Melissa Etheridge, the famous singer-songwriter and cannabis activist, was arrested for marijuana possession at the US-Canada border this summer, according to a recent TMZ report.
On August 17, Etheridge was returning to the U.S. when her tour bus was stopped by the United States Customs and Borders Patrol. A K-9 Unit detected possible drugs were aboard the bus and agents later discovered marijuana oil on the vehicle. Etheridge was booked for possession, though she pleaded not guilty.
Etheridge is a well-known celebrity within the cannabis industry. As a breast cancer survivor, she started using cannabis oil to deal with pain and the side effects of chemotherapy, and continues to do so. She wrote in a CNN opinion piece how “the entire experience changed my life.” She also is responsible for Know Label, a line of cannabis-infused wine tinctures available in California.
Etheridge also made cannabis-related headlines earlier this year when she admitted to smoking marijuana with her adult children, stating she’d “much rather have a smoke with my grown kids than a drink.”
As she told Yahoo! at the time, “My children have a very clear understanding of cannabis. When I hold it without shame or confusion they can understand it as simple as if I was pointing to a bottle of Percocet and said, ‘That’s mama’s medicine.’ You take the naughtiness out of it and it’s not something kids then run to.”
Trista Okel came up with the acronym EMPOWER (End Marijuana Prohibition Organize Women Enact Reform) in 2004 while sitting in a DC jail. She joined a dozen other volunteers from Americans for Safe Access who sat in front of the office of then Health and Human Services Secretary Tommy Thompson. They came to the nation’s capital with the names of thousands of doctors who recommended medical cannabis for their patients. Despite this evidence, they were unable to talk with Thompson about why cannabis is still listed as a schedule 1 drug, a classification that means according to the Federal government, cannabis has no medicinal benefit whatsoever.
Healing With Empower Oil
This focus on cannabis as a natural healing medicine undergirds Okel’s work in founding Empower Oil. These cannabis oils work with the body’s endocannabinoid system (ECS) which is a group of endogenous cannabinoid receptors located throughout the peripheral and central nervous system, as well as the mammalian brain. Events like the Cannabis Science Conference present scientific research noting how cannabis can be a powerful tool in helping to address imbalances in the endocannabinoid system.
Among the conditions where one can find relief by using this nontoxic herbal pain reliever include inflammation, skin trauma (psoriasis, eczema, acne, age spots), joint pain, menstrual cramps, fibromyalgia, and arthritis. This instructions for using oil are incredible simple. “Put it where it hurts. Rub it in. Repeat.” This oil has a pleasant aroma that helps elevate one’s mood and provides aromatherapy support. Regular application of this oil can alleviate the symptoms caused by these conditions without the side effects and chemical smell found in chemical based sports creams.
Also, Empower Oil works well in helping to heal muscle and joint pain due to an injury, as well as shortening the recovery time post-injury. By applying oil frequently at the beginning, the body absorbs the cannabinoids. So over time, users can reduce their need for cannabis oil, though one cannot use this topical too frequently. As the oil is applied to the skin, it does not enter the blood stream, and as such, those who use cannabis infused topicals will not test positive on a drug test.
Empower’s oil remains their flagship product. This product comes in a Black Label version that contains THCa and CBD, as well as a CBD-only White Label version. Okel describes the difference between the two oils as “extra strength versus regular strength.” Some people who don’t use cannabis can barely tell the difference, while others find they get more relief from the Black Label version. Also, the Black Label Empower Oil possesses anti-viral properties, so some users report this product can help alleviate cold sores. The White Label has no anti-viral properties.
Those looking for all over body relief, relaxation, and detoxification can try Empower® Soaking Salts. These products are from a blend of oils and two forms of salts. Those suffering from chronic pain like arthritis report that using these Soaking Salts enable them to finally have a good night of pain-free sleep. The Black Label is also shown to help those suffering from insomnia.
Empower 4PLAY
Women using this sensual cannabis infused oil report an increase intensity in their orgasms. Also, this oil can reduce the refractory period between orgasms, thus making it easier for women to have multiple orgasms. Also, this product can provide reliefs from cramps and endometriosis pain, as well as pain during intercourse. According some men, this oil increases their stamina and helps those suffering from premature ejaculation. Since this pH balanced oil is THC activated and enters the bloodstream via mucus membranes, one might test positive for cannabis up on a drug test. A latex condom cannot be used with this oil. Currently, Okel is working on a CBD-only version to treat pain and reduce cramps, though this CBD oil will not provide enhanced sensual pleasure.
