Category: All Medical Marijuana News

High NY: Medical Panel And Angel Investment In Cannabis Tonight

If you are in the area, you should check out the High NY event tonight. I have heard nothing but good things about this organization, see below: Join New York’s largest Cannabis Community,High NY, as we feature 2 dynamic educational programs: Angel Investment Overview + Q&A featuringAlain Bankier: Partner in New York Angels, one of

Supreme Court Rejects Appeal Over Stiff Cannabis Sentence

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court on Monday turned away an appeal from a 76-year-old Alabama man who was sentenced to life in prison without parole for possessing less than three pounds of marijuana that he said he grew for personal use.

Lawyers for Lee Carroll Brooker argued that the stiff sentence under the state’s habitual offender law violates the Constitution’s ban on cruel and unusual punishment.

But the justices let stand a ruling from the Alabama Supreme Court upholding the sentence. Alabama Chief Justice Roy Moore had written separately in the opinion last year to call the sentence “excessive and unjustified.” He said the stiff sentence for a non-violent drug offense showed “grave flaws” in Alabama’s sentencing system and urged lawmakers to revisit the system.

The office of Alabama Attorney General Luther Strange defended the sentence, saying in a brief to the court that it was not based solely on Brooker’s cannabis conviction but also on his history of prior felony convictions, including armed robberies and drug smuggling.

The case attracted attention from sentencing reform advocates who called it an extreme example of the flaws of mandatory sentencing. The group Families Against Mandatory Minimums said in a brief supporting Brooker that mandatory minimum sentences can punish low-level misconduct with the severest penalties regardless of what a judge considers appropriate.

Brooker is a disabled veteran who claims he was growing cannabis to help him manage serious medical problems. Police discovered the growing operation in 2011 while searching for stolen property at a house Brooker shared with his son in southeastern Alabama. They seized 37 plants growing behind his house, but found no evidence he was selling drugs.

A jury found Brooker guilty of trafficking under a state law that designates possession of more than 2.2 pounds of the drug as a felony. Violation is subject to mandatory life imprisonment without parole for someone with prior felony convictions.

At his sentencing hearing, the trial judge told Brooker he would have sentenced him to less time, but said his hands were tied because the law gives judges no discretion.

Strange argued in his brief to the high court that the case was not about the wisdom of Alabama’s laws prohibiting marijuana.

“This case is about a lifelong criminal, convicted of six felonies in three states, the last of which resulted in a mandatory life sentence under Alabama’s habitual felony offender statute,” Strange said.

Mettrum Progresses in Canadian Cannabis Market with Differentiated Strategy

A recent article in New Cannabis Ventures featured an interview with Mettrum Health Corp. (TSXV:MT) CEO, Michael Haines.

As quoted in the interview:

Haines has a background in marketing and communications, focused on video games and video game distribution.  He started Mettrum with six founders that brought different skills to the organization.  The most recent hire is George Scorsis, who joined as President in September and was formerly the President of Red Bull Canada. He is charged with the transition from a controlled substance strategy to a packaged goods strategy. Peter Kampian, the CFO, was formerly CFO of Algonquin Power (TSX:AQN).  Trevor Fencott, Chief Legal Officer, runs regulatory affairs and has worked with Haines previously.  Grant Koehler, EVP Sales & Marketing, previously worked at Valeant (NYSE:VRX) and oversaw sales of Cesamet, a synthetic THC pharmaceutical. Luke Escott is the Master Grower and has been growing cannabis in Canada since 2001. He discussed the qualifications of the directors as well.

Mettrum has three licensed facilities, including two in Bowmanville and one in Creemore. The original Bowmanville facility was small, with the Creemore facility about six times larger.  The new Bowmanville facility is twice as big as Creemore. The fully built out capacity would be 12mm grams per year, but the company has enough land to be able to sell 25-30mm grams with additional buildings. Today, the company is licensed for 3.5mm grams, which could supply 13,000 patients and up to $30mm in revenue, and is built for production of up to 6mm grams.

Haines discussed its electronic medical record (EMR) system that allows doctors to monitor patient consumption practices.  Doctors can impose limits on potency and can monitor in real-time.  The company just announced an observational study on how cannabis is being prescribed as well as its effectiveness in treating symptoms.

Mettrum has been enjoying a premium price relative to its peers, something that Haines believes, perhaps counter-intuitively, is due to patients being responsible financially for their own purchases.  He believes that consistency, availability and variety lead to customer retention.  The average spending per gram has increased to over $8 per gram over the past year despite no price hikes, as patients are opting for the more premium products.  $9.60 per gram is the highest-priced product.

Mettrum has seen rapid uptake initially with its cannabis oils.  The company, unlike peers, is using flower and not trim. It offers 3 different oils at this time (Red, Blue and Yellow). Over time, the company will offer products from trim under a different brand.  The cannabinoid output from flower is greater than that from trim, according to Haines, so he is using two Waters supercritical CO2 machines to create oil as rapidly as possible.

The post Mettrum Progresses in Canadian Cannabis Market with Differentiated Strategy appeared first on Investing News Network.

Celebration Sunday in Pennsylvania: With Stroke of a Pen, Governor Creates 24th MMJ State

HARRISBURG — You can usually measure how much a governor cares about a bill they’re set to ratify by the size of the signing ceremony. For Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf, putting his signature on his state’s recently-passed medical marijuana bill was a big deal. You could tell by the overflow crowd and the tenor of the ceremony just how much this meant to a lot of people, including the governor.

That’s been a theme all week. Just hours after the Pennsylvania medical cannabis bill passed the General Assembly on Wednesday, the governor’s communications team put out a “what you need to know about medical marijuana in Pennsylvania” explainer to address FAQs about the program.

By comparison, neighboring New Jersey didn’t release details about its medical cannabis program until several years after the bill was signed into law. That’s the difference between New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie — “not a fan” of medical marijuana — and Wolf, who campaigned for election on marijuana reform.

Shortly before Wolf signed the bill, Leafly caught up with some of the principal figures behind the historic event. Sen. Daylin Leach first introduced a medical cannabis bill in Harrisburg back in 2009. For years, he fought a hostile Republican majority in the Pennsylvania House.

“I’m still a bit numb. It hasn’t fully set in,” Leach told Leafly a few minutes before Wolf signed the bill into law. “But when I push my mind to think about individuals who will be helped, I’ve got to admit it feels pretty good.”

Leach took a lot of flack from activists in the state (myself included) for Pennsylvania’s overly restrictive program. He’s under no illusion that yesterday marked the endgame.

“Incremental progress is not a bad thing,” he said, “because politics, as has often been said, is the art of the possible.”

Lolly Bentch Myers, an activist whose daughter suffers from severe seizures, was also upbeat at the ceremony. “I am feeling really excited, but also slightly overwhelmed,” she told Leafly. “It’s been a whirlwind of emotions and activity since the vote. I’m glad to be in the moment and enjoy the victory.”

With the new law, drug reform activists feel they won a battle but not the war. Much work remains.

“We’re not going away,” Bentch Myers said.

Leafly spoke with the bill’s chief sponsor, Republican Sen. Mike Folmer seconds before the governor appeared.

“Without a Republican co-sponsor, and without the Senate GOP leadership, this bill would never have seen the light of day,” he said.

Despite Folmer’s leadership, the roadblocks to yesterday’s victory all came from Folmer’s Republican party, including House leadership and the former governor. And that’s too bad, some present for the ceremony said.

“Republicans suffer too,” said Julie Michael, a conservative Republican whose young daughter suffers from severe seizures.

An ovation broke out when the governor arrived. He took a moment to soak in a sustained round of applause from the crowd.

“Today we are healers,” Wolf said before signing the bill. “And we walk out of this building into a whole new world. Here’s to our future together!”

With the stoke of a pen it was done.

“The hardest thing is to be patient and learn,” Republican Rep. Mike Vereb, a former law enforcement officer, told the crowd. “My only observation about marijuana all along was that it was a narcotic. But you can transition if you’re willing to listen to facts. This was one of the hardest transitions of policy of my career,” he said.

“Now let’s turn our attention to the real killer: opiate addiction!”

Hearing an ex-cop evolve and connect the dots in such a public way brought the day to an emotional conclusion. And then cupcakes appeared to nourish the convivial crowd.

Amid the selfies and the hugs and the happy tears was a feeling of resolve that, despise the day’s progress, much work remains on the long road to ending cannabis prohibition.

If You Love Cannabis And Food Then You Will Love Jeff The 420 Chef

This last Friday I traveled to Oakland to attend a private gathering to celebrate the successful launch of Steve DeAngelo’s book,The Cannabis Manifesto: A New Paradigm for Wellness. There were a lot of cannabis community members at the private gathering, including some people that I had wanted to meet for a long time. I don’t

Talking About Cannabis With Our Kids Is The First Step Towards A More Healthy And Balanced Community

By Jim McAlpine When pondering what to write about regarding cannabis, I realized it was time to bring up the awkward issue of parenting and marijuana. Are you squirming in your seat yet? Thought so. That’s exactly why I’m speaking up. It’s a timely topic in our current climate, and one that many understandably want

What It Was Like Attending My First NCIA Quarterly Cannabis Caucus

The cannabis industry is directly tied to cannabis politics. Anyone who thinks otherwise isn’t in the industry. Local politics, state politics, and national politics decide the parameters in which the cannabis industry is allowed to operate. Those parametersare constantly changing, and at a pace that is often difficult to keep up with. That’s one of

The Best Things to Do in Arizona for 4/20

Celebrate 4/20 in Arizona with Leafly! Join our team at nine dispensaries throughout the greater Phoenix area and enjoy killer deals, specials, and giveaways at some of Arizona’s finest cannabis establishments.

Check our schedule to see when you should pop in to the following locations:

10:00 am – 2:00 pm: Herbal Wellness Center – Chandler

12:00 pm – 1:00 pm: Arizona Cannabis Society

12:00 pm – 1:30 pm: tru|med

1:30 pm – 3:00 pm: The Holistic Center

2:00 pm – 3:30 pm: Urban Greenhouse

2:00 pm – 3:30 pm: PARC Dispensary

3:00 pm – 4:00 pm: Emerald Palace

3:30 pm – 5:00 pm: Monarch

4:00 pm – 5:00 pm: Harvest of Tempe

4:00 pm – 8:00 pm: Herbal Wellness Center – Phoenix

Happy 4/20!

Prominent Doctors To Launch Marijuana Legalization Organization On Monday

Some of the country’s most prominent physicians have teamed up to launch the nation’s first organization of doctors formed to advocate for the legalization and regulation of cannabis for adult use. Doctors for Cannabis Regulation will hold a teleconference Monday at 2 p.m. ET to discuss the organization’s plans and answer questions from the media.

Quiz: Find the Perfect Vaporizer for Your 4/20 Plans

4/20 is the biggest, best cannabis holiday of the year ­– a chance for cannabis enthusiasts of all stripes to come out and celebrate the plant we all love. You may be invited to a huge blowout, or throwing a party of your own; you might hit up a local event (check out the Leafly Events Calendar to see what’s happening in your area); you might be camping or simply kicking back with a crew of close friends; or you might just choose to spend the day relaxing on your own with your favorite strain. Wherever you’ll be and whoever you’ll be with, there’s an ideal vape to have by your side as you celebrate. Take our quiz to find the perfect vaporizer for your 4/20 plans!

Image Sources: Sara Dilley, Desi Mendoza and Andrew Pons via Unsplash

Cannabis and Coconut Oil: Uses, Benefits, and a Recipe to Make Your Own

What do a medicated sipping cocoa, a THC-infused sensual oil-based spray, and a line of body care products all have in common? Besides being among the most sought after products in the cannabis market today, all of these innovations incorporate the same basic ingredient: coconut oil.

Why is Coconut Oil Popular for Cannabis Infusion?

Coconut oil has managed to infuse its way into some of our industry’s most sought-after products, including edibles and topicals, but why? The reason can be attributed to a few important factors. First, coconut oil has among the highest concentration of fatty acids (saturated fats). The surplus of these fatty acids in the coconut oil create a stronger binding agent for cannabinoids. Compared to olive oil, which contains a saturated fat content of less than 20%, coconut oil contains over 80% saturated fats and thus has the ability to retain far more cannabinoids during extractions, rendering far more medicinally efficient products in return. Coconut oil, therefore, is a near perfect medium for cannabis.

Coconut oil also contains other sets of beneficial acids that have been known to have a list of potential health benefits. Lauric acid is a great example — when digested, lauric acid creates a monoglyceride that acts as an antimicrobial. These fatty acids are found in abundance in coconut oil, making it a top contender for those looking for a healthier oil base than butter or canola oil.

Another fantastic benefit of using coconut oil is that when you use it to extract cannabinoids, your end product will remain solid at room temperature. The versatility of a cannabis-infused product that remains solid at room temperature is paramount when considering its use as a topical agent. Furthermore, its solid state allows the oil to be easily stored via gelatin capsules, a widely popular and highly effective method of distributing cannabinoids. Gelatin oil capsules are so simple and easy to make at home that the ingredients can be purchased from just about any pharmacy or online, making the process of infusing capsules at home a relatively simple DIY project.

How to Make Cannabis-Infused Coconut Oil

Ease of use may be one of the most under-appreciated benefits of coconut oil in making infused products. Aside from the fact that you can purchase coconut oil relatively inexpensively from just about anywhere, the process of decarboxylating and infusing cannabis into coconut oil requires only a few simple ingredients and can be done at home with minimal effort. Check our our very own recipe for infusing coconut oil. The end product is tasty, versatile, and, if stored properly, can last a very long time without degrading.

Expect to see coconut oil remain a staple in future cannabis infusions across the market. As major brands continue to innovate, coconut oil should thrive on the ingredient lists of more products to come. If, however, you don’t have access to a dispensary near you or want to try a fun DIY with your own material, you can always make your own at home. Trust us, you’ll go coconuts for this stuff!

Comedian Chris D'Elia Explains Why a Stoned Audience is Better for Standup

Standup comedy, paradoxically, is no joke. It takes some hefty cojones to appear before a crowd of rowdy adults and pepper them with jokes for a few minutes, let alone the hour-plus-long sets that seasoned comedians bust out. Throw alcohol into the mix and the scenario sounds like most people’s worst nightmare.

Chris D’Elia is not like most people. The 36-year old comedian has done standup for the past 10 years, so he’s used to the pressure that comes with performing in front of hundreds of people daring him to make them laugh. With numerous comedy specials under his belt, a starring role on the NBC sitcom Undateable, and multiple movie projects in the works, D’Elia seems unstoppable.

So why the hell is he dropping everything to headline Leafly’s Comedy Tour in Chicago on April 20th, especially when *surprise* his relationship with cannabis is nonexistent? I caught up with D’Elia to talk standup, music, and the perfect manscaping hair care regimen.

Leafly: You’re performing standup on 4/20, the most sacred stoner holiday, for a cannabis-loving crowd. How proud are your parents of you right now?

Chris D’Elia: [chuckling] Well…I don’t know. It’s kind of…some people know this about me, but I’ve literally never smoked weed. So…that’s very weird that I’m doing this show, but I don’t care, you know? An audience is an audience. And it’ll be fun! And [it’s with] my buddy Ron Funches, too. But my parents, they are proud. I think they just think it’s funny that I’m doing a weed show.

So you don’t actually have a relationship with cannabis?

I don’t! I have no relationship with cannabis!

That’s…kind of surprising considering your career in standup comedy.

Yeah. Standup is pretty — sometimes it goes hand-in-hand with smoking pot. And [laughing] everyone always thinks I’m a stoner because I look the way I do but…yeah, it’s just not me. So weird.

Speaking of your looks, I’m not even joking, your hair is a big hit with the ladies at the Leafly office.

What, is that right?

Yeah! I kind of think it’s a cross between Fabio and Tommy Wiseau, if that makes sense.

Alright. Okay.

How do you keep that windblown look going?

Well, I wash it probably twice a week. So, there’s that. I don’t think about it, man. I’m just kind of lucky, I just let it do what it does. And then, you know, if it gets too long I cut it. But that’s it.

Would you rather have a stoned audience or a drunk audience?

Yeahhhhhh, I’d rather have a stoned audience than a drunk audience. Drunk people scream out. Stoned people kind of just chill. And laugh. And laugh extra hard.

Some people utilize cannabis to spark their creative efforts. I’m curious to learn how you find inspiration for your stand up material.

I usually get stuff from hanging out with my friends. Just bullshitting after shows at the diner. You know, I’ll have a meal and we’re just eating and laughing and making fun of each other. And I’ll usually bring that to the stage.

Speaking of your material, you seem to reference music a lot in your act, and obviously you have your rap persona. What are you listening to nowadays?

I listen to a lot of hip hop. I listen to Pusha T. I like Tech N9ne.

Chris D’Elia makes fun of Drake

Tell me about Undateable, your NBC sitcom. Why should people watch it?

It’s live, it’s wild. The cool thing about is that anything can happen. We go off and we mess around and ad-lib a lot. We’ll spend all week rehearsing the script, and then when it comes time to shoot, we mess with each other, like, “Oh, how can I throw something in to throw this guy off,” or whatever. It’s like, honestly, such a party and so much fun. And it’s just friends hanging out, trying to mess each other up and have a good time and do a show.

A clip from Undateable featuring “it’s cool to like them now cuz nostalgia” boy band The Backstreet Boys

What made you guys decide to shift to a live format for season 3? That takes some balls.

NBC really likes live performance. Bill Lawrence, the creator, wanted to do one live set and we had such a fun time, the fans really liked it, so we decided to do a whole season that way. We didn’t know what to expect. It’s a lot more work, but it’s a lot more fun as well.

Have fan interactions with you changed since your Netflix special and your TV show?

Just, more, you know? I’m selling more tickets. Now that I have two specials out there, one Comedy Central [White Male. Black Comic.] and one Netflix [Incorrigible], I think people kind of think of me more as a comedian that’s going to keep putting out more material. One thing I didn’t want was to be the guy from Undateable or Whitney that does standup. I’m first and foremost a standup comedian, you know, so I keep putting out material, and I want people to know that.

What’s up next for you? Any upcoming projects you’re excited about?

I have a moving coming out on Netflix called XOXO, and I have another movie called Flock of Dudes coming out, I think in September in theaters. And I’m working on another kind of a special that I’m gonna end up doing, I’ll probably shoot it by the end of the year. I don’t know where or when or for what, but I’ll end up doing that.

If you had a signature cannabis strain, what would its name be? Knowing that you don’t consume, but still.

Yeah. Uh, I would call it “Oops.”

Oops?

Yeah, because it’s like I don’t do it so if I did it would be a mistake, or I would eat brownies by mistake.

Don’t miss Chris D’Elia and Ron Funches perform at Leafly’s Chicago stop on our comedy tour. The laughs will take place at the Vic Theatre on April 20th. Tickets are free, but you have to RSVP and get there early to secure a spot in line.

The Shake: The Feds’ Big Eradication Spend and the Massachusetts Smackdown

Things are getting real in Massachusetts as election season heats up. Yesterday we told you about the launch of an anti-cannabis coalition in the state, backed by the governor and Boston’s mayor, who’ve come out against an adult-use legalization initiative. Now the Campaign to Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol in Massachusetts is calling out the politicians for allowing easier access to booze than cannabis. The group’s communications director called it “the height of hypocrisy.” Meanwhile, police officers and other lawmakers have come out in support of the anti-cannabis coalition. They say they’re worried legalization will roll back progress the state has made in fighting opioid addiction, because some think cannabis is a gateway drug. None of that is really rooted in fact (it actually shows promise in fighting opioid overdoses, and the gateway claims are fraught with bad science), but hey, go with your gut.

The DEA spent $18 million on pulling up cannabis plants. A group of lawmakers last year tried to pass legislation to reroute federal funds away from cannabis enforcement. It fell short. The upshot: The DEA is still dropping millions to uproot and destroy cannabis plants — $18 million last year, or about what it’s spent the three years prior. Eradication efforts even continued in legal states such as Oregon and Washington; in the latter, U.S. taxpayers paid about $26 per plant in cannabis-quashing costs. (Colorado and Alaska declined federal funds, saying they’d enforce illegal grows on their own, the Washington Post says — but then what’s up with the National Guard in Colorado this week?) Make no mistake: Illegal cultivation can sometimes come with problems — environmental degradation, harm to national parks, even violence — but it’s still bizarre on some level to see the federal government spending millions in public funds to uproot cannabis instead of taking a cue from legal states and taxing the pants off it. It’s the economy, stupid.

More and more doctors want cannabis to be legal. On Monday a group called Doctors for Cannabis Regulation will announce its formation, the Washington Post reports. The coalition includes more than 50 doctors, including former U.S. Surgeon General Joycelyn Elders, as well as faculty at some of the country’s top medical schools. Importantly, the group isn’t just backing medical legalization — it also believes regulated adult-use markets are the best approach to harm reduction. It’s a split from the American Medical Association’s anti-cannabis position, and it could signal a shift in doctors’ attitudes about how to keep Americans safe and healthy around cannabis. The group doesn’t advocate for cannabis use, but as founder David L. Nathan, an associate professor at Rutgers University’s medical school and a distinguished fellow of the American Psychiatric Association, says: “You don’t have to be pro-marijuana to be opposed to its prohibition.”

QUICK HITS:

• It’s Tax Day, Americans! But don’t worry, you just need your return postmarked by Monday. Thought you might like to know.
• Mexico’s president will skip the U.N.’s drug policy summit. Some critics are accusing President Enrique Peña Nieto of “putting his head in the sand” after his announcement he’ll skip next week’s UNGASS meeting in New York, Vice reports. With much of Mexico pushing for medical legalization, his absence will be a blow to proponents.
• Like science? Scientific American has a piece up about how rescheduling (or, even better, descheduling) could kickstart major advances in research.
• One chef has a new goal with edibles. Michael Cirino, who has a background in molecular gastronomy and food science, wants you to have a nice long, low-level high — instead of one like Maureen Dowd’s.
• More on the country’s 24th medical cannabis state. We told you what Pennsylvania’s newly passed bill will do for medical patients. Here’s what it means for employers.
• A U.S. Senate committee thinks veterans should be able to talk to their doctors about cannabis. An amendment won a ‘yes’ vote yesterday, but it’s got a long way to go to become law.
• Do you like Broad City? If your answer was “YASSS,” check out this Jimmy Kimmel interview with the cast of the hit show. And yasss, cannabis comes up.
• Mixed weather in Colorado. The state may have done $92 million in cannabis sales in February, but now rain threatens to wash away Denver’s largest 4/20 festival. Looking for something else to do? Start here.

• Don’t sleep on the CARERS Act. Over at the Brookings Institute, John Hudak — who’s helping change the cannabis conversation in Washington, D.C. — makes a strong case for why the act, which would protect patients in medically legal states and help streamline research. Hudak points out that many people don’t know what the CARERS Act is. Now you know.
• The latest product: Nug Run wants to sell you a “Nugboxes” subscription. Each comes with cannabis, food, and a choice of a third item. Interested?
• How much is your cannabusiness worth? It was only a matter of time until the cannabis movement started using terms like valuation. Attorney Vince Sliwoski at Canna Law Blog has a rundown.
• Even local news media agree medical cannabis is helping patients in New York. The ABC affiliate in Buffalo touches on a child who’s been taking cannabis extract to treat epilepsy. “He’s looking around, he’s vocalizing, he’s doing really well,” his mother tells WKBW.
• But we’re also learning more about cannabis health risks. Which is a good thing. Some people appear to be predisposed to have mental health consequences from heavy cannabis use, and effects can be especially problematic for young people. Scientists are calling for public education, though they’re also “keen not to exaggerate the risks,” the Guardian reports.
• An Australian naturopath faces 15 years for selling cannabis oil and tinctures to patients. Crikey, that’s heartrending.
• And finally, dragon balls. We hate to toot our own horn, but our piece yesterday on these gawk-worthy globes of cannabis oil contains some of the best concentrate porn we’ve seen in some time. Just look at it. Happy Friday.

Image Source: Sara Dilley, with special thanks to X-Tracted Laboratories

New Strains Alert: Tigermelon, Mt. Hood Magic, Kid N' Cookies, Logic Diesel, and More

It’s time to start stocking up for 4/20! Did you know you can search strains on Leafly by effects, flavors, benefits, and more? Use the advanced search filters at the top of our strain Explorer to “customize” your 4/20 experience! Or, allow us to recommend the following seven strains that were just added to our database. Who knows, maybe they’re just what you’re looking for.

1. Kid N’ Cookies

A cross of Girl Scout Cookies (Forum cut) and Snowman OG, Kid n’ Cookies is a collaboration between Fresno, CA breeders Loud Seeds, and Christopher “Kid” Reid, better known as one half of the famous ‘90s rap duo “Kid n’ Play.” As a potent indica-dominant hybrid testing at over 22% THC, Kid n’ Cookies has a heavy, sedating high that can provide relief from pain, nausea, migraines, and insomnia. The flavor is much like the “cookie” taste of GSC with undertones of pine.

2. Tigermelon

Tigermelon is a mysterious strain of unknown origin that has been used by the breeder Bodhi Seeds to create some spectacular hybrids such as Snow Leopard. It is thought to be a three-way cross of Chemdawg, Apollo 11 (Genius cut) and an Uzbekistani indica, and the smell has been described by Bodhi as “sandalwood mango lassi.”

3. Logic Diesel

Created by GroundSwell Cannabis Boutique in Denver, CO at the request of world-renowned electronic/acid jazz musician DJ Logic, Logic Diesel is a cross between Mystic Kush and NYC Diesel. It has a sweet and sour, skunky diesel odor and flavors ranging from sweet sandalwood to spicy fuel. Logic Diesel will provide an intense, exciting sense of euphoria along with a mildly relaxing body high that is perfect for hitting the dance floor.

4. Haze Berry

A cross between Super Silver Haze and DJ Short’s famous Blueberry, Haze Berry is an 80% sativa hybrid that has become quite popular for its combination of sweet berry, indica-like flavors, and sativa highs. As you might expect from a plant with two extremely potent parents, Haze Berry routinely tests at well over 20% THC, and some cultivars have a significant amount of CBD as well. In addition, it provides higher than average yields and a relatively short flowering time of 9-10 weeks, making this a very attractive strain for sativa enthusiasts. Haze Berry gives the consumer a euphoric, creativity-inducing high that gradually gives way to a profound sensation of relaxation and well-being.

5. Mt. Hood Magic

Thought to be exclusive to Portland, Oregon dispensary Five Zero Trees, Mt. Hood Magic is a cross between Northern Lights #5 and Durban Poison. There a few different phenotypes available: two are indica-dominant and more resemble the NL5 portion of its genetics, testing at 17% and 14% THC; and one is sativa-dominant and similar to Durban Poison, testing at 19% THC.

6. Citrus Sap

From Crockett Family Farms and DNA Genetics, Citrus Sap is a hybrid cross between Gorilla Glue #4 and Tangie. Growers can expect high yields, heavy resin production, and a sweet mandarin orange aroma, as well as a high calyx-to-leaf ratio. Its flowering time averages between 65 to 70 days.

7. Skins Skunk

This 60% indica-dominant hybrid from Loud Seeds is a result of years of work that started by pollinating an elite clone-only Afgoo found in Sonoma with a male Michigan Skunk. Selected and bred to the f4 generation, Skins Skunk produces generous yields of hashy smelling flowers with THC levels ranging from 17% to 21% and CBD levels up to 2%.

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

PGT #295- Goodbye Babylon

Planet GreenTrees Radio Every Thursday Night!

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- Another failed attempt by Sen Jones, big money and their lobbyists to get controversial cannabis distribution language to the Michigan Senate floor for a vote. Update on the after math and response to heavy law enforcement activity against cannabis patients, caregivers and dispensaries in Gaylord.

Joining us tonight – Chad Morrow from Gaylord- Cannabis activist, owner/operator of the Cloud 45 dispensary

Robin Schneider-Wilbanks- Legislative liaison for the National Patients Rights Association

Update on MILegalize

Weekly appellate and trial court updates with attorney Allen Peisner

Regular guests and friends of the show: Jim Powers- Michigan Parents for Compassion co- founder and board member of MILegalize. Also- attorney Jeff Frazier, attorney David Rudoi of Rudoi Law, Eric Gunnels Thetford Twp Trustee and T-pain

What Cannabis Strains Do Women Want?

Recently I took a look at the rising female interest in cannabis and shared some business takeaways for dispensaries looking to offer a more female-friendly experience to their clientele. One of the suggestions I made was to make sure dispensaries stock strains that are especially appealing to female consumers, a tip that may have brought about some skepticism. Are there really strains that resonate more strongly with women?

According to our data, yes. What are they, and what qualities do they possess that appeal to the fairer sex? First, let’s take a look at the most popular strains women are searching for on Leafly.com.

The Strains Women View the Most on Leafly.com

Click on the image for an enlarged version

The above chart highlights the 10 cannabis strains most viewed by women. At first glance the data may seem unsurprising, as these strains are also among our most popular overall, so there aren’t any real surprises here. However, things get really interesting when we look at the strain varieties that women look at more than men:

Cannabis Strains Women Look at More Frequently Than Men Do

Click on the image for an enlarged version

The above chart illustrates which strains women view more often than their male counterparts and the percentage increase at which they’re viewing them. This data, supplemented with the list of strains women view the most, leads us to some interesting observations. Why are women attracted to these strains? Here are our hypotheses:

Women Like Sativa Strains and Uplifting Effects

Uplifting sativas and hybrids dominate female preferences, with both charts combining to include only two indica strains. Even the hybrids offer a patten of euphoric, happy, and uplifting commonalities, suggesting these effects are desirable among female consumers.

Women Seek Out High-CBD Strains

Charlotte’s Web, Harlequin, and Cannatonic are all known for their high-CBD content. According to research, CBD, or cannabidiol, can offer analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and anti-anxiety properties. Activist and entrepreneur Jaime Lewis told High Times that women turn to cannabis to help treat a variety of diseases or symptoms including menopause, menstrual cramps, anorexia, breast cancer, and PMS. These high-CBD strains can offer pain relief for a lot of the ailments and discomfort women experience.

Women are Interested in Anti-Anxiety Strains

Uplifting strains and CBD-heavy options have something in common: they also help mitigate anxiety. According to Leafly user reviews, Charlotte’s Web, Harlequin, Cannatonic, Skywalker, Agent Orange, and Jack Herer all possess anti-anxiety effects. Considering women are twice as likely to have an anxiety disorder as men, you can see why strains that help alleviate these feelings would be especially appealing to females.

Women Enjoy Sweet, Fruity Flavor Profiles

Women have a better sense of taste than men (and no, this isn’t a dig at bro tanks and board shorts), and they’re more likely to be “supertasters,” or people who experience a much more intense sense of taste than average Joes. Many of the strains women search for have distinctly fruity, sweet flavors, such as Green Crack and Harlequin (both offer flavors similar to mangoes), Lemon Kush and its sweet citrus mix, Purple Haze and its sweet berry taste, and Agent Orange’s, well, orange-y citrus fragrance.

So what strains do women want? According to our data, it’s high-CBD strains and uplifting sativas and hybrids that deliver anti-anxiety effects and taste damn good. Dispensaries: take note of our findings and stock your shelves accordingly. Women could very well be a major contributing factor to ending cannabis prohibition, so make sure your inventory is ready for our discerning tastes.

