I land in NV.

Gleam Law (Roger): You can certainly take a vape pen on a flight – but only WITHOUT the cannabis oil cartridge. Transporting cannabis in any form across state lines, as well as in airspace, is a federal crime. It is not likely that you will be federally prosecuted, especially for traveling between two cannabis-friendly states, but it’s still illegal at this point. Your vape pen, if detected, would probably just be confiscated – but there’s no guarantee…

Ammon: The vape pen itself is not illegal to transport across state lines because vape pens are not only used for cannabis, they’re also used for tobacco products. If it were used only for cannabis then it would qualify as prohibited “paraphernalia” under the Controlled Substances Act. Your CA prescription will not apply in NV unless NV law specifically honors MMJ authorizations from other states. Since we do not currently practice in NV we cannot definitively say what NV law permits [Leafly note: Nevada does accept out-of-state medical marijuana authorizations]. The cannabis oil/wax/shatter inside it is the controlled substance that should not be transported across state lines. Doing so is a federal felony that could result in serious and long-lasting legal problems for you.

How are dosage sizes determined and is that something that accounts nationally or just regionally?

Gleam Law (Neil): It is almost arbitrary. In Washington state, the dosage is 10mg, which is about right for most users. In Oregon, the dosage was just set at 5mg, which is probably a little low. We need more research into proper dosage sizes, which is difficult with the Controlled Substances Act.

Ammon: Dosages in Washington were determined by state law. A single dose is 10mg of THC. They determined this amount with the unwitting user in mind…they don’t anybody to suffer through a Maureen Dowd incident.

There has been a lot of controversy over how they determined this dosage. Many, especially MMJ patients, take much more than 10mg. How your body processes it depends on many factors, including how often you use, your body chemistry, weight, etc. But for the average user, limiting the doses limits the risk of overconsumption.

Are you allowed to take a boat out and smoke a blunt on the water without repercussion?

Gleam Law (Roger): We have an “open container” law in Washington which disallows smoking cannabis or possessing an opened package in the passenger compartment (I sponsored that bill – sorry). However, it does NOT apply to boats, so it is permitted to use cannabis while boating – as long as law enforcement does not believe you are impaired – which can get tricky.

Neil: Also, it depends on which waterways you are on. The Coast Guard enforces federal law.

Can people with Christian beliefs fight marijuana charges? In the Bible there’s a verse, Genesis 1:29: “Then God said, “Behold, I have given you every plant yielding seed that is on the surface of all the earth, and every tree which has fruit yielding seed; it shall be food for you.” Isn’t a marijuana arrest going against 1st amendment rights?

Gleam Law (Ammon): That would be a very interesting 1st Amendment Free Exercise of Religion case. You have a constitutional right to freely practice your religion, but that right is not absolute. The government may pass laws that limit religious practice only if that law is religiously neutral, applies generally to everyone, the government has a compelling purpose/interest for imposing the law, and the restrictions of that law are as narrow as feasibly possible to achieve that governmental purpose. If they satisfy this test then their reasoning only needs to be rational, even if you and I think it is BS.

Marijuana prohibition is not specific to any religion and applies uniformly to all people. Its purpose, to protect the public health from this “dangerous” drug, is legally rational even if it is factually wrong.

For comparison, take a look at the Supreme Court Case Employment Division v. Smith, where the court held that the state could deny unemployment benefits to a person because they tested positive for smoking peyote, despite the fact that they only smoked peyote as part of a religious ceremony.

My best guess is that courts would extend this reasoning to include marijuana prohibition even if it infringed on your free exercise of religion.

And finally, on a lighter note:

I for some stupid reason read the title as cannibal attorneys… so I don’t have any questions at the moment except.. how are you doing today?

Gleam Law: Hungry.

My Partner is Religious: How Do I Talk To Them About Cannabis?

Parker* is a 21-year old man who grew up in Utah in the Church of Latter Day Saints, and after having some medical issues that required treatment in California, he found that medical cannabis was a useful tool for managing his symptoms. Now Parker’s back in Utah and has to medicate in secret due to the stigma associated with cannabis use, which he feels is especially taboo due to his Mormon upbringing.

He started dating a young woman and hasn’t “come out” to her about his cannabis consumption. He asked me, “How do you bring up cannabis in a relationship where they might have a very different, if not extreme, point of view? Furthermore, how do you bring up stuff like this with close friends without accidentally destroying the pre-built relationship?”

These questions are complicated and multi-faceted. I reached out to a few people, including a writer, a budtender, and a friend who grew up in a conservative family, for their insight. First, you might want to check out Leafly’s suggestions on how to disclose your cannabis consumption to a family member, as many of the strategies are applicable in this scenario.

Shape Your Approach

The second step comes from H.D. Roslin, writer and communication ninja. She suggests beginning with a personal inventory by asking yourself the following:

• What motivates the desire to share this aspect of your life with this person? In what ways do you envision it serving you?
• If they respond in ways that are not charitable, are you prepared for that and have supports in place?
• Could their rejection harm you in any way?

After answering Roslin’s questions for yourself, you may find that cannabis is not actually a subject you want to broach with this person, which is an entirely valid choice.

Listen to Your Partner

If the answers to these questions positively reinforce your decision to broach the subject, Roslin advises, “[The listening phase] is crucial. What do you need or want from them? Open with that, explicitly. Be prepared for either response (positive or negative), and accept their response as certain the first time–in other words, don’t keep revisiting the subject on multiple occasions hoping they’ll change their mind. Allow them to express their needs and preferences regarding your private use if they have any (e.g., “Please don’t come to dates with me high,” or “Don’t bring substances into our sex life”). Honor those preferences, or if you are unwilling to do so, terminate the relationship or your cannabis use.”

For more on creating relationship agreements with a non-cannabis using partner, check out my article on navigating discordant cannabis use in intimate relationships.

Honesty is the Best Policy

I also spoke with Andrew Mieure from Top Shelf Budtending, who suggests being as honest as possible. “Make sure to tell them that you are medicating and that it isn’t just to be ‘high.’ Talk about your accomplishments and how cannabis has helped you achieve them. Perhaps show data supporting cannabis use as a positive thing, share a story, or put them in contact with other patients who can explain it better than you could. Sometimes a support network can go a long way.”

Mieure brings up a great point here–social proof is a powerful convincer, so being able to cite studies, articles about public figures, or even just a mutual friend who is a cannabis consumer can go a long way toward normalizing it. You could even use some of the tenants of Christianity (or the applicable religion) to support your position. Mieure shared his insights gleaned from coming out to his Christian family members, noting, “Having a Christian upbringing, you could argue the fact of ‘every seed’ being used for humanity from the Book of Genesis. Once I was able to get that off of my chest and stopped hiding it, it started to become normal, even around them.”

Don’t Be Afraid to Be Picky

The final option, and the one I choose to employ in my own dating life, is to select partners based at least in part on their willingness to accept the part that cannabis plays in my life. I have a “potential deal breakers” conversation on my first date with a prospective partner. Some may suggest waiting longer, but the first date has always worked best for me. Getting things out on the table up front saves time and reduces the chances that Person A starts to develop feelings, only to find out that the Person B has made lifestyle choices that the Person A cannot abide.

Have you ever come out to a partner about your cannabis use? How did you approach the conversation?

Got a sex, relationships, or intimacy dating question for Ashley Manta? Send it to tips@nullleafly.com and we may address your request in a future article! (Don’t worry, we’ll keep your queries anonymous.)

*Name changed upon request

IRS Agent Sentenced to 2 1/2 Years for $20K Bribe From Cannabis Company

A dramatic story on the complicated relationship between the IRS and cannabis businesses came to a conclusion Friday when former Internal Revenue Service agent Paul G. Hurley was sentenced to two and a half years in prison for accepting a bribe from a cannabis company last summer.

Hurley was working for the IRS, running a routine audit on Have a Heart Compassion Care in July 2015. Hurley worked with owner Ryan Kunkel to ensure that all of the company’s taxes were in order. He determined that Kunkel owed the IRS $292,175.41 for fiscal years 2013–2014.

The amount was much higher than it would be for a non-cannabis business due to IRS tax code section 280E, which doesn’t allow businesses that deal with a federally illegal substance to write off major business expenses.

The audit seemed cut and dried.

Afterwards, Hurley and Kunkel stepped outside to smoke cigarettes. That, according to court testimony, is when Hurley mentioned that he’d saved Kunkel “over a million dollars,” and that he himself was living paycheck to paycheck. Hurley implied that he deserved a kickback by rubbing his fingers together in the universal hand gesture for cash.

Kunkel was taken aback, but agreed to pay Hurley $20,000, out of fear that he would otherwise lose his business.

The deeper Kunkel became embroiled in the situation, the more nervous he became that he was being set up. He contacted a lawyer and eventually the U.S. Attorney’s office. At that point the FBI got involved. Kunkel arranged to hand off an envelope of cash while under video and audio surveillance.

Hurley was charged with soliciting and receiving a bribe. He was acquitted of the more serious charge, soliciting, but was convicted of receiving a bribe.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office sought a seven-year prison term. Hurley’s defense team requested a one-year term.

U.S. District Judge John C. Coughenour chose a middle-of-the-road sentence of 30 months, calling Hurley’s crime “a tremendous breach of public trust,” as well as “an affront to the United States, the IRS and all law-abiding tax payers.”

Have a Heart Compassion Care continues to serve patients and recreational customers at seven locations throughout Washington, with another recreational shop opening soon in Seattle’s Belltown neighborhood.

City Attorney Halts SpeedWeed Operations in L.A., but is the Delivery Service Done?

As part of an ongoing effort to eradicate medical cannabis delivery services, the city of Los Angeles on Friday announced it has secured the closure of one of the region’s largest operators, SpeedWeed.

According to a press release issued by City Attorney Mike Feuer’s office, the company and its officers have entered into a judicially enforced agreement to shutter their operations on June 6.

But while Feuer’s presser talks of “the shutdown of SpeedWeed,” it’s not clear the setback to the company is so sweeping. Court documents suggest it will cease operations only within Los Angeles city limits — just one piece of its broader Southern California territory. SpeedWeed claims to serve more than 25,000 customers across Los Angeles and Orange counties.

The city’s success in curbing SpeedWeed’s local operations, however, has other delivery services nervous. In February, Feuer announced his intention to root out and close the businesses, which the city maintains are illegal under Proposition D, a controversial local zoning measure adopted in 2013 to limit the number of dispensaries in the city.

SpeedWeed is the second delivery service to formally halt its L.A. operations in response to Feuer’s crackdown. In March another delivery company, Nestdrop, failed to overturn a lower court’s ruling that barred it from operating in the city. A handful of other services have received letters from city officials warning them to close.

“This is another successful step in our sustained effort to uphold the voters’ will under Proposition D,” Feuer said in a statement Friday.

Delivery services nationwide have boomed in recent years, nearly tripling between 2012 and 2015, according to California Lawyer magazine. In Southern California, where many cities have used zoning laws to ban storefront dispensaries, some dispensaries have reopened as delivery services in an effort to skirt enforcement.

SpeedWeed was founded in 2011 by A.J. Gentile, according to the L.A. Times, which notes that Gentile “studied operation manuals for Domino’s Pizza, Papa John’s Pizza and FedEx. He learned how to build a network of hubs to limit the amount of marijuana or cash that any one driver carries, a precaution against robbery.”

A person who answered SpeedWeed’s main phone line on Friday declined to comment for this story. A call to Jenna Schuck, chief operating officer of Aquarius Cannabis, which announced last month that it had agreed to buy SpeedWeed, wasn’t immediately returned.

The Shake: NYT Discovers Dabbing and Colorado Cops Crack Down on Craigslist Sales

New York Times discovers dabbing, cowers in fear. It’s becoming all too common: East Coast media outlet discovers a new “super potent” drug called shatter, investigates by quoting a police official and DEA agent, then publishes some shocking exposé. We reported on the phenomenon back in January, when a flurry of alarming reports hit TV stations in New Jersey. Sadly, it continues. Today’s New York Times contains an atrocious bit of Reefer Madness that hits all the classic drug-war tropes. When reporter Sarah Maslin Nir “discovers” high school students vaping some wax on Fifth Avenue in Manhattan, she investigates and finds that the substance they’re inhaling is “a potent and little-studied drug made from distilled marijuana,” one that has caused medical experts to “raise alarms,” because it “could pose unknown health risks.” The NYPD reports that they have no records of their officers encountering the drug, but federal officials are on the case! “We monitor any type of new twist on drug use in order to warn the public of its danger,” says the local DEA special agent.

This isn’t just bad reporting. It’s offensive and embarrassing. Cannabis extracts have been widely known, and legally sold elsewhere for years. Why not quote an expert from one of New York State’s legal MMJ dispensaries? Or anybody at all who knows the first thing about extracts? The kicker was Nir’s use of students from an elite private boarding school, which plays into one of the worst media stereotypes — the idea that some new moral panic is newsworthy only when it affects the privileged children of the wealthy. Underage use of cannabis in any form is not OK, cool, or legal. But Nir’s use of those kids to stir up old fears about demon drugs manages to be at once naïve and cynical. If this sort of junk journalism dealt with politics or business, it wouldn’t be allowed in the NYT. The same standards should apply for cannabis, Editor Dean Baquet.

Cannabis industry leaders lobby Congress. Reps. Earl Blumenauer, Ed Perlmutter, and Denny Heck joined the National Cannabis Industry Association for a press conference yesterday kicking off the NCIA’s annual two-day lobbying effort. Let’s get after that 280E problem, folks!

Baltimore Ravens player donates $80,000 for cannabis research. Eugene Monroe, left tackle for the Ravens, made the donation to researchers at Johns Hopkins and the University of Pennsylvania to study the impact of cannabinoid therapies on current and retired NFL players.

New Jersey still arresting a lot of people for cannabis. Like, a lot of people — 24,689 in 2014, according to the latest statistics. “Of all the crimes listed in the State Police’s Uniform Crime Report, none resulted in more arrests than marijuana possession in 2014,” reports New Jersey 101.5.

Colorado cops cracking down on Craigslist sales. Hey, Colorado, you’ve got the world’s greatest legal cannabis system, with hundreds of beautiful stores. So why are you selling and buying on Craigslist? Colorado police are wondering too — and they’re starting to arrest people for it. So cut it out.

Coconuts: How not to smuggle 1,423 pounds of cannabis. Earlier this year we brought you news of the misguided attempt to smuggle cannabis across the Mexican border inside a truckload of broccoli. Having failed with the green super-vegetable, smugglers have moved on to other food products. Like coconuts. Hollowed and stuffed. Those didn’t work either.

What Would Actually Happen if the DEA Rescheduled Cannabis?

In a 25-page memo to Congress last month, the DEA quietly announced it would make a determination on whether to reschedule cannabis from Schedule I — drugs the DEA considers as having high potential for abuse and no medical value — to a lower schedule. Since the announcement, cannabis advocates have been celebrating at the prospect of the federal government finally acknowledging what the medical community and patients have known for years: cannabis has therapeutic value and should not be classified alongside heroin as one of the most dangerous drugs known to mankind.

The wild-eyed optimism, however, of many pro-cannabis advocates could use a reality check. First, given the fact this is hardly the first time we’ve been down this path with the DEA, how likely is it that the DEA will finally embrace science and popular support? Second, if the DEA does decide to reclassify cannabis, what impact will its decision possibly have?

How Likely is a Cannabis Rescheduling?

Contrary to what has been popularly reported in the media, the DEA memo gave no indication as to how likely it would be that it would reschedule cannabis. The administration only stated it had received the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) scheduling recommendation and that it “hopes to release [its] determination in the first half of 2016.”

And, if anything should give us pause for unbridled enthusiasm, it’s acting DEA head Chuck Rosenberg’s famous proclamation last November that “the notion marijuana is also medicinal” is a “joke.”

Despite the fact the DEA has ignored the advice of the medical and scientific communities, and even its own administrative judges, numerous times over the last 40 years, Wall Street analyst and managing director of GreenWave Advisors, Matt Karnes, is optimistic:

“I believe the current petition to reclassify cannabis stands a much better chance than previous efforts, because medicinal cannabis has overwhelming support, not only from the public, but from politicians on both sides of the aisle and the science and medical communities. There’s too much inertia for the DEA not to reschedule.”

Bill Piper, Senior Director of National Affairs at the Drug Policy Alliance, is cautiously optimistic, and says, “I believe at the very least, the DEA will reschedule non-psychoactive CBD — if not remove it from scheduling altogether, and chances are good that they will also reschedule THC.” But, Piper cautions that while rescheduling would be a logical move on the part of the DEA, “it doesn’t solve the conflict between the states and federal government. De-scheduling would be ideal, but ultimately what we need is overall reform of the [antiquated], non-scientific scheduling system.”

What Impact Would Rescheduling Cannabis Have?

As Piper noted, ideally the DEA would de-schedule cannabis (like alcohol and tobacco), or reschedule at Schedule III or lower. However, given the DEA’s history, neither of those options are probable. If the DEA does move forward in the right direction, chances are it will proceed cautiously and move cannabis to Schedule II. Schedule II drugs are considered “dangerous” and having a “high potential for abuse, with use potentially leading to severe psychological or physical dependence.” Basically, cannabis would join an elite group of substances that includes OxyContin, cocaine, and methamphetamine, which, while potentially “dangerous,” have “medical value.”

While classifying cannabis along with drugs that claim tens of thousands of lives every year in North America may seem absurd — and it is — it would be a step in the right direction. Below is what rescheduling likely would or would not do:

Research

Cannabis research on human subjects would become easier. Currently, researchers must navigate an onerous bureaucratic system that since 2010 has approved on average just eight to nine cannabis studies per year. And, many people complain that the approval process is biased towards anti-cannabis studies.

Rescheduling, however, would not remove all barriers to research that are afforded to other clinical drug studies that would be required for cannabis products to become approved by the FDA. The DEA and National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) have a monopoly on cannabis production. Critics argue that the monopoly limits supply; predictably, the DEA disagrees.

Criminal Justice

Contrary to popular belief, rescheduling doesn’t automatically ease federal criminal penalties, nor would it make the manufacture, possession, or distribution of marijuana legal. Patients and caregivers could still be prosecuted and their assets seized. However, according to attorney and drug policy reformer Luke Zimmerman, Esq., “If the DEA reschedules cannabis, it would send a powerful message to law enforcement and the courts in many of the more conservative municipalities, and that could result in more clemency and broader policy reform.”

Business

Rescheduling cannabis would solve the tax and banking issues cannabis businesses face. Currently, IRS rule 280(e) prohibits business from deducting most expenses. Likewise, the banking industry has been reticent to work with cannabis businesses, compelling much of the industry to operate only in cash.

Medical Community

Arguably, one of the most significant changes — and one that has been rarely discussed in the media — is that physicians would be legally permitted to prescribe cannabis. Under current law, because Schedule I drugs “technically” have no medical value, doctors are prohibited from prescribing them. This is why doctors in states where medical marijuana is legal will only issue recommendations, rather than prescriptions.

Bottom line: rescheduling marijuana would be a step in the right direction towards adopting a more sensible regulatory framework while expanding safe access to cannabis for patients who can benefit. Further, that the federal government has finally officially acknowledged cannabis’s medical value would be a significant victory. However, rescheduling is simply an incremental step in the fight; ultimately, we need to take a hard look at our current drug laws and move towards broader and more comprehensive reforms.

Cannabis Regulation in the Wild West: The San Jose Takeaway

How tough is it for cities to craft workable dispensary regulations? Consider the conundrum in San Jose, California.

The de facto capital of Silicon Valley struggled for years to create a system to regulate medical cannabis within its borders. Now, after exhaustive negotiations among local officials, industry representatives, and members of the public, the city finally has one in place. It requires stringent product testing and police inspections, establishes a strict vertical-integration system unlike anywhere else in the state, and limits the city to 16 total dispensaries.

And in less than a month, it could all come crashing down.

Measure C, a city ballot initiative set for June 7, would undo the hard work that dispensary operators and local lawmakers have put into building a workable system in a state where the Legislature has historically offered little guidance to municipalities. Critics of the current regulations complain the system shortchanges the needs of patients. After all, they say, San Jose’s 1 million citizens make up America’s tenth largest city. Denver has two-thirds the population and 25 times the number of shops. Measure C would address that by allowing a virtually unlimited number of dispensaries in most parts of the city.

San Jose could have banned dispensaries altogether, but it didn’t. Instead, city officials created regulations meant to shield dispensaries from the federal raids that have plagued access points in other municipalities.

“There’s no doubt that just banning it was by far the easiest way to deal with the issue,” former San Jose Mayor Chuck Reed said in a recent interview with Leafly. “Most cities say, ‘We’ll just wait for the state to figure it out, and we’ll ban it in the meantime.’” That’s exactly what happened throughout most of Silicon Valley.

Consider this: For the majority of the two decades that medical marijuana has been tolerated in California, nobody knew for sure whether storefront dispensaries were even legal. State law said only that patients could associate “collectively or cooperatively,” not that they could give money to a store employee in exchange for products made by yet another business. It was a matter left to the courts, and judges had a broad range of interpretations.

Facing the threat lawsuits as well as the looming watch of federal authorities, who would eventually launch a coordinated crackdown on the state’s cannabis businesses and end up shuttering hundreds, cities across the state threw up their hands and enacted bans on dispensaries. Some ordinances were successfully challenged, but most stuck.

In San Jose, the City Council voted multiple times on a ban, but it never had the numbers to adopt one. In the meantime, storefront dispensaries multiplied. Beginning in 2011, city officials pushed various ordinances to cap the number of shops, but for years they failed. “We struggled,” Reed said. “We struggled and struggled.” An estimated 120 dispensaries operated across the city at one point, all in a legal gray area.

“Six, seven years ago, we were really behind,” Greg Brodick, who manages Haze dispensary in San Jose, said of the city’s situation. “It was just a free-for-all.”

Finally, in 2014, Reed’s final year as mayor, he and others at City Hall wrangled an ordinance past the finish line. By today’s standards, it was a bit of an odd duck. It required every registered dispensary to be vertically integrated — in other words, every shop had to grow their own flower, infuse their own edibles, extract their own concentrates, and so on. Pretty much everything needed to be done in-house.

Reed, a practicing lawyer, said the unusual design of the regulatory scheme was driven by guidance from the U.S. Department of Justice, which had issued a memo aimed at clarifying federal enforcement efforts in states that had legalized medical cannabis. Both the city and dispensary operators had a stake in “keeping the federal government out of our business,” he said.

“Remember, we’re dealing with the federal government. You’ve got to control this stuff all the way through the process,” Reed explained. “The best way to control it is to have a vertically integrated system.”

The new law did more than just set up strict vertical integration. It also set rules for zoning and inspections, an effort to demonstrate to the feds a “strong and effective regulatory system,” Reed said. Perhaps most important, it set a cap on dispensaries: Today, only 16 storefronts operate with the city’s blessing.

Those 16 dispensaries have scrambled to come into compliance with some of the most onerous local regulatory schemes in legal cannabis. They’ve courted investors for millions of dollars and engaged in elaborate construction projects to house commercial kitchens and extraction equipment.

They did so somewhat begrudgingly. “There’s not a single industry in the world that requires retail business to manufacture all their products,” said Brodick at Haze. “What they tried to do was remove vendors entirely.” If you had a favorite chocolate bar available elsewhere in the state, San Jose’s ordinance meant it couldn’t be sold in the city — not legally, at least.

One of the dispensaries that struggled hardest to follow the new rules was Airfield Supply Co. Marc Matulich, who founded the collective in 2010, said it’s cost about $2.9 million to bring the storefront into compliance.

“We had to find a building that was, at a minimum, 20,000 square feet,” he said. “All the zoning stuff limited available real estate to maybe about 1 percent of the city, and with all the landlords to deal with, there were only a handful of properties that would work.”

Airfield found a building and, in December 2014, won zoning approval from the city. The vertical-integration deadline was set to take effect the coming July. “They basically gave us seven months to do a complete gut and remodel and try to be fully vertically compliant.”

In the meantime, the city worked to slowly shutter the unregistered dispensaries. Reed, despite no longer being mayor, has worked to protect his hard-won regulations, and he keeps close tabs on developments. Today, he estimates the city has just a dozen or so illegal businesses, including both storefronts and delivery services.

“Looking back on it, I think it was worth the effort,” Reed said, “because now we have a system that’s in place and will serve us well.”

Well, unless it doesn’t.

Critics of Reed’s elaborate regulatory scheme say its 16-dispensary ceiling fails to offer patients adequate access to medicine. Attorney James Anthony, the lead proponent of Measure C, said in his official argument for the measure that San Jose should have at least as many shops as Denver, a smaller city, which counts upward of 400.

Measure C, which voters will weigh in on come June 7, would lift the current cap. It would also undo zoning rules, allowing dispensaries to locate more freely across the city — “including near public schools,” warns the local Mercury News editorial board in its argument against the measure.

Anthony didn’t respond to phone and email messages seeking comment, but he told San Jose Inside that Measure C’s passage would mean the currently registered dispensaries “would compete in a more competitive market against mom-and-pop dispensaries.”

“They’ve become part of the establishment,” he said. Anthony also told the paper, “I don’t think any of them would be too brokenhearted if Measure C does pass.”

That’s a position some of the registered dispensaries take issue with. Matulich, at Airfield, called Measure C “a threat to medical cannabis access within our city.” Deregulating the market, he said, “invites federal intervention.”

“Right now our medicine is tested,” he continued. “We’re inspected by the police department. There’s a lot of checks and balances.

“If Measure C passes, we will lose a lot of that compliance and oversight, which in the end is bad for patients because there will be less accountability.”

Skeptics counter that the licensed dispensaries stand to profit from the exclusive arrangement, but Brodick, at Haze, said the existing regulations are about more than the number of dispensaries in town. The strict standards are also an opportunity to show observers in San Jose and around the country that cannabis can be a legitimate industry and finally shed its longtime stigma. “When it eventually does go recreational in California,” he said, “I want it to be a positive thing, not a negative thing.”

Brodick and others also pointed out that while San Jose’s 16 dispensaries might seem scant compared to the 400-plus in Denver, the city of Oakland, Calif. — roughly half San Jose’s population — currently caps its number of dispensaries at eight. And even that didn’t manage to help dodge the hammer of federal authorities: Oakland and its largest dispensary only last week managed to escape a four-year legal attack by U.S. Attorney Melinda Haag.

Here’s what might be the most interesting part of the whole story: As the situation on the ground has changed, cities like Oakland and San Jose have revised their local ordinances. Oakland this month moved to raise its dispensary cap, allowing up to eight more shops per year as well as delivery services in a bid to become the cannabis capital of California.

San Jose is also showing signs of compromise, and that has business owners like Matulich optimistic. “Now that we’ve come into compliance, there’s an open dialogue” with the city, he said. “It’s a joint effort to improve the system.”

Brodick noted how many other cities have opted to enact bans rather than work with dispensaries. “Cities like Oakland, San Francisco, San Jose, Santa Cruz — people should feel very lucky that these towns have even accepted this,” he said. “We’re all still just learning what’s going to work and what’s not going to work. I give kudos to the city of San Jose for allowing this to happen.”

San Jose has already been responsive to registered dispensaries’ concerns over tight deadlines for complying with vertical-integration requirements. And Reed, who’s still keeping watch over his regulations, said those requirements will likely ease now that state lawmakers have finally passed more comprehensive laws around medical cannabis, establishing a complicated system of licenses and other mandates. The changes allow cities such as San Jose to keep their existing regulations, but Reed said the fact a statewide system will finally exist means local laws can be revised more freely without fear of federal intervention.

And if California passes an adult-use legalization measure this fall? “There’s always been a potential ballot measure on recreational use waiting in the wings. That was part of our thinking in doing this,” said Reed, more a pragmatist than a friend of cannabis. “If the state decides in November that you don’t need a medical recommendation to use marijuana, I think our system will work fine.”

Until clarification from state lawmakers finally came, California was widely seen as the Wild West of cannabis. While it was the first state to legalize, it’s also emerged as the most chaotic. San Jose, lacking guidance, tried to plot its own course. But the severity of its early regulations are now fueling a backlash that could undo the whole system.

Reed said he stands by the years of effort, regardless of what happens in coming months. “I think it was the right thing to do,” he said.

Matulich, an outspoken critic of the city’s early efforts to rein in dispensaries, now agrees with his former rival. “Nothing’s ever perfect the first time around,” he said. “I guess a part of the message is, it’s in everyone’s best interest to start with something, even though it’s not perfect.”

Congresswoman Lee Joins National Cannabis Industry Association’s Press Conference

Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee joined several of her colleagues and members of the National Cannabis Industry Association (NCIA) for a press conference on Capitol Hill demanding respect for state laws and fairness for the industry. She prepared this statement: “Today, I’m pleased to join my colleagues and the National Cannabis Industry Association in making one

US CA: Column: The Age Of Cannabis Money In Politics

SF Weekly, 12 May 2016 – If the Mission District manifested its own member of Congress – and if this representative were a he in his late 60s – he would look exactly like Earl Blumenauer. A mix of Bernie Sanders and Bill Nye the Science Guy, decked out in a bright-patterned bow-tie and plaid-checked sportcoat – and with a bicycle lapel pin – Blumenauer cut a natty, professor-like figure as we shared coffee on the patio of a Sixth Street cafe (a phrase that still feels unreal to type).

