Cannabis And NFTs: Collectible Art Or Regulated Ads?

Hilary Bricken

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May 18, 2021

Cannabis And NFTs: Collectible Art Or Regulated Ads?

While NFTs and cannabis are exploring an interesting marriage, producers of NFTs need to be mindful that their creation could be construed as cannabis advertising.

Back in 2015, when I was a regular columnist for Above The Law, I wrote a piece called “Cannabis Advertising: Is Pot Obscene?“. That article focused on general speech issues around cannabis ads. We’ve also written over the years about how various social media platforms broadly prohibit pretty much any speech with the word “marijuana” in it, and sometimes, even CBD.

Fast forward to 2021 and we still haven’t seen the Feds take any serious action against advertisers of cannabis and/or cannabis companies, and we probably never will at this point (though the USPS has a thing or two to say about cannabis ads in the mail even though it probably won’t do anything about them). Aside from social media headaches, the biggest commercial speech issue for cannabis companies is constantly having to comply with the huge variety of labeling, marketing, advertising, and promotional laws and regulations created under state legalization regimes. However, a new and fun speech and advertising-related issue is the advent of cannabis NFTs.

Terpene Flavor Guide: Where Cannabis Gets Its Taste — Photo by Elsa Olofsson via Unsplash

NFT stands for Non-Fungible Token. An NFT “is a unit of data stored on a digital ledger, called a blockchain, that certifies a digital asset to be unique and therefore not interchangeable. NFTs can be used to represent items such as photos, videos, audio, and other types of digital files.” Translated, NFTs are distinct tokens on the blockchain that establish ownership of digital collectibles, like digital art. NFTs are no doubt part of an emerging sub-industry that encompasses blockchain technology. And this year in particular has seen a major uptick in the buying and selling of NFTs (e.g., Jack Dorsey’s first tweet NFT that sold for more than $2.9 million). Certain businesses and ventures in the state-legal cannabis industry have been quick to embrace NFTs to help promote various products, businesses, industry influencers, cannabis culture, and even “strain art“.

The issue with NFTs from a cannabis business compliance perspective is whether or not they amount to marketing, advertising, or promotional materials that have to adhere to a host of laws and regulations across the patchwork quilt of state-by-state legalization. One point in case is Lava Coin, which is “. . . a bag of cannabis, that exists only online, linked to blockchain technology for ‘authenticity.’”

The company Peakz is behind Lava Coin per Forbes. Apparently, when you purchase Lava Coin, according to Forbes, “[y]ou can’t smoke it, but as a bonus, if you do buy the ‘the first digital cannabis strain ever available,’ and if you are based in Oregon or California, you also get some ‘real’ physical marijuana.” To me, as a compliance attorney in the California cannabis space, a concept like Lava Coin may have some interesting issues when it comes to compliance with the California Medicinal and Adult-Use Cannabis Regulation and Safety Act (“MAUCRSA”) and its very strict marketing, advertising, and promotional regulations, starting with the NFT concept itself.

In California, a cannabis advertisement includes:

. . . any written or verbal statement, illustration, or depiction which is calculated to induce sales of cannabis or cannabis products, including any written, printed, graphic, or other material, billboard, sign, or other outdoor display, public transit card, other periodical literature, publication, or in a radio or television broadcast, or in any other media.

Seemingly then, an NFT, even if it’s intended to only act as “art”, that is a “depiction which is calculated to induce sales of cannabis or cannabis products” is going to be construed as an advertisement under MAUCRSA, which then means that it has to meet a myriad of other laws regarding its dissemination, consumer audience age, and content (including that it cannot be appealing in any way to minors and the license number of the associated cannabis business has to be on the ad). Further, if purchase of a NFT leads to a give away of adult-use cannabis (which is not allowed in California by a licensed dispensary or unlicensed business) or a discounted sale of cannabis by a licensed cannabis business, it may be additional potential proof that the NFT is indeed advertising, marketing, or promotional material.

