MMA (Or Cage Fighting) And Marijuana

Terry Hacienda

-

June 23, 2023

According to InsideSport, over 300 million people follow MMA closely. You may not be one of those, and ask what is MMA and is it like cage fighting? Well, yes. MMA is the extreme sports of mixed martial arts. A marriage of techniques including boxing, wrestling and martial arts are used in a cage until a winner is declared. Crazy popular and leaking into other references, we have to ask – what about MMA (or cage fighting) and marijuana?

Overseeing it all is Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), an American mixed martial arts promotion company based in Las Vegas. They are the global leader in MMA promotions. Zuffa is the parent company which is owned by Endeavor Group Holdings.

MMA is about as dangerous as any other full contact sport. MMA athletes can receive the same injuries as players in sports such as hockey and football, including sprains, broken bones and concussions. The difference is the intensity of one on one combat versus two teams.

So do MMA fighters use marijuana or at least medical marijuana? Heck yes.

In 2020, 45.9% of MMA fighters used the plant to improve their mental and physical skills, recover from intense workouts, and heal from injuries or soreness. Around 76.5% report to using CBD for these same types of benefits.

In January of 2021, UFC and the United States Anti-Doping Agency announced a significant change to the UFC’s anti-doping program. Updated rules went into effect on 1 January 2021 and said athletes will no longer be punished for testing positive for marijuana, specifically THC.

Prior to the change, athletes were only tested for marijuana in-competition around a fight but there were threshold levels in place and a positive test above that limit resulted in a doping violation. Now under the new rules, fighters will no longer be punished for testing positive for marijuana unless their is evidence the substance was taken for performance-enhancing purposes.

“It’s really, as with everything we do with this program, it’s science-based,” UFC senior vice president of athlete health and performance Jeff Novitzky told MMA Fighting.

Increasingly, professional athletes in sports ranging from football to bicycling to long-distance running have turned to using cannabis to reduce pain from post-game injuries and to help speed recovery. Medical marijuana can help with pain, swelling and injury recovery.

Cage fighting has become such a popular and mainstream sport, Twitter owner Elon Musk challenged Meta Founder/CEO Mark Zuckerberg to a MMF fight. Musk seemed surprised with the martial arts expert Zuckerberg seemed to accept. While Musk is a fan of marijuana, not sure Zuckerberg will use it for his fight recovery.

New York Regulators Want Marijuana Patients To Be Able To Grow Their Own Weed — Photo by 2H Media via Unsplash

UFC is part of the combined William Morris Agency and Endeavor Talent Agency new holding company. Endeavor Group Holdings represents artists in film, television, music, theater, digital media, and publishing and represents the NFL and the NHL. They also own Professional Bull Riders (PBR). A deal to purchase WWE and merge it with UFC is expected to be completed in the second half of 2023. Endeavor is headed by CEO Ari Emanuel whose brother Rahm Emanuel was mayor of Chicago and Chief of Staff to President Obama.

Dangerous Snails, Flesh Eating Seaweed? Florida Needs Marijuana

Terry Hacienda

-

June 22, 2023

0

Dangerous Snails, Flesh Eating Seaweed? Florida Needs Marijuana

Giant vicious snails, hurricanes, and flesh eating seaweed washing up on huge swaths of coastline, are just some of the newer issues Florida is facing. Florida is beset with plagues this summer. Perhaps it is a mystical sign to listen to the people. And maybe Florida needs legal marijuana!

Florida citizens went to the ballot a second time in 2016 and voted to approve medical marijuana. Despite winning a marjority in the previous election, Governor Ron DeSantis said it didn’t count, in 2016, 71% of the voters said they wanted medical marijuana. Since the vote, the Governor and legislature have been dragging thier heels on implementation. Maybe this is why nature is punishing the state with some downright weird things.

Florida is an odd place, between the hashtag #floridaman and the south part of the state having pythons who EAT alligators, you expect it to be a bit “different”. But currently they have two (sort of three) crazy things which could be seen as divine punishment. The first is the sargassum belt, a 5,000-mile-long snake of seaweed circling Florida. This April, sargassum levels in the Caribbean Sea reached a new record, with the belt growing to an estimated 13 million tons, according to a bulletin from the University of South Florida Optical Oceanography lab. It has starting to wash up on the tourist-oriented shores of the Sunshine State. Researchers said combined with the Florida sun, it could be a perfect environment for vibrio bacteria to cultivate, which can cause flesh-eating infections. This is doesn’t count the smelly mess stretched across the golden goose of the state’s economy.

Hurricane season is here and already there is one brewing the Atlantic. Florida has been hit so hard property insurance rates are predicted to jump at least 40 percent this year, according to the Insurance Information Institute.