PGT #299-Return of the Godfather

Hosted by attorney Michael Komorn from Komorn Law and Chad from Birmingham Compassion   Contributions from Rick Thompson from The Compassion Chronicles-also providing the news, and show producer Jamie Lowell from the Third Coast Dispensary in Ypsilanti The Godfather Returns   The Godfather Returns to PGT The godfather of Marijuana in Michigan returns to the […]

S 02, Ep. 05 – He ran the Marijuana Enforcement Division; He runs it now

Published: May 12, 2016, 3:24 pm • Updated: May 12, 2016, 3:24 pm By Vincent Chandler, The Cannabist Staff Featured guests: Colorado Department of Revenue deputy senior director of enforcement (and former Marijuana Enforcement Division director) Lewis Koski and current Marijuana Enforcement Division director Jim Burack. Podcast: Play in new window | Download LOTS TO […]

Marijuana use in pregnancy is major risk for pre-term birth

For the first time, science has shown a direct link between continued marijuana use during pregnancy and pre-term birth. The results show that once all other major risk factors have been accounted for, continued marijuana use through to 20 weeks’ gestation is independently associated with a five-fold increase in the risk of pre-term birth.

Washington State Faces No Cannabis Crop Shortfall, Say UW Researchers

A new study released by the Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board in conjunction with the Cannabis Law and Policy Project (CLPP) at the University of Washington found that the current amount of cannabis grown by state-licensed producers should be enough to satisfy the demand for both the medical and recreational markets.

In other words: No product shortage in your future, Washington state.

The study was commissioned by the WSLCB to determine if the square footage of “grow canopy” allotted to currently licensed cannabis producers will be enough to supply the medical market as it’s absorbed into the state’s retail system. The UW researchers estimate that between 1.7 million and 2 million square feet of grow canopy is needed to satisfy the medical cannabis market. The total grow canopy approved by the WSLCB is currently 12.3 million square feet and, according to the report, is enough to supply the state’s entire cannabis demand.

By the numbers:

• Of the 343 licensed retail cannabis stores, 81 percent sought medical marijuana endorsements.
• There were 273 medical marijuana dispensaries in Washington as of January 2016.
• Medical marijuana dispensaries must obtain a state license or close by July 1, 2016.
• Dispensaries sell an average of 9.55 pounds of cannabis flower per month.
• The average medical price per gram is less than $10.
  • Raw cannabis flower comprises 60 percent of all dispensary sales.
  • Concentrates make up 22 percent of sales.
  • Edibles represent 18 percent of sales.
• The potential market value of 10 million square feet of grow canopy is more than $8 billion.

CLPP Executive Director Sam Mendez and UW law professor Sean O’Connor authored the report along with five UW law students: Ada Danelo, Harry Fukano, Kyle Johnson, Chad Law, and Daniel Shortt.

Leafly spoke with Shortt, a third-year law student and a member of the Cannabis Law & Policy Project, about how to interpret the report.

“This is an ever-changing market. It’s hard to say at one given time how many dispensaries there are, because they could be closing their doors as we speak,” he said, explaining the challenges of trying to compile precise data in such a dynamic environment. “It’s more of a snapshot. That’s just the nature of monitoring a gray market.”

Asked about estimating the amount of cannabis needed for concentrates and edibles, one of the more difficult estimations in the report, Shortt noted that “This is an industry where not everyone is operating on an equal playing field.”

“If you have a sophisticated, well-run business that’s doing extractions or doing edibles, they’re going to have a different output and different methods of extracting cannabis. Just like not all car manufacturers are the same — some cars are better than others — I think that’s true of the cannabis industry. It’s difficult to figure out, and that’s why we used things like estimates to piece it together. There’s just so many factors.”

Shortt wanted to ensure that those reading the report are aware of its intentions.

“I think the report speaks for itself and is pretty clear, but this is not the end-all, be-all. There are more steps before any of this becomes law or regulations,” he said. “This is just an estimate.”

NYPD’s ‘200 Pounds of Marijuana’ Tweet Inspires Critical Backlash

Police departments around the country have discovered the PR value of Twitter. A lot of cops are fond of posting trophy pics, especially when it comes to cannabis.

So it wasn’t too surprising when the New York Police Department’s 62nd Precinct, based in Brooklyn’s Bensonhurst neighborhood, put up a shot of the booty from a weed bust yesterday.

“Ever wonder what 200 lbs of marijuana looks like? Nice arrests & recovery today by narcotics unit today in the 62,” posted @NYPD62Pct.

The photo showed a table piled high with dozens of gallon-size zip-loc baggies filled with cannabis.

Ever wonder what 200 lbs of marijuana looks like? Nice arrests & recovery today by narcotics unit today in the 62 pic.twitter.com/qEe5pxFSBo

— NYPD 62nd Precinct (@NYPD62Pct) May 12, 2016

Hah-hah, nice one, NYPD62Pct.

Except here’s the thing. Two hundred pounds of cannabis translates into 3,200 ounces, or 89,600 grams. So at current market prices, that “recovery” represents around $1.1 million in legal, state-licensed product in Washington, Oregon, and Colorado.

Here’s what that would support in those legal states:

• A full time farming operation (200 pounds will fetch $250,000 to $350,000 wholesale in a legal market), which supports the farmer and his or her family, farm staff, trimmers, curing staff, packagers, administrators, and local supply stores.
• One month of operations at a fully staffed, state-licensed retail store. That includes store owner, manager, budtenders, compliance officials and security staff.
• Roughly $407,000 in state taxes in Washington State, or $308,000 in Colorado. That money goes to build new schools, hire police officers, staff drug-education programs. Tax revenue has also paid for new sidewalks in Pueblo County and helped fund a new recreation center in Denver.

The point was not missed by followers of @NYPD62Pct. If the 62 thought its tweet would inspire attaboys from the locals, it was sorely mistaken. Among the replies:

• “Medicinal cannabis oil cured my brain cancer so this really must stop”
• “Cannabis is safe in Colorado, California, Oregon, Washington, Alaska, DC…NY must have scary dangerous ‘reefer’”
• “Disgraceful. These resources should be directed toward meth/heroin enforcement, not harassing cannabis users.”
• “I’d add this is absolutely not freedom. Shameful, and shameful you would gloat about this arrest on Twitter.”
• “What a waste of taxpayer money.”
• “200 pounds of pain relief for #ChronicPain sufferers.”

Word to Capt. Anthony V. Sanseverino, commanding officer of the 62: Your citizens believe their tax dollars could be put to much better use.

Berlin’s Cannabis Coffeeshop is Rejected but Inspires German Legalization Movement

Chances are you’ve seen media reports on a cannabis coffeeshop opening up in Germany’s capital, Berlin. While the idea is widely debated, it’s still a long way from being realized. The good news is that more German cities are joining in and developing their own plans for how to regulate cannabis.

“Hasch, Gras, Koks [hash, grass, cocaine] — what do you need?” This is a common refrain you’ll hear in the “Görli,” or the Görlitzer Park, in Berlin’s alternative district of Kreuzberg-Friedrichshain.

While such offers may be enticing to clubbers on their way home from a weekend of partying, or to frustrated medical cannabis patients looking in desperation for supplies, it’s definitely not what city officials want to hear. Which is why the German Hemp Association (DHV) has suggested a different approach to cannabis regulation in the area: opening a Dutch-style coffeeshop right in Görlitzer Park.

It would be a big change from past precedent. Back in 2013, a girl found a package of cocaine in the children’s playground there, and since then things have only gotten worse. That’s despite Berlin’s minister for domestic affairs adopting a new zero-tolerance measure, which punishes possession of any amount of cannabis in the park.

Just a few steps off the Görli, you get only a written warning if caught with less than 15 grams (about half an ounce) of cannabis. So street dealing has shifted to nearby streets and to the underground metro station. The Berlin government and other voices jawboned for more police, more surveillance and even a neighborhood watch. In short, the first instinct was more repression.

But officials, activists and the citizenry eventually recognized that chasing away the peddlers will only drive the problem to a new location. This mechanism is known as the waterbed effect: Push down a phenomenon in one place, and it will pop up somewhere else. It was this realization that led to local officials to the coffeeshop idea.

District Mayor Monika Herrmann, from the left-wing Green Party, picked up the idea to have adult-use cannabis sales regulated on the municipal level, proposing a trial-opening of a coffeeshop directly adjacent to Görli. After several meetings with drug addiction and prevention experts, representatives from the youth welfare and the DHV, the district government worked out an application. When it was announced, national and international media jumped on the news, simplifying it into a message of “Berlin will open a coffeeshop.” But a district or municipal government cannot influence federal drug laws, and the application for the regulated cannabis sales in Berlin was rejected.

The Plan Behind the Plan

Of course, Hermann was realistic enough to anticipate the rejection. But she kept encouraging other cities or even states to follow her example. The result? A growing coalition of towns and municipalities across Germany are now calling for a fact-based approach to drug policy and for federal institutions to give local administrations leeway in setting public-health policy goals.

Shortly after the Berlin application was announced, Frankfurt, Düsseldorf, Münster, the District of Hamburg-Altona, and Cologne’s city district decided to work out their own applications. The city of Bremen is going one step further. Alongside a coffeeshop trial, the city’s governing coalition of Social Democrats and Greens wants to decriminalize home cultivation for personal use and adopt a more liberal DUI measure. German consumers currently lose their driver’s license with as little as 1 nanogram of THC in their system. In other countries or U.S. states where cannabis is legal and regulated, the standard value is generally 5 ng.

Change takes time. The introduction of heroin-assisted treatment for longtime addicts in 2009 would have been impossible without the first successful pilot projects in the city of Frankfurt almost 20 years ago. The Frankfurt experiments succeeded because they were supported by local communities after numerous previous failures. They eventually led to a federal law and a significant drop in the number of heroin-related deaths in Germany. The Kreuzberg-Friedrichshain coffeeshop trial follows the same tactic: the more cities join in, the earlier it can be implemented.

The Social Democratic Party (SPD), Germany’s second biggest political party, holds the key to change. On a local and state level, the SPD has started to rethink its zero-tolerance stance on recreational cannabis, but it remains inflexible on the federal level. Since regulation of cannabis is an increasingly popular topic, the party could benefit from using it in the next federal election campaign, in 2017. State elections in Berlin, Bremen, and Thüringen have shown that cannabis no longer scares voters off. These days, the opposite is true.

What Cannabis Strains Do Women Like? Our Readers Weigh In

If you recall, recently I explored the increase in women exploring cannabis strains and products and shared both growth trends and some insights as to which types of strains they may find appealing. My completely unscientific findings sparked a fantastic debate in the comments, with women weighing in and sharing their go-to strains. Some pointed out that the data I highlighted isn’t very accurate because it only indicates which strains women are looking at, not purchasing. I completely agree — perusing a strain’s details page doesn’t necessarily mean that’s what you’re consuming, but it does show interest, which led to some speculative leaps in logic on my part.

My previous article wasn’t meant to boil down all women’s preferences to CBD strains or sativas with uplifting, anti-anxiety effects and sweet, fruity flavors; rather, my colleagues and I noticed some interesting patterns in our analytics that we felt were compelling enough to share and discuss. And discuss you did! Below is a summary of your feedback and reactions:

“Yes, We Do Love Sativa Strains!”

“I [have hypothyroidism] now too since having radiation therapy for being hyper. I cannot smoke anything but sativa strains because indica just makes me feel groggy and tired.” – Linda Vee Sado

“I like sativa the best. It gives me much energy, puts me in a great mood and it doesn’t give me the munchies!!!!!!!” – Christina Ervin Bailey

“I am a sativa girl myself. Indica just makes me feel groggy and puts me to sleep. When I scroll thru what is available I always bypass all indica. I am hypothyroid though and wonder if that affects anything since your metabolism is so slow.” – Linda Vee Sado

“I’m a 50 year old woman, and smoking for a few decades now. I need energy, happiness, and the ability to get things done. These [sativa] strains help me accomplish it all, with a smile on my face.” – Jacquline Mitchell

“I always gravitate to the sativa strains.” – Holly Martin

“Can’t bear indicas unless [I have] trouble sleeping.” – Margo MacFarlane

Sativa Strains Suggested by Female Leafly Readers:

“Are You Crazy? We’re Indica Lovers!”

“I am a woman with anxiety and I always go for the relaxing indica strains.” – Samantha Killheffer

“…the article is completely missing mention of strains best suited for nighttime. An uplifting, creative, happy flower can put a bright spin on the day but if I had to [choose], I would never give up the pain relieving, body relaxing, insomnia fighting effects of certain indica leaning strains.” – Haley Ensley

“I am a chronic pain sufferer, and I prefer indica and indica heavy hybrids. My favorite strain is Blackberry Kush. It knocks my pain out completely, and [lets] me relax. I have hypertonia, which is just a fancy way of saying that my muscles don’t relax like they should. When not using medicinally, I still prefer indica for the couch lock type of sedating effects.” – Laura Waite

Indica Strain Suggestions by Female Leafly Readers:

“We Love Both! And Hybrids!”

“Nice article, I agree, although some sativas give me a headache (terpenes maybe?). I want an indica on hand to take me down from my anxiety. I also love a great giggly strain. I tend to forget my frustrations and there is not much better than a big belly laugh!” – Jennifer Giantvalley

“I’m a female who loves a great indica. I did find that Strawberry Cough is a nice sativa.” – Andrea Nixon

“I find the indica strains make my anxiety worse, a well balanced hybrid works much better for me. I also like a [nice] cerebral high than a panic inducing couch lock.” – Esthero Etro

Hybrid Strain Suggestions by Female Leafly Readers:

“Three Cheers for CBD!”

“I am a woman and I prefer high CBD’s that are indica, hybrid, then sativa.” – Thistle Mikami

“I also prefer indica dominant strains. I buy the CBD [tincture] separately for pain. This also has a tendency to give me too much energy so I cannot slow my brain enough to sleep and this is where the heavier indicas come in. I too have looked at Charlotte’s Web because of the name and never purchased because it was not what I was looking for.” – Chris Kelly

Do More Women Turn to Cannabis for Medicinal Purposes?

A few women wondered whether women are more likely than men to consume cannabis medicinally vs. recreationally:

“Seems about accurate for me. I’ve personally purchased all but two strains on the first chart. I think there are two distinct categories of users though, recreational and medical. I think women tend to fall in the medical category more often than men, only because most diseases and pain syndromes so tend to [affect] more women than men. I think it’s true we seek out high CBD strains and ones for anxiety. A recreational user might not necessarily agree with that. But as a chronic pain patient who suffers from anxiety and THC-induced anxiety, I definitely fit this conjecture of sorts! I prefer high CBD strains because I don’t like the ‘high.’ Harlequin is my favorite right now!” – Lolo Rose

“[I had] surgery for cancer in the throat, and [have] other medical concerns [so I use] edibles since smoking is a horrible idea for me […] heavy indica tones is what I require for healing [to] put me on the couch or to bed. I have been having lots of trouble getting what I need […] at recreational stores. [The] medical stores I went to are gone, the recreational stores are expensive, and I am also having trouble replacing my mmj card since legalization of marijuana in Washington. I am surprised to have this problem. There is a big push in the stores for sativa and hybrids.” – Ruanda Morrison

What’s Your Take?

Ladies, what are your go-to strains and products? Give your input in the poll below:

Ladies, which strains and products do you prefer? (check all that apply)

The Shake: Colorado Cops Can’t Keep Up with Cannabis Laws

“No mas!” say Colorado cops. Leaders of the state’s three main law enforcement associations wrote a letter to lawmakers asking for a two-year pause in new cannabis laws. Local police, they say, “cannot keep up with the quantity and speed of constantly-changing marijuana law.” And yet somehow everybody else — including cannabis companies themselves — seems to find a way to keep up. We’re just saying.

Louisiana House approves a medical cannabis bill. Now it moves to the Senate. The bill allows access only through pharmacies. But pharmacies can’t handle federal Schedule I drugs without jeopardizing their DEA licenses. So Louisiana would allow a limited number of state-licensed “marijuana pharmacies.” Which are just dispensaries, right?

Yep, 12 million square feet oughta do it. A University of Washington study released today finds that the 12.3 million square feet of growing canopy currently approved by state regulators should be sufficient to satisfy Washington state’s entire cannabis market. The study was undertaken in part to determine if enough farming space was available to supply the state’s medical marijuana patients as they’re folded into the state’s regulated retail system.

Colorado cannabis sales up 30 percent over 2015. That’s the word from the state Department of Revenue, which reports that Colorado shops sold more than $270 million in products during the first three months of 2016.

Toronto mayor looking into licensing dispensaries. The city’s ongoing MMJ dispensary boom has Mayor John Tory fretting over the impact on the city. He’s asked for a staff report on licensing options, and could act as early as June.

Kentuckians shun ancient fibrous plant grown in local fields. The owner of the Kentucky Cannabis Company, which is growing the fiber as part of the state Department of Agriculture’s Industrial Hemp Program, finds himself in a bind. He’s had to slow production of the CBD oil made from his hemp because local business owners are refusing to sell him butane, which he uses to extract the CBD. “Uhh, we don’t deal with cannabis companies,” some have told him.

Corporate shenanigans at TheWeedBlog. Can’t get enough of the struggle over Sumner Redstone’s state of mind (sound, surprisingly) and the fight for control of Viacom? Then check out the drama at TheWeedBlog, where columnists Johnny Green and Jay Smoker are apparently in a dustup with a third member of the company, Steven Travis Maurer. Green’s password “has been changed without my authorization, again,” he writes. Which is so not cool, Steven. Play well with others, boys — we’re all fighting for the same cause.

Jane’s Domain: It’s Time to End the Canna Ban, Facebook

Social media shutdowns have become a hazard in the legal cannabis industry. In recent months major companies — Oakland’s Harborside Health Center, the social network MassRoots, Boulder retailer The Farm, and the Denver-based edibles makers Dixie and Incredibles — have had their Facebook and Instagram accounts shut down without notice.

Those accounts represented years of investment in brand building and community development. For legacy brands like Coke or BMW, social platforms remain secondary plays. Those old-school companies were built on television buys and splashy print ads. But in the cannabis space, social media isn’t an ancillary part of marketing. It is marketing. Television remains closed to us. Print buys are largely limited to specialty mags like Dope, or alt weeklies like The Stranger and Westword. Some cannabis companies are turning to billboards — a throwback medium — to reach a mainstream audience.

It’s not just about advertising, though. Social media is a powerful force for progress and normalization in the cannabis space. We can’t control the lame choices of mainstream media photo editors. But on social media we each are our own photo editor.

When we Instagram or Facebook pictures of women consuming in normal situations, responsibly and elegantly, we counteract the stereotype of stoner bros hitting a skull bong.

Last week, my friend and colleague Lauren Gibbs pushed back. Her social media consulting group, Rise Above Social Strategies, launched the #EndTheSocialCannaBan campaign with an open letter to Mark Zuckerberg.

Gibbs asked the Facebook founder to recognize the disconnect between his own concerns about the drug war and his company’s ongoing efforts to shut down the social media accounts of legal cannabis businesses. She wrote to Zuckerberg:

“After your visit to San Quentin State Prison, your followers heard your thoughts on the racial bias of the war on drugs. Yet your companies — Facebook and Instagram — regularly and capriciously shut down accounts with cannabis content. Many of those companies are operating within the laws governing their state. Many of those companies are involved in efforts to end the profound racial injustices of the drug war.”

Gibbs is asking Zuckerberg’s social media platforms to adapt their terms of use to accommodate state-legal cannabis companies. She’s not naive. She knows that using the tag @zuck could bring extra scrutiny to cannabis accounts, which already face the daily threat of shutdown. Even with that possibility, Gibbs asks: “Can we take the risk together? Our silence is not helping. And I will surely make some noise over any accounts that are shut down in retaliation for even asking Zuckerberg to revisit the terms of service!”

The #EndTheSocialCannaBan campaign comes at a moment when Facebook officials are confronting hard questions about their company’s role in politics and culture. On Monday, Gizmodo reported that Facebook news curators routinely suppressed politically conservative stories from its “trending” news section. Now Facebook faces issues ranging from political bias to its very purpose as a company. Is it truly a neutral social media platform? Some cannabis-related posts are forbidden, while others — such as those put up by Snoop Dogg and Miley Cyrus — are allowed. By warping its trending items, and selectively erasing legal cannabis accounts, Facebook has entered a space somewhere between editing and censorship.

Why does it matter? Because social media has become more than just an app. Spaces like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Tumblr, and Snapchat are our modern public forums. They’re meeting spaces. Importantly, social media accounts are opt-in. You choose who to like. You choose who to follow. It’s an organic process.

Social media is where many consumers are choosing to come out of the cannabis closet. I see it every day on my own feeds. People share with me how much thought (and worry) went into their first Facebook or Instagram post about their own cannabis use. For many women, that first shared pic of a joint or pipe during flower hour — no different than many moms sharing pics of wine glasses at a Friday happy hour — comes with worries about judgment, social repercussions, and in some states real risk to their careers and their families.

The war on drugs won’t end through the mainstream political process alone. Smashing prohibition requires all the tools we have at our disposal, most importantly social media. Pictures and posts are normalizing responsible cannabis use. Facebook and Twitter build communities. They allow people to share personal stories, compare strain preferences, recommend products, and help a patient in need find the care they deserve. Connect with @zuck today and #EndTheSocialCannaBan.

Louisiana House Votes to Expand Medical Marijuana Program

BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) — Medical marijuana advocates won a significant victory Wednesday in their efforts to jumpstart Louisiana’s medical marijuana program.

The House voted 62-31 to expand the program to cover more diseases and to make regulatory changes aimed at getting medicinal-grade cannabis into patients’ hands more quickly.

The bill by Republican Sen. Fred Mills, a pharmacist from St. Martin Parish, has received Senate backing. Wednesday’s vote sends the bill back to the Senate for consideration of House changes. If it gets final passage there, Gov. John Bel Edwards has said he will sign it into law.

Lawmakers created the framework for a medical marijuana program in Louisiana last year, but regulatory hurdles built into the law have slowed its start.

Bill supporters describe children struggling with uncontrollable seizures and patients coping with horrible pain. They said the program only allows medical marijuana in an oil form that can’t be smoked. Local sheriffs and district attorneys oppose expansion, calling it a gateway to unfettered, recreational use of marijuana.

Rep. Reid Falconer, R-Mandeville, talked of his “precious daughter,” who has epilepsy and who has been unable to find medications that end her seizures.

“This bill will enable our doctor to have another tool to treat my baby girl,” he told his colleagues.

During the evening debate, bill supporter Katie Corkern sat in the back of the House chamber with her son Connor, who uses a wheelchair and has a rare brain disorder that causes uncontrollable seizures.

As he urged passage, Rep. Sam Jones talked of Corkern’s son: “Since we began this debate, there is one child in this chamber who has had eight seizures.”

Rep. Beryl Amedee, R-Gray, said federal drug regulators haven’t approved medical marijuana, so doctors won’t have guidance on dosage or standards to apply.

“How is it that the doctors are going to know what to give to the patients?” she asked.

Rep. Scott Simon, R-Abita Springs, voted against the proposal, saying he worried about public safety, “that we’re working our way toward legalization of marijuana.”

His colleague, Rep. Terry Landry, a former state police superintendent, dismissed such concerns as “nonsense” and “fear-mongering.”

“We’re really talking about suffering here,” said Landry, D-New Iberia. “We’re not talking about a gateway to a legal drug.”

The medical marijuana law passed last year will eventually get medical-grade cannabis to people suffering from cancer, glaucoma and a severe form of cerebral palsy. Mills’ proposal would add seizure disorders, HIV, epilepsy, muscular dystrophy, multiple sclerosis and other diseases to the list. It would remove glaucoma, in response to opposition.

The bill also would set a Sept. 1 deadline for LSU and Southern University to decide if they want to be the state-sanctioned grower of the product, in an effort to speed the decision-making since the schools get first right of refusal to grow the plant. It also would rework some of the regulatory language.

Mills has estimated Louisiana is about two years away from getting medical marijuana to patients. The state-sanctioned grower needs to be selected, along with 10 licensed distributors.

What Topics Will Be Covered At The Virtual Cannabis Entrepreneur Summit?

Earlier this week I posted an article about the upcoming Virtual Cannabis Entrepreneur Summit. The online event is taking placeon May 21-22, and is being put on by Green Flower Media. I am a huge fan of Green Flower Media and I look forward to everything that they put together because it’s always polished, professional,

State Of The Leaf: May 11, 2016

State of the Leaf: Support Up in Florida and Pennsylvania, Moderate in Massachusetts

New this week: A national poll found major support for medical cannabis in Florida and increasing support for recreational in Pennsylvania, while the reception in Massachusetts seems more lukewarm than ever. Ohio’s chances for a medical marijuana amendment are holding strong with support from the House, and Rhode Island may double its number of dispensaries. On the international front, the Global Cannabis Campaign saw traction in Colombia and South Africa, while Canada’s cracking down and Australia introduced medical legislation.

U.S. News Updates

Alaska

The Alaska Marijuana Board is preparing to issue licenses to cannabis businesses and many community councils are hearing from prospective business owners during council discussions with the public. After receiving applications and hearing testimony from community members and neighbors, the councils will provide feedback to the Marijuana Control Board and send letters to residents informing them of the changes. None of the licenses have been issued so far, and Bruce Schulte, chairman of the Marijuana Control Board, says he doesn’t expect to begin issuing licenses until June. Retail stores a projected to open this fall.

Florida

Florida is gearing up for another medical marijuana showdown this November, but supporters are nervous about their chances. John Morgan, an Orlando attorney and one of Florida’s top political fundraisers, has funneled $6.8 million into efforts to legalize medical cannabis since 2013, but he anticipates 2016 could be a “tipping point” for the state. The latest poll numbers from Quinnipiac University show that 80 percent of Florida respondents support medical marijuana and plan to vote in favor of the upcoming measure in November.

Massachusetts

A new report from the Massachusetts Health Department shows the sluggish and long-suffering medical marijuana program earned only $320,610 during fiscal year 2016. That was difference between the $3.3 million in revenue and the $2.98 million that was spent to implement the program. It reflects the growing pains and hurdles the program has faced during the years since medical marijuana was legalized in 2012. The program took more than three years to be fully implemented, and lawsuits were rampant during the process due to inconsistent rules and contradictory guidelines. The pittance of revenue this year doesn’t bode well for the upcoming push for legalization, which already faces tough opposition from Gov. Charlie Baker, Boston Mayor Marty Walsh, and Attorney General Maura Healey.

Ohio

The proposed constitutional amendment to legalize medical cannabis passed through the House with flying colors. House Bill 523 earned a 70–25 vote of support after hours of testimony from prospective patients ranging from children who suffer from uncontrollable seizures to a veteran whose post-traumatic stress disorder has been helped by the use of cannabis. The bill would allow the limited use of cannabis for those who suffer from among 20 qualifying medical conditions. The bill would not allow smoking cannabis or home growing, and it would set up a nine-member commission to enact regulations and allocate dispensaries and cultivation facilities. The bill now heads to the Senate for a vote.

Pennsylvania

A new poll out of Quinnipiac University shows a major jump in support for adult-use legalization in Pennsylvania. The survey found that between 2015 and 2016, support for the legalization rose from 47 percent to 57 percent. The last poll was conducted in October 2015 and showed voters split on the topic of legalization. However, since then, Pennsylvania became the 24th state to legalize medical marijuana, which likely played a factor in the growing movement of support for cannabis in the Keystone State.

Rhode Island

The Rhode Island Senate Judiciary Committee is considering a number of cannabis bills. Up for consideration are measures around regulation, taxation, law enforcement, and the issue of driving under the influence. Law enforcement officers in Rhode Island are currently trained to detect cannabis impairment, but the legislation is considering a test for levels of THC in the system, although recent research shows the blood tests are not effective or scientifically accurate.

In the House of Representatives, lawmakers introduced H. 7808, which would increase the number of medical marijuana dispensaries, known as compassion centers, from three to six statewide.

International News Updates

Australia

Minister Cameron Dick just introduced legislation to legalize the medicinal use of cannabis in Queensland. The Public Health (Medicinal Cannabis) Bill 2016 will not legalize recreational cannabis use or home cultivation, but it will create a legal path for the lawful production of medical marijuana for qualified patients. The move to introduce the bill was spurred into action after the death of a child who was given cannabis oil treatments illegally to combat cancer. Adam Koessler, father of Rumer Rose, was fined and put on a two-year good behavior bond in Brisbane after pleading guilty to supplying his daughter with the oil. Rumer died this week just days before her fourth birthday, inspiring the official announcement from the Queensland government.

Canada

City inspectors in Vancouver initiated a crackdown on medical cannabis storefronts operating without a license. The Vancouver City Council began the regulation process for cannabis businesses last year, issuing business licenses at the cost of $1,000 for compassion clubs and $30,000 for medical dispensaries. However, the regulations required stores to comply with certain criteria, including operating only in commercial zones at least 300 meters from schools, neighborhood homes, community centers, and other cannabis businesses. At least 140 dispensaries didn’t make the cut and were warned that they had six months to comply or face fines. A major cause for concern is that the board of variance has a backlog, so many dispensary owners who are still in the midst of the appeal process are being forced to shut their doors.

