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What The New VA Marijuana Policy Actually Means For Veterans

Terry Hacienda
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What The New VA Marijuana Policy Actually Means For Veterans

Doctors with the US Department of Veteran Affairs can encourage conversation about marijuana treatment but they are still prevented from recommended it, according to a new policy announced earlier this month.

Marijuana Moment’s Tom Angell, who first reported the story in Forbes, writes:

“The policy reiterates the department’s long-held position that ‘to comply with Federal laws such as the Controlled Substances Act … providers are prohibited from completing forms or registering Veterans for participation in a State-approved marijuana program.’ ”

In fact, no provision of federal law blocks the department from allowing its doctors to fill out medical cannabis recommendation forms in states where it is legal, even under continued federal prohibition.

In 2003, the U.S. Supreme Court let stand a federal ruling finding that doctors have a First Amendment right to recommend medical cannabis to patients, as long as they don’t actually provide marijuana.

The only thing standing in the way of government doctors recommending medical cannabis to veterans is the V.A.’s own internal policy, which the department’s Veterans Health Administration just extended with the new directive.

Essentially, patients can discuss with VA doct0rs their need and desire to use cannabis as a treatment, but the patient must find another doctor outside the VA to secure a recommendation.

Earlier this year, the Senate Appropriations Committee approved the Veterans Equal Access amendment, which would allow doctors in the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to recommend cannabis in states where it is legal.

Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-OR), a co-sponsor of the Senate amendment, says it is about time to do something. “We often talk about how our soldiers stand up for us, and we need to stand up for them,” Merkley said.

Dr. David J. Shulkin, who President Donald Trump appointed VA chief, is the first non-veteran to lead the nation’s veteran health care system. When Trump tapped Shulkin for the post, he said:

“Sadly our great veterans have not gotten the level of care they deserve, but Dr. Shulkin has the experience and the vision to ensure we will meet the health-care needs of every veteran. His sole mandate will be to serve our veterans and restore the level of care we owe to our brave men and women in the military.”Each day, 22 veterans commit suicide — and many of those deaths are attributed to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). A disproportionate amount of veterans suffer from opiate addiction. This is largely due to the fact that doctors for the Veterans Administration have over-prescribed them for decades. It’s an epidemic that cries out for a new solution.

“I have been deeply troubled about our inability to adequately deal with our returning veterans from Iraq and Afghanistan,” Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-Ore.) said earlier this year. “A lot of them are suffering from PTSD, chronic pain, traumatic brain injury, and these are all conditions that have been shown to respond to medical marijuana.”

The American Legion urged the US government to reclassify marijuana in September. The organization is the nation’s largest veterans group with more than 2 million members.

‘US News And World Report’ Comes Out Swinging In Favor Of Cannabis

Mary Schumacher
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‘US News And World Report’ Comes Out Swinging In Favor Of Cannabis

In a piece titled “Marijuana Doomsday Didn’t Come,” showcasing a beautiful header of a marijuana crop, US News took a look at Colorado post legalization and came to the conclusion that all the panic surrounding legalized cannabis was for naught.

In January, it will be four years since Colorado began legal sales of recreational marijuana, and there is still debate in the state as to whether Colorandians made the right choice – no matter that the measure won by a ten-point margin.

US News rips into an editorial piece published by The Colorado Springs Gazette that referred to legalized cannabis in Colorado as, “an embarrassing cautionary tale,” and then proceeds to present “everything wrong” with cannabis.

Fortunately, there really is not much wrong with cannabis. US News especially took issue with the purported doubling of deaths due to fatal car accidents where the driver tested positive for pot. At this point, there is no working test for driving under the influence of cannabis. Drug tests cannot distinguish between if one smoked an hour ago or a month ago.

After tearing into Jeff “I support the death penalty for marijuana dealers” Sessions, the story goes on to present their own list of why cannabis isn’t the Devil’s lettuce after all. It breaks down the standard arguments for prohibition and displays why they’re just wrong.

The story fact heavy, including important gems like this:

“Marijuana opponents like Sessions are quick to identify all sorts of evils that will befall society in the wake of legalization. What opponents conveniently ignore are the myriad evils that befall society precisely because of prohibition. Today, over half a million Americans are arrested each year for marijuana possession. That’s more than are arrested annually for all violent crimes combined. Each one of those half-million annual arrests represents a family that is subjected to financial, psychic and sometimes physical harm from police, prosecutors and courts.”

