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The Fresh Toast Marijuana Legislative Roundup: July 17

There was a lot of cannabis news last week from coast to coast. In Nevada, a state of emergency was declared to improve supply as retailers struggled keeping products on the shelves. Alaska considered a rule to allow public consumption. A legalization bill was introduced in Wisconsin. And. in Massachusetts, lawmakers continue to resolve the legislative deadlock. Find out about that more in our weekly marijuana legislative roundup.

Nevada:

On Thursday, Nevada regulators approved emergency regulations to boost the supply of recreational cannabis as dispensaries face shortages following the July 1 start of recreational marijuana sales. In June, a judge ruled that distributor licenses may only be granted to alcohol wholesalers for the next 18 months. Licensed distributors are the only entities allowed to transport marijuana from growers to retailers under the recreational marijuana law passed by voters in November.

Officials at the Department of Taxation had determined in March that insufficient interest existed among alcohol wholesalers to meet demand for recreational cannabis, and sought to license some existing medical marijuana dispensaries to serve as their own recreational cannabis distributors. The judge sided with alcohol wholesalers who argued that the DoT failed to follow proper regulatory procedure in making that determination.

The new emergency regulation states that the Department of Taxation is allowed to issue distributor licenses to dispensaries in order to meet demand. It also requires that alcohol wholesalers demonstrate the capacity to meet demand, and detail how they plan to avoid jeopardizing their liquor licensing while distributing a product that remains illegal under federal law.

Earlier on Thursday, the Nevada Department of Taxation issued its first recreational marijuana distributor license to an alcohol wholesaler, Crooked Wine.

Alaska:

On Friday, the Alaska Marijuana Control Board voted to approve a rule allowing adults to consume marijuana on the premises of recreational retail stores. The rule would require that consumption occur in a room or facility separate from the actual retail shop. Currently, cannabis can only be consumed inside of private residences, which poses a problem for tourists and others for whom that may not be an option.

On Tuesday, the Anchorage Assembly passed a resolution urging state regulators to allow consumption of marijuana on retail premises. The Board will make a final decision on the proposal following a public comment period of 60 days.

Wisconsin:

On Thursday, Rep. Melissa Sargent introduced a bill to legalize marijuana in Wisconsin. The legislation would allow residents 21 and older to possess up to two ounces of cannabis and grow up to six plants at home, while non-resident adults would be allowed to possess up to a quarter-ounce. The bill also permits doctors to prescribe medical marijuana for patients diagnosed with debilitating medical conditions, requires insurers to cover medical cannabis, and prohibits employers from discriminating against marijuana users.

Governor Scott Walker has rejected the idea of legalizing marijuana, and other marijuana reform legislation has died in the legislature in recent years.

Massachusetts:

On Monday, lawmakers from the Massachusetts House and Senate resumed negotiations over legislation to implement recreational cannabis legalization in the state. In June, members of the House of Representatives passed a bill to repeal the voter-approved recreational marijuana law and replace it with a bill of its own.

The House bill would effectively raise taxes on marijuana sales from 12 percent to 28 percent, remove the authority of municipal voters to regulate the opening of cannabis retailers, and impose more stringent regulations on recreational cannabis than the ballot measure intended.

A Senate bill, meanwhile, would leave the ballot measure in place with some small modifications. These include changing the way marijuana is regulated at the state level, requiring municipal referenda on the opening of recreational retailers, and expunging past convictions for marijuana possession. Talks had been suspended the prior week while lawmakers hammered out a deal on the state’s budget.

Will The Feds Shut Down Legal Weed Despite Public Opinion?

As Attorney General Jeff Sessions awaits his task force’s findings between violent crime and cannabis, many voters, activists and imbibers also wait. Sessions has likened marijuana to heroin in the past and the Obama legislation that keeps the Feds out of state laws is wont to be dismantled by the current administration.

