Tag: All Medical Marijuana News

Colorado Lawmakers Target Infused Edibles in Fruit, Animal Shapes

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Famous 4/20 Birthdays and Strain Selections

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

Jessica Lange

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

Strain: DEADHEAD OG

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

George Takei

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

Strain: FRUITY PEBBLES

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

Killer Mike

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

Strain: CHERRY PIE

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

Crispin Glover

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

Strain: KUATO

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

Luther Vandross

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

Strain: MERCURY OG

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

Danica Patrick

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

Strain: JACK HERER

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

Joey Lawrence

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

Strain: AMNESIA

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

Andy Serkis

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

Strain: SPACE QUEEN

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

Carmen Electra

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

Strain: LAUGHING BUDDHA

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

Clint Howard

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

Strain: APOLLO 13

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The Shake: 4/20 Edition

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

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

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

— WOLA (@WOLA_org) April 20, 2016

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

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

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

QUICK HITS:

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

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

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

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

U.S. News Updates

D.C.

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

Iowa

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

Maine

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

Michigan

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

Missouri

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

Montana

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

Texas

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

International News Updates

Canada

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

Italy

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

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

Image Source: Melanie van Leeuwen via Unsplash

Pace Yourself: Ten Expert Tips on Enjoying 4/20

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

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

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

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

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

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

What are your 4/20 plans this year?

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

–Emi, Sales Support Specialist

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

–Will, Digital Content Producer

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

–Zsanelle, Marketing Assistant

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

–Ryan, Senior Account Executive

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

–Darren, Data Entry Specialist

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

–Rebecca, Senior Content Marketing Manager

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

–Ben, Associate Editor

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

–Sara, Photo Editor

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

–Tim, Producer

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

–Damian, Digital Publisher

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

–Lisa, Associate Editor – Politics

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

–Richard, Account Executive

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

–Sam, Managing Editor

Image Source: Sara Dilley

Canada Will Bring Legalization Measure in Early 2017

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

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

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

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

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

The U.N. conference continues through Thursday.

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

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

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

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

Multiple Nations Call For Marijuana Reform At United Nations Special Session

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

4/20 Myths and Their Origins

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

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

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

FALSE

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

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

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

FALSE

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

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

FALSE

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

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

FALSE, KIND OF

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

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

TRUE, BUT IRRELEVANT

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

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

TRUE

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

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

FALSE

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

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

TRUE

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

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

FALSE

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

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

Image Sources: Wikimedia Commons and IMDb

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

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

Safety and Etiquette for Outdoor Cannabis Consumption

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

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

Best Cannabis Pieces to Bring Hiking and Camping

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Legal Considerations of Enjoying Cannabis Outdoors

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The Perfect 4/20 Guest List

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

The Best Vapes for 4/20

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

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

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

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

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

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

How to Choose Cannabis for 4/20

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

The Best Munchies for 4/20

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

Cannabis Décor & Ambiance

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

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

Cannabis-Fueled Fun and Games

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

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

General Tips for 4/20 Entertaining

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

QUICK HITS:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Image Source: UN Women via Flickr Creative Commons

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Guardian: “Uptick in Adults But Not Minors”

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

Washington Times: “Marijuana Cases Have Spiked”

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

Unremarked: Why Are Adults Still Being Arrested?

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

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

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

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

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

Drugged Driving: Data Depends on “Trooper Perception”

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Expect to be carded.

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

Be prepared.

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

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

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

You may be required to wait.

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

Ask questions.

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

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

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

Don’t feel pressured.

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

How was your experience?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Click to view an enlarged image.

Key Takeaways

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

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

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

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

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

A Look at Ohio House Proposal to Legalize Medical Marijuana

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

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

Legislative History

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

The New Bill

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

What Federal Law Says

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

Support

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

Opposition

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

The Bill’s Chances

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

How has legalization changed Oregon?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Nope. Not yet.

Do you have any desire or interest in trying it?

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

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

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

Tell me about your 4/20 fundraiser.

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

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

On a personal note, I adore your bicycle pin.

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

Image Source: Cecilia Snyder via Flickr Creative Commons

Catalina Island Medical Marijuana Campaign Meets Required Signature Goal

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

While 4/20 used to unite a marginalized group — those daring enough to admit to using cannabis — these days it’s a big-tent affair. Some in the industry, Lewis said, have even thought about reframing the holiday as something broader, such as “Legalization Day.”

“Ask yourself a question: What kind of store do you want to be, and what kind of clientele do you want to serve?” she said. While she’s not advocating a break from the 4/20 tradition, she encouraged business owners to approach the holiday the same way the industry has changed its strategy on cannabis itself: “Package it so everyone can enjoy it.”

US NY: Caution In Pot Adoption Urged At Summit

Globe and Mail, 18 Apr 2016 – Managing Social Norms Is As Important As Rewriting the Rules of Cannabis Consumption in Canada, Conference Hears As the Trudeau government prepares to draw up legislation that would legalize marijuana for recreational use, leading policy experts in the United States have some pointed advice for Canada: Rules are important, but cultivating unwritten social standards around how people use the drug are just as crucial.

What Does UNGASS 2016 Mean for Cannabis Investors?

The United Nations General Assembly is set to hold a special session on the world drug problem in Manhattan this week, and those in the cannabis space are watching closely to see whether the meeting could bring any changes in global drug rules.

For decades, international drug policies have focused on the prohibition and criminalization of drug use, an approach that has lead to violence, corruption and mass incarceration. Writing for the Weed Blog, Phillip Smith points out that drug related violence has left at least 100,000 dead in Mexico alone over the past decade. Tens of thousands more have”disappeared.”

Governments, specifically those of Latin American countries, are calling for more evidence-based drug policies, and as Open Society Foundations explains, UNGASS 2016 may be the first time that an international debate on drugs does more than simply reinforce the status quo.

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Slow to change

But while the conversation may be open, many are skeptical that the meeting will produce real change. Currently, there are three treaties that effectively enforce global drug prohibition and the UN’s 1998 vision for a “drug free world.” They are:

• The 1972 Protocol amending the Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs (Single Convention of 1961)
• The 1971 Convention on Psychotropic Substances (CPS)
• The 1988 Convention against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic and Psychotropic Substances

None of these treaties are up for discussion in this week’s meeting. As OpenCanada.org notes, in the outcome document that’s being recommended for adoption at the UNGASS “[t]he preamble ‘reaffirms’ and ‘underlines’ the three drug control conventions.”

Still, countries such as the United States have already made moves to legalize cannabis within their own borders, arguing that their changes in policy are still within the bounds of the treaty. Meanwhile, Justin Trudeau has said that Canada will look to legalize cannabis at the federal level, treaties or not.

“This is significant, as any possibilities for reforming the international drug control treaties can only come to bear once countries decide that the treaties are no longer fit for purpose – and that starts with acknowledging that cannabis legalization isn’t permitted,” states OpenCanada.

What does it mean for investors?

Speaking to the Investing News Network, Alan Brochstein of 420 Investor stated that a change to the treaties could mean big changes for the cannabis space.

Why? “Because you could have a global change in how nations view cannabis,” he said. Brochstein that the treaties mentioned above are outdated, and that many nations moving towards evidence-based policies don’t believe in them anymore.

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To be sure, Mexican Senator Laura Angelica Rojas Hernández would agree with that statement.

“There is a lack of recognition of the relative efficacy of demand reduction and harm reduction policies and the absence of an acknowledgement of the high costs that the prohibitionist and punitive approaches have generated,” she was quoted as saying by the Weed Blog. “The international community should continue to work toward the establishment of indicators that could help measure the impact of drug policies on people’s lives and their rights.”

And of course, changes to the treaties could also have an impact for businesses starting to establish themselves in the legal cannabis market. “There’s a really good chance that Canada, Israel, Jamaica, South America [could] be able to export to each other,” should a policy change come through, Brochstein stated. “This could really be an opportunity for countries that are on the verge, of or that have, national programs.”

Certainly, cannabis investors will want to keep an eye on the outcome of the UNGASS, and on any future developments with regards to the treaties mentioned above.

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

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

The post What Does UNGASS 2016 Mean for Cannabis Investors? appeared first on Investing News Network.

4/20: The Definitive History of Cannabis’s Biggest Day of the Year

This article is sponsored by Smoke Cartel, an online retailer and head shop made up of a close-knit team of glass lovers dedicated to making sure you get the best possible smoking gear.

For many cannabis enthusiasts, April 20th, or 4/20, is a special time of the year to celebrate the cannabis plant, fight for a change in drug policy, hit up a canna-themed concert or event, or simply kick back and relax with friends. For those who are new to cannabis and unaccustomed with this unofficial holiday, however, you’re likely curious about the significance of 420. Where does it come from? What does it mean? Why do we celebrate? How do we celebrate?

You may have heard the term used in many different ways, but whether it connotes a time of day, a day of the year, or an entire lifestyle for you, 420 is what binds the cannabis community together. Though it originally spread as an internal cuckoo clock for a single group of smokers, the term now refers to the ongoing fight for nationwide legalization and the spread of accessible information within both the medical and recreational communities. If you’re passing the pipe or rallying for your freedom, “420” is all you’ve got to say to let people know that you know what’s up. In the name of honoring the past and celebrating the present, here’s a crash course in all things 420 – the myths, the legacy, and the glorious revelry.

Where Did “420” Come From?

The origin story of 420 has been obscured by various rumors. Some say that it comes from the number of chemical compounds in cannabis; others suggest that it matches up with a mythical 4:20pm tea time in Holland; still others have stated that it coincides Bob Marley’s birthdate, or the death dates of Kurt Cobain, Janis Joplin, or Jimi Hendrix. It has also been explained as a police code for cannabis use. All of these are fictitious.

The truth is that 420 originated in the fall of 1971 at San Rafael High School, 30 minutes north of San Francisco. A group of students nicknamed “the Waldos” (so-called for their wall-centric hangout spot outside of the school) caught wind that a U.S. Coast Guardsman stationed at the nearby Point Reyes Lighthouse had abandoned a cannabis patch somewhere in the forest on the Point Reyes Peninsula after becoming nervous that it could be found by his commanding officer, jeopardizing his career. Not wanting the cannabis to go to waste, Newman drew a map for his brother-in-law Bill McNulty, who passed it along to his friends, the Waldos.

All five Waldos were athletes, so they planned to meet at their school’s Louis Pasteur statue after their team practices were over, at – you guessed it – 4:20pm. They would then smoke copiously before venturing into the forest armed with the treasure map, searching for the lost grow.

