Is Cannabis Good For Gut Health?

Terry Hacienda

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October 8, 2021

Experts agree that CBD is an immune modulator with strong anti-inflammatory agents that balance the body’s endocannabinoid system.

A person is said to have excellent gut health when there are useful function and balance of bacteria on the gastrointestinal tract. And now more than ever, the focus should be on our gut (the stomach) and its content. In the health sector today, there is an increased awareness of gut health. What we eat and fill our bodies with matters a lot.

Healthcare providers are emphasizing the content of meals now more than ever because good health starts from the gut. The enzymes that break down our food play a crucial role in our health, but how can those enzymes work if the stomach is inflamed?

When your gut is in trouble

Your body is in great shape and health when there is a good balance between the good and bad bacteria in your gut. But if the gut gets injured or inflamed, it can release toxins into the bloodstream, and these are called “intestinal permeability,” and some experts call it “leaky gut.” There will be irritants in your bloodstream, and your immune system will enter survival mode to attach the problem, which births the symptoms you feel and take medication.

Cannabis And Gut Health Does It Boost Your Gut Bacteria? — Illustration by MEHAU KULYK/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY/Getty Images

If you have an imbalanced gut microbiome, you will feel irritable bowel syndrome with the bad bacteria resulting in increased cholesterol in your body. An unhealthy gut causes problems for the kidney, which can degenerate into autoimmune disorders like type 1 diabetes. So the message here is simple: your stomach is essential, and you must be intentional with taking care of it. Can CBD help? Let’s find out.

CBD and gut health

Naturopathic physicians maintain that good bacteria are needed for good a gut. Some studies still need to be done to fully unlock CBD’s potentials for enabling good bacteria, but experts agree that CBD is an immune modulator with strong anti-inflammatory agents that balance the body’s endocannabinoid system. CBD also strengthens the digestive tract, which is the core of the gut area.

There is a connection between stress, anxiety, and the digestive system as stress exacerbates the gut, so managing stress is important for keeping symptoms away. Since CBD decreases anxiety and stress, it will aid with the management of gut-related issues. So what kind of CBD products should you use for your gut health?

CBD oil for gut health

CBD modulates the acute and systemic inflammation people experience in their guts. It does this by producing cytokines and interleukins, which offer therapeutic benefits for people suffering from bloating and damage to their gut lining. Interleukins are the proteins that inform the immune system to set off an inflammatory response.

CBD has also shown great potential for digestive health because of its capacity to lower cortisol which aids with the prevention of leaky gut. CBD also prevents intestinal permeability. Cortisol is a form of a catabolic hormone that breaks down tissues inside the body with a massively destructive effect on the GUI tract. So managing cortisol levels is crucial for a healthy digestive system.

Experts also recommend CBD oil for gut health because it regulates appetite, which is great if the person suffers from consistent bloating caused by excessive eating. Speaking of excessive eating, sometimes the solution to your gut health challenges is simply eating the right portions. Therefore, we recommend eating 3-4 hours between meals and snacks on healthy foods for easy digestion and gastric clearance.

Despite the benefits of CBD for the gut, especially CBD oil, you must be mindful of taking it as you don’t want to end up with an overdose. Yes, the oil works but safety precautions must be taken seriously.

Probiotics And Cannabis: What Health Providers Should Know — Photo by Daily Nouri via Unsplash

How to use CBD oil for gut and digestive health

Start the process with the lowest possible dose and then add to it as you go. Try one serving of CBD oil in the evening daily, and if you want to take more, increase it to twice daily (mid-mornings and evenings).

If you ate something that causes cramps and bloating or if you have stress-related gut symptoms, then take one serving of CBD oil to ease the symptoms.

CBD oil can also be added to smoothies and coffee or a matcha latte.

