DC, Maryland, Virginia: Where And How Congress Can Buy Marijuana

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January 31, 2022

DC, Maryland, Virginia: Where And How Congress Can Buy Marijuana

Recreational? Medical? Grow your own? Cannabis laws can get confusing in and around our nation’s capital. Here are the rules the rulemakers would need to follow.

While federal prohibition may prevent millions of Americans from legally purchasing and consuming cannabis, the case isn’t the same for congress.

There are numerous opportunities for congress members to purchase cannabis legally. However, there are different rules and regulations to abide by depending on where they attempt to buy their marijuana, and being ignorant of them has the potential to result in an arrest that could land them in the headlines for all the wrong reasons.

Here are the rules for purchasing cannabis in each of the states surrounding congress.

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

District of Columbia Cannabis Laws

The rules regarding cannabis purchases in the District of Columbia can be confusing. Marijuana is legalized for both medical and recreational use in DC, but even though the latter exists, there are no recreational marijuana dispensaries to purchase it from.

There are, however, seven medical marijuana dispensaries that sell cannabis to those who have a card permitting them to buy it, which leaves congress members with two options for purchasing cannabis in DC: qualifying for medical weed or purchasing it elsewhere.

Maryland Cannabis Laws

The cannabis laws in Maryland are more straightforward than in neighboring D.C. In Maryland, cannabis use for medicinal purposes is legalized, but recreational use is a different story. Marijuana possession of less than 10 grams is decriminalized, but comes with the costly fine of $100. Anything more than 14 grams could land someone in prison for up to a year, or a fine of up to $1,000. It’s safe to say that Maryland isn’t the best option for congress members who have intentions of purchasing marijuana.

Virginia Cannabis Laws

Cannabis laws in Virginia are both straightforward and fairly progressive. In 2021, Virginia became the first southern state to legalize cannabis for recreational purposes. Cultivation of up to four plants is allowed, which means congress members who have an affinity for cannabis may benefit from settling down with a home and some land in Virginia. That would allow them to consume cannabis both legally and conveniently.

Virginia Legalizes Adult Use, But Delays Until 2024 — Photo by SeanPavonePhoto/Getty Images

Unfortunately, recreational sales of cannabis in Virginia isn’t slated to begin until 2024. However, medical marijuana is legal in the state. In fact, laws allowing for the usage of medical marijuana for conditions including chemotherapy side effects and glaucoma were on the books as early as 1979. Medical marijuana dispensaries on the other hand weren’t available until 2020. There are several medical dispensaries in the state where citizens who are allowed can purchase their medical marijuana products from. This is another opportunity congress members have to purchase cannabis.

Given the fact that cannabis has been legalized for recreational use, but sales are explicitly banned makes it seem as though it’s not the best place for congress members to try to buy it. Since it’s illegal to use recreationally in Maryland, that’s not a good option either. The best choice for congress members hoping to obtain and use cannabis appears to be growing it in Virginia until the state allows for the sale of it in dispensaries.

SAFE Act Just Got Re-Added To Defense Bill As Amendment, But Could It Pass On Its Own?

Terry Hacienda

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January 31, 2022

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SAFE Act Just Got Re-Added To Defense Bill As Amendment, But Could It Pass On Its Own?

The removal of the SAFE Act from the defense bill is not the end of the road, but rather another indication of the steep climb to federal cannabis legalization.

This article originally appeared on Cannabis.net and has been reposted with permission.

The majority of cannabis advocates and supporters in the United States were let down by the Senate’s decision to pull out the SAFE ACT from the defense bill last month. Now that the shock of the removal has abated, these groups are rallying together to look for the next way forward. Lawmakers have started work on presenting a singular bill that encompasses the benefits the SAFE ACT could bring to the country.

The removal may happened for a reason, because in the weeks after this disappointment, new and better opportunities have been presenting themselves.

cannabis banking — Photo by Darren415/Getty Images

A Step Backward

From the first day, the SAFE Act bill was introduced to the legislature some years ago, passing the bill has always turned out to be a roller coaster journey. The result over the years has been a return to the starting point. Advocates and lawmakers held out hope that last year could be the year of federal cannabis reforms, only for the senate to pull the measure out at the last minute.

Many believe that this bill closes the gap between multistage operators and some small-scale cannabis entrepreneurs who have been unable to obtain private equity. They also think that small cannabis businesses would be allowed to make more profits if the playground were leveled with the SAFE ACT bill. However, the majority of the Senate lawmakers have refused to see the light or accept the benefits vividly written in the bill, claiming the language shows a different outcome.

