Category: All Medical Marijuana News

Leading Medical Cannabis Expert To Present The Facts Behind A Solution To The Opioid Epidemic

I received the following press release today. Dr. Dustin Sulak is a very talented, knowledgeable expert. I strongly urge you to check out the event, which is free to all: One of the world’s leading medical cannabis experts, Dr. Dustin Sulak, will on May 10th, present a free to attend and view seminar that addresses

Legalization of marijuana in Washington had no effect on teens’ access to drug

Despite concerns that legalizing marijuana use for adults would make it easier for adolescents to get ahold of it, a new study in Washington State shows that teens find it no easier now than before the law was passed in 2012.

One in six children hospitalized for lung inflammation positive for marijuana exposure

A new study found that one in six infants and toddlers admitted to a Colorado hospital with coughing, wheezing and other symptoms of bronchiolitis tested positive for marijuana exposure.

Study of Four Different Potencies of Smoked Marijuana in 76 Veterans With Chronic, Treatment-Resistant PTSD

Verified July 2016 by Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies Sponsor: Information provided by (Responsible Party): Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02759185 First received: April 29, 2016 Last updated: July 21, 2016 Last verified: July 2016 Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a debilitating disorder experienced by a subset of individuals following life-threatening trauma, such […]

I-ACT With Check Yourself

Adolescents have some of the highest rates of risk behaviors of all age groups and health behaviors developed in adolescence can persist into adulthood. These behaviors carry significant risks for subsequent disease, disability, and healthcare burden. Despite these risks, health risk screening in primary care is infrequently performed and results are rarely followed by targeted […]

Want to Try Cannabis Juicing? Check Out These Recipes and Guidelines

Spring is in the air, which means it’s time to shed our winter skin, get out into the sunshine, and burst forth with a clean, healthy body. If you want to give your body a spring cleaning, I recommend trying a 7-day “green” cannabis juice supplement.

In many different cultures, juicing has been used for centuries as a holistic method for supporting overall health and wellness. It’s only in recent years that the idea of juice “cleansing” or “detoxing” has been considered somewhat controversial in the medical community. Our body has five major organ systems in place that are naturally “detoxifying” all the time (skin, liver, kidneys, colon, and lungs). Over time, several factors can overload these systems (such as poor diet, lack of exercise, stress, and environmental pollutants), leaving them working at less-than-optimal capacity.

If you’re feeling fatigued, sluggish, or backed up, incorporating seven days of green juice into your diet can be a simple way to nourish, cleanse, and reset your systems. And if you have access to fresh cannabis leaves, you can implement them in your recipes as well!

What is Green Juice?

Fresh green juice is the extracts of fluid and nutrients from the solid flesh of (primarily) vegetables and some fruits. True green juice does not contain any added sugar, chemicals, or preservatives. The nutrients provided from fresh green juice are quickly digested and readily absorbed by the body. Depending on the variety of the ingredients, green juices will be loaded with vitamins, minerals, phytochemicals, and antioxidants.

What are the Health Benefits of Green Juice?

In addition to helping cleanse your body, the vitamins and minerals in green juice provide natural energy, boost your immune system, and have anti-inflammatory effects. Fresh green juice is also an easy way to meet the recommended daily amount of fruits and vegetables.

The Benefits of Cannabis Juicing

There’s no debate that more is better when it comes to eating your veggies (especially leafy greens!), so why not add fresh cannabis leaves into the nutrient-rich mix? While the exact nutrient profile of fresh cannabis will vary from plant to plant, organically grown fresh cannabis, like other leafy greens, is sure to be full of health-boosting goodness, delivering vitamins and minerals as well as anti-inflammatory benefits.

Cannabis Juicing Tips

If you’re planning on throwing some cannabis leaves into the mix, here are a few recommendations:

• Keep It Raw! The same amount of raw cannabis that provides 500-1000 milligrams of THC-A will only provide about 10mg of THC if heated.
• Choose Organic! Always choose organically grown plants that are well flushed. Any nutrients in the plant will also be in your juice extract!
• Fresh is Best! Use a combination of 15-20 large fresh fan leaves, 30-40 fresh small sugar leaves, or 2 large fresh buds.
• Blend It Together! For best results and taste, blend your cannabis with other fresh juiced greens and vegetables.

Recipe Suggestions for 7 Days of Green Cannabis Juices

You’ll need a juicer for the following cannabis green juice recipes. Try to purchase organic produce if you can, and wash your produce thoroughly before juicing. Make sure you clean your juicer as soon as possible after using it (before the pulp starts to dry and stick to the insides of your juicer). Lastly, cold-pressed juice is the best method to maintain the integrity of the plant and retain the most nutritional benefits.

1. Basic Green Juice

• 5 handfuls of spinach
• 3 kale leaves
• 7 large cannabis fan leaves
• ½ cucumber
• ½ lemon
• 1 Fuji apple

2. Spicy & Sweet Greens

• 3 handfuls of spinach 5 kale leaves
• 10 large cannabis fan leaves
• 20 small sugar leaves
• 1 large cannabis bud
• 1 cup pineapple
• ½ jalapeño
• 1 cucumber

3. Super Greens

• ½ head Romaine lettuce
• 1 handful spinach leaves
• 10 sprigs cilantro
• 1 green apple
• ½ lime
• 1-inch fresh ginger root
• 1-inch fresh turmeric root
• 2 large fresh cannabis buds

4. Green Goddess

• 6 Swiss or rainbow chard leaves
• 2 handfuls spinach
• 1 cup green grapes
• 1 cucumber
• ½ green apple
• 1-inch fresh ginger root
• 20 fresh cannabis fan leaves

5. Unbeetable Green Goodness

• 1 large red or golden beet
• 1 bunch beet greens
• 1 cucumber
• 1 green apple
• 3 Swiss chard leaves
• 10 sprigs parsley
• 2 large fresh cannabis buds

6. Minty Green Juice

• 1 cucumber
• 1 green apple
• 15 large fresh cannabis fan leaves
• 15 sprigs of fresh mint
• ½ head Romaine lettuce

7. Green Green Grass

• 2 cups dinosaur kale
• 1 cup curly kale
• 5 sprigs parsley
• 2 handfuls spinach
• ½ cup wheat grass
• ½ cucumber
• ½ green apple
• 30 fresh cannabis sugar leaves

Image Source: U.S. Department of Agriculture via Flickr Creative Commons

The Shake: Gas Mask Bong Video Crashes All NFL Draft Boards

Laremy Tunsil gas mask bong video eats NFL draft, crashes internet. The former Ole Miss offensive tackle, projected to go as early as No. 3 in yesterday’s NFL draft, dropped to No. 13 after somebody hacked his Twitter account and posted a video of Tunsil smoking cannabis from a gas mask bong. The episode led to hours of uninterrupted finger-wagging from ESPN’s Mel Kiper, Jon Gruden, and other morality cops, even as a nation of bored NFL fans googled “where to purchase gas mask bong.” Our sympathies go out to Mr. Tunsil, 21, whose late-night lark would have been completely legal in four of these United States (but not in Mississippi, of course). As it is, the leaked video probably cost him somewhere in the neighborhood of $10 million in signing bonus money. NFL commish Roger Goodell was “unaware of video until after pick,” says ESPN, which we’d expect from a leader who continues to be so steadfastly ignorant about the use and changing attitudes of NFL players and fans on the subject of cannabis.

Calling out Obama on MMJ prosecutions. That’s what lawyer Marc Zilversmit did yesterday on Slate: “The president is spending money [on federal cannabis prosecutions] that Congress has explicitly told him he can’t spend.”

John Hudak hips federal lawmakers to the racist roots of prohibition. Hudak, our favorite Brookings Institution policy analyst, pens a piece for the Washington Post about “How racism and bias criminalized marijuana.” Great stuff.

Medical marijuana demand surges in Massachusetts. In March, 2,680 new patients registered with the state, bringing Massachusetts’ total to more than 22,500.

California lawmaker wants to let landlords ban medical cannabis use. The bill would permit property owners to prohibit all cannabis smoking on their premises, regardless of medical necessity.

A Harvard psychobiology prof says “marijuana is not medicine.” Bertha Madras, formerly a federal anti-drug propagandist, cites the American Medical Association in her Washington Post op-ed against rescheudling cannabis. The only problem? As advocate Tom Angell points out: the AMA actually supports rescheduling.

No happy hour for you, Alaskans! The state’s Marijuana Control Board agreed on draft regs that would allow cannabis clubs to serve food and non-alcoholic beverages but would ban happy hours. (Of course, in a cannabis club, every hour is happy.)

Whoops! Denver Public Schools forgot to apply for that state cannabis-tax school money. So the district put out a video telling voters it’s not as flush with money as they might think. (And please vote for our upcoming school bond!)

Texans want cannabis reform. And in San Antonio, they’ll be marching on May 7 to demand it. Fortunately, the Spurs aren’t playing that day.

Illinois considering expanded conditions for MMJ. This coming Monday’s meeting of the state’s Medical Cannabis Advisory Board will look over petitions for expanded coverage, including PTSD, Lyme disease, autism, and chronic low-level depression.

NJ Weedman’s joint raided in Trenton. The larger-than-life New Jersey character, who runs a “cannabis church” across from City Hall, faces ten charges of possession, distribution, and other things that are against the law in Chris Christie’s domain.

And finally, curious about gas mask bongs? Here’s a fellow explaining the finer points of the product:

Watch This: Conan O'Brien Hits the Vape and Plays Mario Kart with Seth Rogen and Zac Efron

To promote the upcoming release of Neighbors 2 on May 20th, patron saint of cannabis Seth Rogen teamed up with his costar Zac Efron to challenge Conan O’Brien to a rousing game of Mario Kart 8 with some frat boy stakes. Armed with a keg of green tea kombucha (because Conan is “wheat-free” right now) and a vape pen, Conan channels his inner frat boy and suffers the phallic consequences every time he loses.

Image Source: Team Coco via YouTube

Jane’s Domain: A Visit to the Future of Drug Policy Reform  

I’m often asked to speak on the future of cannabis. It’s not an easy subject to grasp. Change is so fast and relentless in the cannabis industry, it’s hard to know what’s going to happen next month, let alone next year.

This coming weekend I’ll be pondering the path ahead at Further Future, a music, lifestyle, and ideas festival that blooms for just one weekend in the desert outside Las Vegas.

To prepare for the weekend, I spent a couple days earlier this month at the Students for Sensible Drug Policy (SSDP) annual conference in Washington, D.C. If you want to know the future of drug policy reform, there is no better place to go.

SSDP got its start 17 years ago, when Rochester Institute of Technology student Shea Gunther asked the university if he could start a student organization dedicated to fighting back against the war on drugs. RIT said no, and ultimately the school expelled Shea for his activism. Not long after, Shea and others organized themselves and chose a name that was purposefully positive. They weren’t against. They were Students for Sensible Drug Policy.

Years later, SSDP has chapters on nearly 300 college campuses, more than 4,000 active members, and many alumni who lead history-changing drug policy campaigns around the world. (You can hear Shea tell the story himself in this presentation at the Women Grow Summit earlier this year.)

The students who came together in D.C. are our future drug policy reformers, and the issues they chose to address offer a clear view into the subjects that will shape their generation’s work.

The panel topics included:

• Immigration Reform Isn’t the Only Latino Issue
• The War on Drugs Goes Digital
• Environmental Consequences of the Drug War
• Ballot Initiative and Campaign Basics
• How Advocacy Organizations Stay Accountable as the Industry Takes Shape
• #Adulting: How to Get and Keep the Job You Want

I was honored to speak on a panel called “The War on Drugs: Women on the Frontlines” along with reform superstars Kat Murti of SSDP and the Cato Institute; Caroline Naughton, SSDP’s leader at Northwestern University; and Molly Gill, Families Against Mandatory Minimums’ director of federal legislative affairs.

Molly’s organization has spent the past 25 years fighting mandatory minimum sentencing. Like many of the SSDP conference speakers, she taught me how changing my word choice can change the dialogue. Our panel was the first time I heard someone say the phrase, “those who have lost a loved one to incarceration.” By describing the drug war’s front-line victims as casualties, Molly completely reframed the issue. She put the collateral damage to families and communities of color front and center, and in a far more emotional and powerful light.

Molly’s contributions made me reflect on how our verbal frameworks are created, and how they’ve affected my own assumptions and beliefs. I grew up in the 1980s. In high school I was taught that a single hit of marijuana would start me on a rapid downward spiral that ended in an alleyway with a heroin needle in my arm. That was a time when Americans gathered around the tube to catch the latest episode of COPS, the longest running show in the history of FOX. At the time, we thought we were witnessing justice in action.

Looking back on it now, I’m stunned to realize that we were actually watching the racist war on drugs unfold in prime time. And we were enjoying it as entertainment.

At the SSDP conference, the debates and discussions began early every morning and ran late into the night. I heard students talk about prohibition as a tool of political oppression. I heard them talk about combating sexual assault on campus by challenging the longstanding ban on sorority house parties. By shutting off the taps and replacing alcohol with a safer substance, we can make college campuses safer for women. I heard them talk about forcing change now, not ten years down the road, because drug war prisoners like Lee Carroll Brooker — the 75-year-old disabled veteran now serving life without parole for growing his own medical marijuana in Alabama — can’t wait.

When I heard that SSDP is having a hard time starting chapters in California, it left me puzzled. California? America’s laboratory of progressive change, the birthplace of legal medical marijuana? It’s true. Decriminalization and medical marijuana laws have created the illusion that the war on drugs is over in the Golden State. That leaves too many students wondering what’s left to be done.

The answer is plenty.

Frances Fu is just one of many inspiring staffers at SSDP. Working with the SSDP Peer Education program, she helps students analyze the relationship between drug policy and drug use. The program provides evidence-based drug information and teaches students to recognize and address dangerous behaviors and unhealthy attitudes, while promoting prosocial and harm reduction behaviors and attitudes. The group’s “Just Say Know” program is a series of drug education modules aimed at promoting open and honest dialogue around commonly used substances. SSDP is empowering effective peer educators who will lead the conversation around drug policy for years to come.

By the time I left the SSDP gathering, I was completely inspired. Society changes so quickly from generation to generation. The students I spent time with were so much smarter, more thoughtful, and more open-minded than my classmates.

A week later, when I sat down to prepare my Further Future presentation, I couldn’t help but smile. I found myself not just optimistic, but excited. The future is in excellent hands. I can’t wait to be there as it unfolds.

Find your local SSDP chapter here.

Wake Up Call: CFPB Wrestles With Ban On Forced Arbitration

By Rick Mitchell with assistance from Gabe Friedman for http://bol.bna.com In a possible sign that a legal push on medical pot access may be going mainstream, Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe said it has entered a pro bono partnership with the Americans for Safe Access Foundation, a medical marijuana advocacy group. (American Lawyer)

Morning Docket: 04.29.16

By Staci Zaretsky for Above the Law * Biglaw gets in on the green rush: Orrick Herrington & Sutcliffe has partnered with Americans for Safe Access Foundation, a medical marijuana advocacy group, to update a series of manuals on state medical marijuana laws. In the future, Orrick attorneys will man a hotline for medical marijuana patients in […]

PGT #297-Ultra Vires

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- A recent study out of the University of Michigan has concluded that those who use medical […]

S02, Ep. 03 – She's a force in Alaska weed; She stirs pot on YouTube

Published: Apr 28, 2016, 1:43 pm • Updated: Apr 29, 2016, 1:28 pm By Vincent Chandler, The Cannabist Staff Featured guests: Former TV reporter and activist/ganjapreneur Charlo Greene and YouTube personality Jersey Badger. Podcast: Play in new window | Download LOTS TO TALK ABOUT •  What’s working — and not working — in Alasaka’s marijuana […]

Seattle Entrepreneurs Waiting for Patent on Powdered THC

Two Seattle-based entrepreneurs expect to receive approval this spring on a patent for a product that the cannabis industry has been lacking for years: powdered THC. And though cyclodextrins were originally thought to be the most promising means of achieving this dream, these two twenty-somethings have figured out a different way to do it.

When asked how long he’s been working to make powdered THC a reality, Oleo co-founder and CEO Russell Stebbins laughed. “Should I tell you about the first time I tried to freeze smoke in my parents’ freezer?” he asked in return. “I’ve been looking for the patent on this [for years]. I just wanted to know how to do it…and I couldn’t believe that process wasn’t out there.”

“[Russell is] the yes guy. I’m the no guy,” added co-founder and COO Derick Anderson. “I tried to say no, we shouldn’t file a patent, it’s too expensive.” But Stebbins was adamant, and his confidence led the pair to file in March of 2014.

It was Anderson who determined how to bind THC particulates to a carbohydrate base that dissolves in cold water – something chemists and would-be entrepreneurs had failed to do for years. Anderson, an aspiring neuropharmacologist, said that once discovered, the process is simple to follow, but getting there took a mental leap – he borrowed a basic idea from a very different industry, and couldn’t believe it when the process worked. The co-founders plan to work with producers in each cannabis market they enter, allowing these businesses to license their process, create the powdered THC and use the Oleo brand, which will be sold in turn to distributors and retailers.

Why was it so hard to create a seemingly simple product? THC itself is not water-soluble, so it needs to be “trapped” in something with dual polarity – that is, a compound that reconciles the fact that water is polar and THC is not. Once trapped in this compound, the THC has new de facto properties, like the ability to dissolve in cold water, distribute itself evenly, and stay suspended in the solution. It also displays increased bioavailability: while the same amount of THC in an edible can take up to two hours to reach the bloodstream, the effects of powdered THC dissolved in water can be felt more acutely, in as little as 10 minutes.

With flavor and color added, Oleo’s powdered THC is packaged into measured plastic tubes that can be opened and eaten plain (much like Pixy Stix) or added to any beverage or food. What’s in the name? “Oleo comes from oleoresin…which is derived from the Latin root word oleum, which means oil. Also, it’s the kind of thing you can just yell,” Stebbins laughed. “We want people to share Oleo,” added Anderson, explaining that each Oleo pack of six 10-milligram servings will include three flavors they guarantee purchasers will love (lime, mango and watermelon are particularly popular), and three more eccentric flavors (think blueberry, grape or blackberry) that people might like to give away to friends.

Both Anderson and Stebbins have been working full-time on Oleo since September 2015, and though the brand has found its way into six Seattle-area medical dispensaries in recent months, the team is currently focused on refining its process and readying its product for the Washington recreational market. The duo say that moving slowly has allowed them to create a better final product, and they already have a long list of people interested in being processors. Currently, the build-out of the first processing facility (at Western Cultured in Arlington, Wash.) is scheduled to be completed in the next two months. Meanwhile, Anderson and Stebbins continue to manage everything, from branding and marketing to proprietary packaging design, in-house.

As they wait for their patent, Stebbins and Anderson are already working on several new products using Oleo, which they prefer to keep secret for the time being. In the meantime, keep an eye out for Oleo in Washington state rec stores as early as this summer.

Image Source: Sara Dilley

The Definitive Cannabis Travel Guide to Oakland

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

Oakland, California is one of the most vibrant, diverse, and culturally rich cities in America. Often overshadowed by its sparkly sister across the Bay, Oakland offers a kind of cultural freedom, pugnacious spirit, and economic diversity that San Francisco long ago lost. The weird, the hip, the punk, the blue collar, the quirky, the hard-working, the straight, the queer—all are welcome in The Town. And as Oakland solidifies its place at the cutting edge of the California cannabis movement, cannabis enthusiasts of all stripes are warmly welcomed here, too.

Oakland Vitals

Cannabis legality: Medical (18+, med card and ID required)

Nicknames: Oaktown, The Town, Bump City

Population: 406,253

Claims to fame: Jack London, Angela Davis, The Raiders, Green Day, Steph Curry

For the record: Oakland has more artists per capita than any city in the nation.

Day One

At 4:20 p.m., you are: Ordering an Uber X after checking into your room at the Inn at Temescal, a newly redone hipster motel in the city’s up-and-coming Temescal district. Point your driver to 1840 Embarcadero, home to Harborside Health Center, California’s most iconic medical marijuana dispensary. Founded by MMJ pioneer Steve DeAngelo, Harborside remains the gold standard for dispensaries nationwide. Some flower strains sell out, but they’re followed by others that hit the dispensary floor soon after they’re purchased from local farmers. The selection is wide – edibles, concentrates, dozens of flower strains – so you’ll have no trouble finding plenty to purchase.

Head’s up: California is a medical state, not recreational. So if you want to get past the door at Harborside Health, you’ll need a California med card. (You will get carded.) Also, Harborside can be tricky to find, so don’t exit the Uber until you lock eyes on the “1840 Embarcadero” sign. Trust me. You’ll need a cab or Uber to get back downtown, too.

At 5:40 p.m., you are: Getting your game face on at Beast Mode, the athletic apparel boutique owned by former Seattle Seahawk running back Marshawn Lynch. Oakland born and raised, Lynch is a proud local booster, and his store is a great place to kick off a walking tour of downtown.

At 6:00 p.m., you: Start walking north up Telegraph Avenue. Starting at 12th and Broadway, serpentine your way up to the Fox Theatre at 19th and Telegraph. If you’ve timed it right, you’re entering Oakland’s arts district on the first Friday of the month, when Oakland Art Murmur goes off. Take a few hits of a pre-roll or vape, then pop into local galleries that cluster near the Broadway and Telegraph, like Betti Ono, Oakstop, Joyce Gordon Gallery, and Pro Arts. Keep your eyes out for storefronts that host art happenings on First Friday, like SoleSpace: by day a sneaker boutique with sweet red Pumas, by night a hot cultural venue with local musicians and poets.

At 7:25 p.m., you’re: Scanning the menu at Rudy’s Can’t Fail Cafe, the bustling joint named for the Clash song and co-owned by Green Day bass player Mike Dirnt. We recommend the chupacabra burger. End your meal with a cup of hot black from Oakland Coffee Works, the sustainable bean company recently founded by Dirnt and bandmate Billie Joe.

At 8:45 p.m., you’re: Rolling a bocce ball at Make Westing, a cocktail bar across the street from Rudy’s. Voted Oakland’s friendliest bar and “best place to meet members of the opposite sex,” Make Westing features two full-length indoor bocce courts and a bar menu that runs from cheap tallboys to craft cocktails.

At 9:25 p.m., you’re: Climbing the stairs to Feelmore Adult Gallery, a progressive sex-positive boutique run by Neena, a local businesswoman who put up a courageous fight to get her store permitted in famously liberal Oakland. (Check out the story here.) Neena will dialogue with you about kindness, safe words, and respect, or she’ll leave you alone to browse; your choice. She’s open until midnight on Fridays.

At 10:05 p.m., you’re: Hanging in one of two bars. First: Jack London frequented Heinold’s First And Last Chance Saloon, the city’s oldest watering hole, and the place still has a slanted floor, which happened when the pilings beneath shifted during the 1906 earthquake. Second: The White Horse is America’s oldest continuously operating LGBT bar, and today it’s full of EDM parties, karaoke nights, queer comedy, and general fun-having.

Day Two

At 10:05 a.m., you’re: Strolling seven blocks from the Inn at Temescal, south on Telegraph Ave, to pick up a few extra supplies at Telegraph Health Center. We recommend the Gold Drop medicated honey. Go easy, though.

At 10:30 a.m., you’re: Deciding between Popeye eggs or the Liège waffle (so divine it wants neither butter nor syrup) at Blue Bottle Coffee, the Oakland-born boutique coffee house. There are ten Blue Bottle locations in the Bay Area, but we recommend the one in Oakland’s historic W.C. Morse building. High ceilings, enormous windows, and a chatty clientele give this place the feel of a bustling European plaza. For entertainment, watch the mechanics work over espresso machines in the shop behind the seating area. Don’t miss Blue Bottle’s New Orleans-style iced coffee, a sweet and shockingly delicious energy jolt.

Word to the wise: Blue Bottle hosts free public coffee tastings at its Webster Street roastery every Sunday at 11:30 a.m. and 3:00 p.m., and a “How to Brew” series Sundays at 1:00 p.m.

At 11:30 a.m., you’re: Rifling the racks of Roxy Music, Screaming Trees, and classic DEVO LPs at 1-2-3-4-Go Records, Oakland’s coolest vinyl shop. The classic stock turns over constantly, and limited-edition releases by rising local bands show up here first. Shoot some old-school selfies in the in-store photo booth and discover new grooves at the listening station in the back room. Look for live performances on weekends and some weekday evenings. Don’t miss the sidewalk library next door, a public micro-plaza stocked with yesterday’s freshest newspapers and magazines.

At 1:00 p.m., you’re: Digging the sculpture garden at the Oakland Museum of California, one of the Bay Area’s can’t-miss art stops. The garden includes Tony Labat’s Big Peace IV, a massive canary-yellow steel peace sign, and our fave, John Mason’s Yellow Cross Form, which the years have turned yellow-green so it now looks like a massive 3-D dispensary sign. The museum currently features “Altered State: Marijuana in California,” the first-ever museum exhibition to focus on cannabis in the Golden State, on view through September 25, so see it before it leaves.

What you’re skipping: An Oakland A’s game at the O.Co Coliseum, major league baseball’s most notoriously shoddy ballpark.

At 3:20 p.m., you’re: Lying in a grove of redwoods at Redwood Regional Park, which actually lies within the city limits of Oakland. These aren’t the old growth ancients with rings older than Columbus – those you’ll find 300 miles north in Redwood National Park. The redwoods here are second growth, raised up after ye olde pioneers sawed down the originals. But they’re still impressive, organic skyscrapers that are really cool to stand or lie under and gaze skyward (especially when medicated, though we recommend consuming before you reach the park in the interest of being respectful to others). Take a moment to touch the tree’s soft, thick bark, which feels like furry leather.

Head’s up: While it’s technically in the city, the state park does take a few minutes to reach by vehicle. Uber or a cab will get you there, as will the AC Transit #39 or #339 from the Fruitvale BART Station.

At 4:20 p.m., you’re: Leaving town via public transit and heading to the airport or your next destination, wherever that may be. BART is the best way to get from Oakland to San Francisco or SFO – and from there, the world is your oyster.

Image Sources: Inn at Temescal, Betti Ono, Rudy’s Can’t Fail, and Blue Bottle Coffee via Facebook, Beast Mode via Instagram, Make Westing, Calibas via Wikimedia Commons, Bruce Barcott, Oakland Museum of California, and Michael McAreavy and Ed McGowen via Flickr Creative Commons

National Medical Cannabis Advocacy Group Partners with Leading Global Law Firm

Orrick, a leading global law firm, is partnering with Americans for Safe Access’ Patients’ Rights Project to provide pro bono support to medical cannabis patients, many if not most of whom are low-income, to navigate the often confusing legal landscape of medical cannabis laws. Forty-one states, DC, Puerto Rico, and Guam all have some type

The Shake: Walgreens Acknowledges the Reality of Medical Cannabis

Give it up for… Walgreens? Last week the pharmacy chain quietly put up a web page discussing how medical cannabis is used. The drug store (which, its page notes, “is not a licensed medical marijuana provider”) includes a simple description of cannabis, how it’s administered, its physiological effects, ailments it’s commonly used to treat, and an even encouragement for patients to discuss cannabis with their doctors. It’s a very boring deal, sure, but it’s also a very big deal. Have you been to Walgreens? Have you heard the music they play? This is a clear step forward in the societal acceptance of cannabis.

QUICK HITS:

• And you thought Donald Trump was brash. The presidential frontrunner in the Philippines, asked what he would do if one of his children were involved in drugs, replied: “I will kill him.” That’ll learn ‘em.
• A very smart lawyer says legalization will be harder than you think. It may be just a question of when, not whether, cannabis becomes legal in the United States, but Erwin Chemerinsky warns to expect plenty of arrests in the meantime.
• Good work, everyone. You spent more than $37.5 million on legal cannabis on 4/20. That’s according to a new report released by data firm MJ Freeway.

• You’ve heard it before, you’ll hear it again, and you should probably tell your friends: States that allow medical cannabis access have significantly lower rates of prescription opioid abuse. Legalization really can save lives.
• Shopping mall magnate pledges gobs of cash to fight medical legalization in Florida. “It’s not a medicine,” said Mel Sembler, falling victim to the classic blunder of thinking money makes you right. (Can someone send him the Walgreens link?)
• San Diego is threatening criminal charges over the city’s illegal dispensaries. Only 14 operating dispensaries have city-issued licenses, and City Attorney Jan Goldsmith says he’s ready to bring down the hammer on those that don’t. (Here’s what a lawyer has to say.)

• A nug by any other name would smell as sweet. Alaska businesses are trying to figure out whether they want to sell marijuana, pot, ganja, cannabis…
• Massachusetts school superintendents oppose legalization. They’re worried it would make cannabis more accessible to kids. It’s the right worry but the wrong conclusion: Most studies so far have found that teen use doesn’t increase after legalization.
• The ban on Colorado Springs cannabis clubs is all but certain. Opponents missed a key deadline (on April 20, which seems like kind of a mean-spirited deadline to have set) to submit a petition against the ban.
• Wyoming lawmakers reveal cannabis ignorance. They’re debating edibles and whether they should be limited by weight or potency. It’s easy to poke fun — should a cake that contains just 5 mg of total THC be outlawed because the cake itself weighs a couple pounds? — but it’s also an important reminder: Many fair-minded officials still know much less about cannabis than they should.

• Here’s how to deal with finding your parents’ stash. Resist the urge to be self-righteous, and instead try a bit of humor, writes advice columnist Harriette Cole. People change. Let them.
• And finally, anyone engaging in some “certain defined conduct” later? That’s how Pittsburgh will classify possession of small amounts of cannabis under a new city ordinance. Offenders will be ticketed up to $100 for the offense, and the citation won’t even mention cannabis. It’s a big improvement over misdemeanor possession charges that previously saddled casual consumers with criminal arrest records.

