All Medical Marijuana News Archives · Page 57 of 79

April Netflix and Chill: Tax Returns for All of Us!

April is a great month. The hours of light are stretching longer into the evening, the trees start to bud, and that sweet, sweet tax return arrives in the mail, which basically feels like free money even though it’s definitely not. Maybe you’ll prematurely stuff your peacoat far into the depths of your closet and find yourself going for walks, taking deep inhalations of that springy, earthy smell, and turning to your friends and yelling, “This is life! This is living!” Hey, when spring grabs hold, there’s not much you can do to stop it.

This month’s new-to-Netflix lineup is further proof that April rocks and that T.S. Eliot was very incorrect when he said, “April is the cruelest month.” Poor guy probably always owed to the IRS at the end of the year. Here are some of the best new things for your eyeballs.

For the Lover of Both Dogs and Mockumentaries

Watch: Best in Show

Who are the types of people who breed dogs for kennel club shows? This mockumentary by writer and director Christopher Guest shows you the seedy and hilarious underbelly of the high-brow world of dog breeding and showing. Guest, who is known for popularizing the “mockumentary” style of shooting, relies largely on improvisation for Best in Show, as well as his other popular mockumentary films, including A Mighty Wind, This Is Spinal Tap and Waiting for Guffman. If you love The Office or Parks and Rec, you will absolutely love this movie, as Guest’s style arguably laid the foundation for the success of the mockumentary sitcom. It’s got a Portlandia-style sense of self-aware humor to it, plus it has people who look like their dogs.

Available: April 1st

Strain Pairing: Dogwalker OG

Munchies: In the spirit of canines, why not whip up a batch of Puppy Chow?

For Fans of Post-Bunker Humor

Watch: Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt Season 2

The brains behind 30 Rock, Tina Fey and Robert Carlock, bring us season two of their wacky Netflix original Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt on April 15. The jokes are just as fast and funny in this sitcom starring Ellie Kemper as a cult survivor who strikes out on her own to start a life in New York City after spending years underground in a bunker. While in season one we see Kimmy navigate some of the basics of life – getting a job, dating, and finding a roommate – we can expect that no matter what new life troubles are thrown her way in season two, she’ll face them with the same combination of naïveté, grit and determination that makes her such a strange yet lovable character.

Available: April 15th

Strain Pairing: NYC Diesel

Munchies: Since Kimmy still has the palate of a child, load up on plenty of chocolate and candy.

For Those of You Yearning for Zihuatanejo

Watch: The Shawshank Redemption

The Shawshank Redemption was selected by the Library of Congress in 2015 to be preserved in the National Film Registry due to its cultural and aesthetic significance. In short: this is a really good movie. Based on a novella by Stephen King, the movie takes place in his home state of Maine and tells the story of Andy Dufresne, who is sentenced to life in prison for murdering his wife and child. The movie takes us inside the walls of Shawshank State Penitentiary to learn about the alliances, betrayal and oppression that inmates face in a high-security facility. If you’re a fan of Orange Is the New Black but have never sat down to watch Shawshank, you’re in for a treat.

Available: April 1st

Strain Pairing: Star Killer

Munchies: To celebrate your freedom, why not go for the least prison-type food possible: sushi.

For Folks Who Want to Learn About Law as Salaciously as Possible

Watch: How to Get Away with Murder Season 2

This TV drama series on ABC centers around law school professor Annalise Keating (Viola Davis), who teaches a class on criminal defense that she refers to as “How to Get Away with Murder 101.” The second season of this murder- and betrayal-filled show has earned Viola Davis the Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance in a Drama Series and secured executive producer Shonda Rhimes as an unstoppable creator of salacious and ensnaring dramas (she’s also behind Grey’s Anatomy and Scandal). Of course, this is nothing like the boring Torts classes you heard so much about from your friends slogging through law school.

Available: April 16th

Strain Pairing: Outlaw

Munchies: Rhimes’ one controversial opinion might be that she hates thin crust pizza. Order in a deep dish in her honor.

For Those of You Who Have Never Caught a Glimpse of Dirk’s “Diggler”

Watch: Boogie Nights

From a nightclub dishwasher to a wealthy porn star, Boogie Nights tracks the rise of Eddie Adams (Mark Wahlburg), a baby-faced high school dropout who takes on the porn star persona of Dirk Diggler after a director (Burt Reynolds) takes him under his wing based on his good looks and natural charm. The film, set in southern California’s San Fernando Valley, helped director Paul Thomas Anderson get on the map during his twenties. (He then went on to create well-regarded classics including Magnolia, There Will Be Blood and The Master.) Watching young Eddie succumb to the addiction to money, power and sex feels like witnessing a slow-motion trainwreck in a similar vein as The Wolf of Wall Street. For many reasons, you can’t look away.

Available: April 1st

Strain Pairing: Money Maker

Munchies: It’s set in Los Angeles – what better excuse do you need for chips and guac?

Image Sources: IMDb

Check Out The Oregon Quarterly Cannabis Caucus

A lot has happened in Oregon lately when it comes to marijuana policy. There are new medical marijuana reporting requirements, new proposed limits for recreational edibles, and a bunch of other stuff. Understanding all of it can be difficult. That’s why I’m going to try as hard as I can to make it to the

Spring Kickoff For Medical Cannabis In Arkansas

If you are in the area, please consider coming out and helping the Arkansas campaign. See the message I received below: Although we have surpassed the required threshold of 68,000 signatures, we still need another 30 to 40,000 to make up for invalid ones. With the deadline approaching fast, it is crunch time. Thankfully,

Anti-Smoking Bill Would Kill Alaska Cannabis Cafés

I received the following message out of Alaska: A bill designed to protect Alaskans from the harmful effects of tobacco smoke is being hijacked as a way to shut down cannabis cafés before they are given a chance. If SB 1 passes in its current form, adult consumers would once again be limited to consumption

Cannabis Seeds 101: All You Need to Know and More

What are Cannabis Seeds?

Cannabis is a dioecious plant, meaning its female and male reproductive organs are found on separate individuals. Female cannabis plants are grown in an environment without males to produce what we find in medical and recreational stores: seedless, high potency marijuana flowers, traditionally known as “sinsemilla.”

In order to reproduce, the flower of a female plant must be pollinated by a male plant after which the female flower produces seeds. However, many varieties of cannabis can produce some male flowers alongside female flowers on the same plant, especially if exposed to environmental stressors or left to flower for a longer than normal period. This is known as the hermaphrodite condition, and sometimes these male flowers will produce viable pollen and self-pollinate the surrounding female flowers to create seeds.

Once the seeds are mature, the female plant begins to die, and seeds are either dropped to the ground where they germinate and grow into new cannabis plants the next spring, or they are harvested for processing into hemp seed oil, food products, or to be sown to become the next generation of plants.

What are Feminized Cannabis Seeds?

Feminized cannabis seeds are seeds that are produced by causing the monoecious, or hermaphrodite condition in a female cannabis plant. This is achieved through several methods:

By spraying the plant with a solution of colloidal silver
Through a method known as Rodelization
Spraying gibberellic acid (much less common)

Feminized seeds produce plants that are nearly identical to this self-pollinated (or “selfed”) female parent plant, as only one set of genes is present. This is sometimes referred to as “cloning by seed” and will not produce any male plants. However, most producers of feminized seeds do not go through the lengthy (and costly) process of identifying a completely stable mother plant for seed production. Many, if not most feminized seeds end up being hermaphrodites, which can result in flowers with seeds in them and reduced yields. Most experienced growers will not use feminized seed, and they should never be used for breeding purposes.

What are Auto-Flowering Cannabis Seeds?

Most cannabis plants begin their flowering cycle when the photoperiod, or length of time they are exposed to light each day, is reduced to somewhere between 12 and 14 hours, regardless of the size or age of the plant. The species Cannabis ruderalis, however, will begin flowering once the plant reaches a certain age and does not depend on a change in photoperiod.

Some breeders have crossed the low-THC ruderalis with other more potent varieties to create auto-flowering strains. These strains will produce indica, sativa, or hybrid-like cannabis flowers that start blooming as soon as they reach maturity. This is desirable especially in northern climates where summers are short and cold, and wet weather comes early in the fall. Auto-flowering strains can be started in early spring and will flower during the longest days of summer to take advantage of the highest quality light available. Unlike clone mothers, auto-flowering strains cannot be kept in a vegetative state.

What is the Difference Between Cannabis Seeds and Cannabis Clones?

A clone is a cutting taken from a plant and then placed in some sort of grow medium to induce root production. Once it has rooted, it can be grown into a mature plant that is genetically identical to the one it was cut from.

Seeds carry genetic information from two parent plants that can be expressed in numerous different combinations, some like the mother, some like the father, and many presenting various traits from both. Creating identical cannabis plants using seeds is a very difficult and lengthy process. Generally, cannabis producers will plant many seeds and choose the best plant, and then take clones from that individual to grow their cannabis flowers, or simply start with a proven clone acquired from another grower as their mother plant.

Where Can I Buy Cannabis Seeds?

You can find cannabis seeds for sale from numerous online seed banks, many of which are located in the UK, the Netherlands, Spain, and Canada, where the laws on selling cannabis seeds are much more lax than in other countries. If you are ordering seeds from these companies and live within the United States, there is always a chance that they will be seized by US Customs and Border Protection. In states that have home-grow provisions in their medical marijuana laws, you may purchase seeds at dispensaries. Seed banks are popping up in many of these states and will often ship cannabis seeds anywhere in the US.

What is the Legality of Cannabis Seeds?

Depending on where you live, it may or may not be legal to sell, purchase, or possess cannabis seeds. In the United States, all cannabis seeds are considered illegal at the federal level unless they have been sterilized. Of course, all state laws allowing medical and recreational grows are technically breaking these federal regulations, so if you have a recreational grow license or medical recommendation in one of those states and follow the applicable codes, you can probably consider it legal to possess cannabis seeds.

Seed banks in other countries are allowed to sell their products “for souvenir purposes only” due to the specific wording of the legal codes there. US Customs and Border Protection will seize any cannabis seeds found in packages shipped into the US.

What Makes a Cannabis Seed High Quality?

There are several factors that go into determining whether cannabis seeds are high quality or not. First of all, they must be allowed to fully mature before harvest. Next, they must be properly stored as to not acquire mold or other pathogens that can spoil them. Seeds should be stored in a dark, cool place and used within 16 months, or frozen for future use.

The most important factor in seed quality is genetics. To grow quality cannabis, you need good genetics. Some less scrupulous breeders will simply cross a nice female with a random male and sell the resulting seeds. Other breeders will take their time crossing and backcrossing plants to stabilize the most desirable traits, while still producing an array of different phenotypes. This group represents most of the seeds on the market.

Really dedicated breeders have worked for years to create “inbred lines”, or IBLs, that will produce plants with very little noticeable difference. IBLs represent only a small fraction of the cannabis seed market, as they are generally used by breeders and not by cannabis producers.

How Do Cannabis Seeds Germinate?

In the wild, female cannabis plants drop their seeds as they die in the fall, then when the warmer, wetter weather of spring comes around, these seeds sprout and become new plants. Traditional outdoor methods used for centuries involve simply broadcasting seeds by hand onto cultivated fields.

There are many methods used by modern growers to germinate seeds. The easiest is to put the seed in a light potting soil mix covered by ⅛ to ¼ of an inch of soil. Keep the soil moist and relatively warm (50-70 degrees Fahrenheit) until the seed has sprouted into a seedling. Other techniques involve lightly scuffing the seed coat to ensure the seed is able to crack open, pre-soaking the seeds, and even germinating them in a wet paper towel until the epicotyl emerges and then gently planting them in the grow medium with tweezers. There are also popular products called starter plugs that consist of a small block of growing medium, often compressed peat or coco coir, with a small hole in the middle into which the seed is placed.

What is There to Know About High CBD Seeds?

Cannabidiol, or CBD, is one of the chemical components (known collectively as cannabinoids) found in the cannabis plant. Lately much has been made of the potential benefits of CBD for treating the symptoms of many diseases and conditions. Through millennia of human selection for high THC content, cannabis with high levels of CBD has become exceedingly rare, as the genetic pathways through which THC is synthesized by the plant are different than those for CBD production.

Cannabis used for hemp production has been selected for other traits, including very low THC content, so as to comply with various drug laws. Consequently, many varieties of hemp plant produce significant quantities of CBD. As interest in CBD as a medicine has grown, many breeders have been breeding cannabis that has high levels of CBD by crossing drug species with hemp species; some of these hybrids have little or no THC, some have 1:1 ratios, and some that still have high THC contents along with significant amounts of CBD (3% or more).

Seeds for these varieties are now widely available online and through medical dispensaries. It should be noted, however, that any plant that is grown from these seeds is not guaranteed to produce high levels of CBD, as it takes many years to create a seed line that produces consistent results. There are breeders who are currently working on making seed strains with consistent CBD levels, but until these seeds are widely available, a grower who wants to produce cannabis with a certain THC to CBD ratio will need to grow from a tested and proven clone or grow many seeds out to maturity and have samples tested at a lab to determine the cannabinoid levels of each.

Why are Cannabis Seeds So Expensive?

Cannabis seeds generally sell for about $10-$12 each, a far cry from the $3 pack of tomato seeds you can buy at the local nursery. People are often quite taken aback when they find that a pack of 10 cannabis seeds can cost well over $100. It’s not hard to pinpoint the reason for this: prohibition.

The breeding of commercial crop seeds can be done in a relatively short time because of the enormous scale and abundant resources of commercial breeding programs. The general rule is that if you can grow more plants at once, it’s easier to locate and stabilize desired traits and is less expensive to produce massive quantities of seeds. Add to this new scientific methods of testing for desired traits using tissue cultures and lab analyses, and you have a great advantage over your average cannabis breeder.

Even larger scale cannabis grows are miniscule when compared to your average commercial agricultural seed production facilities. Cannabis breeders working under prohibition or strictly regulated legal environments are simply not able to work on this scale, and must take much longer, sometimes as long as decades, to produce a quality seed line. When you combine this restriction with the threat of potential legal consequences for breeders (many have spent time in jail), it becomes easy to see why cannabis seeds are so expensive. It should be noted that high cost does not always equal high quality, as the industry is unregulated.

Pot Brownie Bracketology Semifinal 2: Our Editor’s Mom vs. Julia Child

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: Our Editor’s Mom’s Brownies (by Mrs. Barbara Martin) vs. Best-Ever Brownies (by Julia Child)

The story: Having already taken down one big-name baking celeb in round one (sorry, Martha Stewart), the momentum of Mrs. Barbara Martin’s brownies may be hard to stop in round two. The raspberry-studded sensations earned a higher total score than any other contestant in the competition thus far. On the other hand, the brownies that Mrs. Martin’s beat out were cakey, pecan-filled and frosted, and the ones they’ll face in round two are the polar opposite: classic, fudgy, and sans icing. Can Julia Child’s pure chocolate squares take down the cool, colorful dessert favored to win this round? Let’s find out.

Brownie A – Sam’s Mom’s Brownies

Get the full recipe here.

Creator: Mrs. Barbara Martin of Brisbane, Qld., Australia

Original recipe contains cannabis? No

First round strengths: Aroma and potency; this recipe scored two rare perfect fives in these categories during round one.

First round weaknesses: Very few.

Most Valuable Ingredient: Dutch process cocoa powder. It’s harder to track down than the standard natural cocoa powder, but the Dutch stuff imparts a darker color and softer, earthier chocolate flavor.

Judges’ notes:

“Lots of mush, but great effects and it worked as a painkiller fairly well.” –Naomi Fowler, senior marketing CRM manager

“I could smell this thing through my purse. Texture was almost fudge-like.” –Sharee Church, sales support specialist

“Needed more of a ‘brownie’ texture – otherwise #perf.” –Kelly Bennett, mobile application developer

Brownie B – Best-Ever Brownies

Get the full recipe here.

Creator: Julia Child

Original recipe contains cannabis? No

First round strengths: Consistent scores across all five categories.

First round weaknesses: Few distinguishing characteristics.

Most Valuable Ingredient: Extra chopped chocolate. Mrs. Childs’ and Mrs. Martin’s recipes are in fact quite similar, but Julia brings in about six ounces of real chopped chocolate to Barbara’s four.

Judges’ notes:

“Takes an hour for full effect, lasts 3+ hours.” –Adrian Godong, developer

“A bit squishy for my taste.” –Lisa Rough, associate editor

“It’s mild enough as far as strength, but the effects are long-lasting. This is perfect for someone who’s looking for a long but mellow high.” –Darren Harris, data entry specialist

Scores (Average of Two Judges)

Our Editor’s Mom

Julia Child

Appearance

3.5

Aroma

3.5

Texture

3.5

Flavor

3.5

Potency/Effects

4.5

Total

18.5

Winner: Sam’s mom!

Will Sam’s mom’s raspberry brownies be able to defeat The Cannabist’s triple chocolate ones? Find out on our Pot Brownie Bracketology home page in the championship post on Monday!

Disclaimer: Cannabis edibles should always be prepared and consumed with care. Know your tolerance, start slow, and never drive under the influence of cannabis.

Press Release: FLORIDA PASSES SWEEPING CIVIL ASSET FORFEITURE REFORM

Contact: Mikayla Hellwich media@nullleap.cc 240.461.3066 FLORIDA PASSES SWEEPING CIVIL ASSET FORFEITURE REFORM Gov. Scott Signs After Unanimous Bipartisan Vote in Both Houses Tallahassee, FL – Today, Florida Governor Rick Scott signed civil asset forfeiture reform bill SB 1044. The new law strengthens individual property rights and holds police departments to a higher standard of record […]

Colorado Harvest Company Gets Perfect Scores on 80 Cannabis Tests

Colorado Harvest Company reported that it had received perfect scores on all 80 tests of its cannabis samples run by the Colorado Department of Agriculture (CDA).

As quoted in the press release:

Tim Cullen, CEO and co-owner of Colorado Harvest Company, said he founded Colorado Harvest Company as a medical marijuana business to sell safe effective products, and when all Colorado Harvest Company stores began selling recreational cannabis, he continued to implement the safest and most natural growing methods.

Cullen, who was a high school biology teacher for 10 years prior to establishing Colorado Harvest Company, was able to apply his scientific knowledge to cultivating cannabis. He said it was that careful approach that resulted in the perfect grade he received from the CDA.

“We set a high standard for ourselves which is an example to the industry,” Cullen said. “The CDA has the best testing equipment in the industry and we’re pleased they have validated our efforts.”

Cullen said transparency, compliance, communication and research amounted to the successful results. He said these concepts ensure superior products for adult consumers of medical and recreational consumers of cannabis.

Click here for the full press release.

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Aurora Cannabis Surpasses 1,000 Registered Patients in 3 Months

Aurora Cannabis (CSE:ACB) provided a number of operational updates on Friday, noting that it had surpassed 1,000 registered patients in three months.

As quoted in the press release:

Aurora’s patient registration has been faster than anticipated, surpassing 1,000 active registered patients less than three months after the Company’s first sale of product on January 5, 2016. This is believed to be the shortest time required to meet this milestone of any Licensed Producer in Canada. Of the approximately 15 strains currently in the Company’s product line, the top seller over the month of March, 2016 was Aurora’s “Temple” strain, which contains 24% cannabidiol (CBD). This is the highest-CBD medical cannabis available in Canada today.

Click here for the full press release.

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Jane’s Domain: At Willie’s Place, Loving the Acceptance and Support

On a recent Friday afternoon on the rolling hills outside Austin, my best laid plans were washed away. I’d been planning a thank-you trip to Texas for months as a way to show my parents my appreciation for the support they’ve given me over the past couple years (and basically the past 40 years). I brought them with me to the Luck Reunion, Willie Nelson’s annual family concert. It’s a legendary show, kind of a one-day festival-within-the-festival that happens on Willie’s ranch in the Texas Hill Country during SXSW.

I’ve gotten to know Annie, Willie’s wife, over the past couple years. She’s the driving force behind the creation of the Willie’s Reserve brand and has become a big supporter of Women Grow. My mom met her at the recent Women Grow Summit and we were psyched to hear some country music in Willie’s backyard.

Then came the storm. Halfway through the day, clouds gathered and a gully-washer swept over the ranch. Musicians scattered, the stage crew cut the power, and the audience huddled under tents to wait it out. My parents, grateful for the experience but limited in stamina, graciously thanked me and retreated to Austin and the warm comfort of their hotel.

Hours later, the sky cleared and the music started back up. Willie finally took the stage with his famously battered guitar, Trigger. He played “Good Hearted Woman,” “Roll Me Up and Smoke Me When I Die,” “Let the Circle Be Unbroken” — all the classics. I stood in the crowd watching him play with his actual family of musicians for his symbolic family of fans. His son Micah backed him on drums. Another son, Lukas, played guitar. His wife, Annie, watched proudly from the wings.

As I listened to Willie’s deeply authentic, weathered-leather voice, it made me think further about the importance of family acceptance and support. I couldn’t have done what I’ve done in the cannabis industry without it.

I talk with hundreds women in the cannabis industry, entrepreneurs and CEOs and young growers. Too many confide that they still can’t speak openly about their careers. “Oh, I can’t tell my parents,” they say. Or “I’ve got to hide it from my grandma.” They’re not hiding their consumption — they’re hiding their careers. These are courageous, successful women, risk takers and pioneers. And they’re silenced by stigma and shame.

Every woman in this industry deserves two things from their loved ones: acceptance and support.

Acceptance comes from family members who may not yet be comfortable even speaking about cannabis. My husband and my own parents have always openly accepted my cannabis career. My husband’s parents, bless them, come from a more conservative background. They don’t consume at all. But they’re very proud of what I’m doing. They’ve helped me understand what acceptance really looks like.

I know I’ve got it good. I’m in a position to push the boundaries of mainstream cannabis acceptance, and I work at it. My Instagram feed isn’t just a collection of family photos, and it isn’t just cannabis-related events. It’s a mix of moments from my life.

Last week I posted photos from the Luck Reunion, South By Southwest, and from Kendal Norris’s quarterly Mason Jar dinner in Black Hawk, Colorado. I also put up shots of my family romping in the snow after Denver got buried last week. Of 30 shots, two show me consuming cannabis. That’s a conscious choice. I live in Colorado. Because it’s safe for me, I feel it’s important to show what responsible use looks like in a legal state.

Too many other cannabis entrepreneurs, especially women, can only dream of that. Not when authorities in illegal states are separating children from parents who need medical marijuana. I spoke recently to a single mom in Texas. She can’t say a word about her involvement with cannabis because her ex-husband could use it against her in a court custody battle.

There are still a lot of moments in our lives, as women and cannabis users, that remain hidden. To be clear, choosing not to post photos of yourself consuming is not a cowardly act. It’s simply a recognition of the heavy social and cultural strictures that still exist in 2016. It is considered kicky and fun when a mom posts a photo of herself enjoying a glass of wine and The Bachelor finale after the kids are in bed. It’s OK to post a comment: “Oh my god, after the day I had I so need this merlot!” A photo of that same mom vaping a relaxing strain of Purple Kush could cost her a job or custody of her kids.

Support. That’s the second part of this. I saw it at the Luck Reunion. Annie supporting Willie, and vice-versa, both of them supporting their grown kids.

When you’re an entrepreneur, there’s a level of sometimes invisible support that’s absolutely critical. When I have to travel, my mom and dad are there to help with the kids. When I look around at other female entrepreneurs, I realize how important that is to the success of their startups. The Mason Jar event brought together four different female-led companies, and all of the women have supportive spouses. In a small business there’s no daycare, no accounting department, no medical leave. That corporate support doesn’t exist. (Yet.)

Sometimes that acceptance and support all come together in one critical moment. One of those happened a couple days ago. It was morning, I was moving the kids along, feeling absolutely on top of my game. Then one of the kids stopped up the toilet. I bent over to fix it, and my phone fell in. I ran to the kitchen, opened the cupboard to find the rice (because, phone in water, right?) and a glass salad bowl fell out and shattered. So I was left standing there with poop on one hand, blood on another, a broken phone, and two kids standing barefoot on a floor of broken glass.

Those moments happen. And that’s when you need a supportive spouse, best friend, mom and dad, standing behind you cheering you on. Telling you: You can do this. We’re so proud of you. Instead of shaking their heads, reminding you that they always knew your silly marijuana venture would come to a bad end. Don’t let diminishing comments like that take the wind out of your sails. There is a community here to support you.

When I hear from naysayers, I’m going to try and remember Willie up there singing “Always On My Mind” with his children at the ranch. Because an accepting, supportive family is always in the back of my mind, along with a deep feeling of gratitude.

Image Source: Minette Layne via Wikimedia Commons

Pot Brownie Bracketology Semifinal 1: Edibles Magazine vs. The Cannabist

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: 420 Irish Brownies (by Edibles Magazine) vs. Triple Chocolate Brownies (by The Cannabist)

The Story: After soundly trouncing Mario Batali’s controversial pot brownie recipe in round one, Edibles Magazine’s 420 Irish Brownies comes into round two as a heavyweight – mostly in terms of potency, as close to two cups of cannabutter make these brownies nearly twice as strong as the next most potent brownie in our lineup. Observers had already predicted with confidence that the Batali matchup would be a blowout, so that win was no surprise, but it was actually closer than we expected. The Cannabist, meanwhile, just beat out High Times, an industry powerhouse with a whole lot of street cred, with a massive 4.5-point win margin. That stat makes The Cannabist the favorite going into this round, though this industry-versus-industry matchup could easily go either way.

Brownie A: 420 Irish Brownies

Get Edibles Magazine’s cannabis-infused brownie recipe here

Creator: Edibles Magazine

Original recipe contains cannabis? Yes

First round strengths: Potency. This brownie is indubitably the strongest in our competition.

First round weaknesses: Aroma and flavor. All that cannabutter dominates both categories.

Most valuable ingredient: The mint in the frosting. Its zippy freshness cuts through the potent cannabis flavor punch packed by this edible.

Judges’ notes:

“Looks gross, tastes good. Effects took pretty long to kick in, but were quite pleasant when they did.” –Lisa Rough, associate editor

“Absolutely donked out of my mind…holy crap. Dose carefully. Half will do.” –Bailey Rahn, associate editor

Brownie B : Triple Chocolate Brownies

Get The Cannabist’s cannabis-infused brownie recipe here

Creator: The Cannabist

Original recipe contains cannabis? Yes

First round strengths: Texture.

First round weaknesses: Very few.

Most valuable ingredient: The white chocolate. Going up against an extremely rich dessert whose flavor is almost too much to handle, the white chocolate chips mixed into The Cannabist’s brownie are a secret weapon that keeps the chocolate and cannabis flavors from being over the top.

Judges’ notes:

“[The high] came on quickly and wrapped me in a large blanket where I floated until bedtime.” –Kristin Kofmehl, event coordinator

“Really delicious brownie.” –Sara Dilley, photo editor

Scores (Average of Two Judges):

Edibles Magazine

The Cannabist

Appearance

3.5

4.5

Aroma

3.5

Texture

4.5

Flavor

Potency/Effects

Total

Winner: The Cannabist!

Is The Cannabist’s recipe is the absolute best pot brownie recipe ever? Find out in the championship video on Monday! And check back on our #BrownieBracket home page tomorrow to see whether our editor’s mom’s brownies can take down Julia Child’s on the road to the championship.

Disclaimer: Cannabis edibles should always be prepared and consumed with care. Know your tolerance, start slow, and never drive under the influence of cannabis.

This Policy Wonk Is Changing the Conversation About Cannabis on Capitol Hill

John Hudak isn’t a politician, a legalization advocate, or a cannabis entrepreneur. He walks unrecognized through industry conferences. But in the past six months, he’s quietly become one of the most influential voices on national cannabis policy.

As a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution, Hudak examines presidential power, administration, and public policy. He’s a Washington wonk. And he’s one of the few who take cannabis law and policy seriously. When he called for the federal government to end its “war on medical marijuana research” last October, it put the powerful Brookings imprimatur behind a complaint that scientists and cannabis advocates had been launching for years—and gave a boost to the proposed CARERS Act, which addresses exactly that problem.

Last week Hudak followed up with a report on medical marijuana that may move the needle a little more. “The Medical Marijuana Mess: A prescription for fixing a broken policy” finds plenty of problems in the nation’s 23 states (and Washington, D.C.) that allow patients to access cannabis. Hudak states that “tens of thousands of families across America seek relief from all forms of cannabis every day, and for many, the drug improves their quality of life, sometimes dramatically.” But the journey to relief, he writes, is too often “fraught with tension, uncertainty, and fear.”

That may not come as news to those experienced in the medical marijuana world. But when it comes to cannabis, context matters. If NORML or the Marijuana Policy Project publishes that report, it goes largely unnoticed on Capitol Hill. When it comes from Brookings, one of the nation’s most venerable and respected think tanks, it carries a different weight. Because Brookings covers hundreds of national issues, the organization is seen as having no betting interest in cannabis. Solid, sensible public policy is all that matters to senior fellows like Hudak. So when Brookings moves these papers on various aspects of legalization, it offers political cover for members of Congress and the administration who might be open to a policy change or, say, a vote in favor of the CARERS Act.

In Hudak’s latest report, the takeaway is clear: The federal government is far and away the biggest roadblock to a safer, saner medical marijuana landscape.

“Reform should take government out of the doctor‐patient relationship entirely,” Hudak writes. “It should also ensure that when a doctor decides that medical marijuana could help a patient, the government will not obstruct safe access to the drug.”

His suggested reforms include passage of the CARERS Act, administrative removal of cannabidiol (CBD) from the federal drug schedules, restarting the federal Compassionate Investigational New Drug Program for patients in non-legal states, and congressional protections for banks and bankers working with cannabis businesses that operate within state laws.

The report is already making its way into the public conversation. Yesterday Christopher Ingraham quoted a chunk of it in his Washington Post feature on arbitrary police raids and civil asset forfeiture abuse in the nominally legal medical marijuana state of Michigan.

“This is one of the most rewarding things I’ve ever written,” Hudak told Leafly in an interview last week. “Most of my earlier work has been centered on legal policies, economic ramifications — the boring government side of legalization. This time I was able to look at the human side of the equation: how these policies help or hurt families, how cannabis policy really affects people’s lives.”

“No one really has easy access to this product,” he continued. “You have to jump through hoops even in legal states. Not all doctors are willing to recommend it. In a state like Connecticut, there are only a handful of dispensaries and the cost of marijuana is extremely high. Some states have very limiting conditions. Those are difficult challenges for people who are already challenged by a medical crisis.”

We often talk about the 23 legal medical marijuana states as if they’re all equally legal — as if patients in California have the same access to medicine as those in Illinois or New Jersey. “The truth is, it’s not a one/zero issue, where you either live in a medical state or you don’t,” Hudak said. “Even within medical states, there are serious access issues, and that’s not discussed enough.”

At the same time, the legal protections offered by medical marijuana states are weak and incomplete. “Everyone working in this area faces legal issues: doctors, patients, growers, dispensary owners, even the banks offering financial services to those in the industry.” Federal fixes to those problems exist, Hudak said. “Congress can enact them. It’s just unwilling to do so.”

“There’s nothing stopping the Food and Drug Administration from stepping in and saying, ‘We don’t condone marijuana, but if your state chooses to allow it, here is our advisory.’ They could do that tomorrow.”

Hudak doesn’t hold out much hope for change in President Obama’s final year in office. “The next president could do something about this, though,” he said. “He or she could say, ‘If Congress doesn’t act, I’ll direct the FDA and other agencies to issue standards to protect the Americans who live in these 23 states and the District of Columbia.”

John Hudak’s full report on medical marijuana is available online.

Vermont Cannabis Hearing Draws Supporters, Opponents

MONTPELIER, Vt. (AP) — Vermont lawmakers heard differing views Thursday on a bill to legalize marijuana, although a majority of those who testified before legislative committees said they support the measure.

“I’m a normal, nonpsychotic guy,” said Bruce Kimball of Essex. “I consider myself a law-abiding citizen, but my use of pot over the years has made me an outlaw. Do I like that? No. … What I would like is the option to purchase pot from a safe, regulated, well-maintained dispensary.”

He was one of several people testifying at the hearing who sought to emphasize the normalcy of their lives — families, jobs, community service — despite regular marijuana use.

The House Judiciary and Government Operations committees heard testimony on a Senate-passed bill to legalize possession of up to an ounce of marijuana for people 21 and older. Sign-up sheets for those testifying showed 34 favored legalization, 19 opposed and five were undecided. The bill also envisions a system of licensed growers and retailers.

Some of those who opposed the bill said they weren’t opposed to legalization but were concerned it would keep homegrown marijuana illegal and set up fees and other requirements favoring big business over small farmers and entrepreneurs.

Emily Amanna, who operates a small farm in the southern Vermont town of Athens, said she and other small farmers had hoped marijuana would be a cash crop that could help support often marginal operations. But Senate Bill 241, as currently written, would “take a multi-million-dollar industry out of the hands of good, hardworking Vermonters,” she said, and put it in the hands of a “corporatized, monopolized industry.”

Among other opponents, a doctor and a psychotherapist testified about the dangers of marijuana to brain development in young people, and studies linking it to the onset of mental illness.

Catherine Antley, a Burlington physician, told the committees that Colorado has seen an 8 percent increase in the number of 12- to 17-year-olds using marijuana in the first year after that state legalized pot. She said one study found that those people who begin using the drug heavily in adolescence dropped an average 8 percent in performance on IQ tests by the time they became adults.

Some of those testifying said marijuana legalization could help dampen demand for heroin and other opioids, which President Barack Obama this week labeled an epidemic.

Maria D’Haene, a clinical social worker from Barre Town, told lawmakers she had seen opiate-addicted clients switch to marijuana and see big improvements in their lives. Opiate users are more likely to lose their children to state custody than marijuana users are, she said.

House Judiciary Committee Chairwoman Maxine Grad, a Moretown Democrat, says the panel hopes to finish its work on the bill next week. She says it’s unclear whether the committee will vote to support the measure.

A Cannabis Advocate's Case for Bernie Sanders

Last year the cannabis industry donated $18,500 to presidential candidates. Only $1,000 of that went to Sen. Bernie Sanders.

If the evidence stacks Bernie up as the only pro-cannabis candidate — and it does — why hasn’t the industry done more to support him?

That’s a bit of a misleading question. It’s true the National Cannabis Industry Association and Marijuana Policy Project donated more to Rand Paul than Sanders, but cannabis PACs historically don’t donate to presidential campaigns. This is partly because they don’t expect cannabis reform to come from the executive branch, and partly because they don’t have the cash to spare.

Donation records show that a number of budtenders have made individual contributions to his campaign, but it’s hard to account for the myriad of industry jobs that aren’t as obviously cannabis-related: jobs like policy analyst, lawyer, researcher, writer, sales representative, and my own title, photo editor.