The reason the Senate cited for striking out the measure from the defense bill is that the measure does little to stamp down on crimes but leans in favor of the MSOs. For a bill that the House had previously passed, the Senate’s reason seems a bit weird. Anyway, it’s the new year. With a new year comes new opportunities and new congressional sessions. Advocates are linking up and working together to have a fresh go at it in Congress. The objective for 2022 is to create a more equitable bill that not only leans towards MSOs but also enhances the safety of communities around the country.

Access to Commercial Lending

Federal cannabis reforms have been a long time coming. Its absence has put a strain on legal cannabis markets and has hindered small businesses from benefiting from an excellent financial aid program. Unlike the cannabis industry, non-cannabis sectors have access to commercial lending and equity funds. The SAFE Act would address these issues. The cannabis business will be able to be served by traditional financial institutions.

As it stands, many black-owned marijuana businesses in disadvantaged communities face the brunt of being unable to access funds. The Safe Act will offer these up-and-coming businesses access to private equity funding. However, multiple service operators will be among the first to be considered.

The Future of Cannabis Banking

The approval of the SAFE Act bill does not imply that cannabis has been decriminalized. The drug would still be federally prohibited. The reform may quicken the process of decriminalization in other non-legal states. As soon as cannabis banking reform is passed, banks will be able to work with legal cannabis businesses without fearing a federal backlash.

marijuana banking — Photo by eldadcarin/Getty Images

Currently, the illegal status of cannabis puts financial institutions at loggerheads with the Controlled Substances Act. Critics argue that the SAFE Act bill may not hold the same view as banks regarding helping disadvantaged businesses compete against large-scale companies. Banks are primarily capitalists, and it’s not farfetched to assume that they’d side with the better sides. This means that having access to funding under the SAFE Act does not mean the banks would necessarily grant the funding. The bank and its lawyers will be particular about assisting only well-established and credit-worthy cannabis businesses.

What to Expect This Year?

The SAFE Act will definitely see another push in the coming months. Other cannabis reform bills are also expected to be introduced to Congress and the House this year. Recently, a commercial lending professional drafted a proposed guideline for financial institutions to follow during the decision-making process under the SAFE Banking Act. Businesses will be selected based on a list of criteria. It’s not looking suitable to diversely-owned firms as they would be unable to meet most of the measures listed.

According to a report issued by the Federal Reserve in 2021, black and Latino-owned businesses are least likely to be favored for commercial loans, unlike white-owned businesses. Many financial institutions consider black and Latino businesses as high risks. Only those who have been investigated to be low risks receive loan approvals. This indicates that expectations of the SAFE Banking Act may be cut short, not by lack of service but insufficient funding. Without enough funding, social equity operators will remain unable to compete with the MSOs.

About the SAFE Banking Act

The Secure and Fair Enforcement (SAFE) Act is a bill that would bridge the gap between cannabis businesses and financial services. Cannabis companies will gain access to regular and digital banking services from traditional financial institutions across the country. It would also open up the cannabis industry to outside investors by bringing national and regional banks into the fold. The SAFE Act will make an immense contribution to the growth of the sector by helping to generate billions and millions of dollars.

Final Note

Though defeated in this round, the cannabis industry remains resilient in its fight for federal reforms. The removal of the SAFE Act from the defense bill is not the end of the road, but rather another indication of the steep climb to federal cannabis law.

Cannabis advocates and entrepreneurs need to use this opportunity to reset the conversation and seek a well-rounded bill that would ensure the capital is available to those who need it the most. Now that there is still a political advantage, advocates can point out other solutions that can be added to the bill to make the cannabis industry get access to funds at the state and local levels.

This article originally appeared on Cannabis.net and has been reposted with permission.

Groundhog Day For High Times As They Announce Their IPO (Again)

Terry Hacienda

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January 31, 2022

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Groundhog Day For High Times As They Announce Their IPO (Again)

Lucky for High Times, there are numerous disclaimers within the offering that there is no guarantee that the stock will ever trade.

With snow on the ground and a whisper of spring in the air, it means it is time for High Times to make their annual announcement of going public.