The search continued for weeks. Every day they planned to meet, the Waldos would remind each other in the hallways between classes: “4:20 Louie,” a phrase that was eventually shortened to “4:20.” Lamentably, the grow was never found. However, the Waldos continued to use their new code phrase to signal that it was time to smoke, and eventually to refer to anything cannabis-related.

“The Waldos” in 2015

This all came around the time that The Grateful Dead relocated from San Francisco to San Rafael. One Waldo’s older brother, who managed two Grateful Dead sidebands, was close friends and smoking buddies with bassist Phil Lesh, giving the Waldos access to Grateful Dead shows, rehearsals and parties. One of the Waldos, “Waldo Dave” Reddix, even tagged along with the Dead as a roadie during a summer tour.

From here, the phrase spread through the Grateful Dead community and across the nation. High Times caught wind of the phrase and began using it liberally in the early 90s. Over the years, it has established itself as an irrefutable cultural phenomenon, working its way into everything from social media handles to tattoos. And even in 2016, the legend continues to evolve; in February, the Waldos tracked down Gary Newman, the Coast Guardsman whose cannabis patch catalyzed 420, and explained how he had played a role in cannabis history.

The Grateful Dead in 1970

The Waldos keep their old batik 420 flag and memorabilia locked away in a bank vault in San Francisco. While all five lead successful professional lives, they still keep in touch with each other, and continue to document their story at 420waldos.com. They are proud of their contribution to the cannabis community, and pleased that 4/20 is celebrated annually by so many around the world. “[The best part is] that on 4/20 people peacefully take a stand against the drug war and discuss tactics for abolishing prohibition,” says “Waldo Steve” Capper on behalf of all of the Waldos, “[and] that people celebrate the consumption of cannabis and spend time with friends being happy.”

How and Where is 4/20 Celebrated?

In the decades since its inception, 420 has been widely embraced as a de facto holiday for those who partake of the plant. You can attend a legalization rally, hit up a local or regional event, check out a canna-themed concert, take a trip with your friends, or simply enjoy a Netflix marathon with your favorite cannabis strain in the privacy and comfort of your own home. No matter where you are, there’s almost certainly something 420-inspired going on: check out the Leafly Events Calendar to find out what’s up in your area.

If you join in the party (and you certainly should), make sure that you do so responsibly. Regardless of cannabis legality in your location, public consumption can still lead to a fine, so be smart about how you celebrate. Moderation is key – whether you’re smoking, vaping, dabbing, or savoring edibles, you don’t need to impress anyone by blazing through enough to take down George Clinton and his entire Parliament-Funkadelic. Remember to hydrate throughout the day. Chew on some black peppercorns if you overdo it. And never, ever drive under the influence of cannabis.

Quiz: How Much Cannabis Do You Consume in a Year?

4/20 almost certainly represents cannabis consumption’s yearly high point, but have you ever wondered how much you consume over the course of a full year? Take this fun and easy quiz to figure it out!

Image Sources: Sara Dilley, Gabrielle Lurie via SF Evergreen, and Wikimedia Commons

Colorado Report: More Adults Using Cannabis, but Not Kids

DENVER (AP) — Colorado kids are not smoking more cannabis since the drug became legal — but their older siblings and parents certainly are, according to a long-awaited report giving the most comprehensive data yet on the effects of the state’s 2012 recreational marijuana law.

The state released a report Monday detailing changes in everything from cannabis arrests to tax collections to calls to Poison Control. Surveys given to middle-schoolers and high-schoolers indicate that youth marijuana use didn’t rise significantly in the years after the 2012 vote.

Anonymous surveys given to about 40,000 Colorado students before and after legalization showed “no significant change” in marijuana use by children under 18 in the preceding 30 days.

Among high school students, use went from about 23 percent in 2005 to about 20 percent in 2014. Similarly, there was no significant change in use by kids younger than 13 in recent years.

But Colorado youth were much more likely than kids in other states to use marijuana, both before and after legalization, according to a national survey.

About 13 percent of Colorado minors 12-17 in 2014 had used marijuana in the last 30 days, the annual National Survey on Drug Use and Health said. That compared with about 7 percent of minors the same ages nationwide.

Youth marijuana arrests in Colorado rose 5 percent between 2012 and 2014, from 3,235 to 3,400. Even worse, the report cited a huge uptick in cannabis arrests in schools, which rose by 34 percent between 2012 and 2014.

While use of the drug did not increase significantly among children, it did jump among adults.

Relying on data from the national drug use survey, Colorado reported that nearly a third of Coloradans 18 to 25 in 2014 had used cannabis in the last 30 days, a rise of about 5 percent from the year before recreational use was legalized.

The survey showed a similar spike in adults over 26. Past 30-day marijuana use went from 7.6 percent in 2012 to 12.4 percent in 2014.

The report comes three years after lawmakers ordered the state Department of Public Safety to start tracking law enforcement activity related to cannabis. A major argument of pro-legalization activists was that regulated markets would result in fewer arrests, allowing police to focus on what some consider more serious crimes.

The numbers showed a marked drop in arrests, but that legalization has not solved the racial disparities in enforcement that drug-policy reformers had hoped to end. Colorado police departments have struggled to standardize their marijuana data-collection systems, making more granular conclusions problematic.

Other highlights from the report:

— Traffic safety data related to legalization was limited, mostly because Colorado didn’t collect data on marijuana-impaired driving before 2012. The number of Colorado State Patrol summons issued for driving under the influence of marijuana dropped slightly from 674 in 2014 to 655 in 2015. Traffic fatalities in which a driver tested positive for marijuana’s psychoactive chemical, THC, increased 44 percent in the first two years of legalization.

— The report said there was “no discernible trend” in illegal cultivation on public land, which includes most of Colorado’s ski resorts.

— More Coloradans are calling Poison Control reporting marijuana-related exposure. Cannabis calls went from 44 in 2006 to 227 in 2015.

The Shake: Marijuana Micro-Memoirs, and Are Cannabis-Leaf Logos Over?

Cannabis makes people better, and makes better people. “Marijuana made me a better (insert demographic here)” stories are busting out all over. On Sunday the New York Times ran Tom Huth’s piece, “How Getting High Made Me a Better Caregiver,” which followed on the heels of Jessie Gill’s piece for Redbook, “Using Medical Marijuana Makes Me a Better Mother.” Good on ‘em for coming out of the closet. We have a feeling you’ll be reading a lot more of these micro-memoirs in the coming months, and it’s only appropriate to give a tip o’ the cap to Neal Pollack, who pioneered the genre in his book Alternadad way back in 2007.

Snow miser puts kibosh on Denver’s 420 plans. The early spring snowstorm that canceled more than 850 flights into and out of D.I.A. on Saturday also wiped out the big 420 rally — partly because of snow at the rally site, but also because the flights carrying Wiz Khalifa and Lil Wayne never made it to the airport. The event was free, but some “premiere viewing access” tickets were sold for $50 to $150, and some of those folks weren’t too happy. Organizers waited until 9:18 a.m. to cancel the 10 a.m. event, which meant a lot of people who hadn’t paid for premium access were angry too, because they made the hard drive through the storm only to find an empty Civic Center Park upon their arrival. It’s been a tough 420 for Denver this year, what with the early loss of the Cannabis Cup. The Civic Center celebration was expected to make up for the Cup’s absence, but mother nature had other plans. Sorry everybody.

Enough with the green leaves! says logo design guy. James Bowie, a Northern Arizona University sociologist who examines trends in logo design, calls out the cannabis industry for an overreliance on the famous toothed leaf. “The use of cannabis leaves in marijuana logos has reached a particularly heightened level of cliché,” he writes for Slate. “Because legal pot is still a novelty, the leaf itself is enough to attract business. But as marijuana becomes legally available on a more widespread basis, its branding is going to have to move beyond the generic leaf to incorporate more distinctive visual elements.”

Denver considers new restrictions on industry. The Denver City Council will hear a revised proposal to cap the number of retail cannabis shops and grow houses this week. Council member Robin Kniech’s earlier proposal resulted in a 6–6 deadlock; now she’s bringing it back, reworked, for consideration early this week. The Council is concerned about the concentration of grow houses in industrial pockets near low-income and high-diversity neighborhoods. Read more in Jon Murray’s Denver Post report.

QUICK HITS:

• In Maine, longtime cannabis advocate Donny Christen carried out his annual Patriot’s Day smoke-in on the steps of the Somerset County courthouse earlier today. This year marked the 25th anniversary of the Skowhegan tradition, which Christen started with glaucoma patient Carol Hurley back in 1991.
• Italy’s top prosecutor backs cannabis decriminalization to fight ISIS and the mafia. “Decriminalization or even legalization would definitely be a weapon against traffickers, among whom there could be terrorists who make money off of it,” said Franco Roberti.
• Conservative economist argues for MMJ regs in Michigan. Gary Wolfram, an economist with Hillsdale College, pens an op-ed in the Detroit News calling for “a strong regulatory framework” that promotes safety and a stable business climate. Maybe that’ll slow the dispensary raids and asset forfeiture in Michigan, too.
• Canadians claim to make cannabinoids with yeast. Yep. Yeast. Not sure whether this is a game-changer or the cannabis version of cold fusion. Late last year German biochemists claimed to have genetically engineered yeast to produce THC, and at least two Canadian firms are brewing their own yeast-produced cannabinoids. Read and decide for yourself at the CBC.
• And finally, no, Canada isn’t legalizing cannabis on 4/20, despite what some hoaxy websites might claim. There is some interesting movement within Conservative Party circles though, as former prohibitionists suggest they may be leaning toward supporting Prime Minister Trudeau’s motion to legalize for recreational use.

High NY: Medical Panel And Angel Investment In Cannabis Tonight

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

Supreme Court Rejects Appeal Over Stiff Cannabis Sentence

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Mettrum Progresses in Canadian Cannabis Market with Differentiated Strategy

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

As quoted in the interview:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

With the stoke of a pen it was done.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

What It Was Like Attending My First NCIA Quarterly Cannabis Caucus

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

The Best Things to Do in Arizona for 4/20

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

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

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

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

12:00 pm – 1:30 pm: tru|med

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

2:00 pm – 3:30 pm: Urban Greenhouse

2:00 pm – 3:30 pm: PARC Dispensary

3:00 pm – 4:00 pm: Emerald Palace

3:30 pm – 5:00 pm: Monarch

4:00 pm – 5:00 pm: Harvest of Tempe

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

Happy 4/20!

Prominent Doctors To Launch Marijuana Legalization Organization On Monday

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

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

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

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

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

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

Why is Coconut Oil Popular for Cannabis Infusion?

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

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

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

How to Make Cannabis-Infused Coconut Oil

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

What, is that right?

