Page 14 – The Fresh Toast

The Idea Developed While Stoned Is Paying Off

Anthony Washington

-

November 3, 2025

From whimsical thought to success, the idea developed while stoned is paying off with major sponsorship.

Sometimes those “what if?” ideas starting mid-sesh actually turn into something brilliant. As an example, the idea developed while stoned is paying off for there buddies. Just ask Pete Davidson and Colin Jost. What began as a hazy, half-joking idea while consuming cannabis — to buy an old Staten Island Ferry — has now become one of the best “high-deas” to ever float into reality.

Back in 2022, Davidson and his pal Colin Jost impulsively bought a decommissioned Staten Island ferry for $280,000. At the time, even their Saturday Night Live castmates weren’t sure if it was a punchline or a midlife crisis in motion. Davidson himself admitted it wasn’t exactly a sober moment of inspiration. “It was definitely one of those ideas that seemed genius at the time,” he joked later.

But here’s the twist: the offbeat purchase just turned into a marketing goldmine. The ferry — once destined for scrap — is now being transformed into a floating entertainment venue. And in the latest proof this high-idea turned high-value, Nike just inked a deal to advertise on it. Yes, Nike. The global sports giant saw enough cool factor (and cultural relevance) in Davidson’s drifting dream to climb aboard.

In fiscal year 2025 (ended May 31, 2025), Nike spent $4.689 billion on marketing, which they refer to as “demand creation expense”. In fiscal year 2024, the amount spent was $4.285 billion.

It’s a perfect example of how cannabis-fueled creativity can sometimes spark surprisingly good business instincts. The old ferry, now renamed the Titanic 2 (because of course it is), is set to host comedy shows, concerts, and exclusive events — think floating SNL energy with a downtown edge. Davidson and Jost’s offbeat vision could soon be New York’s most unlikely hotspot.

And while the move might have seemed reckless, it reflects something larger happening in pop culture: the normalization of cannabis and its creative influence. For decades, cannabis users were dismissed as lazy or unrealistic. Yet some of today’s best ideas — from tech startups to entertainment ventures — have emerged from relaxed, imaginative brainstorming sessions.

Pete Davidson’s ferry adventure proves that not every “stoned idea” sinks. Some actually sail — and make money while doing it.

The Feds Foul Play Around Cannabis

Terry Hacienda

-

November 3, 2025

0

The Feds foul play around cannabis exposes misinformation, fear tactics, and how Washington ignores 88% of Americans

While nearly 88% of Americans support some form of legal cannabis, the old guard in Washington continues to misrepresent the will of the people. This isn’t a quiet disagreement over policy — it’s a stubborn act of defiance by a political class clinging to outdated narratives, using fear and misinformation to stall progress. The Feds foul play around cannabis includes misleading federal ad campaigns to state-level repeal efforts and congressional inaction, the message from the establishment is clear: even overwhelming public consensus won’t shake their prohibitionist reflex.

The federal government’s recent “Make America Fentanyl Free” initiative sounds like a noble effort — until you look closer. The campaign warns Americans fentanyl-laced cannabis is contributing to a spike in overdose deaths, echoing rhetoric found on official websites like Get Smart About Drugs, a DEA-linked platform.

But credible health experts and toxicologists have called this claim a myth. Studies and verified cases show virtually no evidence of widespread fentanyl-contaminated marijuana. The CDC’s own overdose data reveal more than 100,000 overdose deaths annually are overwhelmingly tied to synthetic opioids, not cannabis. By folding marijuana into the fentanyl crisis narrative, the campaign blurs science and fear — conflating a regulated, state-legal product with the nation’s deadliest illicit drugs.

In Massachusetts, prohibitionists are running a petition drive critics say tricks voters into repealing the state’s adult-use cannabis law — one which passed in 2016 with 53.6% support. The so-called Coalition for a Healthy Massachusetts has been accused of presenting the petition as a measure to “protect youth” and “prevent fentanyl exposure,” when in reality it would end the state’s $1.6-billion legal cannabis market.

Industry advocates and civil-rights leaders argue this fear-based language mirrors the federal fentanyl narrative — a coordinated effort to weaponize overdose panic against legitimate regulation and equity programs have taken years to build.

