Sunday, December 28, 2025
Home Blog Page 1005

The Fresh Toast Legislative Roundup: Feb. 12

Alec Engber
-
0
The Fresh Toast Legislative Roundup: Feb. 12

Criminal justice reform took center stage last week in the cannabis world. In Seattle and Vermont, some marijuana offenses can be expunged from the record of those convicted. In Massachusetts, the waiting game continues, and in Arizona, legalization may return to the ballot. Find out about more in our weekly marijuana legislative roundup. 

Massachusetts:  

On Friday, the Massachusetts District Attorneys Association sent a letter to the state Cannabis Control Commission urging regulators to postpone plans to legalize certain types of marijuana businesses. The letter argued that cannabis delivery services, social-use lounges, and so-called “mixed-use” venues were beyond the scope of the recreational cannabis law approved by voters and that such businesses pose a unique threat to public safety.

Under the regulatory package being considered by the Commission, the state would allow licensed businesses to deliver small amounts of marijuana to customers. The rules also provide for marijuana consumption at licensed social-use venues such as cafes, and sale of small amounts of cannabis products at other types of businesses, such as movie theaters, whose primary source of income is derived from sources other than marijuana sales.

The letter is similar to one submitted by Governor Charlie Baker, in which he urged the Commission to focus on licensing retailers, growers, and other core businesses to get recreational marijuana sales off the ground by a July 1 deadline. The rules are expected to be finalized next month.  

Washington: 

On Thursday, officials in Seattle announced that the city would automatically clear prior convictions for minor marijuana offenses. The policy would apply to all such convictions in the city since 1997, when the state legislature mandated that misdemeanor marijuana charges be tried at the municipal level, rather than in county district courts.

The city stopped prosecuting misdemeanor marijuana crimes altogether in 2010, when City Attorney Pete Holmes came to office on an outspokenly pro-legalization platform. The announcement follows similar moves by officials in San Francisco and San Diego.  

Vermont: 

Last week, lawmakers in Vermont introduced legislation that would make it easier to expunge minor marijuana offenses. The measure would allow anyone convicted of possession of up to two ounces of cannabis to begin the expungement process immediately after serving their sentence.

Under current law, those convicted of marijuana offenses must wait five years before pursuing expungement. Vermont recently legalized possession and home cultivation of small amounts of cannabis. The Governor’s office said it is still reviewing the proposal.  

Arizona: 

On Thursday, lawmakers in the Arizona House of Representatives unveiled legislation to place recreational cannabis legalization on the ballot again this year. If passed by the House and Senate, the bill would place a question on the November ballot asking whether small amounts of marijuana should be legal for adults 21 and older in the state.

The measure would legalize adult possession of up to one ounce of cannabis and cultivation of up to six plants at home. Public consumption would be banned and municipalities would be able to prohibit marijuana businesses within their jurisdictions. The state’s medical marijuana laws would remain intact. Arizona voters narrowly voted down a similar referendum in 2016.  

Olympic Athletes Can Use This Type Of Marijuana Right Now

Brendan Bures
-
0
Olympic Athletes Can Use This Type Of Marijuana Right Now

When marijuana first officially appeared at the World Olympics, it was around auspicious circumstances. Snowboarding, long considered winter sports’ stepchild, had finally joined the proceedings as an official Olympic sport at the 1998 Nagano Olympic Games. Ross Rebagliati, the Canadian snowboarder turned cannabis entrepreneur, received the first Olympic Gold awarded in snowboarding. It wouldn’t be a long celebration.

Before Rebagliati left Japan, his gold medal was stripped away when the International Olympic Committee discovered 17.8 nanograms of marijuana in his blood. Rebagliati would receive the final punchline, though—the IOC had to return Rebagliati his gold medal when they realized marijuana wasn’t even on their banned substances list.

The following year the World Anti-Doping Agency formed to respond to rising concerns surrounding illicit drug usage at the Olympics. Marijuana was initially included under the banned substances list, though now that restriction has mostly lifted. In 2013, WADA raised the threshold for a positive test from 15 nanograms per milliliter to 150 ng/ml. For comparison, Rebagliati tested positive with 17.8 ng/ml in his blood, which he maintains came from secondhand marijuana smoke.

Essentially, don’t use it during competition and you’ll be fine.

