Our collective nightmares came true in the life of this woman. When Lekshmi L, a patient in India, told her doctor that she had “a headache and a tingling sensation inside her head,” none of them would have guessed it was a live spider that had burrowed into her ear canal.
Who can blame the little guy for finding a warm, cozy spot to sleep?
They coaxed it out, very slowly. The video is not for the squeamish. If you’re feeling brave, here it is:
“It is common to see emergency room visits due to the presence a foreign object in the ear and it takes a simple procedure to remove the object,” Dr. Santosh Shivaswamy, consultant ENT at Columbia Hospital told the Sun. “However, when a living insect makes its way inside a human ear, the patient’s anxiety makes it difficult to continue the procedure. It was a rare to see a live spider moving inside someone’s ear canal.”
The fact that finding spiders in people’s ears is rare wasn’t a comfort to Lekshmi. “I was terrified as I could feel movement of a creature in my ear. The acute earache followed by sharp pains suffocated me. I couldn’t think of anything and was petrified when the doctor confirmed the presence of a spider in my ear.” Yeah, hell no.
These spider-in-ears videos have a history of being hoxes, but even if this is fake, it’s still horrifying to think about.
Blame it on Amazon. Or blame it on Wal-Mart. You can blame it on trade imbalances. But no matter where you point the finger, it is abundantly clear that the Retail Apocalypse has officially descended on America, as Business Insider so succinctly put it. Brick-and-mortar retailers are struggling to stay in business. Nearly 30 percent of shopping malls in America are in jeopardy of shutting down.
But there is some good news, at least in the state of Washington. Taxable sales from retailers in this state increased 6 percent to $63.2 billion in 2016, according to the state Department of Revenue.
Seattle Times’ business reporter Janet L. Tu wrote earlier this month:
And the type of store that grew sales the most last year? Drug and health stores — due, undoubtedly, to the growth in retail pot shops.
Drug and health stores overall had $2.63 billion in taxable sales last year, up 17 percent from a year ago. Marijuana sales made up about 27 percent of that. At $697 million, that was up 83 percent since 2015, according to the Revenue Department.
Since recreational cannabis was legalized in Washington, the tax revenue on retail sales has seen dramatic increases:
2014: $31 million
2015: $323 million
2016: $697 million
3-year total: 1,050 million
These figures do not include the tax revenue on the producer/grower or processor.
In the state, taxable e-commerce and mail order sales increased 11.9 percent to $2.8 billion.
It is not news Miley Cyrus quit smoking marijuana. It wasn’t news when it actually happened and it’s not news now. Once the enfant terrible of popular culture, she has since receded to playing the mainstream media game: smiling pretty to the camera, supporting culturally conservative values, and acting proper and polite.
I continue seeing headlines about Miley quitting voluntary lifestyles that brought her nothing but fame and success. The first is with regards to marijuana. She told Billboard last month she hasn’t smoked weed “in three weeks.” This is totally fine. No one needs to smoke cannabis or participate in any lifestyle that isn’t for them. Miley could’ve finished her point there.
A few years ago Miley told Rolling Stone marijuana is “the best drug on Earth.” Now she seems to demean anything related to cannabis every chance she can, often without anyone asking her to do so. Here’s what else she told Billboard about why quit smoking weed: “I like to surround myself with people that make me want to get better, more evolved, open. And I was noticing, it’s not the people that are stoned. I want to be super clear and sharp, because I know exactly where I want to be.”
Last week on Jimmy Fallon’s Tonight Show she veered into hyperbole. “I had this dream that I would die during my monologue on SNL for some reason. That I would just get so stoned that I just died,” she told Fallon. “Which I googled, and that’s never happened.”
When prompted by Fallon, Miley asserted she was smoking “a lot of weed,” she said. “It’s like, No one’s ever died from weed but no one’s ever smoked as much as I did.”
