Cannabis on the Titanic? Most Likely!

Terry Hacienda

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June 20, 2023

The Titanic continues to stay in the news and in public’s mind. Departing England, the largest unsinkable ship was filled with the celebrities of the day including Astors, a Guggenheim, a Countess, art, fabulous jewels, luxury cars and not enough lifeboats. After being struck by an iceberg, the liner slipped into the deeps of the very cold Atlantic. In 1985, the ship was found and some questions about the ship, including, the then surprising news, the ship had broken in two. With all excitement, wealth, and free time…you wonder, was there cannabis on the Titanic?

As we look back, at the question, it definitely would have helped those last few hours. But it was the trip itself that might have encouraged people to bring it on board.

During the Edwardian era, cannabis was legal and just another tool in the medical and recreational toolbox. It was commonly known as cannabis, Indian hemp, or ganja. For the most exotic and potent use it was called hashish. Hashish had grown popular with such luminaries as Victor Hugo, Alexandre Dumas, Charles Baudelaire and Honoré de Balzac being consumers.

Ottoman Sultan Abdülaziz brought marijuana and pipe products to the 1872 world’s fair to showcase Ottoman culture. This made Hookahs and Turkish hashish a popular U.S. fad until it was outlawed in the 20s.

During the construction of the Titanic, you could purchase cocaine products for toothaches, and opium (laudanum) was packed in doses for infants and adults for pain relief and other ailments. Coca Cola, the new popular American drink sweeping the nation had tiny traces of cocaine. Europe was just heading about the soda and would soon have it first bottling plants in 1919.

One of the most popular Edwardian uses for cannabis was as a foot soak for corns. But it was also sold as a cure for consumption, bronchitis, asthma, veterinary indigestion, and simple coughs. Queen Victoria, whose name stamps a more conservative era, used cannabis at her doctors orders, to help with menstrual cramps and more. Empress Elizabeth of Australia-Hungry, considered to be one of the most beautiful women in Europe, used it for her ongoing cough. While generally not a fan of medicine, she was more accepting of natural remedies.

Cannabis consumer saw themselves as more “cosmopolitan”. Some men believed cannabis to be a female aphrodisiac. The first class passengers were definitely a more worldly set who collected arts, companies and titled in-laws while looking for the next big thing.

With a cultured and money audience in first class and a second class that had disposable income, it is almost assured passengers packed cannabis for the trip to help them through the 7 day crossing. Nausea from seasickness was a key reason for the well heeled to bring a bit of Indian hemp.

In the final hour, it would have been a true benefit to approach the finale with a more chill atmosphere.

What’s Up With Motivation And Marijuana?

Amy Hansen

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June 19, 2023

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What’s Up With Motivation And Marijuana?

Anecdotally people share how marijuana use turned a high performing, eager person into a slug. Images of a consumer laying on a couch with empty bags of chips fill pictures with people assume to a be a “regular” partaker. But is this true? Does science back up the impression? Globally, marijuana is third behind alcohol and nicotine in consumed controlled substances.

Like alcohol and other intoxicants, early use of cannabis causes less development in brain functions. It is widely accepted in the medical world, they should avoid intoxicants until there are into there 20s to allow the brain full functioning abilities.

Day drinking alcohol can make you feel drowsy or lethargic. If you didn’t sleep well the night before, even one drink can make you drowsy, especially if you drink during one of your usual low-energy times such as midafternoon or late evening. Alcohol produces chemical imbalances in specific neurocircuits and can be neurotoxic.

Chronic heavy drinking can, for example, damage brain regions involved in memory, decision-making, impulse control, attention, sleep regulation, and other cognitive functions.

Like alcohol, casual marijuana use can have short and long term effects on the brain and behavior. There have been few studies examining the link between cannabis and motivation using performance-based measure. But there is a difference between casual and heavy use.

For casual, short term use, a study from University College London, the University of Cambridge, and the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience at King’s College London doesn’t find major differences.