Sometimes you can take the CBD oil sublingually by placing one serving under your tongue, hold it for a minute and swallow it with a glass of water. Did you know that there are lots of capillaries under the tongue? Yes, this is why under the tongue is the best place for CBD oil since the active ingredients in the oil will be easily absorbed into the bloodstream. This method also means you wouldn’t have to compromise your GI systems.

Drugs may hurt the gut

Sometimes people become hasty in getting drugs that they presume to be safe for their gut, but a study from the Netherlands proves that some drugs could become risky to the gut microbiomes. Such drugs could also eliminate good bacteria and allows for infection to grow in the gut area with the possibility of obesity.

Research also shows that some drugs’ efficacy influences the bacterial components in the gut, which is why certain gut issues become serious overtime. This realization explains why medical practitioners always consider gut microbiota’s role when creating treatments for guts.

A study in Spain showed that almost half of the most used drugs for gut health inadvertently affected the guts, thus posing a health risk. Some of the drugs include Proton Pump Inhibitor or dyspepsia, Laxatives used for constipation, and antibiotics for bacterial infections. So if you must take drugs for gut health, please be mindful of the drugs you use to avoid making your situation worse.

Since gut health dictates the health status of the human body, cannabis and the role of CBD are important because it helps the gut and protects the body from the impact of such harmful medications. Of course, more research is still required to fully understand the connection between cannabinoids and the body; it’s safe to say the future looks bright.

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

Smokable Hemp And Sale Of CBD-Infused Foods And Drinks Finally Legit In California

News

Benzinga Staff Writer

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October 8, 2021

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Smokable Hemp And Sale Of CBD-Infused Foods And Drinks Finally Legit In California

The California Department of Public Health is now expected to work on rules to implement legislation that also regulates the sale of cannabinoid-infused cosmetics and pet foods.

By Jelena Martinovic

California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a bill late Wednesday allowing a formal pathway for hemp-based CBD to be used legally in beverages, food and other products, such as dietary supplements.

The now-signed legislation expands the hemp industry in California by legalizing retail sales of hemp-derived consumable products, according to a press release from the California Cannabis Industry Association (CCIA).

hemp CBD — Photo by HenrikNorway/Getty Images

The bill, AB 45, sponsored by Assemblywoman Cecilia Aguiar-Curry, is a foundation for legally selling smokable hemp in California. However, lawmakers are required to approve a measure to establish a tax scheme for those products before they hit the shelves.

“We cannot thank the author enough for her tireless and unparalleled work to get comprehensive hemp regulations passed. Assemblymember Aguiar-Curry has been steadfast in her approach to create a level playing field between cannabis and hemp while protecting the health and safety of all Californians,” wrote the CCIA.

While passage of a tax measure is anticipated during the following year’s session, hemp producers are allowed to start growing and manufacturing smokable products to be sold in other states.

Apart from containing various requirements for testing and labeling hemp products, the bill laid out rules for the sale of products containing hemp-derived cannabinoids in California manufactured in other states.

New York’s Proposed Hemp Products Rules: A Model for the Industry — Photo by Iryna Veklich/Getty Images

“I knew that there was a need, and I knew that we needed to make sure that [hemp products were] safe and have been tested and had good labeling,” Aguiar-Curry told the U.S. Hemp Roundtable in a recent interview.

The California Department of Public Health is now expected to work on rules to implement legislation that also regulates the sale of cannabinoid-infused cosmetics and pet foods.

In addition, Newsom recently signed a bill requiring hospitals and other health care facilities to allow terminally ill patients to use medical marijuana in the state.

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

Skin Flare-Ups Are More Likely During This Season — Here’s What You Can Do

Beauty

Maria Loreto

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October 7, 2021

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Skin Flare-Ups Are More Likely During This Season — Here’s What You Can Do

The fall season is usually accompanied by some pretty unpredictable weather. Here’s what you can do to protect your skin.

If you hadn’t noticed, your skin is reactive to the environment. This includes the weather, stress, and how much you’re caring for it. While not as dramatic as winter, autumn is quite unpredictable; there are hot days and cold days, mixed with rain, sun and other elements that signal a changing season. This fluctuation plays a role in the health of your skin, and this particular fall, with all of the changes we’re going through, might have an even stronger influence on how you look.

