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Former NFL Player Marvin Washington Sues Jeff Sessions Over Marijuana

Brendan Bures
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Former NFL Player Marvin Washington Sues Jeff Sessions Over Marijuana

Former NFL player Marvin Washington is one of five plaintiffs who recently filed a lawsuit against Attorney General Jeff Sessions, the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) in federal court. As first reported by the New York Post, the lawsuit is an attempt to decriminalize marijuana.

The plaintiffs are suing over the constitutionality of the Controlled Substances Act, which classifies marijuana as a Schedule I Drug, on the same level as heroin or LSD.  A Schedule I Drug is considered to have high potential for abuse and contains no accepted medical benefits. In comparison, the government has drugs like cocaine and meth categorized as Schedule II Drugs.

Washington alleges in the lawsuit that the CSA inhibits him from obtaining federal grants to open businesses that “would allow pro football players to use medical marijuana for pain management in lieu of more addictive opioids,” according to the Post.

“Classifying cannabis as a ‘Schedule I drug’ is so irrational that it violates the U.S. Constitution,” the suit says.

NFL players have been arguing to use marijuana to manage their pain in recent years. Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones wants his players to have access to cannabis and advocates like former NFL player Eben Britton have stepped out in arguing the drug’s medical efficacy.

“The record makes clear that the CSA doesn’t make any rational sense and the federal government knows it,” attorney Michael Hiller told the Post.

Hiller represents Washington and the other plaintiffs in the lawsuit. Among the plaintiffs include 11-year-old Alexis Bortell and disabled military veteran Jose Belen. Bortell needs access to medical marijuana to help treat her epilepsy while Belen uses the drug to manage his post-traumatic stress disorder.

Sessions has long made known his negative views and actions regarding marijuana, causing cannabis advocates to consider him opposition to legalization efforts. The DOJ did not respond to comment when contacted by the Post.

In Maine, 20% Tax On Recreational Marijuana Likely To Pass

Mary Schumacher
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In Maine, 20% Tax On Recreational Marijuana Likely To Pass

In Maine, it is proposed that a 20 percent tax be applied to recreational marijuana, breaking down to a 10 percent excise tax and 10 percent sales tax. It is also proposed that five percent of said taxes will go straight back into host communities. Legalization advocates and activists are applauding the higher taxes, as they do still remain competitive and also give back to the community.

The tax increase will place pot prices at around $240 an ounce, with $40 of that in taxes, putting them in line with Massachusetts. Though 20 percent is double that of which the voters passed – an excise tax was never mentioned in original legislation – it’s still low enough to quell the black market and to have imbibers lining up outside the doors.

It is currently estimated that the 20 percent tax could drum up over 20 million dollars in revenue for Maine in its first fully operational year. That’s not even including the $1.5 million in tax revenue generated by medical marijuana.

Medical cannabis will not face a similar tax hike and is set to remain at 5.5 percent for retail sales and 8 percent for edibles sales. There were marijuana legalization committee members who would’ve liked to see medical receive the same tax, but medical proponents fought to keep medical marijuana affordable for patients and a viable part of the scene.

Though the committee was hoping for a Tuesday July 26th finalization, there are still quite a few issues on the table, including licensing fees. The committee plans to reconvene on August 4th to keep working out the details and to hopefully reach a consensus.

With eight states and the District of Columbia having legalized cannabis, it is estimated that those legal states will collectively bring in over 650 million dollars in 2017 alone. From social programs to school repairs to community giving and beyond, the legalization of cannabis is clearly giving us new ways to rebuild infrastructures and help ailing social issues.

Gossip: Justin Bieber Apologizes For Canceling Tour; Kelly Ripa, Donna Karan, Molly Sims And Rachel Zoe Hosting In The Hamptons

Naughty Gossip
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Gossip: Justin Bieber Apologizes For Canceling Tour; Kelly Ripa, Donna Karan, Molly Sims And Rachel Zoe Hosting In The Hamptons

Justin Bieber issued an apology to his fans following the cancellation of the remaining 14 stops on his Purpose World Tour. While out and about in Santa Monica on Monday, he explained to the paparazzi why he prematurely put a kibosh on the hole thing, saying, “Everything’s fine. I’ve been on tour for two years.”

“I love you guys. I think you guys are awesome,” he said, when asked what he’d like to say to Beliebers. “Sorry for anybody who feels disappointed or betrayed, it’s not my heart or anything. Have a blessed day.”

According to TMZ, Bieber pulled out due to “unforeseen circumstances.”

“Justin loves his fans and hates to disappoint them. He thanks his fans for the incredible experience of the Purpose world tour over last 18 months,” a rep for the Canadian crooner said in a statement. “He is grateful and honored to have shared that experience with his cast and crew for over 150 successful shows across six continents during this run. However, after careful consideration he has decided he will not be performing any further dates. Tickets will be refunded at point of purchase.”