Photo courtesy of Empower Oil
Considering Trying Cannabis Oil?
In Okel’s estimation cannabis oil represents the wave of the future in treating pain. “Cannabis oil is a nontoxic herbal remedy on the skin. It’s natural and clean, and doesn’t affect the internal organs like opioids and ibuprofens do.”
Okel would like to encourage woman curious about using cannabis infused products to have an open mind. “Rest assured if they use my product it won’t smell like cannabis in any form. The oil and soaking salts won’t enter the bloodstream, and they will not test positive if they need to take a drug test.”
A source says, “Its only a matter of time before Brad takes their relationship to the next level.”
Carrie Fisher Sent Cow Tongue To Producer Who Sexually Assaulted Friend
The Star Wars actress’ longtime friend, Heather Ross, opened up to a Tucson, Arizona, radio station 94.9 MixFM about her own experiences with sexual assault and harassment in Hollywood, in the wake of the allegations leveled at producer Harvey Weinstein.
Ross revealed that an unnamed Oscar-winning producer (not Weinstein) had invited her for dinner and, when he picked her up, he pulled the car over and climbed in top of her, pinning her seat.
Ross managed to push the producer off her but as she fled, he said, “You’ll never make a movie in my town and get the F out of my car,”, she told the radio show.
When Ross confided in her friend Fisher, the late actress took matters into her own hands.
“About two weeks later, she sent me a message online and she said, ‘I just saw [blank] at Sony Studios,” Ross said. “I knew he would probably be there, so I went to his office and personally delivered a Tiffany box wrapped with a white bow.”
Ross continued, “I asked her what was inside and she said, ‘It was a cow tongue from Jerry’s Famous Deli in Westwood with a note that said, ‘If you ever touch my darling Heather or any other woman again, the next delivery will be something of yours in a much smaller box!’”
She added that knowing Fisher had her back left an impact on her.
“It felt validating to know, ‘Okay, first of all, this woman who I love as a friend was not just a fake Hollywood friend. That’s who she was. She spoke out and she put things out there in your face,” she said. [From People]
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Okay, so we can’t be Oprah or Mark Zuckerber or Arianna Huffington, but you know what? We can do the next best thing and glean a few life hacks from them.
Inc. recently dropped some knowledge from these three powerful business icons and they are all simple mind tricks we can accomplish in about 60 seconds. Here are the highlights:
Arianna Huffington
The media mogul spends one minute each night before she goes to bed unplugging herself from technology.
As someone who once suffered from sleep deprivation, Huffington is a true believer (she even wrote a book about it) that the lighting emitted from iPhones, laptops and iPads disrupts sleep and keeps the body awake when all it really wants is to fall asleep.
Oprah Winfrey
When it comes to America’s favorite past time, procrastination, Oprah says she asks herself a simple question: “What’s the worst that’s going to happen here, and why do I fear the confrontation?’
Oprah admits she procrastinates with “confrontational things and uncomfortable conversations.” But when she asks herself the question, she’s able to identify her fear (with a moment of meditation) and move forward and get s*** done. It’s obviously working for her.
Mark Zuckerberg
The Facebook co-founder admits he wears the same thing every day (jeans, trainers, and a gray t-shirt) to eliminate the choices in his life, which bog him down.
The guy’s got bigger things to focus on. He’s been quoted as saying, “I really want to clear my life to make it so that I have to make as few decisions as possible about anything except how to best serve this community.”
The Google street views program was launched back in May, and is planning on acquiring the help of millions of people from around the world to fill out the missing spots on their maps. The interactive maps are usually captured by cameras strapped on top of special cars that are run by the company. Now, new companies are planning on giving this technology to the public.
One of them is Insta360, a Chinese company that just announced a camera that meets all the requirements that Google Street Views demands, capturing 360 footage in 8K quality. Each camera costs 3,500 dollars because, apparently, people really want to be able to record their own footage for Google.
