“Elected officials in Texas—both Democrats and Republicans—agree that we should no longer arrest people for small amounts of marijuana,” the director of Texans for Responsible Marijuana Policy said.
Texas Governor Greg Abbott (R) said on Monday that he doesn’t believe people should be incarcerated over low-level marijuana possession, effectively endorsing decriminalization on the same day that Austin officials certified a ballot initiative to enact the reform on the local level, reported Marijuana Moment.
“Marijuana is now a Class C misdemeanor in the state of Texas,” Abbott said. Currently, in Texas, A Class C misdemeanor is punishable by a fine without jail time. However, Abbott mischaracterized the state’s marijuana policy. Possession of up to two ounces of cannabis actually remains a Class B misdemeanor—not class C, which carries a penalty of up to 180 days in jail and a maximum $2,000 fine.
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“Elected officials in Texas—both Democrats and Republicans—agree that we should no longer arrest people for small amounts of marijuana,” Heather Fazio, director of Texans for Responsible Marijuana Policy told Marijuana Moment. “It’s a waste of resources, it unfairly derails lives, and it’s time for the legislature to take action so law enforcement can focus on real crime.”
Texas momentum?
Meanwhile, at a crowded late December rally in downtown Austin, Democratic gubernatorial candidate Beto O’Rourke received some of the loudest cheers when he promised to legalize marijuana in Texas, which is something, he said, “most of us, regardless of party, actually agree on.” He then added that if elected, he would legalize marijuana.”
According to a survey from the University of Houston and Texas Southern University, conducted in November 2021, 67% of Texans support federal marijuana legalization. The importance of this poll lies in the fact that 51% of survey participants who identified as Republicans also back the reform.
Ever since the popularity of vaping cannabis began to rise, the debate over which method is more effective has raged on amongst cannabis enthusiasts everywhere.
For cannabis enthusiasts, pulling out a vape pen has become preferable to rolling up a joint or a blunt for numerous reasons. Vaping is generally more convenient and discreet than smoking. There’s also research displaying evidence that vaping gets people higher than traditional methods of smoking.
Regardless, there are still many cannabis enthusiasts who aren’t fans of vaping due to the simple fact that it provides a different high than smoking. There are numerous reasons why that’s the case. Here are just a few.
Combustion Kills Terpenes
There are a variety of terpenes in cannabis that have a profound impact on the way cannabis enthusiasts feel when consuming marijuana. When people choose to vape cannabis it’s easier for them to enjoy the flavor of specific strains because the terpenes aren’t being burned.
The combustion that takes place when lighting a doobie or a bowl burns away the terpenes that provide flavor, along with many of the cannabinoids that provide strains with their distinctive qualities. Vaporizing allows cannabis enthusiasts to alternate the temperature levels of their devices which means it’s easier to preserve the subtle nuances a marijuana strain is capable of providing. This is one of the biggest reasons vaping marijuana often provides a different sensation than smoking it traditionally.
Vaping Provides A Cleaner High
Another reason the vaping experience differs from that of traditional smoking is because it doesn’t come with the harmful chemicals that come with smoking. This could be part of the reason why a vaping high can make cannabis enthusiasts seem more energetic. When smoking a joint or blunt it’s not unusual for people to spend the rest of the day on the couch. The cleaner high that vaping provides is both healthier and more conducive to having a productive day, while still being able to enjoy marijuana from time to time as it progresses.
More THC Enters The Bloodstream
One of the biggest reasons vaping provides a different high than smoking is due to the amount of THC that enters the bloodstream from vaping. Both vaping and smoking both allow THC to enter the bloodstream directly through the lungs. Even so, recent research reveals that vaping results in higher levels of THC in the bloodstream when compared to smoking.
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In the study, participants were each given 25 mg of THC to vape and 25 mg of THC to smoke. The group that vaped the 25 mg of THC had what was described as “more significant drug effects” when vaping, as opposed to smoking. This helps explain why vaping marijuana is capable of getting people higher than traditionally smoking.
Ever since the popularity of vaping cannabis began to rise, the debate over which method is more effective has raged on amongst cannabis enthusiasts everywhere. The science behind why vaping is more effective at providing a stronger high than smoking is still in its early phases, but the current evidence behind why that’s the case is compelling to say the least.
Keep this information in mind for the next time someone tries to describe why vaping isn’t as effective as regular smoking methods like bowls and blunts!