No matter how well you’re adapting to these new changes and developments, your skin could be going through a lot, resulting in breakouts, sensitivity, and irritation. Here’s what you can do to help your skin out.

Understand how stress affects your skin

Stress Vs. Burnout: What’s The Difference? — Photo by Christian Erfurt via Unsplash

While you’ve likely heard that stress does a number on your skin, this damage can appear a while after the stressful period took place. Skin flare-ups can happen weeks or months after the stressful event and are more likely to occur to people who suffer from chronic stress and might be more used to living with this condition, unable to notice the changes within their stress levels.

Stressful situations that can be affecting you include the pandemic, going back to work, the end of summer, the change of weather, etc. The list is really endless. In order to manage this stress and prevent your skin from producing a response to it, focus on prevention by limiting foods that are sugary or highly processed, which are usually correlated with acne breakouts. Wash your face (with a gentle cleanser) often and focus on incorporating stress-relieving activities into your lifestyle, like exercise and meditation.

Know that cool and dry days are worse for your skin

man standing in front of sink — Photo by Lumin via Unsplash

The cold is bad for your skin for a variety of reasons. For starters, the cold weather is harsh on your skin, and this is made worse once the heater in indoor spots is turned on, drying the moisture of your skin. To protect your skin, try moisturizing on a daily basis and using a mild soap that doesn’t contain tough chemicals that might prompt an acne reaction. Use sunscreen and start moisturizing your hands for the winter.

Understand summer skin damage

Most of us don’t do enough to protect our skin from the sun, and your skin might be coming off of a strenuous summer season, filled with beach trips and long days spent baking under the sun. Skin damage accumulates and while it’s never too late to get started, it’s important to know that some damage might be difficult to repair. The sooner you start protecting your skin from the sun, the better, moisturizing regularly and wearing the necessary sunscreen whenever you go out.

How Marijuana Use Can Increase The Odds Of Breakthrough COVID-19

Maria Loreto

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October 7, 2021

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How Marijuana Use Can Increase The Odds Of Breakthrough COVID-19

Breakthrough COVID-19 is a hot topic. And now, a new study says marijuana abuse could increase the odds of developing it.

Many of us are being overly cautious when it comes to COVID-19, even if we’ve been vaccinated. That’s mainly because we’re starting to hear more about breakthrough cases of the virus. And now, heavy marijuana users have even more to worry about.

A new study, published in the journal World Psychiatry, and led by researchers from the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), examined COVID-19 breakthrough cases in people diagnosed with a substance use disorder (SUD), including marijuana.

Why Does Marijuana Make Me Cough And How Do I Stop It? — Photo by Eric Audras/Getty Images

Participants coping with marijuana abuse disorder were more likely to have breakthrough COVID-19 infections, with researchers speculating that this is due to the effects that the drug has on the lungs or, more rarely, on the immune system.

“Patients with cannabis use disorder, who were younger and had less comorbidities than the other SUD subtypes, had higher risk for breakthrough infection even after they were matched for adverse socioeconomic determinants of health and comorbid medical conditions with non-SUD patients,” determined the researchers. “Additional variables, such as behavioral factors or adverse effects of cannabis on pulmonary and immune function, could contribute to the higher risk for breakthrough infection in this group.”

The study echoed some other recent findings, such as the fact that the Moderna vaccine provides more protection than the Pfizer vaccine, with participants who received the latter shot being more likely to experience breakthrough COVID-19.

Cannabis use disorder is a complex topic, with many not believing that marijuana use could result in addiction, at least not when compared to other addictive substances like alcohol or drugs that have deadly consequences. Still, when looked at through the lens of COVID-19, marijuana use provides some risks that other drugs don’t, especially when it comes to lung damage. To a lesser degree, people who were addicted to tobacco were also more likely to have breakthrough COVID-19.

