According to a new study from the University of Arizona, nurses are getting stoned to help deal with the mental and physical stress that comes with the job.
No one in their right mind could ever argue that nurses aren’t the lifeblood of the healthcare industry. These men and women do all the heavy lifting to ensure that both patients and doctors live to fight another day.
Let’s be clear, without nurses, the bedside manner of American medicine would undoubtedly disintegrate to nothing, and a lot more ailing people would be in hospital beds right now eating lousy food and watching Andy Griffith reruns with little to no hope. So, the next time you have a face-to-face encounter with a nurse, why not show some appreciation? The best way to do that, according to a new study, is to give them marijuana.
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It seems that researchers at the University of Arizona College of Nursing have uncovered a shocking truth: Many nurses across the country are regular cannabis users. If they aren’t, they probably want to be. This might not shock anyone who has a personal relationship with one of the nearly 4 million registered nurses in the United States. But the idea that many front-line healthcare workers are getting red-eyed and ripped would almost assuredly surprise Mr. Smith in Room 315, who in just a matter of hours is scheduled to be prepped by one of them for a vasectomy.
Snip, snip.
The reason nurses are getting stoned, the study finds, is to help deal with the mental and physical stress that comes with the job. Most of these people have been working non-stop for the past year to help combat the COVID debacle. The tension is mounting to the point where if they don’t get to chill, they might go right over the edge. It’s an edge that many nurses are closer to than you’d think. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that 50% of healthcare workers suffer from mental health issues like anxiety and depression. Nearly 10% are having suicidal thoughts. Some go through with it too. In fact, suicide rates for nurses have increased over the years.
So yeah, nurses are smoking weed. Not only is it legal now in over half of the nation, but there is mounting evidence that marijuana can help alleviate the symptoms of anxiety and depression. It’s presumably also helping some of these people get some much-needed sleep. But don’t worry about them botching that vasectomy, Mr. Smith. No sir, you’re in good hands. It’s not like they are gathering in the break rooms to get smoked out before or during their shift. Researchers found that most of the cannabis use that occurs in the nursing world happens after hours.
“We really found that nurses were doing these things to recuperate after work,” Dr. Jessica Rainbow, an assistant professor in the College of Nursing at the U of A, told KOLD News 13. “So, they were coming home from work, they were in a lot of pain, and then they were using these different coping strategies, rather than using them prior to work.”
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Rainbow’s team plans to examine cannabis use among nurses in an extensive study set to get underway soon. The goal is to identify the reality of the situation and provide honest, data-based recommendations to state boards regarding cannabis products. As it stands, nurses cannot test positive for marijuana and keep their jobs — not even in legal states.
Trying to beat the system is undoubtedly causing them even more stress than the job itself entails. To that end, researchers will also investigate how cannabis use in the nursing community affects patients. Because make no mistake about it, Mr. Smith wants to be sure that a nurse with THC coursing through her veins will not put him or his boys in peril when he shows up for his appointment.
We know that doctors are currently the gatekeepers, but this article outlines the need for a separation between “cannabis” and “cannabis medicine”.
For the longest time, marijuana was seen as pathological in the eyes of the research community. This was not because researchers believed so, but rather that the vast majority of the grants were given to studies that supported this premise.
These days, we’re changing our tune and some scientists and medical researchers are asking for a new standard in cannabis research. In fact, in this Psychiatric Times article, Dr. John Miller points out some glaring issues with cannabinoid research that needs to be addressed.
Here, I’ll be walking you through the basics of the article, focusing on his 10 suggestions for cannabinoid research.
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A Problem With Current Cannabis Research
One of the issues that Dr. Miller pointed out is that cannabis isn’t a single drug. Unlike all other drug research that focuses on a singular substance, cannabis is comprised of over 500 compounds that include cannabinoids, terpenoids, and flavonoids.
Therefore, to test for cannabis, but not the proportions of these different compounds means that the standardization of the tests are faulty.
Perhaps there is a greater ratio of THC:CBD in one strain compared to another, which would undoubtedly affect the outcome of a study. Maybe there’s a greater presence of myrcene, a monoterpene that is often found in cannabis.
Scientists know about the “net effect” or the “entourage effect” of cannabis, however, this is excluded from research when testing cannabis, and as a result, creates faulty evidence.