While federal law on a person’s past use of marijuana remains relevant, it is not determinative to decisions on eligibility for access to classified information or eligibility to hold a sensitive position.
For years, marijuana use has been — and still is — a red flag on a security clearance review. However, the sentiment seems to be changing, as more states move to legalize the plant, Marijuana Moment writes.
Avril Haines, director of national intelligence (DNI), says that security clearance applicants who have used cannabis should not be instantly rejected when applying for a federal job. This internal notice, distributed to nearly 100 agencies in late December, builds upon guidance previously approved under the Obama administration.
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Nevertheless, it seems that cannabis remains an area of concern when it comes to the application process, even though the plant is not a new issue to applicants seeking security clearances.
The use of controlled substances, Haines wrote in a document first reported by ClearanceJobs on Monday, “can raise security concerns about an individual’s reliability and trustworthiness to access classified information or to hold a sensitive position, as well as their ability or willingness to comply with laws, rules, and regulations.”
And while federal law on marijuana and a person’s past use “remains relevant,” according to the memo, it is “not determinative” to decisions on “eligibility for access to classified information or eligibility to hold a sensitive position.”
Overlooking Recent Past Marijuana Use & Determining Consumption Frequency
Adjudicators for federal employment should look past marijuana use alone and determine the frequency of consumption and likelihood that a person will continue to use cannabis, the memo says.
“Additionally, in light of the long-standing federal law and policy prohibiting illegal drug use while occupying a sensitive position or holding a security clearance, agencies are encouraged to advise prospective national security workforce employees that they should refrain from any future marijuana use upon initiation of the national security vetting process, which commences once the individual signs the certification contained in the Standard Form 86 (SF-86), Questionnaire for National Security Positions.”
Haines also noted that the policy could be further amended if there is a “change to federal law concerning marijuana use.”
Cannabis-Related Investment Guidance
In addition, the memo states that federal employers should use discretion when it comes to applicants with cannabis investments in their stock portfolios – a novelty compared to the past DNI memo on the topic that was signed by then-DNI James Clapper in 2014.
It notes that eligibility for access to classified information or to hold a sensitive position “may be impacted negatively should that individual knowingly and directly invest in stocks or business ventures that specifically pertain to marijuana growers and retailers while the cultivation and distribution of marijuana remain illegal” under federal law.
Moreover, in terms of indirect marijuana investments, “adjudicators should presume that individual did not knowingly invest in a marijuana-related business; thus, the indirect investment should not be considered relevant to adjudications.”
However, if an individual is willingly investing in an activity, including a marijuana-related business, thus violating federal law — that could reflect the questionable judgment and an unwillingness to comply with laws, rules, and regulations,” according to the document.
A new study found that a common element found in popular products is responsible for inflammation in the gut.
Triclosan is a compound that was banned by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2016. Still, we continue to encounter it often in the products we use in our daily lives, most commonly toothpaste. Why is it so bad? A new study conducted on mice found that triclosan can trigger inflammation in their guts, resulting in GI stress.
According to different studies, triclosan has been harmful in animals in a variety of ways, decreasing their thyroid hormones, making bacteria resistant to antibiotics, and messing with their guts. While these results haven’t been seen in humans — there have been no triclosan experiments conducted on them — they were sufficient enough to raise the alarm bells of different health experts.
While this recent study confirmed the belief that triclosan is harmful to mice, it was also able to pinpoint the part of triclosan that was responsible for causing gut inflammation, something that could help scientists address these types of GI issues and block this effect. “By identifying the culprit bacteria, new approaches could be developed for the diagnoses, prevention and treatment of inflammatory bowel diseases,” said study author Matthew Redinbo, M.D.
Triclosan has long been used in a variety of everyday products, intended to reduce bacterial contamination and prevent the spread of gingivitis. It’s normally found in antibacterial soaps, body washes, and cosmetics. Its presence in toothpaste is particularly worrisome though since it can linger in toothbrush bristles and build up over time, making it easy for people to ingest it.
While researchers are working on a solution for this issue, it will likely be some time before the necessary protective element is available in toothpaste brands and everyday products. To limit your exposure to it, you should read the drug contents label in your toothpaste, purchasing brands that don’t contain triclosan. You should also change your toothbrush regularly, ensuring that not a lot of triclosan builds up in your bristles.
California Governor Gavin Newsom is finally considering cannabis tax reform in an effort to prevent a possible industry rebellion and/or the collapse of the legal marijuana market in the state reported The Sacramento Bee.