But there is one key element. Cannabis use in humans is associated with reduced dopamine in the striatum. Dopamine is responsible for allowing you to feel pleasure, satisfaction and motivation. When you feel good that you have achieved something, it’s because you have a surge of dopamine in the brain. PET studies have shown lower striatal dopamine synthesis and release capacity in cannabis users.

Alcohol use overloads the brain with dopamine, while also reducing the brain’s dopamine receptors in the process. This makes quitting alcohol difficult.

Scientists at Imperial College London, UCL and King’s College London, conducted a study funded by the Medical Research Council and published in the journal Biological Psychiatry. Long-term cannabis users tend to produce less dopamine, a study has found.

Researchers found dopamine levels in a part of the brain called the striatum were lower in people who smoke more cannabis and those who began taking the drug at a younger age.

They suggest this finding could explain why some cannabis users appear to lack motivation to work or pursue their normal interests.

Cannabis Does Not Make You Lazy — Photo by Joshua Fuller via Unsplash

It seems causal use has little effect, but dependence can have long term issues that would need to be addressed. This is not unlike alcohol.

Like most thing, cannabis should be used in moderation and long term use should be done thoughtfully. Use wisely.

Solstice And Cannabis – A Mystical Partnership

Terry Hacienda

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June 16, 2023

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Solstice And Cannabis – A Mystical Partnership

Summer solstice is upon us, the longest day of the year and the shortest night. Around the globe people will bake in the sun and celebrate. Since ancient times, summer solstice traditions have included gathering with family and friends to celebrate the return of light, life, fertility, and the potential for a good harvest. And there is a relationship between solstice and cannabis?

Seattle has an annual parade with naked bike riders with thousands of viewers. At the Fairbanks, Alaska Midnight Sun Festival each year, you can visit a twelve-hour street fair and watch live music from over 30 acts. Finland celebrates the summer solstice, called Juhannus. Traditionally, a privileged time to celebrate weddings and the Finnish used to cast fertility or love spells around this time.

Marijuana has been intwined with solstice since early times from Greeks to Vikings to Egypt. Cannabis has featured in ancient religion, paganism and spirituality around the world.

Marijuana Can Be Addictive ⁠— Here's How To Spot The Signs Of Cannabis Use Disorder — Photo by David Gabrić via Unsplash

In Viking culture, cannabis was associated with the Norse goddess of love, Freya. Harvest took place during an erotic high festival in her honor, just as cannabis today is harvested during the time of Samhain, the Celtic pagan festival from which Halloween was born. According to lore, Freya resided in the flowers of the plant, and all one needed to do was ingest the buds to become influenced by this divine feminine force. It is the female marijuana plant that brings the high to cannabis.

The Ancient Greeks used medical marijuana to help humans. They also made use of it in veterinary medicine to dress wounds and sores on horses. Via trade routes use spread throughout the Mediterranean world.

Ancient Assyrian medical tablets housed in the Louvre mention a healing ointment made from cannabis, and Mesopotamian prescriptions for epilepsy included cannabis. Furthermore, some Mesopotamian documents suggest that early Christians employed “Holy Oil” to treat various conditions

Shamanic and pagan cultures incorporate cannabis spiritually to ponder religious and philosophical subjects, enter a state of enlightenment, and perhaps make discoveries of the mind and subconscious. These uses all point to the efficacy of cannabis as a holistic remedy rather than just a recreational or medicinal substance – perfect for a summer solstice activity.

On a more practical note, there’s a connection between the summer solstice and the cannabis growth cycle. The solstice has traditionally been used to measure out the growing seasons of this ancient plant and is still used today, even in the era of high-tech indoor cannabis farming. Long, warm summer days make for the perfect environment for growing marijuana.

As you plan to make this day in the sun, perhaps you will gather friends and family and start a new journey.

Can CBD Help Your Pet During Thunderstorms?

Amy Hansen

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June 16, 2023

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Can CBD Help Your Pet During Thunderstorms?

Thunderstorms can cause anxiety for your pets and sometime for you – can CBD help?

It is an El Niño year with more rough thunderstorms on the way. The rolling black skies start threatening picnics, sporting events, days at the beach and outdoor weddings – and they can freak out your pets! Can CBD help your pet during thunderstorms?

