Vape Industry Under PACT Act Attack

Julie Aitcheson

-

March 24, 2021

Sellers who do no register or comply with new regulations, which are set to take effect 90 days from passage, would be subject to severe penalties, including up to three years in prison.

Monday was an important day for the vape industry, marking the comment period deadline for revisions to the Preventing Online Sales of E-Cigarettes to Children Act, which were included in the 2021 omnibus spending bill recently passed by Congress.

The amended bill, known as the PACT Act (Prevent All Cigarette Trafficking), modifies the definition of “cigarettes” to include any vaping product, whether it contain nicotine or not. These changes prohibit Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems (ENDS) from being sent to consumers through the United States Postal Service, influencing other common carriers such as FedEx, which announced it would ban the delivery of vaping products as of March 1, 2021.

The impacts of this revamped bill on the vaping industry would be seismic, with groups like the California Cannabis Industry Association (CCIA) rallying consumers to make their voices heard before the comment period ended on the 22nd.

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

The USPS Rule on Hazardous, Restricted, and Perishable Mail in the pending bill includes products that are legal under many states’ laws, including California’s. In a template letter provided to those who wish to speak out against the revisions, CCIA states that while “the undersigned businesses and organizations unambiguously support restricting the sale of tobacco and nicotine to minors”, the proposed changes to USPS “could unintentionally regulate products that Congress had no original intent of capturing” to the extreme detriment of small businesses across the country.

“This blanket limitation on mailing nicotine products,” the letter continues, “will completely cripple entire industries, including manufacturers of hemp-derived and botanical aromatic products and services.”

Should the federal government overrule these objections, opponents argue that the impacts would be felt beyond vaping, nicotine, and cannabis consumers. The beleaguered USPS, which is already floundering in the face of falling revenues, would suffer from the decline in mail volume as well as the cost of implementing more comprehensive restrictions. Users of botanical medicines like hemp-derived CBD who rely on vaping as a delivery system would struggle with access, and companies that have shifted to reliance on mail order models, particularly during the pandemic, would lose a primary source of revenue during an especially tenuous time.

Vaping Damages Lungs, Study Finds, As Teenage Use Rises Across Nation — Photo by HAZEMMKAMAL/Getty Images

Sellers who do no register or comply with these new regulations, which are set to take effect 90 days from passage, would be subject to severe penalties, including up to three years in prison. The revised bill will require companies to take on more administrative costs, as well as the aid of legal counsel in many cases, to ensure compliance and ascertain if they will even be able to function within the new regulations.

With the comment deadline now passed, it remains to be seen whether the vaping industry will manage to turn the tide on the latest version of the Preventing Online Sales of E-Cigarettes to Children Act. It’s a law that, according to American Vaping Association President Gregory Conley, “is not a law designed to regulate the mail-order sale of vaping product to adults; it’s an attempt to eliminate it.”

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

Long-Awaited Study Shows Cannabis Not Very Effective For PTSD

Mike Adams

-

March 24, 2021

0

Long-Awaited Study Shows Cannabis Not Very Effective For PTSD

Unfortunately, the results of the latest study do not bode well for the immediate future of cannabis medicine.

Cannabis advocates have been screeching and screaming for the past decade about how marijuana is more effective in taming post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) than any other drug known to man. But, a long-awaited, FDA-approved study dedicated to learning more about the efficacy of cannabis against this affliction shows that isn’t necessarily true. It finds that while weed is a safe and commonly used treatment option for those marred by this condition, it isn’t as effective as initially believed.

Now, before you go off the deep end and start drumming up wild conspiracy theories about how the federal government’s health agencies are holding back the truth concerning the power of cannabis, you should know that this study was overseen by Dr. Sue Sisley of the Scottsdale Research Institute. Sisley has been a massive proponent of medical marijuana for years, doing everything in her power to fight for answers to whether cannabis can help military veterans suffering from PTSD. She fought for nearly a decade to get permission from Uncle Sam to launch this research, and her team spent the past three years in the trenches digging for answers.

All for unimpressive results.

The $2 million study, funded by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) to the Multidisciplinary Association of Psychedelic Studies (MAPS), was as legit as they come. Researchers selected 76 vets with PTSD, giving them a mix of cannabis with THC levels between 8-12%.

