Monday, October 7, 2024
Home Blog Page 1247

Jeff Sessions Has Created A Task Force For ‘Marijuana Enforcement’

Mike Adams
-
0
Jeff Sessions Has Created A Task Force For ‘Marijuana Enforcement’

Perhaps in order to build a case to support a federal marijuana crackdown, U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions recently published a memo indicating the formation of new task force that will review “marijuana enforcement” policies in an effort to combat violent crime.

The memo, which was sent to the offices of nearly 100 federal prosecutors and Justice Department heads, shows the task force will evaluate existing policies, including those pertaining to marijuana, issuing a full report on those matters by the end of July.

What is concerning about the creation of this task force is that it consists of federal agencies that would like nothing more than to see the concept of legal weed wiped off the map. DEA Administrator Chuck Rosenberg, Stacia Hylton, head of the U.S. Marshals Service, and FBI Director James Comey are all part of what could eventually become a demolition crew.

There is speculation that this review of the nation’s marijuana policies refers to the Obama Administration’s Cole Memo, which allows states to have legal weed without a certain level of federal interference. One of the problems is that this set of guidelines is really just a suggestion on dealing with what was once called “the Great Marijuana Experiment,” but it can be discontinued at any time. The other problem is Attorney General Sessions has come to believe that legal marijuana may be contributing a variety of issues currently plaguing the United States, including opioid abuse and violent crime.

“Experts are telling me there’s more violence around marijuana than one would think and there’s big money involved,” Sessions said back in February.

Earlier this week, a group of governors from the first four states to legalize the leaf for recreational use sent a letter to Sessions and Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin asking them “to engage with us before embarking on any changes to regulatory and enforcement systems.” The goal of the letter was to try and persuade the Justice Department to maintain the “hands off” approach to legal weed, the same as the previous administration.

“Overhauling the Cole Memo is sure to produce unintended and harmful consequences,” the governors wrote. “Changes that hurt the regulated market would divert existing marijuana product into the black market and increase dangerous activity in both our states and our neighboring states.”

Interestingly, while Sessions may use “violent crime” as an excuse to tear down the legal cannabis industry, some of the latest data proves this line of attack would be an enormous scam. Research shows that legal marijuana has not caused more violent crime, and that the cannabis industry has actually put a serious dent in the underhanded shenanigans associated with the black market.

[gravityform id=”13″ title=”false” description=”true”]

Gossip: Paris Jackson Puts Her Life In Danger; Adam Levine Is A “Little Bitch” On Set Of ‘The Voice’

Naughty Gossip
-
0
Gossip: Paris Jackson Puts Her Life In Danger; Adam Levine Is A “Little Bitch” On Set Of ‘The Voice’

Michael Jackson’s daughter Paris has shocked fans and family by dumping her security detail and going out alone.

“Paris was recently in New York and dumped her security when she visited Harlem to walk around and get fried chicken,” sources tell Straight Shuter. “Her family and friends are begging her not to take chances and potentially put her life at risk, but she refuses. She spent half her life hiding behind a mask when her dad was alive. Now she wants to live as normal a life as possible.”

Paris has never been a fan of her around-the-clock security. When she was just 14 years old she called them “unfortunate” and says her friends sometimes find her security to be “creepy.”

Adam Levine Is A “Little Bitch” On Set Of The Voice

Alicia Keys, Blake Shelton, Gwen Stefani and Adam Levine are all smiles on the set of ‘The Voice’ when the cameras are on, but behind the scenes Adam is a “little bitch.”

“Adam is by far the most difficult person on the show. He spends the longest in hair and makeup and refuses to start taping until his clothes are perfect. Without doubt, Adam is ‘the little bitch’ on the set,” show insiders tell Straight Shuter. “Anything extra that the judges have to shoot after the show, he bitches and moans about. And forget asking him to tape anything special for the show’s social media or online fans. He is always the last to get into his chair and always the first to leave.”

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

[gravityform id=”13″ title=”false” description=”true”]

Motorsports Now Has Its First Official Marijuana Sponsor Thanks To Danny George

Brendan Bures
-
0
Motorsports Now Has Its First Official Marijuana Sponsor Thanks To Danny George

Cannabis and the sports world meet again, thanks to Formula Drift racer Danny George. The drifter became the first racer officially sponsored by cannabis, through the premium brand Shango.

