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Will Marijuana Legalization Help Democrats Win Red States?

Brendan Bures
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Will Marijuana Legalization Help Democrats Win Red States?

Even though most Democrats are weary of taking cannabis reform to the federal level, it appears that Dems in traditionally red states have used the idea of marijuana legalization as a key platform issue. And it looks like it could be working.

According to Politico,this election cycle has featured Democratic candidates prominently favoring changing federal marijuana laws. Senate races in Texas and Nevada, as well as House races in Kentucky, West Virginia, Indiana, and Pennsylvania all include pro-cannabis Democratic challengers running against Republican incumbents who stand on the opposite side of the issue.

Via Politico:

Not so long ago—like maybe last cycle—a Democratic challenger in a state this conservative [like Indiana] wouldn’t have been caught dead making an unqualified endorsement of a drug federal authorities still consider as dangerous as heroin by categorizing it as Schedule 1. But attitudes about marijuana, not to mention state laws, have changed so quickly and so broadly across the country that Democrats even in deeply red states like Indiana not only don’t fear talking about the issue, they think it might be a key in 2018 to toppling Republican incumbents.

These Democratic challengers believe the numbers are on their side, especially in light of Attorney General Jeff Sessions’ staunch anti-marijuana policies that seem keen on reigniting America’s War on Drugs.

Those numbers are particularly poignant in states like Indiana ravished by the nation’s opioid crisis. A 2016 poll showed that 73 percent of Indiana residents approve medical marijuana legalization. The power of promoting medical marijuana legalization in states, like Indiana, that have been adversely affected by opioids can be seen in West Virginia. Richard Ojeda won a state senate seat in large part through his championing of medical marijuana. Once victorious, he then sponsored the medical marijuana bill that made West Virginia the 29th state to legalize its use.

No money was spent by marijuana advocacy groups, who were stunned by Ojeda’s successful efforts. Ojeda is running for Congress in the 2018 election.

“There wasn’t a single penny spent, and we won,” Ojeda told Politico. “We did it because I got up and started speaking about it. And then the phone lines [in the legislature] lit up because the people of West Virginia know.”

Whether these new red-state Democrats will succeed remains to be seen. But so far, they’re making a dent by giving their people what they want.

German National Police Group Advocates To Decriminalize Marijuana

Brendan Bures
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German National Police Group Advocates To Decriminalize Marijuana

A national organization representing German police believe cannabis and its consumption should be decriminalized throughout the country.

André Schulz is the head of the Association of German Criminal Officers (BDK). The organization includes around 15,000 police detectives and Schulz said the group wants a “complete decriminalisation of cannabis consumers.”

Schulz believes that criminalizing marijuana stigmatizes consumers and that it “allows criminal careers to start.” Speaking with German tabloid Bild, Schulz also stated that he doesn’t think Germany’s national ban on cannabis will last much longer.

The prohibition of cannabis has historically been seen as arbitrary and has not yet been implemented in an intelligent and effective manner. In the history of mankind there has never been a society without the use of drugs; this is something that has to be accepted.

Since last March, medical patients can acquire medical marijuana through their doctors in the country. However, German officials have stated they have no intention to make the drug recreationally legal.

“If we want to deal with the problem of the illegal market we need to legalise and responsibly regulate the production and supply of cannabis and other drugs as well, and there are many police forces making that argument,” Schulz said.

“It’s time for the Government in the UK to listen to those voices in the police and other experts and begin a meaningful debate on legalisation in the UK as well.”

Washington State Gets Ready To Take On Feds Over Cannabis

Daniel Shortt
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Washington State Gets Ready To Take On Feds Over Cannabis

Washington State Attorney General, Bob Ferguson, appears ready to defend his state’s marijuana program against Jeff Sessions and Donald Trump. Last week, Ferguson spoke to the Columbian’s editorial board about upcoming challenges for the Evergreen State. Naturally, the topic of marijuana came up.

Ferguson stated that his office was prepared for a legal fight over marijuana legalization in Washington, although he said, “we hope it doesn’t come to that.” Due to recent actions by US Attorney General Sessions, however, it seems likely that it “could come to that.”