“Interestingly, the odors (skunk is a common description) often associated with cannabis are largely due to the complex combination of terpenes, another compound that complicates the study of cannabis. (Cannabinoids are odorless.) An extensive literature documents the essential role terpenes play in the biology of the cannabis plant, the plant’s production of cannabinoids, and the properties of a specific strain of cannabis that help determine its market value. Terpenes likely also contribute pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic effects that impact the neuropsychopharmacology resulting from ingestion of each different strain of cannabis.8,9”
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The above mentioned segment comes from the article published in Psychiatric times and points out how terpenes are also contributing to the pharmacodynamics effects of cannabis. In other words, you cannot study cannabis without also studying the interactions between these “other” substances.
And so, the good doctor has created an extensive list of suggestions scientists should consider the next time they decide to study the effects of cannabis.
Below, we’ll explore the different suggestions provided.
The Use of the Word “Cannabis”
The word cannabis should not be used casually in medical literature, as it is nonspecific and includes varying molecular combinations of diverse cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids, states Dr. Miller.
This is probably one of the first things that need to be addressed within all modern studies. We often see that “cannabis” is responsible for X, Y or Z, but that is a blanket statement.
What specific characteristics of cannabis besides “dose” is responsible. Could it be a combination of different cannabinoids and how they interact with a host body?
All of these subsequent questions are equally important, especially if you are trying to establish scientific protocols.
Single Strain Research
According to Dr. Miller, Future research involving cannabis should use a single strain in each study; each strain used should be analyzed quantitatively and qualitatively for biologically active components.
Since each strain has its own genetic sequences, it should be noted that “X Strain” helped for “X condition” and understanding the combinations of terpenes, cannabinoids and flavonoids should be considered.
This is how researchers identified specific strains that shows promise in fighting off COVID-19.
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Multiple Strain Studies Should Be Studied Separately
If multiple strains are used in a clinical trial, they should be analyzed (as noted in #2), and each strain should be studied as a separate arm compared with placebo.
This is standard in modern research and should be applied to all future studies. If you’re going to be using different strains, it’s almost like you’re using different drugs. They should not be lumped together.
More Funding For Discovery Research Is Needed
Increased funding is needed to accurately characterize the 500-plus molecular components of the cannabis plant, including the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of each component.
With 95% of studies being funded to find “what’s wrong” with cannabis, more funding is necessary for discovery research, meaning that the research is focused on understanding the different molecular components of cannabis.
Better Education
A public education campaign should aggressively disseminate the molecular facts about cannabis, especially the oppositional effects of THC and CBD. Similarly, the risks of increased psychosis and cognitive impairment with heavy regular use of THC in the developing brain should be explained, much like disclaimers on alcohol about drinking during pregnancy.
This is really something that should have always been practiced. We need to have a robust educational program that allows people to take informative decisions about their own actions and consumption choices.
If you can do this for alcohol, tobacco and virtually every other drug, you should do the same with cannabis.
Cannabis Should Be Regulated Like Alcohol And Tobacco
Cannabis should be federally legalized and regulated similarly to alcohol and tobacco products.
Amen!
Cannabis Should Not Be Regulated By The FDA
Cannabis should not be regulated by the FDA due to its extreme heterogeneity of components and the associated unpredictable pharmacological properties.
The FDA simply isn’t equipped to handle the complexity of cannabis. They are more a wing of Big Pharma drugs, and thus should be used for cannabinoid medicine with specific cannabinoid combinations. The whole plant goes beyond the scope of the FDA.
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Cannabis Should Not Be Prescribed By Doctors
Cannabis should not be prescribed by medical practitioners. However, as molecular components of cannabis are developed and garnish FDA approval, those components should be prescribed appropriately.
Once a cannabis medicine passes the tests, then it should be considered a cannabis-based medicine, however doctors should not prescribe cannabis. They could, instead, recommend it like yoga or meditation, but unless it’s an actual medicine that’s passed the tests, doctors should not get involved.
Continued Exploration Of Cannabinoids
Pharmacological exploration and development of cannabis components that demonstrate medical benefits should be continued. CBD is a successful model of such.
There’s so much more to discover, it’s a shame that it’s taking this slow.
Physicians Need To Be Educated On Cannabis
Medical practitioners should discuss cannabis with their patients only after they have attained competence in understanding the science and factual risks/benefits/adverse effects of cannabis, similar to how a practitioner would discuss alcohol or tobacco use.