While NFTs and cannabis are exploring an interesting marriage, producers of NFTs need to be mindful that their creation could be construed as cannabis advertising subject to comprehensive laws and regulations, especially if the creator is partnering with a cannabis business to ultimately drive consumer sales through NFT purchases. And don’t forget that if there’s any intellectual property license or work-for-hire services agreement involved with a cannabis licensee, depending on control and compensation issues, the NFT creator may actually have to be disclosed to state regulators.

At the same time, a cannabis NFT absolutely could just be a collectible asset that has nothing to do with advertising or promoting a cannabis business or brand–the question is whether the NFT is mainly intended to induce or drive commercial cannabis sales. It will ultimately be up to regulators to decide where the appropriate enforcement line lies here, but NFT creators and the cannabis companies or brands they work with should ensure they know what side of that line they’re on, before diving headfirst into the venture.

Hilary Bricken is a partner at Harris Bricken. This story was originally published on the Canna Law Blog and reposted with permission.

Cannabis Cravings: Study Addresses Why It Happens

Kate-Madonna Hindes

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May 18, 2021

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Cannabis Cravings: Study Addresses Why It Happens

Explaining that cravings for marijuana are not static but rather present in patterns, a recent study looked at the central executive network of the brain and its fluctuations.

We now have a better understanding of why cannabis users crave the herb — and it has a lot to do with brain connectivity.

Published in the journal of Human Brain Mapping, a May 2020 study found secrets to the underlying brain networks in long-term cannabis users and why certain users experienced cravings.

Dr. Francesca Filbey, PhD, professor and director of cognitive neuroscience explained why the study was so pivotal, “Now that we have identified there are differences in large-scale brain network patterns in long-term cannabis users when there is craving, we can use these as biomarkers of cannabis use disorder to aid treatment strategies. Future studies are needed to determine how these brain network patterns might change over the course of treatment and recovery.”

FDA Declares Cannabis Drug Epidiolex No Longer A Controlled Substance — Photo by KATERYNA KON/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY/Getty Images

According to the Center for Brain Health at the University of Texas, the team’s research indicates the need for better treatment strategies for those experiencing dependence or cravings that are difficult to control.

The study cites, “The findings add to the understanding that regions of the brain do not perform in isolation, but through connectivity of multiple brain networks that signal to each other depending on need and state.” Explaining that cravings for marijuana are not static but rather present in patterns, the study looked at the central executive network of the brain and its fluctuations.

Marijuana Social Clubs Are The Last Major Step For Legalization — Photo by LordHenriVoton/Getty Images

Interestingly, marijuana is used to treat other dependence issues, like opioids or alcohol. Some researchers believe marijuana may even hold the key to eliminating addiction in some patients. With only 9% of people abusing marijuana in certain studies benefits outweigh risks, especially since no one has died from marijuana. More recent studies cited 30% of marijuana users develop some degree of a disorder, which can take the form of addiction.

Could the new study shed a brighter light on how the body craves and reacts to marijuana? Scientists think so. They also believe studies like the one done at the University of Texas can better illuminate the body’s change in chemistry during and after marijuana use and the patterns present during craving or addiction.

US Cannabis Legislation Update: ‘SAFE Act Gaining Steam’

Benzinga Staff Writer

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May 17, 2021

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US Cannabis Legislation Update: ‘SAFE Act Gaining Steam’

The SAFE Banking Act would allow U.S. banks to service cannabis companies in states that have legalized weed.

By Wayne Duggan

The ETFMG Alternative Harvest ETF MJ 1.42% is down 26.3% in the last three months as efforts to push for federal U.S. cannabis legalization haven’t progressed as quickly in Washington, D.C. during the early innings of the Joe Biden administration as some investors had hoped.

Bank of America analyst Heather Balsky said Monday that significant steps in the cannabis legalization process may be just around the corner.

How Long Before The Senate Approves The SAFE Banking Act? — Photo by Kindel Media from Pexels

SAFE Act Update: Balsky said the SAFE Banking Act, which would allow U.S. banks to service cannabis companies in states that have legalized cannabis, appears to be gaining steam in Congress, even among Republicans. The bill recently passed in the House of Representatives for the third time.

