Will Chuck Schumer’s Latest Plan To Go Over GOP Heads Help Cannabis Reform?

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March 31, 2021

Will Chuck Schumer’s Latest Plan To Go Over GOP Heads Help Cannabis Reform?

Can Democrats use a third budget reconciliation to pass the comprehensive marijuana reform bill that is supposed to be introduced soon?

There’s no use in mincing words: Senate Democrats are screwed. Although they have the majority this year, it’s by such a slim margin that it will be next to impossible for them to further their agenda without some support across the aisle. And so far, nobody over there wants to play nice.

The Republicans are still sore because the Democrats won the November election and even more so with how they went about passing President Biden’s $1.9 trillion COVID-relief bill. Capitol Hill is now full of back-biting tension, which has left Democrats scrambling for a way to work.

Unfortunately, since the Senate is split 50-50 (with Vice President Kamala Harris being the tiebreaker), Republicans can still use the filibuster to sabotage almost every bill the Democrats try to push through. The filibuster is an old Senate rule that requires a 60 vote supermajority on controversial issues. Democrats have threatened to do away with the filibuster, but they don’t really have the votes to do it. They need all 50 members of the Democratic Caucus to blow it out of the water.

Furthermore, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell has said more than once that he will bring the Senate to a screeching halt the second they so much as try to amend the rule.

For now, the filibuster stays.

This means the comprehensive marijuana bill that cannabis advocates had high hopes would pass this year probably won’t go far. There’s just not enough support in the upper chamber to get it done.

Schumer has a plan, however, to help further the Democratic agenda. It will not require him to eliminate the filibuster, and it still allows the party to continue its winning streak. He hopes Section 304 of the Congressional Budget Act will allow the Democrats to pass a third budget reconciliation, requiring only a simple majority. Congress is typically only given one reconciliation per fiscal year. That one was technically used up when they approved Biden’s coronavirus plan. They want to use a 2022 budget reconciliation that covers infrastructure, jobs and climate change, and apply the third one that they believe they are owed to focus on additional issues.

Will Senate’s Marijuana Legalization Plan Work In The Land Of The Greedy? — Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Photo by Kevin Dietsch-Pool/Getty Images

“I believe that big, bold action is an imperative. We must get that done. And we prefer our Republican colleagues to work with us on these things. Many of the things I mentioned are bipartisan in the sense that a majority of Republicans support them,” Schumer said last week.

“If they don’t, our caucus will come together and we will discuss the best way to produce that big, bold action. And as I’ve said before, everything, everything is on the table,” he concluded.

The big question is: Can Democrats use a third budget reconciliation to pass the comprehensive marijuana reform bill that is supposed to be introduced soon? Sadly, no. Anything related to marijuana legalization would not be achievable in this manner. This issue fits in along the lines of the $15 per hour minimum wage deal that Democrats attempted to squeeze in the latest coronavirus relief effort. They tried, but in the end, nonpartisan Senate parliamentarian Elizabeth MacDonough said the increase couldn’t be done under budget reconciliation. And that was that.

It’s possible, though, that Democrats will attempt to push the boundaries of budget reconciliation once again to get some kind of cannabis reform on the books. Maybe the SAFE Banking Act — a simple bill that allows banks to do business with the cannabis industry — could be slipped in and passed with a simple majority. But the interpretation of the reconciliation and its boundaries will be up to the parliamentarian.

As for now, Democrats haven’t made any decision regarding legislative strategy. But suddenly, and very interestingly, MacDonough, whose job is to interpret the rules, has become the most influential person in the nation’s capital.

Cannabis Regulatory Update: Kansas, New Mexico, Ohio, Rhode Island, South Dakota

Benzinga Staff Writer

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March 30, 2021

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Cannabis Regulatory Update: Kansas, New Mexico, Ohio, Rhode Island, South Dakota

Ohio’s medical marijuana sales may reach $400M this year; South Dakota Gov. wants to limit current medical cannabis program; New Mexico Gov. pushes for adult-use cannabis legalization; and more.

By Nina Zdinjak

Kansas House Passes Medical Cannabis Legalization Bill, Sends It For A Floor Vote

After many meetings held to review a plethora of amendments to a medical cannabis legalization bill, a Kansas House Committee passed the overall measure on Monday in a 13 to 8 vote, writes Marijuana Moment.

After the House’s approval, the bill is now going to a floor vote.

Separately, lawmakers in the Sunflower State voted for a procedural motion to include the measure’s language into an unrelated Senate proposal to accelerate its discussion in the two chambers, reports the outlet.

The original bill was introduced in the committee in February and would establish a medical cannabis program for qualified patients. Among 21 conditions that would qualify patients for medical cannabis therapy were PTSD, HIV, and chronic pain. An amendment to expand the list was approved on Monday as well.