Here’s where things get tricky. Though the WADA explicitly mentions cannabis, hashish, and marijuana as being banned substances. However, cannabidiol (CBD) is not. Why? Well, marijuana, in the IOC’s eyes, can be considered a performance-enhancing drug.

Via USADA:

While the effects of marijuana can decrease hand-eye coordination and distort spatial perception, there are other effects that can be performance enhancing for some athletes and sport disciplines. Cannabis can cause muscle relaxation and reduce pain during post-workout recovery. It can also decrease anxiety and tension, resulting in better sport performance under pressure. In addition, cannabis can increase focus and risk-taking behaviors, allowing athletes to forget bad falls or previous trauma in sport, and push themselves past those fears in competition.

However, you might still be wondering why lift the ban on CBD? Well, because it’s a known anti-inflammatory and helpful in the recovery process for athletes. Other than that, the IOC didn’t offer much of an explanation.

When they removed it from the prohibited substances list, they wrote, “Cannabidiol is no longer prohibited. Synthetic cannabidiol is not a cannabimimetic; however, cannabidiol extracted from cannabis plants may also contain varying concentrations of THC, which remains a prohibited substance.”

Eat Like A Royal: 5 Of Meghan Markle’s Favorite Foods

Amy Hansen
-
0
Eat Like A Royal: 5 Of Meghan Markle’s Favorite Foods

We’ve already figured out how to pluck our brows like Meghan Markle, get a smile like Meghan Markle, and land a Prince like Meghan Markle, so why not eat like her, too? Thankfully, Town & Country has come to our rescue. They went down the rabbit hole of Markle’s food habits and compiled a list of the bride-to-be’s favorite dishes proving once again you guys, SHE’S JUST LIKE US!

When Marie Claire interviewed Markle back in 2013, she talked about her foodie status:

I love to cook. My character is a foodie because they know that I’m a foodie. I’m always on the quest to find amazing new restaurants and new recipes. I’m a California girl, right? I grew up with that farm-to-table dining before it was sweeping the nation. I do think there’s some value to really throwing yourself into food and embracing where it comes from.

Here are 5 of her favorite indulgences. For the full list, head over to T&C.

Mac & Cheese

Who doesn’t love mac and cheese? Certainly not Meghan Markle. It’s one of her favorite childhood food memories. She told EyeSwoon:

“…you know what I do really happen to lovvvvve is that boxed macaroni and cheese. I now buy the Annie’s organic one if I’m craving it, but I throw some frozen peas into it and have this gooey simple childlike meal. I used to cook it for the kids I would babysit and I always enjoyed feeling like a kid and eating it with them. I’m also not averse to eating tater tots. With ketchup and sriracha.”

French Fries

Markle doesn’t shy away from carbs, so it shouldn’t come as a shocker that she loves fries. She mentioned once that she “could eat French fries all day,” and that, according to Delish, “french fries and vino are my vices.”

Acai Bowls

Back to EyeSwoon, when asked, Markle told them that this healthy meal is part of her breakfast routine, along with a clean cleanse shake, or a green juice. Her recipe includes a frozen banana and frozen berries topped with coconut flakes, fresh berries, sliced fresh banana, a drizzle of manuka honey, and a sprinkle of bee pollen.

https://twitter.com/athenacalderone/status/935593487835258881

Sushi

Just like her Suits alter ego Rachel Zane, Markle loves sushi IRL, citing favorite spots like Sushi Park in LA and Sugarfish, according to Meghan’s Mirror. She’s also a big fan of fish tacos.

https://giphy.com/gifs/thehills-xT5LMTNTKP4myherE4

Roast Chicken

Tired of hearing about her and Harry’s love of roast chicken yet? No? Markle told the world during her and Harry’s first televised interview that he proposed while they were cooking chicken at home.

“It happened a few weeks ago at Nottingham Cottage…just a cozy night roasting chicken…It was an amazing surprise and so sweet…very romantic,” she said. She even told Food & Wine that she brings roasted chicken to dinner parties, calling it “a game changer.”

Lawsuit To Legalize Cannabis At The Federal Level Going To Court

Mary Schumacher
-
0
Lawsuit To Legalize Cannabis At The Federal Level Going To Court

Petitions to de- or reschedule cannabis at the federal level have been getting denied since 1972 and appeals haven’t helped as of yet either, but a new lawsuit is coming to New York City has immense promise. It will get the current administration’s attention at the very least.