Heavy cannabis consumers often report experiencing withdrawal symptoms when stopping or decreasing their consumption of the plant. These include anxiety, anger, sleep irregularities, appetite problems, restlessness, depression and even physical reactions like headaches and vomiting.

Paul McCartney Is Growing Hemp On His Farm

Celebrity

Benzinga Staff Writer

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October 7, 2021

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Paul McCartney Is Growing Hemp On His Farm

He also grows hops and makes his own organic ale dubbed Old Stinkhorn, which was named after the stinkhorn fungi that grow across his property.

By Jelena Martinovic

Sir Paul McCartney delighted us once again when he revealed on the River Cafe Table 4 podcast that he’s growing hemp on his farm, though he confessed that he has to keep his crops hidden from local teenagers eager to steal them.

McCartney said he was growing various crops, such as spelt wheat, rye and peas in addition to hemp, at his estate in Peasmarsh near Rye, wrote the Daily Mail.

“We’re actually just getting into growing hemp, the funny thing with government regulations is you’ve got to keep it where people can’t see it because you get all the kids coming in and robbing it,” McCartney said.

The former Beatle stressed that he is not using any pesticides and fertilizers and, in fact, had gone totally organic over two decades ago.

“When I first bought the farm, there were some fields where my farm guys would say, ‘There’s no worms in these fields. There’s no life,'” McCartney recalled.

He also grows hops and makes his own organic ale dubbed Old Stinkhorn, which was named after the stinkhorn fungi that grow across his property.

paul mccartney — Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images

‘We do make our own ale. Through the years, I’d hear like a neighbor would be selling some land that was next door to ours so I went to one and said, ‘I hear you’re selling a hop garden…’ Long story short, I got it, and then I thought, ‘I’ve got to start doing hops,’ that’s because the region we’re in out in Sussex was a very big hop growing area,” McCartney said on the podcast.

With Old Stinkhorn being in short supply, McCartney gives the limited-run beer to friends.

“I just send it to friends,” he said. “We don’t produce that many, it’s more a personal thing.”

In the meantime, as relaxation of U.S. marijuana laws continues to shape the burgeoning cannabis industry, lots of celebrities and famous athletes are recognizing the potential for the green in green, including two-time Grammy-award winner Justin Bieber who recently teamed up with the Los Angeles-based company Palms where they’re working on a line of pre-rolls they’ve dubbed “Peaches.” Then there’s NBA star, Allen Iverson, who joined Al Harrington’s cannabis company Viola in July as its official talent partner.

The list keeps getting longer as famous names jump into the cannabis space and, in their own way, are helping to normalize the plant and its consumption.

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

Cannabis Vs. Craft Beer — How’s It Going?

Jordan Smith

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October 7, 2021

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Cannabis Vs. Craft Beer — How’s It Going?

Unless major shifts are made in the way they position themselves to younger consumers, the beer industry should be prepared to take a back seat to cannabis as more states consider legalization.

In order to get an understanding of just how embedded into our culture drinking is, all one has to do is turn on primetime TV. During any major award show or sporting event viewers are inundated with advertising from multiple different alcohol makers tasked with the goal of keeping Americans boozed up.

The problem is that a vast majority of Americans aren’t drinking as much as they once did. What are they doing instead? Smoking weed! Recent studies revealed that cannabis usage reached an all-time high (no pun intended) among the 19-30 age group during 2020. The recent increase in marijuana use bears the brunt of the blame for steadily declining alcohol sales.

There are numerous factors that can help to explain when and why consumers are starting to choose bud over booze. Here are just a few.

