How Alcohol And Weed Affect Young Adult Brains

Terry Hacienda

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April 23, 2021

How Alcohol And Weed Affect Young Adult Brains

It is becoming a known fact that alcohol causes brain damage while cannabis does not, and there are studies to back up these claims.

In the past, prohibitionists loved to say that cannabis would cause brain damage, but new studies now show that alcohol does, while cannabis does not. The latest study of this kind revealed that alcohol impacts cortical thickness among young people, which was not the case with those who used cannabis.

The brain’s cortical thickness is a metric used to measure how thick the layers are in the cerebral cortex. Cortical thickness gives an idea of a person’s cognitive abilities; it can give doctors and scientists an idea if there is any disease such as Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s, and it can also determine if there is some type of brain damage.

teens are trying marijuana before alcohol and tobacco — Photo by rawpixel.com

For the study, researchers analyzed the association between cannabis and alcohol exposure in the brains of young adults. They took a sample size using 436 twins, all of whom were 24 years of age. They then assessed the frequency, quality, density, and level of intoxication occurred after consuming both alcohol and marijuana, and after that they gathered data to check if marijuana use had an effect on cortical thickness which was measured through magnetic resonance imaging.

The researchers selected cannabis and alcohol-consuming twins for subjects so that they could assess what the impacts were, if any, of two different substances on them. “Greater alcohol, but not cannabis, misuse was associated with reduced thickness of prefrontal and frontal medial cortices, as well as the temporal lobe, intraparietal sulcus, insula, parietal operculum, precuneus, and parietal medial areas,” writes the study.

“No significant associations between cannabis use and thickness were observed. The lack of cannabis-specific effects is consistent with literature reviews, large sample studies, and evidence that observed cannabis effects may be accounted for by comorbid alcohol,” says the researchers.

“This study provides novel evidence that alcohol-related reductions in cortical thickness of control/salience brain networks likely represent the effects of alcohol exposure and premorbid characteristics of the genetic predisposition to misuse alcohol. The dual effects of these two alcohol-related causal influences have important and complementary implications regarding public health and prevention efforts to curb youth drinking.”

Consistent With Previous Studies

It is becoming a known fact that alcohol causes brain damage while cannabis does not, and there are studies to back up these claims. A study from 2017 conducted by researchers from Oregon Health & Science University together with the University of Colorado analyzed neuroimaging data taken from adults aged 18 through 55, as well as adolescents aged 14 through 18. The investigators determined that there was a link between alcohol consumption and changes observed in terms of brain structure but they found no causation among those who consumed cannabis.

“Alcohol use severity is associated with widespread lower gray matter volume and white matter integrity in adults, and with lower gray matter volume in adolescents,” the study concludes. On the other hand: “No associations were observed between structural measures and past 30-day cannabis use in adults or adolescents.”

Additionally, the researchers made it clear that their findings were consistent with older studies, “suggesting that regionally specific differences between cannabis users and non-users are often inconsistent across studies and that some of the observed associations may actually be related to comorbid alcohol use.”

Vaping THC Can Be Riskier For Teens Than Smoking It, Study Shows — Photo by Eliott Reyna via Unsplash

There are more studies, too. One from 2015 conducted by researchers at the University of Colorado and the University of Louisville in Kentucky analyzed the brain morphology of adolescent and adult subjects who were daily cannabis users and compared them to non-users. They specifically looked for changes among their nucleus accumbens, hippocampus, amygdala, and cerebellum.

The researchers said they found “no statistically significant differences… between daily users and nonusers on volume or shape in the regions of interest”. This was observed after they checked for their alcohol consumption.

“The results indicate that, when carefully controlling for alcohol use, gender, age, and other variables, there is no association between marijuana use and standard volumetric or shape measurements of subcortical structures,” wrote researchers.

Cannabis Actually Protects The Brain

Cannabis use doesn’t just not cause any impact on the brain; it actually protects it, says many studies.

One study from 2017 conducted by researchers from the University of Bonn and the Hebrew University revealed that consuming regular doses of low THC can help prevent the brain from slowing down, which is normally caused by aging. The animal study involved testing mice of various ages: 2 months, a year, and 18 years old every day, while administering them with THC for a month. They were then tested based on their capability to recognize objects familiar to them, and to navigate water mazes.

The results, which were also similarly observed in human trials, revealed that younger mice performed superbly when they were sober though they tended to show struggles when they were on THC. Meanwhile, the older mice struggled with their tasks but this was expected since they had older brains. What was interesting was that they found that the older mice saw a boost in performance when they were given THC infusions, leading their performance to be as better as the mice who weren’t given any THC at all.

“Together, these results reveal a profound, long-lasting improvement of cognitive performance resulting from a low dose of THC treatment in mature and old animals,” study co-author Andras Bilkei-Gorzo told The Guardian.

“If we can rejuvenate the brain so that everybody gets five to ten more years without needing extra care then that is more than we could have imagined.”

So there. Even more studies proving the benefits of cannabis for the brain. So put down that bottle, and get using!

This article was created in partnership with Cannabis.net

Surprisingly, Our Consumption Of This Dropped Last Year

Maria Loreto

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April 22, 2021

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Surprisingly, Our Consumption Of This Dropped Last Year

2020 might have been the year when we collectively drank the most booze. Despite this, the wine industry experienced a decline in sales.