It all started in 2018 when High Times declared it would be listed on the acclaimed NASDAQ with a flurry of fanfare including an article on the NASDAQ website. To be listed on the NASDAQ National Market, a company must have net tangible assets of $6 million and net income in the latest fiscal year or two of the past three fiscal years of $1 million. Notable companies include Apple, Airbnb, DraftKings, Robinhood, JetBlue and more. Big companies can also listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE). The fall brought a quick and curious incident where the company announced and then quietly retreated from taking crypto currency.

As 2018 closed and 2019 started, Adam Levin, High Times executive chairman, shared with Marijuana Business Daily the company was still seeking a NASDAQ listing and that it would be “foolish” to look at alternatives. Two months later, the company announced they were ditching NASDAQ in favor of OTC (over the counter). The company revealed they had been unable to raise the needed equity of $50 million.

RELATED: Hard Times For High Times

In a very public effort, the company crowdsourced investors and ballooned their shareholders to over 23,000 by allowing people to invest under $150. CEO Kraig Fox stated the offering was highly successful despite some criticizing they allowed small investors to put their purchase on their credit card. At $150 a pop, that’s about equal to dinner for four with drinks at Outback Steakhouse. Around the same time, it become public they were in a lawsuit over payments for their recent purchase of Culture Magazine.

When 2020 arrived, COVID was on the brink, and High Times had a new CEO, Stormy Simon replacing Fox. In May, Chairman Levine announced Peter Hovath as the new CEO after the stormy tenure of Simon. In February, the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) granted the company the HITM stock ticker symbol, the last regulatory hurdle it needed to clear before High Times shares could begin trading on the OTC market.

Despite the development, nothing happened. In June, Green Entrepreneur reported the company hadn’t filed its annual report and the company SEC informed them, they were supposed to halt sales of shares in the company.

Are Americans Ready To Invest In Marijuana Stocks? — Photo by Darren415/Getty Images

The year 2021 saw the globe hoping COVID was in the rearview mirror and High Times investors surpassed 30,000. A large number were waiting to cash in on the unknown public value of the company. In February, CEO Hovath shared with Cheddar, “Well, we’re definitely going public this year”. He then commented April 20 (420) is a notable date in the industry.

“Lucky for High Times there are numerous disclaimers within the offering that there is no guarantee that the stock will ever trade. Unfortunately for some of these small investors, they don’t read the offering documents that well,” says Debra Borchardt, executive editor of Green Market Report. “These disclaimers often protect the company, which is why this language gets included in offering documents. It will be a shame if it never goes public because a lot of hopeful investors will be disappointed.”

After four years, you wonder when they will have an IPO. In many cultures including Las Vegas, 7 is a lucky number.

How To Find Cannabis Content On TikTok

Maria Loreto

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January 30, 2022

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Weed TikToks are pretty monitored and difficult to find. Here’s some help you get you started.

Weed doesn’t have it easy on social media. Still, despite the censorship, if you know where to look, TikTok is a great space for getting all of the cannabis content you need, and probably something you didn’t even know you were into.

TikTok is one of the most informative and fun social media platforms in the world, having devoted followers of all ages. Cannabis TikTokers tend to touch upon a variety of topics, from funny memes, to more specific things, like teaching followers how to blow smoke rings, or learning how to manage a life with children while also being a regular smoker.

While it may take some time to learn what you want from the app, the more you’re exposed to this type of content, the better your algorithm will be. Here are 5 places you can find cannabis content on TikTok.

Use hashtags

TikTok Is Valuable For The CBD Industry — Photo by Kon Karampelas via Unsplash

When talking about weed on social media, people are forced to get very creative. As usual, the best way to find new content is through hashtags. While the words “weed”, “cannabis”, and “marijuana” are regularly flagged, the hashtags #hitsblunt, #ouid, #w33d, #st0nertikt0k, #st0netok and #420 are filled with great TikToks, a mix of advice and memes that will distract you and, before you know it, consume plenty of your hours.

Get to know some accounts

TikTok Is Filled With Mental Health Advice — Here's Why You Should Be Careful — Photo by Alex Nemo Hanse via Unsplash

Finding good weed TikToks is not as easy as you’d think. Thanks to TikTok’s intense anti-cannabis guidelines, finding your niche on the app is more difficult than when discussing any other topic. Still, if you keep trying, you’ll find the stuff you like. Read on to find some good starting points:

SheSmokesJoints

@shesmokesjointsAccidentally posted this without sound when I went to save it as a draft lol 🙈♬ original sound – tate mcrae

If you’re looking for a fun slice-of-life account to follow, that also features regular weed smoking, SheSmokesJoints is a good place to start. The account is made up of fun and digestible videos that have a little bit of everything, like teaching you how to blow smoke rings (an important life skill), or simply listening to someone talk about their lives extensively, something that for some reason remains very cathartic.