George is an underdog in the world of drifting, unconventionally racing a wild, LS-powered Mazda Miata he built with friends back in 2012. As a rookie he earned the “Spirit of Drifting” award and his Shango sponsorship marks an exciting return to the Formula D world for George.

It’s also tantalizing prospect for Shango, a medicinal cannabis grower and distributer in the United States. They are the first cannabis sponsors in motorsports and have done so tastefully. Just by looking at the detailing on the car, you wouldn’t be able to tell Shango is a cannabis company. In other words, there are no pot leaves or stoner references here. Just tasteful clean cannabis branding.

“I have always been one to think outside the box and this was something that really hasn’t been done before in professional motorsports,” George told Jalopnik. “I wanted to be the first. I wanted to comeback with something so legendary that the fans who supported me the last years could get that smile that they helped push us into this position.”

https://www.instagram.com/p/BQ4DwtHglA0/?taken-by=whosdannygeorge&hl=en

With limitations and regulations on alcohol and tobacco advertising in motorsports, the introduction of cannabis sponsorship could be a sign of things to come. Regardless this is a major breakthrough in the world of sports tacitly embracing marijuana. It also helps that George is a big supporter of the plant.

“I am a very firm believer in marijuana’s medicinal qualities and would love to be able to maybe change a few votes out there. It really is the miracle cure for many ailments,” George said to Jalopnik. “Being a father and watching these videos of children who within SECONDS of treatment have insanely positive reactions should be enough reason for anyone to support the plant.”

[gravityform id=”13″ title=”false” description=”true”]

Kansas City: Famous For BBQ, Jazz … And Marijuana?

Al Olson
-
0
Kansas City: Famous For BBQ, Jazz … And Marijuana?

Visitors to Kansas City will hear jazz and whiff barbecue wafting through the midwest air. After Tuesday’s election, the unmistakable aroma of marijuana may be another smell visitors may experience.

Voters in the Missouri city decided overwhelmingly to lower the penalty for people caught with small amounts of cannabis. More than 70 percent of voters approved Question 5, a ballot initiative that lowers the maximum fine for possession ito $25 from $500. The measure also eliminates any jail time. Under the previous law, a 180-day sentence was possible.

“We could not be more excited about the positive impact passing Question 5 will bring to the communities of Kansas City. We fought long and hard for this result and could not have done it without the support of our volunteers,” said Jamie Kacz, executive director of KC NORML. “The era of reefer madness in Kansas City has come to an end and no longer will otherwise law abiding citizens be targeted or arrested for the mere possession of marijuana.”

City Councilwoman Alissia Canady, an opponent of the measure, expressed doubt that the new ordinance will make much difference.

“This does not solve anything,” Canady told the Kansas City Star. “It just creates more problems for people who don’t have any money and are already overburdened by the criminal justice system.”

Kansas City is just the latest major city in the U.S. to adopt more progressive laws to deal with marijuana use. Houston, Memphis, Nashville, Tampa, Orlando, Milwaukee, Toledo, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh and other have decriminalized the possession of small amounts of marijuana.

According to Chris Goldstein of PhillyNORML, Philadelphia has saved $9 million in public safety costs since it decriminalized possession of small amounts of marijuana.

More than 600,000 people are arrested each year for marijuana possession. According to the ACLU, the racial disparity in marijuana charges were levied against people over color, by nearly 4 to 1.

[gravityform id=”13″ title=”false” description=”true”]

University of Denver Offers The First ‘Business of Marijuana’ Course In The Country

Taylor Berman
-
0
University of Denver Offers The First ‘Business of Marijuana’ Course In The Country

As marijuana becomes legal in more and more places, it’s becoming bigger and bigger business. As something that generates tens of millions in tax revenue, it makes sense that a university would eventually offer a course on the weed business, and that’s just what Professor Paul Seaborn at the University of Denver has done: Last week, he launched what KGUN is reporting is the first ever college course on the economics of marijuana.

Related Story: Medical Marijuana Is Almost Legal In West Virginia

Appropriately called “The Business of Marijuana,” the class makes the University of Denver the first AACB accredited business school in the country to offer an marijuana course. Seaborn first pitched the idea to the university last year.

“There were some doubts,” he told KDUN. “I think you know there are some skeptics within the school, skeptics in the community, people wondering what’s going on why are we having a course on marijuana.”