If it does, Ferguson told the Columbian that he would not hesitate to act:

Hypothetically speaking, right, there could be a business that’s licensed in Washington state selling marijuana that’s following state law. Let’s assume they’re following state law to a T—that’s important—and the feds go in and try to shut that business down, they seize the marijuana or the proceeds. If in my view, we’ve got a legitimate business, playing by our rules here in Washington state and the federal government comes in to try to shut that down, we’d be interested in that.

Ferguson also said that he would be willing to get involved if the federal government takes any “adverse action” against a marijuana businesses compliant with state law.

Earlier in January, Sessions rescinded Obama-era guidance regarding federal enforcement priorities for states that legalized cannabis and replaced it with the single-page Sessions Memo. Now, US Attorneys across the country, like Washington’s Annette Hayes, are authorized to use their own discretion when deciding whether to prosecute federal marijuana crimes in their respective states.

Prior to Ferguson’s interview, the Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board sent out an email on behalf of his office asking for Washington residents to share “if they experienced a change in your business practices or customer relationships that you believe is connected to the Sessions Memo.”

Clearly, this issue has been on Ferguson’s mind for a while. In his interview, Ferguson also emphasized the fact that Washington repeatedly reached out to Sessions to discuss Washington’s cannabis law and policy. In each case, Sessions declined.

Ferguson also pulled no punches in deriding Sessions for sending him and Governor Jay Inslee a factually inaccurate letter on Washington’s marijuana program, which failed even to acknowledge that the state had merged its medical and recreational programs:

I think the first thing he accused us of was not having a system that had combined our medical and recreational marijuana systems together, relying on that old report—but, of course, since that report came out, we had! To me that’s embarrassing that the US attorney general, on an issue of that importance, is writing a letter to a governor and attorney general of another state and he’s just got his facts wrong. That’s a problem, I think. I think this is a problem in trying to move forward on these issues.

Ferguson wisely said that he was not willing to discuss legal strategies, but acknowledged that a legal fight could center on “whether federal law preempts state law when it comes to marijuana.” Under the US Constitution, federal law preempts state law when the two directly conflict, but there are strong arguments by states like Washington that their adult-use cannabis programs are not in “positive conflict” with federal law. We explained how that works here.

Washington has consistently proven that it is not afraid to challenge the Trump administration. Sessions brought great uncertainty to the marijuana industry, but Washingtonians should feel confident that their Attorney General will fight to protect the will of Washington voters. Hopefully, Ferguson never has to take up his promise, but it’s reassuring to know he is willing to do so.

Daniel Shortt is an attorney at Harris Bricken, a law firm with lawyers in Seattle, Portland, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Barcelona, and Beijing. This story was originally published on the Canna Law Blog. 

On A Roll: What Your Toilet Paper Hanging Preference Says About You

Amy Hansen
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On A Roll: What Your Toilet Paper Hanging Preference Says About You

It’s a timeless debate: over or under? Which direction should your toilet paper hang? There’s actually a correct way (over), but some people like to play fast and loose and hang their tissue with the toilet paper flap hanging under the roll.

Here’s a photo of the original patent for you naysayers.

Regardless of whether or not you hang your rolls properly, your TP’s swagger can say a lot about your personality, according to a Toilet Paper Personality Test. (If only tests were this easy in school).

Relationship expert Dr. Gilda Carle surveyed 2,000 people as a way for people to assess their daily behaviors:

I queried a random sampling of 2000 men and women, aged 18 to 75 of different ethnicities. I asked them whether they roll their toilet paper over or under. I also questioned how assertive they were in their relationships with others, on a scale of 1 to 10.

The results?

My findings supported my hypothesis that people who roll over are more dominant than those who roll under.

She told indy100 that some “over rollers” were such overachievers, they “admitted their compulsion to actually switch the paper direction at other people’s houses!”

https://giphy.com/gifs/toilet-problems-holder-yeTGT3tTLt18A

Not surprisingly, those who roll under are more submissive and “tend to be more agreeable, flexible and empathetic,” says Dr Carle.

It’s also been hypothesized that over rollers earn more money. One study found that 73 percent of those earning under $20,000 rolled under, while 60 percent of those earning over $50,000 roll over. And you thought you had to work for your raise. Turns out, you just need to reverse your roll.