Ladies, what are some of your go-to cannabis strains? Do you agree with what our data suggests? Leave a comment with your input!

Hungry for more marketing insight? Contact Leafly to find out how we can help you grow your cannabusiness!

Image Source: Sara Dilley

US CA: RIP Sacramento Medical-Cannabis Activist Ryan Landers

Sacramento News & Review, 14 Apr 2016 – “My Goals Are for the Sick. That’s Something I Cannot Compromise.” There was a time not so long ago when partaking in marijuana wasn’t easy: It was often challenging to purchase, it definitely wasn’t lawful to drive around with it in your glove compartment, the bud itself wasn’t lab-tested for dangerous chemicals and you took a risk every time you sneaked a toke.

Heavy cannabis use associated with reduced dopamine release in brain

Evidence of a compromised dopamine system has been found in heavy users of marijuana. Lower dopamine release was found in the striatum — a region of the brain that is involved in working memory, impulsive behavior, and attention. Previous studies have shown that addiction to other drugs of abuse, such as cocaine and heroin, have […]

PGT #295- Goodbye Babylon

  Planet GreenTrees Radio Every Thursday Night!   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 […]

S02, Ep. 01 – He designs pot apparel; He runs a pot shop brand

Published: Apr 14, 2016, 4:22 pm • Updated: Apr 14, 2016, 4:22 pm By Vincent Chandler, The Cannabist Staff Featured guests: Chiefton Supply Co. founder Bryan Dehaven and Good Chemistry CEO Matthew Huron. Podcast: Play in new window | Download LOTS TO TALK ABOUT •  What does 4/20 mean in the industry? •  Cannabis clothing […]

Pennsylvania MMJ: Meet the Devil in the Details

“We weren’t trying to pass a perfect bill,” Pennsylvania Sen. Mike Folmer (R-Lebanon) told Leafly on Wednesday. “We wanted a bill that is, at the very least, workable.”

Folmer, the author of Senate Bill 3, saw years of effort come to fruition this week when his medical marijuana legalization bill finally passed both houses of the Legislature, setting off cheers in the House chamber. The bill now sits on Gov. Tom Wolf’s desk. Wolf campaigned hard on marijuana reform and has declared that he will sign the bill in Harrisburg on Sunday.

As the dust settles in the Capitol, here’s a quick and dirty peek under the hood of Pennsylvania’s nascent medical cannabis program.

Who can access medical marijuana?

The 17 qualifying conditions include HIV/AIDS, glaucoma, Crohn’s- Parkinson’s- and Huntington’s diseases, multiple sclerosis, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (a.k.a. Lou Gehrig’s disease), intractable spinal spasticity, intractable seizure disorders (including epilepsy), inflammatory bowel disease, PTSD, chronic anemia, glaucoma, and chronic severe pain for patients who’ve exhausted more conventional therapies, such as opioids.

Physicians must certify that a patient has an eligible condition, and patients must obtain an ID card issued by the state Department of Health.

When can patients get their medicine?

“Once the bill is signed, there is an 18-month ramp‐up period,” prime sponsor Sen. Daylin Leach (D-King of Prussia) told Leafly. “But patients will not be prosecuted in the meantime. And that’s really good news.”

What forms of cannabis will be allowed?

Unfortunately, the bill doesn’t allow legal possession of smokeable flower. Ditto on edibles. The new law would allow only cannabis in oil, pill, or tincture form. Liquid forms of cannabis are permitted for those who prefer vaping. For the time being, home-cultivation is not allowed. Possession of medical cannabis purchased elsewhere remains forbidden, and there is no reciprocal arrangement for medical cannabis users from other states.

Cannabis advocates were pleased to see progress, but the celebration has been tempered by the law’s strict limitations. “Pennsylvania seems intent on pretending that no other state has a successful medical cannabis program,” said Patrick Nightingale, who leads NORML’s Pittsburgh chapter. “The result is a limited and highly regulated bill that will take considerable time to implement.”

Who can grow? Who can sell?

The Department of Health will accept applications for 25 permits issued to growers and processors. Fifty dispensary licenses will be issued. Each license permits (up to) three locations, which means potential for up to 150 dispensaries across the state. For some perspective, neighboring New Jersey has had its medical marijuana law in place for six years. The entire state currently has only five medical cannabis dispensaries.

Will there be dispensaries in Philadelphia?

Yes. Absolutely. “Probably a dozen or more of them,” Leach told Leafly. “For the obvious reason,” he added, alluding to Philadelphia’s large population.

What strange twists did lawmakers add to the rules?

At one point last summer, the Senate stripped HIV/AIDS from the list of qualifying conditions, a move later reversed amid howls of protest from all corners. “Medical marijuana without HIV/AIDS is like gay marriage but not for lesbians,” one activist said. It was a revealing illustration of how arbitrary, unscientific, and mean-spirited the debate had become. In retrospect, the move to bar AIDS patients represented the low-water mark of the debate. It only got better after that.

In a state filled with conservatives, it’s ironic the new law includes a 5 percent producer-to-dispenser sales tax on medicine. The same Republicans who go to extreme lengths to shield shale gas or coal from any taxes are comfortable smacking medical cannabis producers with a 5 percent tariff.

Concerns

Activists, patients, parents, and politicians all voiced a common concern: The current big‐government approach is especially off‐putting to physicians who may be disinclined to join the program.

“This is overregulation at its worst,” said Lolly Bentch Myers. Her 8‐year‐old daughter, Anna, suffers from mesial temporal sclerosis, which can cause hundreds of seizures in a single day. Bentch Myers leads a group of mothers called Campaign for Compassion, which for months has lobbied to legalize medical marijuana in Pennsylvania.

Bentch Myers and her colleagues have been a familiar sight around the Capitol this session. And they won’t be going away anytime soon. “We plan to continue our educational efforts in the medical community,” Bentch Myers told Leafly.

“We have no doubt that physicians, when given the opportunity to become educated on [medical cannabis], will feel more comfortable participating in the program,” added Christine Brann, who co‐founded Campaign for Compassion. Brann’s 5‐year‐old son, Garrett, suffers from Dravet syndrome, another debilitating seizure disorder.

“If the governor does sign the bill, then it’s important to see who’s appointed to the advisory board tasked with setting price caps” on medical cannabis, added NORML’s Patrick Nightingale. “I am very worried that no one on that board will have any relevant background to accomplish this. And pegging medicinal prices to the black market is unacceptable.”

Heroes and Villains

The final bill had its flaws, but it’s sort of amazing anything passed at all. Bentch Myers, Brann, and others spent months overcoming a powerful and entrenched opposition. House Speaker Mike Turzai and Rep. Matt Baker, both Republicans, played obstructionist roles throughout the legislative session. House leader Turzai and Baker, who chairs the powerful health committee, both used their positions to try to scuttle the bill. In one bizarre incident, in November, Turzai reportedly broke down in tears during a closed‐door caucus discussion while trying to convince his colleagues to keep medical marijuana out of Pennsylvania.

As for Baker, Bentch Myers told Leafly “I can think of no villain more loathsome.”

“His efforts should be enshrined in the “GOT IT WRONG” hall of ignominy,” added NORML’s Nightingale.

But the fight produced heroes as well, chiefly the Campaign for Compassion’s so‐called Mama Bears, a cadre of mothers whose children suffer various seizure disorders. United in their struggle to find relief for their sick children, the activist mothers swayed votes and cast the movement in a sympathetic light.

Good Portents for Pot Politics?

In an era of hyper‐partisanship, medical cannabis reform is something both parties are finding ways to support. Whether you’re for Hillary or Trump, Bernie or Cruz, you probably support medical marijuana. But that bipartisan spirit has yet to reach many of our leaders in Congress and statehouses. With the exception of a handful of Republicans like Mike Folmer, most support for drug reform in Pennsylvania still comes from the Democratic side of the aisle.

“Our (activist) community is a constant source of hope,” Christine Brann told Leafly. “We’re never going to ‘trust the process,’ but we trust each other. We lean on one another in times of sadness. We know this bill is far from perfect, but there is a great deal of determination in our community to continue these efforts for the coming years, ensuring that patients’ needs are at the forefront of this issue.”

The governor is expected to sign the bill into law on Sunday, making Pennsylvania the 24th state to legalize cannabis for medical use.

The Shake: NFL Players Team Up to Study Medical Cannabis

An elderly, disabled veteran faces life in jail because cannabis laws are insane. The New York Times editorial board, in a piece about “outrageous sentences for marijuana,” takes a look at Lee Carroll Booker, 75, who faces a life sentence without the possibility of parole after being caught growing 30 or more cannabis plants in 2011. Booker, a disabled veteran who lives in Alabama and suffers from chronic pain, was told by the sentencing judge that if he “could sentence you to a term that is less than life without parole, I would.” State law, however, prevented it. On appeal, the chief justice of the Alabama Supreme Court found the sentence to be “excessive and unjustified,” and the U.S. Supreme Court will be reviewing the case to determine whether it fits the bill as “cruel and unusual punishment.” Alabama is one of just a handful of states that still carry such severe penalties, even though nearly 40 now allow some form of cannabis.

Anti-prohibitionists to descend on this months’ United Nations summit on the drug war. The organization Students for Sensible Drug Policy plans to send 200 students to UNGASS 2016 this year not only to protest the global war on drugs, but also to urge world leaders to heed the valid concerns of younger generations. The activists intend to perform and stage art pieces in protest. The action complements an open letter to U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon containing more than 1,000 signatures from world leaders, including rock stars, policy makers, members of law enforcement, and others.

Ex-NFL players in California are teaming up for medical marijuana. A group of 30 ex-NFL players have joined with the Gridiron Cannabis Coalition to test the effectiveness of cannabis as treatment for chronic pain and depression. Kyle Turley, a nine-year veteran of the NFL, founded the group after suffering from chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) and finding that cannabis significantly improved his condition. The Gridiron Cannabis Coalition has recruited Constance Therapeutics to provide extracts and oils for the study participants. Constance Finley, owner of Constance Therapeutics, hopes the study will bring much-needed relief. “My mission is to help people, and these NFL players so desperately need help treating the lasting ramifications from the high-impact sport,” she told the Daily Beast. “We want to embark on scientific research that will clearly show that medicinal cannabis actually can be an option for the issues that NFL players or any athlete deal with.”

We’ve all seen Bill Maher smoke cannabis, but how has it shaped his show? Maher has been vocal about supporting cannabis legalization, even going so far as to light up a joint on the air. He admitted after the fact that his heart was “pounding in my chest.” Maher claims to be a moderate user, consuming cannabis two or three times a week, in particular as a way to fuel his creative efforts. “I’m hardly the only person in this world who finds pot to be a creative aid,” he said. “My priority is work — the writing process — and that’s what I save it for.”

QUICK HITS:

• Denver raids are through the roof today. Thirty people in the Denver area were arrested as part of a probe into illegal cultivation in residential areas. Many of the operators were growing illegal amounts of cannabis and shipping it out of state. When you’ve got so many legal options, why resort to criminality?
• New anti-cannabis coalition rises in Massachusetts. Gov. Charlie Baker, Boston Mayor Marty Walsh, and House Speaker Robert DeLeo have created the Campaign for a Safe and Healthy Massachusetts, devoted to oppose the Regulation and Taxation of Marijuana Act.
• And finally, expecting the munchies? Your pizza could come with a disposable pipe for post-pie nomming. The Push for Pizza app developers are now offering a foldable cardboard section that can be used as a pipe, with the plastic stand in the center of the pizza doubling as a bowl piece. Now that’s innovation!

The Best Things to Do in Colorado for 4/20

Excited for 4/20 but not sure how you should plan your day? We’ve got you covered! Colorado will be abuzz with plenty of events happening throughout the state. Happy 4/20!

World Cannabis Week in Denver (April 14 – 24)

Celebrate the 4th annual worldwide celebration of cannabis in one of the most cannabis-friendly cities in America. Jump on a tour bus to get both educated and elevated. Enjoy grow tours, dispensary tours, munchie stops, as well as transportation to concerts, trade shows, and cannabis-friendly hotels.

World Cannabis Week Denver Event Details

420 Eve on the Rocks in Morrison (April 19)

Ring in 4/20 with a killer concert at Red Rocks featuring Method Man & Redman, Ghostface Killah, Raekwon, and friends. Enjoy the music, but make sure to enjoy the breathtaking Red Rocks scenery before heading back home!

420 Eve on the Rocks Event Details

The 1st Official Colorado Cup in Denver (April 20)

Don’t miss Colorado’s 1st official Cup happening in Denver on 4/20. Submit your flower, concentrate, or edible to compete for prizes. Better yet, cannabis consumers can sample and vote for the best product in each category!

The 1st Official Colorado Cup Event Details

420 at the Glitter Dome with Paul Wall in Denver (April 20)

Paul Wall is taking over the Glitter Dome with Sysco Yola, Staxx, Ransteez, and friends. Enjoy food trucks, dispensary giveaways, party busses, and more!

420 at the Glitter Dome Event Details

Jane’s Domain: Spring Cleaning Calls for a Nice Sativa

You know how there’s that one day every spring when you throw open the windows, shake out the rugs, let the outside in, and celebrate the fact that winter is finally over? I had that day last week.

It didn’t happen at home. It happened at the Women Grow office in Denver, where we did some extreme spring cleaning. In preparation for big new moves, the Women Grow team is packing up our Denver Headquarters.

Two years ago, our longtime sponsor Weedmaps handed us the keys to 1,200 square feet of space in a worn office building. We’ve been squatting there ever since. Now the space we’ve called home is about to be razed for new development. As the team packed up and moved out, co-founder Julie Batkiewicz and I sorted through two years of memories. In one small box went the keepers. In an enormous bin went the trash. In a third box, the stuff going to Goodwill. Yes Goodwill! We’ve been legal in Colorado for over two years, and in Goodwill stores now you’ll find empty stash jars and rolling trays among the shelves of secondhand wine glasses. Welcome to life in the future.

Our office had become a time capsule of the first two years of legal adult use cannabis. We came across old editions of Dope, and stacks of TIME and Newsweek containing articles about our members. We found vintage swag from now-defunct cannabis brands. Cashed onesies and tar-covered paperclips. A lifetime supply of lanyards. Green name badges from conference after conference. Little bags of weed. Bigger bags of weed. Enough Chapstick for an army of women entrepreneurs. Two years worth of extra rolling papers. So many glass jars, o.Pen chargers, promotional grinder cards, and men’s cut t-shirts. We lost count of the exit bags we had to throw away. It turns out that one of the hazards of a highly regulated cannabis market is the production of massive amounts of plastic packaging (childproof grade plastic — not the biodegradable, eco-friendly kind).

It was so cathartic! Every little piece of promotional junk conjured up stories and jokes and laughs about the “good ‘ol days.”

“Remember the Bhang party?” Julie said as she held up a custom Vegas poker chip.

“Can you believe we even put this out?” I said, holding up a crude, pixelated flyer from our early days.

“Remember when our 420 Kits were a thing?” Julie said as she held up the very last one.

I built a wall of memories in the office over the course of two years. It started by my desk and just kept growing. Now, thumbtack by thumbtack, I was taking those memories down. My Red Rocks “On a High Note” poster, a 2014 Edible Events Series calendar, original hand-drawn renderings of the Women Grow, Edible Events, and Jane West logos, now neatly tucked away in a photobook labeled 2014–2015.

What an amazing afternoon.

The next day I started fresh in my new space. I’m again setting up an office at home. Down came the pictures of the kids when they were infants (it already feels like a lifetime ago), up went the clean corkboard. The windows were open, the air was fresh and finally warm. I chose a nice spring sativa and elevated the mood sans caffeine.

I’m definitely a seasonal consumer. For me, winters call for mellow, quiet indicas. Come spring, I’m ready for energizing, uplifting sativas.

I’m a Tangie kind of woman, or Durban Poison to kick it up a notch. It was time to rebalance the chi, move the furniture, revamp my playlist, get some new sound bouncing off the walls. Wild Things by Alessia Cara. Done. Work it.

On the top shelf of my desk sits a photobook labeled 2016–2017. Our second annual Women Grow Summit has filled the first few pages, but the rest are blank, stark white pages waiting for future memories and clippings as we embark on the next phase for Women Grow. Outside my new home office, I can see flowers starting to emerge in my grassy front yard. I’m inspired by the potential within those seedlings, the power that is held within a tiny bud that starts to sprout. With the clutter gone, my workspace and mind are clear and fertile for new ideas to sprout and bloom. This year is ripe for growth in our industry, and I’m prepared to bring a crop of new ideas to fruition. I look forward to sharing my progress with you over the next months, and wish you all the very best for 4/20 week, known here in Colorado as the High Holidays. Party #safer.

Image Source: Jane West

In Photos: These “Dragon Balls” Contain 3,000 Grams of Pure Cannabis Oil

As the artist held his orb up to the sky, you might sooner guess that we were touring Saruman’s tower in Middle Earth than an extraction facility in Seattle. But this globe is no crystal ball or palantir – it’s 3,000 grams of pure cannabis extract measuring up to a staggering 99% THC. Its creators at X-tracted Labs call them Dragon Balls (like in the popular manga, and I can only imagine that collecting seven of these would get you high enough to think you’ve summoned Shenron), and beholding them in-person is somewhat of a religious experience for any connoisseurs of oil.

Starting as a hydrocarbon, the concentrate – known as “The Clear” – is made using a careful extraction process that strips everything from the cannabis plant except its essential compounds known as cannabinoids. Journeying through chambers, coils, and glass beakers, the final product gathers in a round glass container like a thick, golden potion.

The Alchemy of Cannabis Terpene Re-Introduction

Its liquid gold appearance alone is enough to satisfy the senses, but the real magic behind these orbs is in their aroma and flavor. The alchemy begins with a thing called terpenes, or aromatic oils that naturally occur in many types of vegetation, cannabis included. These flavorful compounds not only provide aroma and flavor, they’re also known to modify the effects of THC and other cannabinoids to make a strain more uplifting, sedating, stress-reducing, and so forth. Most extraction processes, however, destroy these sensitive and volatile compounds.

Understanding the important role terpenes play in the cannabis experience, the professionals at X-tracted championed a technique of re-introducing terpenes after the extraction process to create customized effects and flavor profiles – profiles that can either mimic the natural chemical fingerprints of specific strains or new profiles that emphasize specific flavors. To demonstrate, they pulled out a collection of cans with words like myrcene, geraniol, pinene – even a Golden Goat bottle which captured the terpene fingerprint of that particular hybrid strain.

“When we add natural terpenes, we’re simulating the effect profile of that strain,” co-founder Ryan Abernathy explained. “Part of why the Super Lemon Haze sativa makes you feel the way it does is because of all these different terpenes. So when you recreate that, you’re going to get similar effects. It’s not just because it’s a sativa.”

The veil over the question of what gives a strain its unique effects is slowly being lifted, and extraction technology is already beginning to package up those complex, nuanced experiences in the form of products like The Clear.

Dabbing with The Clear

X-tracted’s original formula was a terpene-enhanced oil that’s typically consumed by dabbing (a method that uses high temperatures to flash vaporize cannabis oils). With flavors like Banana Cream, Pure Pear, Grapevine, and Lime Sorbet, many of The Clear oils offer dabbing enthusiasts a novel new way to enjoy cannabis: one with pronounced, unconventional flavors you’d never expect to see outside the culinary world. What’s more, the aromas and flavors are unmistakably true to their names, and for a moment you might forget that you’re dabbing cannabis, not fruit.

For the traditionalists, The Clear is also processed into strain-specific concentrates that mimic the terpene and flavor profiles of the original strain. So for example, an oil derived from XJ-13 flowers would be infused with the same terpene ratios as that starting material, simulating many of the strain’s natural nuances.

“Dabbable” Clear, though still available in California, is no longer found on the top shelves of Washington State cannabis businesses due to changes in medical marijuana legislation. But don’t fret, my fellow Washington dabbers: we’re just a few short weeks away from The Clear’s glorious return in rec shops.

Vaping with The Clear

What you will see on the current recreational market, however, is The Clear in vape cartridge form. In my experience, most cartridge oil tastes like chemicals, gives me headaches, worsens stomach aches, is harsh on the inhale, and looks like sludge. But when I looked into the cylindrical glass of The Clear XJ-13 cartridge, I saw only honeyed amber oil, a tiny fraction of those golden orbs back at the lab.

Drawing my first breath of the XJ, the vapor was mild and sweet with fruity notes that fully awaken on the exhale. Smooth and even vapor exited my lungs, leaving the gift of mellow euphoria, light relaxation, and creative stimulation without the headache or stomach ache. I reached back into my purse for a second puff of The Clear and accidentally hit a different vape pen I had in the same pocket (#LeaflyProblems), which is a CO2 pen that uses propylene glycol to achieve its fluid consistency. The taste was startlingly harsh (like that time you expected water in your cup but, nope, it’s vodka).

The Clear isn’t a CO2 oil mixed in with a propylene glycol solvent – it’s a distillate that is made fluid using terpenes. “Terpenes are in fact solvents,” Ryan said. “So once you add terpenes to this product, it becomes looser and thinner.” And there’s the difference.

Witnessing the production of a Dragon Ball was not only a feast for the eyes – it was a spectacle of the unique innovation and passion that’s defining and evolving this industry. Staring at the mystical Dragon Ball harnessing the sun’s light to illuminate its own amber core, I couldn’t decide which was more exciting: the idea that science and technology (as well as shifting cannabis laws) have enabled the creation of these chemically intricate products and medicines; or, the fact that there’s still a lot of mystery behind these orbs and all of the chemical constituents inside. It makes you wonder: if this is cannabis in 2016, what’s next?

Image Source: Sara Dilley

How Cannabis Helps 'Real Time' Host Bill Maher Hit the High Notes

NEW YORK (AP) — While a lung-full of marijuana can reduce some consumers to a puddle of silliness and sloth — you know who you are — the fact remains: Cannabis can serve a host of creative uses.

Case in point: TV host Bill Maher.

Since premiering 13 years ago with “Real Time,” which HBO airs live on Fridays at 10 p.m. EDT, Maher has provided an essential forum for smart discussion about politics and culture, with his opening monologue often the sharpest, best-crafted topical humor on television.

Even better is his final segment, which ramps up from a litany of so-called “New Rules” to a jestful-yet-meaty meditation on such subjects as the election follies, political correctness, gun control and, yes, legalizing marijuana.

Maher’s vocal support for legalization exemplifies his largely libertarian stance. Meanwhile, there’s a practical consideration: Grass helps him get his writing right.

So what better occasion than now to salute Maher’s decades of comic insight while also giving credit to his cannabis muse! After all, next Wednesday is April 20, better known among canna-evangelists as 4-20, which they observe as a special day to honor their favorite herb and to advocate for boosted legal access to it.

“I am hardly the only person in this world who finds pot to be a creative aid,” Maher notes during a recent phone conversation. “But if I’m staring at the blank computer screen sober, I’m thinking, ‘Uh, I don’t want to start this, it’s an ASSIGNMENT!’ Then, as soon as I’m high, which takes about three seconds, it’s, ‘Oh, this is fun! This isn’t an assignment. It’s a GAME.'”

He hastens to add, “People think I probably smoke a lot more than I do.”

No wonder. It’s a part of his professional persona.

He has wisecracked that the conservative magazine The National Review coming out against Donald Trump “is like High Times coming out against me.”

This is a guy who jokes that he might face consequences from a lifetime of cannabis smoking, “but fortunately, I can treat them with medical marijuana.”

And a year ago Maher drolly paid homage to the 4-20 holiday by reciting an original nursery rhyme, “‘Twas the Night Before 4-20,” which included lines such as, “We lit up a joint and ate a pot brownie/ And soon were as high as a young Robert Downey.”

But despite his saucy endorsements, “I’ve always been a very moderate user. I’m a two or three times a week smoker, a lightweight. My priority is work — the writing process — and that’s what I save it for.”

At least, he did until one show last February. In his closing segment, he framed the evident trend toward legalization as something its proponents shouldn’t take for granted.

“Progress doesn’t just automatically snowball,” he declared. “Think of other rights we never thought would be rolled back. Look what’s happened with abortion.

“Somehow,” he continued, teeing up a punch line, “this is the year when everything from socialism to mass deportation is on the table, and voters love the authentic guys who speak their minds. But when it comes time for Congress to consider common-sense pot legislation, it’s like smoking a joint with Woody Harrelson: They just won’t pass it!”

Then Maher produced a joint and, firing it up, did something he had never done before: Got buzzed, live, on the air.

“I purposely did it at the very, very, very end of the show,” he points out.

But things weren’t really over. On the heels of “Real Time” came the weekly live-streamed “Overtime,” where Maher was obliged to preside on-camera for another 15 minutes or so while he and his panel mates, most of them similarly lit, fielded questions from the audience as best they could.

“My heart was pounding in my chest,” Maher confides with a wry chuckle. “I was going, ‘Hold it together. Don’t say anything crazy.’ The idea of ever being stoned on the real show — NEVER would I ever do that again!”

He doesn’t need to. He demonstrated his approval with those token tokes. Beyond that, Maher is happy to keep his pro-pot propensity in tighter perspective.

“Much to the consternation of some people in the pot movement, I’ve made the point many times that legalization is NOT the No. 1 priority in America,” he says, “and it shouldn’t be.” Not even on 4-20, at least not for him. “There are much bigger issues.”

Happily, marijuana gives him a humorous assist in highlighting those bigger, sober issues for his audience.

Image Source: David Shankbone via Wikimedia Commons

Top Politicians Back Effort to Fight Legalization in Massachusetts

BOSTON (AP) — Several top state political leaders including Gov. Charlie Baker and Boston Mayor Marty Walsh threw their backing behind a group established on Thursday to oppose legalization of recreational marijuana in Massachusetts.

Their efforts were quickly dismissed as “reefer-madness” by supporters of legalization.

The anti-marijuana committee, called the Campaign for a Safe and Healthy Massachusetts, said it planned to file papers with the state office of Campaign and Political Finance, which would allow it to begin raising money to fight a proposal that appears likely to go before voters on the November ballot.

A statement announcing the formation of the anti-marijuana group said that in states where the drug has been legalized for recreational use young people had significantly more access to marijuana and claimed that in Colorado, there were more marijuana shops than McDonald’s restaurants and Starbucks combined.

Legalization would “put our children at risk and threaten to reverse our progress combating the growing opioid epidemic so this industry can rake in millions in profits,” said Baker, a Republican who believes marijuana can be a so-called gateway drug to more dangerous narcotics.

Along with Baker and Walsh, Democratic House Speaker Robert DeLeo and state Sen. Jason Lewis, a Winchester Democrat who headed a Senate committee that visited Colorado in January to gather information about that state’s experience with legal marijuana, were among those signing on to the organization formed to fight the proposed ballot question.

Recent public opinion polls have suggested that a majority of likely voters in Massachusetts support legalization of recreational marijuana. Voters in recent years have approved questions that decriminalized possession of small amounts of cannabis and made it available to people with certain medical conditions.

“We are fully confident that Massachusetts voters will reject the reefer-madness, scare-tactic arguments put forward by these officials, just as they did during the decriminalization effort in 2008 and the medical marijuana effort in 2012,” said Jim Borghesani, spokesman for The Campaign to Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol in Massachusetts, in a statement.

The proposed November question would allow Massachusetts residents 21 or older to possess up to 1 ounce of marijuana. It would also create a 3.75 percent state excise tax on retail marijuana sales that would be assessed on top of the state’s 6.25 percent sales tax.

The measure is currently pending before a legislative committee, but is not seen as passing before the session ends July 31. Assuming that is the case, supporters who gathered more than 65,000 certified signatures to advance the proposals last fall would need to collect a minimum of 10,792 additional signatures to secure a spot on the November ballot.

The pro-legalization committee, which formed in 2012, reported raising nearly $300,000 by the end of 2015, according to state campaign finance records.

Corey Welford, a member of the steering committee for the Campaign for a Safe and Healthy Massachusetts, said he was confident his group could raise the financial resources necessary to “get the message out about the impact of legalization on kids and our communities.”

Welford is a former top aide to Democratic Attorney General Maura Healey, who has also declared her opposition to legalized cannabis.

Best Vaporizers for 4/20: VaporNation’s 2016 Vape Buyer’s Guide

This article is sponsored by VaporNation – Your Online Vaporizer Superstore. Use discount code “420” to save 20% on your order between April 18th and 22nd, 2016!

As reform, decriminalization and outright legalization of marijuana continue to sweep the United States, 4/20 has evolved from a fringe counterculture observance to a massive national celebration of all things cannabis-related. Large-scale gatherings happen across the country and are safe havens where growers, caregivers and everyday enthusiasts can come together and share their love of cannabis culture.

Whether you’re thinking of attending an statewide event, joining a local party, or ringing in the holiday with your cat, your Xbox and a pizza, the VaporNation team wants to make sure you’re doing 4/20 right. We’ve assembled a list of our top vaporizer picks to help ensure your lungs stay happy and healthy for the holiday. These pocket-sized portables and super-discreet vape pens are great gadgets to add to your arsenal, and are ideal options for anyone interested in a healthier, more efficient and more convenient means of enjoying herbs and concentrates, whether on April 20 or all year round.

DaVinci Ascent

Built by DaVinci to be the go-anywhere, do-anything vaporizer, the Ascent is in a class of its own when it comes to versatility, which makes it the perfect companion for an active lifestyle. Its high-quality construction includes a 100 percent glass-on-glass vapor delivery system which eliminates impurities, resulting in ultra-pure and full-flavor vapor on every hit. Utilizing advanced electronic components, including a long-wave infrared heating core, the Ascent is able to adjust and maintain an accurate and consistent internal temperature, and a glass-lined ceramic filling chamber distributes that heat uniformly through the plant material.

With the available water tool adapter, you can connect the Ascent to your favorite bong and utilize it as a water filtration device, which moisturizes and hydrates your vapor. In addition to standard heating methods, the Ascent also gives you the option to program your own temperature patterns, allowing for custom temperature increase during vaporization sessions.

Haze Dual V3

The Haze Dual V3 from Atlanta-based Haze Technologies is the first and only portable dual-chamber vaporizer. This allows users to pack the specialized chamber canisters with twice as much herb for extended sessions, or gives the option of packing one can with herb and the other with wax, letting you seamlessly transition between the two at your convenience. Pocket-sized and completely self-contained, the Haze Dual V3 is ideal for vape sessions on the go.

Since launching the first Haze in early 2014, the V3 has been reconfigured with improved parts, design, functionality and user experience. Choose between the redesigned stainless steel or glass mouthpieces, and select from four preset temperature settings to tailor your experience. For even more customization, the Haze includes two different screens, allowing for precise control over the type of vapor produced. Use the conduction screens if you prefer thicker, more visible clouds, or the convection screens for smoother, tastier draws. Removable and replaceable lithium-ion batteries coupled with a best-in-class 10 year warranty mean the Haze is built for the long haul, and will last for years to come.

Vapir Prima

The Prima is the latest portable innovation from one of the most trusted names in vaporizer industry, Vapir. Featuring a modern design and optimized heat settings, it supports both dry herbs and wax concentrates, and delivers exceptional vapor flavor and density. A removable stainless steel vapor channel and replaceable 3200mAh lithium-ion battery give the Prima an edge over the competition, and the vape’s brushed aluminum exterior is available in four eye-catching colors.