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

Alright. Okay.

How do you keep that windblown look going?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Chris D’Elia makes fun of Drake

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Yeah. Uh, I would call it “Oops.”

Oops?

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

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

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

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

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

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

QUICK HITS:

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

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

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

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

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

1. Kid N’ Cookies

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

2. Tigermelon

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

3. Logic Diesel

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

4. Haze Berry

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

5. Mt. Hood Magic

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

6. Citrus Sap

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

7. Skins Skunk

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

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

PGT #295- Goodbye Babylon

Planet GreenTrees Radio Every Thursday Night!

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

Hosted by attorney Michael Komorn from Komorn Law and Chad from Birmingham Compassion

Contributions from Rick Thompson from The Compassion Chronicles-also providing the news, and show producer Jamie Lowell from the Third Coast Dispensary in Ypsilanti

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

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

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

Update on MILegalize

Weekly appellate and trial court updates with attorney Allen Peisner

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

What Cannabis Strains Do Women Want?

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

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

The Strains Women View the Most on Leafly.com

Click on the image for an enlarged version

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

Cannabis Strains Women Look at More Frequently Than Men Do

Click on the image for an enlarged version

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

Women Like Sativa Strains and Uplifting Effects

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

Women Seek Out High-CBD Strains

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

Women are Interested in Anti-Anxiety Strains

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

Women Enjoy Sweet, Fruity Flavor Profiles

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

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

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

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

Image Source: Sara Dilley

US CA: RIP Sacramento Medical-Cannabis Activist Ryan Landers

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

Pennsylvania MMJ: Meet the Devil in the Details

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

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

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

Who can access medical marijuana?

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

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

When can patients get their medicine?

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

What forms of cannabis will be allowed?

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

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

Who can grow? Who can sell?

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

Will there be dispensaries in Philadelphia?

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

What strange twists did lawmakers add to the rules?

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

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

Concerns

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

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

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

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

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

Heroes and Villains

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

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

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

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

Good Portents for Pot Politics?

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

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

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

The Shake: NFL Players Team Up to Study Medical Cannabis

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

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

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

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

QUICK HITS:

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

The Best Things to Do in Colorado for 4/20

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

World Cannabis Week in Denver (April 14 – 24)

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

World Cannabis Week Denver Event Details

420 Eve on the Rocks in Morrison (April 19)

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

420 Eve on the Rocks Event Details

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

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

The 1st Official Colorado Cup Event Details

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

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

420 at the Glitter Dome Event Details

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

What an amazing afternoon.

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

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

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

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

Image Source: Jane West

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

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

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

The Alchemy of Cannabis Terpene Re-Introduction

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

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

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

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

Dabbing with The Clear

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

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

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

Vaping with The Clear

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

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

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

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

Image Source: Sara Dilley

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

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

Case in point: TV host Bill Maher.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Image Source: David Shankbone via Wikimedia Commons

Top Politicians Back Effort to Fight Legalization in Massachusetts

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

DaVinci Ascent

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

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

Haze Dual V3

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

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

Vapir Prima

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

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

#ThisThingRips OG Four 2.0

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

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

Cloud Pen 3.0

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

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

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

NORML Endorses The MILegalize 2016 Michigan Marijuana Legalization Initiative

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

Comedian Ron Funches Talks Cannabis and Video Games

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Yeah, it was!

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

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

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

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

Do you have favorite strains?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

What does he smell like?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Blue Dream

Worthy substitutions:

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

Girl Scout Cookies

Worthy substitutions:

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

Sour Diesel

Worthy substitutions:

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

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OG Kush

Worthy substitutions:

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

Green Crack

Worthy substitutions:

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

Granddaddy Purple

Worthy substitutions:

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

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White Widow

Worthy substitutions:

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

Jack Herer

Worthy substitutions:

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

Bubba Kush

Worthy substitutions:

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

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Northern Lights

Worthy substitutions:

• Black Domina
• Aurora Indica
• Shiva Skunk
• Gigabud

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

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

U.S. News Updates

COLORADO

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

NEVADA

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

OHIO

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

PENNSYLVANIA

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

RHODE ISLAND

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

VERMONT

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

International News Updates

AUSTRALIA

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

CANADA

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

FRANCE

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

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

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

Why Are Legal States Setting More Limits on Cannabis?

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

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

Fixing a Fledgling System

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

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

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

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

Cannabis-infused gummy bears

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

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

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

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

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

The Importance of Information

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Regulation or Education?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Pennsylvania Set to OK Medical Cannabis, Ohio Could Follow Soon

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Portland Vitals

Cannabis legality: Recreational (21+, ID required)

Nicknames: PDX, Stumptown, The Rose City, Bridgetown

Population: 609,456

Pop culture claim to fame: Portlandia

Dispensaries on Leafly: 136

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

Day One

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Day Two

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Portrait of Lynnette Shaw

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Image Source: Lynnette Shaw via Twitter

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

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

Medical Marijuana Bill Clears Pennsylvania Senate Again

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The Pennsylvania Medical Society also opposes it.

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

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

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

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

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

States with the Largest Growth of Cannabis-Curious Women

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

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

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

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

States with the Best and Worst Proportion of Female Users

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

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

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

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

Why This Growth Isn’t Good Enough

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

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

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

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

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

Business Takeaways

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

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

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

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

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

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

QUICK HITS:

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

Cannabis and Debilitating Medical Conditions: Why Vaporization Works Best

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

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

Vaporizing Cannabis for Debilitating Health Conditions

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

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

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

How to Choose the Right Vaporizer for Medical Care

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

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

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

Image Source: Sara Dilley

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

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

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

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

Cannabis-in-Schools Bill Clears Colorado Legislative Hurdle

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

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

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

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

Stacey Linn with her 15-year-old daughter

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Image Source: AP

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

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

1. Plan a Dedicated Email Campaign

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

Speaking of deals…

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

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

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

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

4. Update Your Leafly Menu

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

5. Stay Active on Social Media

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

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

There’s a saying that “a rising tide lifts all ships,” meaning that the influx of 4/20 traffic should provide a residual bump in traffic to your location through the weekend. On April 20th, offer your customers an incentive to return to your location after the holiday concludes. Pass out coupons or advertise extra deals that are valid from 4/21 through the end of the month so your visitors have a reason to come back. You definitely want to keep the 4/20 momentum going through the rest of April, so brainstorm some fun ways to generate repeat business.

Need some more marketing tips to help your cannabusiness succeed? Contact Leafly and we’ll help you!

Alan Brochstein on Investing in Cannabis Stocks

Investing in cannabis stocks can still be a bit of a mystery. A number of states and provinces in Canada and the US are in various phases of legalization for both medical and recreational marijuana use, making it difficult to know what sort of fundamentals to look up for.

To get a bit more insight into the space, the Investing News Network got in touch with Alan Brochstein of 420 Investor. In the interview below, he speaks about the current state of the market, cannabis stocks he likes, and what to look forward to in terms of positive catalysts.

Overall, while he believes the 2014 pot bubble may have scared a lot of investors off, things are getting a bit better for cannabis stocks and the marijuana market.

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The state of the market

For starters, Brochstein clarified that the cannabis market in 2014 was a trading market. Rather than being full of quality companies with long term investors, “it was a big momentum trade,” he said.

“I’ve been following the industry for a little over 3 years now, and the public markets are still pretty much not invest-able,” he added, “but the good news is, it’s getting a little bit better.” Brochstein stated that the cannabis market has been in a long downward slide, with the index that he creates losing over 95 percent of its value. However, the index is slowly starting to recover, and the market is now in a resurgence.

What’s driving that turnaround? One catalyst Brochstein pointed to was the release of phase 3 clinical trial data by GW Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ:GWPH) in March for its drug Epidolex. GW saw its stock double on the news, and the company hopes that its study of the epilepsy drug will confirm the therapeutic benefits of cannabinoids. “That kind of sparked the market,” Brochstein said.

In terms of what to watch for going forward, Brochstein pointed to two catalysts he sees on the horizon:

• The UN Special Session of the United Nations General Assembly on the World Drug Problem; Taking place on April 19-21 2016, the meeting of the United Nations General Assembly is definitely something that Brochstein is watching. “You could have kind of a global change with how nations view Cannabis,” he said.

• Legalization initiatives in the US; In November there’s probably going to be five to nine legalization initiatives on the ballot in the US,” Brochstein said. “That’s a real tradeable event.”

As far as longer term investments go, Brochstein stated that the market is not quite there yet, but as mentioned above, he is seeing improvements.

“On the investment side, there are definitely a few more good companies,” he said. “The valuations aren’t super compelling. They’re not going to appeal to institutional investors most likely. So we’re not quite there yet. But we’re starting to see some real companies with real revenue and they could have better corporate governance.”

Cannabis stocks to watch

While Brochstein reiterated that the valuations he’d like to see are not necessarily there for cannabis stocks yet, he did have a few examples of public cannabis stocks that he’s keeping an eye on. They were

• Indoor Harvest (OTCMKTS:INQD)

• MassRoots (OTCMKTS:MSRT)

• Medicine Man Technologies (OTCBB:MDCL)

“These are all companies who have kind of done things the right way in terms of how they’ve gone public, instead of going through reverse merger,” he said. He also pointed to GW Pharmaceuticals, mentioned above, and to Kush Bottles (OTCMKTS:KSHB), although he currently believes that particular cannabis stock is too expensive. 

In terms of the three companies mentioned above, Brochstein spoke about how MassRoots is helping marijuana companies to connect with brands, retailers and end users. “Advertising is really hard in this industry, because you can’t use billboards, you can’t use radio or television,” he said. “Facebook, Instagram, all these social media networks are shutting down company pages. This is an end-around closed system to allow people to use social media when they can’t use their normal social media. So it potentially solves a big problem.”

That said, Brochstein sees a potential issue in the sense that the platform appeals more to the young crowd than to newer users of medical cannabis. “It’s not going to appeal to kind of the more interesting market to me, which is people in their middle ages who are coming back to cannabis, substituting cannabis health and wellness products for pharmaceuticals,” he said. “[Massroots] is of no value to these people.”

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Interestingly, Brochstein said that some of the things that really excite him about the marijuana space are not in the public market yet; branding and compliance companies.

“I think Cannabis is a commodity, and we’re going to see over time that the value chain goes towards chemistry and engineering,{ he said. “So sure, there will be premium flower companies out there, but the reality is, for most consumers, it’s going to move towards brands. They’re just not publicly trading right now.”

Furthermore, he pointed out that compliance is critical for companies in the marijuana industry. “You have to be compliant or you lose your license,” he said. 

