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The GOP Blocks Vote To Protect Medical Marijuana States

Mary Schumacher
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The GOP Blocks Vote To Protect Medical Marijuana States

Lawmakers on Wednesday said GOP leadership will not allow a full house vote on an amendment barring the Department of Justice from “pursuing” medical marijuana states. The amendment was authored by California (R) Dana Rohrabacher.

“That’s what we’re doing now, we’re avoiding the issue,” California (R) Duncan Hunter chimed in to cameras directly after the House GOP shot down the vote to protect medical marijuana states from persecution.

With no legislation in place, states that have legalized for medicinal use will no longer enjoy the protection they’ve had in place for the last four years. Without any protection in place, it could also give Jeff Sessions the push he’s been waiting for with bated breath to come down hard on the ever-expanding marijuana landscape.

In a closed-door meeting of House Republicans, Rohrabacher beseeched his colleagues to allow a vote on his amendment, knowing the damage that could ensue without it. Hunter said that after Rohrabacher made his pleas, they ultimately couldn’t bring it to the floor because it just, “splits the conference too much.”

It could be that it splits the conference or it could be that it would pass, an even scarier prospect for some House Republicans. The amendment has bipartisan support and merely continues the protections that we as a country are used to when it comes to legal medicinal cannabis states.

Rohrabacher had started his urgent messaging Tuesday night, practically begging his colleagues to vote. He said that without his amendment, “we’re changing the status quo in a way that undermines the rights of the states and the people … to make their policy.”

Rohrabacher’s amendment was co-sponsored by Oregon (D) Earl Blumenauer and was included in the four preceding Commerce-Justice-Science funding measures, back when it was an Obama White House. It was also included in a Trump omnibus funding bill that expires at the end of the month.

Soon, the amendment will have vanished and we’ll have to pin our hopes on the continued bravery of people like Rohrabacher and Blumenauer to do their best to protect our rights.

Gossip: Ryan’s Plot To Replace Kelly Ripa; Ramona Singer Fired From Real Housewives?

Naughty Gossip
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Gossip: Ryan’s Plot To Replace Kelly Ripa; Ramona Singer Fired From Real Housewives?

Kelly Ripa better watch her back because Ryan Seacrest has a bunch of friends lined up to replace her if she decides to leave the show.

“Ryan taped shows with Kim Kardashian and a bunch of his other friends as co-hosts, however the person that made Kelly sit up and watch was when Ryan asked Lisa Rinna to join him to fill in for Kelly who was on vacation,” sources tell Straight Shuter. “Not many people know this but when Kathy Lee Gifford left the show it came down to Kelly Ripa and Lisa Rinna to replace her. Kelly and Lisa were the final two and Kelly got the job. She is very weary of Lisa as she knows that the best job on TV was almost hers. When Ryan brought in Lisa it was a red flag.”

Ramona Singer Fired From Real Housewives?

The Real Housewives of New York’s season is over and now producers are looking for a new lady to possibly be replacing Ramona Singer!

“Ramona doesn’t know it yet but she will might not be coming back to the show,” sources tell Straight Shuter. “The producers love Ramona and acknowledge that as one of the few original cast members, she helped make the show a huge hit. But her storyline has come to a natural end and she needs to turn up the heat if she wants to survive. Viewers have seen her daughter grow up and her marriage fall apart and now she has nothing interesting to add. She was supposed to be finding love after her ugly split but that didn’t really happen. Everyone wishes her the best.”

However one insider says no decisions have been made yet. The show is always looking for new talent and excited about the new season. They noted the ratings for the past season have been great – so why mess with a good thing?

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

Are U.S. Marijuana Laws Hampering Legalization In Jamaica?

Daniel Shortt
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Are U.S. Marijuana Laws Hampering Legalization In Jamaica?

Over the weekend, I attended CanEx Jamaica in Montego Bay. The event focused on the business and policy of cannabis in Jamaica and abroad. Jamaica decriminalized cannabis in 2015, imposing a fine for possession of less than two ounces of cannabis rather than possible jail time. Jamaica also has legalized cannabis for medical use, but is still in the process of implementing a regulated program.