Marijuana Is Replacing Alcohol During The Pandemic And May Have Long Term Benefits — Photo by Cavan Images/Getty Images

Cannabis Is More Acceptable Now Than in Years Passed

Older depictions of marijuana usage in the media may bring to mind images of the disheveled, disoriented stoner without any cares in the world. Thanks to the increase in statewide legalization of marijuana, those perceptions are being broken daily. Now that consumers are able to walk into the doors of their favorite dispensary to purchase their pot product of choice the same way wine moms can buy their favorite bottle of vino, it’s easier to envision marijuana users as coworkers and colleagues as opposed to extras in a stoner movie from the 70s.

Alcohol Can Be More Costly Than Marijuana

It’s no secret that young people don’t have very much in terms of disposable income, especially as they’re just starting out in their early 20s. That’s why it’s paramount for them to get as much bang for their buck as possible. The price of a beer at any given bar in a major metro in the country is about $6. That means, a night out drinking could run someone anywhere between $20 and $50 a night.

That doesn’t even begin to factor in the physical toll of a brutal hangover that could be bad enough to keep you away from work for a day or so. Typically a gram of quality cannabis runs anywhere from $10-$20, and a few could be enough to last a modest consumer all week.

Marijuana Meshes Better With the Lifestyles of Millennials

After Colorado, Oregon and Washington legalized cannabis usage for adults, the fears of every major beer brand became reality. Craft brewers have suffered a recent decline as well, but that’s been the case nationwide due to slight but noticeable oversaturation of the market. The case with Colorado, Oregon and Washington is especially intriguing given the fact that beer volume is down in each of the states within the continental U.S. that were first to introduce legalized cannabis.

What complicates matters even more is that data shows that markets with legalized cannabis are under performing other craft beer markets across the country overwhelmingly. The question is whether or not this is an indicator of things to come for both cannabis and craft beer brands.

What Are The Fastest Ways To Get High? — Photo by Omar Lopez via Unsplash

One of the reasons cannabis brands were able to take such a huge chunk out of the craft brewery market share is because of the way they’re able to position themselves as lifestyle brands. By seeming in line with spin classes and pressed juice bars that are popular with the millennial demographic, it’s easier to convince younger consumers that their brand and products coincide with their lifestyles seamlessly. Evidence of that is displayed by the wide-range of demographics that newer cannabis products and brands are targeting, which include health aficionados and plain old stoners just looking for a buzz once they get off of work.

Legalized weed has been a major disruption to the craft beer market in its infancy. Unless major shifts are made in the way they position themselves to younger consumers, the beer industry should be prepared to take a back seat to cannabis as more states consider legalization.

Can You Avoid The Midday Slump? It’s Possible If You Do This

Maria Loreto

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October 6, 2021

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Can You Avoid The Midday Slump? It’s Possible If You Do This

The midday slump is a common affliction. Here’s what you can do to curb and manage it.

After a very productive morning comes the common afternoon experience of wanting to take a deep nap. This situation is so common that the majority of people prioritize their important tasks for the morning, that way, once the midday slump appears, they can hobble along and make it home just in time to have dinner and crash.

This isn’t a coincidence. According to the Sleep Foundation, our bodies and circadian rhythms fluctuate throughout the day, with the majority of people feeling their most tired post-lunch. Luckily, there’s a variety of activities you can do that will help you stay alert and ready for the remainder of the day.

Caffeine

You Should Wait This Long Before Drinking Your Morning Coffee — Photo by Priscilla Du Preez via Unsplash

Caffeine is a pretty straightforward answer to solving your midday slump problems. While providing a solution it’s a bandaid fix, one that won’t solve the problem in the long term. If your tiredness persists, it might be best to find a different solution, one that involves more effort.

Use a standing desk

Studies conducted on standing desks have demonstrated that they make people more productive and focused, perhaps because they’re not very comfortable and thus want to get their work done as soon as possible. It makes sense then that the use of a standing desk will solve the midday slump problem, providing you with the necessary focus to complete your assignment, no matter how tough it is. If you don’t have a standing desk, you can use a counter, a bookshelf, a dresser, anything that allows you to stand and to work. Just be mindful of your posture.