This still doesn’t address my titular point, though. Why should cannabis advocates support Sanders?

For one, he’s the only candidate who will push to federally legalize cannabis.

All three remaining Republican candidates are on-record as supporting states’ rights to choose, but none of them advocates federal rescheduling. Sen. Ted Cruz and Ohio Gov. John Kasich openly condemn adult consumption. Donald Trump has changed his position so many times, it’s hard to know where he stands on this (or any other) issue.

Hillary Clinton wants “more research.” She supports moving cannabis from Schedule I to Schedule II. That would open up opportunities for meaningful medical studies within the U.S. and would ensure certain patients access, but that access would be “severely restricted.” Clinton, in other words, would be a mild step in the right direction.

Her position on cannabis has marginally improved during the latest election cycle, but it hasn’t always been so sympathetic. Moreover, that recent improvement can be attributed almost entirely to Sanders’ success.

Clinton has demonstrated essentially zero commitment to cannabis reform. In the 1990s she was a vocal proponent for President Bill Clinton’s crime bill, the one that massively expanded America’s drug incarceration rate.

In a 2011 interview with Televisa, she said she wouldn’t consider legalization because “there is just too much money in it.” She further argued there was “no alternative” to continuing the bloody fight between Mexican law enforcement and the cartels. Apparently she wasn’t aware that criminalization is not only one of the least effective methods of countering drug addiction, according to the RAND Corporation, it’s also the second most expensive.

Hillary is nothing if not adaptable, though. She’s recently changed her tune to favor a (somewhat) treatment-based approach to criminalized drugs, but she still won’t consider removing cannabis from federal scheduling entirely, which would put the plant on par with alcohol and tobacco. Her call for “more research” — which ignores the literally hundreds of studies that show both cannabis’s medical promise and its limited risks — could be heartfelt concern over the well-being of Americans. Or it could be an example of money talking.

According to Open Secrets, Hillary Clinton has accepted over $2 million in donations from the pharmaceutical industry so far in the 2016 election cycle. Between her Senate bids in 2000 and 2006 and her 2008 presidential campaign, she accepted nearly $1 million from drugmakers. Donors to her 2008 campaign included Pfizer, Johnson & Johnson, and Bristol-Myers Squibb, among others. These companies boast a wide portfolio of prescription drugs, including many that treat the symptoms of Alzheimer’s, arthritis, anxiety, inflammation, hypertension, asthma, glaucoma, generalized pain, and more — conditions and symptoms that also have seen varying degrees of success when treated with cannabis.

If pharmaceutical companies are among Clinton’s enemies, as she has claimed during this election’s democratic debates, why does she keep accepting their donations?

Bernie Sanders, by comparison, is a longtime champion of the cannabis cause.

More than 20 years ago, he co-sponsored HR 2618, which would have amended the Controlled Substances Act to authorize medical marijuana federally. In 1997, he fought for medical cannabis again by co-sponsoring the Medical Use of Marijuana Act. He co-sponsored the States’ Rights to Medical Marijuana Act in 2001 and 2005. He co-sponsored the Industrial Hemp Farming Acts of 2012, 2013, and 2015. Last year, he co-sponsored the Marijuana Businesses Access to Banking Act.

Sanders’ resolve has only strengthened since announcing his presidential bid. In October 2015, he publicly announced his intention to completely remove cannabis from the DEA’s schedule of controlled substances. He even introduced a Senate bill to that effect, the Ending Federal Marijuana Prohibition Act of 2015.

He won’t stop at cannabis legalization. Sanders is committed to re-enfranchising those who lost their right to vote after serving felony drug time, banning for-profit prisons, eliminating mandatory minimum sentences for non-violent drug offenses, giving cannabis businesses and industry professionals equal access to banking, and stopping local governments from using criminalization as a source of revenue.

Hillary Clinton is touting a good number of these policies too — or at least she started to once Sanders began gaining supporters by openly embracing them.

Is Sanders electable? You might be surprised by the answer.

A lot of media coverage has suggested that Clinton appeals to more people than Sanders. The evidence doesn’t support that claim. The most recent aggregation of public polling shows favorable Clinton ratings at 40.7 percent and unfavorable ratings at 54.7 percent. Sanders’ ratings are, by contrast, 49.5 percent favorable and 41 percent unfavorable. Clinton’s public approval ratings have been slowly declining since 2011, and rapidly declining since late 2012. By April 2015, more people felt unfavorably about her than favorably. By contrast, Sanders’ approval ratings have been consistently increasing since March 2015.

Source: Huffington Post

Critics often claim Sanders isn’t electable in November’s general election, but the numbers say otherwise. Recent polling not only suggests he’s electable, it also shows he’s actually more likely to win against Trump or Cruz than Hillary Clinton would be.

When discussing electability, it’s also important to consider how states vote in the general. The majority of Hillary’s delegate leads come from red states, states that historically vote Republican in presidential elections. Right now, Hillary has only won four blue states, one of which was nearly a tie (Iowa: 23 to 21). Bernie has won six. She has won more swing states than Bernie (four to his one) but there’s no guaranteeing how those states will vote in the general election.

This means Hillary’s strongest support is coming from states that usually vote Republican anyway. Sanders has outright won more states that tend to vote Democrat, and the blue states he’s lost have been by mostly insignificant margins. Clinton’s lead isn’t as big as it might seem.

What about delegate math? Is it true that Sanders can’t mathematically catch up to Clinton?

No. She has a lead, particularly among superdelegates, but that lead isn’t “all but insurmountable.”

Right now, neither candidate has an insurmountable majority of pledged delegates. Clinton has 1,243 delegates, Sanders has 980. In other words, Clinton has 56 percent of current delegates, and Sanders has 44 percent. Twenty-two states and territories have yet to vote, with a total of 1,747 pledged delegates up for grab.

While a majority of superdelegates have expressed support for Hillary, their backing isn’t guaranteed. If Sanders continues to win states outright while also winning relatively equal numbers of delegates in the states he loses, superdelegate support could very well shift to Sanders by the time the Democratic convention convenes in July.

As Nate Silver pointed out at FiveThirtyEight, “Superdelegates are mathematically relevant when a candidate has 41.2 percent to 58.8 percent of elected delegates.” Both candidates are currently in the range where superdelegate votes matter, and Hillary’s lead isn’t strong enough to knock Bernie out of the running.

Source: FiveThirtyEight

So which candidate should cannabis advocates back this election?

When choosing whom to lend their vote (and financial support) to, I ask all cannabis advocates to ask themselves: Do you want a candidate with a 20-plus year track record of fighting for federal cannabis legalization, sensible drug policy, and criminal justice reform? Or do you want a candidate who openly opposed cannabis reform until it became politically untenable (and even then only avowed tepid leadership), who supported policies that further institutionalized mass incarceration for cannabis consumers, and whose campaign is, at least partially, funded by the pharmaceutical industry?

To me, the answer is clear.

#JustSayKnow #FeelTheBern

Image Source: Todd Church via Flickr Creative Commons

US CA: Column: Cannabis' Big Minority Problem

SF Weekly, 31 Mar 2016 – Tikisha Ong wants to change the world. The East Bay 30-something wants to become something rarer than a Silicon Valley unicorn: a black person in a position of ownership in the medical cannabis industry. No honest conversation about drugs can neglect race. If decades of blatantly biased arrest and incarceration statistics, the odd coincidence of the crack epidemic and then poverty ravaging once-middle-class black neighborhoods, and clear and cogent arguments like Michelle Alexander’s The New Jim Crow did not convince you of the direct connection between drug prohibition and white supremacy, the recent revelation in Harper’s that the drug war was cooked up by Nixon administration operatives specifically to “disrupt” blacks and the left made this undeniable. And thus far, the “Green Rush” of economic opportunity presented by the legitimization of marijuana has been lily-white.

US OR: Column: FDA V CBD: Dawn Of WTF

Portland Mercury, 31 Mar 2016 – The FDA’s New Rules for CBD Are Confused-and Confusing IT’S BEEN A HELL of a month in the canna world. It started on March 15, when the Oregon Health Authority (OHA) shocked a room full of 500-plus cannabis-business owners at an Oregon Cannabis Association meeting. Suddenly, making and selling extracts was illegal. That seems to be all sorted out-see my colleague Vince Sliwoski’s Ask a Pot Lawyer column.

PGT #293 Hash Bash 2016

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- All things Hash Bash, Monroe Street Fair and MILegalize! We will hear from Tommy Chong, […]

Ep. 52 – He's a concentrates expert; He’s CEO of vape giant OpenVape

Published: Mar 31, 2016, 5:34 pm • Updated: Mar 31, 2016, 5:34 pm Cannabist Staff Featured guests: Cannabist concentrates columnist Ry Prichard and OpenVape CEO Ralph Morgan. Podcast: Play in new window | Download LOTS TO TALK ABOUT • Plans in Colorado to cap recreational THC amounts • A new line of vape pens for […]

The Shake: Michigan Cops Want Your Stuff, and Mail Carriers Aren’t (Supposed to Be) Narcs

Michigan cops take stuff illegally and don’t give it back. But apparently that’s not theft. Every time we read another story about civil asset forfeiture, we shake our heads and wonder how such a wrongheaded, un-American, out-of-control policy remains legal. Washington Post reporter Christopher Ingraham, one of the paper’s rising stars, penned a compelling feature that ran today about yet another cannabis bust that led to an enormous civil asset forfeiture by local police. This one occurred in Michigan, which is nominally a legal medical marijuana state but remains an illegal state whenever local police feel like stealing people’s stuff. In 2014 they arrested a husband and wife who operated a dispensary in St. Clair County, northeast of Detroit, and cleaned out their house. Like, they took everything. Last month a district court judge threw out all charges, stating the couple essentially had been entrapped by local officials who’d signed off on their dispensary permit. Now they’re fighting to get back their stuff. “Since the charges have been dismissed, the Drug Task Force has returned some of her property,” writes Ingraham. “But much of it is damaged. Electronic items are missing power cords and remotes. Her and her husband’s phones were smashed. They returned her husband’s guns and the safe he stored it in, but they didn’t return the key. Two of the kids’ insurance cards are missing. Shattuck says her marriage and birth certificates haven’t been returned, and since the Task Force does not itemize seized documents in its paperwork, it has no record of taking them in the first place.”

Lawmakers to U.S. Attorney General: Mail carriers aren’t narcs. Eight members of Congress wrote to Attorney General Loretta Lynch on Monday, asking for “clarification” on the U.S. Postal Service’s (USPS) announcement last December that the USPS would refuse to transport any mail, including newspapers, that carries cannabis advertisements. The group of eight representatives includes Jared Huffman (D-CA), Earl Blumenauer (D-OR), Dana Rohrabacher (R-CA), Steve Cohen (D-TN), Sam Farr (D-CA), Mark Pocan (D-WI), Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), and Ted Lieu (D-CA). The politicians ask Lynch to “clearly establish,” in accordance with federal budget rules that prevent the Department of Justice from spending money to interfere with state medical marijuana laws, that her department will not prosecute anyone placing ads for state-legal cannabis products. Humboldt County’s North Coast Journal, which has a fighting interest in the policy, has the story, and Forbes columnist Jacob Sullum has the hot take.

Local NAACP supports San Francisco MMJ entrepreneur. In an unusual sign of support for a local businesswoman, the head of the San Francisco NAACP publicly urged city officials to approve Tikisha Ong’s bid to open a medical marijuana dispensary in the Outer Mission neighborhood. Rev. Amos Brown, who directs the local chapter of the national group, asked city planning officials to support Ong’s effort “to bring much-needed African American community representation to the city’s medical cannabis industry.” According to SF Weekly writer Chris Roberts, 22 of the city’s 28 dispensaries are owned by white people. Roberts added that he could only “name a single black-owned dispensary in Oakland.” Brown made his point clear: “It’s time for women of color like Ms. Ong to have a voice in this growing industry.”

Oh. No. Don’t Make. Us Close. In Eight Years. Colorado Springs cannabis clubs are fighting back against the city’s recently enacted pot club ban. The city’s eight private clubs formed the People’s Social Alliance (PSA), and are organizing a campaign to put the issue on a citywide ballot. They’ve got some time. The ban, strangely, gives the clubs eight years to shut down. Most businesses in the service industry are lucky to survive eight months, let alone eight years, so this makes us wonder if there’s some sort of Stoner Sloth action going on over there in the Springs.

QUICK HITS:

Vogue magazine gets hip to cannabis infused topicals. The magazine gives shout-outs to industry leaders at Marley Natural, Foria, and the always quoteable Ah Warner at Cannabis Basics (who explained all things topical in our recent Cannabis Craftsmanship video).
If the U.S. Postal Service doesn’t like cannabis ads in newspapers, they really don’t like actual cannabis. In New Orleans, authorities arrested a 60-year-old woman after she received a mailed package containing six vacuum-sealed bags containing 5.6 pounds of cannabis. Sigh. Don’t mail cannabis, folks. Also: Have a peek at this poor woman’s mug shot and explain to me again why we’re arresting people for this.
Vermont’s legalization bill continues to move, slow and steady, through the House. WaPo thinks success could be a national game-changer for cannabis. Andrew Friedman, Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper’s marijuana policy coordinator, prowled the hallways of the State House in Montpelier yesterday, giving his perspective on the dos and don’ts of legalization. The House Judiciary committee takes public testimony on the bill later this afternoon. Limit those comments to two minutes, people!

Feeling Worldly? 9 International Cannabis Events to Celebrate 4/20 and Support Cannabis

Aside from warmer temps, spring break, and the return of Game of Thrones, next month we also look forward to 4/20, the biggest cannabis holiday of the year. April’s most prolific canna-friendly date isn’t just celebrated domestically, it’s spread to all corners of the globe, especially as more countries fight for legalization.

If you’re traveling abroad and looking for an event to attend so you can show your support for the cannabis movement, check out these 10 options happening in April and May.

1. 4/20 in Vancouver, British Columbia

Canada has a lot going on this 4/20. In addition to events in Toronto and Niagara Falls, Vancouver is having a “Smoke Out” on 4/20 at Sunset Beach to “protest against prohibition and celebrate our love for marijuana.”

Smoke Out Vancouver Event Details

2. Marcha de Maconha Curitiba in Curitiba, Brazil

Taking place on April 17th, the Sunday before 4/20, the 10th annual Marcha da Maconha Curitiba in Curitiba, Brazil, protests the illegality of cannabis and shows civil support for legalization.

Marcha de Maconha Curitiba Event Details

3. 4/20 Pro-Cannabis Rally in London, England

Hosted by several London- and UK-based pro-cannabis groups (including NORML and the London Cannabis Club), this event starts at historic Hyde Park in Westminster, London. Show your support for legal cannabis and protest the UK’s antiquated anti-cannabis laws.

London 420 Pro-Cannabis Rally Event Details

4. Free Cannabis Victoria 420 Rally in Melbourne, Australia

There’s even fervent support for the cannabis movement Down Under! Celebrate 4/20 with a “peaceful act of mass civil disobedience … as a protest to cannabis prohibition.” Meet other cannabis users or bring an instrument if you’re a musician and want to jam with your fellow canna-friendly comrades.

Free Cannabis Victoria 420 Rally Event Details

5. Free Juana 420 Rally in San Juan, Puerto Rico

Join marchers at the Luis Muñoz Rivera Park in San Juan, Puerto Rico, on 4/20 in support of the cannabis movement.

Free Juana 420 Event Details

6. 4/20 Celebration in Amsterdam, Netherlands

Of course Amsterdam will be celebrating 4/20! Did you even have to ask? Join other cannabis supporters in the notoriously cannabis-friendly city and spread the word about your canna-cause.

Amsterdam 4/20 Celebration Event Details

7. Hempstock in Glasgow, Scotland

Come hear speakers express their thoughts on cannabis prohibition and stay for a full day of entertainment and camaraderie that includes prize giveaways and raffles.

Hempstock Glasgow Event Details

8. GMM Warm Up München in Munich, Germany

If you find yourself plagued with 4/20 fever after the date passes, hit up the Global Marijuana March in Munich, Germany, on April 23rd. Join together with other Germans in support of legalization and listen to informed speakers argue their case for allowing cannabis as both a medicine and as a raw material.

GMM Warm Up München Event Details

9+. India Global Cannabis March in Bengaluru, India

Participate in one of the many global cannabis marches happening worldwide in May:

May 7th in Bengaluru, India
May 7th in Malmö, Sweden
May 7th in Medellín, Colombia
May 7th in Lima, Peru
May 14th in Paris, France

Looking for some other cannabis events to attend this spring? Check out Leafly’s event calendar to find a festival, rally, conference, concert, or march near you!

Pot Brownie Bracketology Round 1: The Recipe Rebel vs. Julia Child

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: Absolutely the Best Brownies Ever (by The Recipe Rebel) vs. Best-Ever Brownies (by Julia Child)

The story: These two competitors are making some big claims. Between Absolutely the Best Brownies Ever and Best-Ever Brownies, who do we trust? Do we rely on Julia Child, whose revolutionary recipes have shaped the world of delicious baked goods over the course of decades? Do we take a baking blogger named Ashley at her word that she can out-do Julia? Furthermore, will either recipe be amazing when infused? Read on to see which classic chocolate square is telling the truth about being the best.

Brownie A: Absolutely the Best Brownies Ever

Get the Recipe Rebel’s cannabis-infused brownie recipe here

Creator: The Recipe Rebel

Original recipe contains cannabis? No

Why we picked it: We went Googling in search of the best brownie recipe out there and came across this title. Sometimes you have to take these things at face value.

What we liked best: How easy these brownies are to make and clean up. One pot + one whisk + one pan = all the love.

What we liked least: Sadly, these probably aren’t the absolute best brownies ever.

Most valuable ingredient: Whole wheat flour. It gives these brownies more character and depth than standard all-purpose would.

Judges’ notes:

“I really stretched out some muscles and wasn’t too overwhelmed by the high.” –Rocco DeVito, project manager

“More grass smell and flavor compared to [Julia Child] but otherwise normal brownie.” –Adrian Godong, developer

“Very chewy, love the chocolate chips. Dry mouth. Great head high…lasted all night.” –Lisa Rough, associate editor

Brownie B: Best-Ever Brownies

Get Julia Child’s cannabis-infused brownie recipe here

Creator: Julia Child

Original recipe contains cannabis? No

Why we picked it: As the original celebrity chef, Julia Child paved the way for every other famous chef in our bracket. We’ve also heard she knew how to bake.

What we liked best: How incredibly fudgy these brownies are.

What we liked least: All of the steps in this recipe – sifting, double-boiling, folding…enough already.

Most valuable ingredient: A mix of unsweetened chocolate and bittersweet chocolate, chopped and melted in with the butter.

Judges’ notes:

“A little salty between bites. Faint grass smell.” –Adrian Godong, developer

“Delicious brownie.” –Rocco DeVito, project manager

“Edibles affect me a lot, and this brownie was the right dosage for me to still go out and be social without being stoned out of my mind.” –Darren Harris, data entry specialist

“Effects: sooooo good. Heavy eyes but not couchlocked. …Ok, maybe a little sleepy.” –Lisa Rough, associate editor

Scores (Average of Two Judges):

The Recipe Rebel

Julia Child

Appearance

Aroma

3.5

Texture

Flavor

Potency/Effects

2.5

4.5

Total

Winner: Julia Child!

How will Julia Child’s Best-Ever Brownies fare in the semi-final against our editor’s mom’s brownie recipe? Find out on Saturday! See all of the matchups at our 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.

Image Source: Sara Dilley

Pot Brownie Bracketology Round 1: Our Editor’s Mom vs. Martha Stewart

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: Our Editor’s Mom’s Brownies (by Mrs. Barbara Martin) vs. Martha Louise Stewart’s “To-Die-For” Brownies (by Martha Louise Stewart)

The story: Martha Stewart has made a name for herself as the ultimate celebrity homemaker and all-around domestic diva (barring that brief stint in prison). Her website is a treasure trove of brownie recipes that would likely all lend themselves beautifully to cannabis infusion. We picked a particularly compelling one, then matched it up against a recipe from our managing editor Sam’s own mother, which Sam claims is the world’s best. When asked whether she was nervous to be facing Martha Stewart’s recipe in the competition, Sam relayed that his mother was “very excited, and quietly confident.”

Brownie A: 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

Why we picked it: Everyone thinks their mother’s brownies are the best – but what if you could make them even better with cannabis? We wanted to see if it worked.

What we liked best: The fact that this recipe came to us all the way from Down Under.

What we liked least: Searching for caster sugar (baker’s sugar will work fine).

Most valuable ingredient: Raspberries. Right off the bat, these brownies are both charismatic and memorable.

Judges’ notes:

“A+ for potency.” –Kelly Bennett, mobile application developer

“The flavor had a nice balance…the raspberries made for a nice touch. This was definitely the more potent [compared with Martha Stewart].” –Sharee Church, sales support specialist

“So yeah, this one looked like a total trainwreck once it got mussed up, but that’s because it was so gooey!” –Naomi Fowler, senior marketing CRM manager

Brownie B: Martha Louise Stewart’s “To-Die-For” Brownies

Get Martha Stewart’s “to die for” brownie recipe here

Creator: Martha Stewart

Original recipe contains cannabis? No

Why we picked it: Martha Stewart’s website has page after page of brownie recipes, but the fact that she attached her full name to these ones suggests she’s particularly proud of them. Also, she’s baked brownies with Snoop Dogg before, and the video makes us think she’d be amenable to tossing in a certain secret ingredient.

What we liked best: The idea of Martha and Snoop stirring in some cannabutter behind the scenes.

What we liked least: Waiting 10 minutes for the electric mixer to beat the eggs to an appropriate consistency.

Most valuable ingredient: The pecans. They cut through the sweetness of the icing, adding texture and crunch to an otherwise airy brownie.

Judges’ notes:

“Amazing flavor; I was happy to be able to eat the whole thing without getting totally donked.” –Bailey Rahn, associate editor

“Loved the texture…soft with some crunch.” –Philip Bjorge, software engineer

“I could smell it from my bag, so that was lovely. Pecans and herb flavor for the win…Finished the brownie and entered the void that is online shopping.” –Sharee Church, sales support specialist

“Did you guys placebo me?! Well it worked. I’m pretty sure I felt nothing. Or maybe I felt something. I don’t know.” –Naomi Fowler, senior marketing CRM manager

Scores (Average of Two Judges):

Sam’s Mom

Martha Stewart

Appearance

4.5

3.5

Aroma

Texture

3.5

Flavor

Potency/Effects

Total

17.5

Winner: Sam’s mom!

Which brownie recipe will Sam’s mom’s brownies face in the semi-final competition? Check back later today to find out! See all the #BrownieBracket matchups here.

Disclaimer: Cannabis edibles should always be prepared and consumed with care. Know your tolerance, start slow, and never drive under the influence of cannabis.

Image Source: Sara Dilley

State of the Leaf: D.C. Preps for Pre-420 Smokeout, and Hawaii Wants More DUI Data

This week in cannabis politics: A clash between Georgia lawmakers sheds light on medical marijuana in the South, Hawaii debates cannabis DUIs, Virginia could get a chance at cannabis oil production, and both Rhode Island and Jamaica are trying to find a way to profit from cultivation. If that weren’t enough, this week wraps up with a Washington, D.C. protest that will be one for the history books: a smokeout on the White House lawn.

The efforts to end prohibition are heating up – into the frying pan we go!

U.S. Cannabis News Updates

WASHINGTON, D.C.

DCMJ, the organization that helped bring legalization to the District, will be hosting a rally in front of the White House and asking President Obama to reschedule cannabis. The rally, dubbed Reschedule420, will be held this Saturday, April 2, at 2 p.m., on the north side of the White House on Pennsylvania Avenue. As part of an act of civil disobedience, activists will consume cannabis at 4:20 p.m. as part of a mass mobilization of the East Coast cannabis community. Oh, and although the “Mass-Consumption” includes smoking, organizers are encouraging advocates to consume responsibly in any matter they feel comfortable, whether it’s vaporization, edibles, or oils. All are welcome — RSVP here!

GEORGIA

After a race to the deadline and a fight to the bitter end, House Bill 722 to expand medical marijuana in Georgia died at midnight at the end of the legislative session. Rep. Allen Peake (R-Macon) was pushing for a hearing up to the very last minute, but the bill, which had already been amended and stripped of many of its original clauses, such as the creation of a cannabis distribution system, did not receive a hearing. In a series of leaked email exchanges between Peake and Gov. Nathan Deal’s office, it became clear this week that Deal’s opposition to medical marijuana has been vehement. The emails revealed staffers trying to bully Peake into dropping the issue entirely. Peake, however, refused to back down and continues to be a tireless advocate for the citizens he represents.

HAWAII

A group of Hawaiian legislators have banded together to introduce a resolution asking the state Department of Health to conduct a study on the safety of driving under the influence of cannabis. Rep. Cindy Evans, along with 15 other lawmakers, joined forces to urge the state to come to a consensus on the acceptable limit for driving under the influence of marijuana. The Health Department opposed the resolution due to the fact that it’s being given no money to conduct a complex study that hasn’t been undertaken by anyone in the U.S. due to the federal government’s blockade of cannabis research. Hawaii law currently bans individuals from driving under the influence of a drug that impairs their ability to operate a vehicle, but there is no threshold for the amount of THC that can be in the bloodstream.

LOUISIANA

Louisiana’s House Health and Welfare Committee spent 40 minutes debating House Bill 446 before officially approving it. Included in the bill is the creation of a licensing process for the newly established system of medical marijuana pharmacies. The pharmacy system was written into Act No. 261, the first attempt to regulate the use and distribution of medical marijuana since medical cannabis was technically legalized 25 years ago. This new bill would set the groundwork for pharmacies and set the application fees at $5,000 for a license. If an applicant is chosen, the fee to operate a store is set at the reasonable fee of $150. The fees are expected to be put towards inspections, background checks, and paperwork. Keep in mind, however, that the competition for these pharmacies will be fierce — there’s a limit of 10 pharmacies across the entire state.

RHODE ISLAND

Rep. Scott Slater and Sen. Stephen Arhcambault have introduced a proposal to double the number of licensed cannabis dispensaries from three to six in an effort to put a regulated medical marijuana framework in place prior to a vote on full recreational legalization. There’s another bill in the pipeline that could legalize the commercial sale of cannabis, and Rhode Island Senate Majority Leader Dominick Ruggerio (D-North Providence) has already signed on as a co-sponsor.

A proposal from Gov. Gina Raimondo would also create a new “tagging fee” on medical marijuana plants. The fee would amount to $350 per year per tag for caregivers and $150 per year for patients growing their own cannabis. The proposal has drawn protests from many of the state’s 13,126 medical marijuana patients.

VIRGINIA

Senate Bill 207, which would allow the production of therapeutic cannabis oils, passed through the Senate unanimously earlier this month. Last year Gov. Terry McAuliffe signed House Bill 1445, which allowed epilepsy patients to possess cannabis oil with at least 15 percent CBD and less than 5 percent THC. Unfortunately, the bill prevented patients from accessing the medication until 2017, and allows access only if the Legislature votes to reenact the law between now and then. The law states that, if enacted, pharmaceutical processors could produce the specific variety of cannabis oil with a permit from the state Board of Pharmacy. If McAuliffe signs SB 701, the Board of Pharmacy would be charged with developing the regulations for the production of cannabis oil and bring much-needed relief to Virginians.

International Cannabis News Updates

JAMAICA

The Kingston and St. Andrew Corporation council meeting voted to support a resolution passed by the St. Catherine Parish Council to allow local councils to make regulations regarding the sharing of fees related to the “cultivation, processing, distribution, sale and handling of marijuana within their particular jurisdiction.” The St. Catherine Parish Council made the case that local authorities ought to be able to collect taxes in return for their regulation and enforcement efforts. The resolution will be sent to all other parish councils for a vote, upon which it will be sent to the Ministry of Local Government for approval.

Image Source (Resized): Jonathan Piccolo via Flickr Creative Commons

US CA: Will Oakland's Legal Weed Industry Leave People of

East Bay Express, 30 Mar 2016 – In the Wake of the War on Drugs, State Laws and Industry Culture Are Preventing Black and Latino Folks From Entering Oakland’s Burgeoning, Hugely Profitable Cannabis Market. On a Tuesday evening in January, people gathered at SoleSpace in downtown Oakland for a panel titled, “Shades of Green: The State of Cannabis in California for People of Color.” Supernova Women — a recently formed organization led by female entrepreneurs of color working in cannabis — organized the event, and it brought out an avid, intergenerational crowd of mostly Black and brown folks with varying levels of interest and experience working in the industry.

US CO: Column: Council Bans Cannabis Clubs Knowing Full Well

Colorado Springs Independent, 30 Mar 2016 – A marathon session at City Hall on March 22 featured Council dissenters of all stripes: those who pushed back against Councilor Andy Pico’s resolution opposing refugee resettlement; those with a petition demanding repeal of the recently enacted Pedestrian Access Act; those who bemoaned the proposed land-swap deal with The Broadmoor; and finally, those pleading, once again, for Council to leave cannabis clubs unshuttered. None of that was resolved except for the club issue (but not in the way most urged). Clubs opened up all over town, even after the six-month moratorium on new marijuana business licenses began in September. (The city couldn’t stop issuing a license that didn’t exist.)

Helping Eliminate Marijuana Use Through Pediatric Practice

This study adapts the Public Health Service (PHS) 5As model for use with adolescent marijuana users and pilot the intervention to test feasibility and acceptability in pediatric primary care settings. The specific aims are as follows: Aim 1: Develop a marijuana screening and brief counseling intervention for adolescents based on the Public Health Service 5As […]

Pot Brownie Bracketology Round 1: The Cannabist vs. High Times

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.

The contenders: Triple Chocolate Brownies (by The Cannabist) vs. Classic Cannabis Brownies (by High Times)

The story: In terms of cannabis coverage, it doesn’t get more classic than High Times – the outlet just celebrated 40 years in the industry, and we looked to it for a truly classic cannabis brownie. Its recipe went head to head with a triple-choc recipe from the team over at The Cannabist. We weren’t sure how to predict this one, which made the decisive outcome that much more eyebrow-raising.

Brownie A: Triple Chocolate Brownies

Get The Cannabist’s cannabis-infused brownie recipe here

Creator: The Cannabist

Original recipe contains cannabis? Yes

Why we picked it: Recipe author Laurie Wolf has over 30 years of experience in recipe development and produces her own brand of infused edibles. The recipe promised to take pot brownies to the next level, and our interest was piqued.

What we liked best: The texture: creamy white chocolate and crunchy chopped nuts come together to great effect.

What we liked least: With all its toppings, the flavor of the brownie itself gets a bit lost.

Most valuable ingredient: The hazelnuts – a judge favorite across the board.

Judges’ notes:

“The nuts…were an added bonus.” –Kristin Kofmehl, events coordinator

“The nuts on top made this one more visually appealing and gave it a nice texture.” –Andrew McCabe, IT systems administrator

“Tasted a lot better than it looked.” –Rebecca Kelley, senior content marketing manager

Brownie B: Classic Cannabis Brownies

Get High Times’ cannabis-infused brownie recipe here

Creator: High Times

Original recipe contains cannabis? Yes

Why we picked it: We went looking for a classic cannabis brownie, and this recipe’s title spelled it out.

What we liked best: It’s no-frills.

What we liked least: The recipe calls for just one quarter of a cup of cannabutter, resulting in the weakest final product of any of the eight recipes in the bracket – including the vilified Batali recipe, which High Times itself has called “Mario Batali’s embarrassing pot brownie fail.”

Most valuable ingredient: Applesauce – the brownies would have been too dry without it.

Judges’ notes:

“This brownie was a little nugget of flaky deliciousness…with little chocolate chip surprises. The high was mellow and uplifting and spurred conversation and creativity instead of a nap.” –Kristin Kofmehl, event coordinator

“The chocolate chips were a nice touch.” –Sara Dilley, photo editor

“Very weak potency, if any?” –Daniel Girodat, senior software engineer

Scores (Average of Two Judges):

The Cannabist

High Times

Appearance

4.5

Aroma

Texture

3.5

Flavor

4.5

Potency

3.5

2.5

Total

21.5

Winner: The Cannabist!

How will The Cannabist’s Triple Chocolate Brownies fare in the semi-final against Edibles Magazine’s 420 Irish Brownies? Find out on Friday! And check back tomorrow to find out who will win two more Round 1 faceoffs: our editor’s mom versus Martha Stewart, and a rebellious blogger versus Julia Child.

Disclaimer: Cannabis edibles should always be prepared and consumed with care. Know your tolerance, start slow, and never drive under the influence of cannabis.

The Shake: Obama Frees 61 Inmates and Whoopi Tackles Period Pain

Obama grants clemency to 61 drug offenders. All of the inmates are currently serving time for drug possession, intent to sell, or related crimes, according to the Associated Press. More than a third were serving life sentences. Under the president’s action, most will now be released on July 28. Obama may not have done much to reform the federal government’s stance on cannabis policy, but at least he’s helping right some of the drug war’s past wrongs. He’s now commuted the sentences of 248 inmates, and his aides say more are coming. There have been some rumblings that Obama could reschedule cannabis on his way out of office, but it doesn’t look likely. (Some think our last, best hope might actually be Dr. Sanjay Gupta.)

Whoopi Goldberg launches cannabis venture to combat menstrual cramps. Goldberg already gushed about her vape pen for treating her glaucoma-related headaches. Now she’s taking on period pain. She’s teaming up with entrepreneur Maya Elizabeth to found Maya & Whoopi, which will offer infused edibles, tinctures, topical rubs, and a “profoundly relaxing” THC bath soak. “You can put the rub on your lower stomach and lower back at work, and then when you get home you can get in the tub for a soak or make tea, and it allows you to continue to work throughout the day,” she tells Vanity Fair. The new products join others aimed at easing menstrual discomfort, like Foria Relief — which, for the record, is not a tampon.

Microsoft’s racist chatbot is a cannabis fan. Have you been following Tay, the Twitter account launched by Microsoft’s artificial intelligence team? It’s meant to learn from its surroundings, and unfortunately it has: Within a day of launch, Tay went from “humans are super cool” to “Hitler was right.” Thanks, internet. The bot also said feminists should “die and burn in hell.” Microsoft quickly unplugged it, but on Wednesday Tay reappeared briefly to announce: “kush! [ I’m smoking kush infront the police ].” (The tweet has since been removed.) Hilarious, sure, but the cannabis movement could probably pick a better spokesbot. (Here are some ideas.)

An Irish woman moved to Colorado to treat her son’s epilepsy. Now she’s saying it’s “illogical” not to have medical cannabis in Ireland. Yvonne Cahalane’s two-year-old son, Tristan, has Dravet syndrome, a severe form of epilepsy. He had his first seizure at five months old, and before long he was having up to 20 in a day. Since starting a regimen of cannabis oil, however, he’s gone three months without a seizure. He hasn’t needed rescue medication or oxygen, and he’s been weaned off three drugs and is about to stop using a fourth. Tell your friends: Medical cannabis is no joke.

