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How Cannabis Can Help Psychological Adjustment Disorder

Kent Gruetzmacher
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How Cannabis Can Help Psychological Adjustment Disorder

Life can be hard. Every year, people are faced with new, unexpected challenges in their personal and professional lives—these trials sometimes alter the characters of individuals themselves. Whether losing a loved one, changing careers, or going through a divorce, these sort of life alterations leave people forever transformed. More often than not, exactly how people choose to cope with traumatic life changes dictates the sort of transformations they undergo as a result of said experiences.

For those regular cannabis consumers out there, it is important to be conscious of how this drug is being used in one’s personal life. While there are a number of credible studies showing that CBD rich cannabis products can help curb psychological abnormalities related to life change, abuse of marijuana can also inhibit one’s ability to cope with certain stressors.

Those individuals whom cannot properly cope with the stressful “ups and downs” that life brings can sometimes develop mental illnesses. For example, according to the website Psychology Today: “Adjustment disorder is an abnormal and excessive reaction to an identifiable life stressor. The reaction is more severe than would normally be expected and can result in significant impairment in social, occupational, or academic functioning”. If improperly addressed, adjustment disorder can lead to a number of psychological disorders, including anxiety and depression.

Young adulthood (ages 14-21 yrs.) is often the age demographic most prone to developing adjustment disorder and its subsequent manifestations in psychological illnesses. Perhaps this age group experiences adjustment disorder at a more significant rate than others due to the amount of transitioning occurring in these years—including experiencing puberty, experimenting with sexuality, and the leaving of the childhood homes.

A study featured in the Society for Addiction Study Journal by Professor David Fergusson draws some interesting correlations between cannabis use and adjustment disorder in young adults. This article shows that problems with adjustment disorders lead to a higher percentage of cases of cannabis abuse in youths. These findings are rather unfortunate, as turning to substance abuse as a coping mechanism at such young ages can lead to life-long afflictions. Moreover, the ages of 14-21 are very important years in the emotional and mental development of human beings—the overindulgence of any substance in these years can have negative effects.

It is also worth noting that substituting substances for healthy coping mechanisms in stressful, transitional periods of life can not only galvanize habitual patterns of anxiety and depression, it can wholly retard one’s ability to cope in the future.

On a more positive note, CBD has been shown to help lessen the intensity of mental disorders that arise as symptoms of adjustment disorder—namely that of anxiety. To illustrate, an article published by the United States Library of medicine features a study in which Generalized Social Anxiety Disorder, or SAD, is treated with CBD. In this test, the directors administered CBD to control subjects during trials of public speaking and found that those who had consumed the cannabinoid experienced far less anxiety than those that did not. While these findings are quite promising in relations to quelling symptoms of adjustment disorder with cannabis, they in no way embolden the notion that individuals should medicate with marijuana during transitional life periods.

In summary, adjustment disorder can lead to some extremely debilitating psychological afflictions—these can only worsen without proper coping mechanisms. With this in mind, people should be extremely conscious of choosing when, and why, they consume cannabis during life transitions.

Kent Gruetzmacher M.F.A. is a Colorado based freelance writer and the Director of Business Development at Mac & Fulton Talent Partners (www.mandfconsultants.com), a recruiting firm dedicated to the indoor gardening and cannabis space. He is interested in utilizing his M.A. in the Humanities to critically explore the many cultural and business facets of this youthful, emergent industry by way of his entrepreneurial projects.

This Silicon Valley Congressman Won’t Stop Tweeting About Marijuana

Brendan Bures
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This Silicon Valley Congressman Won’t Stop Tweeting About Marijuana

It can feel like attorney general Jeff Sessions launches a new pronged attack against cannabis on a weekly basis. Just last month Sessions again hinted at a possible crackdown of state marijuana policies from federal agencies, continuing his streak of stoking fears within the industry.

As it were, another high-profile national political figure can’t stop reminding the public about marijuana. But whereas Sessions perpetuates these scare tactics regarding marijuana, congressman Ro Khanna won’t stop tweeting about the positive benefits of legalizing cannabis at the federal level.

Khanna is the U.S. Representative for California’s 17th congressional district, which is in the heart of Silicon Valley. As you can assume, Khanna’s is an influent political seat, but that doesn’t mean he is necessarily influenced by the tech power surrounding his position. He is one of only six Congress members who doesn’t accept campaign contributions from Political Actions Committees (PACs) or corporations.