At the center of the federal gridlock is House Speaker Mike Johnson, a staunch opponent of cannabis reform who has consistently voted against legalization and banking protections. Johnson has blocked the SAFE Banking Act — a bipartisan bill allowing legal cannabis businesses access banking services — from reaching a floor vote, despite majority support in both chambers. He’s also refused to advance measures like the MORE Act and the Medical Marijuana and Cannabidiol Research Expansion Act, effectively freezing all momentum toward federal reform.

Johnson’s leadership ensures even modest, widely supported reforms remain in limbo. His record earns him an “F” rating from cannabis policy groups and makes him one of the most significant obstacles to aligning federal law with public opinion.

When the federal government claims “drug overdoses are due to fentanyl-laced marijuana,” and state actors use similar rhetoric to roll back legalization, it’s more than misinformation — it’s policy manipulation. The consequences are profound:

Public confusion: Americans are told cannabis is linked to deadly fentanyl overdoses, though data show otherwise.
Policy paralysis: Federal leaders block reform while invoking the specter of addiction and moral decline.
Economic harm: Legal markets — and the jobs, tax revenue, and social-equity progress they bring — are jeopardized by political gamesmanship.

With almost nine in ten Americans favoring legalization — and over half living in states where cannabis is legal — continued federal obstruction is untenable. The real crisis isn’t cannabis; it’s an outdated federal narrative refusing to evolve with science or society.

Until Washington stops peddling fear and starts listening to its citizens, the gulf between federal prohibition and public reality will only grow wider. It’s time to replace misinformation with evidence, prohibition with regulation, and political posturing with policy actually serving the American people.

Can Cannabis Help You Survive Daylight Savings Time

Sarah Johns

-

October 31, 2025

0

Can cannabis help you survive Daylight Savings Time? Discover how it eases sleep, stress, and sluggish mornings

Twice a year, millions of Americans grumble as the clocks shift for Daylight Savings Time (DST). This weekend marks the annual “fall back,” when most of the country gains an hour of sleep, but our internal clocks aren’t always so quick to reset. From sluggish mornings to restless nights, the change can wreak havoc on mood, energy, and sleep. But can cannabis help you survive daylight savings time?

Daylight Savings Time was first proposed by Benjamin Franklin in 1784 as a way to save candles and make better use of daylight. The U.S. formally adopted it during World War I to conserve fuel and again in World War II. Today, nearly every state observes it (except Hawaii and most of Arizona). Originally meant to save energy and increase productivity, DST has become controversial, with studies suggesting it can actually disrupt human health and safety more than it helps.

Is Marijuana Messing With The Environment — Photo by underworld111/Getty Images

Human bodies run on a 24-hour circadian rhythm — a natural sleep-wake cycle driven by light exposure. When we shift the clocks, even by an hour, that rhythm gets out of sync. The result? Fatigue, mood swings, increased stress hormones, and, for some, higher risks of heart attacks and car accidents immediately following the time change. Sleep experts say it can take several days — sometimes up to two weeks — for the body to fully adjust.

Cannabis may offer a modern tool for this age-old annoyance. Studies suggest certain cannabinoids, especially CBD (cannabidiol) and THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), can influence the body’s endocannabinoid system — the internal network regulating sleep, appetite, and mood.

CBD, known for its calming and anti-anxiety properties, can help reduce stress and promote better-quality rest without the intoxicating effects of THC. Meanwhile, low to moderate doses of THC can help users fall asleep faster and experience deeper sleep cycles, particularly for those who suffer from insomnia or restless nights.

Experts recommend timing and dosage carefully. CBD is often best taken an hour before bedtime to relax the body, while THC may work better for those who need to initiate sleep. Cannabis users should avoid heavy consumption or overly potent strains, which can cause grogginess or interfere with REM sleep.

Beyond cannabis, good sleep hygiene helps the transition. Limiting screen time, avoiding caffeine after noon, and exposing yourself to natural morning light can all help the circadian system realign.

As Americans continue to debate whether Daylight Savings Time should stay or go, one thing is certain, the grogginess is real. For those looking for a natural way to rebalance their body clock, cannabis might just make “falling back” a little easier.

Cannabis Helps The Young And Old Sleep

Amy Hansen

-

October 30, 2025

0

From Gen Z to Boomers, cannabis helps the young and old sleep better — here’s what science says.