‘Sports Cannabis’ To Take Center Stage At ArcView Event In Portland Next Week

I know a lot of people that play sports and/or exercise regularly. I used to play sports quite a bit before I was diagnosed with arthritis in my foot. I still exercise though, as should everyone. It’s estimated that over 125 million adults play some type of sport and/or exercise regularly. That number just includes

The Shake: Why Cops Love the HighThere App, and a Stash Clash in Oregon

An emergency moratorium on cannabis businesses in King County, Wash., takes the industry by surprise. The County Council voted 8–1 for a moratorium on legal cannabis growers, processors, and retailers without ever accepting input from the community. The emergency proposal came from Councilmember Reagan Dunn, who represents rural areas of the county. Councilmember Jeanne Kohl-Welles, a longtime legalization supporter, cast the sole vote against the measure, saying she opposed it for the lack of input from the public. “I’m not comfortable with what’s happening,” she said. By law, the county must hold a hearing within 60 days to accept feedback from the public. It wasn’t immediately clear what prompted the moratorium. Dunn cited crime as a problem but didn’t support that statement with any examples or data. Councilmember Kathy Lambert complained about the smell of cannabis, although her reference was to an illegal grow that operated years ago, prior to the 2012 passage of statewide legalization.

Wither cannabis cultivation and the environment. “How does marijuana cultivation impact the environment?” was the question on Quora, the knowledge sharing network. The response came from Dean Croshere, Director of Operations for MedMen. Indoor grows, he said, require careful control of the environment, which means artificial lights, an automated irrigation system for watering, and filtration and dehumidifiers to recirculate the water during the drying the process. Outdoor grows require more water, as it cannot be recirculated and often becomes runoff which has the potential to damage streams. Greenhouse grows capture many advantages of both indoor and outdoor technology — harnessing the sun’s power cuts down on power use, but it also requires a water pump to keep the greenhouse at the ideal growing temperature. It’s a fascinating look at the ins and outs of growing from an expert in the biz.

Downloading the app HighThere could make you a law enforcement target. HighThere has been billed as Tinder for cannabis users, hooking up 420-friendly consumers looking for smoking buddies. But it’s location-based, and according to one cybersecurity firm, that could put your personal information at risk. Hacking firm Synack found that information on a user’s location, down to the foot, was unencrypted and could easily be used by an outside source — say, law enforcement for the purposes of arresting cannabis consumers. Mind your cybersecurity, everyone!

QUICK HITS:

• Hillary Clinton looks to be the official Democratic candidate, but her tepid leadership on drug policy reform leaves voters unenthused. An appearance on Good Morning America has her seeking more medical marijuana research, but without addressing the reason for the lack of research — the status of cannabis in the Controlled Substances Act. Don’t play dumb, Hilldawg. You’re better than that.

• Stash Tea is suing Stash Cannabis Co. for trademark infringement. The tea company is based out of Tigard, Ore., but operates internationally. It wants Beaverton’s Stash Cannabis Co. to stop using the “Stash” name on the basis it might confuse potential tea customers. However, the Beaverton company isn’t the first and certainly won’t be the last cannabusiness with the word “stash” in its name. Is this a losing battle?
• One BBC reporter got the dank treatment while staying at a bud and breakfast in Denver. BBC correspondent Peter Day seemed surprised that the B&B retained “much of its original Victorian elegance” and he acknowledged he enjoyed the atmosphere. But he declined to partake of Colorado’s canna-treats. Next up from the intrepid Mr. Day: A tour of Napa Valley wineries. Naught but water for you, Peter!
• And finally, here’s the best thing on the internet today: I’ll believe it when dogs fly!

State of the Leaf: Maine Legalization Not Dead Yet. Quite Alive, in Fact.

Big news explodes out of Maine, with a 180-degree flip from imminent legalization to not a chance thanks to the Secretary of State to officially landing a spot on the November ballot! Alaska’s looking at the logistics of allowing cannabis consumption in retail shops, Colorado refuses to allow cannabis-infused gummy bears and raspberries and Iowa’s chances for a medical expansion are dwindling. Internationally, Canada made the official announcement as to when the legalization process will occur, and the Netherlands examines official policies for canna-cafés. Here’s the state of legalization:

U.S. Cannabis News Updates

Alabama

The state Senate on Wednesday voted 29–3 in favor of a bill that would legalize the possession of CBD oils. “Leni’s Law,” named after a young girl with severe epilepsy who moved to Oregon in order to legally obtain cannabis oil, will now return to the House for a vote. A previous version of the bill won House support earlier this month. Bill sponsor Rep. Paul Sanford says access to cannabidiol will provide a little “sunlight” to families struggling with medical conditions, but opponents say there’s not enough evidence to support using cannabis as a medical treatment.

Alaska

The state’s rules around consuming cannabis in authorized retail shops are slowly coming into focus, moving Alaska toward becoming the first state to legalize public consumption of any kind. State regulators will meet in Anchorage to discuss how to best implement plans for on-site consumption. They’re considering how to separate the consumption area from the retail side, and whether cannabis must be consumed within the premises or be allowed out the door. The Alaska Marijuana Board began accepting applications for cannabis retailers in February and expects to begin issuing licenses for cultivation and testing facilities in June, with retail licenses coming later in the year.

Arkansas

After month upon month of rejection, the Arkansas Cannabis Amendment got the OK from state Attorney General Leslie Rutledge. The amendment would allow adults 21 and older to cultivate limited amounts of cannabis for personal use, so long as it’s out of public view. The ballot measure would permit licensed individuals to cultivate up to 36 plants and would enact a 5-percent excise tax, on top of the standard state sales tax, on retail cannabis sales. It will need 84,859 signatures to qualify for the November ballot.

Colorado

A House committee voted to advance a bill that would prohibit all cannabis-infused edibles in the shape of fruit, animals, or people. House Bill 1436 is aimed at reducing the likelihood that children and adolescents will accidentally ingest edibles. There are already new regulations for edibles in the pipeline that will require each edible to carry a clearly marked symbol to indicate the presence of cannabis. The bill to limit edibles quickly won initial approval by the full House of Representatives, 50–14, without so much as a debate. It now awaits a final vote in the House before moving on to the Senate for consideration.

Iowa

Time is running out for a push to expand Iowa’s limited medical cannabis program. The Iowa House of Representatives voted to reject a bill that would have allowed qualified patients to access cannabis oils and products from other states such as Minnesota and bring it back to Iowa for legal use. After the rejection, Iowans 4 Medical Cannabis held a news conference at the Capitol, during which supporters issued an emotional plea for access to medical marijuana. Iowa Senate Majority Leader Michael Gronstal (D-Council Bluffs) said the door will remain open for medical cannabis legislation, adding that “hope springs eternal” for future proposals.

Maine

After much turmoil and nail-biting, Maine’s cannabis legalization is on the November ballot. “An Act to Legalize Marijuana” has the potential to be enacted even before the 2016 general election. Last month, Secretary of State Matthew Dunlap deemed 21,797 signatures invalid based on inconsistencies in the signature of the notary who verified them, Stavros Mendos. Mendos subsequently submitted a sworn affidavit testifying that the signatures were, indeed, his own. That led to a legal challenge from the petitioners, which led a judge to order the secretary of state to go back and take another look at the signatures. Dunlap ultimately issued an amended determination that 11,305 of the signatures may be considered valid, putting the total number of signatures at 62,848 — just barely over the 61,123 signatures required to make it on the ballot. Congrats, Maine! Onward to November.

International Cannabis News Updates

Canada

Canadian Health Minister Jane Philpott announced that the country will introduce comprehensive legislation to legalize cannabis in spring of 2017, answering the question that’s been on everyone’s mind since Justin Trudeau was elected prime minister: When will Canada legalize cannabis as promised? Philpott introduced the plans on April 20 at the United Nations General Assembly’s special session on international drug policy. “We cannot arrest our way out of this problem,” said Philpott. Next spring can’t come soon enough!

Netherlands

The Dutch Supreme Court has ordered a retrial for the owner of what was once the biggest cannabis café in the Netherlands. The Checkpoint Café in Terneuzen served up to 3,000 clients and processed 10 kilograms of cannabis per day at its height, before the city shut it down in 2007 for keeping too much product on hand. Coffeeshops in the Netherlands with more than 500 grams of cannabis on the premises aren’t protected by the government’s unofficial policy of ignoring so-called soft drugs.

Orrick Partners With Pro-Pot Nonprofit Group

By Nell Gluckman, The Am Law Daily Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe announced a pro bono partnership Thursday with the Americans for Safe Access Foundation, a medical marijuana advocacy group, signifying to some that the push to make legal cannabis available to patients nationwide has gone mainstream.

5 Things That are Chemically Similar to a Cannabis High

Cannabis contains numerous cannabinoids that interact with your body’s natural endocannabinoid system. Some of them, such as THC, induce euphoric effects in your brain and body. But cannabis isn’t the only thing that brings about the “high” sensation with which we’re so familiar. In fact, everything from exercise to guilty pleasure foods can deliver chemically similar sensations. We’ve previously written about how truffles contain a “bliss molecule” similar to THC, but here are five other things that can mimic your favorite bud to varying degrees.

Catnip

Catnip, or Nepeta cataria from the genus Nepeta, is a species of plant that’s commonly used in cooking and brewing herbal teas. Oh, and about 66% of cats go crazy for it.

An essential oil called nepetalactone that’s found in the stems and leaves of the Nepeta plant can have powerful effects on kitties (and not just domesticated cats, but other species such as tigers, panthers, and leopards). Sniffing the plant is thought to stimulate the receptors in a cat’s brain that respond to “happy” or pleasurable pheromones, while eating it can bring about mellow effects.

Fun fact: catnip is related to the cannabis plant; in fact, author Michael Pollan wonders if both cannabis and Nepeta cataria both use their respective chemicals to “confuse” their pests as part of an evolutionary strategy:

“Killing pests can be counterproductive, because they breed or select for resistance very quickly. This happens with a lot of poisonous types of plants, as it does with pesticides. But if the plant merely confuses the pests or disables their memory, it can defend itself against them overindulging. Pure speculation, as I say in the book. It occurred to me that it might help explain what’s happening with cannabis, which of course also disables memory.”

(And to answer your inevitable follow up question, no, humans can’t get high on catnip — for reasons yet unclear to researchers, nepetalactone doesn’t affect us the way it does our feline friends. Also, don’t feed cannabis to your cat for the lulz. That’s not cool.)

Running

The “runner’s high” is an actual thing, and until recently it was commonly associated with the release of endorphins, hormones that essentially function as “pleasant painkillers.” But scientists from the Central Institute of Mental Health at the University of Heidelberg medical school in Germany have linked the runner’s high to the endocannabinoid system.

Researchers had some lab mice run on a wheel (hopefully outfitting them in tiny adorable run shoes and shorts) and noticed elevated levels of both endorphins and endocannabinoids after their run. The mice acted less anxious and were better able to tolerate pain. Blocking endorphin receptors didn’t change their behavior, and the mice still experienced the runner’s high.

However, when the scientists blocked the mice’s endocannabinoid systems, the little Pre-furr-taines were just as anxious after their runs as they were before running, and they were also more sensitive to pain. Additionally, the feeling of the runner’s high only kicked in after a certain amount of mileage. Mice who ran more than three miles a day exhibited less anxious behavior. (I’m not sure what that equates to in human miles, but as someone who’s run a number of marathons and half marathons, I can tell you it definitely kicks in during longer distance races.)

Theoretical physicist and cosmologist Marcelo Gleiser opines that this study makes sense from an evolutionary standpoint:

“We evolved to hunt fast moving animals and to escape from equally-fast predators. Such prolonged runs are tiring and painful. If we get a reward from working hard, our chances of running longer and faster are increased. And, with them, our chances of survival. As Christopher McDougall pointed out in Born to Run, his inspiring book about long-distance running, running is in our DNA, in how our bodies evolved to have an Achilles tendon and sweat glands and a series of other adaptations that make us all into potential marathoners.”

That’s right, your body has actually evolved into an efficient running machine. And not only does running mimic the high you get from your favorite strain, it’s healthy for you. Talk about a win-win!

Love

Apparently when love is in the air, it can make you feel pretty friggin’ high. Scientists recently found that higher levels of oxytocin can release anandamide, an endocannabinoid that plays a role in the neural generation of motivation and pleasure, among other behaviors. Oxytocin is a hormone that plays a crucial role in social bonding, sexual attraction and reproduction, childbirth, and mother-baby bonding. These feelings of “love” ratchet up your oxytocin levels, which in turn dial up your body’s anandamide effects.

Anandamide is internally similar to THC in that THC can attach to cannabinoid receptors on neurons in the brain and activate them in a manner similar to anandamide. Thus, scoring a hug from that cutie you’ve been crushing on will produce similar chemical effects to a nice euphoria-inducing OG Kush.

Speaking of anandamide…

Chocolate

In 1996, researchers discovered that chocolate contains anandamide, as well as two substances that could mimic anandamide’s effects, N-oleoylethanolamine and N-linoleoylethanolamine (yes, those are all actual words). That’s right, chocolate, the delectable treat that’s allowed people to eat their feelings since 1900 BC. According to researcher Daniele Piomelli of the Neurosciences Institute in San Diego, the old wives’ tale that chocolate is an aphrodisiac may have stemmed from the blissful effects it can deliver thanks to anandamide.

However, don’t rampage through the Hershey factory like Augustus Gloop and expect to feel as blitzed as you would from an evening of Bruce Banner consumption. Said Piomelli, “We are talking about something much, much, much, much milder than a high.”

Cheese

If you’re more of a fromagerie fan than a chocolate addict, I have good news for you (or bad, depending on the severity of your affinity). Researchers from the University of Michigan have found that cheese contains a chemical that’s also present in drugs. Well, actually a lot of processed food is associated with addictive-like eating behavior, but cheese in particular contains casein, a protein commonly found in mammal milk. Casein provides your body with amino acids, carbohydrates, calcium, and phosphorus, and it can also trigger your brain’s opioid receptors and deliver feelings of euphoria similar to those delivered by cannabis.

Although casein in milk provides only a tiny dose of the drug-like effects, to make a pound of cheese you need about 10 pounds of milk. The casein separates from liquids and coagulates solid milk fats, resulting in a higher concentration of it in cheese and the potential for addictive eating. So the next time you exclaim, “Man, I can’t get enough of this cheese!”, you could actually be talking about both the hybrid strain Cheese and the delicious cheese and charcuterie spread in front of you, but either way, you’re probably experiencing similar feelings of happiness and euphoria.

Image Source: Sara Dilley

Indica vs. Sativa Cannabis Edibles: Will They Affect You Differently?

At Leafly, we’re always comparing cannabis strains and appreciating the nuanced effects each has to offer, from the soaring cerebral stimulation offered by many sativas to the profound, relaxing effects indicas tend to bring to our bodies. But when I saw sativa- and indica-specific edibles line the shelves of my nearby shop, I wondered: can an edible preserve those nuances that have led us to treat indicas and sativas so differently?

A series of interviews and experiments led us to conclude that it depends. Though initially disappointed that these trials couldn’t yield a straightforward yes-or-no answer, I found that the exploration of why it depends is a much more fascinating road of thought.

With the help of Seattle edible producers Botanica and Goodship, we took a deep dive into all the factors that shape our edibles experiences – because it certainly isn’t solely governed by strain type.

Sativa vs. Indica: What Creates the Difference?

There’s widespread consumer consensus around the idea that sativa strains tend to be uplifting while indicas are more often sedating. This effect-based classification has been challenged by taxonomists and scientists alike, but still, many feel that there’s a stark difference between the two that can’t be brushed off as psychosomatic. What then drives the perceived difference?

Botanica’s flagship line of edibles, Spot, is one of few brands to advertise its infused products with indica- or sativa-specific labels. Its production facility is a meticulous warehouse of mixers and machinery, an industrial kitchen pumping out edibles to the beat of music like XXYYXX and Muse. Guiding our hair-netted heads through the facility and between engaged bakers, Lena and Nico of Botanica explained the difference between their sativa and indica products.

“There are 150-ish molecules that are interacting with our bodies when we intake cannabis,” Lena told us. “It can’t just be THC. CBN acts as an analgesic, CBD is an anti-inflammatory, THCV in different ratios and potencies can either make you more paranoid or less paranoid. It’s alchemy of plant matter.”

Knowing the importance of these different compounds called cannabinoids, the infusion artists at Botanica aimed to maintain these chemical profiles by processing their starting strains gently, cooking slowly at low temperatures to ensure that all the plant’s important constituents were preserved – not just its THC.

Another factor at play is terpenes, the aromatic oils that give cannabis its smell. Terpenes also modify the effects of THC and other cannabinoids, which is why more attention is being given to these fragrant compounds when it comes to strain-specific effects. The thing is, there isn’t exactly consensus over what gives indicas and sativas their polarized effects.

“In our extraction method, the cannabinoid profiles are maintained but the terpene profiles are lost,” Eileen Namanny of Goodship explained. “So if the effect is based more on terpenes than on cannabinoids, then you’re going to lose that unless you introduce terpenes later. Or if it really is those cannabinoid profile ratios, and those are what’s really driving the effect, then I think that could be maintained.”

Whether it’s the terpenes, the cannabinoids, or a combination of the two, the next step was to find out whether or not those nuances can be captured in the process of baking.

Experiment: Could We Tell the Difference Between Homemade Sativa and Indica Edibles?

Curious to see if I could harness indica- and sativa-specific effects in my own homemade edibles, I baked with two strains I knew had polar opposite effects: the heavy indica Skywalker and the cerebral sativa known as Timewreck. Using the same heat and cooking duration for each, I made an indica and a sativa butter and made two separate batches. They were put in bags marked only with a number, and in a double-blind test, my team at Leafly took the brownies over the weekend and reported back with their assumptions as to which was the indica and which the sativa.

The not-so conclusive results showed that 5 out of 8 testers guessed correctly, noting that one was more sedating than the other. The intensity of experiences reported differed wildly, thank to my inability to “homogenize” homemade butter. In other words, the butter was distributed unevenly, leaving our most seasoned cannabis veteran with a non-psychoactive piece and one of our lighter consumers with the most THC-packed square of them all (sorry, Kelly).

Because the batch was non-homogenized, it’s impossible to say what role tolerance may have played in that scenario. Without a doubt, people’s bodies absorb and metabolize cannabis differently, and this is definitely something to consider when approaching edibles.

“There’s no control for different people’s endocannabinoid systems,” Will Ritthaler from Goodship explained. “The tests in the labs will give you [potency] results, but you’re always going to back to somewhat of a subjective filter.”

That subjective filter can also influence our expectations and interpretations of the indica and sativa experience. A low-tolerance, anxiety-prone individual could have a terrible experience with a 30mg edible while a THC heavyweight barely feels much at all. The intensity or nature of those experiences – and how our bodies respond to them – has great bearing on what we interpret as a sativa or indica effect.

This was particularly true when I next tried Spot’s indica and sativa edibles in a blind test.

Experiment: Is There a Distinction Between Professionally-Crafted Sativa and Indica Edibles?

Scanning Spot’s labels, you won’t find any advertising of “uplifting” or “relaxing” effects anywhere. Just a simple demarcation of “Sativa” or “Indica.” I had expectations for both, so without telling me which I was taking, my partner gave me one type of Spot brownie one day, and I ate the other brownie type a day later.

The first unmarked brownie was taken in the evening as I settled down to play video games, wrapped in blankets. Within 20 minutes, I was in a catatonic state muttering, “This has to be the indica,” until I conked out. Around lunchtime the following day, I took the second brownie and felt a dense euphoria gather in my head, but nothing that could be described as “sedating.” “Relaxing,” sure – I was in fact attached to my couch playing video games for the next several hours, and no part of me wanted to be active or out at any time during that edible’s duration. It was a blissful, functional high that did feel beautifully nuanced as my tension eased, my mood lifted, and my focus fixated.

Either could have been an indica based solely on perceived effects, but I knew one had to be the sativa product, so of course I chose the first one I tried (the one that shut off my brain within a half hour of ingesting it) as the indica brownie. Shocker: I was wrong. And when I gave some thought to it, of course I was. As someone who has long been affected by chronic fatigue, cannabis of any variety (with a few exceptions) tends to pacify me, and it’s only early in the day that my body can detect any sort of “uplifting” qualities a strain has to offer.

And what if I had known in advance that one was the sativa and the other indica? Would that psychosomatically change my experience? Or what if I’d taken them both in the evening, or in the morning? All are questions to consider for future studies.

Whether or not everyone’s bodies respond as expected, the concept of customizing edibles based on strains is a fascinating one. If producers can harness the complex nuances found in indica and sativa flowers, consumers would be able to make smarter purchases based on their needs.

“We want a product that’s going to get consumers out of this THC-focused mentality,” Lena from Botanica explained. “We wanted to create a brand that allows you to emotionally relate to the experience. You might say, ‘I like the concept of a sativa edible,’ or ‘I like the concept of an indica edible.’ But it had to be deeper than a concept. It had to be proven in your body’s experience.”

Our limited experimentation may have had mixed and inconclusive results, but in the spirit of science, we were able to bring to light the following variables and considerations that could be useful to edible enthusiasts:

• Be conscientious of your tolerance. A 10mg edible will likely not feel at all the same to a newbie and a heavyweight.
• Consider the time of day. Energy levels can greatly influence how uplifting/sedating an edible might feel.
• Homemade edibles may not be very homogenous. Different parts of the batch may deliver more intense effects.
• Expectations guide your experience. If you expect an energizing sativa effect or a calming indica effect, your experience will likely gravitate toward those associations.

We want to hear your anecdotal evidence. Have you experienced differences in indica and sativa edibles? Share your thoughts and advice in the comments section!

Image Source: Spot

Vice President Carly Fiorina Would Be a Cannabis Catastrophe

Usually Presidential candidates announce running mates after clinching their party’s nomination. According to the L.A. Times, Ted Cruz is expected to name Carly Fiorina as his would-be vice president later this afternoon, an effort to gain political momentum in his battle against Donald Trump for the Republican nomination.

What would Vice President Fiorina mean for cannabis? Nothing good.

Fiorina has, like every Republican candidate still in the race, paid lip service to states that have chosen to legalize medical or adult-use cannabis. But she’s also been among the most outspoken in her personal condemnation of the plant and its use.

“I don’t support legalized marijuana for a whole host of reasons, including the fact that this is a very complex chemical substance,” she said late last year.

“But I think Colorado voters made a choice,” she continued. “I don’t support their choice, but I do support their right to make that choice.”

It’s an open question whether she would continue to hold to that opinion once in office.

In past campaigns, Fiorina has opposed both cannabis and the potential tax revenue from legal cannabis. Years ago, when California’s budget was a mess, the state had the chance to legalize and tax adult-use consumption. Fiorina opposed the idea.

“Sending billions of dollars in new tax revenues to Sacramento is exactly the problem,” she said, “because Sacramento has a spending problem and will continue to spend the money we send them.”

When Fiorina does get something right about cannabis, it’s usually by accident: “We are misleading young people when we tell them that marijuana is just like having a beer. It’s not,” she said in September. Science backs up that statement, but not in the way she meant.

Fiorina’s opposition to legal, regulated cannabis comes from losing a daughter to substance abuse. “My husband and I buried a child to drug addiction,” she said at a Republican debate last year. “We must invest in the treatment of drugs.”

It’s a terrible, heartbreaking story — but there’s a bit of a catch. According to Fiorina’s autobiography, her daughter Lori died in 2009 after “drinking too much in college” and abusing prescription drugs.

As cannabis advocate Russ Belville put it in a column addressed to Fiorina, “You are misleading young people, ma’am, when you equate your step-daughter’s death from highly addictive substances and mental illness to an herb that is incapable of producing fatal overdose, even in the tiny minority of its consumers who develop psychological dependence on it.”

The sad fact is, none of the candidates with a strong chance at making it to the White House is likely to be a friend to cannabis. But Fiorina would be one of the worst.

Image Source: Gage Skidmore via Flickr Creative Commons

Shocking Turnabout in Maine: Legalization is on the November Ballot

Maine’s legalization initiative just made a 180 degree turn. Earlier this morning Maine Secretary of State Matthew Dunlap declared that the citizens’ initiative petition for “An Act to Legalize Marijuana” has officially qualified for the November ballot. That means Maine citizens will vote on full adult-use legalization this fall.

That chance seemed lost last month, when the Secretary of State deemed 21,797 submitted signatures invalid due to a variance in the signature of notaries.

Notary Stavros Mendos was found to have inconsistent signatures on many of the submitted petitions. Mends later submitted an affidavit swearing under oath that he did in fact sign the challenged petitions. Advocates for the legalization measure challenged Secretary Dunlap’s ruling in court. A judge ruled in their favor and sent the case back to Dunlap’s office for reconsideration.

Secretary Dunlap agreed to certify 11,305 signatures of the contested 21,797, for a grand total of 62,848 certified signatures—just above the legal minimum of 61,123.

“An Act to Legalize Marijuana” will now go before the Maine Legislature, whose members will have the option to enact it as it stands. If the Legislature declines to do so, the measure will be presented to voters during this November’s general election.

“We are thrilled to finally start transitioning into the more substantive phase of this campaign,” legalization campaign manager David Boyer said in a statement earlier today. “It has been a longer wait than expected, but nothing compared to how long the people of Maine have been waiting to end the failed policy of marijuana prohibition.”

According to a poll released this week by the Maine People’s Resource Center, nearly 54% of likely voters would approve the initiative if the election were held today. Only about 42% said they would oppose it. The full results are available here.

Maine Court Removes Hurdle to Review of Legalization Petitions

PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — The state’s top court on Wednesday removed a hurdle to the completion of a review of petitions supporting a referendum proposal to legalize marijuana in Maine.

Supreme Judicial Court Chief Justice Leigh Saufley denied an individual’s request to intervene that had put the review on hold, allowing Secretary of State Matthew Dunlap to move forward with a review that he hoped to have completed before lawmakers reconvene Friday.

The additional review was ordered after a judge rejected Dunlap’s decision to reject thousands of signatures because of problems with notary’s signatures.

Those who support legalizing marijuana for recreational purposes in Maine need at least 61,123 valid signatures for the proposal to appear on the November ballot.

If activists reach the threshold, then the proposal would be considered by lawmakers and likely sent to the ballot. If not, there would likely be further legal action.

The Campaign to Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol submitted 99,229 signatures on Feb. 1, but only 51,543 of the signatures were deemed to be valid.

The secretary of state rejected more than 26,000 signatures because the signature of the notary didn’t match the signature on file. More than 17,000 of the rejected signatures were linked to Stavros Mendros, a Lewiston-based political consultant and former state lawmaker, who personally notarized more than 5,000 petitions.

A Superior Court judge said it was unreasonable to expect the signatures to be exact matches, and sent it back to the secretary of state for another review.

Dunlap said Wednesday that he’s been keeping the presiding officers of the Legislature updated on the situation. Failure to complete the review by Friday could necessitate a special session of the Legislature to deal with the matter.

CannaGrow Holdings Signs Sublease With Colorado Grower

CannaGrow Holdings (OTC Pink:CGRW) has negotiated and signed a long term lease agreement with Category One Botanicals, a state-licensed grower in Colorado.

As quoted in the press release:

CannaGrow Holdings has negotiated and signed a long-term sublease agreement with state- licensed grower Category One Botanicals, LLC, for the five-phase Cannabis cultivation facility on property located at the Colorado Buffalo Ranch Filing No. 5-Lot 61. The five-phase build out encompasses the entire facility now being constructed on five (5) of the twenty (20) acres currently controlled by Cannagrow Holdings under a five-year master lease agreement with three (3) multi-year options for renewal.

CannaGrow CEO, Delmar Janovec, said:

With a target of early June for the completion of the 3200-sq. ft. Head House, the 3300-sq. ft. Nexus Greenhouse, and three (3) of the six (6) planned 2880-sq. ft. Hoop Houses, we are prepared to accommodate our new tenant. With the entire 5-acre facility now under a sublease contract, the company can now focus on one or more of the recent inquiries about the development of an additional facility on an adjacent footprint.

Click here for the full press release.

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Self-Funded Michigan Legalization Campaign Adds $150K

In what must seem like the loneliest political campaign in history, the Republican duo of Marsden and Darnoi have dumped another $150,000 into the long-dormant Michigan Cannabis Coalition petition drive. A campaign finance statement filed by the MCC for April 2016 reveals the twosome, once again, are the only people spending money in support of

Cannabis Industry Social W/ Tobias Read May 9

Members of Oregon’s cannabis industry will meet with Oregon Treasurer candidate Tobias Read on May 9th in Portland. Two of the biggest issues facing Oregon’s cannabis industry today (and America’s industry for that matter) are lack of banking access and the need for tax reform (280e). That’s why it’s important that Oregon voters choose the

Hawaii Lawmakers Mull Bill to Clarify Medical Cannabis Rules

HONOLULU (AP) — With less than a week to go before Hawaii is scheduled to announce the names of the state’s first medical marijuana dispensary owners, lawmakers are considering a bill to clarify gaps in the dispensary law passed last year.

Hawaii lawmakers discussed a bill during a hearing Monday that would clear up tax problems and give certain nurses the ability to recommend medical marijuana for patients. It would also allow for inter-island transport of medical marijuana for laboratory testing and make rules for what kind of marijuana products could be sold in dispensaries.

Marijuana business owners can open retail shops as soon as July 15, but industry experts say they could be confronted with unique challenges in a state comprising eight separate islands.

Right now, there’s currently a shortage of physicians willing to prescribe medical marijuana, so the component of the bill allowing highly-trained nurses could help increase patient access, said Wendy Gibson of the Medical Cannabis Coalition of Hawaii. Only 10 physicians have given her permission to share their contact information with patients, she said.

“This provider shortage is impeding patient access to this relatively safe and effective medicine,” Gibson said.

The proposed bill would also allow for inter-island transport for laboratory testing. Under the law passed in 2015, inter-island transport was banned, but all medical marijuana is required to be tested in a state-approved laboratory before it’s sold. Right now, there are no laboratories open in the state, and some worry that high startup costs and low patient numbers will prevent laboratories from opening on rural islands.

“It is extremely important that patients ingest their medicine free from contaminants,” said Andrea Tischler, of Americans for Safe Access Big Island Chapter. “Without labs to test the product, small samples need to be sent to other islands where there is a testing laboratory.”

The bill would also clear up a tax loophole that currently makes dispensaries eligible for tax breaks if they set up in enterprise zones, which were intended to incentivize business investment in areas with low income or high unemployment.

The Hawaii Department of Health is currently reviewing dispensary applications and plans to award licenses on April 29. Actor and marijuana advocate Woody Harrelson and video game designer Henk Rogers are among 59 Hawaii residents who have applied for licenses.

