Under the proposed amendment, people aged 21 and older could legally possess up to an ounce of cannabis, while state-licensed dispensaries would be approved to sell recreational marijuana.
A proposed measure to legalize recreational cannabis in Arkansas was blocked from appearing on the state’s ballot this November. The State Board of Election Commissioners rejected the ballot title and popular name of the proposition after receiving enough signatures to qualify for the November ballot, reported Associated Press.
The commissioner rejected the measure on the grounds that the ballot title is not clear enough when it comes to the impact of the amendment, citing the issue of the level of THC allowed in edible marijuana products.
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“If I’m a voter, I might be all for this, but I’d like to safeguard that edible limit,” Commissioner J. Harmon Smith said.
Under the proposed amendment, people aged 21 and older could legally possess up to an ounce of cannabis, while state-licensed dispensaries would be approved to sell recreational marijuana.
Eddie Armstrong, former Arkansas Democratic House minority leader and head of the activists’ group Responsible Growth Arkansas, submitted the petitions to the secretary of state’s office last month. He said recently that they’d collected more than twice the number of signatures needed to qualify the proposal for this year’s general election.
“Because of the time frame to get this done, they stopped at 90,000 verified signatures and now have moved on to the casino petition,” Kevin Niehaus, a spokesman for the Arkansas secretary of state’s office, said. “Knowing how many signatures they still had left to go and with it already reaching 90,000 signatures, they felt comfortable saying they made it.”
In July, the activists filed petitions containing 192,828 voter signatures supporting the marijuana legalization amendment.
What’s Next?
Responsible Growth Arkansas’ attorney Steve Lancaster plans to appeal to the state Supreme Court.
“The type of detail that the board expected, or demanded in this case, would make our ballot title thousands and thousands of words long,” Lancaster told reporters following the vote. “That just simply is not workable for a ballot.”
“We have more and more state senators coming on to the major bill, and now more Republicans stepping up looking to help us perhaps land to compromise,” said Booker.
Weeks after the long-awaited marijuana decriminalization Senate bill was presented, it has faced a lot of criticism, mostly for its complexity. Many industry experts, such as Cantor Fitzgerald’s Pablo Zuanic and Emily Paxhia, co-founder of one of the longest-running dedicated cannabis investment funds, Poseidon Asset Management agree that the chances of the bill passing the Senate are slim. The bill is called the Cannabis Administration And Opportunity Act (CAOA).
“There is too much packed into CAOA for this to get through, this was a Hail Mary bill put forth by Schumer and the supporting democrats,” Paxhia recently told Benzinga.
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Nevertheless, one of the bill’s leading sponsors, Senator Cory Booker, remains optimistic about seeing marijuana decriminalized at the federal level. “I’m actually gaining enthusiasm,” Booker told Pix11 on Wednesday.
“We have more and more state senators coming on to the major bill, and now more Republicans stepping up looking to help us perhaps land to compromise.”
The statement came on the heels of Booker having revealed that he is open to compromise, signaling the possibility of his chamber passing a marijuana banking measure with certain social equity components, before taking action on the CAOA.
“I’m open to compromises that are going to achieve my goals of safety, of investment opportunities that are equal for business communities, and, finally, to make sure we do something for all of these people right now who have marijuana possession charges that deserve some relief from the impact that it’s having on their economic and family wellbeing,” Booker told NJ Spotlight News last week.
Previously, Booker had opposed passage of the SAFE Banking Act on its own, out of concern that it did not deal with restorative justice. Hence the news of his shift to accepting a possible compromise came as a surprise to many. It could also signal a challenging fate for CAOA despite Booker’s apparent enthusiasm.
In addition to expressing his optimism about reform, the senator stressed the importance of pushing for cannabis legalization on the federal level.
“You know since I got here, this prohibition on marijuana has particularly hurt low-income minority communities,” Booker said. “They were more marijuana arrests in 2019 for possession, than there were all violent crime arrests combined. And so we are wasting so many resources. What we need to do is decriminalize this on a federal level.”