Some of the participants were given a placebo.

In the end, researchers didn’t find any evidence that the vets who got THC were any better off than the placebo group. In fact, the ones who got the placebo thought they had actually been given the real thing. “The study did not find a significant difference in change in PTSD symptom severity between the active cannabis concentrations and placebo by the end of Stage 1,” the study authors wrote. “All three active concentrations of smoked cannabis were generally well tolerated.”

Veterans Can Use Medical Marijuana, They Just Have To Pay For It — Photo by Bumblee_Dee/Getty Images

Researchers believe the quality of cannabis had something to do with the lackluster results. Researchers have complained since day one that they couldn’t get their hands on better weed. Which is true. All of the research marijuana grown for the federal government is done at the University of Mississippi. It has long been argued that the quality and potency of this product is subpar for research purposes. Especially considering the higher standard of cannabis being sold in legal states.

“This study took seven years to obtain approval and three years to conduct at a cost of $2.2 million. The difference between anecdotal reports and these results may be the quality of the marijuana,” said Rick Doblin, Ph.D, Executive Director of MAPS, “which highlights the need for further well-controlled clinical trials that more closely represent currently available marijuana products. Higher quality cannabis flower suitable for Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval is currently unavailable domestically due to restrictions on production imposed by the U.S. Department of Justice and Drug Enforcement Administration and must be imported.”

That’s the route researchers will go next.

Dr. Sisley insists that her team will move on and try to conduct more comprehensive cannabis studies. “Despite the absurd restrictions federal prohibitionists have placed on research for more than 50 years, we are squarely focused on launching further Phase 2 trials with imported cannabis of tested, higher potency, fresher flowers that will provide a valid comparison for the millions of Veterans and others with PTSD who are looking for new options,” Sisley said in a statement.

Unfortunately, the results of the latest study do not bode well for the immediate future of cannabis medicine. Although cannabis advocates and some lawmakers are constantly pushing for vets to be given legal access to medical marijuana, a failed $2 million study doesn’t exactly support their argument. Rest assured, the medical community will use this data in the coming years as a reason to keep PTSD patients on pharmaceuticals. We’re sure the anti-depressant companies are pleased.

Biden Betrayal Shows Cannabigotry In The White House

Andrew DeWeese

-

March 24, 2021

0

Biden Betrayal Shows Cannabigotry In The White House

Workers in cannabis businesses struggle to obtain health and life insurance, and in general are treated as a separate, unfavored class, subject to vicissitudes unique to this industry.

The Daily Beast reported Friday:

“Dozens of young White House staffers have been suspended, asked to resign or placed in a remote work program due to past marijuana use, frustrating staffers who were pleased by initial indications from the Biden administration that recreational use of cannabis would not be immediately disqualifying for would-be personnel, according to three people familiar with the situation.

The policy has even affected staffers whose marijuana use was exclusive to one of the 14 states—and the District of Columbia—where cannabis is legal. Sources familiar with the matter also said a number of young staffers were either put on probation or canned because they revealed they had used marijuana in the past in an official document they filled out for the position in the Biden White House during a lengthy background check.”

These talented young people are now getting a taste of the cannabigotry people in our industry — and “out” cannabis users in general — experience on a daily basis.

Workers in cannabis businesses struggle to obtain health and life insurance, and in general are treated as a separate, unfavored class, subject to vicissitudes unique to this industry. As just one example, the State of Oregon allows the Department of Revenue, at its discretion, to go after the mere employees of a cannabis business for all of the business’s unpaid cannabis taxes. What other workers have to fear liability for their employer’s taxes?

Imagine the surreal and hideous experience of opening up the mail and getting a notice from the Department of Revenue that you owe millions of dollars, just because you worked in a store that didn’t pay its taxes. Unfortunately, some people here in Oregon have actually had that experience and are living through it right now.

As Cannabis Reform Continues In 2021, Here's What To Expect — Photo by David Gabrić via Unsplash

Cannabis businesses must deal solely in cash, and when they are robbed, law enforcement treats the victims like criminals. This year, Portland dispensaries were hit with a rash of armed, violent robberies, resulting in at least one shooting death, (Michael Arthur RIP), and hundreds of thousands of dollars in losses.