Jamaica is facing challenges in regulating a plant that has long been celebrated in Jamaican culture despite legal prohibition. Ganja, as it is known on the Island, has deep cultural and religious significance. It is a sacred herb in the Rastafarian religion. Its religious and recreational use on the island has been widespread for years. As a result, many Jamaicans are not excited about it being regulated. I went to this event for two reasons. One, because Hilary Bricken, our lead cannabis lawyer out of our Los Angeles office would be speaking there. And two, because our cannabis practice has always been an international one, and that has been accelerating in the last few months as Barcelona, Spain, (where we have an office) continues to liberalize.

Dr. Jalani Adwin Niaah, a professor at the University of the West Indies at Mona and Rastafarian, gave a presentation on Rastafarian Dispensing and Advocacy. He noted an increased interest in ganja from local business leaders after it was decriminalized. He fears though that commercialization of Jamaica’s medical cannabis will leave Rastafarians behind and cannabis as a sacrament will become marginalized. Dr. Niaah suggested Rastafarian’s hosting “herb camps” where they could grow and dispense ganja for religious purposes while also providing guidance to Jamaicans and visitors who want to use ganja for healing and wellness. Dr. Niaah proposed these camps would give Rastafarians a place in Jamaica’s regulated cannabis market. Jamaican law allows cannabis for religious purposes, but it is not clear these sorts of camps would qualify under this exemption.

Hilary Bricken from our office moderated a panel on cannabis policy that included Florida attorney Michael Minardi, entrepreneur Sidney Himmel, Dr. Lorenzo Gordon of Jamaica’s Ministry of Health, and Greg Douglas, CEO of Jamaica’s Cannabis Licensing Authority.

Dr. Gordon and Mr. Douglas provided insight into the challenges Jamaica faces as two of its regulatory bodies work together to establish Jamaica’s medical cannabis scheme. The Ministry of Health regulates cannabis processing, strains, and products. It looks at the scientific side of cannabis, studying the percentage of CBD and THC in each strain. This Ministry also requires a microbiological analysis of each product and provides training for physicians who wish to recommend cannabis. The Cannabis Licensing Authority focuses on location, security, and cultivation. As the title suggests, it also will eventually provide licenses to cultivators and dispensaries.

Mr. Douglas expressed the need for the two agencies to work together to send a unified message and provide a consistent process for applicants hoping to obtain a cannabis license. He also acknowledged the importance of cannabis in Jamaica saying “in Jamaica, ganja is cultural, not just a matter of money.” Mr. Douglas maintains that the emotional impact of ganja in Jamaica must be taken into account in creating a regulated industry.

The elephant in the room was the impact United States Government policy has had and will continue to have on Jamaica’s cannabis regime, especially considering the Trump administration has been hostile to cannabis. Both Jamaica and the US have entered into treaties prohibiting the manufacture and distribution of cannabis and other drugs. The US wields significant influence over international trade and could force its will on a small nation like Jamaica. At one point in the panel discussions, Hilary asked whether Jamaican government officials see the US as a bully. Both Jamaican officials gave diplomatic answers, acknowledging they are aware of the United State’s position on the subject and how it is necessary to “consider” the international environment when implementing Jamaica’s regulatory regime.

Though over half the states in the US have legalized medical cannabis and eights states (plus Washington DC) allow cannabis for recreational use, the United States is still viewed internationally as somewhat of a drug law dinosaur with sharp teeth. Many of the speakers and attendees talked of how Canada and Israel (and to a lesser extent Uruguay and Spain) are model nations for cannabis research and policy. Dr. Gordon stated he hoped Jamaica could be an international leader in cannabis as well. See Marijuana Legalization: The International Edition

 In addition to Hilary’s panel, CanEx hosted Montel Williams for a keynote address, held a job fair for individuals interested in working in cannabis and hosted a number of other panel discussions on topics like “Women in Cannabis”, “Finance and Trade”, and “Arts and Entertainment.” The event was well attended and very informative. If you regret missing it this year, I highly recommend attending in 2018. Great locale and great speakers. What more could you want?

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

The Hemp-Based CBD Market Will Top One Billion Dollars By 2020

Maria Loreto
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The Hemp-Based CBD Market Will Top One Billion Dollars By 2020

The marijuana industry in the U.S. is doing better than ever, producing an estimated revenue of $6.7 million last year alone. While hemp-based CBD much is less commercial and popular than THC, some industry experts predict that the healing and therapeutic cannabinoid could become the next big thing within the cannabis business, and that if it keeps doing as well as it’s been doing it’ll be able to hit the $1 billion mark in less than five years.