While he’s far from the lone political figure within California who supports cannabis legalization, Khanna stands out for his consistent interest of raising awareness. The current state of the cannabis industry is a huge economic boon and a progressive work environment than it was even five years ago. Khanna’s ongoing support underscores the efforts of activists throughout the country.

Just within the past month he’s made at least seven calls to action regarding marijuana legalization or policy reform on his social media platforms.

So just as we pay attention to when a suspiciously forgetful Keebler Elf cries wolf, we should also give merit when positive actionable work is being done on marijuana’s behalf. Keep tweeting, Rep. Ro Khanna, for our sake and yours.

Will People Be Able To Grow Their Own Marijuana In Ohio?

Mary Schumacher
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Will People Be Able To Grow Their Own Marijuana In Ohio?

A group of Ohio investors who were not awarded a state license to grow medical cannabis have devised a new legalization plan that would amend Ohio’s constitution and allow adults 21 and over to possess, grow, manufacture and dispense marijuana.

Jimmy Gould is the chairman of Green Light Acquisitions and is the go-to guy for the bill’s proposal. He’s still working on the wording so that the bill doesn’t go down in flames like Ohio’s last failed legalization attempt, Issue 3. Note, Gould was also the brainchild behind Issue 3, but now recognizes the snags that kept it from winning in any of Ohio’s 88 counties.

Gould insists that the new law would not be at odds with the current medical program and would simply free adults to obtain cannabis, much like alcohol, without a doctor’s recommendation.

They’re going to need nearly 306,000 valid signatures to get the measure on the ballot, with the deadline being July 4, 2018. Gould is hoping to finish up the language and have feet on the ground gathering signatures by next month.

An optimistic Gould says the new effort “is as different from Issue 3 as night and day. We spent a lot of time and effort to get this right. This is not Issue 3 revisited.”

After having spent $20 million on Issue 3, Gould is ready to take this new initiative to the next level, saying he’ll spend “whatever it takes” to win.

This new “Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol” amendment would not only legalize cannabis for adults, it would legalize industrial hemp for farmers, who would then be able to compete with neighboring states. Hemp is an excellent keeper of healthy soil and it is one crop that doesn’t need to be rotated, thus making it extremely desirable to those so inclined. There is a use for every part of the hemp plant and we the equipment to separate the relevant parts of the plant is better than ever, making it an easy crop to harvest as well.

Cities, townships and villages will be able to set their own rules as to how many if any canabis dispensaries or other marijuana related businesses are allowed, though commercial factories would have to be at least 500 feet away from schools, daycares and playgrounds.

Best of all, home cultivation will be allowed as long as it is secured and private, not to mention inaccessible to minors. The number of plants the proposed amendment would allow is not yet specified, but being able to grow one’s own is always a step in the right direction.

Cannabis Businesses Protected From Feds For Now

Habib Bentaleb
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Cannabis Businesses Protected From Feds For Now

For many of us, the holiday season means attending a number of office holiday parties. Between trying to snag egg-rolls and chicken skewers there’s a lot of networking, re-connecting, and small talk. If you’re talking to a stranger, the conversation often leads to “and what do you do?” When I tell them I’m a corporate attorney who advises cannabis businesses, they usually ask about the federal government. Specifically, they ask what’s keeping the federal government from cracking down on the cannabis industry?

That’s when I ask them if they’ve ever heard of James Cole, Dana Rohrabacher, and Earl Blumenauer. I then give them a brief history lesson (while keeping an eye out for new appetizers) on the Cole Memorandum and the Rohrabacher-Blumenauer amendment (formerly known as the Rohrabacher-Farr amendment).

We’ve previously covered the tenuous nature of the Cole Memo since U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions can revoke it at any time. Fortunately for the burgeoning cannabis industry, Sessions has managed to restrain himself and has kept the Cole Memo in place. What’s of more immediate concern is the status of the Rohrabacher-Blumenauer amendment (“RBA”).

The RBA prohibits the U.S. Department of Justice (“DOJ”) from spending money to interfere with the implementation of a state’s medical cannabis laws. The RBA has proven to be one of the strongest protections for the cannabis industry since the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals enforced the spending prohibition against the federal government.

After that ruling, the DOJ filed a motion to put a stay on one of its cases against medical cannabis growers in Washington (known as the Kettle Falls Five case). In order for the RBA to survive, either the House of Representatives or U.S. Senate appropriations committees need to attach the RBA to a federal spending bill. That federal spending bill then needs to be approved by the House and Senate and then signed by the President.