Next is snails, large 8-inch ugly snails. They are a species of invasive giant African land snail which can transmit a parasite and do massive amounts of agricultural damage. Florida’s Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services ordered a community to be placed under quarantine. The agency shared the species is “one of the most damaging snails in the world, consuming at least 500 different types of plants” and can reportedly eat plastic, street signs, stucco, and other inorganic material. Their shells are reportedly able to puncture car tires.

Florida has had snails (frogs), darkness (hurricanes & hail), locusts (sargassum). In the original Bilble story what is left is water to blood, flies, boils, locusts, and the death of the firstborn. Voters should be paying attention before the next one hits.

A constitutional amendment to legalize the recreational use of marijuana could be on the Florida ballot next year. The proposed amendment is generating support. But The Tallahassee Democrat reported Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody moved to block a recreational marijuana initiative from the 2024 Florida ballot. Many saw the effort as the attorney general preparing the field for a Gov. Ron DeSantis presidential campaign.

Ancient Chinese Tomb Shows Evidence Of Cannabis Use — Photo by CRYSTALWEED cannabis via Unsplash

Perhaps the Governor and the state governing bodies should just listen the people and provide what was legally voted and approved for the government to fulfill.

Is Dank Marijuana Right For Me?

Amy Hansen

-

June 22, 2023

0

Cambert, limburger, raclette, are among the most fragrant cheeses. Uniquely aromatic broccoli, fish oil, truffles, and Andouilette de Troyes/chitterlijngs all have a following among the food crowd. And in the cannabis world, you have dank marijuana.

To the canna curious or canna newbie, you might not know what dank is and are highly curious, well it is the more pungent of the marijuana options. Dank is sticky and slightly moist, when you are first introduced, you discover a distinct smell that registers in your mind. It is chill, whether indica, sativa or somewhere in between.

Like other odiferous foods, it can be an acquired taste, but some marijuana consumers are HUGE fans – not unlike the craze around truffles.

Science News shared study conducted by cannabis industry researchers which confirmed marijuana contains sulfur. And like eggs, a little goes a long way. But for connoisseurs, that is part of the use journey and a sign of true authenticity.

Dank weed is cured perfectly, retaining the plants humidity and stickiness. When lightly squeezed, it should emit a smell uniquely. out of this world. Dankness means heady buds that don’t crumble when broken apart and don’t tear like a flimsy branch either. Dank is not exclusive to cannabis flower, fragrant cannabis concentrates and extracts can also be dank. But, vape pens, topicals, and edibles are not dank because they don’t emit odor.

There is now also dank beer. Cannabis and humulus (hops) are two types of the relatively small family of Cannabaceae, they basically are close cousins. Because of this, hops and some beers can have a strong dank smell which appeals to some beer drinkers. It should also remind you of the relationship between the two.

cannabis smell terpenes — Photo by Sharon Mccutcheon / EyeEm/Getty Images

Dank is also a slang cannabis term that means excellent. If you are new and expanding your marijuana experience, it could be worth a try to discover if you like it or at least have a base reference. Showing the power and the following of dank, Amazon sells a car freshener with the smell!

Hunter Biden, The Marijuana Movement, And The 2nd Amendment

Terry Hacienda

-

June 21, 2023

0

Hunter Biden, The Marijuana Movement, And The 2nd Amendment

Hunter Biden has been convicted – but will it lead to a discussion about marijuana and guns?

Hunter Biden reached a plea agreement with federal authorities in which he will plead guilty to two misdemeanor counts of failing to pay his taxes. Prosecutors have agreed to recommend probation, while a separate gun charge will probably be dismissed if he meets conditions in a pretrial diversion program. Federal law says if you have a marijuana conviction, you can’t have a gun, but it is being challenged in court. Could Hunter Biden be the new face for pro-Second Amendment advocates?

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 with mainstream companies like Constellation, Miracle Grow, AmeriGas and other either investing, partnering or being a vendor to the multi-billion dollar industry.

Federal law says if you USE marijuana, you are prohibited from owning a gun. This means if you have medical marijuana or in a legal state, you can lose your gun control rights for consuming, not selling or committing a crime, just having an edible every so often. This includes medical marijuana. To be clear, you can use alcohol and own a gun, you could be drinking a beer when you buy a gun.

Unfortunately for the Department of Justice (DOJ), the rule is being challenged again and again in regional courts. Case relied on U.S. Supreme Court precedent finding any firearm restrictions must be consistent with the historical 1791 context of the Second Amendment’s ratification. Last June, the Supreme Court undid decades of lower-court jurisprudence about the Second Amendment. In New York State Rifle & Pistol Association v. Bruen

Most recently, the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas has delivered a win to an El Paso resident who was convicted of separate charges for possessing and transferring a firearm in 2021 while admitting to being a cannabis consumer. Judge Cardone granted a motion for reconsideration of the case and later dismissed the charges.