The Prima’s unique design utilizes an advanced airflow system capable of producing cloud after cloud of crisp, delicious vapor. Simple to use and maintain, the removable vapor path allows for easy cleaning to ensure fresh vapor during every session. Intuitive one-button operation allows you to easily toggle between the four heat settings, which range from 348° to 399°F.

#ThisThingRips OG Four 2.0

Dabs, shatter, crumble, wax, oil: no matter what you call them, concentrates have become a huge part of the cannabis community, and the popularity of dabbing has arguably surpassed that of flower in recent years with no signs of slowing down anytime soon. Until recently, wax enthusiasts had to choose between the power of a desktop rig and the portability and convenience of a wax pen vaporizer. However, the latest generation of wax pens – especially those from industry heavyweight #ThisThingRips – are incorporating high-quality quartz crystal components with calibrated low-temperature heating coils to create a higher standard of vape pen.

#ThisThingRips took the industry by storm with the release of its flagship R Series 2 pen vaporizer, and recently, it built on that success with the exceptional OG Four 2.0. Orange and chrome combine to give the OG a look unequivocally its own, but it’s what’s under the hood that really separates this little guy from the competition. By replacing premium ceramic with rare Lava-Quartz (a proprietary patented technology), the OG Four 2.0 lets the true taste of dabs shine through. A deep dish design ensures there’s plenty of room to load your concentrate while protecting the calibrated low-temp heating coil from accidental exposure. Like the R Series 2, the OG Four 2.0 is powered by a long-lasting 650mAh battery and is 510 threaded for universal compatibility.

Cloud Pen 3.0

Orange County-based Cloud Pen is widely recognized as one of the originators of the ellipse-style wax pen. Often imitated but never duplicated, Cloud Pen’s award-winning products utilize advanced, patented atomizers which allow for a high level of customization and tasty, authentic dab hits with every draw. Engineered by heavy essential oil enthusiasts, each and every Cloud Pen features high-quality construction and eye-catching designs.

The popular Cloud Pen 3.0 kit includes the most powerful Cloud Pen yet, plus an array of attachments and accessories. Equipped with a long-lasting 650mAh battery, the pen will withstand hours of continuous use, and its 25-second drag time allows for huge hits. The kit comes with some of Cloud Pen’s most popular patented atomizers, all featuring hand-wrapped Titanium coils and click-in technology to ensure a secure connection: choose from a Ceramic Rod Dual Coil atomizer with an Atlas 3.0 Glass Globe for wax and oils, or the Medi Grade Vertical Coil atomizer for dry herbs.

Also included are a silicone-cured Cloud Jar to store wax concentrates, and a C-Tensil dab tool for easy handling and loading. Each Cloud Pen 3.0 features metallic gold accents and LED light indicators, which change from white to red once battery life is below 10 percent. Available in 12 colors, including Slime Green, Sizurp Purple and Reggae Red, it’s easy to find a 3.0 that matches your style and personality.

NORML Endorses The MILegalize 2016 Michigan Marijuana Legalization Initiative

By Danielle Keane, NORML Political Director The National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML) is pleased to announce our endorsement of the MI Legalize 2016 initiative to regulate the adult use, production and retail sale of marijuana in Michigan. MI Legalize, also known as the Michigan Comprehensive Cannabis Law Reform Committee, has collected

Comedian Ron Funches Talks Cannabis and Video Games

Ron Funches’ laugh is infectious. It’s not how he usually reacts to his own jokes (which is good, because comedy), but when a titter does escape him, it’s hard not to giggle yourself. Who better to spend a 4/20 with?

If you’re in or near Chicago, that’s exactly what you should do. Funches will be cracking wise on April 20 at the Leafly Comedy Tour show at the Vic Theatre. If you’re 21 or over, RSVP right this minute. It’s free (because we love you), but it’s filling up fast.

Funches released his first comedy album, Funches of Us — which even includes his own audio commentary — late last year to critical acclaim. He’s graced hit shows such as Portlandia, New Girl, Bob’s Burgers, Drunk History, and others. He also plays Shelley on the NBC series Undateable alongside Chris D’Elia, who will join Funches onstage for the 4/20 show.

Funches is funny, but he’s also wiser than he sometimes lets on. A video game fanatic, he described Fallout 4 to International Business Times thusly:

“It’s almost like life where you get dropped in and you’re completely overwhelmed and everybody is better than you and you just get killed over and over and over and then, eventually, you just kind of slow down and relax and go at your own pace and you’re like, ‘Man, this game is awesome!’”

Leafly sought out more kernels of wisdom during a conversation with Funches around cannabis, comedy, and, of course, video games.

Leafly: It’s tough to read any interview with you, or look at your Twitter or Instagram accounts, and not see something about video games. What are you playing these days?

Ron Funches: Right now I’ve been playing a lot of the UFC games. It’s very thrilling, and it’s fun to make your own character. I have a fun lady named Ronisha Funches who’s working her way through the UFC, beating up Ronda Rousey and things like that. That’s been pretty fun.

I’m in a lull right now. I’ve been going back and playing some old games and waiting for a game I really like called Uncharted. They’re doing a new Uncharted game, and I’m waiting for that to come out.

If you were going to suggest video games that pair well with cannabis, what would some of them be?

It’s just fun to play, like, Peggle. I don’t know if you’ve heard of Peggle? You shoot little dots, and there are unicorn farts, and— it’s like pachinko mixed with Bubble Bobble, I guess, in a way. It’s real fun to play when you’re stoned.

Most games are fun. I like Red Dead Redemption just to hang out and smoke pot.

Ooh! A really good game was Legend of Zelda, the one where he has the boat — Wind Waker — because he has to sail around for a while to get places. So you can just take a couple bong hits while you go from island to island.

I wish that had occurred to me. That part was always such a time suck.

Yeah, it was!

OK, so you’re doing bong rips while you travel between make-believe islands on an animated sailboat. Safe to say you’re a fan of cannabis?

Yeah, no, I like pot quite a bit and enjoy it very much.

And no need to blow smoke, but have you used Leafly before?

Yeah, I’m familiar with Leafly. I’ve definitely used it. It’s a pretty good thing so you could check out strains so you know what you’re getting. I use it if I’ve never heard of a strain before; I’ll go look it up and check it out.

Do you have favorite strains?

Yeah, of course! I like a good little classic Jack. It’s just really classic. Let’s see, what else do I really like? I like a strain that’s more here in town called Mega Wellness. It’s like a place’s private strain. And I like Sour Diesel. I like Trainwreck. I like all different types.

So you’re not a strictly indica or sativa guy?

No, I like both. I like sativa for the day, indica for the eve!

I like variety, I like different flavors. I’m always trying different strains and checking them out. As long as they’re real strains, you can check it out on Leafly. I hate it when the places are just making names up, you know?

So you’re from Chicago, you grew up in Oregon, and now you live in Los Angeles. You have an unusual perspective. What’s cannabis like in those places, from your experience?

I know Portland’s changed quite a bit recently since they’ve gone straight legal. It’s always been pretty laid back and lenient from my time there. And the quality? I would say that the quality in those three places has been the best for me in California, but that more people and more of my friends would smoke in Portland. Which seems weird; there are so many dispensaries down here.

Chicago also seems like a very popular, very good place to get stuff, but it was more low-key. The police there are more aggressive.

Last year you recorded your first hourlong album, Funches of Us, after almost a decade of telling jokes. Does it feel different at all to perform in a longer format, and with tape rolling?

It’s just fun. It’s a collection of jokes that I was telling, so it was nice to put them together and really polish ‘em up, then put them out and move on. It was great, the response I got from it. It ended up on a lot of different websites and magazines as one of the top comedy albums of the year. That’s the best that I could hope for. If people don’t have it, I recommend they go get my album, Funches of Us… which is also another video game reference.

Tell me about @midnight. I hear you have a pretty killer record.

It’s a show hosted by Chris Hardwick, just basically Twitter with a game show. I’ve won, like, 15 times, which I think is the most. Or tied for the most. Or at one time it was the most. Either way, I’m the best at it, is what I’m trying to say. It’s on Comedy Central at midnight.

Wikipedia tells me you got into comedy when you were 23, after a series of jobs you “weren’t suited for.” Can I ask what that means?

Sure! I worked at a bank for a while, and then I worked at a tax service as one of those Statues of Liberties that stand around. So that was fun. But no job was going to work for me besides comedy, really. So I’m glad that it’s working out and that people like my standup and some of my acting.

And since you’ve gotten into comedy, it seems like you’ve been all over the place: Conan, the movie Get Hard, the web series Getting Doug With High, a few movies, and a ton of TV shows. Most of us don’t live that life. Any stories worth telling?

Not really. It was just real fun to do, and they’re real cool people to hang out with. Everything you would think it was.

I did go to Justin Timberlake’s recording studio and do some stuff with him recently, and that was the coolest thing I ever did, and he’s very nice and he smells good.

What does he smell like?

He smells like the cologne that I can’t afford.

That seems like a good thing to end on, but is there anything you want to say to Chicago before we go?

Yeah, just that I’m excited to come. It’s one of my favorite towns, it’s where I’m from. So I’m going to eat some food and we’re going to tell some jokes, and then we’re probably going to get real stoned. It’s going to be a great night!

Updating Your Inventory for 4/20? Make Sure You Have These Strains in Stock

It’s the most won-der-ful time of the yearrrrrrrr. That’s right, 4/20 is rapidly approaching, meaning your business is about to enjoy a nice traffic bump as more people flock to your location to stock up for the biggest cannabis-friendly holiday. Now that you’ve honed your marketing strategy in anticipation of the big day, it’s time to check your inventory and make sure you’ve got the goodies your customers expect.

We put together this handy word cloud containing the 100 most trafficked strains on 4/20. These are the varieties Leafly users pull up the most on April 20th. Click on each strain name to navigate to its details page.

Of the 100 most frequently looked at strains, these top 10 are must-haves. We’ve listed them below, as well as worthy substitutions if you can’t snag the exact variety for 4/20.

Sign Up for Leafly’s Marketing Services

Blue Dream

Worthy substitutions:

• Strawberry Dream
• Dream Queen
• Double Dream
• Snoop’s Dream

Girl Scout Cookies

Worthy substitutions:

• Key Lime Pie
• Sunset Sherbet
• Animal Cookies
• Gelato

Sour Diesel

Worthy substitutions:

• Super Sour Diesel
• NYC Diesel
• Sour Kush
• 3 Kings

List Your Business on Leafly

OG Kush

Worthy substitutions:

• Ghost OG
• Sour OG
• Abusive OG
• SFV OG
• Larry OG

Green Crack

Worthy substitutions:

• Durban Poison
• Alaskan Thunder Fuck
• Chocolope
• Cinex
• Haze

Granddaddy Purple

Worthy substitutions:

• Blackberry Kush
• Purple Urkle
• Grape Ape
• God’s Gift

Learn More About Leafly’s Cannabis Marketing Opportunities

White Widow

Worthy substitutions:

• The White
• Black Widow
• Snow White
• White Rhino

Jack Herer

Worthy substitutions:

• J1
• Jack Frost
• XJ-13
• Cinderella 99

Bubba Kush

Worthy substitutions:

• Superman OG
• Purple Chemdawg
• Master Bubba
• Ripped Bubba

Contact Leafly to Learn About Our Marketing Packages

Northern Lights

Worthy substitutions:

• Black Domina
• Aurora Indica
• Shiva Skunk
• Gigabud

Hungry for more valuable marketing tips? Learn how Leafly can help your business succeed!

The State of the Leaf: Pennsylvania to Become Next Medical Cannabis State

New this week: Nevada and Rhode Island are making progress on their legalization initiatives, but Vermont’s efforts have stalled in the House Judiciary Committee. Ohio legislators made a bold new medical marijuana proposal, while Pennsylvania is so close to medical cannabis they can almost smell it. Internationally, the Australian state of Victoria became the first to legalize medicinal access, a Canadian cannabis activist uses civil disobedience to make a point, and one French minister wants the country to reconsider prohibition.

U.S. News Updates

COLORADO

House Bill 1436, introduced in the state House of Representatives last week, would restrict the design of cannabis infused edible products, banning the creation of any edibles that “resemble the form of a human, animal or fruit.” The restriction is aimed at reducing the appeal of cannabis-infused edibles to children, which has been a longstanding concern in Colorado’s medical and retail cannabis industry. If they’re really hoping to avoid appealing to kids, though, they ought to start manufacturing infused canna-carrots and broccoli.

NEVADA

Nevada’s legalization initiative is officially on the November ballot. The Nevada Marijuana Legalization Initiative, known as Question 2, would legalize the sale and possession of up to one ounce of cannabis for adults 21 and older. The state Department of Taxation would be charged with issuing licenses to retailers, suppliers, testing facilities, and distributors, and all wholesale cannabis sales would be subject to a 15 percent excise tax. The revenue generated would go toward supporting K–12 education.

OHIO

Lawmakers in Ohio presented the findings of a medical marijuana task force along with a bold proposal aimed at bringing medical cannabis to the state by this summer. If adopted, the proposal would actually outpace the current effort to put a medical marijuana initiative on the ballot this November. The proposal, by House Speaker Cliff Rosenberger, task force chairman Rep. Kirk Schuring (R-Canton), and Sen. Dave Burke (R-Marysville), sets a hard deadline for medical marijuana legalization. If the bill passes the House this month and the Senate in May, it could reach Gov. John Kasich by May 31 and take effect by the end of August.

PENNSYLVANIA

The Pennsylvania House of Representatives has officially approved Senate Bill 3 to legalize medical marijuana. The bill now heads to Gov. Tom Wolf, who has already pledged to sign the measure into law. The 80-page bill has been amended and changed many times since its introduction last May, and this round was no different. Once signed by the governor, it will go into effect after about a month. Drafting regulations and opening medical dispensaries could take another two years.

RHODE ISLAND

Rhode Island legislators held a hearing on the referendum to tax and regulate cannabis this week, along with several other cannabis-related bills. H.7752, also known as the Marijuana Regulation, Control and Taxation Act, would legalize the use and possession of up to an ounce of cannabis and the growing of up to two plants for personal use by adults 21 and older.

VERMONT

Vermont’s legalization bill has hit an unexpected twist. After a positive vote from the Senate just a few short months ago, it seemed as though the Green Mountain State was on its way towards adult-use legalization. The House Judiciary Committee, however, rejected S.241 in its current form, favoring instead a proposal to create a commission to study the legalization of cannabis. Of course, Gov. Peter Shumlin last year commissioned and released a comprehensive 218-page study on the impact of legalization in Vermont. There’s still a glimmer of hope for advocates, though. The bill will be heard by at least two more committees before a vote a by the entire House, during which the bill could be readjusted. S.241 is now headed to the House Ways and Means Committee and the House Education Committee for consideration.

International News Updates

AUSTRALIA

Victoria passed the history-making Access to Medicinal Cannabis Bill 2015 this week, making it the first Australian state to allow medical cannabis. The bill ensures that children with severe epilepsy will be given first access to medicinal cannabis starting in early 2017. It also creates an Office of Medicinal Cannabis to oversee regulations and framework for the new program. An independent medical advisory committee will make future recommendations on expanding patient conditions and medical cannabis products.

CANADA

Canadian cannabis activist Dana Larsen began a tour across the country last week, giving away one million marijuana seeds en route to becoming a veritable Johnny Cannabis Seed. Larsen’s Overgrow Canada Tour was abruptly interrupted in Calgary when he was arrested on charges of trafficking and possession. After spending the night in jail, he was released on $1,000 bail and vowed to continue onto Edmonton, the next scheduled stop on his tour. When asked about his motivation, Larsen responded: “It’s not about me. It’s about supporting the many other people who are still in jail for cannabis.” Not one to be deterred, Larsen is now vowing to give away two million cannabis seeds as a form of civil disobedience.

FRANCE

Secretary of State for Relations with Parliament Jean-Marie Le Guen, said in a recent interview that France needs to rethink its policies on cannabis prohibition. “Prohibition does not cause a decrease in consumption,” he argued during an interview with BFMTV, noting a recent survey from the World Health Organization that found France had the highest percentage of teenagers who use cannabis. Le Guen emphasized that he doesn’t support public consumption but would rather see sanctions and decriminalization of private use for adults. “We must stop the trafficking. Billions of euros are now in our suburbs and feed into a culture of illegality.” His support has already sparked a new conversation on cannabis in France’s Parliament, although Le Guen’s own party condemned the idea of decriminalization.

US OR: Column: RoundupTM Is Bad. but This Pot News Roundup Is

Portland Mercury, 14 Apr 2016 – WHO LIKES POT NEWS? We like pot news! Come get some pot news before it gets cold… DEA to Reschedule Cannabis… Maybe-Do you need another reason to love Elizabeth Warren? Okay, here’s one. Because of a letter the Massachusetts senator wrote in July 2015 asking the government to “facilitate scientific research on the potential health benefits of marijuana”-which was signed by not one but two Oregon senators, Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden-the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has announced they will decide by July if they plan to reschedule cannabis. The government has five different designated categories, or schedules, of drugs, and cannabis has always been listed as a Schedule I drug along with heroin and LSD, all of which are considered as having “no currently accepted medical use” and a “high potential for abuse.” This current designation for weed has about as much credibility as a 1981 Afterschool Special called Timmy Shot Up Some Marijuana, Turned Gay, and Died.

New Industry Report from Arcview Market Research

“Information is the oil of the 21st century, and analytics is the combustion engine.” –Peter Sondergaard, Gartner Research “It is not often one has the opportunity to have a front row seat, let alone a driving seat, in understanding an industry as unique as the legal marijuana market. It is both an exhilarating and humbling […]

Why Are Legal States Setting More Limits on Cannabis?

If you’re not a Colorado resident, you might have missed the fact the Legislature there just dodged an effort to ban all cannabis products stronger than 15 percent THC. If you don’t live in Oregon, you might not know that regulators there plan to limit the potency of edibles to half that of other legal states. And if you didn’t go skiing in Aspen this winter, you might not realize that county commissioners there could do away with edibles in all but pill form — no gummies, no cookies, no silky smooth chocolates squares out on the slopes.

As more states look at legalization, a few already-legal locales are actually considering tighter restrictions. Some of the country’s most cannabis-friendly jurisdictions are weighing whether to narrow the choices available to consumers and patients. What gives?

Fixing a Fledgling System

In Oregon, authorities are planning to implement a new rule that would cap individual serving sizes of infused edibles at 5 mg THC, or half that of Washington and Colorado. Currently there are no potency limits for Oregon edibles, though they’re only available to state-registered medical patients. The measure is scheduled to go into effect on Oct. 1. Regulators explain the change not as an attack on the industry but as a push to curb the horror stories of young children coming into emergency rooms after mistakenly ingesting edibles. The new limits, they say, are actually aimed at helping the new market succeed.

“Everybody’s aware that all eyes are on us,” said André Ourso, manager of the Oregon Medical Marijuana Program. As the statewide experiment unfolds, it’s no secret U.S. and international governments are watching keenly. “It’s a frontier,” Ourso said. “It really is something new, and I think everybody wants to do it right and not make mistakes going forward.”

Oregon’s new rule would limit retail edibles to 5 mg THC per serving for things like cookies and chocolates. An entire package could contain no more than 50 mg. Medical products would have higher limits, up to 100 mg per package.

While Colorado and Washington have had years of regulatory opportunities, “this is pretty much our first real regulatory crack at rulemaking,” Ourso explained. “Setting lower limits, it allows us to look at things in a more cautious public health manner.”

Cannabis-infused gummy bears

He stressed that the lower limits don’t mean Oregon regulators are opposed to cannabis. “We don’t want to decimate an entire industry; that’s not our goal,” he said. “We want to have a well-regulated industry, just like any other.”

The proposal is winning hesitant buy-in from some producers and dispensary operators. While business owners aren’t necessarily in favor of the proposed rules, they said, they understand the unique position legal cannabis still occupies.

“I think obviously they’re coming from a public safety standpoint, and we get it,” said Oregon cannabis entrepreneur Brent Kenyon, founder of Southern Oregon Alternative Medicine dispensaries and maker of the 400-mg-THC Chocowanna Bar, which would be prohibited under the new state rule.

A big piece of the industry’s buy-in seems to come from the sense that authorities in Oregon are genuinely on board with cannabis. When there’s a rub, Kenyon said, he’s seen the Oregon Liquor Control Commission, which also regulates cannabis, revise rules in response to feedback from both the industry and the public.

“They’ve done a great job of reaching out to everyone,” Kenyon said. “The state of Oregon doesn’t want to squish commerce.”

The Importance of Information

If trust can go a long way in getting stakeholders on the same page, though, a misunderstanding can make for disaster. In Colorado, a recent legislative push to limit the potency of all cannabis products drew the ire of many in the industry. Michael Elliot, executive director of the Denver-based Marijuana Industry Group, described the measure in a Denver Post op-ed as “an attempt to make pot illegal.”

The proposal would’ve capped THC in all cannabis and cannabis products — including concentrates — at 15 percent. That’s lower than the current state average of 17.1 percent THC for raw flower, and it’s drastically below the average concentrate potency of 62.1 percent.

The Colorado lawmaker who introduced the legislation, Rep. Kathleen Conti (R-Littleton), said in an interview that the proposal came in response to a lack of scientific research into the safety of high-THC cannabis. She also said it’s her opinion that too many in Colorado have adopted the opinion that “if it’s legal, it can’t hurt you.”

“We don’t know that to be true,” she said.

Critics, however, said the ignorance cut both ways. The manner in which the bill was written, they argued, suggested Conti and her staff didn’t adequately understand cannabis.

“I don’t think a lot of thought was put into the proposals,” Mark Slaugh, executive director of the Cannabis Business Alliance, told the Denver Post as the measure was being considered. “This bill threatens to wipe out most infused product manufacturers, and its language is unclear what to do with edibles.”

Growers would have to destroy common strains with higher THC levels, they complained, and even carefully cultivated cannabis could come in above the cap, depending on growing conditions. And ultimately if consumers couldn’t obtain their favorite products legally, critics warned, they’d likely turn to the black market.

The 15-percent limit barely fell short in committee, by a 6–5 vote, but lawmakers have promised to return to the issue next year. In the meantime, both sides are gearing up to battle over a bill introduced last week, HB 1436, that would prohibit infused edibles that “resemble the form of a human, animal, or fruit” because they are “shaped in a manner to entice a child.”

Regulation or Education?

There are good reasons to question caps on cannabis potency. But it’s also fair to say that edibles earn cannabis a lot of bad press when people, whether children or just rookie consumers, accidentally eat too much. New York Times columnist Maureen Dowd is an infamous example; she ate a whole cannabis-infused candy bar without realizing it contained 16 servings.

Even officials who favor cannabis have started to rethink edibles. In Aspen, Colo., Sheriff Joe DiSalvo admits he’s struggling with how to regulate products like cookies and candy, which he worries might appeal to kids. County commissioners have asked DiSalvo to provide a recommendation as to whether Aspen should ban all edibles except for those in pill form, a decision the sheriff said he’s still considering.

“It goes back to, for me, what is the real point of a cookie or a gummy when you can get it delivered in a different way?” he said. “I don’t know why you need to have in this other form when you could swallow it and be done with it.”

He acknowledged a lot of the terrible stories he hears are anecdotal. “I wonder about that myself sometimes,” he said. But because he worries horror stories cause harm to the industry, he said a ban on edibles might be the way to go.

“Is cookies and candies equivalent to putting a smiley face on a bottle of Jack Daniels and making it appeal to a kid?” he asked. “When it comes to children and use, we’re all concerned about that.”

How does he feel about a cap on overall cannabis potency in Colorado? “I would fight it to the death. I don’t see a lot of accidental ingestion with flower.”

Let’s be absolutely clear: Whether inhaled or ingested, cannabis won’t kill you. Yes, accidentally eating an edible can be miserable. Some people who consume too much say they think they’re dying (which would surely be a traumatic experience for a young child). But unlike alcohol, tobacco, prescription drugs, and a whole host of illicit substances, cannabis isn’t lethal.

And while the problem of accidental ingestion is growing, it still appears relatively isolated. As Oregonian reporter Noelle Crombie put it recently:

Last year, the Oregon Poison Center received 25 calls related to children under 6 consuming marijuana, up from 11 the previous year. (By comparison, the center received an estimated 1,800 calls in 2014 about young children getting into household cleaners, according to data provided by the agency.)

The situation leaves many in the industry feeling like they’re left to thread the needle. While the risks posed to children from cannabis are less severe and less frequent than overdoses from other legal substances, nearly every awful story involving cannabis is seized upon by media and, ultimately, lawmakers.

Kenyon, who’s worked in medical cannabis in California and Oregon for nearly two decades, acknowledged that nobody, least of all cannabis advocates, are comfortable with kids in the E.R. “Nobody likes that,” he said. “But the reality is, marijuana is nontoxic. It hasn’t happened. Not one death.”

“I understand baby steps” into adult-use legalization, he said. But he also worries officials are focusing too much on regulation. The proposed limits on Oregon edibles might mean customers buying more of his edibles, but he doubted they’ll solve the problem of children mistakenly eating them. Like most of parenting, he said, it’s about education.

“When it comes to restrictions on child safety and child awareness, education is the number one thing, just like it is with alcohol, just like it is with running in the middle of the street,” he said. “This is no different.”

DiSalvo, the sheriff in Aspen, said he agrees — but it’s not quite that foolproof. “I do wish adults could be more responsible,” he said, “but we’re not.”

Pennsylvania Set to OK Medical Cannabis, Ohio Could Follow Soon

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Pennsylvania is set to become the latest state to legalize medical marijuana as the Legislature sent a bill to the governor on Wednesday, after parents of children suffering from debilitating seizures circulated the Capitol urging lawmakers to act.

The House voted, 149-46, capping several years of door-to-door lobbying by parents and more than a year-and-a-half since the state Senate first approved a medical marijuana bill in 2014. Gov. Tom Wolf, a Democrat, has indicated he will sign it.

Meanwhile, in Ohio, lawmakers promised to legalize medical marijuana by the summer, before voters get a chance to decide a ballot question in the fall election.

Pennsylvania would become the 24th state to legalize a comprehensive medical marijuana program, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.

The issue has been driven by parents who believe a marijuana oil extract can help relieve the daily seizures that have left their children in wheelchairs or functioning far below their grade level. Some say they worried that the next seizure will kill their child.

Christine Brann, of Hummelstown in suburban Harrisburg, said that every day without a medical marijuana law in Pennsylvania is a risk for people who believe their suffering child may not survive another day.

“Every day we roll the dice on our child’s or our loved one’s life,” said Brann, whose 5-year-old son, Garrett, is diagnosed with a severe form of epilepsy known as Dravet syndrome.

The bill sets standards for tracking plants, certifying physicians and licensing growers, dispensaries and physicians. Patients could take marijuana in pill, oil, vapor or liquid form but would not be able to legally obtain marijuana to smoke or to grow their own.

The Pennsylvania Medical Society opposed the bill and one opponent, Rep. Matt Baker, R-Tioga, warned that the bill violates federal drug laws and that the state would see a drastic impact on addiction and abuse.

“There’s serious consequences associated with this monumental piece of legislation,” Baker told colleagues during floor speech before the vote.

In Ohio on Wednesday, lawmakers set an aggressive schedule for legislation that would allow licensed doctors to prescribe edibles, patches, plant material and oils. State Rep. Kirk Schuring, a Canton Republican who chaired a medical marijuana task force, said it will prohibit home growing — which he says is too hard to control.

Lawmakers said that polling during a more sweeping ballot campaign that failed last year made clear to the Republican-controlled state Legislature that the issue wasn’t going away.

Ian James, who led last year’s marijuana legalization effort, called the House proposal historic.

“We’ve never had in the state’s history a time when the Statehouse has so thoroughly vetted medical marijuana, considered its positives, its negatives and brought so many people together,” he said.

In Pennsylvania, the legislation’s list of 17 qualifying diagnosed conditions include cancer, epilepsy, autism, Parkinson’s disease, post-traumatic stress disorder, sickle cell anemia, multiple sclerosis, AIDS and glaucoma.

Physicians must be registered by the state to certify that a patient has an eligible condition and a patient must get a Department of Health-issued ID card.

The legislation’s drafters say they expect it would be two years before regulations are written and retailers are ready to sell to patients. However, a safe harbor provision in the bill would allow parents to avoid the wait by legally buying medical marijuana from another state for their child.

Cara Salemme, whose 9-year-old son Jackson has suffered daily seizures for the past four years, said parents will immediately seek help for their children, if they haven’t already.

“There are many people in Pennsylvania who aren’t waiting, they’re healing,” said Salemme, of Spring Grove, near York. “We’ll definitely do what we need to do.”

Diana Briggs, of Export, near Pittsburgh, said she hopes to help her 15-year-old son, Ryan, who suffered a brain injury at birth and has suffered from daily seizures since that have left him in a wheelchair, unable to talk or walk. Nothing has worked, including pharmaceuticals, stem cell therapy, diet or electrical nerve stimulation therapy, Briggs said.

Ryan’s doctors believe medical marijuana could help him, she said.

“If it can alleviate these seizures, I can’t imagine what he could accomplish,” Briggs said.

The Best Things to Do in Portland While High: 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.

Portland, Oregon is among the most uniquely hip places on the legal marijuana map, with a peerless combination of quirk and breakneck creativity that enchants visitors and locals alike. That said, it’s far from a tourist mecca, which makes this dynamic city of neighborhoods an ideal destination. There’s exceptional cannabis to heighten your senses; breathtaking natural beauty to explore; world-class brews to sip; dishes of every variety to savor; art, music and city life to delve into; in short, everything a cannabis enthusiast could desire. What are you waiting for?

Portland Vitals

Cannabis legality: Recreational (21+, ID required)

Nicknames: PDX, Stumptown, The Rose City, Bridgetown

Population: 609,456

Pop culture claim to fame: Portlandia

Dispensaries on Leafly: 136

For the record: City law makes it illegal to wear roller skates in restrooms.

Day One

At 4:20pm, you are: Done checking into your room at the Ace Hotel (perhaps the most quintessentially Portland lodging option in town) and on your way to The Kings of Canna, a 10-minute drive (or Uber ride) away. Dark mahogany accents set the tone at this classy family-owned dispensary and rec store, and a selection of particularly beautiful buds are displayed in lit alcoves along the wall. Let the knowledgeable budtenders share recommendations and whiffs of each strain (unlike Washington rec stores, that’s allowed here), and pick up pre-rolls of a few local favorites – anything with a citrusy aroma will pair beautifully with the food you’re about to order.

Heads up: Though legislation is in progress, Oregon’s market doesn’t allow rec sales of edibles quite yet; instead, you’ll find some of the best flower in the country.

At 4:50pm, you are: Next door at Pok Pok Noi, Portland’s legendary Southeast Asian food-cart-turned-eatery. You’re ordering the signature Vietnamese fish sauce wings, one of the best dishes Portland has to offer (which is no small feat), and you’re getting them to go (don’t forget the napkins), because…

At 5:20pm, you are: Hiking up Rocky Butte, another short drive from Pok Pok. It’s one of the few extinct volcanic cinder cones within city limits in the United States, yet it feels like your own private castle a world away – no one’s going to harsh your mellow here, and things get exponentially more breathtaking the lower the sun sinks in the sky. Kick back, relax, and gawk at the incomparable view of the city below you and Mt. Hood in the distance as you chow down on those mouthwatering wings.