The House is doing its best to keep everyone in the cannabis industry nervous this year as they blocked a floor vote on the RBA back in September. To add to the unease, Congress came dangerously close to another government shutdown this past week as it had until December 8th to pass a budget to fund the government. Congress didn’t pass a comprehensive budget but instead passed a stopgap spending bill to keep the government running – and the RBA in place – until December 22nd.

A two-week extension of the RBA does not come close to providing the stability cannabis businesses in a billion dollar industry need when making strategic business decisions, but it’s better than the alternative: a government shutdown and wild uncertainty. What the stopgap bill does do, however, is buy everyone time to call their local congressperson and Senator to voice their support for the RBA and for an end to the federal government’s antiquated (and unjust and immoral) position on cannabis. What we’ve learned in President Trump’s first year in office is that he hasn’t made cannabis policy a priority and he will most likely sign whatever spending bill Congress puts in front of him.

The President’s lack of interest in protecting the legal cannabis industry means it’s vitally important YOU call your representative to make sure the RBA is included in the spending bill that ends up on the  President’s desk. So make that call and send that email! We don’t want the conversation at the next holiday party to be in remembrance of the Rohrabacher-Blumenauer amendment.

Habib Bentleb 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. 

Information About Marijuana And Bladder Cancer

Richard Faulk
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Information About Marijuana And Bladder Cancer

Bladder cancer accounts for about five percent of all new cancer diagnoses in the US each year and kills more than 16,000 of us annually. As with most cancers, the greatest risk factor is in your genetic history, but aging and cigarette smoking dramatically increase your risk of getting the disease. So does being a white guy: The white part doubles your risk over African Americans and the dude part can quadruple your odds compared to the ladies.

Related: Little-Known Health Effects Of Medical Marijuana

So, if you’re a black woman, consider yourself excused from today’s class.

For those of you still reading, you might have noticed how we qualified one of the risk factors above: cigarette smoking. From a general medical perspective, it’s not a good idea to smoke anything. Period. But, at least in this one context, smoking cannabis might be a positive good: It’s been shown to correlate with lower rates of bladder cancer. Not just compared with tobacco smokers, but even non-smokers.

That was the surprise announcement from Dr. Anil Thomas, addressing the 2013 annual meeting of the American Urological Association. It also appears a report published in the February 2015 issue of Urology.

Running an analysis of a database of California men aged 45 to 69, Dr. Thomas and his team of researchers at Kaiser Permanente Los Angeles Medical Center found that cannabis smokers were 45 percent less likely to be diagnosed with bladder cancer than patients that did not smoke at all.

Related: Why Won’t My Doctor Prescribe Medical Marijuana For Me?

As expected, tobacco smoking in this cohort increased the odds of developing bladder cancer. But here’s another cool part: According to Dr.Thomas, “Those using both cannabis and tobacco seemed to negate these effects with a smaller increase in their incidence of bladder cancer.”

So here’s our takeaway: If you smoke cigarettes—especially if you are, or plan on becoming, an old white guy—then you owe it to yourself to start smoking cannabis, too. Just like heads, two vices can be better than one!

6 Essential Facts You Need To Know About HPV

Maria Loreto
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6 Essential Facts You Need To Know About HPV

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a common and complicated disease that burdens over 79 millions of Americans, most in their late-teens and early-20s. For such a common condition, it’s one that’s very much surrounded in stigma. Many people being ashamed and scared of taking the correct countermeasures to prevent it or manage it, and many don’t even know if they have it.

Check out these 5 facts everyone, including men, should know about HPV:

It’s Considered A Sexually Transmitted Infection

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Typically spread through vaginal or anal sex, HPV is the most common sexually transmitted infection there is, being transmitted without even showing symptoms.

A Lot Of Doctors May Not Test For It

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Because it’s so common, some physicians don’t even test for it in their Pap smears. They may wait after you show a sign of infection to do so, or if you’re Pap smear returns abnormal.

Men Can Have And Transmit HPV Without Knowing It

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While HPV is mostly associated with women, men play a big role when it comes to spreading the disease around. Around 69 percent of men have HPV, even if they don’t show symptoms and can’t be tested for the virus.

HPV Can Increase Your Risk Of Cancer

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Cervical and different types of oral cancers’ risk is increased by having HPV, even though the cancer may take years to develop. It’s advised to do regular check ins with your doctor and to monitor your health.

HPV Doesn’t Have To Last Forever

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HPV infections can be cleared within a year or two, even though most people assume that it’s a lifelong disease.