Pets and their owners share some traits when bad weather hits. The sound of thunder, the flashes of lightning or the roar of the winds can be unsettling and scary. Humans have multiple ways of coping with their fear, but pets have fewer options.

A reliable CBD might be an option for pets and human if they have storm anxiety.

The marijuana plant has two main active ingredients — delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD). THC is the substance responsible for the high people experience when they use marijuana. CBD, on the other hand, does not cause a high and studies suggest it has a range of potential health benefits. While more research needs to be done on the benefits and warnings, it has no known adverse side effects, and your pet should feel more relaxed and relieved. Marijuana can contain more than 30% THC, while hemp has less than 0.3% of this psychoactive substance, ensuring you are not sending your furry companion on an unexpected trip.

Cats and dogs can use CBD oil can to improve their mood by activating the serotonin receptors in their brain, reducing their anxiety, and making them feel happier.

cannabis pets — Photo by Vanessa Nunes/Getty Images

Thunderstorm can be quick or last for a couple of hours, to receive the best benefit, they need to take the cbd about 30 minutes before the storm. The dose size will depend on what type of CBD you give them. Best to stick to CBD products design for pets. It is important to read the instructions before administering. They’ll tell you how many milligrams to give your dog per pound of body weight.

To give your dog CBD, add the right amount of CBD oil directly into your dog’s hard or soft food and mix. If you have multiple dogs, keep an eye on them while eating and prevent any food sharing to ensure each receives the right amount of CBD.

Cats don’t usually eat on demand. The two most effective ways to administer CBD for them are to use an oil and place directly on their gums or rubbed into their ears. These two areas are where the CBD is most easily absorbed into the blood stream

When a human is feeling anxious, their dog picks up the signs of anxiety without fully understanding the stress. This can make the dog feel less secure and more anxious also. You might consider some trusted cbd to help you relax so you and your pets are all in the space.

California or New York, Which Has The Biggest Marijuana Mess?

Terry Hacienda

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June 15, 2023

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California or New York, Which Has The Biggest Marijuana Mess?

Marijuana legalization shouldn’t be as messy in these two states

Colorado, Illinois, Oregon, Michigan, and seventeen other states have rolled out recreational marijuana. None with the ongoing drama of two two huge states. Carolifornia or New York, which has the best marijuana mess? The two have provided fodder for industry business media (and mainstream media also), the gnashing of teeth for investors, tears and anguish for legal business owners and confused consumers.

The legal marijuana industry was worth $28 billion in 2022, with an expectation to rise in 2023. Currently, 23 states have recreational and 40 have medical with over 48 million Americans consuming cannabis annually. It is becoming a big business, and the two most important states are California and New York. Both undercut the industry, feed drama and stymie federal legalization.

marijuana dispensary — Photo by smodj/Getty Images

California is the original major player and home of the largest legal market in the country, if not the world. California is estimated to have done $5.3 billion in 2022, and that is just what is reported. The state is home to Medmen, High Times, and more players who have blended into the mainstream media. Medmen has even been mocked by the show South Park. But what really undercuts the California market is the taxes. Early on, everyone saw it as a cash cow and everyone wanted a piece of the action. Local, regional and state governments dove deep into the industry, all demanding a chunk.

In California there is an Excise Tax, A State Sales Tax, A Business Tax, and a Local Tax. The revenue has been good for the state, but they forgot to do one thing. They haven’t built a system to eliminate the unauthorized (illegal) companies, so customers and businesses have reverted to “old school” black markets around the state.

California’s legal market lost nearly one-quarter of its total growing area after the start of 2022. Legal high priced indoor grow competes with cheap outdoor grow. Governor Newsom, the state’s legislature and the industry forgot customers care about price. For the first time, legal sales went backwards in the state as use stayed the same or trended up.

Green Market Report broke the news about California-based Glass House Brands Inc. being charged as “one of the largest, if not the largest, black marketers of cannabis in the State of California, if not the country,”. They have been shipping cannabis across state lines, according to a new lawsuit filed by one of the company’s retail competitors.

Where are they shipping the hot goods? Some are going to New York State, which has been rolled with its own pandemonium.