At 6:45pm, you are: Headed to school. The Kennedy School is not your typical scholastic institute, though. In fact, this ex-elementary school has grown up into a guest house, neighborhood hub and mini-utopia for adults, to the tune of four bars, two restaurants, a brewery, a movie theater, a soaking pool, and far more. In the main office, put your name on the waiting list for the soaking pool, then grab a beer from the Detention Bar (or the Honors Bar, if you’re feeling studious) and wander the halls as you wait for a texted invitation to dive in.

Heads up: The tubs close at 8:00pm, and wait times can reach up to a half-hour in the evenings. Be sure to show up with your own towel, or else plan to drip-dry.

At 9:00pm, you are: Sipping from the exceptional sake selection on the rooftop of the city’s swankiest sky-scraping hotel, The Nines. The boutique rooms here cost a small fortune, but you can catch the view everyone is paying a premium for at Departure, the rooftop bar. Drinks are pricey and the music is loud, but when you’re standing by one of the fire pits and looking out over the lights of the city, it’s more than worth it.

At 10:15pm, you are: Rocking out at Mississippi Studios, the beating heart of the city’s music scene. It’s built, owned and operated by musicians, for musicians, and showcases artists of all genres every night of the week. Hungry? The burgers at connected restaurant Bar Bar are legendary and very affordable; order from the bar, then head to the secret garden tucked away at the back for an eardrum break (and perhaps a quick hit of the vape).

At 12:30am, you are: Ready for a nightcap. Head back to the Ace Hotel – but rather than taking the main entrance, round the corner of the building and look for the pink neon “Cocktails” sign that marks the subtle door to Pepe Le Moko. Down a slender staircase and around a bend, you’ll suddenly find yourself under the low, arched ceiling of what looks kind of like a bomb shelter, if bomb shelters were casually swanky and served some of the best cocktails in the country. Take a seat at the bar and settle in for an exceptional drink and equally rich conversation.

Word to the wise: Genial proprietor Jeffrey Morgenthaler is one of the best bartenders in America. While his Amaretto Sour is considered by many (including himself) to be the best in the world, you also can’t go wrong by telling him what you like and waiting to see what he shakes up.

At 1:30am, you are: Exhausted. Luckily, your room is just upstairs. Like every room in the Ace Hotel, it features custom-painted art and the occasional arbitrary phrase on the walls (“Complete my life and be my wife?!” –Room 212). It’s like the über-cool urban studio apartment you never got to own. Cozy up in one of the sweatshirt-soft bathrobes with a complimentary magazine (Paper, Imbibe) from the crate by the bedside, munch on the complimentary treats on the desk (baked fresh that morning by nearby Nordic-French pastry shop Måurice), and pretend you live here.

Day Two

At 9:30am, you are: Craving caffeine. Good thing Portland is up there with Oslo, Melbourne and Seattle as one of the best coffee cities in the world. While there’s a Stumptown café in the lobby of the Ace, Case Study Coffee’s downtown location gets our endorsement for the best cup close by.

Word to the wise: Also close by is Tom McCall Waterfront Park, a picturesque place to stroll and pair your cannabis and caffeine, if you so desire.

At 10:15am, you are: Listening to your stomach grumble – in other words, you’re ready for brunch. (Isn’t everyone always? In Portland they are.) Grab a free rental bicycle from the front desk downstairs, strap on a helmet, and bike the 10 minutes over the iconic Broadway Bridge and a few blocks up the river to Broder Nord. Here, modern Scandinavian brunch favorites can be found every day of the week (though be aware that the line can easily be over an hour long on Saturdays and Sundays). What’s good? In the words of one server, “anything with fish is a sure bet.”

Take our word for it: Have your fish entrée, but be sure to also order the æbleskiver – cloud-like puffs of piping-hot dough, served with little dipping cups of lingonberry jam, applesauce, or (my favorite) lemon curd. Doesn’t matter if you can pronounce it, just matters that you get to eat it.

At 12:00pm, you are: Checking out of the Ace Hotel right on time, and walking a block up to Powell’s City of Books, the largest independent new and used bookstore in the world. Tourist destination? Yes. Worth it? Absolutely. Explore nine rooms and over two million tomes (which take up an entire city block), and pick out at least a few to take with you when you leave.

What you’re skipping: VooDoo Doughnut. While the provocative boundary-pushing donut shop lures many visitors and the outrageous pastries (like the Maple Blazer Blunt) are good for a laugh, the line can last up to an hour ­– and unlike Broder Nord, it’s not worth the wait. Don’t worry, though; you’ll satisfy your donut munchies this afternoon.

At 1:30pm, you are: Putting on your art appreciation face at one of the oldest museums in the United States. Portland is an artist’s mecca, and the diversity of the arts scene is epitomized by the 112,000-square foot Portland Art Museum. Its airy galleries house vast sculptures, huge paintings, Native American artifacts, bold photography, interactive exhibits, and plenty more to keep you spellbound. It’s a tree-lined half-mile walk from Powell’s.

Heads up: At present, the brilliant colors and bold social commentary of a Contemporary Native Photographers exhibition are exceptionally striking, and “the greatest cat painting ever made” is the current most popular piece on display. Visit before May 8 to see both for yourself.

At 3:30pm, you are: Walking back the way you came, then hanging a right when you reach Burnside – because who doesn’t love mini-donuts made by a robot? At 4th and Burnside is Donut Byte Labs, a food cart (Portland is famous for them) where you’ll find humans working with a machine to make fresh French toast donuts, Burnside cream donuts, and – the best – crème brulee donuts with crackly caramelized sugar on top.

Feds Finally End 18-Year Fight Against MMJ Pioneer Lynnette Shaw

After an 18-year battle, one of the nation’s first state-legal medical marijuana dispensaries appears to have finally defeated the federal government. On Tuesday, Melinda Haag, the U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of California, quietly withdrew an appeal of a court decision last October that prevented the government from prosecuting Lynnette Shaw, founder of the Marin Alliance for Medical Marijuana.

“It is absolutely, finally over!” an exuberant Shaw said in a phone interview with Leafly on Wednesday morning.

“They have surrendered to the truth, the Constitution, Congress, and Lynnette.”

Shaw opened the Marin Alliance in 1997, a year after California voters became the first in the country to legalize medical cannabis. It’s widely believed to be the region’s first dispensary to operate legally under state law.

The federal government sued Shaw in 1998 and has continued its effort to shut her down ever since. Shaw’s dispensary remained open until 2011, when federal prosecutors initiated a forfeiture action against her landlord. The property owner settled the case, keeping the property by evicting Shaw and her dispensary.

Portrait of Lynnette Shaw

“I couldn’t operate for four years,” she recalled. “I had agents following me, asking me to give up the names of growers and other people in the business.”

In 2014, Congress passed the Rohrabacher–Farr Amendment, which prevented the federal government from prosecuting medical marijuana patients or dispensaries that operate in compliance with state laws. “When that passed, I called my attorney and said, ‘Maybe I can go back to work again,’” Shaw said.

It wasn’t so simple. A U.S. District Court’s permanent injunction against Shaw and the dispensary, issued in 1998, remained in effect. When her lawyers pointed to the legal language in Rohrabacher–Farr — which was aimed at specifically preventing exactly the type of prosecution the feds were waging against Shaw — the medical marijuana pioneer finally won her case. In October 2015, U.S. District Court Judge Charles Breyer declared that the injunction remained in effect but the Rohrabacher–Farr rules meant the U.S. Department of Justice could no longer enforce it.

Haag, the U.S. attorney, appealed Breyer’s decision on Dec. 18. Which left Shaw still in legal limbo.

Yesterday’s withdrawal of that appeal brings the case to an end.

Shaw’s attorney, Greg Anton, told Leafly he felt the government’s decision to withdraw the appeal might have been due to fear by prosecutors that, if the 9th Circuit upheld Breyer’s decision, the ruling would become binding precedent all along the West Coast — something that would aid dispensaries in future legal spats with the feds.

The case ultimately shuttered Shaw’s dispensary and left her bankrupt. But it never destroyed her spirit. “I’m stronger and tougher than most,” she said. This morning she was already hard at work on plans to get back into the business.

“I’m working with a veteran’s cannabis group here in Marin,” she said, “and I’ve got plans to open a new medical marijuana alliance. I’ve got investors who’ve expressed interest and want to bet on a winning pony. I’m thrilled, I’m excited, they can’t mess with me ever again. [The federal government] is leaving me alone for the first time in 18 years.”

“I’m just sorting through all my options today,” Shaw said. “I am one happy girl.”

Image Source: Lynnette Shaw via Twitter

Maryland Passes Bill To Expand List Of Who Can Recommend Medical Marijuana

Yesterday, the Maryland Senate by a vote of 36-10 passed HB104, Medical Cannabis – Written Certifications – Certifying Providers on the last day of the legislative session. If Governor Larry Hogan (R) signs the legislation as expected, it will allow dentists, podiatrists, nurse midwives and nurse practitioners in addition to physicians to provide written certifications

Medical Marijuana Bill Clears Pennsylvania Senate Again

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — The state Senate passed medical marijuana legislation for the second time in less than a year on Tuesday, and backers said they hope the House will accept the changes and send it to Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf’s desk later this week.

The issue has won overwhelming bipartisan support in both chambers after years of advocates, primarily the parents of children who suffer daily seizures and have lost their ability to function intellectually at their age levels, going door to door in the Capitol.

In recent weeks, getting a bill to Wolf’s desk has come down to hammering out the complicated details of how to strongly regulate a new industry and get it up and running as quickly as possible for people who believe it can help them or their children.

“It’s not often that we make history in this chamber, and I would say we’re making history today,” Senate Majority Leader Jake Corman, R-Centre, told colleagues during his floor remarks.

The Senate passed the bill, 42-7, after making minor changes to legislation the House passed last month by a comfortable margin. Every Democrat voted for the bill, as did 23 of 30 Republicans, including the chamber’s entire six-member GOP leadership.

House officials have not, however, given any assurances that the chamber will quickly pass this new version on Wednesday, as backers hoped. The House departs Harrisburg after Wednesday and returns to session on May 2.

Wolf supports the bill, which would make Pennsylvania the 24th state to enact a comprehensive public medical marijuana program, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. He urged the House to take quick action on the proposal.

“It is finally time to provide long overdue medical relief to patients and families who could benefit from the legalization of medical marijuana,” Wolf said in a statement. “We should not deny doctor-recommended treatment that could help people suffering from seizures or cancer patients affected by chemotherapy.”

The legislation’s drafters say they expect it would be two years before regulations are written, cannabis growers and retailers are ready to operate and patients can begin buying products.

On the list of 17 qualifying diagnosed conditions are cancer, epilepsy, autism, Parkinson’s disease, post-traumatic stress disorder, sickle cell anemia, multiple sclerosis, AIDS and glaucoma. Physicians must be registered by the state to certify that a patient has an eligible condition.

The Senate made the first move on medical marijuana nearly a year ago, overwhelmingly passing legislation that took 10 months to make its way through the House amid some high-level Republican opposition, including by House Speaker Mike Turzai, of Allegheny.

The Pennsylvania Medical Society also opposes it.

The bill sets standards for tracking plants, certifying physicians and licensing growers, dispensaries and physicians. Patients could take medicine as a pill, oil, vapor or liquid but would not be able to grow their own cannabis or legally obtain marijuana in a smokeable form.

Female Interest in Cannabis is Growing, But by How Much?

More women are getting into cannabis, a somewhat unsurprising trend given the cannabis movement’s strong momentum over the past few years. But how quickly is female interest in cannabis growing, and which states have the most cannabis-curious ladies? We dove into our data to glean some insight.

Yearly Growth of Visits to Leafly.com (2014 – 2015)

Based on our traffic stats, both women and men are getting increasingly interested in cannabis content, but year-over-year growth for females outpaced males by an impressive 27%. Quite frankly, it’s a beautiful thing to behold — over the past few years we’ve seen more female entrepreneurs enter the cannabis industry and positively influence it. With a market still in its infancy, there’s a lot of opportunity for women to cement their place as both creators and consumers.

States with the Largest Growth of Cannabis-Curious Women

Click on the image for an enlarged version

Delaware may be small, but its yearly growth in female visits to Leafly.com is anything but. The state sent 317% more traffic from female visitors to our website from 2014 to 2015.

The other top states for largest year-over-year growth were:

• Alaska
• Idaho
• South Dakota
• North Dakota
• South Carolina
• Tennessee
• Washington, D.C.
• Montana
• Arkansas

Recall that of those states, only Alaska has legalized the use of recreational cannabis (well, technically Washington, D.C., also legalized, but there’s no market in place thanks to a minefield of political issues surrounding implementation). Idaho, the Dakotas, and Arkansas have no legalization whatsoever, although South Dakota and Idaho have recently become more cannabis-curious, so the correlating spike of cannabis-curious females from those locations checking out our website isn’t terribly surprising. Four states, Delaware, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Montana, have legalized some form of medical marijuana but only two, Delaware and Montana, have medical marijuana dispensaries (South Carolina and Tennessee have CBD-only laws).

States with the Best and Worst Proportion of Female Users

Click on the image for an enlarged version

When it comes to the biggest proportion of female visitors coming to Leafly.com, South Dakota takes the cake, with 40% of its overall traffic sent to our website comprised of women. Maine, Montana, Mississippi, Louisiana, Oregon, Washington, Arkansas, Wyoming, and New Mexico round out the top 10, with over one-third of their overall traffic to Leafly.com possessing two X chromosomes. While you may be unimpressed that close to two-thirds of traffic to Leafly.com from these top states still comes from men, keep in mind that as recently as the end of 2013, our overall traffic breakdown was 80% male / 20% female. In just two years, the gap has shrunk considerably in these locations, with a 35% increase in overall female traffic to our site.

As for the bottom 10 states, sure, there’s progress to be made with their female representation, but you can say the same for most of the markets representing the lowest percentage of female visitors:

• Kansas and Indiana have no cannabis laws whatsoever
• Washington, D.C., as I already noted, legalized cannabis but it’s still illegal to purchase it (there are no dispensaries in operation) or use it in public
• Alabama, Missouri, Kentucky, and Oklahoma have restrictive CBD-only laws
• Maryland legalized medical marijuana but its system is unlikely to be operational until 2017
• New Jersey, well, is New Jersey, meaning it legalized medical marijuana but only has a few dispensaries open and has to face the ongoing anti-cannabis wrath of Governor Chris Christie

Vermont offers a shining ray of hope for the cannabis movement in that it could become the first state to legalize recreational use via an act of the Legislature rather than through a ballot initiative. Its efforts are not without some hiccups, however, so we’ll have to wait and see what happens.

Why This Growth Isn’t Good Enough

Some growth is great, but ladies, we can do better! Don’t be afraid to come out of the cannabis closet — learn the differences between cannabis types, familiarize yourself with consumption methods, get educated on how CBD is helping patients of all ages, especially children suffering from severe epilepsy disorders. Numerous publications posit that women could be the ones who end cannabis prohibition, with High Times and Jane West making a pointed observation:

While middle-aged women remain among the least likely demographic to support legalization, let alone use cannabis personally, they’re also, ironically, perhaps more in need of the plant’s considerable medicinal and stress-relief properties than most people.

“I no longer wake up on the weekends feeling like shit,” said cannabis-friendly event planner Jane West, after describing her former wine drinking habit as opening up a bottle when she started making dinner, followed by a second bottle when dinner hit the table. “

Women in my demographic are prescribed antidepressants at a rate higher than any other group of Americans,” West said. “And I want them to be open to learning more about the plant and all of the benefits it can provide, including understanding that marijuana is safer than alcohol and a healthier alternative to prescription medication. When that happens, we will create a whole new demographic of cannabis users.”

Indeed we will. And, as our data indicates, we’re already starting to see it happen. Women have the strength, resolve, and determination to make huge waves in the cannabis movement. The tipping point is yet upon us, and many of us, myself included, are hoping it happens very soon.

Business Takeaways

The growth of female cannabis consumers is a crucial trend that businesses should keep in mind and respond to accordingly. Here are some questions you should be asking yourself:

• How female-friendly is my staff? Do you have any female employees? If so, do you perpetuate the “hot stoner chick” stereotype, or is your staff’s overall appearance and demeanor more inclusive and welcoming to both men and women?
• How safety-conscious is my location? Safety is important for both genders, but women may especially feel more at ease with the implementation of security cameras, guards, a clean, well-lit storefront, on-site parking, and other factors that can make their trip to your establishment more comfortable. I know there are some elements outside of your control — perhaps the only location available when you set up shop was in the sketchy part of town — but if you can create as secure an experience as possible, your customers will have more peace of mind and may be more likely to make a return visit.
• What sort of products do I carry that are appealing to women? There are more female-friendly products hitting the market, such as cannabis-infused arousal spray, vaginal suppositories for menstrual cramps, lubricants, and female-made topicals. These product inclusions may seem small, but they can make a big difference to your female clientele.
• Do I have any female-friendly strains in stock? Yes, women are interested in different strains than men, and we have data to suggest what they are and why females may be interested in them. Stay tuned to find out what cannabis strains women want, which we’ll publish later this week.

The Shake: Cannabis Comes to Koala Country, Seattle Times Rolls Eyes at Regulators

Victoria — the one where the koalas live — legalizes medical cannabis. The Australian state is the first to make cannabis available to patients, though it’s starting slowly: Children with severe epilepsy will be given first access to the drug beginning in early 2017. “It’s absolutely heart-breaking to see families having to choose between breaking the law and watching their children suffer,” Minister for Health Jill Hennessy said. “And now, thanks to our ground-breaking legislation, they won’t have to.” The government says the next step is establishing cultivation and manufacturing facilities. A small-scale cultivation trial is already in the works at a Victorian research facility.

Seattle Times to cannabis regulators: You got some ‘splainin’ to do! Legal cannabis was supposed to be safer than the black-market stuff, accurately labeled and free of mold and pesticides, the Times editorial board writes. “Creating that kind of assurance is the responsibility of the Washington Liquor and Cannabis Board (LCB), and its work is still in progress.” Dealing with inaccurate lab data and pesticide-laden products, the LCB last week took action to address the fallout. The Times is unimpressed. “These are steps that should have been taken soon after marijuana was legalized in 2012,” the editors write. Their criticism echoes what we’ve heard from numerous people in the industry, though the Times puts it much more politely.

A ten-year-old girl is moving from Texas to California for cannabis access. Grace Lummus-Nickell was born with a painful bone disease that’s required ten surgeries. She’s already been prescribed Oxycodone and Valium for pain, Zofran for nausea, and a stool softener to counteract the effect of the narcotics. “None of the medicine they give me seems to help very much,” the girl told the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. “The medicine makes me feel weird and it kind of makes my stomach hurt.” Earlier this month, Lummus-Nickell and her mother moved to a rural area near Sacramento and plan to try treating Grace with medical cannabis. Wish her luck.

QUICK HITS:

• The Mexican Catholic church came out in favor of medical use in the country, noting it’s only following orders. Vatican authorities have already backed medical cannabis.
• The initiative on Nevada’s ballot that would legalize cannabis for adult use will be called Question 2, the AP reports. Now you know.
• Bernie supporters want you to donate $4.20 on 4/20. And they haven’t spared any hashtags in getting the word out: #BernGreenGiveGreen #BurnOneForBernie #YesHeCann
• Washington state’s proposed out-of-state investment rules still clear as mud? Canna Law Group ace Hilary Bricken has a rundown.
• The New York Times does another one of its stories on West Coast cannabis. It’s about big business getting into the fledgling industry, and it probably reads a lot like the last NYT cannabis story you read.
• French politicians are arguing over decriminalization. Lawmakers are split on whether doing away with prohibition would help address social ills or simply encourage more youth to consume. (Hint: It’s probably not the latter.)
• A 36-year veteran of the Denver Police Department wrote a letter to the editor of an Arizona paper. His advice to Arizona, where voters will consider adult-use legalization later this year: “Prohibition makes all facets of drug use worse.”
• Arizona’s already well on its way. The Campaign to Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol said it’s collected more than 200,000 signatures, over half of what it needs to qualify an adult-use legalization measure for November’s ballot.
• Colorado moves to create a cannabis courier license. The state House gave preliminary approval Tuesday to a “marijuana transporter” license, the AP reports. It would expand the privileges of couriers, currently classified as “vendors,” who transport cannabis from warehouses to storefronts.
• Trying to make the big bucks betting on cannabis stocks? Be careful and do your homework, writes investment consultant William Lyons — a lot of people out there want your money. (Tommy Chong has the same advice.)
• Utah’s push to legalize medical cannabis has fallen through. The AP reports that organizers said it would’ve been difficult to collect the nearly 102,000 signatures to get the initiative on this year’s ballot.
• And finally, flights out of Washington state were delayed because some dude had a grenade-shaped grinder in his luggage. TSA personnel aren’t generally on the hunt for cannabis products, an agency spokeswoman told the Bellingham Herald, but if you make those products look like lethal weapons, well, then they’ve got to call the bomb squad. ¯_(ツ)_/¯

Cannabis and Debilitating Medical Conditions: Why Vaporization Works Best

This article is sponsored by Herbalizer, one of the leading suppliers of table-top vaporizers. Herbalizer provides you with the ultimate vaporizing experience as you honor your flower with our power. Check out Herbalizer’s exclusive Leafly discount offer here.

Even as the host of medical benefits of cannabis gain widespread acceptance, the various delivery methods used by medical patients are still hotly contested. Oils, tinctures, edibles, pills, concentrates, and plain old-fashioned joints are all utilized widely by patients. One delivery method, however, stands out among them: vaporization is arguably the best means of ingesting cannabis for patients suffering from many of the debilitating health conditions that the plant is used to address, including chronic pain, anorexia, cancer, epilepsy, AIDS, glaucoma, arthritis, multiple sclerosis, and more.

Vaporizing Cannabis for Debilitating Health Conditions

Much of the literature on vaporization for medical conditions addresses the health benefits of vaporization itself compared to the detrimental aspects of other consumption methods. For instance, vaporization circumvents the ingestion of carcinogens associated with smoking; it avoids the intake of unnecessary calories that edibles require; and it allows for a more controlled experience than dabbing concentrates. However, a major aspect of vaporization’s appeal for medical patients is in vaporizers’ seamless fit into the lifestyle necessitated by debilitating medical conditions.

For conditions requiring long-term care in a hospital ward, for example, smoking is almost always against hospital policy due to indoor air quality regulations and the necessity of respecting other patients’ ailments. Cannabis vapor, on the other hand, drastically reduces the smell and linger associated with smoking, and will not exacerbate others’ conditions. In cases where side effects include severe nausea – in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy, for instance – vaporization makes an instant impact, whereas an edible would not necessarily have time to take effect prior to the point at which vomiting ensues. For patients whose conditions benefit from specific terpenes, the temperature control afforded by vaporization compared to smoking allows for selective extraction, meaning that patients new to using cannabis as medicine can experiment, find the correct strain and temperature setting for them, and then repeat the experience over the course of treatment.

Once a patient or caregiver has determined that vaporization is the most effective means of using cannabis to address their particular condition, the question becomes how to choose the best vaporizer for the job.

How to Choose the Right Vaporizer for Medical Care

Vaporizers come in all shapes and sizes, and are designed for different uses. Some patients vaporize concentrates, while others depend only on flower. Some are pen-sized and ultra-portable, others are larger handheld devices, and still others sit at the ready on the tabletop. They vary in the level of control they afford the user. The following are just a few of the factors to consider:

• Heat-up speed. Imagine a patient who needed immediate anesthesia having to wait four minutes prior to an inhalation of nitrous oxide. Many cannabis vaporizers on the market take at least that long to heat up, which poses an issue for medical patients experiencing irregular pangs of pain or the unexpected onset of seizures. A multi-minute heat-up time just isn’t good enough, which is what motivated the Herbalizer team to set its sights on heating up in under 15 seconds.
• Temperature control. While it may not be a big deal for recreational users to have a different experience every time they consume cannabis, most medical patients – especially those who use cannabis consistently – aren’t keen on living with such uncertainty. Because the temperature at which vaporization occurs has a major impact on the way different cannabis strains affect consumers, precise temperature controls are the key to ensuring a predictable, repeatable experience. For instance, if a consumer vapes the same amount of Cannatonic from the same grower at the exact same temperature day after day, the same cannabinoids and terpenes will be entering their system each time, meaning they can learn what to expect and adjust accordingly.
• Ease of use. Many patients afflicted with debilitating health conditions are bedridden, intubated, or otherwise suffering from limited mobility. Vaporizers that allow for consumption of cannabis without requiring movement are integral to this sort of palliative care. Features like the Herbalizer’s whip attachment were added to make it easy for patients to ingest cannabis safely and easily, whereas smoking a joint while lying in bed is not only a fire hazard, it’s also much more likely to induce coughing.
• Medical-grade materials. Many cheap vaporizers are made using correspondingly cheap plastics, which can leach harmful chemicals into the cannabis vapor. As such, vaporizers that cater to medical patients, such as the Herbalizer, rely on inert, medical-grade plastics, glass, and other materials that avoid outgassing, to ensure nothing toxic is volatized into the airstream.

For more information on the Herbalizer, please visit Herbalizer’s website.

Image Source: Sara Dilley

National Cannabis Industry Association Hosts Cannabis Caucus Event For Industry Entrepreneurs Tonight In PDX

I will be there tonight and hope that you will be too. See the press release below: The National Cannabis Industry Association (NCIA), the only national trade association for legal marijuana businesses in the U.S., will host anOregon Cannabis Caucustonightin Portland.The Cannabis Caucus is an educational and networking event designed to update cannabis professionals on

Purchase An Autographed Eugene Monroe Game Worn NFL Jersey And Support Cannabis Research

I became a huge fan of current NFL player Eugene Monroe when he became vocal about his support for cannabis reform in football. I became an even bigger fan when he donated $10k of his own money towards marijuana research, and encouraged other NFL players to do the same. The owner of the Baltimore Ravens,

Cannabis-in-Schools Bill Clears Colorado Legislative Hurdle

ENVER (AP) — Colorado schools would be forced to allow students to use medical cannabis under a bill that cleared its first hurdle Monday at the state Legislature.

The bill updates a new law that gives school districts the power to permit medical marijuana treatments for students under certain conditions. Patient advocates call the law useless because none of Colorado’s 178 school districts currently allows such use.

“This is not about two kids smoking a joint between cars in a parking lot,” said Jennie Stormes, mother of a teenage boy suspended from school last year for having yogurt mixed with cannabis pills to treat a disease that gives him seizures.

Colorado would be the second state after New Jersey to require schools to accommodate medical marijuana as long as it is in non-smokeable form and is administered by a nurse or caregiver.

Stacey Linn with her 15-year-old daughter

School officials testified against the requirement, saying marijuana remains illegal under federal law. Kathleen Sullivan, a lawyer for the Colorado Association of School Boards, said the requirement could endanger about $433 million in federal money that goes to Colorado public schools.

“This is a bill that asks you to gamble with local money,” Sullivan said.

But dozens of parents packed a Monday hearing to say their children are unable to attend school because schools forbid marijuana treatments.

“They need to make reasonable accommodations so that children who need medical marijuana can go to school,” said Stacey Linn, a Lakewood mother of a 15-year-old with cerebral palsy who is not allowed to wear a skin patch delivering a cannabis-derived treatment to school.

The bill passed 10-3 and now awaits a vote by the full House.

Medical marijuana has been legal in several states for two decades. But school districts and lawmakers nationwide are only now starting to grapple with thorny issues about student use of a drug still illegal under federal law. Colorado is one of three states where medical marijuana is legal that has any rules for use in schools, according to the pro-legalization Marijuana Policy Project.

The possibility of medical marijuana in schools raises a number of questions for school officials. The law currently says that the drug must be in non-smokeable form and is to be administered by a school nurse or a caregiver, likely a parent. But those school nurses are also required to report to authorities any child who is exposed to an illegal drug, including marijuana-derived treatments.

But lawmakers Monday were swayed by marijuana patients like Jack Splitt, a 15-year-old with cerebral palsy who says he can’t attend school until schools are forced to allow his treatments.

“Say yes so I can go to school like every other kid,” Splitt said.

Image Source: AP

6 Marketing Tips to Help Your Dispensary Succeed on 4/20

April 20th is just around the corner, and your dispensary should anticipate a bump in traffic as patients and customers file in to make purchases. To help you make the most out of the precious few days before the hectic 4/20 holiday, here are a few marketing tips you can utilize.

1. Plan a Dedicated Email Campaign

This week, you might want to think about sending a dedicated email of 4/20 specials and deals. Build this as soon as possible so you can get the word out to your email subscribers. Whether you have a special event planned or some killer deals your customers won’t want to miss, highlight them in a special 4/20 email campaign. If you send one this week, follow it up early next week with a reminder to your recipients so they don’t miss out.

Speaking of deals…

2. Offer BOGO Deals, Grab Bags, and Other Enticing Specials

People love a good deal, and yours could be the dangling carrot that incentivizes someone to come to your dispensary. Offer a Buy-One-Get-One, a Build-Your-Own-Preroll-Pack, assemble grab bags full of goodies (such as a preroll, a gram, an edible, and some stickers) available for a set price — play around with your options and create something fun and alluring that will attract some foot traffic. Don’t be stingy with your deals, either — it’s 4/20, after all, so get a little generous with your offers. Besides, purchase volume goes up this time of year, so you should benefit from the traffic increase even if you offer more substantial discounts or deals than you typically advertise.

3. Need to Clear Your Inventory? Bundle Your Products!

Okay, so this is a bit of an extension of point #2, but 4/20 is a great excuse to clear some of your inventory, especially any tough-to-sell products you have that are taking up precious shelf space. Create combinations of flower and that are approaching the end of their freshness with concentrates and accessories (e.g., $25 for a gram, a lighter, and an infused cookie, or $50 for an eighth, an infused brownie, and a preroll).

4. Update Your Leafly Menu

People aren’t going to want to visit your dispensary if they don’t know what you’re carrying, so make sure you update your Leafly menu to reflect the products you’ll have on-hand for 4/20, as well as any killer deals you’ll be offering. Seriously, stop reading this and go update your menu. (Okay, you can finish reading this article…but then go update your Leafly menu.) Keep updating your menu as items run out and you replace them with other strains or products.

5. Stay Active on Social Media

Have an employee keep an eye on your Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc. accounts both leading up to 4/20 and on the actual date. Post frequently — whether you’re sharing an exclusive deal or special each day between now and 4/20 or you’re spreading the word about a special event you’ve got planned, keep the tweets and updates coming so your followers know that your location is the place to visit come April 20th. Respond to questions and engage with your followers so they’re aware that you’re a reliable business; your trustworthiness and friendly attitude should attract patrons as much as your killer deals will.