Which…sure. That statement rings of exaggeration, but so does most of Miley’s speech surrounding that claim. The only reason she wore bunny rabbit costumes and nipple pasties, she told Fallon, was because she was “stoned.” Saying people that are stoned aren’t trying to “get better, more evolved, open” is an unfair blanket statement we know not to be true. Plenty of examples throughout cannabis culture tell the exact opposite. Cannabis users “make more money, spend more time outdoors, volunteer more, and more happy about life,” according to one study. Weed and fitness is a booming wellness trend in California and across the country. Marijuana can helpaddictsget clean and improve mental health.
The health benefits of marijuana are numerous. New cannabis consumers are trying to evolve and grow as human beings. They aren’t just sitting around stoned on the couch, pounding Doritos and binging Netflix. (Though that’s fine every once in a while, too!) Miley’s statements reek of bullshit. Once a positive symbol supported by the community, cannabis users can’t help feeling used by the pop star. Insinuating you can’t consume various forms of marijuana and still be smart and clear in your reasoning is downright insulting.
It parallels with Miley’s comments regarding hip hop as well. She came out in the same Billboard interview saying similarly disparaging mentions of rap music, labeling it too vulgar and misogynistic for Miley to participate. “It was too much ‘Lamborghini, got my Rolex, got a girl on my cock’—I am so not into that.”
While, yes, let’s move rap away from its roots of misogyny, why must Miley Cyrus belittle an entire lifestyle by repeating negative, derivative blanket statements perpetuated by ignorant outsiders? An expected backlash prompted Miley to post a half-hearted Instagram apology, stating she was “gravitating more towards uplifting, conscious rap.” (Supporting only “conscious rap” is a giant problem itself, but that would require another article. Read this DJBooth feature which captures the frustrating double standard.)
https://www.instagram.com/p/BTvUhAYBU2n/?hl=en
Miley boosted and supported hip hop and cannabis when it benefited her during her outspoken, rebellious youth phase. She twerked on Robin Thicke, rocked gold teeth in the “We Can’t Stop” music video, and wore dreads as host of the 2015 MTV Music Awards. Within that latter show, Nicki Minaj challenged Miley in a since-legendary clapback while accepting her Best Hip-Hop Video VMA.
“Miley, what’s good,” Minaj said. This was fallout dating back to the VMA nominations. Minaj felt snubbed her “Anaconda” video wasn’t nominated for Video of the Year, claiming black female artists like herself were often relegated to “urban” categories. In a New York Times feature, Miley criticized Nicki Minaj, saying, “If you want to make it about race, there’s a way you could do that. But don’t make it just about yourself.”
That criticism, then and now, doesn’t seem to grasp the magnitude of such comments. Nicki Minaj came out strongly against Miley in a 2015 New York Times profile, stating:
Come on, you can’t want the good without the bad. If you want to enjoy our culture and our lifestyle, bond with us, dance with us, have fun with us, twerk with us, rap with us, then you should also want to know what affects us, what is bothering us, what we feel is unfair to us. You shouldn’t not want to know that.
The cycle, sadly, seems to be repeating itself. Miley labeling every cannabis user as a lazy, unintelligent stoner is dangerously misrepresentative. Treating marijuana as something you’re allowed to try in your youth then quit when it’s time to grow up is a treacherous belief too often believed and repeated. It denies all the positive and health impacts cannabis has made in so many lives. Don’t use it as an excuse for why you wanted to twerk and dress in unicorn costumes, Miley.
This demonization of rap and weed come exactly when it’s most beneficial for Miley Cyrus to do so. Then was her rebel phase and now Miley has “cleaned up her act” for the public eye—and her new album. We all go through phases, experimenting with lifestyle, but just because something doesn’t fit you, does not give you the right to cast shame and judgment on everyone else. Sadly, Miley still hasn’t grasped that lesson. Guess she has more growing up to do after all.