Students feel like it’s an important addition, especially in a state like Colorado where recreational marijuana is legal. “For me taking this class, it’s kind of like finally,” Matthew Comfort said. “I want to be the CEO of the Marlboro of marijuana, and so that’s my goal. I want equity.”

Seaborn believes more and more courses about marijuana will soon be offered at the school. “I’m sure at some point there will be a Biology course, and there will be a Public Policy course over at Korbel, our Public Policy School, and perhaps our school of Education and other places too,” he said.

[gravityform id=”13″ title=”false” description=”true”]

TFT How To: Taste Wine Like A Professional In 10 Easy Steps

Erin James
-
0
TFT How To: Taste Wine Like A Professional In 10 Easy Steps

News flash: A younger generation has moved into and transformed the oft-priggish world of wine. Goodbye Boomers, you have been officially (and statistically) replaced on the financial radar of wine, with vibrant, adventurous and eager Millennials doing the majority of the wine buying in this country.

But not every new wine lover knows how to take that affinity next level and on the road wine tasting (with a designated driver, of course). Interested in day drinking at one of your new favorite winery tasting rooms? Here are 10 steps on how to taste wine like a pro:

1. Map Out Your Trip

Where ya going, bud? Hit up the interwebs prior to hitting those backcountry wine roads and decide on a general region you want to taste in. Most wine regions (known as American Viticulture Areas or AVAs) have maps and listings available online, use these free resources to narrow down the wineries that are the most interesting to you. You can usually find out addresses, tasting fees and other details here. Warning: Not all wine regions are the same size. You might be able to visit four wineries in four hours if you’re in an urban setting, but deep agricultural wine country could have you traveling 15 minutes between stops, so plan accordingly. If tasting with a group larger than six, call ahead of time to let them know you’re about to blow their mind with your wine presence.

2. Coordinate A Designated Driver

Game Of Thrones Wine GIF - Find & Share on GIPHY

This sounds like a no-brainer, but it never hurts to say it again. Many major wine regions are trolled by cops and for good reason, avoid being a statistic by booking a chauffeuring tour guide, a limo driver or Lyfting to each location if they are not within walking distance.

3. Lose The Perfume And Cologne

Did you know that 90 percent of taste is smell? Don’t ruin this tasting experience for the person standing next to you by wearing that audacious bro cologne your girlfriend just got you, it will be all they can taste and they will hate you for it.

4. What Is Terroir? Why Do Oak Barrels Change Flavor? Ask Questions

Don’t pretend to know something you don’t — no one is expecting you to be an expert so feel free to probe your tasting room attendee with questions about the wine, the winery or the color of the sky when the grapes were harvested. It is literally their job to answer these questions and they truly appreciate getting to do that.

5. Remember To Pace Yourself

Drunk Happy Hour GIF - Find & Share on GIPHY

Sometimes tasting room countertops have a number of jug-like containers resting on them. Be sure to ID which is a water pitcher and which is a spittoon, also known as the dump bucket. If you are really digging something, don’t be ashamed to take it down the hatch. If you are pacing yourself or don’t like a wine you’re tasting, spitting it into this bucket is completely acceptable, as is dumping the rest of the glass. And don’t forget the golden rule for day drinking: guzzle down any and all water when you can.

6. Be Spatially Aware

Do not Beauregard the spittoon or hover around the counter. Get your wine, ask your questions and get out of the way so others can do the same thing. Respect the order of the room and appreciate that there might only be one person behind the counter and a dozen behind you awaiting their pour.

7. Think While You Drink

Once the wine is in your glass, what smells and tastes stand out? If you need help identifying what exactly is happening to your olfactory senses (smell, flavor, etc.), try consulting a flavor wheel. What the eff is that, you ask? A quick online search will show you a variety of flavor wheel options for wine that visualizes the different flavors and aromas found in most red and white wines, regardless of grape variety. It guides you from the outside in on what might be up in your nose right now. Check out trusted source Wine Folly’s version.

8. If You Like It, Buy It

https://giphy.com/gifs/rose-wine-13717kuDoy3K24

Most tasting rooms offer a refundable tasting fee with the purchase of wine, so don’t be afraid to pull the trigger on a bottle or two, especially if it’s a winery exclusive, limited release or something you want to sip on your deathbed. On the flip, do not feel pressured to buy as you paid your dues with a tasting fee.