Synthetic Cannabinoids versus Natural Marijuana: A Comparison of Expectations

A new study evaluated the expected outcomes of both synthetic and natural marijuana.

Cannabis, Sleep and Nutrition: How the Endocannabinoid System Affects Our Circadian Rhythm

This article is sponsored by PlusCBD Oil, a product line from CV Sciences (formerly CannaVest). CV Sciences is one of the leading suppliers and manufacturers of agricultural hemp-derived CBD bulk and finished products.

Our circadian rhythm, or internal clock, helps to control much more than just our “sleep-wake” cycles. In fact, many tissues and cells throughout the body operate around this biological clock that changes how they metabolize glucose, amino acids, fats and other fuels. Moreover, most cells in the body also change how they respond to various hormonal and environmental signals based on where they are in the clock. These very signals of light, food intake, hormones and sleep also alter the body’s biorhythm in turn. Essentially, it is a two-way street where the existing rhythm of the body’s clock alters whole-body metabolism and physiology on the one hand, and environmental cues exert influence to regulate and help “set the time” on these biological clocks on the other hand.

Sleep Deprivation’s Impact on Endocannabinoids and Weight Gain

Based on this backdrop, it’s no surprise that people who don’t get enough sleep find themselves gaining more body fat and having a more difficult time losing weight or controlling their blood sugar levels. This happens, in part, because sleep deprivation amplifies certain aspects of the endocannabinoid system (ECS) that increase appetite and cravings for energy-dense foods. Results from a recent study published in the journal Sleep suggests that a poor night’s sleep leads to an increase in the body’s cannabis-like chemical compounds (including the endocannabinoid 2-AG, or 2-Arachidonoylglycerol), and activates many of the same pathways as a THC-dominant, CB1-receptor-weighted cannabis that makes food more appealing and rewarding.

Hanlon et al. found that when a group of 14 volunteers was sleep-deprived to 4.5 hours of sleep over a four-day period in the sleep lab, their 2-AG levels rose to higher concentrations and remained elevated longer, leading them to snack on unhealthy foods as compared with the control group that slept for 9 hours. During the four-day stay in the sleep center all the light and sound was controlled, while all food intake and meals were carefully monitored. Blood plasma levels of 2-AG typically peak in the mid-to-late afternoon, and drop to lowest levels in the middle of the night while fasting, yet in this study subjects’ levels remained higher for longer periods of time. These elevated levels of 2-AG corresponded to when the research subjects were overeating snack foods.

We know that sleep loss leads to a drop in cognitive performance and increase in impulsivity. There are also other appetite and energy balance hormones, such as ghrelin and leptin, that are modulated by sleep deprivation. Data along with other research suggests that sleep deprivation is amplifying the hedonic food-seeking drive, while impairing ability to resist temptation and make better decisions regarding food intake. This coupled with dysfunctional insulin sensitivity and partitioning of liver, muscle and fat tissue provides the perfect storm for weight gain and expanding waistlines.

Using CBD to Optimize the Circadian Rhythm

This emerging scientific evidence outlines some potential targets for optimizing weight management and metabolic health. One strategy is to improve sleep hygiene by getting plenty of natural light, eating meals early in the day, and making more time for shuteye. Unfortunately, artificial light, smartphones, TVs, stress, late nights, excess social media use and shift-work have all made it challenging to meet sleep needs.

Another strategy may be to bring the endocannabinoid system into balance (i.e., away from CB1-receptor preference like 2-AG endocannabinoids or a THC phytocannabinoid-dominant cannabis) via use of hemp-derived phytocannabinoids such as CBD (cannabidiol), which tend to be more weighted toward a CB2-receptor mediated response as opposed to a CB1-receptor pathway. By keeping our endocannabinoid system in balance, we pave the way for our circadian biorhythm to encourage optimal health and wellness.

References:

Hanlon EC, Tasali E, Leproult R, Stuhr KL, Doncheck E, de Wit H, Hillard CJ, Van Cauter E. Circadian rhythm of circulating levels of the endocannabinoid 2-arachidonoylglycerol. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2015 Jan;100(1):220-6.

Hanlon EC, Tasali E, Leproult R, Stuhr KL, Doncheck E, de Wit H, Hillard CJ, Van Cauter E. Sleep Restriction Enhances the Daily Rhythm of Circulating Levels of Endocannabinoid 2-Arachidonoylglycerol. Sleep. 2016 Mar 1;39(3):653-64.

Van Cauter E, Holmback U, Knutson K, Leproult R, Miller A, Nedeltcheva A, Pannain S, Penev P, Tasali E, Spiegel K. Impact of sleep and sleep loss on neuroendocrine and metabolic function. Horm Res. 2007;67 Suppl 1:2-9.

Knutson KL, Van Cauter E. Associations between sleep loss and increased risk of obesity and diabetes. Ann N Y Acad Sci. 2008;1129:287-304.

Alaska to Weigh Rules for On-Site Consumption at Retail Stores

JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) — Marijuana regulators in Alaska plan to consider rules this week for consuming marijuana products at authorized retail cannabis stores — a first among states that have legalized adult use.

Late last year, the Marijuana Control Board voted to allow people to use marijuana at certain stores that will sell it. But rules surrounding in-store use still need to be ironed out.

No licenses have been issued yet.

At its meeting in Anchorage on Wednesday, the board plans to consider three sets of proposed rules for onsite consumption. Whatever is settled on is expected to be put out for public comment.

Board staff, board chair Bruce Schulte and board member Peter Mlynarik each proposed a set of draft rules to be discussed. Schulte said each is conservative in its approach and it will be up to the board to pull something together from the proposals.

All three call for separation between consumption and non-consumption areas, with varying details for how that would look. Two, for example, propose a separation by a securable door.

Differences between the drafts crop up in areas such as quantities and whether to allow for marijuana purchased for in-store use to be taken off site if not fully consumed.

Schulte said he expects some discussion Wednesday about the timeline for approval of applications. He said concerns have been raised about the schedule.

The board began accepting applications in February. A tentative timeline has suggested the first licenses for cultivation and testing could be approved in June, with the first retail and product manufacturing facility licenses approved later in the year.

State lawmakers last week approved legislation allowing for national criminal history checks for license applicants. That bill will go to Gov. Bill Walker for consideration. Cynthia Franklin, director of the Alcohol and Marijuana Control Office, said the impact of waiting for that language has been “very minimal to none” because few applications have gotten to that point.

One of her more immediate concerns is the level of office staffing to handle the workload. She said the office doesn’t have enough staff and the idea of doing more with less is a fallacy.

“You cannot have a highly regulated industry where people are carefully examining documents and then skimp on the number of people that are available to do that and have the expectation that that is going to have no effect on the time that it takes to process the application,” she said.

The Shake: Richard Nixon Gets His Own Strain, and Is Cannabis a Gateway Drug?

Is cannabis a gateway drug? As East Coast states mull legalization amid an ongoing opioid epidemic, a number of politicians have warned that legal, regulated cannabis markets could lead to an uptick in heroin and prescription painkiller abuse. (The numbers don’t back this up, but politics, right?) Today the New York Times posted a number of policy papers on the issue of whether or not cannabis is indeed a gateway drug. The conclusion? There is none — like many NYT “Room for Debate” topics, it’s less debate than it is different advocates talking past each other. If you want something more substantial, check out some of our past coverage or read these pieces in the Atlantic, Vice, Newsweek — heck, even Factcheck.org. The upshot: Cannabis probably is not a gateway drug relative to other substances, and it’s certainly nowhere near as bad as politicians and anti-drug groups want you to believe. The scientist who came up with the “gateway” term even came out recently to say that nicotine, not cannabis, is the gateway substance we should be worried about. (More fun with double-standards: A growing body of research indicates that giving children tastes of alcohol correlates — beware correlations! — with them developing drinking problems later in life.)

California grower trolls Richard Nixon, sort of. You remember Nixon, right? That guy who started the drug war because he didn’t like black people or hippies? Well, now Roger Stone, a notorious political consultant and former Donald Trump adviser who worked on Nixon’s campaign, is growing a strain of cannabis dubbed Tricky Dick in the president’s hometown of Yorba Linda. It’s not clear whether it’s an homage or an insult, but Stone describes the strain with a wink, calling it a “very unique blend” of cannabis: “You smoke it, you become very paranoid, and you want to go to a Chinese restaurant.” America.

Forget 420. The magic number in Denver is 421. The City Council there voted Monday to cap the number of cannabis businesses, grandfathering in 421 existing retail shops and grow sites, the Associated Press reports. The existing businesses joined with parents’ groups and neighborhood organizations to support the limit, saying the city has enough shops as it is. The measure allows pending license applications to go through before the limit takes effect, meaning Denver could see up to 45 more cannabusinesses. Another provision, however, calls for the eventual reduction of 15 grow sites.

QUICK HITS:

• A Canadian cannabis advocate is gunning for a spot on a federal task force. Jodie Emery, whom we like a lot and who basically won at 4/20, worries the panel will be stacked with prohibitionists intent on passing overly restrictive rules as the country moves toward adult-use legalization next year. Emery is no prohibitionist.
• Are monthly subscriptions really “the future of cannabis”? I admit I’m tempted by those clothes-in-a-box thingies, but I really don’t mind picking up cannabis in person. Green Rush Daily disagrees. What do you think?

• Have your cannabis and smoke it, too. Alaska regulators are planning to consider rules for onsite consumption at authorized adult-use retail stores, the AP reports.
• A mother and son are going to jail for running a Michigan dispensary. Ellen Dee Shaw was sentenced to 290 days for running dispensaries Kent County. Under a 2013 state Supreme Court ruling, storefront dispensaries aren’t protected under the state’s medical cannabis law. Shaw’s 26-year-old son was sentenced to 90 days.

• Clarkston could be the first Georgia city to decriminalize cannabis. Despite warnings from Gov. Nathan Deal (who’s kind of a prig about cannabis in general), Clarkston could vote as early as next week to make possession of less than an ounce a ticket-only offense.
• That plan for Iowa patients to get medical cannabis from Minnesota? It’s probably dead. The measure failed a recent Iowa House vote, 31–63, according to the AP. Sorry, Iowans, looks like you’ll have to keep getting your kids’ epilepsy medicine illegally.
• And finally, need a break? Check out Carrot Facts and learn something useful.

How to Make Your Own Cannabis-Infused Capsules

If you’re looking for an effective and efficient way to orally dose your cannabinoids in a manner that’s free of unwanted calories and unnecessary ingredients, then cannabis capsules may just be your answer. Canna caps, as they are often referred to, have become a staple across the cannabis industry as they offer a safe and effective oral delivery method that can be easily dosed and optimally metabolized. Most dispensaries carry some variation of the canna cap, and depending on where you purchase them, they may differ in their potency and ingredients.

Cannabis-infused capsules are also a perfect DIY project for anybody looking for a safe, inexpensive, and relatively simple at-home infusion. The required materials can be procured inexpensively, either online or at your local health food and/or drug store. This at-home project takes just a few hours and can be accomplished several different ways, depending on what ingredients and equipment are available to you.

Our recipe utilizes an infusion derived from coconut oil and soy lecithin. Combined, these two act as a terrific metabolizing agent for the cannabinoids as they pass through our digestive systems, enabling us to get more bang for our buck when dosing orally.

Keep in mind that dosing will vary considerably depending on a number of factors, such as the potency of your starting material and the ratio of the ingredients used. There is no standard ratio, but you can use our ratio(s) as a rough guideline and experiment to find what is right for you. The only way to fully know how potent your capsules are is to take them to a lab for testing, so don’t be afraid to use this option if it is available to you.

Ingredients and Materials Required

• 7-14 grams of cannabis (ground flowers are preferred for this recipe, though you can use kief and/or ground trim if you desire)
• 1/4 – 1/2 cup of organic extra virgin coconut oil
• 1/2 tsp soy lecithin
• Oven or slow cooker
• 45 to 50 empty gelatin capsules (preferably size 00)
• Capsule Filling machine
• Syringe: 10mm oral irrigators with tapered deep reach tips
• 1 cooking pot with lid
• 1 glass bowl
• 1 baking tray
• 1 sheet of parchment paper
• 1 piece of cheese cloth
• 1 small bowl
• 1 rubber band
• 1 spatula

Instructions

STEP 1: DECARBOXYLATION

Preheat your oven to 220 degrees Fahrenheit and prepare your material by grinding it finely with your grinder and spreading the grounds across a sheet of parchment paper that has been placed over a baking tray. Ovens tend to fluctuate in temperature, so it’s important to note that you do not want the oven hotter than 250 degrees. Any hotter and you begin to risk cooking off valuable cannabinoids. The material will need to bake for about 30-45 minutes before you can achieve a proper decarboxylation, though you can continue this process for longer if you prefer. Once finished, pull the tray from the oven and proceed to step 2.

If you plan on using your oven for the remainder of the process, keep the temperature at 220 degrees.

STEP 2: INFUSION

1. OVEN- Begin by filling your cooking pot 3/4 of the way full with water and bringing it to a soft boil. Add your coconut oil and soy lecithin to your glass cooking bowl and place it within the rim of your cooking pot so that the bowl sits about 1-2 inches above the soft boiling water. After several minutes, your coconut oil and soy lecithin will melt down and you can add your finely ground and decarboxylated cannabis. Mix the material together until everything is homogenous. Empty the hot water out of your cooking pot and then add the oil mixture. Place the pot back in the oven (still at 220 degrees) for an additional 30-45 minutes. Check in a few times to stir, if necessary. You may cook the mix for longer if desired. This may affect the potency of your end product because it will allow for a further degradation of THC to CBN, a conversion known to add a more sedating effect to your finished capsule.

2.SLOW COOKER- Add your decarboxylated starting material, coconut oil, and soy lecithin to your slow cooker and turn the unit to LOW HEAT. Allow the material to cook for 2 hours (longer if desired) to achieve as proper decarboxylation, stirring several times per hour. Slow cookers tend to cook around 200 degrees on the low setting, so make sure you check beforehand to get a better estimate of how much time you will need.

STEP 3: FILLING CAPS

While your oil is finishing in the oven, prepare the size 00 empty gelatin capsules and capsule filling machine by following the instructions on the package. These devices are designed to make capsule filling a much easier, more streamlined process, though the machine is not required — you can always poke some holes in a cardboard box with a pen to help hold the capsules in place while you fill them. (In my opinion, the small amount you will pay for the machine is worth the convenience.)

Now take your cheese cloth and secure it over the rim of your small bowl using the rubber band. When the oil is finally finished, remove it from the oven and strain the oil through your cheese cloth and into the small bowl, catching the unnecessary particulates along the way. Afterwards, be sure to let the oil cool to a temperature less than 100 degrees Fahrenheit before proceeding with filling your syringe. Gelatin capsules tend to melt over 100 degrees, so make sure that your oil is as cool as you can get it before letting it solidify.

Once the oil has cooled to your desired temperature, it’s time to fill the syringe. Do so by following your syringe’s instructions, and make sure the oil remains warm enough to stay liquid. Use the syringe’s tapered deep reach tip to feed the oil into the gelatin capsules, one at a time, until you run out of oil; repeat this process accordingly. Once finished, use the instructions on your filling machine to close each capsule. During this process, you may find that you have over filled a few caps. Use a hand towels or tissue to wipe the remaining residue. The finished caps can be store in a cool, dark place (like a refrigerator) until you are ready to use them. If done properly, this recipe will produce around 45-50 capsules (this amount is only an estimate and will depend on the ratios of starting material and oil you used).

DOSING:

Dosing will depend on 3 variables:

The easiest and most accurate way to test the strength of your caps is to take them to a lab for testing. If you’re looking for a rough estimate of how strong your caps are, take the potency of your starting material and convert it to milligrams. Once you have this figure, divide it by the net weight of your final yield and shave off 10% or so to account for decarboxylation. This should land you in the ball park of how potent your whole batch will be. Take this figure and divide it once more by the number of capsules you filled and that will leave you will an estimate to work with.

Can Cannabis Help Treat Painkiller and Heroin Addiction?

CONCORD, N.H. (AP) — The growing number of patients who claim marijuana helped them drop their painkiller habit has intrigued lawmakers and emboldened advocates, who are pushing for cannabis as a treatment for the abuse of opioids and illegal narcotics like heroin, as well as an alternative to painkillers.

It’s a tempting sell in New England, hard hit by the painkiller and heroin crisis, with a problem: There is very little research showing marijuana works as a treatment for the addiction.

Advocates argue a growing body of scientific literature supports the idea, pointing to a study in the Journal of Pain this year that found chronic pain sufferers significantly reduced their opioid use when taking medical cannabis. And a study published last year in the Journal of the American Medical Association found cannabis can be effective in treating chronic pain and other ailments.

But the research falls short of concluding marijuana helps wean people off opioids — Vicodin, Oxycontin and related painkillers — and heroin, and many medical professionals say it’s not enough for them to confidently prescribe it.

In Maine, which is considering adding opioid and heroin addiction to the list of conditions that qualify for medical marijuana, Michelle Ham said marijuana helped her end a yearslong addiction to painkillers she took for a bad back and neck.

Tired of feeling “like a zombie,” the 37-year-old mother of two decided to quit cold turkey, which she said brought on convulsions and other withdrawal symptoms.

Then, a friend mentioned marijuana, which Maine had legalized in 1999 for chronic pain and scores of other medical conditions. She gave it a try in 2013 and said the pain is under control. And she hasn’t gone back on the opioids.

“Before, I couldn’t even function. I couldn’t get anything done,” Ham said. “Now, I actually organize volunteers, and we have a donations center to help the needy.”

Bolstered by stories like Ham’s, doctors are experimenting with marijuana as an addiction treatment in Massachusetts and California. Supporters in Maine are pushing for its inclusion in qualifying conditions for medical marijuana, and Vermonters are making the case for addiction treatment in their push to legalize cannabis.

Authorities are also desperate to curb a sharp rise in overdoses; Maine saw a 31 percent increase last year, and drug-related deaths in Vermont have jumped 44 percent since 2010. Vermont officials also blame opioid abuse for a 40 percent increase over the past two years of children in state custody.

“I don’t think it’s a cure for everybody,” said Maine Rep. Diane Russell, a Portland Democrat and a leader in the state effort to legalize marijuana. “But why take a solution off the table when people are telling us and physicians are telling us that it’s working?”

Most states with medical marijuana allow it for a list of qualifying conditions. Getting on that list is crucial and has resulted in a tug of war in many states, including several in which veterans have been unsuccessful in getting post-traumatic stress disorder approved for marijuana treatment.

“It’s hard to argue against anecdotal evidence when you are in the middle of a crisis,” said Patricia Hymanson, a York, Maine, neurologist who has taken a leave of absence to serve in the state House. “But if you do too many things too fast, you are sometimes left with problems on the other end.”

In New Hampshire, where drug deaths more than doubled last year from 2011 levels, the Senate last week rejected efforts to decriminalize marijuana.

There are some promising findings involving rats and one 2014 JAMA study showing that states with medical marijuana laws had nearly 25 percent fewer opioid-related overdose deaths than those without, but even a co-author on that study said it would be wrong to use the findings to make the case for cannabis as a treatment option.

“We are in the midst of a serious problem. People are dying and, as a result, we ought to use things that are proven to be effective,” said Dr. Richard Saitz, chair of the Department of Community Health Sciences at the Boston University School of Public Health.

Cannabis could have limited benefits as a treatment alternative, said Harvard Medical School’s Dr. Kevin Hill, who last year authored the JAMA study that found benefits in using medical marijuana to treat chronic pain, neuropathic pain and spasticity related to multiple sclerosis. But he urged caution.

“If you are thinking about using cannabis as opposed to using opioids for chronic pain, then I do think the evidence does support it,” he said. “However, I think one place where sometimes cannabis advocates go too far is when they talk about using cannabis to treat opioid addiction.”

The findings in the Journal of Pain study that found chronic pain sufferers reduced their opioid use when using medical cannabis were limited because participants self-reported the data.

Substance abuse experts argue there are already approved medications. It would also be wrong to portray marijuana as completely safe, they say, because it can also be addictive.

But supporters point to doctors like Dr. Gary Witman, of Canna Care Docs, who has treated addicts with cannabis at his offices in Fall River, Stoughton and Worcester, Massachusetts.

Since introducing the treatment in September, Witman said, 15 patients have successfully weened themselves off opioids. None have relapsed.

“When I see them in a six-month follow up, they are much more focused,” Witman said. “They have greater respect. They feel better about themselves. Most importantly, I’m able to get them back to gainful employment.”

Tomorrow At Interphex – From Seed To Solution With Leaps In Cannabis Progress

The largest pharmaceutical manufacturing conference is taking place this week in New York. The conference is called Interphex. I am not a fan of the pharmaceutical industry, which I have made clear over the years. That is largely due to the fact that the pharmaceutical industry pushes harmful substances, and historically ignores the medical properties

Montana Supreme Court Delays Enforcement of Dispensary Ruling

HELENA, Mont. (AP) — The state Supreme Court will delay enforcement of the severe medical marijuana restrictions it upheld until Aug. 31.

In February, the court upheld provisions of a 2011 state law that limited medical marijuana providers to selling the drug to a maximum of three patients. The Montana Cannabis Industry Association, which had challenged the legislation, has said the rollbacks would force the closure of dispensaries and leave patients without a legal way to obtain the drug.

The group sought a delay in implementing the ruling until after the 2017 legislative session. State health officials also argued for a delay, saying it would take them at least four months to notify patients and update the registry.

Chief Justice Mike McGrath wrote in Monday’s ruling that “immediate implementation of the court’s opinion will cause serious disruption in a program.”

US DC: At Cannabis Festival, Tokin' Appreciation For Pot

Washington Post, 24 Apr 2016 – The National Cannabis Festival at the RFK Stadium grounds Saturday afternoon seemingly offered so much: rolling papers of all sizes; neon-pink bongs; “Hydroponics for Everybody” books; free issues of Dope magazine; several odor-protecting clutches from the Annabis purse collection; and an “Educational Pavilion” for yoga techniques or lessons on entrepreneurship and local “Potlitics.” One thing at the National Cannabis Festival not technically allowed: the consumption or sale of cannabis. Although it’s been legal since Feb. 26, 2015, for people in the District to possess up to two ounces of marijuana, it’s still illegal for ordinary citizens to sell it to one another or smoke it in a public place.

State Delays Revealing First Medical Marijuana Dispensary Owners

Hawaii was scheduled to release the names of the first approved medical marijuana dispensary owners on April 15th, but the health department has delayed the release following the realized need to complete criminal record reviews. Those waiting to hear about the status of their applications are discontent as they claim the delay is detrimental to […]

Anti-inflammatory Effects of Fiber

Placebo Comparator: High fat high carbohydrate (HFHC) meal Subjects will consume a HFHC meal. HFHC meal includes egg muffin and sausage muffin sandwiches and two hash browns which contain 88g carbohydrates, 51 g fat (33% saturated) and 34 g protein (carbohydrates 41%, protein 17%, and fat 42%). 35 ml of blood will be obtained at […]

‘Cheap Pot!’: What’s the Deal With the $6 Gram?

Forget that nonsense you’ve heard about cannabis being so much more expensive in legal states than the black market: Grams for just $6, and sometimes less, are increasingly common at state-licensed shops.

Low prices haven’t come to every shop, but they’re out there — and spreading. At least two stores I spoke with, Uncle Ike’s in Seattle and the Attis Trading Co. line of dispensaries in Oregon, reported grams for $5-6. Given what we know about the costs of growing, processing, packaging, distributing, stocking, advertising, selling, and paying taxes on legal cannabis, how is that even possible?

Many view the move as the old “half-price sushi” gimmick: Get you in the door with some cheap fish that the restaurant makes no money on, sell you three bottles of Kirin at a high margin, then laugh all the way to the bank. At Uncle Ike’s, where they proudly advertise “Cheap Pot!” at $6 a gram and $99 an ounce, store manager April Roth freely acknowledged the use of bargain-basement deals as a lure.

“There are always loss leaders in retail!” she said.

Attis owner Eli Bilton agreed. He said he absolutely used rock-bottom prices to build his customer base.

“We put anywhere from five to ten strains on our shelf at $5 to $6 a gram, just to gain the customer and create a larger market share for ourselves and to get people through the door,” he said. “It definitely helps.”

Don’t assume cheap cannabis is inherently bad fish. Black market loyalists might argue their cheap cannabis is of better quality than retail’s inexpensive stuff, but they’re beginning to lose that battle, as well.

Down the street from Uncle Ike’s, Ponder sells only Clean Green-certified cannabis, and it still has grams for as low as $7. Store manager Lauren Downes said Ponder is willing to pay a little more and make a little less because, essentially, they’re idealists.

“Cost of production is non-negotiable, and profit and viability are essential for a business to grow,” Downes said. “I won’t turn a vendor away based on their asking price. Quality is more important. Cannabis is the fruit of someone’s labor, and we value cannabis produced by the labor of love, not for the love of money.”

That said, cost is no joke for retailers — it’s one reason those $6 grams are still relatively rare. In addition to the obvious expenses of rent, labor, and utilities, there’s a whole host of hidden costs. Chris Francy, chief operating officer for California-based CalCann Holdings, said advertising costs, for one, are a major component of the out-the-door cost to consumers. “It’s way more than our payroll,” he said.

Derek Peterson, who owns Terra Tech, another dispensary company with stores in Nevada and California, said the monthly ad budget at his Oakland dispensary often runs tens of thousands of dollars.

If that weren’t enough, none of that spending is deductible under the federal tax code that applies to cannabis, 280E. The only write-off available to retailers is “cost of goods sold,” which basically means what they pay the grower. All other business expenses are off-limits thanks to federal prohibition.

“When you try to sell cheap, and you have 5,000 square feet of floor space and 20 employees, and you can’t deduct your rent,” said Steven North, a Washington accountant who specializes in cannabis, “you could end up owing more [in taxes] than you made.”

Pressure on growers to cut production costs is one thing helping to make the low prices possible. The average wholesale price in Washington in 2015 was $3.76 a gram, according to a report from analytics firm Signal Bay. But that’s expected to fall considerably, said Danielle Rosellison, owner of Bellingham, Wash.-based grower Trail Blazin’ Productions.

“We are actively trying to get under a dollar a gram by the end of 2017,” she said. Another grower told her, “If you’re not trying to get to get to that point, you’re going to get left in the dust.”

“We don’t have a clue how we’re going to do that, by the way,” Rosellison added. While it might be possible to grow lower-quality cannabis at that price, she said higher-tier flower is likely to cost more.

“Is premium product ever going to be less than $1 a gram to produce? Can you do pesticide-free? Can you do sustainably grown?”

With current wholesale prices, it’s generally the retailer taking the hit. Vito Perillo, a Washington-based cannabis consultant, estimated that even if retailers use a 300-percent markup from wholesale, they’re left with a smaller operating budget than restaurants, perhaps the most famously low-margin industry. (In Washington, a rule prevents retailers from selling cannabis products below acquisition cost.)

Bilton, owner of Attis, in Oregon, said he took home only about a 2-percent return on his $6 grams after tax and expenses. When I asked Roth of Uncle Ike’s whether her store was making anything off that “Cheap Pot!” she demurred, saying only that she couldn’t share the recipe for Ike’s “secret sauce.”

She did, however, say cheap cannabis isn’t just a ploy to get people through the doors. It’s also, she said, about making safe, legal cannabis accessible to people of all socioeconomic backgrounds.

“We have people come in every day and buy one $5 joint,” Roth said. “We have people who will spend over $400 on an ounce of truly special unicorn weed. My goal is for both of those people to find something that speaks to them.”

“If it’s lower prices that keep people going to unregulated, untested, and untaxed black and gray markets, then I want to do what I can to erase that as a factor,” she added.

“Not to sound pompous, but what we’re doing right now in Washington state is important, and it’s not about money.”

Bilton, in Oregon, concurred. “We’re trying to do good for the people that can’t afford it,” he said. “There’s a large portion of our patient base that are veterans or elderly people, so we try to provide something for everybody. It’s good business, but it also makes you feel good.”

Cannabis Makes You Watch Cat Videos (According to Google Trends)

I’m sure you’ve come across a number of headlines touting studies that “prove” findings like “cannabis makes you dumber” or heavy cannabis users are “more likely to die by the age of 60.” The problem with these limited studies is that people often associate a correlation with causation. A correlation between, say, heavy cannabis use during late teenage years and the death of 8.9% of those subjects by age 60 does not mean that the former directly caused the latter, it means “While we were studying X, we noticed Y occurring in a small percentage, but that by itself doesn’t mean anything without more research to isolate as many variables as possible.”

But that narrative isn’t fun for news publications and blogs hoping to attract clicks, is it? To help out the brands hoping to churn out some sensationalized cannabis headlines, I turned to Google Trends, which highlights trending stories and search terms, and played around with its Correlate tool. Google Correlate takes a query and compares it to other searches with similar patterns. And what better term to compare than cannabis?

Here are five headlines you should expect to see over the next few weeks. The data speaks for itself — with search trends this closely aligned, it’s impossible to claim that cannabis isn’t the cause for the following queries:

The Legalization Movement is All Thanks to Panda Express

Notice the coincidence between increased searches for “cannabis” and people looking for the “panda express menu”? That’s no coincidence, my friend — there’s a reason why Panda Express is the dominant fast casual Chinese chain in the country, and it’s because founders Andrew and Peggy Cherng realized that nothing pairs better with orange chicken and honey walnut shrimp than Tangerine Haze and Lifesaver.

Cannabis Causes Age Blindness

Another hidden danger of cannabis: it causes age blindness, the all-too-awful affliction where you can’t approximate how old someone is. It’s true — one time I vaped a bowl of Maui Waui and proceeded to spend the rest of the evening trying to figure out why Helen Mirren was on the cover of my father-in-law’s AARP magazine. Isn’t she, like, 34?

Cannabis Users, Like Jon Snow, Know Nothing

Cannabis is like a natural form of Lacuna Inc., the memory wiping company from Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. Accidentally spot your naked old Uncle Clarence on the toilet? Nothing some Death Star can’t erase! Wish you could undo all of season 2 of True Detective? A little Red Dragon should do the trick!

Small Talk Was Invented Because of Cannabis

“Nice weather we’re having!” “Where are you from?” “Do you know how to get to 6th Street from here?” Yep, you have cannabis to thank for all that. You’re welcome.