Study: Proof Cannabis Can Help The Nation’s Opiate Problem

Terry Hacienda
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Study: Proof Cannabis Can Help The Nation’s Opiate Problem

Medical marijuana dispensaries save lives. That’s the conclusion from a RAND report funded by the federal government.

The study, published earlier this week in the Journal of Health Economics, demonstrates that states with medical marijuana dispensaries experienced “a significant decline” in opioid deaths over a 10-year period.

The study concludes:

“In short, our findings that legally protected and operating medical marijuana dispensaries reduce opioid-related harms suggests that some individuals may be substituting towards marijuana, reducing the quantity of opioids they consume or forgoing initiation of opiates altogether.

Marijuana is a far less addictive substance than opioids and the potential for overdosing is nearly zero.” 

The study was funded by the National Institute on Drug Abuse, the same agency that reported opioid death rates from overdoses have quadrupled since 1999, numbering in the tens of thousands a year. In 1996, California became the first state in the nation to legalize medical marijuana. At about the same time, doctors began to drastically increase prescriptions for opioids, especially for general pain relief. The aftermath has been horrendous.

Opioid-related drug overdoses killed about 116 people every day in 2016 and roughly 11 million people misuse prescription opioids, the US Department of Health and Human Services reports.

On the other hand, not one person has died from a cannabis overdose in human history. And, as this week’s RAND study reaffirms, medical marijuana laws are associated with lower opioid overdose rates. But what the RAND study also shows that the opioid problem is less severe in states that have well-regulated, easy-to-access dispensaries.

“Because legal protection of retail dispensaries does not mean dispensaries are operational, we construct our policy measure to identify the state/year in which dispensaries are both legally protected and open for business,” the researchers wrote. “Dispensaries – retail outlets that sell marijuana to qualified patients – contribute to the decline in opioid overdose death rates.”

Let that last sentence sink in. What the study clearly concludes is that dispensaries help decrease opioid deaths. Period. From the study:

“Using data from just the early period of these laws 1999–2010, dispensaries reduce opioid mortality rates by about 40 percent, above and beyond the reduction from marijuana laws alone. The total effect is estimated to be even larger. When we consider the full time period (1999–2013), the estimates imply that dispensaries reduce opioid mortality rates by about 20 percent while the main effect of having a law is relatively small in magnitude, implying declines of about 5 percent, and not statistically distinguishable from zero. Importantly, together – a marijuana law with a legal, operational dispensary provision – the estimates imply a statistically significant (at the 5 percent level) decline in overdose death rates of about 25 percent.

“It is clear that operational dispensaries are critical. This evidence is consistent with the need for a clear and legal supply chain for medical marijuana policy to have an effect.”

This study supports earlier research that demonstrates how cannabis could help those suffering from opiate abuse. A 2017 survey of patients suffering from pain who used both opioids and cannabis revealed that participants reported more satisfaction with cannabis.

In that study conducted by Amanda Reiman, a medical marijuana researcher, patients reported these reasons why they switched to cannabis over opioids for treatment of pain:

  • Less chance of experiencing withdrawal
  • Fewer negative side effects
  • Cannabis was simply more effective

“Individuals that were choosing to use cannabis instead of opiates to treat pain were doing so because they were having these much better experiences,” according to Reiman.

Published iPhone Source Code Is ‘Biggest Leak In History’

Maria Loreto
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Published iPhone Source Code Is ‘Biggest Leak In History’

Apple is one of the most secretive companies in the world, infamous for their software and devices whose insides are known only by their engineers and company members. Motherboard reports that “the biggest leak in history” occurred when an unknown user uploaded bits of the iOS 9 code, called the iBoot, onto Github, opening doors for hackers and others to catch a glimpse of the phone’s software.

According to Gizmodo, that same bit of code has been circulating the web since late last year, when a user uploaded it on Reddit. Many people ignored it because the user had a short history of posts. Now that it gathered attention, Apple filed a copyright takedown request to Github, forcing the site to take down the code.