Against all odds, wine consumption dropped by a significant margin last year. Despite the fact that the COVID-19 pandemic has pushed happy hour earlier in the day, new reports show that wine consumption dropped to its lowest level since 2002.

The International Organization of Vine and Wine (OIV) named 2020 “a year of resilience.” In a new report they reveal that the global consumption of wine dropped by 3%, about 6.2 billion gallons of it. Wine production was also slightly below average when compared to 2019.

Food & Wine reports that while COVID-19 is partly to blame for these developments, according to OIV, “The full or partial closure of the [hospitality industry] has caused a fall in sales in value, and to a lesser extent in volume, only partially compensated by the increase in wine sales via e-commerce and large retailers.”

They added that, “Premium wine suffered the most from the closure of restaurants and tasting rooms, while large producers that owned the off-premise channel with large partner wholesalers performed well.” OIV also mentions the imposition of new trade barriers, like Brexit, which have also influenced wine sales.

Still, despite these results, predictions of wine sales were expected to be worse considering how heavily COVID-19 impacted the hospitality industry. While sales dropped in restaurants and bars, this was compensated in significant amounts by supermarkets and liquor stores.

A closer look at the results show that the U.S. was the leading buyer of wine in the world, consuming about 33 million hectoliters, continuing the trend that they’d set in past years. Sparkling wine (excluding Prosecco) experienced a sharp decline in consumption while boxed wine experienced a rise.

Boxed wine might not be the fanciest of wines, but it is definitely a type of container capable of holding large quantities of wine for a much cheaper price. While wine sales were down in restaurants and bars, it’s clear that at home, we were still drinking a lot, perhaps more than in years past.

Cannabis Companies Begin To Embrace Sustainability

Julie Aitcheson

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April 22, 2021

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Cannabis Companies Begin To Embrace Sustainability

The preference of eco-conscious cannabis consumers to buy environmentally-friendly products has motivated many businesses to clean up their act.

Earth Day 2021 is upon us, and cannabis companies across the industry are mobilizing to take “sustainability” from buzzword to business practice. Earth Day was founded in 1970 by Senator Gaylord Nelson as a national teach-in on the environment to raise awareness about issues like pollution and pesticide use.

While the cannabis industry has long been associated with the word “green”, the environmental impacts of production, packaging, distribution and materials sourcing for products like vape pens are often anything but.

Today’s consumers have grown up with the annual tradition of Earth Day and the heightened environmental awareness it promotes. Studies show sustainability is a factor driving customers’ buying decisions. Recent research by IBM revealed that nearly six in 10 consumers surveyed are willing to change their shopping habits to reduce environmental impact, and nearly eight in 10 indicated sustainability is important to them. Many will be looking for cannabis products that align with their cleaner, greener values.

A diverse group of North America’s leading cannabis cultivation and manufacturing experts formed the Sustainable Cannabis Coalition (SCC) earlier this year. The SCC will work proactively with industry cultivation and manufacturing peers and vendors to promote proven sustainability best practices that can be implemented at scale across the cannabis market. The SCC will be a resource providing foundational best practices to further promote the economic benefits of sustainability as the industry continues to grow.

The SCC founders include Cohn Reznick, Anderson Porter Design, Valiant, Wholly H2O, Cloud Farming, Argus Controls, Gro iQ, Trulieve (OTC: TCNNF), Byers Scientific, 365 Cannabis, GMP Collective, Omega Equipment, and Supply, Simplifya, PathogenDx, Grow Generation (NASDAQ: GRWG), and Outlaw Technology. These industry leaders are foremost experts in data-driven business strategy, facility design, facility construction, water use, pathogen detection, energy consumption, waste disposal, economic and social impact, vertical farming, ERP and seed to sale systems, lighting, air emissions, extraction, packaging and data-driven monitoring and optimization of environmental control systems.

Photo by Ethan Miller/Staff/Getty Images

Brands Tackling Sustainability

Eco-conscious cannabis consumers make up a large percentage of the marijuana-consuming population and their preference for buying environmentally-friendly products has motivated many businesses to clean up their act. Other companies have made sustainable practices a cornerstone of their business model. Nugg Club, a cannabis subscription box company, employs a model that is 90% more efficient than on-demand delivery services, resulting in over 250,000 pounds of carbon emissions saved each year. On top of that, Nugg Club’s boxes are 100% recyclable, made out of 80% recycled materials, and printed with nontoxic soy-based ink.

If you want to make sure that the contents of your subscription boxes have a similarly small carbon footprint, several companies have stepped up their sustainability game to meet the rising demand for greener products. California-based Summerland, which sells premium hand-made bongs and pipes, makes its smokeware in small batches made from pure clay. Stone Road grows its biodynamically-grown cannabis on an off-grid, family-run farm using only solar power and artesian water sourced from directly under the farm. All Stone Road products come in 99% recyclable packaging made from 100% post-consumer recycled goods. This year the company will start using rice protein isolate to create packing material, sourcing fully recycled glass jars and reclaimed ocean plastic to make their child-resistant lids.