There’s A Vaccine To Prevent It

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People who are planning on being sexually active should be vaccinated against HPV, being most effective for people who’ve never had sex, even though it can still help those who are sexually active.

Is Attorney General Jeff Sessions Secretly A Keebler Elf?

Brendan Bures
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Is Attorney General Jeff Sessions Secretly A Keebler Elf?

Do yourself a favor. Open the popular social media network known as Twitter. You can access it on your laptop or mobile phone. Doesn’t matter. Search for the @KeeblerElves account. While on the surface it seems this won’t deliver any payoff, like anything worthwhile in this life, you must look underneath the surface.

Because every time the @KeeblerElves account posts about, well, anything, their replies are flooded with users making the same joke. If you’re any level of pro-cannabis, this joke will make you laugh.

Welcome to the meme that Jeff Sessions is secretly a Keebler Elf.

https://twitter.com/DipswitchDan/status/938118367155769344

https://twitter.com/dangermarin/status/936713330399440897

The meme had its origins this summer when Sessions was under heavy scrutiny, as he was investigated by the Senate Intelligence Committee regarding Russian interference in the 2016 election. His face appearing frequently on TV and digital screens, people noticed the uncanny resemblance. Wherever your political allegiances lie, you can’t deny the similarities.

All I’m saying: Have you seen Jeff Sessions and the Keebler Elf in the same room? Me neither.

https://twitter.com/ErickFernandez/status/874710490009808896

https://twitter.com/Missy_America/status/874704606340632578

Then Late Night host Stephen Colbert cemented the meme on his show. When Sessions spoke to the Alliance Defending Freedom, a known anti-LGBT group, it was done behind closed doors. To imagine what Sessions said, Colbert held up a E.L. Fudgie cookie in the shape of a Keebler Elf and did his best Jeff Sessions impersonation.

So every time Jeff Sessions threatens the cannabis industry and fear strikes your heart, just remember that he looks like a Keebler Elf. It might not change much, but at least you’ll have yourself a laugh.

 

How Upside-Down Christmas Trees Became This Year’s Holiday Trend

Brendan Bures
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How Upside-Down Christmas Trees Became This Year’s Holiday Trend

The hottest trend this holiday season isn’t a new toy or something related to fashion. Instead, what’s all the rage this year can be interpreted as either a remix of the original or a returning to roots, depending on your historical view. Yes, we’re discussing the upside-down Christmas trees. You might have seen them in department stores or hotel lobbies or even your daughter’s house.

The benefits of the upside-down tree, especially for stores keen on selling their products, is that more ornaments and decorations rest at eye level. No straining your neck to peer child’s crude yet cute ornament they made in 5th grade or your favorite pop culture memorabilia. It also doesn’t crowd perhaps limited floor space and allows you to move more freely around a room. Worth mentioning as well—it’s very 2017, the weirdest, wackiest year to be alive in some time.

But according to The Spruce, the upside-down also has historical context.

Via The Spruce:

Hanging fir trees upside down goes back to the Middle Ages, when Europeans did it to represent the Trinity. But now, Christmas trees are shaped with the tip pointing to heaven, and some think an upside-down Christmas tree is disrespectful or sacrilegious.

Inevitably, this new fad has been used as a liberal symbol of the ongoing “War on Christmas.” As an exasperated Corey Lewandowski touted on Fox & Friends last month, it’s like we’re living in the Bizarro World from Seinfeld.

https://twitter.com/MelsLien/status/934052913181286401

Honestly all that will happen is you’ll see these pop up on social feeds and maybe at an avant-garde Christmas party. Otherwise, Grandmas is trotting out the traditional standby same as every year. Some things never change.

2017 Gift Guide: Festive Flasks For Everyone On Your List

Margarett Waterbury
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2017 Gift Guide: Festive Flasks For Everyone On Your List

A person can never have too many flasks. Whether you’re headed out on a summer camping trip, facing a long flight with nothing but a grim hotel mini bar to greet you at the end, or helping your best friend celebrate their wedding, a full flask is a valued companion. Even when they’re just sitting empty on the sideboard, they promise good times ahead.