6. Create an Incentive to Come Back After 4/20

There’s a saying that “a rising tide lifts all ships,” meaning that the influx of 4/20 traffic should provide a residual bump in traffic to your location through the weekend. On April 20th, offer your customers an incentive to return to your location after the holiday concludes. Pass out coupons or advertise extra deals that are valid from 4/21 through the end of the month so your visitors have a reason to come back. You definitely want to keep the 4/20 momentum going through the rest of April, so brainstorm some fun ways to generate repeat business.

Need some more marketing tips to help your cannabusiness succeed? Contact Leafly and we’ll help you!

Alan Brochstein on Investing in Cannabis Stocks

Investing in cannabis stocks can still be a bit of a mystery. A number of states and provinces in Canada and the US are in various phases of legalization for both medical and recreational marijuana use, making it difficult to know what sort of fundamentals to look up for.

To get a bit more insight into the space, the Investing News Network got in touch with Alan Brochstein of 420 Investor. In the interview below, he speaks about the current state of the market, cannabis stocks he likes, and what to look forward to in terms of positive catalysts.

Overall, while he believes the 2014 pot bubble may have scared a lot of investors off, things are getting a bit better for cannabis stocks and the marijuana market.

table.inline-text-ad {
border-left: none;
border-right: none;
}

.inline-text-ad h1 {
font-size: 18px !important;
font-weight: bold !important;
}

.inline-text-ad p {
font-size: 1.0rem;
}

Get Our Expert Guide to Cannabis Investing FREE!

Download this FREE Special Report, Investing in Medical Cannabis Information about Cannabis and Legal Cannabis Stocks.

The state of the market

For starters, Brochstein clarified that the cannabis market in 2014 was a trading market. Rather than being full of quality companies with long term investors, “it was a big momentum trade,” he said.

“I’ve been following the industry for a little over 3 years now, and the public markets are still pretty much not invest-able,” he added, “but the good news is, it’s getting a little bit better.” Brochstein stated that the cannabis market has been in a long downward slide, with the index that he creates losing over 95 percent of its value. However, the index is slowly starting to recover, and the market is now in a resurgence.

What’s driving that turnaround? One catalyst Brochstein pointed to was the release of phase 3 clinical trial data by GW Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ:GWPH) in March for its drug Epidolex. GW saw its stock double on the news, and the company hopes that its study of the epilepsy drug will confirm the therapeutic benefits of cannabinoids. “That kind of sparked the market,” Brochstein said.

In terms of what to watch for going forward, Brochstein pointed to two catalysts he sees on the horizon:

• The UN Special Session of the United Nations General Assembly on the World Drug Problem; Taking place on April 19-21 2016, the meeting of the United Nations General Assembly is definitely something that Brochstein is watching. “You could have kind of a global change with how nations view Cannabis,” he said.

• Legalization initiatives in the US; In November there’s probably going to be five to nine legalization initiatives on the ballot in the US,” Brochstein said. “That’s a real tradeable event.”

As far as longer term investments go, Brochstein stated that the market is not quite there yet, but as mentioned above, he is seeing improvements.

“On the investment side, there are definitely a few more good companies,” he said. “The valuations aren’t super compelling. They’re not going to appeal to institutional investors most likely. So we’re not quite there yet. But we’re starting to see some real companies with real revenue and they could have better corporate governance.”

Cannabis stocks to watch

While Brochstein reiterated that the valuations he’d like to see are not necessarily there for cannabis stocks yet, he did have a few examples of public cannabis stocks that he’s keeping an eye on. They were

• Indoor Harvest (OTCMKTS:INQD)

• MassRoots (OTCMKTS:MSRT)

• Medicine Man Technologies (OTCBB:MDCL)

“These are all companies who have kind of done things the right way in terms of how they’ve gone public, instead of going through reverse merger,” he said. He also pointed to GW Pharmaceuticals, mentioned above, and to Kush Bottles (OTCMKTS:KSHB), although he currently believes that particular cannabis stock is too expensive. 

In terms of the three companies mentioned above, Brochstein spoke about how MassRoots is helping marijuana companies to connect with brands, retailers and end users. “Advertising is really hard in this industry, because you can’t use billboards, you can’t use radio or television,” he said. “Facebook, Instagram, all these social media networks are shutting down company pages. This is an end-around closed system to allow people to use social media when they can’t use their normal social media. So it potentially solves a big problem.”

That said, Brochstein sees a potential issue in the sense that the platform appeals more to the young crowd than to newer users of medical cannabis. “It’s not going to appeal to kind of the more interesting market to me, which is people in their middle ages who are coming back to cannabis, substituting cannabis health and wellness products for pharmaceuticals,” he said. “[Massroots] is of no value to these people.”

table.inline-text-ad {
border-left: none;
border-right: none;
}

.inline-text-ad h1 {
font-size: 18px !important;
font-weight: bold !important;
}

.inline-text-ad p {
font-size: 1.0rem;
}

Get Our Expert Guide to Cannabis Investing FREE!

Download this FREE Special Report, Investing in Medical Cannabis Information about Cannabis and Legal Cannabis Stocks.

Interestingly, Brochstein said that some of the things that really excite him about the marijuana space are not in the public market yet; branding and compliance companies.

“I think Cannabis is a commodity, and we’re going to see over time that the value chain goes towards chemistry and engineering,{ he said. “So sure, there will be premium flower companies out there, but the reality is, for most consumers, it’s going to move towards brands. They’re just not publicly trading right now.”

Furthermore, he pointed out that compliance is critical for companies in the marijuana industry. “You have to be compliant or you lose your license,” he said. 

Legalization

Of course, the legalization of marijuana, either for medical or recreational use, is always a subject that is top of mind for cannabis investors. Brochstein has his own predictions about when investors can expect to see changes in Canada and the US.

“In Canada, I’m very optimistic that it’s going to happen, but I’m pessimistic about the timing,” he said, stating that there will be a number of federal, provincial and local issues to deal with before all is said and done. “I tell my subscribers, don’t expect it until January 1st 2018,” he added. “And that may be early.”

Similarly, in the US, Brochstein believes that the federal legalization process will be longer than many expect. “Two or three years ago, I was loudly forecasting 2020, for federal legalization. I no longer believe that to be the case. After having watched and studied. And I don’t want to say it’s going to be 2024, but somewhere in between those two years maybe.”

That said, there could be a few exciting catalysts to watch for at the state level. Beyond changes he sees on the horizon in California and Nevada, Brochstein stated that he is closely following the path to cannabis legalization in Vermont.

“The governor is for legalization, and they’re getting really really close to passing it legislatively,” he said. “That’s never been done before. That is a game changer, not only because it would happen without a vote from the citizens if it happens, but more importantly, that’s your first east coast legalization.”

Certainly, that’s plenty of food for thought for cannabis investors looking at the space.

table.inline-text-ad {
border-left: none;
border-right: none;
}

.inline-text-ad h1 {
font-size: 18px !important;
font-weight: bold !important;
}

.inline-text-ad p {
font-size: 1.0rem;
}

Get Our Expert Guide to Cannabis Investing FREE!

Download this FREE Special Report, Investing in Medical Cannabis Information about Cannabis and Legal Cannabis Stocks.

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

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

The post Alan Brochstein on Investing in Cannabis Stocks appeared first on Investing News Network.

Characterization of the Analgesic Effect of CBD IN Healthy, Normal Volunteers

Verified January 2016 by New York State Psychiatric Institute Sponsor: Collaborator: INSYS Therapeutics Inc Information provided by (Responsible Party): New York State Psychiatric Institute ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02751359 First received: April 12, 2016 Last updated: April 21, 2016 Last verified: January 2016 The purpose of this double-blind, placebo-controlled study is to determine the analgesic effects of […]

Neuroscience of Marijuana Impaired Driving

Verified April 2016 by Yale University Sponsor: Collaborators: Hartford Hospital National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) Montana State University Maastricht University The Mind Research Network Information provided by (Responsible Party): Godfrey Pearlson, Yale University ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02757313 First received: April 11, 2016 Last updated: April 28, 2016 Last verified: April 2016 Marijuana is one of […]

The Shake: The Feds Grow Brickweed and Cannabis Is a Staple in Spokane

In Ohio: No last year, yes this year. The new team leading Ohioans for Medical Marijuana, the state’s medical cannabis campaign, includes Brandon Lynaugh, which may come as a bit of a surprise to those familiar with Ohio’s last cannabis campaign. In 2015 Lynaugh served as campaign manager for No On 3, which pushed against the ill-fated ResponsibleOhio initiative. It’s an interesting but not altogether surprising turn of events for Lynaugh, who supports medical cannabis access as a result of having a close family member who suffers from epilepsy. Ohioans for Medical Marijuana also hired Trevor Vessels as deputy campaign manager, Aaron Marshall as director of communications and Lee Roberts as political director.

What do you consider a household staple? One of the top-selling staples in one Washington state county was — you guessed it — cannabis. Legal cannabis sales in Spokane County outsold bread, milk, and even wine last year. Beer was the only competing product that outsold cannabis, and only barely. Each Spokane household spent an average of $225.64 on cannabis last year, while households spent an average of $232.70 on beer during the same period. By comparison, the average household in the same area spent $109.71 on bread, $154.85 on wine, and $155.37 on milk. How do you like them apples?

The government’s cannabis is schwaggy, to say the least. It may come as no surprise, but the cannabis that the National Institute on Drug Abuse legally grows at a farm in Mississippi — currently the only legal cannabis available for research purposes — is, for all intents and purposes, ditch weed. Its “high-THC” cannabis levels top out at 13.7 percent, while the average in the legal retail industry hovers around 18.7 percent and can test north of of 30 percent. The revelation came in a letter drafted in response to a group of senators’ request for information on cannabis grown at the University of Mississippi. The DEA provided the information, giving the public a peek into the strange world of federal cannabis grown behind closed doors. Time for a change?

Pennsylvania nears the finish line for medical cannabis. State Senate majority leader Jake Corman says his chamber is close to releasing changes to the states’ medical marijuana legislation, the Associated Press reports. The bill has been in the pipeline for more than a year and has undergone major changes across the board. The Senate passed a similar version of the bill last May, but gaining the necessary support from the Republican-controlled House has been challenging. The most recent changes will be technical, designed to eliminate potential glitches down the road. The bill is likely to see a vote soon and is the closest that the Keystone state has come to legalizing medical cannabis.

New Jersey lawmakers take a note from Whoopi’s book on cannabis. State Assembly Members Tim Eustace, L. Grace Spencer and Anjelica Spencer introduced a bill that would add menstrual cramps to the state’s list of qualifying conditions for medical cannabis. If it passes, this will make New Jersey the first state to allow access to medical marijuana products to women suffering from dysmenorrhea, or menstrual cramps. When Whoopi Goldberg recently introduced her new line of cannabis products geared toward easing menstrual pain, some state officials considered it a viable alternative. “One of the most underserved populations is women,” noted Assemblyman Eustace. Thanks for thinking of the ladies, NJ!

QUICK HITS:

• Cruz reiterates that he supports states’ rights on cannabis legalization. Although Sen. Ted Cruz says he’d likely vote against legalization in his home state of Texas, he told ABC in Denver that he supports the right of the people to make that decision for themselves under the Constitution. Good on ya, Ted!
• MassRoots just filed to be NASDAQ’s first listed cannabis stock. The social network has been around since 2013 and last April began trading on the OTCQB Marketplace under the symbol MSRT. This time they’re hoping the NASDAQ Capital Market will pick up their listing. It’s unclear whether the company is eligible, however, based on the federal illegality of cannabis.
• The French Secretary of State for Relations with Parliament calls for legalization. Jean-Marie Le Guen, liaison for the French government, told BFMTV that the decriminalization of cannabis deserves to be discussed, arguing that prohibition isn’t effective in decreasing use among teens. Instead he expressed support for allowing restricted adult use. We agree — comme il faut.
• And finally, Howard Marks, once a famed international cannabis smuggler known as “Mr. Nice,” died Sunday. Marks spent three years in jail and was described in his obituary as “Britain’s most charming drug smuggler.” Goodbye, Mr. Nice, you left quite a legacy.

A Look Inside Mettrum, A Medical Cannabis Producer

A recent article in Huff Post Business highlighted Mettrum Health Corp. (TSXV:MT), a vertically integrated provider of cannabis products located in Bowmanville, Ontario.

As quoted in the article:

Mettrum’s licensed production facilities span over 80,000 square feet of capacity, located on a total of over 80 acres of land. The Bowmanville location (one of two) is massive, and houses their client service team and part of the grow operations. We passed through a number of security checkpoints — something they take very seriously (maybe even more so than the Canadian government requires).

A good fact to note: I was informed that the entire process takes about three months from clone to harvest. It was fascinating to see the complexity of the operation — almost otherworldly — where each plant has a dedicated lamp and computer-automated filtration system in their grow pod for consistency and potency of supplemental nutrients.

Afterwards, we toured Mettrum’s extraction lab where their concentrated oils are produced. Mettrum’s cannabis oils were designed to address the demand from patients and health care professionals alike for alternative consumption methods of medical cannabis to exist. Since launching their oils in January of this year, Mettrum has witnessed firsthand the tremendous appetite for extracted products.

Touring these facilities made it obvious that medical-grade cannabis is way more than just a “medical marijuana” sign on a storefront. It would be very difficult to replicate what goes on inside these facilities without having the experience, real estate and capital to uphold such an impressive growing practice. I don’t care what anyone says, the proof is in the cannabis-infused pudding; patients who are looking to obtain safe medicine should highly consider doing so from a top-tier government regulated source that shows accountability to their product.

The post A Look Inside Mettrum, A Medical Cannabis Producer appeared first on Investing News Network.

5 Ways to Help Your Budtender Help You

Walking into a dispensary and ordering legal cannabis for the first time is both a wonderful and surreal experience. Customers find themselves immersed in a whole new world of strain varieties, extracts, edibles, topicals, and a myriad of other innovative products. In most cases, helping them along while they make their selections are budtenders, staff trained to help their customers find the products that will best suit their needs.

Unfortunately, not all budtenders are created equal. In fact, their competency and helpfulness can vary drastically depending on a number of variables. Helpful budtenders will typically ask more questions than they answer, allowing them to individualize the way in which they recommend products to their customers. An adept budtender will not only know the specification of every product they sell, but can recommend those products on an individual basis by asking questions and culling products until they deduct enough to initiate a selection.

On the other hand, there are budtenders who may not be helpful at all, or who seem helpful but are actually operating with ulterior motives to move certain products along on their shelves. It can be incredibly difficult to spot the difference between a helpful budtender and one trying to push inventory. At times, these budtenders may offer advice based on personal experiences or sales trends (e.g., “I tried this last night and loved it!” or “You better get this strain fast! It’s going to sell out soon!”), inferring that certain products may possibly be more desirable than others. Where these anecdotes can be helpful, they aren’t always accurate and can be downright misleading at times.

Given that there is currently no standardized talent selection or training process for budtenders, competency will vary by business, location, and individual staff. For a novice consumer, this can troublesome. If you’re unsure of the help you may receive at a particular dispensary, it’s best to do a bit of research first. Resources such as our Dispensary Locator are a great tool to help you narrow down the options. Once you get there, you are bound to have questions, and may still find yourself in front of a budtender who expects you to already know what you want.

Below is a list of five factors to consider before approaching your budtender. These questions are no different than what an experienced cannabis consultant would ask you from behind the counter, though being armed with this information beforehand can vastly improve the effectiveness of your dialogue in finding the right products for you.

1. How Would You Like to Consume Your Cannabis?

Cannabis can be consumed in a myriad of different ways, from smoking flowers to bathing in an infused soak. There are edibles, beverages, tinctures, capsules, breath mints, and beyond. It’s best to research which way you would like to consume cannabis, or arm yourself with a few questions about various consumption methods so that your budtender can help guide you along. This helps you because it allows you to research which dispensaries carry the products you need. Keep in mind that some products will only have limited availability and may not be carried at your local dispensary.

2. Are You Seeking Cannabis as Medicine?

The way in which you decide to use cannabis, as well as the type of cannabis you use, will be contingent on the experience you seek to gain from it. Somebody who is looking to gain relief from pain may benefit more from an infused transdermal product than if they were to simply smoke flowers, whereas somebody looking to manage anxiety may find much more relief in a CBD-rich tincture than taking a dab of high THC resin. If you seek to use cannabis as medicine, consider consulting with a physician educated in medical marijuana (not all physicians meet this requirement). Your budtender and your doctor are different entities, even in medical markets. It’s important to take both opinions into account to understand what type of relief you need so that you can properly connect the dots when the time comes to choose which product you want.

3.How Psychoactive of an Experience are You Seeking?

Cannabis can affect your mental and physical state in vastly different ways depending on the product type, dosage, and consumption method. These variables change even more when considering your tolerance. Understanding tolerance is paramount when discussing dosage with your budtender. Certain products may be non-psychoactive, such as those containing high amounts of CBD. Other products may be uplifting and cerebral while some are meant for relaxation and sedation. Letting your budtender know what experience you are seeking will help them guide you towards a product that will meet your exact needs.

4. How Long Do You Wish to Feel the Effects?

This goes hand in hand with the third question when determining dosage and consumption method. Dabbing tends to provide a quick and intense experience when compared to edibles. Edibles take time to kick in but can have effects that last for hours, even days. Planning out how you intend to use cannabis is important and will help in determining both the products and consumption methods you discuss with your budtender.

5. How Discreet Must Your Cannabis Consumption Be?

Using cannabis discreetly can be a matter of courtesy. Cannabis smoke and vapor may bother some people. It’s important to be considerate to others in all situations, but it’s vital to understand how your cannabis use is going to affect those around you. If you’re planning to be in the presence of others who choose not to consume cannabis, bring this to the attention of your budtender so that they can guide you towards products that can be used anywhere. Edibles, vape pens, topicals, sublinguals, transdermals, capsules, and even suppositories are examples of discreet products.

You may not always be lucky enough to broker cannabis with an experienced consultant, but these five factors should all be at the forefront of your mind before speaking with your budtender so you can arm them with the best tools possible to do their job, which is to help you find the exact product you need for the exact experience you want.

Cannabis-in-Schools Debate Returns to Colorado

DENVER (AP) — A new Colorado law allowing medical marijuana use at public schools is getting a second look Monday in a House committee.

The current law allows students who need medical marijuana to use edible pot at public schools — as long as the school districts agree.

No school districts currently does, so patient advocates are pushing the bill to make Colorado the second state to require schools to allow nurses or parents to administer medical pot. New Jersey made the change last year.

“They need to make reasonable accommodations so that children who need medical marijuana can go to school,” said Stacey Linn, a Lakewood mother of a 15-year-old with cerebral palsy who is not allowed to wear a skin patch delivering a cannabis-derived treatment to school.

Medical marijuana has been legal in some states for two decades. But school districts and lawmakers nationwide are only now starting to grapple with thorny issues about student use of a drug still illegal under federal law. Colorado is one of three states where medical marijuana is legal that has any rules for use in schools, according to the pro-legalization Marijuana Policy Project.

Stacey Linn with her 15-year-old daughter

The possibility of medical marijuana in schools raises a number of questions for school officials. The law currently says that the drug must be in non-smokeable form and is to be administered by a school nurse or a caregiver, likely a parent. But those school nurses are also required to report to authorities any child who is exposed to an illegal drug, including marijuana-derived treatments.

That happened to the Wann family of Highlands Ranch, which got a call from Child Protective Services last year because their epileptic 8th grader uses a cannabis-derived treatment. Amber Wann said her son doesn’t take the oil at school, but the district reported the family as possible child abusers, despite last year’s law clarifying that schools may allow marijuana treatment.

“They were more concerned about losing federal funds and law enforcement coming after their nurses than about the new law saying they can allow a hemp-derived medicine,” Wann said.

School officials say they’re being unfairly asked to accommodate an activity that still runs afoul of federal law. This year’s update, for example, gives schools no guidance for the possibility of a student grabbing a cannabis treatment away from a parent and rightful patient on a school bus and taking it themselves.

“School boards do not lack compassion for students that benefit from medical marijuana,” said Jane Urschel of the Colorado Association of School Boards, which opposes the marijuana requirement. “How do you begin to deal with those difficulties in different venues?”

The parents counter that medical marijuana shouldn’t be treated any differently than Ritalin or other controlled substances that are routinely dispensed by school districts.

Supporters also say that schools are being too conservative about the prospect of endangering federal funding. New Jersey last year required schools to accommodate student medical marijuana use, with no repercussions from federal authorities.

The law’s backers say they’re not sure whether the school pot requirement will pass. The state Department of Education is neutral on the measure. Colorado has about 350 kids under 18 on the medical marijuana registry, according to the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment.

Sponsors say they hope that growing acceptance of marijuana to treat childhood illnesses gives the school pot requirement a boost.

“Kids shouldn’t have to choose between their medicine and going to school,” said Rep. Jonathan Singer, D-Longmont and sponsor of the bill.

This story will be updated later in the day.

Image Source: AP

California Medical Marijuana Czar Never Smoked Cannabis, Unfamiliar With 'What It Does'

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — California’s medical marijuana czar says she believes there’s a need for weed, although she’s never smoked pot herself.

“Unlike regulating alcohol, I’m not a user of marijuana, so I am not familiar with how that affects people or what it does,” Lori Ajax told the Los Angeles Times in an interview Thursday.

“But from the outreach I’ve done since I got here, it appears there is a medical need, and I’m tasked with doing this, and I’m going to do it.”

Ajax was appointed as the first chief of the Bureau of Medical Marijuana Regulation in February by Gov. Jerry Brown. The job pays $150,636 a year and requires state Senate approval.

Ajax’s division is working with several existing departments on drafting regulations that will guide the process for granting licenses, imposing sanctions, setting product-labeling and health standards, and tracking sales.

The Legislature, which passed the licensing law last year, wants to start regulating the well-entrenched and large medical marijuana industry by 2018.

Ajax is well aware of the deadline.

“I have on my whiteboard ‘633 days.’ It’s a good reminder how it’s actually a short period of time,” she said.

The schedule includes adding staff — the division is budgeted for 25 employees — and setting up meetings to get public feedback. Next will come drafting the regulations and putting them out for public comment.

Ajax wants to require background and fingerprint checks to weed out serious criminals who might want to be licensed growers and sellers.

Some of the key features of the medical marijuana framework the Legislature approved — such as limiting how many licenses an individual person or business can hold — were modeled after California’s alcohol license laws.

Ajax was chief deputy director of the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control, where she has worked as an investigator and administrator since 1995.

The 51-year-old Republican said she doesn’t remember whether she voted for Proposition 215, the 1996 ballot measure that legalized medical marijuana use.

“At the end of the day, my opinion shouldn’t matter,” she said. “This is what was passed into law, and I’m going to get this done by Jan. 1, 2018.”

The job could expand to include regulating nonmedical pot if Californians vote to legalize recreational use. Backers are trying to place a legalization initiative on November’s ballot.

Ajax said she had no position on the initiative.

“Right now, I have enough on my plate just dealing with medical marijuana,” she said.

See Brookings Institution Fellow John Hudak At The Cannabis Business Summit

The world of marijuana politics and policy is very complex, and is changing constantly. I am always reminded of this when I log into Facebook and I get one of those ‘see your memories from this day’ notifications. I will see something that I posted in 2010, 2012, 2014, etc., and it’s always crazy to

Suffering Children In Connecticut Deserve Access To Medical Cannabis Treatment

The topic of medical cannabis and children is a very sensitive subject. So sensitive, that it’s often difficult to even have a rational conversation with some people about it. It’s unfortunate because medical cannabis in certain forms can do wonders for certain conditions, especially epilepsy. I once heard a story about a child that suffered

Dosing Homemade Cannabis Edibles: Why It’s Nearly Impossible to Calculate Potency

Leafly turned March Madness into an excuse to determine the best cannabis-infused brownie of all time. Eight recipes were pitted against each other in our Pot Brownie Bracketology project, and ultimately a winner was crowned (seriously, you must make these brownies).

In our competition, each brownie recipe called for varying amounts of cannabutter, cannaoil, or in one case, ground, raw cannabis flower (bold move, Batali), so once the brownies were baked, we set out to calculate the potency of each batch. This, it turns out, is easier in theory than in practice.

Why Our Cannabutter Potency Calculations Were Wrong

Our initial thought process was this: first, determine the potency of the flower that will be used in creating the cannabutter or cannaoil. We used three different strains, each with a different level of THC, so we averaged the three to get an estimated average potency for all of the flower combined: in our case, 18.9%. That percentage represents the proportion of the cannabis’s dry weight that is THC, so we multiplied by our total cannabis dry weight and converted from grams to milligrams to get the the total amount of THC available to be extracted into the cannabutter.

Since we used six cups of butter, we divided this number by six to get (we thought) the average milligrams of THC per cup of cannabutter. Based on how much cannabutter was in each brownie recipe, we then divided this by the number of brownies each batch yielded to determine the final serving size – and knew there had to be a mistake. According to our calculations, each cup of our cannabutter should have had 2,646mg of THC, so a batch of brownies that called for one cup of cannabutter in the recipe and was cut into 12 pieces would theoretically have had over 220mg of THC per brownie. Our strongest batch should have clocked in at a whopping 400mg per brownie – 40 times the recommended recreational dose.

We immediately panicked – had we just made brownies with up to 40 times the recommended recreational dosage of THC? This seemed impossible given that our 1oz-to-1lb ratio of cannabis flower to butter is standard across several leading industry publications. So we got in touch with Dr. Kymron deCesare, chief research officer at comprehensive cannabis testing facility Steep Hill Labs, to figure out what was going on. We were very relieved to find that our calculations were inaccurate.

Factors That Influence Cannabis Extraction

“This is a very tough and complicated conversation,” says deCesare. “The reason is because you are mixing apples and oranges in your procedures, each one contributing an error. Once you multiply all the potential errors together, it’s very difficult to figure out which errors become the major contributors to your issues.” In particular, she notes that “because of the excessive amount of time required to extract, we normally see a lot of damage done to the primary drugs of interest,” including THC, CBD and various terpenes.

DeCesare explains that due to the difficulty of getting an accurate analysis, licensed edibles producers generally test at multiple stages. First, they test the cannabis flowers to be used in the production run. This initial analysis provides an estimate of how much of each cannabinoid and terpene is available for extraction. Subsequent testing of the extract determines how effective the extraction process actually was. Finally, testing of the spent plant matter post-extraction confirms the amount of cannabinoids and terpenoids left behind. Home bakers, however, lack the resources to pursue these types of analyses.

So what is lost in the extraction and baking process that kept us from Dowding out on our theoretically 400-plus milligram edibles? For one thing, a given amount of THCA (the non-psychoactive acid broken down during the heating, or decarboxylation, process to yield the familiar psychoactive THC) does not convert to an equivalent amount of THC: rather, the conversion rate is 0.88. While many producers will do this conversion for you and note the potential amount of THC in a given strain on the packaging, some denote only the percentage of THCA present, which adds an extra step to the calculations.

Then there’s the inefficiency of butter and oil extraction. “For clients that normally extract into dairy butterfat, they discover they only extracted between 40 and 60 percent of the cannabinoids and terpenoids,” explains deCesare. Lena Davidson of Botanica, one of Washington state’s largest edibles producers, puts the estimate even lower, at close to 30 percent. Davidson adds that certain oils are even less effective at extraction: in general, butter and coconut oil are the most ideal extractors, while others like canola and vegetable oil retain even fewer cannabinoids.

Overall, “the only way to know for sure [how potent your homemade edible is] would be to have the butter analyzed so you know exactly how much THC is in it,” says deCesare. Davidson argues that even this testing has yielded inaccurate results for Botanica in the past. “We learned really early on that we couldn’t rely on a butter potency test,” she says, “and it was really painful to discover that.” Botanica has since shifted to testing individual products from every batch.

Tips for Reducing Variation in Edibles Dosing

The difficulty of accurately determining edibles’ potency is staggering even on a professional scale, so it’s no surprise that accurately dosing your own edibles at home is all but impossible. That said, the following are some best practices that can help hobby bakers minimize the inevitable variance in the potency of their homemade edibles.

• Check the label before you extract. Some producers note THC on flower packaging, while others note THCA. If you see a THCA percentage, use the 0.88 conversion rate to determine potential THC.
• Portion cannabutter vertically. “Gravity impacts everything,” says Davidson, “and each cannabinoid has a different molecular weight, so they will settle in different places.” Butter from the bottom of the batch will be different than butter from the top, so don’t scoop straight off the top.
• Measure carefully. Don’t plop a big spoonful of cannabutter into the batter – get out the measuring cups, and fill and level them precisely.
• Stir well. DeCesare says that “unless you quantitatively measured out consistent [cannabutter] portions into each and every brownie…you have another contributing error in the final product.” The next best thing is to stir until you’re positive the batter is perfectly homogenous – and then stir some more.
• Portion uniformly. Don’t attack the brownie pan with a fork; cut into equal pieces (using a ruler can help). Cookies are even harder; use a kitchen scale to weigh out equal portions of dough.
• Plan on variation. Below, deCesare shares a hypothetical example to help home bakers estimate the potency of their edibles. When in doubt, assume that the maximum amount of THC made it into your final product; you can always eat more if you find you were wrong.

Example of Edible Potency Calculation

Have you ever had a hard time estimating the potency of your homemade edibles? Share your story in the comments!

Image Sources: Clare Barboza and Sara Dilley, with special thanks to X-Tracted Laboratories

Watch This: Stoned People Get to Meet a Sloth and Their Minds are Blown

When I was in college, I was hunting for a second job and applied at a local coffee shop, despite the fact that I didn’t (and still don’t) drink coffee, because I was desperate for a decent-paying gig so I could afford to buy my textbooks. The interview was going well and I was doing a pretty solid job of faking my love for a beverage I didn’t imbibe, but then my interviewers dropped this “fun” question on my lap at the end of our meeting:

“If you could be any animal, what would you be?”

Without skipping a beat, I responded, “That’s easy: a sloth.”

Their smiles faded, and one of my interviewers narrowed his eyes before countering, “Aren’t they lazy?”

I said, “Well yeah, that’s the point. They have the most chill life — all they do is eat, hang out, and sleep.” As a stressed out college student who was putting herself through college with a full load of classes while juggling one job and in the process of applying for another one so she could make ends meet, transforming into an animal whose primary purpose in life was to be as relaxed as possible at all times was all-too appealing.

Seriously, look at this lil’ guy. Best life ever.

My interviewers politely countered that most applicants respond with “cheetah” or “lion” or some other majestic, hard-working creature, but I held firm on wanting to be a sloth. They’re my favorite animal. Any other option would be out of the question.

I didn’t get the job. Perhaps it was because they could tell I was a closet non-coffee drinker, but their clear disappointment in my answer to their stupid hypothetical question seemed to seal my fate. I didn’t see how — I was going to be serving coffee and slices of coffee cake, not competing in the 100 meter dash, plus I figured they’d know that I was savvy enough to separate my work ethic from this fantasy scenario, but alas, not everyone is Kristen Bell.

Fortunately, there are others in the world who share my affinity for sloths, and according to this Buzzfeed video, many of them are of the cannabis-friendly variety. The company interviewed a handful of people who were, quite frankly, pretty frickin’ stoned, asking them how high they were and what type of animal they feel like before surrepticiously bringing out a sloth hanging from a bar and waiting for their subjects to notice the cavalier creature.