It has eight Republican co-sponsors in the Senate, and Balsky said she believes it has enough bipartisan support to pass. At this point, Balsky said the biggest question for the SAFE Act is just how long Democrat and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer will wait to put the SAFE Act to a vote. She predicts the SAFE Act will be put to a vote by late 2021 or early 2022.

In the meantime, House Republicans David Joyce and Don Young recently introduced legislation to remove cannabis from the federal Controlled Substances Act. Ballsy said the Republican-sponsored legalization bill is unlikely to pass at this point, but it is an important symbol that legalization is becoming a bipartisan issue.

BWS Bill Dead In The Water? At the same time, Democrats have their own Booker-Widen-Schumer legalization bill that will likely be introduced to the Senate before June. Balsky said investors should be prepared for volatility in cannabis stocks if the bill is voted down, which appears likely at this point.

Why The Cannabis Industry Is Perfect For Socially Responsible Investors — Photo by Ivan-balvan/Getty Images

“Based on commentary from the senators regarding the bill’s inclusion of social justice and equity reforms, which are controversial among Republicans and some moderate Democrats, we are concerned it will not be able to get the 60 votes to pass the Senate,” Balsky said.

She said the BWS bill will likely need to “run its course” in the Senate before the SAFE Act gets a vote.

Benzinga’s Take: Cannabis stock investors shouldn’t be too disappointed if the BWS cannabis bill gets voted down in the Senate given that Balsky’s commentary suggests the bill contains some controversial left-wing provisions that may not appeal even to some moderate Democrats. However, given that SAFE Act passage could come as soon as late 2021, any potential sell-off in cannabis stocks following the BWS vote could be a buying opportunity.

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

4 Common Habits That Could Be Slowing Down Your Metabolism

Maria Loreto

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May 17, 2021

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4 Common Habits That Could Be Slowing Down Your Metabolism

Just a few simple tricks can get your metabolism back to being an efficient energy-burning machine.

Metabolism is the processes our body follows to create energy, keeping us moving and alive. It’s a very complex mechanism, one that’s commonly associated with the amount of calories we burn on a daily basis; a fast metabolism means more calories burned.

While this is true, boosting your metabolism is no easy feat, especially if you’ve gone years doing things to slow it down. Every body has its way of functioning, influenced by genes and lifestyle. Still, some habits we do in our daily lives could be slowing down our metabolisms. Here are some common habits you should avoid for a better functioning metabolism:

You’re eating too little

5 Ways To Tell If You Have A Bad Relationship With Food — Photo by Artem Labunsky via Unsplash

Not giving your body food when it’s hungry will essentially train it to hoard calories and slow down your metabolism. You need sufficient food to keep your body running. When you introduce less calories to your body, it will likely enter starvation mode, resulting in using muscle mass as fuel. Your metabolism slows down in order to preserve energy.

You’re drinking too much alcohol

Study Suggests CBD Use May Be Related To Less Alcohol Consumption — Photo by Wil Stewart via Unsplash

When alcohol is consumed, it’s burned first as a source of fuel. All the lipids and glucose that you consumed through meals are then transformed into body fat. Alcohol is a substance that requires a lot of attention from your metabolism, making it work hard to detoxify itself instead of burning calories and creating energy like it’s meant to do.

Disrupted sleep schedule

Evidence Explains Why Sleeping 8 Hours A Night Is So Difficult — Photo by Kinga Cichewicz via Unsplash

Sleep affects every aspect of our life, for better or worse. When our body gets too little sleep or too much of it, our metabolism is disrupted. A disturbed sleep schedule can result in our body burning fewer calories, growing cortisol levels, and an increase in our appetite, which can result in overeating the wrong things.

You don’t refuel after workouts

How To Pump Yourself Up For Home Workouts — Photo by Jonathan Borba via Unsplash

Refueling after workouts is important, even if you’re not that hungry. Eating within an hour after working out will help your metabolism act faster, making you feel more energized while prompting your muscles to grow and rebuild themselves when they need it most.