There are five named plaintiffs, mostly with conditions that brought them to medical cannabis. At its heart is Alexis Bortell, a 12-year-old girl battling epilepsy. She uses medical marijuana to quell debilitating seizures.

And though the suit got a little attention from lawmakers, the story was catapulted into national attention after Attorney General Jeff Sessions came down with some harsh rhetoric around cannabis and the rescindment of the Obama-era Cole Memo, which protected legal cannabis from federal prosecution.

The 98-page complaint covers many constitutional arguments, and delves into the 10,000-year history of the plant with a focus on US policy in the last 100 or so years. It points out the racist issues of the current law and how it was meant to stigmatize outsiders of all kinds.

This is a dance that has been taking place for decades. This time around, however, 30 states and the District of Columbia have already legalized marijuana in some form, more Americans than ever approve of the plant, and the substance and quality of this new case could all work together and result in an unprecedented ruling.

Who are we to deny a natural substance, especially when it’s safer than aspirin, peanuts or even going on a road trip? And aside from being safer, it’s a saver. For patients nationwide suffering from seizures, crippling PTSD, cancer related side effects, chronic pain and more. Cannabis fights the opioid epidemic and keeps patients off of addictive benzos.

The Wednesday hearing will mostly be listening to arguments to have the case dropped, with the added drama of cannabis activists descending upon the courtroom. And though court hearings and petitions have previously fallen on deaf ears, this may very well be the right time to have a contentious court case like this win.

Jeff Sessions Says Marijuana Is Illegal ‘Everywhere’ In America

Mike Adams
-
0
Jeff Sessions Says Marijuana Is Illegal ‘Everywhere’ In America

It was just last month that Colorado Senator Cory Gardner threatened to hold up key Justice Department nominees until US Attorney General Jeff Sessions revered his attitude on state marijuana laws. He has stuck to his word. Now, the lawmaker is receiving some blowback from Sessions, who calls the confirmation delay “frustrating.”

“Too often, we’ve seen bad judgments, even politics enter into the work that we do,” Sessions said during a speech earlier this week at a National Sheriffs’ Association event. “We’re trying to confirm a number of important component heads at the Department of Justice.  It’s just getting to be frustrating, I’ve gotta tell you. Our nominee to the National Security Division — the anti-terrorism division — was approved unanimously in the committee. But because right now one senator’s concerns over unrelated issues — like reversing federal law against marijuana — we can’t even get a vote.”

Although Sessions did not call Senator Gardner out by name, the direction of his angst was fully understood. Gardener, who voted to confirm Sessions last year based on a promise that marijuana enforcement would not be a priority, says he feels duped over the reversal of an Obama-era memo that has allowed states to experiment with marijuana legalization. He told NPR that the policy shift “directly contradicts” the promise made by Sessions on the issue prior to his confirmation as attorney general.

The two met in January to hash out their differences, and “there was no breakthrough,” according to Gardner. But the Senator is not letting up until an agreement is made. “I have not changed my decision to hold these nominations until we have a commitment that lives up to what I believe was given to me prior to the confirmation,” Gardner added.

Sessions, who prior to his confirmation told Congress to change the national marijuana laws if enforcement was was no longer needed, says he, “Cannot and will not pretend that a duly enacted law of this country — like the federal ban on marijuana — does not exist.”

“Marijuana is illegal in the United States — even in Colorado, California, and everywhere else in America,” he added.

Senator Gardner hasn’t always been a pro-pot reform advocate. In fact, he was opposed to marijuana legalization in Colorado before the passing of Amendment 64. But now he feels it is his duty to protect the voice of the voters. There is now some talk about Congressional action. Gardner says he is reaching for “a long-term legislative solution.” But there still isn’t enough support Capitol Hill to bring this issue to a head in 2018.

Cannabis 101: How Long Does A Marijuana High Last

Mike Adams
-
0
Cannabis 101: How Long Does A Marijuana High Last

Getting high for the first time can be a frightening experience for some. Not that it should be. Marijuana is one of the safest intoxicating substances on the planet. Even the United States government admits there have not been any recorded overdose deaths from weed in history.