Move for 15 minutes

Spending The Holidays Apart — Photo by Brodie Vissers via Burst

A helpful trick to generate afternoon energy is to move for at least 15 minutes. This will provide a more natural and effective burst of energy than a cup of coffee. Fifteen minutes of activity is also relatively easy to get done, whether by walking your dog, going for a midday walk around the block, going up and down the stairs, and more.

Stay hydrated

This deceptively simple solution will not only help you stay energized, but it will also make you feel better, healthier and will help your body with a variety of functions, like completing complex tasks, preventing muscle fatigue and helping your skin look good. Drinking water won’t suddenly make you feel energized, but it paired with other decisions will certainly help you manage that feeling of tiredness that so often creeps in in the middle of your day.

Marijuana Seizures At The Michigan-Canada Border Are Booming

News

Benzinga Staff Writer

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October 6, 2021

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Marijuana Seizures At The Michigan-Canada Border Are Booming

Canadian cannabis can sell for $3,000 to $5,000 a pound on the illicit market in the U.S.

By Nicolas Jose Rodriguez

Canadian smugglers are using sophisticated techniques such as small submarines to get marijuana into the U.S., where a patchwork of laws ranging from full legalization to total prohibition creates economic opportunities, reported MLive.com.

“It’s about profit,” said Matthew Stentz, Detroit-based Homeland Security Investigations special agent. “Especially with the high-grade, potent stuff that’s being grown within the greenhouses. That is still very desirable in states where it’s not necessarily legal.”

michigan canada border — Photo by Mark Spowart/Getty Images

Supply and Demand

Customs and Border Protection officials this year alone have seized nearly 15,000 pounds of marijuana at the Michigan border, predominantly in Detroit. That’s seven times as much as the 2,189 pounds seized in 2018.

Meanwhile in Buffalo, 1,071 pounds were seized in 2016, versus 41,000 in the fiscal year 2021.

Most of the Canadian-smuggled weed intercepted in Detroit It’s usually headed for states where demand -and prices- are higher (…) in states where marijuana is illegal, (…) Tennessee, the Carolinas, and Georgia,” Stentz said.

Earlier this year, Buffalo News reported that Customs and Border Protection officers based in Buffalo keep finding unprecedented amounts of marijuana.

The agency seized more than 40,000 pounds of marijuana in the fiscal year that ended Sept. 30, nearly 10 times more than was seized during the previous fiscal year.

Canadian cannabis can sell for $3,000 to $5,000 a pound on the illicit market in the U.S. “Clearly, the demand in the U.S. is great,” said Kevin Kelly, special agent in charge of the Homeland Security Investigations office in Buffalo.

“The plants grown inside greenhouses can produce flowers over four growing cycles a year. Then there’s the fact that the flower is a perishable product. You can’t store it so they just shotgun it through the border,” Kelly added.

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

Medical Flower Now Allowed In New York

News

Debra Borchardt

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October 6, 2021

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These changes will give New Yorkers access to whole flower that has undergone standardized procedures and testing protocols, ensuring quality and safety.

New York’s Cannabis Control Board is moving quickly to make up for the lost time under the previous administration. In the group’s first meeting since incoming Gov. Kathy Hochul stepped in and nominated people for the board, they approved raw cannabis flower as a medical product effective immediately.

Boris Jordan, the founder and chairman of Curaleaf (OTC: CURLF) said on Twitter:

Thank you, NY Gov. Hochul & the Office of Cannabis Management for allowing the sale of whole flower. This decision impacts 151k+ medical patients in NY who will now have access to quality & safe whole flower. Action (not talk) from our new Gov! $CURA $CURLF

— Boris Jordan (@Boris_Jordan) October 5, 2021

In addition to approving flower, the Board also loosened other restrictions.