US Cannabis Sales Projected To Hit $28 Billion In 2022 — Photo by
Ivan-balvan/Getty Images

Kin Slips sublingual strips’ new packaging uses 75% less plastic than the previous version. It is entirely recyclable and made from Tinplate (the same material from which soup cans are made), which is easy to recycle and sort due to its magnetic nature and existing infrastructure. ALT’s liquid THC drink mixer is packaged in recyclable glass vials with sustainably sourced aluminum lids, while Marley Natural’s line of elevated smoking accessories features sustainably grown black walnut. Greening the cannabis industry will take more than responsible products and packaging, but Earth Day 2021 will see more focus on sustainable practices than ever before as companies increasingly co-prioritize planet and profit, hopefully to the benefit of both.

Eaze’s private label brand Everyday is an environmentally conscious brand, with recyclable packaging created using wind energy. By partnering with master indoor growers, the Everyday team has curated a range of high-quality flower strains for customers with discerning taste. Everyday starts at $45 for an eighth of flower.

Sana Packaging is working to make sustainable packaging more accessible by reducing the cost of its 100% reclaimed ocean plastic pre-roll tub by 30% and reducing materials used by 25%. The sustainable company also makes packaging from 100% plant-based hemp. The Bureau creates a variety of innovative and sustainable cannabis packaging designs made from biodegradable plastic and paper. Their products are customizable to meet each client’s specific needs and budget.

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

Rachael Rapinoe Talks Cannabis, Entrepreneurship And Personal Motivations

El Planteo

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April 22, 2021

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Rachael Rapinoe Talks Cannabis, Entrepreneurship And Personal Motivations

Having spent her playing days being prescribed every kind of pill there is, Rachael knows first-hand that the aid given to her did not fix any pain, or set her up for long-term health.

By Natalia Kesselman and Javier Hasse. Originally published on Benzinga’s El Planteo.

CBD for athletes is in. 

This has been true for a while in the National Hockey League, the National Football League, and even in Major League Baseball. While it took longer for soccer, the CBD ball has finally reached this field.

And who better to hoof it right in there than former pro soccer player Rachael Rapinoe? 

The Californian, currently based in Oregon, has been kicking it hard in the cannabis space with her CBD brand, Mendi.

11 minutes older than her twin Megan (the “pink haired lesbian goddess,” as she describes her), and therefore “more of an OG” Rachael has finally woken soccer’s interest in CBD. Although it is unclear why this sport was one of the few where cannabis and hemp were still not being talked about, that’s precisely what has given Rapinoe a head start.

“We’re excited to own the soccer market here in the United States with Megan, because it’s completely untapped,” says the player.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Rachael Rapinoe she/her (@rrapinoe)

This is what allowed them to “really tell the story of CBD,” both opening the conversation, and making their way gently into the space, without ruffling too many feathers.

Now offering both a no-THC Base line and a full spectrum <0.3% Core line, Mendi is without a doubt the sports focused CBD brand you’ve got to watch out for.

Feel Good, Do Good

“I care about interpersonal growth,” says the entrepreneur, when asked about her passions.

Rachael believes that loving oneself (which is not easy and takes time) is the secret to growth: once accomplished, it bleeds into the other areas of life. Only when we are truly at peace with ourselves can we help each other evolve because, in the athlete’s words, “our relationship with the world is a direct reflection of the relationship with yourself.”

“I’m all in on equality,” she added, “I’m all in with social justice. But I think you have to even take a step back from these issues and learn how to love yourself, first. And that’s my truth.”

Of course, CBD plays into all of this: “I believe in feeding your body from top to bottom, in the healthiest, most natural way possible.”

Soccer Superstar Megan Rapinoe Builds Equality For All Through Cannabis — Photo by Tevarak Phanduang via Unsplash

As someone who grew up with western medicine and spent her playing days being prescribed every kind of pill there is, Rachael knows first-hand that the aid given to her did not fix any pain, or set her up for long-term health.

“It’s not nutritious for your body,” she states.

Rapinoe also points out how our bodies are actually built to interact with the cannabis plant through the endocannabinoid system, “and not only that, we have natural endocannabinoids produced to feed those receptors but like everything else, we don’t produce enough of it.”

That’s basically the role cannabis (CBD, THC and all the other cannabinoids) plays.

“We need the extra minerals and extra vitamins and extra cannabinoids to feed all of these systems; whereas opioids, and Tylenol and Advil, your body doesn’t produce that stuff, you don’t actually need them .”

Education Is Key To Growth 

Most people who have consumed THC in any manner — especially edibles — have had the unpleasant experience of overdoing it with the dose, at least once. Of course, one of the many perks of weed is that you can’t OD on it, but an excess of THC consumption can render some truly scary moments. Rachael is no stranger to this feeling.

“I’ve had stories of edibles where I took too much and I thought I was gonna die. Everyone has a story like that, but that is not what defines cannabis. It’s only because I had a lack of education around dosing and I didn’t know how much to take.”