SativaDiva1997

@sativadiva1997 #thenanny #fypシ #foryoupage ♬ original sound – ✨🍃Sativa Diva (Kadija)🍃✨

SativaDiva1997 is one of the best weed TikTok accounts to follow, with a series of takes called ‘Baked Takes,’ where she gets baked and covers a topic. Extensively. There’s a “Pushing Daisies” episode, a “The Nanny” episode, and lots more, waiting there to consume your hours and make you laugh with very silly stoned takes. It’s fun, it’s wholesome and you should follow her.

IndohGoddess

@indohgoddess🤣🤣♬ original sound – mini

IndohGoddess provides a reliable stream of short and zippy weed content, making stuff that’s hilarious and relatable. You won’t regret following her.

What Is Iboga And How Does It Compare To Cannabis, Exactly?

Cannabis

Terry Hacienda

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January 30, 2022

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What Is Iboga And How Does It Compare To Cannabis, Exactly?

Cannabis is the second safest drug in the world just behind magic mushrooms. Ibogaine isn’t even on the list. Here’s why.

This article originally appeared on Cannabis.net and has been reposted with permission.

These days, the use of psychedelics and alternative medicine is rapidly growing once again.

While there has always been a subculture, the use of psychedelics hasn’t been as mainstream as they are today in many decades. Perhaps not since the 1960s, which were famously years of social upheaval, bohemian lifestyles, and hippies. Back then, people were using LSD, mushrooms, and a range of other psychedelic drugs that are back in our consciousness today. And accepted.

Among them, magic mushrooms and LSD are pretty popular, but there’s another one that has a growing fan base: Iboga.

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A post shared by Root Healing Iboga Retreats (@root_healing_iboga)

History of Iboga Use

According to the Global Ibogaine Therapy Alliance, Ibogaine is a natural psychoactive compound obtained from the Tabernathe iboga bark. It’s native to the jungles of West Africa, though it was originally discovered by a Pygmy tribe who told the Bwiti tribes about it; they then used it as a means of communicating with their ancestors and spirits. The tribe also consumed ibogaine in small doses to treat physical ailments such as mental illnesses, liver disorders, stomach aches, and fever among others. It did have a potent psychoactive effect when consumed, which they thought of as a means to the other world and ancestors.

Back then, there were French explorers who were exploring Africa, and they learned about ibogaine from the Bwiti tribe. They took it back to Europe with them in the 1900s, and the French began selling it under the name of Lambarene, where they consumed it as a stimulant. In fact, it’s still used by some people as a stimulant today.

By 1962, Howard Lotsof, a heroin user, discovered that ibogaine had value as a recreational drug, though it also helped his heroin withdrawal symptoms. He then established the Global Ibogaine Therapy Alliance which is dedicated to the study of ibogaine and its therapeutic properties.

Benefits of Iboga

The Global Ibogaine Therapy Alliance states that it has several health benefits especially for treating addictions and mitigating withdrawals, fever treatment, energy improvement, detoxification, treatment of Hepatitis C, and many more. “The theoretical case is based on the fact that both ibogaine and its metabolite noribogaine have been shown to lead an increase in levels of glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) in the brain. It has also been shown to have neuroprotective qualities promoting the survival of both dopaminergic and motor neurons, says the Global Ibogaine Therapy Alliance.

Additionally, iboga is used for spirituality and spiritual growth. Believers of the drug link its psychoactive effects to spiritual benefits especially for those who are struggling with drug and opiate addiction. Aside from that, it can also provide spiritual benefits by reducing the ego, letting go especially of grief and trauma. These are similar reasons to why it’s still used in spiritual ceremonies in some African cultures.

The dose at which it’s consumed will depend largely based on several factors including one’s health, age, and weight among others. To be used as medicine, dosage typically begins with 5-8mg/kg, which can be gradually increased based on the patient’s need and experience with it. In addition, it induces a dream-like state, though this aspect of ibogaine has been abused which has caused health problems.

Warnings

Because ibogaine induces psychedelic effects, it has attracted a following, though there have been known side effects.