Liberals and Conservatives alike are rallying against such talk. Republican Senator Rand Paul is one of the vocal members of congress who want state laws regarding medical and recreational marijuana to remain protected. He is in good company with fellow congresspersons Democrats Cory Booker, Elizabeth Warren and others. Sessions is not a happy camper with opposition, but it does breathe hope into the state vs. federal controversy.

Like gun rights, women’s reproductive rights and so many other issues, cannabis is currently dealt with on a state by state level. Your state must decide that medical or recreational marijuana is right for its people by its people. So with over 50% of Americans believing that pot should be left alone and over 70 percent believing states should be left alone you’d think we’d have it made. Unfortunately, there’s a federal cloud above. No matter how many states legalize, at this point, cannabis is still a Schedule 1 drug, making it highly illegal at the federal level. Activists and lawyers have worked for decades to change not only state laws, but federal as well.

Back in February, we’ll recall that Sean Spicer announced that the Trump administration would “look into” enforcing federal law against the recreational market. And the scare tactics are working on some levels. Already, Massachusetts is in the process of rewriting their recreational law.

The factis, a majority of U.S. citizens live in a state where at least medical or CBD use has been legalized. It shows the notion of the nation and it should speak volumes to Sessions and Trump, who are in the minority with their old idiom that cannabis is a gateway drug. Few people are buying that any longer, as studies roll out about cannabis actually combating addiction.

Recreational use is a very broad term, but there are some that would say all use is medicinal. Cannabis is an enhancement plant. It’s relaxing, food tastes better, sex is better, unfettered ideas rise to the top, conversations flow and the couch locked stoner stereotype is so 1995. Someone get the memo to Sessions!

Right now, again from the Obama era, ganjapreneurs are protected by a provision in the federal budget that keeps the Justice Department and its money from interfering with state medical marijuana laws. Along with this, Obama used funds to go after cartels and state to state trafficking instead.

After the February announcement that Trump wanted to put the kibosh on recreational, in March, Senators from both party lines requested that existing policies stay in place. They argue that legalization dampens the black market, money laundering and the actual criminalities of drug trafficking. They are afraid that more stringent laws could ramp up a system that is already punitive, racist and keeps people in and out of the prison system in a vicious cycle.

Financially, Sessions and Trump would have to be crazy to stop legal and medical usage. In 2016, people spent nearly six billion dollars on legal cannabis and that number is rising fast every year. The taxes pay for schools, roadways, scholarships and quite often business owners give back to the community in their own ways.

It’s kind, persistent people that will keep our laws in place and eventually take down the dreaded Schedule 1 status. In the meantime, unfortunately, many are bracing for a shock wave of crackdowns. Just remember, the People have spoken and it’s the People to whom this great nation belongs.

Pissed Man Checks Single Can Of Beer For His Flight

What’s better than cracking open a cold beer after landing from a four-hour flight? Especially when the airport is BYOB from origin to destination.

Dean Stinson was flying from Melbourne, Australia to Perth when he checked a single can of Emu Export lager as his only baggage.

Thanks to an assist from a friend who worked at the airport, he planned the stunt as just that, a stunt—there’s no way this would work, right? News.au.com reports that he didn’t expect it to come out on the other side of his travels, but when he arrived at baggage claim in Perth, there it was ahead of the rest of the luggage: A lone can of beer, with a checked bag tag wrapped around it.

“My mate works at the airport and we hatched the plan as a laugh — I half didn’t expect it to come out the other end,” Stinson told the Daily Caller.

Will there be more copycats for this prank? Maybe someone checking a 40 ouncer, or a box of wine? Don’t get any ideas, the airline says. “This guy’s done it and he’s won the internet for the day, so we’re happy to move on,” a spokesperson for the airline Qantas said.

4 Things To Do In Seattle Before And After Your Cruise

Over one million people flow through Seattle as they embark on summer cruises each year. Why not spend a day or two before or after to explore the Emerald City?