Is Aspen ditching edibles? City officials are meeting with representatives from surrounding Pitkin County to discuss how to regulate infused edibles in the city. Sheriff Joe DiSalvo attended two county discussions this week and has indicated he’s thinking of a push to ban edibles that could appeal to children. “Bubble gum, popcorn, candy, etc.,” he told Aspen Daily News. DiSalvo has been an outspoken advocate of cannabis legalization, but he says local governments need to do more to avoid problems that could hurt the plant’s image both in his community and nationwide. Leafly talked to DiSalvo on Monday and will publish an extended interview later this week.

QUICK HITS:

Marijuana Policy Project executive director defends Trump campaign manager. Rob Kampia said on Facebook that a battery charge against Trump campaign manager Corey Lewandowski is “ridiculous.” Lewandowski allegedly grabbed a reporter last week. He was charged Tuesday. Fellow cannabis advocate Tom Angell, who spotted Kampia’s post, feels differently.
GQ answers a burning question from those still buying cannabis from dealers: “Should I Offer to Smoke Out My Weed Dealer?”
Newsweek calls taste-pairing events “the latest legal weed trend.” Read the story, then start mixing and matching on your own with Leafly’s pairing guides to coffee, beer, and wine (even bubbly!).
It’s going to be a big year for cannabis, and not just in the U.S. Mexico is eyeing big changes, too, Vice reports, including decriminalization and a medical cannabis program.
There are lots of cannabis conferences these days. Oregon’s Willamette Week looks at how to tell which ones are worth your time.
Fashion icon Tim Gunn is supporting Massachusetts hemp. The Project Runway co-host is headed to Boston to urge the state Legislature to pass an industrial hemp bill. (His advice, presumably: “Make it work.”)
Massachusetts businesses aren’t so hot on cannabis, though. A poll of 180 employers found that 62 percent oppose the November ballot measure that would legalize adult use.
A Michigan dispensary might be padlocked for a year. Why? Because state law allows officials to lock a property for up to a year over complaints of drug dealing. The county prosecutor maintains dispensaries aren’t permitted under Michigan’s medical cannabis program.
Tennessee’s hemp industry is flagging. Many farmers have said they won’t grow the crop next year because it simply wasn’t profitable, in part because of delays getting seeds through U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
A veteran in Iowa speaks up for medical cannabis. John Custis has seen enough veteran suicides, and he’s frustrated Iowa lawmakers aren’t doing more to open the door to cannabis to treat PTSD and curb opioid overdoses.
As California cities weigh dispensary bans, a few are going the other way. San Jose is considering whether to establish a medical cannabis division to better regulate local businesses. The city may even allow deliveries, which have recently come under fire elsewhere in the state.
And finally, this dog brought his family a pound of cannabis. Woof.

Image Source: CNN via Twitter

Cannabis Accessories: How to Start Showcasing Your Cannabis Stash

This article is sponsored by Myster. Myster High-End elevates cannabis culture by designing accessories that look classy, feel good, and work well.

The Old Way of Storing Cannabis

We can all picture the scenario. Say it starts with girl meets boy (or, more likely, girl and boy swipe right). Girl and boy start chatting. Girl and boy meet for a drink. Conversation flows smoothly, and chemistry builds. The conversation turns to cannabis, and both are pleased to find that the other is cannabis-friendly. Boy invites girl back to his place for a nightcap joint. Boy and girl reach the door to the apartment.

Then the door opens onto the epitome of the stereotypical stoner apartment. The open desk drawer is stuffed with plastic baggies half-full of shake. There’s a resin-logged bong sitting on the coffee table. The table itself is covered in cannabis crumbs. A pipe with a half-smoked bowl is on top of the bookshelf. It looks like a frat house bedroom.

Girl makes a quick excuse and leaves.

The New Way to Showcase Your Stash

As you mature, you begin to purchase and take better care of nicer things, including furniture, art, and household items. These items serve to express your individual taste, identity and sense of style, whether you’re home by yourself or entertaining visitors. Yet even for those who consider cannabis an important part of their lives, the same treatment hasn’t always been extended to the plant and its accompanying accessories. Even as cannabis gains mainstream understanding and acceptance, the substance itself continues to be treated as less than classy. It’s time to change that.

How? By rethinking how we display, prepare and store cannabis. By showing off your flower, concentrates and accessories cleanly and elegantly, you’re making a statement about your lifestyle, just as you are in choosing which art to display in your home. The following are just a few of the changes you can make to class up your cannabis and maximize your enjoyment of it.

Keep it all in one place. You wouldn’t keep your plates stacked on the desk, your bowls on the bookshelf and your silverware on the kitchen counter. Why leave your cannabis accessories scattered around your space? Keeping everything together is a satisfying way to admire your collection, and having a dedicated space for certain accessories (as in Myster’s Grand Stand) ensures that things like your vape pen have a home.

Choose a color scheme. A barrage of psychedelic pipes is a lot to look at; consider selecting clear glass across the board, choosing accessories in varying shades of blue, or tying everything together with matte black accents. Together, the aesthetic impact will be much greater than any of the individual pieces would offer on their own.

Spotlight a statement piece. Whether you love your dab rig or splurged on an especially unique water pipe, let that favorite piece be front and center. In the company of visitors, it’s a great conversation starter.

Show off your stash. High-quality cannabis flower, with its gorgeous shapes, colors and crystals, is a beautiful thing. Show off your range of strains with a set of mixed or matched stash jars. After all, home bartenders keep their best liquor in beautiful cut glass or crystal decanters; why not take the same care of your cannabis?

Stow small accessories. As your collection grows, prevent small accessories from cluttering the set-up with eye-catching containers that keep them together. For example, consider a classic cigar box for storing your vape cartridges.

Set out sleek ashtrays, and utilize elegant rolling trays to bring a selection of cannabis to guests at a gathering. These accessories provide the added bonus of keeping your tabletops clear of seeds, stems, ash, and shake.

Embrace an element of mystery. Not every last thing needs to be set out for all to see. For instance, if you only roll joints rarely, you might not need a rolling tray set out on your shelf getting dusty. As an alternative, few things are as impressive as pulling what is ostensibly a leather-bound tome from your bookshelf, only to open it and surprise your guest with a full rolling setup. (Hint: you can find that here.)

To view Myster’s complete product line, visit their website.

Image Sources: Myster and Rafael Castillo via Flickr Creative Commons

Georgia Gov. Deal and Rep. Allen Peake Go Head-to-Head Over Medical Cannabis

A newly released email exchange between Rep. Allen Peake (R-Macon), Georgia’s leading medical cannabis supporter, and the office of Gov. Nathan Deal reveals a side of the issue rarely seen in the public eye. And it doesn’t exactly paint the governor in a positive light, despite an influx of friendly press he’s been receiving of late.

Peake was the author of House Bill 722, a bill that would have expanded Georgia’s extremely limited medical marijuana program to include more qualifying medical conditions and a system of in-state cultivation and distribution. The bill gained the support of a House committee, but it ultimately died at the end of the legislative session last week.

The email exchanges between Peake and Deal’s chief of staff, Chris Riley, were obtained through a records request by Chris Hopper of 11Alive News. They offer a behind-the-scenes glimpse into the politicking that began last November and continued through February of this year.

In an exchange last November, Peake forwarded an email regarding an exploratory trip to Minnesota to study the state’s medical marijuana program. Ryan Teague, Deal’s executive counsel, answered brusquely: “Need to shut down the other trips. Governor not supportive of any further trips on the issue.”

Peake responded in diplomatic fashion:

“Ok, that’s disappointing to hear. I’ll probably go ahead and visit with the folks because I’ve lined everything up, and I’ll just do it on my own dime, and just go solo.”

It wasn’t the first time Peake acted on his own dime. After the 2014 passage of the Haleigh’s Hope Act, which legalized the use and possession of cannabis oil for certain conditions like intractable epilepsy, Peake took pains to ensure that families in need of medicine had access to it. He personally funded trips for multiple families to visit Colorado as part of the Journey of Hope project.

The governor’s office replied one hour later. “Allen, let me be a little more direct than my last email,” wrote Riley, the chief of staff:

“There is no appetite to move any legislation, sign any legislation, or even gather additional information to write legislation on this issue. If you feel the need to continue to pursue this, I am going to need to you to step down as floor leader because I don’t want you to be embarrassed when the Governor states this in a public setting and your [sic] left holding the bag.”

The exchanges with the governor’s office continued through the winter. In February, Peake reached out to Riley and Teague “to see if there was some type of discussion on the medical cannabis cultivation issue that might earn the Governor’s eventual signature, and possibly his support.” Normal, polite political stuff. Courteous. Civil.

It was not taken that way by Chief of Staff Riley, who was apparently offended by the intrusion of Peake and his subject matter into his Sunday morning.

“Happy Sunday,” Riley wrote. “In light of me heading to church and wanting to spend time with my family, listening to the sermon and applying it to my Christian walk, I am going to refrain from responding to the subject of your email until tomorrow.”

Peake responded with characteristic courtesy: “Sounds good. I realize I have made many mistakes, and I have in no way intended to damage my relationship with the Governor, or you guys. But clearly I have, and I fully intend to make that right, if allowed. Look forward to chatting. Enjoy the rest of your weekend.”

The following Tuesday, Feb. 16, Riley got back to Peake. The news was not good.

“As long as this product is a schedule I narcotic at the federal level, we keep running into too many risk [sic],” Riley said. Basically, for Deal, Peake’s bill was a nonstarter as long as cannabis remained a Schedule I drug federally.

Peake continued to push:

“I still strongly believe that a proper regulatory structure can be set up to address the concerns of providing a schedule I narcotic drug to our citizens as medicine. It has been done in 23 other states… I believe our state government is smart enough to find a model that works as well.”

An hour later, Riley’s exasperation came through:

“Allen, We have tried to work with you, we have exhausted every effort to work with you but when you go on public TV and accuse the Governor of not wanting to help the children of Georgia, have social media descend on the Governor with threats by the dozens, you have taken the issue out of our hands and made it an Allen Peake only issue. Therefore, the only position left for the Governor is the law, it is a schedule I narcotic.”

The chance for a medical cannabis system may be over for this legislative session, but the fight to bring medicinal cannabis to Georgia looks to be far from over, thanks largely to a lone lawmaker who refuses to take “no” for an answer.

Image Sources: Georgia House of Representatives and Wikimedia Commons

Pot Brownie Bracketology Round 1: Mario Batali vs. Edibles Magazine

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-infused brownie recipe.

The contenders: Double-Chocolate Pot Brownies (by Mario Batali) vs. 420 Irish Brownies (by Edibles Magazine)

The story: Is Mario Batali out of his mind? That was the hot question in the cannabis community in January, after Batali audaciously honored the Super Bowl-bound Denver Broncos with a recipe for Double-Chocolate Pot Brownies. Savvy commenters immediately cried foul, because Batali’s first foray into edible recipe development skipped what has long been accepted as a critical step: decarboxylating the cannabis to render its THC effective in the final product. High Times called the post “Mario Batali’s embarrassing pot brownie fail,” and argued that “one of the most famous chefs on the planet just advised the world to waste four grams of primo kush on making pretty much bunk brownies.” But we decided to give them a chance at redemption in our pot brownie competition.

As it happened, Batali’s recipe went head to head with a recipe from Edibles Magazine, the strongest edible we included in our contest. While naysayers argued that Batali’s recipe wouldn’t stand a chance, the proof would be in the pudding.

Brownie A: Double Chocolate (Pot) Brownies

Get Mario Batali’s cannabis-infused brownie recipe here

Creator: Mario Batali

Original recipe contains cannabis? Yes (optional)

Why we picked it: The heated discourse surrounding this recipe’s release is what inspired our entire Pot Brownie Bracketology project.

What we liked best: Batali’s moxie. The celeb chef risked angering some members of his audience in posting the recipe. We also appreciate that cannabis is optional, meaning consumers and non-consumers alike can enjoy.

What we liked least: Unearthing stray stems.

Most valuable ingredient: Ground cannabis – it’s what brought national attention to the recipe in the first place. What’s more: Batali’s brownies worked! While they were almost certainly not as potent as they would have been after proper decarboxylation, 22 minutes in the oven at 325˚F was enough to lend a muted potency to the dessert.

Judges’ notes:

“Dark, rich taste…While it doesn’t smell like cannabis, ground shake is not great when it ends up in your teeth.” –Sam Martin, managing editor

“Potency was hardly noticeable. Chewed a stem.” –Lisa Rough, associate editor

“Effects seemed pretty uneven.” –Nick Ouellette, graphic designer

“Kinda tasty.” –Fermin Romero, web developer

Brownie B: 420 Irish Brownies

Get Edibles Magazine’s cannabis-infused brownie recipe here

Creator: Edibles Magazine

Original recipe contains cannabis? Yes

Why we picked it: The name of the publication says it all.

What we liked best: The potency after two hours.

What we liked least: The potency after 12 hours…

Most valuable ingredient: Cannabutter. Added at a whopping three stages of the recipe, Batali’s brownies wouldn’t stand a chance against these ones in the potency category even if he flawlessly decarboxylated his cannabis.

Judges’ notes:

“Tasted like eating pure weed butter…extremely potent.” –Nick Ouellette, graphic designer

“Cake-y, lighter texture – almost un-brownie-ish.” –Sam Martin, managing editor

“LOL.” –Bailey Rahn, associate editor

Scores (Average of Two Judges):

Mario Batali

Edibles Magazine

Appearance

Aroma

2.5

Texture

3.5

Flavor

Potency/Effects

4.5

Total

15.5

Winner: Edibles Magazine!

Which brownie recipe will Edibles Magazine’s 420 Irish Brownies face in the semi-final competition? Check back later today to find out!

Disclaimer: Cannabis edibles should always be prepared and consumed with care. Know your tolerance, start slow, and never drive under the influence of cannabis.

Pot Brownie Bracketology: The Search for the Best Cannabis Brownie Recipe Ever

What is the best cannabis brownie recipe of all time? The team at Leafly has been working tirelessly to answer that question via our March Madness-inspired Pot Brownie Bracketology project.

We researched dozens of recipes and narrowed our contenders down to a pool of eight – three that were designed to be infused, four that originally didn’t contain cannabis, and one from famed chef Mario Batali that has drawn the ire of the cannabis community. Some were cakey; some were fudgy; some were studded with nuts and berries; others were minty and frosted; some were barely noticeable in their effects, while others just about knocked us out. We baked every single one, and called on Leafly staff to judge them based on appearance, aroma, flavor, texture and effects in a blind taste test.

Three pounds of cannabutter, 13 hours of filming, weeks of research, and over 80 brownies later, we can confidently say that we’ve found the best pot brownie recipe ever. Follow along as these eight edibles duke it out for the title.

Click here for an enlarged view of the Leafly Pot Brownie Bracket

ROUND 1:

Naturally Splendid to Present at the Cannabis Investor Webcast March 31, 2016

Naturally Splendid (TSXV:NSP) announced it will be presenting at the Cannabis Investor Webcast Thursday, March 31st 2016 at 11:00AM PT or 2:00 PM ET.

As quoted in the press release:

The Cannabis Investor Webcast will include presentations from privately-held and publicly-traded industry companies and industry professionals. Naturally Splendid Enterprises, Ltd. presentation will be 30-minutes long and followed by 15-minutes of Q&A. The Cannabis Investor Webcast is a great opportunity for the audience to research industry companies without taking time-off from work, paying registration fees and incurring travel-related expenses.

The Cannabis Investor Webcast is an online interactive platform, providing Naturally Splendid Enterprises Ltd. the opportunity to provide an overall corporate update. Topics covered will include; An Overview on the Company; An update on business to date; The new emerging opportunity in Korea and Asian markets; an update on the POS-BPC facility , and what to expect from Naturally Splendid in 2016.

Cannabis investors, analysts, executives, media, and consumers who would like to attend our free online webcast please click on the link http://www.cannawebcast.com/ and visit the Registration Page and to view the recording of the webcast please visit www.youtube.com and search for Cannabis Investor Webcast two weeks after the live presentation.

Connect with Naturally Splendid (TSXV:NSP) to receive an Investor Presentation.

The post Naturally Splendid to Present at the Cannabis Investor Webcast March 31, 2016 appeared first on Investing News Network.

Organic Marijuana Gardening Q And A With Author Jeff Lowenfels

The brilliant and beloved organic gardening writer Jeff Lowenfels is at the MelodyBallroom in Portland this Thursday, March 31 to speak at a special organic soil andgardening event hosted by the Oregon Cannabis Association. Hobbyists, professionalcultivators, those who are just contemplating the switch to organic and longtimepractitioners will appreciate his humor, wisdom and passion for

CARERS Act Finds New Life a Year After Its Birth

A little more than a year after its introduction, and months after watching it slowly wither and lose traction, the CARERS Act is gaining new support — from even the conservative side of the aisle.

Once considered the nation’s most important and comprehensive piece of legislation on medical marijuana, the Compassionate Access, Research Expansion, and Respect States Act of 2015 was written off as a lost cause in December when Sen. Charles Grassley (R-Iowa) refused to give the bill a hearing in the Senate Judiciary Committee.

For Iowa voters, Grassley’s reluctance to consider a medical marijuana bill comes as no surprise. He was elected to the Senate in 1980, and his voting record over the past 36 years is a study in vehement anti-drug opposition.

In the year since it was introduced by Sens. Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) and Rand Paul (R-Ky.), the act has gained an additional 15 co-sponsors. Former presidential candidate Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), threw his weight behind the bill on March 10 — one year to the day since the act was introduced.

Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) signed on just days later, renewing vigor for the once-forgotten bill.

Leafly caught up with Michael Collins, deputy director of national affairs for the Drug Policy Alliance, to get his perspective on the act’s prospects and what advocates can do to bring change to drug policy nationwide.

Leafly: What brought about this renewed action on the CARERS Act?

Michael Collins: Prior to the bill’s introduction a year ago, there was no real discussion of marijuana going on in the Senate. This was the first bill of its kind, so it’s generated a lot of conversation and discussion. What we really focused on this summer was the Appropriations Committee process, because through that we could do a series of test votes for parts of the CARERS Act. There was a vote on veterans’ access to medical marijuana. There was a vote on allowing states to set their own medical marijuana policies. And there was a vote on banking. That was the first time the Senate had voted on any marijuana legislation in recent memory. All three of those provisions passed. If you look at Sen. Graham, for example, he was someone who was on the Appropriations Committee. He then voted to allow states to set their own policy. That enabled us to go and have a conversation with his office about, “Wow, you’ve already supported the main thrust of the bill, letting states set their own marijuana policies. You should be signed on to this legislation.”

Do you think Sen. Grassley will eventually hold a hearing on CARERS?

Sen. Grassley had a hearing on medical marijuana last summer, despite not supporting the CARERS Act. How do I put this? He’s shown more interest in medical marijuana than ever before. A lot of that is because he had a hearing in the Narcotics Committee that he chairs, on marijuana and research, that Sen. Booker and Sen. Gillibrand attended.

If you look at Sen. Grassley’s starting position on the issue of medical marijuana, which was a “Hell no, not interested, over my dead body” sort of attitude, he has shifted a lot. He’s much more engaged in the issue, and the staff we meet with are much more engaged in the issue. They understand that there are genuine research values, whether or not he’s ready to move the bill yet.

He’s definitely had a lot of pressure from his own constituents to take action on this. I know there have been a number of meetings with constituents. In person and when he goes to town halls, he always gets questions on medical marijuana. He and Dianne Feinstein have sent letters back and forth to the administration about research values, some of the values we identify in the CARERS Act. There’s common ground there. There’s an interest there that we continue to build Republican support for this. Because if you put this bill on the floor, it would pass. It’s just a matter of getting on the floor.

But it can’t get to the floor without passing through the Senate Judiciary Committee, correct?

Well, unless someone decided to offer it up as an amendment. But I don’t see that as likely. It pretty much has to go through the Judiciary Committee.

What’s the most important action voters can take to support the CARERS Act and encourage bipartisan support?

If you’re in a state where you have a Republican senator, emailing their office and calling their office is super helpful. If you yourself are a medical marijuana patient or know someone who is a medical marijuana patient, write an op-ed or letter to the editor about why you support this bill and why your senator should support it. That’s also something that’s very helpful. I know in Iowa there have been a number of op-eds that have been posted around patients calling on Sen. Grassley to hold a vote on the legislation.

What we’re trying to do is add more Republicans to the bill. That puts more pressure on Sen. Grassley to do something. When colleagues like Sen. Graham, who is on the Judiciary Committee and is a very well-respected, moderate Republican, come on as co-sponsors, I think that raises eyebrows and brings more people closer to signing on.

The Drug Policy Alliance is actively campaigning to rally support for the CARERS Act, with a new petition demanding Grassley schedule a hearing for the act.
Here is a full list of Senate co-sponsors for the CARERS Act:

Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.)
Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.)
Sen. Dean Heller (R-Nev.)
Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.)
Sen. Michael Bennet (D-Colo.)
Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.)
Sen. Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.)
Sen. Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii)
Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.)
Sen. Tom Udall (D-N.M.)
Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.)
Sen. Angus King, Jr. (I-Maine)
Sen. Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii)
Sen. Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.)
Sen. Barbara Mikulski (D-Md.)
Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.)
Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.)

Is your senator on this list? If not, please take the time to contact your senator and urge them to sign on to this important piece of legislation — especially if you hail from a red state! Your senator’s signature could mean the difference between the CARERS bill dying in committee and it moving forward to the Senate floor and making history.

5 Differences Between Cannabis Concentrates and Flower

Cannabis concentrates are becoming an increasingly popular consumption method, but a lot of people new to concentrates feel intimidated by them. Their emotions aren’t completely unjustified when you consider the learning curve and tolerance adjustment for concentrates. Because concentrates are a lot more potent than flower and are often associated with complicated consumption technology, why bother switching to something intimidating and confusing when flower seems so much easier and familiar?

These five facts may be enough to get the canna-curious started, but be sure to leave any other questions or advice in the comments section below!

1. Concentrates Go by Many Names

Although the multiplicity of strains available can make one’s head spin, even beginners have a pretty good idea of what they’re getting with flower, regardless of its name. “Concentrates” is an umbrella term that refers to a variety of different cannabis extracts and their monikers – and that’s where things can get more confusing.

Imagine you’re standing at the glass counter of a dispensary. Inside you see the following items: shatter, rosin, BHO, CO2, wax, crumble, honey oil, dabs, hash, tinctures, and capsules. Don’t let the breadth of options drive you away – many of these are different names for the same thing. Here are some quick tips for narrowing your search down:

Shatter, wax, crumble, sugar, honeycomb, sap, and oil often refer to a concentrate’s texture. While some people have a preference of an extract’s consistency, what’s important to many people is the solvent used and how compatible that extract is with their preferred consumption method.
Most concentrates are extracted using CO2, butane, hydrocarbons, propane, water, alcohol, and heat. Solventless extracts made using water (e.g., hash) or heat (e.g., rosin) are excellent choices for those wary of how consuming solvents might affect them.
Ask your budtender which oils work with your delivery method of choice. Looking to dab something? Maybe try their recommended shatter, hash oil, or CO2 oil. Do you prefer vape pens? Choose a cartridge that’s compatible with your battery. Interested in ingestible concentrates? Ask about dosing tinctures and oil capsules.

2. Concentrates are More Potent

The most important distinction to make between cannabis flowers and concentrates is potency. While bud potency tends to range between 10-25% THC, a concentrate typically falls between 50-80% though some exceptional extracts can even push past 90%. Those numbers may be enough to scare off any under-seasoned consumers, and for good reason: dosing gets trickier as potency increases.

A mildly or non-psychoactive CBD-rich concentrate would be a good choice for beginners (that’s right, not all concentrates get you high). Hash and tinctures also tend to have lower THC contents than other types of concentrates, so you might consider steering toward those before graduating to the more potent oils. Just remember to always start with a low dose and work your way up if you’re new to concentrates or have a low tolerance.

3. Concentrates Can Be Administered Differently

With bud, you can smoke it, vaporize it, and roll it, but there’s not much else you can do with it. Concentrates offer more options.

Dabbing – the process by which you apply an extract to a hot nail and inhale through a glass piece – is swiftly on the rise among cannabis veterans. Dabbing is an easy way to get a potent dose of cannabinoids, although the learning curve and equipment demands make it a less accessible option for new users.

Ingestible oils act like edibles in that they take effect slowly and last much longer due to the way they’re metabolized. These oils (or any extract, really) can be high in THC, CBD, or both. So if you’re interested in smoke-free methods – especially for treating medical symptoms and conditions – these capsules may be worth looking into.

Tinctures are a sublingual concentrate, meaning they’re dropped under the tongue and enter the bloodstream. They act faster than edibles and ingestible oils, though they’re often less potent.

Hash and oils may be also consumed using some of the same consumption methods as flower. Some vaporizers are compatible with “loose” oils, though some portable pens are specially designed to be used with specific cartridges of oil. The motivated enthusiasts can even roll their bud-packed joints with hash and oils.

4. Plant Matter is Stripped from Concentrates

Here’s one benefit to concentrates perhaps you’ve never thought of: extraction processes strip out plant material and isolate the compounds you want like THC and CBD (…and potentially some things you don’t want, in the case of pesticides, contaminants, and residual solvents; make sure the products you consume are tested).

When you smoke flower, you’re also smoking the plant material that leaves your glass black with tar. That can take a toll on your lungs. However, you may have noticed that when you dab oils, the glass and water stay clean for much longer.

Vaporizers heat cannabis below the temperature of combustion, but hot enough to extract beneficial compounds. Health-conscious consumers, this route of delivery is for you.

5. Flowers May Have More Flavor and Terpenes, But Not Always

If flavor is something you care about, this point is for you: some concentrates will lose their aromas and flavors in the extraction process. Terpenes are the volatile, fragrant oils secreted by the cannabis plant, and they give the flowers their smells from the sweet, fruity, and floral to the earthy, piney, and musky. Being so sensitive to heat, it can be difficult to preserve terpenes in many extraction processes. For this reason, many producers have begun reintroducing these aromatic compounds afterward – which can result in products even more flavorful than the flower they came from.

The Shake: Cannabaristas, Helping the Homeless, and CBD-Oil Massages

Hey, look, the media can discuss cannabis without making a Doritos joke! Bloomberg News has a video up about the recent explosion of cannabis concentrates, and Bloomberg Businessweek editor Bret Begun does an admirable job introducing rosin. He calls it the “extract du jour,” explaining that “smoking a joint would be like nursing a glass of house red” whereas “an extract is like a premium shot.” The segment is a welcome change from past East Coast coverage of concentrates, which often sounds more like a regurgitation of Reefer Madness — explosions! hallucinations! violent behavior! — than actual news coverage. It’s worth watching the Bloomberg piece until at least 1:42, at which point a British host breaks in out of nowhere to exclaim “Bret, this is a phenomenal story!” as though Begun just broke Watergate. (Thanks to Begun for mentioning Leafly, which he says “indexes all the available pot, basically, in the universe.” Oh Bret, you and your trendy eyeglasses flatter us so.)

Can cannabis help solve homelessness? In case you’re still blissfully unawares, homelessness is a massive problem in a lot of West Coast cities. Seattle, for example, declared a state of emergency last year after seeing a 22 percent annual increase in the number of people sleeping outside. Fixing the problem won’t be easy — or cheap. In Los Angeles, where officials have approved nearly $2 billion in housing and support services, budget analysts are now trying to figure out how to cover those costs. One proposal would tax medical marijuana at 15 percent, a rate that officials expect would net about $16.7 million a year. It won’t make patients happy (medicine is generally tax-free across the U.S., though not in New Jersey) but it’s a sign local governments are beginning to notice cannabis as a crucial source of revenue. Tax windfalls have already helped fund schools and drug education in Washington and Colorado, and even some dispensary owners say they think city officials have missed opportunities to capture revenue for public programs.

The world is watching. And not because they’re worried we’re going to mess something up. When it comes to cannabis policy, we’re actually leading by example here in the United States. Adult-use states like Colorado, Washington, and Oregon have shown foreign leaders that, despite fears, legalization hasn’t drawn hellfire from the skies. That’s important because next month a United Nations special session will convene to hammer out a new global drug policy. It could mark a major shift paradigm shift. The last special session was in 1998, and its theme was “A drug-free world — we can do it!” Whoops.

The United States is losing money and brain power to Israel. Companies and investors based in America are looking to Israel for ways to get into the booming medical cannabis market, Reuters reports. “In the United States it’s easier to study heroin than marijuana,” said Suzanne Sisley, a U.S. psychologist who has researched the effects on cannabis as a treatment for PTSD in military veterans. Just another example of how federal prohibition isn’t just hurting patients — it’s also hamstringing American industry.

Vermont lawmakers are worried about underage use and DUIs. As well they should be — those are valid concerns. But as legislators weigh the evidence, let’s hope they see the facts are on the side of legalization. Numerous studies have found that adult-use laws don’t lead to increases in underage use, and a recent review by Norwegian researchers suggests that for decades we’ve been overstating the dangers of consuming and driving (though you still shouldn’t do it). Vermont has been one of the most reasonable states yet when it comes to charting a course to legalization. Let’s hope officials there keep on making smart, scientifically informed decisions.

You know who’s not making scientifically informed decisions? Massachusetts lawmakers. That’s the assessment of pollster Steve Koczela at Boston public radio affiliate WBUR. A number of high-profile public officials have come out against an adult-use legalization initiative, something Koczela calls remarkable: “By every metric available, public opinion appears to favor legalization, and by wider margins with each passing year,” he writes. “You cannot accuse lawmakers of governing according to the polls and public opinion. If anything, the opposite is happening here.” In other words, a lot of lawmakers are still all turned around when it comes to cannabis. Get in touch and point them in the right direction.

QUICK HITS:

Black and Latino people account for 90 percent of Philadelphia cannabis possession arrests. Which is insane. Just like in Oregon and New York, Philly has seen racial disparities persist even as the absolute number of arrests has dropped dramatically. We’re failing, people.
Libertarian presidential candidate Gary Johnson thinks Obama will legalize. “I’m going to predict that Obama, when he leaves office, is going to deschedule marijuana as a Class I narcotic,” he told the Washington Times. Don’t hold your breath.
Want to start a cannabis business in Florida? You’re not alone. As you wait for November to see how Amendment 2 fares, attorney Hilary Bricken at Canna Law Blog has some homework for you.
Here’s a perk of being repeatedly punched in the face: Bob Marley’s son might ask you to come smoke a joint with him. Just ask UFC beefcake Nate Diaz.
Lawmakers want clearer banking guidelines. Elected officials at both state and federal levels are trying to figure out how to expand financial services for cannabusinesses. Existing rules are complicated and uncertain.
“Cannabis patients find pain relief, improved mood,” survey says. Hot damn! Has anyone thought about using this stuff as medicine?
Should we call budtenders “marijuana brokers”? What about “cannabaristas”? Either way, you should probably check out this guy’s hockey jersey.
Oregon extract artists get sales extension. Earlier this month, regulators said they’d ban concentrates from unlicensed makers — even though licenses won’t be issued for a few months. Now they’re walking that back, temporarily allowing extracts from producers who’ve completed license applications and submitted the required $4,000 fee.
This is the 14th Colorado cannabis recall in just five weeks. Regulators issued the latest pullback over concerns that FireHouse Organics products were grown with unapproved pesticides.
Employment numbers look great, though. As of December, Colorado had issued 26,929 licenses to cannabis workers. That’s a 68-percent increase from a year earlier.
Santa Ana not immune from supply and demand. The city has twice as many unlicensed dispensaries as legal ones, the Orange County Register reports.
Lawmakers in Hawaii crash into DUI question. They want a study on cannabis and driving. If you sort this out before the rest of us, folks, let us know? Mahalo.
And finally, a CBD-oil rubdown, anyone? Just sit there in your cubicle and let that thought sink in.

HempTech Corp Becomes a Publicly Traded Company

SAINT PETERSBURG, FL–(Marketwired – March 29, 2016) – HempTech Corp. (OTC PINK: BLDWD), a provider of advanced Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) with sophisticated automation and analytical tools for the cultivators of legal industrial hemp and cannabis, announces today that it has completed the purchase and exchange agreement with Building Turbines, Inc. In effect, post transaction, Building Turbines, Inc. will become HempTech Corp through a change in control.

On March 23, we have received confirmation from FINRA on the completion of the corporate action and it is as following;

1- The name change of ‘Building Turbines, Inc.’ (BLDW) to “HempTech Corp.”

2- 1 – 5,000 reverse split will be announced 3/30/2016 on the Daily List.

3- The name change/reverse split will take effect at the open of business 3/31/2016. The new symbol will be BLDWD. The “D” will be removed in 20 business days and the symbol will change to HTCO.

Since 2014, HempTech Corp, a subsidiary of FutureWorld Corp (OTC PINK: FWDG), in cooperation with FutureLand Corp (OTC PINK: FUTL), has spent substantial amount of resources to develop state-of-the-art automation technologies for the growers and cultivators in the burgeoning cannabis industry.

With Intelligent Automation Technology engineered for agricultural operations featuring CognetiX Cultivation Automation & Analytic Software, which drives improvement in productivity, efficiency, quality and sustainability coupled with advanced Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) with analytical technology software, small to large size cultivators will have access to industrial grow technology not yet available in the Cannabis market. HempTech’s goal is to provide cost effective and efficient cultivation of indoor cannabis through intelligent technologies and process control platforms.

Our Current Accomplishments

1- HempTech has recently announced the availability of our microgrowery marijuana production platform “grow.droid I”. The grow.droid has been the culmination of many years of research and development through a substantial amount of internal funding. The Company is delivering its first line of grow.droid I to our California distributor this week. We expect to sell up to 100 of these “plug ‘n play” microgrowery systems on the west coast this year.

2- We will be announcing two substantial contracts within coming days which represents a major milestone reached by the Company. The contracts are the results of an extensive joint efforts between HempTech and FutureLand Corp (OTC PINK: FUTL).

HempTech is the third spin-off from the parent company, FutureWorld Corp (OTC PINK: FWDG). FutureWorld will be providing dividend to its shareholders of the sale of HempTech in coming weeks.

About HempTech Corp

HempTech Corp. is a technology company providing solutions for cultivators in legal US marijuana and industrial hemp markets. We design and engineer specialized products using advanced sensors, process control techniques, big data aggregation, analytics and security solutions so cannabis growers can easily and effectively control every aspect of their operation.

Through HempTech technologies, virtually every component of the plants’ vegetative growth matrix and flower harvest is automated, documented and available in visible format both in real time and historically. This simplifies operations and ensures that the baselines set by the master grower are adhered to by the cultivation staff.