New Mexico Governor Calls For Special Legislative Session To Push For Adult-Use Cannabis Bill

The New Mexico State House approved a recreational cannabis bill, HB 12, in a 39 to 31 vote. The bill also passed the Senate Judiciary Committee and was sent over to the full Senate for discussion and a vote.

The expected Senate floor vote, however, was postponed past the deadline.

Now, as expected, Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham is calling for a special legislative session to try to push for an adult-use cannabis legalization bill, according to Marijuana Business Daily.

The special session is scheduled for March 30.

Previously, Lujan Grisham has advocated for cannabis legalization in an effort to end New Mexico’s dependency on oil and gas revenues.

Rhode Island Lawmakers Presented With A Bill To Decriminalize All Drugs

Last week, during a Rhode Island Senate panel, legislation on ending criminal penalties for possession of small amounts of drugs was presented, writes Marijuana Moment.

What US Government Could Learn From Oregon’s New Drug Decriminalization Law — Photo by
LeszekCzerwonka/Getty Images

The bill proposes a $100 fine instead, and it is of many drug-related measures currently proposed in the state, including a cannabis legalization measure supported by the governor and the top lawmakers.

Two measures were heard during last week’s panel: S. 604, which is sponsored by Senator Tiara Mack, and S. 188, sponsored by Senate Majority Leader Michael McCaffrey.

S.604 would reduce felony charges for simple drug possessions, while S. 188 would make possession of small amounts of controlled substances a misdemeanor, reports the outlet.

Ohio’s Medical Marijuana Sales May Come To $400 Million This Year

Ohio’s medical marijuana market had a prolonged start, with legalization happening back in 2016, but sales commencing early 2019.

In spite of a lagging development, medical cannabis sales in the Buckeye State are now growing at a fast pace. From weekly sales of around $2.5 million prior to the start of the global pandemic, numbers are now hitting $5 to $6 million, reports Marijuana Business Daily.

According to the “Marijuana Business Factbook,” Ohio medical marijuana sales could amount to $350 to $400 million this year. This compares to $221.5 million in 2020.

RNC Head Refuses To Answer Whether GOP Welcomes Medical Marijuana Supporters — Photo by thegoodphoto/Getty Images

The number of registered patients almost doubled from the prior year hitting 176,387 on March 19.

“It’s a potential $400 million market this year, and there’s plenty of growth in sight,” said Nate Reid, vice president of commercial strategy for Illinois-based Cresco Labs (OTC:CRLBF), which owns cultivation, processing and dispensary licenses in the state.

South Dakota Gov. Wants To Limit Current Medical Cannabis Program

South Dakota Governor, Kristi Noem, known for her passionate anti-cannabis stance, is working towards limiting the existing medical cannabis program in the state, writes Marijuana Business Daily.

Currently, she is pushing to ban people younger than 21 to smoke or vape medical cannabis. She is also trying to limit the number of plants medical marijuana patients are allowed to grow at home.

A few months ago, Noem was unhesitant to challenge the voter-approved adult-use cannabis measure, claiming it is unconstitutional. Circuit judge Christina Klinger supported that view, but the case has been appealed to the state Supreme Court.

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

Cannabis Experts Concerned About New York’s Possible THC Potency Excise Tax

Benzinga Staff Writer

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March 30, 2021

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Cannabis Experts Concerned About New York’s Possible THC Potency Excise Tax

Advocates and operators in New York’s cannabis community voiced concerns that a THC tax could turn off operators and buyers from the legal market.

By Andrew Ward

Last week, New York legislators announced a three-way agreement between Gov. Andrew Cuomo and the State Legislature (Senate and Assembly) that would fast-track adult-use cannabis in the state.

Reports state that the bill expects to include a 13% sales tax with an excise tax of up to 3 cents per milligram of THC content. Most tax revenue expects to go towards government expenses and communities affected by the war on drugs. Cantor Fitzgerald analysts forecasted that tax revenue would not help ameliorate the state budget.

Relatively Uncharted Excise Tax Territory: Excise taxes are common in cannabis, breaking into three categories of basis: price, weight and potency.

The National Conference of State Legislatures January 2021 report notes that Illinois is the only state to tax on THC content, likening the approach to alcohol.

The report pushed back on the rationale, citing research that concludes THC and alcohol content does not necessarily determine potency.

Advocates and operators in New York’s cannabis community voiced concerns that a THC tax could turn off operators and buyers from the legal market. There’s also a belief that a potency tax further demonstrates the disconnect between lawmakers and the cannabis plant.

Concerns From New York: New York operators and advocates tell Benzinga they oppose a THC tax for various reasons. Ryan Lepore, deputy director of NYC NORML and member of the board of directors for Empire State NORML, doesn’t support the idea.

Believing the excise tax stands to create regulatory friction, Lepore sees the entire supply chain affected, with consumers paying higher prices for access to offset distributor-based taxes.

He believes regulators are regularly missing the mark on cannabis knowledge.

“The far-reaching constituency of chemovars, plant compounds and cannabinoids determines the efficacy of the cannabis plant, unlike other regulated substances,” said Lepore, pushing back on the THC emphasis.