Colombia

The laws related to cannabis use and possession are fairly lax in Colombia, but that didn’t stop protesters from marching in the streets of Bogota and Medellin to call for the legalization of cannabis on a worldwide scale. The Global Marijuana March encouraged marches around the world, although Colombia’s protest had a specifically funky, fruity twist. Many protesters were seen smoking homemade devices carved from various fruits, such as apples, papayas, pineapples, and even watermelons.

South Africa

Thousands of pro-cannabis protesters marched on Cape Town to demand the government ease drug laws and allow the medical and recreational use of dagga, as cannabis is known in South Africa. As many as 3,000 protesters took part in the procession, which is part of a larger orchestration of marches around the world through the Global Cannabis Campaign. South African opposition lawmaker Mario Oriani-Ambrosini submitted draft legislation calling for the legalization of cannabis in 2014, but it died before moving forward.

The Shake: Hockey Night With Cannabis

“Cannabis saved my life,” ex-NHL player says. Larry DePalma, who played in the late 1980s and early 1990s with the Minnesota North Stars, San Jose Sharks, and Pittsburgh Penguins, took to YouTube to describe how traumatic brain injuries led him to consider suicide — and how the medical use of cannabis helped curb those feelings. Fun fact: The NHL is the only one of the four major American men’s professional sports leagues to not test its players for cannabis.

Cannabis would crush Clinton, trounce Trump at the polls. Legalization is more popular than any of the current presidential candidates, at least in three key swing states. A new poll shows majority support for adult-use legalization in Florida, Ohio, and Pennsylvania. That’s markedly higher than candidates are polling, Tom Angell reports.

Michigan legalization looks to be headed for the ballot. MILegalize, the organization behind the push to legalize adult use in the Mitten State, says its ballot measure has more than enough signatures to qualify for the November election. The group is holding a rally in Lansing on Friday, May 20, to build further support.

Emerald Triangle cannabis farmers want to borrow a play from the wine industry. You can drink a Bordeaux or a Willamette Valley Pinot. What if you could light up some Dos Rios OG Kush? The Mendocino Appellations Project hopes to designate specific regions of California’s Mendocino County in an effort to protect the area’s longtime culture of small-scale cultivation. Alison Malsbury of Canna Law Group calls the plan “one of the best branding ideas we’ve heard in a while.” Get ready to read more about craft cannabis.

Toronto mayor visits dispensary, warns of coming crackdown. Mayor John Tory told reporters that while he respects the fact that legalization is coming, the growing number of dispensaries in the city is “not acceptable.”

Florida’s under fire for limiting the state to five legal growers. Lawsuits are beginning to challenge the state’s exclusive licensing scheme, the Christian Science Monitor reports.

Cannabis billboards go up in Louisiana. The Marijuana Policy Project put up messages in Baton Rouge and Shreveport as state lawmakers approach a key vote. (Why always billboards? Here’s one explanation.)

What does Pennsylvania’s new MMJ law mean for employers? According to a pair of employment lawyers, the answer is still “hazy.”

And finally, looking for an edible that’s savory, not sweet? Cannabis jerky is now a thing in Colorado — but maybe not for long. Sheriff Joe DiSalvo of Pitkin County, where the jerky company’s based, is weighing a recommendation that would limit edibles to pill form.

How Bologna Became the Hemp Capital of Europe

The city of Bologna, home to the oldest university in Europe and famous for its gourmet food, has a long and rich history in cultivating hemp for fiber that’s connected, curiously, to cycling.

The northern Italian city’s hemp heritage isn’t trapped in the past, either. It’s on rise once again, and today the city hosts one of the country’s numerous, newly established cannabis trade fairs that support the reviving industry. On May 20, the fourth edition of the IndicaSativa Trade fair kicks off at the Unipol Arena.

For centuries hemp production was one of the main features of Bologna. By the end of the Middle Ages, about a third of all cultivated land in the region, from Bologna towards Ferrara and Venice, was used to grow hemp. Traces can still be found in the countryside today. Scattered between Bologna and Ferrara, you can find remnants of artificial ponds that were used to ret hemp stalks. Retting, or soaking the stalks in water or exposing to moisture, enables the separation of fiber from woody tissue. These ponds are now being repurposed as small wildlife reserves that make for an idyllic location for a traveling toke. [Leafly advises visitors to respect all local regulations.]

In its hemp heyday, Italy was Europe’s second biggest cannabis producer, trailing only Russia. The Bolognese countryside produced dozens of different hemp varieties used to make ropes, gorgeous clothes, and linen; the Italian fibers were praised as the best on the world market. By 1930, more than a million tons of fiber was produced annually, of which around 65 percent was exported.

As the industry grew, locals crossbred landraces for better yields, a precursor of today’s modern cannabis breeding that’s led to hundreds of strains of both hemp and the prized, THC-rich strains savored by modern cannabis connoisseurs.

Apart from the main hemp producing areas around Bologna and Naples, hemp fields were scattered all over Italy. The name of one the provinces of the Piedmont region, Canavese, is derived from the Bolognese words for the plant, caneva. Around Bologna, old folks still say they sometimes smell a fragrant, hempy scent on the plains — a sign of something positive about to happen. It could be new love, a noteworthy achievement, or an unexpected adventure.

Antonio Pezzoli with his bicycle

Antonio Pezzoli, who lived from 1870 to 1943, was a predecessor to modern cannabis entrepreneurs. He was a cannabis industrialist and founder of the Touring Club, the first and most powerful bicycle organization in Italy. A keen photographer and one of the first to depict life in the cannabis fields, Pezzoli took a collection of photos that can be found in the book Passion and Profession: Hemp Cultivation in the Work of a Cycle-Tourist, published by the Institution Villa Smeraldi, a museum of peasant culture. Located in San Marino di Bentivoglio, just 15 kilometers from Bologna, the institution houses a Hemp Museum and makes for a good day trip for cannabis tourists in the region.

Passion and Profession shows the development of different modern phenomena and how they coincided with the modernization of cannabis production. Leafing through the pages, you witness the explosive growth of the bicycle organizations that brought an influx of tourism into Italy. Best of all, you also get a detailed photographic account of the life of the hemp peasants in the Bolognese countryside.

While cannabis production was commonplace at the time, the bicycle was a new mode of transportation at the time, and it was seen by some as suspect.

Catholic leaders in Rome considered it immoral to show the lower parts of the body in public, so legs exposed while pedaling where problematic. Italian criminologist Cesare Lombroso feared the bicycle as a new instrument of crime, having received reports about purse-snatching in Paris by the Apaches, a mysterious group of outlaws on bicycles.

But as with cannabis, opposition to bikes eventually gave way to appreciation. The Catholic Church changed its position after bicycles proved to be a useful tool in World War II and as people of all backgrounds increasingly enjoyed pleasant two-wheel cruising for work or pleasure.

Pezzoli remains a great figure in the history of Bologna. He’s remembered both as auccessful and progressive industrialist as well as talented photographer and producer of cannabis. His body of work gives testimony to the past — and now, the future — of the gracious and lively town of Bologna, where hemp was, is, and will be in the air.

Image Source: Hemp Now and Then in Bologna, Italy

Thursday: Members Of Congress Join Cannabis Business Leaders For NCIA’s Annual Lobby Days Kickoff

This Thursday, members of Congress will join cannabis industry leaders from across the country for a press conference to kick offNational Cannabis Industry Association‘s sixth annual Lobby Days. More than 100 cannabis business professionals will travel to Washington, D.C., to take part in policy discussions and citizen lobby meetings to advocate for fair treatment of

10 Ways to Break Up Your Cannabis if You Don't Have a Grinder

Having a grinder on hand is commonplace for many cannabis enthusiasts, but when you go a few times without one, you see why this product is a must-have for breaking down buds in a pinch. Don’t worry, though — when you need to deconstruct some nugs and find yourself without the help of our cylindrical toothed companion, remember that the ingenuity of a cannabis enthusiast knows no bounds.

From simple old school tricks and techniques to a few MacGyver-worthy hacks, here are 10 ways you can bypass the grinder by utilizing nothing more than a few (relatively) easily assessable household items and a bit of creativity.

1. Your Hands

This may seem obvious, but going back to the basics is sometimes the way to go. Breaking down cannabis by hand can be a very intrinsically rewarding experience despite its few downsides. Yes, cannabis is sticky, and breaking it down by hand can be a bit tedious. But those fingers of yours can sure do some work when it comes to flower picking.

“Getting your hands dirty,” so to speak, is a terrific way of building a relationship with your buds. It allows you to get a true feel for your bud’s structure and trichome saturation, and it also affords you the opportunity to get up close and personal with your strain’s unique bouquet of aromas. Your fingers won’t want to let go!

2. Parchment Pressing

To bypass getting your hands sticky, try using a piece of parchment or wax paper as a barrier between you and your buds. This eliminates the burden of having to worry about removing the sticky and aromatic resin from your hands afterwards.

Most paper products have what it takes to get the job done with this hack, but parchment works especially well because its waxy surface helps keep everything from sticking. Cut a few pieces up and place them between your fingers before you begin, or use the pieces to create a barrier when smashing buds with heavier objects.

3. Keys and Cards

Not everyone has parchment on hand, but most of us have a set of keys we can utilize in a pinch. It’s a super simple concept: simply use the keys’ (after you clean them, of course) serrated edges to cut way at your buds. You may end up getting your keys a bit sticky as a result, but this isn’t something a little alcohol swab can’t handle.

Another quick fix involves digging into your wallet for a credit card. They tend to be firm enough to break down buds without snapping. Plastic cards are also perfect collection tools for your finished product, making them very useful to have around for the aftermath.

4. Blunt Force

For those times when your bud is a bit more on the dry side and the aforementioned hacks are not within your means, use blunt force to break down your buds. This works well in both medicine containers and plastic baggies; just make sure your container is sealed before you get started. Hard containers can be shaken vigorously (letting the buds smash against the surface over and over), while baggies can be smashed against a hard surface such as a counter or wall. Stickier and/or denser flowers may have a hard time breaking apart using this hack alone, but my next tip can help with that.

5. A Coin and Container

Drop a clean coin inside of your hard container before giving it a good shake; the coin will thrash around and tear through your buds. Dense and sticky buds stand much less of a chance against a thrashing coin in a confined space. Prescription bottles and breath mint tins are ideal candidates for this hack. Make sure you give your can a solid shake, and be sure not to overpack it — you want to leave enough room for the coin to do its job in there.

6. Scissors and a Shot Glass

Scissors are already the perfect companion for trimmers, but they can also be used post-processing as a neat way of breaking down your larger buds. A shot glass makes for a great catching container for your clippings. You can also place your buds inside of the shot glass and use your scissors in a pestle and mortar fashion, grinding and cutting your buds as they sit within the shot glass.

Both tricks have their pros and cons: clipping over a shot glass affords you the opportunity to cull unwanted stems from your final product, but may leave larger “budlets” which can be undesirable for rolling joints. Using the pestle and mortar technique is much quicker but also leaves you less control in picking out stems.

7. A Knife and Cutting Board

Don’t be afraid to get a little fancy in the kitchen by pulling out a knife and cutting board for a bit of good old fashioned cannabis carving. Serrated knives obviously work a bit better due to their ability to pull and tear as your knife glides along, but any knife can really do the trick. A cutting board helps keep everything contained so that you can get back to your business without an extensive cleanup. Treat the process very much as if you were slicing vegetables, letting the knife do the work as you go.

8. A Pizza Cutter/Rolling Slicer

Rolling herb slicers and pizza cutters are both very useful tools to keep in mind if you find yourself sans grinder. Like knives, wheeled cutting devices provide a sharp surface for slicing, though their design makes cutting sticky buds a much easier task than if you were to simply use a knife.

Also, for sewing enthusiasts, rotary blades work perfectly well as a substitution. These blades tend to be much sharper as they are designed to cut though multiple types of fabric.

9. A Microplane

Otherwise referred to as graters, microplanes make for a perfect alternative to knives. Running some buds through a microplane makes for a fine, even grind. If you’re thinking about rolling and want consistency, microplanes are a great solution. They come in all shapes and sizes, so if you have one laying around, give it a try. This can be a huge time save for anybody looking to grind slightly larger amounts of cannabis into a consistent finished product.

10. A Coffee Grinder

If you’re working with a larger quantity, these first nine hacks may prove to be less efficient, but if you’re in the presence of a coffee grinder or some other small food processor, you’ve just scored the mother load. Many hardcore grinding aficionados will skip the traditional hand grinder altogether and opt for a larger setup such as a coffee grinder to automate the entire process. A coffee grinder may just be the ultimate hack for somebody looking to break down a large amount of cannabis into a finely ground, consistent end product. It requires very little effort, and can grind large amounts in no time at all.

Image Sources: Levi DeVos via Flickr Creative Commons and Patrick Bennett

The Shake: Hemp Convertibles, Debunked DUI Tests, and Loopr’s Denver Debut

The AAA Foundation for Safety Traffic says tests for THC are bunk. Six states currently have blood tests in place to determine whether a driver is under the influence of cannabis, but AAA’s traffic safety foundation concluded that none of those tests has scientific merit. The study found that it’s not possible to set an accurate blood-test threshold for THC to reliably determine impairment, but the laws on the books nevertheless presume guilt if a driver tests above the limit. The foundation warned that this could result in unsafe drivers going free, while others may be wrongly convicted. The study came to the recommendation that a more reliable alternative might be a field test by trained officers, using indicators such as pupil dilation and tongue color in conjunction with a test for the presence of THC. The report could spur state legislatures to look into better ways to keep our streets and highways safe.

Legal cannabis courier services may be coming soon to Colorado. A new bill from the House would create a new licensing system for “marijuana transporters” for cannabis couriers, specifically tasked with moving cannabis from warehouse to retail and dispensary shelves.

Denver’s got a new 420-friendly mode of transportation for riding high in style. Loopr is an Uber-like luxury coach that picks up and drops off passengers at various dispensaries and retailers around the city. Loopr is streamlined with all of the amenities: restrooms, wifi, refrigerator, glassware, a dab bar, and even a laser show!

This herbal chef is stepping up the gourmet game with new, five-star meals that incorporate cannabis in delightful and subtle ways. “You’ll never taste the cannabis in my cooking unless I specifically want you to taste it,” cannabis chef Chris Sayegh says of his new and mouth-watering style of infusion.

Check out this cute little convertible made entirely from woven hemp. Renew is a sporty prototype based on the design of a Mazda Miata, but with a resilient, lightweight and eco-friendly cannabis twist.

The world’s first luxury 2-in-1 electronic and manual cannabis grinder now exists. Could be a great innovation for those who suffer from arthritis or have limited dexterity.

Orlando decriminalizes possession of small amounts of cannabis. Rather than risk arrest or jail time, offenders will now receive a simple $100 fine for less than 20 grams of cannabis, an ordinance that will go into effect Oct. 1.

Image Source: Loopr

The Atlantic’s ‘Failed’ Legalization Story is a Lie. Here’s Why. 

If you’re a writer who’s been in the game long enough to enter the word “journalist” on a tax form, you have had this experience: After toiling long and hard on a piece, crafting subtle-yet-devastating arguments, marshaling evidence, paring quotes, and delivering a killer conclusion, you wake up on the morning of its publication to find the entire enterprise destroyed by a thoughtless headline. Or a silly headline. Or a stupid, nonsensical headline. Or a headline that is diametrically opposed to the very point you were trying to make.

That is what I imagine Tom James experienced on Monday morning.

James is the author of the Atlantic Monthly feature that dropped yesterday under the headline “The Failed Promise of Legal Pot.”

Nice headline. Provocative. Clickable. And false to the bone.

James’s 4,500-word piece gets at a couple of undeniable truths. In America’s three legal, regulated, commercial states, the black market for cannabis has winnowed considerably but hasn’t completely disappeared. And the racial disparities in arrests that existed during prohibition still exist after prohibition’s end. Colorado, Oregon, and Washington arrest far fewer people now than they did in 2011, but people of color still face higher rates of arrest than white people.

That’s it. That’s the “failed promise” of legal pot.

The successful promise of legal pot is this: In Washington, arrests for cannabis possession have dropped by 98 percent. In Colorado, they’ve fallen by 95 percent. Cannabis taxes in both states are generating tens of millions of dollars a year for education and public health. In Oregon, the legal cannabis industry has created 2,156 jobs and $46 million in wages.

Legalization has not increased underage access, as studies have shown again and again and again.

Many of those positive notes were taken from Tom James’s own piece in The Atlantic. In fact, James himself makes it clear that the very headline of his piece is false:

“It would be a mistake to call marijuana legalization a failure, even in the loosest sense of the word.”

Here’s the rest of that paragraph:

“After all, nationally, just fewer than one in eight marijuana arrests on average are for distribution; the other seven are for simple possession. That means that out of eight marijuana arrests that would have happened tomorrow in Colorado, seven of them won’t, because possession is legal. That means seven Coloradans who could have lost everything—from their jobs to their housing to their college financial aid—as a result of an arrest or conviction will instead simply go about another day of their ordinary lives. But the persistence of that eighth arrest—the roughly 12.5 percent of marijuana arrests that are for distribution—means that legalization isn’t a complete success, either. Those few distribution arrests cause the majority of marijuana-related incarcerations, and still disproportionately affect black men.”

So yes, there are still challenges to overcome regarding the racial disparities in the arrest rates for cannabis. But to acknowledge that and then blaze the header “Failed Promise” is not just an error. The Atlantic editors are spreading a falsehood that has real consequences for millions of Americans. Voters read headlines like that and decide to vote against legalization measures in states like California, Massachusetts, Arizona, and Nevada. Politicians glance at the Atlantic piece and decide to turn against regulated legalization in states like Vermont.

When they do, they allow good people to be destroyed by senseless arrests and outrageous prison sentences. Say their names. Bernard Noble, 49-year-old father of seven, wasting away in prison for 13 years for two joints in Louisiana. Lee Carroll Booker, 75, now serving life without parole for growing his own medical marijuana plants in Alabama. Raymond Schwab, the Gulf War veteran whose five children were taken by the state of Kansas because he wanted to move to Colorado to treat his PTSD with legal medical marijuana.

Here’s another name to say: Scott Stossel. He’s the editor of The Atlantic. I don’t know if he approved the headline, but I know he has the power to change it. He’s @SStosel on Twitter. Let him know how you feel.

Image Source: The Atlantic

Blood Testing Drivers for THC is Nonsense, AAA Study Says

WASHINGTON (AP) — Six states that allow cannabis use have legal tests to determine driving while impaired by the drug that have no scientific basis, according to a study by the nation’s largest automobile club that calls for scrapping those laws.

The study commissioned by AAA’s safety foundation said it’s not possible to set a blood-test threshold for THC, the chemical in marijuana that makes people high, that can reliably determine impairment. Yet the laws in five of the six states automatically presume a driver guilty if that person tests higher than the limit, and not guilty if it’s lower.

As a result, drivers who are unsafe may be going free while others may be wrongly convicted, the foundation said.

The foundation recommends replacing the laws with ones that rely on specially trained police officers to determine if a driver is impaired, backed up by a test for the presence of THC rather than a specific threshold. The officers are supposed to screen for dozens of indicators of drug use, from pupil dilation and tongue color to behavior.

The foundation’s recommendation to scrap the laws in Colorado, Montana, Nevada, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Washington comes as legislatures in several more states consider adopting similar laws.

At least three states, and possibly as many as eleven, will also vote this fall on ballot measures to legalize marijuana for either recreational or medicinal use, or both. Several legislatures are also considering legalization bills.

“There is understandably a strong desire by both lawmakers and the public to create legal limits for marijuana impairment in the same manner we do alcohol,” said Marshall Doney, AAA’s president and CEO. “In the case of marijuana, this approach is flawed and not supported by scientific research.”

Determining whether someone is impaired by cannabis, as opposed to having merely used the drug at some time, is far more complex than the simple and reliable tests that have been developed for alcohol impairment.

There’s no science that shows drivers become impaired at a specific level of THC in the blood. A lot depends upon the individual. Drivers with relatively high levels of THC in their systems might not be impaired, especially if they are regular users, while others with relatively low levels may be unsafe behind the wheel.

Some drivers may be impaired when they are stopped by police, but by the time their blood is tested they have fallen below the legal threshold because active THC dissipates rapidly. The average time to collect blood from a suspected driver is often more than two hours because taking a blood sample typically requires a warrant and transport to a police station or hospital, the foundation said.

In addition, frequent cannabis users can exhibit persistent levels of the drug long after use, while THC levels can decline more rapidly among occasional users. Nine states, including some that have legalized marijuana for medicinal use, have zero-tolerance laws for driving and marijuana that make not only the presence of THC in a driver’s blood illegal, but also the presence of its metabolites, which can linger for weeks after use.

That makes no sense, said Mark A. R. Kleiman, a New York University professor specializing in issues involving drugs and criminal policy. “A law against driving with THC in your bloodstream is not a law you can know you are obeying except by never smoking marijuana or never driving,” he said.

He said rather than switching to a new kind of law as AAA recommends, states should consider simply making it a traffic violation.

Studies show that using marijuana and driving roughly doubles the risk of a crash, Kleiman said. By comparison, he pointed out that talking on a hands-free cellphone while driving — legal in all states — quadruples crash risk. A blood alcohol content of .12, which is about the median amount in drunken driving cases, increases crash risk by about 15 times.

Driving with “a noisy child in the back of the car” is about as dangerous as using cannabis and driving, Kleiman said.

The exception, Kleiman noted, is when a driver has both been using marijuana and drinking alcohol because the two substances together greatly heighten impairment.

The foundation also released a second study that found the share of drivers in fatal crashes who had recently used cannabis doubled in Washington after the state legalized it for recreational use in December 2012. From 2013 to 2014, the share of drivers who had recently used marijuana rose from 8 percent to 17 percent.

While it stopped short of blaming the crashes on that increase, AAA traffic safety director Jake Nelson said traffic fatalities went up 6 percent in Washington during that same period while the fatalities nationally declined.

Image Source: Why Kei via Unsplash

“Cannabis Saved My Life” Says Ex-NHL Enforcer Larry DePalma

While music thumps and people laugh in the background, tough guy Larry DePalma talks about how he tried to kill himself several times since leaving the National Hockey League in a new video called, “Cannabis and Concussion.” Inthe YouTube video, DePalma, who played professional hockey for teams in San Jose, Pittsburgh and Minnesota, lays out

Myrcene, Linalool, and Bisabolol: What are the Benefits of These Cannabis Terpenes?

This article is sponsored by Tilray, one of the largest and most sophisticated producers of premium medical cannabis in the world. Tilray is dedicated to providing safe, consistent and reliable products to patients and furthering clinical research.

Terpenes are fragrant essential oils secreted in differing concentrations in different cannabis strains alongside cannabinoids like THC and CBD. These compounds are what impart cannabis varieties with distinctive aromas and flavors such as berry, pine, pineapple and diesel. Besides affecting aroma and flavor, there is some evidence suggesting that they may also modify cannabis’s effects.

Terpenes are beginning to pique the interest of cannabis consumers more than ever before. While the spotlight has largely been on cannabinoids, web searches related to terpenes have grown steadily since Colorado and Washington became the first states to legalize recreational cannabis in 2012.

While over 200 different terpenes can occur in varying concentrations in any given strain, there are about 10 primary terpenes that occur most commonly in the greatest concentrations, and about 20 more secondary terpenes that occur in lesser concentrations. Myrcene and linalool are among cannabis’s primary terpenes, while bisabolol is considered a primary terpene by some and a secondary terpene by others. All of these terpenes display unique effects in various strains of cannabis.

What is Myrcene?

Myrcene (or β-myrcene) is a terpene that occurs often in highly fragrant plants and herbs such as mangoes, hops, bay laurel leaves, thyme, lemongrass, and basil. Myrcene is produced by numerous cannabis strains, and some have suggested that it lends sedative, indica-like effects (including “couch-lock”) to strains containing more than 0.5% of this terpene.

Another place you’ll find myrcene is in mangoes. Anecdotal evidence suggests that eating a ripe mango prior to consuming cannabis may accentuate or extend the psychoactive effects of cannabis; some have suggested that this is due to the fruit’s concentrations of myrcene, which is naturally synergistic with THC and allows cannabinoids to more easily bridge the blood-brain barrier.

Myrcene’s effects include:

• Anti-inflammatory
• Analgesic (pain relief)
• Antibiotic
• Sedative
• Antimutagenic

While strains like Pure Kush, White Widow and Himalayan Gold frequently display pronounced concentrations of myrcene, these terpene levels can vary from grower to grower and plant to plant. Case in point: at Tilray, myrcene is currently expressed most highly by the strains Jack Herer, Warlock CBD and Pink Kush.

What is Linalool?

Linalool is a naturally occurring terpene found in many flowers and spices including lavender and coriander. It gives off a complex yet delicate floral aroma, and while its effects are myriad, it is in particular one of the substances used most widely to reduce stress.

Humans have inhaled the scent of certain plants, including many containing linalool, since ancient times to help lower stress levels, fight inflammation, and combat depression. Linalool has been the subject of many studies, including a recent one in which scientists allowed lab rats to inhale linalool while exposing them to stressful conditions. It was reported that linalool returned elevated stress levels in the immune system to near-normal conditions.

Linalool’s effects include:

• Anti-anxiety
• Antidepressant
• Sedative
• Anti-inflammatory
• Anti-epileptic
• Analgesic

Strains that frequently display high levels of linalool include Amnesia Haze, Lavender, and LA Confidential. At Tilray specifically, strains currently producing high concentrations of linalool include Master Kush, Pink Kush, and OG Shark.

What is Bisabolol?

The terpene bisabolol (also known as α-Bisabolol or levomenol) is a fragrant chemical compound produced by the chamomile flower and other plants such as the candeia tree in Brazil. It is also produced by various cannabis strains.

While it has long been widely used in the cosmetics industry, bisabolol has more recently become the subject of research for the medical benefits it displays in cannabis. Its effects include:

• Anti-inflammatory
• Anti-irritant
• Antioxidant
• Anti-microbial
• Analgesic

Strains that are said to display high levels of bisabolol include Harle-Tsu and ACDC. At Tilray specifically, several of Tilray’s most popular strains express high quantities of this terpene, including Pink Kush, Headband, OG Shark, Rockstar and Master Kush.

To view all Tilray strains, visit Tilray’s website.

Image Source: Tilray

See Kara Bradford Of Viridian Staffing Speak At The Upcoming Cannabis Business Summit

Probably the most common question I get from readers, and also from people I know, is ‘how do I get a job in the cannabis industry.’ I am always quick to point out that while the marijuana industry can be an exciting place to be at times, it might be the hardest industry to crack

Is Hillary Clinton Bluffing On Her Marijuana Policy Stance?

Hillary Clinton wants to remove Cannabis Marijuana from Schedule 1 Federal Classification. Taking it off the same schedule as such dangerous recreational drugs with the highest potential for abuse and addiction, among them heroin and cocaine. This is what the MMJ industry has been waiting for! Getting weed off of Schedule 1 should be a

The Definitive Cannabis Travel Guide to Toronto

Welcome to Leafly’s travel series, our definitive cannabis-infused guides to the best cities in the world.

The Six: It’s not because Toronto has a “6” in its area code, or even its postal code. Back in the late nineties, the Province of Ontario combined the six cities in the greater Toronto region into one. The resulting megalopolis is now the 4th largest city in North America. What do they love in Toronto? Drake, for one. Boy, do they love them some Drake. The week I was there I read, saw, and heard Drake news every day of the week. And he didn’t even do anything newsworthy.

They also love poutine, which is a fancy word for French fries smothered in gloppy gravy and sprinkled with cheese curds. Other things Torontonians dig: pronouncing their city “T’ronnnah,” really expensive parkas with fur-lined hoods, surviving cold winters, rooting for a hockey team that almost never wins, and raising some of the world’s funniest comedians.

Toronto is currently experiencing a dispensary boom: where once there were a handful of MMJ outlets, now there are nearly 90 (although the exact count is uncertain, as more open every day). Word to the wise: Canada (and Toronto) remains legal for medical marijuana but not recreational. (Yet.) So arrive with your Health Canada card if you expect to be served.

Toronto Vitals

Cannabis legality: Medical only (doctor authorization required)

Nicknames: T.O., Queen City, The Six

Population: 6,055,724

Pop culture claim to fame: Did I mention Drake yet?

Dispensaries on Leafly: 88

For the record: City law makes it illegal to swear in a public park. Canadians value politeness, eh.

Day One

At 4:20 p.m., you are: Checking into the King Edward Hotel in downtown Toronto, because you feel like indulging in old money luxury. The Eddie, as it’s known around the Six, is a grand old barn built by a whiskey baron who founded the distillery that would go on to produce Canadian Club. A recent $40 million renovation has the Eddie looking spit-spot once again, with guests enjoying the hushed elegance of the Consort Bar, high tea on weekends, and royal high-backed lobby chairs for private tet-a-tets. At the Eddie you’re within walking distance of the Entertainment District and the Air Canada Centre, home of the NBA’s Raptors and the NHL’s Maple Leafs. Bonus: Plenty of royal portraits (King Eddie himself, Queen Elizabeth, et al).