The fact that a doctor might know a lot about health, doesn’t mean that they know a lot about cannabis and the impact on health. Many practitioners are guessing, and until the research is more standardized, their recommendations should currently be taken very lightly.
We know that doctors are currently the gatekeepers, but this article outlines the need for a separation between “cannabis” and “cannabis medicine”.
At the end of the day, we’re on the verge of a shift within cannabis research and once the transition is completed and protocols established, we’ll see a whole new face of medicinal cannabis.
John Hudak, a leading voice in the cannabis space and a senior fellow at Brookings Institute, sat down with White House correspondent Brian Karem to discuss cannabis, politics, and that time Trump revoked his press pass.
Additional writing by JJ McKay
Journalist, musician, rebel, and Playboy‘s Senior White House correspondent Brian Karem has lead a life that schoolboy dreams are made of. Karem is the lead singer of the Rhythm Bandits Band when he is not questioning the President and West Wing staff, or being a political analyst for CNN and his “Just Ask The Question” podcast. Sitting down with John Hudak , Brian Karem talks politics, Trump drama and marijuana.
In August 2019, the Trump White House suspended Karem’s press pass. Karem filed a lawsuit in response and on June 5, 2020, Judge David S. Tatel of the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit ruled the White House Press Office wrongly suspended Karem’s press pass allowing Karem to continue to cover the president. In 1991, Kareem received the National Press Club Freedom of the Press award for refusing to reveal his sources in a story related to the killing of a police officer in Texas.[4][5]
John Hudak, a leading voice in the cannabis space and a senior fellow at Brookings Institute, sat down with Karem to discuss politics and marijuana.
Photo by Francois Galland/Getty Images
HUDAK: How did you get to become a White House reporter and someone who covers the White House and national politics?
KAREM: I’ve been a reporter since 1980…something. I first covered the 1984 presidential campaign with Reagan. The first time I stepped into the briefing room was 1986, and I’ve covered national politics off and on for a variety of venues since then.
HUDAK: Were you always interested in journalism?
KAREM: I was always interested in writing. My family’s profession is mostly lawyers and judges, and I remember when I was a kid my uncle handed me a check and said “here go to law school.” And I tore it up, handed it back to him, and said, “I don’t want to.”
I really wanted to write, and I had a really keen interest in seeing things as they happen. And that led me to journalism. Being able to see things as they happen and chronicle them and let people know what happened—I just felt more comfortable doing that than anything else.
HUDAK: You’ve covered multiple presidents both at home and abroad. How would you rate the first seven months of President Biden’s tenure?
KAREM: He had a low bar to reach because Donald Trump was the single worst president I’ve ever covered in my life. That said Biden stepped over that very low bar. I think one of the most impressive things Biden has done in his first seven months is trying to get the atrophied muscles of bipartisanship working again. I sat through four years—maybe 200 weeks—of Donald Trump telling me it was infrastructure week and he did nothing on infrastructure, and this administration has. And its response to the COVID crisis has been rather impressive.
All in all I think (President Biden) has done some really good things. That being said, I’m still concerned about how he has related to the media. I think the failure to hold Saudi Arabia accountable for (Washington Post reporter) Jamal Khashoggi’s death is reprehensible. I expected it out of Donald Trump. I expected better out of Biden.
But on the balance I think he is something we haven’t seen in the United States in the last four and a half years, and that is: a president. I think there is no doubt he is dedicated to bringing the country together and working with all the factions to move the country forward.
HUDAK: To pick up on one of those points: first, you’re not just a member of the media, but also a critic and someone who writes about the role of media. There is always some tension between a White House and the media, what has that relationship been like in the last seven months?
KAREM: The relationship for me personally has been a lot better. I haven’t had a death threat since the (January 6) insurrection. The briefings are back to “semi-normal.” (White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki) treats the media with respect; she does a very good job at that. She is reminiscent to me of Mike McCurry who is the best Press Secretary I have seen in my lifetime.
But the East Room is not open to the full press; they selectively choose who is in there to talk to the president (after formal events). There are reporters who have covered all seven months of this administration who have not been able to ask the president a single question. But the relationship is much more in the realm of normal than the last administration.
HUDAK: To transition a bit to discuss cannabis: Cannabis has emerged as a mainstream public policy issue of the last 25 years, what do you see as the most interesting aspect of this topic’s evolution?