9. Be Open And Listen To Your Heart-Palate

Keep an open mind. Even though you are absolutely positive you do not like Chardonnay, get over yourself and realize you haven’t tried every Chardonnay ever made and your one true love could be out there waiting for you. That said, remember taste is subjective and if you liked what you liked while tasting – be proud of that! If your fave from the tasting flight was the cheapest option, own it and listen to your heart-palate.

10. Don’t Linger: This Is A Tasting Room, Not A Bar

Kate Mckinnon Television GIF by Saturday Night Live - Find & Share on GIPHY

Once you’ve finished your tasting, pay up if you haven’t already and head out. Thank the tasting room staff for their time and get on your merry way to your next location to do it all over again. Or head to the bar, where lingering and obviously intoxication is more welcome.

[gravityform id=”13″ title=”false” description=”true”]

Beyond Banana Bread: 7 Healthy Ways To Utilize Bananas Before They Rot

Amy Hansen
-
0
Beyond Banana Bread: 7 Healthy Ways To Utilize Bananas Before They Rot

Regardless of season, there always seems to be an abundance of bananas. And often times, those same bananas end up turning an off-putting shade of brown in our kitchens, while we sit there and try to figure out how we keep getting ourselves in this position. We buy bananas to be healthy, yet, once they turn, we use them to make a fatty banana bread we can subsequently slather with butter. Where did our lives take a hard left? Here are 7 healthier options that require little more than mixing old bananas with fresh ingredients.

1. Make Banana “Nice cream”

https://www.instagram.com/p/BR9iA2QhddA

Did you know you can make soft-serve vegan ice cream just by blending frozen bananas? The key is using spotty bananas, the ones usually designated for a banana bread grave. The spottier the banana, the sweeter it is, making it ideal for this anytime dessert. You can even throw in some peanut butter and/or cocoa powder, fresh fruit, dried fruit, nuts…just about anything…and top with whipped coconut cream for the healthiest sundae in all the land.

2. Put Them On The Griddle

https://www.instagram.com/p/BSd7jq0jJ9G

They’ll cook right into the pancake. Or just stir them into the batter.

3. Make A “Smoothie” Bowl

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

Take some frozen bananas, add some fresh/frozen fruit, and nut/soy milk . Pour into a bowl and top with fresh fruit, chia seeds, coconut flakes…whatever you’d like! Nobody notices brown, mushy bananas when they’re combined with vibrant colored fruit, like acai, blueberries or raspberries. Even spinach.

4. Use Them Instead Of Eggs When Baking

A post shared by Justyna Niko (@_justynaniko_) on

Make your baked goods healthier by replacing eggs with ripe bananas. To replace whole eggs in baked goods like cakes, muffins and brownies, use one ripe mashed banana for every egg the recipe calls for.

5. Make A Banana And Honey Sandwich

https://www.instagram.com/p/BF4BzZ0u3-z/

Nothing goes together like banana and peanut butter, which also happens to hide the color of an overripe piece of fruit. Spread some mushy bananas onto some good, crusty bread and top with peanut butter and honey. For some extra crunch, grill the sandwich in a skillet or toast the bread before assembling the sammy.

6. Make Banana Chips

https://www.instagram.com/p/BSdkQw0lkPa

All you need is an oven (and some bananas, of course). Your oatmeal (and smoothie bowls!) will thank you.

7. Make Banana S’mores

https://www.instagram.com/p/BJtn4QQBn_m

Spread your already gooey banana on a graham cracker and top with chocolate and melted marshmallow. Better than you imagined.

[gravityform id=”13″ title=”false” description=”true”]

Starbucks Japan Just Dropped A Cherry Pie Frappuccino With A Crust Lid

Amy Hansen
-
0
Starbucks Japan Just Dropped A Cherry Pie Frappuccino With A Crust Lid

If you love Frappuccinos, you need to book a plane ticket to Japan, ASAP.

The nation of novelty food items is where Starbucks has wisely decided to launch an American Cherry Pie flavored Frapp, complete with a pie crust dome. PIE CRUST DOME!

https://www.instagram.com/p/BSjRWvflkG0

So many follow-up questions here, like: Why is this not standard practice? When do the cake cups debut? Is Willy Wonka replacing the mermaid?

Just like digging into a real piece of pie a la mode, customers will need to pierce the crust with a straw, letting it coast down a highway of fresh whipped cream, vanilla-flavored Frappuccino base, BITE SIZED PIE PIECES and a bottom layer of cherry compote.