It could be safe to take in small doses, especially if you are under the supervision of a trained professional. However, when iboga is taken in large doses, it can be fatal because of the possibility of a heart attack, irregular heartbeats, and even death. Furthermore, it can also cause slow heart rate, low blood pressure, anxiety, paralysis, hallucinations, and difficulty breathing. Ibogaine is still illegal in many countries including the United States and Europe.

marijuana glass pipe — Photo by Charles Wollertz/Getty Images

How Does Ibogaine Compare To Cannabis?

According to the Global Drug Survey, cannabis is the second safest drug in the world just behind magic mushrooms. The figures are based on a survey of drug users and the hospitalization incidence related to each of them. And ibogaine isn’t even on the list.

Cannabis has been widely used by cultures from all over the globe for millenia, and its compounds are being used to treat children, nursing mothers, the elderly, and even people who are immunocompromised. Sure, cannabis may not be for everyone, and that’s why many people prefer to medicate with CBD as opposed to THC, because it doesn’t give you the psychoactive effects but also has its own extremely beneficial properties. And sure, you could get transported into another planet for half a day if you’ve eaten too many edibles, but there are no real serious effects.

Cannabis offers the same medicinal and therapeutic benefits that ibogaine has, without the extreme danger surrounding its use. You don’t need to take marijuana with a medical practitioner or professional around you to ensure that you don’t die. And besides, it’s already legal in the U.S. as well as other countries around the world.

If you are looking for a way to medicate for an illness, or simply want a new recreational drug to try, you can’t go wrong with cannabis over ibogaine.

This article originally appeared on Cannabis.net and has been reposted with permission.

How Cannabis Legalization Is Changing The American Workplace

Benzinga Staff Writer

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January 30, 2022

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How Cannabis Legalization Is Changing The American Workplace

Benzinga spoke to sources in and out of the cannabis sector to better understand how cannabis fits into U.S. workplaces. Much like marijuana itself, rules vary by state.

By Andrew Ward

As many Americans begin their return to office life, how cannabis fits into the equation again comes to a head. The same can be said for companies working in a digital workplace.

In either case, sources say it’s high time to address employee pot use if they haven’t already. Cecile V. Munoz, president of U.S. Executive Search and Consulting told Benzinga that it’s never wise to keep workplace policies static.

office employees — Photo by Annie Spratt via Unsplash

“They must reflect the broader changing laws, and to some degree, what is in the cultural ethos,” said Munoz.

Varying Regulations

Benzinga spoke to sources in and out of the cannabis sector to better understand how cannabis fits into U.S. workplaces. Much like marijuana itself, rules vary by state.

In many cases, the employer has the final say on policy. Similar laws exist in major adult-use and medical cannabis marketplaces, including Colorado and Florida. The scenario allows each company to craft its own rules and protocols, a task many remain in the dark on.

“I’m not going to lie, I had to look up the regulations governing medical and adult-use cannabis during working and non-working hours,” said James Eichner, CSO of Sana Packaging, a company that works across Colorado, California and Washington state. He added that the subject is a nuanced issue that companies contend with, in and out of cannabis.

Bryan J. Driscoll, a lawyer and HR consultant, said that depending on the state, companies may be able to go so far as restricting cannabis use off-hours. On the other end, some states may prohibit companies from asking if an employee has their medical card.

He added that clients in conservative states tend to avoid the issue for now. “In more progressive states, we’ve implemented policies, compliant with state law and keeping with company culture and safety.”

Analysis from California NORML noted that numerous U.S. cities and states have some form of workplace anti-discrimination laws in place for cannabis patients. States include:

Arizona

Arkansas

Connecticut

Delaware

Illinois

Maine

Maryland

Massachusetts

Minnesota

Montana

Nevada

New Jersey

New Mexico

New York

Oklahoma

Pennsylvania

Rhode Island

South Dakota

Vermont

Virginia

West Virginia

Workplace Consumption Rules Vary In Cannabis Sector, Not So Much Anywhere Else

Most companies ban workday consumption, citing law and/or company opinions as prime reasons. The rule applies to numerous cannabis careers and virtually every non-pot venture.

Companies that are opposed cite worries like decreased productivity and heavy machinery safety use issues. The same sentiment is often shared among leading cannabis brands.

“In our experience, the cannabis industry is not much different from most other industries that prohibit drug or alcohol use during work hours,” said Liesl Bernard, founder and CEO of cannabis staffing agency firm CannabizTeam.

She added that most clients do not have policies regarding off-hour use. Cannabiz Team does not allow cannabis use during work though accepts legal off-hours use and does not drug test.