HempTech’s mission is to establish a reputation in the cannabis industry as a one-stop-shop that provides all the infrastructure elements required by growers in a manner that is fully integrated, state-of-the-art, and secure. Products include the SPIDer™ (Secure Perimeter Intrusion Detection), SmartSense™, SmartEnergy, and analytics dashboard Cognetix™ through which HempTech Corp. provides growers unparalleled data analysis capabilities to Know Your Grow! HempTech — America’s Future Taking Root Today.

To request further information about HempTech, please email us at info@nullhemptechcorp.com, log onto our website at http://www.hemptechcorp.com or visit us at our Facebook page or on Twitter @hemptechcorp.

About FutureWorld Corp.

FutureWorld (OTC PINK: FWDG), a Delaware corporation, is a leading provider of advanced technologies and solutions to the global cannabis industry. FutureWorld, together with its subsidiaries, focuses on the identification, acquisition, development, and commercialization of cannabis related products and services, such as industrial Hemp. FutureWorld, through its subsidiaries, provides personal and professional THC and HTD test kits, pharmaceutical grade HTD oil solutions, SafeVape vaporizers, smart sensor technology, communication network, surveillance security, data analysis for smart cultivation and consultation for the industrial hemp and legal medicinal cannabis. Our wireless agricultural smart sensor networks offer precision to the agriculture, irrigation systems, and greenhouses for the global cannabis and hemp industry. FutureWorld and its subsidiaries do not grow, distribute or sell marijuana. As the only Cannabis Technology Accelerator, FutureWorld will incubate and fund leading technologies, products, and services for Cannabis industry (Industrial Hemp) for foreseeable future; bringing value to its core and its shareholders.

To request further information about FutureWorld, please email us at info@nullfutureworldcorp.com, log onto our website at http://www.futureworldcorp.com or visit us at our Facebook page facebook.com/futureworldcorp or on Twitter @futureworldinc.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release may contain forward-looking statements covered within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements relate to, among other things, plans and timing for the introduction or enhancement of our services and products, statements about future market conditions, supply and demand conditions, and other expectations, intentions and plans contained in this press release that are not historical fact and involve risks and uncertainties. Our expectations regarding future revenues depend upon our ability to develop and supply products and services that we may not produce today and that meet defined specifications. When used in this press release, the words “plan,” “expect,” “believe,” and similar expressions generally identify forward-looking statements. These statements reflect our current expectations. They are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, changes in technology and changes in pervasive markets. This release includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 27E of the Securities Act of 1934. Statements contained in this release that are not historical facts may be deemed to be forward-looking statements. Investors are cautioned that forward-looking statements are inherently uncertain. Actual performance and results may differ materially from that projected or suggested herein due to certain risks and uncertainties including, without limitation, ability to obtain financing and regulatory and shareholder approval for anticipated actions.

The post HempTech Corp Becomes a Publicly Traded Company appeared first on Investing News Network.

Taking the Bat to New Jersey’s Medical Marijuana Program

Last week, New Jersey’s Department of Health issued its annual report on the state of the state’s medical marijuana program. I would’ve written about it sooner, but the 25-page report is so rife with spin and political bull(redacted) that I needed to wait for new waders to arrive before I could delve in properly. Smartly sprinkled with graphs and tables, the report cherry-picks data in an attempt to cast a rosy glow on things. No surprise there. But digging a bit deeper reveals some data points that illustrate exactly why New Jersey’s medical marijuana program is still the pits. So let’s cherry pick a few numbers of our own, shall we?

Leafly has uploaded the full report to Scribd and embedded it below.

7%

That’s how much sales tax New Jersey levies on medical marijuana purchases. No other state in the nation taxes medication of any kind (including medical cannabis where it’s legal). New Jersey’s novel tariff was NOT part of the original medical marijuana law. That was added by Gov. Chris Christie despite howls of protest from patients and legislators. This is the same Chris Christie who promised to save us from Big Government Run Amok. Now he’s gouging sick people an extra seven percent just because he could. It sounds like something Donald J. Drumpf would think of.

That seven percent tariff on sick and dying people added another $955,153.92 to the state’s till to cover things like Gov. Christie’s security detail whenever he’s out-of-state campaigning for Drumpf. That sales tax number was not — repeat, not — included in the report. And why on earth would it be? It’s a lot easier to create the illusion of success when you can omit details that reflect poorly on the program. Fleecing sick people never looks good, especially when it comes in the form of a mean-spirited tax set up just to gouge them.

$489

According to the report, an ounce of medical marijuana in New Jersey will set you back, on average, $489.

The Department of Health goes to great lengths to convince readers that the state’s prices are in line with other medical marijuana states, although in some cases New Jersey patients pay three times much as their counterparts elsewhere. In Colorado, an ounce at a medical shop can be had for $140. In California, dispensaries are offering $200–$300 ounces. In Washington, D.C., medical ounces are $375.

New Jersey’s $489 figure doesn’t include the seven percent tax it levies on its own sick citizens. So let’s adjust that price point to reflect what the consumer actually pays: $523.32 per ounce.

1744

That’s how many pounds of medical cannabis were sold in New Jersey in 2015. Not sure now many joints that equates to, but that’s 27,904 ounces for those of y’all doing the math. At $489 an ounce, it adds up to $13,645,056 in pre-tax sales of legal cannabis in New Jersey last year. That’s a modest number relative to other medical marijuana states, due in large part to the our own program’s chronic over-regulation, taxes, and fees.

6,126

That’s the number of active patients in New Jersey’s medical marijuana program at last year’s end. Of 7,299 total applications, 339 were turned down and a few dozen more became inactive. Yet another 646 patients died during the year, a sad, jarring reminder that this is a program for sick and dying people (and NOT some gateway to a stoner’s paradise like Chris Christie would have you believe). Patients and caregivers must fork over $200 to the state Department of Health every two years for the privilege of membership in the program. The state made $243,093 last year in fees levied on patients and caregivers applying for the program. Per the report, “this revenue is used to offset the operation cost of the program.” Of course, the state said the same thing about its appalling sales tax gambit, and all that money went straight to the treasury to pay for things like Chris Christie’s BridgeGate legal bills.

Conclusion

If you wanna know how New Jersey’s medical cannabis system is really going, you’re wise to ask one of the 6,126 active patients who are forced to navigate a bureaucratic maze of regulations, fees, and taxes just for the pleasure of getting into the game. Or you could ask one of the five dispensaries in New Jersey, all doing business in an oppressive regulatory climate, courtesy of a governor who swore to protect us from big-government overreach. Chris Christie has been opposed to cannabis reform of any kind from his very first moments in office. He said so. Subsequently, he has done nothing discernible to nurture success of any kind for the state’s cannabis system. Quite the contrary. In words and deeds, Chris Christie remains mostly hostile towards his own state’s medical cannabis program, regardless of how his Department of Health tries to spin it.

New Jersey Department of Health: Medical Marijuana Program — 2015 Annual Report and 2015 Biennial Report

This article originally appeared on PolitickerNJ, and is published with permission.

Cannabis and Arthritis

It’s no secret: America’s baby boomers are aging, and one of the most common ailments in older populations is arthritis. According to the U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 53 million Americans have arthritis, with women making up 60 percent of the arthritis diagnoses. But what exactly is arthritis, and how can cannabis help it?

What is Arthritis?

“Arthritis” is an umbrella term used to describe 200 rheumatic diseases affecting the joints and their surrounding tissues. It causes inflammation and stiffness that develops abruptly or gradually around one or more joints.

Causes and Forms of Arthritis

Although more common in seniors, arthritis can severely impair a person of any age, leaving him or her unable to work or perform daily duties. In the United States, arthritis is the most common cause of disability, and high levels of stress and depression are often associated.

Genetics may cause arthritis, along with obesity, joint damage, infections, and occupations requiring repetitive bending or squatting. Dysfunction of the immune system and an abnormal metabolism can also lead to various forms of arthritis, though many rheumatoid diseases are caused by a combination of factors.

Forms of arthritis are broken into seven main categories:

Inflammatory arthritis — joints become inflamed for no apparent reason.

Degenerative or mechanical arthritis — the body tries remodeling the bone to restore stability. Osteoarthritis is an example.

Soft tissue musculoskeletal pain — pain felt in tissues rather than joints or bones, affecting overused body parts. For example, “tennis elbow.”

Back pain — unspecified pain associated with muscles, discs, nerves, ligaments, bones, or joints in the back such as osteoporosis.

Connective tissue disease — pain in tendons, ligaments, and cartilage characterized by inflammation of the skin, muscles, lungs, and kidneys.

Infectious arthritis — inflammation in a joint caused by bacteria, viruses, or fungi (examples of causes include food poisoning, STDs, and Hepatitis C). Antibiotics can usually treat it.

Metabolic arthritis — too much uric acid may form sharp crystals in a joint that cause sudden, excruciating pain. Gout is an example.

Arthritis Treatment Methods

Although they don’t heal joint inflammation, analgesics like Tylenol, Percocet, and Vicodin may be prescribed to reduce pain along with creams containing menthol or capsaicin. Over-the-counter non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like Advil, Motrin, or Aleve may be taken to reduce pain and inflammation.

Rheumatoid arthritis is treated with disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) to prevent the immune system from attacking inflamed joints. Corticosteroids like prednisone and cortisone may also be prescribed to reduce inflammation and suppress the immune system.

Exercise can ease pain and stress levels for people with arthritis, but nearly a quarter of adults diagnosed with arthritis report being physically inactive. Dietary changes may manage arthritis, as meats and foods high in sugar can exacerbate inflammation.

How Cannabis Can Help Arthritis

While cannabis is classified as a Schedule I drug by the federal government, meaning it’s considered highly addictive with no medical value and research on it is severely restricted — a scientific consensus has nevertheless emerged on its therapeutic value based on a growing body of successful preclinical and clinical trials. To the delight of many, those studies show that cannabis has anti-inflammatory effects that can help arthritis patients live happier, healthier lives.

Consequently, cannabis is gaining popularity as a treatment for arthritis. Cannabis can ease pain and reduce swelling without the potentially life-threatening side effects caused by frequent NSAID or opiate use.

In the summer of 2015, the Canadian Arthritis Society funded a three-year research grant to a Dalhousie University researcher to determine if marijuana can relieve pain or repair arthritic joints. Pain-detecting nerves are filled with cannabinoid receptors, and according to researcher Jason McDougall, cannabinoids control the firing of pain signals from the joint to the brain by sticking themselves to nerve receptors. Another controlled study, conducted by the Royal National Hospital for Rheumatic Disease in the UK, showed that cannabinoids provided statistically significant improvements in pain on movement, pain at rest, and quality of sleep.

At a time when opiate abuse has reached epidemic proportions, cannabis treatment can be a far less harmful and less addictive way to treat those suffering from chronic pain associated with arthritis. According to Mike Hart, MD, head physician of the Ontario Chapter at Marijuana for Trauma (MFT):

“Cannabis is much more effective and safer long term solution than opioids. The science is clear and demonstrates that cannabis is far safer than opioids. In fact, it’s not even close. Opioids have killed more people than all illegal drugs combined, while cannabis has never killed a single person.”

Not only is cannabis an effective alternative treatment to NSAIDs or opiates, it can help people get off dangerous drugs such as opioids. According to Dr. Hart, “I have literally helped hundreds of patients reduce or eliminate their dependence on opioids.”

In addition to increasing numbers of professionals within the medical industry recognizing the therapeutic value of cannabis, the public has also become more receptive to medical marijuana treatment. In January 2014, CBS News conducted a national poll finding that 86 percent of Americans believe doctors should be permitted to prescribe cannabis to patients who suffer from serious illnesses such as arthritis. As far back as 2004, the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP), which boasts 35 million members, published a national poll revealing that 72 percent of seniors support allowing the use of doctor-recommended cannabis to treat patients.

Do you use medical marijuana to help manage your arthritis symptoms? If so, which strains have you found help best? Share your recommendations in the comments!

Cannabis Scents and Sensibility: Why Marijuana's Fragrance is a Feast for the Nose

To make a truly informed cannabis-buying decision, you have to smell the product. And I don’t mean taking a dainty whiff. You’ve got get in there and really inhale, because smelling it — really focusing on the fragrance — may just be the best way to choose your cannabis.

“Depending on what the scent is, it can make or break a strain for people,” said Tyson Dieter, a manager at the Southwest Portland outlet of Nectar, an Oregon cannabis retailer.

I’m a home perfumer trained by a world-class nose. Years ago I trained at home using natural perfumer Mandy Aftel’s workbooks, and later I studied with her at her studio in Berkeley, Calif. For me scent is the ultimate in pleasure experiences. On a recent Tuesday morning, I stopped in at Nectar to talk scent and learn about the role it plays in the burgeoning cannabis industry.

What Do Cannabis and Perfumes Have in Common?

It turns out perfume and pot have a lot in common.

Both products come with outlandish, sometimes arbitrary titles. Burberry Weekend, meet Blackberry Kush. Practically no one buys the product without smelling it first. (Where it’s allowed, that is. In Washington state, pre-purchase smelling for recreational cannabis is against the law.) We don’t talk about them using the same language, although that’s changing as consumers learn more about scent’s connection to the cannabis experience.

As I stepped through Nectar’s front door, the first thing I noticed was the air, which smelled lightly of sweet herb. The employees — perhaps the happiest service professionals I’ve ever encountered — were all eager to talk to me about their favorite-smelling strains.

Commercial perfumes are composed of top notes, middle notes (also called heart notes) and base notes, so named based on their relative evaporation rates. A perfume with a top note of essential oil of bergamot (citrus) might be paired with a middle note of lavender oil and a base note of thick, resiny oakmoss. Together they make up the full scent experience of the perfume.

In the cannabis world, the language hasn’t yet evolved to describe the plant’s fragrance notes with such specificity. But budtenders and growers are expanding their vocabulary to describe the scent experience. So you may see two main, often contrasting odors: sweet and fruity paired with earthy, like in an Afgooey.

At Nectar the jars open dozens of times a day for olfactory sampling. Some strains are more fragrant than others. A Blackberry Kush may not remind anyone of blackberries, but it does have a subtle sweetness to balance the hashy, diesel-fume center it’s known for. Girl Scout Cookies, another potent strain, smells oily and pungent in the middle and slightly sweet on top.

All cannabis strains carry their own scent signature, a fact that often surprises cannabis consumers who come to a shop for the first time.

“First-timers generally know about THC content and little else,” Dieter said. “But then they usually stand there smelling all day to find a perfect match.”

Some strains share some of their scent identity with the world of aromatherapy. An activating hybrid sativa like Orange Crush has much in common with a bitter orange essential oil — one often used by aromatherapists for energizing. In the same vein, the citrus-scented J1, a sativa hybrid, smells like a traditional fougère-style perfume, opening with a citrus note and moving into an herby heart.

Because scent is deeply personal, no one really agrees on which strains smell best. A savory, cheesy strain like OG99 might send some running for the hills, but for consumers who like to “smoke savory,” the associated mellow vibe is well worth it.

Other consumers prefer the so-called “authentic-smelling” pot strains. For them, something like The Perps, which gives off the odor of a grape Jolly Rancher, might feel like spraying your face with Britney Spears’ Curious.

Why Consumption Methods Matter When It Comes to Scent Preservation

When it comes to harnessing the scent of cannabis, consumption methods matter.

A cannabis flower’s scent comes directly from its terpenes, volatile aromatic organic compounds found in the oils of all flowers. Terpenes in the cannabis flower evolved to attract pollinators or repel enemies. More than 100 possible terpenes are thought to exist in various strains of the cannabis flower.

The unique combination of terpenes in a particular strain produces its aromatic properties and, some believe, is thought to influence the body’s high. To heighten the experience of the terpenes, therefore, consumers should reach for consumption methods involving less combustion. The higher the burn temperature, the more likely the most volatile and aromatic terpenes will combust before being consumed.

In other words, to get the full scent experience, vape it, don’t smoke it.

“When you have a vaping machine, it can hinder the effect of the flavor,” said Myles Hyde, a budtender at Nectar who specializes in medicinal use. For flower, Hyde suggested using a vaporizer in at least the $250 range. “With a lower-quality machine, you may end up smelling some of the machine itself.”

Those who do want to smoke it would be advised to do it indoors, according to Hyde, where the scent lingers, affecting the high.

Other methods, like using hash oil, produces a concentrated scent experience so aromatic it feels like smelling an aged perfume. Dieter pulled a Dogwalker resin with a smell reminiscent of jasmine concentrate: dirty, floral, even slightly fecal. In this way, fragrance obsessives are much like cheese hounds or any other aficionados who move with passion into a sensual pursuit — as they explore their olfactory world, they become more and more enamored with scents that might repel the layperson.

Emphasizing Fragrance as Part of the Purchasing Decision

The importance of scent is beginning to take on a bigger role in the purchasing decision at some of Portland’s leading retail shops. During a recent visit to Oregon’s Finest, a store tucked into the city’s swanky Pearl District, manager Selena Toomey pulled flower-filled apothecary jars off a shelf for me.

“Strains sell themselves based on their scent,” Toomey said. “It makes a huge difference in the experience.”

Perfumers are taught to smell coffee beans between samples in order to cleanse their palates. Oregon’s Finest has adapted the practice for the cannabis connoisseur. Toomey invited me to sniff single-origin beans (this is Portland, after all) while passing between strain jars.

Toomey often suggests patients spend up to 10 minutes working the flower in their hands before smoking or vaping it. Doing so, she said, allows you to smell more of the terpenes and enhance the way it tastes when consumed.

“The terpenoids and flavonoids play a huge part in opening up your receptors to all of the effects of the cannabis,” Toomey explained. “It’s like steaming in a hot shower before you moisturize.”

Scent scientists often talk about the cognitive barriers to talking about our often ignored fifth sense — that we don’t really practice the language needed to really discuss scent.

When Toomey talks about scent to her customers, she sometimes avoids scent talk and focuses on taste, which offers a vocabulary more familiar to most consumers. She’ll speak of a strain like Dutch Treat as being like “mint chocolate chip ice cream.”

Toomey has been at Oregon’s Finest since its 2014 opening. She’s seen her customer base grow from curiosity to connoisseurship, even as the shop retains its focus on pot’s medicinal effects.

She sells individual terpenes as an additive to other marijuana products for medicinal users. Once you have enough experience to identify specific terpenes by smell alone, you can anticipate the associated high, she said.

“If I’m in a dispensary, I can tell by the aroma if a strain will work with my body,” Toomey added. “The nose knows.”

Emily Grosvenor is a writer and perfumer based in Oregon. You can follow her on Twitter.

Image Source: Sara Dilley

The Shake: Larry Flynt Embraces the Industry and Canna-Manicures Are Now a Thing

Etsy shuts down your friendly, neighborhood cannabis nuns. The sisterhood known as Sisters of the Valley are based out of Merced, Calif., and although they are licensed medical marijuana patients, Etsy removed their shop due to concerns about health claims made on their site. The sisters aren’t traditional nuns — they are not Catholic and don’t ascribe to a particular religion — but they consider themselves nuns: “We live together, we wear the same clothes, we take a vow of obedience to the moon cycles, we take a vow of chastity (which we don’t think requires celibacy) and a vow of ecology.” Sister Kate (a.k.a. Christine Meeusen) and Darcy Johnson had been quite successful with their Etsy business, tallying as much as $40,000 in monthly sales. They’ve created a GoFundMe site to help salvage their business, but for now the future of the Sisters of the Valley remains uncertain.

Massachusetts could be gearing up for a billion-dollar industry if all goes according to plan. A new report from data and investment firms ArcView and New Frontier indicates that the state could become an East Coast canna-tourist hub if voters approve a legalization ballot initiative in November. Depending on whether neighboring states, such as Vermont and Rhode Island, decide to end prohibition (they’re both considering it now), Massachusetts could be earning more than $1 billion by 2020. The report also takes medical marijuana into consideration, noting that legalization could stunt the growth of a medicinal market. State officials remain divided on the initiative. Gov. Charlie Baker, Boston Mayor Marty Walsh, and Attorney General Maura Healey teamed up to write an op-ed condemning the initiative, and lawmakers put together a comprehensive but inauspicious analysis of legalization in Colorado and Washington and how the initiative from the Campaign to Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol would impact Massachusetts in the long-run.

The founder of Hustler is turning from porn to pot. It sounds like the punchline to a joke, but the infamous Larry Flynt, known for his outspoken opinions and legal battles over First Amendment rights, is investing $100,000 into Pineapple Express, a Los Angeles-based cannabis consulting and branding firm. Flynt reportedly purchased 100,000 common shares in the publicly traded company.

Cannabis and politics are officially an item now. The campaign for Colorado state Rep. Ed Perlmutter (D-Arvada) will receive an impressive show of support this evening from the Colorado cannabis industry. A campaign fundraiser will be held tonight at the offices of Vicente Sederberg, a major cannabis law firm. Suggested donations range from $100 to $2,700. Perlmutter has long been a friend to the cannabis community, having introduced pro-cannabis legislation and signing on to initiatives such as the Industrial Hemp Farming Act. He also has been an advocate for providing businesses better access to banking services, an issue that has plagued the emerging industry. If you’d like to attend the event, you can RSVP here.

QUICK HITS:

Colorado mourns the loss of a cannabis advocate. Lauren Hoover, a high-profile manager for Breckenridge Cannabis Club and canna-celebrity on the Netflix show High Profits, died last week after a car accident. Hoover was well known in the cannabis community, and her impact continues to resonate throughout Breckenridge.
A medical marijuana advocate is suing Kansas after state authorities took her son into custody. Shona Banda’s son was removed from class and questioned without parental permission, eventually being removed from Banda’s custody after an illegal search of her home. Banda is asserting that the state and their agencies violated her constitutional rights and is moving forward with the case despite pending drug charges against her.
An Easter egg hunt was interrupted by a hefty illegal cannabis bust. In Salmon Creek, Wash., parents and children were in the midst of an Easter egg hunt when a man appeared, screaming that his roommate was trying to shoot him. The disturbence led authorities to investigate the man’s house, where they found a cannabis grow worth more than $200,000. Keep it safe, keep it legal and keep the kiddos out of it, please!
And finally, you can now get a canna-manicure! No joke, nail artists are now incorporating ganja flakes into a new look that’s surprisingly subtle and completely scent-free. #420goals?

Image Source: Maria Penaloza via Elite Daily

Cooking With Cannabis Live Stream Event Coming To Facebook

Marijuana edibles are very, very popular. Talk to any dispensary owner and they will be quick to tell you that. For that matter, ask most cannabis consumers and they will tell you that! I know I love edibles. But there is one problem – I’m not that savvy in the kitchen. The passion and desire

Cannabis Activist Shona Banda Files Lawsuit Against State Of Kansas And Others For Wrongfully Taking Her Son

Shona Banda is a longtime cannabis activist in Kansas thatsuffers fromCrohn’s disease. Cannabis has been proven to be very effective at treatingCrohn’s disease, and as such, Ms. Banda consumed cannabis oil as part of her treatment regimen, and did so responsibly. Unfortunately cannabis is illegal in Kansas, even for medical purposes. Kansas’ harsh marijuana laws

The Pharmacokinetics, Safety, and Ease of Use of a Portable Metered-Dose Cannabis Inhaler

This study is enrolling participants by invitation only. Sponsor: Collaborator: Rambam Health Care Campus Information provided by (Responsible Party): Kite Systems ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02729623 First received: March 27, 2016 Last updated: July 22, 2016 Last verified: July 2016 Growing evidence supports the use of inhaled cannabis for neuropathic pain; the lack of standard inhaled dosing […]

Can Cannabis Cure Cancer?

Given that 39.6% of Americans will be diagnosed with cancer at some point in their lives, cancers affects nearly everyone. Chances are, someone close to you has battled cancer.

Oncologists, more than doctors in any other discipline within medicine, support the option of recommending cannabis as part of a treatment program for patients suffering from cancer. However, while the positive effects of using cannabis to alleviate cancer symptoms have been well documented, the U.S. government continues to classify cannabis as a Schedule I drug — high potential for abuse and no known medical use. Consequently, the federal government’s position on cannabis stifles much-needed research on cannabis as a “cure” for cancer.

Moreover, the federal government’s position has fueled massive misinformation about cannabis as a potential cure for cancer. On the one hand, the federal government officially claims cannabis has no medicinal value. On the other hand, many pseudoscience “cancer quacks” unethically exaggerate claims of cannabis as the ultimate cure for cancer providing unsubstantiated help to thousands of cancer patients.

So what is the truth?

What is a Cancer “Cure?”

On the question of cannabis as a cure, Dr. Abrams, a cannabis advocate and one of the leading oncologists and cancer researchers in the world, cautions on the use of the term “cure”:

“Cure is a huge word in oncology. It usually implies that the patient has survived 5 years without evidence of their cancer. We are able to cure more cancers today than we were when I began my career as an oncologist. That has been through advances in diagnosis and treatment with conventional therapies.”

As a cancer and integrative medicine specialist at the UCSF Osher Center for Integrative Medicine at Mount Zion in San Francisco and an oncologist for more than three decades, Dr. Abrams observes:

“[After] 33 years of being an oncologist in San Francisco, I would guess that a large proportion of the patients I have treated have used cannabis. If cannabis definitively cured cancer, I would have expected that I would have a lot more survivors. That being said, what we do know is that cannabis is truly an amazing medicine for many cancer and treatment-related side effects — nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, pain, depression, anxiety, insomnia.”

Dr. Abrams’ opinion reflects a consensus within the credible oncologist and cancer scientific community: there is no doubt that cannabis is effective at treating cancer-related symptoms and treatment-related side effects, but the jury is still out on whether cannabis can actually “cure” cancer.

If It’s on the Web, It Must be True, Right?

Because cancer affects so many people, it’s natural to want confirmation that cannabis can, without question, cure cancer. The Web is rich with stories from people who claim cannabis, particularly “cannabis oil,” cured or reversed their cancer. When we asked Dr. Abrams why he thought there are so many anecdotal claims of cannabis curing people’s’ cancer, he cautioned:

“I note that many of the people who are very vocal about how cannabis oil cured their cancers seem to forget that they also received conventional therapies. If people really have used only cannabis oil and can truly document that they have cured their cancer (other than a skin cancer), they need to submit that data to the National Cancer Institute’s Office on Cancer Complementary and Alternative Therapy’s Best Case Scenario website so that evidence can be documented.”

Further, note that many of the numerous articles available that make declarative claims that cannabis cures cancer misrepresent studies, exaggerate claims, or omit key facts.

The Great Wide World of Cannabis Oil and Concentrates

Cannabis Cancer Research Shows Promise, But We Need to Do More

As we search for anti-cancer treatments, the anti-cancer potential of cannabis has been examined in numerous scientific studies on cannabinoid receptors and endocannabinoids, resulting in promising leads. Significant research has demonstrated that cannabinoids may inhibit or stop the growth of cancers — including breast, brain, liver, breast, pheochromocytoma, melanoma, leukemia, and other kinds of cancer — from spreading or growing. Moreover, cannabinoids have proven to promote apoptosis, the programmed death of tumor cells, while stopping angiogenesis, blood vessel production to the tumor. One study, conducted by Madrid’s Complutense University, showed that in one-third of rats treated, the injection of synthetic THC eliminated malignant brain tumors while extending life in another third.

The research is promising, but thus far it has been limited to preclinical studies, which are studies of drugs or treatments in animals prior to being carried out in humans. While the preclinical research offers hope, before anyone can confidently claim that cannabis can provide a “cure,” clinical research needs to be done.

Further, because cancer describes a group of diseases involving abnormal cell growth, it’s unlikely there will be a single “cure-all” cannabis remedy. Likewise, naturally-derived or synthetic cannabinoid agonists may be need to be combined with traditional chemotherapeutic regimens or supplemental alternative medicines.

In order for cannabis to find its way into routine clinical cancer treatment, rigorous pharmacological and clinical studies need to be done. And to accelerate this process, the federal government should lift the federal ban on medical cannabis.

Paradoxically, the federally-funded National Cancer Institute has warmed up to cannabis as a cancer treatment and has even quietly acknowledged that cannabis has been shown to kill cancer cells in preclinical studies. Nonetheless, the federal government has yet to make any significant strides to align their position with the scientific community and the overwhelming number of Americans.

With more and more states legalizing medical usage and the majority of Americans supporting medical cannabis, we can hope the federal government will finally modify its draconian prohibitory position and if indeed, cannabis can cure cancer, those suffering will no longer have to turn to questionable sources to learn how cannabis may help them.

5 Fun Date Ideas for Cannabis-Friendly Couples

One of the most common struggles I hear from couples is that they find themselves in a dating rut. They’ve done the same combination of dates hundreds of times: movies, dining in or out, concerts, sporting events, outdoor recreational activities, Netflix binges. Admittedly, finding new and interesting date ideas can be a challenge. As adults, we often get caught up in societally imposed ideas about age-appropriate behavior. What if we set down that baggage and instead were willing to say “yes” to exploring seemingly common ideas in new ways?

Here are some cannabis-specific date ideas you can try with your partner. Before you embark on these adventures, remember to keep safety in mind first — don’t consume and drive!

Get Relaxed at a Cannabis-Friendly Yoga Class

The benefits of yoga cannot be overstated. Toking up before getting bendy can help you relax into your body and feel more present. Additionally, doing this as a couple gives you a shared skill set from which to draw in the future if one of you notices that the other is tense or upset. Imagine saying something like, “It seems like there’s a lot going on for you right now. Can we take a few belly breaths together like we learned in yoga class?” If you live in a major city in a medical or recreational state, you’re likely to find a cannabis-friendly yoga studio on Meetup.

Take a Cannabis Cooking Class Together

These classes are a great way to sharpen your kitchen skills in real time (versus watching the Food Network for hours on end) and to incorporate multiple senses into your date night: touching the ingredients, hearing and smelling the food cooking, watching the instructor’s techniques, and tasting the results. Plus, you can go home and practice in your own kitchen, taking turns as the chef and the cleanup person. Puff, Pass, and Paint offers both cooking and painting classes in Denver, Seattle, and Portland.

Get a Couple’s Massage

The idea of a couples’ massage is nothing new, but incorporating THC-infused lotion is a novel idea. A Denver massage studio, Mile High Massage, offers solo and couples’ massage packages. The recipient can choose from three lotions: two unmedicated, one medicated. According to its website, Mile High offers Apothecanna’s Pain Crème, which is “infused with THC and CBD, as well as Arnica, Peppermint and Juniper. As a natural pain reliever and anti-inflammatory, this lotion is the perfect tool for deep, therapeutic work. As the THC does not enter the bloodstream, there are no psychoactive effects- just soothing, cooling sensations and immediate relief from pain. This is a great way to experience marijuana’s healing properties!”

Mile High also offers solo or couples’ booking options, which is helpful because some people vocalize loudly during massages while others fall immediately asleep and snore.

Go to Your Local Planetarium Show

Growing up, my school district had a planetarium at one of the high schools. I have fond memories of sitting back in the cozy seats and staring up at the ceiling in wonder as the stars and planets shifted above me. One of the oft-repeated stoner tropes is the idea of getting high and contemplating the universe–this gives you the chance to do it while observing the cosmos. Afterwards, you and your sweetie can share your profound observations.

Go Fly a Kite

No, seriously. I mean, get high first, but then go fly a kite. This is an activity that you can do anywhere there’s open space and a bit of wind. Pick up a kite at the dollar store, take a drive out into nature, medicate, and have a blast together. You can compete to see who’s better at doing tricks, who keeps their kite in the air the longest, who crashes the hardest, really anything.

Cultivating a playful attitude with one’s partner is a great way to deepen intimacy and reduce stress. In 2011, a student at the University of Illinois completed their Master’s thesis on playfulness and stress, and found “that playful individuals reported lower levels of perceived stress than their less playful counterparts. Furthermore, playful individuals more frequently utilized adaptive, stressor-focused coping strategies and were less likely to employ negative, avoidant, and escape-oriented strategies.”

What are some cannabis-friendly or focused date options in your city? Share your fun ideas in the comments?

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: Eugenides Foundation via Wikimedia Commons

National Cannabis Leader Steve DeAngelo To Speak At The 420 Games

Author Steve DeAngelo, national cannabis thought leader, speaks at The 420 Games in Santa Monica, Ca. on Saturday, March 26 at 12:10 PM. Steve DeAngelo, a nationallyrecognized pioneer in the cannabisreform movement and Executive Director of the nation’s model cannabis dispensary,Harborside Health Center, will give the keynote address. DeAngelo is the co-founder and President of

If You Are Serious About Succeeding In Oregon’s Cannabis Industry The Oregon Marijuana Business Conference Is A Must

Last year I attended the Oregon Marijuana Business Conference, which was at that time called the OregonMedical Marijuana Business Conference. The name change is a reflection of the current times, as recreational cannabis is legal in Oregon, and limited sales have been occurring since late last year. By the end of the year full recreational

Hawaii Medical Marijuana Patient Numbers Increasing

As of the end of February, Hawaii had over 15,000 approved medical marijuana patients awaiting the opening of the first dispensaries. Roughly 16-percent more patients were approved in February than in January. The number of registered patients has steadily increased each month since September 2015. Americans for Safe Access Big Island chairwoman, Andrea Tischler said, […]

The Shake: 60% of America Likes Legalization (but Hillary Doesn’t), and Broccoli Proves a Poor Smuggling Cover

National support for cannabis legalization just hit an all-time high. A survey released Friday by the Associated Press and the University of Chicago pegs nationwide support for legalization at 61 percent. That figure represents a significant rise from last October’s Gallup survey, which found 58 percent support for legalization. Once you get into the weeds, the numbers get a little more nuanced. Twenty-four percent of legalization supporters want medical only, 43 percent believe there should be restrictions on purchase amounts, and one-third say there should be no such limits on quantity. Christopher Ingraham’s got a fuller story over at the WaPo Wonkblog today.

Meanwhile, Clinton holds fast to tepid position. Even as a solid majority of Americans embrace legalization, Hillary Clinton remains steadfast in her position — which is looking increasingly out of step with most voters. Clinton went on Jimmy Kimmel Live! last night and reiterated her stand against federal legalization, for now. “I absolutely support all the states that are moving toward medical marijuana, moving toward absolutely legalizing it for recreational use, but I want to see what the states learn from that experience,” she said. “There are still a lot of questions we have to answer at the federal level.” Kimmel noted that she had received an endorsement from Snoop Dogg. “Yes, I have,” she answered, rapier wit in full flash. “That’s right.” We’re wondering exactly which cannabis questions Clinton wants answered. Because we bet we could answer them for her with the help of our friends science, evidence, experience, and data.