At 4:40 p.m., you are: Cabbing it to Queens of Cannabis, Toronto’s only woman-owned and operated dispensary, in the city’s Bloorcourt neighborhood. Hang out and talk medical strains with co-owners Brandy Zurborg and Tania Cyalume, enjoy an aromatherapy massage in the back studio, or purchase chocolate edibles or cannabis-infused guacamole.

Distinctive dispensaries in other neighborhoods: Cannawide Dispensary and Cannawide Top Shelf, one company with two locations within a block of each other in Kensington Market, Toronto’s world-famous vintage district; The Toronto Dispensary on Church Street, east of the U of T campus; and 416 Medicinal Health Center near Stanley Park.

Hot local pick: Don’t forget a box of delicious Mary’s Wellness infused tea (peppermint, chamomile, or chai) while you’re at Queens of Cannabis. You’ll want this Toronto specialty later tonight for a sleepytime sip.

At 5:35 p.m., you are: Perusing the glassware at the Toronto Hemp Company, Canada’s most complete cannabis accessories emporium. Owner Dom Cramer opened his Yonge Street shop in 1994, and since then the joint has become known nationwide for its selection of pipes, papers, vaporizers, and all things desired by the cannabis consumer. The main floor overflows with consumption tools; the basement is all about grow supplies. Whatever your needs, Dom’s got you covered.

At 6:25 p.m., you are: Settling in for a cocktail and appetizers at Signs Restaurant & Bar, one of North America’s most unique eateries. Signs is an easy four-block walk down Yonge Street from Toronto Hemp Co., and you’re going to be telling your friends about this place. It’s staffed with deaf servers, bartenders, kitchen staff and hosts. Your menu contains helpful instruction in American Sign Language (ASL), which you’ll use to communicate with your server. (Hint: The sign for “martini” is one of the easiest in the book.) Pasta dishes are among their specialties, along with, of course, the Toronto staple: poutine. Ask for the check early, because you’ll need to hustle to make curtain at your next stop.

At 7:31 p.m., you are: Laughing your ass off at The Second City, the cradle of North American comedy. It seems churlish to call this the Toronto offshoot of the original Second City in Chicago because the Toronto stage has created its own legends since first opening in 1973. Gilda Radner, John Candy, Rick Moranis, Eugene Levy, Catherine O’Hara, Mike Myers, and hundreds of others cut their comic teeth here. Do yourself a favor: plunk down $30, yuk it up, and lay bets on which of tonight’s comics will be on Saturday Night Live next season.

Inside tip: Stick around after the show when members of the cast indulge in a little improv, just to strengthen their chops.

At 11:15 p.m., you are: Shaking it and making it at one of the city’s hot nightclubs. Check out Wayward (skews young, trendy, dressed to kill, bottle service); Apt. 200 (more relaxed, informal, hang out and play some pool or video games with your craft cocktail); Ballet; or Uniun.

At 2:15 a.m., you are: Enjoying a soothing cup of Mary’s Wellness infused tea. Seriously. This stuff is awesome. You will sleep like a baby. A baby who really, really likes to sleep.

Day Two

Late the next morning, you are: Rising and shining at the Dineen Coffee Company, on Yonge Street, if you’re looking for expertly pulled java and a pastry; or at Le Petit Déjeuner, on King Street, if you’re looking for a fuller menu with mind-blowing French specialties.

Local tip: The toast champignon, a halved bagel topped with sautéed mushrooms, onions, and bacon, at Le Petit Déjeuner is to die for.

At 12:15 p.m., you are: Walking off that breakfast with a stroll through the Hockey Hall of Fame, which is, I kid you not, located in a Toronto shopping mall. Take a gander at the most famous trophy in professional sports, the Stanley Cup, which contains the name of every member of every championship team, hand-tooled into the trophy’s collars. Marvel at hockey memorabilia like Wayne Gretzky’s battered Edmonton Oilers helmet and Jim Craig’s goalie pads from the US Hockey Team’s “Miracle On Ice” win over the Soviets in 1980.

At 1:34 p.m., you are: Thinking about visiting the top of the CT Tower, but come on, you’ve got better things to do, such as checking out some of the world’s most beautiful, expensive, exotic, and rare footwear at the Bata Shoe Museum. This cobbler’s paradise was founded in 1995 by Sonja Bata, the businesswoman and philanthropist who, along with her husband Thomas J. Bata, ran the family-owned global footwear and fashion accessory company. The building itself is an architectural gem, and its collection of more than 13,000 shoes includes indigenous footwear from all over the world. I know. You’re saying “A shoe museum? Really?” Trust me. It’s completely worth it.

At 2:43 p.m., you are: Shopping in the vintage boutiques of the Kensington Market, Toronto’s justifiably famous funkytown. If secondhand jeans and throwback jerseys aren’t your style, stroll a few blocks to Queen Street West, named one of the 15 coolest neighborhoods in the world. Enjoy the abundance of trendy boutiques, indie patisseries, and art galleries there.

At 4:19 p.m., you are: Feeding loonies and toonies into the Biblio-Mat, the world’s first randomizing vending machine for used books, at Monkey’s Paw bookstore on Dundas Street. Now you’ve got your reading material for the flight home. Time to catch a cab to the airport!

Image Sources: Omni Hotels, Queens of Cannabis via Instagram, Toronto Hemp Company, Signs, Dineen Coffee Co., Hockey Hall of Fame, and Bata Shoe Museum via Facebook, The Second City, and BlogTo

US NJ: Column: Too Much Attention Paid to Toking, Not Enough

The Trentonian, 10 May 2016 – A marijuana legalization supporting friend frequently delivers this insight. “It’s a plant, L.A. People should not be arrested for smoking a plant,” she says. Her potted observations includes the same allowance for Cannabis oil, butter, gummy bears, coffee, etc. Her observation attracts a certain appreciation except for the fact that smoking such plant remains a violation of New Jersey law.

Many patients abusing drugs, alcohol are self-medicating chronic pain

With opioid addiction and prescription drug abuse considered one of the biggest public health threats of our time in the US, many are asking why so many Americans are struggling with addiction to illegal drugs and prescription medications. New research suggests that chronic pain may be part of the answer.

5 Myths About Cannabis in the Czech Republic

There are plenty of misconceptions about cannabis laws in European countries. The Czech Republic is a striking example: most foreign visitors think cannabis is legal in this small country in the heart of Europe. But alas, it is not, at least not in the way most international media report. Here are the five biggest myths you should know before you set out on a trip to Prague.

Myth #1: You Can Smoke Cannabis in Public in the Czech Republic

While it is possible to smoke cannabis freely outdoors, and thousands regularly do, this activity is illegal. Of course, you can do it, but don’t get caught by police. If you get caught, the police officer will most likely just give you a fine. However, the officer can also search you for more drugs. Having more than 10 grams (0.35 oz) of dried buds on you is considered a crime, not an offense, which means you can face criminal charges.

The popularity of smoking cannabis in public is testament to the rebellious soul of the Czechs, who have gotten used to ignoring and despising police and state authorities in general from 40 years of oppressive communist rule. Especially in the countryside, local policemen either do not recognize the smell of burning cannabis or, in most cases, do not care to intervene, if only because they know that every second granny in their village grows a few plants and makes creams and tinctures for sick members of the local community.

If you decide to light up outdoors in the Czech Republic, be discreet enough to avoid direct contact with police (don’t blow smoke in their faces) and you should do fine. (NOTE: Leafly strongly recommends you follow local laws — don’t gamble on a police officer’s good nature, as that’s not a bet you’d want to lose.)

Myth #2: Prague is the New Amsterdam

It’s true that there are many places, bars, pubs, and clubs where you can buy various high THC strains in the Czech capital, but none of these businesses are or ever were operating legally. Prague does boast a lot of coffeeshops, but they definitely don’t sell cannabis, just coffee and muffins. Selling any cannabis product containing over 0.3 % THC is simply illegal.

Myth #3: Czech Drug Laws in General are Not Repressive

Czech politicians and their advisors like to point out that the country is very liberal in terms of its drug laws and should serve as an example to the rest of the world. We can agree that these laws are more liberal than in many neighboring countries or in many U.S. states, yet growing more than five cannabis plants or possessing over 10 grams of dried flowers is still considered a crime. Growing one to five plants or possessing up to nine grams is an offense punishable with a fine of up to $650. So…still pretty repressive and not that liberal at all. Another myth busted.

Myth #4: Medical Cannabis is Legal and Widely Available

According to Czech legislature, medical cannabis has been technically legal for three years now. Most international media keep reminding us of how progressive the Czechs are in this respect. But the sad and bitter reality is that even today cannabis is practically unavailable to patients. It’s not covered by medical insurance, very few doctors are knowledgeable in this area, and the ones who are must be willing to go through a very complicated bureaucratic process to be able to prescribe it. There’s currently just one “super THC strong” strain available and no CBD-rich strains whatsoever. On top of all this, patients under 18 are not allowed to use any medical cannabis products. Maybe because the lawmakers think that children do not get sick?

Myth #5: Czechs Love the Herb

Okay, this one is actually not a myth. Czechs do love their cannabis, preferably the homegrown variety, which explains why our use of cannabis is one of the highest in Europe and even in the world. One of the most amazing and positive things about this country is that the vast majority of Czechs who don’t really like cannabis have absolutely nothing against people who do.

The Shake: One Presidential Candidate is a Cannabis Consumer. Does It Matter?

The upcoming ruling in a cannabis case could have federal implications. Washington medical marijuana patient Rolland Gregg has been fighting federal drug charges for more than three years, maintaining that his family-owned collective garden containing 68 plants was compliant under state law. He was convicted last year, but now he’s claiming the federal government broke the law by prosecuting him. The issue at stake here is the scope of the Rohrabacher-Farr amendment, which was passed in 2015 and 2016 and forbids the use of federal funds for prosecuting those who comply with state marijuana laws. Conflicting interpretations of the amendment has been a point of contention for defense attorneys and the Department of Justice alike. The 9th Circuit is set to rule on three different cannabis cases and will be forced to clarify the language on the amendment, either in favor of the defendants or in favor of the Department of Justice.

Legal cannabis has failed to eliminate the black market or the racial divide in the drug world. The Atlantic posts a piece that finds the black market still exists after legalization, the cops still make cannabis arrests, and those arrested are largely African-American individuals. The cycle continues on even in the closing days of the Drug War…

Another fear-mongering story skews the numbers. “Rise in children selling cannabis” proclaims the U.K.’s Daily Mail. However, as VICE pointed out, the rise was over the course of nine years and involved an increase of only 61 cases of children from 10 to 17 years of age selling cannabis. Compare that to the massive drop in juvenile possession convictions between 2010 and 2014 – 61 percent, from 4,466 down to 1,751. Do your research!

The Libertarian nominee for president, Gary Johnson, is a cannabis consumer. Does that matter? Not really, says National Review.

The first cannabis-tax-funded education course happened in Colorado. Seventh grade students were the first to experience the cannabis education course designed by school counselor Molly Lotz and teacher Sarah Grippa. Tax revenue from legal cannabis sales are funding the project in an effort to educate students on the dangers of underage use and its impact on the developing brain.

Legalization poll in Massachusetts finds a tight race. Massachusetts seems to have a good chance, but how does the public feel? A new poll from Suffolk University finds 46 percent in favor of legalization and 43 percent against.

Image Source: Gage Skidmore via Flickr Creative Commons

The Best Cannabis Strains for Insomnia

Insomniacs, this list of sleepy cannabis strains is for you. You’re tired, but your eyes just won’t close. You toss and turn until you’ve tried every humanly possible position. You wake up clouded, lethargic, and irritable. Insomnia is the worst, but luckily cannabis is shown to be an effective and safe sleep aid for many people. It can slow racing thoughts, dissolve pain, relax muscles, and deliver its own sleepy chemicals to help you fall and stay asleep. However, as many have testified, finding the right strain is key.

We put together a list of 10 particularly sedating strains to give you an idea of what to look out for on your next visit to the dispensary. But first, some tips to keep in mind:

• Indicas tend to treat insomnia most effectively. Sativa strains can have an “upper” effect on some, making it more difficult to sleep. Some theories say this is due to differences in chemical makeup.
• Edibles can help you stay asleep longer. Though inhaling cannabis yields faster effects, edibles last a lot longer.
• Aged cannabis can have sleepier effects than fresh flower. It may not sound as appetizing, but older cannabis is shown to contain higher levels of a sedating chemical called cannabinol (CBN).
• Go easy on the high-THC strains if it’s anxiety keeping you up. A light dose of these strains can float you to sleep, but larger doses can worsen anxiety in some. You may also want to try a strain with some CBD in it if you’re sensitive to THC, as it often eases its anxious side effects.

Keep in mind that no strain or product affects everyone the same, and finding the solution for you may require a little trial and error. The below strains were selected based on user-submitted reviews and data, but everyone’s experience is different. We’d love to hear about yours in a strain review or in the comments section below!

Tahoe OG Kush

With effects that tend to be heavier than your average OG Kush hybrid, Tahoe OG is a godsend for insomniacs. Smoking or vaporizing this strain can yield fast-acting effects that let muscles relax, easing that need to roll around in your blankets all night. Tahoe OG is also known to slow racing thoughts so you can float into sleep with a calm and peaceful mind.

“Outstanding for insomnia. Consistently puts me to sleep without a heavy hangover the next morning. A true replacement for prescription sleep meds.” – KookedFish

Granddaddy Purple

It would be a crime to leave this indica classic off any list touting the top sleepy strains. Not only is it fairly easy to find, Granddaddy Purple is shown to exhibit high levels of the sleepy terpene myrcene. A favorite among patients whose pain keeps them up at night, this indica analgesic carries strong flavors of berry and grape that only sweeten the deal.

“This strain is extremely relaxing/sedating. Felt the tension in my body melt away very fast. Back pain vanished into thin air after about 15 minutes. Relaxing, mellow, dreamy.” – Mochii

Skywalker

Skywalker is known to empower the mind with positive thoughts while letting tension free from your body. Multiple Leafly reviewers reported that Skywalker helped loosen the grip of panic and anxiety, allowing them to float restfully into a good night’s sleep. Take caution with its potency, however; a small amount of this high-THC strain may be all you need while large doses can exacerbate anxiety in unaccustomed users.

“A little bit helped put me to sleep even through a really nasty panic attack.” – adjoint

God’s Gift

God’s Gift is indeed a gift to insomnia sufferers. All that stress keeping you up at night feels suddenly overpowered by a surefooted sense of peace. Releasing the exhale with notes of berry and citrus still clinging to your tongue, you’re soon to feel your mood lift as your body sinks.

“I started my session pissed off, stressed, and had the usual insomnia. God’s Gift wiped away all those problems in one fell swoop. I was left feeling happy, euphoric and relaxed. I went to bed with no struggle with a clear mind. I feel great today with no care of what ailed me yesterday.” – Gr8Gage

Afghan Kush

Afghani indicas are famous for their heavy, body-focused effects. Afghan Kush, following in suit, is cherished for its ability to knock out pain, hush anxious thoughts, and anchor the body to one single goal: sleep.

“Imagine a very large, fluffy cloud enveloping your body. Then add weights to your eyelids. Be prepared to feel an undeniable need to eat anything you see…and then somehow find yourself in your bed paralyzed. Do not smoke this if you are not prepared to sleep.” – aschafke

Northern Lights

Imagine yourself on a cold winter night, wrapped in a warm blanket as green lights dance above you. This isn’t altogether unlike the experience provided by the Northern Lights indica, an old-school strain that has been lulling minds to sleep since its inception in the mid-1980s. Commanding sleep with a heavy hand, Northern Lights uses its high-THC content to annihilate pain and insomnia. Cannabis novices should approach this potent strain with extra caution, paying mind to dose low and slow.

“If you have pain that interferes with sleep Northern Lights is for you! Hadn’t slept even half right in a week. I can’t take any prescription pain killers because they cause skin rashes and [make it] hard to sleep. I had 2 hits from NL, a hot shower, and 1 aspirin. I slept 9 hours and felt better than I have felt in a month.” – mickfromkent

Ogre

The sleep-inducing hybrid Ogre stomps out insomnia with a force you’d expect from a pure indica. Sweet citrus flavors dance over the palate on the inhale, giving your senses something to delight in as the sedative effects kick in.

“Indicas usually don’t affect me too much, but this Ogre took about 3 minutes to take my body over and make me ready for a nice nap.” – boddie09

Querkle

A personal favorite nightcap of mine, Querkle seems to attack insomnia at its many sources. Anxiety calms, nausea dulls, and depression evaporates, leaving you in a meditative state as you gently coast into restful sleep. My budtender was surprised to hear this one was an effective sleep remedy for me, as some report uplifting effects from this strain. That being said, I’d say this strain may not be the one you rely on for forcing your brain into sleep; rather, it pre-conditions a tranquil mindset so sleep comes easier when it’s time to shut the lights out.

“Love this strain a couple of hours before bedtime. Very relaxing and euphoric feeling. Body sensations are heightened in a positive way and pain is greatly diminished…Eases you into a nice, deep sleep towards the end.” – razaross

Big Bud

Big Bud is an indica strain named for its megalithic flowers, but these buds are not only impressive in size, they’re also astonishingly potent. This is the strain you want if you’re looking to hit the hay right away – it’s like an “off” switch for the mind.

“I’ve been dealing with insomnia on and off my entire life and I now find myself getting excited to go to bed, and for the first time since I was in my early twenties I am now completely pill free due thanks to great strains like Big Bud.” – sourcheesiel29

9 Pound Hammer

Crushing insomnia like a hammer, this no-nonsense indica strain is perfect for insomniacs who can’t escape the prison of their mind while lying in bed. Its mild CBD content is just enough to pacify the mind and relax the body, like a counterweight to the mental speediness sometimes caused by THC. The loud fruity flavors of ripe berry and grapes are just another reason to love this insomnia-crusher appropriately named 9 Pound Hammer.

“One of my top “go-to” strains for insomnia. Keeps the anxiety away & helps lock me into a sleep pull I can’t think my way out of. Brilliant.” – Bunnyfu42

Mettrum Receives License Amendment for the Sale of Medical Cannabis and Extracts

Mettrum Health Corp. (TSXV:MT) announce that the Company has received an amendment to its license to include both the production and sale of medical cannabis and extracts from Health Canada under the Marihuana for Medical Purposes Regulations at its 60,000 square foot production and distribution facility located in Bowmanville, Ontario.

As quoted in the press release:

Under the MMPR, the license was upgraded from production only and provides Mettrum with the ability to produce and sell dried medical cannabis as well as cannabis extracts from the Bowmanville South facility. This provides the company with total licensed production capacity of 3,500 kg and licensed sales capacity of 3,550 kg of dried cannabis and production and sales capacity of 1,906 kg of cannabis extracts. The Bowmanville South facility has total production capacity on a fully built out basis of 8,000 kg of cannabis representing $60 million in sales plus potential extracts.

Mettrum has three fully licensed facilities to produce and sell dried cannabis and cannabis extracts, with a production capacity on a fully built out basis of 12,000 kg per year. As one of Canada’s largest producers and sellers of medical cannabis, Mettrum is exceptionally well-positioned to serve the needs of a growing and regulated market.

Mettrum Health CEO, Michael Haines, stated:

This latest milestone is significant as we can now transition our distribution hub from our original facility at Bennett Road North, to our largest facility down the road. We continue to advance our business plan. These latest amendments will contribute to our continually improving operational efficiency and margins.

The post Mettrum Receives License Amendment for the Sale of Medical Cannabis and Extracts appeared first on Investing News Network.

Will the 9th Circuit Court Stop MMJ Prosecutions in the West?

Rolland Gregg and his family have fought federal cannabis charges for more than three years, arguing that the roughly 70 plants investigators found on their property in Washington state were for their own medicinal use and fully complied with state law.

A federal jury last year convicted Gregg, his mother, and his then-wife of growing 50 to 100 marijuana plants — amounts their attorney said are in compliance with state medical marijuana law. With prison sentences looming, they’re fighting back by pointing to a recent act of Congress—the Rohrabacher-Farr Amendment—that they say should have prevented the U.S. Department of Justice from prosecuting them.

The U.S. Department of Justice disagrees with Gregg’s interpretation of the law.

“It’s been the hardest thing I’ve ever had to deal with in my life when you see the government coming down on you for simply trying to be healthy,” Gregg said.

Rolland Gregg

The 9th Circuit Court of appeals, which has jurisdiction over nine western states, is expected to issue a ruling soon on the scope of the Rohrabacher-Farr Amendment and whether it applies to cases like Gregg’s. That ruling could end or overturn at least six federal cannabis criminal prosecutions and convictions in California and Washington, including Gregg’s. It could also limit future prosecutions of medical marijuana users and dispensaries in eight western states that allow them. (Idaho is the only state within the 9th Circuit that doesn’t.)

“The 9th Circuit is the biggest circuit, one that contains lots of marijuana states. If they were to say, ‘The federal government is prohibited from enforcing medical marijuana law,’ that would be huge,” said Sam Kamin, a professor at the University of Denver Sturm College of Law who studies cannabis regulation.

At issue is a Congressional amendment that said the DOJ could not use Congressionally-allocated funding to prevent states that have legalized medical marijuana from implementing laws that permit its use, distribution and possession.

The amendment’s bipartisan sponsors — California Congressmen Sam Farr, D-Carmel, and Dana Rohrabacher, R-Costa Mesa,— say it prohibits the DOJ from prosecuting people who are complying with state medical marijuana laws.

California and more than 20 other states have legalized cannabis for medical use. The drug, however, remains illegal under federal law.

The DOJ has interpreted the law more narrowly, claiming it prevents prosecutors from trying to block state medical cannabis laws or charging state officials who implement them, but permits U.S. attorneys to go after cannabis dispensaries and growers.

The 9th Circuit is expected to clarify the amendment in appeals by three sets of defendants, who have cited it as grounds for judges to dismiss their cannabis charges.

Steve McIntosh, a dispensary owner in Los Angeles, had permits from local officials that show him in compliance with state law, according to his attorney, Marc Zilversmit. Under the Congressional amendment, the most the federal government can do is refer him to state authorities for prosecution, Zilversmit said.

Another defendant, cannabis farmer Samuel Doyle, met Washington State’s requirements for collective cannabis grows for medical marijuana patients, his attorney Douglas Hiatt said. “He was growing medical marijuana for people who needed it, whether they could afford it or not,” Hiatt said.

DOJ officials claim McIntosh’s dispensary had ties to a street gang, and Doyle and his co-defendants didn’t meet the legal requirements for medical marijuana in Washington State. Investigators found more than 550 plants growing on the Spokane property Doyle oversaw, and at least one of Doyle’s co-defendants indicated the cannabis was being sold, prosecutors said.

The DOJ did not respond to a request for further comment.

Gregg’s case is not among the ones the 9th Circuit is set to rule on. But he has raised the same argument as the other defendants, and the 9th Circuit has put his appeal on hold pending the outcome of the other appeals, his attorney Phil Telfeyan said.

“The feds think they have the power to override voters of the State of Washington and the will of Congress,” said Telfeyan, co-founder of the nonprofit civil rights group Equal Justice Under Law. “It’s up to the 9th Circuit to tell them, ‘Enough is enough. You can’t keep prosecuting people who are using medical marijuana for their needs.'”

The DOJ cited a county investigator’s testimony that he saw evidence of a for-profit cannabis farming operation on Gregg’s family property. The investigator said he found records that he believed were for drug sales, a scale and packaging material in the house as well as firearms, according to court documents.

Gregg, 34, who owns an alternative energy company, denied he sold cannabis, saying he used the drug to treat pain following a snowboarding accident that left him with a broken back and neck. His mother has rheumatoid arthritis and his then-wife had an eating disorder, he said, adding that all three had medical marijuana authorizations.

But the DOJ argued in his case, and Doyle and McIntosh’s cases, that the Rohrabacher-Farr amendment doesn’t bar the federal agency from prosecuting people violating federal drug law, even if they meet state law.

Alex Kreit, a cannabis law expert at Thomas Jefferson School of Law in San Diego, said the DOJ and cannabis defendants each have strong arguments for their conflicting interpretations of the amendment.

“The (amendment’s) language is not a model of clarity,” he said. “It really is open to a number of different interpretations.”

Image Source: AP

Attend The Free (Yes, FREE!) Virtual Cannabis Entrepreneur Summit

One of the coolest things in the cannabis space that I have seen since co-creating this blog in 2010 was the first ever Virtual Cannabis Health Summit. I have been to events, and have seen a lot of educational material online, but up until the point of that summit I had never seen so many

Reminder: 6th Annual Cannabis Industry Lobby Days May 12-13

The National Cannabis Industry Association (NCIA) is doing big things to move the cannabis industry and movement forward. If you are in the industry and not a member of NCIA, you should be. Below is an opportunity to make a lot of impact for the cannabis movement (via Facebook). I encourage you to make it

The Leafly Guide to Pairing Cannabis and Chocolate

Cannabis and chocolate: two substances with the power to make people very happy. Few things make for a better pair, and between the thousands of cannabis strains and a similar range of chocolate origins and options, the possibilities are endless. But how to go about pairing your favorite chocolate bars, truffles and desserts with your favorite strains? Don’t be intimidated by pairings – they’re easier than you think.

What Makes Cannabis Go So Well with Chocolate?

“There are so many parallels between chocolate and cannabis,” says Claire McKenzie, a Seattle-based professional chocolatier who offers chocolate and cannabis tasting and truffle-making workshops through her company, E’Claire Chocolates. “Chocolate is a plant just like cannabis, with three types of cacao similar to how there are three types of cannabis,” McKenzie explains. The effects of eating chocolate are in many ways chemically similar to the effects of consuming cannabis. Cacao beans even produce a kind of cannabinoid of their own – anandamide – which binds to the same receptors as THC in the brain, and mimics the pleasant feelings that cannabinoids catalyze.

What happens when you bring chocolate and cannabis together? “When there’s the THC and anandamide and theobromine and CBD coming together…you get that elevated, jazzed-up feeling” as the influences interact with one another, says McKenzie. Since cannabis tends to heighten the enjoyment of taste and texture, it’s especially easy to get excited about chocolate’s flavor profiles when you’re under the influence of cannabis. And the best part is that both chocolate and cannabis are good for you. “If you eat whole chocolate it’s the best food in the world,” McKenzie says, referring not only to chocolate’s natural mood enhancing properties but also to its numerous minerals and antioxidants. “The only thing that can make chocolate better is cannabis.”

The Basics of Chocolate Tasting

Pretty much everyone loves chocolate, but we often eat it without actively thinking about what we’re tasting (beyond “chocolatey” and “delicious”). In fact, chocolate is among the most flavorful foods on Earth, and can display a wide range of nuances depending on the type of bean, growing location, soil, altitude, environmental conditions, when the beans were harvested, how they were processed, and so on. Chocolate from Madagascar can display tart or sour fruit characteristics; Hawaiian chocolate often exhibits nutty and caramelly notes; some Southeast Asian chocolate can reveal earthy, smoky flavors.

Chocolate tasting is about more than just flavor. Before you eat a chocolate, consider its appearance, then bring it to your nose and take a few deep breaths, inhaling its aroma. Pop the chocolate in your mouth and let it melt on your tongue rather than biting it. Evaluate the texture. Think carefully about what you’re tasting, and try to come up with descriptors (you’ll get better at this with practice). Do you detect tobacco? Dried fruit? Butterscotch? Hazelnut? If you’re having a hard time, use a chocolate flavor wheel to get the ideas flowing. Be sure to keep thinking about the taste even after you’ve swallowed the chocolate: unique flavors often show up in the finish. Take notes as you do all this, and think about flavors that might complement what you’re tasting.

The Basics of Cannabis Pairing

No matter what you’re matching it with, the right cannabis pairing starts with an understanding of cannabis terpenes – the compounds that occur in varying concentrations to give individual cannabis strains their unique aromas and flavors. Limonene is what gives Lemon Skunk its distinctive zestiness; a high concentration of pinene imparts a foresty flavor profile to Jack Herer. Matching these aroma and flavor profiles with other aromas and flavors that complement or accentuate them is what makes for a great pairing.

If you’re a beginner, cannabis strains with high terpene levels are a great place to start; they’ll have the most pronounced aromas and flavors, which make them easier to match. Your budtender will be able to guide you toward strains with high levels of terpenes (between 2% and 4% total terpene content is generally considered high).

How best to consume the cannabis? Vaping flower is one of the best options because it lets terpene flavors shine through. Vaping concentrates can be similarly enjoyable, though be aware that concentrated flavor may overwhelm the taste of some chocolates. Smoking a bowl or joint will work too; you’ll get less of the strain flavor, which can make pairing harder, but the smoke adds a flavor element of its own that goes well with certain chocolates, especially dark ones.

Cannabis and Chocolate Pairings to Start With

Ready to pair? We recommend picking out three unique types of chocolate (such as white, milk and dark chocolate, or three dark chocolates from different origins) and three strains with very different flavor profiles (try a bright citrusy strain, a sweet fruity strain, and a pungent skunky strain). When sampling, either take a hit before taking a bite of chocolate, or place a piece of chocolate on your tongue and let it melt for a few seconds before taking the hit as you savor it. Try each strain with each type of chocolate. Which combinations do you like best?

It’s important to remember that there are no right or wrong answers in pairing: if you like the combination, then it’s a good match. Everyone tastes things differently based on past experiences, personal preferences, and even genetics, so what delights one person may seem lackluster to someone else. The more you sample, the better you’ll get at determining what you like.