According to the Associated Press, the full autopsy report claims traces of morphine, codeine, and oxycodone were also found in the Star Wars legend’s body. A urine analysis indicates Fisher had a little amount of MDMA and heroin in her system, though the dose and time the drugs were taken could not be determined.
Though the actress’ death certificate lists cardiac arrest as the cause of death, the coroner’s new report states the 60-year-old had passed away from sleep apnea and a combination of other factors.
As previously reported, Fisher stopped breathing aboard a transatlantic flight from London to Los Angeles on Dec. 23, 2016. She died four days later and was buried alongside her mother Debbie Reynolds, who passed away the day following Fisher’s death, in a pill-shaped urn at Forest Lawn Memorial Park on Jan. 6, 2017.
George & Amal Clooney Do Have A Night Nurse
They spent three days at the hospital: The family of four spent “a little over three days” at the hospital before heading to their home in England, where they have been joined by their nearest and dearest, such as Amal’s sister Tala Alamuddin. “It was a longer birth than expected but the babies are healthy and beautiful,” the source said. “They were able to keep a low profile at the hospital and even have family and friends visit. They’re elated. I don’t think you’ve ever seen a happier pair. There’s a positive energy in the house and everyone around them, including all staff, who are in great spirits too.”
George and Amal are already naturals: “You’d think that twins would be overwhelming for anyone but they seem to have taken to this like ducks to water, all in their stride,” the source continued. “They’re both attentive, warm, loving parents. You could see that even in the run up to having the kids…even months ago, in the way George would fuss and fret over making sure security at the house was safe and the nursery was perfect.”
The night nurse: The source said the couple has hired for eight weeks a night nurse who is helping to set a sleeping schedule for the twins. George’s dad had said the actor will be hands on when it comes to diaper duty, saying on Good Morning Britain, “And he will do it with humor and with joy.” [From E! News]
Love the fresh dirt we bring over daily from Naughty Gossip? Let us know in the comments!
Every 22 minutes New Jersey police make a marijuana possession arrest. If you lined up every person arrested on marijuana-related charges in New Jersey, they would stretch the entirety of the New Jersey Turnpike and even spill into Maryland.
This information comes courtesy of a recent American Civil Liberties Union report. The advocacy organization determined that New Jersey police agencies spend about $143 million a year to enforce the state’s harsh marijuana policies. Furthermore nine out of 10 arrests targeted users instead of dealers.
The report also details the damage and disruption these policies reap on citizens. As the ACLU wrote:
Lee, a Newarker in his late 40s, was home with his wife one evening and saw officers on their porch, looking for a suspect. He asked if they needed help, and the officers barged in, forcing Lee and his wife on the floor. Lee told officers that they had a small amount of marijuana — less than an ounce. They arrested him for marijuana possession, traumatizing him and his wife in the process.
The report lso found black residents were three times more likely to be arrested on marijuana possession charges than their white counterparts. It’s also important to note there was no difference of usage between the two groups, despite the difference in arrests. That racial disparity is probably even higher as state and federal reporting on crime statistics group white and Hispanic suspects together.
“Well over half of all Americans support legalization, but more people are arrested for marijuana possession in our state than ever before,” Dianna Houenou, the group’s police counsel, told NJ.com. “The racial disparity in these arrests has only grown.”
Houenou called the issue a “civil rights crisis.” New Jersey is arresting more residents for marijuana possession than ever before. Law enforcement made 24,067 marijuana possession arrests in 2013. That’s 26 percent more than in 2000, when police made 19,607 arrests. Overall, New Jersey police made nearly 280,000 total marijuana possession arrests between 2000 and 2013.
New Jersey Governor Chris Christie has been a staunch opponent of marijuana legalization. Since he took office in 2009, the ACLU reports shows that marijuana possessions arrest rose sharply in his first term.
As the ACLU report concluded, “Reform of our marijuana laws is a civil rights priority and a key component of reforming our broken criminal justice system.”