Legalization

Of course, the legalization of marijuana, either for medical or recreational use, is always a subject that is top of mind for cannabis investors. Brochstein has his own predictions about when investors can expect to see changes in Canada and the US.

“In Canada, I’m very optimistic that it’s going to happen, but I’m pessimistic about the timing,” he said, stating that there will be a number of federal, provincial and local issues to deal with before all is said and done. “I tell my subscribers, don’t expect it until January 1st 2018,” he added. “And that may be early.”

Similarly, in the US, Brochstein believes that the federal legalization process will be longer than many expect. “Two or three years ago, I was loudly forecasting 2020, for federal legalization. I no longer believe that to be the case. After having watched and studied. And I don’t want to say it’s going to be 2024, but somewhere in between those two years maybe.”

That said, there could be a few exciting catalysts to watch for at the state level. Beyond changes he sees on the horizon in California and Nevada, Brochstein stated that he is closely following the path to cannabis legalization in Vermont.

“The governor is for legalization, and they’re getting really really close to passing it legislatively,” he said. “That’s never been done before. That is a game changer, not only because it would happen without a vote from the citizens if it happens, but more importantly, that’s your first east coast legalization.”

Certainly, that’s plenty of food for thought for cannabis investors looking at the space.

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Securities Disclosure: I, Teresa Matich, hold no direct investment interest in any of the companies mentioned in this article.

Editorial Disclosure: The Investing News Network does not guarantee the accuracy or thoroughness of the information reported in the interviews it conducts. The opinions expressed in these interviews do not reflect the opinions of the Investing News Network and do not constitute investment advice. All readers are encouraged to perform their own due diligence.

The post Alan Brochstein on Investing in Cannabis Stocks appeared first on Investing News Network.

The Shake: The Feds Grow Brickweed and Cannabis Is a Staple in Spokane

In Ohio: No last year, yes this year. The new team leading Ohioans for Medical Marijuana, the state’s medical cannabis campaign, includes Brandon Lynaugh, which may come as a bit of a surprise to those familiar with Ohio’s last cannabis campaign. In 2015 Lynaugh served as campaign manager for No On 3, which pushed against the ill-fated ResponsibleOhio initiative. It’s an interesting but not altogether surprising turn of events for Lynaugh, who supports medical cannabis access as a result of having a close family member who suffers from epilepsy. Ohioans for Medical Marijuana also hired Trevor Vessels as deputy campaign manager, Aaron Marshall as director of communications and Lee Roberts as political director.

What do you consider a household staple? One of the top-selling staples in one Washington state county was — you guessed it — cannabis. Legal cannabis sales in Spokane County outsold bread, milk, and even wine last year. Beer was the only competing product that outsold cannabis, and only barely. Each Spokane household spent an average of $225.64 on cannabis last year, while households spent an average of $232.70 on beer during the same period. By comparison, the average household in the same area spent $109.71 on bread, $154.85 on wine, and $155.37 on milk. How do you like them apples?

The government’s cannabis is schwaggy, to say the least. It may come as no surprise, but the cannabis that the National Institute on Drug Abuse legally grows at a farm in Mississippi — currently the only legal cannabis available for research purposes — is, for all intents and purposes, ditch weed. Its “high-THC” cannabis levels top out at 13.7 percent, while the average in the legal retail industry hovers around 18.7 percent and can test north of of 30 percent. The revelation came in a letter drafted in response to a group of senators’ request for information on cannabis grown at the University of Mississippi. The DEA provided the information, giving the public a peek into the strange world of federal cannabis grown behind closed doors. Time for a change?

Pennsylvania nears the finish line for medical cannabis. State Senate majority leader Jake Corman says his chamber is close to releasing changes to the states’ medical marijuana legislation, the Associated Press reports. The bill has been in the pipeline for more than a year and has undergone major changes across the board. The Senate passed a similar version of the bill last May, but gaining the necessary support from the Republican-controlled House has been challenging. The most recent changes will be technical, designed to eliminate potential glitches down the road. The bill is likely to see a vote soon and is the closest that the Keystone state has come to legalizing medical cannabis.

New Jersey lawmakers take a note from Whoopi’s book on cannabis. State Assembly Members Tim Eustace, L. Grace Spencer and Anjelica Spencer introduced a bill that would add menstrual cramps to the state’s list of qualifying conditions for medical cannabis. If it passes, this will make New Jersey the first state to allow access to medical marijuana products to women suffering from dysmenorrhea, or menstrual cramps. When Whoopi Goldberg recently introduced her new line of cannabis products geared toward easing menstrual pain, some state officials considered it a viable alternative. “One of the most underserved populations is women,” noted Assemblyman Eustace. Thanks for thinking of the ladies, NJ!

QUICK HITS:

• Cruz reiterates that he supports states’ rights on cannabis legalization. Although Sen. Ted Cruz says he’d likely vote against legalization in his home state of Texas, he told ABC in Denver that he supports the right of the people to make that decision for themselves under the Constitution. Good on ya, Ted!
• MassRoots just filed to be NASDAQ’s first listed cannabis stock. The social network has been around since 2013 and last April began trading on the OTCQB Marketplace under the symbol MSRT. This time they’re hoping the NASDAQ Capital Market will pick up their listing. It’s unclear whether the company is eligible, however, based on the federal illegality of cannabis.
• The French Secretary of State for Relations with Parliament calls for legalization. Jean-Marie Le Guen, liaison for the French government, told BFMTV that the decriminalization of cannabis deserves to be discussed, arguing that prohibition isn’t effective in decreasing use among teens. Instead he expressed support for allowing restricted adult use. We agree — comme il faut.
• And finally, Howard Marks, once a famed international cannabis smuggler known as “Mr. Nice,” died Sunday. Marks spent three years in jail and was described in his obituary as “Britain’s most charming drug smuggler.” Goodbye, Mr. Nice, you left quite a legacy.

A Look Inside Mettrum, A Medical Cannabis Producer

A recent article in Huff Post Business highlighted Mettrum Health Corp. (TSXV:MT), a vertically integrated provider of cannabis products located in Bowmanville, Ontario.

As quoted in the article:

Mettrum’s licensed production facilities span over 80,000 square feet of capacity, located on a total of over 80 acres of land. The Bowmanville location (one of two) is massive, and houses their client service team and part of the grow operations. We passed through a number of security checkpoints — something they take very seriously (maybe even more so than the Canadian government requires).

A good fact to note: I was informed that the entire process takes about three months from clone to harvest. It was fascinating to see the complexity of the operation — almost otherworldly — where each plant has a dedicated lamp and computer-automated filtration system in their grow pod for consistency and potency of supplemental nutrients.

Afterwards, we toured Mettrum’s extraction lab where their concentrated oils are produced. Mettrum’s cannabis oils were designed to address the demand from patients and health care professionals alike for alternative consumption methods of medical cannabis to exist. Since launching their oils in January of this year, Mettrum has witnessed firsthand the tremendous appetite for extracted products.

Touring these facilities made it obvious that medical-grade cannabis is way more than just a “medical marijuana” sign on a storefront. It would be very difficult to replicate what goes on inside these facilities without having the experience, real estate and capital to uphold such an impressive growing practice. I don’t care what anyone says, the proof is in the cannabis-infused pudding; patients who are looking to obtain safe medicine should highly consider doing so from a top-tier government regulated source that shows accountability to their product.

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5 Ways to Help Your Budtender Help You

Walking into a dispensary and ordering legal cannabis for the first time is both a wonderful and surreal experience. Customers find themselves immersed in a whole new world of strain varieties, extracts, edibles, topicals, and a myriad of other innovative products. In most cases, helping them along while they make their selections are budtenders, staff trained to help their customers find the products that will best suit their needs.

Unfortunately, not all budtenders are created equal. In fact, their competency and helpfulness can vary drastically depending on a number of variables. Helpful budtenders will typically ask more questions than they answer, allowing them to individualize the way in which they recommend products to their customers. An adept budtender will not only know the specification of every product they sell, but can recommend those products on an individual basis by asking questions and culling products until they deduct enough to initiate a selection.

On the other hand, there are budtenders who may not be helpful at all, or who seem helpful but are actually operating with ulterior motives to move certain products along on their shelves. It can be incredibly difficult to spot the difference between a helpful budtender and one trying to push inventory. At times, these budtenders may offer advice based on personal experiences or sales trends (e.g., “I tried this last night and loved it!” or “You better get this strain fast! It’s going to sell out soon!”), inferring that certain products may possibly be more desirable than others. Where these anecdotes can be helpful, they aren’t always accurate and can be downright misleading at times.

Given that there is currently no standardized talent selection or training process for budtenders, competency will vary by business, location, and individual staff. For a novice consumer, this can troublesome. If you’re unsure of the help you may receive at a particular dispensary, it’s best to do a bit of research first. Resources such as our Dispensary Locator are a great tool to help you narrow down the options. Once you get there, you are bound to have questions, and may still find yourself in front of a budtender who expects you to already know what you want.

Below is a list of five factors to consider before approaching your budtender. These questions are no different than what an experienced cannabis consultant would ask you from behind the counter, though being armed with this information beforehand can vastly improve the effectiveness of your dialogue in finding the right products for you.

1. How Would You Like to Consume Your Cannabis?

Cannabis can be consumed in a myriad of different ways, from smoking flowers to bathing in an infused soak. There are edibles, beverages, tinctures, capsules, breath mints, and beyond. It’s best to research which way you would like to consume cannabis, or arm yourself with a few questions about various consumption methods so that your budtender can help guide you along. This helps you because it allows you to research which dispensaries carry the products you need. Keep in mind that some products will only have limited availability and may not be carried at your local dispensary.

2. Are You Seeking Cannabis as Medicine?

The way in which you decide to use cannabis, as well as the type of cannabis you use, will be contingent on the experience you seek to gain from it. Somebody who is looking to gain relief from pain may benefit more from an infused transdermal product than if they were to simply smoke flowers, whereas somebody looking to manage anxiety may find much more relief in a CBD-rich tincture than taking a dab of high THC resin. If you seek to use cannabis as medicine, consider consulting with a physician educated in medical marijuana (not all physicians meet this requirement). Your budtender and your doctor are different entities, even in medical markets. It’s important to take both opinions into account to understand what type of relief you need so that you can properly connect the dots when the time comes to choose which product you want.

3.How Psychoactive of an Experience are You Seeking?

Cannabis can affect your mental and physical state in vastly different ways depending on the product type, dosage, and consumption method. These variables change even more when considering your tolerance. Understanding tolerance is paramount when discussing dosage with your budtender. Certain products may be non-psychoactive, such as those containing high amounts of CBD. Other products may be uplifting and cerebral while some are meant for relaxation and sedation. Letting your budtender know what experience you are seeking will help them guide you towards a product that will meet your exact needs.