KAREM: What’s most interesting to me, the demystification and de-demonization of the issue. People from my age and lower, cannabis is no big deal. I remember when I was growing up, I was told if you smoke one marijuana cigarette you were going straight to hell—that’s what the priest would tell you. The other part was if you smoke one, you’d become addicted to it forever. And I was always cynical on that.
When my dad had lung cancer, and he was dying and losing a lot of weight because of chemotherapy, and the doctors could find no way to get him to eat. And I said “well, I have a way…” So, dad who had been taught it was the “evil weed.” And so, I got him high and he got hungry and he got his weight back. And (the doctors) had given him 30 days to live at that point, and he lived another year and a half, and I attribute that partly to the availability of weed to get him healthy enough to exercise so I could get him out of the house so he didn’t waste away.
HUDAK: One of the issues early on that you covered in the Biden Administration involved, staffers being dismissed for past cannabis use. Have there been any updates, whether the practice has continued, and if the White House has responded?
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KAREM: The White House responded about it not being about the use of cannabis but about how the questions were answered. I believe that. Look, the administration isn’t anti-marijuana by any stretch of the imagination. I believe that particular story was blown out of proportion in the media.
HUDAK: You talked early about the demonization of cannabis and the indoctrination of Americans about it. Do you think that that behavior for decades is the reason why cannabis remains such a toxic issue with some elected officials despite its popularity in the public?
KAREM: I think there’s a combination of reason why some people don’t want to address marijuana in the public eye. One is they’re scared. Another is evangelicals. Third, the far right doesn’t think about it, they just knee jerk to everything. And that sad part is most of those people who have been elected to office have been high. Or, if not, they should be.
You know, I worked as a bouncer in college, and I broke up a lot of fights. But they were never between two people stoned. They were always among drunks; they would get violent and angry. The misunderstanding about marijuana, its medical applications, its importance, the fact that it helps some people relax—it was always called a “gateway drug,” and I gotta tell you, in my experience, liquor was more of a gateway drug than marijuana.
I unfortunately coached a kid in high school who spent a year in jail for two marijuana joints—for two joints! They sent him away for a year. He went in innocent; he came out a criminal. There is no way in hell marijuana should be criminalized. It should be decriminalized; it should be legal; it should be available. And it should be taxed. And if you think there is a problem with marijuana, go to places where it’s legal and see it first-hand.
The COVID-19 Delta variant has been sweeping across the country, reminding us that the pandemic remains a very present danger.
COVID-19 regulations have fluctuated over the year, to say the least. At the start of the pandemic, we were all learning about what we could and couldn’t do, and now, while some follow guidances more closely than others, we know the basics: face masks protect against illness, especially when people use them in places that are crowded or poorly ventilated.
While there are many preventative measures you can take, some situations are just a recipe for the spread of the COVID-19 Delta variant, at least according to one expert.
Luis Ortofsky, MD, explained to CNBC, that traveling aboard cruise ships is among the most risky situations you can get yourself into right now. “It’s just a recipe for transmission,” he said. While all sorts of travel while unvaccinated is currently discouraged, a cruise is much riskier than a flight, where people wear their masks for the duration of it and there’s presumably good airflow.
Ortofsky makes it clear that while being vaccinated is a good thing, with the Delta variant in circulation, it “no longer guarantees that you’re not going to acquire the infection, or be able to transmit it,” he said. We can try to do cruises as safely as possible, but we are going to have breakthrough cases.”
Another complication that’s thrown in the mix are state laws, like Texas, banning state and local mandates that require COVID-19 vaccinations, making it more difficult for cruises to protect their passengers and employees.
Photo by Colin Lloyd via Unsplash
Cruises are particularly tough places to avoid a virus. You eat and drink there, usually in indoor locations where other people are doing the same. The majority of your time is spent in common areas, interacting with people and touching a variety of surfaces, making it very easy for germs to transmit from person to person. It’s not only COVID-19 that’s easy to spread; cruises are notorious for having respiratory and gastrointestinal viruses spreading from passenger to passenger.
It could be a while before you are able to board a cruise safely. Still, the safest way to board one would be to ensure that the cruise line you’re traveling with asks for proof of vaccination and that allow for reduced capacity. While you may be able to dine outdoors, cruises have most of their entertainment in indoor locations, so a degree of risk is implicit.
Panama’s National Legislative Assembly approved a bill legalizing medical cannabis in a unanimous vote of 40 to 0.
Thus, the country will become the first in Central America to regulate the medicinal use of cannabis. However, the new regulations must be approved by Panamanian President Laurentino Cortizo.