A bipartisan group of senators and congressmen renewed the fight for national reform last week, setting up a battle with Attorney General Jeff Sessions. Meanwhile, a Massachusetts tax plan stalled and California passed some new regulations. Find out about that more in our weekly marijuana legislative roundup.
National:
Last Thursday, a bipartisan group of representatives and senators reintroduced legislation to protect state medical marijuana laws and expand veteran access to medical cannabis. The CARERS Act would allow states to set their own regulations on medical marijuana and prohibit the federal government from prosecuting patients in states where medical cannabis is legal. The bill would also permit Veterans’ Affairs doctors to recommend medical marijuana for their patients.
While state-level medical marijuana systems are currently protected under a provision in the stopgap federal spending bill signed into law earlier this year, this provision is set to expire in September.
On Monday, a letter written by Attorney General Jeff Sessions was made public in which he asked lawmakers to repeal this measure, commonly known as the Rohrabacher-Farr Amendment.
Massachusetts:
On Wednesday, lawmakers in the Massachusetts House of Representatives announced that they were postponing a bill to change certain provisions of the recreational marijuana law approved by voters in November. The ballot initiative imposed a 3.75 percent excise tax on cannabis sales on top of the state’s 6.25 percent sales tax. Municipalities are also given the option of imposing up to an additional 2 percent in local sales taxes.
Under the proposed legislation, the state excise tax would be increased to 16.75 percent and the municipal sales tax cap would be raised to 5 percent, in addition to the state’s regular sales tax.
This would effectively increase the maximum tax on recreational marijuana sales from the voter-approved 12 percent to 28 percent. The bill would also give municipal governing bodies the authority to sharply restrict or even ban outright the opening of recreational cannabis businesses.
Currently, that power rests with voters. Lawmakers say they hope to resolve major areas of contention and present a bill to Governor Charlie Baker by July 1 to prevent further delays in the beginning of recreational marijuana sales.
California:
On Thursday, the California Senate passed a set of regulations for the state’s coming recreational marijuana system. The bill directs the state to produce a set of guidelines for growers to be able to call their product “organic” without running afoul of federal law, as well as an official system for categorizing cannabis by strain and growing region.
Growers would also be free to form cooperatives without fear of antitrust actions being taken against them, but testing organizations would have to remain independent of any industry ties. The legislation would permit businesses to sell marijuana products and provide samples at county fairs and festivals. Like alcohol, driving with open containers of marijuana in the vehicle would be illegal.
Meanwhile, cannabis producers without storefront locations could apply for delivery licenses. The goal of the bill is to bring California’s extensive system of medical and illicit cannabis businesses under the authority of state marijuana regulations. $118 million is also included for startup regulatory costs. A complete set of recreational marijuana regulations must be finalized by 2018, with recreational sales to adults set to begin later the same year.
The How to Be a Bad B*tch author joked about her sex life — or lack there of — on Instagram this week. Sharing hilarious meme, Amber revealed she hasn’t gotten laid in a very, very long time.
“When it’s six months into 2017 and you still haven’t been f*cked yet,” the image read.
Amber, who broke up things off with Dancing with the Stars pro Val Chmerkovskiy in the beginning of this year, added in the comments that she’s not as sexually active as people would think. Though she was rumored to be dating Diddy’s adopted son, Quincy, the mother-of-one confessed to being too occupied with work for romance.
“When the world thinks you have orgies all day and mad dudes because ur sexually confident and body positive but really you’re a full-time mom/businesswoman and literally have no time for penis,” she wrote, before adding, “#hoeislife tho.”
Last year, Amber admitted she was even too busy to play with herself, telling Allure, “I wish I had the time to masturbate every day in reality, but I don’t.”
“I say a lot of those things on [The Amber Rose Show] because I am very sex-positive,” she added. “I do say those things in a way where I am very serious, but it’s also a joke.”