Related: 4 Things That Can Happen During A Marijuana Overdose

So, there’s that. You’re not going to die. But one of the biggest questions asked by the cannabis-newbie before joining in on the smoktivities for the first time is: How long is this marijuana high going to last? It’s a respectable question.

Let’s say you have to go to work later, or perhaps visit the parents for Sunday dinner. You can’t afford to be ripped out of your mind all day. We get it.

When it comes to marijuana, it is important to understand that some of the effects have a longer duration than others. If you’re short on time and can’t finish this article right now, here are the basics: smoking or vaping marijuana lasts a few hours, edibles will get you really high later in the day (and last most of it), dabs will kick your ass and likely force you to cancel whatever plans you have.

Smoking And Vaping Flowers

Smoking marijuana is the most common form of consumption. The effects come on almost instantaneously and last one to three hours. The high you get from smoking or vaping flowers might seem a bit intense at first, but it never lasts too long.

Dabs

Dabs are much stronger. But as long as a person doesn’t keep taking hit after hit, the effects will again begin to wind down after the first hour. Then sometime around the second hour, the only concern is what the hell is in the kitchen to eat. That’s right – you will get the munchies. But that is a subject for a different time, another article.

RELATED: Science Explains How Marijuana Inspires Awe 

Marijuana Edibles

What about edibles? The effects of marijuana edibles can be somewhat enigmatic. If the product was purchased at a dispensary in a legal state, it is less of an ordeal trying to gauge dosage. Just take a low dose and wait for an hour. But for those folks sitting around a plate of marijuana brownies baked by a giggling team of stoners, the outcome might not be so certain.

Either way, the high from marijuana edibles does not hit immediately. It can take up to two hours before a person begins to feel high. But hang on — it’s only going to get more intense from there. For the next several hours, it might seem like you’re getting higher and higher with each passing minute. This is not an illusion. You are. Edibles can last between five and eight hours. And that is if you have consumed them modestly. And for the love of everything holy, don’t make the mistake of eating more THC-infused treats after catching the munchies. You could be stoned for days.

Chill, Baby

The best advice for the cannabis newcomer is to take it slow. But if you screw the pooch and end up higher than you can handle, just try to relax. Don’t call 911. Nothing bad is going to happen. Again, you’re not going to die. You won’t end up in a mental institution. You’ll be back to your normal self in no time.

Apple Teases Great New Secret Feature On iPhones

Maria Loreto
-
0
Apple Teases Great New Secret Feature On iPhones

Since the beginning of the year, Apple has been under intense damage control. Caught in the midst of battery scandals and code leaks, the company is spending tons of energy trying to fix bugs and maintaining customer satisfaction.

The company released a statement confirming that their latest generations of iPhones — the iPhone 8, 8 Plus, and X — would not be affected by the battery issues that have been plaguing previous versions of the phone.

Via Forbes:

iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus, and iPhone X models use a more advanced hardware and software design that provides a more accurate estimation of both power needs and the battery’s power capability to maximize overall system performance. This allows a different performance management system that more precisely allows iOS to anticipate and avoid an unexpected shutdown. As a result, the impacts of performance management may be less noticeable on iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus, and iPhone X.

Smartly, the company also explained that over time, the batteries of the phones would not work as well as they did when the device was first purchased, and that in the future, they’ll all have to be replaced.

These statements do well to reassure iPhone users that Apple is working hard to earn their trust back, and that they’re interested in developing phones that will have longer lives than the ones that came before them. This is something that Apple needs, especially now that they have phones that cost $1,000.

Young Love: How To Find Out What Your First Netflix Binge Was

Maria Loreto
-
0
Young Love: How To Find Out What Your First Netflix Binge Was

It’s hard to remember a time where people didn’t use Netflix on a regular basis. Even though it’s easy to name a bunch of shows and movies that you’ve watched through the site, it’s hard to pinpoint the exact moment Netflix became a thing.

For Valentine’s Day, Netflix released some of their data, featuring their most binged shows by first time users including Family Guy, Orange Is The New Black, Breaking Bad, and Stranger Things.

This release of information no doubt gave everyone a case of the simpler times, before the company took over the world and made shows that were actually good. 