4 Reasons People Fear Going Back To The Office — Photo by Marvin Meyer via Unsplash

Plant-touching brands like Jushi Holdings Inc and C3 Industries tell Benzinga they support pot but don’t allow consumption during work.

“This decision is influenced by the desire to provide a safe place to work and also to comply with state and local laws and regulations,” said Jushi EVP Nichole Upshaw.

“Even businesses that are not highly regulated have some sort of policy around the use of intoxicants while at work,” said Leslie Lemerand, C3’s VP of people and culture.

Others pushed back on workday bans, instead citing employee performance as the metric.

“Everyone’s relationship with and reaction to cannabis is different, and that needs to be taken into account,” said Sana’s Eichner, noting that cannabis may help some patients relieve medical symptoms and improve focus.

Much To Consider In 2022 And Beyond

Most say employers should tailor workplace cannabis use to the company, job functions and the state.

Both U.S. Executive’s Munoz and HempStaff CEO James Yagielo suggested reflecting workplace smoking and alcohol rules.

Yagielo advises companies that use drug tests to pivot to workplace bans like alcohol. “For more liberal companies, we see it leaning towards cigarettes, where employees are allowed to take cannabis smoke breaks and consume during their lunch hour.”

HempStaff allows workday consumption and assesses cases based on employee performance. However, Munoz noted that “Laws within smoke-free states like California and Connecticut are increasing restrictions banning the ability to smoke in certain areas.”

online cannabis — Photo by Nastasic/Getty Images

She added that remote working might further complicate issues as employees move to states where cannabis is legal while retaining their current job in illegal markets.

Vangst VP of partnerships, Kelsea Applebaum, said she’s less concerned with on-site consumption and more focused on restrictive hiring policies like drug testing and prior offense flagging. “We all have to advocate for better policy and education in the markets we represent so that cannabis is no longer considered taboo but instead normalized.”

Driscoll, meanwhile, recommends consulting with team leadership to ensure that policies align with state laws and company culture, adding that dual focus can lead to competing interests but, “With the right approach, companies can implement policies appropriate for them and their employees while ensuring compliance with their state laws.”

This article originally appeared on Benzinga and has been reposted with permission.

Can You Guess How Many Americans Would Vote For A Politician Who Smokes Weed?

Maria Loreto

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January 29, 2022

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Can You Guess How Many Americans Would Vote For A Politician Who Smokes Weed?

A new poll shows that a large percentage of Americans would vote for a politician who smokes marijuana.

Would you vote for a politician who smokes weed? According to a new poll, more than half of Americans are comfortable with voting for a candidate who consumes marijuana.

Conducted by YouGov, the survey was released Wednesday, weeks after Louisiana U.S. Senate candidate Gary Chambers released an ad smoking a blunt.

58% of Americans would be willing to vote for a candidate they agree with on most issues who occasionally smokes marijuana in their free time

Would – Wouldn’t

U.S. adults: 58%-21%

Republicans: 47%-34%
Democrats: 68%-15%https://t.co/bDUZJ47c9Q https://t.co/OPLTMEpgHI pic.twitter.com/Vo3pb87XQa

— YouGov America (@YouGovAmerica) January 27, 2022

More than 4,000 people responded to the poll, which found that 58% of Americans would be willing to vote for a politician “who occasionally smokes marijuana in their free time.”

A deeper look into the statistics shows that Democrats were most likely to vote for a politician who smoked weed when compared to Republicans. Still, a significant percentage of Republicans said they would vote for a politician who smoked weed if they agreed on most issues.

Despite the surprise that still comes after observing these types of results, it makes sense that large percentages of Americans would approve of a politician that smokes marijuana. As time passes, the plant continues to earn legalization across states, gaining approval across all demographics.

Chambers has caused a lot of commotion from his ad, earning his first large endorsement from Rep. Ted James. “I was shocked when I saw it. Politicians don’t usually do that. He’s definitely started some real conversations,” said James.

In the ad, Chambers is seen smoking a blunt while listing out the harms of criminalization. “Black people are four times more likely to be arrested for marijuana laws than white people,” Chambers said. “States waste $3.7 billion enforcing marijuana laws every year. Most of the people police are arresting aren’t dealers, but rather people with small amounts of pot, just like me.”

Social Media Vs. Cannabis: Which One Is More Dangerous?