New research from University of Michigan (U-M) is adding nuance — and a dose of caution — to an increasingly popular trend: using marijuana to help you sleep. But what is interesting is cannabis helps the young and old sleep. Yes, whether you’re a 20-something struggling with late-night screen time or a 60-plus professional battling early-morning wake-ups, they are turning toward the green plant to help with a sound snooze.

According to the U-M’s psychiatry department, initial results suggest that cannabis may help people fall asleep faster and improve sleep quality in the early part of the night. But the benefit doesn’t necessarily carry through the whole night. The research points to more awakenings and fragmented sleep in the latter part of the night for some users. Yes, cannabis appears to help some people sleep, at least initially, but the story is far from straightforward. The U-M team emphasize the evidence is still in its infancy; usage has raced ahead of science.

gummies — Photo by Kindel Media from Pexels

For Gen Z or Millennials juggling business and baby-boom-aged parents, sleep is often elusive. Older adults, meanwhile, may contend with chronic pain, insomnia or medication-side-effects. That’s why the notion of a plant-based sleep aid is appealing across the age spectrum.
The U-M research suggests those with chronic pain, anxiety or certain sleep disorders may experience more noticeable benefit. But for otherwise healthy sleepers, the upside may be limited, and in some cases, temporary.

But like most sleep aids, what works at first may wear off. Routine cannabis use for sleep may lead to diminished benefit over time, and insomnia can return — sometimes when use is stopped abruptly.
The mode of use matters too: inhaling cannabis may bring faster onset of sleepiness, while edibles act more slowly but last longer.

Generational take-away: what each age group should know:

Younger adults (20s-40s): If you’re using cannabis to deal with irregular sleep patterns, late-night tech use or social jet-lag, it may help you get to sleep — but it’s not guaranteed to fix sleep quality or cycles long term.
Middle-aged adults (40s-60s): Those dealing with stress, pain or changing sleep rhythms might see a benefit — but must watch for dependence and tolerance.
Older adults (65+): If sleep disruptions stem from pain, sleep-apnoea or medications, cannabis might help but should be used under medical supervision. Long-term effects and interactions (e.g., with heart- or blood-pressure meds) are less well studied.
Across all ages: better sleep hygiene (consistent bedtimes, reduced screen time, calming routines) remains foundational.

The U-M researchers urge caution: consult your doctor before using cannabis as a sleep aid. The sleep-inducing effect may not last, side-effects are still being mapped, and the optimal dosage/administration method is unclear. medicine.umich.edu
For those who use cannabis for sleep, experts suggest treating it as a bridge, helping you establish better sleep patterns, rather than a permanent substitute for good habits.
As one U-M sleep psychologist put it: “The research is still in its infancy, the availability of marijuana has really out-paced the science.”

whether you’re young or old, cannabis can help you sleep. But it’s no silver bullet. The short-term benefits may exist, but they are often offset by fragmented sleep later at night, possible next-day fatigue, and diminished return over time. In real terms: if you lean on it nightly, you may trade off one sleep problem for another.

The best approach? Use it cautiously, pair it with solid sleep hygiene, and keep an eye on how your sleep — and overall daily alertness — really responds.

The Dictionary’s New Word And The Secret Language of Cannabis

Anthony Washington

-

October 30, 2025

0

How the dictionary’s new word and the secret language of cannabis reveal modern culture trends.

Language is always a bit of a lark, here is a peek at the dictionary’s new word and the secret language of cannabis. The dictionary recently added a new entry that’s already turning heads: “6 7”. The phrase is a popular, largely nonsensical Gen Alpha and Gen Z slang term stemming from a viral rap song and social media memes featuring NBA player LaMelo Ball. It has no fixed meaning, though some interpret it as “so-so,” and its primary purpose is to serve as an inside joke and a playful interjection in conversations to signal group membership and sometimes to playfully annoy adults.

For Millennials and Gen Z, it’s another shorthanded phrase floating around. In this new lexicon, there are subtle ways younger generations talk about marijuana without saying it outright. And like 6 & 7, this generation has transformed cannabis conversation into something playful, coded, and cultural.

For Millennials and Gen Z, cannabis isn’t just a plant—it’s a culture, complete with its own lexicon spanning playful slang, discreet references, and digital shorthand. Understanding this “hidden language” offers a window into how younger generations talk about, consume, and normalize cannabis in ways older generations never imagined.