Lauren A. Rudick, partner law firm Hiller, PC, called the proposed excise tax “an unnecessary exercise of political power that will discourage participation in the regulated market.”

If the tax remains in place, Rudick hopes the decision leads to further education on the entourage effect, or the effect created by consuming the whole plant profile.

The Ideal Tax Model Remains Uncertain: Morgan Fox, media relations director for the National Cannabis Industry Association, said most consumers wouldn’t be concerned with the tax structure, but rather the bottom line.

Fox noted he wasn’t a tax expert and debates about the proper cannabis tax model are ongoing. However, higher taxes do lead to unavoidable higher consumer costs.

The scenario is largely unavoidable.

“It’s pretty difficult to be able to bring high-quality products to market while cutting costs because you can’t really cut costs when it comes to taxation,” stated Fox.

Fox noted that various tax structure rollouts would continue in the cannabis space. He recommends that states and operators work together to quickly address any regulations that prove to be onerous or burdensome.

“It’s something that they should regularly look at and listen to stakeholders involved, particularly producers and retailers,” said Fox, emphasizing that regulators need to hear from operators dealing with the consumers.

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

Vaccine FOMO? Here Are 5 Ways To Cope With It

Culture
News

Maria Loreto

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March 30, 2021

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Vaccine FOMO? Here Are 5 Ways To Cope With It

More and more people are getting their COVID-19 shots, which is great, but what about the rest of us? Here’s how you can cope with your vaccine FOMO.

An increasing number of states are allowing more people to be vaccinate. New York is the latest to announce that those 16-years and older will be eligible soon. This is exciting but also anxiety inducing, since, having lived through the past three months, vaccines aren’t all that easy to come by.

When people upload a photo of their “vaccinated” sticker, there’s usually two reactions: positivity, because we can finally see the light at the end of the tunnel, and envy, because these people will be able to hang out with everyone with practically no concerns while the rest of us are still baking bread at home alone.

Envy is normal, especially in an unprecedented life or death situation like this one. Still, this doesn’t mean you have free license to be rude to people or to question what they did to get the vaccine. Some things should be thought, not said.

Here are 5 tips to help you deal with vaccine FOMO (fear of missing out):

Accept your emotions and let them go

5 Polite Ways To Tell People You Need Alone Time — Photo by Ketut Subiyanto via Pexels

It’s okay to feel frustrated by the current moment and by people who’ve somehow managed to get vaccine appointments. Vaccine FOMO isn’t like regular FOMO, where you’re just jealous of someone else. This year has been challenging for everyone; now that many are getting vaccinated and have carte blanche to do what they want, it’s very sad for those who are exhausted of being alone and depriving themselves of the company of other people. Let yourself feel sad or angry but try your best to move past the feeling and to not let it taint your every day life. If seeing the selfies on social media upsets you, take a much needed break.

Find balance between being proactive and not losing your mind

5 Things You Shouldn't Do While On Your Work Computer — Photo by Christin Hume via Unsplash

If you desperately want to get vaccinated, use this as fuel for productivity. Stay on top of your local news since more and more states are opening up their eligibility, loosening age and comorbidity restrictions. There are also resources out there for people who want to get vaccinated but aren’t eligible, like TurboVax, an NYC Twitter account that informs people of openings for vaccination spots. There’s also Dr. B, a service that connects you with leftover vaccines.

You’re not alone

The pandemic is a global event and while you may feel like everyone and their mom is getting vaccinated, the vast majority of people haven’t been able to get their shot yet. The more time passes, the easier it’ll become for you to find a vaccine appointment.

Try your best to think about other things

outdoor gathering — Photo by Ella de Kross via Unsplash

You know when you get obsessed with something, and you can’t stop thinking about it? While this is good for getting things done, especially if there’s an expiration date, there’s no set date for the end of the pandemic. While things are looking up right now in terms of vaccination rates, it’s difficult to predict when you’ll find a vaccine appointment if you’re not constantly glued to your phone refreshing the CVS website. So try your best to think about other things. Now that the weather is changing, find safe activities you can do out in the open. We’ve all hit pandemic burn out, so try to nourish yourself by doing other things.

Have some perspective

6 Must-Have Hiking Apps For Your Upcoming Outdoor Adventures — Photo by mirsad mujanovic via Pexels

You’ve made it this far. What’s a couple of more months in the grand scheme of things?

Should You Be Vaping Or Smoking Your Cannabis Flower

Terry Hacienda

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March 30, 2021

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Should You Be Vaping Or Smoking Your Cannabis Flower

Both vaporization and combustion are popular ways to use cannabis, but they should be used based on particular circumstances and instances.

Cannabis has become a highly sought-after plant globally. Its healing properties and wide array of impactful benefits on patients dealing with critical health issues have been the major reasons behind the astronomical growth.