Photo by Fabrice Parchet via Unsplash
In this regard, activist Carlos Ossa warned: “Until the new law is approved we will continue in the same situation: forced to commit illegalities out of necessity and we will continue to be exposed to the illegal market where there are no guarantees.”
Details of the law
As reported by Ciudad Cannabis, the new legislation creates a regulatory framework that allows “monitored and controlled” access to medical cannabis and its derivatives.
In addition, the law creates the National Program for the Study of the Medicinal Use of Cannabis and its Derivativesto promote research and develop educational campaigns addressed to the population.
The new regulation establishes that only seven licenses for the manufacture of cannabis derivatives will be granted.
According to France 24, licensed companies will be able to export seeds, plants and derivatives. To do so, they must submit an export plan and register buyers with Panama’s regulatory authorities.
Meanwhile, the law establishes that it is prohibited to sell cannabis from home or outside authorized establishments and that advertising pertaining to marijuana may only appear in scientific journals, not the media or social networks.
Growing marijuana could result in a penalty of 10 to 15 years in prison.
“This is a great achievement, it is not a perfect law nor perhaps the ideal one, but it is definitely a first step that is fair and necessary,” Ossa concluded.
The only way the pro-pot public was given to get their thoughts in front of Senate lawmakers was by sending an email.
Cannabis advocates have been waiting for years, and in some cases decades, for federal lawmakers to get serious about legalizing marijuana. Well, it finally happened earlier this year.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and his band of liberal, democratic cronies introduced a proposal in July designed to legalize the cannabis plant nationwide for adult use. The measure wasn’t the final draft, though. Schumer published the details of his cannabis concept in hopes of receiving loads of input from high America so he could tweak it, make it better and finally introduce a pro-pot plan that would make the cannabis community proud.
The deadline for public comment was September 1, 2021. The big question is: Did you give Schumer your two cents or do nothing at all?
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The average cannabis advocate we talked to about Schumer’s proposal was completely and utterly oblivious to the notice giving them three months to voice their concerns. “This is the first I’m hearing of it,” 52-year-old Marleen from Cleveland, Ohio, told The Fresh Toast. “I haven’t even seen the bill.”
Others were aware of the public comment process. They just didn’t know how to go about submitting their opinions. “I read several articles about Schumer’s bill, even perused the document online, but nobody really ever explained how we should go about sharing our thoughts,” said 32-year-old Mark from Atlanta, Georgia. “This shouldn’t have been that difficult.”
The logistical ins and outs of getting public comments to Schumer and members of the U.S. Senate weren’t at all cut and dry. Although nearly every news source published a piece about the proposal, examining the potential for nationwide cannabis reform in 2021, very few took the time to explain to the general public how their voice could be heard. Schumer and his crew of cannabis crusaders didn’t make it any easier. There was no website where the public could plug in their concerns in a manner that was convenient.
No, it couldn’t be that simple.
The only way the pro-pot public was given to get their thoughts in front of Senate lawmakers was by sending an email to: Cannabis_Reform@finance.senate.gov.
Photo by Sarah Silbiger/Getty Images
But for diehard cannabis advocates — those who live and breathe the issue every day — the inconvenience factor shouldn’t be an excuse for inaction. Those who have time to leave hateful comments on social media every time they are presented with the latest news or opposing opinions certainly have time to dig up an email address and write a short letter in support of the cause. But then again, maybe we shouldn’t expect too much from headline readers and wishful thinkers.
Fortunately, national cannabis advocacy groups dug in to deliver comments to the Senate for those people.
“Over the last six weeks, we solicited feedback from thousands of marijuana policy reform supporters from every state in the union,” NORML said in a letter addressed to Senators Schumer, Booker, and Wyden.
So what happens now?
Well, Senate Democrats will review the public comments and do their best to address those concerns in their final bill. We know that Schumer has also spent the past few months discussing the cannabis issue with colleagues in an effort to drum up support for the final draft once it is introduced.
The last we heard; however, Schumer didn’t have the votes to take nationwide marijuana legalization all the way. He’s faced with fierce opposition from Republicans — namely Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell — and a fair share of Democrats still remain on the fence about whether cannabis reform is suitable for the country. Therefore, we shouldn’t expect to see Schumer’s cannabis measure landing on the desk of President Biden anytime soon.
Cannabis businesses can only thrive when workers stay committed to the growth of the company. Here’s how to ensure that happens.