His manager, Scooter Braun, also spoke out about the cancellation, writing on his Instagram, “An incredible run. Congrats to @justinbieber on an incredible tour and thank you to the entire cast and crew for your unending support.”

“To the promoters who believed around the world thank you. To the fans from all over the world who took part over the last 16 months over 6 continents thank you. To Justin who gave it his all night after night thank you,” he added. “And to those that won’t be able to see it…on behalf of myself, Justin, and the team, we are sorry. That was never our intent. But a man’s soul and well being I truly care about came first and we must all respect and honor that. Justin will be back and I know he looks forward to performing for you and with you all again. One chapter ends and another begins. Thank you again. Now please stop commenting on all my other photos that have nothing to do with this. Just kidding….but I’m not. Jokes aside your support for Justin is inspiring. Cheers.”

Though some fans were outraged, those in the music industry saw the cancellation as a much needed break for the 23-year-old after being on the road for the last two years.

“When someone pulls remaining dates of a tour, it means they would have done real damage to themselves if they kept going,” John Mayer tweeted, defending Bieber “We’ve lost so many great artists lately. I give Justin for realizing it was time to call it. You should too.”

Kelly Ripa, Donna Karan, Molly Sims And Rachel Zoe Hosting In The Hamptons

Ovarian Cancer Research Fund Alliance’s Super Saturday is 7/29 in Water Mill, NY.

Starting at 1PM, it’s a day of guilt-free designer bargain shopping for a good cause, ovarian cancer. There’s also fun things for the kids.

Kelly Ripa, Donna Karan, Gabby Karan De Felice, Molly Sims and Rachel Zoe are hosting. This is the 20th year.

Purchase tickets at ocrfa.org.

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

8 Facts And 1 Big Speculation About Marijuana And HIV

Richard Faulk
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8 Facts And 1 Big Speculation About Marijuana And HIV

Next to glaucoma, HIV/AIDS is the condition most associated with the earliest days of the medical marijuana movement. While we have years of data now, how it works—and even whether is works—to treat HIV/AIDS is still far from consensus.

Here’s some of what we do know:

  • As many as one third of HIV/AIDS patients use medical marijuana.
  • The nation’s first marijuana dispensary, the San Francisco Cultivators’ Club, opened in the early 1990s specifically in response to AIDS crisis. At its peak, the club boasted some 10,000, about 80 percent of whom were HIV/AIDS patients.
  • The first cannabinoid drug, Marinol (synthetic THC), was approved by the FDA way back in 1985 to combat the nausea and weight loss associated with HIV/AIDS.
  • Not all involuntary weight loss is the same: Marinol works well with AIDS and with cancer patients; it does not work well at all with people who suffer from anorexia.
  • The nausea cannabis treats is often a side effect from antiretroviral drugs.
  • We still don’t know why cannabis suppresses nausea. But studies have shown that activating cannabinoid receptors does quell it, while suppressing the receptors can promote vomiting.
  • A 2007 study from Columbia University found that HIV/AIDS patients who smoked marijuana four times a day had a “substantial” increase in food intake. It concluded that marijuana has “clear medical benefit.”
  • Just three puffs a day is enough to reduce chronic neuropathic pain associated with HIV/AIDS by at least 30 percent. That’s according to UC San Diego study.
  • Here’s your bonus for speculation: In recent years, evidence has been emerging that suggests cannabis may not just treat the symptoms of HIV/AIDs but actually slow the progress of the disease. A 2012 study showed that our cannabinoid receptors in the gut can interfere with the signaling process HIV uses to subvert other cells and reproduce itself. Then, in 2014, researchers at Louisiana State University found that THC not only lowered the HIV load in research monkeys it also elevated their T cell count.

How Secret Is Disney’s $90 Secret Nacho Challenge?

Amy Hansen
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How Secret Is Disney’s $90 Secret Nacho Challenge?

The secret’s out. There’s a food challenge hidden within Frontierland inside the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World that involves a pile of nachos and potentially a long, long wait.

The folks from Hellthy Junkfood brought some friends along to attempt the challenge, which doesn’t look too impressive, but is reportedly supposed to feed up to 8 people.

The Nachos Rio Grande challenge takes place at Pecos Bill Tall Tale Inn and Café. In the video, the group of friends is instructed to arrive between 3-6p along with the “secret special nacho phrase.” Whatever that is. The group is then led to a roped-off section of the restaurant and after a more than two hour wait (there are quite a few other people also attempting the challenge, everyone is hangry), are finally presented with a huge tray of chips, which are then dressed with several toppings that arrive in a mini chuckwagon.