Yes, cannabis is a treasured plant, but many people are still conflicted about how to take it. Should I combust (smoke) it? Should it be vaporized? Or do I chew it?

What are combustion and vaporization?

Basically, combustion entails burning something, which in this case is cannabis. Vaporization is quite a different process that entails the transition from liquid to vapor. Some cannabis users are quick to point out that vaping is better than smoking, but you can use both methods, depending on your preferences.

There are several factors to consider when thinking about the pathway to chose. A good step to take entails considering the temperature used with each method, your purpose for taking cannabis, and the option that offers more flavor and aroma.

A scientific understanding of combustion vs vaporization

Temperature is the most critical aspect to consider when you think about combustion and vaporization. Some vaporization devices heat the cannabis below the combustion point between 180-190 degrees Celsius (this is 356-374 Fahrenheit). With combustion, the lighter produces an open flame that goes beyond 315 degrees Celsius or 600 degrees Fahrenheit. The combustion process offers a very high temperature that takes off a substantial amount of cannabinoids and terpenes before the cannabis is even consumed.

Scientifically, vaping cannabis increases the cannabis compounds activated in your system, which enhances the health benefits you get from cannabis. Patients who receive a marijuana prescription from a doctor agree that the vaping process enhances their cannabis experience.

There was a cannabis research conducted in 2009 that analyzed the medicinal qualities of cannabis through various consumption methods. The researchers analyzed the differences between vaporization and the traditional “cannabis smoke.” The temperature was the primary factor used in this analysis.

The Future Of Smokable CBD Products Is Not Great — Photo by Christian Wiediger via Unsplash

The research showed that the by-product of cannabinoids was significantly higher through vaporization than through combustion. Temperature also impacts the aroma and flavor of the cannabis as different terpenes have specific boiling points. This means the lower the temperature, the more flavor and aroma you will get from the cannabis.

The researchers concluded that vaporization has more advantages because it gives the users the ability to fine-tune the temperature such that their cannabis experience is more beneficial.

The effects of vaporization and combustion on cannabis users

Based on several works of research, and the firsthand accounts of several users it is evident that vaping is safer than smoking. Medical patients also prefer vaping because they are easily irritated with the smoke fumes.

Additionally, vaping also produces fewer carcinogenic compounds than combustion and eliminates toxic compounds that may occur during high combustion. The vaping process helps you retain more of the cannabinoids, impacting your body with all the natural chemicals you need to thrive in good health.

The fact that vaporization offers more heightened benefits doesn’t mean smoking is an entirely useless process. For thousands of years and in prehistoric times, people smoked cannabis for healing and got results. However, vaping is a recent invention that protects patients with underlying issues from the combustion fumes hence why the majority prefer it.

Pros And Cons Of Smoking CBD Joints — Photo by GRAS GRÜN via Unsplash

As we all know, if you have a health condition that needs help from cannabis, you will need ALL the properties and parts of the cannabis. This realization means you may miss some vital properties through combustion. But those who just enjoy cannabis for fun will get a more refreshing experience through combustion, so it’s a case of your reason for using cannabis.

How to get a good vaporizer

Since vaping is the most preferred and healthiest way to inhale cannabis, it is rapidly becoming popular among cannabis users. To get the best from vaping you will need a good vaporizer, while if you are taking cannabis intentionally for health purposes, a vapor device is essential.

It should be noted that vaporizers made with metal alloys are NOT recommended because they emit high heat. Some other vaporizers that contain plastic pieces near the heating elements are also not recommended as they release harmful compounds alongside the cannabis.

Please conduct your research on vaporizers before buying one. Below are a couple of helpful tips:

Get a vaporizer with adjustable temperature controls

Temperature control is one reason why vaporization is effective for inhaling cannabis, so you need a vaporizer with adjustable temperature controls.

Buy a glass or ceramic vaporizer.

Metals and plastics are not good enough as cannabis vaporizers because of the toxic chemicals they release. Hence the reason you should stick to ceramic vaporizers.

Don’t buy vaporizers with pre-filled cartridges.

These pre-filled cartridges contain thinning agents that will affect the quality of your cannabis. You must buy your weed yourself to verify the source and ensure that you are inhaling the excellent stuff.

Forgo The Wake And Bake And Other Cannabis Productivity Hacks — Photo by Jose Luque / EyeEm/Getty Images

Cannabis offers so much to users, and if you haven’t joined the cannabis trend, you might want to get started today! If you are already using cannabis, it is customary to consider your consumption method as you want to ensure that you are taking it the right way.

Both vaporization and combustion are popular ways to use cannabis, but they should be used based on particular circumstances and instances. For example, if you take cannabis for recreational purposes, it is okay to go the combustion way.

For recreational purposes, you are only looking to have fun with your weed at a party or after a long day at work. You will enjoy smoking cannabis for recreational purposes and bask in the “burnt” flavor/aroma. But if you are taking cannabis for medicinal purposes, vaping may be a better option. Vaping helps you achieve the perfect temperature with your cannabis such that you get the required marijuana medication experience.