New York State converted from medical to fully recreational in 2021, but the rollout happened in 2022 after a chaotic total overhaul of original plan that had mass buy in from existing players. Currently, New York City has about 1,500 unlicensed retailers operating with the state working to close several a month. These stores sell legal, semi-legal, local illegal and California illegal products each day.

This week, the New York Cannabis Control Board met and managed to avoid significant action. One of the agenda items was the resignation of Reuben McDaniel who as CEO of the Dormitory Authority of the State of New York (DASNY) was in a unique, if not sticky, situation. McDaniel had not won friends in his helping roll out legalization.

As Green Market Report shared “The members opened the meeting with the unanimous approval of 36 new conditional adult use retail dispensary permits, bringing the total number of retail licensees to 251. The new licensees included seven in the Finger Lakes Region, which had previously been stalled by litigation. But as of Thursday, there are only 13 operational retailers, OCM staff noted, with two more set to open in coming days in the Bronx and Syracuse. Getting even more open as soon as possible is one of the OCM’s top priorities. Chief Equity Officer Damian Fagon told the board his office is sifting through more than 300 dispensary location applications as quickly as possible, with 146 that have already been approved.”

how the costco of cannabis will upend marijuana black market — Photo by Yarygin/Getty Images

That would be 146 legal stores statewide versus 1,500+ illegal stores in NYC who are loose on rules and taxes. The 1,500+ stores have been doing a solid business to the population. Unfortunately for the legal growers and product makers, those customers are unreachable thanks to New York Cannabis Control Board.

New York and California are important markets and key to federal approval. In an ever-changing world there seems to be constant, government trend to overlook the vox populi (popular sentiment or opinion).

Congress Smacks Russia About Marijuana

Amy Hansen

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June 15, 2023

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In a rare bipartisan act, Congress smacks Russia over marijuana prisoners, now if they could be this united here at home

Nothing brings people together than a common enemy. Congress, which delights in fighting among themselves has united in issuing another message to Russia. Now if they can bring the same support back home for SAFE Banking and rescheduling. Want to see unified, now Congress smacks Russia about marijuana and everyone is happy.

Russia has been a thorn for decades but with the recent invasion of Ukraine, they have been at the forefront of foreign policy. From threats of withholding energy to veiled insinuations of nuclear attacks, Putin has been rattling the global stage.

Like their frenemy China, Russia has a conservative view of marijuana. Possession of up to 6 grams (or two grams of hashish) is an administrative offense, punishable by a fine or detention of 15 days. Possession of larger amounts is a criminal offense and being an important US, UK, or EU citizen caught bring additional complications.

Russia has become isolated in part of the world and is seeking allies in their war. Moscow has wrote off the debts of African states worth more than $20 billion. Many who also have very conservative views of marijuana.

Russia is also the home of vodka with the regular citizen taking 17 shots of vodka per month, the highest in the world. So, the population of the country does like forgetting its troubles and enjoying a little chill time.

Congress Approves CBD Use For Military Members — Photo by uschools/Getty Images

The U.S. House unanimously passed a resolution calling for the release of Americans wrongfully detained in Russia and expressing support for those imprisoned like Marc Fogel.

The resolution, from Representative Michael McCaul (R-TX), calls for the immediate release of Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich and BorgWarner executive Paul Whelan. It also expresses support for people like Marc Fogel and sympathy for and solidarity with the families of citizens wrongfully detained.

Now if Congress would just look inward toward federal marijuana laws in the United States. Currently there are two key issues facing Congress and the White House. First is the bi-partisan Secure and Fair Enforcement (SAFE) Banking Act, which the cannabis industry sees as a financial necessity. The bill was introduced by Senator Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Senator Steve Daines (R-MT), Representative Dave Joyce (R-OH), and Representative Earl Blumenauer (D-OR). Senators Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and Cory Booker (D-NJ) have strongly expressed support and in Congress and Nancy Mace (R-SC) has championed the bill in the past.

burnout is now an official medical condition — Photo via rawpixel.com

Rescheduling marijuana has been something this administration has committed to doing but so far has not made a major move. Showing the grassroots bipartisan support, GOP Representative Greg Steube (R-FL) introduced a bill to push the democratic White House and Biden forward.