Dear Missouri: It’s called The Google. Look into it. In Oregon, state regulators put common sense to good use by revising their concentrates policy. The Oregon Health Authority announced on Wednesday that cannabis processors may continue to operate while they await a decision on their operating licenses. That reversed the previous policy, which essentially put concentrate producers out of business and unintentionally encouraged the potentially dangerous production of black market BHO. Meanwhile, in Missouri, local constables are warning the citizenry about this here newfangled drug called “marijuana honey.” KSPR-33 calls it, in classic Kent Brockman fashion, “a new twist to an old drug.” Ozarks First quotes one local sheriff explaining that “they’ll cook it into cookies or gummy bears — and that’s what they’ll eat.” Not to quibble, sheriff, but you’re looking at the same extracted cannabis oil they’re producing safely, and with state permission, in Oregon. When it’s legal and regulated, see, people don’t blow their homes to smithereens.

Dudes caught smuggling cannabis nearly as cheap as broccoli. U.S. Customs officials on Tuesday seized 766 pounds of cannabis from smugglers who tried to sneak it across the US–Mexico border hidden in a load of fresh broccoli. Several things to note about this story: First, a broccoli truck? Really? I’ve crossed those borders in Texas. (Well, OK, the one in Laredo.) They have some sophisticated imaging equipment down there. And well-trained dogs. Second, the Houston ABC-13 report ends by estimating the street value of the haul at $153,000. Which… hold on… 766 goes into 153… puts the “approximate street value” at a shocking $12.48 per ounce. Damn. We’ve got $6 grams here in Seattle, but apparently we’re shopping at the wrong supermarket.

New study ties lifelong cannabis use with troubles in middle age. Popular Science has a story up about a new study published earlier this week in Clinical Psychological Science: “Lifelong Marijuana Use Correlated With Troubled Middle Age.” I’m an open-minded evidence freak. I try to make myself go where the science takes me, on cannabis studies as in all scientific endeavors. But I’ve learned a few things about cannabis studies over the years. One is that the correlation-vs-causation question looms large, and remains unanswered, in most of these types of studies. As Paul Armentano notes in the PopSci story, it may be that “those facing social and economic adversity are more likely than those who are not to turn to the use of legal and illegal intoxicants as a coping mechanism.” Also, any time a drug study is based on the Dunedin Cohort (a group of 1,000 New Zealanders tracked since birth), as this one is, raise your level of skepticism. Researchers love to pound that Dunedin data eight ways from Sunday. They often end up with flashy correlations but never solid causations.

QUICK HITS:

Ohio MMJ proponents hit their first mark, but still have a long way to go. The state attorney general OK’d their initial initiative summary. If it’s approved by the secretary of state, Ohioans for Medical Marijuana will have until early July to collect 305,591 signatures to qualify for the November ballot.
Tampa, home to some of America’s last prohibition advocacy groups, votes to decriminalize small amounts of cannabis. People are still getting 10-year prison terms for cannabis. A federal judge in Maryland sentenced 34-year-old Leonaldo Harris to a decade behind bars for moving 1,000 to 3,000 kilos between California and Maryland. By the time Harris sees freedom, Maryland will be selling that much every day, legally, from retail stores.
Georgia’s medical marijuana bill dies as the legislature closes its 2016 session. Condolences to Rep. Allen Peake, a good man fighting a tough battle. See you in 2017, Allen!
And finally: The cast of Silicon Valley guesses what actual (Anaplan, Sprinklr, Twilio, Klarna) Silicon Valley companies do. We here at Leafly are, of course, huge T.J. Miller fans, but man, I’m telling you, Martin Starr will be funny until he draws his last breath upon this earth.

PGT Episode #292- Houses of Holy

PGT Episode #292- Houses of Holy Hosted by attorney Michael Komorn from Komorn Law and Chad from Birmingham Compassion Contributions from Rick Thompson from The Compassion Chronicles-also providing the news, and show producer Jamie Lowell from the Third Coast Dispensary in Ypsilanti Tonight- We continue the discussion on autism and cannabis treatments. And- the House […]

Ep. 51 – He's Adam Carolla; He teaches cannabis journalism

Published: Mar 24, 2016, 12:47 pm • Updated: Mar 24, 2016, 12:47 pm Cannabist Staff Featured guests: Comedian Adam Carolla and University of Denver professor Andrew Matranga. Podcast: Play in new window | Download LOTS TO TALK ABOUT • California’s upcoming legalization vote — why Adam Carolla thinks voters will just say no to recreational pot. […]

The Shake: UN Urged to Legalize, Coal Miners OK Cannabis, and D.C. to Host Canna-Fest

Coal miners turn from one combustible resource to another. After Colorado legalized cannabis, the town of Hotchkiss, Colorado, banned retail cannabis businesses, preferring to stick to the coal mines and organic farms that they were used to. Soon after, however, the coal mines went bankrupt, leaving the town economically depressed. Could the solution to their financial woes lie in the legal cannabis industry? (Spoiler alert: Yes, it very well could be.) After realizing that the towns around them that had embraced legal cannabis were thriving, Hotchkiss is now considering its ban on marijuana businesses. Town leaders will vote next month on a measure that would end the ban. The “Friendliest Town Around” may just earn the title of “Happiest,” too.

A groundbreaking report from one of the world’s most respected medical journals urges the United Nations to end prohibition. The report from the Lancet Commission weighs in at a hefty 54 pages, which means that the intricate details are far too numerous to describe here. The implications, though, are huge. The report examines medical research as well as international drug policy, and makes two recommendations that affect our world: rethink international drug policy and end cannabis prohibition once and for all. Read Leafly’s take and dive into the full report here.

It’s the last day for Georgia’s legislature to consider House Bill 722 to expand the state’s medical marijuana program. Today marks the 40th and final day of Georgia’s legislative session, which means lawmakers have until midnight tonight to vote on the bill, which would expand the number of qualifying conditions and establish a patient registry and legal protections for those who qualify. If HB 722 makes it through the Legislature, it will go on to Governor Nathan Deal to await a signature. Although Governor Deal has been fairly neutral on the expansion thus far, recent reports indicate that he does remain sympathetic towards families affected by the program, and the bill’s sponsor, Representative Allen Peake (R-Macon), is confident that “if the Senate passes the bill as is, that Governor Deal will sign it.”

Washington, D.C. announces the first National Cannabis Festival since legalization. After a year’s worth of planning, canna-advocates have planned an elaborate festival this year to be held at RFK Stadium on April 23rd. The ganja gala will feature performances by De La Soul, Congo Sanchez, Backyard Band, Nappy Riddem and Jesse Royal. Don’t be fooled, however – this is not Hempfest. The National Cannabis Festival will be focused on policy and advocacy, complete with educational pavilions and vendors, in addition to a kick-ass music scene. Organizers want to encourage compliance with D.C. laws, so there will be no lighting up on the grounds. If you’re hoping to hit up one of the first festivals of its kind in the nation’s capital, you can grab a ticket for the low-low price of just $35.

QUICK HITS:

Is Donald Drumpf your best bet for a president legalizing cannabis? Merry Jane seems to be under that impression. Although Drumpf argued in favor of legalizing and taxing cannabis back in 1990, he’s been singing a different tune on the campaign trail this time around. Do the ends justify the means?
Alaskan officials tired of waiting on regulators are taking matters into their own hands. The Juneau Planning Commission just issued the first conditional permit for a cannabis business, Fireweed Factory, to begin cultivating cannabis. Under the agreement, Fireweed will adhere to any future state regulatory measures.
A proposal to reduce criminal penalties for cannabis possession may actually have the opposite effect. Harrisburg, Penn., is considering decriminalization, but officers often use their own discretion, giving warnings for small possession amounts. A standardized enforcement method could change that.
Are the Colorado Rockies handing out infused brownies at their concession stands? No. No, they’re not. This is not a real news report, nor would it be legal if it were. Sorry, baseball and cannabis enthusiasts – no such luck.

Consider the Spliff

Why smoke a spliff?

Why would anyone take the fragrant, delicious fluff that is ground cannabis and mix it with tobacco, a known carcinogen, especially if that person’s not a cigarette smoker? Why ever do it?

It’s a fair question.

To be clear, this isn’t a position paper on tobacco. But if you encounter enough cannabis fans, you’re bound to bump into some (especially in Europe) who love spliffs. Some people are almost exclusively spliff smokers. So, what gives?

The Spliff in Theory and Practice

Spliffs are easier to roll. Cannabis can be unpredictable. Its texture depends on a lot of factors, such as the strain, how old it is and how it’s been stored, the way it’s been ground, and so on. Rolling a joint with cannabis alone means you have to take all those factors into account, and it means they differ from time to time. Tobacco mediates that. If the flower is too dry, fresh tobacco adds some springiness. If the bud is too sticky, the tobacco keeps the mixture more workable. Staying with the same kind of tobacco also adds an element of consistency, allowing you to hone your rolling skills instead of trying to hit a moving target.

They smoke better, too. Here are two annoying things about joints: They often run (another term for this is canoe), meaning one side burns faster than the other. They also have a tendency to self-extinguish. (“Can I borrow your lighter again?”) Adding tobacco mitigates both problems. Because rolling tobacco is cut fine, it fills in those air pockets within the ground cannabis. And because it’s less sticky, it’s less likely than cannabis alone to clump together and prevent a smooth draw. The result: A spliff is more likely to offer a uniform smoke from beginning to end.

Your cannabis lasts longer. Say, for the sake of argument, a gram of quality flower costs about $12. A pouch of high-quality rolling tobacco contains about 35 grams — and costs the same amount. Assuming a joint and a spliff weigh roughly the same, the spliff is far cheaper. That also means you can stretch a gram of cannabis much further.

They’re usually less potent than a pure joint. A good thing or a bad thing, right? If you’re looking to get baked-out-of-your-gourd high, spliffs might not be for you. But a lot of spliff smokers say they like their cannabis intake in smaller increments. A pure joint might contain a half or full gram of cannabis; a spliff usually contains about half that. And because the cannabis is combined with tobacco, you’re not only smoking less bud, you’re also adding nicotine — a stimulant — to the mix. Just like how sometimes a sativa fits better than an indica, there are times one might prefer a spliff over something else.

Spliffs are more discreet. Say you live in a Seattle apartment that doesn’t allow smoking. Consumption in public is illegal. Cannabis cafes don’t exist. What do you do? If you’re like a lot of people, you smoke in a tucked-away spot, in the rain, where you hopefully don’t bother anyone else. To the degree you’re worried about a ticket from the police, smoking something that smells more like a cigarette can be reassuring. (Please don’t break the law and blame me, but for real, what is everyone else doing out there?)

You won’t smoke a paper crutch by accident. If you use a crutch — a little folded-up paper tip that acts as the “butt” of whatever you’re rolling — you risk accidentally inhaling a cloud of icky, acrid smoke if the paper starts to smolder. This usually happens at the end of a joint, when you’re trying to make use of every last crumb of cannabis. Tobacco solves that. Just leave a little pinch before the crutch. When you stop tasting cannabis, toss it.

Reasons Not to Like Spliffs

You’re smoking tobacco. This is the most controversial aspect of the spliff, for obvious reasons. Scientists have documented anti-cancer properties of compounds in cannabis. Tobacco is a known carcinogen. It’s utterly horrible for your health.* Smoke a spliff only if you’ve considered and accepted that.

You smell like tobacco. And taste like it. That can be gross to those around you, or even to yourself. See above.

You miss out on taste. Cannabis is delicious. If you don’t like tobacco, it’s not nearly as enjoyable to mix your flower with the guts of a cigarette. “There’s a reason people are smoking joints from buds,” said Patrick Rooney at Vashon Velvet, a grower in Washington state. “It’s a perfect vehicle for the cannabis flavor to come through.” Tobacco, on the other hand, tastes like tobacco. Good tobacco tastes better, but it still tastes like a cigarette. If you want to Strawberry Cough to taste like actual strawberries, try vaping or a dab.

If you’re a medical patient, talk to your doctor. Medical cannabis is a real thing, no matter what certain politicians or DEA chiefs want to tell you. If you’re using cannabis for treatment, adding tobacco to the mix is probably a bad idea.

Spliff Etiquette

Tell people it’s a spliff. If you’re sharing, people you’re passing to deserve to know what they’ll be smoking. Practice full disclosure. It’s common here in Seattle to hear two things when someone passes a joint: what strain of cannabis it is and whether or not there’s tobacco in it.

Tell people how much tobacco is in it. A lot of spliff smokers use as little tobacco as possible, mostly for the benefits described above. Others are cigarette smokers who like to toss in a little cannabis now and again. When sharing, most people describe how something’s rolled in percentages — 60 percent cannabis, 40 percent tobacco, for example. It’s nice to mention distribution, too. If you’ve put all the cannabis up front (which makes a difference, scientifically speaking), that’s something worth mentioning to friends.

Hacks: How to Roll a Better Spliff

Use quality tobacco. If you buy cigarettes in packs and then cannibalize them for tobacco, you’re doing it wrong. Go to a tobacco shop and ask for a pouch of good rolling tobacco. Just like cigarette smokers, there’s a lot of brand loyalty at play here. Spliff aficionados on the West Coast used to swear by Bali Shag, but for my money the best out there now is Peter Stokkebye’s line of roll-your-own (RYO). Choose wisely. Many of the benefits that come from rolling a spliff instead of a pure joint are lost if you use dry, crunchy cigarette tobacco instead of fluffy, soft rolling tobacco. It’s one thing if you’re in a bind and only have a friend’s cig, but if you actually like spliffs, buy something better.

Fold a proper crutch. It’s common for joint smokers to learn how to roll a crutch by doing just that: rolling it. The result, viewed on end, looks like a kind of spiral. There’s a better way!

Start by bending the paper back and forth, like an accordion, about two thirds of the way up the crutch.

Make the width of each fold about as wide as you’d like the tip of the spliff.

Try to avoid creasing the folds too much, as that can end up blocking the whole thing.

To finish, roll the remaining paper around it. Why? For at least two reasons, maybe three.

First, it’s more effective at keeping tobacco out of your mouth, because the paths between the mixture and your mouth are much smaller. (Raw cannabis can be eaten without much effect; tobacco at high enough doses can kill you.)
Second, the folds make the crutch more durable, meaning clenching it too tightly in your fingers or lips won’t easily make it collapse. (The accordion-style crutch also looks much cooler.)

Don’t twist the tip. You know that classic “joint” look, where the excess paper is twisted shut at one or both ends? That’s a helpful way to make a spliff more portable if you’re bringing one along for later, but it’s not necessary if you’re going to smoke right away. It also creates a big wad of paper that can end up making the spliff harder to light and more likely to burn unevenly. Experiment with skipping this step next time.

Use a golf pencil, maybe? Most people pack down the ends of their spliffs, and they use all manner of gizmos to do it (nearby sticks when camping, the end of a key, etc). I’ve found golf pencils work splendidly. They’re cheap, easy to pocket, and they don’t have erasers on the end like regular pencils, which sometimes snag on rolling papers. Making sure the spliff is packed uniformly will ensure a smoother, more reliable smoke. But be careful — pack too tight and you won’t be able to smoke it at all. If that happens, tear the thing apart before you light it and start over. Life can be tough like that.

Do you love a spliff or do you hate them? Let us know in the comments about your experience with spliffs and why you choose to smoke them (or why you choose not to). If you have any tips, tricks, or questions, we want to know!

* I’ve really grappled with the fact I smoke tobacco in spliffs. Over the years I’ve tried growing mint and dehydrating it, which was ineffective and maybe stupid, as well as using a “smoking blend” advertised as a “tobacco alternative” that I once bought at a farmer’s market, then later discovered was probably more poisonous than tobacco. If you have solved this problem, please get in touch immediately.

Image Source: Sara Dilley

Blockbuster Report Backs U.N. Cannabis Regulation, End to Prohibition

A major report issued this morning by The Lancet, one of the world’s most respected medical journals, urges the United Nations to rethink its drug policy and adopt a number of major changes, including an end to cannabis prohibition. Leafly has made the full document available below.

The report marks a radical rethinking of global drug policy and may influence the U.N.’s upcoming General Assembly special session on drug policy, scheduled for April 19–21 at the U.N. headquarters in New York.

“We believe that the weight of evidence for the health and other harms of criminal markets and other consequences of prohibition,” wrote the body of 26 co-authors, “is likely to lead more countries (and more U.S. states) to move gradually towards regulated drug markets — a direction we endorse.”

The report comes with the full institutional weight of The Lancet and the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, which asked experts in drug policy and public health to review the global evidence of current drug policies on health impacts. The report was timed “with the hope that it would enrich discussions at the time of the UN General Assembly Special Session on the world drug problem.”

The previous U.N. special session on drug policy convened in 1998 under the theme, “A drug-free world — we can do it!”

That slogan turned out to be both untrue and profoundly harmful, the Lancet/Johns Hopkins report concludes. “The war on drugs and zero-tolerance policies that grew out of the prohibitionist consensus are now being challenged on multiple fronts, including their health, human rights, and development impact.”

The report calls for a paradigm shift in the way international leaders think about drug policy. “The idea that all drug use is dangerous and evil has led to enforcement-heavy policies and has made it difficult to see potentially dangerous drugs in the same light as potentially dangerous foods, tobacco, and alcohol, for which the goal of social policy is to reduce potential harms,” the committee wrote.

Mass incarceration in the United States, racial bias in arrest rates, and the massive loss of life in the Mexican drug war are among the factors cited by the committee. “In Mexico,” the report states, “the striking increase in homicides since the government decided to use military force against drug traffickers in 2006 has been so great that it reduced life expectancy in the country.”

The commission also called out federal research policies in the United States, which have overwhelmingly funded research aimed at finding harm, while blocking efforts to explore the potential healing powers of substances like cannabis. “There is an urgent need to bring the best of non-ideologically-driven health science, social science, and policy analysis to the study of drugs and the potential for policy reform.” This is something scientists and medical cannabis advocates have been saying for years. The Lancet/Johns Hopkins report gives those requests strong institutional, evidence-based backing.

The United Nations does not directly prohibit or regulate drugs, but its member nations are expected to conform to the goals and policies established by the organization.

The full report can be read below.

The Lancet: Public health and international drug policy (2016)

The Leafly Marketwatch: Which Illegal States are the Most Cannabis Curious?

In January we examined what percentage of people looking at legal dispensary pages (Colorado, Washington, and Oregon) on Leafly.com were from other states, providing some insight into the growing appeal of cannabis tourism. Today we’ll identify the states that are the most “cannabis curious,” meaning they either have very limited medical marijuana laws or are illegal states, yet they can’t help but sneak peeks at Leafly to look up strains and dispensaries or read the latest cannabis news.

In the below chart, we highlighted 26 states where cannabis is either outright illegal or only allows limited access to CBD products, and charted their visits to Leafly over a six-month period.

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July 2015 – January 2016 Visits to Leafly.com from Non-Legal States
(click on the image to see an enlarged version)

Everything’s Bigger in Texas, Even Cannabis Interest

Leading the charge for cannabis curiosity is Texas, which isn’t surprising — if you recall January’s Marketwatch chart, you know that nearly 33% of the traffic to Colorado dispensary pages comes from Texas. The state has recently made many efforts to soften its cannabis laws. Last year Texas introduced six different cannabis-related bills and passed a limited medical marijuana bill legalizing cannabis oil for epileptic patients. Unfortunately, many Texans are clamoring for expanded access to medical marijuana for illnesses such as PTSD. Texas’ CBD program is scheduled to debut in 2017, which could also be when the state decides to expand its medical marijuana program (although we encourage that to happen much sooner).

Florida has also made persistent efforts to legalize in the past two years. Like Texas, Florida legalized the limited use of CBD (the Charlotte’s Web strain for epilepsy and seizure treatment), and it also peeks at legal markets’ dispensary pages. In November 2014, Florida tried to legalize medical marijuana and even attracted nearly 58% of the votes in favor of passing the measure, but the state requires a 60% majority in order to pass so alas, Florida came up short. Fortunately, advocates remained undeterred, and organizers announced in early 2016 that they’ve gathered enough signatures to qualify another measure for this year’s November election.

Here’s a quick rundown of the other states rounding out the top six on the list:

Georgia: Last year it legalized high-CBD, low-THC cannabis oil for qualifying patients, but Representative Allen Peake doesn’t think that’s good enough. He spearheaded House Bill 722, which would expand the state’s qualifying conditions and set up a dispensary system similar to Minnesota’s. Unfortunately, the bill is currently stalled in the Senate Health and Human Services Committee.

Pennsylvania: The Keystone State has a history of approving bills that later get stalled in the House or fail to receive review hearings. Earlier this month the House once again voted to legalize medical marijuana, which would allow a number of conditions, put no cap on the amount of THC allowed, and approve up to 150 dispensaries. The bill now, you guessed it, goes to the House for approval.

Virginia: Last year Virginia legalized high-CBD, low-THC cannabis oil for epilepsy patients, but recent efforts focus on decriminalizing cannabis and reducing possession penalties to civil fines. That doesn’t sound like much progress, but recall that Virginia’s arrests for cannabis possession increased by 76% between 2003 and 2014, including a disproportionately high 106% increase in arrests of black people despite Virginia’s 20% black population.

Ohio: The Buckeye State’s failed November legalization campaign (in which ResponsibleOhio tried to legalize both medical marijuana and recreational cannabis) was criticized by voters for trying to essentially set up a monopoly. Not to be deterred, advocates bounced back with an initiative focused on medical marijuana only. Legalization groups are currently working to gather enough signatures to qualify the new initiative for the November ballot.

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Which Illegal States Have Recently Become More Cannabis-Curious?

Interestingly, a number of states have experienced profound growth in traffic to Leafly.com at the end of 2015 compared to the beginning of the year.

Increase in Visits to Leafly.com from Non-Legal States from the First Six Months of 2015 to the Last Sixth Months of 2015
(click on the image to see an enlarged version)

Four have all experienced noticable growth in traffic to Leafly.com in 2015:

South Dakota is one of the only states with no cannabis laws whatsoever, with voters rejecting medical marijuana initiatives in both 2006 and 2010. However, last fall New Approach South Dakota gathered over 16,000 voter signatures in support of a new medical marijuana legalization measure. Although Secretary of State initially rejected the initiatve due to a number of invalid signatures, earlier this month she agreed to re-sample them for validity.

South Carolina legalized CBD oil in 2014, and last fall a state Senate subcommittee passed a bill that would legalize medical marijuana. The bill is currently being considered by the medical affairs committee of the South Carolina Senate, although if this ornery 79-year old Charleston woman had her way, she’d legalize cannabis in her state now (presumably after chiding Marco Rubio some more).

Idaho’s increase in visits to Leafly.com isn’t surprising given that the state is flanked on all sites by neighbors that either allow medical marijuana or have legalized outright. Unfortunately, it joins South Dakota as one of the few fully illegal states, and it has a hostile cannabis climate thanks to its tough cannabis laws and a governor who’s cozy with pharmaceutical companies and Big Tobacco. New Approach Idaho had put out a medical marijuana petition but pulled it earlier this month after a misunderstanding involving the American Academy of Pediatrics.

Arkansas is another completely illegal state, though it’s not for lack of trying. It’s had seven different ballot initiatives rejected by Attorney General Leslie Rutledge. She blames poor wording and construction on the failed initiatives, although there’s a silver lining for Arkansans: two medical marijuana initiatives are vying for the November ballot, one of which (the Arkansas Medical Cannabis Act), secured enough signatures to qualify.

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What’s Going on with Kentucky and Oklahoma?

One state experienced the smallest amount of growth in traffic to Leafly.com in 2015, and two actually sent less traffic in the back half of the year than in the beginning. We’ll ignore Virginia for now since it’s still one of the top five trafficked states to our website, so a reduction in growth doesn’t really raise our eyebrows.

Kentucky is a curious landscape — not only is cannabis completely illegal, it’s also one of three entirely “dry” states in the country, requiring counties to specifically authorize alcohol sales (38 of its 120 counties are dry, while 49 are either “moist” or dry with special circumstances). Given that many residents are unable to legally procure cannabis or alcohol, it’s unsurprising to discover that Kentucky has a terrible heroin problem, and a drug that’s been prescribed to addicts in an effort to wean them off heroin has created another addiction dilemma. Kentucky’s interest in cannabis has been low-key, but we just want to point out that states with legal medical marijuana have seen a 25% decrease in prescription painkiller overdose deaths, so perhaps it’s time the Bluegrass State gets a little more canna-curious in 2016.

Oklahoma legalized CBD oil for qualified patients in 2015, and that seems to be all the state wants for now in terms of cannabis reform. In January, a medical marijuana legalization effort fronted by Green the Vote only managed to gather 70,000 signatures of the nearly 124,000 needed to get the issue on the ballot. A 2014 attempt also came far short of the signatures required. Oklahoma has also been in the news lately for teaming up with Nebraska to sue Colorado and have its legal cannabis market declared unconstitutional. Thankfully, earlier this week the Supreme Court dismissed the lawsuit, although lawyers pointed out that Nebraska and Oklahoma officials could bring their lawsuit to the federal district court.

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Business Takeaways

This data is interesting from a consumer standpoint, but how can it help your business? Simply put, it’s crucial for the cannabis industry to understand its market and the growing (or declining) interest occurring across the country, providing insight into which states could be the next to legalize medical or recreational cannabis and thus open up a new business opportunity. By keeping tabs on these cannabis-curious states, you could be getting a leg up on your competition by identifying which markets could open up next and being ready to expand your business into exciting new frontiers when the moment strikes.

How canna-curious is your state? Share your thoughts in the comments below and weigh in as to whether you think your state could be the next to join the growing cannabis movement. Also, if you’re a cannabis business looking to out-pace your competition, find out how Leafly can help you succeed!

Save Over $300 On Registration To America’s Most Important Cannabis Event Of The Year

The marijuana industry is growing faster than any other industry in America. Projections have been coming out a lot lately as to how big the industry will get in the future, and the numbers are massive. However, I’m always quick to point out to people that just because the industry is growing right now, and

Supernova Women Presents Second FREE Seminar Regarding People Of Color And Cannabis

I love cannabis, and I love diversity. Below is an event that will involve both. If you are in the area, you should check it out: Supernova is pleased to present a second FREE seminar for the POC community focused on subjects relating to medical cannabis, legalization, and prison reform. The evening was created in

Treating withdrawal symptoms could help cannabis users quit, study finds

Treating symptoms of cannabis withdrawal could help heavy users stay clean longer, finds a new study. Marijuana’s long half-life and users’ reports of primarily psychological withdrawal symptoms have fueled the longstanding controversy among clinicians and researchers about whether physiological dependency and withdrawal symptoms actually occur.

State of the Leaf: Hawaii May Decriminalize Drugs, Newsom Has a Cali Crush on Legalization

The legislative train is never-ending and this week is no exception. Iowans speak up in support of medical cannabis, while Alabama, Florida, New Jersey and South Carolina are all considering bills to expand limited medical programs. Maryland’s legislature is trying to take a step back on decriminalization, while Hawaii makes waves by considering legislation that could decriminalize all drugs in an unprecedented move. Leafly’s on the legalization beat and we’ve got our eye on the prize of progress.

U.S. Cannabis News

ALABAMA

Representative Mike Ball (R-Madison) is pushing to decriminalize the possession of cannabis oil in an effort to provide legal protection to the families hoping to access cannabidiol under Carly’s Law, which was passed in 2014 and allowed a research study at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. The new law, known as “Leni’s Law,” the new law should be based on the UAB study, according to Attorney General Luther Strange, but advocated the formation of a task force rather than immediate action. The measure was scheduled to receive a vote last week, but was postponed by the House Judiciary Committee.

CALIFORNIA

It may come as no surprise, but Lieutenant Governor Gavin Newsom has officially signed on in support of the Adult Use of Marijuana Act, arguably the foremost cannabis legalization initiative in California. Newsom disclosed his support in an op-ed piece where he outlined the many failures of the War on Drugs and the need for a smarter approach. He convened the Blue Ribbon Commission in 2013 to examine the best practices of legalization and make recommendations on the transition for the state to legalize cannabis recreationally. The endorsement bodes well for the AUMA, which has gathered more than 91,470 signatures in support. Petitioners will need to gather 365,880 valid signatures by July 5, 2016 to earn a spot on the ballot for November.

CONNECTICUT

Connecticut’s Public Health Committee voted to move forward with a proposal that would allow minors who suffer from certain medical conditions to have access to medicinal cannabis. Raised House Bill 5450 would allow minors who suffer from one of the six qualifying medical marijuana conditions to access medical cannabis, as long as they have permission from a parent or legal guardian, primary care provider and a physician that specializes in the condition. The proposal also specifies that the forms of cannabis that minors have access to must not be smoked, vaporized or inhaled, limiting forms to edibles and oil concentrates.

FLORIDA

House Bill 307 to expand Florida’s medical marijuana program was approved by the Legislature last week and is currently awaiting the signature of Governor Rick Scott, but advocates are concerned that the bill is simply a stopgap. The bill would allow the use of another form of low-THC medical marijuana, but is only available for patients suffering from terminal illnesses, and points to the repeated efforts of the Legislature to prevent the expansion of any medical cannabis program in Florida. Although the low-THC, Charlotte’s Web law was passed in 2014, patients have yet to access medicine.

In the meantime, the City of Tampa passed an ordinance to lessen penalties for the possession of less than 20 grams of cannabis to a civil fine of $75 for the first offense, $150 for the second offense and $300 for any additional offenses.

HAWAII

Hawaii’s House Judiciary Committee is considering a House Resolution, HCR 127, that would make Hawaii the first state ever to decriminalize all drugs, from cannabis to heroin, in an unprecedented move for United States legislature. The measure would require the state’s Legislative Reference Bureau to conduct an extensive study on the possibility and “advisability” of decriminalizing the possession of illegal drugs for personal use, reducing offenses to an administrative or civil violation. The study would also examine the model set forth by Portugal, whose full decriminalization of drugs and record of treating drug abuse as a health issue rather than a criminal one has been widely hailed as a success.

IOWA

Iowa’s chances to pass legislation to expand the state’s limited medical marijuana access grow slimmer with each passing day. A rally was held this week in the Capitol by the group Iowans 4 Medical Cannabis in support for the medical marijuana legislation, who urged that time is running out for legislators to consider the bill before the session ends. Iowa’s Democratic-controlled Senate approved the medical marijuana expansion bill in 2015, but when the bill reached the Republican-controlled Iowa House, the Legislature did not act on it. Representative Peter Cownie (R-West Des Moines) re-introduced similar legislation in this year’s session, but House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Representative Tom Sands (R-Wapello) said that no decision has been made yet on whether to advance the bill.

In other Iowa news, support for the use of cannabis for medicinal purposes has reached an all-time high. The Des Moines Register has polled readers for several years running and the support for the use of medicinal marijuana has steadily grown from 59 percent in 2014 to 70 percent in 2015. This year, the Iowa Poll found that 78 percent of Iowan adults support the use of medical marijuana. Perhaps it’s time for members of the Iowa House to start reading the Des Moines Register.

MARYLAND

The Maryland House of Delegates passed a bill that would instate harsh penalties for the public consumption of cannabis, essentially reversing the decision to decriminalize the use of cannabis signed by Martin O’Malley in 2014 by making it a misdemeanor and a $500 fine to consume cannabis in a public place. The legislation was sponsored by Delegate Brett Wilson, although multiple delegates spoke up against the measure, arguing that this law would have a disproportionate effect on young black people in Maryland, particularly because public consumption is already illegal under the current decriminalization law. The General Assembly approved the bill, which will now be sent to the other chamber for consideration.

NEW JERSEY

New Jersey Health Commissioner Cathleen Bennett appointed a panel of experts to determine whether or not to add post-traumatic stress disorder, chronic pain and other conditions to the state’s qualifying conditions. The medical marijuana rules adopted in 2011 allow patients the right to petition the panel to consider adding more conditions; however, the state Health Department never appointed a panel, leaving patients in the dark and unable to take action. Prospective patients who submitted requests to expand the conditions had them rejected on the basis that there was no panel to consider them.

Additionally, Governor Chris Christie is vehemently opposed to any expansion of the medical marijuana program, and the current panel of experts lack expertise in the field of medical cannabis. Only one of the five doctors on the panel, Cheryl Kennedy, is registered to recommend cannabis to patients. The eight person panel consists of:

Cheryl Kennedy, psychiatrist at University Hospital in Newark
Stewart Berkowitz, President of the New Jersey State Board of Medical Examiners
Jessica Scerbo, pediatric hematology/oncology physician at Monmouth Medical Center
Alex Bekker, professor of anesthesiology at Rutgers NJ Medical School
Petros Levounis, Chair of the Psychiatry Department at Rutgers NJ Medical School

SOUTH CAROLINA

The Medical Affairs Committee of the South Carolina Senate is considering a bill that would create options for the medicinal use of cannabis, although the first hearing scheduled for the committee to consider the bill has already been canceled, an ominous sign for cannabis advocates in the Palmetto State. Although the state passed the Medical Cannabis Therapeutic Treatment Research Act in 2014, known as “Julian’s Law,” the law is vastly unregulated and does not allow production or access within the state.

WASHINGTON

Washington’s Liquor and Cannabis Board revised the draft rules for implementing cannabis legislation after taking comments from the public into consideration during seven town hall hearings starting last fall. Some of the more impactful highlights from the revisions include:

Removal of the required “Mr. Yuk” stickers on all cannabis-infused edibles products
Allowing cannabis retailers to accept opened marijuana product returns with original packaging
Any products that are exposed to detectable levels of unauthorized pesticides, fertilizers and growth regulators are subject to seizure and destruction
All cannabusiness operators are required to possess a WSLCB-issued license or their businesses will be discontinued
Failure to address monetary penalties for two or more violations in a three-year period will result in a license cancelation

International Cannabis News

EUROPE

A new report from the International Narcotics Control Board found that Morocco is and continues to be one of the world’s largest producers of cannabis and the leading supplier of cannabis resin in Europe. The report found that there were 46,196 hectares (116,623 acres) devoted to the production and harvesting of cannabis within Morocco’s borders in 2013, and the board, which is affiliated with the United Nations, said that it expects to achieve its goal of reducing that number to 34,000 hectares (84,015 acres) by the year 2020. Curiously, however, even as the acreage of land used for cannabis cultivation has decreased, the concentration of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is on the rise in cannabis from Morocco.

The Shake: Tricky Dick's Racist Drug War. Also, What's 'Biosynthesis'?