Hemp plants, which are legal throughout the nation, are currently the main source of CBD on the market. These hemp products have a variety of uses, including hemp oil, skin care products and so much more. These companies don’t sell medical or recreational marijuana, instead, they focus on developing products that are hemp derived.

Medical Marijuana Inc. is one of these companies, crafting products that are unaffected by marijuana legislation and that have a market cap of  $300 million. The company produces a variety of hemp oil products that come in different forms and that are very successful.

The only problem that hemp CBD companies may encounter in the future is the fact that many states are legalizing marijuana. All of these hemp based products can be affected due to the widespread legalization and approval of recreational marijuana, which will cut their sales the more people use it. Still, these companies can all survive if they plan ahead for the inevitable legalization of marijuana.

What You Need To Know About The Nationwide Marijuana DUI Laws

MJ News Network
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What You Need To Know About The Nationwide Marijuana DUI Laws

The acronym DUI stands for Driving Under the Influence and it represents the crime of driving a vehicle while affected by alcohol or other drugs to a level when the driver can’t operate the vehicle safely.

Depending on the state that you are living in, penalties for alcohol and the drugs may differ. For example, in California, penalties for both are the same. Whether you are consuming alcohol, illegal or legal drugs (with or without the prescription), you will end up with a DUI. Actually, the most important thing is the influence that the substance by definition has on your “nervous system, brain or muscles.”

Marijuana in the DUI cases

Marijuana is the most commonly used drug involved in a DUI. Although this drug is legal somewhere, it is not important in the case you are affected by it while driving. Actually, you won’t be charged with marijuana DUI when you possess this drug (since it can be legal in some cases), but you will if you consumed it.

Marijuana’s effects include sleepiness, memory breakdown, changed sense of time, increased appetite, mood changes, although its effects vary among users. Some may be affected more, while some people don’t feel anything of enumerated.

Testing Methods

When police suspect an individual for a marijuana DUI, Drug Recognition Experts (DRE’s) will first try to spot certain signs of it. Signs may include:

  • Red eyes
  • Smell of marijuana
  • Rapid breathing and heart rate
  • Dilated pupils

Afterward, if they feel you are probably impaired, there are some tests that are usually done.

  • Blood test. This test detects the presence of THC, also known as  delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, an active ingredient in cannabis and considered illegal. Although it is commonly used, it can’t reveal the usage of a drug within a couple of hours.
  • Urine test. This is the second possibility if you can’t take the blood test for some reason. It also checks the THC level and its inactive metabolites in your body.
  • Saliva test. This test is often used in Australia, but it is hard to conduct on the roads.

These tests aren’t always authoritative because THC can stay in the body even up to 30 days after consuming the cannabis. So every chronic user of cannabis, you should wait at least 30 days or more so that THC component will be out of your system. Because you can be charged with the DUI even if you stopped consuming it more than three weeks ago!

Penalties

Driving under the influence of marijuana, an individual can be punished with:

  • 96 hours – 6 months in jail
  • Fine of $390 – $1000
  • Six months driver’s license suspension
  • Informal/summary probation of 3 – 5 years
  • Participation in a drug education class for 3 months

However, penalties vary according to whether it is a first or following conviction. The penalties also differ from the state. For example, the lowest fine is in Arkansas ($150), then in California, Montana, and Georgia ($350), while in Alaska and Texas fine isn’t lower than $1000.

As far as time in prison is concerned, an individual must spend at least 72 hours in prison in Alaska, and in Arizona not less than 10 days! The maximum of jail sentence is 1 year in most of the states.

If on the other hand have your fourth DUI or you caused an accident with bodily injuries or death, a marijuana DUI elevates to a felony. The potential sentence will include:

  • 180 days in jail
  • 4-year license suspension
  • Five years probation
  • Fine up to $5000
  • Participation in an alcohol or drug education class for 18 months

Expungement for Marijuana DUI

Most of marijuana DUI convictions are misdemeanors and are eligible for expungement. The things that are considered are:

  • He/she didn’t serve any time in state prison
  • He/she completed all terms and conditions of his/her probation
  • He/she didn’t commit a subsequent felony
  • No criminal charges are pending

As said, marijuana effects are disputable and also is DUI. If you are among the people who are charged with DUI, you may try to hire a lawyer. The most important thing of all is speaking to a good one. A DUI lawyer knows it all about the defense for each substance and they also know how the judge will act about it, too. Also, the DUI tests evidence can be challenged.