If you’re hunting for a good flask this holiday season—for yourself, or somebody else—you’re spoiled for choice. Here are five of our favorites, with the right model for everybody on your list.

image via Amazon

For The Outdoor Enthusiast

This Stanley insulated cocktail shaker and shot glasses set is just the thing for taking your favorite tipple on the road in a civilized fashion. The flask’s capacious 8-ounce size makes packing for even a multi-day excursion easy, and the glasses pack away snugly in the included canister.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BNqAf5LhKn9

For The Traveler

I am probably biased as an Oregonian, but I think this flask-disguised-as-an-umbrella is the best of the latest crop of novelty flask shapes. While it’s not a working umbrella, it makes up for it with its whopping 13 ounce capacity, more than half of a standard 750ml bottle.

For The Fancy Drinker

If your giftee loves a bit of sparkle (and come on, be honest, who doesn’t?) this glittering gold flask will make even the most mundane drinking experience feel like a party. Also comes in pink sparkle and “mirage,” a kind of oil slick-like iridescent rainbow finish.

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For The Design Devotee

MAKO’s circular five-ounce flask looks straight out of the pages of Dwell magazine, complete with trendy dip paint motif in two on-trend colors (aqua and melon). The round shape tucks comfortably into a pocket.

  • Related Story: These Boozy Advent Calendars Will Make Your Holiday Season

For The Purist

Everybody needs at least one leather-wrapped flask. They’re comfortable to hold, classy to look at, and just feel right, especially for whiskey. This one comes with a useful tiny funnel for minimizing spills during filling.

For The Fancy Dresser

What’s the point of having a flask if you don’t look fantastic when you use it? This super-stylish hand-hammered pewter flask is made in Sheffield, England, and holds an eminently reasonable six ounces of spirit. It, too, comes with a tiny funnel (also in pewter), as well as a recommendation to not store spirits inside for more than 24 hours due to the potential for discoloration. Drink up!

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This article originally appeared on The Whiskey Wash.

7 Royal Traditions Meghan Markle Has Already Broken

Amy Hansen
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7 Royal Traditions Meghan Markle Has Already Broken

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry recently announced their engagement, but Ms. Markle has already bucked several royal protocols that many Brits welcome as a breath of fresh unfussy air. Here are seven traditions she’s not apologizing for breaking.

Carrying A Handbag

During Markle and Harry’s first official royal appearance on December 1, Markle was seen carrying a tote (a $667 handbag that sold out in 11 minutes) while shaking hands with the crowd. But royal code prefers a small clutch, which is more practical when it comes to “meet and greet” situations.

Kate Middleton is rarely seen without her clutch. Etiquette experts suspect it’s so she can avoid awkward handshakes, while easily tucking it under her arm if she prefers to engage.

Engagement To Prince Harry

Markle defied royal code just by being herself: an American, bi-racial, divorced, Catholic-educated commoner.

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Engagement Photo Shoot

Victoria Arbiter, a royal commentator for CNN, told INSIDER that Markle may have broken royal protocol by not wearing nude stockings during her engagement photo shoot on November 27. The horror!

You never see a royal without their nude stockings. Meghan, from what I can see from the engagement photographs, it doesn’t look like she was wearing tights or stockings. I would say that’s really the only hard, steadfast rule in terms of what the Queen requires.

Wedding Date

Markle will be saying “I do” to Prince Harry on Saturday, May 19. And while there’s no official rule, most other royal weddings have taken place during the week. Prince William and Kate Middleton: Friday, April 29, 2011. Princess Diana and Prince Charles: Wednesday, July 29, 1981. Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip: Thursday, November 20, 1947.

https://giphy.com/gifs/suitsusanetwork-usa-network-suits-rachel-ToMjGpRhM77Jp4P8CGc

Wedding Cake

Traditionally, a multi-tiered fruitcake is served at British royal weddings. But not Markle and Harry. The couple is bucking tradition with a banana cake. A source close to the couple tells The Telegraph: “This will be the first royal wedding cake made from bananas.”  Prince Harry is said to love “anything with banana.”

PDA

While not a rule breaker, showing public displays of affection is rarely seen in the royal family. When was the last time you saw William and Kate give each other a smooch, hold hands or locking arms? Harry and Meghan are often photographed attached to one another in some way.

https://giphy.com/gifs/engagement-prince-harry-meghan-markle-3osBLuLrownMKD6eZ2

Christmas

Harry’s grandmother, Queen Elizabeth, is breaking tradition this year by allowing Markle to join the royal family for Christmas. It’s untraditional in the sense that Markle hasn’t officially married into the royal family.

Markle will attend Christmas morning service with Harry and his family at St. Mary Magadalene Church. For comparison, Kate Middleton was not invited to spend Christmas with Prince William’s family following the couple’s 2010 engagement.

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