The home to some of the most iconic companies in the world (Microsoft, Starbucks, Amazon), Seattle has vibrant food, art and music scenes. Enjoy the high and low-end restaurants that appeal to any palate, savor all kinds of music in the Ballard and Capitol Hill neighborhoods, enjoy urban wine and beer tasting, browse the Elliott Bay Bookstore, Washington’s largest and best bookseller, or explore one of the many museums and art galleries around the city.

Seattle is also operations headquarters of The Fresh Toast, and here are our four recommendations for you while visiting our city:

Get Lost In Pike Place Market

Photo by Flickr user Mobilus In Mobili

Pike Place Market was saved from destruction in 1971 and now is one of the most popular destinations in the NW. The recently expanded market is an explorer’s dream.

Snap a selfie in front of the Gum Wall, or marvel at the rows of fresh flowers for sale. You can go to the original Starbucks or enjoy any of the other coffee house sprinkled throughout the market. Dozens of stalls sell artisan food, fresh vegetables, seafood and local crafts. Head underground to a warren of shops and hidden restaurants. You can eat and drink your way to though the market: stars include a walk-up burrito stand, a Chinese humbows and Northwest farm-to-table favorite Matt’s in the Market, which offers a stunning view of the iconic Public Market Center sign and Puget Sound.

Visit A Weed Shop

Photo by Sean Airhart, courtesy of Vela

Washington is one of the states with legalized recreational cannabis, so you might want to stop in experience one of the weed stores. If you can imagine a product, someone has invented a cannabis-infused version – from soup to candy to jerky. You can also see for yourself the various ways of consuming cannabisVela is an upscale shop in the city that caters to a wide clientele.

Baristas have become a national phenome thanks to Starbucks, and “budtenders” are becoming just as well-known thanks to the cannabis industry. Stores like Vela have knowledgeable budtenders guide you through your weed journey. As a bonus, Vela shares space with an indoor cannabis garden and extraction lab – similar to the nearby Krispy Kreme where you can see the product being made.

Check Out Seattle Center

Photo by Flickr user Ian D. Keating

Hop on the monorail and head to Seattle Center to visit the most photographed structure in Seattle – The Space Needle. Seattle Center was built for the 1962 World’s Fair and now reigns at the top tourist destitution for Washington. The Center is home to the Seattle Opera, Pacific Northwest Ballet, Seattle Repertory Theatre, and more. Hang out at internationally famous indie station KEXP’s headquarters and catch a live performance, or explore the visitors center of the Gates Foundation. The most recent addition is Chihuly Garden and Glass, a breathtaking collection from Dale Chihuly. Bring your iPhone as this is one Instagram moment after another. The Center is also home to the Museum of Pop Culture in the funky Frank Gehry-designed building. Science geeks should take time for the Pacific Science Center: five buildings are full of interesting, interactive exhibits, a butterfly house, planetarium and two IMAX theaters.

Enjoy The Great Outdoors

Photo by Flickr user siddharthm87

Before you take off for your cruise, explore the great Northwest.   Whether you take a drive to Mt. Rainer (an all day adventure, but breathtaking) or a ferry to Bainbridge Island, you need to enjoy some what makes Washington the “Evergreen State” and Seattle the “Emerald City.”

If you are more an outdoor urban adventurer, you can head to Green Lake that has a walking trail around the perimeter, or you and a friend can take a mini paddle boat out on the lake.  Another “in city” hike is beautiful Discovery Park, which sits on shores of Puget Sound and has 11 miles of walking trails. The park was originally US Army base Fort Lawton and was converted to a park in 1973. You can also stop into the flagship REI and enjoy their climbing wall.

If you aren’t as adventurous, take a walk through the Amazon Campus on South Lake Union and start planning your next trip to the great Northwest.

Gossip: Ryan Lochte Cleared Of Rio ‘Robbery’ Charges; Vogue Apologizes For Cover Story

Ryan Lochte has been cleared of all charges in connection with that robbery in Rio he lied about.

via TMZ:

An appeals court has thrown out the criminal charge filed against Lochte for allegedly lying to authorities when he told them he was robbed at gunpoint. Lochte was charged with false communication of a crime.