New York Lawmakers To Vote On Cannabis Legalization Bill Within Days

Benzinga Staff Writer

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March 29, 2021

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New York Lawmakers To Vote On Cannabis Legalization Bill Within Days

The bill would take effect immediately upon passing, and sales would launch when New York sets up rules as well as a cannabis board.

By Jelena Martinovic

New York is poised to legalize recreational cannabis after lawmakers released a new bill that would tax and regulate marijuana for people over 21.

The text of the proposed legislation, which has been negotiated for weeks, was introduced Saturday, Marijuana Moment reports.

What Happened: The Marijuana Regulation and Taxation Act (MRTA) will “legalize adult-use cannabis in a way that foregrounds racial justice, while balancing safety with economic growth, encouraging new small businesses, and significantly diminishing the illegal market,” Sen. Liz Krueger, a Democrat and the lead Senate sponsor of the bill, said in a statement.

Lawmakers are to vote on the bill early this week after months of talks between the Senate, Assembly and Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s office.

Why It’s Important: Besides allowing adults 21 and older to possess up to 3 ounces of cannabis or 24 grams of marijuana concentrates and buy recreational cannabis from licensed retailers, the legislation also allows the cultivation of up to three mature and three immature plants for personal use.

New York Gov. Cuomo Wants To Legalize Weed, But It Won't Be Easy — Here's Why — Photo by Scott Heins/Getty Images

In addition, it also allows for people convicted for marijuana-related activity that would now be legal to have their criminal records expunged.

“For generations, too many New Yorkers have been unfairly penalized for the use and sale of adult-use cannabis, arbitrarily arrested and jailed with harsh mandatory minimum sentences,” Cuomo said.

Assembly Majority Leader Peoples-Stokes said the bill “provides long-awaited marijuana justice for New Yorkers, and makes significant steps and investments to begin to address the generational devastation caused by marijuana prohibition and mass incarceration.”

What’s Next: The bill would take effect immediately upon passing, and sales would launch when New York sets up rules as well as a cannabis board.

Peoples-Stokes said the process could take from 18 months to two years, according to the Associated Press.

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

Is Vaping Cannabis Really Worse For Teen Lungs Than Vaping Tobacco? 

Richard Cowan

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March 29, 2021

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Is Vaping Cannabis Really Worse For Teen Lungs Than Vaping Tobacco?

It is very unlikely that these problems were caused by cannabinoids, or they would not be confined to vaping. 

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

Whenever I critique a study that purports to show some danger related to marijuana I always make clear that the arguments against marijuana prohibition are not based on the assumption that marijuana is harmless. Nothing is harmless for everyone under all circumstances, and harmlessness cannot be a criterion for anything to be legal.

Nonetheless, here we go again. 

U.S. News & World Report’s headline was typical: “Vaping Pot Worse Than Vaping Tobacco for Teens’ Lungs: Study”

The first problem is simply that the teens were not vaping “pot”. They were vaping some unknown liquids that supposedly contained THC and perhaps other cannabinoids. 

Second, the sample for the study was based on national data, which would normally be a good thing, but in much of the country, marijuana was and still is still illegal, so the vaping devices and their content may well have been contraband.

Third, the data was based on sampling from “between December 2016 and January 2018 — prior to the wave of lung injuries among young people that occurred in 2019. It was given the name EVALI, or e-cigarette or vaping use-associated lung injury.” 

That timeframe increases the uncertainty about whether the products were contraband, and the study acknowledges that their findings may include individuals who were using products contaminated with vitamin E.

Finally, it is very unlikely that these problems were caused by cannabinoids, or they would not be confined to “vaping”. 

For millennia most cannabis users have only had bud or hashish which they had to burn in a joint or a pipe of some sort. Not always the coolest source of smoke (vapor).

New Study Finds No Connections Between Legal Weed And Increase In Adolescent Use — Photo by Parker Gibbons via Unsplash

It should also be noted that “vape pen” is not a standardized device, especially in what may still have been contraband markets. The “vape” that is produced may simply be too hot, so some of the problems may be independent of whatever is being “vaped.”

Vape pens are very handy, but bongs and tabletop vaporizers, like the Volcano, maybe much better, especially for heavy users.

Sadly, the pandemic may have finally ended the custom of sharing hits on joints, etc., with friends and/or friendly strangers. The end of the pandemic will coincide with a demand for social venues for cannabis users, so we will be looking at healthy ways of sharing. Some of the “coffeeshops” in Amsterdam have bongs designed for multiple users. They may be popular in the new “cannabis bistros.” (A term borrowed from Haarlem, the beautiful little city 15 minutes from Amsterdam.)

Well, so much for the “latest research.” We learned something anyway.

SEE: Why Do The British Insist On Confusing Cannabis With Tobacco?