American Democracy Is Under Assault By The Drug Warriors

Opinion

Richard Cowan

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May 17, 2021

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American Democracy Is Under Assault By The Drug Warriors

So-called conservatives are not only opposed medical marijuana, they are doing everything possible to thwart the will of the voters after the initiatives pass with overwhelming majorities.

***Disclaimer:* *The views expressed in this article solely belong to the author and do not necessarily represent those of The Fresh Toast.***

The only thing Americans seem to agree on is that our democracy is in danger. Was the election stolen by Joe Biden, or is Donald Trump trying to undermine the electoral process?

In the last few years, the so-called “progressives”, with the partial exception of Biden, have discovered that they have always been in favor of legalizing marijuana, after they finally read the polls. African American leaders, historically influenced by their clergy, who opposed marijuana legalization, are demanding economic preference for the victims of their policies. 

SEE: Don’t Mention The Drug War. We Must Decriminalize Being Black Because Black Freedom Matters

Democratic Senate Leaders Announce Plan To Federally Legalize Marijuana in 2021 — Photo by Olena Ruban/Getty Images

Meanwhile, the so-called “conservatives” wave the flag and talk about “freedom” and denounce vaccines and face masks as satanic. They not only opposed medical marijuana in various referendums, they are doing everything possible to thwart the will of the voters after the initiatives pass with overwhelming majorities.

In South Dakota, almost 70% of the voters supported medical marijuana, but the prohibitionists are doing everything possible to block it. One state representative even said that she had just come from the conferences of South Dakota fire chiefs and law enforcement and that the chiefs want “a seat at the table regarding marijuana.”

Nebraska’s Governor Pete Rickett, who has been called the “Trumpiest Trumpster of the bunch,” has proclaimed, “If you legalize marijuana, you’re gonna kill your kids”. 

SEE: Nebraska Governor Says There Is No Such Thing As Medical Marijuana  AND: I Wonder If Nebraska Governor Pete Ricketts Has Heard of the Nine Commandments AND FINALLY: Nebraska Sheriff Blocks Medical Marijuana Initiative With Anonymously Funded Lawsuit Against the Consent of the Governed

Meanwhile, in Trump’s new home state, “Miami’s city government has rejected cannabis dispensaries since Florida voters approved the creation of a full-fledged medical marijuana marketplace in a 2016 referendum that amended the state Constitution. Instead of creating zoning restrictions to regulate where dispensaries can open, or outright banning them, Miami has created no new laws and relied on an internal legal opinion that the change to the Florida Constitution was moot because federal law continues to categorize marijuana as an illegal substance with no medicinal value.

“By contrast, Miami Beach, Coral Gables and other local governments approved zoning regulations that dictate where dispensaries can go, even if they did so begrudgingly.”

Why Does Congress Need Two Years To Federally Legalize Marijuana? — Photo by matt_benoit/Getty Images

But it gets worse. Slate reports, “On Thursday, the Florida Supreme Court—probably the most conservative state high court in the country–concluded that the state’s voters could not be trusted with a ballot initiative that would legalize recreational marijuana for adults. By a 5–2 vote, the court tossed out the initiative, denying Florida residents the opportunity to vote on it. To justify its action, the majority seized upon a dubious rationale: It asserted that the ballot summary implies that the initiative will somehow legalize marijuana under federal law, rendering it ‘affirmatively misleading.’ Because of this putative defect, the court denied Floridians an opportunity to repeal state laws banning recreational weed.”

Meanwhile in our nation’s capital, Mitch McConnell and Joe Mancin will decide whether the Senate can even vote on any federal cannabis legalization. Ironically, the “founding  fathers” were afraid of too much democracy, but they could always go home to their hemp farms. 

SEE: Will Prohibitionists Tie The New Conservative Movement To Trump?

Richard Cowan is a former NORML National Director and author of Potential Benefits Of Cannabidiol For Athletes.