Most banks won’t give a cannabis worker a mortgage. Banks won’t give cannabis businesses loans. Banks won’t even give non-cannabis businesses that primarily serve cannabis businesses loans. When a cannabis or cannabis-adjacent business does manage to get a bank account, random account shutdowns are commonplace, even for those cannabis businesses which deal exclusively in federally legal hemp, or are ancillary businesses that don’t touch the plant at all.

Cannabis businesses pay grossly inflated income taxes: they pay not on their net income, like all other businesses, but rather on their gross income, because the government still does not allow them to take normal business deductions. That’s right — the federal government may treat you like a subhuman because you use cannabis, but the IRS is happy to take billions of dollars in unfairly high-income taxes from people in the cannabis industry. As always, the hypocritical United States government is the primary financial beneficiary of the drug war.

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

Cannabigotry shows up everywhere. Doctors at the Veterans Administration take men and women who have bled and suffered for this country off their pain meds because they test positive for cannabis. Use cannabis and need an organ transplant? Forget it, you’ll be taken off the donation list. Live in a non-legal state and your child needs cannabis with THC for a medical condition? Uproot your family to a legal state or you will be imprisoned for child abuse.

Here is what cannabigotry means, and what it continues to mean in Biden’s America:

It means that if you use cannabis, you cannot be trusted to participate in the running of our country’s executive branch.

It means that if you use cannabis, you cannot be trusted with a security clearance.

It means that if you use cannabis, you are more likely to betray our country.

It means that if you use cannabis, you are less of a person.

Here is the truth: Cannabis prohibition and cannabigotry have always been part of a white supremacist project, its oligarchic architects and supporters seeking to turn working people of different colors against each other to the great and lasting advantage of capital. The Biden Administration sustains and invigorates this white supremacist project by breaking its word to its staff.

As we march on towards legalization, we must also achieve normalization. We should condemn the Biden Administration’s betrayal and stand in solidarity with people wronged by cannabigotry.

Andrew founded the Oregon Cannabis Law Group in 2014 and merged with Green Light Law Group in 2019. He has long been on the forefront of the novel legal issues concerning the emerging cannabis industry. You can contact him at andrew@gl-lg.com or 503-488-5424.

This article originally appeared on Green Light Law Group and has been reposted with permission.

Here’s What Experts Really Think About Air Travel This Spring

Culture
News

Maria Loreto

-

March 23, 2021

0

Here’s What Experts Really Think About Air Travel This Spring

Airplanes are the riskiest form of travel during the pandemic, but it can be safer if people follow some safety and distancing guidelines.

As the pandemic progresses and more and more people get vaccinated, airlines and airports have started reporting a consistent increase in traffic. It’s inevitable; the more the vaccine is within reach, the more excitement is felt throughout the country, with people disregarding their previously held safety measures due to a combination of pandemic fatigue and positivism.

With states loosening up on restrictions and allowing for more gatherings of people, is it safe to travel on an airplane? Answers depend on your individual circumstances.

How People Are Still Getting Busted For Marijuana At Airports — Photo by StockSnap via Pixabay

While a lot has been said about airplanes and airports, what truly matters is what people do once they get to their destination. While it’s safer to travel by car (with members of your household), airlines have adopted different safety measures in order to keep the risk of exposure to the minimum. If you wear the correct face masks and try your best to maintain six feet of distance from others, you’ll be following the CDC’s guidelines. Still, there’s no way of eliminating the risk when exposed to different people.

The ideal scenario for air travel is if people quarantine before traveling, test themselves, and, once they arrive at their destination, stay in one place.

“That’s low risk, and there are ways for unvaccinated people to still do that safely. For example, they can quarantine and get tested prior to the trip,” said CNN medical analyst Dr. Leana Wen.

The big risk for traveling occurs during this time of the year, spring break, where people are traveling for tourism. High risk activities like hanging out in bars and restaurants with friends and strangers are what results in super spreader events, especially if you were to take this indoors; the fact that all of these bars, clubs and restaurants are open doesn’t mean they’re safe.