Cannabis Makes You Want to Watch Cat Videos

Okay, that one’s probably true.

The Shake: Denver Has Growhouse Brokers, and Miami Cops Bust Man With Majestic Half-Beard

D.C. activists meet with White House officials. On the heels of the first National Cannabis Festival in the Washington, D.C., this past weekend, one of the city’s largest cannabis advocacy groups, DCMJ, has a meeting with White House officials today. The festival brought together a mix of cannabis activists and recreational enthusiasts, as the grounds outside RFK Stadium were buzzing with conversations, soapbox speeches, and musicians, including De La Soul. No telling what will come out of the White House meeting, but we’ll keep you updated as we hear more.

A Denver company will connect landlords with tenants who want to grow. Housing Guru acts as a property manager and a go-between for tenants who want to grow marijuana plants, evaluating properties, making repairs, and keeping an eye on issues that come up along the way. The new service could be particularly helpful to wary landlords who might otherwise be reluctant to allow legal cultivation on their leased or rented property. Housing Guru currently manages a number of properties along Colorado’s Front Range, renting to tenants young and old, from accountants to scientists. Tenants are required to stick to Colorado’s legal limit of six plants per household, with no more than three ready for harvest at any given time.

Utah study shows improvement in children with epilepsy. The research, sponsored by the University of Utah’s Pediatric Division of Pediatric Neurology and Primary Children’s Medical Center, began nearly two years ago and has already produced promising results. Neurologist Francis Filloux reported that participants experienced a 40 percent reduction in the frequency and severity of seizures while under the effects of Epidiolex, a drug containing CBD extracted from cannabis. Made by U.K.-based GW Pharma, Epidiolex has not yet been approved for use in the United States but is currently undergoing Phase 3 FDA trials. There are currently 113 Utah residents who qualify to possess whole-plant CBD extracts as part of the limited medical CBD program in the state, and results from the state-commissioned study could be used as evidence in a possible push to expand the program.

Boston Globe columnist argues against legalization. Renee Loth points out that Massachusetts’ medical marijuana law has been fraught with corruption and lawsuits, and it took nearly three years for the first dispensary to open. She argues that a legalization push would be similarly bumpy and difficult to enact. We at Leafly are dubious. The transition in Colorado and Washington hasn’t necessarily been smooth, but the results are fantastic: In both states the economy is thriving, thanks in no small part to new jobs and revenue from cannabis excise taxes, and the system is steadily improving.

QUICK HITS:

• Real nun is displeased with the Sisters of the Valley. Sister Theresa Aletheia Noble, a Catholic nun with the Daughters of Saint Paul, took to a Catholic news site to protest the Sisters of the Valley, telling them to give up the “schtick.” The criticism sparked a plethora of responses, both positive and negative, on the topic of cannabis and Catholicism — a fascinating combo.

• A study on the long-term effects of cannabis use jumps to unfounded conclusions. Again. A study of 45,000 men and found that those who used cannabis heavily at ages 18 and 19 were more likely to die by age 60 compared to those who had never used it. We invite you to read the study for yourself and ask questions about correlation and causation.
• And finally, a man with half a beard (but one HELL of a half-beard) gets arrested in Miami, on 4/20, for selling cannabis. How does one maintain such a glorious mane? We may never know.

White House to Meet Today With D.C. Legalization Advocates

WASHINGTON (AP) — Leaders of a successful initiative to legalize marijuana in the District of Columbia will be meeting with White House officials to argue that marijuana shouldn’t be classified as a dangerous drug.

Adam Eidinger and Nikolas Schiller will argue during the meeting on Monday that the Obama administration should remove cannabis from a list of dangerous substances that includes heroin and cocaine. The designation prevents any federal spending on the use of marijuana for medicinal purposes.

Eidinger and other activists recently participated in a protest in which they smoked joints in front of the White House.

Possession of up to 2 ounces of marijuana for personal use is legal in the District of Columbia thanks to a ballot initiative pushed by Eidinger and Schiller. It was approved by two-thirds of city voters.

This story will be updated as more information becomes available.

Medical Cannabis Can Pass in Florida. Here’s How.

Two years ago, Florida voters rejected a push to legalize medical marijuana. Well, they did and they didn’t. A sizeable majority of voters — 58 percent — agreed to legalize. But back in 2006, the state changed the rules on constitutional amendments, increasing the percentage required for passage from a simple majority to 60 percent. By failing to reach that supermajority, 2014’s medical marijuana amendment failed.

The issue is back on the statewide ballot this November, as Amendment 2, and its passage would make Florida the first Southern state to legalize marijuana in any form. Breaking that barrier in the conservative South could be a major momentum boost for the legalization movement. Will it happen? It has an excellent chance. Why now and not in 2014? It’s all a matter of timing.

Why Medical Marijuana Failed in 2014

Two years ago, Florida saw a contested race for the governor’s mansion. Rick Scott, the Republican incumbent, faced Charlie Crist, one of the state’s most eccentric politicians.

Unpopular Rick Scott and more unpopular Charlie Crist

Crist had previously served as governor from 2007 to 2011. He was a Republican when in office, but after a stint at a personal injury law firm and an endorsement of Barack Obama for president, he decided to switch over and become a Democrat. Though Scott was fairly unpopular, Crist found a way to lose to him. The unloved eccentric lost to the disliked conservative by a single point, 48.1 percent to 47.1 percent. You might think a race with such colorful characters and relatively high stakes would drive significant voter turnout. You would be wrong. While Florida’s voter participation for the presidential election in 2012 crossed 70 percent, the numbers in the 2014 elections hovered in the low 40s. It turns out that when you run two unpopular politicians against each other, the whole election turns into a no-show. Or at least a low-show.

What did low voter turnout for the gubernatorial race have to do with Amendment 2? A lot. Typically, a low turnout means only the most consistent voters make up the electorate. In Florida those voters are typically older, more conservative, and far less receptive to marijuana legalization. In presidential years, the electorate is significantly younger and more liberal, meaning marijuana legalization would presumably stand a better chance of passing. Even in a low-turnout year, as 2014 was, Amendment 2 only missed the threshold for passage in Florida by 2 percent. If the electorate had been younger, the amendment likely would have reached a supermajority and passed.

Why Medical Can Pass in 2016

In 2016, Florida will likely have voter turnout rates closer to 2012’s 71 percent than 2014’s 43 percent. High voter turnout would likely result in Florida legalizing medical marijuana, and becoming the first Southern state to do so.

It’s not just about the under-30 voter, either. Young voters are a driving force behind marijuana legalization, but they aren’t the only force. Cannabis use has become normalized across much of the nation, and local decriminalization movements have made real progress in Florida. Miami Beach, Miami–Dade County, Hallandale Beach, Key West, Volusia County, and Broward County are just a few of the Floridia localities that have moved to decriminalize possession of 20 grams or less. In most cases, such possession carries only a $100 civil fine, not an arrest or jail time. Decriminalization has helped to normalize marijuana and make its usage more mainstream and less taboo.

Words also matter. Florida’s 2016 medical marijuana measure contains some critical language that differs from that of its 2014 predecessor. The 2016 amendment clarifies that legalization is for “debilitating” illnesses, and that minors would not be able to obtain medical marijuana without parental consent. It contains limits on how many patients a caregiver can treat, and it says doctors would not be immune from marijuana-related malpractice claims. While these clarifications might seem minor, they could serve to alleviate the fears of moderate Floridians who are on the fence about medical marijuana legalization.

Is There a Next Step? From Medical to Recreational

Passing Amendment 2 would be a significant win for legalization advocates. But for some it won’t be enough. There will continue to be a push to legalize for everyone 21 and older. Can Florida go from legalizing medical to legalizing recreational?

Possibly — if the state follows the road maps established by Washington, Colorado, and Oregon. A medical marijuana win in 2016 could help normalize marijuana use and eventually bring decriminalization to the central and northern parts of Florida, which are much more conservative than southern counties such as Broward and Miami–Dade. Legalization advocates should continue to use presidential elections as springboards. In Florida, that likely means avoiding 2018 and 2022, focusing instead on 2020 and 2024.

For now, medical marijuana has a good chance at becoming legal in Florida in the 2016 election. Washington and Colorado waited 14 and 12 years, respectively, between the adoption of medical marijuana and the passage of full adult use. As the nation normalizes its relationship with cannabis, maybe Florida won’t have to wait that long.

Image Sources: Joe Skipper via Reuters and Wikimedia Commons

Recent Study Shows That Cannabis Fights Osteoarthritis Related Cartilage Breakdown

One of my favorite things to do in life is play basketball. I’m not the best at it, and definitely don’t possess the genetics and talent that I wish I had in order to have pursued my dreams as a basketball player growing up, but it’s something that I’ve always enjoyed. It was the only

US MA: Column: Legalized Marijuana Is Too Much, Too Soon

Boston Globe, 25 Apr 2016 – When I think about the prospect of legalizing marijuana in Massachusetts, I surprise myself by sounding like my father. Cannabis tourism? THC-infused lip balm? “Budz and sudz” crawls? What is the world coming to? The combination of vice and capitalism is a powerful one, so it might be expected that entrepreneurs are rushing to market these artisanal highs. In Colorado, one of the first states to legalize recreational marijuana, cannabis concierge services are thriving, from ganja yoga retreats to weed weddings. Sales nearly hit $1 billion last year, with the state raking in tax and licensing fees of $135 million.

US OR: Christen Ties Cannabis To Economic Development

Grants Pass Daily Courier, 23 Apr 2016 – Shayne Christen is a man of few words. Asked what he would do about economic development, if he were elected to the Josephine County Board of Commissioners, he replied, “We need to do something about more jobs. There’s a lot of possibilities.”

US GA: Medical Cannabis Resolution Overwhelmingly Approved

Times-Herald, 24 Apr 2016 – Delegates at the Third District Republican Convention last weekend overwhelmingly voiced their support for the expansion of Georgia’s laws on cannabis/marijuana-derived medicine, and for allowing the medicine to be produced in Georgia. A resolution supporting expanding the number of conditions that can be treated with oil containing cannabidiol (CBD), a component of marijuana, and in-state cultivation of cannabis used to make the oil, passed with very little opposition at the convention, held April 16 in Newnan.

Is Cannabis a Friend to the Flaccid or the Enemy of Erections?

A common question I get asked when talking about sex and cannabis is whether cannabis has an effect on erections. It’s a somewhat common concern, but don’t let it get inside your head (so to speak). The science around cannabis and erections is inconclusive at best, with one study suggesting the following finding:

“…frequency of cannabis use was unrelated to sexual problems in women but daily use vs. no use was associated with increased reporting among men of an inability to reach orgasm…reaching orgasm too quickly…and too slowly.”

The study concluded, “frequent cannabis use is associated with…difficulties in men’s ability to orgasm as desired.” Interestingly, another study suggested that cannabis could be used to treat erectile difficulties in people with high cholesterol.

In short? The jury is still out, so your mileage may vary.

Think Outside the Erection

As my friend and colleague Dr. Hernando Chaves points out, “Men typically view sex as goal-oriented, performance-driven, orgasm-centric, and erection focused.” Friendly reminder: not all penis owners identify as men, but the point remains. Many people with “outies” are socialized to believe that sex involves penetration of an erect penis into some sort of opening (mouth, vagina, or anus). This limiting belief can severely impact people’s ability to enjoy the sex they’re having because they get stuck trying to have the sex they see in porn or movies.

Our society places a great deal of emphasis on erections and attaches a lot of shame to difficulty achieving or maintaining one. If we let go of those narratives, it gives us permission to be present with the sexual space we’re creating. Exploring the body with toys, hands, fingers, and tongues, can allow us to see penises (and, more broadly, the genitals) as just another pleasurable place to explore, rather than focusing on them as the main event.

Can Cannabis-Infused Lubricants Help Maintain Erections?

“Does Foria work for penises too?” someone inevitably asks whenever I talk about the mind-blowing effects of the THC-infused coconut oil spray. The answer, like most things, requires some nuance. Strictly speaking, Foria absorbs into mucous membranes–the kind of skin that’s found inside your mouth, in a vulva, or inside the rectum. However an oft-forgotten mucous membrane exists within the foreskin of uncircumcised or intact penises, which does make them susceptible to the sexually enhancing effects of the spray. For those who are circumcised, sadly you are out of luck for mucous-targeted topicals.

Tools, Tips, and Toys That Can Help When Things Go South (and Soft)

If you find yourself preoccupied with the erectile implications of cannabis, I suggest adding a cock ring to your sexual toolbox, like this one from Tantus. Cock rings are applied (with lube!) when the penis is flaccid. As the blood starts to flow in, the ring prevents it from flowing back out, facilitating an erection. Many seasoned cock ring users report that having blood concentrated in the area enhances sensation. (Pro tip: The cock ring should go around the shaft and behind the testicles, so that the scrotum and penis are both pulled through it. This ensures pressure is placed on the artery that allows blood to flow back out of the penis.)

You should also consider the merits of flaccid fun. Soft penises get a bad rap, and I’m tired of it. The shaft and scrotum are just as sensitive when not erect, and can be sucked, massaged, and teased to the delight of the recipient. Get some lube and rub it all over their bits, and just explore. Try putting the entire thing in your mouth, or cupping it in your hands and nuzzling it. Experiment with pressure and movement. Pull (gently!) and stretch the skin of the scrotum between your fingers. Take a vibrator like the We-Vibe Touch or Tango and rub it all over the shaft, over the frenulum (the super sensitive triangular area under the head of the penis where the foreskin connects), and behind the balls on the perineum. There are lots of things to do in that area that are entirely unrelated to penetration!

If you’re concerned about how cannabis may be affecting your bedroom performance, experiment with different strains and consumption methods. See which ones affect you in ways you like vs. experiences you’d rather avoid.

Remember, according to Dr. Emily Nagoski, “Penises are like puppies. They respond poorly to commands. They don’t understand. And the more aggressive you get with your commands, the more they’ll just cower and duck and wait for you to calm down. But boy are they glad to see you, as long as nothing is telling them NOT to be glad to see you.”

If you’ve always wanted a primer on penises, here’s a YouTube video I made with famed adult performer and sex educator Nina Hartley. Now go forth and experiment!

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.)

Image Source: Foria via Instagram

The Best Cannabis Strains for Hiking, Camping and Backpacking (As Told by Leafly Reviews)

There’s no question that the Leafly community is an active one: Leafly reviewers love enhancing their outdoor activities and experiences with cannabis, as evidenced by the hundreds of nature-centric strain reviews we receive every year. We combed through them and pulled out a few gems to create this list of Leafly reviewers’ recommended outdoorsy strains. This spring and summer, let them serve as your inspiration to head out for hiking, camping, backpacking, and exploring the great outdoors in any way you please.

Black Dahlia

“You simply can’t be uptight or in a bad mood with this… Body felt stoned but kept my mental faculties intact. Used this first time while camping in Oregon…and this strain was my lifesaver on keeping me pain free.” –JanetA

Willie Nelson

“I smoked it right before going hiking with my friend and the euphoric/relaxing/joyous feelings that this strain gave me were just the perfect mix to make that hike one of my most memorable and enjoyable hikes…it helped me connect and understand some lingering thoughts that were roaming through my mind at the time.” –Oman2525

Cheese Quake

“Perfect for slaying dragons of all sizes, climbing all castles for fair maidens, and all things in between. This includes hiking.” –lofulofu

Cinderella 99

“Cinderella 99 is great for the active individual. As an avid mountain biker I have found this to be a great high when riding. On a recent night ride up at Galbraith I felt like I could have ridden forever, damn batteries! And yes the house is clean and those leather hiking boots are clean and water-tight.” ­–elevenmilesoneway

Redwood Kush

“John Muir, while discussing the redwood forests of Northern California, remarked, “Going to the woods is going home.” The comforting, warming high of Redwood Kush is reminiscent of sitting by a campfire, surrounded by friends and the company of looming sugar pines.” –OCWeedReview

Alaskan Thunder Fuck

“I could run around all day on this stuff and feel amazing. I would DEFINITELY suggest doing something outdoors like hiking, fishing, swimming, etc. It’s perfect for just having a good time during the summer.” –MrZefaulka

Blue Dream

“I had three puffs before taking the dog for a nice walk…The landscape turned into a candy land. If you want to experience the candy land, then Blue Dream will be your pick.” –Puffalo

Orange Crush

“Not only does it work like a sweet orange battery in the morning, but is OUTSTANDING for hiking or other outdoor activities in the afternoon. Absolutely cannot recommend higher.” –SirBronn

Afghan Kush

“Smoked while camping with some friends…Really brought out our creative sides as we jammed on guitars by the fire. The lake at sunset looked like a mural on a wall.” –SpraynardKruger1

Golden Goat

“Golden Goat is not to be smoked indoors–at least for Ignatius. When Ignatius smokes Golden Goat, it causes Ignatius to speak in the third person and open all doors and windows. Golden Goat should be smoked, ingested, or vaped outdoors, where there is little made-made interaction. A hiking trail in a narrow canyon is where Ignatius prefers to consume Golden Goat.” –Ignatius

Critical Mass

“Threw a small amount into a clean glass piece, three lungfulls later I knew this was something special. Taking this on a one week backpacking trip for fireside good times.” –DrStrange

Cookie Wreck

“Went looking for pain relief and freedom in my movement and I’ve got it! Hello hiking again!” –Nevra79

Exodus Cheese

“You’re hiking up a mountain. Things start to look cooler as you continue to ascend since you can see further than you’ve ever before…when you finally reach the top, an indescribable, awe-inspiring view smacks you in the face. You sit down to bask in and respect its glory. You look upon the skyline seeing trees and mountains as far as the I can see. You are in this. You aren’t seeing this in a picture in a magazine or from a picture uploaded by some dude on Reddit. No, you are really here. You really climbed a mountain, and you are really looking at the beauty that the Earth has to offer. You have done it. You have actually accomplished something. So, you let yourself be drenched with the force of 10 Newton fucktons of euphoric bliss, and it radiates throughout your mind and body. And all you want to do is scream, “I AM A GOLDEN GOD!” at the top of your lungs, but you don’t because there are other people around and that would be weird. So, you sit in peace, taking in as much of it as you can because even though you will be up here for a long time, you can’t stay this high forever. Or can you…” –i_miss_u_cupcake

Reviews edited for length and clarity.

Image Source: Joshua Earle via Unsplash

5 Cannabis “Holidays” to Celebrate Besides 4/20

April 20th has long been accepted as the de facto cannabis holiday. The symbolism behind 4/20 has been a powerful ally and war cry for activists and supporters of cannabis reform. During times of prohibition, it has given the community cause to come together make some noise.

Now that cannabis reform is beginning to make headway across the nation, we have even more reason to celebrate. If you don’t want to wait until next year to rally behind a significant cannabis “holiday,” here are five other days throughout the year when you can light up in celebration of cannabis and how far our community has come.

February 1st: CBD Day

February 1st should serve as a celebration of cannabidiol, the cannabinoid also known as CBD. CBD holds great promise for advancing cannabis as medicine. Specially bred strains with a CBD:THC ratio of 2:1 or higher are sought after for their medicinal properties, with some strains reaching upwards of 25:1. To appropriately pay tribute to the benefits of CBD, we’d recommend vaporizing high-CBD strains like ACDC or Harlequin. Afterwards, spend your day resting, relaxing, and focusing on personal wellness through meditation, yoga, and other restorative activities.

June 18th: Jack Herer’s Birthday

In commemoration for all of the energy and effort put in by cannabis activists throughout the decades, we propose observing the birthday of Jack Herer. Affectionately named “The Hemperor,” Jack was a devoted marijuana activist and author. He fought tirelessly to emphasize cannabis as one of our most valuable resources and reinforce the ways in which our earth and society can benefit from hemp. To honor Jack and all of the others who have pushed the plant forward, we suggest smoking some Jack Herer, the sativa-dominant strain bred by Sensi Seed and named for the man himself.

July 10th: Oils and Concentrates Day

Everybody knows about 420 but in recent years concentrates, cartridges, and dabs have taken center stage. “OIL” flipped upside-down reads “710,” so July 10th is quickly becoming the connoisseur’s ceremony to honor oil. The day is a great excuse to dab your favorite concentrates with your friends, but it’s also an opportunity to commemorate the advancements in hash making technologies that modern cannabis laws are encouraging.

October 5th: Commemorating the Victims of Prohibition

On October 2nd, 1937, the United States enacted the Marijuana Tax Stamp Act which effectively outlawed cannabis. Three days later, on October 5th, the FBI and the Denver police raided the Lexington Hotel and arrested Samuel R. Caldwell and Moses Baca. Caldwell and Bacca are recognized as the first citizens convicted of selling and possessing cannabis. Both men served the entirety of their sentences, with Caldwell dying shortly after his release from four years of hard labor. In respect to those who have risked their freedoms fighting for the personal right to grow and consume cannabis, we should all roll one up to remember the lives and families distressed by prohibition.

November 6th: Legalization Day

Without a doubt we should be celebrating the momentous first doors that opened for legal, adult access to cannabis in the United States. On November 6th, 2012, Colorado and Washington both passed recreational cannabis laws establishing and recognizing cannabis as a regulated industry in America that has gone on to spark an international debate on drug reform. To memorialize the shift towards legitimizing marijuana, 11/6 should be celebrated by visiting your local dispensary or traveling to a state with legal access in an effort to support the businesses that help us enjoy our right to consume cannabis.

These are just a handful of days to celebrate the cannabis plant (as if you needed any more), but really any day that cannabis can increase your quality of life should feel like a win. We hope you had a happy and safe 4/20 holiday. If you’re looking for more cannabis-friendly events, visit the Leafly Events Calendar to find out what’s going on in your neighborhood.

Alaska Passes Law to Peek into Retailers’ Pasts

JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) — The Alaska Legislature passed a bill Friday allowing national criminal history checks on people applying for licenses to open legal marijuana businesses.

The provisions, sought by marijuana regulators, were tucked into a broader bill dealing with state alcohol laws that had gotten tangled up in the Senate after the House attached provisions related to the Board of Barbers and Hairdressers.

The Marijuana Control Board has begun accepting business license applications. State law prohibits the issuance of licenses to individuals who have had felony convictions within five years of their application or are on probation or parole for that felony.

The House tweak caused the bill to stall in the Senate early Monday during the final throes of a marathon floor session. At the time, the bill’s sponsor, Sen. Peter Micciche, suggested there could be an issue with attaching the Board of Barbers and Hairdressers’ provisions to it.

On the Senate floor Friday, Micciche, R-Soldotna, said he spent some time with legislative counsel evaluating whether the add-on would compromise the bill. The conclusion was that the House change was unlikely to do so, he said.

The underlying bill addresses the makeup of the Alcoholic Beverage Control Board, so adding another board to the bill appeared to be OK, he said in an interview. With the Senate’s actions Friday, the bill passed the Legislature and now goes to Gov. Bill Walker for consideration.

Background check provisions for marijuana business applicants also were included in a Senate rewrite of a marijuana bill on which House and Senate negotiators so far have been unable to reach a compromise. The main sticking point has been a proposal to bar legal marijuana operations in unincorporated areas outside organized boroughs but allow communities in those areas to hold local elections to allow cannabis businesses.

New Strains Alert: Butter OG, Blackberry Pie, Khufu, Mammoth, and More

The Leafly database was just updated with some new strains, and we’re curious to hear if you’ve tried any of them! New varieties are born every day, so we’d like to hear from you — which strains should we add next? Let us know in the comments below!

1. Blackberry Pie

Blackberry Pie is a hybrid cross of Jojorizo’s Blackberry Widow and a Crystal Locomotive created by Gage Green Genetics. This hybrid is easy to grow and all phenotypes present the potency and high resin content you would expect given its White Widow and Trainwreck heritage. A beautiful and aromatic plant featuring flowers with deep purple hues and ample trichomes, Blackberry Pie offers a nice blend of heady euphoria with a medicinal body high.

2. Butter OG

While there is not much information available on the origins of Butter OG, it is generally thought to be an indica-dominant strain as it gives users a very relaxing, giggly high that gradually fades to sleepiness. Its dense, sparkly buds give off a fruity scent with slight undertones of ammonia. The smoke is very light and smooth, with sweet flavors on the inhale and, like its name suggests, a buttery aftertaste. Butter OG is potentially beneficial for treating pain, anxiety, depression, and insomnia.

3. Blueberry Blast

A mostly sativa hybrid from Snow High Seeds, Blueberry Blast is a the result of the famous Blueberry-Haze genetics of Blue Dream being pollinated by a Johnny Blaze male. These flowers smell strongly of blueberry, musk, and sweet candy, and taste like cedar and berries when smoked or vaped. A definite sativa effect is to be expected, with soaring, trippy highs that gradually fade into relaxation.

4. Mammoth

This hybrid from The Bank Cannabis Genetics is a cross between the sativa-dominant Snowcap and indica-dominant LA Confidential. There isn’t a lot of information available on Mammoth, but the breeder suggests that growers should look for phenotypes featuring the enormous yields of Snowcap, the shorter flowering time and manageable height of LA Confidential, and the dense buds, high potency, resin production, and disease resistance of both parents.

5. Khufu

Khufu is an indica-dominant hybrid from The Devil’s Harvest Seed Company that combines Cheese, Afghani #1, and SFV OG genetics to excellent effect. Growers can expect extremely high yields of potent Kush-type flowers, with giant calyxes and very little leaf. The effects of Khufu will leave you wanting nothing more than to gorge on snacks while glued to your favorite chair. Patients treating pain, anxiety, nausea, and insomnia may benefit from Khufu’s therapeutic effects.

6. OG Skunk

A cross between OG #18 and Skunk #1, OG Skunk is a 60% sativa-dominant hybrid from DNA Genetics. Flavors of sour fuel and skunky citrus are sure to please fans of both parent strains, while the high offers a nice uplifting head effect along with a relaxing body buzz. Its THC levels have been measured between 16% and 22%.

7. Merlot OG

SoCal cannabis breeders Ocean Grown Seeds originally designed the Merlot OG in 2006 as an attempt to create an OG Kush-type plant with deep purple colors by crossing Larry OG and Grape Ape. The resulting plant was then crossed with Blackberry Rhino x SFV OG and then backcrossed to stabilize its OG characteristics. Merlot OG produces large, dense indica-type buds that are blanketed in white trichomes and will often turn dark purple, especially in cooler conditions.

Browse through our other new strains that were recently added to the Leafly Explorer, or check out last week’s newest additions!

The Shake: Kosher Cannabis for Passover, and the Lucas Bros Do a Dowd

Rabbi declares medical cannabis kosher for Passover. Rabbi Chaim Kanievsky, a prominent orthodox leader in Israel, recently gave the nod to the medicinal plant, which he found had a “healing smell.” Cannabis has been forbidden among some Jewish groups during Passover, but the rabbi gave permission for people with a medical need for it to consume during the seven-day holiday. Special note to Washington, D.C., residents: Takoma Wellness Center, the dispensary run by Rabbi Jeffrey Kahn and his family, will be closing at 5 p.m. today. Chag Pesach sameach, Rabbi Jeff!

Somebody out there is still buying Mexican brickweed. That’s one of the sad takeaways from news that border officials discovered another Tijuana-to-San Diego smuggling tunnel this week. This one ran from a Tijuana house equipped with an elevator to a San Diego business that sold wooden pallets for suspiciously low, low prices. [Editor’s note: This story on pallets is too good not to share.] Local police stopped a truck leaving the pallet “business” loaded with 2,240 pounds of cocaine and 11,030 pounds of crappy cannabis. Not to belabor the obvious, but these tunnels are created to supply illegal cannabis to all those states that choose to keep cannabis illegal. Out here in the legal future our cannabis is supplied by farmers, not smugglers.

Lucas Brothers pull a Maureen Dowd on 4/20. Say it with us: Start low, go slow. Seriously. Keith and Kenny Lucas, “comedy duo and noted weed enthusiasts,” were scheduled to headline a comedy show in Denver on 4/20. The show was sponsored by Incredibles, which makes some mighty tasty 100-mg THC chocolate bars. A little too tasty, apparently. After chowing down pre-show, and maybe adding a dab or two, the brothers never made it to the venue, let alone the stage. Kenny hunkered down in his hotel room, Keith wandered around downtown Denver looking for a cheeseburger, while the audience (at 30 bucks a throw) was left wondering WTF. Jake Browne at the Cannabist reports that comedian Billy Wayne Davis saved the show with a heroic 45-minute set. Tolerance. Know it. Respect it. (Don’t Dowd it.)

Iowa knows a guy. It’s Minnesota. A 2014 Iowa law legalized cannabis oil for seizure patients in the state, but it failed to provide them any legal way to obtain the medicine. Now lawmakers are exploring an arrangement that would allow Iowa patients to purchase cannabis from Minnesota, the AP reports. Minnesota launched its own medical marijuana program last year. The proposed setup would be unwieldy, in both practical terms and legal ones. Residents of Des Moines, Iowa’s capital and largest city, would need to make a three-hour drive to get to the nearest dispensary, in Rochester, Minn. And with cannabis crossing state lines (Pennsylvania is mulling a similar option), the plan would almost certainly draw the scrutiny of federal authorities. Unless there’s a big DEA announcement right around the corner, that is.

Cannabis club takes out the trash in Colorado Springs. Kudos to Gabriel Pieper, owner of the Pothole, a cannabis club in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Pieper celebrated 4/20 by giving away free joints in exchange for trash picked up around town. Result? “Bags stuffed with trash were piled high next to the front door,” reports local station KRDO. The Colorado Springs City Council recently voted to ban new clubs and gradually shut down existing ones. Pieper said he hoped the 4/20 program would show locals that cannabis clubs contribute in positive ways to the community.

QUICK HITS:

• L.A. Times, fooled by fake press release, wrongly reports that U.N. drug chief is way groovy. Reporters and editors relayed that the U.N. Office on Drugs and Crime announced a major shift in drug policy, pushing for the “the decriminalization of marijuana, universal access to controlled medicines, criminal justice system reforms including elimination of mandatory minimum sentences and abolition of the death penalty and acknowledging marijuana’s medical use.” That would be big news. But as cannabis advocate Tom Angell points out, it’s not true.