Of course, if you are using marijuana very often for whatever reasons, you may try to avoid driving for some time. Make sure that you don’t enter the car alone, so you won’t have to turn it on at all. You will surely save yourself from unnecessary hassle with the police and lawyers, and if cannabis affects you much, you will surely save others, too.

For more cannabis business coverage, visit the MJ News Network.  

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Marijuana Poisoning In Oregon Will Soon Be A Thing Of The Past

Terry Hacienda
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Marijuana Poisoning In Oregon Will Soon Be A Thing Of The Past

All cannabis sold legally in Oregon will be tested for pesticides, according to a notice issued by the Oregon Liquor Control Commission.

The Oregon Health Authority earlier this week created permanent regulations on pesticides that require that all of the cannabis to be tested before it can be approved for legal retail sale. The new policy replaces the temporary regulations set earlier this year.

According to the OLCC notice:

“Every batch of usable marijuana (flower and leaves) must be tested directly for pesticides according to the Oregon Health Authority’s testing rules in order to be compliant. This includes untested product that was collected for sampling prior to August 30.

“Some temporary rules regarding the sampling and testing of usable marijuana have expired and Oregon Liquor Control Commission Recreational Marijuana Program licensees are required to follow updated OLCC and Oregon Health Authority rules.”

Fewer than five labs were accredited to test for pesticides in October, according to the OLCC. Today, the number of labs has almost doubled. Additionally, the Oregon Health Authority’s most recent testing rules increased by 50% the amount of usable marijuana that can be tested together in a batch.”

This is what legalization and regulation does to the cannabis industry: It holds businesses accountable. A non-regulated industry would not have an agency dedicated to keeping the market free from inferior products. It ensures that growers, distributors, processors and retailers follow protocols designed to keep consumers safe. Try doing that with your unregulated neighborhood dealer.

The Oregon Health Authority offers the following tips to consumers considering purchasing marijuana products:

  • Read marijuana product labels. All labels must have the producer’s business or trade name and licensee or registrant number; the business or trade name of licensee or registrant that packaged or distributed the product, if different from the producer; the name of the strain; and the universal symbol.
  • Request a copy of the pesticide test results from the dispensary.
  • People choosing to smoke marijuana should consider the negative effects that smoking may have on their health.

Woman Finds Frog In Packaged Salad, Keeps It As Pet

Jillian Peterson
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Woman Finds Frog In Packaged Salad, Keeps It As Pet

So, this is gross. A woman in Corona, California found a live frog in a salad mix she had just bought from her local Target. But instead of freaking out and killing the thing, she welcomed it into her family.

Becky Garfinkel tells ABC 7 News she was getting ready to go in for another bite when:

I see a frog sitting in my salad plate after I’ve eaten almost the entire salad. Completely freaked out, screamed. I threw up afterward because I was traumatized. I’m a vegetarian and I couldn’t believe there was a frog in there.

And because the frog was barely hanging on to life (a layer of salad dressing didn’t help), Garfinkel’s husband GAVE IT CPR!

With his finger — I’m not kidding you —  barely pushes on the little frog and he breathes and turns around. I’m like OK. We have to keep him.

Here’s a photo of the newest member of the Garfinkel family, “Lucky”:

https://www.facebook.com/target/posts/10155807507288120

As for Target’s response, they told the Garfinkels they have contacted Taylor Farms, which grows the lettuce she purchased. They also offered her a $5 gift certificate, which, unless they sell PTSD therapy kits at Target now, seems pretty useless.

I will tell you right now, I have no desire to ever eat a salad again. I’m petrified of the thought of a salad.

How do you think the frog feels?

Richard Branson Will Ride Out Irma In Wine Cellar

Brendan Bures
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Richard Branson Will Ride Out Irma In Wine Cellar

Richard Branson will ride out Irma in wine cellar.  He is one adventurous man and his recent decision might be one of his wildest yet, as the billionaire mogul has decided to ride out Hurricane Irma on Necker Island, Sir Branson’s own private island in the British Virgin Islands.