The American Medical Association and other global science and health organizations recognize the value and data of cannabis as a medical health and agree on it as a less dangerous recreational activity than alcohol or cigarettes. Congress’s move toward Russia is to be applauded while the industry waits for quicker, positive stuffs on US soil

Marijuana And Memory

Amy Hansen

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June 14, 2023

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Everyone has issues with their memory – but does marijuana make it worse?

Everyone forgets things. Where are your keys, the name of a former teacher, an appointment, it is just a fact of life. But when does it become an issue and does marijuana play a part?

Memory and other thinking problems have many possible causes, including depression, an infection, or medication side effects. Sometimes, the problem can be treated, and cognition improves. Other times, the problem is a brain disorder, such as Alzheimer’s disease, which cannot be reversed.

Forgetfulness can arise from stress, depression, lack of sleep or thyroid problems. Other causes include side effects from certain medicines, an unhealthy diet or not having enough fluids in your body (dehydration). Taking care of these underlying causes may help resolve your memory problems.

It is clear alcohol causes memory issues, but what about marijuana? The imagine of a regular user of cannabis is laid back, forgetful and chill….is it a stereotype or is there fact behind the image?

There’s no question marijuana can produce short-term problems with thinking, working memory, executive function, and psychomotor function (physical actions that require conscious thought, such as driving a car or playing a musical instrument). This is because marijuana’s main psychoactive chemical, THC, causes its effect by attaching to receptors in brain regions that are vital for memory formation, including the hippocampus, amygdala, and cerebral cortex. THC is what gets you “high”.

Memory impairment from marijuana use occurs because THC alters how the hippocampus, a brain area responsible for memory formation, processes information. Chronic THC exposure may hasten age-related loss of hippocampal neurons. Most research has been animal focused and more needs to be done for researchers and scientists to have a clear picture.

RELATED: Dementia and Marijuana

Long-term cannabis consumer may develop brain fog, lowered motivation, difficulty with learning, attention span difficulties. Symptoms are typically reversible, though using products with higher THC content may increase risk of developing cognitive symptoms.

Alcohol primarily disrupts the ability to form new long–term memories; it causes less disruption of recall of previously established long–term memories or of the ability to keep new information active in short–term memory for a few seconds or more. Alcohol can also cause a blackout resulting in a temporary lost of memory.

Can Marijuana Help Regrow Human Brain Cells? — Photos: GDJ via Pixabay; herbalhemp via Pixabay

There is an alcohol-related ‘dementia‘ . If a person has alcohol-related dementia they will struggle with day-to-day tasks due to brain damage caused by heavy, regular over many years.

Research indicates brain receptors called cannabinoid 1 receptors begin returning to normal after 2 days without cannabis, and regain normal functioning within 4 weeks of stopping the drug.

If you have something major you need to engage 100% on, slow up on consuming so you can be at the top of your game.

Medical Marijuana Supports Veterans

Amy Hansen

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June 14, 2023

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When the American Revolution broke out in 1775, the colonists weren’t fighting under a single flag. Most regiments participating in the war for independence fought under their own flags. In June of 1775, the Second Continental Congress met in Philadelphia to create the Continental Army, a unified fighting force, with the hopes of a more organized war against its the British. This led to the creation of what was, essentially, the first “American” flag, the Continental Colors. Another color key for the country is green since medical marijuana supports veterans.

The VA says sources vary on the first Flag Day observances, with Hartford, Connecticut, claiming the earliest in 1861. National recognition of Flag Day came later, with President Woodrow Wilson issuing the first presidential proclamation establishing a national Flag Day in 1916. The holiday wasn’t signed into law until 1949, when Congress approved legislation designating June 14 of each year as Flag Day.

You can’t look at flag day without thanking all the military since the Revolution including Vietnam, Iraq and other battles/wars. The acceptance of medical marijuana has been a benefit for our soldiers to help them with the scars of battle.