4. How Long Do You Wish to Feel the Effects?

This goes hand in hand with the third question when determining dosage and consumption method. Dabbing tends to provide a quick and intense experience when compared to edibles. Edibles take time to kick in but can have effects that last for hours, even days. Planning out how you intend to use cannabis is important and will help in determining both the products and consumption methods you discuss with your budtender.

5. How Discreet Must Your Cannabis Consumption Be?

Using cannabis discreetly can be a matter of courtesy. Cannabis smoke and vapor may bother some people. It’s important to be considerate to others in all situations, but it’s vital to understand how your cannabis use is going to affect those around you. If you’re planning to be in the presence of others who choose not to consume cannabis, bring this to the attention of your budtender so that they can guide you towards products that can be used anywhere. Edibles, vape pens, topicals, sublinguals, transdermals, capsules, and even suppositories are examples of discreet products.

You may not always be lucky enough to broker cannabis with an experienced consultant, but these five factors should all be at the forefront of your mind before speaking with your budtender so you can arm them with the best tools possible to do their job, which is to help you find the exact product you need for the exact experience you want.

Cannabis-in-Schools Debate Returns to Colorado

DENVER (AP) — A new Colorado law allowing medical marijuana use at public schools is getting a second look Monday in a House committee.

The current law allows students who need medical marijuana to use edible pot at public schools — as long as the school districts agree.

No school districts currently does, so patient advocates are pushing the bill to make Colorado the second state to require schools to allow nurses or parents to administer medical pot. New Jersey made the change last year.

“They need to make reasonable accommodations so that children who need medical marijuana can go to school,” said Stacey Linn, a Lakewood mother of a 15-year-old with cerebral palsy who is not allowed to wear a skin patch delivering a cannabis-derived treatment to school.

Medical marijuana has been legal in some states for two decades. But school districts and lawmakers nationwide are only now starting to grapple with thorny issues about student use of a drug still illegal under federal law. Colorado is one of three states where medical marijuana is legal that has any rules for use in schools, according to the pro-legalization Marijuana Policy Project.

Stacey Linn with her 15-year-old daughter

The possibility of medical marijuana in schools raises a number of questions for school officials. The law currently says that the drug must be in non-smokeable form and is to be administered by a school nurse or a caregiver, likely a parent. But those school nurses are also required to report to authorities any child who is exposed to an illegal drug, including marijuana-derived treatments.

That happened to the Wann family of Highlands Ranch, which got a call from Child Protective Services last year because their epileptic 8th grader uses a cannabis-derived treatment. Amber Wann said her son doesn’t take the oil at school, but the district reported the family as possible child abusers, despite last year’s law clarifying that schools may allow marijuana treatment.

“They were more concerned about losing federal funds and law enforcement coming after their nurses than about the new law saying they can allow a hemp-derived medicine,” Wann said.

School officials say they’re being unfairly asked to accommodate an activity that still runs afoul of federal law. This year’s update, for example, gives schools no guidance for the possibility of a student grabbing a cannabis treatment away from a parent and rightful patient on a school bus and taking it themselves.

“School boards do not lack compassion for students that benefit from medical marijuana,” said Jane Urschel of the Colorado Association of School Boards, which opposes the marijuana requirement. “How do you begin to deal with those difficulties in different venues?”

The parents counter that medical marijuana shouldn’t be treated any differently than Ritalin or other controlled substances that are routinely dispensed by school districts.

Supporters also say that schools are being too conservative about the prospect of endangering federal funding. New Jersey last year required schools to accommodate student medical marijuana use, with no repercussions from federal authorities.

The law’s backers say they’re not sure whether the school pot requirement will pass. The state Department of Education is neutral on the measure. Colorado has about 350 kids under 18 on the medical marijuana registry, according to the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment.

Sponsors say they hope that growing acceptance of marijuana to treat childhood illnesses gives the school pot requirement a boost.

“Kids shouldn’t have to choose between their medicine and going to school,” said Rep. Jonathan Singer, D-Longmont and sponsor of the bill.

This story will be updated later in the day.

Image Source: AP

California Medical Marijuana Czar Never Smoked Cannabis, Unfamiliar With 'What It Does'

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — California’s medical marijuana czar says she believes there’s a need for weed, although she’s never smoked pot herself.

“Unlike regulating alcohol, I’m not a user of marijuana, so I am not familiar with how that affects people or what it does,” Lori Ajax told the Los Angeles Times in an interview Thursday.

“But from the outreach I’ve done since I got here, it appears there is a medical need, and I’m tasked with doing this, and I’m going to do it.”

Ajax was appointed as the first chief of the Bureau of Medical Marijuana Regulation in February by Gov. Jerry Brown. The job pays $150,636 a year and requires state Senate approval.

Ajax’s division is working with several existing departments on drafting regulations that will guide the process for granting licenses, imposing sanctions, setting product-labeling and health standards, and tracking sales.

The Legislature, which passed the licensing law last year, wants to start regulating the well-entrenched and large medical marijuana industry by 2018.

Ajax is well aware of the deadline.

“I have on my whiteboard ‘633 days.’ It’s a good reminder how it’s actually a short period of time,” she said.

The schedule includes adding staff — the division is budgeted for 25 employees — and setting up meetings to get public feedback. Next will come drafting the regulations and putting them out for public comment.

Ajax wants to require background and fingerprint checks to weed out serious criminals who might want to be licensed growers and sellers.

Some of the key features of the medical marijuana framework the Legislature approved — such as limiting how many licenses an individual person or business can hold — were modeled after California’s alcohol license laws.

Ajax was chief deputy director of the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control, where she has worked as an investigator and administrator since 1995.

The 51-year-old Republican said she doesn’t remember whether she voted for Proposition 215, the 1996 ballot measure that legalized medical marijuana use.

“At the end of the day, my opinion shouldn’t matter,” she said. “This is what was passed into law, and I’m going to get this done by Jan. 1, 2018.”

The job could expand to include regulating nonmedical pot if Californians vote to legalize recreational use. Backers are trying to place a legalization initiative on November’s ballot.

Ajax said she had no position on the initiative.

“Right now, I have enough on my plate just dealing with medical marijuana,” she said.

See Brookings Institution Fellow John Hudak At The Cannabis Business Summit

The world of marijuana politics and policy is very complex, and is changing constantly. I am always reminded of this when I log into Facebook and I get one of those ‘see your memories from this day’ notifications. I will see something that I posted in 2010, 2012, 2014, etc., and it’s always crazy to

Suffering Children In Connecticut Deserve Access To Medical Cannabis Treatment

The topic of medical cannabis and children is a very sensitive subject. So sensitive, that it’s often difficult to even have a rational conversation with some people about it. It’s unfortunate because medical cannabis in certain forms can do wonders for certain conditions, especially epilepsy. I once heard a story about a child that suffered

Dosing Homemade Cannabis Edibles: Why It’s Nearly Impossible to Calculate Potency

Leafly turned March Madness into an excuse to determine the best cannabis-infused brownie of all time. Eight recipes were pitted against each other in our Pot Brownie Bracketology project, and ultimately a winner was crowned (seriously, you must make these brownies).

In our competition, each brownie recipe called for varying amounts of cannabutter, cannaoil, or in one case, ground, raw cannabis flower (bold move, Batali), so once the brownies were baked, we set out to calculate the potency of each batch. This, it turns out, is easier in theory than in practice.

Why Our Cannabutter Potency Calculations Were Wrong

Our initial thought process was this: first, determine the potency of the flower that will be used in creating the cannabutter or cannaoil. We used three different strains, each with a different level of THC, so we averaged the three to get an estimated average potency for all of the flower combined: in our case, 18.9%. That percentage represents the proportion of the cannabis’s dry weight that is THC, so we multiplied by our total cannabis dry weight and converted from grams to milligrams to get the the total amount of THC available to be extracted into the cannabutter.

Since we used six cups of butter, we divided this number by six to get (we thought) the average milligrams of THC per cup of cannabutter. Based on how much cannabutter was in each brownie recipe, we then divided this by the number of brownies each batch yielded to determine the final serving size – and knew there had to be a mistake. According to our calculations, each cup of our cannabutter should have had 2,646mg of THC, so a batch of brownies that called for one cup of cannabutter in the recipe and was cut into 12 pieces would theoretically have had over 220mg of THC per brownie. Our strongest batch should have clocked in at a whopping 400mg per brownie – 40 times the recommended recreational dose.

We immediately panicked – had we just made brownies with up to 40 times the recommended recreational dosage of THC? This seemed impossible given that our 1oz-to-1lb ratio of cannabis flower to butter is standard across several leading industry publications. So we got in touch with Dr. Kymron deCesare, chief research officer at comprehensive cannabis testing facility Steep Hill Labs, to figure out what was going on. We were very relieved to find that our calculations were inaccurate.

Factors That Influence Cannabis Extraction

“This is a very tough and complicated conversation,” says deCesare. “The reason is because you are mixing apples and oranges in your procedures, each one contributing an error. Once you multiply all the potential errors together, it’s very difficult to figure out which errors become the major contributors to your issues.” In particular, she notes that “because of the excessive amount of time required to extract, we normally see a lot of damage done to the primary drugs of interest,” including THC, CBD and various terpenes.

DeCesare explains that due to the difficulty of getting an accurate analysis, licensed edibles producers generally test at multiple stages. First, they test the cannabis flowers to be used in the production run. This initial analysis provides an estimate of how much of each cannabinoid and terpene is available for extraction. Subsequent testing of the extract determines how effective the extraction process actually was. Finally, testing of the spent plant matter post-extraction confirms the amount of cannabinoids and terpenoids left behind. Home bakers, however, lack the resources to pursue these types of analyses.

So what is lost in the extraction and baking process that kept us from Dowding out on our theoretically 400-plus milligram edibles? For one thing, a given amount of THCA (the non-psychoactive acid broken down during the heating, or decarboxylation, process to yield the familiar psychoactive THC) does not convert to an equivalent amount of THC: rather, the conversion rate is 0.88. While many producers will do this conversion for you and note the potential amount of THC in a given strain on the packaging, some denote only the percentage of THCA present, which adds an extra step to the calculations.

Then there’s the inefficiency of butter and oil extraction. “For clients that normally extract into dairy butterfat, they discover they only extracted between 40 and 60 percent of the cannabinoids and terpenoids,” explains deCesare. Lena Davidson of Botanica, one of Washington state’s largest edibles producers, puts the estimate even lower, at close to 30 percent. Davidson adds that certain oils are even less effective at extraction: in general, butter and coconut oil are the most ideal extractors, while others like canola and vegetable oil retain even fewer cannabinoids.