To get started, try these three combinations:

White Chocolate and Super Lemon Haze: If it sounds like it would make a delectable dessert (think lemon white chocolate cheesecake), chances are it’ll be a solid pairing. That was the case with a rich white chocolate plus a pungent Super Lemon Haze from Rootworx in Shelton, Wash.; the lemon characteristics cut straight through the rich sweetness of the white chocolate.

Milk Chocolate and Marionberry Kush: We matched a 38% milk chocolate with a sweet, juicy Marionberry Kush from Emerald Jane’s in Seattle. Look for a fruity Central American chocolate for this pairing, and pay attention to how it brings out the jammy notes in the strain.

Dark Chocolate and Gorilla Glue #4: The pungent diesel aromas of North Coast Growers’ Gorilla Glue #4 added a surprising degree of complexity to the roasty, bitter dark chocolate we tried. An earthy South American chocolate that clocks in around 70% cacao works beautifully for this pairing.

What are your favorite chocolate and cannabis pairings? Share them in the comments section below!

Image Source: Sara Dilley

How Did Our Moms React When We Came Out of the Cannabis Closet?

The first time you come out to your parents about your cannabis use can be a scary and uncomfortable experience. It’s a big step into the unknown, but can often result in meaningful conversations about how much (or how little) you have in common with the people who raised you. When we’re growing up, our parents, especially our moms, seem infallible, a superhero caliber brand of amazing that you can hardly fathom.

It’s only as you get older that you slowly learn your parents are simply human – they’ve been confronted with same roadblocks and milestones that you’ve encountered along your path to adulthood, and they certainly know about cannabis. Whether they’ve walked the straight and narrow or can toke up with the best of them, your parents definitely have an opinion about our favorite green plant.

In acknowledgement of Mother’s Day, I asked the Leafly staff to share their stories of the first time they broached the topic of cannabis with their moms. The result was a collection of heartwarming and hilarious anecdotes of coming out of the cannabis closet to the person who birthed us, raised us, and changed our diapers. Here’s to the moms – may they love you, accept you, and respect your choices, one way or another.

A Surprising Bonding Experience

“Ahh Mother’s Day.,….I wasn’t there (I went on a guys’ ski trip), but when we were pregnant with my first (13 years ago!) there was a huge baby shower. My pregnant wife was sober, but our friends all got super stoned with the grandmas to be. Apparently both moms bonded over their upcoming transition to being a grandma while super high on the couch late at night.”

–Clay, Account Executive

“[It was the] summer between freshman and sophomore year of college. I’m down at a beach house with friends and family and I sneak off to burn a J. I come back and of course smell like pot. My dad scolds me for smelling like pot in the house, and immediately follows it with ‘…but if you wanna burn another, I’ll meet ya on the back porch in like 20 minutes.” Smoked one down with Pops and it was great. Fast forward nine years, now my parents have their own grow and make edibles.”

–Jordan, Account Manager

Yes, Moms Worry

“My mom found my six Deep Chunk plants in the crawlspace under the house when I was in high school, and instead of scolding me, [she] got really sad like she had failed as a mother. I wish she would have just yelled at me. Little did she know [what] the future [would bring for cannabis]!”

–Fermin, Software Engineer

“My mom got a call from the police department, so the ride home was our first real discussion about cannabis. Her main concern was for my safety and whether there were harder drugs of abuse. She did not condemn cannabis, I had to deal with my disappointed Jewish mother, which is much worse than an angry mom! My dad, on the other hand, basically said, ‘No shit? I was arrested for the same thing when I was your age!’, and thus our bond over shared views towards cannabis commenced.”

–Will, Digital Specialist

“My mom was cleaning my room while I was studying abroad and found rolling papers. Little did she know, I’d actually never used them (I still can’t roll a J), but had them just in case (I’d been vaporizing daily for a year or so at that point). She was more concerned about me going to jail than about any side effects. This was in 2010, so it’s pretty awesome that in a few short years I’m now working on the legal side of the industry!”

–Philip, Software Engineer

“Hey Mom, I Work for Leafly Now”

When they got the coveted job offer from Leafly, many of our esteemed colleagues were forced to come clean with their parents about their new line of work and their support for cannabis. The confessions led to some unexpected results:

“My mom found out that I used cannabis when I got the job [at Leafly], but she was always a bit squirrely about actually trying cannabis. One night, my sister’s friends were over and we all sat around the patio table outside, smoking out of a water pipe. My mom decided to join us and we all giggled, trying to instruct her on how to use a bong. My mom managed a successful hit, complete with coughing. She passed the pipe around the table and my sister’s friend easily maneuvered the pipe, while my mom looked on.

“Suddenly, Mom gasped. ‘Whaaaat? You smoke weed? Does your mother know that?’ My sister’s friend’s eyes widened and she quickly responded, ‘NO! Please don’t tell her.’ The entire table erupted in giggles. Don’t worry. Momma ain’t no narc.”

–Lisa, Associate Editor

“I came out of the cannabis closet to my mom by telling her I took a job at Leafly, at which point she busted out the app and showed me all the strains she’d favorited. Next week I ran into her at Uncle Ike’s, buying rolling papers.”

–Kelly, Senior Developer

“My little Korean mom is both impossible to read and quite intimidating, so when it was time to break the news that her daughter took a job at a cannabis company, I was a little afraid of how she’d react. We live a few thousand miles apart, so I mustered up the courage to ring her up and let her know. I said, ‘I work for a startup that has created a directory for, uh…marijuana’, and was greeted with silence on the other end, then ‘My gahhhh,’ then more silence. I chewed on my lip, waiting for the inevitable rapid-fire interrogation that would eventually spiral into half-English, half-Korean ragerish (rage-gibberish).

“Finally, my mom started back up with ‘So…’, and I braced myself for the verbal abuse that would follow. She said, ‘You get pah-king?’ Bewildered, I uttered, ‘What?’ She repeated, ‘Pah-king. You get pah-king there?’ My mom just asked me about the parking situation at my new cannabis job. Because that’s clearly the first question that springs to mind when someone tells you, ‘I work for a startup in the marijuana industry.’ Confused, I responded in the affirmative, to which my mom replied, ‘Das good. Free?’ I said, ‘Yes, I get free parking’ while my brain struggled to understand what the hell was happening.

“My mom, pleased with my new job’s parking situation, said, ‘Oh, nice!’, and at that point I asked, ‘That’s it?’ To my surprise, she countered with ‘You smart and you know better than Mommy, so you do what’s best.’ That was it. We wrapped up our call and that was that. I have the weirdest yet best mom in the world. (Although we’ve sinced move offices to a less parking-friendly location, so who knows if her opinion will change once I break the news.)”

–Rebecca, Senior Content Manager

“A couple holiday seasons or so ago, my mom made some of the strongest brownies I have ever had in my life. We all ate one and got so stoned. Our family of five could barely function as human beings, and we piled into my sister’s double bed to watch The Interview (that Seth Rogen/James Franco comedy). We were all so uncomfortable, but too high to move to the room with the larger TV. Also, my mom calls cannabis ‘toot-toot’.”

–Sam, Account Executive

What was your experience like when you came clean to your Mom about cannabis? Share your funny and memorable stories below!

Reminder: Cannabis Industry Social With Tobias Read On Monday

To say that Oregon needs a cannabis friendly Oregon State treasurer is an understatement. Below is an event featuring candidate Tobias Reed, via Facebook. I believe his record speaks for itself: Please join us for a social hour with Tobias Read! Tobias has been a major asset in the Oregon House for the cannabis industry

US WA: Legalized Pot Is Becoming Very Inexpensive

Buffalo News, 08 May 2016 – Two years ago, Washington State began an unprecedented policy experiment by allowing large-scale production and sale of recreational marijuana to the public. The effects on public health and safety and on the relationship of law enforcement to minority communities will take years to manifest fully, but one impact has become abundantly clear: Legalized marijuana is getting very cheap very quickly. Marijuana price data from Washington’s Liquor and Cannabis Board was aggregated by Steve Davenport of the Pardee RAND Graduate School and Jonathan Caulkins, a professor at Carnegie Mellon University. After a transitory rise in the first few months, which Davenport attributes to supply shortages as the system came online, both retail prices and wholesale prices have plummeted. Davenport said that prices “are now steadily falling at about 2 percent per month. If that trend holds, prices may fall 25 percent each year going forward.”

Cannabis Craftsmanship: How a Dab Rig is Made

Can Cannabis Give You Multiple Orgasms?

Recently, Match.com published updates to its Singles in America survey, suggesting that of the 5,500 people surveyed, “single stoners are 109% more likely to have had multiple orgasms.” Does cannabis really help people have multiple orgasms? If so, how?

What, Exactly, is an Orgasm?

Sexuality resource site Scarleteen defines orgasm as “an event typically in response to physical or intellectual sexual stimulation, controlled by the involuntary nervous system. Orgasm often results in muscle contractions in and around the genitals, other muscular spasms throughout the body, and a feeling of sexual and/or tension release.”

So what’s the deal with multiple orgasms?

My colleague Dr. Nadine Thornhill explains, “Different people experience multiple orgasms in different ways. For some folks it’s a rapid series of climaxes, occurring within a few seconds of one another. For others, there may be an individual orgasm, followed by a brief pause, followed by another individual orgasm. For some, it can mean getting aroused, stimulation, followed orgasm, total resolution (that’s M&J [Masters and Johnson] speak for your body going back to its pre-aroused state), followed by renewed arousal, more stimulation, and another orgasm.”

Dr. Thornhill makes some important points. Orgasms feel and manifest differently for different people. Selma Blair’s character in the movie Cruel Intentions, for example, describes her first orgasm by saying, “Then I started getting really hot, and then I started shaking, then I don’t know, it was weird, it just felt like an EXPLOSION…but a good one.” Some folks experience that explosive release of tension. Others feel rapid contracting and release in their pelvic region. Some may experience ejaculation at the point of orgasm, but others may ejaculate before or after the orgasm, or independently of orgasm. Sometimes feelings of intense release can occur without any physical stimulation at all.

How to Create an Orgasm-Friendly Environment

If you want to help create an environment that is conducive to pleasure and orgasm, no matter how many times it manifests (if at all!), here are some suggestions:

Eliminate distractions. Set aside time where you can focus on all the things that make your body feel good. Turn your phone on silent, go somewhere you won’t be interrupted, and enjoy yourself.

Consider orgasm a bonus, not a focus. As I’ve mentioned, focusing too much on orgasm during sex actually makes it more difficult to have an orgasm at all, much less multiple orgasms. Instead, focus on what brings you the most pleasure at any given moment.

Use (and don’t use) your muscles. You can activate your pelvic floor by clenching your core muscles along with the muscles in your butt, thighs, and calves. Many find that this tension makes it easier to orgasm, since an orgasm is simply an involuntary release of muscle tension. For instance, in order to have a stimulation-based orgasm, I need to be lying down with my legs straight out and clenched. I literally cannot get off if my legs are bent or not flexed. Conversely, some find the tension distracting or interfering with their pleasure due to muscle cramps or the position they need to be in to facilitate orgasm. Experiment with muscle use to find out what works best for you.

Breathe deeply. Seriously. You have to be able to breathe. Many find themselves holding their breath at various points during pleasurable sensation. Holding your breath or taking rapid, shallow breaths (just at the top of your chest) can actually induce a stress response, which is the antithesis of pleasure. Keep breathing down into your thoracic diaphragm. Pretend you’re sucking on a vape pen: inhale for four seconds, pause a second, and exhale for eight seconds. This will kick on your parasympathetic nervous system and get your body out of fight/flight/freeze mode.

Does Cannabis Impact Your Orgasms?

The Match.com survey didn’t give any explanation beyond the statistic, so I’m speculating here, but I suspect cannabis is useful because it facilitates relaxation and mindfulness, two key components of pleasurable sensation. If you know that you’re prone to getting stuck in your head, try a high CBD strain for anxiety. For those who want to amplify sensation, try a strain that makes you extra sensitive to tactile stimuli like Key Lime Pie.

How has cannabis impacted your experience of multiple orgasms?

Cannabis Craftsmanship: How to Make a Dab Rig with the Boro School

Dab rigs are practically a necessity for the modern cannabis connoisseur, but a quality hand-blown rig isn’t something you can just whip up with household items. To find out more about the time, care, and artistry needed to create a glass dab rig, we visited the Boro School in Seattle, Washington.

Erin Bourguinon, an instructor at the Boro School, shows us how she builds a dab rig from start to finish. Using a technique known as coil potting, Erin builds her full-color tubes. Once she has her tubes together, she’s able to shape the various pieces and begin assembling them. After the dab rig is assembled, it heads to the kiln for one last cycle to help the glass anneal overnight. Once the glass has settled and cooled, the rig is ready to use.

Have you ever wanted to learn how to blow glass or make your own dab rig? Check out the video for Erin’s step-by-step guide to her process and share your experience in the comments section below. When you’re done watching, don’t forget to subscribe to Leafly’s video channel for the next episode of the Cannabis Craftsmanship series and more!

Reminder – 17th Annual Global Cannabis March Taking Place In Portland Tomorrow

Tomorrow is the Global Cannabis March, taking place in many cities across the world. Portland, Oregon is going to be doing its 17th march. If you are able, get down to Pioneer Courthouse Square and show your support. There’s a lot to celebrate this year, and a lot of work still to do, so get

Keith Stroup Founder Of NORML To Keynote At Cannabis World Congress In New York

“Why We’re Finally Winning After All These Years,” will be the powerful address given by Keith Stroup, Founder of NORML at the Cannabis World Congress & Business Exposition (CWCBExpo), June 15-17, at the Javits Center in New York. Mr. Stroup joins Leonard Marshall, Super Bowl Champion and concussion prevention advocate, as a headlining Keynote Speaker.

The Shake: State Dept. Says DEA is Wrong on Cannabis

State Department says DEA’s cannabis research policy doesn’t add up. You know how legalization opponents sometimes say we “don’t know enough” about cannabis to end prohibition? If you’re a scientist who wants to study cannabis in the U.S., the only way to obtain it legally is through the University of Mississippi, the sole entity with a federal license to operate. Other institutions have applied for licenses, longtime advocate Tom Angell reports, but the DEA has repeatedly stood in their way on the grounds that international treaties prevent the U.S. from granting more licenses. Well, the State Department says that’s hooey. In a letter released Thursday in response to questions from Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), the State Department’s Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement says it interprets international law very differently: “Nothing in the text of the Single Convention, nor in the Commentary, suggests that there is a limitation on the number of licenses that can be issued,” the letter says. The limit, sometimes called the “NIDA monopoly” because the National Institute of Drug Abuse administers the licenses, has stymied research since it began in 1968. It feeds prohibitionists’ “not enough research” argument, and it grinds research involving cannabis-based therapies almost to a halt. But as Angell writes, “While the situation has long been referred to by advocates as the ‘NIDA monopoly,’ the blame lies squarely at DEA’s feet.”

Oakland wants to be the cannabis capital of California. The City Council voted unanimously this week to expand the number of dispensaries and other cannabusinesses allowed within city limits. The new law adds eight dispensary licenses and lays the groundwork for a projected 30 growers, 12 delivery services, two testing facilities, 28 manufacturing facilities, and more. Oakland also became the first to include a so-called equity amendment in its regulations that requires the city to grant half the new business licenses to applicants who live in areas of Oakland that have traditionally had higher cannabis-related arrests. Councilmember Desley Brooks, who authored the amendment, says it’s aimed at increasing opportunities for people of color to secure a spot in the ballooning market.

A 15-year-old girl was suspended from school for cannabis — even though she passed a drug test. North Carolina student Jakayla Johnson’s suspension, for “drug possession,” was based on the determination that she smelled like the plant. She took a drug test and tested negative, but the school suspended her anyway. Her mother worries the matter will follow Jakayla for the rest of her life.

Want to expand your cannabusiness? We told you a while ago how companies are using licensing deals to build their brands in other states. That can sound a lot like a franchise arrangement — but it’s decidedly not, writes lawyer Alison Malsbury: “Get it right or face the consequences.”

Obama commutes sentences of 58 people in federal prison on drug charges. It adds to a growing list of clemency announcements by the White House as President Obama’s tenure draws to an end. “The president is acting,” said the Drug Policy Alliance. “Congress must step up too.”

Jamaica adopts regulations to guide new ganja industry. The country’s fledgling Cannabis Licensing Authority this week approved regulations to kick off the country’s cannabis market, the Jamaica Gleaner reports. The CLA will now begin accepting applications to license farmers and other businesses.

California and Washington tighten regulations on vape products. A lot of reports so far have focused on the tobacco angle — starting in June, consumers must be 21 or older to buy cigarettes in California — but the changes will affect vaporizers, too. Daniel Shortt at Canna Law Blog has the rundown.

And finally, here’s a headline where “devil weed” doesn’t refer to cannabis. Now that’s progress.

A Study of Tolerability and Efficacy of Cannabidiol on Tremor in Parkinson's Disease

There are two stages in the study. The major purpose of the Stage 1 is to study the safety and tolerability of the proposed dosage regimen of the study drug. The form of cannabidiol (CBD) used in this study is GWP42003, supplied by GW Pharmaceuticals. The dosage regime is based on their experience. This is […]

Crash and Burn in Burlington: How Legalization Failed in Vermont

Six weeks ago, cannabis legalization seemed destined to pass in Vermont. With the backing of Gov. Peter Shumlin, the state Senate approved a legalization bill and sent it on to the House. There it slowed, then stalled, and then finally died. Earlier this week the House overwhelmingly voted down the proposal.

What happened?

Matt Simon, political director of the Marijuana Policy Project, paused in the hallway of the Vermont Statehouse last week to consider the difficulty of passing cannabis legalization in New England.

“Getting policy through two houses of the Legislature, there’s always something that can go wrong,” he said. “All it takes is one committee to throw it off the rails.”

While Simon has been trying to pass a marijuana legalization bill through the House and Senate in Burlington, fellow activists in Maine and Massachusetts have been placing legalization measures on November ballot initiatives.

Without question, Simon said, his colleagues have the easier job. With a ballot initiative, “you’re asking a yes or no question,” he said. In the state Legislature, by contrast, there are a million different ways to sidetrack a bill.

January: A strong start

In his State of the State address back in January, Gov. Peter Shumlin, a Democrat who is retiring next year, listed legalization as a top legislative priority. If passed, Vermont’s legalize-and-regulate system would be the first to be adopted through the legislative process. It would also be one of Shumlin’s lasting legacies.

The four legal states and the District of Columbia all legalized through voter initiatives. Vermont law has no provision for citizen-led statewide measures. No matter, said Shumlin. Legalizing cannabis through legislation, he argued, would be better.

“I will work with you to craft the right bill that thoughtfully and carefully eliminates the era of prohibition that is currently failing us so miserably,” Shumlin told legislators.

Vermont Governor Peter Shumin

That he did. The governor enlisted the support of Senate Judiciary Committee Chair Dick Sears. The two had served together in the Senate for 14 years, buddied up at Boston Red Sox games, and had long gone to bat for each other.

Sears crafted a bill that called for a 25-percent tax on marijuana sales at a limited number of state-permitted stores. It would legalize possession of up to an ounce, but wouldn’t allow for home growing.

The bill cruised through the Senate. In late February, Sears wrangled a 17–12 vote that sent the bill to the House. There — where Shumlin had far fewer friends — the path grew rougher.

March: Rough going in the House

The 11-member House Judiciary Committee — seven Democrats and four Republicans — greeted the bill with something akin to dread.

“I’m not clear about why we are doing this,” committee Chair Maxine Grad said. “I have a lot of questions.”

Democratic House Speaker Shap Smith, a shrewd lawyer in his eighth year at the helm of the 150-member chamber, declared himself a legalization supporter. But he questioned whether issues such as highway safety could be sufficiently resolved.

“It just doesn’t feel like it’s ready to go all the way through,” Smith said.

Despite Smith’s reluctance, many thought the politically ambitious Democrat — Smith is a potential candidate for lieutenant governor — would find a way to pass it this session. Smith has earned a reputation as a leader who can muscle through tough legislation when he wants to. In 2009, he mustered just enough votes to make Vermont the first state in the nation to legalize same-sex marriage through legislation.

“This is different,” Smith said of marijuana.

Legalization isn’t a simple yes or no question, Smith said. He saw it more as a series of questions. Should home growing be allowed? Who should be allowed to sell? And how much? And where? “There was never any jelling around a particular proposal,” he said, reflecting on the defeat of legalization earlier this week.

April: Hearing crickets from constituents

Those unresolved questions weren’t the only problems. House Majority Leader Sarah Copeland Hanzas said legislators never heard a groundswell of support for legalization from their constituents. Without that, she said, interest among most members for tackling the topic was lukewarm at best.

Kevin Ellis, a longtime statehouse lobbyist who was working to defeat the bill, said supporters never laid the groundwork to garner public support for legalization. “You’ve got to educate people,” he said. “People aren’t ready.”

Simon speculated that the Senate’s decision to not allow home growing — over fears that home gardens would lead to black market sales — doomed the effort. Many longtime legalization advocates view the issue through the lens of individual freedom and liberty. The idea that licensed, commercialized farmers would be able to grow while backyard plots would be outlawed struck them as offensive and nonsensical. It undercut the entire reason for legalization. As MPP’s Matt Simon put it, “It diminished the enthusiasm of supporters and created opposition.”

House members did not hear their phones ringing in support of legalization.

At the same time, the opioid crisis emerged as a reason for opponents to kill the measure. “The shadow of the heroin epidemic is something that people think about when they think about the legalization, and they ask themselves, ‘Are we sending the right message about legalization?’” House Speaker Smith told the New York Times. “I think in the public’s mind, it’s making passage of this bill more difficult.”

Without grassroots enthusiasm, and with growing concerns — warranted or not — about legalization and the opioid crisis, the bill that emerged from the Senate in robust health began to seriously falter.

Three House committees, including Grad’s, declined to embrace legalization. Weeks passed. The bill stalled completely. It looked as though the full House might never vote on the issue at all.

Finally, in late April, Sears forced the issue. He attached the Senate bill to another piece of legislation.

Shap Smith didn’t become House Speaker by failing math, especially when it comes to counting votes. He warned legalization advocates that an up-or-down vote in the House would fail, and that failure could set back the movement. “What I’m worried about is if we have a vote this year and it’s negative, that people next year will say, ‘Why bother?’” he said.

Some legalization advocates agreed. Others pushed for a vote. They got it on Tuesday.

Members of the Vemont House of Representatives reviewing the legalization bill

Rep. Chris Pearson, the Progressive Party caucus leader, led the way on what would become a seven-hour debate. “Why does the Legislature feel comfortable sitting at dinner, enjoying a glass of wine, and telling us that we may not enjoy cannabis?” he asked. “I think people are ready to take this conversation out of the shadows.”

Grad countered that the Senate legalization bill would open the door for a large-scale, commercial marijuana market. That, she said, is “not the Vermont way.”

As Smith predicted, legalization failed. When the votes were counted, the House had dealt it a resounding 121–28 defeat.

An alternative proposal — to decriminalize home growing of up to two plants — fared better but still failed, 77–70. By day’s end, the House managed to vote only for the creation of a commission to prepare the state for eventual legalization.

Eventually even that failed. At the end of the week, the Senate scuttled the commission. A session that began with a serious chance to legalize and regulate cannabis in Vermont ended with no legalization, no expansion of decriminalization, and not even a commission to study the issue. Lawmakers are expected to adjourn for the year on Saturday.

“Fuck the commission,” Sears said Thursday night. “The commission was unnecessary.”

MPP’s Matt Simon strained to mask his disappointment earlier this week. “This obviously is not what we were asking for,” he said.

Simon insisted, though, that the long, tortured ride had been worthwhile. “I think we made a lot of progress this session,” he said. “People recognize prohibition has failed. It may be that they had to have this first awkward debate.”

Vermont’s next legislative session is scheduled to open on Wednesday, Jan. 3, 2017. There will be a new governor, a new House speaker, and a new Senate leader.

Image Source: Terri Hallenbeck

PGT #298-Once in a Lifetime

  Hosted by attorney Michael Komorn from Komorn Law and Chad from Birmingham Compassion   Contributions from Rick Thompson from The Compassion Chronicles-also providing the news, and show producer Jamie Lowell from the Third Coast Dispensary in Ypsilanti   Tonight- We begin a mini-series on political candidates in Michigan in support of sensible cannabis reform. […]

S 02, Ep. 04 – He's a Washington edibles maker; He fights for U.S. hemp

Published: May 5, 2016, 4:09 pm • Updated: May 5, 2016, 4:09 pm By Vincent Chandler, The Cannabist Staff Featured guests: Patrick Devlin, a “zootologist” for Zoots Premium Cannabis Infusions making edibles in Washington state, and Eric Carlson, director of hemp affairs with the National Cannabis Chamber of Commerce. Podcast: Play in new window | […]

3 Reasons Why Your Next Edibles Should Be Cooked Sous-Vide

With the advent of consumer-grade sous-vide machines from companies like Anova, Sansaire, and Nomiku, getting started with this method of cooking has never been easier or more affordable. If you’re unfamiliar with sous-vide, it’s is a technique where food is sealed in plastic bags or canning jars and cooked in a water bath held to a specific temperature. A precisely heated water bath is wonderful for both decarboxylating your main ingredient and infusing your cooking oil or butter. But why is the sous-vide method so perfect for infusing oils, and why should you consider switching from your classic approach to making edibles?

1. Sous-Vide Offers Precise (and Easy) Temperature Control

One of the biggest concerns while infusing canna-oil is the temperature – If it’s too cool, the THC will bind to the oil at a diminished rate (or not bind at all), and if it’s too hot, you’re vaporizing some of the psychoactive ingredients and losing potency.

As a general rule, a higher temperature leads to a faster reaction rate and therefore requires less cooking time to be activated; it should be noted, however, that temperatures above 140 [degrees] C run the risk of beginning to vaporize compounds out of the mixture and temperatures below 90 [degrees] C may not lead to significant chemical conversion on a time scale of less than 24 hours. (ScienceDirect and Perrotin-Brunel, H, Buijs, W, Spronsen, JV, Roosmalen, MJEV, Peters, CJ, Verpoorte, R, Wikamp, GJ. via Wikipedia)

Unlike a saucepan, slow cooker, or double boiler, with a sous-vide you simply input a temperature on the digital display (or your smartphone!) and rest assured, your oil with remain within +/- 1° of the chosen temperature for the entire cooking duration. No fuss, no muss, and I guarantee you’ll get it right the very first time.

Plus, once you’ve found a recipe that works for you (Sousweed has a lot of great ones) and your material, you’ll be able to reproduce it every time. This is great because you’ll never have to worry about accidentally wasting your top shelf bud or hash in a temperature-related cooking accident.

2. Sous-Vide is Hands-Free and Low Stress

Infusing oil can be an all-day process that requires some amount of attention throughout. With sous-vide, the only thing you have to worry about is water evaporation during the cooking process — but with a good lid, saran-wrap, or ping pong balls, you won’t have to baby-sit the infusion process at all!

Additionally, if you feel comfortable leaving a crockpot unattended in your house, you can also feel comfortable leaving your sous-vide unattended, affording you time to do other more important things.

3. Sous-Vide is Courteous and Covert

Decarbing flower in your oven and infusing oil on your stovetop can make one’s kitchen smell a bit dank, which is less than ideal when you have neighbors with sensitive noses or you want to keep your cannabis use private.

Well, it turns out that when you cook your cannabis in an airtight, sealed container that’s also under water, there’s not a whole lot to smell, which means you can whip up a delicious batch of infused goodies without stinking up your kitchen.

Have you ever made edibles with a sous-vide machine? If so, how’d your infusions turn out? Share your experience in the comments!

6 Cannabis Strains with Mexican Heritage You Need for Cinco de Mayo

Cinco de Mayo is celebrated with sombreros, tequila, and mariachi music, so why not add cannabis with Mexican history to the mix? Sativa strains have long flourished in Mexico’s hot climate, and these heirlooms have since propagated countless hybrids with their genetics. Here are just six of those descendants. To find out if they’re available at a nearby shop, simply click the strain tile to navigate to its strain page and check its “Availability” tab.

Acapulco Gold

Said to have originated in Acapulco, Mexico, this sativa is a colorful tangle of gold-orange pistils. With a sweet fruity flavor counterbalanced by earthy and spicy notes, Acapulco Gold provides a high-energy cerebral buzz that keeps you feeling stimulated throughout the day’s festivities.

Mexican Sativa

The breeders at Sensi Seeds managed to hunt down a sativa from Oaxaca and cross it with a Pakistani indica and the high-energy African sativa Durban Poison. The result was Mexican Sativa, a robustly uplifting strain with a fresh aroma of sandalwood and pine. The strong cerebral euphoria can verge on too trippy for some, but get to your happy place (at home, out for a hike, a grassy spot in the sun) and you’re more likely to experience the rich sensory experience this sativa has to offer.

Cannalope Haze

Cherished for its weightless euphoria and tropical flavors, Cannalope Haze is the perfect strain for staying social and giggling. With aromas of sweet melon and wildflowers, Cannalope Haze is perfect for pairing with fresh fruits and floral cocktails.