Delivering your nachos? A processional of every cast member in the restaurant,

The nachos come with the usual toppings of queso, salsa and guac, as well as three kinds of meat: chicken, beef and pork. The crew quickly finished the nachos, and some are even left hungry. As one of the friends states: “Bring four people. Three of them can’t be hungry.”

Afterwards, each diner is presented with a certificate, plastic deputy badge and churros, because Mexico. Head to the Disney Food Blog for more details and photos.

 

Marijuana Temple Balls: What Are They?

Sam Jones
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Marijuana Temple Balls: What Are They?

Marijuana temple balls aren’t just lovely to look at. They have a history, and a punch-packing high as well. They originated in Nepal, and have been used for thousands of years in traditional practices. In modern, Western use, they’re a little Old School Cool, coming into fashion in the 60s and ’70s with Nepalese exports to the US and Europe.

To make them yourself, however, is very simple, but requires a bit of elbow grease. Rolling a dried bub between your fingers will eventually extract the resin and powder. Roll a little longer. A little longer than that. The sticky resin trichomes and powder forms a swirly, greenish ball (in most cases; each strain’s different). Or you can do it like this YouTuber, who rolled out freeze-dried resin into a gigantic temple ball:

Like dabs, temple balls are highly concentrated and therefore not for the novice marijuana user to try on their first attempt at the plant. But after some practice, the compact little balls could be worth the effort.

These Beyoncé Wax Figures Are A Mess And People Are Freaking Out

Brendan Bures
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These Beyoncé Wax Figures Are A Mess And People Are Freaking Out

What is the appeal of wax figures? I’ve never understood. They pose in artificial gestures and rarely appear like the personage they’re pretending to be. The appeal, I guess, has to do with their celebrity. Suspending whatever famous person as a wax figure allows others to feel a sense of voyeuristic proximity they could never have otherwise. Staring lovingly into Rihanna’s eyes, on your knees acting like you would propose, would get you laughed at and smacked if done in real life. But wax Rihanna can’t laugh at you, even if everyone around you should be. Then there is Beyonce.

That prelude is all setup for a very strange-looking Beyoncé wax figure that went viral recently. This wax figure was at Madame Tussaud’s and is notable for looking nothing like Beyoncé. You would recognize the face as Beyoncé’s. In addition the skin tone of the wax figure appears a lighter skin tone than Beyoncé herself.

https://twitter.com/CCFan007/status/887436555786354693

This may surprise you, but people were not having it on the internet.

Podcaster Shaun Lau also posted that other Madame Tussaud’s Beyoncé figures have the same outfit and same pose, but a different face. It is causing some to raise some funny suspicions.

https://twitter.com/NoTotally/status/887460140051451905

https://twitter.com/Richie_l0c0/status/888061625374093312

https://twitter.com/gaycourtjester/status/887463361721413632

Anyways, still not sure why we care about wax figures. They seem pretty trite and silly. They are disturbing in every way, shape, and form. Doubt me? Just look at that Beyoncé figure again.

Women Working In Marijuana Come To Prime-Time TV

Brendan Bures
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Women Working In Marijuana Come To Prime-Time TV

Surveying popular culture, you would almost assume women smoking cannabis is an anomaly. Whether it’s through music, TV, or movies, recurring images appears of the stoner bro or the dealer bro or the functioning cannabis enthusiast bro. If you’re a man who smokes marijuana, you can find a place in culture where you’re represented.

With women it’s a different story. Actually, it’s not even a story at all. Outside of few offerings with a show like Broad City, women consuming cannabis are severely lacking in the mainstream. This despite a recent survey women are the fastest-growing cannabis consumers in the country.

But a new series from Merry Jane aims to fix that. Produced by Snoop Dogg, Queens of the Stoned Age will accurately showcase women who proudly use cannabis. As producer Tara Ariano told Refinery29, the show will attempt to “feminize” cannabis culture, and not make it seem only a place for bros.

“Weed is a male-dominated culture, and it’s hard for women to find themselves represented in it,” Aquino told Refinery29. “So this show is meant to be a symbol and empower women to come out and show that, look, there are successful women who smoke and who have weed as part of their daily life and are killing it in their respective industries.”

Women are also leaders in integrating cannabis into wellness and health. Through medicated yoga classes and the 420 Games, the contemporary image of the cannabis user is rapidly shifting. Women are also responsible for breaking new ground in cannabis, as they are early adopters and promoters of tinctures, topicals, and other nontraditional methods of consuming cannabis. In fact, women have been making marijuana history for years now.

Queens of the Stoned Age will attempt to finally demonstrate all that. As one woman says in voiceover in the show’s trailer, “Let’s change the face of cannabis.”

Ariano confirmed the sentiment to Refinery29, “We wanted women to openly discuss their relationship to weed in a safe space, and from there, [talk about] their relationship to the world and to each other.”