SEE: Marijuana Prohibition Is The Greatest Scientific Fraud Of The Last Century

Richard Cowan is a former NORML National Director and author of A Buying Guide For CBD Gummies.

What To Do If Your Marijuana Edibles Aren’t Getting You High

Terry Hacienda

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March 29, 2021

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What To Do If Your Marijuana Edibles Aren’t Getting You High

While edibles takes some people over the moon, others don’t get high at all…and you are about to understand why.

Cannabis edibles are pretty tasty and are an absolute delight. It gets people high in a manner different from when they smoke or vape weed. But, sometimes in a gathering of different people enjoying edibles infused with weed, there is always that one person who doesn’t get high like the others in the room. If you are in this position, it may feel awkward because everyone else expects you to get high like them. But you don’t have to feel weird, as you are not the first to have this experience and you certainly won’t be the last. Always remember that the effectiveness of cannabis varies based on several factors, of which your DNA is an important one.

In this article, I’ll talk about marijuana edibles, how the varying methods of consumption affect your body and the role of genetics. Please sit back and relax as we consider the several factors that prevent you from reaching the highest form of satisfaction with marijuana edibles.

How cannabis edibles work

Eating marijuana is an entirely different experience from smoking or vaping it, and it has a different impact on your body as well. To understand how to get high from taking THC, we must know how the decarboxylation process works.

When in its raw, natural form, cannabis plants contain THCA, a precursor to THC, the cannabinoid responsible for getting us high. THCA doesn’t have psychoactive properties, which means eating raw marijuana will do very little to make you high.

But when exposed to heat, THCA will be converted to THC. The heat gets rid of the carboxylic acid attached to THCA that prevents it from getting into a person’s cannabinoid receptors such that it doesn’t reach its psychoactive potentials to get you high.

Those who smoke or vape cannabis need this step because the heat naturally decarbs the marijuana when it is smoked. With marijuana edibles, the decarbing process is also crucial in ensuring that they have an intoxicating effect. This is among the reasons why cannabis edibles have a longer duration of action. It’s also why users get a more potent high than what they’d have gotten if they smoked or vaped the same amount of weed.

How To Choose and Buy Edibles Like A Pro — Photo by Vyshnavi Bisani via Unsplash

When you smoke cannabis, the THC gets into your body through the lungs or blood barriers into the bloodstream and settles in your brain (the cannabinoid receptors). This process is what gets people high within a short time.

A stronger high is experienced if the THC gets to your system via the digestion pathway, which is what happens with edibles. When THC is eaten and passed through the digestive tracts it gets to the stomach and liver. When inside the digestive system, the THC is processed by the body’s metabolic system. This enables the THC to be fully absorbed into the body’s system hence the potent effects.

It should be noted that these processes takes time, thus accounting for the longer onset of action, and long duration of action of cannabis edibles. However, some people are wired differently and that’s the beauty of humans, we’re all different so what works for a person won’t necessarily work for another person.

Why cannabis edibles doesn’t get you high

You are not getting enough cannabis

You may not be getting high from cannabis edibles because you are not getting enough cannabis into your system. By “enough,” I am referring to your body’s cannabis needs per dose.

Maybe your friend requires a single dose to get high, which is great but does that also apply to you? You’ve got to monitor the amount of weed that gets you high and use that amount to determine the number of edibles you should eat.

Your body metabolizes THC too swiftly

Cannabis edibles work differently compared to other methods of consumption. With smoking, tinctures, and vaping, you get to absorb the marijuana directly into your bloodstream. Edibles will need to be digested first with the THC metabolized in your liver before getting into your bloodstream.

CBD Edibles Not All They Claim To Be — Photo by SageElyse/Getty Images

If you have very high or deficient CYP enzymes, it could alter your metabolism, which means THC wouldn’t metabolize. Our metabolic enzymes are responsible for breaking down these substances, and they exist and function based on our DNA blueprint which means your enzymes function differently than that of someone else.

These differences in our DNA affect how things work inside our bodies. If you don’t have the enzymes that can break down these substances or if you’ve got prolonged ones, then you wouldn’t get high with cannabis edibles.

If you take the cannabis edible on an empty stomach

In some cases, instead of feeling high after taking cannabis edibles, you may feel anxious and restless. With this situation, you may have eaten the edible on an empty stomach.

Eating cannabis edibles on an empty stomach slows the absorption process and prevents you from getting high on THC. If this has happened to you, please ensure to eat before taking the edibles.

It may not be suitable for you

For some people, cannabis edibles just don’t work on them. Just as certain medications work for some people and don’t work for some. You may have to consider enjoying the edibles but relying on smoking or vaping to get high.

How to make edibles more effective

Here are some steps to make your cannabis edible more effective;

Eating food rich in caffeine, such as coffee which speeds up your metabolism.
Try taking cannabis sublingually which entails allowing it to pass your GI tract and getting directly into your system through your mouth tissues.
Try eating cannabis edibles with lower amounts of carbohydrates and fats.
A healthy and fit lifestyle with exercises and a diet rich in protein will increase your body’s metabolism making it easier for the body to absorb the THC from cannabis.