Discovering your first Netflix love is pretty simple. First, log on to Netflix. Head over to your account button and click on Account, where you’ll be taken to a section that has a few queues. Click on My Profile, and then Viewing Activity, which will show you your entire viewing history. You may need to sit down for this. 

By scrolling, and scrolling, and scrolling, you’ll finally land at the bottom of the page, where you’ll see the first movie or show you ever watched on your Netflix account. You might be surprised by something really weird and obscure. The Netflix catalog wasn’t as good back then. 

6 Valentine’s Day Gifts Every Cannabis Lover Will Enjoy

Amy Hansen
-
0
6 Valentine’s Day Gifts Every Cannabis Lover Will Enjoy

Valentine’s Day is almost here, and whether or not you believe in celebrating this not-really-a-holiday-at-all event, everyone — even the skeptics — appreciates getting a little treat on February 14. Here are six gifts both the cannabis enthusiast and cann-curious in your life will enjoy.

Bella Crema Elegante

This is a line of lovely infused bath bombs, bath salts and lotions. The products absorb quickly leaving the skin feeling luxuriously soft,  relaxed, and pain-free without any greasy residue.

https://www.instagram.com/p/Be3kphaDaVV

Sacred Mind & Body Massage Oil 

Rich, blended oils create this therapeutic massage oil that is 100 percent free of harmful ingredients making it safe, effective and perfect for even the most sensitive skin. Ingredients include Omega 3, 6, and 9 fatty acids found in hemp seed oil that act as anti-inflammatory agents, soothing irritated and sensitive skin.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BRT3gUOjWee

Herb Grinder

This beautiful aluminum metal grinder from the “MasterGrind Shield Series” can be used for weed, herbs and spices. The razor sharp “Lion’s Tooth” curved diamond teeth deliver the perfect grind every time. They come in an array of designs and colors. Available on Etsy for $40.

Chocolate Box Sampler from Kiva Confections

This limited edition chocolate sampler box from Kiva Confections contains four different flavors and, for $40, a total of 720mg of THC.

Cannabis Cookie Sampler From Big Pete’s Treats

If your Valentine is more into cookies than chocolate, you can surprise them with this Big Pete’s Treats cannabis cookie sampler. This heart-shaped sampler includes six individually-wrapped cookies in three popular flavors: Chocolate Chip, Cinnamon Sugar and Peanut Butter. Each cookie contains 10 milligrams of THC.

THC Molecular Necklace 

To personalize your Valentine’s Day gift this year, you can choose from 12 different gemstones to include in this THC molecular necklace. At the end of each gemstone are either sterling silver filled or 18k gold filled beads. The jeweler who makes these necklaces hand selects semi-precious stones from a trusted vendor, saying, “I only choose stones that I feel are beautiful and reflect the gemstone’s natural beauty. Since not one stone is the same, every necklace is a unique, one-of-a-kind creation.” Available on Etsy for $29.

Paris Jackson Seen Leaving Los Angeles Marijuana Dispensary

Brendan Bures
-
0
Paris Jackson Seen Leaving Los Angeles Marijuana Dispensary

Paris Jackson was seen leaving a marijuana dispensary with a conspicuous paper bag recently. According to Page Six, she was wearing “a pair of tiny tie-dyed shorts and mirrored shades in LA on last week.”

Jackson then jumped into the car without much attention. The model and daughter of Michael Jackson is known for her changing looks and bold fashion choices. Sometimes those style choices net her unnecessary criticism.

This week even she addressed the criticism with a tongue-in-cheek Instagram post with the text “how r u a famous model and look homeless” superimposed on the photo.

https://www.instagram.com/p/Betuve0H4bu/?taken-by=parisjackson

Jackson’s father, The King of Pop, was in the headlines this week following a firebrand interview with Quincy Jones, the legendary music producer on some of Michael’s most successful records. Jones told Vulture that MJ was “greedy” and “Machiavellian” in crafting some of his biggest hits.

1...1,0041,0051,006...1,460Page 1,005 of 1,460

Don't Miss Your Weekly Dose of The Fresh Toast.

Stay informed with exclusive news briefs delivered directly to your inbox every Friday.

We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe anytime.

The Fresh Toast is an award-winning lifestyle & health platform with a side of cannabis. We work hard each day to bring uplifting and informative information about culture, weed, celebrity, tech and medical marijuana.

© Copyright @2020