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6 Out Of 10 Pennsylvanians Want Marijuana Legalized, Poll Shows

Terry Hacienda
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6 Out Of 10 Pennsylvanians Want Marijuana Legalized, Poll Shows

Pennsylvanians want legal marijuana, a poll released Thursday by Franklin and Marshall College clearly shows. According to the survey, 59 percent, answered “yes” when asked if cannabis should be made legal.

This is a whopping 19-percent increase from the wehn this question was asked just last year. “Notice the evolution. It’s been a slow and inexorable growth in support during the past decade,” F&M Polling Director Terry Madonna told the Philadelphia Inquirer. “And it’s important, because Pennsylvania has had a history of being a relatively conservative state on social questions. Nobody has ever accused it of being on the cultural vanguard.”

Pennsylvania Auditor General Eugene DePasquale, who in March spoke out in favor of adult recreational legalization, was emboldened by the survey results. In comments to the Pittsburgh City Paper, he said:

“The public is ahead of the politicians on this issue. They know the way we are dealing with marijuana right now makes no sense. It is time to regulate and tax it. It will be better for the people of Pennsylvania. It will generate tax revenue, it will actually help create jobs, and it will save law enforcement time in trying to prosecute people who are not a threat to society.”

The poll clearly shows that reefer madness in the Keystone state is quickly evaporating. Only 31 percent of the nearly 400 Pennsylvanians surveyed say that it should remain illegal; 9 percent were undecided.

When the question was first asked in the 2006 survey, only 22 percent supported legalized marijuana and  72 percent opposed it; 6 percent were on the fence.

Although the survey shows overwhelming support for the issue, Madonna does not believe there is a huge appetite among state politicians to act on the results.

“When you ask them what they think is most important problem, legalization of pot does not come up,” Madonna told the Inquirer. “It doesn’t have a lot of intensity. So there’s nothing driving lawmakers to legalize it.”

Patrick Nightingale, of Pittsburgh NORML, believes the survey is a beacon of hope. “People in Pennsylvania read the news, they see the shows, they see the progress in other parts of the country,” Nightingale said. “We need property-tax relief, our schools needs more funding, and we have a gigantic deficit in the state budget. They know recreational marijuana can help that.”

4 Things That’ll Help You Get Through A Nasty Breakup

Maria Loreto
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4 Things That’ll Help You Get Through A Nasty Breakup

Breakups are hard. Truth is, you can have a million friends that’ll be there to give you advice, but at the end of the day getting over a relationship is something that you do alone. That doesn’t mean that there aren’t things that’ll help you feel better and that’ll help you get some much needed perspective, which is why we’re here.

Here are 4 ways to get over that nasty breakup:

Science!

When in doubt, you can always trust science to help you figure out what you’re supposed to do. Crazily enough, research suggests that a few things like listening to sad music and reflecting upon your breakup might help you get over your ex. Different studies claim that listening to sad music is therapeutic, providing peacefulness in your time of need. Our brains are drawn to the sadness of the music and instead of avoiding them (and hiding from your feelings) you should face them head on.

Reflecting on why you broke up in the first place will also make you face your feelings and help you get over the pain faster and more effectively.

Studies also suggest that trying out new activities will also help you distance yourself from your partner. Chances are, the longer you’re with them, the more your lives have become entangled, having the same friends and watching the same shows. If you branch out and find other things to do, your brain will be grateful, and you’ll process your break up faster and more effectively than if you stay around moping and thinking about that time you watched Game Of Thrones together.

Admitting That There Were Times You Were Wrong

After a breakup, we tend to turn ourselves into victims and to blame the other person for almost everything that’s wrong with the world. Don’t fall for this, it’s cheap. Instead, do a deep search within yourself. The results you’ll find may not be pretty, but you’ll soon realize that it takes two to eff things up and you’ll gain more knowledge and wisdom for your next relationship.

Don’t Get Back Together

Each situation is different but, for the most part, getting back with your ex is a bad idea. If you’re serious about moving on, then you have to realize why you broke up in the first place and not be weak and text you ex in the middle of the night. According to Aaron Anderson, a family therapist, we all feel the urge to contact our ex, but the resolve to accept our loses and to move on is the right one because you won’t end up getting involved with something that wasn’t working in the first place.

Don’t Be Friends With Your Ex

It’s always cool to be open to friendships and to welcome all sorts of people into your life. This is something that’ll bring you a lot of positive things, but according to British philosopher Alain de Botton, it’s not something you want to do with your ex. This cute video explains things perfectly, and it has some really cute monsters in it.