While hanging out at the beach following safety guidelines is low risk, the problem starts once people get comfortable, take off their masks, have a drink or two and start interacting with others, which is a common occurrence when traveling for tourism.

People who’ve had their vaccines are the safest options for traveling, especially if they’re traveling or gathering with people who’ve also been vaccinated. Regardless, no matter whether you’re vaccinated or not, it’s important to follow the CDC’s guidelines and to try your best to stay informed and to have some common sense. It’s one thing to have a drink in a bar with almost no people, and another to have a drink in a bar mid-spring break.

FDA Warns CBD Companies For Violations

Green Market Report

-

March 23, 2021

0

The FDA said in a statement that the products that are the subject of the warning letters have not gone through the FDA drug approval process and are considered unapproved new drugs.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has issued warning letters to two companies for selling products labeled as containing cannabidiol (CBD) in ways that violate the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FD&C Act). Specifically, the warning letters address the illegal marketing of unapproved drugs labeled as containing CBD. The companies are Honest Globe and BioLyte Laboratories.

The letter sent to Honest Globe referenced the products “ELIXICURE ORIGINAL PAIN RELIEF with CBD” (roll-on and pump versions) and “ELIXICURE LAVENDER PAIN RELIEF with CBD” (roll-on and pump versions) (hereinafter referred to as “ELIXICURE PAIN RELIEF with CBD” products). The “ELIXICURE PAIN RELIEF with CBD” products were labeled as containing cannabidiol (CBD) and require no prescription.

The letter reads, “Your “ELIXICURE PAIN RELIEF with CBD” products are unapproved new drugs introduced or delivered for introduction into interstate commerce in violation of sections 505(a) and 301(d) of the FD&C Act, 21 U.S.C. 355(a) and 331(d). Furthermore, your “ELIXICURE PAIN RELIEF” products are misbranded drugs introduced or delivered for introduction into interstate commerce in violation of sections 502(a), 502(ee), and 301(a) of the FD&C Act, 21 U.S.C. 352(a), 352(ee), and 331(a).” The FDA also said that although CBD was listed as an inactive ingredient in the labels of the “ELIXICURE PAIN RELIEF with CBD” products, the product labeling clearly represented CBD as an active ingredient, which is a component of a drug intended to furnish pharmacological activity or other direct effects in the diagnosis, cure, mitigation, treatment, or prevention of disease, or to affect the structure or function of the body. Ultimately an inactive ingredient should not exert pharmacological effects.

In addition to the marketing, Honest Globe was cited for production issues. The letter stated, “Your Quality Unit (QU) lacked control over your topical over-the-counter drug manufacturing operations and failed to ensure that you had adequate procedures. In your response, you committed to working with your contract laboratory to investigate the cited OOS results and future OOS results. Your response is inadequate because you did not address your responsibilities to investigate potential manufacturing deficiencies that may have led to the OOS results. Your response also failed to evaluate batches with OOS test results that had been distributed and were still within expiry.”

Here's When You Should Stop Using CBD — Photo by seksan Mongkhonkhamsao/Getty Images

Honest Globe also got itself in trouble with claiming its products to be registered with the FDA. “To state that any drug product is “FDA registered” is inaccurate; drugs are subject to listing with FDA, not registration. Moreover, registration of an establishment or listing of a drug does not denote approval of the establishment, the drug, or any other drugs of the establishment, nor does it mean that a product may be legally marketed.”

Biolyte Laboratories LLC was the other company that received a letter. The company made medical claims about its products. Examples given were “Silver Gel,” – used as an antimicrobial to help treat minor skin wounds, burns, infections . . .” “Silver Gel” – “USEFUL FOR WOUNDS, BURNS, BANDAGES, AND MORE . . . TOPICALLY USED AGAINST INFECTIONS . . . TOPICALLY USED AGAINST SEVERAL SKIN CONDITIONS (Hives, Rashes, eczema, diaper rash).”

“Based on the above labeling claims, your products “(b)(4) Therapeutic Pain Gel,” “(b)(4) Pain Relief Cream,” and “(b)(4) Magnesium Oil Spray” are drugs intended for use as external analgesics. We are not aware of any adequate and well-controlled clinical studies in the published literature that support a determination that “(b)(4) Therapeutic Pain Gel,” “(b)(4) Pain Relief Cream”, or “(b)(4) Magnesium Oil Spray” are generally recognized as safe and effective (GRASE) for use under the conditions suggested, recommended, or prescribed in their labeling.”