Overall, “the only way to know for sure [how potent your homemade edible is] would be to have the butter analyzed so you know exactly how much THC is in it,” says deCesare. Davidson argues that even this testing has yielded inaccurate results for Botanica in the past. “We learned really early on that we couldn’t rely on a butter potency test,” she says, “and it was really painful to discover that.” Botanica has since shifted to testing individual products from every batch.

Tips for Reducing Variation in Edibles Dosing

The difficulty of accurately determining edibles’ potency is staggering even on a professional scale, so it’s no surprise that accurately dosing your own edibles at home is all but impossible. That said, the following are some best practices that can help hobby bakers minimize the inevitable variance in the potency of their homemade edibles.

• Check the label before you extract. Some producers note THC on flower packaging, while others note THCA. If you see a THCA percentage, use the 0.88 conversion rate to determine potential THC.
• Portion cannabutter vertically. “Gravity impacts everything,” says Davidson, “and each cannabinoid has a different molecular weight, so they will settle in different places.” Butter from the bottom of the batch will be different than butter from the top, so don’t scoop straight off the top.
• Measure carefully. Don’t plop a big spoonful of cannabutter into the batter – get out the measuring cups, and fill and level them precisely.
• Stir well. DeCesare says that “unless you quantitatively measured out consistent [cannabutter] portions into each and every brownie…you have another contributing error in the final product.” The next best thing is to stir until you’re positive the batter is perfectly homogenous – and then stir some more.
• Portion uniformly. Don’t attack the brownie pan with a fork; cut into equal pieces (using a ruler can help). Cookies are even harder; use a kitchen scale to weigh out equal portions of dough.
• Plan on variation. Below, deCesare shares a hypothetical example to help home bakers estimate the potency of their edibles. When in doubt, assume that the maximum amount of THC made it into your final product; you can always eat more if you find you were wrong.

Example of Edible Potency Calculation

Have you ever had a hard time estimating the potency of your homemade edibles? Share your story in the comments!

Image Sources: Clare Barboza and Sara Dilley, with special thanks to X-Tracted Laboratories

Watch This: Stoned People Get to Meet a Sloth and Their Minds are Blown

When I was in college, I was hunting for a second job and applied at a local coffee shop, despite the fact that I didn’t (and still don’t) drink coffee, because I was desperate for a decent-paying gig so I could afford to buy my textbooks. The interview was going well and I was doing a pretty solid job of faking my love for a beverage I didn’t imbibe, but then my interviewers dropped this “fun” question on my lap at the end of our meeting:

“If you could be any animal, what would you be?”

Without skipping a beat, I responded, “That’s easy: a sloth.”

Their smiles faded, and one of my interviewers narrowed his eyes before countering, “Aren’t they lazy?”

I said, “Well yeah, that’s the point. They have the most chill life — all they do is eat, hang out, and sleep.” As a stressed out college student who was putting herself through college with a full load of classes while juggling one job and in the process of applying for another one so she could make ends meet, transforming into an animal whose primary purpose in life was to be as relaxed as possible at all times was all-too appealing.

Seriously, look at this lil’ guy. Best life ever.

My interviewers politely countered that most applicants respond with “cheetah” or “lion” or some other majestic, hard-working creature, but I held firm on wanting to be a sloth. They’re my favorite animal. Any other option would be out of the question.

I didn’t get the job. Perhaps it was because they could tell I was a closet non-coffee drinker, but their clear disappointment in my answer to their stupid hypothetical question seemed to seal my fate. I didn’t see how — I was going to be serving coffee and slices of coffee cake, not competing in the 100 meter dash, plus I figured they’d know that I was savvy enough to separate my work ethic from this fantasy scenario, but alas, not everyone is Kristen Bell.

Fortunately, there are others in the world who share my affinity for sloths, and according to this Buzzfeed video, many of them are of the cannabis-friendly variety. The company interviewed a handful of people who were, quite frankly, pretty frickin’ stoned, asking them how high they were and what type of animal they feel like before surrepticiously bringing out a sloth hanging from a bar and waiting for their subjects to notice the cavalier creature.

They noticed, and their minds were quite appropriately blown. My favorite reaction came from the Paul Rudd-looking dude who reacted exactly the way I would have, by shouting, “WHAT!”, then apologizing and saying, “I’m so sorry, are you not supposed to yell at these?” before blurting out a “Thanks!” for this rare and unexpected gift.

Watch and enjoy — and if you’re the dudes who interviewed me at that coffee shop 13 years ago, my answer hasn’t changed since then because sloths are still awesome.

Leonard Marshall, NFL Super Bowl Champion, To Keynote Cannabis World Congress In New York

Providing personal insight as a successful business entrepreneur and former champion NFL player diagnosed with CTE, Leonard A. Marshall, Jr., will be an enlightening Keynote speaker at the Cannabis World Congress & Business Exposition, (CWCBExpo), at the Javits Center in NYC. Taking place June 15-17, 2016, CWCBExpo NY is the leading trade show and conference

US CA: California's First Marijuana Czar

Los Angeles Times, 09 Apr 2016 – Lori Ajax Will Oversee the State’s First System for Regulating Medical Cannabis. but She Faces a Moving Target. SACRAMENTO – Lori Ajax has two years to set up California’s first system to license, regulate and tax medical marijuana. Gov. Jerry Brown recently appointed the Republican to become the first chief of the Bureau of Medical Marijuana Regulation.

How Can Cannabis Help Transgendered People?

Gender is fluid. There are cisgender people, transgender people, gender nonconforming people, genderqueer people, agender people…the possibilities are endless. You can find a helpful primer on gender terminology on GLAAD’s website. All of these gender identities are normal and should be celebrated, not scorned or shamed.

As Scarleteen, a sexuality resource for teens, explains, “Gender – both how we identify with it and how others identify us through the lens of gender – can also play a part in the way we’ll have any sort of sex, how we present our sexuality to others, how we feel comfortable or uncomfortable in our sexual behaviour and attitudes, and how we might expect the dynamics of our sexual relationships with others to be.”

With that in mind, I sat down with acclaimed adult performer, director, and LGBT/human rights activist Buck Angel to talk about sex for trans men and how cannabis can be helpful.

Ashley Manta: How do you identify and what does that mean?

Buck Angel: I identify as a man. That might be obvious to some but the ones who do not know about my work I guess I should explain a little more. I am a transsexual man. Assigned female at birth and had a “gender reassignment surgery” to become male. One of the important parts to this story is that I am a man with a vagina. I chose not to get the penis surgery and now live my life as a man with a vagina.

Ashley: Has cannabis impacted your relationship with your body or had any effect on your mood when you experiencing intense emotions?

Buck: Well for me it has helped tremendously with my sleeping disorder. The cannabis has helped me to learn to relax. I started using cannabis later in my transition so I have already dealt with much of my anxiety around transitioning.

That said, I have many trans friends who do use cannabis to help with anxiety of being trans. It’s difficult for many trans people to just walk the world. Non-trans people have the privilege of not dealing with many things that trans people deal with just being trans, such as thinking that everyone knows you are transgender when maybe you just want to identify as male or female. Cannabis has helped to relax these fears and also just to give your brain some off time.

Ashley: What are some considerations specific to trans men when navigating sexual activities before, during, and after transitioning?

Buck: Many trans men have major body dysphoria [that] impacts us in just everyday life. Sexually I have not really been shut down but the cannabis has really heightened my orgasms and let me feel my body more.

What I am doing now is research on how cannabis can help the transgender community. What I know is that many transgender people have anxiety, sleeping disorders, PTSD, body dysphoria, depression, and many do not have the pleasure of enjoying sex because of this. I think cannabis can really help to let more transgender people feel more sexual in their new bodies.

Cannabis is great at letting you just be you. I would like more research to be done in this area. I think we tend to prescribe way too many anti-depressants, and I am not a big fan of these as the side effects are horrible and long-term use can lead to many unhealthy things.

Another project I am working on is the use of cannabis as a lube and how that can help with atrophy of the vaginal tissue because of the use of testosterone. I think that using natural products like cannabis creates a much healthier body.

Ashley: Have any particular cannabis products been especially helpful to you in regards to sex?

Buck: Like I said, I have been lucky in that I don’t have any body dysmorphia, but I do have trans friends and non-trans friends who specifically use cannabis to heighten sexual arousal and they swear by it. For me that’s good enough in that I want to promote the use of cannabis to the trans community in hopes of getting more people to start feeling comfortable around sex with their new bodies. This can be such a huge game changer for many who never felt sexually comfortable in their bodies.

The one product I have recently been introduced to is Foria. It was pretty amazing and very much enhanced my orgasm.

Ashley: Thank you so much for all the good you’re doing in the world and for taking the time to chat with me. How can people find and support your work?

Buck: Everyone can find me on my websites, social media, and just by “googling” me! I am working on some sexual health projects focused on the transgender community and hopefully will have more information soon. Thanks so much for letting me speak about trans sex and cannabis, as I think this conversation needs to be started.

Learn more about Buck and his projects at the following sites:

• Buck Angel’s website
• Buck’s Twitter
• Buck’s Facebook
• Buck’s Instagram

If you, or someone you know, is a trans or gender nonconforming person experiencing crisis or overwhelming thoughts, please reach out to the Trans Lifeline at (877) 565-8860.

Got a sex, relationships, or intimacy dating question for Ashley Manta? Send it to tips@nullleafly.com and we may address your request in a future article!

Image Source: Eli Schmidt

Watch This: Pennsylvania Governor Wants Medical Cannabis Bill to Pass

In case you missed it, Governor Tom Wolf (D-PA) is not only openly in favor of legalizing cannabis for medical use in the state of Pennsylvania, he even went so far as to release an official video from the office of the governor, urging the Legislature to pass Senate Bill 3, the medical marijuana bill that has been under consideration and subject to intense debate since its introduction in January of 2015.

Gov. Wolf’s words speak for themselves:

“I believe it is long past time to provide this important medical relief to patients and families across the commonwealth.”

A strong message from the leader of the state, Pennsylvania is long overdue for an overhaul of its cannabis laws, which are some of the strictest in the nation despite polls that show 88 percent of Pennsylvanians supporting the medicinal use of cannabis.

Image Source: Governor Tom Wolf via YouTube

Judge Revives Referendum Proposal to Legalize Marijuana in Maine

PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — A Maine judge has given a victory to supporters of a referendum aimed at legalizing marijuana.

The same judge who upheld the secretary of state’s decision to reject a casino referendum proposal because of invalid signatures a day later revived the campaign to put the marijuana proposal on the November ballot.