And they are absolutely right. Cannabis itself does not lead to societal breakdown, it does not lead to increased homelessness or teen usage and reefer madness is just that, madness. The force is strong with the US News and World Report and we’re glad to have them on our side.

Canadians Already Spend As Much On Cannabis As They Do Wine

Terry Hacienda
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Canadians Already Spend As Much On Cannabis As They Do Wine

Canadians love their wine and beer. And, according to a latest federal study, they like their cannabis, too. In fact, Canadians spend nearly as much money on marijuana as wine.

According to report released this week by Statistics Canada, $4.8 billion was spent nationally on cannabis in 2o15. During the same year, wine sales accounted for $5.4 billion. Beer sales were more than double at $11.8 billion.

The study —titled “Experimental Estimates of Cannabis Consumption in Canada, 1960 to 2015” — found, not surprisingly, that use of cannabis has gone up over as it has become more popular among adults.

The report reads:

The study estimates that the volume of cannabis consumed tended to increase over time from 1960 to 2015, due in part to the increase in consumption among adults. Indeed, the relative importance of the different age groups to the volume of cannabis consumption is estimated to have changed significantly over time.

In the 1960s and 1970s, the cannabis market was predominantly youth driven. However, by 2015, just under six percent of estimated cannabis consumers are estimated to be in the 15 to 17 year old age group, while two-thirds of cannabis consumers are over the age of 25.

Statistics Canada, the national agency tracking this data, warns that these numbers are merely estimates since there is “no systematic process” for collecting cannabis usage data. The agency claims the sales figures could be closer to $10 billion or as low as 2.5 billion.

Canada is scheduled to legalize sales of recreational cannabis for adult use in July 2018. The federal government plans to place a 10 percent excise tax on retail sales, which could bring in $544 billion in tax revenue.

Statistics Canada’s report also found:

  • 16.29 percent of Canadians consumed cannabis in 2015, an increase from 11.86 percent in 2010.
  • Canadians consumed 1,539 pounds of cannabis in 2015, a 47 percent increase from 201o.
  • 38 percent of cannabis consumers were in the 18-24 age bracket.

Opioids Out, Marijuana In, Top Medical Research Journal Says

Al Olson
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Opioids Out, Marijuana In, Top Medical Research Journal Says

One of the nation’s leading medical journals suggests that cannabis can be a helpful tool to combat America’s opioid addiction problem.

Since 1999, American overdose deaths involving opioids have quadrupled. Medical experts estimate that our nation’s abuse of opioids cost over $72 billion in health costs each year.

According to The Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA):

With the current nationwide epidemic of opioid abuse, dependence, and fatalities, clinicians are being asked by federal agencies and professional societies to control their prescribing of narcotic medications for pain. Federal guidelines emphasize tapering, discontinuing, and limiting initiation of these drugs except in provision of end-of-life care. Reducing reliance on opioids, however, is a massive task. According to one estimate, more than 650 000 opioid prescriptions are dispensed each day in the United States. Unless the nation develops an increased tolerance to chronic pain, reduction in opioid prescribing leaves a vacuum that will be filled with other therapies.

According to the JAMA article, “observational studies have found that state legalization of cannabis is associated with a decrease in opioid addiction and opioid-related overdose deaths. This premise merits careful attention.”

The article was co-written by Dr. Esther K. Choo, Sarah W. Feldstein Ewing and Travis I. Lovejoy.

The authors’ findings are not the first time medical researchers have come to this conclusion. A 2012 study from Canada concluded:

There is a growing body of evidence to support the use of medical cannabis as an adjunct to or substitute for prescription opiates in the treatment of chronic pain. … Despite a lack of regulatory oversight by federal governments in North America, community-based medical cannabis dispensaries have proven successful at supplying patients with a safe source of cannabis within an environment conducive to healing, and may be reducing the problematic use of pharmaceutical opiates and other potentially harmful substances in their communities.