The FDA has not approved any over-the-counter (OTC) drugs containing CBD, and none of these products meet the requirements to be legally marketed without an approved new drug application. The letters explain that, as CBD has known pharmacological effects on humans, with demonstrated risks, it cannot be legally marketed as an inactive ingredient in OTC drug products that are not reviewed and approved by the FDA. Additionally, the letters cite substandard manufacturing practices, including failure to comply with current good manufacturing practices.

The FDA said in a statement that the products that are the subject of the warning letters issued today have not gone through the FDA drug approval process and are considered unapproved new drugs. There have been no FDA evaluation of whether these unapproved drug products are effective for the uses manufacturers to claim, what an appropriate dose might be, how they could interact with FDA-approved drugs or other products, or whether they have dangerous side effects or other safety concerns.

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

Senate Democrats And President Biden Not On Same Page With Cannabis Reform

Marijuana Legislation

Mike Adams

-

March 23, 2021

0

Senate Democrats And President Biden Not On Same Page With Cannabis Reform

Despite all of his “nobody should be in jail for smoking marijuana” comments, Biden, too, has joined the club where the president avoids the cannabis issue at all costs.

Senate Democrats are expected to introduce legislation in the coming weeks designed to legalize marijuana at the federal level. This has been one of the party’s primary objectives since they won the majority in both chambers last November. However, Democratic President Joe Biden doesn’t appear to be as enthusiastic about making such bold leaps in the realm of pot reform.

Last week, Biden fired five staffers for pot-related discrepancies in drug disclosures, and now insiders say he didn’t want to use marijuana as part of his campaign platform because he thought it would cause him to lose to Trump. Buckle up, America, there’s about to be a fustercluck.

Stacey Walker, a Linn County, Iowa supervisor who was part of a task force to help carve out Biden’s criminal justice platform during his campaign, just published a video calling him out for his anti-pot views. He says that Biden was so worried that supporting marijuana legalization would cause him to lose the election that he just didn’t want to take the risk.

Although members of the task force showed him polling data and assured him that “Americans were in favor” of such a progressive move, Biden thought it was a bunch of malarkey and refused to get onboard. “President Biden wanted to commit more study to this before making a decision,” Walker asserts.

These types of political shenanigans are nothing new. Over the decades, we’ve grown accustomed to presidents disregarding the question of federal marijuana legalization. Obama did it. So did Trump. And now, despite all of his “nobody should be in jail for smoking marijuana” comments, Biden, too, has joined the club where the president avoids the cannabis issue at all costs.

Joe Biden Keeps Stating Conflicting Opinions About Marijuana — Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Stringer/Getty Images

According to Walker, Biden’s position on cannabis hasn’t changed since winning the 2020 election. Sure, he still supports decriminalization, expunging past pot convictions, and continuing to allow states to legalize the leaf as they see fit. But he’s probably not going to get behind a push to legalize nationwide. Why? Presumably, so he doesn’t lose his bid for reelection.

Meanwhile, Senate Democrats are winding up to take a chance on legalizing weed this year. It is unclear whether they are going to simply ignore Biden’s apparent resistance and make the push to see how far they can take it, or if they have a plan to get the president to go along with their scheme. Perhaps they realize that, at this juncture, getting a cannabis bill to the president is the least of their worries.

Even though Democrats have majority rule in Congress, there are still so many roadblocks, including the controversial filibuster that could prevent a cannabis proposal from getting passed. Like it or not, they need some Republican support to get a marijuana bill through the Senate, and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell isn’t going to let that happen. He’s prepared to disable the upper chamber if Democrats go rogue to further their agenda.

So, while it might be tricky getting Senate Democrats and President Biden on the same page with respect to cannabis reform, pushing a bill to the point where the president even gets to chime in is going to be the real challenge. Nevertheless, we’re still waiting for Biden to make good on his cannabis-related campaign promises. He indicated months ago that he would expand cannabis research opportunities and was all for downgrading marijuana to a less restrictive Schedule on the Controlled Substances Act.