Marijuana supports the military in at least two major ways, PTSD and pain management. At some point, 7 out of every 100 Veterans (or 7%) will have PTSD. Currently, Veteran Administration (VA) doctors cannot provide or recommend medical marijuana for veterans as the federal status for cannabis remains a Schedule 1 substance, making the drug illegal in the federal government’s eyes. Because of this, veterans should never bring any type of marijuana into a VA facility, even when provided through a state-sanctioned medical marijuana program.

However, veterans participating in a state-sanctioned medical marijuana program will not be denied VA benefits, according to the Department of Veterans Affairs. VA providers are able to discuss cannabis use with veteran patients and adjust care and treatment plans as needed. Veterans are encouraged to discuss medical marijuana use with their VA providers as part of their confidential medical record.

The VA will not pay for medical marijuana prescriptions from any source, nor will VA providers complete paperwork or forms required for a veteran to participate in a state-approved medical marijuana program.

A study adds more evidence to the theory that THC has a positive effect on Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Published in the journal Neuropharmacology and conducted by researchers from Wayne State University, the study found that the combination of a specific type of therapy and moderate amounts of THC were particularly beneficial for people with PTSD.

Being a soldier is tough work in some difficult environments. Their bodies take a beating and as time goes by, it can lead to pain. Cannabinoids have shown significant promise in basic experiments on pain. Peripheral nerves that detect pain sensations contain abundant receptors for cannabinoids, and cannabinoids appear to block peripheral nerve pain. Even more encouraging, basic studies suggest that opiates and cannabinoids suppress pain through different mechanisms. If that is the case, marijuana-based medicines could perhaps be combined with opiates to boost their pain-relieving power while limiting their side effects.

RELATED: Dementia and Marijuana

Today and every day is an opportunity to thank veterans for what they do for the country.

Taiwan And China Share At Least On Thing – Bad Marijuana Policy

Terry Hacienda

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June 13, 2023

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Taiwan And China Share At Least On Thing – Bad Marijuana Policy

Things are getting increasing tense between China and Taiwan. China believes Taiwan is a breakaway from the country and insists united with the mainland. The citizens of Taiwan can see the their adversary from Kinmen Island (roughly 200 miles from the capital Taipei). Kinmen is only 6 miles away from China. Taiwan believes in its independence and it is a sovereign country. Under the previous US administration, China began making bolder moves to encourage Taiwan to “return to the fold”. Taiwan has strongly resisted and is working to rally allies to their cause. Taiwan’s economy is driven by a heathy manufacturing sector including electronics, machinery, petrochemicals, and information and communications technology products. Taiwan produces over 60% of the world’s semiconductors and over 90% of the most advanced ones. All critical to the world’s computing.

While they battle, China and Taiwan share things in common, including bad marijuana policy.

China’s penalties for being caught with cannabis are severe. Offenders run the risk of receiving the death penalty for being in possession of just five kilograms or more. Additionally, strict sentences are imposed; anything from five years imprisonment to a life sentence. The government identified marijuana as a dangerous narcotic drug, and illegal to possess or use it. However, the cultivation of cannabis for industrial purposes (hemp) has never been prohibited in China. Medical marijuana been around for about two thousand years using the cannabis seed. Today the seeds are primarily used for a laxative. The country has a population of 1.4+ billion and in 2017, the most recent source, states they have 24,000 citizens who consume. China tightly controls information with their own versions of Amazon (Alibaba), Google (Baidu) and Facebook (WeChat) which are highly censored.

In Taiwan under the Narcotics Hazard Prevention Act, those found guilty of using marijuana face a maximum penalty of three years in prison. Possession with intention to sell carries a minimum sentence of five years with a fine of up to $164,000 USD. Today, only four types of medicine containing THC are permitted for patient use and are tightly controls. Taiwan’s population is 23.5 million with under 250,000 who consume. These are mostly young people who receive their information from global social media. This helps them avoid the government messaging on the ills of marijuana as they have access to global social media.

marijuana leaf — Photo by Anton Petrus/Getty Images

According to observational data published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) Network Open, patients suffering from pain, cancer, anxiety, and insomnia report significant, sustained improvements in their health-related quality of life following the use of medical marijuana. Medical marijuana is legal in 40 states and recreationally in 23 since it has science and data to verify the use.