There are numerous reasons for not getting high after taking cannabis edibles. While there are solutions to some of them, if your genetic build-up doesn’t allow for it, you may have to give up marijuana edibles. Of course, you can still eat it if you still like to, but now you will be consuming it with an understanding that it wouldn’t get you high. So your new approach will be to enjoy the edibles but then smoke the weed to get high.

5 Best Subscription Boxes, Including Cannabis

Maria Loreto

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March 28, 2021

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The rise of online shopping has been a boon for subscription boxes. There’s really something out there for everyone, including weed.

While it’s always great to order something and get it delivered while in the comfort of your home, subscription boxes have really managed to capitalize on this experience, providing us with a constant stream of gifts we love and giving us something to look forward to.

Whether you’re into cheese, books, weed or socks, you can have the utmost certainty that there is a subscription box out there for you, waiting. Here are 5 of the best subscription boxes you can sign up for:

Cannabox

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A post shared by Cannabox (@cannabox)

While with Cannabox you won’t get weed delivered straight to your home, you will get a box filled with extremely useful smoking accessories. Each month you’ll get a themed box with glass pipes, bongs, rolling paper, trays, snacks, gear and more, all put together by cannabis lovers and experts.

Curdbox

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If you’re a cheese fan, there’s Curdbox, which delivers cheese and appropriate pairings right to your door. Each box has three types of cheeses along with three appropriate pairings, which can range from crackers, to jams, to hams.

Real Oyster Cult

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Real Oyster Cult is the rare subscription box that tackles something as delicate as oysters. These boxes are shipped overnight and can stay in your fridge for up to 10 days. These oysters are selected by oyster farmers from all over the country, delivering a surprise every month that starts at less than $50.

Eater Wine Club

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Eater Wine Club delivers 2 to 4 wine bottles of restaurant level quality per month, each curated by a wine professional who takes inspiration in the flavors, regions and trends that are going on at the moment. Prices start at $70 a month.

The Wordy Traveler

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If you’re a reader who’s also craving a trip around the world, The Wordy Traveler is the subscription box for you. With themed boxes made up of books, teas, and some kind of item from the country it’s inspired in, The Wordy Traveler is a box with a little bit of everything.

Explains their website: “Every three months count on The Wordy Traveler for a carefully handpicked selection of books that have been discovered, curated, and approved by our team of world travelers to ensure wanderlust fulfillment. In addition, each box will include ethically-sourced premium tea evocative of the region and a limited-edition fine art print that captures the beauty of travel.”

The Patient Benefits of Cannabis And Chemotherapy

Medical Marijuana

Terry Hacienda

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March 28, 2021

0

The Patient Benefits of Cannabis And Chemotherapy

Cannabis helps to mitigate some of the symptoms associated with chemotherapy while helping the body fight back cancerous cell growth.

Yes, it is possible to combine cannabis with chemo and radiation, but you must speak with your oncologists first before taking this step. Cancer is a life-threatening illness that scares many people; it’s why several works of research and scientific tests on potential medicinal solutions are being conducted.

Many cancer patients get excited when they discover that a particular plant or drug holds the promise of relieving them of chemotherapy’s pain — particularly with cannabis because there have been studies that show the positive impact of cannabis on severe ailments.

The idea here is not that cannabis cures cancer. The discussion here is on combining cannabis with chemo to minimize radiation’s impact on a cancer patient. So let’s discover why it is possible to combine both treatment options.

Cannabis and chemo

During chemotherapy, cancer patients experience a range of unpleasant side effects and symptoms ranging from dizziness to nausea and vomiting. These patients need chemotherapy because it is a powerful treatment that kills the body’s growing cancerous cells, however, these side effects often make it a gruesome experience.

Patients need something that can help them combat those side effects and symptoms so they can go through chemo without feeling extremely sick.

Aside from the fact that cannabis helps to mitigate some of the symptoms associated with chemotherapy, it also plays a supportive role in helping the body fight back cancerous cell growth when they get into chemotherapy and radiation.

Several patients are often concerned about the “method of application” of cannabis when they are in chemo: they wonder if they should smoke it, chew it or consume it via other means. Read on to find out the best method of consumption for patients in chemo.

How to use cannabis while on chemo

Smoking

Well, some oncologists do not want their cancer patients smoking cannabis if the patient has lung cancer or severe lung disease. But some oncologists still prefer that their patients smoke cannabis because the cannabinoids gets into the body and makes it impact on the spot.

Interestingly cannabis is a bronchodilator which means rather than constrict the lungs, it expands them, which means it won’t cause any more harm to the patient’s lungs. Nevertheless, if you have an underlying lung issue, you will have to discuss it with your oncologist before taking the smoking pathway.