Take, for example, words like “green,” “sticky icky,” “dank,” or “bud,” which are part of a flexible, evolving vocabulary signaling familiarity and community. But it doesn’t stop there. Millennials and Gen Z frequently use coded terms in text messages or social media to bypass restrictions or maintain privacy, turning ordinary words like “Netflix and chill” or “herbal tea” into cheeky euphemisms for cannabis consumption. The language can be playful, ironic, or even rebellious—a reflection of a generation who grew up amid shifting legalization policies and changing cultural attitudes.

Social media has accelerated this linguistic evolution. On platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and Discord, cannabis culture thrives through memes, hashtags, and emojis serve as shorthand for both discreet communication and cultural identity. The leaf emoji 🌿 or the “420” reference often functions as a subtle nod, creating an inclusive insider language resonating with peers but might fly under the radar of older generations.

Interestingly, Millennials are witnessing a linguistic bridge between Gen Z and older users. Whereas Boomers and Gen X primarily used straightforward terms like “marijuana” or “pot,” younger generations lean into a mix of humor, irony, and coded vocabulary. This shift reflects more than playful creativity—it signals a deeper change in cannabis normalization. Where older generations often framed cannabis in terms of legality or risk, Millennials and Gen Z describe it with nuance, culture, and even culinary flair, from “infused edibles” to “craft strains” and “microdosing.”

The evolution of cannabis language isn’t just about words—it’s about generational perspective. For older users, cannabis conversations were private, cautious, or stigmatized. Millennials and Gen Z, by contrast, have turned their lexicon into a form of expression, identity, and community. And as the dictionary updates to capture these shifts, it marks a cultural recognition of language which has long thrived outside the mainstream.

Cannabis has always been more than a plant—it’s a social marker, a generational signal, and now, officially, a dictionary-worthy phenomenon. The secret language Millennials and Gen Z share isn’t just clever slang—it’s a reflection of how culture, legality, and identity intersect in a world changing faster than ever.

Cannabis In Candy And Other Halloween Myths

Amy Hansen

-

October 30, 2025

0

Debunking cannabis in candy and other Halloween myths: what parents really need to know

Curious about the cannabis in candy and other Halloween myths? Every autumn, a familiar rumor surfaces on social media and in group texts: “Someone’s handing out weed candy to trick‑or‑treaters.” But here’s the short version: no credible evidence supports the claim. What’s actually going on is a modern twist on a long history of candy‑tampering folklore.

Long before cannabis entered the public conversation, concerns about Halloween treats were dominated by tales of razor blades hidden in apples, pins in chocolates, or poison in candy. Those fears are largely urban legend.

Where did it start? By the late 19th and early 20th centuries, as candy production grew industrial, some doctors and commentators began warning food adulteration was a hidden menace. The shift from small‑scale confectioners to mass manufacturing fueled distrust of what lurked inside sweets. In 1959, a California dentist, Dr. William Shyne, distributed laxative pills to trick‑or‑treaters in candy coatings—more prank than poison, but it entered the lore.

In 1970, a New York Times op‑ed asked whether the “plump red apple” might conceal a razor blade, feeding parental fear.

The most infamous case came in 1974, when an 8‑year‑old in Texas died after consuming a Pixy Stix laced with cyanide. But the twist is the child’s own father, Ronald Clark O’Bryan, was convicted—and later executed—for planting the poison to camouflage a murder as a “random” trick‑or‑treat crime.

Folklorists like Joel Best have traced dozens of reports of candy tampering from 1958 to 1983; but after investigation, none could be confirmed as a stranger’s random act of harm. Many turned out to be misattributed, hoaxes, or even children themselves adding dangerous objects and calling attention to it.

Over time, the razor‑blade apple myth became a cultural shorthand for parental anxiety. Ironically, apples were once common Halloween treats (candied or caramel apples). But the myth contributed to their decline as mass “give‑aways.”

The razor blade story is far from the only tale in the haunted folklore of Halloween sweets. Some of the persistent legends include:

Needles or pins in candy bars: Occasionally reported, but often traced to local pranks or “copycats” rather than sinister strangers.
Poisoned candy or drug‑laced treats: Tales of cyanide, lye, or drugs in sweets persist. But documented cases of poisoning via “random Halloween candy” are effectively non‑existent.
“Blue star” lollipop tattoos or poisoned tattoos: A variant rumor claims temporary tattoos handed out include psychoactive or toxic compounds—another version in the “urban legend about drugs” canon.
Mass poison scares tied to other events: For instance, after the 1982 Tylenol poisoning scandal (cyanide in over‑the‑counter pills), public fear of tainted consumables spiked—including Halloween candy warnings.