Based on her own experiences as well as other people’s, Rachael feels education is key for the cannabis industry to mature. However, it’s extremely difficult to properly educate consumers when the space is still highly restricted. Neither does the medical community get enough funding for controlled studies to be able to “accurately study the effects of THC, CBD as well as the other 100+ cannabinoids,” as the player says.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Mendi (@themendico)

“We need more studies so we can collate all of the education around cannabis and be able to educate people on which part of the plant -or which plant, hemp or marijuana- works best for them.”

As for the normalization of cannabis in sports, the relation to the previous is a pretty clear equation: science plus education plus legislation equals more and better products. More innovative and more sophisticated products will allow cannabis to reach every space, including sports, where it is much needed.

However, for this to work, we need “all hands on deck,” she says. This means the federal government, the FDA, and the science and medical communities will all have to get onboard to truly make a change. It is the only way to get enough information to protect the public and steer them in the right direction for picking what product is best for them.

“Smoking a blunt is super nostalgic,” she says laughingly. “But I don’t see athletes smoking a joint after a game… You don’t need to do that, there are other ways to consume cannabis more effectively

“I think that athletes are going to get to a place where they’re going to be taking a protein shake during an interview, that’s infused with cannabinoids. […] That’s where this industry needs to go.”

Leading By Example

“My approach is much different than Megan’s. I am not as out and loud and charismatic, I have more of a blue collar mentality. I roll up my sleeves, stay on the quieter side and lead by example,” says the soccer star.

Mendi is not only influential in the CBD space. The company seeks to advocate for gender equality, both in soccer and in general.

For one, the company is almost completely female and LGBT+ led, which is already quite a feat on its own.

But, in addition, its spokeswomen are two of the most respected professional athletes in their respective sports: Megan Rapinoe in soccer, and Sue Bird in basketball.

This is why Mendi’s demographic began slightly skewed female. However it’s almost even at this point, says Rachael. “Our brand is gender neutral and our language is gender neutral.

“We just wanted to use the first year to champion equality and properly convey ‘this is who we are, this is what we stand for’, and we were coming to market intentionally investing in women first. But we’re very much on board with supporting male leagues and athletes, especially underserved male leagues.”

‘Fuel To Our Fire’

The wage gap across just about every industry is not news, and neither is gender inequality in sports. Except for maybe tennis, female athletes are wildly underpaid and under invested in. This, of course, really gets these confident women fired up:

“What makes it infuriating is that people want to make the argument that male sports bring in more revenue than female sports, and you cannot make an argument when male sports have a 100 miles starting point. Their start point is so far ahead of the women’s game because they’ve been invested in for years (…) so of course, you’re not going to see the same results if you’re half-assing your investment”.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Mendi (@themendico)

When it comes to Mendi, Rachael’s wish is for them to become leaders in the industry: to disperse their product among all sports, all athletes, and all employees. In doing so, the goal is not only to kick off the ball, but pioneer a whole new landscape.

The strategy to actually bring significant social progress is to build a platform so big, employing so many people, that the company can corner the market. “But in the right way”, as R.R. puts it; to do good. “To genuinely create a fair, equitable and diverse culture for all people to succeed.

“We want to continue standing up for issues around equality and equity, in business as well as sports. We really just want to get to a place where there are no boundaries for us, where people can’t tell us to ‘shut up and dribble’. (…) Then we’ll have a strong enough foothold to push other leaders in the industry to do better, and to do more. This is the fuel to our fire.”

How To Be Eco-Friendly With Your Marijuana

Maria Loreto

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April 22, 2021

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How To Be Eco-Friendly With Your Marijuana

Here’s how you can adapt your cannabis use to minimize its impact on the planet, reducing the amount of waste you create, and providing support to the right businesses.

It’s Earth Day, which means the spotlight is on our planet, (hopefully) encouraging us all to pay a little extra attention to the issues that are affecting it. The tradition began in 1970, when the first Earth Day was celebrated and over 20 million people mobilized to call for greater protections to our planet.

Cannabis isn’t normally associated with environmental dangers; on the contrary, it’s an activity that’s long been associated with the good things that come from the earth. Now that we’re all more aware of the threat of global warming, a large percentage of society is looking for ways to help out the environment in any way possible, whether it’s recycling or reducing waste.

When it comes to cannabis, there are a few things conscious consumers can do in order to be more mindful of the environment and to truly know where their product is coming from. Here’s how to use marijuana in ways that are environmentally conscious.

Avoid baggies and recycle bottles

Why you didn't get the cannabis strain you think you did — Photo by Zummolo/Getty Images

Packaging is an issue with most consumer products. When it comes to cannabis, one of the perks of legalization is the increased use of glass containers and the disregard of plastic, one of the most difficult elements for the earth to process. Whenever possible, go for glass containers, since these can be washed and repurposed. Once you’re done with them, make sure to recycle them in your nearest dispensary or by ensuring that your community recycles glass and dropping them in your recycling bin.

Buy organic

5 Tips To Help You Make The Most Of Your CBD — Photo by Caitlin Riley/Getty Images

Cannabis remains federally illegal, meaning that organic certification isn’t available. Still. certifications like Clean Green and Sun+Earth are some of the equivalents to organic certification and were developed by growers and activists who want to farm and grow products in ways that are least harmful to the environment.