Being friends with your ex, especially when you’re the one who got dumped, is like an extension of the original relationship. This will reassure you and will make you kind of happy. This, of course, is temporary, and you’ll end up hurting each other even more in the long run.

The Secret To Making The Perfect Scrambled Eggs Every Time

Amy Hansen
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The Secret To Making The Perfect Scrambled Eggs Every Time

When you want to make some scrambled eggs, the usual line items include a hot pan, a spatula, some butter and eggs. But guess what? We’ve all been duped.

San Francisco celeb chef Daniel Patterson of the Michelin two-starred Coi wants you to take a seat because he is here to show us all how tired our “pan, butter, eggs’ routine is. His secret? Create a whirlpool of hot water and pour in your egg mixture. It’s simple, to the point, and is pure perfection.

Patterson is currently promoting his new cookbook, “The Art of Flavor,” which encourages cooks to create food without recipes. As Bloomberg notes, up until the “lightbulb moment”of cooking eggs in boiling water, Patterson had never quite figured out how to clean egg remnants from his cast iron pans. And using Teflon wasn’t an option, because of it’s toxic properties.

This new technique basically poaches eggs that are pre-beaten. The air bubbles in the boiling water also cause the eggs to expand, creating a super light and fluffy final product, which you can easily whip up on your own any day of the week.

Bloomberg has shared Patterson’s recipe, which you can also find in his new book:

Serves 2

4 large eggs, as fresh as possible
Salt and freshly ground pepper
Unsalted butter

In a bowl, beat the eggs until well-blended, about 30 seconds. (Tester’s Note: For lighter scrambled eggs, crack each egg into a fine mesh strainer set over a bowl; a little bit of the watery egg white will drip out. Discard it, rinse the strainer, and set over your sink.)

In a medium pot of water, heat four or more inches of water to a low boil over medium heat. Add a few large pinches of salt.

The Fresh Toast Marijuana Legislative Roundup: Sept. 25

Alec Engber
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The Fresh Toast Marijuana Legislative Roundup: Sept. 25

In last week’s marijuana news, the word “ban” was bandied about more than usual. In Massachusetts, a city referendum on preventing retail outlets made news in Milford, making it one of 100 municipal governing bodies to enact such a law. Meanwhile in Kentucky, a judge upheld the state’s banning medical marijuana. Find out about that more in our weekly marijuana legislative roundup.

Massachusetts:  

LastTuesday, the state’s first municipal referendum on marijuana sales resulted in a ban on the opening of recreational retailers within the town of Milford. The referendum was held under the state’s two-tiered system for regulating local marijuana sales. Under the legislature’s modified legalization law, bans and restrictions on the opening of cannabis retailers can only be implemented in municipalities that voted in favor legalization if a referendum is held and a majority vote in favor of the restrictions.

In localities that voted against legalization, only a vote of the municipal governing body is necessary. Milford voters supported the November 2016 ballot initiative on legalization by a 52 percent margin. However, 56 percent voted in favor of banning recreational retailers on Tuesday. Over 100 municipal governing bodies have already enacted bans and zoning restrictions in towns that voted against legalization last year.   

This unorthodox arrangement was the result of protracted negotiations between members of the state House and Senate, which had passed two widely different bills to implement marijuana legalization. Whereas the House bill would have “repealed and replaced” the ballot measure and taken away the ability of voters to decide on local marijuana restrictions, the Senate bill would have made minor changes to the way cannabis is regulated at the state level. Critics have argued that the two-tiered system of municipal governance violates the “equal protection” clause of the 14th Amendment.  

District of Columbia: 

On Tuesday, Councilmember David Grosso introduced the Medical Marijuana Improvement Amendment Act of 2017. The Act is designed to expand access to those who may not have the time or money to obtain physician certification. Under the current process, patients must visit a physician and fill out paperwork, then wait for the District to issue a medical cannabis identification card before they can access medical marijuana. If enacted, the Medical Marijuana Improvement Amendment Act would allow patients to present a signed affidavit at medical marijuana dispensaries stating that they are 21 or older, consume cannabis “explicitly for medical purposes,” and are aware of local and federal laws regarding marijuana. The bill would also authorize dispensaries to open facilities where the plant could be consumed on their premises.  