According to RocketNews24, Starbucks Japan is also releasing a Classic Tea Cream Frappuccino this summer that contains a blend of Earl Grey, Ceylon and crimson-hued Malawi teas, honey sugar pieces, whipped cream and honey sauce.

The American Cherry Pie is available for a very limited time: April 13 to May 16. Just not in America.

[gravityform id=”13″ title=”false” description=”true”]

7 Of The Frenchiest Bulldog Puppies In Existence

TFT Editors
-
0
7 Of The Frenchiest Bulldog Puppies In Existence

What’s cuter than babies? Baby French bulldogs. Here are some of the cutest pup pics from Instagram’s @daily_frenchie.

This Boy Will ‘Leave’ You Speechless. Meet Leavis

https://www.instagram.com/p/BSCV_kGgq_d/?taken-by=daily_frenchie

Luna Moon Shine

https://www.instagram.com/p/BSGy56qAHrr/?taken-by=daily_frenchie

All Hail Queen Bee

https://www.instagram.com/p/BSMUwwcApVn/?taken-by=daily_frenchie

OMG, It’s Walter

https://www.instagram.com/p/BSRNSeXgUgl/?taken-by=daily_frenchie

This Tyson Is Cuter Than Tyson Beckford

https://www.instagram.com/p/BSUE85SAuOP/?taken-by=daily_frenchie

Benji The Mensch-ie

https://www.instagram.com/p/BSYm3LpgC1Q/?taken-by=daily_frenchie

Lovely Little Chloe

https://www.instagram.com/p/BSeEj9yAiAv/?tagged=frenchbulldog

[gravityform id=”13″ title=”false” description=”true”]

Gossip: Blac Chyna Has Returned Her Engagement Ring to Rob Kardashian; Israel Reschedules Election For Britney Spears

Naughty Gossip
-
0
Gossip: Blac Chyna Has Returned Her Engagement Ring to Rob Kardashian; Israel Reschedules Election For Britney Spears

A year after Rob Kardashian proposed to Blac Chyna, the two are no longer together and she has returned his engagement ring.

The 28-year-old was spotted Tuesday night leaving TAO Hollywood without the seven-carat rock on her left hand.

It’s not the first time she’s been seen without the ring. According to a source, she gave it back to Rob.

“Chyna and Rob are certainly not together or engaged,” the insider told E! News. “In fact, Chyna gave the engagement ring back to Rob when they broke up last month. Something caused them to have a blowout fight, and Chyna gave the ring back and it was done. They officially are not engaged. There is no wedding.”

Now, though their nuptials are off the table, they remain united in regard to their only daughter, 4-month-old Dream Kardashian.

“They are amicable and get along when it comes to Dream,” the insider shared. “There’s no set day or times that Rob will take [care of] Dream. They haven’t fully figured it out yet, but they are working on it.”

In the meantime, the two keep fans guessing. While they may no longer be engaged, the parents recently reunited and chronicled the moment on social media for all to see—including a kiss on the cheek from Rob.

Israel Reschedules Election To Avoid Conflict With Britney Spears Concert

Israel says it will reschedule one of its upcoming party elections to avoid coinciding with a Britney Spears concert.

The reigning princess of pop is set to perform for the first time at Tel Aviv’s Hayarkon Park on July 3.

To avoid conflicts with the highly anticipated concert, Israel’s Labor Party said it plans to reschedule it’s election for a future date.

Originally, the Labor Party had planned to hold their election on July 3, in a neighboring venue, at Tel Aviv’s Exhibition Grounds conference and concert space.

When the party attempted to make arrangements for election security, they were told that the majority of local security officials had already been booked for the Britney Spears concert.

A party spokesperson told the Times of Israel, that there had been, “a difficulty in recruiting security guards” for the election.

He added that rescheduling the primary election would, “make it easier for people to reach polling stations,” because of the heavy traffic expected in the city.

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

[gravityform id=”13″ title=”false” description=”true”]

1...1,2461,2471,248...1,419Page 1,247 of 1,419

Don't Miss Your Weekly Dose of The Fresh Toast.

Stay informed with exclusive news briefs delivered directly to your inbox every Friday.

We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe anytime.

The Fresh Toast is an award-winning lifestyle & health platform with a side of cannabis. We work hard each day to bring uplifting and informative information about culture, weed, celebrity, tech and medical marijuana.

© Copyright @2020