These legends flourish because of what folklorists call availability cascade—when a vivid fear is repeated often, people assume it must be true.

So where did the weed candy myth come from? It’s essentially a new costume draped over an old scare. As legal cannabis markets have emerged, the idea someone might hide THC or marijuana edibles in trick‑or‑treat bags has gained traction online — yet it fails under scrutiny:

No documented cases. No credible report shows strangers distributing cannabis treats to kids on Halloween.
Cost is prohibitive. Legal THC edibles are expensive under regulation and taxation—handing out full doses to many kids isn’t cheap.
Strict regulation and packaging. Dispensaries are required to use child‑resistant packaging, labeling, and maintain records—anonymously distributing to random children would breach every rule.
Severe legal risk. Distributing THC to minors is criminal; any plausible motive is overshadowed by the consequences.
Counterfeit vs. real product confusion. Some rumors mix in fake or illegal edibles mimicking mainstream candy, creating fear, but they are not part of regulated cannabis commerce.

Derived from older tampering myths and amplified by digital echo chambers, the cannabis candy scare is a modern variant—but one without substance.

A practical Halloween safety checklist might include: supervise routes, cross at well‑lit streets, have children wait until home to open candy, discard unwrapped or suspicious items, and of course, check for choking risks or allergens.

The myth someone is secretly giving cannabis candy to unsuspecting trick‑or‑treaters is more frightening than factual. It’s a modern reincarnation of a much older folklore of tainted treats, one built on fear, not evidence. The razor in the apple may be a chilling image, but it remains a legend, not a reality. This Halloween, the real risk is not a phantom dose of THC—but a car, a broken sidewalk, or too much sugar.

Let’s protect kids with real caution, not ghost stories.

The Inconsistency About Cannabis And Guns

Terry Hacienda

-

October 29, 2025

0

Exploring the inconsistency about cannabis and guns, where freedom for firearms clashes with outdated marijuana laws

In the ongoing culture‑war of American politics, few issues highlight the contradictions within the conservative, pro‑Second Amendment world quite like the pairing of gun ownership and marijuana use. the inconsistency about cannabis and guns makes for odd political alliances.

On the one hand, many on the Right argue vigorously that the individual right to keep and bear arms must be protected from government infringement. Yet on the other, that same political cohort often supports strict federal prohibitions preventing lawful — and even state‑legal — cannabis users from purchasing firearms. By contrast, alcohol use, which is legal nationwide, is rarely treated as a disqualifier for gun ownership despite strong associations with firearm violence. That contrast raises questions about consistency, principle and policy.

Here are some of the relevant statistics:

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), in 2024 about 22.3 % of Americans aged 12 or older (roughly 64.2 million people) reported past‑year marijuana use.
Meanwhile, alcohol remains more widely used: in 2024, approximately 134.3 million Americans aged 12 or older reported past‑month alcohol use.
On firearms and substance risk: Alcohol misuse is documented to elevate the risk of firearm injury or death through homicide, suicide or unintended injury. For example, one advocacy page reports that alcohol misuse accounts for more than 140,000 deaths annually in the U.S. and that introducing firearms to alcohol‑misuse situations increases serious injury or death risk.

Will the Supreme Court Hear Litigation To De- Or Re-Schedule Marijuana? — Photo by Claire Anderson via Unsplash

By contrast, cannabis incident data tied to firearms (for example, use of marijuana plus gun‑possession) are far less publicly quantified, though one Hawaii report found that of some 23,528 firearm permit applications, 519 (~ 2.2 %) were denied — and of those, 211 (~ 40.7 %) were due to the applicant’s status as a medical‑marijuana patient.

What emerges: legal alcohol is widespread, common among gun‑owners, and strongly implicated in firearm‑related violence; cannabis is increasingly used, often legal at the state level, but its users are often precluded from gun rights under federal law.