Kentucky:  

On Wednesday, a Kentucky judge upheld the state’s ban on medical marijuana. Kentucky is one of the 21 states that have yet to legalize marijuana for any purposes, including the treatment of severe and chronic conditions. A group of citizens sued the governor and state attorney general earlier this year, arguing that it is unjust to deny treatment to those suffering from illnesses who could benefit from treatment with cannabis. In his ruling, the judge wrote that the legislature has “discretion to regulate what is harmful to the public health and wellbeing.” 

Gossip: Meghan Markle Has ‘A Scotland Yard Bodyguard’; Rob Kardashian Did Not Partake In 10th Anniversary Special

Naughty Gossip
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Gossip: Meghan Markle Has ‘A Scotland Yard Bodyguard’; Rob Kardashian Did Not Partake In 10th Anniversary Special

Meghan Markle has made her first appearance with Prince Harry at an official event, albeit three rows and 18 seats apart. But while she still didn’t have a ring on her finger, there was one noticeable addition – the reassuring presence of a Scotland Yard police bodyguard.

There had been fevered speculation that the couple would allow themselves to be photographed after 14 months of dating, but in the event Miss Markle, 36, slipped into the opening ceremony on her own, while Harry, 33, sat in a VIP box with US First Lady Melania Trump and Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau. The actress was elegant but edgy in a flirty £95 Aritzia chiffon shoe-string strap dress over, slinging a £518 Mackage leather jacket over her shoulders. She completed the outfit with a pair of cream Jimmy Choo heels. She was accompanied by one of her closest friends, Markus Anderson, who is said to have introduced her to Harry.

While there was no obvious entourage around her, a royalty and diplomatic protection squad officer could, significantly, be seen in a stairwell a few feet away. As a ‘commoner’, Miss Markle is not actually entitled to a taxpayer-funded, armed SO14 police officer. But the man had very clearly been stationed there to keep an eye on her and was in clear public view for at least half an hour. After Harry had finished his speech – but before the show had ended – he ushered Miss Markle and her companion out and it is believed she left the venue with the prince in his blacked-out car a few minutes later. Although Harry is a frequent visitor to her rented house in an exclusive suburb of Toronto, where she films legal drama Suits, the prince is spending the week in a city hotel as he is conducting official duties.
[From The Daily Mail]

Rob Kardashian Did Not Partake In 10th Anniversary Special

On Sunday’s 10th anniversary special, Kris Jenner and her five daughters sat down to reflect on the last decade of Keeping Up with the Kardashians — but one member of the famous family was noticeably absent.

Rob Kardashian, 30, did NOT partake in the 90-minute sit-down, which was taped in April.

Love the fresh dirt we bring over daily from Naughty Gossip? Let us know in the comments!

Marijuana Myth Busting: Does Holding In Smoke Get You Higher?

Al Olson
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Marijuana Myth Busting: Does Holding In Smoke Get You Higher?

Welcome to marijuana myth busting. Willie Nelson, America’s most beloved marijuana connoisseur, appeared in a Jimmy Fallon skit over the weekend poking fun at the octogenarian’s favorite activity. The punchline was unspoken — just a thick cloud of smoke.

As network-television-approved ganja gags go, it was fine. Giggles all around. But Willie and Jimmy might need to brush up on Marijuana 101. (Although who are we to tell Willie Nelson how to smoke weed? I mean, really.)

There have been several studies that demonstrate the futility of attempting to intensify your high by holding in the smoke. Your lungs instantly absorb the cannabinoids after inhalation. The membranes of the cilia of your lungs get coated by the smoke. So the intoxicating effect is already triggered.

So what happens when you hold the smoke? You do damage to your lungs. The tars present in the combusted plant matter absorb at a slower rate than cannabinoids, so all you are doing is allowing the tar to irritate your lungs.

In a 1989 study, subjects were asked to hold their breath in three different intervals ranging from zero to 20 seconds. There was no measurable difference between those who held the smoke and those that immediately exhaled.

For those of you who swear that you get higher, you may be getting a stronger head rush from oxygen deprivation and an increased heart rate — not from the smoke.

But it makes for a funny video.

Drive-Through Marijuana Stores In Maine? It Could Happen

Terry Hacienda
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Drive-Through Marijuana Stores In Maine? It Could Happen

In Maine, like many states, it’s legal to purchase alcohol from a drive-up window and head on down the road. It’s one of the conveniences of living in a state — especially considering the nasty winter weather. Who wants to get out their cars just to grab a six-pack of Allagash White, the most popular beer for Maineiacs?