This week, Newsom presented a budget proposal in which he reveals that he “supports cannabis tax reform and plans to work with the Legislature to make modifications to California’s cannabis tax policy to help stabilize the market.”
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The governor’s budget estimates that California could generate $787 million in marijuana revenue in the 2022-23 tax year. Of that amount, almost $595 million is earmarked for youth substance abuse treatment, elimination of illegal cannabis grows and to support public safety-related activities.
Newsom said he’ll try “to get these municipalities to wake up to the opportunities to get rid of the illegal market and the illicit market and provide support and a regulatory framework for the legal market.”
Cannabis Industry Delighted
Elizabeth Ashford, vice president of communications for the cannabis delivery company Eaze said she was pleased to hear this industry-important news.
“I think Gov. Newsom knows and his advisers know that they can’t let the legal market fail,” said Ashford, who previously worked for Govs. Jerry Brown and Arnold Schwarzenegger. “It’s extremely important that the steps that state government can take are taken. They need to take these steps.”
Ashford stressed that the legal marijuana industry is seriously endangered by widespread illicit cannabis sales and confusing local regulations.
“This is a complex, important job creation ecosystem in the state. So when we talk about the legal market potentially facing an existential crisis, we’re talking about thousands and thousands of jobs and also millions in revenue.”
Michael Steinmetz, the founder of Flow Cannabis Co., which makes Flow Kana, said he was also thrilled to hear Newsom has signaled cannabis tax reform. In November, Steinmetz threatened to withhold his taxes until the governor and state Legislature committed to adjusting marijuana regulations after July 1, 2022. He is also a part of a group of cannabis entrepreneurs and advocates who are planning rallies at the Capitol — one scheduled for Thursday, Jan. 13 and another on Jan. 26.
“We are grateful the governor has heard the cries of large and small business owners, farmers, employees, patients, and consumers about the dire state of legal cannabis in California,” Steinmetz said in an email. “To the Legislature, we now ask that you, too, hear our cries and join us on Jan. 13 and 26 as we share our stories on Sacramento’s Capitol steps.”
There are already several promising studies that point towards CBD being effective especially when used in complement with other conventional cancer therapies.
The Big C is a serious condition that plagues major populations around the world.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), cancer accounted for some 10 million deaths globally in 2020 alone. It’s still the world’s leading cause of death, and it doesn’t just impact families and societies at large, but it also has a tremendous effect on the economy.
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While early detection is always the best case scenario for treatment and improving prognosis, it’s not always possible. Treatment for cancers and tumors include one or a combination of methods such as chemotherapy, radiotherapy, or surgery. However, if tumors are of higher grade, treatment may require surgery as well as radiation therapy then chemotherapy.
How Cannabis Helps With Cancer
A new study from Augusta University, focused on glioblastoma, one of the deadliest and fastest growing forms of brain tumors, reveals that cannabidiol (CBD) is a beneficial form of treatment. The prognosis for glioblastoma is a 15 month survival rate following diagnosis, based on data from the Glioblastoma Foundation. Despite new research on the cancer over the last 15 years, survival has only increased by two months, explains Dr. Martin Rutkowski, a Medical College of Georgia at AU neurosurgeon, and one of the study’s researchers.
“We’re pretty desperate for better therapies,” he tells the Augusta Chronicle.
Cannabidiol has a lot of potential for tumor therapy, says Dr. Babak Baban, the Dental College of Georgia’s associate dean in research. It’s considered relatively safe, and has been proven to help regulate the immune system effectively. Baban explains that glioblastomas create a microenvironment that’s “one of the most complex for tumors.”
The tumors grow by creating new blood vessels, a process known as angiogenesis. “Through angiogenesis, it can spread out, it can survive,” he says. For this, glioblastoma “is the most aggressive one in the central nervous system.”
The researchers used mice subjects who were made to produce the tumors internally, and they were then administered with inhaled CBD. After this, the tumors reduced in size noticeably compared to the mice who were not given any CBD. In addition, they found that CBD seemed to obstruct at least 3 components that are required for angiogenesis to occur.
Aside from that, glioblastomas are tricky to treat because they evade the immune system through immune checkpoints. Rutkowski clarifies that by comparing it to a protective barrier that forms around the tumor. “They’re very good at shielding themselves so we need ways to drop the shield and make the immune system more effective at finding them,” he says.