At least 3 in 10 new employees resign within the first three months of being hired by cannabis-related businesses. Umm, say what? Why are there so many open cannabis jobs in the hottest industry in America?
These businesses are forced to recruit new staff almost every month due to the exit of these individuals.
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Recruitment of staff in cannabis-based companies
There are many employment opportunities in the cannabis industry, they include sales and marketing officers, budtenders, cultivation site workers, lab attendants, cannabis specialists/consultants, etc.
Workers are hired based on their degrees, level of experience, and readiness to learn. Once they have been hired, the company proceeds to train them to be the best they can be in their specified units.
Why are new cannabis employees resigning?
The cannabis industry has become populated with companies out to compete with each other for the best workforce. Most of these workers are leaving because they have been offered better packages by competitors. These competitors see no reason to train new workers when they can offer industry-trained and experienced workers in other companies better packages. This logic is being applied by various companies in the cannabis industry, workers are more or less being snatched from competitors.
Another factor that contributes to low worker retention is poor management. Workers ought to be respected and given creative freedom in whatever unit they belong to, but this is not the case. Due to the always available stream of workers ready to fill up junior positions, companies tend not to hold their workers in high regard.
An employee leaving creates a vacuum among the team, which can limit the growth of the business in various ways. Business owners are frustrated by the recent events as more resources are wasted in employing new workers again and again. Some companies have tried offering better benefits to workers, but this has still not stopped 1 in 3 workers from leaving at least two months after recruitment.
Photo by Heath Korvola / Getty Images
Companies have to grab the bull by the horns by approving sustainable employee retention policies. These policies will prevent employees from leaving unless the reasons are valid enough. In addition to these policies, company management must begin to consider ways to improve the personal growth of each employee.
Here are some strategies that could be implemented to improve a company’s work environment as well as reduce the rate at which employees leave.
Hold workshop events for career development
It is not enough that you train workers immediately when they are employed. You have to help them hone their skills. Holding workshops on career development helps boost your worker’s morale and it helps them set a career plan for themselves. Workshop tutors must ensure they let workers know how their career path affects their professional growth as well as the company goals.
With these classes held at least once a month, workers can see the bigger picture and understand just how valuable they are to the company’s mission.
Benefits and rewards
Cannabis companies rake in revenue worth (at least) thousands of dollars every quarter. Without workers’ high performance, the company would not run perfectly or realize much profit. In months of high profits, remember to reward hard-working members of your team, this will further motivate them to put in their best.
Each worker must also have benefits attached to their roles in the company. Basic benefits packages could include health insurance, rent allowance, and transport allowance.
Workers should also be promoted and their salaries must be increased at the right time. This is a better option than recruiting and training a new employee.
Provide new challenges
Workers get bored of doing the same task each day. Although repetition of tasks helps workers become experts, most times it makes the job lose its thrill. Workers become too relaxed and they consider seeking challenges in other companies.
Provide a variety of tasks for workers to complete in a set time frame. It could be learning new skills or working in other units, this would make workers excited to come into work each day.
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These motivational challenges must revolve around each worker’s skills and interests.
Also, consider the perks of allowing workers to work from home or schedule some activities for the team to complete outside the office. It could be in the form of charity events or community service.
Improve communication
All healthy relationships — formal or informal — are based on good communication between all team members.
Communicating with workers allows you to think of more ways you could improve your company’s culture and work ethic.
Communication is also about giving workers feedback on their performance and inquiring from them about the challenges bugging them in the workplace.
Informal and formal communication within the workplace is very essential to the growth of the team. Workers become more confident and free to approach senior team members for help without the fear of being judged or ignored.
You will also become more attuned to the perks and needs of team members.
Conflict management
The workplace contains people with different cultures, religions, and qualities. So, it is normal to have conflicts. What matters is how these conflicts are handled.
Sometimes workers can handle internal conflicts without involving senior team members, however, continuous disputes tend to make the work environment unfriendly and toxic.
Photo by Jacques Laurent/Getty Images
Company managers must have conflict resolution sessions with team members. Workers should be able to report issues, and managers should know not to judge but rather to moderate.
When conflicts are swiftly addressed, the work environment remains productive.
Company values and culture
When recruiting workers, make sure their values align with the company’s values.
This is one of the most essential factors that determine whether or not a worker would remain in the company for a long time.
Good and defined company cultures help workers stay committed to the growth of the company.