“Not a crook,” maybe, but definitely a racist and a liar. That’s right, we’re talking Tricky Dick Nixon. In the forthcoming issue of Harper’s, Dan Baum dives deep into the racism and political gamesmanship behind the Nixon administration’s war on drugs, that pesky movement that for decades has limited personal freedom, jailed millions of nonviolent offenders, and prevented scientific research into potentially lifesaving medicines. Baum quotes a Nixon policy advisor who acknowledges the drug war wasn’t an effort to keep citizens healthy and sober at all, but rather a ploy to suppress “the antiwar left and black people.” We all know politics can be ugly, but this is political scumbaggery that, Donald Trump notwithstanding, would be almost unfathomable today. It’s a reminder why efforts to address racial inequities in the industry aren’t just the right thing to do — they’re morally obligatory. The piece is long, but you should read the whole thing. If you’re busy and looking for a truncated version, try Julianne Escobedo Shepherd’s piece on Jezebel. Either way, get ready for bombs like this one from Nixon policy advisor John Ehrlichman:

“The Nixon campaign in 1968, and the Nixon White House after that, had two enemies: the antiwar left and black people. You understand what I’m saying? We knew we couldn’t make it illegal to be either against the war or black, but by getting the public to associate the hippies with marijuana and blacks with heroin, and then criminalizing both heavily, we could disrupt those communities. We could arrest their leaders, raid their homes, break up their meetings, and vilify them night after night on the evening news. Did we know we were lying about the drugs? Of course we did.”

Brookings Institution takes on “the medical marijuana MESS.” The nonpartisan think tank (we can argue whether it’s “left” or “center-left”) published a lengthy piece on how the patchwork of medical cannabis laws across the U.S. is ultimately failing patients. Senior Brookings fellow John Hudak delves into the legal morass, profiling patients whose stories are “typical of the many people victimized by an unjust, arbitrary, and downright harmful system that hinders access to a clinically proven medical benefit.” (Members of Congress, do you ever actually read this stuff?) “It’s time,” Hudak concludes, “for government to transform medical marijuana policy into a system that is rational, functional, consistent, and informed by science — not politics.” What a novel idea.

What if we could replicate natural cannabinoids in a lab? THC can be produced from yeast. That we already knew. But Alan Brochstein over at New Cannabis Ventures thinks that’s only the beginning. Biosynthesis, he writes, has the potential to radically change the cannabis industry by allowing scientists to produce terpenes “at potentially a fraction of the cost” of growing actual plants. The technology is still in its infancy, so don’t hold your breath, but with all the talk of terpenes from the medical industry and even recreational-market extract artists, expect to hear more soon.

California city can’t help defend dispensary against feds, U.S. Supreme Court says. Federal authorities back in 2012 sued in an effort to seize property from Harborside Health Center, a massive dispensary in Oakland, Calif. Since then the case has stalled while federal judges decide whether to let the city come to the shop’s defense. Officials say Oakland would lose millions if the dispensary were to shut down, but this week Supreme Court justices denied the city a chance to make that argument in court. That’s bad for Harborside, but it’s even worse for cities who want a say in such things. The latest ruling on the merits of the case allows Harborside to remain open for now, but that could be overturned on appeal.

Washington state issues emergency recall rules. There’s no official recall yet, but the rules, released earlier today, are already causing a lot of buzz in the industry. One big reason: We’re still waiting to see how, or whether, the Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board (LCB) will deal with disclosures that pesticide-laden products are being sold on store shelves. The emergency rules, available on the LCB website, weren’t exactly well publicized; they were tucked under a laundry list of far less urgent proposed rules the agency is still considering, in an email titled “Board Revises Draft Marijuana Rules Following Public Comment Period.” We’ll keep you posted on any potential recalls as well as whatever the LCB means by saying recalls might happen for “aesthetic reasons.” (Your guess is as good as mine.)

QUICK HITS: No more Mr. Yuk. The Washington State Liquor Control Board, in an update to its proposed rules, scrapped a proposal that would require edibles carry a Mr. Yuk sticker, which signals, quite literally, poison — something cannabis isn’t. The latest revisions are available as Word doc (sorry). It’s harvest time at Latin America’s largest legal cannabis grow. Flower from the 6,000-plant outdoor grow near the city of Colbun, Chile, will go to 4,000 medical patients — entirely free of charge. Google is blocking ads for (legal) medical cannabis. Why? Because it’s “dangerous.” Illegal cannabis production “dropped dramatically” in in Washington state in recent years, a new DEA report says. In other words, legalization has done what the DEA couldn’t. In the other Washington: De La Soul will headline the National Cannabis Festival, set for April 23 at RFK Stadium in Washington, D.C. Lawyers can write listicles, too. Attorney Hilary Bricken at Canna Law Blog has “Five Things You Probably Didn’t Know About Washington State Marijuana Laws.” News everyone can use: You can now legally tip your budtender. The only legal cannabis in New Zealand is a prescription mouth spray. One woman wants to change that. (Probably a lot of other people want to change it, too, but a tip of the hat to Rose Renton.) Guess who’s talking about cannabis cultivation? Morocco, that’s who. The plant is categorically illegal in the country, but political parties are signaling that could change. Today in hemp: Production is expanding in Kentucky and scaling down in Tennessee. And finally, Bernie was on Jimmy Kimmel Live. Cannabis came up, which is a good enough excuse to post the video here:

Hemp Shoes: Sweet Kicks or Hippie Bricks? Our Guide to the Greatest and Ghastliest

Nike recently announced that it will be releasing a special new line of hemp sneakers just in time for 4/20. The Swoosh brand has released commemorative shoes for special occasions in the past, but we’re more than a little tickled that its latest creation is inspired by the species Cannabis sativa L. Called the “Hemp” Dunk Low, the sneakers are constructed from real hemp and will be released in the United States on April 20th.

In honor of these new fly-high kicks, we’ve compiled a list of the greatest and ghastliest hemp shoes ever devised – from the funky to the fresh, we’ve looked at them all. Which pair would you wear?

1. The Greatest

Our choice for the coolest hemp-inspired footwear comes from Vans. The Bali SF is available for just $52. Not only do they look comfy, they come in multiple colors, including the classic “Hemp Black/Rasta,” making them hard to resist since they appeal to your inner Rastafarian.

Degree of hempness: 1 irate Harry Anslinger

2. The Hippest

Hemp-loving hipsters, rejoice! TOMS, the environmentally-friendly shoe company known for its philanthropic efforts as part of the “buy one, give one” program, offers a multitude of hemp shoes for both men and women, so your heart will feel as awesome as your feetsies once you slip these puppies on.

Degree of hemponomy: 2 glasses of hemp milk

3. The Funkiest

Our vote for funkiest hemp high tops goes to the Tubular X Mens from Adidas Originals. These shoes have serious lift, but they take a bold personality to pull them off. If you feel like tapping through town in shoes inspired by Marty McFly’s self-lacing futuristic sneakers from Back to the Future 2, this is the shoe for you!

Degree of hempopathy: 1 fifth of hemp-infused artisanal vodka

4. The Comfiest

These boaters aren’t the most fashionable, but they’ll leave your feet feeling as easy and breezy as walking on a cloud. Sanuk offers a plethora of hemp shoes, but these Sidewalk Surfers are perfect for cruising the pavement. They scream that you are cool, casual, and have no interest in fashion but every interest in kushy comfort. Bonus: The description reads “Just because you can roll it doesn’t mean you can smoke it…”

Degree of hemporization: 1 quinoa and hemp seed oil salad

5. The Classiest

I know, I know. You hear the phrase “hemp shoes” and your first thought is the antithesis of fashionable class. However, the Waveoff Lace to Toe Oxford would beg to differ. These lace-ups are inspired by the classic Oxford shoe but combine hemp and leather to create an everyday look that is quite on point.

Degree of hempism: 3 gallons of filtered hemp biodiesel fuel

6. The Rarest

These bad boys were constructed entirely from Nepalese hemp, are handmade by artisans in Kathmandu, and are available exclusively from your friendly, everyday Etsy shop, TheHimalayanEmporium. They are entirely unique and (unfortunately) one of a kind.

Degree of hempitude: 5 stalks of unrefined hemp fiber

7. Most Cliché

You guessed it – hemp sandals! From Nomadic State of Mind, these sandals are essentially hemp rope wrapped in various patterns around your toes. They’re easy to slip on and are ideal for lounging on the beach, perfect for music festivals, and versatile enough to guide you on any adventure of your choosing.

Degree of hemposophy: A hemp seed and hemp milk smoothie

8. The Ugliest

Despite their *ahem* “unique” appearance, these five-finger toe shoes are not all that uncommon, and when you consider the target demographic, a hemp version of these minimalist hush puppies make a whole lotta sense. They may not be the sexiest style, but the CVT-Hemp shoes from Vibram offer a unique, barefooted feel, bringing your inner hippier nature lover as close to running barefoot through the forest as possible.

Degree of hempacity: 200 tubes of hemp oil lip balm

9. The Weirdest

It was quite a feat to find the weirdest, funkiest, most unique shoes made entirely from hemp, but we think we’ve found them from a London-based fashion designer who took it upon herself to make a high heel without any stitching, constructed from 3D printing technology and a variety of materials, including hemp. Unfortunately, these shoes were a mock-up only and not for sale, but check them out! They’re fascinatingly shaped and oddly textured. Would you wear them?

Degree of hempophilia: 5 blocks of hempcrete

Image Sources: Vans, Toms, Adidas Originals via Solestruck, Sanuk, Shoes.com, The Himalayan Emporium via Etsy, Nomadic State of Mind, Vibram, and Stephanie Potter Corwin via Concept Kicks.

The Shake: The New Yorker’s Licensing Fail, Feds Forget to Invite Experts to Their Cannabinoid Confab, and a Very Sad Alabama Mother

Here’s how not to issue cannabis licenses. The New Yorker ran a twee article yesterday, “How to Design a Marijuana License Lottery,” that lauded the mathematical theory behind Washington state’s 2014 cannabis license lottery. It’s a fun piece, but it entirely ignores the fact that the lottery was gamed by applicants and resulted in unprepared retailers, scant supply, and dozens of unused ghost licenses. Most states preparing their own licensing regimes now reject Washington’s model in favor of a scoring system that brings the most experienced and prepared actors into the system. Washington itself abandoned the lotto scheme in its latest round of licensing. So… more like how not to design a marijuana license lottery, really.

Feds host a medical cannabis summit, forget to invite medical cannabis experts. The National Institutes of Health opened a two-day conference on cannabinoid medicine this morning in Bethesda, Md. It’s a “historic” event in that this is the first time the NIH has hosted a cannabinoid medicine conference rather than a traditional cannabis harm conference. But NIH organizers somehow forgot to invite most of America’s leading cannabinoid experts and researchers, including UC San Francisco pioneer Donald Abrams, PTSD researcher Sue Sisley, and others doing groundbreaking work outside the NIH’s strict reefer madness mindset. Dr. Sunil Aggarwal, who recently spent a year as a clinical fellow at the NIH campus, told David Downs of the East Bay Express that “there is a strong bureaucratic taboo in discussing any of the reemerging science or art of cannabis medicine” on the Bethesda campus.

Massachusetts AG asks voters to “wait” on legalization. Continuing the Bay State’s full-court press against adult-use legalization, Attorney General Maura Healey asked voters to “see how it plays out in other states” before voting yes. “Not now, not at this time,” she said. “We’re in the midst of this opioid crisis.” Which is odd, because ending the opioid crisis is one of the talking points in favor of legalization. Healey’s ask begs an interesting question, though: How long should voters wait? Colorado and Washington have been legal and regulated for four years now. We’re wondering if she wants a decade to pass. Or two. Perhaps we should wait for more research, too. Because we just don’t know enough.

Alabama cops ruin mom’s anniversary. Police in Heflin, Ala. (that’s on the eastern edge of the Talladega National Forest, y’all), “stopped a vehicle for multiple violations” and claim to have discovered the smell of burning cannabis. According to reports, the officers spotted a box in the car, “sealed with a bow, which the driver claimed was an anniversary gift for his mother.” Inside the box were two pounds of cannabis in a vacuum-sealed bag. “The suspects are now in jail and off our Streets,” reported the Heflin Police Department’s Facebook page, which features a photo of Officer Turner holding said box and anniversary card. We’re not saying that transporting two pounds of cannabis across the fine state of Alabama is the smartest decision an individual can make. We are saying, however, that somewhere out there among the magnolia trees there may be a mother whose anniversary was made just a little bit sadder.

QUICK HITS: From the Department of Least Surprising Headlines comes this from the San Francisco Chronicle: “Gavin Newsom endorses legal marijuana initiative.” Good. The suspense was killing us. (We joke because we love, Gavin. Glad to have the support.) Albany, N.Y., credit union SEFCU goes public as the banking partner working with Vireo Health, one of the state’s new medical cannabis dispensaries.

Cannabis Classic Alaska VIP Passes Available Now

For those that are in the area, I received the following press release. I won’t be at the event, but I hope to visit Alaska someday to check out the scene! I know others that have been to the NW Cannabis Classic events, and had great things to say: Designed for the cannabis enthusiast looking

Why Isn't the Cannabis Industry Feeling the Bern? Here Are Two Good Reasons

Editor’s Note: Marcus H. Johnson is a national political writer whose essays appear on Weekend Politics, Medium, and other outlets. This is the first in a series of opinion pieces, by Johnson and others, that will appear on Leafly in the run-up to the November 2016 election.

Bernie Sanders is the biggest cannabis legalization advocate to ever seriously contend for the presidency. He’s built a formidable campaign and fundamentally changed the way Hillary Clinton has run, from her policy positions to her messaging to her voter outreach. He dueled Clinton to a dead heat in Iowa, trounced her in New Hampshire, and pulled off a Michigan upset that confounded pollsters and pundits alike. His clear position on cannabis — a complete end to federal prohibition — is seen as a strength when set against Clinton’s half-hearted appeal for “more research.”

So why isn’t the cannabis industry doing more to support Sanders?

Money doesn’t lie. In 2015, the National Cannabis Industry Association (NCIA) and the Marijuana Policy Project together donated $24,500 to Rand Paul’s campaign, while offering only $1,000 to Sanders. This year the cannabis industry is almost completely absent from Sanders’ donation records. NCIA lobbyist Michael Correia has given $500 to Bernie. Beyond that, Federal Election Commission records show only a bunch of budtenders and growers tossing in $10 and $25 donations.

The absence of support is glaring. People are asking questions. Shouldn’t the movement and the industry be doing more to feel the Bern?

Not necessarily. Here’s why.

First, the numbers don’t add up. Despite Bernie’s enthusiastic crowds and his fundraising juggernaut, he’s still fallen behind Hillary Clinton by approximately 320 pledged delegates. That’s an all but insurmountable lead. Even strong victories in the delegate-light western states today (Arizona, Idaho, and Utah) probably won’t be enough to propel him past Clinton. Not when he’s unlikely to win delegate-rich states such as New York, California, and Maryland by the margins he’d need to catch her. There’s no sense throwing political and financial capital behind a presidential candidate who’s highly unlikely to win the nomination, especially when those resources could be better spent elsewhere.

Here’s a better reason to hold back on Bernie: That money, energy, and influence can be much better used at the state and local level.

Here legalization advocates can learn something from marriage equality advocates, who used state victories—not presidential support—to propel them to success on the federal level.

States, Not Presidents: How Marriage Equality Became the Law of the Land

It’s easy in hindsight to think that marriage equality was inevitable, that the issue enjoyed slow and steady march toward victory. But that couldn’t be further from the truth. In 1996, the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) made it illegal to federally recognize marriages between two men or two women. The future for nationwide legalization looked bleak.

From 2003 to 2007, Massachusetts was the only state to recognize same-sex marriages. By 2010, that number had only marginally improved to include New Hampshire, Vermont, Iowa, Connecticut, and the non-state of D.C. Nationwide acceptance still looked to be decades away, especially after a string of statewide legislative defeats that included the perennial blue state of California.

The major breakthrough came in 2012, when Maine, Washington State, Maryland, and Minnesota all voted to legalize marriage equality. Those four states created a sense of momentum, and by 2013, 18 states had legalized. A national law was openly discussed, something that would have seemed impossible only five years prior. And finally in June 2015 came the Supreme Court decision in Obergefell v. Hodges, which made marriage equality the law of the land.

Using Language and Humanization to Change Hearts and Minds

What changed? Polling done by advocacy groups found that a large portion of the voting public believed marriage equality would fundamentally change the institution of marriage itself. In many cases, when the issue was raised opponents primarily associated it with gay sex, not marriage.

What advocacy groups like Freedom to Marry did not do was put all their hope, faith, and money behind a national candidate like Barack Obama, whose position on marriage equality was famously “evolving,” very slowly. (Freedom to Marry donated nothing to Obama in 2008, and only around $6,000 in 2012.) Instead, those groups changed how they framed their argument. They began humanizing gay and lesbian couples. They spoke about how these couples deserved the right to make medical care decisions for their spouses, and how they were unfairly denied military and other government benefits. The argument boiled down to a central point: You shouldn’t be punished for who you love.

Framing the issue and controlling the narrative is how you win arguments. For a long time, opponents believed that gay and lesbian marriage was about sex, and they used this outlook to suppress public support for the issue. But humanization is a powerful tool, and the turning point in the fight to legalize came when advocates showed that it was about love, something that all humans desire and want for each other. They also changed the language frame from “gay marriage” to “marriage equality.” When the public saw that real people were being punished simply for loving another person, changing hearts and minds became a lot easier.

The cannabis legalization movement can learn from this, and in many ways already has.

Legalization opponents often frame the issue as an argument about college kids chasing a high and rejecting their societal responsibilities. But medical advances and clinical studies have shown that cannabis has tremendous potential for treating cancers and certain types of epilepsy. Legalization advocates have a powerful humanization tool in medical marijuana, which is quite literally changing lives. You change hearts and minds when you show people that the old narratives around cannabis are wrong. It isn’t all about a recreational high. It is about improving quality of life.

The Path Forward For Marijuana Legalization Advocates

While it still feels as if marijuana legalization on the federal level is far away, that isn’t necessarily the case. As the marriage equality issue showed, massive change can happen very quickly. In 2013, only 18 states had legalized gay and lesbian marriage. By 2015, it was legal nationwide.

Cannabis legalization advocates should follow the playbook of humanization, showing the public that legalization is about improving quality of life, not simply decriminalizing a recreational pursuit. As with marriage equality, a string of statewide legalization victories for marijuana advocates could create the momentum necessary to push for a federal law, new federal DEA standards, or a favorable Supreme Court ruling.

While backing Bernie Sanders and his cannabis legalization platform now might seem like an attractive choice, the delegate math is nearly impossible to overcome. It would be better to use that political and financial capital on statewide battles in 2016 and over the next several years. Several more statewide wins would build on the momentum established in 2012. Changing hearts and minds along the way would do even more for the cause. Bernie Sanders’s support for legalization is groundbreaking, and it is heartening. But it isn’t the key to ending federal prohibition. Shout and vote for Bernie all you want, cannabis advocates. But put your time, energy, and money where it will do the most good: Act locally.

Image Source: Gage Skidmore via Flickr Creative Commons

Cannabis Testing: The Importance of Independent Third Party Analyses of Cannabis Products

This article is sponsored by PlusCBD Oil, a product line from CV Sciences (formerly CannaVest). CV Sciences is one of the leading suppliers and manufacturers of agricultural hemp-derived CBD bulk and finished products. The article is guest-authored by SC Labs, CV Sciences’ chosen laboratory for cannabinoid third party testing.

As more cannabis products enter the marketplace, consumers are faced with the daunting task of discerning which products are safe, effective and trustworthy. Though cannabis consumer products have not yet achieved complete standardization, it’s important and empowering for consumers to be able to trust that their favorite brands go the extra step in providing transparency and showing scientific proof about the contents of the products they are producing. CV Sciences (formerly CannaVest) asked SC Laboratories – their chosen independent laboratory – to explain the importance of analytical testing of cannabis products by an independent third party laboratory, and to help break down the current product attributes that are analyzed when testing products like CV Sciences’ hemp-derived PlusCBD Oil product line. SC Labs shared the following.

What Do Cannabis Testing Laboratories Do?

Analytical testing by an independent third party laboratory is essential in the emerging cannabis market to arm consumers with specific knowledge of products and to help meet regulations where they exist. SC Labs’ role as an independent testing laboratory means that we are not affiliated with the cultivator, the manufacturer, the consumer, or the brand, and have no vested interest in the outcome of the testing. Our goal is simple: to test using known methods in order to offer transparency, quality control, and trust.

Let’s break down the different types of analyses SC Labs currently offers: potency, terpenes, residual solvents, pesticides and microbial contamination.

Testing for Cannabis Potency

Knowing the concentration of a product is essential for consumers interested in using an exact amount of cannabinoids. In our potency analysis, we measure the amount of specific cannabinoids present in a sample, including THC, THCA, CBD, CBDA and CBN. These cannabinoid concentrations can help a consumer identify the type of product to use. Some may seek out products with high levels of THCA while others search specifically for products high in CBD and low in THC. Potency testing is especially important for infused products taken orally, which can take an hour or more to feel the effects of the product.

Testing for Cannabis Terpenes

Terpenes and terpenoids contribute to the variations in the scent of cannabis. Knowing the terpene content can help a consumer choose a product to match a desired smell or effect. SC Labs’ terpene analysis measures the amount of many terpenes and terpenoids, which are naturally-occurring compounds in cannabis.

Testing for Residual Solvents in Cannabis

Solvents are often used to extract cannabinoids and terpenoids from plant material, and vary from chemical-free CO2 to harsher chemicals. If a concentrate is prepared by chemical extraction (by using butane, for example), residual solvents may exist in the final product. By measuring the amounts of solvent in a cannabis concentrate, we are able to provide manufacturers with the information they need to adjust their process and ensure that the highest quality of concentrates are being produced.

Testing for Cannabis Pesticides

The presence of pesticides in a cannabis product indicates that pesticides were used when growing the cannabis or that pesticides contaminated the flower or final product after growing. Knowing about the presence of pesticides in a product allows a consumer to make informed decisions about whether or not to ingest that product. SC Labs’ pesticide analysis currently looks for the presence of 12 pesticides commonly used in cannabis cultivation in California.

Microbial Screening of Cannabis Products

All natural products contain varying amounts of natural micro-flora, and quantifying those amounts can help consumers as well as producers decide which products to use and how to use them. SC Labs’ microbial screen currently quantifies a Total Viable Aerobic Bacteria, Total Viable Yeasts and Molds, and Total Viable Coliforms (including E. coli). We also use polymerase chain reactions (PCR) to screen for the presence or absence of salmonella spp. and possible Shiga toxin producing strains of E.coli. Shiga toxin producing E. coli (STEC) and Salmonella spp. are considered opportunistic pathogens and carry a strict zero tolerance policy in food samples.

SC Labs’ suite of tests provides consumers, producers and retailers with accurate and essential information about the quality and safety of their cannabis and cannabis-derived products. The role of the independent laboratory in providing that information ensures the data’s accuracy and credibility. This is a fundamental relationship critical to the transparency and longevity of a rapidly growing cannabis industry. Working with responsible producers who are dedicated to going the extra step to get their products independently tested should be a pillar in the process of choosing cannabis products. Credible companies will take note of this step and will be eager to share their test results.

Want to learn more about cannabinoid testing? CV Sciences is holding a FREE webinar about Setting the Standards on Cannabinoid Testing on Friday, March 25^th, 2016 at 10:00am PST. To register, please contact CV Sciences at education@nullpluscbdoil.com.

Resources:
[1]
[2] Russo EB. Taming THC: potential cannabis synergy and phytocannabinoid-terpenoid entourage effects. Br J Pharmacol. 2011;163(7):1344-64.

Singapore Takes Its Peculiar Anti-Drug Campaigns Very Seriously

Singapore, the world’s only island city-state, is a gorgeous, clean, lush republic located in Southeast Asia. It also, unfortunately, has some of the harshest drug policies in the world. The Misuse of Drugs Act classifies cannabis as a Class A substance and interprets possession, consumption, manufacturing, import, export, or trafficking to be illegal. Penalties range from caning to life in prison to the death sentence, depending on the amount you’re carrying. Fifteen grams of cannabis or cannabis resin, or 30 grams of “cannabis mixture,” is classified as “presumed trafficking.” Five hundreed grams of cannabis or 100 grams of cannabis resin invokes a mandatory death penalty.

As if having the second highest per-capita execution rate in the world (between 1994 and 1998) isn’t enough of a reason for young Singaporeans to stay far, far away from drugs, Singapore’s Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB) also runs numerous anti-drug campaigns to further deter their youth. And boy, are they interesting.

Here’s a sampling of some of the bureau’s campaigns geared towards teenagers:

“Weed Can’t Be All That Bad, Can It?” — In addition to oddly bolding every instance the letter ‘l’ is used, this poster warns teenagers that “THC … messes with your mind, causing you to hallucinate and see, hear or feel things around you differently,” which can “lead to a whole series of long-term problems for your mind and body.”
“Cannabis: Deadlier Than You Think?” — This cautionary tale warns young travelers who might be excited to visit an unnamed northern European city with “coffeeshops” that offer cannabis (gee, I wonder which it could be) that “consuming cannabis outside of Singapore even for recreational purposes is a criminal offence and the same penalties apply once they return to the country.”
“Criminal Fact Sheet: Cannabis” — Do not be fooled by cannabis’s “mild” image; according to this fact sheet, cannabis carries long-term health effects such as “[tearing] down the body’s resistance to common illnesses such as colds and bronchitis” and also increases the “growth of abnormally structured cells in the body.”

The CNB also has a collection of anti-drug wallpapers for your smartphone that evoke that a blast from the mid-’90s past:

Help Lobby Congress For Medical Marijuana Reform Today

I received the following alert from Americans for Safe Access: Hundreds of medical cannabis patients, researchers, advocates and other stakeholders are visiting lawmakers in Washington, DC, this morning to support the first comprehensive bipartisan federal medical cannabis reform bill ever introduced in the US Congress. Participants in ASA’s National Medical Cannabis Unity Conference are on

US OH: Dewine Rejects Pot Ballot Effort

Dayton Daily News, 21 Mar 2016 – Attorney General Mike DeWine has, for a fourth time, rejected one group’s effort to get a medical marijuana question on Ohio’s ballot. DeWine said Friday he found at least 11 defects in the latest constitutional amendment proposed by the group Ohio Medical Cannabis Care LLC.

Supreme Court Announcement Extends Legalization Debate

DENVER (AP) — Cannabis is a political debate, not a legal one — for now.

The U.S. Supreme Court announced Monday that it won’t consider a lawsuit filed by two other states challenging Colorado’s pot law. But lawyers say that Nebraska and Oklahoma officials could pursue other legal challenges down the road.

For now, the many states considering cannabis laws this year won’t have immediate guidance from the nation’s high court about whether they’re free to flout federal drug law by regulating the drug.

Instead, the 26 states and Washington, D.C., that allow cannabis for medical or recreational purposes don’t have any immediate roadblocks on their marijuana laws.

Nebraska’s attorney general said Monday that his state would consider trying again to challenge Colorado’s pot law, just not directly to the nation’s highest court.

“What it basically tells us is to go forth in the federal district court to start off the lawsuit,” Nebraska Attorney General Doug Peterson said.

A lawsuit by some Nebraska and Kansas law enforcement officials was dismissed last month by a federal court in Denver.

“It doesn’t mean that all the legal wrangling is done,” said Sam Kamin, a law professor at the University of Denver who studies drug law.

“It just means that for a case to end up before the Supreme Court before we have a new president is extremely unlikely.”

Legalization advocates immediately seized on the Supreme Court’s announcement as a signal that states are free to legalize cannabis if they wish.

“States have every right to regulate the cultivation and sale of marijuana, just as Nebraska and Oklahoma have the right to maintain their failed prohibition policies,” said Mason Tvert, spokesman for the Marijuana Policy Project.

“Colorado has done more to control marijuana than just about any other state in the nation. It will continue to set an example for other states that are considering similar laws in legislatures and at the ballot box.”

But Colorado officials weren’t so sure. Colorado Attorney General Cynthia Coffman, a Republican who opposes legal weed, said that while Nebraska and Oklahoma chose the wrong legal approach, pot is very much a question in need of federal guidance.

“The legal questions surrounding (cannabis) still require stronger leadership from Washington,” Coffman said in a statement Monday.

There is a pending federal lawsuit challenging Colorado’s pot law, though the plaintiffs aren’t from Nebraska or Oklahoma.

Two southern Colorado residents last year sued a neighboring cannabis company, saying the business violates federal drug law and should be blocked. The residents are represented by the Washington-based Safe Streets Alliance, which seeks to have a federal court throw out the state’s entire regulated industry. A Denver District Court judge dismissed that lawsuit on Monday, though the plaintiffs could still challenge state officials in federal appeals court.

Want to Open a Dispensary in Detroit? This Map Will Blow Your Mind

If you’re wondering why it can be so difficult to obtain medical cannabis in a state like Michigan, Michael Jackman offered up a clear answer last weekend. Writing in the Detroit Metro Times, Jackman pointed readers to an interactive map recently posted by the City of Detroit. The map is meant to clarify exactly where medical cannabis dispensaries can legally operate within the city limits. Jackman wrote:

“By name, it is called the ‘Medical Marijuana Caregiver Center Eligibility Search Engine.’ But it should be called the ‘Ineligibility Search Engine,’ given the way 90 percent of Detroit seems to be covered in some sort of restrictive area inhospitable to dispensaries.”

The map is a gob-smacking testament to the power of zoning. Or rather, the power of city officials to use zoning as a way to keep dispensaries from operating. The map is confusing, as there are overlapping colors used in the circles to indicate different sensitive uses, like churches and schools, we assume — but there’s no legend or explanatory information contained within the map. The eligible spots are those tiny shards of uncolored space, which you actually can find if you look hard enough.

The address locator seems to be one of the few aspects of the map that works well. Just for fun, we suggest looking up a few of Detroit’s most famous landmarks, to check their eligibility. Enjoy.

Hitsville USA: The original Motown Studios and Museum
2648 W Grand Blvd, Detroit, MI 48208

Comerica Park: Home of the Detroit Tigers
2100 Woodward Ave, Detroit, MI 48201

The former site of Tigers Stadium
2121 Trumbull Ave, Detroit, MI 48216

Detroit Institute of Arts
5200 Woodward Avenue Detroit, Michigan 48202

Joe Louis Arena: Home of the Detroit Red Wings
19 Steve Yzerman Dr, Detroit, MI 48226

Ford Field: Home of the Detroit Lions
2000 Brush St, Detroit, MI 48226

General Motors world headquarters
GM Renaissance Center, Detroit, MI 48243

Detroit Opera House
1526 Broadway St, Detroit, MI 48226

Fisher Body Plant 21
Fisher Body Plant 21, Detroit, MI 48202
One of the world’s greatest derelict factory buildings. Check out these amazing photographs here and here.

The Shake: SCOTUS Rejects Colorado Lawsuit, Racial Disparities Persist, and Infused Nutella is a Thing Now

Colorado cannabis dodges U.S. Supreme Court challenge. The high court on Monday declined to hear a case brought by Nebraska and Oklahoma, who claim Colorado’s adult-use legalization has led to an spike in cannabis coming into their jursidiction. The Obama administration here.

Federal government no good at handling cannabis, federal government says. The Government Accountability Office — a very important (and very boring) behind-the-scenes federal agency — criticized Congress and the Justice Department for failing to adequately monitor, study, or oversee legalization efforts at the state level. You can dive in to the nitty-gritty details over at the Hill or read the GAO report in full, but the upshot is this: If the feds keep tiptoeing around the issue as states take more hands-on approaches, things could get really messy really quickly.

Centers for Disease Control to doctors: Ignore cannabis. Opioid painkiller overdose deaths have become an epidemic in the United States. In response, the CDC last week advised doctors to stop routine testing of pain patients for cannabis. The tests provide little benefit, the institution explained, and could actually increase overdose deaths. Why? Because early indications are that cannabis allows pain patients to make do with lower opioid doses or stop taking prescription painkillers altogether. It’s a good step forward — and also another frustrating example of the federal government talking out of both sides of its mouth when it comes to cannabis policy.

Legalization is failing people of color. The push for legal cannabis isn’t all about tasty dabs and strains with silly names. It’s an ongoing effort to construct a more just and reasonable society — to right decades’ worth of wrongs. So while it’s great to see cannabis arrests nosediving in states that have legalized, it’s troubling that racial disparities persist. In Washington and Colorado, arrests for cannabis between 2008 and 2014 fell by 90 percent and 60 percent, respectively. But racial differences didn’t change at all — in both states, the arrest rates for black people were more than double that of other races, both before and after legalization. If that weren’t bad enough, high startup costs and strict state licensing requirements are keeping many entrepreneurs of color out of the cannabis market. We must do better.

Cannabis-infused Nutella is a thing now. In happier news, a Canadian entrepreneur has come out with hazelnut–chocolate Chrontella as well as Pif, an infused peanut butter that riffs on Jif. A jar of either contains about 300 mg of cannabis extract (roughly 30 standard servings) and goes for about $23 — but it’s only available in Canada. Clint Rainey over at Grub Street captures our feelings perfectly with this painful play on words: “the perfect way to add the incr- to your edible.” Someone get Rainey a crêpe already.

For Arkansas, there’s good news and there’s bad news. Here’s the bad news: According to the wonks at Canna Law Blog, yours is over at ABC’s Little Rock affiliate, KATV, then go register to vote if you haven’t already.

Massachusetts officials really, really hate cannabis. If you’ve been paying attention to what’s going on in the state, you probably knew that already. The latest attack comes from state Sen. Jason M. Lewis, who chairs a special legislative committee on cannabis. Shortly after the committee published a report on legalization in the state, Lewis came out in opposition to a pending adult-use ballot measure. He claims legalization would boost the accessibility of cannabis for minors and increase the perception among kids that the substance is safe to use. For a guy who just oversaw a taxpayer-funded research project about legalization, you’d think Lewis would try harder to get his facts straight.

QUICK HITS: Cannabis growers are looking to “traditional farmers” for lessons. Because — get ready for it — it turns out cannabis is just a plant. If you haven’t heard, there’s a lot of money in cannabis. The latest guesstimate says Americans will drop $23 billion a year in the legal market by 2020. So should California lawmakers tax medical cannabis? Aimee Kuvadia at CannabisWire weighs the pros and cons. Israel may be an industry leader in medical cannabis, but it won’t decriminalize. A bill that would’ve allowed the possession of up to five grams for personal use fell flat in committee, the Times of Israel reports. Uruguay was the world’s first country to legalize cannabis. But according Foreign Policy, things there are still very complicated. Colorado Springs good Samaritans rewarded with joints. Volunteers who cleaned up a local park were given a pre-roll for every bag of trash they collected. Detroit’s dispensary zoning map is so amusing we’re writing a whole story about it. But since you’ve made it this far, here’s a sneak peek courtesy of Michael Jackman at the Detroit Metro Times. More than half of Canadian voters approve of “grow your own” ruling. A federal court decision said medical patients have a right to cultivate cannabis for personal use, and 56 percent of voters think that’s a good thing. Civilized writer James McClure asks the question that’s been on all our minds: Does Canadian legalization open the door to sparking up in Scotland’s Edinburgh Castle? And finally, hemp shoes? Hemp shoes. Just in time for 4/20.