Second Amendment advocates while open to marijuana, have not reached a consensus on whether to support gun rights for those who use hard drugs, according to Joseph Greenlee, the director of constitutional studies at the pro-Second Amendment Firearms Policy Coalition. Greenlee, whose group argued on the plaintiff’s side in Range v. Attorney General, said his group believes that people who use marijuana shouldn’t be banned from buying guns.

A Right-Leaning Supreme Court Won't Impede Cannabis Reform, Legal Experts Say — Photo by Tingey Injury Law Firm via Unsplash

Given the conflicting rulings in the lower courts, the Supreme Court may one day have to resolve the statute’s constitutionality. Hunter Biden’s high profile and the years long discussion around the charges will, not doubt, be pulled into the discussion of the law.

how the court’s conservative majority would view the issue. Jacob Charles, a professor at Pepperdine’s Caruso School of Law who studies gun laws, said that Justice Samuel Alito could be particularly ambivalent.

“I could see him going either way,” Charles said, “obviously in favor of gun rights, but also in favor of strong law enforcement.”

Currently, the two tiered system of justice is difficult for the general population and those suffering for medical marijuana, a proven medical benefit.

Hospice and Medical Marijuana, Help At The End

Amy Hansen

-

June 20, 2023

0

Hospice and Medical Marijuana, Help At The End

When the time of passing is close, emotions run high. When hospice if involved, it helps, but the pain of upcoming loss and all the unresolved issues are still left. In the US, people are taught to believe in happy endings. Generations have watched television shows and movies where in 30, 60 or 120 minutes all the issues are resolved and there is a last minute confession and a rebounding moment. Real life is neither as clean or as happy. With hospice and medical marijuana, it can help at the end of the journey.

In the moments with palliative or hospice care, anything that can help makes a difference.

Palliative care is medical care for people living with a serious illness, such as cancer or heart failure. Patients in palliative care may receive medical care for their symptoms, or palliative care, along with treatment intended to cure their serious illness.

Hospice care focuses on the care, comfort, and quality of life of a person with a serious illness who is approaching the end of life. Hospice is prescribed when a path to cure has come to an end and the focus changes to focus making the patient comfortable until the end.

Two evidence-based guidelines address the use of medical marijuana in a palliative care setting. The first evidence-based guideline explicitly recommends against the use of medical cannabis as a first or second line option for palliative cancer pain. The guideline suggests that it could be considered in the case of refractory symptoms and with careful consideration of potential risks. The second evidence-based guideline similarly recommends that medical cannabis only be used in the palliative care setting when other treatments have failed, and after consideration of the potential for adverse events and drug interactions.

In study after study, medical marijuana can helps increase appetite, relieve painful constipation, and diminish pain. Hospice focuses on the focus well being, knowing there isn’t a long-term cure. Currently, most science shows medical marijuana manages systems but not resolve an serious ailment or injury.

Perhaps equally importantly, marijuana is used in the hospice care setting to ease spiritual and existential suffering. Some studies showing an important therapeutic role for patients faced with the despair of a terminal illness, loss of functions, and a lifetime of reflections. A mild euphoria or sense of well-being can ease a patient’s mind, body and spirit as they come to terms with their fate.

In 2019, a study was conducted among hospice professionals. About half of the respondents were nurses followed by administrators and physicians. Regardless of legal status, hospice staff members were overwhelmingly in agreement that medical marijuana is an important tool in supporting their patients.

Though medical marijuana is legal in 40 states, plus the District of Columbia, conflicting federal laws present a challenge for hospice and palliative care programs whose patients are interested in medical cannabis or already using it to manage pain and other symptoms.

The situation is particularly challenging for hospices, which are primarily funded by Medicare. Many hospices say they cannot legally prescribe medical marijuana because it remains a Schedule 1 controlled substance under federal law.

Cannabis on the Titanic? Most Likely!

Terry Hacienda

-

June 20, 2023

0

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

-

June 19, 2023

0

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

-

June 16, 2023

0

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

-

June 16, 2023

0

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

-

June 15, 2023

0

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).

The Fresh ToastThe most trusted name in cannabis

MMA (Or Cage Fighting) And Marijuana

Dangerous Snails, Flesh Eating Seaweed? Florida Needs Marijuana

Is Dank Marijuana Right For Me?

Hunter Biden, The Marijuana Movement, And The 2nd Amendment

Hunter Biden has been convicted – but will it lead to a discussion about marijuana and guns?

Hospice and Medical Marijuana, Help At The End

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

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