Cannabis businesses can only thrive when workers stay committed to the growth of the company.
All members of the team have to be invested in the success of the company by seeing the need to evolve into valuable team members.
The primary focus of each business manager should be providing a healthy work environment for workers. When your workers are happy and motivated, the productivity of the company will be long-term.
If you are working with a mental health professional to develop a treatment plan for depression, CBD could be right for you.
During the past few years, there has been growing popularity regarding CBD, or cannabidiol. It is one of the two main substances that is isolated from hemp.
Many people enjoy using CBD to treat a wide variety of health issues, including depression, anxiety, and stress relief. Because depression is an issue that impacts people worldwide, new treatment options have been developed, including CBD.
If you are struggling with depression, reach out to a mental health professional who can help you develop a comprehensive treatment plan that includes therapy, which might include CBD.
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An Overview of CBD
CBD is one of the numerous substances isolated from hemp; however, the other primary substance is THC. THC stands for tetrahydrocannabinol and is responsible for the psychoactive effects of cannabis. Even though a lot of people believe CBD can get you high, this is not the case. CBD does not have any psychoactive effects. CBD has been found to be helpful to treat a wide variety of medical issues. Examples include stress relief, anxiety, depression, chronic pain, and sleep issues.
Furthermore, a prescription medication called Epidiolex is used to treat certain types of seizure disorders. As more research is done on CBD, more benefits are being uncovered. This includes benefits related to CBD and the treatment of depression.
What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Depression?
Similar to other medical issues, depression can present in a variety of ways. There are a few common symptoms of depression, including:
Many people who develop depression have issues falling asleep or staying asleep at night.
Individuals with depression often experience changes in their eating habits, either eating significantly more or less.
People with depression also feel guilty about things that are not their fault.
Depression can also present with changes in an emotional state, leading to major mood swings. People with depression may have rapid mood swings ranging from happiness to sadness and anger.
There are certain situations where people with depression may develop suicidal ideation.
Anyone who suffers from depression deserves to have access to a trained mental health professional who can help them address these concerns. If you are working with a mental health professional to develop a treatment plan for depression, CBD could be right for you.
Can CBD Be Used To Treat Depression?
Yes, CBD can be used to treat depression. Many prescription medications treat depression by altering levels of serotonin, which is a neurotransmitter in the brain that causes people to feel happy. There is some evidence that CBD can alter serotonin levels, making it an effective treatment for depression. Even though CBD can be helpful in certain cases, it also has the potential to interfere with other prescription medications. Therefore, if you are taking prescription medications for depression, you need to talk to your doctor ahead of time. That way, you can figure out if CBD will interact with anything else you are taking. This could have an impact on your treatment plan.
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How Do You Choose the Right CBD Product?
If you are trying to find CBD that can help you treat depression, you need to choose the right product. In particular, you need to pay attention to whether the product has any THC in it. If you take something with THC, you are going to feel psychoactive effects. Therefore, you need to make sure you do not operate heavy machinery. You should also think about how you want to consume CBD. Some people prefer to inhale it directly, while others prefer to use substances they can apply to the skin’s surface. Make sure you talk to a professional about the type of CBD product that is right for you. That way, you are comfortable using the CBD treatment method you purchase.
Talk To a Professional About CBD for the Treatment of Depression
If you or someone you know is suffering from symptoms of depression, remember that you are not alone. There are professionals who can help you. CBD can help you treat depression in the right situations. But before you try it for the first time, be sure to talk to a doctor. Then, if you have questions about finding the right CBD product, reach out to someone who has experience in this area. That way, you know you will find CBD products that can help you effectively treat depression. It could be a part of your comprehensive treatment plan.
Over time, cannabis highs lose a bit of their buzz and become lackluster. Here’s how to naturally get them back.
Every activity in life can use a pick-me-up, from the weekly dinners you cook to sex. Weed is the same; while the first few times consuming weed is euphoric and shiny, the more you do it, the more you get used to it and it becomes normal.
There’s nothing wrong with normal, but weed becomes a deeper experience when you put some thought into it and get creative. This can mean pairing your weed with a beautiful hike or your favorite TV show. It can also mean pairing weed with some kind of natural stimulant or experience, making your whole session stronger and more intense.
Here’s how to naturally make your weed experience more intense:
Mangos are a delicious fruit is infamous among weed smokers, whether they’ve paired it with weed or not. It’s not all lies; mangoes contain myrcene, an aromatic compound that has been associated with stress-relieving properties.