The judges ruled Lochte did not go to cops and report the incident … they came to him after hearing stories in the media. So he never set out to create a lie, and that was the turning point in the case.

As you know, Lochte told NBC he and 3 other members of the U.S. swim team were stopped by men he thought were impersonating police officers. Surveillance video later showed the real story was Lochte and co. were stopped by owners of the gas station they’d vandalized.

The privilege is real.

‘Vogue’ Apologizes For Gigi Hadid And Zayn Malik ‘Gender-Fluidity’ Cover Story

Vogue is sorry. The magazine released a statement on Friday apologizing for their recent cover story featuring Gigi Hadid and Zayn Malik.

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In an interview with the publication, Hadid and Malik playfully talk about borrowing each other’s clothes, which led to the magazine titling their piece, “Gigi Hadid and Zayn Malik are part of a new generation embracing gender fluidity.”

“I shop in your closet all the time, don’t I?” Hadid says in the article. “Yeah, but same,” replies Malik. “What was that T-shirt I borrowed the other day?”

Vogue readers quickly took to social to voice their concerns over the piece, calling the magazine out for not featuring real people who identify as non-binary or gender-fluid. “Think Vogue is a bit confused on what gender fluidity is! Wearing your gf’s T-shirt does not make you gender fluid,” wrote one Twitter user.

“Is Vogue aware that there r actual, real life, gender fluid people out there,” another person wrote.

Vogue went from 100 to 0 real quick,” shared another reader.

Following backlash on social media, Vogue issued an apology.

“The story was intended to highlight the impact the gender-fluid, non-binary communities have had on fashion and culture,” read a statement by a Vogue spokeswoman. “We are very sorry the story did not correctly reflect that spirit we missed the mark.”

“We do look forward to continuing the conversation with greater sensitivity.”

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

Jon Huntsman Sr. Advocates For Medical Marijuana In Utah

Sometimes marijuana finds its advocates in places you wouldn’t expect. Such was the case this week when no other than Jon Huntsman Sr. spoke out in favor of medical marijuana in Utah, as state supporters try to change the minds of supporters.

“I’m a very strong advocate for medical marijuana,” Huntsman Sr. told Fox 13. “I think some folks have it terribly confused with smoking marijuana.”

Not only is Huntsman a four-time cancer survivor, he has also suffered from Polymyalgia Rheumatica for the past 10 years. The disorder causes severe shoulder and hip-joint pain. Huntsman admits part of his support comes from understanding the pain associated with medical conditions such as his.

“It’s really severe pain,” he said. “Sometimes you just want to scream out at night because of joints not working and things just breaking down on you.”

Huntsman also took a strong stance against taking opioid for his conditions. The constipation and possibility of kidney failure was enough to scare him away for good. He’d rather take the pain, than the opioids for now.

Huntsman’s comments come at a critical time in Utah’s fight to legalize medical marijuana. The Utah Patients Coalition recently gave the lieutenant’s governor’s office a proposed initiative as the advocacy group attempts to get medical marijuana on the 2018 Election ballot. To do so, they will need to host a number of public hearing and collect close to 115,000 signatures across the state.

In a statement to the Salt Lake Tribune, the coalition noted Huntsman’s support. They stated he “has been a pioneer in advocacy and philanthropy for patient care, so it’s no surprise to us that he supports medical cannabis as another treatment option for physicians and patients.

“Like so many other patients, he recognizes the dangers of opiates and wants an alternative. We appreciate his public support and look forward to giving Utah voters a chance to decide in 2018.”

When asked if Huntsman has tried medical marijuana, he responded he hasn’t. But asked if he would, he responded, “Sure, I’d love to. I’ve had such severe pain at times and the opioids haven’t done the job.”

Can Medical Marijuana Treat And Cure Skin Cancer?