The footage from these cameras will be accepted by Google Earth and Google Maps and will also be credited to your name. Why, you wonder? Well, for Google, this is an easy way to cover the gaps and blank spots that they have on their apps, and for you? We really don’t know. Internet fame? Filling out a gap that really annoys you on Google Maps? You can probably find more productive things do than ride around a car with a 3,500 dollar camera strapped on top of it.
You can find all the requirements you need to become Google’s next top mapper on their website, where you’ll also see some less expensive options.
A few friendly comedians leveled a challenge at one another—let’s stay sober for all of October. Joe Rogan, Ari Shafer, and Tom Segura joined forces to help their buddy Bert Kreischer lay off the booze. Initially when the parameters were set, that’s all it was—no alcohol for October.
They even had a neat name for the event. #SoberOctoBert, they called it.
But since quitting alcohol isn’t a big deal for Rogan, his fellow teetotalers tried to pressure the comedian into everyone going completely sober—which meant giving up marijuana as well. Joe Rogan is a renowned cannabis activist. He often discusses its health and lifestyle benefits, as well as advocating for the relationship between fitness and marijuana.
At first, Rogan was pretty stubborn at the challenge of quitting weed for the month. On episodes of his renowned podcast, Rogan would vehemently deny laying off the weed, instead proclaiming he’d smoke every day just to prove a point.
It seems Rogan has changed his mind, however. In a recent Instagram post he admitted to joining #SoberOctoBert all the way, quitting alcohol and weed and any other substance.
Read his full explanation below:
“In all seriousness this sober October stuff has been pretty easy and a very beneficial thing to do.”
“I initially was going to keep smoking weed because that wasn’t a part of the original bet @arishaffir @bertkreischer @seguratom and I made, but when October 1st rolled around I changed my mind and decided to take a month off the devil’s cabbage as well (marijuana).
It’s funny how many people ask, “how are you doing with that?” As if I’m fasting for the month or getting off heroin.
It hasn’t been difficult at all, really, and I think I’m gonna make this a regular thing. Maybe I’ll take every other month off or something. At the very least I’m going to smoke less before shows.
It’s been great doing so much yoga too. My whole body feels loose and limber and my back has never felt better.
California’s legal recreational cannabis program will not begin until 2018, but that certainly doesn’t mean residents of the Golden State aren’t waiting. According to a comprehensive data analysis performed by BDS Analytics, California medical marijuana revenue is staggering. Dispensaries sold $894.85 million worth of cannabis products in the second quarter of 2017 alone. That figure is for medical marijuana. For comparison, in the same time period Colorado’s recreational market accounted for $516.39 million. Oregon sold $163.07 million and Washington sold $302.77 million.
As BDS Analytics notes, sales in California represent about 34 percent of legal sales in the United States. The combined retail sales in Colorado, Washington and Oregon represent 41 percent of U.S. sales. According to BDS estimates, California will spend $2.68 billion for the year … and that’s just medical marijuana.
What Do Californians Like?
Californians spend most of their dollars (55 percent) on flower or bud. Concentrates, the next largest slice of the cannabis pie, captures 25 percent of the market. Edibles, with 12 percent, come in third. Pre-rolled joints grab five percent of the market, and non-THC items like apparel and devices represent much smaller slivers of the marketplace.
California (Blue) Dreamin’
When it comes to the most-purchased marijuana strain, Blue Dream is king in California. The rest of the top 10 includes Girl Scout Cookies, Sour Diesel, Jack Herer, Gorilla Glue #4 and OG Kush.
Sweet Tooth
Chocolate is the most purchased infused edible product. Gummy candies were the second-most popular. California cannabis consumers spend roughly $40 million on edibles in the second quarter alone.
Vape Pens Are All The Rage
According to the data analysis, concentrates are the fastest-growing segment of the cannabis industry among all states, but in California the passion for concentrates — and particularly one style — stands out. Vape pens account for 61 percent of dollars sold in the state. Dabable forms of concentrates like shatter and wax, which are popular in other states (especially in Colorado), do not come close to vape sales — wax capture 9 percent of the market, and shatter six percent.