Will the state allow buying marijuana to be just as easy? That issue will be debated Tuesday by the state legislature’s marijuana committee.

Last November, Maine passed Question 1, better known as the Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol measure. But will marijuana actually be regulated the same way?

“If Maine allows [drive-through sales] for alcohol, we see no reason why it shouldn’t be allowed for marijuana, the safer substance, so long as Maine puts in place reasonable regulations to protect public safety and the consumer,” David Boyer, director of the Maine chapter of the Marijuana Policy Project, told the Portland Press Herald. “The voters want it regulated and taxed like alcohol. The rules should be the same.”

Under the proposed regulations, retail stores would be able to sell up to one ounce of cannabis to an adult from drive-up windows. But opponents fear the law would be, well, too convenient.

State Sen. Roger Katz of Augusta is among those fighting against drive-through sales. His greatest fear is that the herb will wind up in the hands of underage residents

“Given the fact that about half the people in the state voted against legalization, I think we ought to go slow and be cautious in the beginning,” Katz told the Press Herald. “I anticipate a vigorous debate. We’ve still got a ways to go yet,”said Katz, the Republican co-chairman of the Joint Select Committee on Marijuana Legalization Implementation.

The language of Question 1 did not specifically mention drive-through sales. But something not prohibited by state law is typically legal by default. Supporters firmly believe that the intent of the law was that marijuana should be treated like alcohol.

Currently, none of the states that have legalized recreational marijuana have drive-through sales. Colorado allows alcohol to be sold via drive-through, but not cannabis. California, which will begin recreational sales next year, is likely to allow it.

How One Woman Is Successfully Treating Her Epilepsy With Cannabis

Becky Garrison
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How One Woman Is Successfully Treating Her Epilepsy With Cannabis

When Cecelia Sivertson got diagnosed with epilepsy when she was 12, her parents followed their doctor’s advice that she begin a regime of prescription medications. Over the years, she estimates she was given around 15 different drugs. For decades, she took these medications with no side effects.

Then in 2013, Sivertson began to develop tremors and found herself feeling nauseous every day. After someone came into her office and recommended she use cannabis, she started Nana’s Secret Medibles. “I knew I couldn’t be able to afford to to buy medical marijuana if I didn’t have a business.”

Initially, she founded Nana’s Secret Medibles to make cannabis infused brownies, caramel suckers, and brownies. She switched to making soda once she realized that soda gets absorbed faster into the body. “When I started feeling sick, I needed immediate relief. After drinking one soda, I could feel relief within ten minutes.” Compare this to an edible that can take up to two hours for one to feel the effects.

Soon, Sivertson’s symptoms subsided to the point where she felt she could go off her prescription medications and treat herself solely with medical marijuana. Initially, she felt fine but soon learned another secret about the prescription medications she had been taking to treat her epilepsy. “Doctors don’t tell children or their parents that once you start taking prescription drugs to treat epilepsy, it’s a lifetime commitment If you stop taking your medications, you can end up in the hospital with deadly side effects.” In Sivertson’s case, she ended up with debilitating seizures. Other side effects reported by stopping their epilepsy medication include anxiety, depression, suicidal tendencies, and mood disorders.

Presently, Sivertson takes 200 mg of cannabis oil extract daily. She prefers oil made from whole plant extract and not the synthetic cannabis products that have started to make their way into the marketplace. “If I miss taking my cannabis pills for two days, I will start having seizures. But as soon as I take my pills, I am fine.” In her estimation, patients that have epilepsy have different brains with electric currents that misfire. When she takes her cannabis pills, her electric currents move correctly. Unlike prescription drugs that made her high at times, she does not experience any psychoactive effects from the medical marijuana that she takes.

Sivertson along wth many producers of cannabis infused edibles had to halt production of their wares due to Washington State’s elimination of their medical cannabis program. She plans to resume production as soon as the paperwork is in order for her to operate under the state’s new licensing process that enables cannabis edibles to be sold in recreational cannabis dispensaries. Also, Sivertson looks to license her brand to other states that have legalized cannabis for medicinal or adult recreational use.

Also, Sivertson is working to raise money to form a foundation for children with epilepsy. She hopes to promote the view that cannabis oil is much less harmful to those children than the the drugs she took for decades. She feels the prescription drugs she was prescribed are being manufactured for billions of dollars profit rather than being produced to heal children.