While these moves might be considered modest reforms, seeing them through would show America that Biden, while continuing to spout outdated ideas, isn’t just a bold-faced liar and remains somewhat open to a shift in national pot policy. There’s no reason the new administration can’t make some kind of change this year.

Will Prohibitionists Tie The New Conservative Movement To Trump?

Richard Cowan

-

March 23, 2021

0

Will Prohibitionists Tie The New Conservative Movement To Trump?

The problem for “Conservatism” is that everything has to be calibrated around Trump, whose previous “libertarian” views on weed evaporated when he thought a prohibitionist Attorney General would be his consigliere.

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

I like to think that Donald Trump’s failure to support marijuana legalization cost him the election, but now I have the same questions about the Conservative movement going forward, and America always needs a healthy opposition, so it should be of concern for everyone, whatever their politics.

Unfortunately, it would seem that leading Conservative think tanks have already been captured by the Drug Warriors. The Heritage Foundation, one of the oldest voices on the right, is actually headed by a former Associate Director of the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy, under President George H. W. Bush, Kay C. James.

However, Heritage has been lying about marijuana, and about little old me for a long time.

Not to be outdone, the Hudson Institute, one of Heritage’s leading competitors, is actually headed by James’ former boss, John Walters, who was the Czar himself under Bush. And Walters was certainly one of the worst.

Walters actually said:

“(Marijuana) is by far the single largest factor in illegal drug addiction in the country. … The conventional view out there today is that marijuana is a soft drug, that marijuana is harmless and that it is not addictive, and there is no withdrawal. It’s not just a gateway drug. … If you are not talking about marijuana, you are not talking about the central part of the problem.”

Yep. He really said that.

Another major conservative think tank, the American Enterprise Institute, is more moderate, relying primarily on Sally Satel. She is what I would call a “moderate prohibitionist”, but unlike her counterparts, she is intellectually honest. Nonetheless, AEI is really out of touch with the American people on this issue.

In real-world politics these think tanks exist to give cover to politicians, and there are  a few politicians who actually care about ideas. For those who do, the Cato Institute, Washington’s leading Libertarian think tank, and Reason in California are excellent.

How Prohibitionist Ideology Has Wrecked The Republican Party And Undermined Democracy — Photo by alexsl/Getty Images

Then there is Fox News and Tucker Carlson and… Wow!

SEE: Tucker Carlson Guest Worried Humanity Might Go Extinct From Smoking Weed (Video) AND: Tucker Carlson Tries To Blame Marijuana For Mass Shootings

Carlson is no fringe crackpot. He is one of the favorites of the new post-Trump Fox News. He is a mainstream crackpot. 

The problem for “Conservatism” now is that everything has to be calibrated around Trump, whose previous “libertarian” views on marijuana evaporated when he thought a prohibitionist Attorney General, first Jeff Sessions, then Bill Barr, both prohibitionists, would be his consigliere. Oops!

Over the next few years, American Conservatism will have to redefine itself, and if it ties itself to marijuana prohibition, it will never regain the majority. (Here’s a list of anti-cannabis organizations .)

Finally, I am not comparing any of the above to the following, but: Neo-Nazis Think Marijuana Legalization Is A Jewish Conspiracy.

It’s time to choose. But it always is.

Richard Cowan is a former NORML National Director and creator of Blue Ribbon Hemp for Senior Citizens Oral Strips.

Is Delta-10 THC The Future Of Cannabis

Cannabis

Terry Hacienda

-

March 23, 2021

0

Since Delta-10 THC is a specific form of THC, you can expect that consuming this variant of THC will give you some psychoactive high. But not as much as other strains.

Sure, you’ve heard of other cannabinoids and compounds that are quickly gaining popularity these days. But what about Delta-10 THC?

The spotlight isn’t on just THC and CBD anymore, folks. There’s so much more to the world of cannabis than these two primary compounds. But today we’re going to talk about Delta-10 THC, and why we think it could be the future of cannabis.

What is Delta-10 THC?