Terry Hacienda

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January 29, 2022

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Social Media Vs. Cannabis: Which One Is More Dangerous?

When you compare cannabis and social media, you can see that both of them definitely have some sort of psycho-physiological effect on the user. But which is worse?

This article originally appeared on Cannabis.net and has been reposted wit permission.

We’re often told about the dangers of cannabis. We’re told that if you smoke cannabis as a young person, you significantly increase your risk ofs. We’re told that you’ll be cognitively less capable if you smoke before a certain age and that cannabis is a Schedule I drug, sitting right there with heroin and crack cocaine.

Of course, for those of us who smoke, we know that these claims are absolute bull***t, however, I thought that it would be an interesting concept to compare the “dangers of social media” in comparison to that of cannabis. We’ll use many of the same metrics that anti-cannabis campaigners used to justify prohibition.

social media — Photo by ROBIN WORRALL via Unsplash

The idea is to paint a generalized picture on how a massively integrated technology experience is blindly accepted and often glamorized by the very people who would throw a hissy-fit about cannabis use.

Age

Let’s start with the first metric, age. Within virtually every legal cannabis marketplace, cannabis has an entry-level age requirement of at least 21-years. In places like Mexico, this is set to 18-years, however, this is not the norm. For most legal markets, you have to be considered an “adult” to partake of cannabis.

However, for both Twitter and Facebook, you only need to be 13-years old to essentially be exposed to the entire world. Places like Twitter even permits nudity, and while they probably have some sort of restriction on under-aged accounts, it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to bypass those restrictions.

Some might say, “13 isn’t that young to be on social media” but I’m sure the people who echo this sentiment hasn’t looked at how social media affects our brains.

Physiological Effects of Social Media vs Cannabis

Cannabis interacts with the endocannabinoid system, the system that is responsible for maintaining homeostasis throughout the entire body. Phytocannabinoids bond to cannabinoid receptors which engages or disengages a particular bodily function. When you consume THC, the psychoactive cannabinoid in cannabis, it binds with CB1 and CB2 receptors, which then alters the brain function from its baseline. The euphoria you feel comes from the release of dopamine among other physiological processes.

A 2017 study commissioned by Fox News looked into how social media impacted the brain and according to some health experts. According to Dr. Tara Emrani, psychologist at NYU Langone Health:

“Facebook likes and comments activate similar parts of the brain as opioids, where each like or positive comment activates the reward system and the brain releases dopamine…arguably, the feelings/experiences of the brain as a result of Facebook likes or comments is similar to those resulting from cocaine, albeit less intense…In addition, opioids have other significant negative effects on the brain, including shrinkage of grey matter and loss of memory.”

Even former Facebook executives have expressed how they engineered their product to act in an addictive fashion or as they call it a “short-term dopamine-driven feedback loops”. The use of social media has often been compared to gambling or the use of cocaine. And while social media bypasses the need for physically ingesting a drug, they create the illusion of one which activates the same regions.

When you remove the fact that social media is “digital”, it is a drug by any other metric and seems to have real world impact on societal health as well.

Deaths

When it comes to cannabis, there is no possible way to have a lethal overdose from the drug itself. However, there is a case to be made for people who used cannabis and potentially had an underlying morbidity that lead to their death. This cannot be attributed directly to cannabis, but to say that cannabis use didn’t have an effect would be disingenuous.

A study looking into these types of deaths concluded:

“While it is a drug with widespread usage among the community with relatively few deaths when faced with a circumstance of very recent use (within a few hours), a positive blood concentration of THC and a possible cardiac-related or cerebrovascular cause of death this drug should be considered, at least, a contributory cause of death in cases of sudden or unexpected death.”

In other words, there are “potential deaths” linked to cannabis but it isn’t conclusive. It’s merely correlation at this point. However, this isn’t to say that there is “no risk”, as smoking weed could potentially be a trigger for an underlying condition.

Social media also has no real way to induce a “lethal dose” seeing that you aren’t technically “dosing” yourself. However, there is a type of death count attributed to social media: suicide.

When you look at suicide rates, they have been steadily climbing since about the mid-2000s, interestingly about the same time that social media was adopted by society. There’s also numerous studies looking into this. Here’s some findings published in a systemic review of these studies:

“The previous study found a 70% increase in self-reported depressive symptoms among the group using social media. The other social media influence that causes depression is sexual fun. The intimacy fun happens when social media promotes putting on a facade that highlights the fun and excitement but does not tell us much about where we are struggling in our daily lives at a deeper level. Another study revealed that depression and time spent on Facebook by adolescents are positively correlated. More importantly, symptoms of major depression have been found among the individuals who spent most of their time in online activities and performing image management on social networking sites.”