If you area marijuana fan, then cannabis beverages could be for you.
We are living in fun, you might even say, chill times. If you live in a legal state, chances are you’ve seen at least a few different kinds of cannabis infused non-alcoholic beverages. From infused wines, beers, seltzers, sparkling waters, and pre-mixed cocktails, the choices are fascinating and interesting to say the least. So can cannabis and hemp-infused drinks replace your boozy drinking habits?
Manufacturers have figured out how to infuse beverages the right way, providing consumers with a tasty beverage that may very well be able to replace alcohol. They taste just as good — sometimes even better — and they get you high or at the very least, relax you.
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According to experts, the marijuana-infused drink market could be valued at $2.8 billion each year from 2025 onwards. However, many think these estimates are actually conservative since the drug is still federally illegal, but it could change drastically if the tides change.
Given how accessible marijuana infused beverages now are, you can literally replace them in situations where you would normally drink booze: at parties, at home, gatherings with friends, even festivals and concerts. They’re ready to drink, tasty, and provide a similar experience to alcohol, but without the alcohol. Instead, you can choose from varying levels of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and/or cannabidiol (CBD). But could getting high be a good alternative to getting drunk?
Tailor Your Experience
Cannabis drinks come in a wide variety of THC and CBD levels. From a mild 2mg of THC to as much as 10 servings of 10mg THC in a drink, the options out there are virtually limitless.
Newbies to the cannabis infused drink game can start with low doses, increasing your consumption gradually as it lets you have more control on how high you want to get. For many people, 20mg of THC is enough to feel a good buzz without getting too wasted. Pacing your drinks out just like you would with alcohol will let you have more control for a pleasurable experience without regrets.
Ideal For Beginners
Beginners have a wide array of low-dose THC cannabis drinks out there. There’s no need to worry about getting too high since low dose drinks let you enjoy social (or solitary!) “drinking” situations as you please. Simply take smaller sips so that you can gradually enjoy its effects. Whereas taking one THC gummy can deliver the same effects, one full can or serving of a THC infused drink will also give you the same effects.
By replacing alcohol with cannabis drinks, you can enjoy a wide range of therapeutic and medicinal effects. From reducing inflammation to treating anxiety, depression, and even physical pain, drinking cannabis drinks can have you feeling so much better than you may have ever anticipated. Meanwhile, drinking alcohol does the opposite: numerous studies have shown the association between alcohol use and health problems: liver disease, breast cancer, increased anxiety, and much more.
Creative Ways To Imbibe
Cannabis beverages can be enjoyed in a multitude of ways. They also make delicious mixers: you can simply add them to a non-alcoholic drink of your choice or use it as a mixer to create your own tailored cannabis infusion. Make a marijuana ice cream float, turn them into popsicles, enjoy it on its own… the possibilities for a good time are virtually endless.
CBD for a Relaxing Time
There are also CBD-infused beverages for those who prefer not to get high. Instead, you can count on CBD drinks for a more relaxing high. These can be consumed in social occasions, and can even replace your wine habit because they are also sedating and can be taken before bed.
In addition, CBD drinks offer many potent health benefits such as fighting inflammation, cancer, and anxiety. They also cater to more health-conscious consumers who don’t want to get blazed.
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Improved Mood
When you’re having a rough or stressful day, cannabis drinks can improve your mood without you needing to light a joint or smoke it up.
In fact, you don’t even need a lot of it: a low-dose drink with as little as 5mg THC is all you need to feel better. In the past, you may have reached for a bottle of alcohol to make you feel better at the end of a crappy day. But with cannabis infused drinks, a little will go a long way in an uplifted mood. Studies have shown that cannabis does indeed do an effective job at improving one’s well-being; it stabilizes your mood while reducing emotional symptoms that you may have if you struggle with depression or anxiety.