Medical marijuana has many supporters thanks in part to those patients who’ve decided to be take a chance on the plant and document their experiences. These people have turned to cannabis because they’ve found no other viable option and, in some cases, the plant has proved to be their only source of relief. These successful stories are then shared online and provide documentation for a field that desperately needs it.

While sparse research has been conducted on medical marijuana due to the illegality of the plant and there haven’t been any significant studies conducted on humans, anecdotes from patients have shown some promising results for marijuana and the treatment of skin cancer. A perfect example of this is Run From The Cure, a film that documents the experience of Rick Simpson and how he cured his skin cancer with THC. The video was made in 2008 and reached a lot of people through the use of the web.

Recent studies conducted on rodents have found correlations between marijuana and skin cancer, some even proving that the plant can reduce the size of tumors. A study conducted in 2014 used THC to treat some mice with cancer. The rodents were compared to others who didn’t have cancer and the research showed positive results, reducing the size of the tumors.

While the effect of THC on skin cancer sounds very promising, medical marijuana is still in desperate need of larger scientific studies. These studies conducted on mice have been successful, but the plant still needs more examination to demonstrate if these results could translate to humans and have the possibility of changing the way in which cancer is treated, saving lives and developing less invasive treatments for patients of cancer. 

This Breathalyzer Knows If You’ve Eaten Marijuana Edibles

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For the first time, police in California have used a new breathalyzer to detect THC in drivers. The completion of this initial field test means a device called The Hound is one step closer to national distribution. It can not only detect if you recently smoked weed, it knows if you’ve eaten it.

U.S. News & World Report states that:

Edible marijuana generally gives users a delayed high and appeared to be detectable for longer on a person’s breath. Like exhaled alcohol the THC in breath leaves the bloodstream through the lungs.

CEO Mike Lynn, an emergency room doctor and reserve officer with the Alameda County Sheriff’s Office, says that his company plans to widely distribute the device nationally after six months.

 

Photo courtesy of Hound Labs
Photo courtesy of Hound Labs

Unlike the Potalyzer, The Hound uses breath, not saliva, to detect THC in the system.

In this recent trial, Lynn says they didn’t arrest anyone. He says the objective was to educate drivers, not jail them.

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10 Types Of Marijuana Perfect For A Summer Day

The sun is finally coming out and the days are comfortable enough for hanging with friends outside, walking around the streets and lounging in the sun until your tan and everything’s better. There’s nothing like than the beginning of spring, and then summer, when the days grow longer and everything’s just better.

Know that there are multiple ways to consume marijuana, you can eat or drink it, rub it into your skin, vape, smoke and much more. Ask the budtenders at your local dispensary which products have the strains listed and then pick how you want to put it into your body.

Need help finding a store? We got you. Just visit our directory.

If you’re sick on the winter and are ready to get your sun sessions on, here are 10 types of marijuana that’ll leave you ready for the best summer day of your life:

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Jilly Bean

This upbeat and happy hybrid is perfect for basking in the sun and hanging out with your friends, leaving you feeling euphoric and ready to get the best out of your day.

Bubba Kush

This indica has a heavy tranquilizing effect that’ll leave your body numb and ready to relax while also leaving you in a happy and relaxed mood.

Super Lemon Haze

This two time Cannabis cup winner has a citrusy taste and smell that’ll leave you feeling energetic and lively.

Strawberry Cough

Named after its taste and because it makes even the most seasoned of smokers and vapers cough, this strain is a favorite because it causes an uplifting, smiley and energizing high.

G13

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This type of marijuana has a big following because of the social effects it induces while also providing a great source of stress relief.

Agent Orange

This hybrid strain has a delicious citrusy smell with an uplifting result that’ll leave you feeling energized and happy.

Grape Ape

This type of marijuana has a very deep purple look and a strong grape flavor that’ll leave you with a cerebral buzz and a relaxed body.

Kushberry

This strain produces a mellow high that’s perfect for hanging out with friends and lounging under the sun.

Blueberry

This indica strain is perfect for winding down at the end of an intense day of a lot of activities with a nice relaxing high, while also relieving tension and stress.