State Governments Are Starting To Ban Delta-8 THC

Terry Hacienda

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May 17, 2021

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State Governments Are Starting To Ban Delta-8 THC

Last month, a warning was raised by a chemist on the constituents of delta-8 THC, its production techniques, and other unknowns.

Delta-8 THC is fast becoming an ever-present compound. While this may seem like good news, it is a thing of concern. There seems to be a lot of misinformation about this compound, with a lot of concerns about the production, labeling, and marketing strategy.

Colorado has recently banned sales of delta-8 THC products, and other states like Vermont have already removed it from the shelves.

Demand Is Booming For Delta-8 — Photo by Hector Roqueta Rivero/Getty Images

Delta-8 THC is commercially produced by different companies., with each company having its unique technique for preparing d8 isolates. These techniques have no regulations and most times third-party tests are not done. Because to this, some companies are introducing unhealthy compounds like heavy metals when creating these isolates.

This poses a huge risk to consumers that constantly purchase food items containing delta-8 tetrahydrocannabinol. Not to forget that these items can be found almost everywhere. More so, producers and vendors are actively marketing these products.

The question that remains is: How safe are these products? The marketers don’t seem to know, neither do the vendors. If they do, they are not giving any proof.

Four weeks ago, a warning was raised by Josh Swider on the constituents of the delta-8 THC, its production techniques, and other unknowns.

Who Is Josh Swider?

He is a chemist whose drive is to obtain considerable knowledge about the workings of science. He is well versed in the medical properties and benefits of cannabis and is always on the hunt for deeper knowledge on the subject.

This is why he is inclined to know why there is a limited amount of research, as well as public awareness about delta-8 infused products.

RELATED: Demand Is Booming For Delta-8

It is worthy to note that he is one of the co-founders of Chemical Analysis Labs, also called Infinite CAL. CAL was established in 2016 by Mr. Swider and fellow chemist David Merlius.

The mission statement of the company reads: “to provide the cannabis industry with accurate and timely analytical services of the highest quality while meeting or exceeding their clients’ expectations.”

Why A Caution Flag Is Needed On The Race For Delta-8 THC

A few weeks ago during an interview, Swider, who emphasized that he wasn’t an attorney, stated clearly that the World Health Organizatin (WHO) guidelines on the production of delta-8 weren’t clear enough.The synthesis of one cannabinoid to another is classified illegal by the WHO.

On one hand, we have “synthesis” and on the other, “conversion”.

Delta-8 Vs Delta-9: What's The Difference? — Photo by Ndispensable via Unsplash

According to the oxford dictionary, conversion is the process of changing the form, character, or function of a compound. While synthesis is the process of producing a new chemical compound from simpler materials through chemical reactions.

However, this is not so clear.

Only a well-versed chemist can understand the WHO paper on the synthesis of cannabinoids. A non-informed individual would get confused with the terminologies used therein.

Mr. Swider also clarified that there are various ways to convert CBD to delta-8, but none of these methods can give a 100% yield of pure delta-8 isolates. The output always comes out with some unknown variety of compounds. The percentage of these unknown compounds varies depending on the method used.

The WHO can instead point out efficient and cleaner methods of isolating delta-8 from these cannabinoids, because companies are usually left with the task of identifying the unknown compounds, as well as determining how to separate them from the needed d-8 isolates.

What Can Marijuana Strain Names Tell You About A Product? — Photo by Kindel Media from Pexels

The problem now is that several companies rather than look for ways to separate these unknowns, invalidate their presence instead. Hence, the ubiquitous consumables filled with unhealthy compounds found everywhere in the market.

And example is when CBD is converted and the result is 70% delta-8 THC and 30% unknown. The chemist is meant to convert these unknowns into a more pure product, because the 30% unknown can make or mar a product.

Looking at it from a consumer perspective

Swider pointed out that he had no discrimination about the delta-8 compound, seeing that some people were preparing it efficiently. However, there are questions regarding production techniques that need to be clarified.

Commercial producers of these isolates are only concerned about making it in time and enough quantify, pushing aside the health and safety of the consumer.

All consumables must be efficiently tested, with their quality modified to fit consumption.