Sure, maybe cannabis infused drinks aren’t for everyone; some people may still prefer a glass of wine or cocktail, while others still prefer to have an edible or smoke a joint. However, if you already enjoy consuming CBD or THC in reasonable amounts, and prefer actually ingesting it to vaping or smoking, then cannabis beverages could be for you.
They are a generally milder form in a socially-accepted format (drink) which also offers the same benefits that you would get from THC or CBD. Additionally, individuals who may have health problems such as asthma, which prevent them from smoking, may see the value of cannabis drinks.
On top of that, recovering alcoholics can also benefit from it. Even those who tend to go over the top sometimes, blacking out occasionally with alcohol, cannabis drinks can give you the same social benefit but still functioning as a safe middle ground so that you don’t have to fall off the wagon. And you aren’t exactly sober in the process too.
Researchers behind a recent survey were surprised to find that physicians’ level of knowledge of medical cannabis did not vary between states.
A recent survey has revealed that 71% of physicians affiliated with the Society of Cannabis Clinicians learned about medical cannabis from conferences. Only 1 participant out of 37 participants reported having learned about medical cannabis from medical school.
This survey confirms that cannabis education is not available in mainstream medical schools at either undergraduate or graduate levels, an issue that has been highlighted by the cannabis community on countless occasions. However, a majority of the physicians reported being content with the amount of cannabis information that is available to support physicians prescribing medical cannabis.
The aim of the survey was to investigate the knowledge level and source of knowledge of Prescribing Physicians in California as well as other states. Because California was the first state to legalize cannabis, the researchers assumed that physicians in this state would be more knowledgeable about cannabis. Surprisingly, this didn’t emerge as true from the survey.
The survey forms were sent out electronically to members of the society. Only physicians were eligible for the study and participation was purely on a voluntary basis with no incentives offered. A total of 133 members were eligible for the survey and 45 participated. Here are a few key findings that were highlighted by the survey:
71% of the participating physicians obtained most of their cannabis knowledge from conferences
Over 50% of physicians reported being satisfied with the medical cannabis information that is available
Over 75% had sufficient knowledge of cannabinoids and the endocannabinoid system
The researchers were surprised to find that physicians’ level of knowledge of medical cannabis did not vary between states. Physicians in California were not more knowledgeable as compared to physicians from others states, in spite of the fact that California has the oldest medical marijuana program.
It was concluded that more effort needs to be put into ensuring that physicians’ knowledge of medical cannabis is enhanced. To achieve this it may be necessary to review medical school curricula to include the endocannabinoid system and cannabinoid-based medicine.
The National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) recently voted to adopt a revised policy directive expressing support for federal marijuana descheduling and cannabis banking reform, reported Marijuana Moment.
The measure passed the organization’s 2022 legislative summit in a voice vote on Wednesday. A state lawmaker present at the event told Marijuana Moment that most of the discussion leading up to the vote focused on the need for federal banking reform. However, there was no debate on the language of legalization.
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In 2017, NCSL passed a directive calling for the descheduling of cannabis, however, the most recent measure revised this year hinted that states should be able to set their own cannabis policies without federal intervention.
To amplify that position, NCSL members voted to include an explicit call for federal legalization. Added to the policy directive is another new section that pushes Congress to pass cannabis banking reform as well.
“Under federal law, cannabis businesses in states that have legalized the sale of cannabis are unable to utilize the country’s banking system, forcing them to operate as primarily cash-only entities,” stated the NCSL directive.
“This reliance on cash makes cannabis businesses prime targets for theft, burglary, armed robbery, and other property crimes. NCSL urges Congress to pass legislation allowing financial institutions to provide banking services to legitimate state-authorized cannabis-related businesses,” reads the directive.
This year’s summit, held in Denver, pointed to more explicit language in its support for congressional action to solve the problem. In addition, the summit involved an NCSL-organized visit to a Colorado cannabis cultivation facility, hosted by Columbia Care.