• We all know there’s a diversity problem in the cannabis industry. (And if you didn’t, now you do.) Here’s a piece looking at the small steps — still too small, unfortunately — that some are taking to address it.
• Five percent of New Zealanders use cannabis medically. That’s according to a study in the New Zealand Medical Journal. Much of that use is still happening underground, as the only legal cannabis product in the country is a prescription mouth spray.
• Is the cannabis business really just the real estate business? It’s more complicated than that, of course, but don’t sleep on the land grab.
• Epileptic children in Connecticut are one step closer to medical cannabis. The state House of Representatives voted overwhelmingly Thursday to expand the state’s four-year-old medical marijuana program to include children.
• And finally, here’s some late-breaking 4/20 news: U.S. Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas, from what we can tell, had a real nice nap at work.

look at this drawing from SCOTUS oral arguments yesterday pic.twitter.com/eSTR9IiEfN

— sarah jeong (@sarahjeong) April 22, 2016

The Best Things to Do While High in D.C.: Leafly’s 4:20 to 4:20 Cannabis Travel Guide

Welcome to Leafly’s travel series, our definitive 24-hour cannabis-infused guides to the best cities in the world.

Walking through the nation’s capital is a beautiful experience no matter what. You’re surrounded by history and monuments and incredible architecture, and it can be overwhelming to even know where to start. Don’t worry, though – we’ve got you covered. Since the District of Columbia legalized the possession and personal use of cannabis in 2015, the Capital seems to glow brighter than ever, and the options for a fantastic 420-friendly experience are nigh endless.

D.C. Vitals

Cannabis legality: Recreational (personal growing & possession of up to two ounces allowed; no legal sales permitted). Caveat: Cannabis’s continued federal illegality means you can technically be arrested for possession on federal lands, which make up a good portion of Washington, D.C., so be smart about what you bring to places like the National Mall.

Nicknames: The District, The Beltway, DMV

Population: 658,893

Pop culture claim to fame: House of Cards

For the record: Dancing is not permitted at the Jefferson Memorial (save it for the 9:30 Club).

Day One

At 4:20 p.m., you are: Walking out of Takoma Wellness Center, having procured an oil cartridge for your portable vape pen, a Blue Cheese pre-roll for sleepy indica times later on, and a bottle of sativa tincture to keep you energized throughout your journey. Hop on the Metro and head for the U Street/African American Civil War Memorial/Cardozo station.

Take note: Cannabis laws in D.C. permit possession, but don’t account for a legal system of cannabis sales, so businesses like Takoma operate in limbo. Alternate options include ordering from similarly gray-area delivery services like High Speed (where a side of cannabis may accompany an order of cold-pressed juice depending on your optional donation), and making friends with a local home grower.

By 5:30 p.m., you are: At 14th and V Street in the historic U Street Corridor exiting Busboys and Poets, a community gathering place where “racial and cultural connections are consciously uplifted…[and] art, culture and politics intentionally collide.” You’re holding a fresh new book that’s just dying for a read. Hop back on the Metro, crack the spine on your new novel, and ride on down to Chinatown.

By 6:15 p.m., you are: Sitting in the Robert and Arlene Kogod Courtyard at the National Portrait Gallery beneath a glass canopy. You can sit and relax without any of that pesky D.C. weather making you shiver or sweat, and it’s a great little spot to take a breather between stops. The first two floors are filled with gorgeous historical portraits and are worth checking out, but if you’re looking for something trippy that’ll blow your mind, the Contemporary Art Exhibit on the third floor is a must-see. It includes a map of the United States made entirely out of old television sets and neon lights: known as the Electronic Superhighway, it is truly a sight to behold.

By 7:30 p.m.: At this point, the munchies will be hitting you if they haven’t already. We suggest heading over to the District Chophouse & Brewery for a beer sampler (if you’re feeling so inclined) and the best dang onion rings you’ve ever tasted. Whether you’re craving an upscale, gourmet meal, or something as simply delicious as chicken fingers, the Chophouse has an extensive menu to suit your needs.

At 9:30 p.m., you can: Head to the aptly-named 9:30 Club for drinks and dancing. This club has been a concert and dance venue on the D.C. scene for more than 30 years, with good reason. The venue hosts a plethora of artists, from big-name acts like the Dandy Warhols and Animal Collective to small, unknown local bands trying to make it big. Tickets are reasonably priced and it’s one of the hottest spots for D.C. nightlife.

At 11:30 p.m., you are: Done dancing? Still got energy to spare and don’t want to waste a beautiful night? Grab an Uber over to the Jefferson Memorial and do yourself a solid by walking along the Potomac River to visit the memorials at night. You’ll beat the heat and the crowds while still soaking up the majesty of our historic capital. The path from Jefferson to Lincoln provides a clear line of memorials to hit, including some of the lesser-known statues like FDR and MLK.

Head’s up: Even at dead midnight, there will always be tourists at spots like the Lincoln Memorial, but it still remains significantly less crowded during the witching hours.

At 1:00 a.m., you are: Exhausted and ready to call it a night. Hotels are plentiful in D.C., but we recommend steering clear of the corporate-minded chain properties and staying somewhere quirky like Adam’s Inn, a B&B-style guest house a few miles off the main drag in the fun, funky Adams Morgan neighborhood. It features 27 affordable rooms plus big windows, a comfy common room, a picturesque front porch, and a little certified wildlife garden perfect for relaxing out back.

Head’s up: If it’s a weekend, the Metro is open until 2:30 a.m., but if you’re out on a weeknight, be prepared to call a rideshare or taxi back to your hotel. Now is the perfect time to bust out that Blue Cheese pre-roll to send you on your way to Sleepyville.

Day Two

At 10:15 a.m., you are: Brunching with the best of ‘em. Brunch is a huge part of D.C.’s culture and if you’re going to do this right, you’re going to want mimosas and the classic chicken and waffle combo. Our vote for best brunch in D.C. goes to Ben’s Next Door – this joint (a derivative of the landmark Ben’s Chili Bowl next to it) will not disappoint, and is a must-do for any visitor to the Capital. Situated just steps away from the U Street Metro stop, Ben’s Next Door offers “U” Street Bottomless Mimosas, yummy fried chicken and waffles, and a slice of local culture to go with your ambiance.

By 12:00 noon, you are: Filled with deliciousness and ready for the next adventure. We recommend downing a bit of your tincture, grabbing a water bottle, tying on some comfortable walking shoes, and heading over to the Smithsonian National Zoo off the Woodley Park and Cleveland Park Metro stops. This excursion is absolutely FREE and can be as short or as long as you like. For best results, stroll at a leisurely pace for at least a couple of hours – and for the love of adorableness, do yourself a favor and visit the giant panda exhibit! You can visit Tian Tian, Mei Xiang, Bao Bao, and the new baby panda (squeeeee), Bei Bei.

By 3:25 p.m., you are: Leaving the zoo and heading to the Tidal Basin to walk along the waterfront and soak in the scenery. This time of year, you might catch a few straggling cherry blossoms (the awe-inspiring beauty of D.C.’s famous cherry blossoms lasts just two weeks in early April), but the area is beautiful no matter when you go.

Word to the wise: Puffing discreetly on your vape pen will only enhance the experience, but be respectful and remember that although possession is legal in the District, public partaking is not.

By 4:20 p.m., you are: Bathing in the sunlight and enjoying the view of the Washington Monument on one side and the Capitol Building on the other. Sitting on the National Mall provides you with a nice spot to relax, and with museums dotting the paths on either side of the grassy knoll, the possibilities for adventure are pretty much unlimited. Happy travels!

Image Sources: Busboys and Poets, District Chophouse and Brewery, 9:30 Club, Ben’s Next Door, Smithsonian National Zoo, and Adam’s Inn via Facebook, and Angela N. via Flickr Creative Commons.

Sports And Exercise Could Become The Biggest Sector Of The Cannabis Industry

According toNORML, there are about 25 million cannabis consumers in America (consumed marijuana at least once within the last year). Those 25 million consumers are spread out across the country, with some living in states where medical and/or recreational marijuana is legal, and sadly, the rest living in states where marijuana is fully prohibited. Some

Mexico Proposes Upping Limit on Allowed Cannabis

MEXICO CITY (AP) — President Enrique Pena Nieto said Thursday that he will ask Mexico’s Congress to raise the limit on decriminalized marijuana for personal use to 28 grams, or about one ounce.

Currently, only possession of five grams, or less than a fifth of an ounce, is exempt from prosecution.

“This means that consumption would no longer be criminalized,” Pena Nieto said.

Possession of larger amounts would still be punishable under drug trafficking laws.

“We Mexicans know all too well the range and the defects of prohibitionist and punitive policies, and of the so-called war on drugs that has prevailed for 40 years,” Pena Nieto said. “Our country has suffered, as few have, the ill effects of organized crime tied to drug trafficking.”

“Fortunately, a new consensus is gradually emerging worldwide in favor of reforming drug policies,” he said. “A growing number of countries are strenuously combating criminals, but instead of criminalizing consumers, they offer them alternatives and opportunities.”

Pena Nieto’s proposal also would allow the use and importation of cannabis-based medications and it would free people who are on trial or serving time for possession of up to an ounce of marijuana.

The move comes after Mexico’s Supreme Court approved an appeal by four people to allow them to grow and possess marijuana for personal use. That helped launch a national debate on marijuana policy. However, it appeared to bear no relation to the legal measure announced Thursday.

An ounce is equivalent to about 20 to 25 joints.

The plan would put Mexico in the middle range of marijuana regulation policies in Latin America.

In Cuba and Venezuela, possession of any quantity of marijuana is a criminal offense. On the other extreme, Uruguay passed a law in 2013 that not only legalized limited cannabis consumption and production, but also set up a regulated market of producers who can sell through a network of pharmacies. Colombia and Ecuador have decriminalized amounts up to 20 grams, and Paraguay considers up to 10 grams as possession for personal use.

While legalization advocates are vocal in Mexico, recent polls suggest a majority of Mexicans oppose legalizing marijuana. Pena Nieto had earlier said he opposed legalization.

Neither side got all it wanted.

“Without doubt, we set aside the ‘all or nothing’ approach, in favor of one that put the public health aspect first,” said Jose Narro Robles, rector of Mexico’s National University. “It is a process we can all feel satisfied with.”

Ethan Nadelmann, executive director of the U.S. Drug Policy Alliance, called the measure “a modest but important step in the right direction. … The problem, of course, is that this falls so far short of what other countries are already doing successfully in Europe and the Americas, and so far short of what’s needed in Mexico.”

The Shake: Hillary Clinton’s Latest Position and Tweaking the Cannabis Genome

Hillary Clinton’s stance on cannabis is radically progressive for the mid-‘90s. The presidential frontrunner, speaking to voters at an ABC-organized town hall, said she wants to “move marijuana off Schedule I” of the federal Controlled Substances Act, which would mean admitting both that its less dangerous than cocaine and that it offers at least some medical benefit — which is, for some reason, notoriously difficult for federal politicians to do. Clinton’s approach might poll well with voters in swing states, but cannabis advocates say it’s too little too late at a time when a majority of Americans support adult-use legalization. As for adult-use, Clinton says she wants to “wait and see what we learn from Colorado and the other states.” How does this compare to Republican candidates, you ask? It puts her “in lockstep” with Ted Cruz and Donald Trump, according to the Philadelphia Inquirer. In other words, Secretary Clinton, you’re no Justin Trudeau.

Professionalism, scientific objectivity, and a whole lot of cannabis. That, according Katie M. Palmer at Wired, is what’s afoot at Berkeley, Calif.-based cannabis testing laboratory Steep Hill, one of many companies unraveling cannabis DNA. Palmer’s deep dive reveals that cannabis DNA is especially challenging to manipulate. But that hasn’t stopped Steep Hill and others from trying. “Someone, somewhere, is going to do this work — to figure out how to modify weed with the same ease that Monsanto tweaks corn,” Palmer writes. Buckle your seatbelts.

Who won 4/20? It was almost like New Year’s Eve watching 4:20 p.m. sweep across the globe yesterday, with a number of cities hosting public celebrations. Denver, hobbled by the early loss of the Cannabis Cup, roared back with a Civic Center rally that produced a visible cloud of smoke over the Voorhies Memorial. Londoners gathered by the thousands in Hyde Park, risking drug-sniffing dogs and arrest — 20 were hauled away by the bobbies — to celebrate and push for U.K. legalization. In Chicago, crowds queued for four blocks to get into Leafly’s comedy show with Chris D’Elia and Ron Funches. In Seattle, the 4/20 event at the Egyptian Theater delighted ears and eyeballs, and Anchorage, Alaska, pulled off a dab bar extravaganza. Perhaps most deserving of a nod is Vancouver, B.C., where thousands of cannabis celebrants streamed onto Sunset Beach to enjoy a day of sunshine, music, advocacy, and gorgeous-sunset fun. Check out this video, posted by 4/20 hero Jodie Emery, and join us in wishing we’d been there.

HOLY SMOKES! This is what 4/20 Vancouver is like at Sunset Beach! http://t.co/xqxNLxCPxb #420Vancouver #freedom pic.twitter.com/6cI3kNWMHy

— Jodie Emery (@JodieEmery) April 20, 2016

QUICK HITS:

• Mexicans are taking secret classes on how to use medical cannabis. Vice has the story, which, as you’d expect from Vice, involves encrypted messages and a mysterious car ride to a secret destination — all to make medicine for cancer and epilepsy patients.
• Meet five of the most powerful women in cannabis. Fortune put together a 4/20 roundup of some of the savviest in the industry.
• For the first time in four years, the University of Colorado Boulder didn’t shut down on 4/20. Here’s how the school managed to embrace the annual bacchanal instead of trying to snuff it out.
• Want chips with that? Oregon is working to train businesses on how to use technology that tracks cannabis using microchips and RFID scanners. It’s an effort to prevent legal cannabis from entering the black market (and vice-versa).
• D.C. cannabis advocate says he’ll meet with White House advisers. Adam Eidinger, co-founder of DCMJ, which helped legalize adult-use cannabis in the District in 2015, says the group will meet with the Obama administration next Monday. The lame-duck president has been cagey about his plans for cannabis. This could be a good sign.

• Brookings asks experts about policy blind spots. Brookings fellow John Hudak polled some of the top minds in cannabis about what policy issues are being overlooked. Here’s what they said.
• A social media consultant wrote an open letter to Mark Zuckerberg about cannabis. Facebook has been inhospitable, to say the least, to many cannabusiness accounts. Lauren Gibbs reminds Zuckerberg that the approach serves to reinforce the failed war on drugs instead of helping to end it.
• Did you have a ticket to the 420 Rally in Denver? A blizzard hit, and organizers were late to announce that the event had been canceled. Now they’re offering refunds.
• And finally, how do we feel about this 4/20 police tweet? It went viral yesterday, but it’s tough to laugh after hearing so many stereotypical stoner jokes from prohibitionist cops. Respect is a two-way street, officers.

Undercover #420 stings are underway. pic.twitter.com/uFsN27Cn1c

— Wyoming, MN Police (@wyomingpd) April 20, 2016

DEA Finally Approves Study on Cannabis and PTSD

One of the first federally approved studies on the effects of cannabis on veterans with PTSD received final approval from the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration earlier this week. The DEA’s approval means the research, which has been stalled for five years, can finally move forward. “We could start working with study candidates as early as June,” researcher Sue Sisley told Leafly on Thursday.

Sisley, a psychiatrist and former clinical assistant professor at the University of Arizona College of Medicine, has been fighting to carry out the study since 2011, when it was first approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Since then, Sisley and colleagues have been struggling to overcome the federal roadblocks that prevent most cannabis research. In 2014, the University of Arizona terminated her contract after conservative state politicians raised objections over the use of cannabis in the study.

Sisley later teamed up with Ryan Vandrey of Johns Hopkins University, and Marcel Bonn-Miller of the University of Pennsylvania’s Perelman School of Medicine. Bonn-Miller is now overseeing the research; Sisley and Vandrey will carry out the clinical studies in Phoenix and Baltimore, respectively.

“Now our challenge will be to find identify 40 veterans in Phoenix and 40 in Baltimore who meet the study’s criteria,” Sisley said.

It’s not as easy as you might think. Participants will need to be veterans diagnosed with PTSD who have found their condition resistant to conventional treatments. They don’t need to be current medical marijuana patients, but those who are will have to abstain for a period of weeks prior to the study, in order to validate the results. “We’ll need to randomize the participants,” Sisley explained, which means half will receive cannabis and half will receive a placebo. “For those who are relying on medical marijuana to currently treat their PTSD, receiving a placebo could be challenging.”

Once enrolled in the study, subjects will receive either federally-approved medical marijuana or a cannabis placebo. They’ll appear weekly for a thorough evaluation, “which means they need to live somewhere near Phoenix or Baltimore,” said Sisley. “I’ve heard from a number of veterans who’ve told me they’re willing to move temporarily to be in the study, but they still may not qualify. The inclusion criteria are pretty strict.”

One further obstacle: The researchers aren’t able to speak directly to Veteran’s Administration doctors at the Phoenix VA. Sisley spoke to a group of doctors and staff at the Phoenix veterans hospital in 2013, “and I told them I’d be back when we received final approval for the study.” But in 2014, a scandal over the deaths of up to 40 patients who died while waiting for care at the Phoenix VA resulted in the ouster of VA leaders, from those at the Phoenix hospital up to Veterans Affairs Secretary Eric Shinseki. Phoenix VA hospital administrators are now skittish about anything with the scent of controversy, so they’ve withdrawn the offer to have Sisley give a follow-up presentation. “Which is a shame,” she said, “because those doctors may know of a number of good candidates for the study.”

Sisley said she and her colleagues hope to establish a toll-free number for interested veterans to inquire about entering the study. In the meantime, interested veterans should continue to check the MAPS website for updates on the study.

US NY: Illicit Drugs Pose Global Problem

Los Angeles Times, 20 Apr 2016 – Consumers Number About 246 Million, With the U.S. Leading the Way and Cannabis the Top Narcotic. As leaders from around the world gather in New York for what many are calling the most important summit on illegal drugs in two decades, one thing is clear: The world has a serious drug problem.

PGT #296-Controversy- Free, When You Were Mine (in) 1999 Uptown

Listen LIVE 8-10 pm EST tonight and every Thursday at www.planetgreentrees.com or call in 347-326-9626   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- […]

S02, Ep. 02 – He gives pot tours; He markets low-dose edibles

Published: Apr 21, 2016, 2:13 pm • Updated: Apr 21, 2016, 5:04 pm By Vincent Chandler, The Cannabist Staff Featured guests: Colorado Cannabis Tours founder Mike Eymer and Sweet Grass Kitchen marketing director Jesse Burns. Podcast: Play in new window | Download LOTS TO TALK ABOUT •  Cannabis companies need social media too. •  Why […]

Press Release: Pro-Drug Policy Reform Police Officer Wins Free Speech Case

DRUG POLICY REFORM POLICE OFFICER WINS FREE SPEECH CASEVictoria Police Department Ordered to Pay Highest-Ever Award for Injury to Dignity in a Political Belief Case in Canada Victoria, B.C., Canada – Law Enforcement Against Prohibition (LEAP) speaker and board member Constable David Bratzer won a free speech case against his employer, the Victoria Police Department […]

Colorado Lawmakers Target Infused Edibles in Fruit, Animal Shapes

DENVER (AP) — Infused lemon drops and other marijuana edibles that resemble fruits could be coming off Colorado shelves, the latest front in a battle by lawmakers to eradicate retail cannabis products that could appeal to kids.

A committee in the state House of Representatives advanced the bill that also would ban infused edibles shaped like animals or people. Edible makers already are preparing for new regulations starting this fall that will require each piece of food to carry a symbol with the letters THC, marijuana’s intoxicating chemical.

Marijuana manufacturers say the latest measure goes too far, with the Colorado Cannabis Chamber of Commerce warning it could shut down a big part of the edibles industry.

“It really comes down to the adult, the parent, to keep it out of the hands of children, just like alcohol, just like cigarettes,” said Dave Maggio, who works for manufacturer Cheeba Chews.

Many producers have agreed to stop making candies that resemble animals or people but oppose the bill because it could be interpreted to ban shapes that unintentionally look like fruits, such as an orange-colored circle.

The measure’s supporters, including the governor and Colorado’s chief medical officer, say marijuana candies are like modern-day candy cigarettes and send a dangerous message to kids.

“Children are more likely to consume products that resemble familiar foods,” Dr. Larry Wolk told lawmakers Tuesday.

Many of the 24 states and Washington, D.C., allowing marijuana for medical or recreational use do not allow the sale of edible marijuana.

In Colorado, where the state constitution authorizes marijuana in any form, regulators have been ratcheting up limits on edible marijuana ever since adult use became legal in 2012.

First, lawmakers limited the potency of serving sizes, then required each serving size to be individually wrapped because some consumers were eating too many servings.

A Wyoming college student fell to his death from a Denver hotel balcony in 2014 after eating six servings of marijuana in a cookie. The same year, New York Times columnist Maureen Dowd wrote of becoming sick after eating too much THC.

The ban on certain shapes of edible marijuana comes late in Colorado’s lawmaking session, which concludes next month. The bill’s chances are not clear. It has a long list of bipartisan sponsors in the Democratic-controlled House but only one sponsor in the Republican Senate.

The bill, passed 10-2 by the committee, now awaits a vote by the full House.

U.N. Hears Major Differences on Global Approach to Drug Use

UNITED NATIONS (AP) — Jamaica defended its decriminalization of possession of small amounts of marijuana. Iran said it seized 620 tons of different types of drugs last year and is helping protect the world from “the evils of addiction.” Cuba opposed the legalization of drugs or declaring them harmless.

The first U.N. General Assembly special session to address global drug policy in nearly 20 years heard major differences on the approach to drug use on its second day on Wednesday.

On the liberalization side, Canada’s Health Minister Jane Philpott announced that the government will introduce legislation to legalize marijuana next spring. She said Canada will ensure that cananbis is kept out children’s hands, and will address the devastating consequences of drugs and drug-related crimes.

Jamaica’s Foreign Minister Kamina Johnson Smith told delegates that the government amended the Dangerous Drugs Act last year to give tickets for possession of less than two ounces of cannabis instead of making it a felony offense, and to legalize the sacramental use of marijuana by Rastafarians. It also established provisions for the medical, scientific and therapeutic uses of the plant, she said.

Smith said Jamaica is finalizing a five-year national drug plan including programs to reduce demand for drugs, provide for early intervention and treatment of drug users, and promote rehabilitation and social reintegration.

Michael Botticelli, director of the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy, stressed that “law enforcement efforts should focus on criminal organizations — not on people with substance use disorders who need treatment and recovery support services.”

He called for drug policies in every country to address the needs of underserved groups including women and children, indigenous people, prisoners, and lesbians, gays, bisexual and transgender people.

On the tough enforcement side, Indonesia’s Ambassador Rachmat Budiman said “a zero-tolerance approach” is needed to suppress and eliminate the scourge of drugs.

He said drug trafficking rings are using new “psychoactive substances” and the Internet to penetrate all levels of society, including the young generation, and pose “a serious threat which requires extraordinary efforts.”

Like Indonesia, Iran imposes the death penalty on drug traffickers.

Iran’s Justice Minister Abdulreza Rahmani Fazli told the high-level meeting that the Islamic Republic has spent billions of dollars in its campaign against armed drug traffickers.

He said Iran is ready to host an international conference on countering drugs and drug-related crimes along the Balkan route, one of the two main heroin trafficking corridors linking opium-producing Afghanistan to the huge markets of Russia and Western Europe. It usually goes through Pakistan to Iran, Turkey, Greece and Bulgaria across southeastern Europe to the Western European market, and has an annual market value of some $28 billion, according to the U.N. Office of Drugs and Crime known as UNODC.

Fazli said the conference, in collaboration with the UNODC and countries on the route, would tackle ways to combat drug-related money laundering and detect drug trafficking ringleaders.

Cuba’s Justice Minister Maria Esther Reus Gonzalez asked how the world couldn’t be worried when the world drug problem has become “deeper and more intensified” with 246 million people using illicit drugs, according to UNODC.

“It will be really difficult to solve the problems of mass production of and trafficking in drugs from the South, if the majority demand from the North is not eliminated,” she warned.

Reus Gonzalez also warned that legalizing drugs won’t solve the problem either and will only open “more dangerous gaps for the stability of our nations.” She reiterated “Cuba’s absolutely commitment to achieving societies free of illicit drugs.”

Boston: Supernova Women To Present A Free Seminar Focusing On Medical Cannabis, Legalization, And Prison Reform

I have posted a couple of articles about events that an organization called Supernova Women have put on. The organization focuses on ‘the national state of cannabis for people of color.’ That is something that I will absolutely always support, and you should too! There is an event coming up in Boston next week. Two

Grow For Vets Staging A Cannabis Giveaway For Veterans In Portland, Oregon

While America’s legal marijuana enthusiasts are taking time this week to mark 4/20, the national holiday that celebrates all things cannabis, the Portland, Oregon chapter of Grow For Vets is preparing for the group’s latest cannabis give-away event, in the hope of bringing positive changes to Veterans’ lives. On Sunday, April 24th, from 2:00 p.m.

Famous 4/20 Birthdays and Strain Selections

It’s 4/20! We took some famous folks who call April 20 their birthday, wrote them down, and assigned them a strain of their very own. Who did we forget?

Jessica Lange

Everyone’s favorite ageless witch celebrates 67 today. There were rumors that she and Sarah Paulson used drugs on the set of American Horror Story as part of a scene in the second season, but the rumors are unconfirmed.

Strain: DEADHEAD OG

Whether you’re binge-watching past seasons of American Horror Story or watching a happy classic like Big Fish, we recommend a solid hybrid like Deadhead OG. This will allow you to stay focused on the plot while still relaxing and enjoying the show.

George Takei

George Takei may remain mum on his own cannabis admissions, but he praised Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau for his admission to using cannabis and, let’s face it, Takei is a pro at making cannabis jokes. Oh myyyy!

Strain: FRUITY PEBBLES

For maximum enjoyment of the giggles that are so often associated with the Artist Formerly Known As Sulu, we recommend the eternally giggly Fruity Pebbles.

Killer Mike

Finally! A celebrity with a canna-connection! Killer Mike is no stranger to cannabis, having smoked a joint live on air with Bill Maher while talking politics and legalization with fellow cannabis advocate, Margaret Cho.

Strain: CHERRY PIE

Killer Mike doesn’t mess with pure indicas or sativas, and his doctor told him to stay away from edibles, so he is strictly a hybrid man. Considering his musical endeavors, we think he’d lean towards a potent hybrid like Cherry Pie to keep the creative juices flowing onstage while maintaining a heady high throughout the show.

Crispin Glover

Crispin Glover has had a wide and weird career with plenty of ties to cannabis — he performed in the movie Mr. Nice, based on Britain’s “nicest drug smuggler.” He also played a cannabis consumer opposite Keanu Reeves in the long-forgotten film, River’s Edge. No word on whether he partakes.

Strain: KUATO

We’re going with a strange and unique strain to complement the odd and fantastic qualities of Glover’s. This strain will open your mind to new possibilities and it also makes a fantastic addition to rewatching the timeless classic Back to the Future.

Luther Vandross

Luther Vandross admitted he never used cannabis during his time on earth, but that shouldn’t stop you from partaking while listening to a little “A House is Not a Home” on the record player. His voice is like butter, and cannabis just enhances it.

Strain: MERCURY OG

We recommend a deep indica to get you in the mood to truly appreciate the silky voice of the Vandross. You’ll met into the couch and find yourself cruising through outer space with smooth jams.

Danica Patrick

Danica Patrick is far too responsible and cautious of a driver to use cannabis (at least not near the track), but there’s no reason you can’t enjoy watching her put her bad-ass racing skills to the test.

Strain: JACK HERER

For maximum enjoyment and to make you feel like a racecar superstar, we recommend the classic, tried-and-true pure sativa strain Jack Herer. We don’t know Danica, but we think she’d appreciate this strain for its energetic, uplifting properties.

Joey Lawrence

WHOA! This ’90s heartthrob doesn’t have any clear connection to cannabis, but that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy a little while indulging in a little blast-from-the-past ’90s action.

Strain: AMNESIA

Our choice for a ’90s marathon — including the entire series of Blossom, a few episodes of Brotherly Love, and. why not, throw in a screening of A Goofy Movie for good measure — goes to the uplifting and giggly sativa, Amnesia. You’ll be laughing so hard, you’ll have to stop and just say “WHOA.”

Andy Serkis

This anthropomorphic character actor is a jack of all creatures. From a fallen hobbit to a space alien to a leader of apes and everything in between, the man’s facial skill alone deserves a toke in his honor.

Strain: SPACE QUEEN

Take a trip to another world with the sublimely pleasing Space Queen. You’ll be blasted off into space but drift gently back down afterwards. It’s a perfect strain for watching an energetic film like the most recent Star Wars film, in which Serkis’ entirely CGI-animated character, Supreme Leader Snoke, plays a pivotal role.

Carmen Electra

Carmen Electra is the queen of terribly campy films, and while her resume reads like a list of Razzie rejections, there’s absolutely no reason you can’t put on a couple of these silly flicks and laugh your heart out.

Strain: LAUGHING BUDDHA

For a case of the breathless giggles, our vote goes to the one and only, Laughing Buddha. Turn your brain off, turn Scary Movie or Baywatch and prepare yourself for some campy delight. This bright sativa is certain to keep you from taking anything too seriously and you might even get an ab workout from all the giggles.

Clint Howard

Ron Howard’s former child star baby brother, blessed with an adorable face as a child, Clint Howard is actually a decent actor, not to mention a solid filmmaker.

Strain: APOLLO 13

What else? It’s the peppery hybrid strain inspired by the groundbreaking and forever entertaining film. The film about the failed moon landing is still a nail-biter (even though you know the ending) and remains a classic, withstanding the test of time.

Image Sources: Mingle Media TV via Wikimedia Commons, The Come Up Show, ABC Television Group via Flickr Creative Commons, Luther Vandross, and IMDb.

Man's Jail Death Adds New Face to Debate on Cannabis Laws

CONCORD, N.H. (AP) — The recent death of a man who was behind bars on a cannabis possession charge has put a new face on the debate over decriminalizing marijuana in New Hampshire, the only New England state without some form of marijuana decriminalization law.