A recent Time article, quotes Dr. Donald Abrams, chief of the Hematology-Oncology Division at Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital, concurring with JAMA‘s findings:

“If we could use cannabis, which is less addictive and harmful than opioids, to increase the effectiveness of pain treatment, I think it can make a difference during this epidemic of opioid abuse. We are hampered by the fact that it is still difficult to get funding for studies on cannabis as a therapeutic.”

Marijuana initiatives are on nine statewide ballots this November.

This Is Exactly How Long Men And Women Want Sex To Last

Amy Hansen
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This Is Exactly How Long Men And Women Want Sex To Last

Twenty-five minutes and 51 seconds. That’s how long women want sex to last. And men? Almost exactly the same amount of time.

A new survey of 3,836 people across the globe finds that men would like to be having sex for 25 minutes and 43 seconds. That’s only 10 seconds less than the women. The sexes can finally agree on something!

But wait. According to the survey conducted by UK dating site SaucyDates:

The bad news for the entire planet is the average man in any country and of any age cannot get close to hers or his ideal duration. There will be exceptions that do, but on average it’s a disappointment for all. Both men and women are not reaching the duration they both desire.

And now for some good news again. The country with the most staying power is the USA. We win…at something. Finally! We ranked well above the international average for nearly every age range. Canada is next on the list. India is last, but:

The trend in India is different to other regions and their men get better and better with age. By aged 50 they are very close to the rest of the world.

The survey finds that in most countries, there’s “a noticeable trend” in which intercourse duration increases with a man’s age and then later decreases. It hits its peak in the 30s.

How long does sex last
Infographic courtesy of Saucydates.com

The study speculates that circumcision might play a role in the lack of performance in the lower-ranking countries. While the three highest ranking countries (US , Canada and Australia) have a circumcision rate of 20-80%, the UK and India have circumcision rates below 20%. Could the reduced sensitivity of circumcision improve duration?

The takeaway here: men in their 30s are the top performers, 18-year-olds are the worst, and older men are somewhere in between. Oh, and both men and women are universally unsatisfied with the length of intercourse they’re currently receiving. Disappointment: the great uniter.

Kathy Casey’s Liquid Kitchen Presents: Ginger Sake Cocktail “Sushi”

Kathy Casey
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Kathy Casey’s Liquid Kitchen Presents: Ginger Sake Cocktail “Sushi”

These sophisticated little “hip sips” can be eaten in one bite, like sushi, and are perfect for the holidays! They’re super-fun to pass at a party along with appetizers. Just don’t eat too many—they’re potent!

Ginger Sake Cocktail “Sushi”

Makes about 25 to 30

  • 3 (1/4-ounce) packets Knox unflavored gelatin
  • 6 oz sake
  • 10 oz Simple Syrup (recipe follows)
  • 1 Tbsp very finely minced peeled fresh ginger
  • 12 oz vodka
  • 6 oz fresh lime juice

For garnishing

In a small bowl, sprinkle the gelatin over the sake and let soak for 5 minutes to bloom the gelatin.

In a small saucepan over medium-high heat, bring the simple syrup and ginger just to a boil. Remove from the heat. Add the gelatin and sake mixture, and stir to completely dissolve the gelatin. Stir in the vodka and lime juice.

Carefully pour the mixture into a plastic wrap-lined 8-inch square glass baking dish. Cover tightly with plastic wrap, not touching the liquid surface, and refrigerate until the gelatin is completely set, preferably overnight.

To serve, unmold the gelatin onto a parchment- or wax paper-lined baking sheet. Remove the plastic wrap and cut gelatin into desired shapes. (I like to use a 1-inch round cutter or to cut the gelatin into squares.) Serve each piece on a slice of cucumber, and top with a tiny sprinkle of gold and/or ginger, if using.

Simple Syrup

This is a bar staple and the most commonly used sweetener. Though you can purchase simple syrup, it is ordinarily sweeter than I prefer, so I highly recommend making your own. Proportions vary but it is easy.

Makes 3 cups

  • 2 cups water
  • 2 cups sugar

Mix the water and sugar together in a small saucepan and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Let boil 1 minute then immediately remove from the heat. Let cool to room temperature before using. Store in a clean glass bottle or container, at room temperature, for up to 2 weeks or, refrigerated, for up to 3 months.