Europe’s take on medical marijuana is with no unique list of pathologies that can be treated with cannabis-based drugs, they see it as not a cure, but rather a palliative treatment. Medical marijuana is legal in large parts of Europe, but recreational is just becoming popular.

China and Taiwan’s conservative culture toward marijuana is startling since Eastern Medicine uses a more holistic approach incorporating plants and other aspects toward health.

Perhaps their shared animosity toward marijuana could be a starting point for discussions of common ground and finding more benefits for both sets of citizens.

Which is Better For You, Technology or Marijuana?

Amy Hansen

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June 12, 2023

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Which is Better For You, Technology or Marijuana?

So – alcohol, cigarettes, technology and marijuana are all in a poll…

Cigar smoking is thought to have started with the Mayans. Cigarettes, or mini cigars, grew out of the cigar form. The term ‘cigarette’ was invented in France in 1830, and boy, did it catch fire. From the 1950s to the early 80s, cigerettes were the most popular and tobacco companies were trusted. Since then, well, use has dropped but profits are still up. In fact, while smoking as somewhat fallen out of favor, the world’s six largest cigarette manufacturers made profits (before income taxes) of more than $55 billion USD.

The American Psychiatric Organization (APA) is trying to figure out what people think to help them with their addictions. People were asked their opinions on cigarettes, marijuana, alcohol, technology and more.

The Effects Of Smoking Low-THC, High-CBD Cannabis — Photo by OpenClipart-Vectors via Pixabay

“It is clear that we have gotten the message through that cigarettes are dangerous and addictive,” said APA President Petros Levounis, M.D., M.A. “We can help prevent more Americans from other potentially addictive behaviors, like drinking alcohol and technology use. We can also make sure that people know about our current safe and effective treatments for both substance use disorders and the behavioral addictions. Addiction treatment works.”

In the poll marijuana is viewed as less addictive and more safe. As cannabis is becoming legal in more areas and benefits of medical marijuana are being accepted by the health community, the public is “chilling out” about marijuana. Another fascinating reveal of the data is on a daily basis, more people use marijuana (13%) than alcohol (7%).

Opioids are used daily by 4% and are viewed as dangerous as cigarettes and alcohol. Fentanyl is a potent synthetic opioid drug approved by the FDA, but black market versions hit the streets in force. Fentanyl use has sprung up in small towns and big cities. Downtowns including San Francisco and Seattle are collapsing with wide spread opioid abuse causing havoc in the streets and neighborhoods. Seattle City Council, with help from the Mayor’s office voted 5-4 to rejected making it hard drugs illegal.

A big surprise of the survey is how poorly technology faired. Tech was viewed as somewhat safe but definitely addictive (75%). The APA has to figure out a new way to combat the new since it has caused mental health issues, especially for school age kids. iPhones, social media and streaming continuing to draw in eyes and brains.

The APA is launching a public awareness initiative on addiction and substance use disorders that will last throughout the year, beginning this month with vaping, focusing on opioids later in the summer, alcohol in the winter, and technology next spring.

The Fresh ToastThe most trusted name in cannabis

Cannabis on the Titanic? Most Likely!

What’s Up With Motivation And Marijuana?

Solstice And Cannabis – A Mystical Partnership

Can CBD Help Your Pet During Thunderstorms?

Thunderstorms can cause anxiety for your pets and sometime for you – can CBD help?

California or New York, Which Has The Biggest Marijuana Mess?

Marijuana legalization shouldn’t be as messy in these two states

Congress Smacks Russia About Marijuana

In a rare bipartisan act, Congress smacks Russia over marijuana prisoners, now if they could be this united here at home

Marijuana And Memory

Everyone has issues with their memory – but does marijuana make it worse?

Medical Marijuana Supports Veterans

Taiwan And China Share At Least On Thing – Bad Marijuana Policy

Which is Better For You, Technology or Marijuana?

So – alcohol, cigarettes, technology and marijuana are all in a poll…

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