Conclusion

When you compare cannabis and social media, you can see that both of them definitely have some sort of psycho-physiological effect on the individual. However, when it comes to social media, we have no problem letting 13-year olds engage with a multitude of platforms.

Perhaps, if we treated social media as we treat cannabis, the world would be much better for it.

This article originally appeared on Cannabis.net and has been reposted wit permission.

Hemp Car Batteries: 200 Times Cheaper To Produce Than Classic Batteries?

Cannabis

El Planteo

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January 29, 2022

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Hemp Car Batteries: 200 Times Cheaper To Produce Than Classic Batteries?

Unlike traditional ones, supercapacitors (as hemp batteries are called) can quickly discharge their entire energy load.

By Franca Quarneti Via El Planteo

Canadian and American researchers have developed batteries from hemp, which are used to power cars and tools.

As reported by Facts About CBD, the researchers built the batteries from cooked cannabis pulp and processed it into carbon nanosheets. The result: batteries “equal to or better than graphene,” the industry gold standard.

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Best of all, this invention is sustainable and economical, since hemp pulp is not used for the textile and construction industry and, therefore, usually ends up in landfills.

Hemp pulp costs between $500 and $1,000 per ton, a price much lower than that of graphene, which costs approximately $200,000 per ton. If we do the math, this means that the raw material to produce this new energy model would be between 200 and 400 times cheaper than that of a classic battery.

The research was conducted by Dr. David Mitlin, from Clarkson University (Potsdam, NYS) and presented during a meeting of the American Chemical Society in San Francisco.

“We’re making graphene-like materials for a thousandth of the price, and we’re doing it with waste,” Mitlin said.

Unlike traditional ones, supercapacitors (as hemp batteries are called) can quickly discharge their entire energy load. Therefore, they are ideal for machines that rely on bursts of energy, such as regenerative braking in electric cars.

Here’s How Metabolism Impacts Weight Loss, According To New Study

Maria Loreto

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January 28, 2022

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Here’s How Metabolism Impacts Weight Loss, According To New Study

New research shows why your metabolism makes it more difficult to lose those last few pounds when dieting.

Once a diet starts and the initial wave of pounds are lost, it’s common for progress to stall. This frustrating development causes a lot of dieters to lose momentum and give up on their goals.

But a new study tried to get a better understanding as to why this happens, taking a deeper look into people’s metabolisms. It found that when on a diet, metabolism slows down as a way to balance out the calories that are being lost, thus keeping the body functioning.

Published in the journal Obesity and reported by NBC News, the study analyzed data from 65 white and black female participants between the ages of 21 to 41. These participants were all dieting, with researchers providing them with a weight loss plan and an 800 calorie diet per day until participants reached their goals.

Significant Weight Loss Might Have An Impact On Your Immune System — Photo by Huha Inc. via Unsplash

The study discovered that participants could adapt to burning 50 calories less a day in order to keep their bodies functioning, a process called “metabolic adaptation.”

“Metabolic adaptation during weight loss can make it harder for people to achieve their goals,” said Catia Martins, one of the study’s authors. “In this study we found people with more metabolic adaptation took longer to achieve their weight-loss goals.” Metabolic adaptation decreases people’s resting metabolic rate, which is the number of calories they need to keep functioning. It varies from person to person.

When comparing the data to previous studies, researchers were able to pinpoint how much metabolic adaption can slow down weight loss and hinder diets. The greater the change in resting metabolic rate, the longer it took for women to lose their weight.

Does Consuming Marijuana Help You Lose Or Gain Weight? — Photo by kate_sept2004/Getty Images

“We had some women whose resting metabolic rate dropped by close to 700 calories, which means it would take them 70 more days, or about two months longer, to achieve their weight loss goals compared to someone with no metabolic adaptation at all,” explained Martins.

In order to address these diet plateaus, finding any way to kickstart the diet might be the best way to lose those remaining pounds. Supplementing the diet with exercise, weight lifting, or simply taking a short break might provide the results you need.

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Hemp Car Batteries: 200 Times Cheaper To Produce Than Classic Batteries?

Unlike traditional ones, supercapacitors (as hemp batteries are called) can quickly discharge their entire energy load.

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