The Reason Cannabis Investors Should Be Watching Tilray

British Columbia-based Tilray is still a private company, but it’s an important indicator of where the marijuana industry is headed in Canada and beyond.

Tilray operates a marijuana research and production facility in Nanaimo, British Columbia, and like many other companies in the space, it’s aiming to change the way the world views pot. That’s a tall order — as Tilray Vice President Philippe Lucas recently told The Canadian Press, changing the conversation around marijuana involves fighting back against decades of propaganda and “reefer madness” rhetoric.

To do so, companies in the space are using rebranding strategies to try to give cannabis a new image. For example, Mettrum (TSXV:MT) uses a color-coded spectrum to identify its products. “We came up with a responsible dialogue for talking about cannabis that doctors would want to use, versus talking about strains like purple kush or super lemon haze,” Mettrum CEO Michael Haines told the Press.

Similarly, Tilray is working hard to overcome that stigma and bring the benefits of medical marijuana to the masses. As per blastingnews.com, Lucas recently headed up a study of 473 adult therapeutic cannabis users that found that 87 percent had given up using other medications in favor of cannabis. Tilray has plans to launch a larger, multi-site study, and is also funding a $400,000 clinical trial to look at the effects of medical marijuana on post-traumatic stress disorder.

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

Meanwhile, the company has also teamed up with the government of New South Wales, the University of Sydney and Chris O’Brien Lifehouse to formulate a cannabis-based treatment for nausea and vomiting in chemotherapy. The trial, which is expected to begin later this year, will use capsules formed by Tilray containing cannabidiol (CBD) and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC).

It’s also worth noting that Tilray is owned by Privateer Holdings, a company in which Paypal (NASDAQ:PYPL) co-founder Peter Thiel made a significant investment last year.

That said, Tilray has seen some troubles as it’s blazed its trail. In the middle of 2015, the company had to lay off 61 employees from its Nanaimo plant. It said at the time that it was making changes to its operating model to more efficiently serve patients.

However, since then the company has hired back 15 workers, and CEO Greg Engel recently told the Nanaimo News Bulletin that Tilray is back in growth mode. Furthermore, along with Whistler Medical, owned in part by PharmaCan Capital (TSXV:MJN), and Canopy Growth (TSXV:CGC) subsidiary Tweed, Tilray recently got the okay from Health Canada to sell fresh cannabis and cannabis oil in addition to dried marijuana.

#MedicalCannabis Drops available this week! Tomorrow morning we will release more #Indica and 3+:1 #CBD Drops. pic.twitter.com/YDMPm3Wk1e

— Tilray (@tilray) March 21, 2016

As Alan Brochstein of 420Investor explained, “[t]he ability to sell cannabis oil is beneficial to the licensed producers because it not only expands the market beyond those who wish to smoke or vaporize the cannabis to those who prefer to ingest it but also allows the companies to use the trim that was previously destroyed due to sales being limited strictly to the dried flower.”

Certainly, medical marijuana companies — and legal marijuana stocks in general — appear to be gaining traction among investors. Mentor Capital (OTCQB:MNTR) recently reported that its Cannabis Index for Value Investors had gained 22 percent so far in 2015. That was largely due to a boost seen by GW Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ:GWPH) after it received a green light from the US Food and Drug Administration for its marijuana-derived drug for children with epilepsy. Still, other stocks in the index have seen increases in share price this year as well — Hemp (OTCMKTS:HEMP) is up 14.78 percent year-to-date at $0.05.

All in all, there’s no doubt that marijuana investors will want to keep an eye on both private and public movers and shakers in the space in the near term. For now, there’s been no news of an IPO on the horizon for Privateer or Tilray. However, Privateer CEO Brendan Kennedy has stated that there would be “opportunities for Privateer Holdings to go public and for individual portfolio companies to go public” once marijuana regulations change.

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

The post The Reason Cannabis Investors Should Be Watching Tilray appeared first on Investing News Network.

Press Release: SCOTUS VOTES 6-2, REJECTS HEARING NE, OK LAWSUIT AGAINST CO MARIJUANA LEGALIZATION LAW

Mikayla Hellwichmedia@nullleap.cc240.461.3066 SCOTUS VOTES 6-2, REJECTS HEARING NE, OK LAWSUIT AGAINST CO MARIJUANA LEGALIZATION LAW Washington, D.C. – Today, the U.S. Supreme Court denied a request to hear a lawsuit Nebraska and Oklahoma brought against Colorado’s marijuana legalization law, a rare case falling under the Court’s original jurisdiction to hear lawsuits between states. In 2012, Colorado voted […]

Study: Marijuana May Lower Risk of Metabolic Syndrome

New research suggests marijuana may protect users from a health condition linked to heart disease and diabetes. More than one third of U.S. adults suffer from a combination of health risk factors together referred to as metabolic syndrome. The risk factors — high blood pressure, abnormal cholesterol levels, high blood sugar, and a wider waist […]

The Secrets of Colorful Cannabis Revealed: Here’s Why Some Strains Turn Purple

Environment and genetics both play a role in the coloration of a plant. But what exactly causes each variety to look the way it does? What gives Black Cherry Soda its otherworldly color of dark purple with vibrant orange hairs cutting through it like streaks of fire? Today we’ll explore the color of cannabis, examining which factors influence its coloration, why some strains are more vibrant than others, and whether purple = potent.

How Do Genetics Influence Cannabis’s Color?

In order for plants to express vibrant non-green hues, they may need the genetic building blocks to do so. These building blocks are called anthocyanins, which are a family of flavonoids that provide purple, red, or blue pigments (also found in blueberries, eggplants, red cabbage, concord grapes, violets, and other richly-colored plants). Some cannabis strains naturally contain higher levels of anthocyanins than others. Ever notice some of your favorite strains tend to express the same colors over and over again? Granddaddy Purple, for example, seems to always carry swirls of deep purples and pastel lavenders. This alternative coloration is indicative of the strain’s predisposition to high anthocyanin levels, and it’s certainly a quality some cannabis breeders attempt to select for and coerce, if only to make us consumers ooh-and-ahh over pretty colors (hence the long line of “purple” strains that includes Purple Kush, Mendocino Purps, Purple Urkle, and many others).

Which Cannabis Strains Tend to Turn Purple, Blue, and Red?

There are many strains that contain a genetic predisposition for high anthocyanin levels, and you’ll often find them under monikers that begin with colors like purple, red, blue, or pink. No, this doesn’t mean these strains will always show off fancy hues, but they have a higher potential of doing so if conditions are right.

Plants with low anthocyanin may produce a different array of colors in the final weeks of flowering, due to another family of molecules called carotenoids. These are responsible for the earthy gold and yellow hues buds can take on before harvest as chlorophyll shuts off.

How Does Cannabis Go from Green to Purple?

As you might remember from your elementary biology classes, chlorophyll is what gives plants its green color. Chlorophyll is vitally important to the photosynthesis process by which plants absorb sunlight for energy. As cannabis plants mature, they produce less of the dominant pigment chlorophyll and we begin to see those anthocyanins emerge in a show of purples, reds, and blues. Growers should note that there are specific environmental conditions that trigger the halt of chlorophyll production. We’ll get into that shortly.

What Other Environmental Factors Affect Cannabis’s Color?

Although not all cannabis strains will express purple, blue, or red hues in their lifetime, those equipped with the right genetics may do so under certain environmental conditions. The reason why cannabis produces flavonoids and anthocyanin, researchers have observed, is for protection. “Flavonoid accumulation [is] involved in many aspects of plant growth,” the study authors wrote, “including pathogen resistance, pigment production, and protection against ultraviolet radiation, which contributes to the growth of pollen and seed coat development.”

Information on anthocyanin production in cannabis is limited. What we do know comes largely from cannabis cultivation experience and studies measuring patterns of anthocyanin production in other vegetation.

First, there’s temperature. Purple, red, and blue hues may appear in response to drops in temperature, since chlorophyll production takes its natural pause in autumn as the days become colder. Research on other fruits and flowers noted that higher temperatures destroy anthocyanin production. That same study also found that higher pH levels lead to the destruction of anthocyanin pigments, meaning they tend to thrive in more acidic environments.

The pH level determines which pigment the plant takes on:

Acidic environments tend to induce red and pink coloration
Purple coloration occurs in neutral pH environments
Blues become present with higher pH levels
Yellow is developed in alkaline conditions

Are Purple Cannabis Strains More Potent?

They might be more eye-catching, but purple strains are not necessarily more potent than their green relatives. A purple-blossomed plant exposed to cold temperature may actually produce less THC, so it’s important to keep in mind – as Robert Clarke aptly puts it in The Cannabible – that “many traits prove to be desirable only in certain varieties under certain conditions.”

We want to hear your experiences with purple cannabis. Have you noticed any consistencies in its flavor or effects? Have you ever tried growing a purple variety? What’s the most vibrant strain you’ve ever seen?

Pesticides 101: Questions and Answers for Cannabis Patients and Consumers

Reports out of Washington state last week confirmed what many suspected but few had publicly acknowledged: Colorado’s cannabis pesticide problem isn’t just Colorado’s problem. It exists in every state.

In the past few months, consumers in Colorado have been perplexed by a seemingly nonstop series of health and safety recalls, prompted by the discovery of pesticide residue in cannabis products ranging from flower to concentrates to edibles. In Washington state, consumers remained untroubled by the Colorado news, as their state-regulated industry seemed immune to pesticide recalls. What the industry knew — and most consumers didn’t — was that the lack of recalls didn’t equate to a clean bill of health. It mostly just meant the state wasn’t testing cannabis products for pesticides.

Now the truth is becoming more widely known. Far too many pesticide-tainted products are reaching the shelves in nearly all medical and recreational states.

Cannabis consumers have a lot of questions. We’ll try to answer a few of them.

Will the pesticide residue on my cannabis make it into my bloodstream?

Yes. Simple answer. We have solid research on this, thanks mostly to Jeff Raber, founder of the Werc Shop cannabis analytic lab in Pasadena, Calif. Over the past few years Raber has been testing cannabis products and publishing the results in peer-reviewed scientific journals. Three years ago Nicholas Sullivan partnered with Raber and the Werc Shop’s Syzte Elzinga on a study of pesticide residues in cannabis smoke. They contaminated batches of flower with four common pesticides — diazinon, paclobutrazol, bifenthrin, and permethrin — and then measured how much came through in the mainstream smoke of two common smoking vehicle, a glass pipe and a bong. With a glass pipe, smokers inhaled about 65 percent of the pesticide on the leaf. Using a bong they took in about 50 percent of the pesticide. That transfers to the blood via the alveoli in the lungs.

In general, Sullivan, Raber, and Elzinga wrote in the Journal of Toxicology, “the portion of pesticide recovery is alarmingly high and is a serious concern.”

It’s especially concerning to medical patients using cannabis. Pesticide residue, they wrote, “can pose substantial threats to immuno-compromised patients or patients with other conditions, such as diseases of the liver, that may intensify the toxicological effects of pesticide exposure.”

Why are concentrates a bigger problem than flower?

Because the processes used to concentrate cannabinoids also concentrate pesticides. The Cannabis Safety Institute’s 2015 study found roughly ten times the level of pesticides in concentrates as in flower, which was surprising given that cannabinoids are only two to five times more concentrated. There are a number of possible explanations for this. Extraction techniques may more efficiently concentrate pesticides; chronic contamination of extraction equipment may lead to cross-contamination; or the trim from which concentrates are made may be more heavily contaminated than the flower sold separately. In any event, the CSI white paper, produced by the Oregon labs OG Analytical and Phylos Bioscience, is highly recommended reading: clear, brief, helpful.

How toxic is “toxic”?

Great question. Nobody knows with enough specificity to say, “If you inhale X amount of diazinon, it will harm your liver exactly in this way.” The science of pesticide toxicity is a rabbit hole of difficult data, apples-to-oranges comparisons, variable types of toxicity (acute vs. chronic), and differing definitions of risk. Paclobutrazol, for instance, isn’t FDA-approved for use on food crops. But it is approved for certain food crops by the European Union. (If you want to know more about paclo, here’s a good place to start.)

In Seattle, the King County Public Health Department issued an advisory about pesticides and cannabis last fall. They wrote: “Because marijuana is often smoked or vaped and little is known about the effects of inhaled pesticides, it is important to learn more about the health effects of pesticide exposure both through inhalation (smoking) as well as through ingestion of marijuana products.”

In other words: Science doesn’t know much about inhaled pesticides, so it’s important to learn more about inhaling pesticides. Which science doesn’t know much about.

Thanks, Health Department.

In general, it’s safe to say that you don’t want to be inhaling pesticides. It’s also safe to say a tainted gram won’t kill you tonight.

Did pesticide residue become a problem just recently?

No. It became known recently. We’ve been inhaling and eating this stuff for years. Seven years ago, for example, the Los Angeles city attorney’s office acquired and tested three medical cannabis samples from local dispensaries. Two of the three samples were contaminated with exceedingly high levels of bifenthrin, a common pesticide that’s enormously toxic to bees but not so much to humans. Bifenthrin is relatively low on the risk scale, but one cannabis flower sampled by the L.A. city attorney contained 1,600 times the legal amount deemed safe for human consumption.

Last fall, Ricardo Baca and David Migoya of the Denver Post revealed that state regulators in Colorado knew as early as 2012 that cannabis was being grown with potentially dangerous pesticides. But with the EPA refusing to offer guidance (because cannabis is federally illegal), and growers opposing most restrictions, the Colorado Department of Agriculture made cannabis pesticide inspections a low priority.

If you want to drill down into the details of the exact pesticides found in the most recent Washington State revelations, click on the test results linked at the end of Tobias Coughlin-Bogue’s story. Then start comparing those various pesticides against EPA and EU reports on their varying levels of toxicity. Clear your calendar. You’ll be there a while.

Are we seeing an increase in pesticide use on cannabis plants?

Possibly. There are a number of theories going around right now. Here are four.

Growers have always used unapproved pesticides, they’re just getting found out now that lab analysts, store owners, (some) regulators, and journalists have begun testing and questioning their products.

State regulatory structures in Colorado, Washington, Oregon, and other states encouraged too many inexperienced farmers to enter the industry. Commercial pressures exacerbated the problem. Five years ago, rookie growers learned about pests, mold, and other plant-killers through hard experience. But they learned in small grows, where the loss of a crop wasn’t that big a deal. Nowadays, if a farmer has $500,000 invested in a grow facility, one or two crop failures can bankrupt the entire operation. A grower may be more likely to save the crop by bombing it with an unapproved pesticide rather than lose the entire crop and face business failure.

States are over-regulating some harms and under-regulating others. This is a popular theory in Washington state, and growers tell us there’s real truth to it. The state Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board (LCB) was so concerned about keeping molds, fungi, and insects out of the finished product that they set exceedingly strict testing standards for cleanliness. At the same time, the LCB required no testing for pesticide residue, and budgeted almost nothing for pesticide enforcement. Also, states get no help or guidance from the EPA, which won’t even glance at cannabis so long as the plant remains federally illegal. That has created a situation where growers face crop rejection and the loss of serious money due to mold or insects, but face little to no risk for pesticide residue. Result: More growers showering their flower with pesticides to pass the state cleanliness test.

Some farmers, working in good faith, have fallen victim to unscrupulous pesticide manufacturers. This doesn’t account for all the pesticide abuse, but it has happened. The Farm, for example, in Boulder, Colo., had to pull some of its product recently after abamectin residue was discovered. The Farm had been using Guardian, a popular “all-natural” pest control spray. Guardian’s manufacturer, an Illinois company called All In Enterprises, claimed the product contained no banned pesticides, only cinnamon oil, lemon grass oil, and other natural ingredients. In fact, the reason Guardian worked so well was because it secretly contained abamectin. Guardian was outed in January by the Eugene, Ore., lab OG Analytical, which detected the pesticide in batches of products grown only using Guardian. The Oregon Department of Agriculture ordered Guardian recalled, but not before the damage was already done to crops grown in Oregon and other states. All In Enterprises is now facing a class action lawsuit. You can read the dirty details here.

How and where can I find pesticide-free products?

You must demand them. Ask your bud tender if a specific product has been tested for pesticides. Ask which lab did the testing. If you’re concerned about pesticide residue, make it clear to your retailer that you are willing to pay more for clean product. Testing isn’t cheap. Growing organically isn’t easy. If customers want nothing but the cheapest, most potent products, that’s where the industry will go. If customers demand higher quality, pesticide-free flower, concentrates, and edibles, producers and retailers will react accordingly. Your money talks.

Supreme Court Rejects States' Challenge to Colorado Cannabis Law

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court has rejected an effort by Nebraska and Oklahoma to have Colorado’s adult-use cannabis legalization declared unconstitutional.

The justices are not commenting Monday in dismissing the lawsuit the states filed directly at the Supreme Court against their neighbor.

They argued that Colorado’s law allowing recreational marijuana use by adults runs afoul of federal anti-drug laws. The states also said that legalized pot in Colorado is spilling across the borders into Nebraska and Oklahoma, complicating their anti-drug efforts and draining state resources.

The Obama administration had sided with Colorado, despite the administration’s opposition to making marijuana use legal.

Justices Clarence Thomas and Samuel Alito would have heard the states’ lawsuit.

Why Sports Leagues And Owners Should Allow Players To Consume Medical Cannabis

If you know me, then you know how much I have always loved the game of basketball. I get that sports are not for everyone, which is why I don’t push my fanatical love for basketball on to others. However, basketball has provided me a lot of enjoyable exercise over the years, most of my

Budtender Tipping Etiquette 101: How Much Should You Give? (And is It Even Legal?)

Tipping is a large part of American culture, with added gratuity encouraged for activities ranging from dining out to ordering coffee to getting your hair cut. But what about your favorite dispensary’s budtender? Should you float a tip (or a “donation,” as it’s often carefully worded) to the budtender as a thank you for providing exceptional service?

One legal market sought to clarify the state’s stance on retail cannabis tipping. The Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board recently made the following announcement:

Tipping has not been an allowable practice in a retail marijuana licensed location. This position was adopted based on an interpretation of RCW 69.50.357, and indications that prices of products were being manipulated based on the size of a tip to avoid paying excise tax.

Effective immediately, customer tipping is now an allowable practice in licensed retail marijuana stores. However, tipping cannot be required or a condition of sale, nor can it be linked to the price of the product to avoid tax obligations.

Unfortunately, the new guidelines raised more questions than before, as many patients and consumers were unaware that tipping was previously illegal and had only recently been deemed acceptable. Now we’re left pondering the following:

Should you tip your budtenders?
Is it necessary?
How much is an appropriate tip?

To clear up any misconceptions about this unofficial practice, we reached out to budtenders from California, Washington, Colorado, Oregon, and Illinois (one of the newest medical marijuana markets) to clarify the protocol for tipping, whether it’s encouraged, expected or completely unnecessary.

The Verdict: Tipping Should Be Considered a Bonus

The biggest takeaway from every budtender we spoke to was that tips are a bonus and are almost never expected. “If I’m taking the time to explain about terpenes and the profile and the farming techniques used and [am] really getting into it, it’s definitely nice to feel appreciated for that knowledge and the extra time it takes to help someone out,” said Zoe Wilder, a longtime Oregon budtender. When asked what is considered an appropriate tip, her response was measured. “I think it depends on how much time you’ve spent with your budtender and the quality of the information you received, and how much you’re spending.”

The question of etiquette was similar, from market to market. Many budtenders compared the cannabis industry to the restaurant or alcohol industry, although the opinions on how the two industries were related varied.

“If you want to compare this industry to alcohol and regulate it the same, people tip their bartender based on suggestions on drinks,” mused Dylan Robertson, a budtender at Medicine Man in Denver. “It’s really more of a consultation service for someone, giving them recommendations based on what they’re trying to create or what they’re using cannabis for. But it’s certainly nothing that should be expected.”

Wilder agreed, commenting, “It’s just like any other scenario. You go to a wine bar and someone takes the time to express their opinions about all the selections on the menu and really gives you a nice background on the history of the terroir, all the techniques that go into it, then I want to tip that person because they’ve gone out of their way to make it a really enjoyable experience.”

The flip side of the coin came from the newest market, Illinois, where Brian Besse of Nature’s Care also used his background in the restaurant industry to compare tipping policy.

“As a guy who’s been working in the bar, nightclub and restaurant industry in all sides of it from being a barback, bartender, to manager, to owner, I think it’s wonderful. The difference is that tipped employees make a much lower rate than a non-tipped employee, so that may present some issues down the road.”

Although he makes a good point, the minimum wage varies from state to state. Washington, for example, has a minimum wage of $9.47 an hour, no matter what kind of tips the employee is making (the city of Seattle, however, has recently raised its minimum wage to $15 an hour). On the other hand, for a tipped employee in Illinois, the wage can be as low as $4.65, while an Illinois budtender makes an average of $24,000 a year, or about $11.24 an hour.

When we asked Besse about his opinion on tipping budtenders, he sounded flabbergasted that we would even ask. “I hadn’t even thought about it until this conversation,” he admitted. “You put me on the spot here.”

Nick Singer from Paper & Leaf in Washington also used his service background as fodder for tipping etiquette. “I come from the restaurant industry, where I was a bartender. If someone makes you a drink and waits on you hand and foot, I still don’t think it’s necessary. A dollar’s nice here, sometimes somebody puts a five in there if they spend a lot of money. It’s nice, don’t get me wrong, I wouldn’t tell somebody not to tip me,” he chuckled.

Many stores, rather than having a jar devoted solely to tips, put out a “karma jar,” as Washington retailer Paper & Leaf employs, although the jar serves multiple functions.

“We have a karma jar policy here, sort of like a ‘take-a-penny, leave-a-penny’ with our customers,” said Evan Price with Paper & Leaf. Co-budtender Singer expounded on the varied uses of the jar, “It’s like our tip jar, but it also goes the other way. If you need to use it, you can use it as a customer and get what you need if you’re a few dollars short, so you’ll be able to come back the next time.”

“We’re trying to make people feel loyal to us and feel welcomed as well.”

What’s an Appropriate Tip Amount?

When asked what an “appropriate” tip is for a budtender, the general consensus was that a tip is never expected, but tips should generally be based on the quality of the service the customer received, and, perhaps, the amount of money spent on the purchase overall.

One California budtender noted that many of their patients were often in the restaurant industry themselves, holding down jobs that rely on tips. Therefore, those patrons are far more likely to tip regularly, although he quickly followed up with “Most of us don’t really work for the tips. There’s nothing expected.”

Wilder also mentioned something that many patients and patrons may be unaware of. “A lot of people probably don’t think of it this way, but there’s a lot of continuing education that goes into being a budtender. This is something that continues every day – new articles, some kind of new insight into this plant that we’re just now starting to discover all these wonderful things about because for so long we weren’t allowed to. It’s a ‘continuing education’ situation, just like a doctor or a therapist. When you think about it like that, you’re more inclined to tip someone because they’re not just sitting there giving you something off the shelf. They’re really putting the time and dedication and work into learning about the product.”

From this series of interviews emerged a truly encouraging conclusion from every industry worker: their passion was evident and the tips were an afterthought.

“For me personally, I don’t work for tips,” said Robertson of Medicine Man. “I enjoy the passionate part of easing someone’s day, making their lives a little easier.”

US OH: DeWine Cites Multiple Flaws in Rejecting Medical

Columbus Dispatch, 19 Mar 2016 – Citing 11 separate flaws, Attorney General Mike DeWine today rejected the wording for a proposed medical marijuana constitutional ballot issue. It was the fourth time DeWine rebuffed the proposed Ohio Medical Cannabis Amendment.

Watch This: A Texas Veteran's Mic Drop Moment to a Senator Regarding Legalization

Texas made headlines last year when it took its first tiny baby steps into legalization by allowing the use and production of cannabidiol. However, the law is extremely restrictive – the only patients that qualify for the program are required to have epilepsy or a related seizure disorder that must be classified as “resistant to medication,” and the qualifying disorder must be verified by two separate physicians.

In this infuriating clip during a meeting of the Veteran Affairs Committee, a veteran attempts to make a case for the use of cannabis as treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder. Senator Donna Campbell (R-New Braunfels), who voted for Senate Bill 339 and helped pass the bill in the Texas Senate, repeatedly interrupts the veteran to smugly say, “We already legalized medical cannabis,” as if to signal that the conversation is over.

The veteran stares incredulously at the senator before stating the obvious: “Yes. But it doesn’t help veterans. It helps intractable epileptic patients only.”

With 71 percent of Texans supporting the expansion of a medical marijuana program, it seems like it’s time to consider bigger, better options for all patients.

Watch the video below. (And rise up, Texas!)

No Calories! A Q&A With Michael Ian Black

After packing houses in Seattle and Los Angeles, the Leafly Comedy Tour is making Denver its third stop, descending on the Gothic Theater on March 24. Headlining the night’s show is none other than Michael Ian Black, a cult comic, actor, and author. Tickets to the show are free, and if you haven’t RSVP’d already, you should do it now.

Whether you remember him from Wet Hot American Summer (or the reunion) or have just fallen for him on Another Period, Black’s quick, sometimes subtle, sometimes outlandish antics make him a unique and formidable voice in comedy. He caught up with Leafly from a rented room in L.A. and spoke about his flirtation with cannabis, his thoughts on the Democratic primary, and the extent of his cannabis technology knowledge. Here’s an edited transcript of the conversation:

Leafly: Michael Ian Black, it’s about 4 p.m. on a Sunday afternoon. Are you on the East Coast, West Coast? What are you up to?

Michael Ian Black: I’m on the West Coast, lying on a couch in an Airbnb that I secured about an hour ago.

I saw you on Getting Doug with High, where you did admirably. And you mentioned there you almost died in Amsterdam. Would you still describe yourself as, say, a novice when it comes to cannabis?

Oh my god, if there’s a level below novice, that’s what I am. Like, I’m open to it, I’m open to doing it, but I haven’t figured out how to do it correctly or well. All I’m trying to do is replicate a kind of sleepy, happy buzz that maybe alcohol can give you — but it has no calories! And then maybe I enjoy myself for 60 to 90 minutes and then I fall asleep. That’s what I’m looking for.

So as far as deciding to headline the Leafly Comedy Tour, what was that like? Do you have feelings one way or another on doing a cannabis-oriented event?

Not particularly. No, I mean, it seems to me that— I mean, I’m in favor of national legalization. I’ve thought a moderate amount about the issue. I don’t really smoke pot or take it myself, but I don’t have any problem with it and it seems like a natural outgrowth of legalization that there would be events like this that sort of support the industry.

I know you follow politics rather closely. I won’t mention one candidate, but Bernie and Hillary are pretty close. What do you think?

I keep going back and forth a lot. I mean, my heart is kind of with Bernie because I’m a lefty and a big fan of revolution in general, and sort of gentle revolution, I think, sounds fantastic. But at the same time, I am certainly a little bit concerned about his foreign policy credentials, interest, and experience, and his ability to move legislation through Congress. Whereas with Hillary I feel like she’s probably more likely to get shit done but it probably won’t be the kind of radical shit that Bernie would get done.

I’m a big fan of yours, but kind of in a dated way — Stella, Wet Hot American Summer, that sort of thing. What exciting new stuff do you have now or on the horizon that you might want to plug?

Oh, I don’t care if you plug anything. I mean, I have a book that just came out called Navel Gazing. I’m on a few TV shows at the moment.

And let’s say people are in Denver, getting ready for the Comedy Tour. What would you point them toward to get in the mood?

I mean, I have any number of things you could look at online. Podcasts [this too], a book, I have a standup special, I have television shows. I’m a very successful man. You can find me.

There are some pretty wacky strain names. I know you smoked Blue Cheese on Getting Doug. I don’t suppose you have any favorites?

All I know is you can buy pot that’s in gummi bears. That’s really the extent of my knowledge about current cannabis technology.

If someone said, “Hey, Michael Ian Black, I just came out with a new strain and want you to name it,” what would you call it?

Uh, does it have to have the word ‘kush’ in it? How about Ch—, Ch—, G—, G—, Go—

Good Pot?

Awesome, sells itself. OK, last question. I put a little tweet out, like, “What should I ask Michael Ian Black?” and because it’s 2016, I feel like have to ask you. The question is: What does Bradley Cooper smell like?

Sandalwood.

Like the inside of a department store, maybe?

Yeah, but like a high-end department store. Neiman Marcus or something.

Yas Kween: Broad City's Best Cannabis Moments

Four and three and two and wuh-one! We’re huge fans of Broad City, the Comedy Central series starring Abbi Jacobson and Ilana Glazer as two BFFs living in New York City. The sassy slackers are pro-pot, and the show is rife with cannabis references that are too damn funny to keep track of, which is why we’ve assembled this compilation of the best cannabis moments from Broad City thus far. Whether the ladies are wandering around NYC while hitting their Pax, whipping up firecracker smoothies, or setting up the best cannabis bar a house party could ask for, they bring hilarity to their hijinks and we love them for it.

Caution: These clips are NSFW and contain adult language, sexual situations, and Fred Armisen in a diaper, so viewer discretion is advised.

Season 1, Episode 1: The Ladies Do Some Semi-Naked Cleaning to Score an Eighth

Abbi and Ilana need about $200 for Lil’ Wayne tickets, an eighth of cannabis, and some drinks. Desperate for cash, they try selling pilfered office supplies from Ilana’s work before resorting to cleaning a weirdo’s (impeccably played by Fred Armisen) apartment in their underwear.

Standout quote:

Ilana: “Okay, tickets are $50 each, obviously we need an eighth…”

Abbi: “Okay.”

Ilana: “Plus drinks…that’s like two hundred bucks total. And since Todd wouldn’t give me my paycheck…girrllll!” [laughs while flashing open her jacket to show a collection of assorted office supplies hidden inside]

Abbi: “You took all of his office supplies?”

Ilana, in an exaggerated New Yoak accent: “Listen, what I do at my place of work is none of your goddamn business.”

Abbi: “Okay, I think you really need to be fired. Really soon.”

Ilana: “I know.”

All of Season 1, Episode 2: Abbi Tries to Buy Her Own Cannabis Like a Grown Up

Once Abbi realizes that Ilana transports her cannabis via “nature’s pocket,” she concludes that she’s an adult who should be “buying [her] own pot,” so she sets off to acquire her own green without Ilana’s help. After a series of missteps involving hitting up college buddies who are now moms and mistakenly posing as a dealer in Central Park, she scores some green of her own and, like a kid with unsupervised access to candy, can’t handle the freedom of managing her own cannabis intake. The result? Abbi gets too stoned and ornery to function (and she’s convinced that Ilana’s accountant’s framed photo of his family is a Magic Eye illusion).

Standout quote:

Ilana: “You know, the vuh-yine-yuh is nature’s pocket. It’s, it’s natural. And it’s responsible.”

Season 1, Episode 9: Ilana Gets High to Remember Where Her Remote Is

Ilana needs to find and return an old cable remote so the company will stop charging her fees. After coming across her old college Dictaphone that she used to record some of her best high-deas, she realizes that she was probably high the last time she had the remote and stoner-concludes that she must get high-est so she can remember where she left it.

Standout quote:

Recording of Ilana: “Great idea #9: It’s like Facebook, but just for photos.” [bong bubbles] “I guess it could be videos too, but mostly photos.”

Ilana’s roommate Jaime: “Ilana. You invented the Instagram.”

Ilana, laughing: “That’s insane!”

Season 2, Episode 1: Ilana Teaches Some Young Potawans About “The Dangers of Ripping Underaged Bongs”

Fed up with the brutal summer heat, Abbi and Ilana hit up Ilana’s old dorm room to snag the air conditioning unit she left behind. They pretend to be resident advisors to dupe the dorm’s current inhabitants and smoke them out. (No, we don’t condone underage cannabis consumption, but enjoy the clip for the lulz.)

Standout quote:

Ilana: “Yeah, I invented this app. Well, okay, I didn’t invent it yet, but soon. It’s this photo app that, um, adds lasers to images. So you can put lasers coming out of eyes, or nipples, or buttholes, heh heh.”

College kid: “That’d be pretty cool…if it wasn’t already an app.”

Ilana: “Ugh!”

All of Season 2, Episode 3: Ilana Makes Abbi a “Firecracker Smoothie” for Post-Surgery Pain Management

Ilana plays nurse to Abbi after a wisdom teeth extraction, first getting cannabis from one of her “weed dudes” in an impressive exchange that “lit-ruh-lee [takes] two seconds,” then taking her home and dressing up Walter White-style to whip up a pain-relieving “firecracker smoothie” consisting of a gram of cannabis, Nutella, chocolate gelato, milk, graham crackers, and marshmallows. Unfortunately, due to a painkiller dosing mishap, Ilana loses her drug-induced gal pal and has to implement her tracking skills to eventually find Abbi (and Bingo Bronson) down at Whole Foods, where Abbi dropped $1,400 on overpriced artisanal groceries.

Standout quote:

A heavily sedated Abbi: “Do you wanna hear my Drew Barrymore impression?”

Ilana: “Yas kween! Please, Drew Barrymore!”

Abbi: “I love Jimmy Fallonnn…um, I have. My own. Makeup line. OH MY GOD am I being SO MEAN I love her you know she’s my favorite!”

Season 2, Episode 6: Abbi Smokes a Joint to Cope with the Pain from a Twisted Ankle

Upon realizing that they’ve been sucked into “the Matrix” and were dicking around on the Internet all day, Abbi and Ilana decide to leave their phones at home while they attend a dog wedding at Central Park. Unfortunately, a rollerblading mishap results in Abbi falling into a hole and twisting her ankle, leaving Ilana to seek out help without the aid of her smartphone. While she awaits rescue, Abbi smokes some joints to manage her ankle pain and repeatedly re-describes her ideal happy place.

Standout quote:

Abbi, whispering to herself: “Oww! Ughhhh. Okay, pain is in the brain. Ow! Pain is in the brain, pain is in my stupid, stupid brain.” [hits joint]

Abbi: “I’m down the shore with my family [hits joint], we’re at the beach, it’s fine. No, fuck that! Fuck that! I am at dinner with Elijah Wood. And people are saying that we’re so cute together [hits joint], and all we get is dessert. No, fuck that! I am at an extravagant. Flea market. With Mark! Ruffalo! Yes! [hits joint] All we want is some wooden milk crates to line our office slash maybe nursery one day [whispers] but we don’t say that to everybody. NO! I am in Turks and Caicos right now with Taye Diggs [hits joint]. There’s no pain when you’re gettin’ your grooooove back!”