Mixing weed and mangoes is a strong and aromatic experience, from your tastebuds to the way your body processes the compounds in each element. Still, it’s difficult to predict what your experience will be like, especially since weed strains can be vastly different depending on their effects and the way they affect your body. If you want to mix mangoes and weed, start slow and try out different strains and cannabis-to-mangoes ratio.
Tame your high with strong odors
Photo by Danielle Guercio
The line between an intense and uncomfortable high is thin, and it’s important to recognize it since it can make or break your experience. Strong odors and flavors, like the one that comes from peppercorns or lemons, can help temper a high that’s too strong, bringing you into the present. Using a scented humidifier can also help you relax and get into a comfortable headspace, perfect for smoking weed and having a good time.
Incorporate coffee, food, or something stimulating
In order to make your cannabis experience more intense, mix your weed consumption with something else. Having a coffee or a Red Bull might prove to be a little more intense than what you’d expect, or it might produce an experience that’s focused and euphoric, great for completing chores around the house or for writing or completing assignments.
Some people love to mix weed and alcohol, something that feels good when it works but that has some side effects that not everyone wants to experience (crossfaded highs are no joke). Foods like peanuts or sweet potatoes might also boost your weed experience, with the former having plenty of omega-3, which is also present in cannabinoids and could theoretically extend your high. Sweet potatoes are rich in B-vitamins and carbs, which boost serotonin and might give a happy tint to your high.
Take a tolerance break
Photo by Radu Florin via Unsplash
Lastly, a tolerance break might be the simplest answer for your cannabis plateau. Taking a week or a two-week break will reinvigorate your relationship with marijuana and make for a more powerful experience, one that can help you be more aware of everything you’re doing under the influence, whether that’s taking a nap or watching a trippy movie.
The lawsuit was filed last year by a cannabis researcher and three military veterans in the form of a previously submitted one-page handwritten petition to the DEA seeking to reschedule cannabis.
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit ruled on Monday against a petition to request that the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) reschedule cannabis in all of its forms under the Controlled Substances Acts (CSA).
A ray of light appeared when Judge Paul Watford revealed in a concurring opinion that the agency may be obliged to reclassify cannabis considering the misinterpretation of the medical value of marijuana.
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What Happened – The Original Petition
The lawsuit was filed last year by cannabis researcher Dr. Sue Sisley of the Scottsdale Research Institute, the Battlefield Foundation and three military veterans in the form of a previously submitted one-page handwritten petition to the DEA seeking to reschedule cannabis. The petition was originally submitted by Stephen Zyszkiewicz, a California state prisoner and Jeramy Bowers, a medical cannabis patient. It was denied by the DEA via a letter, in which the agency claimed that cannabis had no currently recognized medical value.
Lawyers who appealed the decision asked the courts to order the DEA to run a “formal rulemaking process, which would involve expert testimony and public comment,” reported Marijuana Moment. Furthermore, they argued that the DEA’s dismissal was unconstitutional and that it put a stop to important research underway about the medicinal value of cannabis.
The new ruling, however, noted that “petitioners failed to exhaust their administrative remedies with the DEA. Although the CSA does not require exhaustion of administrative remedies, the panel agreed with Second Circuit that the text and structure of the CSA show that Congress sought to favor administrative decision-making that required exhaustion under the CSA.”
Furthermore, the opinion stated that petitioners were looking to avoid the standard administrative process by asking for a review of the DEA’s response to the petition and trying to raise different arguments from the original petition.
Petitioners Are Still Allowed To File Their Own Petition
“Nothing prevents Petitioners from filing a petition of their own before the DEA, raising the arguments they seek to raise before us now. Because Petitioners have failed to exhaust their administrative remedies with the DEA, their petition for judicial review is dismissed.”
The panel also noted that “while it is undoubtedly true that the interests of third parties would be affected by a rescheduling of cannabis, this fact does not diminish Petitioners’ direct and particularized interest in rescheduling.”
Judge Recognizes The Power Of Petitioners’ Arguments
Judge Paul Watford concurred, but also separately noted that in “an appropriate case, the Drug Enforcement Administration may well be obliged to initiate a reclassification proceeding for marijuana, given the strength of petitioners’ arguments that the agency has misinterpreted the controlling statute by concluding that marijuana ‘has no currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States.’”