At the federal level, under the Gun Control Act of 1968, 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(3) prohibits any person who is an “unlawful user of or addicted to any controlled substance” from possessing a firearm. Because cannabis remains a Schedule I controlled substance federally, state legal‑use does not override the restriction.

In recent years, courts have challenged this blanket prohibition. For example:

The Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals has held that applying § 922(g)(3) to someone who uses marijuana but isn’t intoxicated at the moment may violate the standard set in New York State Rifle & Pistol Association v. Bruen (2022) because firearm regulations must be consistent with historical traditions.
The Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals ruled in August 2025 that medical‑marijuana users in Florida had plausibly alleged that the federal prohibition violated their Second Amendment rights.
And the Supreme Court of the United States has agreed to review whether regular marijuana users can legally own guns, with arguments expected in early 2026.

Thus, the legal collision is clear: dozens of states permit adult‑use or medical cannabis; federal law bans gun ownership by cannabis users; and courts are now reconsidering the constitutional footing of that ban.

From the vantage of many conservative advocates, gun rights are sacrosanct: the individual right to own firearms for self‑defense, deterrence of tyranny, and personal liberty. Meanwhile, proponents of cannabis reform argue that legal adult‑use meets the same liberty standard — and yet those who support gun rights often also support or accept federal cannabis prohibition that strips gun rights from users, even when state‑legal.

The contradictory posture arises when one considers: if gun ownership is a fundamental individual right irrespective of political views, why exclude lawful adults simply because they also use cannabis? Especially when alcohol use, far more prevalent and demonstrably tied to firearm violence, does not (in most cases) lead to automatic loss of gun rights. That asymmetry suggests an underlying value‑judgment: alcohol is socially accepted (and taxed) despite risk; cannabis is socially stigmatized even as laws evolve. The Right’s selective focus — defending guns fiercely while accepting restrictions for cannabis users — raises questions about consistency of principle.

This contradiction has real‑world consequences: legal ambiguity for millions of Americans, a patchwork of state laws vs. federal restrictions, and potential erosion of trust in institutions when liberty claims are applied unevenly. For the Right’s long‑term credibility on individual rights, the question becomes: can you credibly champion “freedom to keep and bear arms” while endorsing a regime that denies that freedom to law‑abiding adults because of a behavior (cannabis use) that’s legal in many states?

In short: to claim consistency, the pro‑gun conservative movement must either defend gun rights across the board(including for cannabis users) or explain why this particular group is different. Until then, the contrast between alcohol, cannabis, and firearms under the law remains a striking example of “rights for some, restrictions for others.”

Making Your Cannabis Dollars Stretch During The Shutdown

Anthony Washington

-

October 29, 2025

0

Making Your Cannabis Dollars Stretch During The Shutdown

Learn how to save and make your cannabis dollars stretch during the shutdown

As the government shutdown drags on, its effects are rippling far beyond the halls of Washington. Federal workers face unpaid leave, small businesses see delayed contracts, and everyday Americans are feeling the pinch as essential services slow. Grocery prices have risen and rent, gay and utilities bills remain fixed so many people are finding creative ways to stretch their income. Here is some help in making cannabis dollars stretch during the shutdown.

Marijuana use has gained in popularity and has started replacing alcohol. Cannabis consumers aren’t immune to economic pressures. With dispensary prices steady or slightly rising, maximizing the value of each purchase has become a priority. Thankfully, there are several strategies to help your cannabis last longer without sacrificing the experience.

Here are some practical ways to save money while still enjoying a buzz.

Consider a Vape
Vaping cannabis is often more efficient than smoking. Vapes heat the flower to a temperature that releases cannabinoids without burning the plant material, meaning you can use less for the same effect. Portable vapes also let you microdose throughout the day, giving a longer-lasting, controlled experience.

Microdosing for Maximum Impact
Instead of large sessions that burn through your stash, try microdosing — small, measured amounts of cannabis that provide subtle effects. Microdosing not only extends your supply but can enhance focus and creativity without overwhelming sedation. Millennials, in particular, are embracing this approach as a mindful way to enjoy cannabis while staying productive.

Mix Methods
Combine concentrates with flower. Adding a small amount of concentrate to your joint, bowl, or vape session can boost potency without needing extra flower. This “stretching” method is popular among budget-conscious cannabis users.

Store It Right
Cannabis loses potency when exposed to light, heat, or air. Use airtight containers, store in a cool, dark place, and avoid excessive handling. Proper storage ensures every gram remains effective longer.