Us Weekly has an “exclusive” in the current issue about how Harry and Meghan are already engaged and they’ll be making the announcement “soon,” but not while she’s still in Toronto because “it would be a security nightmare” for her.
Sources say that the engagement will come with a “detailed media roll out” and once the announcement is made, Meghan and Harry will do a photo call at Kensington Palace, then “On the same day, they’ll do a TV interview that will be syndicated around the world.”
Kendall Jenner Done With KUWTK
Kendall Jenner has informed her mom Kris she’s done with the family’s reality show — and moving to France!
“Kendall’s been done with the cheesy PR stunts for some time,” a family insider told Radar of “Keeping Up with the Kardashians.” “She’s fearful it’ll hold her down if she doesn’t distance herself now, while she’s on top in modeling.”
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“Passenger tries to get rid of marijuana by eating it during traffic stop,” blared the headline on Michigan’s WZZM13.com’s website. It’s one of those stories that make you stop and think what happened next.
But before we get into what happened to the weed-eating teen, let’s review what happened before the Aug. 20 incident:
Two Michigan teenagers were smoking marijuana in a car on Interstate 94. (Bad idea.)
Police, responding to calls about the teens smoking while driving, pull over the car.
The 18-year-old female passenger began eating the weed to destroy the evidence.
Arrests were made. The driver was busted for operating a vehicle while under the influence. The passenger for possession.
All in all, a pretty crappy way to spend part of your weekend. And a lesson learned the hard way: Do not EVER drive while impaired. It is simply not worth it.
But what about the eating of raw cannabis? Is that dangerous?
Not really. Raw cannabis is not psychoactive. And it is an acquired taste.
In order to activate THC, it needs to be heated — by lighting it up, or vaporizing it or cooking it. If you eat it raw, you will derive benefits from other non-psychoactive cannabinoids (CBD, CBN etc.), but the THC needs to hit a certain temperature in order for it to get you high.
If you eat a large amount (say, an eighth of an ounce), you may eventually feel something, but it will take a few hours for your body to digest it. Why? Science.
In order for marijuana to be psychoactive, it needs to go through decarboxylation, a chemical reaction that converts “inert” cannabinoids from their inactive state to their active form. The THCA, the inactive form of the psychoactive cannabinoid in weed, needs to convert to THC, which provides the high.
Decarboxylation requires heating cannabis. When you eat raw weed, you’re consuming cannabinoids in a form your body can’t do anything with.
For years now, multiple studies have suggested that medical marijuana may help wean opioid users off the highly addictive substance. Fresh research from the American Journal of Public Health concludes that “legalization of cannabis in Colorado was associated with short-term reductions in opioid-related deaths.”
“After Colorado’s legalization of recreational cannabis sale and use, opioid-related deaths decreased more than six percent in the following two years,” according to Melvin D. Livingston, Tracey E. Barnett, Chris Delcher and Alexander C. Wagenaar, the co-authors of the research.
The data discovered that the 6.5 percent reduction represented “a reversal of” a 14-year increasing trend in opioid-related deaths in Colorado since 2000. The researchers, however, were quick to point out that the findings were preliminary. “As additional data become available, research should replicate these analyses in other states with legal recreational cannabis,” the report said.
But the news is promising, considering the opioid addiction epidemic spreading across the nation. Health officials report the number of opioid-related deaths quadrupled between 1999 and 2015. The CDC reports 188,000 people have died from opioid overdoses during this time frame.
The research appears to be a complete contradiction of the current administration — most notably Attorney General Jeff Sessions. According to Sessions, the concept that cannabis could be used as a remedy to the opioid epidemic is “stupid” and “hyped.”
“I’ve heard people say we could solve our heroin problem with marijuana. How stupid is that? Give me a break,” Sessions said in a speech in March.
According a story from Washington Post reporter Christopher Ingraham:
While numerous studies have shown an association between medical marijuana legalization and opioid overdose deaths, this report is one of the first to look at the impact of recreational marijuana laws on opioid deaths.
Marijuana is often highly effective at treating the same types of chronic pain that patients are often prescribed opiates for. Given the choice between marijuana and opiates, many patients appear to be opting for the former.
From a public health standpoint, this is a positive development, considering that relative to opiates, marijuana carries essentially zero risk of fatal overdose.