Ryan Seacrest To Sign Multi-Million Dollar Deal For ‘American Idol’
It looks like Ryan Seacrest WILL be returning to host the new version of “American Idol”— but he won’t be getting as much money as Katy Perry.
via TMZ:
Our ABC sources tell TMZ … the deal is expected to be signed this weekend. The sources say the network offered $10 mil, Seacrest wanted $15 mil and they compromised somewhere in between … but closer to $10M than $15M.
TMZ broke the story … Katy Perry snagged $25 million to appear as a judge on the show.
We’re told the network and Fremantle — which produces the show — have not picked the other 2 judges, but whoever it is they’ll be relatively cheap … because they have to be.
Between “Idol” and “Live,” Ryan’s going to be a VERY busy man.
Love the fresh dirt we bring over daily from Naughty Gossip? Let us know in the comments!
Although Oregon has some of the toughest regulations in the United States aimed at preventing contaminated marijuana from hitting the market, state health officials admit that customers are still getting their hands of contaminated marijuana polluted with pesticides.
According to a report from the Oregonian, the state wrote its own rules in order to prevent pesticides from showing up in the cannabis products, which included giving regulators the freedom to conduct random spot checks. But so far, the health authority has bypassed this process.
In fact, when the news source conducted its own inspection to gauge the effectiveness of the testing rules, pesticides were discovered.
“Most of the 10 cannabis extracts in The Oregonian/OregonLive tests came back showing they passed the standards, but three showed contamination at levels that should have kept them off the market. However, during retests of those extracts, the results differed: Only one came back contaminated,” the report reads.
“The experiment, while limited in scope, shows the state and the industry struggling to get a handle on how to monitor pesticide use as they contend with public health implications for consumers.”
The Oregon Health Authority recently made some of the testing rules less restrictive. The new standard allows pot operations more opportunities to purify cannabis products tainted with pesticides. Testing frequency has also been diminished.
While the new rules were implemented to put customers more at ease about the purity of their cannabis products, officials say this does not necessarily guarantee that every pot product is clean.
“I don’t think it’s reasonable for the general public to think that everything is 100 percent clean and safe,” said Andre Ourso with the health authority. “What we do as regulators is decrease the risk that something that would have an adverse health effect on the public would be consumed. I think these rules really do minimize those risks.”
During a recent survey, 30 percent of the pot sellers in Portland said that customers regularly inquire about pesticides prior to making a purchase. Some believe the pressure for purer pot will only increase as the legal cannabis market expands.
Health officials say that regulating pesticides an “enormous undertaking,” a process that could be made easier if the federal government would get involved and establish a national testing standard. Until then, states will likely continue the struggle to bring clean weed to market.
The American Academy of Pediatrics on Monday published a report warning parents about the potential harms of cannabis for teens as states continue to legalize the herb for adult use. But how do you go about talking to your teens about marijuana?
The influential group opposes marijuana use for kids and says emphasizing that message is important because 28 states have legalized medical use for adults, and eight states have legalized adults’ recreational use.
“Parents will say, ‘I use it moderately and I’m fine with it, so it’s really benign and not a problem if my kid uses it,'” according to Dr. Seth Ammerman, a Stanford University pediatrics professor who co-wrote the report.
Most national marijuana advocacy groups are in agreement with pediatricians: Recreational cannabis consumption, like alcohol and tobacco, is for adults only. In all eight legal states, the laws are clear: Consumers of marijuana must be 21 or older.
Medical use is a different issue. There are children who suffer from a number of diseases of conditions who are using cannabis under the care of doctors. Even the American Academy of Pediatrics’ website agrees:
However, given that some children who may benefit from cannabinoids cannot wait for a meticulous and lengthy research process, the Academy recognizes some exceptions should be made for compassionate use in children with debilitating or life-limiting diseases.
The group also acknowledges that there is not sufficient data to suggest legalization is causing widespread harm. Sharon Levy, chair of the AAP Committee on Substance Abuse says:
“It is true we do not yet have data documenting changes to child health in response to the legalization of marijuana in Washington and Colorado.”