Explore Infusions and Edibles
If you legally have access to cannabis-infused products, these can offer longer-lasting effects than smoking alone. A little goes a long way, and dosing carefully can make your purchase last days instead of hours.

While the government shutdown may be causing economic stress, savvy cannabis users are finding ways to enjoy their favorite plant responsibly and cost-effectively. By embracing vapes, microdosing, and smart storage, you can make every gram count — and keep your wallet and your high happy.

Hemp Is Being Helped By GOP Senator

Terry Hacienda

-

October 29, 2025

0

Hemp is being helped by GOP Senator Rand Paul, boldly tying government funding to hemp’s survival

In a surprising twist of Senate strategy, hemp is being helped by GOP Senator. Randy Paul has positioned himself as the unlikely champion of hemp — threatening to keep the federal government shutdown alive unless protections for the industry are secured. With the Republican Party controlling the White House, the Senate and the House of Representatives, this move shows how intra-party battlegrounds can shape policy and put unexpected players into the spotlight.

With Republicans holding the presidency oand congress, the GOP nominally holds the power to end the shutdown. But power isn’t the same as unity. While GOP leaders are pushing to fund the government, the details of what gets included in the continuing resolution remain hotly contested. Sen. Paul has effectively leveraged that dynamic by tying the fate of government-funding legislation to the fate of hemp policy.

Paul warned that unless the hemp industry’s interests — particularly around hemp-derived THC products — are expressly protected, he may withhold his support for bringing the government back online. According to industry coverage, he’s told leadership that “we can do this the easy way or the hard way. The easy way is I give my consent, and the hard way is I don’t.” The result: a fresh sense that even with unified Republican control, the party must manage internal dissent if it hopes to reopen the government.

Back in 2018, the Hemp Farming Act of 2018 (part of the larger Farm Bill) removed hemp — defined as cannabis sativa with less than 0.3 % THC — from Schedule I drug status, opening the door for industrial uses and new product development. Since then, the hemp industry has evolved far beyond fiber and seed. Now, hemp-derived cannabinoid products — including gummies, beverages, extracts and even low-dose THC items — have flooded the market, gaining significant consumer traction.

One of the key sticking points in Washington is the proposed language in appropriations bills that would redefine “hemp” by eliminating any “quantifiable amount” of THC or THC-adjacent cannabinoids. The industry argues that such a definition would effectively bury the current hemp-derived products sector. Paul, fending for his state’s hemp farmers, said a tighter definition would “devastate” Kentucky’s hemp economy.

It’s not just niche farms anymore. Hemp-derived products are moving into mainstream retail channels and becoming a consumer trend. For instance, Total Wine & More now features hemp-derived THC beverages and other innovative hemp products on shelves, marking a signifier of how widely accepted the category has become. Retail articles highlight that “mainstream retailers like … Total Wine … are joining the THC Beverage Retail Revolution, signaling that hemp-derived cannabis drinks have officially entered the mainstream.” The combination of broad availability and elevated consumer demand helps explain why Paul is motivated to keep fighting for protections — this isn’t a fringe industry anymore.

Paul’s core demand: don’t let the appropriations process or continuing resolution sneak in language that guts hemp-derived products by redefining hemp in a way that would ban many existing products. Instead, he proposes that Congress delay sweeping changes, conduct studies, and give the industry breathing room. Marijuana Moment+1
For the hemp industry — and for retailers — the stakes are high. A ban on “any quantifiable THC” could force many products off shelves, disrupt supply chains, jeopardize investments and cost farmers and businesses tens or hundreds of millions of dollars.

For younger and middle-aged consumers, this isn’t just about farmers and policy wonks. Hemp-derived products tie into wellness trends (CBD, functional beverages), alternative consumables (micro-dose THC drinks), and retail culture (finding such items in familiar stores). The mainstream move of hemp means suddenly your local beverage aisle or specialty store might carry hemp-derived options alongside other lifestyle products.
So when Paul threatens to use a shutdown as leverage, it’s more than politics — it’s about whether your next casual drink could be a hemp-derived beverage, or whether those products could vanish or shift dramatically in how they’re regulated.