Know who grows your weed

Green Rush Blues: Can Sustainable Farmers Survive Marijuana Legalization? — Photo via Project CBD

One of the biggest issues with black market weed is the fact that there’s no regulation process behind the growth of this product, which at times can contain synthetic pesticides and can harm wildlife and water supplies. Legal marijuana businesses often have to enroll in energy saving programs, which lower their energy usage, and have to limit the amount of toxic elements that they use. This is better for the planet; supporting these programs is one of the most straightforward ways of making these kinds of businesses thrive.

Will New York’s Cannabis Law Create Sweeping Changes For Its Hemp Industry?

Nathalie Bougenies

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April 21, 2021

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Will New York’s Cannabis Law Create Sweeping Changes For Its Hemp Industry?

Stakeholders not currently operating under a NYDAM research partnership agreement will need to wait a bit longer before they may lawfully enter New York’s cannabinoid hemp market.

On March 31, Governor Andrew Cuomo signed into law the much-anticipated “Marijuana Regulation and Taxation Act“ (the “MRTA”). You can find our ongoing coverage of all things MRTA here. What isn’t obvious from the title of this new law, however, is that it includes provisions that may change how the state will eventually regulate its hemp industry.

The MRTA is the first state law that proposes to centralize the regulation of cannabis operators, including hemp and marijuana stakeholders. As we previously discussed, the MRTA tasked the Cannabis Control Board (the “CCB”) with implementing rules and regulations for “cannabinoid hemp” and marijuana which will eventually be administered by the Office of Cannabis Management (the “OCM”).

How New York Just Became The Newest Global Destination For Cannabis Tourism — Photo by Joshua Earle via Unsplash

This is significant because just a year ago, the state enacted A08977, which instructed the New York’s State Department of Health (the “DOH”) to develop the state’s “Cannabinoid Hemp Program” (the “Program”) which was designed to regulate the processing, manufacturing, and sale of hemp extract and cannabinoid hemp products (finished hemp-derived products used for human consumption, except cosmetics) in the state.

Launched in November 2020, the Program requires processors, manufacturers and retailers of these cannabinoid hemp products to first obtain a license from the DOH, and establishes quality control standards in the form of proposed rules (the “Rule”). Although the DOH is accepting applications for cannabinoid hemp processor, retail licenses, and distributor permits, the state agency has yet to adopt and publish the Rule in the New York State Register. This means that no state hemp processor, distributor, or retailer is formally operating under these new regulations — the only lawful and formally regulated operations in the state are currently limited to activities pursuant to research partnership agreements with the Department of Agriculture and Markets (the “NYDAM”).

New York Marijuana Legalization Takes Big Step Forward — Photo by Roberto Vivancos via Pexels

Nevertheless, the MRTA provides that existing rules, regulations, and determination made by the DOH that pertain to cannabinoid hemp at the time the CCB and the OCM take over the regulation of these products would remain in place until this new regulatory body adopts or repeals them. Therefore, it remains to be seen if the DOH will opt to finalize the rule making process or if it will defer to the CCB and the OCM in deciding whether to adopt the Rule in its current form, or a version of it, in the months to come.

What is apparent from reading the MRTA is that Article 5, which contains provisions governing the regulation of cannabinoid hemp products and hemp extract, generally aligns with the Rule in that it contains similar definitions and mandates that cannabinoid hemp processors and retailers secure a license to lawfully enter this market.

That said, Article 5 also contains language that suggests the CCB may impose additional requirements on the hemp industry. For example, the MRTA stipulates that wholesale activities will not be authorized without obtaining an appropriate registration or permit. It also provides that the CCB may issue “special use permits,” which are temporary permits for carrying on any activities related to cannabinoid hemp, hemp extract and products derived from hemp that are licensed by the agency.

So, while it’s impossible to determine to what extent the MRTA and its upcoming regulations will impact the hemp industry, one thing is certain: stakeholders not currently operating under a NYDAM research partnership agreement will need to wait a bit longer before they may lawfully enter New York’s cannabinoid hemp market.

Nathalie Bougenies is an attorney at Harris Bricken. This article was originally published on the Canna Law Blog and is reposted with permission.

Will Biden Approve A Federal Cannabis Legalization Bill If It Reaches His Desk?

Benzinga Staff Writer

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April 21, 2021

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Will Biden Approve A Federal Cannabis Legalization Bill If It Reaches His Desk?

What would Biden actually do if a bill to legalize cannabis reaches his desk? According to his press secretary, he wouldn’t be prone to approving it.

By Nina Zdinjak

White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki answered various cannabis legalization questions on the unofficial cannabis holiday 4/20, refusing to make clear whether or not President Joe Biden would sign a bill to legalize cannabis on the federal level.

When asked if Biden would sign the bill to halt federal cannabis prohibition if Congress approved it, Psaki said that he supports states’ rights to do so.

Joe Biden Isn’t Senile — He’s Just Hard Of Learning When It Comes To Weed — Photo by Drew Angerer/Getty Images

Unclear Response

“The president supports leaving decisions regarding legalization for recreational use up to the states, rescheduling cannabis as a Schedule II drug so researchers can study its positive and negative impacts and, at the federal level, he supports decriminalizing marijuana use and automatically expunging any prior criminal records,” she said. “He also supports legalizing medicinal marijuana so that’s his point of view on the issue.”