She believes that if children could be prescribed cannabis pills, they could avoid many of the side effects she experienced while on prescription drugs, as well as the nasty withdrawal symptoms she is experiencing as she tries to get off her medications. “Each time get off one drug, I feel better. Know that once I can get off my prescription drugs, I will be back to full health.”

The Epilepsy Foundation acknowledges medical marijuana as a viable treatment option and offers a summary) of the treatment approaches in treating epilepsy with cannabis. In their estimation “Evidence from laboratory studies, anecdotal reports, and small clinical studies from a number of years ago suggest that cannabidiol, a non-psychoactive compound of cannabis, could potentially be helpful in controlling seizures. Conducting studies can be difficult as researchers have limited access to marijuana due to federal regulations and even more limited access to cannabidiol; there are also increased financial and time constraints.”

Gossip: Jay-Z And Beyoncé Drop $26 Million; Dozens Of Dildos Wash Up On Beach In Italy

Naughty Gossip
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Gossip: Jay-Z And Beyoncé Drop $26 Million; Dozens Of Dildos Wash Up On Beach In Italy

Jay-Z and Beyoncé are officially living that bi-coastal life.

Just weeks after closing on a massive mansion in Los Angeles, it’s being reported that they’ve also dropped 8-figures on a home in the Hamptons.

via TMZ:

Jay and Bey plunked down a cool $26 million for the 7 bedroom, 7.5 bathroom pad in luxurious East Hampton, NY. The crib’s no joke — the 12,000 square ft. pad sits on 2 acres of land with scenic water views of the Georgica Pond.

It’s got everything hip hop royalty wants — bathrooms sculpted with Italian marble, an infinity edge pool and an 1,800 square ft. guest cottage. The kitchen features an 18th century carved stone fireplace. Trulia first reported the purchase.

The original structure was built over a century ago but Jeffrey Collé spent 2 years redesigning the current masterpiece. Great sequel to their roughly $90 million West Coast purchase.

Dozens Of Dildos Wash Up On Beach In Italy

Vacation was cut short for families visiting a beach on Italy’s Western coast after a deluge of dildos washed up on the seaside.

Kids were banned from the beach near the Hermitage of Camaldoli monastery, which is located near Naples, after volunteers from the Licola Mare Clean Association stumbled upon the phallic toys while cleaning the area.

Umberto Mercurio is the president of the coastline-cleaning group and explained to The Sun that garbage often ends up in the area because of the way that the sea currents flow, as the spot marks the end of the channel’s course.

Love the fresh dirt we bring over daily from Naughty Gossip? Let us know in the comments!

Al Franken Finally Gets Behind The Cannabis Cause

Mary Schumacher
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Al Franken Finally Gets Behind The Cannabis Cause

In his humorous book last year, Al Franken’s coverage of drug abuse in a funny way, but the tone remained very somber as well.

Raised in a prudish household, Franken’s first drink wasn’t until college and his drug experimentation didn’t start until “Saturday Night Live” in his mid-twenties. Marijuana and coke were staples on the set and while most of the early cast didn’t think the show could go on without the fueling of cocaine, careers started to crash, relationships burned, actors and friends died and Franken swore off the stuff after it got to that point. It helped that he had never really been the addictive type.

Even as a senator, Franken never denounced drug abusers, yet he also never really picked up the cannabis cause, which may have also had to do with his fairly conservative constituents in Minnesota.

Watch out now, though! Franken is on a full-on spree when it comes to marijuana legislation.

Earlier this month, Franken signed off on a bill that makes it so the Feds cannot obstruct marijuana laws that states vote in and another that would allow cannabis businesses banking privileges. Franken also cosponsored a third bill allowing pot distributors and growers to get tax credits and expenditures like any other small business would have access to.

The first bill was originally introduced by Sen. Cory Booker (D) New Jersey, and it deals with compliance as well as cannabis scheduling. It also allows for medicinal research into the herb. The Short Title quoted in the bill reads, “This Act may be cited as the “Compassionate Access, Research Expansion, and Respect States Act of 2017” or the “CARERS Act of 2017”.

Some experts are speculating that Franken’s recent and heavy handed push for marijuana legislation could be part of a presidential bid consideration for 2020 or beyond. Cannabis polls are showing all-time highs in the realm of support among U.S. voters, outweighing those opposed by hefty margins.

No matter the reason — the opioid crisis, social justice, criminal justice, medical reasoning, compassion, increased tax revenues, a presidential bid — the senator is going all in on marijuana legislation and those in the cannabis corner couldn’t be more thrilled for the additional support.

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