Gossip: Serena Williams Vs. John McEnroe Tennis Match Happening; Game Of Thrones Filming Fake Scenes

Naughty Gossip
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Gossip: Serena Williams Vs. John McEnroe Tennis Match Happening; Game Of Thrones Filming Fake Scenes

John McEnroe says he regretted saying Serena Williams would be ranked “like 700 in the world” if she had to play on the men’s circuit. But John is about to eat those words and make a lot of money in the process.

“Several big promoters are interested in putting together a Serena VS John tennis match after she has the baby. Serena is into it and thinks that she can beat the 58 year- old John on the court,” sources tell Straight Shuter. “It would be one of the most-watched games of all time and would make the two of them millions. What has John got to lose apart from his ego?”

This would not be a first – in 1973 Billie Jean King faced off against Bobby Riggs – viewed by an estimated 90 million people around the world.

Game Of Thrones Filming Fake Scenes

To keep the secrets from spilling to Straight Shuter and others, sources reveal that the hit HBO show has been filming fake scenes to throw us off the plot.

“’The Game Of Thrones’” producers trust no one. They keep the plot a tight, tight secret and have even started filming fake scenes to fool the cast and crew and public,” sources tell Straight Shuter. “The show even went so far as to having its star, Kit Harington, cut his hair short to start a rumor that he would not be returning to the cast.”

We love the trickery, but it is going to take more than just a haircut to fool Straight Shuter!

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

8 Celebs Who Were Food Shamed For No Good Reason

Jillian Peterson
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8 Celebs Who Were Food Shamed For No Good Reason

It’s challenging for celebrities to avoid the spotlight. With eyes, both real or virtual, there is little hiding. In fact, no photo is safe from the Greek Chorus known as social media, who often burn people at the stake for any misstep, regardless of how trivial. Even the simple act of cooking can be blown out of proportion if someone famous doesn’t do it according to popular opinion. Here are eight celebrities who didn’t realize their personal decisions in the kitchen would result in hurt feelings from total strangers.

1. Pink

https://www.instagram.com/p/BWonpJ8lzgn/

You can probably guess by the photo what Pink did to draw ire from social media this week. Hint: comments included, “Pink is pulling her head back to protect herself yet babys head is in line of danger of being splattered and burnt. Sorry but this is not Ok,” and “I am a Mother of 4 grown children ..I never ever aloud my kids around the stove when cooking ..That my Dear is a Big NO NO…” Most people seemed to be in the rocker’s corner, reminding the haters that Pink is known for rappelling down stadium ceilings and generally being a badass on tour, so she can probably handle a stove.

2. Nigella Lawson

https://www.facebook.com/NigellaLawson/photos/a.415779312479.191011.9297377479/10155401156762480/?type=3

English Rose Nigella Lawson is famous for her sultry, sex goddess approach to food. But it took a Facebook photo of her carbonara for people to be offended. One commenter replied: “Nigella you are a wonderful woman but your recipes are the DEATH of Italian recipes, literally! NO CREAM IN CARBONARA NEVER, only eggs.”

3. Jamie Oliver

https://twitter.com/jamieoliver/status/783251738509836288

Chef Jamie Oliver received a windfall of hate after he included chorizo in his paella. Chorizo, as social media was quick to point out to him, is not included in authentic paella.

4. Gwyneth Paltrow

She meant well with her attempt to live off of $29 worth of groceries for a week, but Goop‘s HBIC only lasted 4 days before succumbing to fresh veggies, half a bag of licorice, and some chicken. The Twitterverse was quick to call her out for her paltry attempt. Even Mario Batali got roped into the drama.

5. Mary Berry

The former “Great British Bake-Off” judge sent the UK up in arms when she dared add white wine and double cream to her spaghetti bolognese. But it’s what she didn’t add that really set people off. She omitted spaghetti entirely, preferring to use pappardelle. Shortly before committing this food crime, she baked a “pie” that was basically just stew with a crust top. WHAT WOULD THE QUEEN SAY!?

6. Jana Kramer

https://www.instagram.com/p/BGIgAsErMs4/

The “One Tree Hill” actress was shamed for what she didn’t cook: her own baby food. Kramer clapped back at her mommy-shamers with another photo:

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

7. Kelly Clarkson

https://www.instagram.com/p/BSoajTKlWk2/

The singer was also mommy-shamed for giving her daughter – gasp! – Nutella! Commenters shook a collective cyber finger at Clarkson for giving her kid “poison” and saying that it caused cancer and was full of sugar and … on and on and on. A month later, Clarkson posted this photo, a virtual waving of the white flag?

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

8. Kim Kardashian

Because Kim K doesn’t garner enough hate, the social media mob came after her (again) when she claimed to have cooked a huge Jamaican Sunday supper that her nanny taught her how to make. People were quick to point out that something seemed “off” — and that “something” was Kim breaking a sweat in the kitchen.

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