Trainwreck

This hybrid mutt descends from Mexican and Thai sativas as well as Afghani indicas, creating a well-balanced experience that relaxes the body while lifting the mood. High in the citrusy terpene limonene, Trainwreck carries a pronounced lemon aroma with woody, earthy overtones. For those susceptible to social anxiety, this strain might be a better choice than the heady, racy sativas on this list.

Haze

Maybe you’ve never tried the original Haze, but if you’re a fan of sativa strains, you’re likely to have tried one of its hybrid progeny. Developed in the 1960s as a result of crossing Mexican, Thai, Colombian, and South Indian varieties, Haze has since become a cornerstone of sativa breeding. Spicy in flavor and energizing in effect, it’s not hard to see why Haze belongs in your stash jar this Cinco de Mayo.

NYPD

Though in no way Mexican by name, Nirvana Seeds’ NYPD descends from a Mexican landrace strain known as “Eldorado” and Aurora Indica. Funky diesel flavors are made sweet with dominant flavors of sweet lemon, and this sativa-dominant strain is known to provide a cerebral rush to keep your mind humming alive throughout the day’s celebrations.

How Billboards Became the Cannabis Industry’s Ad Darling

In a (successful) effort to stir up media attention for an Arizona legalization initiative, the Campaign to Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol this week put up Mothers Day-themed billboards in Phoenix and Tucson.

The ads turn the typical parental cannabis conversation on its head. “Have you talked to your parents about marijuana?” they ask.

As sticky as the slogan might be, the blast is the latest example of a broader trend. And in this case it’s not the message, it’s the medium.

Billboards have fallen out of favor among many in the advertising industry in recent years, largely because digital options offer more flexibility in terms of targeting users and tracking the efficacy of ad campaigns. But because cannabis businesses are excluded from paid advertisements on popular platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, and Google, billboards offer an actionable alternative.

Not long ago, putting cannabis on such public display raised more than just eyebrows. In 2010, the Drug Policy Alliance tried to use a billboard to criticize a dramatic spike in cannabis arrests under New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg. The billboard company rejected the ad, initially citing “political circumstances from the Mayor’s office,” then simply arguing the message was “too controversial.”

Even in California, which 20 years ago became the first U.S. state to legalize medical cannabis, a lone billboard that went up earlier this year to advertise a Santa Ana dispensary was billed as “historic” by the local news.

Today cannabis billboards are increasingly common, at least in states where it’s legal. In Seattle’s SoDo neighborhood, home to a number of retail shops, you can find a handful within a few blocks. Part of their popularity has its roots in state law: Billboards offer a way for shops to skirt state regulators’ limits on signage at retail locations. So long as the billboard isn’t on the property itself, it doesn’t count against the signage limit.

We rounded up a few of our favorite billboard campaigns to pay homage to the humble billboard’s increasingly important role in cannabis. Which ones did we miss?

Boston: A Safer St. Paddy’s

In Massachusetts, cannabis advocates took a shot at Boston’s St. Patrick’s Day celebration, which typically involves lots of booze. A digital billboard in South Boston showed a green-colored beer, a glass of whiskey, and a cannabis leaf — with the labels “Beer,” “Whiskey,” and “Safer.”

Denver: 4/20 Frozen Pizza Rolls

In case you missed it, Totinos rolled out a whole bunch of cheeky billboards across Colorado on 4/20 to drum up support for their frozen pizza rolls. Is it a money play on traditional stoner stereotypes? Sure. But it’s hard to argue with pizza rolls.

Seattle: Where Cannabusiness Found a Foothold

For a long time, cannabis on billboards appeared primarily as campaign literature, pushing voters to support or oppose legalization. That changed in August 2014, when Seattle-based cannabis producer Dàmà unveiled what was widely billed as the nation’s first-ever billboard campaign by a cannabusiness. More than a dozen ads went up around the city, sporting an aesthetic that was more outdoorsy than traditional stoner.

Scottsdale, Ariz.: Party on Grass

The Waste Management Phoenix Open is a golf tournament laden with revelry — it’s widely known as the PGA Tour’s biggest party. This year a digital billboard went up near the tourney calling out alcohol as more dangerous than cannabis. “If beer and golf make for the ‘greatest party on grass,’” the ad read, “Why can’t adults enjoy a safer party on grass?”

Image Sources: @Ron_White via nymmj.com, MassLive, Gabriel Spitzer via KPLU, and Golf Digest

Calling All Oregonians – We Want You At The 17th Annual Global Cannabis March In Portland!

Portland is having its 17th annual Global Cannabis March this Saturday. This has always been a successful event/protest in the past, and with the way things are in Oregon right now, this march is needed more now than ever before. I want to see as many people attend as possible. I unfortunately will be out

Brazil Approves U.S. Cannabis Product RSHO as Imported Medication to Treat Cancer

This article is sponsored by CMW Media, the premier public and media relations agency proudly serving the cannabis industry worldwide.

Medical Marijuana, Inc. has announced to its shareholders and the public that the Brazilian government has approved its hemp-derived cannabidiol (CBD) oil product, Real Scientific Hemp Oil™ (RSHO™), to be imported as a prescription medication for cancer, and is subsidizing its cost under the Brazilian federal government’s heath care system.

“We have the utmost respect for the Brazilian government that decided hemp CBD oil should be available to their people, for a variety of reasons. Medical Marijuana, Inc. is actively working with other governments to also make hemp CBD products available. We look forward to more progress on a global scale in the very near future,” states Stuart W. Titus, Ph.D. and Chief Executive Officer of Medical Marijuana, Inc.

Cancer is among the leading causes of death worldwide, with 14 million new cases and 8.2 million deaths recorded in 2014 alone according to data from the National Institutes of Health. South and Central America, along with Asia and Africa, account for 60 percent of these new cases, and 70 percent of deaths.

Real Scientific Hemp Oil™ [RSHO]™ Blue and Gold Label all-natural CBD hemp oil in oral applicator tubes ship to Brazil with government approved documentation.

Medical Uses for CBD Hemp Oil in Brazil

Until 2015, all cannabis products were illegal in Brazil, regardless of whether they were derived from drug cannabis or from hemp. In May of 2015, Medical Marijuana, Inc. made history as the first cannabis product approved by the Brazilian government for import. Its approval was due in large part to the efforts of Katiele Fischer, whose daughter Anny suffered from CDKL5 epilepsy. Fischer, who had been bringing RSHO into Brazil illegally, sued the federal government for the right to access the product. The government agreed that Fischer had the right to import the medication her daughter needed, and by the end of 2015, three conditions – epilepsy (including CDLK5), Parkinson’s disease, and chronic pain – had been approved for treatment with RSHO. Cancer joins them as the fourth approved condition.

Research has shown that the cannabinoids found naturally in cannabis can lower blood pressure, fight cancer, induce sleep, decrease seizures, relieve nausea, reduce inflammation, stimulate appetite, and far more. This bodes well for the possibility that Brazil may expand the list of qualifying indications for import of RSHO in the future. Meanwhile, the non-psychoactive oil is legal and accessible in all 50 states and more than 40 countries, where purchasers may order RSHO products online without a medical recommendation.

RSHO™ all-natural CBD hemp oil products are available in all 50 U.S. states and more than 40 countries.

The Future of CBD Hemp Oil: “Access for All”

“We are extremely proud to have created a new American export category: CBD hemp oil,” says Titus. “Our focus is ‘access for all’ and what is legally accessible to all, at this time, is hemp CBD in oil, capsules, tinctures, liquids and topicals. We envision our hemp CBD oil brands – including RSHO – becoming household names in 2016.”

Medical Marijuana, Inc.’s CBD hemp oil is derived from the mature stalk of the hemp plant and is considered a food nutrient delivering the benefits of cannabinoids without the psychotropic effects of THC. It contains no pesticides, herbicides, genetic modifications or heavy metals. Before becoming a finished product, it goes through multiple quality tests by top cannabis industry and food laboratories.

Titus explains, “Every country operates under different guidelines; some consider hemp CBD a product that can only be accessed with a medical prescription while others simply consider it a food product or nutritional supplement.”

In Brazil, residents who have a government-recognized medical indication and want access to RSHO hemp oil products may order them with a doctor’s prescription and approved import documentation from ANVISA. The government agency has issued a statement on its website explaining how to apply for an import certificate. HempMeds Brasil has been working for more than a year on its formal product application and regulatory submission. The company expects to continue working on the application through 2016.

About Medical Marijuana, Inc.

The mission of Medical Marijuana, Inc. (OTC Pink: MJNA) is to be the premier hemp industry innovator, leveraging its team of professionals to source, evaluate and purchase value-added companies and products, while allowing them to keep their integrity and entrepreneurial spirit. It strives to create awareness within the industry and develop environmentally-friendly, economically sustainable businesses while increasing shareholder value.

For more information on Medical Marijuana, Inc. and the portfolio company brands that it promotes, please visit the company website.

About HempMeds^® Brasil™

HempMeds^® Brasil™ currently has three cannabis products approved for importation into Brazil as a prescription medication for epilepsy, Parkinson’s and chronic pain. The company had the first-ever cannabis product allowed for import into Brazil and its products are currently subsidized by the Brazilian government, under their health care system, for all three medical indications listed above. HempMeds Brasil™ is working on additional approvals for multiple indications, including cancer.

FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION (FDA) DISCLOSURE
These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA and are not intended to diagnose, treat or cure any disease.

FORWARD-LOOKING DISCLAIMER
This press release may contain certain forward-looking statements and information, as defined within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and is subject to the Safe Harbor created by those sections. This material contains statements about expected future events and/or financial results that are forward-looking in nature and subject to risks and uncertainties. Such forward-looking statements by definition involve risks, uncertainties and other factors, which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of Medical Marijuana, Inc. to be materially different from the statements made herein.

LEGAL DISCLOSURE
Medical Marijuana Inc. and HempMeds^® do not sell or distribute any products that are in violation of the United States Controlled Substances Act (US.CSA). These companies do grow, sell, and distribute hemp-based products and are involved with the federally legal distribution of medical marijuana-based products within certain international markets. Cannabidiol is a natural constituent of hemp oil.

Eugene Monroe Has A Bright Future As A Cannabis Reform Advocate

This week ArcView Group held an event for the first time in Portland, Oregon. Portland is home to an amazing cannabis community, and having the ArcView Group in town is a big validation for Portland’s growing cannabis industry. The event had a heavy sports cannabis focus because former NBA All Star Cliff Robinson was presenting

National Cannabis Industry Association And BDS Analytics Partner To Serve Members With Valuable Industry Data

Members of the National Cannabis Industry Association will be getting a valuable new benefit, thanks to a ground-breaking partnership with leading cannabis market intelligence firm BDS Analytics. Beginning in June 2016, NCIA member-businesses will receive free interactive access to crucial market and category-level sales data compiled and contextualized by BDS, the industry’s leading source of

State of the Leaf: Germany Could Legalize Medical Marijuana and Iceland Loves Its Cannabis

Legalization efforts are hurtling towards the November finish line and there’s no looking back at this point. California is on the up and up, winning a major lawsuit for medical cannabis and officially submitting enough signatures to secure a spot on the November ballot, putting the Golden State firmly on the path towards the end of prohibition. Connecticut could open its medical cannabis program to minors, Illinois is considering expanding its qualifying conditions (yet again), Hawaii announced the winners of its coveted dispensary licenses on the islands, and Vermont’s chance for a legalization bid is dead in the water.

Internationally, Germany is looking at a medical push, Iceland has some of the highest cannabis consumption rates in the world, and Scottish leaders are reconsidering medical cannabis. Hold on tight, this ride is just getting started!

U.S. Cannabis News Updates

Alabama

Leni’s Law, a long-embattled bill that would decriminalize the use of cannabis oils with the supervision of a physician, has officially passed through the House and Senate. The bill was amended in the Senate and in the House Judiciary Committee to include changes that some deemed controversial. If passed, Leni’s Law would allow children with a range of ailments to be treated with cannabis oil, including epilepsy and autism. It would also allow the amount of THC to be raised from one percent to three percent.

The biggest challenge for this law is that it does not legalize the production of cannabis oils in the state; rather, it allows patients to bring cannabis oil back from other legal medical states, thus forcing qualified patients to break federal law and risk prosecution. The bill now goes onto the desk of Governor Robert Bentley, who has not yet made the decision as to whether he will sign it into law.

California

One of California’s oldest medical marijuana dispensaries just claimed a major victory. The federal government just agreed to drop charges against Harborside Health Center, one of the oldest and largest dispensaries in the United States. Harborside Health Center services more than 100,000 patients and received a license to operate from the city of Oakland in 2006.

The U.S. Attorney’s office began the process of seizing assets from Harborside in 2012, under the reign of U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder and U.S. Attorney Melinda Haag. The reasoning behind the attempted closure was the obvious discrepancy between state and federal law, but Harborside has always maintained that it operates with transparency and legitimacy, within the bounds of state law. Defense attorneys also claim that the forfeiture lawsuit violates several federal laws, including the prohibited use of federal funds for lawsuits against cannabis businesses operating in legal states.

In other California news, organizers of the campaign for the Adult Use of Marijuana Act announced that they have gathered more than 600,000 signatures, which should push them over the necessary 365,880 signatures need to qualify for the general election ballot. This ought to earn them a spot on the November 8th ballot, and with the latest polls showing 55 percent of California voters in support of legalization, the act is poised to pass come November.

Connecticut

Connecticut may soon allow qualified minors to access cannabis through the medical marijuana program. The proposed bill produced a heated debate in the Senate, but eventually passed through and now heads to Governor Dannel Malloy for a signature. Senator Toni Boucher (R-Wilton) was the chief opponent of the bill and introduced 25 amendments designed to derail the legislation, all of which were rejected on the floor. If the bill is signed into law by Governor Malloy, who has said that he supports access to medical marijuana for children with critical ailments, it will affect approximately 100 children in Connecticut.

Hawaii

The long wait is over! Hawaii’s medical marijuana program has finally selected eight companies to open medical cannabis dispensaries and cultivate cannabis as part of the long-anticipated renovation to its program, which was revamped last year to allow dispensaries on the islands. There were more than 60 applicants, including actor Woody Harrelson, but only eight companies emerged victorious:

• Hawaiian Ethos, LLC
• Lau Ola, LLC
• Aloha Green Holdings, Inc.
• Manoa Botanicals, LLC
• TCG Retro Market 1, LLC (or Cure Oahu)
• Green Aloha, Ltd.
• Maui Wellness Group, LLC
• Pono Life Sciences Maui, LLC

Hawaii legalized medical marijuana in 2000, but only recently passed a law to allow dispensaries. Up to this point, qualified medical cannabis patients have had the right to home cultivation but no access to purchase cannabis. The dispensaries will alter the law and, additionally, medical cannabis patients from other states will be able to visit Hawaii’s dispensaries with a valid medical recommendation.

Illinois

Illinois’ medical cannabis advisory board is considering whether or not to expand Illinois’ qualifying medical marijuana conditions yet again. As part of the pilot program’s law, the state is required to consider whether or not to expand the qualifying conditions twice a year, but thus far, the director of the state health department, Nirav Shah, has rejected the recommended expansions from the advisory board on multiple occasions. The recommended qualifying conditions would include chronic pain, irritable bowel syndrome, post-traumatic stress disorder, Lyme disease, autism, osteoarthritis, depression and diabetes.

Many Illinois physicians have been discouraged by the program due to the restrictions and limitations on who is considered a qualifying patient. Initial projections for the program anticipated at least 30,000 patients registered by now, but as of April 6th, there were only 5,600 registered patients. Expanded qualifying conditions could breathe renewed vigor into the program and strengthen its chances of being renewed beyond January 1, 2018, the date when the program is set to expire unless further legislation is introduced.

Ohio

State lawmakers are in the process of revising and amending Ohio’s proposed medical marijuana bill, and the new version of House Bill 523 is expected to be a significant change. The new bill will not allow the smoking of cannabis flower or allow products that could be deemed attractive to children (such as gummy bears or candies). Another controversial stipulation is related to the THC content of cannabis products – between 3 and 35 percent for cannabis flower and no more than 70 percent for cannabis oils and extractions. The bill would also not allow home cultivation, but would create a cannabis commission tasked with oversight and regulatory measures for the program. If the House committee accepts the bill, it will move on to the full House for a floor vote.

Vermont

Alas, despite its best efforts, Vermont will not be legalizing cannabis this year. It seemed all but a sure thing, but never say never. Vermont took a different route than most states; rather than garnering support from a grassroots campaign, gathering signatures and pushing to get an referendum on the general election ballot, the tiny Green Mountain State opted to go through the legislature.

The Vermont House voted 121-28 to reject the comprehensive legalization bill, which had the support of the Governor Peter Shumlin, as well as former and current attorney generals. The bill would have legalized, taxed and regulated cannabis for adults 21 years of age and older, but with some stipulations – edibles were not allowed, nor was home cultivation. Sadly, Vermont will simply have to wait a bit longer before crossing over to greener pastures.

International Cannabis News Updates

Germany

German Health Minister Hermann Groehe will present draft legislation to the German cabinet this week that, if passed, would legalize cannabis for medicinal purposes as soon as next year. The law would allow qualified patients to access cannabis through licensed pharmacies with a prescription only. This bill would establish certain specialized plantations to grow cannabis, but until those are established, cannabis would be imported from other countries in Europe.

“Our goal is that seriously ill patients are treated in the best possible way,” said Groehe. “Without wishing to pre-judge the work of the Bundestag [Germany’s lower house of Parliament], it is likely that the law will come into force in the spring of 2017.”

Iceland

A new report from the World Health Organization found that Icelanders have some of the highest consumption rates of cannabis in the world. According to Þórarinn Tyrfingssonm, the director of Vogur drug and alcohol rehabilitation, the cannabis usage levels were similar to cannabis usage rates in other countries, with about 8 percent of Icelanders admitting to using cannabis. However, Arnar Jan Jónsson, a local doctor, was quick to point out that the data is a bit skewed. “We only have official documentation of cannabis users who seek help for addiction,” said Jónsson, and the numbers indicate a significant rise in the last 20-30 years.

Cannabis is illegal in Iceland, although the penalty for the possession of small amounts is relegated to a simple fine.

Scotland

First Minister of Scotland Nicola Sturgeon covered a range of topics during a recent press conference and even went so far as to elaborate on her stance and opinion on cannabis. “Cannabis is not a harmless substance,” said Sturgeon, “I am not in favour of general decriminalization, but I do think there is a specific case for medicinal use.” She cited the use of Sativex, a derivative of cannabis that is licensed in the United Kingdom for use in treating multiple sclerosis. Former Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill spoke last year in favor of relaxing laws around low-level drug possession offenses, but no decisions were made.

US AZ: Column: Keep The Celebrity Cannabis Products Coming

Tucson Weekly, 05 May 2016 – Celebrity endorsements are common. We see and hear them daily. It is part of our culture and does bring some benefits to the consumer. Whoopi Goldberg recently announced the launch of her company. Whoopi & Maya hopes reduce menstrual pain and cramps. The new line will sell in California. Their website advertises their four initial products. “Even Queen Victoria found relief once a month with her favorite THC infused tincture,” the website states.

US CA: Column: Cannabis In The Centennial State

North Coast Journal, 05 May 2016 – The Colorado Department of Public Safety released early findings on the effects cannabis legalization has had on law enforcement, commerce, health and juveniles. The study, mandated as part of the 2014 initiative decriminalizing recreational marijuana use in the state, is bracketed by a series of caveats. It’s not comprehensive; many of its statistics are self-reported. It’s not complete; while the drug was decriminalized in 2014, commercialization only began in 2015 and some information for that year is not yet available. Many results may also be clouded by the “decreasing social stigma” around marijuana use, meaning that rather than interpreting statistical shifts as dramatic changes related to decriminalization, some users may just be more at ease discussing their habits than they once were.

US CO: Column: Dear Stoner: Why Doesn't Colorado Have Cannabis

Westword, 05 May 2016 – Dear Stoner: Why doesn’t Colorado have Amsterdam-style cafes? I remember reading about pot clubs trying to come to Denver. Cole Dear Cole: Colorado doesn’t have cafes like the cannabis coffee shops in Amsterdam because of this state’s stance on public consumption. Although it’s legal to smoke pot in private areas in Colorado, public spots and businesses are still off limits. And while technically it’s also illegal to consume marijuana in public in Amsterdam, Dutch law enforcement looks the other way when it comes to designated coffee shops. Sadly, our local cops aren’t as cool: There are a few pot clubs in the Denver metro area that operate as private establishments and only allow members in to consume, but they still face regular harassment by law enforcement and other officials. Rigs 4 Us, a Denver smoke shop located in a private residence, was shut down on 4/20 when it tried to give out free dabs, and multiple pot clubs in Denver were shut down in 2015.

US OR: Column: Using Weed To Aid Veterans

Portland Mercury, 05 May 2016 – Cannabis Helps with PTSD, and So Can You I’M A BIG SUPPORTER of allowing armed forces veterans access to cannabis-seeing as how I’m a huge wussy who wouldn’t have made it through three hours of basic training, much less full-on combat. I have enough trouble fighting off a cold.

Driving under the influence sounds like a better idea while high on marijuana

A new study found that marijuana users who were high at the time they took the survey had substantially higher odds of believing it was safe to drive while under the influence.

The Shake: California’s Golden Opportunity for Legalization

Get ready, California. Legalization is heading to the November ballot. A voter initiative to (finally) legalize adult use in the state appears to have collected more than enough signatures to qualify. Barring any unforeseen obstacles, it will go before voters in November. The law would allow adults 21 and older to possess, transport, and use up to an ounce of cannabis as well as grow up to six plants. It has the backing of state Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom as well as the financial support of Sean Parker, the former Facebook president and a Napster co-founder. The country’s most dynamic cannabis market might soon be open to all of us.

Chris Christie throws another cannabis tantrum. The New Jersey governor, who dropped out of the GOP presidential race in February, said he would’ve arrested NFL rookie Laremy Tunsil over cannabis use. Tunsil found himself in the spotlight last week after video, taken years ago but leaked right before the NFL draft, showed him hitting a gas-mask bong.

Federal rescheduling isn’t good enough. Oregon attorney Vince Sliwoski explains why moving cannabis to Schedule II — on par with opioids and cocaine, and the move Hillary Clinton supports — is basically public policy purgatory.

There are now three songs about Seattle’s largest cannabis retailer. The owner of Uncle Ike’s says he’s especially fond of one, which he described as “old-school wiki wiki hip hop.”

Vancouver launches crackdown on medical dispensaries. The city has issued 44 tickets and shuttered 22 stores, according to CTV News. B.C. advocate Jodie Emery says many owners have refused to close down and are considering legal action to keep their dispensaries open.

Toronto’s taking aim at dispensaries, too. City official Mark Sraga says Toronto’s medical dispensaries, which have been popping up across the city, are illegal and could face tens of thousands of dollars in fines. He pledged to step up enforcement in the coming months. Meanwhile, a new poll indicates that a majority of Ontario voters are in favor of the dispensary model, though support for home cultivation is down slightly.

Cannabis prices in Colorado are tumbling. We already told you what’s up with those $6 grams. Now here’s Denver alt weekly Westword with a closer look at market forces in the Rocky Mountain State.

Washington targets teens with anti-cannabis ads. The “Listen2YourSelfie” tagline already sounds a little stale — selfie was Oxford’s word of the year way back in 2013, people — but the intentions are good: The little evidence we have suggests that teen’s developing brains and cannabis don’t mix. (Hey, at least the state didn’t pull a Stoner Sloth.)

Canada may spend $25 million on medical cannabis for veterans this year. A government auditor is calling for Veterans Affairs to rein in the program and find a way to cut costs. Commercial suppliers were charging up to $14 per gram, the audit found.

Cannabis meets fine dining meets $500-per-person price tag. Chef Chris Sayegh is offering cannabis-infused private-dining menus at a premium price. Can’t swing it? Keep your eyes peeled for pop-ups around Los Angeles for a more reasonable cost of $20 to $200 a head.

You know the smell. Now Denver’s doing something about it. The City Council on Monday unanimously approved a strengthened odor-control ordinance aimed at cannabis cultivation facilities and other smelly businesses.

What’s up Wiz Khalifa’s sleeve? The 28-year-old rapper hopes to launch a line of beer, juice, carbonated beverages, energy drinks, and non-alcoholic cocktails infused with hemp. He intends to sell the merch under the Khalifa Kush name, already a namesake strain.

It’s time for an informed debate amongst the Kiwis. Psychiatrists in the latest issue of the New Zealand Medical Journal say the country needs to have a real conversation about cannabis. Only a single product — a medicated mouth spray — is approved for use by MMJ patients in the country.

A cannabis-focused credit union will continue its legal fight. Colorado-based Fourth Corner, which we’ve told you about before, is appealing a federal judge’s decision in an effort to provide financial services to cannabis clients.

California’s anti-tax watchdog takes stand against cannabis. The Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association is representing the Southern California city of Upland in its effort to fend off the California Cannabis Coalition, which wants to introduce a ballot measure challenging the city’s current ban on dispensaries.

And finally, it’s still not a tampon. Alternet says Foria Relief “has come to be known as the ‘weed tampon,’” which is unfortunate because that’s not what it is. As we told you a while ago, it’s a suppository aimed at easing menstrual cramps. And apparently, it’s lovely.

A Twist on 'Craft' Cocktails: Drink Recipes with Cannabis Cocktail Syrups

If you’re like me, you love cannabis and you love cocktails. What could be better than bringing the two together? I got inspired by Seattle-based Craft Elixirs’ small-batch cannabis syrups, which you’ll find on the shelves at recreational stores throughout Washington state. They incorporate locally seasonal flavoring agents, natural sweetener, and of course, cannabis. (You can also purchase the non-infused syrups wherever you live and pair the virgin versions of the cocktails below with your favorite strain for similar results.)

I got in touch with local bartender Nick McCleery to develop four creative recipes using three of Craft Elixirs’ syrups: the strawberry-peppercorn Wallingford Wanderlust, ginger root-flavored Ginger Grass, and smoky habanero-infused Capitol Hill Heat. As you gear up for summer, kick back and wet your whistle with one of these refreshing cannabis-infused sippers.

Thai High

1 ½ oz Bacardi light rum

½ oz Capitol Hill Heat habanero-smoke cannabis syrup (approx. 10 mg THC)*

½ oz fresh-squeezed lime juice

2 oz pineapple juice

Soda water

Thai basil to garnish

Combine rum, syrup, lime and pineapple juice, and shake well with ice until thoroughly chilled. Double-strain into a collins glass over fresh ice, top with soda water, stir and garnish with a sprig of Thai basil (for best results, slap the sprig lightly on the palm of your hand to open up its aromas).

Zip It

2 oz bourbon

½ oz Ginger Grass ginger cannabis syrup (approx. 10mg THC)*

½ oz fresh-squeezed lemon juice

½ oz honey syrup

4 slices fresh peeled ginger

Lemon peel to garnish

Muddle ginger slices in shaker, then add ice and remaining ingredients and shake well until thoroughly chilled. Strain into a chilled coupe glass and garnish with a lemon twist.

Smoke & Spice

1 ½ oz tequila reposado

¾ oz Cointreau

1 oz Capitol Hill Heat habanero-smoke cannabis syrup (approx. 20mg THC)*

1 oz fresh-squeezed lime juice

1 oz fresh-squeezed lemon juice

1 dash Tabasco (optional)

Lime wedge to garnish

Add all ingredients to a shaker with ice and shake until thoroughly chilled. Strain into a rocks glass with fresh ice and serve.

The Lusty Wanderer

1 ½ oz vodka

1 oz Wallingford Wanderlust strawberry-peppercorn cannabis syrup (approx. 20mg THC)*

1 ½ oz fresh-squeezed lemon juice

½ oz simple syrup

2-3 slices cucumber

Soda water

Lemon slice and cucumber slice to garnish

Muddle cucumber in shaker. Add ice, vodka, syrup, lemon and simple, and shake until thoroughly chilled. Pour over fresh ice in a highball glass, top with soda water, and garnish with lemon and cucumber slices.

*Important: If you don’t know your tolerance, start with smaller amounts of cannabis syrup. Remember that cannabis and alcohol together can affect you differently than either on its own. Never drive under the influence of alcohol or of cannabis.

Have you tried making your own cannabis-infused cocktails? Share your favorite recipes in the comments!

German Medical Legalization Would Curb Home Grows, Keep Cannabis in Pharmacies

BERLIN — Europe is opening the floodgates to a new era of herbal therapy.

Earlier today Germany’s health minister, Hermann Gröhe, introduced a proposal to establish a state cannabis agency to supervise domestic cannabis cultivation, distribution, and sales in pharmacies.

Gröhe was quick to note that this isn’t full legalization. But it does mark a new era in European drug policy. Germany, Europe’s most populous state and an affluent country, will allow much wider access to medical cannabis use. The country’s health insurers are likely to foot the bill, provided patients participate in data-collection studies.

Currently, Germany’s Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices (BfArM) must approve every patient who seeks treatment with herbal cannabis. Patients must first exhaust all other options before applying for access to cannabis in a complicated procedure that takes up to nine months. As a result, Germany has only 647 patients receiving herbal cannabis today, according to BfArM numbers from April, the latest available.

The German government’s proposal comes after a recent court ruling forced its hand. That ruling allowed patients to grow medical cannabis at home. The new proposal is seen as a way to prevent a tsunami of home cultivation, instead keeping cannabis production and sale within an institutionalized system.