They noticed, and their minds were quite appropriately blown. My favorite reaction came from the Paul Rudd-looking dude who reacted exactly the way I would have, by shouting, “WHAT!”, then apologizing and saying, “I’m so sorry, are you not supposed to yell at these?” before blurting out a “Thanks!” for this rare and unexpected gift.

Watch and enjoy — and if you’re the dudes who interviewed me at that coffee shop 13 years ago, my answer hasn’t changed since then because sloths are still awesome.

Leonard Marshall, NFL Super Bowl Champion, To Keynote Cannabis World Congress In New York

Providing personal insight as a successful business entrepreneur and former champion NFL player diagnosed with CTE, Leonard A. Marshall, Jr., will be an enlightening Keynote speaker at the Cannabis World Congress & Business Exposition, (CWCBExpo), at the Javits Center in NYC. Taking place June 15-17, 2016, CWCBExpo NY is the leading trade show and conference

US CA: California's First Marijuana Czar

Los Angeles Times, 09 Apr 2016 – Lori Ajax Will Oversee the State’s First System for Regulating Medical Cannabis. but She Faces a Moving Target. SACRAMENTO – Lori Ajax has two years to set up California’s first system to license, regulate and tax medical marijuana. Gov. Jerry Brown recently appointed the Republican to become the first chief of the Bureau of Medical Marijuana Regulation.

How Can Cannabis Help Transgendered People?

Gender is fluid. There are cisgender people, transgender people, gender nonconforming people, genderqueer people, agender people…the possibilities are endless. You can find a helpful primer on gender terminology on GLAAD’s website. All of these gender identities are normal and should be celebrated, not scorned or shamed.

As Scarleteen, a sexuality resource for teens, explains, “Gender – both how we identify with it and how others identify us through the lens of gender – can also play a part in the way we’ll have any sort of sex, how we present our sexuality to others, how we feel comfortable or uncomfortable in our sexual behaviour and attitudes, and how we might expect the dynamics of our sexual relationships with others to be.”

With that in mind, I sat down with acclaimed adult performer, director, and LGBT/human rights activist Buck Angel to talk about sex for trans men and how cannabis can be helpful.

Ashley Manta: How do you identify and what does that mean?

Buck Angel: I identify as a man. That might be obvious to some but the ones who do not know about my work I guess I should explain a little more. I am a transsexual man. Assigned female at birth and had a “gender reassignment surgery” to become male. One of the important parts to this story is that I am a man with a vagina. I chose not to get the penis surgery and now live my life as a man with a vagina.

Ashley: Has cannabis impacted your relationship with your body or had any effect on your mood when you experiencing intense emotions?

Buck: Well for me it has helped tremendously with my sleeping disorder. The cannabis has helped me to learn to relax. I started using cannabis later in my transition so I have already dealt with much of my anxiety around transitioning.

That said, I have many trans friends who do use cannabis to help with anxiety of being trans. It’s difficult for many trans people to just walk the world. Non-trans people have the privilege of not dealing with many things that trans people deal with just being trans, such as thinking that everyone knows you are transgender when maybe you just want to identify as male or female. Cannabis has helped to relax these fears and also just to give your brain some off time.

Ashley: What are some considerations specific to trans men when navigating sexual activities before, during, and after transitioning?

Buck: Many trans men have major body dysphoria [that] impacts us in just everyday life. Sexually I have not really been shut down but the cannabis has really heightened my orgasms and let me feel my body more.

What I am doing now is research on how cannabis can help the transgender community. What I know is that many transgender people have anxiety, sleeping disorders, PTSD, body dysphoria, depression, and many do not have the pleasure of enjoying sex because of this. I think cannabis can really help to let more transgender people feel more sexual in their new bodies.

Cannabis is great at letting you just be you. I would like more research to be done in this area. I think we tend to prescribe way too many anti-depressants, and I am not a big fan of these as the side effects are horrible and long-term use can lead to many unhealthy things.

Another project I am working on is the use of cannabis as a lube and how that can help with atrophy of the vaginal tissue because of the use of testosterone. I think that using natural products like cannabis creates a much healthier body.

Ashley: Have any particular cannabis products been especially helpful to you in regards to sex?

Buck: Like I said, I have been lucky in that I don’t have any body dysmorphia, but I do have trans friends and non-trans friends who specifically use cannabis to heighten sexual arousal and they swear by it. For me that’s good enough in that I want to promote the use of cannabis to the trans community in hopes of getting more people to start feeling comfortable around sex with their new bodies. This can be such a huge game changer for many who never felt sexually comfortable in their bodies.

The one product I have recently been introduced to is Foria. It was pretty amazing and very much enhanced my orgasm.

Ashley: Thank you so much for all the good you’re doing in the world and for taking the time to chat with me. How can people find and support your work?

Buck: Everyone can find me on my websites, social media, and just by “googling” me! I am working on some sexual health projects focused on the transgender community and hopefully will have more information soon. Thanks so much for letting me speak about trans sex and cannabis, as I think this conversation needs to be started.

Learn more about Buck and his projects at the following sites:

• Buck Angel’s website
• Buck’s Twitter
• Buck’s Facebook
• Buck’s Instagram

If you, or someone you know, is a trans or gender nonconforming person experiencing crisis or overwhelming thoughts, please reach out to the Trans Lifeline at (877) 565-8860.

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!

Image Source: Eli Schmidt

Watch This: Pennsylvania Governor Wants Medical Cannabis Bill to Pass

In case you missed it, Governor Tom Wolf (D-PA) is not only openly in favor of legalizing cannabis for medical use in the state of Pennsylvania, he even went so far as to release an official video from the office of the governor, urging the Legislature to pass Senate Bill 3, the medical marijuana bill that has been under consideration and subject to intense debate since its introduction in January of 2015.

Gov. Wolf’s words speak for themselves:

“I believe it is long past time to provide this important medical relief to patients and families across the commonwealth.”

A strong message from the leader of the state, Pennsylvania is long overdue for an overhaul of its cannabis laws, which are some of the strictest in the nation despite polls that show 88 percent of Pennsylvanians supporting the medicinal use of cannabis.

Image Source: Governor Tom Wolf via YouTube

Judge Revives Referendum Proposal to Legalize Marijuana in Maine

PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — A Maine judge has given a victory to supporters of a referendum aimed at legalizing marijuana.

The same judge who upheld the secretary of state’s decision to reject a casino referendum proposal because of invalid signatures a day later revived the campaign to put the marijuana proposal on the November ballot.

The Campaign to Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol disputed Secretary of State Matthew Dunlap’s decision to reject 26,779 signatures because the signature of the notary didn’t match the signature on file. On Friday, Superior Court Justice Michaela Murphy ruled against Dunlap.

The proposal would allow adults to possess up to 2½ ounces of marijuana. Colorado, Washington, Oregon, Alaska and Washington, D.C., already have legalized recreational marijuana.

Cannabis Extracts: The Science Behind Cannabinoid and Terpene Extraction Methods

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

Extraction is a simple process that has been used for centuries to create natural byproducts from many different types of plants. In short, the goal is to collect desirable compounds while leaving behind the undesirable compounds and unusable plant material. Within the world of extracts, there are many product types we’ve been familiar with for centuries – teas and tinctures, for instance – while other product types are more recent innovations.

Today, numerous cannabis extracts have become commonplace on the market. The processes used to extract the cannabinoids and terpenes that make them up are as varied as the products themselves. With guidance from Joshua Eades, chief science officer at Canadian medical cannabis producer Tilray, we explored the chemistry behind a couple of the methods used to create them.

Basics of Cannabis Extraction

Cannabis extraction is comparable to the processes used to decaffeinate coffee, produce vitamins and minerals, and create essential oils. In cannabis, the main compounds producers are looking to extract are cannabinoids and terpenes –these compounds provide the aroma, flavor and effect of the final product. Before beginning to sell extract-based products, Tilray started out by trying different extraction methods and testing the results to determine the effectiveness and drawbacks of each. “There’s a fair bit already out there that is known about different extraction techniques,” Eades says, “but we still had to do a solid amount of research to determine the optimal process for our purposes.”

While extraction is primarily concerned with collection of desirable compounds, there are also undesirable compounds, like fats and chlorophyll, that extractors may wish to avoid. Extraction is a double-edged sword in that the longer and more aggressive the process, the more both desirable and undesirable compounds will make it into the extract. “You can do a shorter extraction where you’re pulling out less of the desirable compounds but which results in a cleaner primary extract, or you can do a really aggressive extraction where you get more yield but you have to do more cleanup to get rid of the undesirable materials,” Eades explains. He says that Tilray’s extraction times can range from two to four hours, all the way up to 24 hours depending on the goal of the extraction.

Choosing the Right Extraction Method

At Tilray, Eades selects from two primary extraction methods: supercritical CO₂ extraction and ethanol extraction. The method he uses most often involves supercritical carbon dioxide, and is done in a high-end, heavy-duty machine Tilray purchased for this purpose.

“Basically, the process is dependent on turning CO₂, which is a gas, into a supercritical liquid,” explains Eades. This is done by applying temperature and pressure until the supercritical liquid form is achieved, at which point the carbon dioxide is able to act as a solvent. This solvent is then forced through an extraction vessel packed with granularly ground cannabis material.

“The best way to think of it is like an espresso machine,” adds Eades. “You want to have a finely ground material that you can evenly push the solvent through. If it’s not evenly ground, it won’t extract effectively.” A back pressure regulator controls the pressure, and various pumps cycle the supercritical carbon dioxide through the plant matter over and over, until all the desired cannabinoids and terpenes have been gathered. The carbon dioxide is then allowed to return to its gaseous form, leaving behind a dark, highly concentrated resin that can be modified to achieve different levels of potency for dosing.

The other solvent Tilray uses frequently is ethanol. “It’s generally a faster extraction process, but results in a different product,” says Eades. “[Ethanol is] more polar than CO₂, so you pull out a lot more chlorophyll, colors and tannins.” The difficulty with an ethanol extract lies in removing all the solvent that remains after the extraction is complete. As with most extraction methods, an additional step is required to refine the extract prior to its incorporation in cannabis products.

The Cannabis Extract Refinement Process

The refinement process varies based on the extraction method utilized initially. For supercritical CO₂ extractions, the second step is called winterizing, which leverages ethanol to separate the pure cannabinoids and terpenes from other byproducts stripped during extraction. For ethanol, which is more polar than carbon dioxide and thus doesn’t incorporate the plant waxes and fats present in a CO₂ extract, an activated carbon filtration process is used to remove undesirable compounds like chlorophyll and other pigments.

Eades notes that the refinement process can be tough to execute effectively on a large scale. Not only are work flow and sanitation more difficult to control, the instruments used for large-scale extraction are high-tech, requiring that appropriate handling and facilities be maintained. “We’ve done a lot of work on the process to maximize purity, [and] developed refinement techniques to ensure the cleanest, best-tasting products,” Eades continues, adding that when done properly, the difference is noticeable. “Initial feedback has been that our resulting concentrates are superior in look, smell, feel and taste” – which allows for the creation of superior final products.

Image Source: Sara Dilley

Washington State Issues Emergency Rules for Cannabis Testing

Facing questions over inconsistency in laboratory testing and fears that some state-licensed labs have allowed contaminated cannabis to slip through the cracks, the Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board (LCB) has announced the adoption of emergency rules aimed at raising standards for cannabis testing.

The emergency rules establish a proficiency testing program for labs and clarify how the LCB can suspend or revoke licenses for state-accredited testing facilities. They took effect Wednesday and will remain in place until Aug. 4. In the meantime, the LCB will pursue permanent rulemaking, it said in a press release Thursday.

“If anything, this will take some of the burden off of producers and processors who have been getting mixed results on the same products from state-accredited labs,” attorney Hilary Bricken told Leafly. “It’s further assurance that industry participants at all levels are going to be held accountable for quality control, which is a big win for consumers.”

Proficiency testing, already in place in Oregon and Colorado, is a technique used to ensure that different labs return uniform results. The method involves assessing laboratories’ accuracy by giving them samples with known properties and then checking their results against a third-party lab. Under the new rules, certified laboratories must register for the next available round of testing and complete at least two rounds per year.

The emergency rules also establish a variety of reasons for which a laboratory might lose its state license. Inconsistent results, false documentation, and wrongdoing by laboratory staff are among those reasons. The full text of both new rules is included below.

The announcement comes alongside a recent recommendation by Washington auditors that a Poulsbo testing lab, Testing Technologies, lose its license over “consistent inaccuracies” in test data and “blatant disregard for good laboratory practices as well as sound scientific methods.”

Some industry members and even certain laboratories have complained that a few labs focus more on keeping business that returning accurate results. There are — for now — 14 state-accredited labs in Washington state.

Emergency Rulemaking – Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board

PGT #294- The Moan

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- Update on the sentencing of cannabis activist Al Witt from Gaylord. Recap on Hash Bash weekend, and live call in from the Women Grow meeting in Grand Rapids. Discussion on current medical marijuana legal issues in Michigan.

Joining us tonight – Chad Morrow from Gaylord- Cannabis activist, owner/operator of the Cloud 45 dispensary

Update on MILegalize

Weekly appellate and trial court updates with attorney Allen Peisner

Regular guests and friends of the show: Jim Powers- Michigan Parents for Compassion co- founder and board member of MILegalize. Also- attorney Jeff Frazier, attorney David Rudoi of Rudoi Law, Eric Gunnels Thetford Twp Trustee and T- EAM

Ep. 53 – He's a cannabis consultant; He invests in the industry

Published: Apr 7, 2016, 6:12 pm • Updated: Apr 7, 2016, 6:12 pm By Vincent Chandler, The Cannabist Staff Featured guests: Cannabis consultant Will Evans and Canopy Boulder managing director Micah Tapman. Podcast: Play in new window | Download LOTS TO TALK ABOUT •  Of all the companies in legal cannabis, who is winning the […]

PGT #294- The Moan

  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- Update on the sentencing of cannabis activist Al Witt from Gaylord. Recap on Hash Bash […]

The Shake: California Could Test Drivers for Cannabis, and Has Vermont Legalization Hit a Wall?

Is Vermont’s push to legalize losing steam? Earlier this year, the state was poised to become the first in the U.S. to legalize cannabis for adult use by an act of the Legislature, rather than a ballot initiative. But after the Senate approved the legalization bill and it landed in the House, the chair of a key panel announced she’s starting over from scratch. House Judiciary Committee Chairwoman Maxine Grad (D-Moretown) indicated that instead of supporting a legal, regulated market, she thinks the state should simply decriminalize home cultivation. The upshot, writes Marijuana Majority founder Tom Angell: Advocates may be forced to choose between legal markets without homegrow and limited homegrow with no legal sales. Bureaucratic deadlines are already getting in the way, Angell writes: “Unless the House is willing to adopt the Senate bill or something close to it, it’s unclear at this point if anything will cross the legislative finish line this year.”

A California lawmaker wants to test your spit for THC. “Sadly, we’ve become a nation of self-medicating, careless people,” said state Sen. Bob Huff (R-San Dimas), who authored a bill, SB 1462, that would allow law enforcement officers to use oral swabs to test drivers for cannabis use. “The public is naïve in understanding how dangerous our roads are by people who are abusing opiates, meth, and cannabis,” he tells the L.A. Times. OK, wait, hold on. Nobody’s arguing it’s a smart idea to drive while high (though science says it’s way less dangerous than driving drunk). But if the public is “naïve,” Sen. Huff, you’re simply ignorant: Even the federal government, which pushes prohibition at every turn, acknowledges there’s no consensus on how the amount of THC in people’s blood affects their levels of impairment. As NORMAL California director Dale Gieringer tells the Times, oral swab testing is still an unproven technology. “Its accuracy has not been demonstrated in controlled, published scientific studies.” Before we risk criminalizing responsible cannabis users, let’s make sure the technology works, yeah?

Regulators recommend Washington state testing lab lose license. Patients and consumers in the state have been slowly waking up to the fact that dangerous pesticides are being used on products, and now auditors have uncovered “consistent inaccuracies” in test data from Poulsbo-based Testing Technologies, one of 14 state-certified labs. Regulators say testers there showed “blatant disregard for good laboratory practices as well as sound scientific methods,” according to the Seattle Times‘ Bob Young. Critics have complained the Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board (LCB) hasn’t done enough to make pesticides a priority, and some in the industry have been pushing to police themselves. In related news, the LCB on Thursday issued emergency rules that step up standards for testing labs. Expect more movement on this front before long.

QUICK HITS:

• Arizona legalization group teams up with prohibitionists, fireworks commence. For more cannabis community infighting, click here.
• Lawyer to California cannabusinesses: You’re missing the boat. “Everyone seems to be overlooking the next opportunity for Californians to nab priority licensing status,” attorney Alison Malsbury writes at Canna Law Blog. For better or worse, it’s a cutthroat market. Don’t sleep on it.
• Cannabis advocate arrested in Canada for giving away seeds. Dana Larsen was trying to distribute a million seeds as part of a multi-stop tour he calls OverGrow Canada when he was taken into custody by Calgary police. Canadian lawmakers have promised to legalize cannabis in the next year or two, so some wonder why authorities are even still making arrests.
• Is there hope for a workable medical cannabis program in Texas? According to Marijuana Business Daily, the answer is a decisive maybe.
• Sorry, Nebraskans. Medical cannabis won’t happen this year. Supporters in the state Senate were three votes short of breaking a filibuster. Let’s take a moment to think of all the legitimately ill patients who are now wondering where they’ll get their medicine (or their children’s).
• Expanding medical cannabis could net Louisiana up to $334 million, industry report says. The announcement, which projects new tax revenue between $204 million and $334 million, comes just days after Louisiana State University officials said the school is still considering whether to cultivate cannabis for state patients.
• A lawyer told a California client that reopening a closed dispensary is “less than the risk of getting on an airplane.” Things have certainly stabilized since 2011, when federal prosecutors cracked down on cannabis businesses, shuttering hundreds. But beware: Prosecutions in the Golden State are ongoing.
• Two-time Grammy winner The Game is getting into… the game. He announced this week he’ll serve as brand ambassador to G Brands, maker of G Stiks — pre-rolls covered in concentrate and dusted with kief. (Which sounds delicious, yes, but we sure the Dodgers are down with that advertisement?)
• And finally, meet the Washington, D.C., man who calls himself Kushgod. “I’m trying,” he tells the Washington Post, “to build a dynasty.” But NORML founder Keith Stroup calls Kushgod a “scam artist.” Careful, Kush, you’re getting real close to sounding like the Kanye of cannabis.

Plan the Best 4/20 Ever This Year with Leafly’s Events Calendar

Not sure what your 4/20 plans are this year? We can help with that! Check out Leafly’s new Events Calendar to find a 4/20 celebration near you. Featuring festivals, rallies, conferences, comedy shows, and other cultural events, you can hunt for the perfect gathering in your state or country.

Browse Leafly’s Events Calendar

We’ve got a ton of events you can browse through, but here are a few highlights coming up:

The Leafly Comedy Tour’s Chicago Stop (April 20 in Chicago, IL)

Showcasing headliner Chris D’Elia and featuring Ron Funches and opening act Brandon Wardell, this free (yes, free!) comedy show in Chicago is sure to be a memorable way to celebrate 4/20. Be sure to RSVP and arrive early to guarantee entry!

Leafly Comedy Tour Chicago Event Details

A Night of Higher Entertainment (April 20 in Seattle, WA)

Join Leafly and author/performer David Schmader as he reads from and signs his new book, “Weed: The User’s Guide.” His reading will be followed by the mind-blowing video collage art of Collide-O-Scope. It’s bound to be an entertainingly trippy experience!

A Night of Higher Entertainment Event Details

World Cannabis Week (April 14 – 24 in Denver, CO)

Described as the “SXSW of Cannabis,” World Cannabis Week in Denver, Colorado brings industry experts and tastemakers together to partake in a VIP experience of premier 420 entertainment. Enjoy concerts at Red Rocks, exclusive parties, the 420 Rally, The BIG Industry Trade Show, and much more.

World Cannabis Week Event Details

Canadian and Mexican Lawmakers Seek Broad Leeway From U.N. Drug Summit

Federal lawmakers from Canada and Mexico this week called on the United Nations to give countries broad leeway to regulate cannabis within their borders, part of an effort to sway international debate in the days leading up to the world’s largest drug war symposium in nearly 20 years.

“The war on drugs is a failure,” said Nathaniel Erskine-Smith, a member of Canada’s House of Commons and one of a number of speakers who talked to reporters Wednesday on a conference call arranged by StoptheDrugWar.org, an organization that works to end prohibition worldwide. “It causes more problems than it solves,” the lawmaker said.

One clear takeaway from the call: Canada and Mexico want to move forward with legalization, even if the United States and other countries won’t get on board. “We made a promise in the election,” Erskine-Smith said, referring to pledges by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and others to legalize cannabis. “We’re committing to keeping that promise.”

A country’s decision to ditch the drug war, however, carries international implications. Current global drug policies were built on a paradigm of prohibition. Moving forward means updating treaties that still favor criminalization over regulation.

In Mexico, which is expected to pass a medical cannabis bill in the coming months, some worry that strict guidance from the U.N. could hamper progress. “We should be more honest about the so-called flexibility of implementation,” said Mexican Sen. Laura Angélica Rojas Hernández, noting that many countries feel they lack the freedom to define their own domestic drug policies.

As for the United States? In case you’ve been asleep, the feds still aren’t too keen on cannabis. Notwithstanding moves by states to establish regulated markets, the U.S. government still recognizes no medical benefit and deems the plant worthy of tighter regulation than opium or cocaine.

The differing opinions among the three countries is a microcosm of what’s happening globally within the United Nations. Some member states have taken permissive stances, like Uruguay, which legalized the production and use of cannabis in 2013. Countries like Singapore and Saudi Arabia, on the other hand, still threaten the death penalty for cannabis crimes.

How to reform international treaties around cannabis and drug policy is among the many issues delegates will bandy about during the upcoming U.N. General Assembly Special Session on the World Drug Problem, or UNGASS, to be held at the U.N. Headquarters from April 19 to April 21 (no joke).

It’s the biggest drug summit in two decades, and a lot has changed since the last one — except maybe unintended irony. The UNGASS of 1998 bore the slogan, “A Drug-Free World – We can do it!”

While representatives from some countries will arrive at the U.N. willing to acknowledge things didn’t exactly go as planned, others want to prop up the past policy. “We want a drug-free society, not a drug-tolerant one,” a senior state minister in Singapore wrote recently.

“It’s really alarming that this doctrine is going to the UNGASS,” said Canadian Drug Policy Coalition Executive Director Donald MacPherson, another speaker on Wednesday’s call. “I find it hard to understand, really, why countries like Russia and Singapore are holding other countries hostage.”

True to form, the U.S. government has been sending mixed messages as the U.N. session approaches. Some State Department officials have argued for the right of countries to set their own drug policies, but both the White House and federal authorities vocally oppose legalization.

David Borden, StoptheDrugWar.org’s executive director, predicted the hardline U.S. position “is likely to have less legitimacy” in the eyes of the international community as more states adopt medical or adult-use policies.

“It is great that things are moving in all three countries,” MacPherson agreed. A little more than a decade ago, even simple decriminalization couldn’t find traction with lawmakers. Today, “60 percent of Canadians want a legal and regulated market for cannabis.”

“We’re delighted the government is developing a process,” he said. “We urge them not to take too long in getting this out of the gate.”

Canadian lawmaker Erskine-Smith said he hopes Canada will be able to roll out a federal adult-use cannabis program in the next two years. Experiments in the U.S. “have been helpful to show Canadians who are a bit concerned about regulation and legalization that is is possible and it can be done in an orderly way,” he added, noting that Canada will likely be less open to commercial advertising than states like Colorado have been.

In the meantime, Erskine-Smith said, Canadian authorities need to stop making arrests for cannabis crimes: “My government needs to treat this more seriously than it is.”

In Mexico, recent hearings and public debates “have shown there is a significant consensus” on allowing medical use, said Sen. Rojas Hernández. As for adult use, that’s a matter that needs “further discussion” to hammer out differences in opinion, she said. “I think the most important thing is that we are taking a position to change the rules of the game in Mexico on this topic.”

Much of Wednesday’s call was a laundry list of prohibition’s ills — high costs, crowded prisons, and a violent underground market, to name a few — the kind of things that are common knowledge in the cannabis community but were refreshing to hear from federal politicians. Other observations carried shock value by putting numbers on the problem.

In Mexico, “60 percent of federal prisoners are there to pay for drug crimes,” said Aram Barra, a member of the Mexican Society for Responsible and Tolerant Personal Use, which recently won a case before the Mexican Supreme Court allowing some residents to grow and use cannabis. If future cases fall the same way, that could become the law of the land.

More striking, Barra said, about a third of Mexican prisoners — 12,000 people — have lost their liberty for simple cannabis prohibition “in a country where 98 percent of kidnappings go unresolved.”

“It is very clear to us that the current model is not working,” he said. “What the rest of the world may do with that statement, that is the question that lies before UNGASS.”

Court: Native American Church Not Excused From Cannabis Laws

HONOLULU (AP) — A federal court has ruled that a church for Native Americans in Hawaii should not be excused from federal marijuana laws despite the group’s claim that ingesting cannabis is part of their sacred sacrament.

The Native American Church of Hawaii had asked for relief from federal marijuana laws under the U.S. Religious Freedom Restoration Act, saying they used cannabis during sweat lodge ceremonies to help people connect with their creator.

A district court ruled against the claim, saying the church didn’t produce enough admissible evidence about its religion other than a strong belief in the benefits of marijuana. The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals Wednesday upheld the district court’s decision, saying a prohibition of cannabis doesn’t impose a substantial burden on their right to exercise their religion.

“It’s really disappointing,” said Michael Rex ‘Raging Bear’ Mooney, who founded the church. “Cannabis is a prayer smoke, so it’s a sacrament … through the effects of the medicine, it also helps us become closer to our creator. It puts us in a place, a state of mind, where we can actually feel the presence and an actual relationship with our creator.”

The issue stems from an incident in 2009 when the church, then called Oklevueha Native American Church of Hawaii, filed a complaint against federal officials, saying a member of the church had his cannabis seized.

But the church in its practice can also use peyote, a hallucinogenic drug used in Native American rituals. Federal law allows tribal Indians and members of the Native American Church to use peyote in religious ceremonies.

The court in its ruling said the church made no claim that peyote is unavailable or that cannabis serves a unique religious function, so prohibiting cannabis doesn’t force Mooney or the church to choose between obedience to their religion or criminal sanction.

The church, which has at least 250 members, plans to appeal the court’s decision, said Mooney’s lawyer, Michael Glenn.

“Man’s relationship with the divine can’t be dictated by any other person or government entity,” Glenn said.

Join Me April 12 In Portland For The National Cannabis Industry Association Cannabis Caucus Event

I don’t get out to a lot of events, but I try to get to as many National Cannabis Industry Association (NCIA) events as possible. NCIA is not only the leading national advocacy group for the emerging cannabis industry (I think they are the only one!), but they also do an amazing job at the

A Cannabis Activist’s Tribute To Merle Haggard

In a statement from his son, Ben Haggard said of his father, “He loved everything about life and he loved that everyone of you gave him a chance with his music. He wasn’t just a country singer, he was the best country singer that ever lived.” By Michael Bachara, Hemp News Merle Haggard, the prolific

Constance Therapeutics And Gridiron Cannabis Coalition Partner To Advance Whole Plant Cannabis Extract Research

One of my favorite organizations is the Gridiron Cannabis Coalition. Members like former NFL player Kyle Turley are doing big things to push cannabis reform and change minds. Below is info about the organization’s most recent project. Brain injuries are a serious thing, and all the research that can be done to find out how

State of the Leaf: Costa Rica Gets Closer to Legalizing Medical Marijuana

International progress abounds from beyond the borders! Costa Rica already decriminalized cannabis, but now it’s considering a major medical marijuana program, New Zealand’s Labour Party is trying to solve a problem like medical cannabis access, and the United Kingdom found that the number of cannabis arrests have been cut nearly in half in the last five years.

Stateside, Alaska’s retail licenses are being held up by the Legislature, Arizona’s recreational campaign calls out the hypocrisy of a critic, New Hampshire could decriminalize cannabis possession (again), and Vermont is a hop, skip and one House vote away from legalizing recreational cannabis. This year will be historical for cannabis – are you paying attention?

U.S. Cannabis News Updates

ALASKA

Alaska is gearing up to issue licenses to retail cannabis businesses, but the process could be delayed or in jeopardy due to a bill on the docket that the Legislature must pass. The Alaska Marijuana Control Board cannot issue licenses until a bill is passed to allow national criminal background checks, among other provisions. The State Alcohol and Marijuana Control Board is unable to conduct national criminal background checks until the Legislature passes the bill, and the background check is a requirement for any applicants hoping for a retail cannabis license.

Director Cynthia Franklin spoke against the inaction of the Legislature:

“I truly cannot believe that the Alaska Legislature would hold this tool hostage and prevent marijuana licensing from occurring, by enacting a statutory requirement and then not giving us the statutory language to meet that requirement.”

ARIZONA

The Campaign to Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol in Arizona is holding a press conference today to call upon Maricopa County Attorney Bill Montgomery. Montgomery has made public statements on cannabis, calling it dangerous and comparing cannabis advocates to drug cartels. As part of the conference, the campaign will issue a jumbo-sized check in the amount of $8,050 or the amount that Montgomery’s office made from his campaign committee to “alcohol industry contributors.”

CRMLA chairman J.P. Holyoak spoke on the hypocrisy of Montgomery’s actions, saying, “We are tired of seeing Mr. Montgomery demonize marijuana, so we are simply challenging him to prove that it is more harmful than alcohol…We are not attacking alcohol, alcohol consumers, or even alcohol distributors. We are attacking Mr. Montgomery’s hypocrisy for accepting alcohol-related campaign contributions while advocating for the continued punishment of adults who prefer to use a less harmful substance.”

NEW HAMPSHIRE

Legislation to decriminalize the possession of up to a half ounce of cannabis will be heard in the Senate Judiciary Committee today. House Bill 1631 was approved by the House of Representatives in March and would replace jail time with a simple civil fine. This is the seventh time that the state has attempted to decriminalize cannabis, with each respective bill dying in the New Hampshire Senate since 2008. The latest poll released last month found that 62 percent of respondents support legalizing cannabis for recreational use in the Granite State.

VERMONT

Vermont readies for legalization and prepares to make history. If S.241 is approved by the House of Representatives (as it is predicted to), Governor Peter Shumlin has promised to sign the bill into law, saying in an interview with Time that the heroin epidemic in Vermont is a “full-blown crisis” and that the War on Drugs has “failed us miserably.”

The support for legalization is so overwhelming that the Vermont Coalition to Regulate Marijuana will begin airing a new television spot in support of the bill titled “Vermont is Ready.” The ad, which is available in 30- and 60-second spots, features former Attorney General Kimberly Cheney, along with cannabis supporters and physicians who all reiterate that “It’s time to end prohibition and regulate marijuana in Vermont.”

WASHINGTON, D.C.

On the heels of a victorious protest for cannabis legalization in front of the White House, the D.C. Council chose to take the side of opposition, with seven members voting to ban cannabis social clubs in the district. Council members Brianne Nadeau, Charles Allen, Jack Evans, David Grosso, Vincent Orange and Elissa Silverman all voted to postpone the vote until September 20th, awaiting a recommendation from the task force assigned to study the issue.