The island is at risk to receive a direct hit to the Category 5 Hurricane, a storm that will sustain 185 mph winds with gust over 200 mph. Branson, however, will have some protection. As he wrote on Virgin’s blog, he will hide in the home’s concrete wine cellar for protection.

Story: Science Explains How Marijuana Inspires Awe

Branson is not alone, though. He writes that he is with a great group of young people. Accompanied with the post is pictures of the group drinking fancy red wine while playing a dice game called Perudo.

Here is how Branson describes the calm before the storm:

The atmosphere is eerie but beautiful. Everyone is willing the eye of the storm to veer away from the BVI in these last few hours. As I wrote yesterday, our main concern is safety, for everyone here and for all the people in the BVI and in the path of the hurricane.

Sean Ash of WTHR-NBC tweeted out that Branson and his crew didn’t receive any luck. Instead the eye of the hurricane passed directly over Necker Island. Here’s how that looked.

This comes on the heels of Hurricane Harvey that devastated the city of Houston and other Texas towns along the coast. Here’s how you can help victims affected by the storm.

Necker Island is a 74-acre island in the British Virgin Islands just north of Virgin Gorda. The island is entirely owned by Sir Richard Branson, chairman of the Virgin Group, and is part of the Virgin Limited Edition portfolio of luxury properties. The whole island operates as a resort and can accommodate up to 40 guests, with additional room for six children.

We Want It Right Meow: ‘Super Troopers 2’ To Release On 4/20

Brendan Bures
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We Want It Right Meow: ‘Super Troopers 2’ To Release On 4/20

Calling the 2001 movie Super Troopers a cult classic is like saying a soft pretzel is a denomination of bread. Like, sure, I see what you’re going for there. But you’re just using familiar language to explain why weirdos love their insular toys and food.

(If you’re about to argue something like soft pretzels persist as a staple of German beer houses and sporting events yet refuse to acknowledge how downright strange football fans and Germans as a collective whole are, then we’re pretty much done here.)

Regardless, for the weirdos of the world, myself included, that Super Troopers would be releasing a sequel was something to cheer. The folks at Broken Lizard were able to raise $2 million in funding over the course of 24 hours through crowdfunding efforts. That guaranteed fans they would produce another movie starring everyone’s favorite Vermont Highway Patrol.

But that news came back in 2015. Now they’ve dropped a trailer to the movie and announced a release date: 4/20 of next year. We trust you weirdos to know what that means.

Gossip: Tori Spelling’s Husband Looking At Jail Time; Kim Kardashian And Beyonce Still At War

Naughty Gossip
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Gossip: Tori Spelling’s Husband Looking At Jail Time; Kim Kardashian And Beyonce Still At War

Tori Spelling’s husband narrowly avoided jail in March after his ex-wife agreed to allow him to pay overdue child support and alimony in small monthly installments — rather than see him locked up by an LA judge.

But now McDermott has missed multiple payments on their $1,500-a-month agreement, according to sources. And his furious ex, Mary Jo Eustace, is hauling him back to court — which once again means he’s looking at a stay in the slammer.

In March, McDermott was almost arraigned for criminal contempt of court for not keeping up with child-support payments. When he appeared to face the charge, McDermott told the judge that he had “fallen on hard times,” according to reports. He was read his rights and asked if he needed a public defender, but the judge allowed McDermott a reprieve if he and Eustace could reach an agreement.

Said an insider, “It’s crazy that all this is over $1,500. He could get a job at the Gap and pay that off every month.”

A source close to McDermott told us that Eustace had been warned that the August payment would be late.

“It’s not like it came out of left field,” said the insider. “It was late because Dean was paying their son Jack’s first-month rent, security deposit and several other college expenses, which Mary Jo would not contribute to.”

The source says that a payment was made to Eustace on Friday.

Meanwhile, we’re told that it was not lost on Eustace that, after skipping the payments, Spelling and McDermott took their kids on a luxurious vacation to the Four Seasons in Punta Mita, Mexico.
[From Page Six]

Kim Kardashian And Beyonce Still At War

THE WAR CONTINUES …. As their hubbies continue to publicly battle, sources say Kim Kardashian and Beyonce’s relationship is also in awful shape.

AN insider says that Kim sent a HUGE bouquet of flowers and gifts to Beyonce after the birth of twins … But Beyonce IGNORED the gifts and never even acknowledged them! The insider adds, “There’s NO peaceful resolution in sight.”

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

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