Nowadays, these companies claim they carry out tests. But there is a lot of doubt cast over the genuineness of these test sites. Not to mention the authenticity of the results. These companies seem to uphold profit over ethics when it should be the other way around. It is quite absurd that these test results are not questioned.

What Are Heirloom Marijuana Strains, Exactly? — Photo by Elsa Olofsson via Unsplash

During the interview, Swider reiterated that first and foremost, his biggest issue about the delta-8 topic is public safety.

Unlike delta-9 THC, delta-8 THC is naturally scarce. It can be found in very limited quantities in some plants. The process of extracting this compound is also complex. Suffice to say, these chemical processes are necessary to create d8 isolates.

Safety of D-8 Products

At this point, there is no way to generally classify these products as safe.

Some tips to follow before and after purchasing these products include:

Speaking with a medical professional to guarantee its safety
Take little doses of a product at once
Call into the producer’s company to make inquiries.
Check out other reviews on the internet
Fish out and study lab tests of the product before use

Licensed delta-8 products have labels with advice such as “do not operate heavy machinery” when you’re not sure of the product’s effects.

All of these safety measures and more should be adhered to to ensure the drug is fit for consumption, as well as ensure the consumer is safe after using.

Bottom Line

The forced reactions when converting CBD to delta-8 isolates have been proven to yield unknown compounds. To ascertain the purity of these products, tests are needed to first determine the exact composition of these unknowns.

As more research is being carried out, the reactions yielding unknowns might be discovered and corrected. Several DIY chemists are working on these conversions, alongside professional laboratories.

Before purchasing your delta-8 THC products, do well to carry out informative research about the brand and the product also.

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

5 Best Apps To Find Audiobooks

Maria Loreto

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May 16, 2021

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Audiobooks are an incredibly popular platform for publishing. Here are some of the best apps to find a new favorite.

Audiobooks are a fast growing area of publishing. Providing ample options and convenience to consumers, audiobooks are the ideal companions for any type of activity, from cooking to commuting. Like podcasts, they’re digestible and convenient and they’re not going away any time soon.

Here are some of the best apps where you can find audiobooks:

Audible

heres how you can fall asleep while listening to music without draining your iphones battery — Photo via freestocks.org

With over 200,000 titles in its library, Audible is the powerhouse of audiobooks. The app provides users with great playback features, sleep mode and the capacity to multitask, being a malleable option for listeners of all types. Readers of Kindle books can also now find titles with Audible features, meaning that they can own the digital copy of the book while also having listening features for when you’re driving, cooking or busy doing something else.

Apple and Google Play Books

For Apple and Android users, these apps allows you to have audiobooks without the need of a third party app, just as if they were buying songs from their usual app store.

Hoopla

College Students Seek CBD For Pain And Stress Management — Photo by tortugadatacorp via Pixabay

Being one of the few free apps on this list, Hoopla provides you with your local library on your phone. This means that you get audiobooks, but also movies, television shows, ebooks, comics and more. You only need to sign up with your library card.

Realm

What Will Comic Books Look Like In 2018 — Photo by Lena Orwig via Unsplash

For those who are interested in content that leans more towards sci-fi, Realm is an interesting choice. Providing original programming, their audio content provides listeners with bite-sized selections that range from Thor: Metal Gods to the continuation of Orphan Black. The first episode is free and following installments cost $1.99 per episode.

Libro.fm

Best Independent Bookstores — Photo by freddie marriage via Unsplash

Providing support for your local bookstore, Libro.fm splits the profits they earn from audiobooks with the independent bookstore of your choice, something that is much needed after the pandemic. You can pay via a monthly membership that costs $14.99 per month or by buying individual titles.

What Ever Happened To All Of That Fentanyl-Laced Marijuana?

Mike Adams

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May 16, 2021

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What Ever Happened To All Of That Fentanyl-Laced Marijuana?

It might have begun as a fluke, a scare tactic, and eventually spiraled out of control and frightened the nation into thinking they might die a horrible death from smoking weed.