As the laws change and acceptance of marijuana as a mainstream product increases, it is wise for parents to have a strategy for discussing this important issue.
Dr. Bonnie Halpern-Felsher, another Stanford pediatrics professor says, “if adolescents perceive low risk and high benefit to any particular substance, then they are more likely to go on and use those products.”
This is where good parenting comes in. Have “The Talk” with your children. Here are some tips for a thoughtful, effective conversation:
Listen To Your Child
Give your son or daughter a voice. Often, your conversation will be more effective if you let them tell you what they think they know. It may be easier for you to rebut some of the claims they have heard among their peers first. Listen to what their arguments or questions or concerns are. It’s a great starting point to a thoughtful conversation.
Avoid Reefer Madness Cliches
Many of these conversations fail when the parent uses uninformed arguments that have been debunked by science and common sense. Your child, hopefully, has learned some critical thinking skills. When you attempt to scare them by saying weed will lead to hard drugs, your child knows better. The gateway theory is not likely to work. When presidents, congressmen, business leaders admit to using cannabis, children will likely tune out.
Be Clear About What The Laws Mean
Tell them that marijuana may be legal in some states, maybe even your state … for ADULTS. There are no states that have legalized it for minors. This point should be emphasized. It is definitely illegal for them to use marijuana. It’s the same for beer, booze, cigarettes and a whole host of products exclusively for adults. Explain to them the legal ramifications if they should violate the law. Also let them know that in some cases (growing or selling even small amounts) may lead to serious trouble for them and you. Yes, as a parent of a grower or dealer, the entire household could be jeopardized.
Explain What ‘Synthetic Cannabinoids’ Are
Spice, K2 and other “synthetic cannabinoids” are an easy-to-find substitute for marijuana. Make sure your child knows the difference. The synthetics are much more dangerous than the herb and many children are turning to these. Explain to your child that these products are far worse and could lead to serious harm.
One Chat May Not Be Enough
Like more conversations you have with your child, you’ll more than likely need a few follow-up chats. Often times, the words of a parent go in one ear and out the other. (I’m sure every parent understands this.) Find opportunities to have a talk about it in a relaxed situation. Maybe there is a news story worth discussing. Or a celebrity says something. Or a new study comes out. If it becomes a normal topic of conversation, your child may be more receptive.
Set Appropriate Punishment
When you set family rules, it is imperative that the punishment fits the crime. It also is key to enforce the punishment. If grades are slipping or you notice other warning signs, make sure you are proactive and let your child know you are paying attention. It is human nature for teens to push the boundaries of acceptable behavior. It is your role as a parent to ensure they understand where the boundaries are. Set clear rules. Make sure the child knows what they are.
Be Honest
Don’t be cagey about the truth. Trust is important in any relationship and it is key in a parent-child relationship. If you have consumed in the past (or currently), don’t lie. Once your fib is exposed, your credibility is damaged.
Cannabis tea not only has a calming effect, it also is an effective treatment for patients suffering from chronic pain.
According to a report published in the Journal of Pain, drinking the herb “seems to be effective and safe” therapeutic method of relieving intractable pain in a study of more than 600 patients.
This finding was not a surprise. Infusing tea with marijuana has been around since 2737 B.C. when China’s Emperor Sheng Neng prescribed the concoction to combat a host of maladies.
In the study published in May, Italian researchers conducted an analysis designed to examine the use of cannabinoids for intractable pain.
Study subjects were typically over the age of 60 and consumed cannabinoids via infused tea.
Researchers reported that no subjects in the study complained of severe side effects, and that relatively few patients discontinued cannabis treatment. The average age of the study subjects was 61.
The Italian researchers concluded that the oral administration of cannabinoids “seems to be effective and safe in the majority of patients.” They said more data and subsequent trials are needed to verify the findings.