Recipe and photo from Sips & Apps, © 2009 by Kathy Casey, Chronicle Books

###

Kathy Casey is a chef, mixologist, and is known as the Original Bar Chef. Her newest book is D’Llish Deviled Eggs, which is a great accompaniment to any cocktail. Follow Kathy on Twitter and Instagram. For more great cocktail recipes, visit www.LiquidKitchen.com.

Say ‘Hello’ To 8 Cats Who Are Completely Over Christmas

Maria Loreto
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Say ‘Hello’ To 8 Cats Who Are Completely Over Christmas

Christmas is great, but it can heighten the intensity factor of some individuals, making the celebration feel longer and much more tasking than it should be. When your neighbor is blasting Mariah Carey while wearing a Christmas onesie for the entirety of the month, it makes you wonder; am I bad person if I hate Christmas?

https://giphy.com/gifs/how-the-grinch-stole-christmas-csuVZf6r9PTzi

It’s not easy, and the following cats understand it. Check out these 8 cats who are completely over Christmas: 

Cat Present

https://giphy.com/gifs/cat-christmas-keXp12z7tXPuo

Are you kidding?

Taking Matters Into Their Own Hands

https://giphy.com/gifs/cheezburger-cat-christmas-tweNZa2gKE73a

Someone has to take down Christmas.

Sad Christmas Cat

 

#sadchristmascat #notsoevilchristmascat

A post shared by Eryn Sparrow (@erynsparrow) on

The winter blues are real.

Christmas Hat Cat

https://giphy.com/gifs/cat-animated-picture-4abmy7j3sokwg

Why are you doing this? He doesn’t want to wear this.

Waiting For The Right Moment

 

A post shared by Blurg ? (@blurg_thecat) on

Christmas lends itself to aggressiveness.

Santa Claus Cat

https://giphy.com/gifs/cat-cute-Yvx5ejoI6JqzC

This is sad and humiliating.

Barely Keeping It Together

Someone’s gonna get bitten.

In Conclusion

A post shared by Theresa (@tlmasmith) on

Don’t put your cat through Christmas.

NBC Wants To Revive ‘The Office’ But Should They?

Brendan Bures
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NBC Wants To Revive ‘The Office’ But Should They?

In an era when no media property ever really dies, news that NBC has intention to revive the hit comedy “The Office” isn’t that surprising. The network is fresh from a successful revival of another previous franchise in “Will & Grace.”

The network’s intention, as reported by THR and TVLine, is to include old cast members and news with the show’s US creator Greg Daniels to return. However, reports definitively conclude that star Steve Carrell will not reprise his role as Dundler Mifflin manager Michael Scott. Instead NBC wants to cast a Michael Scott-like character to lead the mixed cast.

Rumors first circulated back in August that NBC might revive the show. At the time, the network denied such reports. However, it appears the idea has only picked up steam in recent months and appears like a distinct possibility.

The question, then, instead becomes should it? Is what people want more of the same from network sitcoms, or to watch reruns of their favorite episodes on Netflix?

https://twitter.com/EricThurm/status/942922805812912128

While NBC has found success with the return of “Will & Grace,” enough time had passed to build substantial nostalgia around the franchise. A 12-year gap exists between initial ending and reprisal for “Will & Grace;” “The Office” went off air just four years ago. “The Office” finale felt conclusive, closing many of the narrative loops and characters arcs the show had explored throughout its run.

“The Hollywood Reporter” asked Daniels what he thought of reviving the US version of The Office after Ricky Gervais reprised his role as David Brent from the UK version of “The Office” in the movie David Brent: Life on the Road.

Via THR:

Personally, I feel like we left on a good note. I’m not that anxious to open it up again myself, but I would be interested to see what David Brent’s up to. But also I think the American show became so much of an ensemble and to not have the whole ensemble there would just feel kind of, I don’t know, less than. So I don’t want to criticize what he’s doing, I think that’s great, but I’m okay with us having had our finale.

Many hot takes fired on Twitter as usual, calling the revival a bad idea.

https://twitter.com/kvanaren/status/942934003132370944

https://twitter.com/CorbinReiff/status/942937122301992961

It seems like a mistake, but one that will push its way through anyways. And to quote the great Michael Scott, that’s what she said.