Jeffrey Pendleton, 26, died last month in a Manchester jail where he was being held because he couldn’t pay the $100 bail on charges of marijuana possession. The medical examiner’s office said he died from a fentanyl overdose and has ruled his death an accident.

The debate over the state’s marijuana policies will come to a head in the Senate Thursday, when the chamber debates a bill that would remove criminal penalties for possessing half an ounce or less of marijuana and reduce penalties for larger amounts. The bill has passed the House, but the upper chamber has historically rejected such efforts.

Twenty states have some form of decriminalization, according to NORML, a non-profit advocating for looser marijuana laws.

Advocates for such a change say existing law disproportionately affects poor people and can permanently mar someone’s record, making it harder for them to get a job or into college.

“I would like to think that somebody who is arrested for a small amount of marijuana in his pocket and can’t make $100 bail and then would die in jail would give people pause to re-examine our marijuana policies,” said Democratic Rep. Renny Cushing, a co-sponsor of the decriminalization bill.

Pendleton, a black man, was homeless at the time he was arrested. A 2013 report from the American Civil Liberties Union showed black people in New Hampshire are 2.6 times more likely to be arrested on marijuana possession charges than whites. It also showed that in 2010, New Hampshire spent more than $6.5 million enforcing marijuana possession laws.

“There’s a lot of law enforcement resources that are going toward enforcing marijuana possession laws that polls demonstrate New Hampshire citizens don’t support,” said Devon Chaffee, executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union of New Hampshire.

But opponents of decriminalization say doing so would send mixed messages while New Hampshire battles an opioid and heroin addiction crisis.

“It seems crazy to me and counterproductive,” said Republican Sen. Jeanie Forrester, who is running for governor.

Forrester sponsored a bill that removes language calling possession a “class A” misdemeanor, which in theory gives prosecutors the option to reduce it to a violation and keep charges off someone’s record. Edwin Kelly, administrative judge for the circuit court system, said many prosecutors already do this. Forrester’s bill also ups the fine for a first time offense from $350 to $500, something advocates for full-scale decriminalization say will exacerbate the struggles of poor defendants. The differing views are leading to a legislative kerfuffle that may mean neither bill gets passed.

Both Kelly and attorneys said most people don’t face a cash bail when they’re picked up for a minor marijuana offense. Between 7,000 and 9,000 drug possession charges are filed annually and the majority deal with marijuana, Kelly said. The state was unable to provide more detailed data.

Pendleton died in his cell at the Valley Street jail in Manchester on March 13, four days after he was incarcerated. As a Burger King employee, he was part of the “Fight for $15” movement advocating for a higher minimum wage. The group organized a rally outside the Valley Street jail to draw attention to his death.

In 2015, the ACLU represented him in two cases — one against the town of Hudson regarding a panhandling arrest and the other against the city of Nashua after Pendleton was arrested and served jail time for violating a verbal no trespass order. Both were settled and Pendleton won monetary awards.

The Shake: 4/20 Edition

We can’t even begin to encompass all the news that’s breaking on this, the biggest and grandest and most blow-up-iest 4/20 in the history of time and the universe. We’ll just do the best we can, then pick up a couple of Ben & Jerry’s BRRR-itos and listen to some Allman Brothers.

The U.N. works through the holiday. Yes, apparently the world’s business doesn’t stop for 4/20, even when the work at hand involves drug policy. At the United Nations special session on drugs, the day’s biggest news came from the Canadian delegation, which announced that Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s government would formally introduce its cannabis legalization legislation in the spring of 2017. That’s a bit slower than some would like, but at least it sets the clock ticking. For a good overview of the UN meeting, check out this one-minute video from the Washington Office on Latin America.

WOLA’s @ColettaYoungers gives an inside view of what’s happening at the UN special session on drugs & why it mattershttp://t.co/vqQ3q5jsYy

— WOLA (@WOLA_org) April 20, 2016

Rep. Earl “Bow Tie” Blumenaur is feeling the love. Veteran Congress member and longtime cannabis legalization advocate Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-Portlandia) is getting some splash in the media this week, with Q&As in both your hometown news source and Rolling Stone. After many years fighting the good fight in the lonely wilderness, we’re glad to see the bow-tied battler get his due.

Go home, Dayton. The Limp Bizkit show ain’t happening. Apparently some joker started a rumor, and a fake Twitter feed, claiming that Limp Bizkit would be putting on a secret show at a Sunoco gas station in Dayton, Ohio, tonight. Except… no. As frontman Fred Durst tweeted yesterday, “NOT TRUE.” Sunoco station employees had to put up a sign on the front door: “The band Limp Bizkit will not be here on Thursday 4/20/2016. This is someones idea of a joke.” Finally the city of Dayton had to issue a statement, because the police had been getting so many calls. “DPD has confirmed with the manager of Sunoco that the event referenced in the flier and Facebook event is fraudulent.” Gawker has the story on the puckish prank.

Opioid crisis slows Vermont’s progress on legalization. Despite mounting evidence that medical marijuana and legalized cannabis can help stem America’s opioid crisis, politicians continue to stoke fears about marijuana leading to greater opioid abuse. Today’s New York Times brings news from Vermont, where that state’s legalization bill has encountered resistance from politicians who worry that “sending the wrong signal” on cannabis could worsen the opioid problem. How, exactly? They can’t say, other than circling back to the ephemeral concept of “signals sent.”

QUICK HITS:

More pet owners are turning to cannabinoids for their ailing friends, says NBC News. The ASPCA and PETA don’t endorse it, vets can’t prescribe it, but plenty of owners are turning to CBD capsules to bring relief to their hurting dogs and cats.
Cannabis industry saves Trinidad, Colo. The southern Colorado town, just 11 miles from the New Mexico border, had little tax base until the local cannabis store opened. Then a steady flow of customers from down south (did we mention 11 miles from the state border?) changed their fortunes. Fox31 Denver has the story.
Stop worrying about 4/20, folks. Seriously. There’s a micro-industry of people wringing their hands this year about the need for 4/20 now that cannabis is “practically legal everywhere.” First: it’s not. Check with a person of color in Alabama. Or Louisiana. Or Florida. Or Georgia. Or dozens of other states. Second: When did you stop liking fun? Anyway. Here are two arguments against: Emily Dreyfuss in Wired, Joel Warner at IBT. The rest of you: Carry on.

State of the Leaf: Italy Thinks Legalization Could Undercut ISIS, and Maine May Fight Opioids with MMJ

Happy 420 to one and all! This year’s celebration brings big news and plenty of evidence of how far we’ve come on the road to legalization.

Canada’s Health Minister just announced the official date that Canada will begin the legalization process, and Italy’s anti-terrorism chief proclaimed that decriminalization could actually help fight extremist groups. Stateside, D.C.’s chances for legal cannabis clubs went up in smoke once again; Maine could be the first to recommend medicinal cannabis for addiction; Michigan, Missouri, Montana and Iowa are taking steps forward; and one tiny Texas town is preparing for the possibility of a cannabis manufacturing facility. Celebrate responsibly, friends, and remember: #JustSayKnow

U.S. News Updates

D.C.

The District of Columbia can’t catch a cannabis break. The D.C. Council has flip-flopped on the issue of allowing cannabis social clubs so many times we can hardly keep track. A bill prohibiting the creation of private clubs for the consumption of cannabis was approved by the Council and will now go on to Mayor Muriel Bowser. Bowser has already spoken out against cannabis clubs; the latest language in the bill undercuts a task force studying the issue of cannabis social clubs, which was scheduled to begin work this week.

Iowa

Republican state leaders spent hours discussing the possibility of expanding the state’s limited medical cannabis law. The discussion proved insightful, but it’s unclear whether the proposal will move forward. The proposal would allow the legal production and distribution of cannabis oil for patients who qualify. House Speaker Linda Upmeyer (R-Clear Lake) was uncertain whether the proposal would receive another hearing this legislative session. Iowa advocates say the law as currently written is essentially useless, as even patients who qualify have no legal way to obtain medicine. The conversation is starting, but it’s moving as slow as molasses in December.

Maine

During a public hearing, a group of medical cannabis caregivers and patients told state regulators that cannabis is effective at easing the symptoms of opioid withdrawal and that presents a healthier alternative to many addictive prescription painkillers. Although cannabis has been offered as an alternative for opiate addiction in states like California, with more lenient medical cannabis laws, Maine would be the first state in the country to add addiction specifically as a qualifying condition for medical marijuana.

Michigan

Michigan’s efforts to legalize cannabis are shifting into high gear. The deadline to turn in the necessary 252,523 signatures is June 1. The petition has been circulating since June 2015, but a new bill, SB 776, could change the requirements to force all signature-gathering to take place during a 180-day period. The latest Survey USA poll, commissioned by the Michigan Medical Marijuana Report, Cannabis Stakeholders Group, and Abrogate Prohibition Michigan, found that 54 percent of Michigan voters support the legalization of cannabis for use by adults 21 and older, which bodes well for the initiative — but only if the group can gather enough signatures.

Missouri

The Missouri Compassionate Care Act was passed by the House this week after being heavily amended. The legislation now allows the medicinal use of cannabis only for those suffering from cancer and are in hospice care. The amendments were added to make the bill easier to pass. It worked. The bill moved forward. Though advocates are disappointed with the bill’s limitations, many are hoping it will provide the fuel to move the cannabis conversation forward in the Show-Me State.

Montana

The recent state Supreme Court ruling left the once-thriving medical marijuana program essentially gutted. Now Montana cannabis advocates are coming back with a vengeance, introducing a statewide initiative to remove the restrictions imposed by the recent ruling. The biggest challenge now will be gathering the necessary 24,175 valid signatures for Initiative 182 before the June 17 deadline. If you would like to see I-182 on the November ballot, you can find more information on how to support this initiative by checking out the Vote Yes on I-182 campaign.

Texas

The tiny town of Gunter, Texas is hoping to be the new home to one of just two Texas cannabis oil production plants. The old Gunter Cotton Gin might be the site of the new greenhouse facility licensed to grow, process, and distribute cannabis oil to patients that qualify for the program. AcquiFlow, a McKinney-based cannabis company, will run the establishment, and there are plans for a subsidiary called Texas Cannabis to oversee the process. AcquiFlow CEO Patrick Moran says they’re anticipating a launch in June 2017, when the state will be handing out the first licenses for manufacturing.

International News Updates

Canada

Canada’s health minister waited for an opportune time to make a very important announcement. As part of the United Nations General Assembly Special Session (UNGASS), Health Minister Jane Philpott said on 4/20 that Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s administration plans to introduce comprehensive legislation during the spring of 2017 to legalize cannabis federally, answering the question that has been on the minds of cannabis-friendly Canadians since Trudeau was sworn in.

Italy

Want to fight terrorism? Legalize cannabis. That’s the takeaway from a recent report that shows a troubling trend emerging from Italy. It appears the Italian Mafia is working with the Islamic State to smuggle drugs into Europe via a known North African smuggling route. Hashish has been emerging from Morocco through Algeria and Libya, whereupon the Mafia struck a deal in the city of Sirte, which is under the control of ISIL. Franco Roberti, the Italian anti-terror and anti-Mafia chief, called for the decriminalization of cannabis in an effort to strike back at both dangerous groups. It would significantly affect their revenue, he said, making reform a viable “weapon against traffickers.”

Have a happy, hilarious, fun and safe holiday! Happy 420!

Image Source: Melanie van Leeuwen via Unsplash

Pace Yourself: Ten Expert Tips on Enjoying 4/20

Few people on the planet know 420 better than David Bienenstock. After spending more than a decade as the West Coast correspondent for High Times, Bienenstock moved on to Vice, where he currently writes the Weed Eater column and produces the video series “Bong Appetit.”

Now he’s written How To Smoke Pot (Properly), an entertaining guide to the ins and outs of weediquette. The book was, appropriately, published earlier this month — one week prior to 4/20.

Leafly spoke with Bienenstock recently to glean his expert tips on 4/20 strategy and etiquette. As you plan and play out your day, keep these sage words of wisdom in mind.

4/20 Plans: Leafly Staff Shares How We’ll Be Celebrating

Here at Leafly, today is our biggest day of the year. Between launching our Leafly Events Calendar earlier this month, putting on our own 4/20 events across North America, and publishing more stories than ever before, we’re exhilarated yet exhausted, and looking forward to relaxing and celebrating tomorrow afternoon with our fellow cannabis consumers around the world.

Below, a few members of the Leafly team share their plans for the biggest cannabis holiday of the year. Whether we’re traveling, celebrating in our hometown of Seattle at our Night of Higher Entertainment, or simply spending time with friends and family, we wish you all a very happy 4/20!

What are your 4/20 plans this year?

“I will be at home with my man, chilling, watching movies, eating a lot of pizza, [and smoking] some blunts. I’ve got some really nice Bay Dream right now – planning to finish that up.”

–Emi, Sales Support Specialist

“This year I am traveling to PDX to celebrate with Leafly and Talib Kweli at Refuge. I still need to re-up on oil for the holiday but I just got some great Ripped Bubba Kush and plan on rolling that up.”

–Will, Digital Content Producer

“I’m going to be at A Night of Higher Entertainment with Leafly and SIFF at the Egyptian! It should be a wicked good time, Collide-O-Scope is going to be the BEST thing to happen to 4/20. Ever.”

–Zsanelle, Marketing Assistant

“Going to the SIFF event and getting into some Peppermint Cookies.”

–Ryan, Senior Account Executive

“For 4/20 I’ll be working on some new music and watching the premiere of Time Traveling Bong on Comedy Central (you can never have too much Ilana Glazer in your life). I’ll be smoking some Pineapple Express and vaping some Master Kush shatter.”

–Darren, Data Entry Specialist

“So on 4/20 I’m flying back to Seattle from [the Boston Marathon] so I plan to ‘celebrate’ by rubbing my sore legs with the Vita Verde sport topical and vaping some LA Confidential with my Pax 2 before face-planting into my bed.”

–Rebecca, Senior Content Marketing Manager

“I’ll be smoking two spliffs and heading into Leafly’s Night of Higher Entertainment…I’ll probably do a strong-ish sativa-heavy hybrid mixed with a pinch of high-CBD ACDC by Raven Grass.”

–Ben, Associate Editor

“No big 4/20 plans…working during the day, heading home in the evening. Will likely be smoking Middlefork.”

–Sara, Photo Editor

“5:00am–6:00am: Wake up, drink coffee. 6:00am–7:00: Feed child, get ready for work. 8:30am: Arrive at work. 8:30am–4:19pm: PRODUCE, INNOVATE and CREATE. 4:20pm: Pull out Leafly vape pen for some consumption in the sun. 5:30pm: Arrive home, take dogs and child to the beach to barbecue. 8:00pm: Child asleep, out to the porch for a [nightcap] joint. That is pretty much the plan everyday that it’s sunny…and sometimes when it’s rainy, too.”

–Tim, Producer

“4/20 plans this year are to stay unmedicated and take my four-year-old daughter to the park to enjoy the sun.”

–Damian, Digital Publisher

“For 4/20, I am planning to go home, relax for a bit, smoke some Berry Bomb, pop a milk chocolate and toffee 10-milligram edible from 420 Bar, meet up with some Leafly peeps for a quick smoke sesh and then head to A Night of Higher Entertainment at the Egyptian for some quality, trippy visuals courtesy of Collide-O-Scope.”

–Lisa, Associate Editor – Politics

“Waking up in the morning, working from nine to six at our wonderful Leafly HQ, getting home and rolling a healthy joint, smoking it and then going to hot yoga.”

–Richard, Account Executive

“My 4/20 plans: work hard, get through the craziness of the day, then relax at home with some Chocolope while I watch the NBA playoffs!”

–Sam, Managing Editor

Image Source: Sara Dilley

Canada Will Bring Legalization Measure in Early 2017

Cannabis legalization just got real in Canada. Or at least it now has a timeline.

In a speech to the United Nations General Assembly’s special session on world drug policy this morning, Canadian Health Minister Jane Philpott announced that the government of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau plans to introduce legalization legislation in the spring of 2017.

The government’s plan “ensures we keep marijuana out of the hands of children and profits out of the hands of criminals,” Philpott said. “While this plan challenges the status quo in many countries, we are convinced it is the best way to protect our youth while enhancing public safety.”

Philpott’s remarks came one day after Werner Sipp, head of the U.N.’s International Narcotics Control Board, opened the three-day special session with comments blasting adult use legalization. Sipp’s conference opener seemed to have little effect on the Canadian delegation.

“We cannot arrest our way out of this problem,” Philpott said. “Other countries and cultures will pursue approaches that differ from Canada’s,” she added, but if member nations respect different approaches and seek common ground, “we can achieve our objective: protecting our citizens.”

The U.N. conference continues through Thursday.

Donate To Earl Blumenauer’s ‘Cannabis Fund’ On 4/20

As far as I’m concerned, there is not an elected official out there that has fought as hard for cannabis reform as United States Representative Earl Blumenauer. I’m very proud that Earl is a Representative from my home state, Oregon, even if he’s not my particular Representative. I don’t live in his district, but I

Get 20% Off The 2016 Cannabis Business Summit When You Buy On 4/20

I am a big fan of the National Cannabis Industry Association (NCIA). They employ a lot of activists, in addition to their stellar industry advocacy, and that’s something that I respect a lot. To me, that means that they know their stuff. It’s one thing to just be a wanderer, floating from one industry to

Multiple Nations Call For Marijuana Reform At United Nations Special Session

The United Nation’s General Assembly Special Session (UNGASS) on drug policy began today with representatives and world leaders making strong statements urging member countries to move beyond prohibition and into effective regulations for medical Cannabis. H.E. Mogens Lykketoft, the current President of UNGASS, opened the event by discussing the need to address cannabis and the

4/20 Myths and Their Origins

The rumors and myths around 4/20 are random, ridiculous, and all too plentiful. We did some mythbusting to find the truth behind a few of the most popular stories that circulate around the holiday. Here’s what we uncovered.

1. MYTH: The police dispatch code for cannabis is ‘420′.

There’s a long-standing rumor that the police radio dispatch code for cannabis possession or public consumption in progress is ‘420′.

FALSE

‘420′ is not the police code for cannabis smoking. In fact, it’s not the police code for anything (unless you’re in Las Vegas, in which case it’s the code for homicide. Buzzkill!)

One reason this particular rumor spread so far and wide is due to another canna-connection. Once, while on tour, Grateful Dead bassist Phil Lesh attributed ‘420′ to a police code in San Rafael, rumored to be “marijuana smoking in progress.” He was wrong, but the rumor persisted, eventually becoming the stuff of legend. This was the first (but certainly not the last) time the Grateful Dead would be associated with famous 420 rumors.

2. MYTH: The California penal code for cannabis is ‘420′.

FALSE

California Penal Code Section 420 refers to the unlawful hindrance or obstruction of a person from entering public land. Kinda boring, actually. Interestingly, there is a California Senate Bill 420 that refers to the use of medical marijuana, but it was (aptly) named after the cultural phenomenon, not the other way around.

3. MYTH: There are 420 chemical compounds in cannabis.

FALSE

There are more than 500 identifiable chemical compounds in cannabis including 120 different terpenes and more than 70 different cannabinoids specific to cannabis alone.

4. MYTH: All of the clocks in the film Pulp Fiction are set to 4:20.

FALSE, KIND OF

It’s safe to say that most of the clocks in Pulp Fiction are set to 4:20, but a few sharp-eyed movie buffs managed to find clocks in the film that don’t quite match up. That being said, it’s still a cool bit of movie trivia to drop on your friends.

5. MYTH: April 20 was Hitler’s birthday.

TRUE, BUT IRRELEVANT

Unfortunately, this one is a fact, but it has absolutely nothing to do with cannabis. Hitler was a turd, and he doesn’t get to ruin 4/20.

6. MYTH: April 20 was the date of the Columbine school shooting.

TRUE

Sadly, this is true. However, the usage of the term 420 had already been popularized, and the shooting itself had no ties whatsoever to cannabis. In fact, it is rumored that the date, April 20, was chosen due to its connection to Hitler rather than the cannabis holiday.

7. MYTH: 4:20 p.m. is tea time for cannabis consumers in Holland.

FALSE

There’s no set tea time in Holland, and there’s certainly no consensus on 4:20. If you woke up to coffee from South or Central America this morning, though, you can thank the Dutch (kind of) for that.

8. MYTH: The first dose of lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) was taken at 4:20 p.m.

TRUE

This is a curious one. Albert Hofmann, a Swiss chemist, synthesized the first batch of LSD on Nov. 16, 1938. It wasn’t until five years later that its psychedelic properties were discoverd. On April 16, 1943, while reexamining the substance, Hofmann accidentally touched his hand to his mouth, ingesting a small amount. He noticed the effects and decided to investigate further. Three days later, on April 19, 1943, at 4:20 p.m., Hofmann intentionally dosed himself with 250 micrograms of lysergic acid diethylamide, in what would become the first purposeful acid trip. He began to notice the effects as he rode his bicycle home from the laboratory, and the day later came to be known as Bicycle Day. No connection to cannabis aside from 4:20 p.m., but an interesting tidbit, nonetheless.

9. MYTH: 4/20 is the anniversary of Bob Marley’s death.

FALSE

Nope. Robert Nesta Marley (may he rest in peace) was born Feb 6, 1945 and died on May 11, 1981. So, while you might be jamming out to “Sun is Shining” on 4/20, the reggae superstar had no connection to the date aside from his love of cannabis. One love, yo. Also, FWIW, the day has no relation to Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, or Jim Morrison (aside from the simple fact that they were all known to enjoy cannabis).

Curious about the true origins of 4/20 as a cannabis holiday? We’ve got the inside story here.

Image Sources: Wikimedia Commons and IMDb

Cannabis in the Great Outdoors: Tips, Tricks, and Advice for Hiking, Backpacking and More

The seasons are changing, which means more people are dusting off their hiking boots and setting off for adventures in nature. Cannabis is a natural companion for explorers of the great outdoors – there’s something about imbibing between breaths of fresh air that makes us feel more connected to these organic landscapes. Before shoving off on your journey, make sure you’re equipped with the knowledge you need to be both safe and considerate with your cannabis use. We surveyed a large group of hikers with an affinity for cannabis to determine what tips to keep top-of-mind while outside, so let this be your map to positive experiences in nature.

Safety and Etiquette for Outdoor Cannabis Consumption

Safety is paramount to having a good experience, and etiquette is paramount to others having a good experience, so be sure to practice both when you hit the trail.

• Be respectful of other hikers. This piece of etiquette was offered by nearly every hiker interviewed – not because cannabis is something that should be kept secret, but because, as one hiker put it, “Just like cigarettes, not everyone likes it, and everyone should be able to enjoy the trail.” This is especially important around crowds and children.
• Leave no trace. This is the golden rule for all hikers – no one is an exception. When it comes to enjoying cannabis on the trail, it may seem like no big deal to toss an extinguished roach. (“It’s okay, the crutch is hemp paper!”) No. No one wants to see cannabis or cigarette butts on the trailside, and even if it seems too small to make any big impact, get in the habit of packing out all trash no matter how small.
• Be conscientious of your use of heat and fire. This is particularly true in dry areas and seasons. Tossing a roach you thought was out could have devastating effects on a dry ecosystem and ruin areas that were once near and dear to many other hikers. And, as always, be smart with your use of campfires (in other words, don’t be a stoned idiot), and adhere to the conditional fire laws in your area.
• Bring extra water. You should always bring more water than you think you’ll need in the event of an emergency, but this is especially true for those of us who like to pair our adventures with cannabis. As you may have noticed with the dry mouth phenomenon, cannabis dehydrates you, so be sure to pack and drink a lot of water. I always bring a water filtration pump with me, because unexpected things can happen.
• Know your route. Some trails are obvious and easy to locate. Other are not. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve missed a switchback or had to retrace steps looking for familiar signs – it can happen to anyone, and being high while trying to navigate can make it even more challenging if you’re not an accustomed user. It may sound dorky, but bring a topography map or a GPS system, pay close attention to natural landmarks, and track your mileage.

Best Cannabis Pieces to Bring Hiking and Camping

What’s your favorite piece to bring while hiking? We asked our local hikers what they preferred, and here’s what we learned.

• Joints. My personal favorite method for the great outdoors is the classic joint. Roll several before hitting the trail, and you’re good to go. I also like to throw the occasional spliff in the mix for that little kick of energy.

The upsides to joints: they stay lit even in windy weather, they’re easy to share with friends, they’re lightweight, and they pack a big punch. The downsides: they can be hard to light in the wind, you have to pack out roaches (bring an extra baggie, otherwise they make your backpack smell bad), they require a lot of bud, and a strong breeze makes them burn faster.

• Portable vaporizers. A lot of hikers are loving their portable vaporizers and oil pens for use on the trail. Some allow you to fill them with your favorite flower, and many oil pens offer strain-specific cartridges so you can bring your favorite variety of cannabis with you on the trail.

The upsides to vaporizers: no lighter is required, they are discreet with minimal odor, and they allow you to take as few puffs as you’d like at a time. The downsides: oil cartridges provide a fairly different high from flower that some do not prefer, and their batteries can run out and leave you cannabis-less.

• Pipes. The tried and true method of consumption favored by many hikers. As one Washington hiker said, “On busier trails I prefer to use a pipe. They’re easier to put out when other people are passing by.” Almost all hikers surveyed cited pipes and one-hitters as their go-to pieces, so there’s something to be said about this classic companion.

The upsides: pipes are lightweight, they’re easy to put out, and they’re easy to share. The downsides: they’re breakable, they can be difficult to light with a breeze, and it’s hard to hit them while walking.

• Travel water pipes. For the hiker dedicated to cumbersome apparatuses that use water, bongs and bubblers are still a possibility. The good news is you don’t necessarily need to pack your most extravagant glass piece to enjoy the luxury of a water pipe. Small bubblers are easy enough to bring, and lightweight bongs are also available (like this silicone bong that folds up).

The upsides: water pipes provide extra cooling and filtration of smoke, and bongs can provide heavier effects than a pipe. The downsides: they can be heavy, they take up a lot of space, and they are not always discreet.

• Edibles and tinctures. Although considered too heavy for many hikers, edibles can be an excellent smoke-free way to enjoy your time outdoors. Small doses are your best bet for a long-lasting mellow, gentle high that still allows you to be active. Tinctures have a faster onset and tend to be less intense than edibles due to the way they’re metabolized.

The upsides: edibles last longer than inhaled methods, they provide a good body high for relaxing muscles, and they’re small and lightweight. Sublingual tinctures are easier to dose than edibles and tend to offer more mild effects. The downsides: edibles can cause an overly intense high with sedating effects. Dose responsibly!

Legal Considerations of Enjoying Cannabis Outdoors

There are differences in marijuana policy and tolerances depending on which area of wilderness you’re visiting. Federal land like national parks can cite you for using marijuana, and technically you can still be fined for public consumption outside national parks even in legal states. State fines tend to be significantly lower than federal ones, but it’s still something to consider. Fees vary from state to state, so be sure to research your relevant laws if this is a concern.

We all see hikers cracking a well-deserved beer at a mountain peak despite consumption laws, so of course you’d expect to see others lighting up an equally well-deserved joint. So to wrap this point up, be educated about the laws and be respectful of those around you.

If a cigarette can be enjoyed out in nature, why on earth can’t cannabis – especially if it enables those with pain, chronic nausea, and other ailments enjoy a happy and active lifestyle? One hiker I spoke to mentioned that cannabis allowed him to hike without his heavy painkiller prescription, enabling him to stay pain-free and active as opposed to sedated and lethargic. Another hiker noted, “Cannabis helps quiet my mind so I can really enjoy the nature and its serenity.” A third said it allowed her to focus on the persistence in climbing, turning off the “I can’t do this” thinking.

Cannabis, in my experience, is one of the best available conduits between the mind and nature. It allows connection, appreciation, and access to peace during intense physical and mental exertion. We hope that lawmakers will soon see the ways that cannabis can encourage wanderers to protect the ground they walk on, as well as the benefits it extends medical patients who might otherwise be unable to be active and enjoy all the beauty nature has to offer. So speak up, citizens, and let your state representatives know why these laws should be changed.

Let’s hear from you! How does cannabis help you enjoy the great outdoors, and what tips and tricks do you have to offer your fellow hikers, backpackers, and campers? Share your thoughts in the comments section!

Image Sources: Sara Dilley, Luke Gram, and Bailey Rahn

Entertaining with Cannabis: How to Throw the Perfect Smokeless 4/20 Party

The biggest holiday in the cannabis community is just around the corner – 4/20 is here! In the lead-up to the big day, you’re likely considering different plans and invitations – perhaps you’ll spend time with friends, chill on your own, or attend a cannabis-centric event (check out the Leafly Events Calendar to find out what’s going on in your area).

One of the best ways to celebrate the fact that cannabis acceptance is at an all-time high is by throwing a 4/20 party of your own – and this year, we suggest making it a smokeless party. Don’t worry, we’re not talking about skipping the cannabis consumption: rather, we suggest switching in an array of awesome vaporizers in place of standard joints, bongs, bowls and blunts. It’s a fun way to get out of the smoke and switch things up, and trust us – your lungs will thank you at the end of the day.

The Perfect 4/20 Guest List

It goes without saying that you’ll want to spend the day with people you love to be around. Invite laid-back, fun-loving, positive friends, and keep in mind that you don’t have to stick just to people who you know are gung-ho about all things cannabis. Many infrequent cannabis consumers make an exception and indulge on 4/20, and some people may even choose to try cannabis for the first time. Perhaps your new coworker likes cannabis more than you thought, or maybe your brother’s girlfriend will want to hang out and celebrate even if she doesn’t consume.

The Best Vapes for 4/20

There’s a lot to love about vaporizers taking center stage for 4/20. Vapes are easier on the lungs than smoking; they let you enjoy both flower and concentrates; they preserve strain flavor more effectively than smoking; they allow you more control over your experience; and vapor is less likely than smoke to elicit complaints from neighbors. Great party vapes include:

Herbalizer: It’s great to have a tabletop vape on hand as a party centerpiece. We love the Herbalizer for its precise temperature controls and its whip attachment, which functions much like the hose on a hookah, making it easy to pass around the circle.