Hog’s Breath

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Another indica, this strain produces a mind tingling high and euphoria while also helping out with stress and anxiety management.

3 Ways To Have A Cannabis-Infused Dinner On The Table In Minutes

Sometimes when you’re not well prepared, having food on the table out of the pantry seems not only daunting but a full hour’s work to have something accessible. It’s especially tricky to cook for one or two people at a time on the fly, but here’s three ways to have a marijuana medicated dinner on the table in minutes.

Living in a really multi-cultural place (NYC), I’m lucky to have access to some cool stuff. Wonton wrappers are one of those things that I always seem to have around, because the package is enough to make more dumplings than are humanly possible for one person to eat, even two.

Finding ways to put them to use has opened up some culinary doors I’ll never go back out, and my quick dinner game is fine-tuned as can be. It’s only fair to also flex that muscle with medicated food too, and if you have an oil or butter on hand from a previous recipe, you can bust one of these out in record time.

Photos by Maria Penaloza

Wonton wrappers should be in every refrigerator. The way you can use them to not only eat good, but eat fast, are incredible. Here is three ways to use leftover active ingredients to make something special and sped up.

Photos by Maria Penaloza

Hot Oil Noodles

5 minutes to table

Boil some water, then heat up some sesame oil with chili flakes and fry for one minute. Cut a ½” stack of noodles in half, boil in hot water for 2 minutes, strain and drop into hot oil skillet, add a splash of soy sauce, quickly toss until noodles are coated. Garnish with cilantro and either leftover *Infused Vegetable Fat as is or that you’ve mixed into a powder* (links to previous articles)

Photos by Maria Penaloza

Pierogis

10 minutes to table

Sometimes when we make weed butter, there’s an extra tablespoon or two. I don’t know about you, but I would never throw that away.

A small amount like two tablespoons of butter can hold enough THC to make a good handful of tasty pierogis that you can gobble up for a strong experience, or freeze plenty for later.

Photos by Maria Penaloza

Stir two tablespoons of butter into a packet of instant mashed potatoes in a bowl. The cheese kind tastes the best with ganja. Add slightly less boiling water than the instructions say and stir well. If you want to add scallions, that’s recommended. Throw into a ziplock and pipe into the pasta, folding over once and sealing with water. Pan fry on both sides and devour!

Photos by Maria Penaloza

You can boil them, but considering how thin the pasta is, I would freeze raw or fry them all and then layer in wax paper before freezing for storage. They’re intensely delicious since those flavors actually compliment each other.

Photos by Maria Penaloza

Raviolo al Uovo

15 minutes to table

Extra olive oil can be used in a multitude of ways, but stirring it into ricotta with Ubriaco cheese and topping with an egg yolk is a worth it more than you know.

Photos by Maria Penaloza

Boil some water, and prepare a fine mesh strainer that rests in the pot and is fully submerged by the water. Simply stir ½ cup grated cheese and 1 Tbsp infused olive oil per cup of ricotta, add thyme, salt, and pepper, and fill pasta, again sealing edges with water.

If you’re feeling adventurous, make a tiny well and gently slide and egg yolk onto the well before putting another full sheet on top.

Photos by Maria Penaloza

Boil one at a time directly in the strainer for 2-3 minutes. After you’ve dropped the ravioli, take a pan and melt some butter. Add ¼ c pasta water and some more thyme, salt, and pepper. Stir vigorously while pasta cooks, will make a slightly thin sauce. Add a pinch of flour if you want to thicken. When ravioli is cooked, slide into sauce and spoon over the top, then onto a plate.

Photos by Maria Penaloza

Any fresh pasta will do the trick for these recipes, and if you want to make your own, a bread machine is actually pretty helpful. It’s harder to roll pasta dough than it is to make the dough. Buying it in the shop gives you a huge amount of possibilities, since you can also fry them into chips, add into soups, and much more.

Photos: Maria Penaloza


 

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