Although local officials are not taking action, the Drug Enforcement Administration just released a letter in response to a request from Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), saying that it will consider whether or not to reclassify cannabis on a federal level by mid-2016.

International Cannabis News Updates

COSTA RICA

Representative Marvin Delgado Atencio presented a medical marijuana bill before the Legislative Assembly in 2014, but after years of debate, the bill has now gained the necessary support to pass plenary by May 1st. It has the approval of lawmakers from nearly all caucuses and even has the support of the ‘La Caja,’ Costa Rica’s public health and social security administration.

The bill would create a research institute within the Ministry of Health, which would be charged with conducting studies, granting licenses and permits, as well as regulatory oversight. Costa Rica’s Law on Narcotics, Law 8204, technically decriminalized the personal use of controlled substances, but does not allow for sale or distribution. This bill would legalize the cultivation of cannabis for medicinal treatments, as well as offering prescription cards for qualifying patients.

NEW ZEALAND

Labour Party leader Andrew Little admitted that the Labour caucus has been having discussions on which position to take on the possible expansion of access to medicinal cannabis in New Zealand. Although no decisions have been made on the topic or whether the Labour Party will support medicinal cannabis or decriminalization, Little did hint that the Party leaned towards transferring responsibility for the approval of a medical cannabis patient from the minister in charge to a medical professional. Associate Health Minister Peter Dunne approved the use of Sativex, the only cannabis-derived drug available in New Zealand, for use by a patient suffering from Tourette syndrome, which instigated the discussion.

UNITED KINGDOM

The number of arrests for cannabis possession was cut nearly in half between 2010 and 2015. Arrests for cannabis possession in England and Wales fell from 35,367 in 2010 to 19,115 in 2015, indicating a 46 percent decrease overall. Additionally, data from a crime survey found that cautions for cannabis possession dropped from 9,633 to 5,036 over the same period, a 48 percent decrease. Those charged with possession also showed a significant decrease of 33 percent, from 15,366 to 10,220 total charges.

US CA: Column: CBDs Go There. Down There

North Coast Journal, 07 Apr 2016 – Every drug, yes, every drug, from alcohol as a rudimentary anesthetic to methamphetamine as a weight loss supplement, has medicinal applications. Cannabis retains a strange space in our medical landscape: Centuries of anecdote reinforce its therapeutic worth, yet in the United States it’s still federally classified as having no medical value. Because of its legal status, it has been woefully under-researched, yet 23 states have medical marijuana laws on the books.

The Shake: DEA Promises Rescheduling Announcement, and Can Cannabis Dull Your Heart Attack?

To reschedule or not to reschedule? The DEA will decide by mid-2016. The Drug Enforcement Administration has promised to decide later this year whether to remove cannabis from the list of Schedule I controlled substances. The pledge comes in response to a letter sent last December by Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) and seven other politicians, including outspoken cannabis advocates Sens. Cory Booker (D-NJ) and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY). The lawmakers’ letter, addressed to leadership at the Department of Health and Human Services, the Office of National Drug Control, and the DEA, includes many common concerns regarding obstacles to medical cannabis research due to the substance’s current Schedule I classification. In their response, the agencies say they’ll provide a rescheduling recommendation and other requested information by mid-year. The agencies haven’t said which way they’re leaning, only that they may or may not reschedule. We’ll see.

Investors from Facebook and Reddit dive into the cannabis industry. Meadow, a San Francisco-based cannabis start-up, announced it has received $2.1 million from a notable group of investors, including Reddit CEO and Founder Steve Huffman, former Facebookers now at Slow Ventures, Joe Montana’s investment fund, Liquid 2 Ventures, and Twitch creator Justin Kan. Based in SoMa, Meadow focuses on powering online delivery services and dispatch for dispensaries, but it is likely they’ll be expanding to include other areas of the industry, including supply, medical marijuana clinics, and dispensary software. Meadow co-founder and CEO David Hua, said the company was “choosy” in its funding round, adding that he’s known Kan, of Twitch, for years. The two went to the same Burning Man group, Hua said. “He’s a brother from another mother.”

Prominent cannabis businessman denies he inspired a California bill that significantly helps him. Assemblymember Rob Bonta introduced Assembly Bill 2613 with three very specific criteria convicted drug felons must meet in order to qualify for a business license under new state regulations: the conviction must have occurred in another state, resulted in no jail time, and the felon must be approved by a local licensing body. All three apply to Steve DeAngelo, the outspoken cannabis supporter who operates the massive Harborside Health Center. DeAngelo, who also helped launch cannabis testing laboratory Steep Hill Labs, and investor consulting service the ArcView Group, is adamant that the bill wasn’t drafted as a favor to him, but a Northern California grower tells BuzzFeed otherwise: “It’s like a running joke in the industry at this point,” said Casey O’Neill of Happy Day Farms. “Steve got a bill written for himself.”

QUICK HITS:

• New research suggests that cannabis use before a heart attack may help improve chances for survival. The odds of surviving a myocardial infarction were higher among patients who had used cannabis, according to a new study from the American College of Cardiology. Researchers analyzed 3,800 heart-attack patients who reported recent cannabis use. Doctors insist further research is needed.
• How do you know a Senate hearing on cannabis is a sham? When the guy who called it says “good people don’t smoke marijuana.” Thanks for your intellectual honesty (yet again), Sen. Chuck Grassley!
• Washington cannabis regulators review application process after convicted murderer wins retail license. State officials are reviewing the licensing process after George Garrett, who pleaded guilty to second-degree murder for killing his wife and dumping her body in 1993, was awarded a license for his retail cannabis shop. He disclosed the murder conviction on the application, but because it was more than 10 years old, it did not disqualify him.
• Cannabis businesses form “Green Team” to clean up trash around town. The group, dubbed the SoDo Green Team, consists of industry volunteers who gather cannabis-related trash that accumulates around Seattle’s South Downtown dispensaries.
• A Michigan ex-lawmaker faces jail time after being found with 71 plants and 3 pounds of cannabis. Former Rep. Roy Schmidt pleaded no contest to the charges and maintained that he grew the extra amount after undergoing painful and extensive back surgery. It’s enough to make you wonder whether physicians should be able to recommend greater amounts of cannabis based on the severity of a patient’s medical condition.
• Roll one up with Panama Papers! On the heels of a major release of top-secret files about world leaders and their sneaky attempts at tax evasion comes one of the greatest tongue-in-cheek fake products to evert troll the world’s leadership: “Introducing Panama Papers for world leaders with green to burn…”
• And finally, a Florida suspect carrying cannabis attempted to flee police on a hoverboard. Welcome to the future.

Cannabis use in pregnancy linked to low birthweight and intensive care

Use of cannabis during pregnancy is linked to low birthweight and the need for intensive care, reveals an analysis of the available evidence. As cannabis becomes more socially acceptable, it’s important that prospective mums-to-be and clinicians are fully up to speed on the potential harms of using the drug during pregnancy, caution the researchers.

Hawaii Dispensary Applicant Strikes Deal with Union | Ganjapreneur

According to TG Branfalt at Ganjaprenuer, Green Aloha Ltd. has reached an agreement with United Food and Commercial Workers Union Local 480, according to a Bizjournals.com report. The union represents more than 1.3 million retail and grocery workers across the state, including members of its Cannabis Workers Rising program. “This is a new industry here for Hawaii but […]

Cannabis use in pregnancy linked to low birthweight and intensive care

Use of cannabis during pregnancy is linked to low birthweight and the need for intensive care, reveals an analysis of the available evidence. As cannabis becomes more socially acceptable, it’s important that prospective mums-to-be and clinicians are fully up to speed on the potential harms of using the drug during pregnancy, caution the researchers.

The Shake: Racial Disparities in Arrests and a ‘Willy Wonka’ Cannabis Party

Racial disparities persist in D.C., even with fewer arrests. Continuing a pattern we’ve seen in Oregon, North Carolina, and other jurisdictions, arrest data in Washington, D.C., show you’re more likely to be arrested for cannabis if you’re black — even where cannabis is legal. The Associated Press reports that arrests relating to cannabis have dropped by 85 percent in the District from 2014 to 2015, but racial differences persist. More than 80 percent of the 259 people arrested for smoking in public since July 2014 were black, according to police data obtained by the Drug Policy Alliance.

LSU considers getting into cannabis growing. Under Louisiana’s new medical marijuana law, Louisiana State University and Southern University each has first option to become the grower and supplier for patients legally allowed to access cannabis in pharmacies. LSU officials are looking into the costs of such a grow — $10 million to $15 million, by some estimates — and haven’t yet decided whether to get into the business. Under state law, qualifying conditions are limited to glaucoma, spastic quadriplegia, and symptoms that arise from chemotherapy as a cancer treatment. The strain names alone make this a mighty tempting opportunity: Yellow Tiger. Bayou Bush. Les Miles.

QUICK HITS:

• Senators hold “prohibitionist” panel on cannabis. U.S. Sens. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) held a four-witness hearing Tuesday, and even U.S. News and World Report seems to think it was a load of hooey. Lawmakers didn’t invite legalization advocates or anyone with experience administering adult-use laws in Western states. Because who wants to make decisions based on “science” and “evidence,” right?
• Epidiolex makes strides in clinical epilepsy trial. The pharmaceutical significantly reduced seizures in children with Dravet syndrome, a severe form of epilepsy.

• D.C. will ban cannabis clubs. It was a close vote, 7–6, but the D.C. Council on Tuesday succumbed to fears that “unregulated pot clubs would be bad for the city and create problem for the police,” the AP reports.
• A group of combat soldiers are growing free cannabis for veterans. Sam Laird at Mashable has the story.
• There are billions and billions of dollars in cannabis. But you’ve probably heard that already. Here’s what one lawyer thinks the future of cannabis funding will actually look like.
• Alaska cannabis club shutters, victim of leaky roof and paucity of members. The Higher Calling cannabis club, in downtown Fairbanks, was one of the first cannabusinesses to open in the city after the state decriminalized cannabis in 2014.
• Cannabis retailer wants to rename Denver’s Mile High stadium. Turns out it wasn’t an April Fools joke after all. What do analysts say? Fat chance.
• Iowa governor says he’s open to expanding medical cannabis. “Certainly this is an issue there is some strong interest in,” Gov. Terry Branstad told Radio Iowa. Proponents are pushing for broader qualifying conditions as well as an in-state distribution system.
• The only legal cannabis product in New Zealand is a mouth spray. At least unless this dude says otherwise.
• And finally, there was a “Willy Wonka-style cannabis chocolate fountain party,” in the U.K. Which sounds pretty spectacular, albeit illegal. (No word whether Golden Ticket was on hand.)

How to Customize Your Cannabis High with Temperature

Many cannabis consumers think that customizing their cannabis buzz is limited to the strains they have on their shelves, but temperature is an equally important factor.

Think of temperature control as the key to unlocking whatever effects a strain can offer. A strain that’s high in CBD (non-psychoactive, relaxing, anti-epileptic), for example, must be heated to the compound’s boiling point of 356°F if you’re to reap its benefits. Likewise, the relaxing terpene linalool isn’t unleashed until you hit 388°F. Temperature can also determine a strain’s intensity: higher temperatures typically exaggerate effects while lower temperatures offer a more gentle, mellow experience.

This type of customization isn’t possible through smoking. When you bring a lighter to your bowl, you’re combusting the plant material which creates smoke, carbon dioxide, and other harmful byproducts. The temperature is hot enough to activate the THC and other compounds, but this “sledgehammer approach” isn’t terribly efficient, as temperatures that high can also destroy volatile but pertinent cannabinoids and terpenes.

Knowing that cannabis has a variety of precious constituents with different boiling points, I wanted to see how temperature affected the overall experience felt by different strains. Lining up a row of strain jars like test tubes, I turned on my trusty Herbalizer and began playing mad scientist.

Low Temperatures for Clear-Headed, Functional Effects

310°F to 330°F
Recommended for: mild euphoria, focus, productivity, subtle relaxation

There’s a time and place to be stoned off your rocker, but sometimes all you need is the slightest kick from your cannabis. For days when you need uplifting relief to carry you through chores and tasks, low-temp vaping is the key to a functional, productive buzz.

I loaded my Headband concentrate and set my vaporizer to 320°F in order to release three key constituents: the uplifting, focus-feeding terpene pinene; the pepper-flavored anti-inflammatory terpene caryophyllene; and of course, the psychoactive commander in chief, THC. Despite high levels of THC, vaporizing at this temperature didn’t make me feel stoned in the slightest. Instead, I was left feeling acutely alert and in complete control of my faculties. The taste was a subtle mix of herbs and pine, but certainly lacked the loud flavors found at higher temperatures.

Turning the heat up to 330°F, the high became slightly more intense but tasks and concentration were still completely manageable. The 290-330°F range seems the perfect fit for those who wish to stay productive and functional, cannabis novices and newbies, and/or anyone sensitive to THC’s side effects (dizziness, paranoia, dry eyes/mouth, lethargy, etc.).

Moderate Temperatures for a Balanced Buzz

330°F to 370°F
Recommended for: moderate euphoria, enhanced sensory awareness, mood elevation, functional relaxation

As you increase the heat, more THC is volatilized and your high becomes more intense. This middle range — 330°F to 370°F – gives rise to more euphoric effects that help elevate the mood, stimulate giggles, and kick start the appetite. It’s more functional than when you push past the 370°F mark, but you will most definitely start to feel the stone that lower temperatures spared you.

Historically, 365°F has been the sweet spot for me (I’ll never forget because the first time I vaporized, my friend read the machine’s clock-like screen and thought it was 3:65PM). I’ve always loved the combination of tamed euphoria coupled with the subtle relaxation and focus found at this temperature. I turned my Herbalizer up to 365°F and dished out more of the Headband wax. The vapor felt fuller than it did at 330°F, and the flavor was perfectly fruity with the aftertaste of sweet vanilla licorice. Its effects were distinctly different from the low-temp experience: my thoughts went from a sloppy sprint to a relaxed walking pace, allowing me to unwind and focus.

Whether you’re kicking back with a book, exercising, socializing, cleaning, or playing video games, these moderate temperatures provide most of the cannabinoids and terpenes you want without fully volatilizing the THC – I know many people who would want as much THC as possible, but for others it’s about achieving a careful balance of clear-headedness and blissful elevation.

High Temperatures for Intense Euphoria and Relaxation

370°F to 430°F
Recommended for: intense euphoria, sleep, heavy relaxation, meditation

For ultimate THC decarboxylation mode, turn your vaporizer above 370°F. At these high temperatures, you get terpenes like linalool (calming, anxiety relief) and cannabinoids like THCV (energizing, appetite suppressant), but keep in mind that they’re approaching combustion territory. You may even notice the vapor become smokier and harsher on the lungs.

Durban Poison is a South African sativa known for its elevated levels of THCV, a highly psychoactive cannabinoid known to weaken appetite (yes, weaken). I coincidentally had this strain in my collection last week, so I decided to cook it at 430°F to see if I felt more “energized” than I would at a lower temperature.

For me, the answer was a definitive yes. I finished inhaling the bag of Durban Poison fumes (a little bit went a long way) and shared it with my roommate when I realized how high I became after just a few hits. I passed the kitchen on my way out, and caught a glance of those old-fashioned chocolate glazed donuts – the kind you’d normally eat like popcorn after getting stoned. Call it a THCV placebo or miracle, but those seductive delicacies had no power over me (until later, but that’s irrelevant).

Vaporizing the indica Skywalker at a high temperature – 390°F to be specific – was an entirely different story. Your muscles melt, eyelids get heavy, and thoughts become shrouded in a pleasant mental mist that makes it easy to fall into a calm, meditative state. I can’t say for certain whether it’s the linalool gained at 388°F or the more fully volatilized THC, but this strain was detectably heavier at higher temperatures and decidedly more sedating than the Durban Poison when vaporized at the same temperature. That bring us to the final and most obvious consideration when attempting to customize an experience: the strain.

Differences Between Cannabis Strains

The above temperature tiers don’t so much “create” effects – they modify them, so keep in mind that the limits of your customization are set by whatever strain you’re working with.

Take Durban Poison and Skywalker as an example. A racy, upbeat sativa versus a heavy, pacifying indica. Durban Poison will always have that high-energy cerebral effect profile and Skywalker is destined to be a calming sedative (in most people’s opinions). Temperature is basically the volume knob: turn it up for intensity, and turn it down for subtlety.

But, in summary, don’t forget that with increases in temperatures, you can uncork more essential compounds. However, go too hot and you may be destroying some of those delicate cannabinoids and terpenes. Everyone has their own preference, and it’s up to you to find your own favorite temperature, but knowing exactly what is vaporizing at those temperatures may help.

Jimmy Kimmel's “Mom Weed” Sketch Re-Brands Cannabis for the Suburbs

A new skit from Jimmy Kimmel Live has 420-friendly consumers rolling on the floor with a new “rebranding” of cannabis – this time for moms everywhere.

We open in a laundry room, where the average, everyday suburban mom informs the camera about her “special something” to get her through the day. Is it wine?

Nope, it’s “Mom Weed,” our narrator tells us, holding up a glass water pipe with smoke drifting from the neck. “For moms who toke up on the go,” she smiles cheerfully.

“Let’s face it – taking a fat rip off some dank-ass ganj makes doing laundry, changing diapers, cooking, doing MORE laundry, changing MORE diapers, cooking AGAIN” — she slams the dryer door before manically smiling at the camera — “…almost bearable.”

The video gets darker and darker as this average mom reflects on her life, hiding in the laundry room with her water pipe. It’s a hilarious look at suburban ennui and how cannabis improves everyday lives. Check it out for the lulz:

Image Source: YouTube via Jimmy Kimmel Live

CannaGrow Holdings Initiates the Erection of Three Additional Greenhouses, Optimizing the Colorado Buffalo Ranch Facilities for Sunshine-Driven Seasonal Cannabis Production

CENTENNIAL, CO–(Marketwired – Apr 5, 2016) – NEWMEDIAWIRE.COM — CannaGrow Holdings, Inc., (OTC PINK: CGRW), — CannaGrow Holdings, Inc., a Liaison and Consultant providing turn-key solutions to licensed growers in the legal Cannabis industry, today announced an update on the Colorado Buffalo Ranch Project located in Huerfano County, Colorado.

As explained by Delmar Janovec, CEO of CannaGrow Holdings, “One of the Company’s milestones for the completion of the first phases of the Colorado Buffalo Ranch Facilities is the installation of six (6) hoop-style greenhouses or “Hoop Houses” for seasonal production of Cannabis by a licensed grower. These buildings form an integral component of the facilities as designed by CannaGrow’s botanical-horticultural specialists, Dr. John P. Janovec, COO, and Mr. Jason Wells, Horticultural Production Manager.”

Janovec added, “Three (3) Ranger Series Hoop-style Greenhouses from the International Greenhouse Company (www.igcusa.com) were purchased in late February of this year by NuGro Industries, Inc., the landowner and developer of the Colorado Buffalo Ranch Facilities. The structural components of the walls for the first three (3) Hoop Houses were delivered to the project site on March 30, 2016, and we anticipate the arrival of the trusses and durable siding in the coming week, followed by mechanical equipment.”

As confirmed by Dr. Janovec, “The Ranger Series Greenhouses provide an optimal environment for seasonal Cannabis production. The smaller house size and state-of-the-art ventilation and irrigation system will give us the ability to maximize the production capacity and quality of Cannabis plants cultivated under Colorado sunshine.”

Dr. Janovec also noted, “We anticipate starting construction of the Ranger Series Greenhouses during the week of April 4, 2016, with a completion date of May 15, 2016, just in time for the Licensed Grower to commence the propagation of the first generation of Cannabis plants to be grown and harvested at the Colorado Buffalo Ranch Facilities.”

As emphasized by Dr. Janovec and Mr. Wells, the Colorado Buffalo Ranch Facilities are strategically focused on a perpetual year-round work flow involving the propagation, vegetative growth, and flowering of Cannabis plants in different indoor and greenhouse environments. The 3200-ft2 Nexus Light Deprivation Greenhouse will provide an ideal flowering chamber for several hundred mature Cannabis plants of various strains and sizes at any given time. However, each year the Nexus Greenhouse also will be used to produce the seedlings and clones needed to fill the Hoop Houses in time for long summer growth and flowering toward harvest in the fall or early winter.

Jason Wells added, “The addition of the first three (3) of six (6) seasonal hoop houses to the Colorado Buffalo Ranch Facilities is a strategic move that enables the sunshine-driven production of up to 600 individual flowering Cannabis plants that will be harvested in about October of each year. With their superb environmental control and propane heating system, the Ranger Series Greenhouses will also permit the licensed grower to extend the growing season to achieve a second crop in the early winter of each year.”

CannaGrow Holdings, Inc., the Liaison and Representative for NuGro Industries, will continue in that capacity, working with the various Contractors and State/County Agencies to see the Multi-Phased project through to an operational status. The completion of this Project will provide CannaGrow the basis to begin generating revenues from the Licensed Grower sub-leasing the Turnkey Growing Facilities being built to the specifications of Dr. John P. Janovec, COO of CannaGrow, and horticultural consultant, Jason Wells.

CannaGrow has received numerous inquiries from perspective tenants and are also exploring additional business ventures within this industry that could further enhance shareholder value. The site plan, grading plan, and phasing plan that were submitted by NuGro Industries, the landowner and developer, can be viewed at the company website at:
http://cannagrowholdings.com.

About CannaGrow Holdings, Inc.:

CannaGrow Holdings, Inc. has entered the Medical/Recreational Cannabis Industry as a Lessor, Liaison, and Consultant to licensed Growers providing them with turnkey Growing Facilities in the State of Colorado. The Company intends to expand this business model within this industry as business opportunities evolve whereby providing for the highest return to its shareholders.

CannaGrow Holdings, Inc. does not and will not, until such time as Federal law allows, grow, harvest, distribute or sell marijuana or any substance that violate the laws of the United States of America.

CannaGrow Holdings, Inc. encourages the public to read the above information in conjunction with its year-end statement for December 31, 2014, and the quarterly statements filed in calendar year 2015, at www.otcmarkets.com.

The information contained in this press release may include forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements usually contain the words “may,” “could,” “possibly,” “feel,” “estimate,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “expect,” or similar expressions that involve risks and uncertainties. These risks and uncertainties include the Company’s uncertain profitability, need for significant capital, uncertainty concerning market acceptance of its services, competition, limited service facilities, dependence on technological developments and protection of its intellectual property. The Company’s actual results could differ materially from those discussed herein.

The post CannaGrow Holdings Initiates the Erection of Three Additional Greenhouses, Optimizing the Colorado Buffalo Ranch Facilities for Sunshine-Driven Seasonal Cannabis Production appeared first on Investing News Network.

It’s Time to Treat Medical Cannabis Like Medicine

In fall 2013, when other parents were trading stories about the difficulties of balancing homework with little league practice and swimming lessons, I was in my garage, painstakingly measuring amounts of a Schedule 1 narcotic to extract medication for my son. Tinkering with lab equipment and solvents usually only found in chemistry labs, I was trying to purify compounds from cannabis — not to get high, but to save my son’s life.

My son Ben has suffered thousands of seizures in his short, six-year life. Treatment-resistant epilepsy in children is a cruel disease that can lead to significant cognitive, motor, and behavioral delays and, not surprisingly, death. More than one third of all childhood deaths are due to epilepsy. After exhausting FDA-approved treatment options, including a dozen different anti-seizure drugs, surgical implantation of a nerve stimulator, injections of high doses of steroids and even brain surgery removing half of his parietal lobe, he is finally experiencing some relief thanks to a drug regimen that includes a component in cannabis, cannabidiol (CBD).

My son has suffered severe brain damage as a result of years of seizures. It is excruciating to ask what Ben would be like today had he experienced relief earlier in life. We will never know the answer, and not because science has failed him; policies dictated by an inexplicable social phobia of cannabis have.

Last week, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) convened a research summit on the effects of cannabinoids on the brain. This meeting was the first open acknowledgement by a federal agency that there may be medical value to marijuana. Unfortunately, this “historic” meeting was a huge disappointment to those of us interested in improving the quality of life of patients suffering now. Instead of discussing how to advance our clinical understanding of the therapeutic value of cannabis in specific diseases, much of the conference focused on animal models, which are far too removed from human disease to inform clinical treatment. Much time was also given to the potential public health harm that cannabis poses. Where is the methodologically sound clinical data we need to treat people living with diseases right now? Doctors and policymakers alike have been calling for more research on cannabis for decades — why do we still not have it?

The snail’s pace at which clinical research on cannabis is proceeding is not meaningful for patients in distress right now. There is an overwhelming amount of evidence that components found in marijuana can provide significant relief from disease-related symptoms, such as nausea caused by chemotherapy, in addition to changing the course of life-threatening diseases, such as some specific cancers like glioblastoma.

As a mother, I am furious that the federal government has discouraged research into these potentially life-saving therapies for years by restricting clinical research. As a scientist, I decry the federal government for interfering with scientific freedom.

CBD is only one of many cannabinoids that we are just beginning to understand. Cannabis contains more than 80 cannabinoids and more than 400 other compounds. It’s highly likely the therapeutic potential of medical cannabis is greater than one single cannabinoid. But in order to find out, we need the ability to conduct research. Research must be permitted to progress unfettered, not just on a single cannabinoid, but on all the components of the entire plant.

While research gets off the ground, patients like Ben also need to have the ability to access regulated, standardized cannabis-derived preparations that meet the same manufacturing safety guidelines required of any other medication. I am not comfortable ordering an unregulated preparation of CBD from the internet to treat my child’s severe brain disease, but that’s the situation parents like me find ourselves in today.

To be absolutely clear, the debate can no longer be about whether to provide access. The majority of Americans already live in states where medical cannabis is legal. We must now focus on enacting thoughtful policies that will ensure access to safe preparations, allow for research and collect information to inform treatment. The U.S. government must do more than acknowledge the medical legitimacy of CBD and other cannabis compounds. It must make room for full scientific inquiry into standardization of the life-saving treatments many Americans already know exist and remove itself from the doctor-patient relationships it so often obstructs.

Now is the time for momentous changes in federal cannabis policy. Discussions of cannabis legalization inevitably involve political, social, and public health concerns, but clinical research should not be mired in political agendas; it should be a matter of scientific investigation. Patients, like my son Ben, don’t have time to wait.

Dr. Catherine Jacobson is a neuroscientist and the clinical research director of Tilray, a medical cannabis company licensed by the federal government of Canada. Tilray and Leafly are both subsidiaries of Privateer Holdings.

Smoking Accessories: Balancing Authenticity and Design in Trays, Pipes, Bubblers and More

This article is sponsored by Marley Natural. Dedicated to creating uniquely designed accessories, Marley Natural offers an elevated line of smoking products for discerning connoisseurs. Balancing intuitive form with subtle Jamaican-inspired accents, the line caters to a personalized and very sensory approach to the classic ritual of smoking.

Given that the Marley name is one of the most iconic in history, creating a line of premium quality smoking accessories that resonates with family heritage was no easy task. “My father’s vision was to create a greater sense of wellness, universal harmony, and positive change,” says Bob’s daughter, Cedella Marley. “He believed in the life-enhancing benefits of the herb and the experiences that come with that.”

Because Bob Marley utilized the herb daily, Marley Natural products are intended to lend themselves to constant use for years to come, while at the same time communicating great respect for the plant that Bob Marley so loved. To do all this, Marley Natural’s diverse team of artists and product designers headed to Jamaica to soak up the island nation’s landscape, traditions, and one-of-a-kind culture that would inspire the accessory line.

Jamaican Inspiration for Marley Natural

“Unique design is a cornerstone of our brand, and something we apply across all of our product categories,” explains Tahira Rehmatullah, General Manager of Marley Natural. “Just as Bob Marley’s music is timeless, we want our products to evoke that in their design.”

Marley Natural’s accessories line is directly inspired by Jamaica’s lush landscape, crystalline waters and abundant natural beauty, as well as the culture of conscientious cannabis consumption that has long characterized the vibrant Caribbean nation.

At the same time, though, modern aesthetics were integral to the brand. Stereotypical Rastafarian motifs slapped onto smoking accessories had long since reached the point of saturating the market and trivializing Jamaican cannabis culture, and Marley Natural was determined to steer clear of the same clichés. The designs had to be understated yet timeless.

The Ritual of Smoking in Jamaica

As Marley Natural let island inspiration and Marley family values guide it through numerous iterations of each pipe, tray and more to create a truly luxurious set, it had to keep another brand cornerstone in mind at the same time. The collection is about facilitating the ritual of smoking, so each accessory had to sit naturally in the hand and lend itself to easy cleaning. As such, each piece features an ergonomic design, and comes apart easily for cleaning and maintenance. Marley Natural wanted consumers to feel that they would be comfortable not only using the pieces frequently, but displaying them in their homes.

The accessories’ wood itself is both deluxe and sustainably grown, while the hand-blown glass showcases the smoke. Meanwhile, the slight curves in the wood are a reflection of the rounded coconut chalices that are frequently used for smoking on the island.

Bob Marley’s Legacy

At present the accessory line includes a small taster, spoon pipe, large steamroller, bubbler, small tray, large tray, holder and case, all designed to coexist beautifully and complement one another. The design of these original products took about a year from start to finish, and another round of products are currently in development. The Marley Natural team continues to work directly with the Marley family and keep up with contacts in Jamaica at all times, connections which directly influence new products in development. So far, the response to the accessory line has been overwhelmingly positive.

“Everything starts with the family principles and who we are as the Marley family,” says Bob’s son Rohan Marley. “We’re Bob’s children and we have a high regard for doing things the right way, so it’s not just beneficial to oneself but to the earth and humanity.” As he notes with pride, “My father was a part of social change and still is a part of social change.”

One Very Big Reason Why Cannabis Supporters Should Vote For Ted Wheeler For Portland Mayor

In January I wrote an article encouraging Portland, Oregon residents to vote for mayoral candidate Ted Wheeler. As I pointed outthen, I will also point out now, that I do not live in Portland. So take that article, and this one, for what you will. With that being said, I’m a resident of Oregon, and

Find Out Everything You Wanted To Know About Medical Marijuana At The 2016 Holistic Cannabis Summit

I have been seeing the 2016 Holistic Cannabis Summit pop up a lot on social media recently, and it’s one of those events that I really wish I could check out, but unfortunately I have to work. Hopefully the event goes to digital download after it’s over. The event started today and will continue until

Effects of alcohol, methamphetamine, and marijuana exposure on the placenta

In the United States, prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE) is the most common preventable cause of developmental delay. Animal studies have shown some of the adverse effects of PAE on placental development, but few studies have examined these effects in humans. This is the first study to examine the effects of prenatal exposure to methamphetamine, marijuana, […]

The Shake: White House Protest Draws a Crowd, SpeedWeed is Sold, and Now There’s a Hemptsy

Enormous joint descends on White House lawn. Activists frustrated with the Obama administration’s lack of action on cannabis reform made their complaints heard Saturday by sparking up on the president’s doorstep. Organized by DCMJ, the group that helped legalize adult use in Washington, D.C., the Reschedule 420 event drew more than a hundred attendees — including Leafly’s own Lisa Rough — who at 4:20 p.m. began smoking joints, puffing on vapes, and even doing dabs outside the White House. (They’ll be back April 16 for a cannabis seed giveaway.) Though public consumption is illegal in the nation’s capital, police didn’t make a single arrest at the event — though they did politely ask activists to put away a 51-foot-long inflatable joint. TV host Bill Maher inspired the action but didn’t attend the event himself, something organizers at DCMJ weren’t too happy about:

Hey thanks for inspiring us even if you did nothing at all to help promote a real protest, smoking on TV is legal btw.. @billmaher

— DCMJ (@DCMJ2014) April 2, 2016

Advocates call on Senate Judiciary Committee chair to actually chair Senate Judiciary Committee. The National Cannabis Industry Association on Monday called on Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) to hold committee hearings on the CARERS Act. The federal legislation would remove CBD from the Controlled Substances Act, recognize states’ rights to regulate medical cannabis, and clarify industry banking rules. A bipartisan group of senators introduced the bill more than a year ago, but it’s languished in committee as Grassley has refused to give it a hearing. Washington insiders say the senator’s stance could be changing, though, and the bill got a shot in the arm last month when former presidential candidate Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) announced his support. What do you say, Chuck? You could do a lot of good for a lot of people.