That court decision came after a 12-year battle by multiple sclerosis patient Michael F., who fought for the right to cultivate at home to ease his painful condition with herbal cannabis. Courts ruled in April that BfArM must issue him a license to grow his own medical supply due to his inability to pay for medical cannabis from a pharmacy.

Germany’s proposed law explicitly excludes patients from growing their personal supply or even the individual strain needed. Gröhe, of the conservative Christian Democratic Union Party (CDU), said that “Private cannabis cultivation by patients is out of the question.”

No Sudden Sympathy, but Cold Calculation

Up until early 2016, the country’s health ministry had insisted there was no need for such an institution. Germany chose the special tool of “exceptional permission for the import of medical cannabis” from the Dutch Office for Medical Cannabis (OMC) after the first court defeats dating back to 2005. Since then, cannabis has been imported from the Netherlands — but the Dutch say they can’t meet skyrocketing European demand.

“At this moment there is enough medicinal cannabis in stock to cover Dutch demand and demand in other countries. We already export much more to Germany than last year but as you know the number of German patients is growing quickly and so is the demand.” the Dutch OMC said in March.

Registered cannabis patients in Germany complain about regular supply shortages, and many can’t afford the price of imported cannabis.

The German bill aims to reduce out-of-pocket costs, control production, and create a database on the efficacy of cannabis as treatment.

Perhaps the largest gap in the current system is a lack of sufficient cannabinoid profiles. The Dutch OMC sells only five strains, a drop in the bucket compared to the hundreds of medical cannabis varieties available in Canada, Israel, and the United States. Advocates note that such a small selection won’t satisfy patients’ needs and will force them to grow illegally or turn to the black market.

Without question the new law is a milestone for German cannabis patients, but it still leaves out important details, ignoring the need for a wider range of medical strains and the general scheduling of the substance.

Local advocates say that just as cannabis should be removed from Schedule I in the United States, it should be removed from Attachment 1 of the German Narcotic Drugs Act as well. The rescheduling was originally planned in the draft version of the bill from January 2016 but was removed on its way to the cabinet

Germany is not alone. Several other European Union states, such as Croatia, Italy, and the Czech Republic, are acting to get legal cannabis markets off the ground in hopes of improving patients’ quality of life while enabling scientific research.

Germany Will Legalize Medical Cannabis Next Year, Health Minister Says

Germany’s health minister, Hermann Groehe, is expected to present draft legislation to the German cabinet tomorrow that would legalize cannabis for medicinal purposes as soon as 2017. According to news agency AFP, the law would allow patients with valid prescriptions to access cannabis through licensed pharmacies.

The bill would also establish specialized plantations to grow cannabis. Until those are established, Germany would import cannabis from other countries in Europe, mostly likely the Netherlands or Italy.

German laws on cannabis are murky at best. In 2005, a Supreme Court decision ruled in favor of doctor-supervised medical use. The experiment began with just seven German patients, who were allowed to procure dronabinol, a derivative of cannabis, from a pharmacy after the German Narcotics Law was altered to remove dronabinol from Annex II to Annex III. Since then, 424 licensed have been issued to patients, though 42 of those license-holders have died. Currently a total of 382 German patients are allowed access to limited forms of cannabis.

Tetrahydrocannabinol remains listed as Annex I under German law, although the law is deliberately vague and enforcement varies by jurisdiction. The German Narcotics Law (Betäubungsmittelgesetz) states that authorities are not required to prosecute those in the possession of “minor amounts” of cannabis, except in cases where public safety is concerned.

Each German state, however, defines a “minor amount” differently. For example, possession of up to 15 grams of cannabis carries no consequences in Berlin, but Bavarian law considers just two or three grams a “minor amount.”

“Our goal is that seriously ill patients are treated in the best possible way,” said Groehe, the country’s health minister. “Without wishing to pre-judge the work of the Bundestag [Germany’s lower house of parliament], it is likely that the law will come into force in the spring of 2017.”

How to Find the Best Cannabis Stocks to Invest in

Things have started to turn around for the cannabis market since the 2014 pot bubble, but it can still be difficult for investors to know how to find the best cannabis stocks to invest in.

For starters, marijuana isn’t yet legal for recreational use in Canada and in many states across the US. Furthermore, a number of states and provinces are looking at legalization for both medical and recreational marijuana use, making it difficult to keep track of what licensing requirements to look for when doing one’s due diligence.

To help investors and market watchers find the best cannabis stocks to invest in, former Wall Street attorney Chris Milenkevich started Gotham Cannabis Associates, a firm that specializes in due diligence on publicly traded cannabis companies. After 11 years as an attorney with Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft LLP, Milenkevich started looking at whether he might be able to apply his skills in a different environment, and the cannabis industry looked like the place to be.

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“The cannabis industry is obviously a very new industry and one that was very exciting,” he said. “It’s very rare that you have a brand new industry arise.”

However, he also noted that the cannabis industry is currently characterized by a lack of information, despite there being no shortage of people looking to get involved in the space. “I really realized there was just such a need for quality, sophisticated diligence of the kind that I was used to doing for so many years Wall Street,” he said.

Certainly, Milenkevich has a stronger grasp of the legal landscape in relation to cannabis than most, making his insight extremely helpful when conducting due diligence on cannabis companies.  The Investing News Network spoke with him about what investors should keep an eye out for when looking for the best cannabis stocks to invest in.

Legal considerations: Can the best cannabis stocks to invest in cross state lines?

As mentioned above, cannabis is legal in 24 states in the US, but it is not legal at the federal level. That can lead to some complicated legal issues.

For example, Milenkevich pointed out that cannabis companies cannot use water from a federal aquifer. “If they’re drawing water to use in their cultivation, or to use in their extracting processes, and the water they’re using comes from a federally owned aquifer, they could actually get into a lot of trouble,” he explained.

“There are cannabis companies out there who have realized this is an issue, and they now have to contract private supply water companies to make sure they don’t run into a ton of mess.”

Another, perhaps more interesting point, is that cannabis companies cannot file for federal bankruptcy protection, which Milenkevich says is something that most investors don’t realize at all. “Bankruptcy in the United States is largely a matter of federal jurisdiction and bankruptcy court has rejected cases filed by cannabis companies,” he stated.

Finally, though you might find one of the best cannabis stocks to invest in in Washington, Oregon or Colorado, it’s worth keeping in mind that those companies cannot cross state lines. That makes it difficult to scale and grow a company effectively.

“People get very excited the idea of building a nationwide empire, forgetting that you can’t manufacture a cannabis product in one state and start selling it in another state,” Milenkevich said. For example, a growing cannabis company couldn’t simply expand its operations in Oregon and ship product to Washington.

Would legalization at the federal level be a game changer?

Certainly, there are plenty of challenges due to the fact that cannabis use hasn’t yet been legalized at the federal level. However, Milenkevich was hesitant that federal cannabis legalization would solve all of the industry’s problems.

“If it was legalized on the federal level it would certainly make life a lot easier for cannabis companies and therefore for investors,” he said, “but it’s not a panacea. There are still tons of state restrictions, and regulations vary greatly from state to state.”

For example, advertising rules for cannabis companies differ from state to state, making it difficult to launch a nationwide advertising campaign. Lifting the federal prohibition on marijuana wouldn’t change restrictions at the state and local level.

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Will federal legalization ever happen?

For his part, Milenkevich believes that federal cannabis legalization will happen eventually, but that it won’t be anytime soon.

“I think it’s ultimately an inevitability, but there are a lot of people who are acting like it’s going to happen at the end of this year,” he said, “ and I don’t think there is enough [to back that up].There are still a lot of people who are wary of the products and wary of the social implications.”

For example, he noted that legalization efforts in New England have been hitting obstacles to cannabis legalization due to concerns over an opioid epidemic currently taking place. Overall, he thinks that legalization will happen within the next ten years, but he wouldn’t be confident capping that prediction at five years.

What should US cannabis investors look for?

For now, investors looking for the best cannabis stocks to invest in will have to conduct their due diligence carefully. Here are a few things Milenkevich says investors should look for:

• Licensing; “You need to make sure that the company has every license that it needs, from every jurisdiction that it needs, and that could be state, county and local,” he said. Just because a company has a state license, doesn’t necessarily mean it’s up to snuff for a specific county, and investors should pay attention.

• Staying in line; Milenkevich stated that there are over 600 pages of regulations in Colorado alone. “They cover everything, from literally, what kind of font you can use on your packaging to whether or not the car that you are using to transport your products must be registered in Colorado or not,” he said. The best cannabis stocks to invest in will be aware of and compliant with all relevant regulations.

• Cash considerations; It’s sometimes said that cash is king, but for US cannabis companies, cash is a whole different issue. “Another result of the federal prohibition is that there are very, very few banks that are willing to work with the cannabis industry or credit card companies, because there’s a very real [risk] that they will be shut out of the federal banking system, if the federal government finds that they are … processing money for illegal operations,” he said. “A lot of cannabis companies are dealing entirely with cash. So, if you’re an investor, you need to think about how that is working, how is the cannabis company dealing with these, literally, bags of money.”

• Community relationships; Finally, Milenkevich stressed that it’s essential for cannabis companies to have a good relationship with their local communities, both in terms of corporate citizenship, and for liability reasons. “If you don’t have a good relationship with local authorities, they’re going to be looking for reasons to shut you down,” he said. “And when there are 600 pages of regulations, it’s not that hard to find a reason, no matter how careful you are.”

That’s a lot to consider, and some of that information may be difficult to come by. However, Milenkevich stated that by finding people who know the company, asking the right questions and making sure to get accurate industry intelligence, cannabis investors will be well on their way to finding the best cannabis stocks to invest in.

Cannabis companies

Milenkevich couldn’t mention any cannabis companies that Gotham has done due diligence on thus far for confidentiality reasons.

However, there’s no shortage of cannabis companies out there for interested investors to start looking in to. For a start, here are a few examples of cannabis companies that Alan Brochstein mentioned he’s keeping an eye on in a recent interview:

• Indoor Harvest (OTCMKTS:INQD)

• MassRoots (OTCMKTS:MSRT)

• Medicine Man Technologies (OTCBB:MDCL)

And for those north of the border, there are plenty of Canadian cannabis stocks to check out as well, such as:

• Canopy Growth (TSXV:CGC)

• Naturally Splendid (TSXV:NSP)

• Mettrum Health (TSXV:MT)

Wherever you’re looking, always be sure to keep Milenkevich’s points in mind, and to do your own due diligence.

Don’t forget to follow us @INN_Resource for real-time news updates!

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Securities Disclosure: I, Teresa Matich, hold no direct investment interest in any company mentioned in this article.

Editorial Disclosure: The Investing News Network does not guarantee the accuracy or thoroughness of the information reported in the interviews it conducts. The opinions expressed in these interviews do not reflect the opinions of the Investing News Network and do not constitute investment advice. All readers are encouraged to perform their own due diligence.

Naturally Splendid is a client of the Investing News Network. This article is not paid for content.

The post How to Find the Best Cannabis Stocks to Invest in appeared first on Investing News Network.

US: Walgreens Cannabis Post Creates Buzz

Chicago Tribune, 03 May 2016 – Pharmacy Chain Says Info on Blog Not Endorsement A recent post on Walgreens’ blog raised eyebrows in the medical marijuana community. Titled “Clarifying Clinical Cannabis,” the post, written by a resident pharmacist at Walgreens and the University of Illinois at Chicago, isn’t an endorsement.

Leafly Comedy Tour: Chris D’Elia at The Vic Theatre in Chicago

5 Ways to Get the Most Out of Your Bargain Cannabis

April 20th is officially behind us, leaving fond memories of blissful celebration and cannabis consumption in its wake. Although the holiday has come and gone, there’s still one thing you can enjoy post-4/20: bargain cannabis deals.

Dispensaries make sure to stock their shelves with lots of extra inventory during the month of April in anticipation of the 4/20 rush. Many of them turn their unsold product into bargain cannabis deals. From shake ounce specials to top shelf BOGOS’s (buy one get one free), there’s bound to be an enticing deal at a dispensary near you.

So what are we to do with all of our newfound loot? Whether you’re looking to get the most out of your cannabis or create a product that will last much longer than its current shelf life, here are five ways you can transform your bargain cannabis purchase into something great.

1. Make Butter for Edibles

What better way to make use of that big bag of bargain cannabis than to throw it into a batch of butter? Even if the quality of your product is second-rate, the butter you make is bound to saturate whatever cannabinoids are present. Butter is an easy way to get started with edibles as it gives you a pre-infused base ingredient to work with. It’s also relatively easy to measure, making it a preferable option for dosing recipes. Making edibles requires a good amount of starting material, so bulk deals are perfect for this one. Even a good deal on a 1/4 ounce will land you with enough to infuse a recipe or two.

2. Make Rosin

Many dispensaries offer specials on shake or popcorn nugs. These slightly less aesthetically desirable products are still packed with flavor and can make a great solventless hash oil. Using the rosin technique is a relatively easy and inexpensive way to turn cannabis and hash into a dabbable full melt hash oil. You can get started with a basic hair straightener and some parchment paper. Lots of dispensaries offer bargain deals on hash products that can also be pressed into rosin. The versatility of this method makes it a great tool to keep in mind when shopping for deals.

3. Make Cannabis Capsules

Like butter for edibles, canna caps do not require superior quality cannabis flowers, but they do require quantity. Canna caps are a fun project to utilize when you have an extra inventory and want to get the most out of the cannabinoids while leaving the less desirable plant material behind. Coconut oil is a fantastic agent for making cannabis capsules and this DIY project doesn’t cost much.

If you go the extra mile and buy a capsule making kit, you may have to shell out a bit more up front. But all you really need to get started with this project is some coconut oil, a package of 00 gelatin capsules, and a double boiler or slow cooker. A bit of lecithin doesn’t hurt. The whole project takes just a few hours and leaves you with a handful of potent caps to be ingested after they’ve cooled or stored for later.

4. Make a Tincture

This is another terrific way to utilize bulk cannabis deals without having to worry about the quality compromise. Tinctures have a long history of being a highly preferable method of ingesting cannabinoids, though their popularity took a steep decline with prohibition. With the rise of cannabis legalization, tincture enthusiasm has made a vigorous comeback. Tinctures can be as easy or as complex to prepare as you want them to be. In the most basic concoction, tinctures can be made with nothing more than some cannabis and a strong drinking alcohol. If made correctly and stored properly, quality tinctures can last for years. Whenever “too good to miss” deals pop up on bulk cannabis, think tinctures for the long run.

5. Make Joint Art

Never has there been a better way to utilize a solid bag of shake than to twist up a few joints to enjoy. The great thing about having extra inventory is that you can afford to let your creative side take the wheel with some joint art. Something as simple as trying to roll a cross joint is a great way to use a bargain bag of shake. Get creative and experiment with different styles of rolling. Grind it up and roll away!

Image Sources: Patrick Bennett and Mr. Smoke n’ Toke via Flickr Creative Commons

Harborside Prevails in Courtroom Fight With Feds

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — Federal prosecutors have agreed to drop a nearly four-year effort to seize the property of a California medical marijuana dispensary billed as the nation’s largest, the dispensary’s attorney said Tuesday.

Henry Wykowski, the attorney for Harborside Health Center in Oakland, said prosecutors did not explain why they were dropping their civil forfeiture case against Harborside. He said the paperwork still has to be filed with the court, which he expected would happen this week.

“It’s a wonderful victory for the patients,” Wykowski said at a news conference. “It’s a wonderful victory for the industry.”

The U.S. Attorney’s Office in Northern California had no comment, spokesman Abraham Simmons said. Former U.S. Attorney Melinda Haag said at the time she began the process to seize Harborside’s property in 2012 that it violated federal law by selling cannabis, even though medical marijuana was legal in California.

The federal government’s decision to end the case against Harborside would be the second time in recent months it has backed off a California medical marijuana dispensary. Prosecutors dropped their appeal of a judge’s October ruling in a similar case against the Marin Alliance for Medical Marijuana.

U.S. District Court Judge Charles Breyer said a recent federal law limited the U.S. Department of Justice’s ability to enforce an injunction against the Marin Alliance. That law says the Department of Justice cannot use funds to prevent states that allow medical marijuana from implementing their own laws that allow its use, distribution and possession.

Prosecutors can only enforce a permanent injunction against the Marin Alliance to the extent it is not complying with California law, Breyer said.

The Department of Justice has also recently said it won’t interfere with state marijuana laws as long as the states tightly regulate the drug and make efforts to keep it from children, criminal drug cartels and other states.

“We are beginning to see the beginning of the end of federal prohibition,” Harborside’s executive director, Steve DeAngelo, said.

The City of Oakland filed a lawsuit trying to block the Harborside seizure in what was thought to be the first such lawsuit brought by a local government on behalf of a cannabis shop. The city argued that Harborside’s closure would deprive it of much-needed tax revenue and increase crime by creating a black market for marijuana.

City officials, including Mayor Libby Schaaf, joined DeAngelo and Wykowski at Tuesday’s news conference.

The Shake: America’s Most Famous Dispensary Wins Fight Against Feds

Harborside Health Center beats back the feds. One of the country’s most famous cannabis establishments has won the dismissal of a federal enforcement action that would’ve shuttered the shop and seized buildings that house dispensaries in Oakland and San Jose. The historic victory was the product of unprecedented cooperation between the dispensary and Oakland city officials, who stood together against U.S. Attorney Melinda Haag’s forfeiture actions. The federal government has just agreed to dismiss the case, according to a press release, bringing to an end nearly four years of legal wrangling.

So your adorable little pet ate an edible. Here’s what to do, according to Foodbeast. (TLDR: Go to the vet, tell the truth, don’t let it happen again.)

Hey, other states: Colorado’s governor has come around on cannabis. Gov. John Hickenlooper opposed the state’s adult-use legalization measure in 2012. But thanks to administrators’ “excellent job” of creating a safe, legal framework — and thanks to hundreds of millions of dollars in new tax revenue, he’s changed his tune.

More on cannabis and the NFL. “Athletes are embracing the medicinal and financial benefits of marijuana,” asks the International Business Times, “so why can’t the league play nice?”

Stop calling synthetic cannabis “synthetic cannabis.” It’s not related to cannabis at all, and it’s a terrible association. U.K. prisons are overrun with the stuff, which corrections officers say has led to deaths, serious illness, and self-harm in both male and female blocks. Twenty quid says the corrections officers would rather the prisoners use real cannabis.

Cannabis arrests in New Jersey are at an all-time high. They also make up more than half of all drug enforcement policing, the Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

A news outlet did a story on “black cannabis entrepreneurs.” Sadly, it could only come up with five — and one was Snoop Dogg.

Here’s one thing we learned from UNGASS. That big U.N. summit about the global drug war? It didn’t lead to the reforms cannabis advocates had hoped for, but Vice says it underscored an important point: “America has basically resigned as the world’s lead narcotics cops.”

Colorado lawmakers took aim at pesticides, but they missed. A failed bill would have treated cannabis grown with unapproved pesticides as a threat to public safety and required its destruction, the Denver Post reports. The measure died in the House over concerns about the government destroying personal property.

Cannabis in Colorado schools, though? That’ll go forward. The Legislature approved a bill that would make Colorado the second state to require schools to accommodate medical cannabis use by students. The bill would require cannabis be in non-smokeable form, the Associated Press reports, and it would need to be administered by a parent or adult caregiver. It awaits Gov. John Hickenlooper’s signature.

California is finally fixing its patchy, inconsistent MMJ system. And as the Orange County Register reports, the process can be a bureaucratic headache.

Here’s today’s reminder that medical cannabis is a real thing. Meet an Iowa family working to change Iowa’s cannabis oil law. Sally and Steve Gaer say they’re forced to break the law to obtain cannabis oil — so far the only medicine to successfully treat their daughter’s epilepsy.

And finally, from the Tabloid Desk: Franklin Graham, Christian evangelist and son of Billy Graham, railed against cannabis on Facebook this weekend. As support, he posted a link to an anti-cannabis page. The catch? It was written by Scientology’s Foundation for a Drug-Free World. Sweet Xenu, that’s a lot of propaganda. Somebody get me a free stress test.

Image Source: Harborside Health Center via Facebook

Electrum Partners Announces Business Protection Services Group For The Cannabis Industry

Electrum Partners, the leading cannabisbusiness advisory services company founded by Leslie Bocskor, announces its new Business Protection Services Group at The ArcView Investor Forum, Portland Oregon, May 2016, adding to the company’s existing business advisory and business growth services. Electrum Partners Managing Partner, Leslie Bocskor, voted Most Valuable ArcView Member for 2015, will be onstage

Cannabis Legalization in Vermont is Dead

MONTPELIER, Vt. (AP) — The Vermont House has voted overwhelmingly against a Senate-passed plan to legalize, tax and regulate marijuana.

The 121-to-28 vote appears to kill any chance this year that Vermont will become the first state to legislate legalization. Four other states and the District of Columbia have legalized by referendum.

Some House members said they support legalization, but opposed the Senate language. They argued that the Senate-proposed system of licensing and taxing growers and retailers — and banning homegrown — was too commercial an approach for Vermont.

The House continued to work on a stripped down proposal to step up anti-substance-abuse education, create a commission to study legalization, and to expand the list of marijuana offenses that are subject to civil, rather than criminal, penalties.

‘Sports Cannabis’ Shines At ArcView Event In Portland, Oregon

I have been waiting for many weeks for today to get here, ever since I heard that there would be an ArcView Group event in Portland. I got especially excited when I heard that there would be a big sports cannabis presence at the event. ArcView has never put on an event in Oregon (my

Comparison of Skin Prick Testing Results of Local and Imported Pollen Allergen Extracts and Specific IgE

Primary Outcome Measures: Mean wheal diameter of local and imported grass and weed pollens [ Time Frame: 18 months ] [ Designated as safety issue: Yes ] compare mean wheal diameter of skin prick test of different concentration among local, imported allergen extract and specific IgE levels of Bermuda grass, Johnson grass and careless weed sIgE levels of Bermuda grass,Johnson grass and careless weed [ Time Frame: 18 […]

Neuroscientists discover previously unknown function of cannabinoid receptor

In the brain, there is a delicate interplay of signaling substances and cellular activity. Scientists have now identified another key player within this ensemble. In a laboratory study they found that the ‘cannabinoid type 2 receptor’ influences information processing inside the hippocampus. The research results might help advance our understanding of schizophrenia and Alzheimer’s, say […]

Hawaii Selects Medical Marijuana Dispensary Licensees

Hawaii has selected the eight companies that will be awarded medical marijuana dispensary licenses. The Hawaii State Department of Health (DOH) will award three licenses for the City and County of Honolulu, two licenses each for the Counties of Hawaii and Maui, and one dispensary license for the County of Kauai. Licensed Hawaii dispensaries may […]

Another Study Shows Cannabis Legalization Does Not Increase Underage Access

A few months ago, we wrote about why cannabis legalization doesn’t lead to higher teen use rates. A recent Washington study from the American Academy of Pediatrics bolsters that claim with new evidence showing that minors do not feel cannabis has been any easier to obtain since the state legalized recreational use in 2012. This data comes from the Washington State Healthy Youth Survey which polls tens of thousands of students each year across hundreds of schools.

In 2010 (two years before Washington legalized), 55 percent of teens surveyed reported it was “easy” to get their hands on cannabis. Fast forward to 2014 – two years deep into Washington’s legal cannabis industry – and you’ll notice that things haven’t really changed at all. In fact, 54 percent of teens reported cannabis being easy for them to obtain – a slight but meaningful decrease.

One of the arguments hanging over cannabis initiatives is the prevailing belief that legalization increases access to kids. We feel like we’ve beat this dead horse to a pulp, but allow us to remind you of all the evidence stacking against this claim:

• Since Colorado legalized in 2012, monthly teenage cannabis use dropped from 22% in 2011 to 20% in 2013. The percentage of teens who had used cannabis at all in that time frame also dropped substantially from 45% to 39%.
• According to both the 2014 Monitoring the Youth survey and the 2013 National Survey on Drug Use, nationwide underage cannabis use has dropped slightly. Mind you, this decrease occurred as multiple states adopted recreational legalization measures and increased nationwide conversations about legalization.
• A national analysis of teen approval ratings of cannabis between 2002 and 2013 showed that legalization did not cause increases in underage approval.
• An NIH-funded study looking at data from 1991 to 2014 concluded that “passage of state medical marijuana laws does not increase adolescent use of marijuana.”
• A couple months ago, a new study debunked a 2015 report that indicated medical marijuana laws caused increases in underage consumption.

Just last week, we touched on a dispute in Massachusetts in which the state’s Association of School Superintendents claimed that legal marijuana equates to “increased use and abuse by young people.” The Massachusetts Campaign to Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol’s spokesperson Jim Borghesani promptly argued that adolescent use in Colorado decreased post-legalization, adding, “The more dangerous market is the one that exists today — where drug dealers don’t ask for IDs.”

Washington, Colorado, and the many other states with legalized cannabis provide an important experimental site from which we can mine data. We’re now able to see the actual impact cannabis has on our minors and use that to adjust and inform policy going forward. And at this point, it appears to be beyond the realm of wishful thinking as we realize that smart drug policy is not about prohibition: it’s about education.

‘NJWeedman’ is No Joke. He’s New Jersey’s Cannabis Pioneer.

TRENTON, N.J. – A surprise police raid of NJWeedman’s Joint in downtown Trenton, and the arrest of the Weedman himself, caused a minor media stir last week, inspiring questions among the cannabis curious around the country. Namely: Who is this odd character who calls himself NJWeedman?

As a longtime medical marijuana advocate and cannabis chronicler, I can tell you he’s no stranger to those of us here in the Garden State. Allow me to fill you in.

Ed Forchion, a.k.a. NJWeedman, is the seminal cannabis reformer on the East Coast. I know that’s saying a lot. But NJWeedman is no joke. He’s spent too much time in jail for what many of us do every day to be laughed off.

His own story of personal transformation, from Ed Forchion to NJ Weedman, makes for a fascinating tale. My NJ.com colleague Kevin Shea chronicled that history in a nice piece posted a couple days ago. I’ll nutshell it for you: A recreational cannabis user since his teens, Forchion began using medical marijuana in 2001 after a cancer diagnosis. Forchion emerged as an activist in the late 1990s, and has since run for local, county, and congressional offices. He’s aiming for Congress again this year to represent Trenton, Princeton, and the rest of New Jersey’s 12th District. Between tilts at elected office, NJWeedman also spent a lot of time in jail and defending himself in court.

Last year Forchion opened his eatery, NJWeedman’s Joint. Trenton is, putting it kindly, a culinary wasteland. Having a place with fruit smoothies and decent food was a welcome addition to the neighborhood. For $9, you might try the Chris Christie Burger, “sliced glazed doughnut w/mac & cheese served between two turkey burgers.”

Why turkey burgers?

“Because Chris Christie is a turkey,” customers were told.

NJWeedman is a large, outspoken, dreadlocked African-American activist whose flair for civil disobedience has now and then made many in the reform movement uncomfortable. But Forchion’s unwavering commitment to drug reform — on his own terms — has earned him the sometimes grudging respect of allies and detractors alike.

I once invited NJWeedman to speak at a State House press conference in Trenton. I hoped to communicate a clear message about a component of the state’s medical marijuana program. When NJWeedman took the microphone, he promptly wandered off message with a thoughtful but winding soliloquy about medical cannabis and where it fits into the larger constellation of reform efforts. I felt like he crashed my press conference. And I was pissed that he had the temerity to point out that not everyone has the luxury of a small-steps approach. Looking back, NJWeedman was right. It’s easy to be pragmatic in the leafy suburbs. And in retrospect, nothing about his message undermined my goal of getting medical marijuana into the hands of sick people.

Recently, Trenton’s all-Democratic City Council tabled a cannabis reform resolution. Instead of having the guts to vote no, the council simply wished the issue into purgatory. After the non-vote, Forchion lit up a joint right there in council chambers, thus bringing maximum media attention to the council’s act of cowardice.

There is Method to His Oddness

Last week’s police action actually almost fits into NJWeedman’s long game.

Forchion’s restaurant and “cannabis church” wasn’t quietly closed down by local authorities. It was raided by a narcotics squad clad in full tactical gear. Police came in as if they were expecting the climactic shootout in The Departed. That in itself garnered the kind of media scrutiny that rarely happens when a person of color is arrested for cannabis. Officers with assault rifles took ten people into custody, including several patients registered with New Jersey’s medical marijuana program.

East Coast Cannabis Coalition’s Vanessa Maria told Leafly the police lacked the tools to properly verify state medical marijuana ID cards, which those patients had in their possession. That’s news that might send shivers down the spines of the 6,126 MMJ patients registered in New Jersey. It also gives the public some insight into the mindset of the police conducting the raid. They went in expecting to fight it out with hardened criminals. They did not expect to open the doors and find law-abiding, state-registered medical marijuana patients.

In addition to the ten people arrested, the police also walked away with two automobiles, surveillance gear, computer equipment, and — according to the prosecutor’s math — cannabis worth $19,000.

NJWeedman was out of jail 30 hours later, defiantly smoking a joint on camera while vowing to keep fighting his fight his way.