Right before the world got hammered with a pandemic that infected millions of people, put even more out of work, and led to months of lockdowns that convinced the population that life was never going to be the same; there was allegedly another savage scourge showing up all over the United States threatening to kill drug users: fentanyl-laced marijuana.

As early as 2017, reports began to surface, suggesting that black market drug dealers were selling cannabis mixed with the dangerous opioid. Law enforcement and even the White House warned this bizarre mixture could potentially kill thousands of Americans. Yet, those reports are now virtually non-existent.

marijuana fentanyl opioids — Photo by Roxana Gonzalez/EyeEm/Getty Images

It all began with some local yokels out of Ohio claiming that they “have seen fentanyl mixed with marijuana.” Even though a DEA spokesman said at the time that he wasn’t familiar with any cases of pot being mixed with the synthetic opioid, he told the press that “there could be some.”

What the DEA failed to mention, however, was that those potential cases would likely only entail marijuana users purposely combining pot with fentanyl to produce a unique high. Pot users have been known to mix weed with various chemicals (even embalming fluid) to enhance their buzzes. But it is doubtful that marijuana was ever being laced with weed in the black market. It just doesn’t make financial sense in any capacity to do so. But considering the huge body count that had been reported over the years from fentanyl-related overdoses, people freaked out.

By spring of 2018, even the federal government bought into the madness. Former Secretary of Health and Human Services Alex Azar told a group of young people at the White House that marijuana was being laced with fentanyl. Later, NIDA director Nora Volkow backed up this claim, saying, “Fentanyl is being used to lace a wide variety of drugs, including marijuana.” In 2019, Kellyanne Conway, who served as the Trump Administration’s czar on the opioid epidemic, revealed that people were “unwittingly” ingesting marijuana laced with fentanyl. “It’s laced into heroin, marijuana, meth, cocaine, and it’s also just being distributed by itself,” she said.

But none of those claims appear to be true. There is no doubt that the opioid crisis was and still is a national killing machine — taking out around 70,000 people every year. But a DEA chemist eventually came forward to say that if there was a problem with fentanyl-laced pot, the death toll would be much more devastating. Presumably, more casualties than the COVID debacle.

Nevertheless, law enforcement kept coming out from time to time to report fentanyl-laced weed in their neck of the woods. Police in parts of New York were perhaps the most vocal about the alleged scourge. “With fentanyl-laced marijuana now confirmed to be in New York state, I am extremely concerned for the safety of anyone using marijuana,” Oneida County Sheriff Robert Maciol told the Oneida Daily Dispatch. Still, there hasn’t been a single report of fentanyl-laced marijuana since 2019.

So, where did it go? Did all the black-market drug dealers suddenly muster some scruples and decide to jettison all underhanded practices that involved selling weed dosed with deadly opioids? Probably not. It’s more plausible that the shoddy details of marijuana-laced fentanyl just got its 15-minutes of fame.

But now it is played out, just like every other piece of fake news that floats to the surface. It might have begun as a fluke, a scare tactic, and eventually spiraled out of control and frightened the nation into thinking they might die a horrible death from smoking weed. In reality, we would hear a lot more about these mishaps if they were actually happening — even if only occasionally. No, while some folks may have experimented with fentanyl-laced pot over the years, it doesn’t seem to be a trend worthy of 2021.

Nice try.

Can You Work From Home Forever? A Lot Of People Want To

Culture

Maria Loreto

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May 16, 2021

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Can You Work From Home Forever? A Lot Of People Want To

After a year of remote work, a lot of people aren’t ready to return to the office.

The pandemic has forever changed how and where we work. According to research conducted by the PEW Research Center, 71% of people who didn’t work remotely in the past found themselves working from home for the majority of 2020. While hitting a few roadblocks along the way, working from home has proven to be relatively easy and profitable for the majority of offices.

With the vaccine in circulation, the return to the office is one of the most discussed topics for a variety of people. While a lot of workers are happy about this, especially parents who cherish an office space for getting their work done, a subset of people don’t think that returning to the office is necessary. 2020 proved that remote work is possible and effective and that it allows people to spend more time with their families than before.