Doctors can approve medical patients
30 day supply increases to 60 day supply
$50 registration fee for patients is waived
Streamlining dispensation

marijuana — Photo by Photo by Elsa Olofsson via Unsplash

Currently, New York cannabis law states that adults 21 and older can possess up to three ounces of cannabis or 24 grams of concentrates in New York. The irony is that regular citizens could legally smoke cannabis flower in public, while medical patients weren’t allowed such a form factor.

The meeting was a quick one and lasted roughly 30 minutes. The board members are Tremaine Wright (Cannabis Control Board Chair) , Jessica Garcia, Rueben McDaniel III, Jen Metzger, Adam Perry and Chris Alexander (Executive Director). The meeting also named Jason Starr as the Chief Equity Officer. He served as assistant counsel to former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) and also worked at the New York Civil Liberties Union.

Patrik Jonsson, Regional President of the Northeast at Curaleaf said, “The expansion of New York’s medical program allowing the sale of whole flower is a very big deal for the thousands of patients affected who now have access to the most cost effective and natural form of the plant. On behalf of Curaleaf and our patient community, I want to thank legislators and the Office of Cannabis Management for their leadership on this issue.

This continued evolution of the medical program, which includes expanded qualifying conditions and the removal of application fees, will empower more patients to make choices that work best for their needs. These changes will give New Yorkers access to whole flower that has undergone standardized procedures and testing protocols, ensuring quality and safety. Curaleaf looks forward to expanding our product offerings to best serve our valued patients.” Curaleaf said it could have products on the shelf within a week.

Stocks See Lift

Several of the cannabis companies with large exposure to New York saw stock prices immediately jump on the news. Curaleaf Stock rose as did Green Thumb Industries (GTBIF).

This article originally appeared on Green Market Report and has been reposted with permission.

Is OnlyFans Having A Negative Effect On The Cannabis Labor Market?

Cannabusiness

Jordan Smith

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October 6, 2021

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Is OnlyFans Having A Negative Effect On The Cannabis Labor Market?

The reality is that with sites like Patreon, Fansly and JustForFans, there are multiple avenues available to people willing to earn a living by showing off to strangers.

The labor crunch has been problematic for industries across the board recently. The struggle to find good employees has been so tough that even recreational cannabis dispensaries are having a challenging time finding employees. And who wouldn’t enjoy legally selling weed for a living!?

While working in the cannabis industry comes with its own culture that’s hard to find in a conventional career path, it’s always hard to beat working for yourself.

Nowadays, the path to entrepreneurship has never been more accessible for people who prioritize the freedom of controlling their own time and labor, over the structure a traditional 9-to-5 job can provide. Influencers, and content creators of all types have all played a role in redefining what constitutes a worthwhile career in the year 2021. What that means for industries that rely on a traditional workforce remains to be seen. Even though the recreational cannabis industry is still in its infancy, it’s already suffering from a labor crisis that appears to have no end in sight.

Pornhub Premium Is Free For Everyone Thanks To Coronavirus — Photo by DESIGNECOLOGIST via Unsplash

Although the labor crisis doesn’t appear to be showing signs of slowing down, one Washington state cannabis retailer, who wishes to rename anonymous, recently told us that it would, and for good reason, too. He shared that among his staff, 10-20% of his workers had pages on the popular subscription-based site OnlyFans. Although OnlyFans considers itself a platform for creators of all types, the site has developed a reputation for its high-concentration of adult-content creators. The popularity of the site was only fueled by the pandemic, helping it amass over 130 million users and 2 million creators.

In August, the site made the decision to ban adult content in hopes of improving scalability. This decision led the cannabis retailer to believe that the decision might entice some of his workers who left the business in exchange for OnlyFans subscribers to return to work. And he is far from the only business owner suffering from a tight labor market. A recent report revealed that as of August, there are more than 10 million open jobs nationwide, which is the most ever. Additionally, there’s over a million more vacant jobs than there are unemployed individuals.

Those labor numbers lead to business owners like our cannabis friend searching for months on end to fill open positions. The cost of hiring workers has increased for 40% of business owners, too. Considering those factors, it’s easy to assume that the retailer was more than relieved when he caught wind of the OnlyFans decision to move away from explicit content since he’s in real need of good employees.