The group also hosted a panel focused on how lawmakers use data to develop state cannabis laws. To this end, the event featured a representative from the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
“The policymaking process often provides opportunities to craft rules and regulations addressing common public health and safety concerns and measure data over time,” NCSL said in a summary document.
“The early involvement of state and local health officials brings a range of perspectives and expertise into the policymaking process, according to interviews. Early and more recently adopting states have looked to each other for examples of evolving policies and new ideas, creating an ever-changing policy landscape.”
While the study revealed that “patients with cannabis abuse were 55% less likely to have HCC compared with patients without cannabis abuse,” the researchers highlighted that this only confirms correlation and that they could not definitely confirm direct causation.
Marijuana users have 55% fewer chances of developing one of the most common malignancies worldwide — hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), according to a study published this year in the medical journal Cureus.
HCC is considered the fourth leading cause of cancer deaths in the world, and based on a study that analyzed data for millions of people in the National Inpatient Sample (NIS) database, cannabis consumers have significantly lower chances of developing this disease.
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Researchers from Georgetown University Hospital and the Cleveland Clinic, who led the study, said that the association between HCC and marijuana has already been noticed in ice, but to their knowledge, it hadn’t yet been confirmed in humans.
The study used data from the NIS database between 2002 and 2014 and included a total of 101.23 million patients. Out of the total, 996,290 were patients who consume marijuana, while the control group with no cannabis usage included 100.23 patients.
“We noticed that patients with cannabis abuse were younger (34 vs 48 years), had more males (61.7% vs 41.4%) and more African Americans (29.9% vs 14.2%) compared with the control group (P<0.001 for all). Besides, patients with cannabis use had more hepatitis B, hepatitis C, liver cirrhosis, and smoking, but had less obesity and gallstones,” the study authors said.
And while the study revealed that “patients with cannabis abuse were 55% less likely to have HCC compared with patients without cannabis abuse,” the researchers highlighted that this only confirms correlation and that they could not definitely confirm direct causation.
“We suggest prospective clinical studies to further understand the mechanism by which various active ingredients, particularly CBD in cannabis, may possibly regulate hepatocellular carcinoma development,” they wrote.
Pre-Clinical Study Showing Cannabinoid Therapies Stop Liver Cancer Growth
While this study does not confirm that marijuana can keep people’s livers safe from HCC, other recent studies are closely in line with the suggestion. In April, the biotech company, Can-Fite BioPharma completed pre-clinical studies demonstrating cannabinoid-based therapies stop liver cancer growth. The studies showed that CBD-rich T3/C15 cannabis fraction inhibited the growth of liver HEP-3b hepatocellular carcinoma cells via the A3AR by inhibiting Wnt- and NF-kappa B-related regulatory pathways. The company’s lead drug candidate Namodenoson is expected to enter the Phase 3 study in Q4 2021.
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Previous Studies On Marijuana And Cancer
Colon Cancer: In March, An Israeli biotech company that develops medical products based on cannabis and fungal extracts, Cannabotech reported cell model study results showing that its “Integrative-Colon” products killed over 90% of colon cancer cells. The Integrative-Colon products are based on a combination of several cannabinoids from the cannabis plant and various mushroom extracts.
Pancreatic Cancer: Experiments conducted on a cell model showed that a botanical drug based on an extract of the Cyathus striatus fungus and a cannabinoid extract from the cannabis plant eliminated 100% of pancreatic cancer cells relatively selectively and without damaging normal cells. The results were revealed in April 2022.
Breast Cancer: A study conducted by Hadassah Medical Center physicians and published in December revealed a sixfold improvement in killing breast cancer cells when using specific Cannabotech’s medical cannabis products in combination with standard oncology treatments and drug protocols such as chemotherapy, biological and hormonal, over the existing treatment.
Researchers examined 10,000 middle-aged and older adults and found that those who consumed over 20% of their calories from processed foods experienced a faster decline in cognitive performance.