The question came back more directly and precisely in an effort to find out what would Biden actually do if the bill reaches his desk, upon which Psaki alluded that he wouldn’t be prone to approving it, further stating that, “I just have outlined what his position is, which isn’t the same as what the House and Senate have proposed, but they have not yet passed a bill.”

Just last week Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) revealed his plans to introduce a federal cannabis legalization bill soon.

“I am going to put this bill on the floor soon. It hasn’t been introduced yet,” Schumer said, noting he has been working with Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ) and Senate Finance Committee Chairman Ron Wyden (D-OR) on the measure’s draft. “Once it is introduced, it will go on the floor,” Schumer said.

SAFE Banking Act And Request For More Research

In regards to the SAFE Banking Act, which was approved Monday for the fourth time by the U.S. House of Representatives, Psaki noted she is not familiar with the president’s stance on it and would need to follow up with the answer, reported the outlet.

Psaki pointed out that although Biden supports decriminalization and legalizing medical cannabis, he demands more research on the affects of recreational use legalization.

“He’ll look at the research once that’s concluded,” Psaki said. “Of course we understand the movement that’s happening toward it. I’m speaking for what his position is and what long consistently has been his position. He wants to decriminalize, but again, he’ll look at the research of the positive and negative impacts.”

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

Analyst Optimistic About Legalization

Jaret Seiberg, an analyst at Cowen, said in a Monday note that it doesn’t matter what the president thinks about cannabis; if it reaches his desk, he’ll sign, reported Forbes.

“We believe there is too much focus on President Biden. It does not matter how he views legalization,” Seiberg wrote. “He will sign into law whatever cannabis bill that the Democratic Congress sends him. Legalization may not be Biden’s priority, but he will not be an obstacle to it becoming law.”

Seiberg recognized the challenge of getting the 10 Republican votes needed for the victory. “It is why the industry’s lobby efforts are critical. Legalization is unstoppable once there are 10 Senate GOP votes.”

Cowen is, however, enthusiastic about overcoming these difficulties and seeing the bill approved in Congress.

Schumer shares the optimism: “Hopefully, the next time this unofficial holiday 420 rolls around, our country will have made progress in addressing the massive over-criminalization of marijuana in a meaningful and comprehensive way.”

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

States Pushing Cannabis Operations To Be More Earth Friendly

Julie Aitcheson

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April 21, 2021

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States Pushing Cannabis Operations To Be More Earth Friendly

Aside from the many negative impacts of illegal grow operations (banned insecticides, illegal diversion of stream water, unchecked chemical runoff), legal operations can also pack a devastating environmental punch.

With both 420 and Earth Day (4/22) being celebrated this week, there’s an opportunity to take a good, hard look at the environmental impacts of the cannabis industry as well as legislative responses to those challenges.

Resource use and extraction, air and water quality, and waste management are just a few of the environmental issues confronting indoor, outdoor, and greenhouse cultivation operations. Worth a staggering $61 billion, the cannabis industry is profiting heavily from its current practices, so it stands to reason that legislators are looking to heightened restrictions, green incentives, and higher permitting and licensing fees to offset some of the environmental costs of production and manufacturing.

sustainable cannabis — Photo by Matteo Paganelli via Unsplash

Aside from the many negative impacts of illegal grow operations, including the use of banned insecticides, illegal diversion of stream water, and unchecked chemical runoff, legal operations can still pack a devastating environmental punch. Soil degradation increased load on water and energy infrastructure systems, and carbon and volatile organic compound emissions from terpenes all have scientists, activists, and lawmakers scrambling to make sure the cannabis market’s booming profits don’t come at the expense of planetary health.

The Puget Sound Clear Air Agency in Washington State has imposed a requirement that recreational marijuana producers and processors comply with air quality regulations after they have obtained licensing. This involves paying a fee for a Notice of Construction permit that details odor control equipment and solvent usage information, as well as submitting a plan view of the facility, a schematic drawing of the HVAC system, and an environmental checklist among other requirements.

In California, state government-run Water Boards require permitted growers to register water rights and follow strict guidelines that include prohibitions on diverting surface water from April through October and irrigating with stored water during the dry season. Any non-consumer wastes produced in cannabis operations manufacturing vape cartridges and pens in the state are required to be managed by electronics recyclers, which puts California ahead of most states in this particular practice.

House Approves Bill To Enhance Medical Marijuana Research — Photo by CasarsaGuru/Getty Images

The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection prohibits “the emission into the outdoor atmosphere of any malodorous contaminants”, which has shut down more than one processing hemp drying operation in the state while encouraging others to upgrade their generators and air scrubbers to keep business running. Other states such as New Jersey have regulated certain areas as protected lands, such as shellfish habitat, wetlands, and riparian zones, which require special permits or authorization in order to be used for cannabis cultivation.

In Colorado, Boulder has city codes that require marijuana businesses to utilize renewable energy to offset 100% of their electricity consumption as part of Boulder’s Sustainability and Climate Action Plan. In addition, several local governments in Colorado, in conjunction with the state, have prepared a “Cannabis Environmental Best Practices Guide”, but as long as adherence to measures such as these remains elective or wildly variable from state to state, both illegal and legal marijuana operations will continue to stymy efforts to ensure that that the cannabis boom is not a bust for the environment.