Branding firm to buy embroiled Southern California delivery service. Aquarius Cannabis announced late last week that it will acquire SpeedWeed, a Los Angeles area delivery service that boasts more than 25,000 medical marijuana patients and raked in more than $2.5 million in revenue last year, according to a press release. What the presser doesn’t mention is that SpeedWeed is being sued by officials in Los Angeles in an effort to stop deliveries in the city. The matter is ongoing, but a court decision last month doesn’t bode well: In a separate case, an appeals court ruled that all L.A. deliveries are illegal under a local ordinance known as Proposition D. It’s not yet clear how the lawsuit will proceed, but Aquarius’ announcement specifies that the company “will not assume any liabilities from the operation of SpeedWeed prior to closing.”

QUICK HITS:

• U.K. arrests for cannabis possession are down by half. Arrests have fallen 46 percent since 2010, according to the delicious-sounding BBC Breakfast. One police force told the BBC that officers had been “freed up” for “more important” work.
• A Colorado bill would limit medical cannabis advertisements. House Bill 1363 would restrict ads “having a high likelihood of reaching persons under 18 years of age.”
• Also in Colorado: two more pesticide recalls. That’s numbers 15 and 16 in just six weeks. The recalls affect two Sticky Buds locations and a former Sticky Buds grow now owned by a different company.
• Which might be why more people are asking about organic. An increasing number — nearly 60 percent — of wholesale growers claim their cannabis is grown organically, Marijuana Business Daily reports. Of course, they can’t actually use the term “organic” because the federal government still thinks cannabis is worse than cocaine or opium.
• Hemptsy.com — like Etsy.com, but for hemp. Also much harder to pronounce.
• Maine lawmakers nix cannabis blood-test bill for drivers. The House on Friday unanimously rejected a bill that would’ve set a 5-nanogram limit on THC in the blood. Critics said there’s no consensus on how blood THC level relates to impairment — a point even the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration agrees with.
• Here’s a story about overzealous New Hampshire cops bringing the hammer down on a disabled Navy veteran. Why? Because — wait for it — he decided to switch from Vicodin to cannabis. Prosecutors are expected to win the case, but what are they winning, really?
• Ann Arbor’s Hash Bash draws thousands, including Tommy Chong. It’s the 45th annual event in support of cannabis use, and organizers (and at least one former Red Wings player) were on hand to encourage support for legalization.
• Rhode Island’s attorney general is cannabis curious. Peter Kilmartin will host a forum at Brown University on Tuesday to discuss legalization and regulation. Representatives from the cannabis industry and other legal states are set to speak.
• Connecticut is lending advocates an ear, too. Proponents of cannabis reform will speak Tuesday at an informational hearing arranged by state lawmakers.
• And finally, cannabis mini-malls are a thing now. Because some people don’t like standing in the rain.

Sisters of the Valley: Elegant Photos of the “Nuns” That Grow High-CBD Cannabis

In January, we brought you the story of the “Sisters of the Valley,” a group of self-described nuns in Merced, Calif., on a mission to produce high-CBD products for ailing patients. Sister Kate and Sister Darcey grow high-CBD cannabis plants in the garage of their shared home. Their line of products is available to patients through their website.

Professional photographers Shaughn Crawford and John DuBois visited the sisters in their Central California home to document the work they’re doing to help patients. This elegant series features the “nuns” themselves, their garden, and the processes by which they make their products: trimming, extracting, refining, and packaging. Take a look below to see some of the highlights yourself, and check out the full series on the photographers’ website.

Hat tip to Booooooom! for finding this gorgeous series.

Image Source: Shaughn and John Photography

Reschedule 420 Takes the Cannabis Cause to the White House

On Saturday afternoon, at a few minutes past 2 p.m., I found myself carrying the world’s largest joint to the White House.

Well, OK, it was only a symbolic joint — 51 feet long, inflatable, made of plastic sheeting, and emblazoned with the words “Obama, Deschedule Cannabis Now!” But it was large. And we were headed to the White House. I was joined by nearly 100 volunteers walking down Pennsylvania Avenue towards 15th Street. Shortly after I joined the procession, the enormous joint drew to a halt before a thick line of law enforcement.

Protest organizer Adam Eidinger huddled in negotiation with the police. A few minutes later he turned to the group. “We can’t bring the joint in,” he announced. “They’re concerned it may obstruct the view of the White House.”

With that, the group collectively pivoted, dropped the massive J and began rolling it up. The joint was snuffed out, at least for the time being.

Close but no breakthrough. It seemed a fitting analogy for the status of cannabis in Washington, D.C., and across America.

Saturday’s event, Reschedule 420, was initially inspired by Bill Maher’s display of civil disobedience earlier this year, when he lit and smoked a joint on his HBO show. But the event quickly evolved into something bigger and deeper than that with the help of Eidinger, whose group DCMJ led the successful campaign for D.C. legalization, drafting the ballot initiative and organizing volunteers to gather signatures for the 2014 election.

It was an ordinary day for the nation’s capital, but for this group of activists, it was an exhilarating day of anticipation and civil disobedience. Music pumped from loudspeakers, and chants of “Free the tree! Cannabis is love!” filled the air, deepening the sense of community as organizers compared notes — and prepared for the day’s best and worst possible scenarios.

At the core of the protest was a diverse mix of people from the Beltway and beyond. Young parents spoke of raising their children amid homegrown gardens, impassioned veterans called for better access to medical cannabis, baby boomers expressed their lifelong passion for the plant, and a few zealous attendees preached cannabis as religion. An impressive cadre of low-key federal government employees also showed up, wanting to support the cause but shying away from actively participating due to the all-too-real fear that it could put their employment and liberty at risk.

Activists chanted as the crowd gathered in front of the White House. “Deschedule cannabis now! Deschedule cannabis now!”

The police presence was heavy. I spotted more than a few K-9 units standing on the outskirts of the group.

Christine Edmond of the Alliance for Women in Media spoke eloquently. “We hate prohibition because it tells us that we can’t,” she said. “We hate prohibition because it keeps us from making our own decisions. We hate prohibition because people deserve to be informed and exposed to truth. We hate prohibition because hundreds of thousands of lives have been changed, and some things cannot be undone. Regardless of your view, cannabis is more than a recreational substance. It is a healing medicine that opens up the heart and that touches the soul. The time is now to heal the people, to heal the land, to heal our economy, to heal society, to set the plant free.”

Brandon Wyatt, a lawyer and Marine Corps veteran who said he lives with post-traumatic stress disorder, stood beside a banner, speaking to the press about the importance of cannabis research. “Federally, we need the numbers,” he said. “We are fighting for the data. What if this is the state that could make the breakthrough?”

Dr. Uma Dhanabalan, a physician from the Boston area and a member of the MassCann Reform Coalition, spoke about the myth of the “gateway drug.”

“Cannabis is not an entrance drug!” she told the crowd. “Cannabis is an exit drug for the pharmaceutical crisis.”

Phone Homie (real name Rico), really got the crowd fired up. He hosts a local D.C. podcast with “dabs on the slab,” on which he discusses all things cannabis. Since I’d arrived in D.C. a day earlier, his podcast had been mentioned to me no less than five times. He was loud and charismatic, and people were drawn to his message: “One small dab for man, one giant slab for mankind!” He was frequently at the center of the crowd, encouraging cheers in agreement, blowing a train whistle and eventually, when the time came, leading the toking.

Tourists gathered in the park to gawk.

I danced between the protesters and the reporters, darting to glance at the lines of Secret Service agents, D.C. law enforcement and a few helmeted guards who appeared to be wearing armored gear. I noticed that there were several other similarly-garbed officers standing around a separate pro-life protest (you know the ones, with stomach-churning photos) and meandered over to the police line.

“So, are you here for this?” I nodded towards one of the bloody posters, “Or this?” I gestured at the Reschedule 420 crowd.

The officer smiled at me above his fluorescent vest. “Ma’am, I’m just here to keep the peace.”

I returned the smile. “Then I’m glad you’re here, sir.”

He nodded and tipped his helmet.

As the hour of reckoning drew near, anticipation built within the crowd. The grassy scent of burning cannabis had been apparent since about twenty minutes into the rally, but I couldn’t pinpoint the origin and, quite frankly, was a little miffed, because Eidinger has been quite clear in his instructions: “No lighting up before 4:20.” He wanted the group to make an impact and didn’t want to risk any premature arrests and a possible shutdown.

At 4:16 I saw the first hit. It was Phone Homie, at the center of the crowd, taking a dab. The floodgates opened. Joints, dabs, vape pens, nectar collectors, edibles — nearly every form of consumption was represented. I saw a three-pronged joint holder, complete with three joints, light up in front of me.

For a brief moment, there was truly a celebration — cheering and singing (and yes, some coughing) — as the group collectively watched the lines of law enforcement stand motionless just beyond the perimeter of the crowd. Dabs flowed, joints were puffed and passed. And when it became clear that there would be no crackdown, the crowd roared in victory.

The police shifted restlessly but made no move towards the group. I watched a K-9 officer walk with a police dog, just a puppy. His little snout bounced off of every single person as he scanned the crowd.

Just then I noticed one of the organizers, Ellen Mellody, a former advisor to the Obama, Gore and Clinton campaigns. She hustled back from a tête-à-tête with the head of the Secret Service contingent. An uneasiness settled over the crowd.

“They said we gotta rip it down or they’re going to start arresting.”

“That’s our cue,” shouted a volunteer. “Time to move on out!”

Suddenly, I heard the sound of distant sirens and someone on a bullhorn. I assumed the worst. After cringing and looking over the crowd, I realized that I was mistaken. I looked over to see one of the religious protesters, carrying a huge sign and a bullhorn. It seemed unlikely that police officers would be yelling about Jesus as they broke up a protest.

No matter. At that point we received word from Eidinger, passed through the crowd telephone-style:
“Mission accomplished.”

With that, the magic was over, brief and bright and jubilant and filled with hope.

As the crowd dispersed to carry on the festivities at private residences, DCMJ volunteers remained behind to gather any trash — munchies and joint butts, mostly — in trash bags, carefully skirting the law enforcement officers giving side-eyed glances to a few straggling participants.

No arrests. Zero. No handcuffs, no federal drug charges, and, for these courageous, foolhardy volunteers, no reason that President Obama couldn’t reschedule — nay, deschedule — cannabis from the Controlled Substances Act.

Eidinger led the procession down K Street, leading a parade of celebration. Everyone was eager to leave federal property and get to the safety of private space. Activists were awestruck afterwards, pinching themselves and exchanging glances, as if to ask “Did that actually just happen?”

Image Source: Lisa Rough

Pot Brownie Bracketology Championship: The Cannabist vs. Our Editor’s Mom

Welcome to Leafly’s Pot Brownie Bracketology, where March Madness meets reefer madness and we search low and high to discover the absolute best cannabis brownie recipe ever.

The contenders: Triple Chocolate Brownies (by The Cannabist) vs. Our Editor’s Mom’s Brownies (by Mrs. Barbara Martin)

The story: Throughout our Pot Brownie Bracketology project, we’ve broken our bracket into two divisions: brownies that were originally intended to contain cannabis, and those that were not. The best brownie of each type meets in our championship round to help us answer whether it’s better to use a dedicated pot brownie recipe or if it works just as well to hack your favorite recipe and create your own.

Read on to find out whether our editor’s mom’s brownies, with cannabutter added, can beat the infused recipe that The Cannabist claims “takes pot brownies to the next level” – and moreover, which recipe was voted to be the absolute best cannabis brownie recipe of all time.

Brownie A: Triple Chocolate Brownies

Get The Cannabist’s cannabis-infused brownie recipe here

Creator: The Cannabist

Original recipe contains cannabis? Yes

Over the course of the tournament: The Cannabist has turned in consistently solid performances in every category and every round, soundly besting its opponents by a huge 4.5 points (round one) and a decisive 2 points (round two).

Most valuable ingredient: The topping. Fresh raspberries, blueberries and whipped cream do indeed take this recipe to the next level.

Judges’ notes:

“Wonderfully fudgy texture.” –Kristin Kofmehl, event coordinator

“Effects lasted hours. Sustained high, but never became uncomfortable. Would eat again.” –Sara Dilley, photo editor

Brownie B: Sam’s Mom’s Brownies

Get Sam’s mom’s raspberry-filled, cannabis-infused brownie recipe here

Creator: Mrs. Barbara Martin of Brisbane, Qld., Australia

Original recipe contains cannabis? No

Over the course of the tournament: These brownies logged the highest score of the entire tournament in round one, besting Martha Stewart, 22 to 17.5 – a point differential equaled only by The Cannabist’s 21.5 to 17 win over High Times in the same round. Round two, however, was the closest call in the tournament – Sam’s mom’s brownies squeaked by Julia Child’s with a mere half point difference in score.

Most valuable ingredient: Refrigeration. That these brownies are served chilled accentuates the fruity, fudgy characteristics of the recipe, and tames the cannabis flavor.

Judges’ notes:

“The flavor had a nice balance…the raspberries made for a nice touch. I haven’t had the giggle fits like that in a while.” –Sharee Church, sales support specialist

“I hate fruity brownies.” –Bailey Rahn, associate editor

“What, I don’t get to judge my mum’s brownie?!” –Sam Martin, managing editor

Scores (Average of Two Judges):

The Cannabist

Our Editor’s Mom

Appearance

3.5

4

Aroma

3.5

3.5

Texture

4.5

3

Flavor

4.5

3.5

Potency/Effects

2.5

3

Total

18.5

17

The best cannabis brownie recipe ever is… Triple Chocolate Brownies by The Cannabist! Congratulations to The Cannabist and recipe creator Laurie Wolf. This recipe is the best we’ve seen, and an absolute must-try – file it away in your recipe collection and plan to use it for years to come.

Want to see how the whole competition played out? Check out our complete Pot Brownie Bracketology home page!

Disclaimer: Cannabis edibles should always be prepared and consumed with care. Know your tolerance, start slow, and never drive under the influence of cannabis.

Why I Hope That Whoopi Goldberg Crushes It In The Cannabis Industry

Whoopi Goldberg has made a lot of headlines in her lifetime. She is an award winning actress and has been on TV more times than I can count. Whoopi has been onThe View since 2007, which is a tremendously popular show. Whoopi has used her fame and access to massive media platforms to tout her

Straight Talk in Ski Country: A Q&A With Aspen’s Cannabis-Friendly Sheriff

Pitkin County Sheriff Joe DiSalvo knows his jurisdiction isn’t much like the rest of the country. It’s an outlier even in Colorado. Aspen, the county seat, is rich, world famous, and home to only about 7,000 people, nearly 95 percent of whom are white. Its culture has long been on the fringe, too: In 1970, Pitkin County was the kind of place where gonzo journalist Hunter S. Thompson himself could make an outside run for sheriff — and lose by just 31 votes.

“Aspen was always a culture of freaks and weirdos that came here to escape,” DiSalvo told me. “It was where, if you didn’t fit anyplace else, if you came to Aspen you usually were a fit.”

DiSalvo escaped to Aspen from Brooklyn in 1980 and lived nearly five years here before becoming a cop. He spent his days skiing, his evenings driving a bus, and his nights out with friends. “The bus would stop at 10 or 11 o’clock at night, and we would go out until the bars would close,” he recalled. “And the next day it would start all over again.”

He joined the police force — first the Aspen Police, then the Pitkin County Sheriff’s Office — largely because it was a steady job. While there, he said, then-Sheriff Bob Braudis helped shape his views on law enforcement, especially with regard to cannabis.

“As long as you weren’t in somebody’s face about it, it was the last thing the police had on their list of things to do,” he said. “Marijuana use behind closed doors is really not a threat to public. If you do this in the privacy of your own home or you’re doing it discreetly, that’s a morality issue, not a law enforcement issue as far as I’m concerned. And if you overuse, this becomes a public safety issue, not a law enforcement issue.”

DiSalvo was a critic of the war on drugs during his 2010 campaign for sheriff, when he took over for Braudis. Two years later, he backed Amendment 64, the Colorado ballot initiative that legalized cannabis for adult use. Uncommon for a law enforcement officer, DiSalvo embraced the fledgling industry. He rallied local community members and educated them on the array of new products. But he also set limits, asking dispensaries not to carry edibles that looked too much like popular candy. He still worries that a handful of horror stories could spoil the whole experiment nationwide.

Last week DiSalvo spoke to Leafly about cannabis policy, including his efforts to engage cannabis businesses, how to police public consumption in a resort town, and his latest effort to crack down on edibles. Here’s an edited transcript of the conversation:

Leafly: You were a big advocate for Colorado’s adult-use legalization measure, Amendment 64. Once it passed, what did you do to prepare for the change?

Sheriff Joe DiSalvo: If you’re a county or town that has legalized marijuana on the horizon, I think you have to be way out in front of some of the pitfalls that have occurred in Colorado. Listen to us and head them off at the pass.

I wanted this to succeed. I thought that if we voted this in and it became kids stumbling around and all the worst of the worst happening, it would be a disaster for the product itself and for legalization. So we started this Valley Marijuana Council. I got our chief stakeholders in this community: our three law enforcement agencies, the hospital, the schools, the Aspen Skiing Company — that’s one of the biggest employers here. I got all these 30 or so people together and I said, “Here it comes, guys, let’s be prepared for it. What can we do to get out ahead of any potential problems?”

The first thing we did, we felt the need to educate the community on what marijuana is today compared to what it was. So we started with a community meeting. Adults only came, and we did a product demonstration. I had every vaporizer I could get my hands on, every drinkable, every edible, smokeable, tincture — all the shit that you and I are real familiar with — and I laid it out on the table. And I had people in that room that I’ve known for 30 years that were smoking pot go, “What is this stuff? I’ve never seen it.” And I said, “This is the stuff you’ve got to look for in your kid’s backpack.”

Then we went to the kids. We had two psychologists do a brief program on the brain and how it works, and we did a couple of those in high school.

Now, keep in mind our community supports this. I mean, I think we had 75 percent vote in favor of legalization. I work for 17,000 people, that’s the size of my county. This is clearly something they wanted and I knew the answer was going to be yes, so it made my job easier.

Moving forward, what kind of things still need to happen in legal states like Colorado to make existing systems work better?

One of the things I’m working on, I went to a [cannabis-infused] cooking display up in Seattle, and the young lady was talking about how to, for all intents and purposes, reverse or lessen the effects of what we would call an overdose. I was bowled over and pleased, because the hospital in our community has said there’s nothing we can do to reverse this except put people in a dark room and have them ride it out. I found out you can reverse it basically by using it against itself. You’re using terpenes to fight the high.

So now, I’m meeting with our Council and saying we need to get the ER docs to get some CBD or something to reverse this. That’s something that, at least for this moment, I’m really — no pun intended — really high on.

Being a tourist community, another issue we had pop up was, you know how when you go to a hotel you leave your bottle of vodka or whatever in the room? Your maid usually takes it home. Somebody left some chocolates and a maid took them home and gave them to a five-year-old kid, and it was a really bad trip. We had to hit the whole hospitality industry and educate them on what it looks like now.

On that front, can we talk about edibles? For being so friendly to the cannabis community, you’ve taken a pretty strict stance on them. Why?

I said this and I stand by it: If this is half-assed and it fails, we will be the victim. We will be made fools of. So I think there has to be a lot of responsibility and credibility in this.

One of the first ones that we saw that I really didn’t like were lookalike edible products — things that look like Reese’s or Snickers bars and were packaged as such. We went at the time to local dispensaries and said, “Look, guys, this is probably something we don’t want in this community. Can you remove them from your shelves and replace them?” They did, and they packaged it in a more responsible way. And we thought that was a good start.

We still do have a problem with edible products. I don’t know that we need products that look like cookies and candy when you can swallow a pill and get the same effect. Let’s face it, it’s not wine. We are ingesting this to get high. Wine, you can have a half a glass and go, “Wow, that tasted really good.” I don’t know that we need to make the product look glamorous with drinks and candy and cookies when we can just swallow a pill.

I’ve kind of got an idea — and I’m interested to hear your thoughts on this — that maybe we should ask our dispensaries to sell in pill form only. This might be a radical idea, but I’m not sure it’s all that bad of one.

I see how it might be appealing as a way to discourage underage use, for sure. But some in the industry already feel cannabis is being held to a different standard than other adult products. Alcohol companies make sugary, boozy sodas. The cannabis industry can’t make an infused cookie?

I agree with you. Look, I can’t believe I’m making the argument myself, because I hate regulation, but let’s not make any mistake about it: You’re eating that cookie for one reason, and that’s to get high — not for taste. Why not just take all the attraction out of it for anyone who might not realize what it is and break it down to a pill form? Or smoke or vaporize?

I guess the stakes are pretty high, and you have to consider the optics, right? If a five year old eats an edible, that’s a national news story.

You’ve hit the nail on the head. Right now it’s really sexy every time someone overdoses on an edible cookie. It punches holes in the whole industry.

On the other hand, you also seem to get that success has the potential to change minds. In terms of conversing with other law enforcement, what kind of arguments do you find work best?

It’s going to mean less people in jail. It’s going to mean we free up cops and do things that are probably more related to people’s safety. And the tax benefit is another plus.

And does that work? Are people persuaded?

The people that are against this or on the fence on this one really don’t mind that people are in jail. I don’t think they mind that we keep arresting people for it. I’ve just not seen that. I do think there are a lot of police officers and police managers who may feel that way but still are not comfortable saying it.

I’m curious to see if our windfall in Washington and Colorado are going to make states change their minds about this. In Aspen proper, which is the county seat, the city collected over $200,000 in unexpected taxes last year. I think that money should go directly to children’s programs, school education, and mental health programs.

Statewide, we said the first $30-plus million of tax revenue would go toward schools and school programs. Last year in Colorado we collected almost $100 million, and we had to go to a vote to decide what we were going to do with the $66 million that we over-collected. The voters decided to leave that in the state coffers and use it for drug education. So we’re thriving on this.

Now, I realize when it’s a 50-state thing, our revenues will clearly go down. But it should be a signal to people that this is a product people want, and I don’t think it’s a novelty. I think you’re going to see a lot of states realizing that there’s gold in them thar hills, and they’re going to start cashing in.

If you were a sheriff in a less cannabis-friendly jurisdiction, could you replicate what you’re doing in Pitkin County? Or would it be a matter of waiting for voters to come around?

Unfortunately, I think the latter statement is the truer one. But I think I would have to start with trying to change people’s minds by telling them that this activity’s happening whether you support it or not. Just like Nebraska and Wyoming, those states that border us. You can make it illegal, but it’s not going to stop demand for the product. Would you rather have it out in the public and reap tax benefits from it or would you be rather it be forced underground? It’s the same old bullshit story I know you’ve heard a million times that underground is a bad place for this to be.

It’s the same argument I have to make for a cash business. It is insane that this is a cash business in this country. If we’re collecting almost $7 million in Aspen in cash revenue, guess what we must’ve missed that was not reported? Dispensary owners have to walk to a bank or their car with $20,000 a day in a bag. It’s almost an invitation for a violent crime. I say to dispensary owners, if you are walking to the bank and you’re afraid, call me and I’ll assign a deputy to walk you to the bank.

For naysayers all I can say is that it’s happening. You might as well accept it. Hopefully in 15 or 20 years this will look like ancient history, but it’s here to stay and you’ve got to get your head wrapped around it.

It seems like you fit your jurisdiction really well and the jurisdiction fits you really well. Would you even want a job like yours in a Nebraska or an Oklahoma?

No. And they wouldn’t want me either, and I’m OK with that. We’re not interchangeable parts. I wouldn’t see myself working anywhere else that didn’t have an accepting attitude on this. I couldn’t go to Lincoln, Nebraska, and be the sheriff there and start making arrests. It would be contrary to what I feel like is the best thing for the community.

Is this a privileged position for you, then? Aspen is rich, it’s largely white, and it’s very liberal. If you talk to other law enforcement officers, do they say, “Yeah, Joe, I’m totally with you, but my community doesn’t see it that way”?

There’s a jurisdiction that’s 40 miles away from mine, and we for years have been polar opposites. But this sheriff and I have a good relationship because of that — we have recognized that we work for different people with different demands. He’s got a more conservative constituency and I have a more liberal constituency, and I think that’s a real important part of this. It makes no sense for me to go to his constituents and try and push my philosophies down their throat. It doesn’t work that way. The constituency drives the sheriff. The sheriff doesn’t drive the constituency.

I’ll tell you, Aspen is getting more conservative. The world is getting conservative. Out of fear, mostly. But if the constituency starts to change and tells me they want something different, it’s time for me to make a decision. They get to call the shots.

Changing gears a bit, what are your thoughts on public consumption or cannabis cafés?

I’m really in favor of cannabis clubs, which our city and state seem to be resisting. I think it’s a good safe way to learn how to use the product in a controlled environment. Example: Somebody buys a 10-mg cookie and eats it and hangs around the lounge for an hour and comes back for another one. I think it’s time for the budtender to say, “Hey, when’s the last time you used this? Do you know what you’re doing? And frankly I can’t give you any more. You’re going to feel fine in another hour.” So I do think that educational component is important, not only for public safety but for the success of the industry.

How we deal with public consumption is an interesting story. Right now, if you were to visit Aspen, you can’t smoke in your hotel room, you can’t smoke in the street, there is no club — so what do you do? Your house is your only option.

Which seems kind of impossible if you’re a tourist, right? So how does it work in real life?

If you use it in a hotel room, you might get a visit from the manager. If you use it outside, you might see a cop. I think that’s the way the city of Aspen would look at it. Right now, if you’re smoking on the street, you might get a polite reminder that it’s not allowed.

Clubs would probably be the best way for it to go, but if you want to step outside your hotel room and get 20 feet from the door and hit your vape, I don’t know that that should be a problem.

You’re talking about officer discretion, basically?

The discretion’s got to be on the user’s part as well as the enforcer’s part. It’s hardly using good discretion if you’re smoking outside your public school. If you’re at Centurylink, row 12, and you’re smoking, you’re an idiot. But if it’s 11 p.m. and Ben goes out in a dark alley and hits his pipe, that’s discretion on your part, I think.

Once again, I’ve got to clarify that these are ideas I have for my unique community. This will not work in everybody’s community.

If we look at arrest rates, there’s still this huge racial disparity in cannabis arrests. You’re four times more likely as a black person to be arrested in Oregon for cannabis than if you’re not black.

That’s unbelievable. I think that’s disgusting no matter how you look at it. That is racism in a clever disguise.

Doesn’t officer discretion leave the door to discrimination wide open?

A black-and-white police officer, somebody who does not use discretion, I think is a dangerous person. “You broke the rules, you pay for it” — that’s black and white. I happen to give my officers every ounce of discretion they want as long as they can give me a rational explanation why they acted that way. Black-and-white usually means a pretty low intelligence level; the gray is where you’ve got to use your brain.

So I do think that police will or should become more discretionary. The race part, like I said, it disgusts me to think we’re using low-level crimes to target certain people. It’s crazy.

Obviously we can’t fully solve that problem in cannabis without addressing it more broadly in society. But what can be done to address this problem that you and I both think is serious?

I would say calling attention to those statistics would be the first thing. I mean, what explanation could the state of Oregon have for those out-of-whack statistics? I think calling attention to the problem is one thing, but changing the way racist people think, that is a bigger question than a small county sheriff like me can answer. That is a huge problem that I can’t get my head wrapped around. I’d love the NAACP to take a stand on that.

You caught my ear at a conference when you said, “Community policing is not a fucking 60-minute commute to get to work.” It feels like this is less about granular policies for you than it is about creating a certain kind of relationship between deputies and civilians.

When I was in Seattle, I saw a lot of Bernie Sanders stuff, and I was so happy when I heard him mention the same thing. He talked specifically about marijuana. I was so proud of him for bringing that up, and I think Hillary’s an idiot if she doesn’t get on this bandwagon when she comes through Colorado.

I also heard him mention that community policing means hiring people from your community. I really do think that is an important part of this. And although we all make fun of Andy Griffith, if you look at the basic law enforcement tenets — and I know this sounds stupid — Andy’s got ‘em. You hire local people, integrate them in the community.

I’ve got a thousand-square-mile jurisdiction, almost the size of Rhode Island. I only hire people if you’ve lived here for probably more than 5 years. And you have to live within, I would say, 30 miles from here, or you’re not getting hired by me. I think that’s a real important part of policing that we miss.

Like I said, these philosophies work in a white, affluent, 1-percent-of-1-percent community. So I might be talking out of my ass when I’m talking to a police chief in New York City. But I don’t see why it can’t work.

I grew up in Brooklyn, New York. When I was there, there was a predominantly black neighborhood, high crime, lots of housing projects. If you walked through those projects and said, “I want each person in this floor to nominate somebody you think would be a good police officer,” I bet you’d find plenty of black, 20something-year-old kids that are smart cats that want to help. They’re just not getting the opportunities. Have those people be police officers in those communities, and keep those white guys in New Jersey where they belong. That’s my thought on it.

Bloom Farms presents The SF Bay Area Cannabis Career And Job Fair

Bloom Farms™, a San Francisco based medical cannabis company, will present its fourth SF Bay Area Cannabis Career & Job Fair, Sunday, April 10, 2016 at City Nights, 715 Harrison St, San Francisco, from 12pm-4pm PT. Bloom Farms Director Michael Ray had this to say: “The last SF Bay Area Cannabis Career & Job Fair

US RI: AG To Host Marijuana Legalization Forum

Pawtucket Times, 04 Apr 2016 – PROVIDENCE (AP) – Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Kilmartin is hosting a forum on marijuana regulation and policy that will focus on learning from states that have legalized the drug. Tuesday’s forum at Brown University will include speakers from the marijuana industry group the Coalition for Responsible Cannabis Production.

US RI: Rhode Island AG to Hold Forum on Legalizing Marijuana

The Day, 04 Apr 2016 – Providence (AP) – Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Kilmartin is hosting a forum on marijuana regulation and policy that will focus on learning from states that have legalized the drug. Tuesday’s forum at Brown University will include speakers from the marijuana industry group the Coalition for Responsible Cannabis Production.