The Campaign to Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol disputed Secretary of State Matthew Dunlap’s decision to reject 26,779 signatures because the signature of the notary didn’t match the signature on file. On Friday, Superior Court Justice Michaela Murphy ruled against Dunlap.

The proposal would allow adults to possess up to 2½ ounces of marijuana. Colorado, Washington, Oregon, Alaska and Washington, D.C., already have legalized recreational marijuana.

Cannabis Extracts: The Science Behind Cannabinoid and Terpene Extraction Methods

This article is sponsored by Tilray, one of the largest and most sophisticated producers of medical cannabis in the world. Tilray is dedicated to providing safe, consistent and reliable products to patients and furthering clinical research.

Extraction is a simple process that has been used for centuries to create natural byproducts from many different types of plants. In short, the goal is to collect desirable compounds while leaving behind the undesirable compounds and unusable plant material. Within the world of extracts, there are many product types we’ve been familiar with for centuries – teas and tinctures, for instance – while other product types are more recent innovations.

Today, numerous cannabis extracts have become commonplace on the market. The processes used to extract the cannabinoids and terpenes that make them up are as varied as the products themselves. With guidance from Joshua Eades, chief science officer at Canadian medical cannabis producer Tilray, we explored the chemistry behind a couple of the methods used to create them.

Basics of Cannabis Extraction

Cannabis extraction is comparable to the processes used to decaffeinate coffee, produce vitamins and minerals, and create essential oils. In cannabis, the main compounds producers are looking to extract are cannabinoids and terpenes –these compounds provide the aroma, flavor and effect of the final product. Before beginning to sell extract-based products, Tilray started out by trying different extraction methods and testing the results to determine the effectiveness and drawbacks of each. “There’s a fair bit already out there that is known about different extraction techniques,” Eades says, “but we still had to do a solid amount of research to determine the optimal process for our purposes.”

While extraction is primarily concerned with collection of desirable compounds, there are also undesirable compounds, like fats and chlorophyll, that extractors may wish to avoid. Extraction is a double-edged sword in that the longer and more aggressive the process, the more both desirable and undesirable compounds will make it into the extract. “You can do a shorter extraction where you’re pulling out less of the desirable compounds but which results in a cleaner primary extract, or you can do a really aggressive extraction where you get more yield but you have to do more cleanup to get rid of the undesirable materials,” Eades explains. He says that Tilray’s extraction times can range from two to four hours, all the way up to 24 hours depending on the goal of the extraction.

Choosing the Right Extraction Method

At Tilray, Eades selects from two primary extraction methods: supercritical CO₂ extraction and ethanol extraction. The method he uses most often involves supercritical carbon dioxide, and is done in a high-end, heavy-duty machine Tilray purchased for this purpose.

“Basically, the process is dependent on turning CO₂, which is a gas, into a supercritical liquid,” explains Eades. This is done by applying temperature and pressure until the supercritical liquid form is achieved, at which point the carbon dioxide is able to act as a solvent. This solvent is then forced through an extraction vessel packed with granularly ground cannabis material.

“The best way to think of it is like an espresso machine,” adds Eades. “You want to have a finely ground material that you can evenly push the solvent through. If it’s not evenly ground, it won’t extract effectively.” A back pressure regulator controls the pressure, and various pumps cycle the supercritical carbon dioxide through the plant matter over and over, until all the desired cannabinoids and terpenes have been gathered. The carbon dioxide is then allowed to return to its gaseous form, leaving behind a dark, highly concentrated resin that can be modified to achieve different levels of potency for dosing.

The other solvent Tilray uses frequently is ethanol. “It’s generally a faster extraction process, but results in a different product,” says Eades. “[Ethanol is] more polar than CO₂, so you pull out a lot more chlorophyll, colors and tannins.” The difficulty with an ethanol extract lies in removing all the solvent that remains after the extraction is complete. As with most extraction methods, an additional step is required to refine the extract prior to its incorporation in cannabis products.

The Cannabis Extract Refinement Process

The refinement process varies based on the extraction method utilized initially. For supercritical CO₂ extractions, the second step is called winterizing, which leverages ethanol to separate the pure cannabinoids and terpenes from other byproducts stripped during extraction. For ethanol, which is more polar than carbon dioxide and thus doesn’t incorporate the plant waxes and fats present in a CO₂ extract, an activated carbon filtration process is used to remove undesirable compounds like chlorophyll and other pigments.

Eades notes that the refinement process can be tough to execute effectively on a large scale. Not only are work flow and sanitation more difficult to control, the instruments used for large-scale extraction are high-tech, requiring that appropriate handling and facilities be maintained. “We’ve done a lot of work on the process to maximize purity, [and] developed refinement techniques to ensure the cleanest, best-tasting products,” Eades continues, adding that when done properly, the difference is noticeable. “Initial feedback has been that our resulting concentrates are superior in look, smell, feel and taste” – which allows for the creation of superior final products.

Image Source: Sara Dilley

Washington State Issues Emergency Rules for Cannabis Testing

Facing questions over inconsistency in laboratory testing and fears that some state-licensed labs have allowed contaminated cannabis to slip through the cracks, the Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board (LCB) has announced the adoption of emergency rules aimed at raising standards for cannabis testing.

The emergency rules establish a proficiency testing program for labs and clarify how the LCB can suspend or revoke licenses for state-accredited testing facilities. They took effect Wednesday and will remain in place until Aug. 4. In the meantime, the LCB will pursue permanent rulemaking, it said in a press release Thursday.

“If anything, this will take some of the burden off of producers and processors who have been getting mixed results on the same products from state-accredited labs,” attorney Hilary Bricken told Leafly. “It’s further assurance that industry participants at all levels are going to be held accountable for quality control, which is a big win for consumers.”

Proficiency testing, already in place in Oregon and Colorado, is a technique used to ensure that different labs return uniform results. The method involves assessing laboratories’ accuracy by giving them samples with known properties and then checking their results against a third-party lab. Under the new rules, certified laboratories must register for the next available round of testing and complete at least two rounds per year.

The emergency rules also establish a variety of reasons for which a laboratory might lose its state license. Inconsistent results, false documentation, and wrongdoing by laboratory staff are among those reasons. The full text of both new rules is included below.

The announcement comes alongside a recent recommendation by Washington auditors that a Poulsbo testing lab, Testing Technologies, lose its license over “consistent inaccuracies” in test data and “blatant disregard for good laboratory practices as well as sound scientific methods.”

Some industry members and even certain laboratories have complained that a few labs focus more on keeping business that returning accurate results. There are — for now — 14 state-accredited labs in Washington state.

Emergency Rulemaking – Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board

PGT #294- The Moan

Hosted by attorney Michael Komorn from Komorn Law and Chad from Birmingham Compassion

Contributions from Rick Thompson from The Compassion Chronicles-also providing the news, and show producer Jamie Lowell from the Third Coast Dispensary in Ypsilanti

Tonight- Update on the sentencing of cannabis activist Al Witt from Gaylord. Recap on Hash Bash weekend, and live call in from the Women Grow meeting in Grand Rapids. Discussion on current medical marijuana legal issues in Michigan.

Joining us tonight – Chad Morrow from Gaylord- Cannabis activist, owner/operator of the Cloud 45 dispensary

Update on MILegalize

Weekly appellate and trial court updates with attorney Allen Peisner

Regular guests and friends of the show: Jim Powers- Michigan Parents for Compassion co- founder and board member of MILegalize. Also- attorney Jeff Frazier, attorney David Rudoi of Rudoi Law, Eric Gunnels Thetford Twp Trustee and T- EAM

The Shake: California Could Test Drivers for Cannabis, and Has Vermont Legalization Hit a Wall?

Is Vermont’s push to legalize losing steam? Earlier this year, the state was poised to become the first in the U.S. to legalize cannabis for adult use by an act of the Legislature, rather than a ballot initiative. But after the Senate approved the legalization bill and it landed in the House, the chair of a key panel announced she’s starting over from scratch. House Judiciary Committee Chairwoman Maxine Grad (D-Moretown) indicated that instead of supporting a legal, regulated market, she thinks the state should simply decriminalize home cultivation. The upshot, writes Marijuana Majority founder Tom Angell: Advocates may be forced to choose between legal markets without homegrow and limited homegrow with no legal sales. Bureaucratic deadlines are already getting in the way, Angell writes: “Unless the House is willing to adopt the Senate bill or something close to it, it’s unclear at this point if anything will cross the legislative finish line this year.”

A California lawmaker wants to test your spit for THC. “Sadly, we’ve become a nation of self-medicating, careless people,” said state Sen. Bob Huff (R-San Dimas), who authored a bill, SB 1462, that would allow law enforcement officers to use oral swabs to test drivers for cannabis use. “The public is naïve in understanding how dangerous our roads are by people who are abusing opiates, meth, and cannabis,” he tells the L.A. Times. OK, wait, hold on. Nobody’s arguing it’s a smart idea to drive while high (though science says it’s way less dangerous than driving drunk). But if the public is “naïve,” Sen. Huff, you’re simply ignorant: Even the federal government, which pushes prohibition at every turn, acknowledges there’s no consensus on how the amount of THC in people’s blood affects their levels of impairment. As NORMAL California director Dale Gieringer tells the Times, oral swab testing is still an unproven technology. “Its accuracy has not been demonstrated in controlled, published scientific studies.” Before we risk criminalizing responsible cannabis users, let’s make sure the technology works, yeah?

Regulators recommend Washington state testing lab lose license. Patients and consumers in the state have been slowly waking up to the fact that dangerous pesticides are being used on products, and now auditors have uncovered “consistent inaccuracies” in test data from Poulsbo-based Testing Technologies, one of 14 state-certified labs. Regulators say testers there showed “blatant disregard for good laboratory practices as well as sound scientific methods,” according to the Seattle Times‘ Bob Young. Critics have complained the Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board (LCB) hasn’t done enough to make pesticides a priority, and some in the industry have been pushing to police themselves. In related news, the LCB on Thursday issued emergency rules that step up standards for testing labs. Expect more movement on this front before long.