“It may have been worth a few hundred dollars, but $19,000 … are they crazy?” Forchion told the Trentonian. “Just about everyone here is a smoker. So yes, there’s weed here. But there’s no distribution going on. They exaggerated big-time.”

“Sharing is part of the culture,” Forchion added. “I share because I care, and it’s wrong for them to criminalize that. A lot of people come in here and we share. Sharing is not selling. We’re not running any kind of illegal enterprise out of here.”

The gross disparities in the application of our cannabis laws is hardly a secret. Nationally, people of color are four times more likely be arrested for cannabis than white people. Ed Forchion brings those racial and class contrasts into sharp, sobering relief.

The Enemy of Prohibition is My Friend

If the police raid was intended to discourage New Jersey’s cannabis movement, it achieved just the opposite effect. NJWeedman can be a controversial, contentious figure within the state’s advocacy community. But the raid has — at least for the time being —rallied the community around his cause.

“The raid was an intentional attack on the cannabis movement in New Jersey,” Kyle Moore told Leafly. Moore is a candidate for Congress in New Jersey’s 3rd Congressional District, who, like Forchion, is running under the banner of the Legalize Marijuana Party. “Sending dozens of police officers with semi-machine guns is just another way of sending a message. The drug war has relied on brute oppression for the last several decades, and will continue to do so until we as a society say ‘enough is enough!'”

“Edward Forchion’s multiple arrests for cannabis [typically] result in jail time, fines, unemployment, civil asset forfeiture, surveillance, profiling, harassment, loss of child custody, and housing issues,” Maria, of the East Coast Cannabis Coalition, told Leafly. “These injustices are typical in communities of color, which are disproportionately targeted for drug arrests and police harassment. This is a stark contrast to the white ganjapreneurs who are enjoying the vast profits being made from cannabis legalization.”

She’s right. Instead of celebrating and rewarding Forchion’s entrepreneurial, civic-minded spirit, we send him to jail.

Bill Wolfe, who runs a government watchdog website, echoed the sentiment: “The Weedman’s Joint is pioneering exactly the kind of community places we need to restore democracy, create space for the artistic community and alternative ways of life.”

“If I could describe NJWeedman in one word, it’s resilient. I have never seen anyone take a beating and get right back up like NJWeedman,” said Moore, the congressional candidate.

“Every time the authorities punish him, he comes back stronger and more dedicated,” Moore added. “I think the Trenton police raid just opened up Pandora’s box. The last time the state arrested NJWeedman for cannabis was in 2010. He’s attempting to appeal that case all the way to the Supreme Court.

“When will New Jersey authorities learn to just leave this man alone?”

Moore tells Leafly his run for Congress was inspired by Forchion, who also also ran for office several times, including once in 2005 for New Jersey governor, on a “Legalize Marijuana” ticket. Forchion nabbed 9,138 votes in that election.

”Me running for office is just giving other people the opportunity to participate in my protest,” he said at the time. ”I would love to get 5,000 or 10,000 people to vote for me. It would be a symbolic thing.”

For years he’s been dismissed as a fringe outlier. But with each passing year, NJWeedman becomes increasingly mainstream.

One of Trenton’s top lobbyists, Bill Caruso, shared this anecdote with Leafly: “I first met Ed when he came into [then-Congressman Rob Andrews’] district office in the late 1990s to light a joint in protest of marijuana laws. Our 70-something receptionist, who had respiratory problems, asked him to take it outside. When he did not comply with her request, I convinced him to wait on the sidewalk. But prior to walking out, he took a long drag off the joint and blew it in my face. The police arrested him. The officer asked if I wanted to press charges against him for blowing smoke at me.

“I grinned and told him ‘No, but I would love a cheeseburger!’”

Caruso, the consummate New Jersey political insider, now serves on the board of New Jersey United for Marijuana Reform.

Will These Charges Stick?

“I’m a proponent of jury nullification, and I’m going to take this to trial,” Forchion said late last week. “Once again I get to publicly argue my case in court and be David fighting the Goliath of government.”

NJWeedman has lived on the tip of the spear of New Jersey’s cannabis reform movement for more than 20 years. He’d probably tell you he hasn’t changed much in the last couple decades. The rest of the world is simply catching up to him.

But as last week’s police raid shows, there’s still quite a long way to go.

Image Source: Erica Brown

Cannabis Evolution: What Do We Know About the Plant's Earliest Origins?

Cannabis is one of the earliest crops cultivated by humans, and as such, there’s abundant information available on its use by various cultures and peoples throughout history. Thanks to historical documents and archeological findings, we can decipher when and how cannabis was introduced to specific areas of the world and for what purpose. When it comes to the evolutionary origins of the plant, however, things become murkier.

Currently, we have no fossil record of the earliest cannabis plants. Because it has been dispersed far and wide through human migration and trade, it’s difficult to determine the natural range of cannabis. This lack of concrete evidence has forced scientists and researchers to use deductive reasoning and knowledge of related plant families to form a viable theory as to its true origins.

What Conditions Does a Cannabis Plant Need to Thrive?

When determining the likely evolutionary origins of cannabis, our first order of business is understanding its ecological requirements, such as the ideal temperature, soil conditions, and amounts of sunlight and moisture needed for it to thrive. We know that cannabis plants are heliotropic (sun-loving) and thermophilic (warmth-loving). Although they are tolerant of shaded environments, they produce far less seed and pollen when deprived of direct sunlight. This means we can safely assume that cannabis evolved in an open environment lacking concentrations of taller plant species.

We also know that cannabis responds to changes in photoperiod, exhibiting vigorous vegetative growth during the longer days of spring and summer, and not flowering until the nightly period of darkness reaches 10 to 12 hours. Additionally, cannabis is not tolerant of cold conditions, but can survive extreme heat with sufficient water and nutrients.

While cannabis is highly adaptable to various levels of moisture, it does not produce well in drought conditions. Conversely, cannabis is very susceptible to fungi and other pathogens when excess moisture is present in the root zone, so it requires well-drained soil to thrive.

When we take all these factors into consideration, we get a good idea of the type of environment the cannabis plant evolved in: a temperate northern climate featuring warm, wet summers, where it can complete its 4 to 6 month life-cycle between killing frosts, and in sandy, loamy alluvial soils, e.g., along river valleys.

When Did Cannabis Evolve?

Now that we’ve established the likely environmental conditions under which cannabis evolved, we turn to the question of when it evolved. Given the lack of fossil evidence, we must examine our knowledge of plants that are closely related. Even here, we find some controversy: throughout history, cannabis has been given different taxonomic designations by various botanists.

In 1837, Austrian botanist Stephan Endlicher gave cannabis and its sister plant, humulus, their own family, Cannabaceae, under the (no longer existing) order Urticales. Other botanists later placed cannabis in the Urticaceae (nettle family) then Moraceae (fig family), before a 2002 molecular phylogenetic study determined that the Cannabaceae was a distinct family that also included those species classified under the genus Celtis (formerly known as the Celtidaceae, or hackberry family).

A 2003 article exploring the relationship between parasites and plants by Drs. John McPartland and Judith Nicholson for the New Zealand Journal of Botany noted that cannabis hosts seven parasites that are also found on plants in the Urticaceae and none that are hosted by the Moraceae. Using Fahrenholz’s Rule, we can then postulate that the Cannabaceae evolved either from or alongside the Urticaceae.

The earliest convincing fossil records indicate that Urticaceae emerged during the Oligocene epoch, which began about 34 million years ago. Humulus lupulus (hops), the closest relative of the cannabis plant, was fully speciated by 6.38 million years ago. Therefore, the cannabis plant evolved sometime between 34 million years ago and 6.38 million years ago.

Where Did Cannabis Originate?

Next we look to historical and archeological evidence of the earliest uses of cannabis by humans to provide clues as where cannabis originated. A Neolithic site dating back 12,000 years recently uncovered on the island of Taiwan produced pottery shards with impressions of hemp rope on them. In 2003, the 2700-year-old tomb of a mummified shaman was discovered in northwest Xinjiang, China, and was found to contain fragments of cannabis leaves and seeds.

Cannabis use is well-documented in the sacred Hindu texts known as the Atharva Veda, which are thought to have been compiled 2000-1400 years BCE. There is evidence that the ancient Yamnaya culture of what is now Northern Europe used cannabis both for cordage and for its psychoactive properties, perhaps as early as the third millennia BCE. While there is some evidence that hemp was utilized by ancient Egyptians as early as 1550 BCE, cannabis was introduced to the rest of Africa at a much later date. Cannabis was not present in the New World until it was introduced by European colonists.

All of these findings indicate that cannabis is indigenous to the Eurasian land mass. Furthermore, the early development of two distinct varieties of cannabis, the low THC hemp type in Europe and the more psychoactive drug variety in southern and eastern Asia, suggests that the plant first emerged somewhere in Central Asia and diverged from there.

The natural range of cannabis would have changed repeatedly since it first evolved due to climatic fluctuation and encroaching glaciers, so pinpointing the exact area in which it evolved is difficult. Some theories posit that the upland valleys of the Tian Shan or Altai Mountains, with their frequent landslides and rich alluvial soil, could have been the specific locus of origin. Given what we know about the age and ecological requirements of cannabis, along with the earliest known distribution patterns of the plant, Central Asia certainly offers the most plausible, if not overly specific, area of origin. From there it would have been spread by early humans, who possibly first encountered cannabis as early as 120,000 ago after they migrated out of Africa.

The rest, as they say, is history.

The Shake: Turns Out Baby Boomers Love Cannabis. Vermont, Not So Much.

Cannabis use among boomers is booming. More and more Americans age 55 and older are using cannabis — and using more of it — as their home states legalize. CBS News says this comes as a surprise (and then puts “MARIJUANA” in all caps for shock value), but the uptick also makes sense: Cannabis can address the aches and pains of aging, promote a solid night’s sleep, and even make seniors feel young again. There’s still a lot of stigma among groups that came to age during the war on drugs, but that’s slowly fading — and it could make a difference at the ballot box come November.

It’s right to worry about underage use —but evidence says it’s not spreading. A new study out of Washington state found that adult-use legalization had no effect on teen access. Tell your friends.

Vermont now looks like a long shot. Key leaders in the state House say they don’t think there are enough votes to pass the state’s long-awaited adult-use legalization bill this year, according to the Associated Press.

Nobody said the green rush would be easy. “There’s this misconception that everyone is rolling in the money here,” a Colorado cannabis expert tells CNBC in a piece about the startup hustle.

Related: Lots of people want to work in cannabis. Lots of people.

Canadian legalization task force won’t include cannabis advocates. Forward-thinking folks such as Jodie Emery had applied, but Justice Minister Bill Blair says they’re not invited.

Woody gets axed. Hawaii rejected actor and NORML board member Woody Harrelson’s application to operate a medical cannabis license in the state. Read the full story here.

Oregon issues first adult-use cannabis licenses. The state expects to issue about 850 licenses this year. A full list of the eight recipients can be found here, and Noelle Crombie at the Oregonian has more.

Make London great again? Mayoral candidate and self-professed hippie Lee Harris, 79, says that “London would be a happier place if cannabis was legalized.” Right-o, mate.

New Zealand radio host visits Colorado, backs legalization. “Tax the stuff, build more schools and watch crime go down,” Matt Heath writes in the New Zealand Herald.

Colorado tourists could soon buy like locals. A bill in the Legislature would repeal a law that currently prevents out-of-state visitors from buying more than a quarter-ounce of cannabis per day.

Illinois is weighing 15 new qualifying conditions. But the doctor who leads the Illinois Medical Cannabis Advisory board isn’t optimistic the new qualifying conditions will be adopted given Gov. Bruce Rauner’s past statements, says the AP.

The National Cannabis Industry Association announced candidates for its board of directors. You’ll notice some familiar faces.

Colorado’s cannabis doctor will make a pretty penny. The state’s “marijuana health effects and research manager” gig pays between $137,000 and $215,000, according to an open job listing. The Denver Post says it could be one of the highest salaries in state government.

Also in Colorado: another recall. Concentrate maker Avicenna Products is recalling 123 individually packaged grams of Super Silver Diesel shatter, which is contaminated with the banned pesticide myclobutanil. The voluntary recall is the latest of dozens to have hit the state, the Cannabist reports.

And finally, New York is having a cannabis parade! It’s this Saturday, May 7, and you can get all the details right here.

Hawaii Rejects Woody Harrelson’s Dispensary Bid, Grants 8 Others

HONOLULU — Hawaii selected eight businesses Friday to open medical cannabis dispensaries — but not one owned by Woody Harrelson.

The actor was among nearly 60 Hawaii residents who applied in January to open the state’s first dispensaries, which can open as soon as July 15.

Ina Treciokas, a spokesperson for Harrelson, said there was no comment on the selection announcement.

A four-member panel reviewed nearly 66 applications to open dispensaries based on criteria including companies’ proof of financial stability, ability to comply with security requirements and being able to meet patient needs.

The panel wouldn’t discuss Friday why it selected and rejected particular dispensaries, but the health department said it expects to release the scores of each applicant in the next two weeks. The scores will be available on the state’s medical cannabis website.

Here’s a full list of applicants selected to receive state licenses:

County of Hawaii

• Hawaiian Ethos LLC
• Lau Ola LLC

City and County of Honolulu

• Aloha Green Holdings Inc.
• Manoa Botanicals LLC
• TCG Retro Market 1 LLC (d.b.a. Cure Oahu)

County of Kauai

• Green Aloha Ltd.

County of Maui

• Maui Wellness Group LLC
• Pono Life Sciences Maui LLC

“It’s a feeling of huge responsibility and potential for doing good, so it’s lots of emotions,” said Richard Ha of Lau Ola, one of the companies selected for the Big Island. “We’re really happy to participate in this, but we got to do this right and we fully intend to do that.”

Ha said his company already has a lease on a property and building plans for facilities, but he expects that the dispensary won’t be up and running until at least after July.

Harrelson, a NORML board member and a longtime advocate of cannabis use, had applied for a license to open a medical dispensary under the name Simple Organic Living LLC. He would’ve been the latest in a long list of celebrity brands — such as Willie Nelson, Bob Marley, Whoopi Goldberg, and others.

Video game entrepreneur Henk Rogers of Blue Planet Healing was among dozens of applicants who weren’t selected for a license. Rogers is famous for designing the video game “Tetris” more than 20 years ago, and lives in Hawaii in an entirely solar-powered home.

“We look forward to applying for a medical marijuana dispensary license in the future should the Department of Health decide that the granting of additional licenses to operate a medical marijuana dispensary is in the best interest of the people of the state of Hawaii,” Blue Planet Healing said in a statement.

Dispensary applicants are required to pay a $75,000 licensing fee to the Department of Health within seven days of receiving written notice of their selection.

Applicants were required to have $1 million cash, plus $100,000 for each dispensary location. The Hawaii Department of Health, which awarded the licenses, must inspect facilities before they can open.

The law allows medical marijuana businesses to have two production centers and two retail dispensaries, for a total of 16 dispensaries statewide.

Six are allowed on Oahu, four on Hawaii Island, four on Maui and two on Kauai.

Hawaii became the first state to legalize medical marijuana through the legislative process 16 years ago. Under a law passed in 2015, the state could grant eight licenses.

Industry experts say Hawaii’s medical marijuana businesses could be confronted with challenges unlike those in other states, such as navigating rules that ban inter-island transport and limit the number of growers.

They say the new Hawaii industry could also face problems such as the nation’s highest electricity costs for indoor growing and a thriving underground market.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

How the NFL Enabled the 'Gas Mask' Fiasco

Two members of Japan’s junior national snowboarding team are alleged to have gotten stoned while visiting Colorado last December. You might have missed this story when it broke last week. Because it wasn’t much of a story at all.

The zany thing is what happened when the snowboarders got home. First, these amateur athletes had to submit to hair testing, which I am ashamed to admit I didn’t know was a thing. The results gave away their partying, and last Wednesday they were suspended from the national team. The Snowboarding Association of Japan (SAJ) also announced that the athletes’ hopes for participating in the 2018 Olympics in Pyeongchang, South Korea, are now in jeopardy. Fumikazu Hagiwara, the head of SAJ snowboarding, resigned. Presumably in disgrace.

Learning of the Japanese suspensions turned me into one smug African-American. To paraphrase a colleague, if you send a team of snowboarders to Colorado, what do you think is going to happen? But sport allowed me just 48 hours to enjoy those feelings of superiority. After two days of condescending looks to The East, toward a nation whose reluctance to pair cannabis with reason felt almost embarrassing, the National Football League hit me up with some good old-fashioned American shame.

By now you’ve heard plenty about the gas mask bong kid. If you spent last week in the South Pacific, here’s the deal. University of Mississippi offensive tackle Laremy Tunsil had been projected as a top selection in the NFL draft—possibly as high as No. 3. On Thursday night, minutes before the former SEC standout was expected to be chosen, a 30-second video of him smoking weed out of a gas mask bong appeared on his Twitter account. Tunsil’s draft stock crashed. The news broke live on ESPN. The Chargers, who had the No. 3 pick, passed on Tunsil in favor of a defensive end from Ohio State. Pick No. 4 came and went. And No. 5. Tunsil remained untaken. Other digital shenanigans ensued, and Tunsil tumbled to the Miami Dolphins, who took him with the 13th overall pick.

How much did that hacked video cost Tunsil? Consider this. In 2015, the third overall pick walked away with a $38.8 million contract. The No. 13 pick got a package worth $18 million. So those 30 seconds may have cost Tunsil $20 million.

The Japanese come off as naïve. The NFL just seems downright mean.

At least Japan can fall back on the excuse of cultural ignorance. Ain’t no legal dispensaries on the entire continent of Asia. The overreaction is almost adorable. Almost.

What happened to Tunsil — a college freshman when the stoner video was taken — is a whole different level of transgression.

Over the weekend, news came out that the football player was the target of hangers-on aiming to drain him. Like so many of the young people who make up the NFL’s workforce, Tunsil came from a hardscrabble background. One of the people suspected of hacking Tunsil’s Twitter is an actual relative. The leading theory is that Tunsil was hacked in order to damage his market value. But that couldn’t have been done without the assistance of the NFL, a league whose misguided and yes, downright mean policies left Tunsil vulnerable to this attack.

The most powerful league on the planet has a habit of dealing harshly with cannabis users. See Josh Gordon, the best wide receiver you probably haven’t actually seen. (Because he’s been on perpetual pot suspension for the past few seasons.) Some of you remember the great Ricky Williams, and the character assassination that accompanied his cannabis kinship. The street criminals who went after Tunsil, a rookie, could not have accomplished their $20 million heist without being enabled by the NFL’s outdated and draconian cannabis policy.

The hypocrisy of pro football in America is almost too deep to dive into. How it uses colleges as unpaid minor leagues — leagues that happen to earn billions, but not for the players — in itself puts the NFL in a morally compromised position. For now, let’s skip the bodily harm and the brain damage. For a league to be doling out heavy pot punishments (fines, multi-game suspensions, and draft shunnings) when old pros have been dying from the pharmaceuticals all but poured down players’ throats, is beyond despicable. At this point the league isn’t just tone-deaf to the world’s changing attitude about cannabis. Commissioner Roger Goodell and the team owners are actively resisting all positive change.

It’s my belief that the NFL comes down so hard on pot because of worries that an enlightened workforce — i.e., the players — would start to question the league’s longstanding and lucrative relationships with both military displays and shitty beer.

Maybe, as it once did, sport can lead to understanding and acceptance. Both of the amateur Japanese snowboarders are minors, so some, non-hysterical punishment ought to be meted out. Pro football is trickier, but it shouldn’t be impervious to change. NFL fans love nothing more than a winner. How ironic would it be if Laremy Tunsil proved to be the missing piece for the Miami Dolphins? What if he helped that team make a championship run? Why, fans might actually start yelling at their teams for not choosing the young prospect with a minor youthful indiscretion in his past. The NFL could play the part of accidental progressive.

As it stands now, the Laremy Tunsil saga is a minor tragedy. But it may well play out as the upset of the century.

Image Source: Thomas Graning for Ole Miss via Flickr Creative Commons

Why I’m So Excited For Uncle Spliffy And The Sports Cannabis Movement

I have been writing more and more lately about sports and cannabis. I will always be quick to point out that while I’m a chubby Hobbit blogger, I am also a big sports fan. I play in fantasy football leagues with my friends and family, and have played a lot of basketball over the years.

The Top 10 Cannabis Strains in Massachusetts

Cannabis strains vary from region to region, but some fan favorites like Blue Dream, Gorilla Glue #4, and Girl Scout Cookies have permeated almost every state’s border. These ten strains – most of which might look familiar – are the most commonly searched varieties among Massachusetts residents according to Leafly data. Dispensaries, keep in mind that these are the strains your customers and patients are showing interest in!

1. Blue Dream

Blue Dream’s market domination is no exception in Massachusetts. Cherished for its sweet berry flavor and mellow, blissful effects loved by newbies and veterans alike, we don’t expect Blue Dream to fall from its #1 spot anytime soon. Its gentle effects make this hybrid a top choice for anxiety disorders and depression.

2. Headband

Known for its hugging cerebral “halo effect,” the complex hybrid Headband is known to promote a balance of relaxation, creativity, and mood enhancement. With a rich terpene (aromatic oils secreted in cannabis resin) profile dominated by myrcene, pinene, and limonene, this strain’s aroma is as much a draw as its effects.

3. Gorilla Glue #4

Blowing up all over the U.S. is Gorilla Glue #4, the strain that makes its presence known with a pungently sweet aroma soured by funky fuel notes. This masterpiece from GG Strains lives up to its name as it produces copious amounts of resin so sticky, the buds seem to almost resist your fingers breaking them apart. Preferred by patients for stress, pain, insomnia and appetite loss, Gorilla Glue #4 is basically a condensed medicine cabinet as it relieves a spectrum of different symptoms.

4. Green Crack

If you’re susceptible to fatigue and lethargy when using cannabis, consider Green Crack. It may not have the most therapeutic (or even tasteful) name, but this sativa is perfect for fighting depression and motivating activity and creativity with it stimulating and revitalizing effects.

5. Cheese

The Cheese hybrid, first conceived in the 1980s, has survived the test of time for a reason. Announcing itself with sharp sour notes reminiscent of cheese, this strain delivers a tranquil high that can loosen anxiety’s grip as tension dissolves from muscles.

6. White Widow

Obscured under a storm of snow-like crystal resin, White Widow is a classic Dutch strain long coveted for its potency. Offering an escape from pain and stress with a sweet and earthy flavor, this resin queen has secured her supremacy in markets worldwide.

7. Blueberry

Another classic that can’t be budged off the top ten list in most markets, Blueberry offers one of the most flavorful indica experiences alongside heavy, full-body effects. Blueberry is perfect for relaxing in the sun or with a movie, or consider this indica for stressful days and sleepless nights.

8. Girl Scout Cookies

From West Coast to East, Girl Scout Cookies has traveled far to make it into the hands of Massachusetts cannabis consumers. Typically used to nudge stubborn cases of depression, pain, appetite loss, and insomnia by patients, this sweet-tasting hybrid can be used to enhance creativity and introspection.

9. Strawberry Cough

With pronounced flavors of strawberry and an expansive smoke that can leave one coughing the exhale, this sativa is the perfect companion for creatives, hikers, or anyone looking to lift their energy and mood. Strawberry Cough encourages you to get up and out, easing tension and pain so you can stay active longer.

10. White Russian

White Russian is a hybrid strain that uses its commanding THC content to keep stress, pain, and nausea at bay. A cross between White Widow and AK-47, White Russian inherits famed genetics from all over the world including South America, Thailand, Afghanistan, Mexico, and India.

Illinois Medical Cannabis Advisory Board To Consider Adding More Qualifying Conditions, Again

Illinois has tried multiple times to add more qualifying conditions to the Illinois medical marijuana program. Twice the Illinois Medical Cannabis Advisory Board has approved adding new conditions to the list, and both times the recommendation from the Board was shut downby the Governor of Illinois. The Illinois Medical Cannabis Advisory Board is taking up

Dispensary Showcase: Takoma Wellness in Washington, DC

What is Decarboxylation, and Why Does Your Cannabis Need It?

Here’s a scenario we have all seen in film before: Somebody consumes an entire bag of raw cannabis in order to avoid getting caught with it. Eyes pop wide open and gasps ensue. “You just ate that whole bag!” somebody shouts. However, the aftermath of this scene usually involves a very different representation of what actually happens when you consume raw cannabis. Spoiler alert: The effects will be lackluster at best. Why is this the case?

The answer to this mystery lies in a process called decarboxylation, one that is necessary for us to enjoy the psychoactive effects of the cannabinoids we consume.

Decarboxylation Explained

All cannabinoids contained within the trichomes of raw cannabis flowers have an extra carboxyl ring or group (COOH) attached to their chain. For example, tetrahydrocannabinolic acid (THCA) is synthesized in prevalence within the trichome heads of freshly harvested cannabis flowers. In most regulated markets, cannabis distributed in dispensaries contains labels detailing the product’s cannabinoid contents. THCA, in many cases, prevails as the highest cannabinoid present in items that have not been decarboxylated (e.g., cannabis flowers and concentrates).

THCA has a number of known benefits when consumed, including having anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective qualities. But THCA is not psychoactive, and must be converted into THC through decarboxylation before any effects can be felt.

What Causes Decarboxylation?

The two main catalysts for decarboxylation to occur are heat and time. Drying and curing cannabis over time will cause a partial decarboxylation to occur. This is why some cannabis flowers also test for a presence of small amounts of THC along with THCA. Smoking and vaporizing will instantaneously decarboxylate cannabinoids due to the extremely high temperatures present, making them instantly available for absorption through inhalation.

While decarboxylated cannabinoids in vapor form can be easily absorbed in our lungs, edibles require these cannabinoids present in what we consume in order for our bodies to absorb them throughout digestion. Heating cannabinoids at a lower temperature over time allows us to decarboxylate the cannabinoids while preserving the integrity of the material we use so that we may infuse it into what we consume.

At What Temperature Does Decarboxylation Occur?

The THCA in cannabis begins to decarboxylate at approximately 220 degrees Fahrenheit after around 30-45 minutes of exposure. Full decarboxylation may require more time to occur. Many people choose to decarboxylate their cannabis at slightly lower temperatures for a much longer period of time in attempts to preserve terpenes. Many mono and sesquiterpenes are volatile and will evaporate at higher temperatures, leaving potentially undesirable flavors and aromas behind. The integrity of both cannabinoids and terpenoids are compromised by using temperatures that exceed 300 degrees F, which is why temperatures in the 200’s are recommended.

Heat and time can also cause other forms of cannabinoid degradation to occur. For example, CBN (cannabinol) is formed through the degradation and oxidization of THC, a process that can occur alongside decarboxylation. CBN accounts for a much more sedative and less directly psychoactive experience.

How to Decarboxylate Cannabis at Home

In order to decarboxylate cannabis at home, all you need is some starting material, an oven set to 220-235 degrees F (depending on your location and oven model), some parchment paper, and a baking tray. Finely grind your cannabis until the material can be spread thin over parchment and placed on your baking sheet. Allow the cannabis to bake for 30-45 minutes, or longer if desired.

Cannabis can also be decarboxylated in a slow cooker by introducing solvents such as cooking oils or lecithin.These methods create infusions that can be used in a variety of cooking recipes, topicals, and even cannabis capsules. Since they contain decarboxylated cannabinoids, they will be effective any way you choose to consume them.

Now that you know how decarboxylation works, the next time you see somebody on television falling over onto the ground after eating an entire bag of shake, you’ll be able to laugh it off over a batch of your very own freshly baked and infused, fully decarboxylated cannabis cookies. Bon appetit!

Image Source: Patrick Bennett

Dispensary Showcase: Takoma Wellness Center in Washington, D.C.

Religious clergy are known for offering guidance through life’s struggles, but have you ever had a rabbi recommend cannabis? At Takoma Wellness Center in Washington, D.C., Rabbi Jeffery Kahn and his family are dedicated to forwarding the idea of cannabis as medicine. After seeing a family member struggle with multiple sclerosis for years with cannabis being the only form of relief, Rabbi Kahn and his family felt compelled to share the the power of medical marijuana with their community.

Where to Find Them

Takoma Wellness Center sits just north of the heart of the District of Columbia along the Maryland border. Its convenient location is less than a block from the Takoma Metro Stop, easily accessed by the Red Line.

Their Philosophy

Takoma Wellness Center has established itself as a neighborhood business and an active member of the local community.

“We’ve seen a lot of dispensaries, and a lot of them wouldn’t be the kind of places that people in their 70s, one of them in a wheelchair, would necessarily feel comfortable coming [to]. We wanted to have a place [where] people like them would feel very comfortable. [They] would know that they are coming to a place where we took seriously the issue of cannabis being medicine and that we could help find the way that it could help them.” – Rabbi Jeffery Kahn, Owner

Why We Love Them

Aside from its family and community values, Takoma Wellness Center is pushing forward the constructs of legal cannabis throughout the Washington, D.C. area. The location offers friendly, comfortable access to medicinal cannabis and looks to educate all of its patient and arm them with the ability to make informed decisions about the ways to incorporate cannabis into their wellness routine.

Learn More About Cannabis Dispensaries Near You

Looking to find out more about the dispensaries near you? Check out the Leafly List to find some of the best places to access medical and recreational cannabis.

Image Source: Takoma Wellness Center via Facebook