COVID-19 Pandemic Increasing Global Demand For Marijuana, Says United Nations — Photo by Ivan Samkov via Pexels

A survey conducted by Harvard Business School found that 81% participants who had worked from home during the past year preferred a hybrid model or to continue to work from home.

“As we’re preparing to get back to business as usual, it seems professionals don’t want ‘business as usual,'” said Patrick Mullane, Harvard Business School online executive director. “They want flexibility from their employers to allow them to maintain the new work/home balance and productivity they have come to enjoy.”

Despite the difficulty of adapting to a work from home schedule and the fact that there’s many distractions around, the majority of people prefer a hybrid model, something that would allow them to work on the office some days and work from home on others.

How To Improve Your Internet When Working From Home — Photo by Thought Catalog via Unsplash

One thing is sure: many changes in the work force are coming.

“The great resignation is coming, “Anthony Klotz, associate professor of management at Texas A&M University, told Bloomberg. He explained that, due to last year’s uncertainty, a lot of people stayed in their jobs despite being unhappy or wanting to do something different with their careers. He said there’s a lot of uncertainty coming for both companies and employees.

In the article “How to Quit Your Job in the Great Post-Pandemic Resignation Boom,” Bloomberg states that “Companies are figuring out how to maintain their cultures and employees, so many are offering multiple options: Do you want to come back full time? Work remotely? In-office three days a week? Four days? One day? It will be unclear whether these options will be permanent, making it difficult for employees to decide whether to stay or go.”

In the coming months, a lot of workers will find themselves weighing their options. Big changes are coming and employees will have some leverage with their companies, allowing them some breathing room and perhaps an adoption of a hybrid model or the chance to work from home. The way in which companies adapt will determine the happiness of their employees.

Bongs And Pipes What’s The Best Option For New Smokers

Maria Loreto

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May 15, 2021

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Bongs And Pipes What’s The Best Option For New Smokers

Bongs and pipes are great first steps for any marijuana enthusiast. They’re a natural progression for someone who’s smoked some weed with friends and wants to develop a deeper relationship with cannabis.

New cannabis smokers face many exciting first steps. Whether to buy sativa or indica, consume edibles, smoke joints or vapes, and which rolling papers to use. It can all be very overwhelming. One of the more exciting indoctrinations is purchasing your first smoking piece; should you go for a bong or a pipe? They both have their pros and cons.

Bongs and pipes are the most traditional routes for smoking. If you have one of these, you only need some weed and hopefully a grinder. Here’s a breakdown of the two:

Pipes

Pipes are the most comfortable and portable option. They’re discreet and don’t ask for any skill when trying to smoke. You pack your bowl and you’re all set. Pipes are generally cheaper and last for longer periods of time. If it falls and it breaks, it’s very easy to replace and not a lot of tears will be shed.

Pipes are a good option for someone who is experimenting with cannabis. It’s a simple and cheap commitment. The pipe can be put away when it’s not in use and won’t take up much room in your place. It’s also a good option when living with parents or conservative roommates. Pipes range from one hitters, to disposable and elaborate pieces.

Bongs

Bongs are not portable or easy to disguise, but they are one of the first and most popular investments to which a cannabis person commits. Since they’re water pipes, they make for a smoother hit, keeping some of the ash in the water and preventing your lungs from feeling like they’re on fire. Bong users generally love their bongs and prefer smoking from them over any other pieces or methods.

While slightly intimidating for those who have never used them, bongs are easier to control than hits from other devices. Still, since they’re a bit more expensive than the average pipe, they’re worth thinking over and doing some research since there’s tons of options out there. They’re delicate and not discreet, making it tough to hide them and put them in a place where they can’t be found.

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Bongs and pipes are great first steps for any marijuana enthusiast. They are the natural progression for someone who’s smoked some weed with friends and wants to develop a deeper relationship with cannabis. In the end, it’s all up to your personal preference and whether you want something that can be carried on the go or smoked comfortably indoors.

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