Vaporization

The vaporizing option enables the patient to inhale the cannabis through a vaporizer heat pot without breathing in the smoke. You don’t burn the weed; you only heat it to a specific temperature, with the heat activating the cannabinoids.

Vape Juice Is Desensitizing Taste Buds — Photo by Martina Paraninfi/Getty Images

Patients who do not like to “smoke” cannabis will enjoy this method better as it is a lung-healthy, cost-effective, and very convenient option. One could be using this vaporizing option without others knowing they are taking cannabis (it is a very discreet method).

Sublingually

Chemotherapy patients can also take cannabis sublingually which happens when the medication is absorbed from under the tongue. This subliminal approach is faster with results, but you must ensure you have the correct dosage from your doctor before taking this approach.

Chewing

Cannabis can also be chewed directly in peculiar cases when the patient doesn’t want to smoke or vape. People have been chewing marijuana for centuries as a medicine, so this is not a new idea. Don’t worry; you wouldn’t get high from chewing raw marijuana; you may want to consider eating it in its other forms, such as other edible products, tinctures, and gummies.

Cannabis, chemo, and other cancer treatment

You may feel exhausted when combining cannabis or any other medication with chemotherapy. It can be an overwhelming experience if it isn’t done right. Here are some pointers to help you derive the best from using cannabis:

Always start low and go slow: don’t take so much cannabis at the same time.
Always consult your doctor or oncologist if you feel like you need to take more or lessen your dosage
Avoid using too many products simultaneously: sometimes, you may not get the best out of cannabis because you are taking too much medicine.
Cannabis is very safe when used with a doctor’s guidance.

Ask Dr. Green: How Can I Use Marijuana To Deal With Chemotherapy? — Photo by Caiaimage/Sam Edwards/Getty Images

The benefits of cannabis when combined with chemo

Note that the benefits outlined below are based on actual cancer patients experience with cannabis while in chemotherapy:

You wouldn’t feel nauseous or sick

One of the earliest side effects of chemotherapy is feeling nauseous and sick, which is a major discouraging factor for cancer patients. A lot of patients undergoing chemo complain of feeling excessively tired, headaches, high body temperatures and so on. By incorporating cannabis with chemotherapy you can significantly reduce the bulk of these side effects.

It should be noted that most of the patients agree that they had to take cannabis over a certain period instead of a one-time dosage.

Revived appetite

Medical cannabis also boosts the patient’s appetite. A lot of patients in chemo say that they couldn’t eat a lot of meals or feel hungry after the chemo session. When they started taking cannabis, they noticed their appetite returned with an increased craving for food and an urge to snack more. Chemo patients need to eat well to stay strong enough for the treatment and cannabis can help.

THCV: Powerful Appetite-Suppressing Cannabinoid — Photo by rawpixel.com

You will feel energized

Another side effect of chemotherapy is exhaustion! Patients feel entirely overwhelmed by the treatment process that they end up shutting down mentally afterward. Fatigue during chemo means they are also vulnerable to mental and physical breakdowns.

But patients who combined cannabis with chemo testify that they felt energized. CBD and THC posess properties that can keep patients alert and active throughout the chemo treatment process.

It fights insomnia

Some chemotherapy patients complain about insomnia during chemo such that no matter how they force themselves to sleep, they just can’t. Since chemo patients are given steroids beforehand to help with the side effects, the majority also experience insomnia.

Combining cannabis can help patients feel well-rested throughout the day, thus making it easier to sleep.

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Both vaporization and combustion are popular ways to use cannabis, but they should be used based on particular circumstances and instances.

What are combustion and vaporization?

A scientific understanding of combustion vs vaporization

The effects of vaporization and combustion on cannabis users

How to get a good vaporizer

Get a vaporizer with adjustable temperature controls

Don’t buy vaporizers with pre-filled cartridges.

The bill would take effect immediately upon passing, and sales would launch when New York sets up rules as well as a cannabis board.

It is very unlikely that these problems were caused by cannabinoids, or they would not be confined to vaping.

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

While edibles takes some people over the moon, others don’t get high at all…and you are about to understand why.

How cannabis edibles work

Why cannabis edibles doesn’t get you high

You are not getting enough cannabis

Your body metabolizes THC too swiftly

If you take the cannabis edible on an empty stomach

It may not be suitable for you

How to make edibles more effective

The rise of online shopping has been a boon for subscription boxes. There’s really something out there for everyone, including weed.

Cannabis helps to mitigate some of the symptoms associated with chemotherapy while helping the body fight back cancerous cell growth.

Cannabis and chemo

How to use cannabis while on chemo

Smoking

Vaporization

Sublingually

Chewing

Cannabis, chemo, and other cancer treatment

The benefits of cannabis when combined with chemo

You wouldn’t feel nauseous or sick

Revived appetite

You will feel energized

It fights insomnia

Don't Miss Your Weekly Dose of The Fresh Toast.

It is very unlikely that these problems were caused by cannabinoids, or they would not be confined to vaping. 

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