“I am skeptical when it comes to CBD treating depression or anxiety or financial distress or marriage problems,” he says. “That’s probably not all true. But now that we have some basic science that supports this therapy I think it is really exciting.”
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“Overall, our novel findings support the possible therapeutic role of inhaled CBD as an effective, relatively safe, and easy to administer treatment adjunct for GBM with significant impacts on the cellular and molecular signaling of TME (tumor microenvironment) warranting further research,” the authors conclude.
In October 2021, doctors in the U.K. released an article documenting an elderly woman in her 80’s who was diagnosed with lung cancer. The case, which was published in BMJ Case Reports, details her medical history which included high blood pressure, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and osteoarthritis.
The woman admitted to smoking over one pack of cigarettes a week, both before and after her diagnosis. By June and July of 2018, the doctors tested her using a PET scan, MRI, CT scan, as well as a biopsy. They diagnosed her with Stage IIB of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). By September 2019, the chest CT scan was repeated, showing 2 new nodules in the upper right lobe and left apex. She declined surgery to remove the lobe because of risks, and also declined radiofrequency ablation due to the side effects suffered by her late husband from radiation therapy.
By this time, she admitted to starting CBD oil treatment with 0.5 ML 3x per day orally, then twice daily, after she was diagnosed. The CBD oil supplier advised her not to take the CBD oil with hot drink or food to avoid the feeling of being stoned, and she also reported a reduction in appetite with CBD oil. Despite that, she didn’t make any changes in her lifestyle or diet, and even continued smoking a pack of cigarettes a week.
“We were definitely not expecting to see such a striking tumor regression with no conventional cancer treatments and no other health or lifestyle changes…. Multiple studies so far in animal models have shown conflicting results, and with some cases reducing cancer cell growth and others finding an accelerating growth of cancer cells,” commented lead author Dr. Kah Ling Liew.
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Dr. Jack Jacoub, a medical director at the MemorialCare Cancer Institute at Orange Coast Medical Center, and a medical oncologist, told Medical News Today, “It’s definitely hypothesis provoking, and additional research is needed before it could become a recommended treatment option for patients with cancer. From the strength of a scientific evidence standpoint, a case report is about the weakest strength, and so you have to consider what you’re reading in that context.”
Using Cannabis Together With Other Cancer Therapies
While more research is needed in this area, there are already several promising studies that point towards CBD being effective especially when used in complement with other conventional cancer therapies.
Additionally, radiation and chemotherapy are notorious for its side effects, oftentimes bad enough to discourage patients to continue therapy and affecting survival rates. The most common side effects are loss of appetite and nausea, leading to weight loss.
Many studies prove the efficacy of cannabis in mitigating these side effects; CBD can suppress the anxiety associated with having cancer or going to chemotherapy and radiation treatments, while THC can improve appetite.
If you want to consider using CBD in conjunction with other therapies to beat tumors, the best guidance is to always do this with the supervision of your physician.
The proven perks of taxable marijuana sales that benefit legalized states are beginning to outweigh the antiquated “gateway drug” mentality in many areas of the nation.
When liberal leaning states like California, Washington and Colorado sparked the movement towards marijuana legalization it hardly invoked much surprise. Marijuana legalization seemed closely connected to progressive liberal ideals at the time. It was also not earth-shattering news when recreational marijuana sales in these Democratic states skyrocketed and these states all reaped tangible benefits.
Recently, the Republican-leaning state of Montana legalized recreational marijuana, and it has already posted impressive sales numbers. In the first weekend alone, the 20% sales tax on recreational cannabis raised $313,396 in tax revenue for the state.
This may come as a slight shock to those who see marijuana legalization as a solely partisan issue. Montana, however, is simply a friendly reminder that in 2022 some Republican-leaning states enjoy marijuana just as much as their blue state neighbors.
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Montana is not the first red state to embrace recreational marijuana. Alaska, although republican-leaning, has embraced marijuana decriminalization for decades. Then in 2014 Alaska became the third state in the U.S. to legalize recreational marijuana.
Since its legalization in 2014, recreational marijuana has steadily increased in popularity over time. In 2020, the state of Alaska collected 24.2 million dollars in marijuana taxes and fees according to the state of Alaska annual report.