For certain employees, the prospect of being able to make enough income to support an easy-going lifestyle complete with all the perks — like vacations, outdoor adventure and nights out on the town they can handle in exchange for some naughty pics and vids — is too good to pass up. That’s why when the cannabis retailer found out about the decision OnlyFans made to walk back their plans to ban adult-content, he knew he had no chance of getting his old employees back.

The 5 Most Common Embarrassing Sex Questions Experts Are Asked — Photo by Timothy Dykes via Unsplash

For example, we spoke to one OnlyFans creator who began making content for her subscribers roughly five to six months before the pandemic began. We’ll call her Sasha for privacy’s sake. She says she started creating content on OnlyFans because she wanted to live a little bit of a more luxurious lifestyle than she was used to living, and wasn’t being paid what she desired at her current job.

The fact that she’s able to sustain her lifestyle in one of the most prominent areas in Seattle — one of the most expensive metros in the country — leads us to believe she was able to secure the supplemental income she was after. Making matters even easier for her is the fact that she has the full support from her family.

“People in my life have come from the entertainment industry, and sex work themselves, so I don’t get questioned in a negative way,” she says. In fact, she told us that her mom bought her a ring light to help her start filming, which helped to bring her start-up costs down. Sasha says starting an OnlyFans account can be a timely, cost consuming venture.

“[OnlyFans creators] have to put in 10 to 20 hours of work. It’s a lot of talking to people,” she explained. Aside from a ring light, another part of her start-up costs were wardrobe updates to fulfill niche requests like “baking a cake in a cute little outfit” or posing in a WonderWoman outfit. As someone with experience working in male-dominated industries, she has no problem putting her foot down and making her boundaries clear with her subscribers.

“I don’t do anything with anyone else, mine is just me, mostly topless smoking in my bedroom,” she says. “I don’t offer any XXX and I’m comfortable telling people that.”

One of the reasons she gets those requests and puts a fast halt on them, she believes, is due to the wide and increasingly growing availability of porn. Actually, that’s also part of the reason she says she’s “in the process” of pivoting away from OnlyFans.

“OnlyFans has become so overly saturated, so many people price their subscriptions for so low that people can buy what they want for a lot cheaper than I offer,” she says. Regardless of how oversaturated it is, she still manages to pull in $500-$800 a month fulfilling the niche content demands of her subscribers.

As far as the Onlyfans decision to ban adult content goes, she had one reaction: She saw it coming. “From a business standpoint it makes a lot of sense,” she says. “If they want to make money [by] having a platform grow, they need to eliminate explicit content if they want an app. Deferring to the web platform could be detracting from adding more users.”

Even though she clearly understood the business ramifications behind the decision to ban adult content, she says the decision still broke her heart as a sex-worker — as did the decision to take 20% of income from sex-workers who rely on those funds for survival.

The decision by OnlyFans to reverse the ban on adult content still won’t stop Sasha’s plans for what she describes as “a slow fizzle out” from the platform. Right now she says she only posts the link to her OnlyFans profile on social media platforms during “late nights” on her instagram story.

While she enjoys keeping her OnlyFans content restricted to a group of loyal subs who eagerly await seeing her take topless bong rips every month, she says she may consider joining another platform that’s a hit with adult content makers called Patreon.

The reality is that with sites like Patreon, Fansly and JustForFans, there are multiple avenues available to people willing to earn a living by showing off to strangers. With that in mind, it wouldn’t be surprising to see retailers like our friend in the cannabis industry continuing to struggle with staffing shortages for the foreseeable future. The question is, how many others will leave the traditional workforce and join them?

The Fresh ToastThe most trusted name in cannabis

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The reality is that with sites like Patreon, Fansly and JustForFans, there are multiple avenues available to people willing to earn a living by showing off to strangers.

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