Ultra-processed foods is a term we’re likely all familiar with: junk foods that have very little to no nutritional value. More specifically, the term refers to “industrial formulations of food substances (oils, fats, sugars, starch, and protein isolates) that contain little or no whole foods and typically include flavorings, colorings, emulsifiers, and other cosmetic additives,” according to a new study that found these foods are bad for our brains.
The results of the study are concerning since ultra-processed foods can be easily packaged and disguised as healthy, particularly since they’re convenient and can save a lot of time for people, including frozen meals, hot dogs, ice cream, breads, crackers, and more.
Researchers in Brazil examined 10,000 middle-aged and older adults and found that those who consumed over 20% of their calories from processed foods experienced a faster decline in cognitive performance. In America, where diets are made up of 58% ultra-processed foods, this is very concerning.
Previous studies have linked ultra-processed foods with a variety of diseases, from obesity to cardiovascular disease. This new study focused on the food’s effect on the mind and found that inflammation was the culprit.
“That’s because they cause inflammation, which can affect neurotransmitters in the brain. Processed foods also operate on a micro level with billions and billions of bacteria cells that (impair) functioning,” Rafael Perez-Escamilla, professor of public health at Yale University, told USA Today.
Ultra-processed foods are a serious problem in the US, being cheaper and easier to access than a large number of healthy, whole foods. They have longer shelf lives and are easier to cook, becoming a convenient option for people who don’t have the time to cook or are simply looking for cheaper options.
Still, it’s important for people to know this information on these types of foods, and to keep in mind that they take a toll in the long run, depriving you of years of health.
Regardless if you are someone who purchases cannabis for recreational or medical use, you will need to choose a dispensary that is going to fulfill your requirements.
While each dispensary varies from location to location, you will want to find one that meets specific criteria when choosing to ensure you don’t select one that is going to drain all of your hard-earned money. You want to look for the dispensary that gives you the most for your money when buying medical marijuana.
Here are some other things to look for.
Quality
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You’ll find various strains of marijuana in the marketplace with varying levels of CBD and THC. Both geneticists and marijuana growers are consistently developing brand new strains that are better every day. You want to be certain you are choosing a dispensary that is going to offer you various selections, but one that isn’t going to sacrifice on quality to do so. After all, quality over quantity is always the way to go for marijuana.
Quality cannabis is going to deliver the best experience every time. This is especially true if you are purchasing the strain at a higher price. You want it to smell good and to look good. You’ll find that different cannabis strains will need to be packaged differently to ensure you can see what you’re buying. If you want to know more, look here to find the best online dispensary Canada.
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Location
You won’t want to spend time traveling multiple hours if you don’t necessarily need to. This is especially true for those who are using cannabis for its pain relief benefits. It can be very difficult to travel long distances for many people. Because of this, you want to find one that is nearby. However, you don’t want to choose one solely based on location alone. You can always check out Google Maps and use it to identify some of the different dispensaries nearby. You’ll find some even offer delivery services. This could be a good option for those with medical conditions that make it difficult to leave their homes.
You’ll find a lot of people end up frequenting marijuana dispensaries without having a clear idea of what they are doing and what they should be looking for. You want to find a dispensary that employs knowledgeable and friendly staff that are willing to advise you and answer your questions. They should have detailed knowledge of the products they are selling and what the key differences are between all of their products.
You want the budtender to be friendly to customers and you want to find someone that is going to be patient in helping you identify the right strain for yourself. Budtenders that don’t know a lot about cannabis are more likely to try to sell you cannabis you don’t need. For a dispensary to gain loyal clients, they’ll need to be able to provide education to their staff about their products.
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Feedback
You want to look at the different dispensaries nearby to ensure you can find one that has a lot of positive feedback. While it’s common for dispensaries to have people with negative experiences, you don’t want to choose one that makes it a frequent occurrence. You want to look for one that has a lot of positive reviews. That way, you can narrow down your options to try to choose a dispensary that is likely to offer you a good experience yourself.