Season 2, Episode 9: Ilana Discovers Something About Her Doppelganger That’s a Deal-Breaker

Ilana is instantly drawn to a stranger named Adele who she later realizes is her Doppelganger (played to perfection by Alia Shawkat, aka Maeby Fünke from Arrested Development). While they’re hooking up she breaks the news to her new ladypal, but Adele is already wise to the Doublemint Twin situation and is totally fine with it. Unfortunately, Ilana is too weirded out by their physical similarities but pushes to stay friends in case of an “organ donation or jury duty” situation. However, when she offers Adele a hit off her joint and Adele turns her down by saying, “Oh, no, I don’t smoke pot,” it’s an instant deal-breaker.

Standout quote:

Ilana: “I wanna put this delicately cuz I don’t wanna freak you out too much, but…it came to my attention that we look exactly alike.”

Adele: “Yeah, no shit.”

Ilana: “You knew?!”

Adele: “I’m not blind.”

Season 3, Episode 4: Ilana Sets Up a Cannabis Bar for Her House Party

In an effort to recoup the money she and her roommate Jaime spent to pay for a rat exterminator, Ilana decides to throw a house party with a cover charge. She hits up her “weed box” and discovers it’s empty, but not to worry, Ilana’s got (numerous) emergency nug backups. (Check out these bonus screenshots that captured Ilana’s “weed kween” selections and tasting notes, featuring Stonehenge, Red Dwarf, Blue Dream, Sour Diesel, and Bottle Dragon.)

Standout quote:

Ilana: “Weed kween.”

(This video’s embed is wonked, so click on the screenshot to watch the clip on Comedy Central’s website.)

Broad City Shorts: “Abbi Gets Back into Pot”

Before Broad City got picked up by Comedy Central, it started as a web series created by Abbi Jacobson and Ilana Glazer. In these short clips, Abbi announces that she’s ready to “get back into pot again,” to the absolute glee of her BFF Ilana. They hit up one of Ilana’s dealers, whom Abbi thoughtfully pays in small bills so the dealer can easily make change for his future customers. Later, the ladies get stoned, watch some TV, and hit up a convenience store to quell their munchies.

Standout quote:

Abbi: “I think I…kind of want to get back into pot again.”

Ilana: “Are you kidding me?!”

Abbi: “No, I’m serious.”

Ilana: “Oh my god, this is like – this is the best day of my life.”

Bonus: A Compilation of “All the Weed” in Broad City

The folks at Digg created a supercut of Broad City‘s many cannabis moments. Enjoy!

Watch season 3 of Broad City currently airing on Comedy Central, or catch up on the series via Comedy Central or Hulu.

What’s your favorite Broad City moment? Share in the comments!

Image Source: Lane Savage via IMDb

The Shake: Snoop Boosts Romanian Tourism, World Leaders Urge U.N. to End Drug War, and New Orleans Takes a Half Step Forward

Global commission urges end to drug war. Less than a month before the opening of the UN General Assembly Special Session on the World Drug Problem, a.k.a. UNGASS, a group of world leaders are pressuring the United Nations to halt and reverse the international war on drugs. The Global Commission on Drug Policy, led by luminaries including former UN Secretary General Kofi Annan and entrepreneur Richard Branson, released a statement earlier today calling for an end to the criminalization and incarceration of drug users. The group outlined steps to shift the entire drug policy paradigm, taking it out of the realm of law enforcement and putting it in the hands of health agencies. The UNGASS conference takes place April 19–21, and a number of drug policy reform groups are hoping it could lead to a seismic shift from punishment to harm reduction.

The pesticide problem grows in Washington. Leafly contributor Tobias Coughlin-Bogue broke some disturbing news last night in the Stranger. The headline: “25 More Products on Shelves at Recreational Marijuana Stores Have Tested Positive for Illegal Pesticides.” Ugh. Of 37 Washington state concentrate and flower products tested by the Clean Cannabis Association and Trace Analytics, 25 failed. Three of ten flower samples tested positive for illegal pesticides; 22 of 27 concentrate products failed. We always sensed that Colorado’s pesticide problem was not limited to a single state, folks. Now the dismal (but absolutely necessary) disclosure has reached Washington State. California, it’s coming your way soon. More on this story later today on Leafly.

Montana state agencies clash over MMJ policy. In Big Sky Country, the age-old drug policy battle between law enforcement and health agencies is playing out at a scale a bit smaller than the United Nations. We’ve covered the recent state Supreme Court decision in Montana, which threatens to close most of the state’s MMJ dispensaries and leave 10,000 of the state’s 13,593 patients without medicine. Now the state’s justice and health departments are at odds over implementing the decision. The law enforcement folks want the court decision implemented now, as in today, as in shut ‘em down. The Montana Department of Health and Human Services is siding with local medical marijuana advocates, who are asking for a longer grace period. “We support delaying this decision until the 2017 Legislature has a chance to respond,” a health department spokesperson told the Associated Press. Montana’s state Legislature meets only during odd-numbered years, so local pols will have no opportunity to address the situation in 2016.

New Orleans takes a half-step in the right direction. Three days after the city got called out, again, for the outrageous incarceration of Bernard Noble (who’s serving 13 years in prison for two joints), the New Orleans city council passed an ordinance that allows police officers to issue fines instead of jail time for cannabis possession. Police will still be able to arrest people for possession, however, and book them on state charges. While we’re all for half steps of progress, the change will likely mean that more white people will get off with tickets while black people still face arrest. We wish it weren’t so, but that’s how these laws tend to work.

AGs in Arkansas and Ohio keep on rejecting cannabis-related initiatives. As in, Arkansas Attorney General Leslie Rutledge just rejected a proposal for the seventh time. She cited “ambiguities in the text,” according to the Associated Press. A separate proposal, which would legalize medical use, has won Rutledge’s approval. Supporters of the measure, submitted by Little Rock lawyer David Couch, need to gather 85,000 signature to get the measure on November’s ballot. In Ohio, state AG Mike DeWine rejected a medical marijuana measure for the fourth time, claiming at least 11 defects in a proposal by Ohio Medical Cannabis Care LLC. If at first you don’t succeed, try, try, try, try, try, try, try— well, you get the picture.

QUICK HITS: A Denver cannabis consultant expects a product shortage in Colorado and Oregon once those state’s new quality control testing regimes kick in this summer. The testing “will knock significant amounts of cannabis out of circulation due to noncompliance,” they predict. In College Ward, Utah, stupid people growing cannabis made stupid choices. When Sam Benavidez refused to leave the home of his older brother Ben, Ben called the cops on his annoying little brother. Cops came. Cops detected a certain odor emanating from the basement. Cops discovered the grow and arrested both brothers. Boys, please. Clean up your act. And finally, Snoop’s errant post boosted the Romanian tourism industry. Apparently Snoop Dogg Instagrammed a photo earlier this week taken in Bogota, Columbia. He mistakenly tagged the location as the Central European hamlet of Bogota, Romania. A few days later, a Romanian media company launched Visit Bogota, a site promoting the village as a tourism destination: “the best place for chillin’ in Romania.”

Image Source: Rodrigo Díaz via Flickr Creative Commons

How To Make Weed Brownies

Learn how to make cannabis-infused brownies with this simple and delicious recipe. Weed brownies are often the first food that comes to mind when you think of marijuana edibles. Luckily, you don’t have to be a professional chef to cook up a delicious batch of brownies, but there are some essential points you need to […]

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The4th Annual National Medical Cannabis Unity Conference: A Conference on Harmonization of Global Cannabis Policy and Action, is the largest medical cannabis patient-focused event in the country, and this year’s participants will be pushing the national and global agenda for medical cannabis policy reform forward. Complimentary press passes are available for press. What: 4th Annual

Oregon Health Authority’s Marijuana Extract Policy Hurts Patients That Are Suffering The Most

Shock waves were sent throughout the Oregon medical marijuana world this week when the Oregon Health Authority (OHA) issued a directive to medical marijuana dispensary operators to no longer accept cannabis extracts. Cannabis extracts are defined by OHA as involving heat and pressure during the creation process. That means no BHO and no CO2 products.

PGT Episode #291- In Quintessence

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- Attacks on the cannabis community by oppressors have been ramping up in recent weeks. Protest on the Michigan State Capitol steps, in response, has been organized and scheduled for […]

US CA: Column: Halting Cannabis's Eviction Crisis

SF Weekly, 17 Mar 2016 – Eleven years is a lifetime in technology, real estate, and the California cannabis industry. But to find a taste of 2005 in 2016 San Francisco, all you have to do is head south on Mission Street past Cesar Chavez – do not be afraid, Valencia Street ends, yet the city continues – and pull up on the narrow block of 29th Street that connects Mission to San Jose Avenue. Here, after you’re buzzed in past a mirror-glassed door, a handful of people – some old, some crippled, some indigent – can be found lounging on well-worn couches. There are black-light posters on the walls, and New Orleans jazz wafts softly through air heavy with the sweet smell of cannabis from the counter at one end of the room. It’s run-down, it’s homey, it’s comfortable. It’s very, very chill.

Ep. 50: She consults for industry; He talks weed on the radio

Published: Mar 17, 2016, 4:02 pm • Updated: Mar 17, 2016, 4:02 pm Cannabist Staff Featured guests: Endocannabinoidology founder Christie Lunsford and Larry Ulibarri, host of the KS-107.5 Morning Show and Larry Uncensored Podcast. Podcast: Play in new window | Download LOTS TO TALK ABOUT • What does a longtime member of Colorado’s cannabis industry think […]

Obama’s Supreme Court Pick: The One Thing We Know About Merrick Garland and Cannabis

President Barack Obama might have a strain named after him, but that’s about as close to the cannabis community as he’s come lately. So when the president announced his U.S. Supreme Court nominee Wednesday morning, pot pundits were sent scrambling.

What, everyone wanted to know, might Merrick Garland think of cannabis?

Longtime reformer Tom Angell came up with the first morsel, tweeting a Garland quote from a 2012 LA. Times story. Garland at the time was on a federal three-judge panel hearing an appeal by Americans for Safe Access over whether the DEA should reschedule cannabis.

Obama’s SCOTUS pick actually said this about the DEA when ruling against marijuana rescheduling. pic.twitter.com/fijMGZWugO

— Tom Angell (@tomangell) March 16, 2016

With that one tweet, Angell pretty much exhausted what we know about Garland’s stance on cannabis. Some news outlets built entire stories off that lone, out-of-context quote. But how much does it actually tell us? It’s not so clear.

First of all, the quote requires a bit of interpretation. It’s not clear whether Garland was actually pushing for the court to side with the DEA or simply asking the lawyers, as judges sometimes do, to provide legal justification for a possible action (in this case, questioning the DEA’s scheduling discretion). Sure, the quote is couched in a way that suggests the court should indeed defer to the DEA, but it’s tough to know for sure that’s what he meant.

Second, it’s not as though the court’s ruling — the panel ultimately sided with the DEA — was all that unusual. Every rescheduling effort since the Controlled Substances Act (CSA) became law in 1970 has fallen short. Jacob Sullum of Reason magazine writes that much of that failure is because the CSA gives the DEA broad leeway about what it means for a substance to have a “high potential for abuse,” “no currently accepted medical benefit,” and “a lack of accepted safety.” It might be laughable that the agency thinks cannabis deserves those descriptors, but Sullum’s point is that the CSA leaves it to the DEA, not judges, to make that determination.

Federal law is so stacked against cannabis that Garland might not have had much wiggle room anyway, Sullum concludes. “I therefore would not read too much into Garland’s position in this case,” he writes, adding cheekily that “it is notable that the man who nominated him likes to pretend this whole body of law does not exist.” Zing.

Finally, even if the quote is as damning as Angell seems to suggest, it’s still not much to go on. And while there are other indicators, they’re based mostly on generalizations. For example, many legal observers describe former prosecutors as generally deferential to the government; Garland, who spent time in the Justice Department, certainly seems to have been that in the DEA case. But when it comes to how he’ll deal with a specific matter in the future, it’s anyone’s guess. (Frustrated? Don’t worry. Folks at Broadly can’t figure out what Garland would mean for women, either.) But as Angell points out, we have to write something.

Perhaps the most helpful thing we know for the time being is that a Garland is moderate Democrat — an otherwise “safe pick,” by most accounts. As Hillary Clinton shows, that doesn’t bode particularly well for cannabis — but it sure looks better than Scalia.

Ultimately, though, it might not make much difference. Republicans have insisted that Obama’s nomination is a nonstarter, and many have pledged to drag their heels until the next president takes office. So all this armchair analysis by the marijuana media might be moot.

Or, as Angell put it:

It’s amazing how so many journalism man-hours are wasted on things that aren’t actually going to make news. http://t.co/iw2Li6VZJu

— Tom Angell (@tomangell) March 17, 2016

Image source: Diego M. Radzinschi / The National Law Journal

The Shake: The Shire’s Pipe Weed Shortage, a Safer St. Paddy’s, and Whitewashing the Green Rush

It’s St. Paddy’s Day. Once you’re done making ‘green’ jokes, go read Jane West’s piece on celebrating a safer St. Patrick’s Day. On average, West writes, 276 people die in drunk driving accidents every time the holiday rolls around — more than double the normal casualty rate. A billboard in Boston, where Mayor Martin J. Walsh and others have come out staunchly against legalization, echoes West’s point: Cannabis is a much safer alternative to alcohol. Whether you’re celebrating St. Paddy’s or not, drop in to #saferstpats on Twitter tonight and join the party by proxy. Cheers!

Don’t just think of the children. Study them. You worry relaxing cannabis laws will inspire a whole bunch of minors to spark up? It’s a righteous concern, but it’s misplaced. A new study out of Canada shows cannabis use among school-aged children at its lowest level since the 1980s, having fallen steadily for 12 straight years. That adds to a body of existing evidence that legalization doesn’t lead to higher teen use. (Students in Oregon are actually more concerned about the risks of cannabis than they were before legalization there.) Are there studies to the contrary? Sure, but at least one turned out to be bogus. Crazy idea: Thoughtful regulation of and education about cannabis might actually do more to prevent underage use than keeping the failed drug war running on autopilot.

The Shire is running low on pipe weed! Which is a fancy way of saying: There’s a cannabis shortage in New Zealand! Don Rowe, a writer at The Spinoff, reports that bud is “almost unobtainable in any meaningful amount right now” — a situation he calls “catastrophic.” How does something like this happen? “Blame it on the police, the gangs, the weather or just the grow cycle of your average cannabis harvest,” Rowe writes. “No matter which way you slice it, it’s dry out there.” If you need cannabis for medical reasons, at least you’ve got options. Er, one option. Sativex, an infused mouth spray and the only legal form of medical cannabis in the country, is available for an entirely reasonable NZ$1,000 (about $685) a month.

Is the green rush being whitewashed? In a long, important article about racial equity and the fast-growing cannabis industry, BuzzFeed News reporter Amanda Chicago Lewis says yes. Steep regulatory costs and legal barriers to entry are making it difficult for black Americans and other people of color to capture a piece of the growing cannabusiness pie, she explains. Have some time to kill? Read the whole story. Busy at work? Bookmark it. Thousands upon thousands of people support legalization because they’ve been told it will help address some of the most profound racial disparities in the United States. That can’t be an empty promise.

Arizona is in court over all of the things. There are a lot of big questions that come up once a state gets medical cannabis laws on the books, and Arizona is dealing with a few at once. The state Supreme Court agreed this week to hear a pair of appeals centering on whether the smell of cannabis is enough to justify a search by police. Appeals courts in the state have issued contradictory rulings on the issue, the Associated Press reports: A three-judge panel of the state’s Phoenix division ruled that the plain smell of cannabis is sufficient to establish probable cause, but a divided panel out of the Tuscon division ruled that further evidence is needed. (If you’re outside Arizona, the court’s conclusion won’t apply to you. This kind of thing varies from state to state. Ask a lawyer, because I’m not one.) In a separate matter that could make waves nationally, Arizona’s Maricopa County is trying to prevent a dispensary from opening on the grounds it’s illegal under federal law. The dance around federal preemption is a common one, but an unfavorable opinion could bleed into other states. We’ll keep you posted.

The Pennsylvania Capitol goes green. Literally. But more important, figuratively. The state House of Representatives passed a medical cannabis bill on Wednesday, putting Pennsylvania on track to become the 24th state to legalize medical use. The bill now heads to the Senate and, if it passes there, to the governor’s office. But things look promising: The Senate approved a similar measure last year, and Gov. Tom Wolf has said he’ll support the change.

QUICK HITS: Business Insider says a new cannabis-based epilepsy drug “could drastically change our perception of pot.” In large part because a pharmaceutical bottle is, for some reason, less controversial than dried flowers. “It will have the hallmarks of a true pharmaceutical medicine,” says the company’s VP of investor relations. Except the high overdose rate, presumably. New York’s medical cannabis program is off to a slow start. A new crop of bills could speed things along and open the program to more patients, but the proposals’ prospects aren’t yet clear. Oregon’s cannabis officials field questions — lots of questions — from industry. You can read the whole Q&A over at Oregon Live, but extracts artists might want to start here. Want to own a piece of the cannabis industry? U.S. News & World Report has a how-to guide to investing in the fledgling market. Or you can help crowdfund Med-X. The cannabis pest-management company is seeking $15 million. (They actually told you about it on Leafly awhile ago.) Interested? Be sure to read our piece on cannabis crowdfunding first. And finally, Colorado police are learning about cannabis! Which is great, but, like, shouldn’t it have happened a while ago?

Medical Marijuana Bill Heads to Pennsylvania Senate

Pennsylvania could soon pass a bill allowing the use of marijuana for medical purposes, the Cannabist reports. The bill passed the state House on Wednesday, and is now headed to the senate for approval.

As quoted in the publication:

The House voted 149-43 for legislation that would set standards for growers, dispensaries and physicians. Patients could take the drug in pill, oil or liquid form, but would not be able to obtain marijuana they could smoke.

Supporters said it would help relieve the suffering of sick people.

“Today we have the opportunity of offering hope to the parents of these children, to the patients, offering the hope of letting them, along with their doctors, decide how to best treat the conditions they’re dealing with on a daily basis,” said Rep. Jim Cox, R-Berks.

Opponents argued the Legislature should not be approving a drug that is illegal under federal law.

Click here for the full press release.

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US CO: Column: Council Wants Cannabis Clubs Out; Clubs Dig in

Colorado Springs Independent, 16 Mar 2016 – On Tuesday, March 8, after a marathon public comment period, Colorado Springs City Council voted to ban cannabis clubs in the city by 2024. The 6-3 vote comes after years of deliberation over how to handle the clubs, which provide a social setting to consume legal cannabis. Though many in attendance testified that the clubs are a place of community, refuge and healing, detractors see the clubs’ mere existence as flagrantly defying the previous Council’s decision to opt out of recreational sales following statewide legalization. This ordinance, which will get its final reading on March 22, sets up the framework for the ban. It prohibits the opening of any new Marijuana Consumption Club (MCC) – defined as “an establishment, organization, association, club, teapad, or other similar entity or place where a purpose is to allow the consumption of marijuana, medical marijuana or marijuana product on the premises” – but lets certain clubs stay open, for now.

Pennsylvania House Votes to Legalize Medical Cannabis

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — A bill to let Pennsylvania patients who suffer from a list of ailments obtain marijuana for therapeutic purposes easily passed the state House on Wednesday, leaving only approval by the Senate, which overwhelmingly passed a similar bill last year.

Supporters said it would help relieve the suffering of sick people.

Opponents argued the Legislature should not be approving a drug that is illegal under federal law.

“We’re setting the path to bypass the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) product approval process, whether the drugs are good or bad. We’re saying we’re willing to circumvent that process, a process that’s been in place for over 100 years, because it’s what’s needed now,” said Majority Whip Bryan Cutler, R-Lancaster.

The bill would allow people to purchase marijuana from a dispensary after they have been certified by a medical practitioner to have one of the enumerated conditions, including cancer, epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, AIDS, glaucoma and chronic or intractable pain. Under the proposal, the state would license up to 25 growers and processors, and as many as 50 dispensaries, which could each operate three locations.

Rep. Jeff Pyle, R-Armstrong, drew a standing ovation after speaking of his own battle with cancer and the chance that his daughters may inherit the disease.

“I live with cancer every day. I’m told there’s a very high likelihood I’ll have it again,” Pyle said, adding: “Please let my kids have access to this.”

Advocates, including the parents of children with epilepsy, celebrated in the Capitol after several years of going from door to door, seeking support among lawmakers.

One parent, Dana Ulrich, said she is convinced that legal access to the drug would help her 8-year-old daughter Lorelei, who has numerous seizures every day.

“I absolutely believe that it will help her and so does her doctor,” she said.

Noting that medical groups have come out against the bill, saying it needs more research, Rep. Matt Baker, R-Tioga, called the vote unprecedented.

“I cannot remember when was the last time this august body voted on a bill that was in direct violation of federal law,” Baker said.

Marijuana is widely available on the black market, noted Rep. Marty Flynn, D-Lackawanna.

“All we’re doing is allowing the people of the commonwealth of Pennsylvania who need this to access it legally,” Flynn said.

Sen. Mike Folmer, R-Lebanon, a key sponsor, said the Senate would take it up and get it to the governor as soon as possible.

Senate Republican spokeswoman Jennifer Kocher said the House changes were being reviewed.

“We understand the urgency behind continuing the progress,” Kocher said.

Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf, who has urged passage of legalized medical marijuana, released a statement that applauded the House vote and predicted the bill would provide “essential help” to patients.

The National Conference of State Legislatures says 23 states, Guam and Washington, D.C., have enacted comprehensive public medical marijuana and cannabis programs since California was first in 1996.

The State of the Leaf: Pennsylvania Takes a Step Closer to Legalizing Medical Marijuana

What’s new in the world of cannabis legislation? The battle for cannabis progress is meeting many opponents, but advocates and activists are fighting strong. Florida is expanding, Louisiana and North Dakota are looking to legalize, and Pennsylvania could pass its long-debated medical cannabis bill any minute now. Georgia and Utah both took a step back, but the fight’s not over, not by a long shot. Australia may have legalized cannabis cultivation, but they’d like to remind you that cannabis is not decriminalized…yet. Are you in the know?

U.S. Cannabis News

FLORIDA

A bill to expand Florida’s medical marijuana program is headed to the desk of Governor Rick Scott. House Bill 307 aims to improve the long-delayed medical cannabis program, which was supposed to be operational more than a year ago. The bill would dramatically increase the number of potential patients in the program and allow for three more cultivation licenses in addition to the five nurseries already licensed. However, the additional licenses would only be allowed once there are 250,000 patients. By comparison, Colorado, which boasts the highest number of medical marijuana patients in the country, only has 107,798 patients.

Florida’s restrictive program only allows patients with seizure disorders and cancer to access a non-psychoactive form of cannabis, and it’s very unlikely that the number of patients will ever reach 250,000. However, any progress is a step in the right direction.

GEORGIA

Georgia’s best chance to expand its limited medical marijuana program has stalled in the Senate. House Bill 722, authored and cosponsored by Representative Allen Peake (R-Macon), stalled in the Senate Health and Human Services Committee, after Chairwoman Renee Unterman (R-Buford) refused to schedule a hearing for the legislation before the Legislature ends its session on March 24th.

Leafly reached out to Rep. Peake, who assured us that the fight for medical cannabis is far from over. If you’re a cannabis supporter who wants to see medical marijuana expanded in Georgia, please contact Lieutenant Governor Casey Cagle and urge him to allow a Senate vote on HB 722 to ensure that no more Georgians must suffer needlessly.

LOUISIANA

A new group has emerged from the Bayou State with a new petition in support of legalization, both medically and recreationally. Legalize It Louisiana’s petition indicates its support for the current marijuana law, Act No. 261 (Senate Bill 143), which was passed last year and allows limited access of medical marijuana to qualified patients, but also takes note of the shortcomings of the legislation and where it could be improved. That’s where Legalize It Louisiana comes in. Its using Washington and Colorado as inspiration, using their revenue and success as examples to be emulated.

If you want to support cannabis in Louisiana, please sign this petition to further the campaign.

MONTANA

Montana’s cannabis community can’t seem to catch a break. Since the Montana Supreme Court upheld a 2011 ruling severely limiting the number of patients a dispensary can service, the medical marijuana program is in turmoil. Dispensary owners requested a delay until the 2017 legislative session before the changes go into effect and were backed by state health officials. Unfortunately, the Department of Justice opposed both the request for a delay and a reconsideration of the ruling. Instead, the law is scheduled to go into effect within 49 days of the ruling, on April 14th, although officials agree that it will take at least four months for the Department of Public Health and Human Services to implement the changes.

In a move that seems designed to kick ‘em while they’re down, a new ballot initiative from Safe Montana is seeking to repeal the medical marijuana program. Initiative 176 would align the state with federal law and render cannabis illegal. A competing ballot initiative, I-178, would legalize cannabis for recreational use. It’s a battle to the finish line, and November is likely to bring huge changes to Big Sky Country.

NORTH DAKOTA

Secretary of State Al Jaeger approved the wording on a petition that would legalize the use, possession, growth, and distribution of cannabis to anyone 21 years of age and older. The measure would prohibit the states, cities and counties from taxing cannabis or paraphernalia at a rate higher than 20 percent. Sponsors of the measure will need to gather 13,452 signatures from eligible voters by July 11th in order to qualify for the ballot this November, but Eric Olson, the campaign director of the 27-member sponsoring committee, said that they are hoping to gather at least 20,000 signatures “for a safe margin.”

PENNSYLVANIA

The Pennsylvania House of Representatives spent Monday debating 220 proposed amendments to Senate Bill 3, which would legalize medical marijuana. Unsurprisingly, longtime opponent Rep. Matt Baker (R-Tioga County) spoke against the medical marijuana measure for more than an hour, but the majority of the amendments passed with overwhelming support. The amendments that were adopted are as follows:

Conditions include post-traumatic stress disorder, chronic pain, epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, cancer, glaucoma and HIV/AIDS
A previous cap of 10 percent tetrahydrocannabinol was removed, meaning there will be no limit to the amount of THC allowed in medical cannabis
Up to 150 dispensaries will be allowed and regulated by the Department of Health

TEXAS

The cannabis oil bill signed into law by Governor Greg Abbott last June is making progress. One of two cannabis oil dispensaries is on track to open in Gunter, a small town in North Texas. The dispensary will be owned and operated by Acquiflow, the first open, transparent and legal Texas-based cannabis company, which is based out of McKinney. Texas has yet to approve Acquiflow’s application, but Patrick Moran, Acquiflow’s CEO, held a town hall meeting last week, which was attended by more than 100 local Texans.

UTAH

Utah’s attempts at an expansive medical marijuana program are falling flat once again. After Senator Mark Madsen’s Senate Bill 73 died in committee last week, the less comprehensive piece of legislation, Senate Bill 89, looked like it might have a fighting chance. Alas, it was not meant to be. SB 89 died due to budgetary restrictions, although Representative Brad Daw (R-Orem) has said that he will introduce the bill again next session.

In the meantime, the Legislature did pass Senate Concurrent Resolution 11, an official statement from the Legislature of Utah asking for the federal rescheduling of cannabis in order to perform more in-depth scientific research on cannabis’s medical benefits.

International Cannabis News

AUSTRALIA

The Australian government passed the Narcotic Drugs Amendment Bill 2016 in February to legalize the cultivation of medicinal cannabis within the borders, but unfortunately, Queensland’s Health Minister Cameron Dick has said that the state has no plans to decriminalize cannabis. The Queensland Government will be holding a month-long consultation before introducing any related legislation before the parliament. Queensland’s Shadow Minister of Health Mark McArdle, on the other hand, embraced the federal government’s legislation to cultivate medical cannabis and called for immediate action to make medical cannabis accessible to patients.

The Shake: Push Grows for NFL to Tackle Cannabis Research, Naughty Police Face Charges, and Researchers Plumb Cannabis and Pregnancy

NFL player calls for medical cannabis research blitz. Baltimore Ravens offensive tackle Eugene Monroe took to Twitter yesterday with a flurry of tweets in support of cannabis research. In 38 tweets and 6 retweets, Monroe went off on NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and championed the expansion of research cannabis as it pertains to traumatic brain injury. Recent evidence suggests CBD is an effective treatment for chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a condition the NFL only recently acknowledged is tied directly to football-related head trauma. Monroe went further, putting his money where his mouth is by donating $10,000 to cannabis research through the Realm of Caring Foundation. Kudos to Monroe for continuing a very important conversation!

Let’s research how cannabinoids may help curb traumatic brain injury

— Eugene Monroe (@TheSeventyFifth) March 15, 2016

The saga of a raid gone wrong continues. Three California police officers are being charged with petty theft and vandalism after an embarrassing dispensary raid in Santa Ana last year. Officers Jorge Arroyo, Nicole Lynn Quijas, and Brandon Sontag all face charges for their alleged wrongdoing. The raid went public after surveillance videos showed officers consuming cannabis-infused edibles during the raid, kicking a disabled dispensary owner, playing darts, and destroying multiple other surveillance cameras. Unfortunately for Santa Ana’s finest, there were several hidden cameras that weren’t destroyed and caught the entire episode on film. When the video came to light, the officers apologized. Just kidding! They actually sued their own department to prevent the use of the footage as evidence, an effort later denied by the judge.

The University of Colorado will study effects of cannabis use by pregnant women. Dr. Torri Metz, a high-risk obstetrician, will conduct the study through a questionnaire about cannabis use for new mothers. Metz hopes the study will provide clarity and hard data on any associations between cannabis use and fetal growth restrictions, hypertension in pregnant mothers, stillbirth, spontaneous pre-term birth, or other conditions. Although most physicians advise expectant mothers not to use cannabis, there is little to no hard data to support the recommendation, and what little information is available on the correlation between cannabis and pregnancy is generally inconsistent.

Pennsylvania’s medical marijuana initiative is holding strong. Despite years of failed attempts to legalize, the support from the Pennsylvania House of Representatives has been steady. The current proposal, Senate Bill 3, could receive a vote from the House as early as today. If it passes, SB 3 will return to the Senate for a final vote. Rep. Matt Baker (R-Tioga County) argued vehemently against the measure, having repeatedly blocked past attempts to legalize medical cannabis by not allowing the measure to be heard by the House Health Committee, which he chairs. If the measure wins approval from both houses, Gov. Tom Wolf has pledged to sign it into law.

QUICK HITS: Arizona courts are expecting a ruling that could have implications nationwide. White Mountain Health Center is locked in a legal battle with Maricopa County over whether the county has the right to ban the dispensary on the basis that the business is illegal under federal law. Questions of federal pre-emption have swirled around the industry for years. If the court rules in the county’s favor of the county, dispensaries in every state could be at risk. Denver police and DEA agents raided illegal grows. Multiple grow sites were raided as part of a two-year investigation, but the police haven’t yet reported any arrests. Basketball players are also joining the cannabis conversation. Former Chicago Bulls player Jay Williams estimated that 75 to 80 percent of NBA players use cannabis, and he says it’s time to become more open to cannabis in NBA. And finally, is cannabis the cure to your slow sex life? Maxim seems to think so (and we’re inclined to agree).

Jane's Domain: The Consuming o’ the Green on St. Patrick’s Day

St. Patrick’s Day is a big deal in my town. Denver hosts the biggest Irish pride parade west of the Mississippi, with horses, stagecoaches, and 10,000 marchers entertaining 200,000 spectators along Blake Street. This year the Riverdance World Tour is playing sold-out shows at the Buell Theatre. Forget about finding a table at Scruffy Murphy’s, the Irish pub on Larimer; you’ll be lucky to make it through the front door.

Alcohol is part of that tradition. A big part. In my younger days, friends and I would grab a spot at a rooftop bar on the parade route. We’d drink all day and into the night: pitchers of green beer, shots of Irish whiskey, nonstop pints of Guinness and Harp. Guinness usually sells 5.5 million pints of beer around the world every day. On St. Paddy’s, they sell 13 million.

By the end of the day, the scene is not pretty. Thousands of people are overserved. Fights break out. Ugly things happen. On average, 276 people will die nationwide in drunk driving accidents on St. Patrick’s Day, more than twice the normal casualty rate. And 75 percent of those fatal crashes will involve a driver with an alcohol intoxication level at least twice the legal limit.

This year let’s try something different.

Let’s go greener.

I’m choosing cannabis this year instead of alcohol. And I’m encouraging others to do the same. We’ll be tweeting about the experience on March 17 under the hashtag #saferstpats. Join us and let us know what you’re consuming and how it’s affecting your celebration.

Of course, even here in Colorado, the most 420-free state in America, it’ll be challenging to find a place to consume. In Denver there are hundreds of places to legally enjoy a pint of Guinness. On St. Patrick’s Day, empty plastic beer cups will litter the streets of the LoDo district. But good luck finding a legal and appropriate place to enjoy a half-gram of Durban Poison. As the folks at the Colorado Department of Public Health’s “Good To Know” campaign tweeted last weekend: “Shamrock your Irish heart out at the St. Patrick’s Day parade…just remember public space is not the place.”

More than two years into full legalization in Colorado, it’s still illegal for adults to responsibly enjoy cannabis in a public, adults-only environment. That’s a wrong that needs to be righted.

The facts are clear: Cannabis is far safer than alcohol. And yet we continue to celebrate alcohol in nearly all of our public social spaces. It’s welcomed at weddings, birthdays, and baseball games. You can buy beer and wine at Chuck E. Cheese’s, for goodness sake. Two years ago the Denver International Airport put up an art exhibit extolling the proud history of craft brewing in Colorado.

Cannabis, by contrast, remains legally relegated to the role of social outcast. We’re perfectly fine with children watching adults drain a case of Coors Light, but we cling to a strange fear of them glimpsing an adult sipping on a Pax lightly packed with a few leaves of homegrown Harlequin. Or, worse, we won’t even allow the social enjoyment of legal cannabis in a setting where the eyes of children are absent by law.

Lets be clear, I’m not against alcohol. I just want to be treated fairly when I choose to consume a safer alternative.

We simply need more common sense when it comes to cannabis and how we incorporate the inevitable social use of it into our communities as the end of prohibition occurs nationwide. In the next few weeks, Denver NORML is expected to file a city initiative that, if passed, would allow businesses in Denver to handle cannabis use more like alcohol and tobacco. Taverns and clubs wouldn’t sell it, but they would be able to allow their patrons to enjoy it in appropriate areas on site, much as they handle cigarettes. I dream of special events hosting cannabis gardens just as they have beer gardens.

Personally, I don’t think a permit should be necessary at all. I think adults should be able to enjoy cannabis exactly as they enjoy tobacco cigarettes. But I’ll be supporting the public-use initiative campaign, because it’s a step in the right direction.

In the meantime, I’ll be documenting my own private effort to have a #saferstpats. Let’s celebrate the green and make progress while doing it.

Category: All Medical Marijuana News

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