The Mighty: This German-engineered vape combines convection and conduction technology, letting you enjoy flower and concentrates alike. Its battery life is solid, so don’t worry about running out of juice in the middle of a sesh.

Pax 2: The new-and-improved iteration of the wildly popular Pax is already a favorite in the cannabis community. Its anodized aluminum exterior in four color options makes it just plain gorgeous for any party theme.

Dr. Dabber Boost: The Boost looks and functions as much like a dab rig as a vaporizer, and is tailored for use with solid concentrates. It includes a glass water attachment to help moisturize your vapor.

QuickDraw 500 DLX: The QuickDraw simplifies the process of switching between waxes, oils and flower; simply load your preferred strain or concentrate cartridge, and the unit will recognize what you’re vaporizing and automatically heat to the proper temperature.

How to Choose Cannabis for 4/20

Choose a wide selection of cannabis strains to appeal to all of your guests – we recommend including at least one sativa, one hybrid and one indica in your lineup. That said, sativas tend to be more social, so it’s nice to have at least a couple sativa-dominant strains on hand. Pick up a mix of flower and concentrates; with vapes, you can enjoy both, frequently in the same vaporizer. Vary your flavor profiles, too – since you’ll be vaping rather than smoking, the unique character imparted by each strain’s terpenes will shine through. Furthermore, if you’ll be providing beverages, check out our guide to pairing cannabis with beer, wine, and even coffee.

The Best Munchies for 4/20

No 4/20 party is complete without plentiful munchies. If you’re planning to consume cannabis yourself, choose items that are easy to prep ahead of time so you can chill during the party itself. Finger foods are great: think mini-quiches, bacon-wrapped dates, fruit and cheese plates, chips and salsa, spinach-artichoke dip, and so on. If you’re planning to provide edibles (like this amazing infused guacamole), just be sure they’re clearly labeled and set apart from the rest of the snacks. Whatever you do, don’t let the food prep stress you out – your guests are definitely going to be happy with anything you put in front of them.

Cannabis Décor & Ambiance

Decorating for a cannabis party is extra-fun, because you can count on guests’ senses being heightened for the event. For visuals, give your space a vapor-inspired makeover by draping gauzy white fabric over white Christmas lights on the walls and ceiling; the combination is festive as well as fun to look at when you’re high as a kite. If you have a projector, put on a visually appealing film – old black and white movies can be as enticing as colorful ones, and will play well with the vapor theme and backlit curtain décor. So will a fog machine, or dry ice: whether you include the latter in a punch bowl or place a few of the former strategically around the room, it’s great fun to watch the fog swirl around your space and mix with cannabis vapor.

Music is key – build or find a playlist that will last throughout the event so you don’t have to worry about DJing on the spot. You’ll also want to provide plenty of comfortable seating. And to mix aromatics into the equation, use a desktop vaporizer like the Herbalizer for aromatherapy in between vape sessions.

Cannabis-Fueled Fun and Games

Set out a selection of card games and yard games that are quick and easy to learn and play in a social environment. As attendees will all be over 21, this is a great time to break out Cards Against Humanity and other games to make you laugh; if you’ll be outdoors, think Frisbees, cornhole, volleyball and the like. These activities can easily be converted to incorporate vape hits here and there, just as you might convert something to a drinking game (and as you would with a drinking game, never pressure your peers, and always consume responsibly).

Keep track of time over the course of the party ­– not only is it fun to count down to your own 4:20pm, you can celebrate 4:20 with the rest of the country and the world by taking a hit every hour at the 20-minute mark. Ring a bell and call out the place it’s currently 4:20 as you approach your own official 4:20.

General Tips for 4/20 Entertaining

Celebrate all week. When 4/20 falls on a weekday, there’s no reason why you can’t celebrate on a Saturday or Sunday that’s more convenient for you. In fact, Denver’s World Cannabis Week runs all the way through 4/24 this year.

Pace yourself. Don’t try to out-vape everyone in the room, and don’t encourage guests to take a hit off every last vape that goes around. Cannabis tolerances vary widely, and everyone should consume at a rate they’re comfortable with.

Be safe. Responsible transportation to and from your party is a must for every guest. As a host, it’s your responsibility to remind friends who have consumed cannabis that they’ll need to call a rideshare, rather than drive while intoxicated.

Be happy. We live in one of the most exciting times in cannabis history. Relish the fact that you get to celebrate this de facto holiday – few days of the year are as guaranteed to put a smile on your face and keep it there.

Image Sources: Sara Dilley, Vape World via Facebook, and Ben Rosett via Unsplash

10 Most Popular Strains of Cannabis

Thanks to decades of research and crossbreeding, Cannabis is now available in a wide variety of strains. It’s no secret that the weed you can find today is a lot stronger than what was around in the 70s. Not only that, you can find a lot of strains with interesting flavor profiles too. Some actually […]

9 Side Effects of Marijuana

Most marijuana users enjoy the drug’s ability to induce a sense of euphoria, but that doesn’t come without side effects. Indeed, research shows that using marijuana can cause a variety of short and long-term effects. While almost everyone is familiar with the sudden desire for junk food caused by smoking weed — commonly referred to […]

The Shake: U.N. Drug Summit Begins With Fireworks, and DEA Science Stinks

The biggest international drug summit in 20 years kicked off today. And unfortunately, there’s still a pretty good chance you haven’t heard of it. Well, now you have: It’s called the U.N. General Assembly Special Session on the World Drug Problem (or UNGASS), it runs through Thursday at the U.N. Headquarters in New York, and it’s crucial to changing the global stance on cannabis. All sorts of opinions are colliding at the symposium: Lawmakers from more tolerant jurisdictions are hoping to roll back the prohibitionist mindset of the last global summit, convened in 1998 under the slogan, “A Drug-Free World — We can do it!” Meanwhile, anti-cannabis countries are trying to curb the growing legalization movement. Nothing’s guaranteed, but some signs look promising: A report from medical journal The Lancet last month strongly endorsed legal, regulated markets. And earlier this week, a letter signed by more than a thousand lawmakers, doctors, celebrities, and policy wonks — Bernie Sanders to Busta Rhymes! — urged U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon to help end the drug war. (Activists brought copies of the letter to Tuesday’s opener, but U.N. security reportedly confiscated them. If you’re trying to keep an eye on the event as it unfolds, reformers — including a contingent of young people from Students for Sensible Drug Policy — are tweeting under hashtags #UNGASS2016, #StopTheHarm, #NoMoreDrugWar, and others. Get involved! If you think the world needs to take another look at how it deals with cannabis, now’s the time to act.

What’s the science behind the DEA’s war on cannabis? Spoiler alert: It’s abysmal. As more media outlets wake up to how much progress 2016 might bring for cannabis, they’re also exploring past justifications for prohibition (like how the Nixon administration wanted to denigrate hippies and black people). None other than Scientific American is now diving into the issue with a look at how absurd cannabis’ Schedule I classification really is — and how bureaucratic inertia and political distortion have stood staunchly in the way of reform.

QUICK HITS:

• Kids deserve a fact-based education on cannabis. This “weed word search,” given to Tennessee middle school students as part of a drug-awareness week, is a great example of what that doesn’t look like.
• University of California scientists want a test to detect stoned drivers. Efforts are already underway to develop cannabis breathalyzers to detect how much THC is in a driver’s blood, but the new effort would focus on impairment: Researchers want to develop sobriety tests that motorists would have to pass on a hand-held device, like an iPad.
• Queensland looks to make cannabis punishments more severe. The Australian state’s attorney general is expected to introduce legislation that would match penalties for cannabis crimes to that of “harder” drugs. Experts are describing the push as “scientifically questionable,” presumably because it’s impolitic to call the measure “utter bullshit.”
• Medical patients aren’t just “getting high.” Frankly it’s insulting that Dave Murphy, a Canadian medical patient living with brain cancer, even had to write this piece.
• Trying to start a cannabis business? Canna Law Blog boils down the nitty-gritty of legal compliance into ten steps for the entrepreneur trying to get her new venture off the ground. The guides are organized by state, and Washington’s up first.
• D.C. lawmakers ban cannabis cafés for good. Like far too many other “legal” jurisdictions, you now can’t smoke anywhere other than private residences.
• Colorado bill would limit cannabis advertising. The AP says industry members aren’t opposing the legislation, which would prevent medical marijuana entities from advertising to people under 21. A similar restriction exists for recreational cannabis advertisers.

• A friendly 4/20 reminder from Oregon regulators: Medical dispensary operators can’t sponsor raffles or contests that include free cannabis as a prize.
• A good sign for legal, regulated markets: Teens in the U.S. say cannabis is harder to get than it used to be.
• Montana’s new would-be ballot initiative is scrambling for signatures. Backers of I-182, which would lift a three-patient limit on medical cannabis providers and establish license fees, need 24,175 signatures in nine weeks to get the measure on November’s ballot, the AP reports.
• California congressman endorses adult-use campaign. U.S. Rep. Ted Lieu (D-Torrance) backed the Adult Use of Marijuana Act, the Let’s Get It Right California campaign announced.

• “That’s cannabis the California way.” Billboards have gone up to advertise Flow Kana, a collective of growers who offer products billed as “small-batch, sustainable” cannabis, and people can’t stop talking about it.
• Seattle is considering parks for public drinking. The city might get BYO beer gardens, but good luck finding a legal place to consume cannabis outside a private residence (which, you know, not everyone has).
• And finally, police in New Zealand got grocery shoppers high for free. Because that’s what happens when you burn an enormous heap of confiscated cannabis, geniuses.

The U.N. Already Blasted Legalization and the Conference Just Started

The United Nations General Assembly’s Special Session on World Drug Policy opened this morning in New York with fighting words from Werner Sipp, president of the U.N.’s International Narcotics Control Board, who blasted the idea of cannabis legalization and “so-called ‘new approaches’” to drug policy.

In the run-up to today’s opening, a number of prominent world leaders, including former U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan, called on the U.N. to end the failed war on drugs. Sipp, in response, defended the antiquated U.N. conventions on drug policy, which, he said, “never called for a ‘war on drugs.’”

At the same time, Sipp added, “the future of global drug policy is not a false dichotomy between a so-called ‘war on drugs’ on the one hand and legalization and/or regulation of non-medical use of drugs on the other.”

“Quite the contrary,” he said. “What we need is to better implement the drug-control treaties, which require a balanced and comprehensive approach where health and welfare is at the core of policy.”

Many drug reform activists had hoped the U.N. special session might mark a turning of the ship, away from draconian punishment and toward a harm-reduction model in drug policy. They didn’t expect radical reform — but they did hope for an opening.

Sipp seemed to dispel any notion of reform with his opening remarks. The existing drug conventions, he said, “provide states with some flexibility to adopt measures such as treatment and rehabilitation” as an alternative to criminal sanctions.

“However, flexibility has limits,” Sipp warned. “It does not extend to any non-medical use of drugs.” Early attempts at adult-use legalization, as in Colorado, Washington, and Oregon, “are in clear contravention of the conventions,” Sipp declared. “You — the states parties to the conventions — have a responsibility to address this challenge.”

So much for an opening for reform. The U.N. special session continues through Thursday. We’ll see if member nations bow to Sipp’s hard party line or initiate a revolution from below.

Image Source: UN Women via Flickr Creative Commons

Maine Could Be First State to OK Medical Cannabis to Treat Addicts

AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) — Maine could become the first state to add addiction to opioid prescriptions and illegal narcotics like heroin to its list of conditions that qualify for medical marijuana.

Nearly 30 medical marijuana caregivers and patients told state regulators at a public hearing on Tuesday that marijuana eases the symptoms of opioid withdrawal and offers a healthier alternative to the prescription painkillers that can lead to addiction.

Joseph Legendre, 50, of Mount Vernon, choked back tears as he spoke about the pain he endured after hurting his back 26 years ago at construction site and how marijuana finally eased that pain. Britney Lashier, 23, of Saco, said smoking marijuana helped her break a heroin addiction she picked up in Morocco while studying in college.

“Marijuana saved my life for sure,” she said.

Supporters say it has been prescribed for opiate addiction in other states that have few restrictions on medical marijuana, including California and Massachusetts. But Maine would be the first to specifically add opiate addiction as a qualifying condition, according to the Maine Medical Association.

Representatives of Maine’s medical establishment spoke in opposition, saying there is no scientific evidence backing up claims that marijuana effectively treats addiction.

Leah Bauer, a psychiatrist and medical director at the Addiction Resource Center at Mid Coast Hospital in Brunswick, said the petition would encourage addicts to use another toxic and habit-forming substance.

“In fact, using marijuana may be like pouring gasoline on the fire,” she said

Darrell Gudroe, 39, of Boothbay, said drug addiction should be included in the list of qualifying conditions for medical marijuana because it’s the best way to help people fight their addiction to opioids.

“There’s not a better way to get off them I’ve seen,” said Gudroe, a board member of Medical Marijuana Caregivers of Maine.

Behind the Headlines: That Colorado Report Means Less (and More) Than You Think

Yesterday’s release of a report on the effects of legalization in Colorado inspired an entertaining game of dueling media headlines. The Guardian saw a slight change in consumption levels: “Colorado marijuana law: uptick in adults lighting up, but not minors.” The Washington Times, meanwhile, read doom in the data: “Colorado hospitals and treatment centers say marijuana-related cases have spiked.”

What gives? Here’s the story behind the headlines.

In 2013, a few months after voters legalized marijuana, the Colorado Legislature ordered the state’s Department of Public Safety to study the impacts of legalization. Yesterday the department issued the first of what’s expected to be a series of reports issued every two years. Breaking news stories pulled the juiciest bits out of the 98-page study, but a deep dive into the report yields many more interesting, confusing, and frustrating conclusions.

Here’s the most important takeaway: In these early years of legalization, analysts are working with terrible data. That doesn’t mean the data yield negative conclusions. It means the numbers themselves — the inputs — are generally crap. It’s going to be years before Colorado, Washington, Oregon, and other states build up a record of consistent reporting and solid data. Until then, we’re left to read tea leaves.

The author of yesterday’s Colorado report, Jack Reed, is an analyst with the Department of Public Safety’s Office of Research and Statistics. He prefaced his work with a disclaimer so loud you can practically see him waving his hands.

“It is too early,” Reed wrote, to draw any conclusions about the effects of legalization on public health, public safety, or underage use. The data in his report, he wrote, are skewed by a self-reporting effect. “The decreasing social stigma regarding marijuana use could lead individuals to be more likely to report use on surveys, and to health workers in emergency departments and poison control centers,” he wrote, “making marijuana use appear to increase when perhaps it has not.”

Essentially, the Legislature demanded conclusive proof on subjects — like impaired driving, out-of-state diversion, and hospital visits — about which there are no reliable numbers.“It should be made clear,” wrote Reed, “that there are many areas of interest where the data to measure impacts do not currently exist.” Nonetheless, the report was demanded by law. So Reed did the best he could to cobble together bits and pieces into an overview.

Reed’s cautionary note didn’t stop editors from pulling out wobbly speculations and, by headlining them, transform them into repeatable fact. (Let me acknowledge that I’m one of those editors. At Leafly, our AP-reported take hewed more closely to the Guardian‘s.)

Here’s a guide to which facts are wobblier than others.

Guardian: “Uptick in Adults But Not Minors”

It would be foolish to argue that the adult consumption rate hasn’t changed. With legalization and the opening of recreational stores in Colorado, Washington, and Oregon, a fair number of adults have sampled cannabis either for the first time or for the first time in a long time. But at least a portion of the higher use figure cited in the Colorado report — 12 percent of adults 26 and older reported currently using cannabis in 2014, compared to 5 percent in 2006 — can be attributed to the fact that much of the social stigma surrounding cannabis consumption dissipated between 2006 and 2014. People today are more willing to say they consumed.

Washington Times: “Marijuana Cases Have Spiked”

Similarly, the increase in emergency room visits, with cannabis exposure as a primary cause, could be apportioned between more honest self-reporting by patients and an increase in consumers ingesting far beyond their experience and tolerance. The numbers: 739 per 100,000 ER visits in the 2010-2013 period, 956 per 100,000 visits in the 2014-2015 period. Poison control center calls are up, too. There were 109 Colorado-based calls regarding cannabis in 2012, prior to legalization. In 2015 there were 227. Again: In 2006, if you called a poison control center with a case of overconsumption, you were implicating yourself in a crime. In 2015, you were asking for advice about a legal product. At the same time, the numbers regarding underage ingestion need to be faced straight up. In 2012 there were 16 calls regarding kids under 9 years old. In 2015 there were 49. That speaks to the growth of the edibles market and the need for better awareness and more appropriate handling.

Unremarked: Why Are Adults Still Being Arrested?

Perhaps the most puzzling numbers in the Colorado report are those that track cannabis-related arrests. In 2012, police arrested 12,894 people in Colorado on marijuana-related charges. Of those, 6,312 people were 21 or older. In 2014, police arrested 1,360 adults on marijuana-related charges. “There was a substantial decrease in adult arrests, down 76%,” the Department of Public Safety reports.

That represents progress. But why are police in Colorado still arresting 1,360 adults on cannabis charges? The answer: Public use.

“Discussions with law enforcement indicate that public consumption is a driving factor behind possession arrests,” Jack Reed wrote in an email to Leafly. Very interesting. In a state where adult possession arrests should have cratered to near zero, they remain in the thousands because there’s nowhere to legally partake outside a private residence.

More strange data: Of those arrested, only 757 were charged in court. Which means 603 adults were stopped, questioned, and arrested but ultimately not charged.

It’s a fair bet that too many of those adults were people of color. A recent report from Oregon illustrated a depressing fact: Legalization doesn’t wipe away the racial disparities of the prohibition era. The harm is reduced, of course, as fewer people of color are stopped and arrested for cannabis in legal states. But non-whites remain over-represented in those lower arrest numbers. In Colorado, white people saw a 51 percent drop in marijuana arrests between 2012 and 2014. Arrests dropped by 33 percent for Hispanics, and only 25 percent for African-Americans. Even after legalization, the cannabis arrest rate for African-Americans in Colorado remained almost three times that of white people.

Drugged Driving: Data Depends on “Trooper Perception”

The flimsiest data comes in the area of drugged driving. In Denver, the police noted little change. Marijuana accounted for 2.5 percent of all DUI arrests in 2014, and 2.9 percent in 2015. (Alcohol accounted for 95 percent of DUI arrests in both years.) State Patrol officers, on the other hand, noted an uptick in DUIs issued for marijuana-based impairment, from 6 percent of DUIs in 2014 to 8 percent in 2015. (Overall, DUIs dropped 18 percent in that same period.) The problem here is that the State Patrol data isn’t based on toxicology tests.

The data, as the report says in tiny print, “is based on trooper perception.”

The data taken from fatal accidents has other problems. On its surface, there’s an uptick. Of tested drivers involved in a fatal crash in 2013, 11.5 percent registered positive for THC. In 2014, that figure was 16 percent. But here’s the thing: The testing itself is haphazard. Eighty-one percent of deceased drivers are tested; only 14 percent of drivers who survived a crash (in which at least one person died) are tested. The administered test only indicates the presence of THC metabolites, which are detectible in the blood for days and sometimes weeks after ingestion. It’s like administering a test to determine if a driver has had a glass of wine sometime in the past two weeks. As the report’s author wrote: “The results reported here … are not statements about driver impairment.”

And yet they read as statements about driver impairment. And that’s how they enter the public conversation.

And that’s where reports like this really matter. At a cannabis conference a couple months ago, I listened to California Assemblymember Tom Lackey, a Republican who co-sponsored the state’s new medical marijuana regulatory act (AB 266), talk about his genuine compassion for medical marijuana patients and his concerns over adult-use legalization. As a former California Highway Patrol officer, Lackey said, he was watching the data on Colorado DUIs and fatalities carefully, and “the early reports are not good.”

He’s right in one sense. The early reports are not solid. They are unreliable and, as the author of this latest report put it, they are not “definitive statements of outcome.” But that’s how they’re going to be taken by leaders like Tom Lackey. Sketchy data begets false conclusions, which result in wrongheaded policies and laws. In cases like this, bad data may be worse than no data at all.

What to Expect on Your First Visit to a Dispensary or Retail Cannabis Shop

The allure of legal cannabis is undeniable, and it’s been drawing crowds from every generation. Baby boomers who gave up cannabis habits in favor of families and steady jobs are now realizing that you can, in fact, have your cake and eat it too.

For those who are curious about cannabis and have no idea where to start, we’re here for you. Here’s what to expect on your first visit to a dispensary or recreational cannabis store.

Expect to be carded.

This goes for adult consumers as well as for medical marijuana patients. Whether you’ve just turned 21 or pushing 70, keep your state-issued identification handy. If you have a medical marijuana recommendation, make sure it’s still valid (most recommendations are good for six months to a year), and be prepared to hand over your ID along with your recommendation. It’s good practice to make a habit of it. Your budtender will appreciate not having to ask for both.

Be prepared.

Check out the Leafly Finder and read reviews of your local dispensaries and retail shops. Shops range in caliber, style, and selection, so read the reviews before making a choice. The highest-rated shops are often featured on the Leafly List; these are generally going to have some of the best, most informed employees.

Check out the establishment’s menu on Leafly prior to your visit. You can also use advanced filters in the Leafly Strain Explorer to find the best strains and products for your personal symptoms, conditions or mood.

All this preparation will come in handy when you’re trying to order and it will keep you from being that guy in the dispensary — you know, the one who stands slack-jawed, staring at the menu while the customers in line behind him tap their feet impatiently? Don’t be that guy.

You may be required to wait.

This is fairly standard procedure, especially in the medical market. In many states, regulations require dispensaries to serve only one patient at a time, so you may need to take a seat and wait your turn. This is a great time to check out the dispensary menu on Leafly and think about what products you’d like.

Ask questions.

Whether you know what you want ahead of time or not, one of the best ways to get your bearings during a dispensary visit is to ask your budtender. Get recommendations on strains they like, or ask for strains that might be best suited for your needs. Let the budtender be your guide. Looking for something to settle your tummy? Ask. Looking for a bright sativa to inspire your spring cleaning? Ask. There are no stupid questions. Budtenders have heard it all.

Make sure you have enough money— in cash — for your purchase.

Cannabis can be pretty pricy. Although more dispensaries and retail shops are offering cashless ATM systems for purchasing, most cannabis shops remain cash only. Before you visit, check to see whether they accept cards or have an ATM on site. Otherwise, be prepared and bring cash. This will help your purchase go as smoothly as possible.

Don’t feel pressured.

Not sure about your purchase after all? Is the budtender rubbing you the wrong way? That’s OK. You are under no obligation to spend your hard-earned money, especially on a product that you’re unsure about. (Remember: In most cases, returns are forbidden by law. Once you buy it, it’s yours.) Occasionally budtenders will be less informed on strains. You don’t need to take their recommendations just to be polite. Let them know what you want, and if they recommend a product you’re not interested in, simply say no thanks.

How was your experience?

After your first visit, reflect on the service you received, the quality of the products you purchased, and the shop’s general atmosphere. Did you feel unwelcome? Let them know. Did you feel you could be honest with your budtender? Did your budtender answer all your questions and help you find the right products? Let them know. This is also the perfect time to visit the store’s page on Leafly and leave an honest review about your experience. This helps employees improve their service, allows you to give credit where credit’s deserved, and provides future visitors with a sense of what to expect on a first visit of their own.

Buying Bongs Online: 9 Outrageous Myths About Purchasing from Online Headshops

This article is sponsored by DankStop, an online headshop carrying the best selection of bongs, vaporizers, dab rigs, glass pipes, and smoking accessories. Use discount code “DankDaze” to save 15% storewide, ending 4/20/2016.

Many people have certain reservations when it comes to purchasing bongs, dab rigs, and vaporizers through an online smoke shop. These hesitations are founded either on preconceived notions or a lack of available knowledge on the topic. Understandably, some of them are also the result of previous unsatisfactory experiences with a poorly operated online headshop. The prevalence of these types of shops has led the myths described below to proliferate.

As an established and trusted online headshop, we at DankStop feel that it is important to address these myths directly and in detail. As we explain how a trustworthy online headshop can and should function, it will become abundantly clear why we use the word outrageous to describe these myths.

Myth #1: “Online headshops are more expensive.”

The idea that buying a bong or dab rig online is more expensive is a common misconception. By creating strategic partnerships with American and foreign manufacturers, online headshops are able to stock a larger quantity of each individual product than traditional headshops. This leads to lower prices for the online smoke shop, which are then passed on to the customers. A legitimate online smoke shop employs fair pricing for their customers on all of their products.

These strategic partnerships also allow online smoke shops to procure manufacturers’ newest products, letting them offer you the latest and greatest smoking gear.

Myth #2: “If I order from an online headshop, I’m breaking the law.”

This is one of the most important myths to debunk. As long as you are at least 18 years old, ordering from an online headshop is in no way illegal. Online headshops sell bongs, dab rigs, glass pipes, and vapes that are intended for tobacco, medical use, aromatherapy blends, and legal concentrates. No matter what state you live in or what the legal situation when it comes to the classification of cannabis, ordering from an online headshop is not illegal. Many people voice their concern that they may get in trouble or be flagged due to placing an order with an online smoke shop. This reasoning is analogous to stating that, “If I purchase from a liquor store, then I’ll be arrested for drunk driving.” Buying a bong online does not mean you will use it for illegal purposes, just as buying a bottle of liquor does not mean you will drink it and then drive.

Myth #3: “Online headshops will not protect my privacy.”

There are multiple ways in which an online headshop can and should protect your privacy. One is through discreet shipping: the mail carrier, your neighbor, or anyone else who sees your delivery shouldn’t be able to discern its content. Another way is through credit card confidentiality; at DankStop, unless you choose to place your order manually over the phone, we do not have access to your credit or debit card beyond the last four digits. Knowing this should alleviate any qualms about identity theft or fraudulent activity pertaining to you or your banking cards. A quality online smoke shop will take extra measures to preserve your privacy and do as much as any other trustworthy company to defend you from identity theft.

Myth #4: “Workers at online headshops are too busy getting high off their own supply.”

When people think of headshops in general, they frequently picture them being run and operated by employees who have been doing too much “product testing” to be of assistance. This false sentiment is even more prevalent when it comes to online headshops, as shoppers are unable to physically see any of the employees. Not to state the obvious, but an online headshop is a business like any other. Would you expect a bartender to be belligerently drunk while he pours your drink? Have you ever seen a waitress eating her own food as she serves you yours? Hopefully the answer to both of those questions is no.

Myth #5: “If I order from an online smoke shop, my package will take weeks to ship and my bong will arrive broken.”

A reputable online headshop will have shipping policies that prevent this. At DankStop, we focus on packing and shipping every order within 24 hours, and offer same-day shipping if your order is placed before 12pm EST. The average time for an order to arrive is three to five business days, and depending on the shipping destination, it can be quicker. All of our U.S. orders include free shipping, with the option to upgrade to express shipping for an additional fee.

An eight-step quality control process is in place to prevent breakage. When products arrive at our warehouse, they are diligently inspected before being stocked on our shelves. When an order is placed, the products are inspected again before the order is packed securely and shipped. Your package will arrive promptly, with every precaution taken to ensure it stays in pristine condition.

Myth #6: “An online smoke shop is just a website. It’s better to purchase products in person.”

The only accurate part of this myth is that an online smoke shop is indeed a website. However, the information a website can provide far surpasses what you’ll find at a brick and mortar headshop. Through detailed product descriptions, product feature lists, brand descriptions, and informative articles, there are plenty of resources available to those who want to research before purchasing. For visual learners, we offer bubble videos as well as product photos to show you exactly what you’ll be receiving and how it functions. By thoroughly detailing product specifications including height, glass thickness, and joint type, you have the most specific and accurate information available to help you make your purchase. It would be false to claim that brick and mortar headshops don’t explain their products to customers, but it is fair to say that the comprehensive information available on our website enhances the shopping experience.

Myth #7: “Online headshops will sell me fake knockoffs.”

Unfortunately, there are inferior online headshops that will attempt to sell you cheap bongs and dab rigs with name-brand decals. These imposter pieces are generally imported and have a lower-quality glass construction. There are multiple ways to tell if you’ve been scammed into buying a knockoff bong: inspecting the joint welds, percolators, and thickness of the glass will differentiate a brand-name bong from an imitator. If the percs are crooked, the welds aren’t flush, or the bong is clearly made from thin glass, you may have been duped.

A genuine online smoke shop works to become an authorized retailer of the brands they carry, and since it takes time and hard work to become an authorized retailer, you know that an online headshop has a concrete and authentic relationship with a brand if they are labeled as such.

Myth #8: “It’s a nightmare to return items to online headshops.”

An authentic online headshop has a transparent return policy that guarantees an expeditious turnaround while minimizing cost to the consumer. In the unfortunate instance that you are not satisfied with your bong and it is unused, a reputable online smoke shop will have a convenient means of streamlining the return. Contact with a customer service representative via phone, email, or live chat will initiate the process, a return shipping label will be dispatched to you, and as soon as we have received the item back in our warehouse, your chosen refund method will be applied.

One exception to this rule is that most online headshops will not accept returns on used products. This is standard in retail: you would not be able to return a shirt after taking the tags off and wearing it a few times.

Myth #9: “Shopping at an online headshop takes away from the personal experience.”

Shopping for bongs or vapes at a reliable online headshop can actually be a more personalized experience than frequenting your local headshop. Customer service representatives are available to answer phone calls and live chat messages immediately. These trained professionals are experts on glass and vaping, and can answer questions about hundreds of products or take you step by step through finding your ideal glass pipe, dab rig, bong, or vaporizer. Whether it comes to helping you make the most of your budget, guiding you to popular products, or explaining individual brands, our customer care specialists aren’t just a voice on the other end of the phone: they’re glass and vape enthusiasts, just like yourself, who enjoy guiding you through the buying process.

Infographic: The Fastest-Trending Cannabis Strain in Every State (and D.C.) in 2016

What cannabis strains are being searched most often by your customers, friends and neighbors in the lead-up to 4/20/2016? Wonder no more: the infographic below shows the fastest-trending strain in every state in the nation (and Washington, D.C.). Having just legalized medical marijuana, Pennsylvania wants to know more about Blue Dream. As its residents hang onto hope for recreational legalization, Vermont is curious about Zombie OG. And while many may wonder about the most popular strain in Colorado (spoiler alert: it’s Blue Dream), it’s just as interesting to see that Chemdawg is rapidly gaining market share.