The republican-controlled state of Florida also loves its marijuana. Even though only medical marijuana sales are currently permitted in the Sunshine state, its sales speak volumes. Florida’s 2020 medical marijuana sales exploded to nearly $1.23 billion. “This puts Florida ahead of every state except the cannabis powerhouses of California and Colorado in terms of sales,” according to USA Today.
Even with the hurdles and limitations involved in purchasing medical marijuana, the people of Florida have spoken — and they are saying they like weed — even if it is only available medicinally. In fact, it looks as though medical marijuana legalization may be a common stepping stone on the legalization path for more Republican states moving forward.
“Medical cannabis is where we see the most common ground between Democrats, Republicans and Independents,” Heather Fazio, a pro-marijuana advocate in Texas, told Politico.
This year, states including Arkansas, Florida, Idaho, Mississippi, Missouri, Nevada, North Dakota, Ohio, and Maryland will actively consider ballot measures on legalization. Several of the aforementioned states are Republican strongholds, providing further proof of the undeniable reality that marijuana is slowly ceasing to be a partisan issue.
According to Forbes, “In 2022, many states will seek to legalize cannabis in an effort to address their electorate’s interest in revising current drug policies, creating a safe and stable marketplace, and mitigating the risks posed by the existence of the illicit market.”
The proven perks of taxable marijuana sales that benefit legalized states are beginning to outweigh the antiquated “gateway drug” mentality in many areas of the nation. At the end of the day, Republicans and Democrats are beginning to find more common ground when it comes to reasons to support marijuana.
Using cannabis as a study aid may not be for everyone, as there will always be others who prefer to do so sober or with caffeine, but it’s certainly much safer compared to ADHD drugs
Being in college has become synonymous with teens and young adults experiment with drugs, and cannabis is no doubt the most popular drug of choice. Even for students in post-graduate school, cannabis has proven to be an essential drug for many reasons, and one of those is to help them study, as well as help relax from all the academic stress.
Increase In Cannabis Consumption Among US College Campuses
A recent study revealed that almost half of the college-age students around the United States admitted to consuming cannabis within the last year. Though it isn’t sure if the rise in cannabis consumption was driven by the pandemic, the highlight of this is that it has helped to curb booze consumption.
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“The pandemic seems to have actually made marijuana into an alternative to escape the monotony of isolation,” explains Nora Volkow, the National Institute of Drug Abuse (NIDA)’s director. “It’s made life become more boring, more stressful. So if drugs let you experience that completely different mental state, I wonder if that would be a factor that leads people to use them.”
The study, entitled, Monitoring the Future, was funded by the NIDA and has been analyzing drug use among university students as well as noncollege students since 1980, focusing on the age group of 19-22 years old. They found that 44% of college students admitted to using cannabis in 2020, a dramatic 38% increase from 2015. They also noted an increase in “daily or near daily” use.
While the study did not examine the reasons behind the uptick in consumption rates, it can be hypothesized that students are turning to cannabis instead of alcohol or other dangerous study drugs to deal with the stresses of academic life, study better, and relax safely, not to mention the fact that we are living in a pandemic.
However, many doubt the use of cannabis as a study aid. Consumers have been stereotyped as lazy stoners, making people think that it can’t help you be productive. In fact, cannabis can actually help you focus and even make you more creative, enhancing your ability to do many activities better including studying or work.
The Right Dosage and Strain
We have to emphasize the importance of selecting the right strain and dosage when it comes to using cannabis as a study aid. Be sure to choose a sativa, or a strain that you are already familiar with that helps keep you alert and focused, before you dive into hours of study.
Going with an indica or indica-dominant strain is famous for causing mental and physical highs that can put you straight to bed. This is not recommended if you want to get the most out of your studying. Additionally, a controlled dosage is always recommended for the best focus. For this reason, low-dosage edibles (under 10mg depending on your tolerance), microdosing, or vaping are great administration tools that can help you study.
If you are prone to anxiety over a big exam, you may want to consider CBD or a CBD-dominant strain. CBD has been proven to help curb anxiety while increasing alertness and concentration at low doses.
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Improving Thinking Capacity
There is no doubt that certain cannabis strains can boost creativity. Studies show that cannabis is effective in enabling unconscious thoughts as well as obscure ideas that you may not think of tangibly while sober, arise while high.
That’s why there’s no surprise that cannabis is widely used by artists and creatives before a creative or brainstorming session. It can even be used to fight writer’s block, and your inspiration for a thesis or paper may even come after a few tokes. Furthermore, it could also be used to help you brainstorm with other students even better when it comes to group projects.