QUICK HITS:

• Arizona legalization group teams up with prohibitionists, fireworks commence. For more cannabis community infighting, click here.
• Lawyer to California cannabusinesses: You’re missing the boat. “Everyone seems to be overlooking the next opportunity for Californians to nab priority licensing status,” attorney Alison Malsbury writes at Canna Law Blog. For better or worse, it’s a cutthroat market. Don’t sleep on it.
• Cannabis advocate arrested in Canada for giving away seeds. Dana Larsen was trying to distribute a million seeds as part of a multi-stop tour he calls OverGrow Canada when he was taken into custody by Calgary police. Canadian lawmakers have promised to legalize cannabis in the next year or two, so some wonder why authorities are even still making arrests.
• Is there hope for a workable medical cannabis program in Texas? According to Marijuana Business Daily, the answer is a decisive maybe.
• Sorry, Nebraskans. Medical cannabis won’t happen this year. Supporters in the state Senate were three votes short of breaking a filibuster. Let’s take a moment to think of all the legitimately ill patients who are now wondering where they’ll get their medicine (or their children’s).
• Expanding medical cannabis could net Louisiana up to $334 million, industry report says. The announcement, which projects new tax revenue between $204 million and $334 million, comes just days after Louisiana State University officials said the school is still considering whether to cultivate cannabis for state patients.
• A lawyer told a California client that reopening a closed dispensary is “less than the risk of getting on an airplane.” Things have certainly stabilized since 2011, when federal prosecutors cracked down on cannabis businesses, shuttering hundreds. But beware: Prosecutions in the Golden State are ongoing.
• Two-time Grammy winner The Game is getting into… the game. He announced this week he’ll serve as brand ambassador to G Brands, maker of G Stiks — pre-rolls covered in concentrate and dusted with kief. (Which sounds delicious, yes, but we sure the Dodgers are down with that advertisement?)
• And finally, meet the Washington, D.C., man who calls himself Kushgod. “I’m trying,” he tells the Washington Post, “to build a dynasty.” But NORML founder Keith Stroup calls Kushgod a “scam artist.” Careful, Kush, you’re getting real close to sounding like the Kanye of cannabis.

Plan the Best 4/20 Ever This Year with Leafly’s Events Calendar

Not sure what your 4/20 plans are this year? We can help with that! Check out Leafly’s new Events Calendar to find a 4/20 celebration near you. Featuring festivals, rallies, conferences, comedy shows, and other cultural events, you can hunt for the perfect gathering in your state or country.

Browse Leafly’s Events Calendar

We’ve got a ton of events you can browse through, but here are a few highlights coming up:

The Leafly Comedy Tour’s Chicago Stop (April 20 in Chicago, IL)

Showcasing headliner Chris D’Elia and featuring Ron Funches and opening act Brandon Wardell, this free (yes, free!) comedy show in Chicago is sure to be a memorable way to celebrate 4/20. Be sure to RSVP and arrive early to guarantee entry!

Leafly Comedy Tour Chicago Event Details

A Night of Higher Entertainment (April 20 in Seattle, WA)

Join Leafly and author/performer David Schmader as he reads from and signs his new book, “Weed: The User’s Guide.” His reading will be followed by the mind-blowing video collage art of Collide-O-Scope. It’s bound to be an entertainingly trippy experience!

A Night of Higher Entertainment Event Details

World Cannabis Week (April 14 – 24 in Denver, CO)

Described as the “SXSW of Cannabis,” World Cannabis Week in Denver, Colorado brings industry experts and tastemakers together to partake in a VIP experience of premier 420 entertainment. Enjoy concerts at Red Rocks, exclusive parties, the 420 Rally, The BIG Industry Trade Show, and much more.

World Cannabis Week Event Details

Canadian and Mexican Lawmakers Seek Broad Leeway From U.N. Drug Summit

Federal lawmakers from Canada and Mexico this week called on the United Nations to give countries broad leeway to regulate cannabis within their borders, part of an effort to sway international debate in the days leading up to the world’s largest drug war symposium in nearly 20 years.

“The war on drugs is a failure,” said Nathaniel Erskine-Smith, a member of Canada’s House of Commons and one of a number of speakers who talked to reporters Wednesday on a conference call arranged by StoptheDrugWar.org, an organization that works to end prohibition worldwide. “It causes more problems than it solves,” the lawmaker said.

One clear takeaway from the call: Canada and Mexico want to move forward with legalization, even if the United States and other countries won’t get on board. “We made a promise in the election,” Erskine-Smith said, referring to pledges by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and others to legalize cannabis. “We’re committing to keeping that promise.”

A country’s decision to ditch the drug war, however, carries international implications. Current global drug policies were built on a paradigm of prohibition. Moving forward means updating treaties that still favor criminalization over regulation.

In Mexico, which is expected to pass a medical cannabis bill in the coming months, some worry that strict guidance from the U.N. could hamper progress. “We should be more honest about the so-called flexibility of implementation,” said Mexican Sen. Laura Angélica Rojas Hernández, noting that many countries feel they lack the freedom to define their own domestic drug policies.

As for the United States? In case you’ve been asleep, the feds still aren’t too keen on cannabis. Notwithstanding moves by states to establish regulated markets, the U.S. government still recognizes no medical benefit and deems the plant worthy of tighter regulation than opium or cocaine.

The differing opinions among the three countries is a microcosm of what’s happening globally within the United Nations. Some member states have taken permissive stances, like Uruguay, which legalized the production and use of cannabis in 2013. Countries like Singapore and Saudi Arabia, on the other hand, still threaten the death penalty for cannabis crimes.

How to reform international treaties around cannabis and drug policy is among the many issues delegates will bandy about during the upcoming U.N. General Assembly Special Session on the World Drug Problem, or UNGASS, to be held at the U.N. Headquarters from April 19 to April 21 (no joke).

It’s the biggest drug summit in two decades, and a lot has changed since the last one — except maybe unintended irony. The UNGASS of 1998 bore the slogan, “A Drug-Free World – We can do it!”

While representatives from some countries will arrive at the U.N. willing to acknowledge things didn’t exactly go as planned, others want to prop up the past policy. “We want a drug-free society, not a drug-tolerant one,” a senior state minister in Singapore wrote recently.

“It’s really alarming that this doctrine is going to the UNGASS,” said Canadian Drug Policy Coalition Executive Director Donald MacPherson, another speaker on Wednesday’s call. “I find it hard to understand, really, why countries like Russia and Singapore are holding other countries hostage.”

True to form, the U.S. government has been sending mixed messages as the U.N. session approaches. Some State Department officials have argued for the right of countries to set their own drug policies, but both the White House and federal authorities vocally oppose legalization.

David Borden, StoptheDrugWar.org’s executive director, predicted the hardline U.S. position “is likely to have less legitimacy” in the eyes of the international community as more states adopt medical or adult-use policies.

“It is great that things are moving in all three countries,” MacPherson agreed. A little more than a decade ago, even simple decriminalization couldn’t find traction with lawmakers. Today, “60 percent of Canadians want a legal and regulated market for cannabis.”

“We’re delighted the government is developing a process,” he said. “We urge them not to take too long in getting this out of the gate.”

Canadian lawmaker Erskine-Smith said he hopes Canada will be able to roll out a federal adult-use cannabis program in the next two years. Experiments in the U.S. “have been helpful to show Canadians who are a bit concerned about regulation and legalization that is is possible and it can be done in an orderly way,” he added, noting that Canada will likely be less open to commercial advertising than states like Colorado have been.

In the meantime, Erskine-Smith said, Canadian authorities need to stop making arrests for cannabis crimes: “My government needs to treat this more seriously than it is.”

In Mexico, recent hearings and public debates “have shown there is a significant consensus” on allowing medical use, said Sen. Rojas Hernández. As for adult use, that’s a matter that needs “further discussion” to hammer out differences in opinion, she said. “I think the most important thing is that we are taking a position to change the rules of the game in Mexico on this topic.”

Much of Wednesday’s call was a laundry list of prohibition’s ills — high costs, crowded prisons, and a violent underground market, to name a few — the kind of things that are common knowledge in the cannabis community but were refreshing to hear from federal politicians. Other observations carried shock value by putting numbers on the problem.

In Mexico, “60 percent of federal prisoners are there to pay for drug crimes,” said Aram Barra, a member of the Mexican Society for Responsible and Tolerant Personal Use, which recently won a case before the Mexican Supreme Court allowing some residents to grow and use cannabis. If future cases fall the same way, that could become the law of the land.

More striking, Barra said, about a third of Mexican prisoners — 12,000 people — have lost their liberty for simple cannabis prohibition “in a country where 98 percent of kidnappings go unresolved.”

“It is very clear to us that the current model is not working,” he said. “What the rest of the world may do with that statement, that is the question that lies before UNGASS.”

Court: Native American Church Not Excused From Cannabis Laws

HONOLULU (AP) — A federal court has ruled that a church for Native Americans in Hawaii should not be excused from federal marijuana laws despite the group’s claim that ingesting cannabis is part of their sacred sacrament.

The Native American Church of Hawaii had asked for relief from federal marijuana laws under the U.S. Religious Freedom Restoration Act, saying they used cannabis during sweat lodge ceremonies to help people connect with their creator.

A district court ruled against the claim, saying the church didn’t produce enough admissible evidence about its religion other than a strong belief in the benefits of marijuana. The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals Wednesday upheld the district court’s decision, saying a prohibition of cannabis doesn’t impose a substantial burden on their right to exercise their religion.

“It’s really disappointing,” said Michael Rex ‘Raging Bear’ Mooney, who founded the church. “Cannabis is a prayer smoke, so it’s a sacrament … through the effects of the medicine, it also helps us become closer to our creator. It puts us in a place, a state of mind, where we can actually feel the presence and an actual relationship with our creator.”

The issue stems from an incident in 2009 when the church, then called Oklevueha Native American Church of Hawaii, filed a complaint against federal officials, saying a member of the church had his cannabis seized.

But the church in its practice can also use peyote, a hallucinogenic drug used in Native American rituals. Federal law allows tribal Indians and members of the Native American Church to use peyote in religious ceremonies.

The court in its ruling said the church made no claim that peyote is unavailable or that cannabis serves a unique religious function, so prohibiting cannabis doesn’t force Mooney or the church to choose between obedience to their religion or criminal sanction.

The church, which has at least 250 members, plans to appeal the court’s decision, said Mooney’s lawyer, Michael Glenn.

“Man’s relationship with the divine can’t be dictated by any other person or government entity,” Glenn said.

Join Me April 12 In Portland For The National Cannabis Industry Association Cannabis Caucus Event

I don’t get out to a lot of events, but I try to get to as many National Cannabis Industry Association (NCIA) events as possible. NCIA is not only the leading national advocacy group for the emerging cannabis industry (I think they are the only one!), but they also do an amazing job at the

A Cannabis Activist’s Tribute To Merle Haggard

In a statement from his son, Ben Haggard said of his father, “He loved everything about life and he loved that everyone of you gave him a chance with his music. He wasn’t just a country singer, he was the best country singer that ever lived.” By Michael Bachara, Hemp News Merle Haggard, the prolific