To determine the fastest-trending strain in every U.S. state, we omitted low-traffic outliers from our data, then looked at which strains had enjoyed the largest surge in popularity in each individual market since the beginning of the year. A few data-driven notes about the evolving cannabis market are listed below.

Click to view an enlarged image.

Key Takeaways

What cannabis strains are trending fastest on the West Coast? From Canada to Mexico, the West Coast loves hybrid strains – as do many more of the northern and western states. Blue Dream, Pineapple Express, and Gorilla Glue #4 fascinate Washington, Oregon, and California respectively, and only two continental states bordering Canada – Idaho and Vermont – are most curious about something other than a hybrid.

What cannabis strains are becoming most popular in the Eastern United States? The Eastern half of the country is crazy about sativas. While these strains are trending fastest in only five states west of the Mississippi, that number is doubled for states east of the Mississippi. Sativa searches are especially concentrated in the South.

Are indicas becoming as popular as sativas? From the looks of it, no. Only four states are most interested in indicas – South Dakota, New Mexico, Connecticut and Vermont. No indica strain is trending fastest across the board, either; CBD Shark, Tangerine Kush, Zombie OG and Granddaddy Purple are all represented in one state apiece.

Is Blue Dream the most popular cannabis strain? Blue Dream is trending fastest in nine states – more than any other strain – but you might be surprised that the number isn’t higher. If we pulled a list of the current most popular strains in every state, Blue Dream would dominate much of the map. Yet while Blue Dream continues to trend, two more hybrid strains look to be gaining market share: Girl Scout Cookie is trending fastest in six states, with Gorilla Glue #4 on its heels with five states. As far as sativas go, Sour Diesel and Green Crack capture the most interest, in four states each.

What cannabis strains should dispensaries have in stock for 4/20? Take a look at the map above, and be sure to stock up on the most popular strain in your state for 4/20 and beyond!

A Look at Ohio House Proposal to Legalize Medical Marijuana

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Polling is now consistently showing that a strong majority of Ohioans favor the legalization of marijuana for medicinal purposes, inspiring a steady stream of ballot proposals that would lift the state’s current prohibition.

With that as a backdrop, the Republican-led Ohio House has offered a bill that legalizes medical marijuana and put it on a fast track. The goal is to get something into law by summer, before any November vote asking voters to amend a program into Ohio’s constitution. A look at the issue:

Legislative History

Former state lawmaker Bob Hagan, a Youngstown Democrat, introduced medical marijuana legislation each session starting around 2005. He continued the effort as both a state senator and state representative. One year, displaying his sense of humor, Hagan tacked on a “joint resolution” to his perennial offering. The bills never went anywhere. Hagan told reporters that some Republican colleagues in the GOP-controlled Legislature favored the idea but looked upon it as political suicide. That landscape has changed as 24 states have legalized medical marijuana and it’s become increasingly accepted by the public.

The New Bill

State Rep. Stephen Huffman, a doctor and Tipp City Republican, introduced a 66-page medical marijuana legalization bill April 14. It would allow doctors certified by the commission to recommend edibles, patches, plant material and oils. Home growing would be prohibited. The bill establishes a nine-member Medical Marijuana Control Commission to create rules for cultivating, distributing, dispensing and taxing cannabis and then to regulate the program. The legislation allows communities to opt out of hosting dispensaries and protects from liability employers who want to maintain drug-free workplaces. A select committee was starting work on the measure Tuesday. It wants to get the bill to the Senate by month’s end and to the governor’s desk before summer.

What Federal Law Says

Marijuana is still classified as a dangerous illegal narcotic under federal law. The Ohio legislation would urge the federal government to reduce that classification, which has also been the cry of other states. The legislation creates a safe haven for financial institutions that loan money to marijuana-related businesses, a provision that addresses complications experienced by other states as a result of the federal law.

Support

A broad coalition of business, labor, law enforcement, pro-medical marijuana and health organizations is getting behind the House measure. A legislative task force appointed by Republican Speaker Cliff Rosenberger heard nearly 24 hours of testimony that state Rep. Kirk Schuring, its chairman, said is incorporated into the House legislation. Backers of the bill believe changing Ohio law — as opposed to the state constitution — is a superior route to legalization because tweaks can more easily be made to the program as lessons are learned. Rules and regulations for the program would also be run through a public rule-making process over about a year’s time.

Opposition

The Medical Marijuana Project, a national organization campaigning for a constitutional amendment this fall that would legalize medical marijuana in Ohio, said it has no intention of dropping its effort and signing on to the House process. The group points out the long history of legalization bills that went nowhere. The organization said that it employs some of the nation’s top experts on marijuana law and that its Ohio proposal incorporates the best aspects of medicinal marijuana programs around the country. The Ohio State Medical Association, the state’s largest physician-led group, also opposes the bill. Its members favor marijuana-derived medicines that have been tested in clinical trials.

The Bill’s Chances

With the backing of Rosenberger, this bill will definitely clear his chamber. Its fate in the Senate is less clear. Senate President Keith Faber has reserved the right of his chamber to change — or outright reject — the legalization of medical marijuana. Republican Gov. John Kasich, who is running for president, has also been noncommittal thus far.

Batman in a Bow Tie: We Talk Cannabis Reform with Rep. Earl Blumenauer

Oregon Congressman Earl Blumenauer (D-Portland) has been a champion for drug policy reform since he was first elected to Portland City Council in 1986, moving up to gain a seat in the House of Representatives in 1996. Don’t be fooled by the charming bicycle pin and unassuming smile — when it comes to fighting for justice, Blumenauer is Batman in a bowtie.

Not only was he a huge proponent for removing hemp from the definition of cannabis in Oregon, removing the barriers to create an industrial hemp revolution, but he has also written repeatedly to the president, most recently to ask for a new appointee to take the place of Chuck Rosenberg as head of the D.E.A. after Rosenberg made troubling remarks.

Leafly caught up with Blumenauer as he prepared to embark on a tour of states with cannabis reform on the ballot this November. He’ll be speaking in California in early May in support of the Adult Use of Marijuana Act, and continuing on to Nevada, where he’ll speak in favor of that state’s legalization initiative, Question 2.

Leafly: What is your goal for supporting cannabis in the upcoming months?

Rep. Earl Blumenauer: My goal is to be in every state that’s in a battle to modernize its marijuana laws. I’m going to be looking at California, Nevada, Maine – which you may have noticed got back on the ballot, despite efforts to knock it off. This week I’m going to New York for the United Nations’ effort to modernize international drug laws.

My goal is to be a resource. I’ve been to any number of states, I’ve talked to editorial boards from the New York Times to the L.A. Times, and lots of publications large and small. I’ve even had a meeting on marijuana reform in Texas. I think those people were committing a felony just by meeting me in Texas. I say that only slightly in jest.

My goal is to speak out about the experience I’ve had. I was in the Oregon Legislature when we were the first state to decriminalize, in 1973. Just before that we had a proposal that would have legalized adult use in Oregon. We would have beaten Colorado and Washington by 30 years.

We had a debate at the Brookings Institution last night, which was kind of fun. They rolled out some of the trusty naysayers. It was a packed house. In the audience, believe it or not, was a person who was in the gallery of the Oregon House of Representatives when I was there speaking, arguing, arm-twisting back in 1973. He was there!

How has legalization changed Oregon?

We’re developing a model that we think can be used in any state. Legalization has already resulted in a significant amount of economic activity. We’re watching people who are extraordinarily excited about making this enterprise fully accessible and transparent. There are an amazing number of people in the industry that I’ve met who want Oregon to be the gold standard. They want to treat their employees fairly, they want to be good neighbors. It’s fun watching people on the ground floor trying to do it right.

We passed our measure over 18 months ago. No big rocks fell out of the sky, no cracks appeared in the earth. Most days, the sun continues to rise and set. People are accepting this as a reasonable way to treat a legitimate legal product.

Last week in Portland, I had three people — pillars of the community, baby boomers, extraordinarily successful and accomplished people — in three different conversations describe to me how they had used medical marijuana to deal with some physical challenges. Two had been in accidents, and one had a significant and painful operation. In normal conversation they nonchalantly mentioned that they went to facilities and got legal marijuana to deal with their ailments. And they told me how effective it was. Two or three years ago that wouldn’t have happened.

What do you find to be the most troubling aspect of the ongoing war on drugs?

Where do I start? What I find deeply troubling is the flawed premise of marijuana prohibition. It is absolutely unjustified, inequitable, and it falls most heavily on, as you know, young black men.

Some of the draconian punishments that have been handed out will be the shame of our government for decades to come.

I’m glad the president is using his power to grant clemency, taking care of some of the most egregious examples. But there are thousands more.

It’s so exciting, after all these years, to watch the pieces come together. But we still arrested or cited over 600,000 people last year. Fifty-eight percent of the public — maybe more depending on how you ask the question — don’t think marijuana should be illegal. Probably 75 percent of the public think that states ought to have their own marijuana policies. And yet, over 600,000 people were hassled by the law. They got a ticket. They got arrested. That disconnect is really jarring. It motivates me to do everything I can on a federal level to change things.

How likely do you think it is that Obama will deschedule cannabis on his way out of office?

President Obama is the first president to really tell the truth about marijuana. He said he smoked, he inhaled, it wasn’t as dangerous or addictive as other things that are legal. And that is a big deal to have the president of the United States be honest with the American public, unlike some of the officials in the drug bureaucracy.

Second, this administration could have struck down the state legal adult use — and they didn’t! They’re caught between a rock and a hard place. Theoretically it’s still illegal, and there’s lots of change going on. Public opinions are changing.

They issued the Cole Memo. And he started commuting some of these sentences, pardoning people. This is an important contribution. But I would not be surprised if, as part of his legacy, he did something else.

It might be something as dramatic as descheduling, as I hope it is, but I suspect we haven’t seen the last of what the administration does.

I am convinced that the next president of the United States, which I think will be Hillary Clinton or Bernie Sanders, will continue to build on the Obama legacy. They’ll strengthen it. And I find that exciting. I’m convinced the war on drugs will all be over in five years, and probably sooner, if we do our part. It’s not guaranteed. There are forces out there opposing it. But I tell you, the next two or three years, they are going to be phenomenal.

Now is it true that you’ve never used cannabis?

Nope. Not yet.

Do you have any desire or interest in trying it?

Well, I will tell you unequivocally that if I or a member of my family had a condition — taking chemotherapy, chronic pain, some of the neurological disorders, PTSD — I wouldn’t hesitate for a moment to use medical marijuana, if I had one of the conditions that cannabis is effective in remedying.

By itself, however, I have nothing against adults who choose to use it, but I have felt that as long as I am kind of the point person, that it is important that it not be confused with thinking that I’m doing this because I use it. I think it strengthens the case that I make to be able to honestly say I’ve never tried it, I don’t use it, I don’t think there’s anything wrong with it, and I’m working to make it legal.

But I truly think it is in the same genre as people who decide they’re going to have a craft cider, a fine Oregon Pinot. This is something a responsible adult ought to be able to decide for themselves, and we shouldn’t criminalize the behavior of people who do. I want to be as effective as I can in this, and I think this makes me more effective.

Tell me about your 4/20 fundraiser.

We’re going to be having some fun with it. At 4:20 a.m. and at 4:20 p.m. on 4/20, we are going to invite people to help be a part of the effort getting the resources so my staff and I can take this show from coast to coast to help with campaigns and make sure we’re successful getting it across the finish line. I’m trying to be that other voice to party delegates, to the media and trying to push the administration from top to bottom. I want to lay the foundation for 2019, when we’ve got a chance to have all of this come to a head because the United States ought to be exerting leadership for reform.

Part of the challenge here is to figure out how to be most helpful, because, well, you know, I do have a day job. I’m working on lots of issues that are important, and then I’ve got the commute across the country every week. There are people who need help with veterans’ benefits, and some of my crazy Republican friends in Congress have some things that we have to kind of push back on. There are some fascinating things in terms of health care reform, and food and agricultural policy reform, and nuclear weapons, so we’ve got other things. But this, this can be all-consuming.

On a personal note, I adore your bicycle pin.

The bicycle pin, I will tell you, is another one of these things — it makes people feel good. It’s simple common sense. We need to do more of that in politics. We can do it with cannabis reform, we can do it with bicycles. We don’t have to make it as hard as it is.

Image Source: Cecilia Snyder via Flickr Creative Commons

Catalina Island Medical Marijuana Campaign Meets Required Signature Goal

In less than 180 days, the Catalina Island Cannabis Campaign has collected more than the number of signatures required to place the initiative on November’s General Election ballot according to Jason Aula who says verification can be obtained by contacting the Avalon City Clerk. However, the Campaign is concerned that members of city council may

4/20 is Changing: How to Keep Up With Your Clientele

For generations now, April 20 has been known as an unofficial “stoner” holiday — a day of indulgence, extravagance, and excess. Local news stations were likely to cover the celebration with shots of of tie-die–clad revelers or college campuses cloudy with cannabis smoke. But as marijuana becomes more mainstream, 4/20 is evolving. It’s not just for stoners anymore.

“What’s happening right now is we’re welcoming all these people to the cannabis community who’ve been afraid,” said Jessa Lewis, the marketing and brand director for Washington-based Nectar Craft. Older Americans are returning to cannabis after decades away, more and more women identify as consumers, and adults who never thought they’d try “dope” are increasingly canna-curious.

A decade ago it was hard for media to mention cannabis without making a Cheetos joke. Now publications hail 2016 as the “year of the upscale cannabis consumer.” The times are changing — and fast.

What does that mean for 4/20? Dispensaries and retail shops risk alienating some of the newest members to the cannabis community when they fall back on tired stereotypes, Lewis said. Garish graphics and hyper-potent products (not to mention blowtorches) no doubt appeal to a subset of customers, but they can be intimidating to casual consumers.

Contact Leafly to Learn About Our Marketing Packages

That doesn’t mean business owners should scrap their 4/20 deals on dab rigs — experienced consumers are certainly looking to celebrate — but this year more than any, there’s a lot to gain by being welcoming. Seasoned consumers may want deals on dabs, but newcomers might get more from education; think in-store classes on how to roll a joint or clean a bong. And don’t forget to warn rookies to start low and go slow when it comes to edibles.

Concentrates might be the hot thing with committed consumers, but dispensaries should also consider products that resonate with newer clientele, such as pre-rolls, vape pens, or edibles. Leafly also recently published a list of strains that resonate particularly well with women — a growing group of cannabis consumers.

While 4/20 used to unite a marginalized group — those daring enough to admit to using cannabis — these days it’s a big-tent affair. Some in the industry, Lewis said, have even thought about reframing the holiday as something broader, such as “Legalization Day.”

“Ask yourself a question: What kind of store do you want to be, and what kind of clientele do you want to serve?” she said. While she’s not advocating a break from the 4/20 tradition, she encouraged business owners to approach the holiday the same way the industry has changed its strategy on cannabis itself: “Package it so everyone can enjoy it.”

US NY: Caution In Pot Adoption Urged At Summit

Globe and Mail, 18 Apr 2016 – Managing Social Norms Is As Important As Rewriting the Rules of Cannabis Consumption in Canada, Conference Hears As the Trudeau government prepares to draw up legislation that would legalize marijuana for recreational use, leading policy experts in the United States have some pointed advice for Canada: Rules are important, but cultivating unwritten social standards around how people use the drug are just as crucial.

What Does UNGASS 2016 Mean for Cannabis Investors?

The United Nations General Assembly is set to hold a special session on the world drug problem in Manhattan this week, and those in the cannabis space are watching closely to see whether the meeting could bring any changes in global drug rules.

For decades, international drug policies have focused on the prohibition and criminalization of drug use, an approach that has lead to violence, corruption and mass incarceration. Writing for the Weed Blog, Phillip Smith points out that drug related violence has left at least 100,000 dead in Mexico alone over the past decade. Tens of thousands more have”disappeared.”

Governments, specifically those of Latin American countries, are calling for more evidence-based drug policies, and as Open Society Foundations explains, UNGASS 2016 may be the first time that an international debate on drugs does more than simply reinforce the status quo.

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Slow to change

But while the conversation may be open, many are skeptical that the meeting will produce real change. Currently, there are three treaties that effectively enforce global drug prohibition and the UN’s 1998 vision for a “drug free world.” They are:

• The 1972 Protocol amending the Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs (Single Convention of 1961)
• The 1971 Convention on Psychotropic Substances (CPS)
• The 1988 Convention against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic and Psychotropic Substances

None of these treaties are up for discussion in this week’s meeting. As OpenCanada.org notes, in the outcome document that’s being recommended for adoption at the UNGASS “[t]he preamble ‘reaffirms’ and ‘underlines’ the three drug control conventions.”

Still, countries such as the United States have already made moves to legalize cannabis within their own borders, arguing that their changes in policy are still within the bounds of the treaty. Meanwhile, Justin Trudeau has said that Canada will look to legalize cannabis at the federal level, treaties or not.

“This is significant, as any possibilities for reforming the international drug control treaties can only come to bear once countries decide that the treaties are no longer fit for purpose – and that starts with acknowledging that cannabis legalization isn’t permitted,” states OpenCanada.

What does it mean for investors?

Speaking to the Investing News Network, Alan Brochstein of 420 Investor stated that a change to the treaties could mean big changes for the cannabis space.

Why? “Because you could have a global change in how nations view cannabis,” he said. Brochstein that the treaties mentioned above are outdated, and that many nations moving towards evidence-based policies don’t believe in them anymore.

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To be sure, Mexican Senator Laura Angelica Rojas Hernández would agree with that statement.

“There is a lack of recognition of the relative efficacy of demand reduction and harm reduction policies and the absence of an acknowledgement of the high costs that the prohibitionist and punitive approaches have generated,” she was quoted as saying by the Weed Blog. “The international community should continue to work toward the establishment of indicators that could help measure the impact of drug policies on people’s lives and their rights.”

And of course, changes to the treaties could also have an impact for businesses starting to establish themselves in the legal cannabis market. “There’s a really good chance that Canada, Israel, Jamaica, South America [could] be able to export to each other,” should a policy change come through, Brochstein stated. “This could really be an opportunity for countries that are on the verge, of or that have, national programs.”

Certainly, cannabis investors will want to keep an eye on the outcome of the UNGASS, and on any future developments with regards to the treaties mentioned above.

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

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

The post What Does UNGASS 2016 Mean for Cannabis Investors? appeared first on Investing News Network.

4/20: The Definitive History of Cannabis’s Biggest Day of the Year

This article is sponsored by Smoke Cartel, an online retailer and head shop made up of a close-knit team of glass lovers dedicated to making sure you get the best possible smoking gear.

For many cannabis enthusiasts, April 20th, or 4/20, is a special time of the year to celebrate the cannabis plant, fight for a change in drug policy, hit up a canna-themed concert or event, or simply kick back and relax with friends. For those who are new to cannabis and unaccustomed with this unofficial holiday, however, you’re likely curious about the significance of 420. Where does it come from? What does it mean? Why do we celebrate? How do we celebrate?

You may have heard the term used in many different ways, but whether it connotes a time of day, a day of the year, or an entire lifestyle for you, 420 is what binds the cannabis community together. Though it originally spread as an internal cuckoo clock for a single group of smokers, the term now refers to the ongoing fight for nationwide legalization and the spread of accessible information within both the medical and recreational communities. If you’re passing the pipe or rallying for your freedom, “420” is all you’ve got to say to let people know that you know what’s up. In the name of honoring the past and celebrating the present, here’s a crash course in all things 420 – the myths, the legacy, and the glorious revelry.

Where Did “420” Come From?

The origin story of 420 has been obscured by various rumors. Some say that it comes from the number of chemical compounds in cannabis; others suggest that it matches up with a mythical 4:20pm tea time in Holland; still others have stated that it coincides Bob Marley’s birthdate, or the death dates of Kurt Cobain, Janis Joplin, or Jimi Hendrix. It has also been explained as a police code for cannabis use. All of these are fictitious.

The truth is that 420 originated in the fall of 1971 at San Rafael High School, 30 minutes north of San Francisco. A group of students nicknamed “the Waldos” (so-called for their wall-centric hangout spot outside of the school) caught wind that a U.S. Coast Guardsman stationed at the nearby Point Reyes Lighthouse had abandoned a cannabis patch somewhere in the forest on the Point Reyes Peninsula after becoming nervous that it could be found by his commanding officer, jeopardizing his career. Not wanting the cannabis to go to waste, Newman drew a map for his brother-in-law Bill McNulty, who passed it along to his friends, the Waldos.

All five Waldos were athletes, so they planned to meet at their school’s Louis Pasteur statue after their team practices were over, at – you guessed it – 4:20pm. They would then smoke copiously before venturing into the forest armed with the treasure map, searching for the lost grow.

The search continued for weeks. Every day they planned to meet, the Waldos would remind each other in the hallways between classes: “4:20 Louie,” a phrase that was eventually shortened to “4:20.” Lamentably, the grow was never found. However, the Waldos continued to use their new code phrase to signal that it was time to smoke, and eventually to refer to anything cannabis-related.

“The Waldos” in 2015

This all came around the time that The Grateful Dead relocated from San Francisco to San Rafael. One Waldo’s older brother, who managed two Grateful Dead sidebands, was close friends and smoking buddies with bassist Phil Lesh, giving the Waldos access to Grateful Dead shows, rehearsals and parties. One of the Waldos, “Waldo Dave” Reddix, even tagged along with the Dead as a roadie during a summer tour.

From here, the phrase spread through the Grateful Dead community and across the nation. High Times caught wind of the phrase and began using it liberally in the early 90s. Over the years, it has established itself as an irrefutable cultural phenomenon, working its way into everything from social media handles to tattoos. And even in 2016, the legend continues to evolve; in February, the Waldos tracked down Gary Newman, the Coast Guardsman whose cannabis patch catalyzed 420, and explained how he had played a role in cannabis history.

The Grateful Dead in 1970

The Waldos keep their old batik 420 flag and memorabilia locked away in a bank vault in San Francisco. While all five lead successful professional lives, they still keep in touch with each other, and continue to document their story at 420waldos.com. They are proud of their contribution to the cannabis community, and pleased that 4/20 is celebrated annually by so many around the world. “[The best part is] that on 4/20 people peacefully take a stand against the drug war and discuss tactics for abolishing prohibition,” says “Waldo Steve” Capper on behalf of all of the Waldos, “[and] that people celebrate the consumption of cannabis and spend time with friends being happy.”

How and Where is 4/20 Celebrated?

In the decades since its inception, 420 has been widely embraced as a de facto holiday for those who partake of the plant. You can attend a legalization rally, hit up a local or regional event, check out a canna-themed concert, take a trip with your friends, or simply enjoy a Netflix marathon with your favorite cannabis strain in the privacy and comfort of your own home. No matter where you are, there’s almost certainly something 420-inspired going on: check out the Leafly Events Calendar to find out what’s up in your area.

If you join in the party (and you certainly should), make sure that you do so responsibly. Regardless of cannabis legality in your location, public consumption can still lead to a fine, so be smart about how you celebrate. Moderation is key – whether you’re smoking, vaping, dabbing, or savoring edibles, you don’t need to impress anyone by blazing through enough to take down George Clinton and his entire Parliament-Funkadelic. Remember to hydrate throughout the day. Chew on some black peppercorns if you overdo it. And never, ever drive under the influence of cannabis.

Quiz: How Much Cannabis Do You Consume in a Year?

4/20 almost certainly represents cannabis consumption’s yearly high point, but have you ever wondered how much you consume over the course of a full year? Take this fun and easy quiz to figure it out!

Image Sources: Sara Dilley, Gabrielle Lurie via SF Evergreen, and Wikimedia Commons

Colorado Report: More Adults Using Cannabis, but Not Kids

DENVER (AP) — Colorado kids are not smoking more cannabis since the drug became legal — but their older siblings and parents certainly are, according to a long-awaited report giving the most comprehensive data yet on the effects of the state’s 2012 recreational marijuana law.

The state released a report Monday detailing changes in everything from cannabis arrests to tax collections to calls to Poison Control. Surveys given to middle-schoolers and high-schoolers indicate that youth marijuana use didn’t rise significantly in the years after the 2012 vote.

Anonymous surveys given to about 40,000 Colorado students before and after legalization showed “no significant change” in marijuana use by children under 18 in the preceding 30 days.

Among high school students, use went from about 23 percent in 2005 to about 20 percent in 2014. Similarly, there was no significant change in use by kids younger than 13 in recent years.

But Colorado youth were much more likely than kids in other states to use marijuana, both before and after legalization, according to a national survey.

About 13 percent of Colorado minors 12-17 in 2014 had used marijuana in the last 30 days, the annual National Survey on Drug Use and Health said. That compared with about 7 percent of minors the same ages nationwide.

Youth marijuana arrests in Colorado rose 5 percent between 2012 and 2014, from 3,235 to 3,400. Even worse, the report cited a huge uptick in cannabis arrests in schools, which rose by 34 percent between 2012 and 2014.

While use of the drug did not increase significantly among children, it did jump among adults.

Relying on data from the national drug use survey, Colorado reported that nearly a third of Coloradans 18 to 25 in 2014 had used cannabis in the last 30 days, a rise of about 5 percent from the year before recreational use was legalized.

The survey showed a similar spike in adults over 26. Past 30-day marijuana use went from 7.6 percent in 2012 to 12.4 percent in 2014.

The report comes three years after lawmakers ordered the state Department of Public Safety to start tracking law enforcement activity related to cannabis. A major argument of pro-legalization activists was that regulated markets would result in fewer arrests, allowing police to focus on what some consider more serious crimes.

The numbers showed a marked drop in arrests, but that legalization has not solved the racial disparities in enforcement that drug-policy reformers had hoped to end. Colorado police departments have struggled to standardize their marijuana data-collection systems, making more granular conclusions problematic.

Other highlights from the report:

— Traffic safety data related to legalization was limited, mostly because Colorado didn’t collect data on marijuana-impaired driving before 2012. The number of Colorado State Patrol summons issued for driving under the influence of marijuana dropped slightly from 674 in 2014 to 655 in 2015. Traffic fatalities in which a driver tested positive for marijuana’s psychoactive chemical, THC, increased 44 percent in the first two years of legalization.

— The report said there was “no discernible trend” in illegal cultivation on public land, which includes most of Colorado’s ski resorts.

— More Coloradans are calling Poison Control reporting marijuana-related exposure. Cannabis calls went from 44 in 2006 to 227 in 2015.

The Shake: Marijuana Micro-Memoirs, and Are Cannabis-Leaf Logos Over?

Cannabis makes people better, and makes better people. “Marijuana made me a better (insert demographic here)” stories are busting out all over. On Sunday the New York Times ran Tom Huth’s piece, “How Getting High Made Me a Better Caregiver,” which followed on the heels of Jessie Gill’s piece for Redbook, “Using Medical Marijuana Makes Me a Better Mother.” Good on ‘em for coming out of the closet. We have a feeling you’ll be reading a lot more of these micro-memoirs in the coming months, and it’s only appropriate to give a tip o’ the cap to Neal Pollack, who pioneered the genre in his book Alternadad way back in 2007.

Snow miser puts kibosh on Denver’s 420 plans. The early spring snowstorm that canceled more than 850 flights into and out of D.I.A. on Saturday also wiped out the big 420 rally — partly because of snow at the rally site, but also because the flights carrying Wiz Khalifa and Lil Wayne never made it to the airport. The event was free, but some “premiere viewing access” tickets were sold for $50 to $150, and some of those folks weren’t too happy. Organizers waited until 9:18 a.m. to cancel the 10 a.m. event, which meant a lot of people who hadn’t paid for premium access were angry too, because they made the hard drive through the storm only to find an empty Civic Center Park upon their arrival. It’s been a tough 420 for Denver this year, what with the early loss of the Cannabis Cup. The Civic Center celebration was expected to make up for the Cup’s absence, but mother nature had other plans. Sorry everybody.

Enough with the green leaves! says logo design guy. James Bowie, a Northern Arizona University sociologist who examines trends in logo design, calls out the cannabis industry for an overreliance on the famous toothed leaf. “The use of cannabis leaves in marijuana logos has reached a particularly heightened level of cliché,” he writes for Slate. “Because legal pot is still a novelty, the leaf itself is enough to attract business. But as marijuana becomes legally available on a more widespread basis, its branding is going to have to move beyond the generic leaf to incorporate more distinctive visual elements.”

Denver considers new restrictions on industry. The Denver City Council will hear a revised proposal to cap the number of retail cannabis shops and grow houses this week. Council member Robin Kniech’s earlier proposal resulted in a 6–6 deadlock; now she’s bringing it back, reworked, for consideration early this week. The Council is concerned about the concentration of grow houses in industrial pockets near low-income and high-diversity neighborhoods. Read more in Jon Murray’s Denver Post report.

QUICK HITS:

• In Maine, longtime cannabis advocate Donny Christen carried out his annual Patriot’s Day smoke-in on the steps of the Somerset County courthouse earlier today. This year marked the 25th anniversary of the Skowhegan tradition, which Christen started with glaucoma patient Carol Hurley back in 1991.
• Italy’s top prosecutor backs cannabis decriminalization to fight ISIS and the mafia. “Decriminalization or even legalization would definitely be a weapon against traffickers, among whom there could be terrorists who make money off of it,” said Franco Roberti.
• Conservative economist argues for MMJ regs in Michigan. Gary Wolfram, an economist with Hillsdale College, pens an op-ed in the Detroit News calling for “a strong regulatory framework” that promotes safety and a stable business climate. Maybe that’ll slow the dispensary raids and asset forfeiture in Michigan, too.
• Canadians claim to make cannabinoids with yeast. Yep. Yeast. Not sure whether this is a game-changer or the cannabis version of cold fusion. Late last year German biochemists claimed to have genetically engineered yeast to produce THC, and at least two Canadian firms are brewing their own yeast-produced cannabinoids. Read and decide for yourself at the CBC.
• And finally, no, Canada isn’t legalizing cannabis on 4/20, despite what some hoaxy websites might claim. There is some interesting movement within Conservative Party circles though, as former prohibitionists suggest they may be leaning toward supporting Prime Minister Trudeau’s motion to legalize for recreational use.