While the iOS 9 is not the iPhone’s current software, that’s the iOs 13, it’s safe to assume that some bits of it are still the same. The leaked code contained information on the iPhone’s boot up process and its security measures.

These processes are very important. Having knowledge of this code could help hackers and others jailbreak the device, helping them find flaws and bugs, which could decrypt iPhones and emulate the smartphones’ software, so it can be used on other devices.

For their part, Apple seems relaxed and confident.

Via CNET:

Old source code from three years ago appears to have been leaked, but by design the security of our products doesn’t depend on the secrecy of our source code. There are many layers of hardware and software protections built into our products, and we always encourage customers to update to the newest software releases to benefit from the latest protections.

 

This Forgotten Royal Family Member May Show Up At Meghan And Harry’s Wedding

Maria Loreto
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This Forgotten Royal Family Member May Show Up At Meghan And Harry’s Wedding

Meghan Markle will officially become a member of the royal family on May 19th when she marries Prince Harry at the Windsor Castle.

Ever since the wedding was announced, people have speculated over the guests that’ll be attending, and those who’ll be snubbed.

The Daily Star reports that Laura Lopes, Camilla Parker Bowles’ daughter and Prince Harry’s step sister, might be invited to the wedding. While a lot of people don’t know that William and Harry have a step sister, Lopes was born during Camilla’s first marriage with Andrew Parker Bowles, a British ex-soldier. She became a member of the royal family once Camilla married Prince Charles.

Lopes is currently married to model Harry Lopes, who is also a member of the aristocracy and the son of a baron. He is set to inherit an estate in Scotland.

While it may be news to discover that the princes have a step sister, it’s not really a scandal. Lopes’ sister, Kate, was one of the bridesmaids for Prince William and Kate Middleton’s wedding.

7 Unexpected Cannabis Trends To Watch For In 2018

Sharon Golden
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7 Unexpected Cannabis Trends To Watch For In 2018

Ever since you were young, your family was very problematic. There was never a day when you didn’t hear your parents shouting and arguing with each other. You would often lock yourself in your room as an escape from all the tension in the house. You’d rather be alone rather than be in a situation where everyone around you is shouting.

As you got a little older, you opted to use marijuana to relieve the stress, anxiety and fear that your family brings you. This has been legal in the state you’re living, so you don’t worry about violating any laws whenever you use marijuana. Because of this, marijuana has become your escape whenever things don’t go according to plan.

You’ve been using this almost every day because the relief it gives you is exceptional. Since you’re looking forward to using marijuana in the coming years, you’re very curious about the marijuana legal trends to watch for in 2018. You’re excited to know how you can use marijuana in more ways than one.

  1. Marijuana will be used in sports. Sports organizations have gradually acknowledged the fact that marijuana has helped players in treating physical ailments and improve the condition of their nervous systems. Aside from that, marijuana has been used in the past to treat sports-related injuries. Yes, marijuana can do all of those things. Some of the players who have been using marijuana are Bryon Morris, Michael Phelps and Nick Diaz. Additionally, the National Basketball Association (NBA) has already given a statement which now allows their players to use marijuana. Given that the NBA is one of the most recognizable sports organizations in the world, it won’t be long before other organizations will also follow their lead!
  1. Marijuana will be used in healthcare: More and more health professionals are slowly incorporating marijuana into some of their medical treatments. It has been found that marijuana is effective in treating medical conditions such as muscle spasms, nausea and even Crohn’s disease. Research is also in the works to determine what other ailments or diseases can be treated with medical marijuana. As such, you can expect that medical marijuana will be prominent in different states across the globe by 2018.
  1. Marijuana will be taught in schools: Yes, you’ve read that right. Because marijuana has made notable advancements in the medical and recreational markets, there are certain states which offer marijuana-related college courses. In California for example, a university in Irvine is currently developing an interdisciplinary research center which aims to investigate marijuana. Consumers can also educate themselves with marijuana classes and tours that allow them to learn about the differences between using marijuana medicinally and recreationally. With all of these efforts, more people will learn about the benefits of marijuana and will no longer consider the drug as something that deteriorates health.
  1. Marijuana will be in pet food and treats: Not only is marijuana beneficial to human beings but to pets, too. The number of pet owners who find the medical advantages of using hemp formulas is gradually increasing and demand is developing quickly. The industry is now seeing an increase in companies which aim to produce and sell wellness items for pets that contain marijuana as one of the main ingredients.
  1. CBD oils will be successful: Cannabidiol is the part of the marijuana plant that doesn’t cause the certain side effects associated with marijuana use. Because of this, CBD oils are now used in medical marijuana to treat pain or the symptoms associated with chemotherapy. With the ever-changing marijuana map and the progress of research on marijuana in the field of medicine, the CBD oil industry is expected to have a boost in profits in the coming years.
  1. Marijuana will be available in deliveries: You can now purchase marijuana in different ways and one way of doing this is by having it delivered to your doorstep. There are also big players in the industry which funded millions of dollars to allow marijuana to have a delivery service and to fulfill all of your marijuana needs right in the comfort of your home!
  1. Marijuana will be in holistic and wellness products for you: You can now soothe your body, mind and soul with marijuana as this will be present in body creams, shampoos and even supplements. You’ll have more ways of enjoying your favorite marijuana!