Forms of Cannabis Available
You’ll find that people have different ways they like to consume marijuana. Not everyone is going to want to smoke it. You’ll want to find a dispensary that provides different consumption methods including infused cannabis, edibles, and even CBD oils. That will help them remain as relevant as possible and it will give you more of a selection to choose from if you have a preference.
We’ve people in America right now, locked up for marijuana, and they’ve been locked up for f**king years. For years and years and years. And there’s not one. There’s thousands of them,” Rogan said.
Joe Rogan has joined the chorus regarding Brittney Griner’s imprisonment over cannabis, in his inimitable fashion.
“F**k, it’s horrible. It’s for nothing. It’s like she’s the clearest form of political prisoner,” he said on one of his recent shows, The Joe Rogan Experience. “I’m not a very political person, in that sense. I’d like to see them resolve this, but I think it’s just one part of a bigger problem.”
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Don’t we know it, Joe? Thousands of cannabis prisoners are still serving time behind bars for merely possessing a plant that is legal in some form in over half of the United States.
“She might do 10 years in jail over there… She has already been over there for months. But here is what is important… People are freaking about this right? Russia needs to let her go. We’ve people in America right now, locked up for marijuana, and they’ve been locked up for f**king years. For years and years and years. And there’s not one. There’s thousands of them,” Rogan said.
The American Civil Liberties Union has updated stats and demographics regarding who is getting busted these days and who’s getting a pass.
“Of the 8.2 million marijuana arrests between 2001 and 2010, 88% were for simply having marijuana. Nationwide, the arrest data revealed one consistent trend: significant racial bias. Despite roughly equal usage rates, Blacks are 3.73 times more likely than whites to be arrested for marijuana,” according to a recentACLU report.
“Imagine sitting in a cell for years, decades, or even for life, convicted of an activity that is no longer a crime, while thousands of other people build intergenerational wealth doing exactly the same thing,” writes the Last Prisoner Project (LPP), which is on a global mission to leave no cannabis prisoner behind.
Joe Rogan agrees: “Something to consider when we’re talking about Russia’s horrific imprisonment of Brittney Griner: there are tens of thousands of people in prison in America for cannabis right now. No one should be in jail for weed.”
Michigan State University researchers found that marijuana legalization does not lead to more young people trying the substance. By contrast, that’s not the case with adult users, as the number of those deciding to try marijuana for the first time has increased in states where recreational marijuana is legal.
Among those aged 12 to 20 who are not allowed to purchase or use recreational marijuana as it is considered unlawful, the study found no evidence of an increase.
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“We offer a tentative conclusion of public health importance,” wrote the authors of the peer-reviewed research article, published in the journal PLOS One last month. “Legalized cannabis retail sales might be followed by the increased occurrence of cannabis onsets for older adults, but not for underage persons who cannot buy cannabis products in a retail outlet.”
The authors, who used public data from more than 800,000 respondents to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health, emphasized that their goal was to examine the incidence of use or when people initially consume cannabis following the adult-use legalization.
“[T]here has been no policy influence on cannabis incidence in the underage adolescent population after adults have been allowed to buy cannabis in retail shops,” they wrote.
Contradictory Results
Meanwhile, recent government-funded studies also showed a decline in young people’s use of marijuana and other controlled substances.
After Michigan’s annual Monitoring the Future (MTF) survey showed an unprecedented year-over-year decline in 8th-graders, 10th-graders and 12th-graders, Coloradans followed suit.
The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment’s (CDPHE) Healthy Kids Colorado Survey’s results showed that in 2021 young people were 35% less likely to use marijuana than in prior years.
Still, studies like UC San Diego New Center’s observational survey, which showed contradictory results, continue to warn that cannabis use by youth is a vital issue.
“Cannabis addiction is a real issue that teenagers should be aware of, as they appear to be much more vulnerable to it than adults,” said Dr. Will Lawn, lead author of a recent study published in the Journal of Psychopharmacology. “There is a lot of concern about how the developing teenage brain might be more vulnerable to the long-term effects of cannabis, but we did not find evidence to support this general claim.”