Stress Reduction
Any college student can tell you that school alone is extremely stressful and hectic. Various levels of stress will inevitably be experienced by students, with the combined pressure of finishing your degree. Oftentimes, this can make it difficult to relax and get proper sleep – and the irony is that you NEED proper sleep in order to be at your best mentally the next day.
Having cannabis by your bedside can be extremely helpful in reducing stress and helping you go to sleep. In this case you will want to have some indica strains to take the edge off and go to bed.
Conclusion
If you’re interested in learning more about how cannabis can help you study better, you can visit the nearest dispensary provided that you’re of legal age to use it. An expert budtender can make great recommendations when it comes to strains and products to use that will have a good chance of being a study aid for your specific needs.
Using cannabis as a study aid may not be for everyone, as there will always be others who prefer to do so sober or with caffeine, but it’s certainly much safer compared to ADHD drugs such as Adderall, which are also widely used as study aids despite the dangers and risks. Due to the shortage of studies on how cannabis can be used best by students, there is anecdotal evidence so it’s best for you to experiment and see which ones work best for you.
The beverages and foods we consume have a significant impact on our health. This particular drink has been associated with higher risks of dementia.
Everything we put in our bodies has an effect. While some we are aware of (like high cholesterol and processed foods being bad for our heart), there are foods and drinks that have surprising effects on our bodies, ones that we wouldn’t know unless we were to look into them. According to new research, there is a direct correlation between dementia and diet soda.
Dementia is a condition that affects over 3 million people a year, particularly those who are over the age of 65. And even though there is no sure way to prevent it, memory and judgement loss can be curbed by staying active and eating healthy — even if that means cutting out beverages that are sugar free.
The study, published in the journal Stroke, kept track of 1,484 people over the age of 60, for a period of 10 years. Subjects who drank artificially sweetened soda every day were significantly more likely to develop dementia when compared to subjects who drank it less than once a week. The former group was also more likely to have strokes.
While researchers were adamant that the study did not imply causation, the trend was significant enough that they believe the phenomenon should be studied further and that the widespread belief that diet sodas are healthier alternatives than other types of drinks should be questioned.
Beverages are a significant source of stress for health practitioners. They’re the number one source of added sugars in America. While diet soda doesn’t have the same amount of calories and sugar as regular soda, it’s still a drink that should be consumed in moderation, and not an alternative for healthy beverages.
Diet soda has artificial sweeteners like aspartame, saccharin, and more, which have been linked with a variety of conditions, including negatively affecting gut health, more headaches, decreased heart health, and more. While healthier than regular soda, diet beverages should not replace water, which should make up the bulk of your beverage consumption, no matter how boring that sounds like.
Quebec’s decision to ask for vaccine passports in order to purchase alcohol and cannabis has resulted in a significant surge in vaccination appointments.
The solution for pushing reluctant people to get their COVID-19 vaccine might just be weed. At least, according to a new measure taken by the Canadian government.
According to the Montreal Gazette, the province of Quebec instituted a rule this past Thursday that prevents people from purchasing alcohol and marijuana unless they have the COVID-19 vaccine. This decision has prompted a surge of COVID-19 vaccinations, with first appointments quadrupling within a day of the government’s announcement.
Per the health minister of Quebec, Christian Dubé, the average appointment rate was 1,500 people a day. Following the liquor stores and dispensaries’ requests for vaccine passports, these numbers soared to 6,000 appointments a day.
Quebec’s decision to ask for vaccine passports for alcohol and cannabis purchases will go into effect on January 18th. It was prompted by a significant surge of COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations due to the highly contagious Omicron variant, where cases soared from their standard 3,000 a day to 40,000. Quebec is home to Montreal, Canada’s second most populated city, having 1.8 million people.
“Yes, this is very difficult right now,” Dubé said on Thursday, per The Washington Post. “But we are taking all the measures, to make sure that we minimize the impact on our personnel, on our system.”
Quebec has the fifth-highest rate of complete vaccination across Canada’s provinces, with 78 percent of the population fully vaccinated at the start of this year. About a fifth of Quebec’s population is unvaccinated, yet they make almost half of all patients in intensive care.
The province is one of the strictest in terms of COVID-19 preventative measures, requiring people to show vaccination passports for most activities, including entering healthcare facilities, indoor sports venues, movie theaters, bars, and nightclubs. It also has a curfew from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m.