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

How Cannabis Banking Bill Fares In Senate Will Dictate Future Of National Marijuana Reform

Mike Adams

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April 21, 2021

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How Cannabis Banking Bill Fares In Senate Will Dictate Future Of National Marijuana Reform

If it passes, perhaps more Republican attitudes are going progressive. If it doesn’t, there’s little chance that anything more substantial would either.

We’re about to learn the cold hard truth about the Senate’s power to pass a comprehensive marijuana bill in 2021. Any smidgen of hope that the nation will see marijuana legalization at the national level this year is ultimately contingent on the survival of a modest cannabis banking bill.

The House of Representatives just passed a cannabis-related measure known as the SAFE Banking Act in a vote of 321-101. Now, before you get too excited, you should know that this proposal isn’t really a call to reform marijuana laws. All it would do is give banks permission to do business with the cannabis industry. It allows cannabis operations at the state level to be considered legitimate businesses among their communities. It wouldn’t legalize anything; it doesn’t change the federal government’s stance on the herb; it does nothing except prevent federal law enforcement from harassing banks that accept deposits from pot companies. (Note: Since legalization began in the U.S., no harassment of this kind has been reported.)

This isn’t the first time the SAFE Banking Act has passed the House. It did once before in 2019 before being squashed by a Republican-dominated Senate. But things are different now, right? The Democrats have majority rule in the upper chamber this time around — they are calling the shots — so it stands to reason that this marijuana banking bill should pass with flying colors.

Senate Republicans Really Don't Want SAFE Marijuana Banking — Photo by Bloomberg Creative Photos/Getty Images

Let’s hope so, because if this modest bill fails to make it through the Senate, there’s no chance that much larger legislation calling for the end of federal pot prohibition will land on the steps of the White House.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said recently that he would like to see the SAFE Banking Act pass as part of comprehensive marijuana to change the national pot laws. All this time, Schumer has been preaching a need to end prohibition — through legalization or decriminalization, whichever is easier for President Joe Biden to swallow — and expunge the criminal records of people with pot convictions. His goal seems to be putting states at ease when passing their pot laws without setting up federal regulations that would allow Big Alcohol and Big Tobacco to hijack the industry. It’s conceivable that Schumer’s proposal, which is set to be introduced “soon,” already contains a version of SAFE Banking.

But if Schumer does allow the House version to go up for a vote, cannabis advocates will finally see the true clout of the Democratic Senate on its quest to change pot laws. Schumer might also hold off until his bill is ready.

If moved to the Senate floor for a vote, the SAFE Banking Act would be susceptible to the filibuster — an old Senate rule that requires a 60-vote supermajority. We would see then just how much bipartisan support this measure really has. It’s possible that it could pass without issue. After all, the bill would also make it easier for hemp farmers to do business with banks, something that Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell might be onboard with at this juncture.

Filibuster Not Going Anywhere — What Does That Mean For Marijuana In 2021? — Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images

However, it seems unlikely that he’ll want to join hands to help further the Democratic agenda. Republicans are still sore about the 2020 election and how the Democrats have been leaning on budget reconciliation methods to pass the Biden agenda without their input.

So, revenge is coming.

A betting man (or woman) should watch the progress of the SAFE Banking Act closely as it marches to the Senate. What happens from this point forward could indicate just how well the prospect of federal marijuana legalization is postured. If it passes, perhaps more Republican attitudes are going progressive. If it doesn’t, there’s little chance that anything more substantial would either. Unfortunately, this could be both the beginning and the end of the Democrat’s push to legalize marijuana.

What Is Sinsemilla And What Does It Mean In The Cannabis Industry?

Cannabis

Terry Hacienda

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April 21, 2021

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What Is Sinsemilla And What Does It Mean In The Cannabis Industry?

It is neither a Sativa, Indica, or hybrid. The only aspect that counts when a plant is being termed a sinsemilla is that it must be feminized and unpollinated.

Times have truly changed. In the 1970s almost every cannabis farmer, as well as users, could explain something about sinsemilla.

Now, less than a quarter of cannabis consumers worldwide can give a direct answer to this question, most especially the current generation of users. They have most likely not heard the word before.

Most times, the few that have an answer say “sinsemilla is a strain of cannabis,” but they’re wrong.

What Is Bioengineering Marijuana And Why Are People Doing It? — Photo by Esteban Lopez via Unsplash

Sinsemilla defined

Sinsemilla, abbreviated sensi, is the fusion of duo Spanish terms sin and semilla which means without and seeds, respectively.

Simply put, sinsemilla means the absence of seeds.

Sinsemilla is a seedless cannabis flower obtained from unfertilized feminine plants. It’s also the most potent form of marijuana, because it possesses a very high concentration of THC.

It is neither a Sativa, Indica, or hybrid. The only aspect that counts when a plant is being termed a sinsemilla is that it must be feminized and unpollinated.

Current cannabis users do not realize how lucky they are to be born when marijuana is being legalized for both recreational and medical uses in different countries worldwide. The legalization of weed has made only premium products available in markets. Dispensaries in these countries sell only the best sinsemilla cannabis.