As the shutdown drags on and GOP leadership wrestles internal divisions, Paul’s blockade of hemp-related changes creates a scenario where even a party with full control doesn’t necessarily have full command of the agenda. If he holds out, the shutdown could persist until either leadership makes a deal on hemp — or until Paul relents.
For hemp brands, retailers and consumers, the message is: Washington is watching. The definition of hemp, the regulation of THC-adjacent products and the channels of mainstream retail are all in flux. Millennials who have embraced hemp as lifestyle, beverage or wellness category should keep their eye on Capitol Hill — because their everyday options might hinge on how this fight resolves.

In the land of majority rule, one senator is reminding his party control doesn’t equal consensus — and the hemp industry just became the rope he’s pulling on.

Marijuana Has Way Taken Over Cigarettes

Anthony Washington

-

October 28, 2025

0

Marijuana Has Way Taken Over Cigarettes — new data shows weed now dominates America’s smoke culture

For the first time in recent memory, marijuana has way taken over cigarettes in the United States. This is a shift with cultural, commercial and public-health consequences. And yes, it covers “this doesn’t count because I only have a cig when out drinks with certain friends.” A new analysis of national survey data shows “cannabis-only” past-month use rose sharply between 2015 and 2023 while cigarette-only use declined, leaving more Americans who report using marijuana than those who say they smoke cigarettes.

Why the swap? Several forces converged. Legalization and normalization have removed stigma for many adults, especially younger and middle-aged cohorts, and product innovation (vapes, edibles, concentrates) has made cannabis easier to use discreetly. At the same time, decades of public-health work — taxes, smoke-free laws, advertising restrictions and education campaigns — have steadily pushed cigarette smoking down from its 20th-century highs. The World Health Organization and recent U.S. studies document that tobacco use continues a long-term decline even as absolute numbers remain large.

But don’t read this as cigarettes being dead. The tobacco industry remains rich and politically powerful. U.S. economic data show tobacco sales, production and related revenues continue to generate billions annually — and the industry still lobbies, litigates and markets aggressively around the world. That money buys influence in policy debates even as overall smoking prevalence falls. Public-health advocates warn industry resources make ending tobacco harms a slower, ongoing battle.

Is marijuana really “healthier” than cigarettes? Short answer: in some respects, yes — but it’s complicated. Decades of evidence tie combustible tobacco to lung cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and clear excess mortality; those links are far stronger and better quantified than most evidence for cannabis. Major reviews (including the National Academies’ 2017 report and more recent reviews) find mixed evidence: cannabis carries respiratory and mental-health risks, and heavy use can lead to cannabis use disorder, but population-level cancer and long-term mortality links are not as clear as they are for cigarettes. In other words: marijuana may be less deadly for some outcomes, but it is not risk-free.

For Millennials and Gen-Z readers, the headline is a cultural one: weed has entered the mainstream in a way cigarettes haven’t in decades. For clinicians and lawmakers, the headline is a caution: shifting use patterns bring new questions about addiction, impaired driving and long-term health that require smarter surveillance — and a public conversation that’s honest about both benefits and harms.

The Fresh ToastThe most trusted name in cannabis

The Idea Developed While Stoned Is Paying Off

From whimsical thought to success, the idea developed while stoned is paying off with major sponsorship.

The Feds Foul Play Around Cannabis

The Feds foul play around cannabis exposes misinformation, fear tactics, and how Washington ignores 88% of Americans

Can Cannabis Help You Survive Daylight Savings Time

Can cannabis help you survive Daylight Savings Time? Discover how it eases sleep, stress, and sluggish mornings

Cannabis Helps The Young And Old Sleep

From Gen Z to Boomers, cannabis helps the young and old sleep better — here’s what science says.

Cannabis In Candy And Other Halloween Myths

Debunking cannabis in candy and other Halloween myths: what parents really need to know

The Inconsistency About Cannabis And Guns

Exploring the inconsistency about cannabis and guns, where freedom for firearms clashes with outdated marijuana laws

Making Your Cannabis Dollars Stretch During The Shutdown

Learn how to save and make your cannabis dollars stretch during the shutdown

Hemp Is Being Helped By GOP Senator

Hemp is being helped by GOP Senator Rand Paul, boldly tying government funding to hemp’s survival

Marijuana Has Way Taken Over Cigarettes

Marijuana Has Way Taken Over Cigarettes — new data shows weed now dominates America’s smoke culture

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