The 4 Best “Chrismukkah” Products You Can Find Online

Maria Loreto
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The 4 Best “Chrismukkah” Products You Can Find Online

The O.C. was iconic for a lot of reasons. The show was soapy, featured every possible teen cliché you can think of, it started that awful meme of ‘Mmm whatcha say’ videos (never forget), but it also had its moments of brilliance. Especially with their Christmas themed episodes, where Seth, one of the protagonists, decided to create a special holiday called Chrismukkah. Here, he would merge Christmas and Hanukkah, celebrating them together and honoring both of his parents heritage. He also got more presents than any other kid. 

It’s been years, and this niche trend hasn’t stopped. Check out our 5 favorite ‘Chrismukkah’ accessories, which range from so low key that only true hardcore O.C. fans will be able to recognize them, to cute and accessible for all:

Chrismukkah Sweaters

This ugly sweater will surely take the prize at your office Christmas party.

Yamaclaus

https://giphy.com/gifs/the-oc-jewish-chrismukkah-mDeCEbuxPVoT6

For ten bucks you can have the most festive Yarmulke around. You only need some hair clips and you’re all good to go. 

Chrismukkah Shirts

These shirts are adorable, featuring santa and a tree made out of the star of David. That’s genius.

Chrismukkah Cards

A post shared by Playa Paper (@playapaper) on

These cards are the perfect present for families that want to celebrate their multiple faiths. They’re witty, cute, and cards are always cheap so that’s a plus.

Please Let Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs Buy The Carolina Panthers

Brendan Bures
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Please Let Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs Buy The Carolina Panthers

The Carolina Panthers NFL franchise is available for purchase. Current owner Jerry Richardson announced his intent to sell the team Sunday following an investigation announcement over accusations of workplace misconduct. The NFL has since taken over that investigation while Sports Illustrated released a lengthy investigation this week detailing a history of racial biases and sexual harassment from a Southern man stuck in his antebellum attitudes.

It appears all but certain that a new face will own the Carolina Panthers. And one man you may remember has very clear ideas about who that should be.

https://twitter.com/Diddy/status/942572662311841797

https://twitter.com/Diddy/status/942572662311841797

Diddy would be a great NFL owner. I don’t mean that he’ll be a great manager of an NFL franchise or that he’s the correct man for the job. He might be those things. But Diddy would be a great owner for me and for you because the amount of outlandish, brash suggestions would be the highest entertainment possible.

Diddy already recorded a video announcing his intention once he purchases the Panthers. It’s an already legendary nugget for example we’ll get into in a moment but I want to remind everyone upfront—Diddy owning an NFL franchise will never ever ever happen for so many reasons political and social that should be obvious without having to explain (though Diddy would have the financial means with a joint investment group). Here’s the briefest summary: Imagine Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones and Sean Diddy Combs literally talking about anything.

Moving on.

Okay wait not moving on actually. This seems a really good time to remind everyone of this clip of Puff Daddy. It’s from the documentary Can’t Stop Won’t Stop: A Bad Boy Story released this year. In it, Puff is negotiating a deal on the phone with MTV about some kind of promotion. He seems to get his way because immediately after hanging up the phone he screams, “I AM A SAVAGE. WHATEVER I WANT I HAVE TO GET. WHATEVER I WANT I’M GOING TO GET.”

https://twitter.com/Diddy/status/870332042373771264

Anyways let’s get to the part where Diddy seems to possess zero awareness that Cam Newton quarterbacks the Carolina Panthers. “I will immediately address the Colin Kaepernick situation and put him in the running for next year’s starting quarterback,” Diddy said in an Instagram video. “It’s just competition, baby. It’s just competition.” And while I certainly believe the NFL did collude to exclude Kaepernick from the league…I don’t have to explain Cam Newton is like 250 times better than Colin Kapernick, right?

Puff also calls them the “North Carolina Panthers” for some reason, which, uh, Puff, that ain’t what they called, man.

But these antics is why we need Puff Daddy in the NFL. He would immediately become the most divisive owner in professional sports. It would be a neverending stream of hackneyed hot takes and public laundry. He’d probably break a champagne bottle over Roger Goodell’s head and might ask Cam Newton to walk across Charlotte to buy him a cheesecake just to keep his starting job over Kaepernick. You want that and need that in your life. I do.

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