In the past choices revolved around buying either seedless cannabis which was more expensive and rare, than buying cannabis with seeds. Now, the only struggle is buying the sinsemilla weed with the right flavor and aroma suitable to the user.

You can hardly hear anyone around calling the seedless cannabis ‘sinsemilla’ because it is the norm now. It is that potent— THC-filled— cannabis bud everyone smokes to get that extra intense feeling and effects that come with the “high.”

Federal Marijuana Legalization Could Mimic End Of Alcohol Prohibition — Photo by Sharon McCutcheon from Pexels

History of sinsemilla

Sinsemilla came into the spotlight during the 1970s when local production of marijuana started in the USA, although it has been around for several thousands of years before then.

It was gathered that the first set of farmers that commercially cultivated the sinsemilla plants indoors were Mexican. When it was tried and seen to be far better than seeded cannabis, it started getting exported to various countries worldwide to be cultivated. It was popularized as the best thing in town and was sold at very high prices compared to its counterpart bearing seeds.

Is sinsemilla hard to find?

Back in the 1970s to 1980s, this cannabis bud was rare because growers were not yet experienced and knowledgeable enough to grow these entirely female population of cannabis.

Presently, it is everywhere.

The steps to gain the best yield from seedless cannabis have been made in a straightforward pattern. Growers use a controlled greenhouse system with advanced genetic techniques and other hydroponic techniques to make sure they always have a supply ready for the ever-growing demands.

Most importantly, growers have learned about the advantages of growing marijuana/cannabis indoors to prevent accidental fertilization by other male cannabis plants found outdoors.

Cultivation technique of seedless cannabis

Cannabis farmers changed their farming techniques when they discovered that the customers were demanding more and more sinsemilla. Sinsemilla is grown indoors in a greenhouse facility with the aid of superior hydroponic techniques.

To reiterate, outdoor cultivation of sinsemilla increases the chances of a male plant fertilizing a female plant— if this happens, the plant is no longer sinsemilla, but rather a seeded cannabis plant.

The improved technology in greenhouse facilities has also improved the cultivation of cannabis indoors. The greenhouse has proven to be the perfect medium through which all-female plants can be monitored throughout cultivation to the moment they are harvested for sales.

It should be noted that the cultivation of Sinsemilla is done annually.

Should I Stop Smoking Weed? — Photo by Jeff W via Unsplash

How potent is sinsemilla?

Very potent.

However, before I go further on this, I’d like to state that all forms of cannabis generally have heightened potency now— Compared to the previous generation where the potency was lost in various plants due to improper storage facilities and techniques.

Researchers at a University discovered that weed today is over 50% more potent than older weed.

The potency of a cannabis plant depends on its THC content. The THC content gets degraded once there is bad storage. The lower the THC content gets, the less potent the cannabis becomes.

The THC content also increased to over 30% if the conditions in the greenhouse used are optimal— the hydroponic technique also increases the THC content of a cannabis plant.

Why is sinsemilla more potent?

Here are some of the reasons for the increased level of potency in sinsemilla.

Feminine marijuana plants are carefully selected plants which when unfertilized survive longer and continue their flowering period producing flowers for a month longer than fertilized cannabis plants. During this period, a lot occurs at the buds; they become larger and more developed— without seeds present.

Also, the plant can convert the excess energy meant for seed production into the production of more THC, terpenes, and other cannabinoids that make the sinsemilla plant a gold standard.

That is, the mature seedless cannabis flowers have an increased level of resins, making them more psychoactive due to the absence of pollination.

Should You Be Vaping Or Smoking Your Cannabis Flower? — Photo by Jeff W via Unsplash

Effects Of Sinsemilla

The effects induced by a sinsemilla plant depend on how potent the plant is; the level of high induced by the plant often varies.

Some of the effects of this magical plant include:

Elation

Increased perception of colors

Hunger; increased appetite

Increased awareness of textures, as well as sounds

Euphoria

Hallucinations

Increased sociability

And so many more

Bottom line

Fortunately for cannabis users, the evolution and improvement of sinsemilla has saved us from being stuck with only stemmy and seedy dark brown grass produced from seeded cannabis.

Farmers currently enjoy high yields and increased ROIs due to the improved growing technology while users also enjoy a better and more intense “high” from using sinsemilla. Not to mention, consumers are saved from the stress of picking through the buds of seeded cannabis trying to remove the seeds by hand.

Unlike before when it was very hard to get, sinsemilla is now everywhere.

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

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Aside from the many negative impacts of illegal grow operations (banned insecticides, illegal diversion of stream water, unchecked chemical runoff), legal operations can also pack a devastating environmental punch.

If it passes, perhaps more Republican attitudes are going progressive. If it doesn’t, there’s little chance that anything more substantial would either.

It is neither a Sativa, Indica, or hybrid. The only aspect that counts when a plant is being termed a sinsemilla is that it must be feminized and unpollinated.

Sinsemilla defined

History of sinsemilla

Is sinsemilla hard to find?

Cultivation technique of seedless cannabis

How potent is sinsemilla?

Why is sinsemilla more potent?

Effects Of Sinsemilla

Bottom line

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