For sure, you’ll be able to use marijuana in different ways this 2018. There are now a lot of mediums available on how you can enjoy marijuana. Since this is legal in your state, no one will ever hinder you from using it the way you want. You can have the liberty to use marijuana wherever, whenever. So if this is the only drug that gives you pleasure, go ahead and indulge yourself!

However, there are some states around the world where it is illegal to use cannabis in any way. If you or someone you know has been involved with the law due to cannabis use, this website can be of very great help.

This story first appeared on Marijuana Headline News Network. 

The UK Just Opened Their First Sex Doll Brothel

Maria Loreto
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The UK Just Opened Their First Sex Doll Brothel

The UK recently opened their own sex doll brothel, owned by Lovedoll UK, one of the biggest suppliers of sex dolls in the world. The idea behind this brothel is a good one, giving folks the opportunity to try out the sex dolls before purchasing one a whole lot of cash.

This sex doll brothel follows the footsteps of other ones that opened last year in Spain and Germany, which have proved to be very successful. In these brothels, owners pride themselves on the willingness of their dolls, and the fact that they’re uncomplicated, which sounds really rapey and dumb, because the dolls are made out of plastic. They’re obviously uncomplicated.

The UK brothel allows you to use the doll of your choice for a fee of 100 pounds, which includes access to a private room for an hour, where you’ll have access to a bed, lube and condoms (the romance is all on you). If after the paid hour, the client is still taken with the doll, they have the option of purchasing it and taking it home.

According to LADBible, the owner of the establishment, cryptically known as Graham, believes that other brothels are scared of sex dolls and the risk they pose to their business.

Maybe they just don’t think that it’s viable, or that it would put real-life escorts out of business. If I found somewhere that was open enough to consider it then I would think about selling them a couple of my dolls. Seventy percent of guys aren’t bothered that the dolls have been used before.

Graham also claims the dolls can be modified into whatever you want them to be, and that men aren’t the only ones who are interested in them. He says wives and girlfriends are also into the dolls, especially if they want to spice up their sex lives or keep their men from cheating on them. Misogyny 1, Women 0.

Meghan Markle Has To Pay How Much Money To Move To The UK?

Maria Loreto
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Meghan Markle Has To Pay How Much Money To Move To The UK?

While Meghan Markle has been living in London for some time, it has recently been revealed that she’ll have to pay BANK in order to become a permanent resident of the UK.

This is due to the long process she’ll follow to achieve British residency. According to the BBC (by way of the Daily Express), she’s been staying in the UK with a family visa, which states that she has to get married within 6 months. After getting married, she must renew her family visa every 2 years, until she’s lived in the UK for 5 years and she’s able to qualify for a permanent residency.

Things get complicated and expensive when you take into account her income and worth, which is over 5 million dollars, forcing her to pay a large amount of taxes. According to Daily Express, because of her status, she’ll have to pay taxes for the UK and for the United States.

Every time Markle earns royalties for an episode, or shows up on a cover spread on a magazine, she’ll be charged a pricey tax fee. Even princesses have to pay taxes, which is kind of a comforting thought.

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