Delta-10 THC is the molecular sibling of Delta-8 and Delta-9 THC. However, it’s not a naturally occurring compound in cannabis. Unlike its other siblings, it appears in such minute amounts that consciously extracting it from hemp or cannabis strains would take you a serious amount of time and effort. In many cases, Delta-10 can be so elusive that it’s not uncommon for scientists and laboratories to still mistake it for other compounds when they check for it using High Performance Liquid Chromatography, which is the standard for compound testing, explains Extraction Magazine.

How was Delta-10 THC discovered?

Delta-10 THC was actually discovered accidentally by a cannabis company in California called Fusion Farms. They bought some outdoor cannabis for the production of concentrates. However, there was an onslaught of wildfires in California, and unbeknownst to them at the time, they purchased cannabis biomass that was already contaminated with fire retardant.

They extracted the biomass, then distilled the extract, after which they found some strange crystals in the distillate. This finding surprised them because the crystals didn’t look like anything they encountered before. They ran an analysis which said the crystals were CBC, though the analysis wasn’t an exact match. So they asked the help of a licensed testing lab to compare data with all known cannabinoids and they still didn’t find a match. They weren’t able to find a conclusion for the next few months.

Cannabis testing — Photo by kermy via Pixabay

Apparently, Delta-10 THC was formed because of the presence of fire retardant. But no need to worry about consuming these toxins; these days, laboratories can already produce Delta-10 using clean and green techniques. For example, some even use food-grade additives to make Delta-10 THC out of Delta-9 THC.

How does Delta-10 THC affect the body?

Since Delta-10 THC is a specific form of THC, which is responsible for the high you get from cannabis, you can expect that consuming this variant of THC will give you some psychoactive high. But an animal study revealed that the Delta-10 high is not as strong as Delta-9 THC. As of now, there’s very limited data on how it affects the body.

This is what we know so far

David Reckles of Private Label Hemp Lab told ACS Laboratory that Delta-10 can get you high, but not the same high you can expect from Delta-8 or Delta-9. Out of these delta compounds, Delta-9 has the most potent effect on how we perceive pleasure, think, coordinate, and even remember, but Delta-8 is lower in potency, with users reporting mild appetite stimulation as well as relaxation.

RELATED: Demand Is Booming For Delta-8

Delta-10 is similar to Delta-8 in the sense that it’s very mild though the impact of the two are very different. “I would compare Delta-10 to a sativa in terms of its effects, while Delta 8 is more of an indica,” says David. He says that his clients use Delta-8 to assist with sleep problems, while Delta-10 enhances creativity, energy, and alertness. “Delta-10 is uplifting and perfect for daytime use,” he adds.

“I think Delta-10 is going to be insanely popular because it offers euphoria and increased focus, without the paranoia and anxiety some users report from Delta-9.”

Will Delta-10 THC show up in a drug test?

The answer is yes, it will, because it still can’t be differentiated from other delta cannabinoids in drug tests so if you’re trying to stay clean for an upcoming one, it’s best that you stay away from delta 10 products until you’re in the clear.

Additionally, very little is known so far about how delta 10 THC works with the endocannabinoid system. But the theory is that it would interact similarly to delta 8 and delta 9, which would mean that it can bind with the CB1 and CB2 receptors. The presence of delta 10 THC can also promote the entourage effect when you consume it with other compounds such as cannabinoids, flavonoids, and terpenes.

If you are suffering from any kind of health condition, it’s always best to consult with your doctor or physician first before using delta 10 THC cannabis products. Only use it if you’re above 21 years of age and keep in mind that it shouldn’t be used if you suffer from high blood pressure.

Is Delta-10 THC legal?

Just like cannabis, there’s some gray area but for as long as cannabis is legal in an area then delta 10 THC derived from cannabis is legal. However, it’s still illegal on the federal level when extracted from cannabis. But if delta 10 THC is extracted from hemp and contains under 0.3% THC, then it’s legal.

Since delta 10 THC occurs in very small quantities for now, researchers are continuing work on finding out how to extract it in larger amounts.

How can I take Delta-10 THC?

Delta 10 THC is most popularly consumed as a distillate but as its usage becomes more widespread, we can expect there to be many other forms of consuming it later on. We can soon expect more Delta 10 THC in the form of vapes, sublingual oils, and edibles.

5 Apps That Can Help You Journal

Maria Loreto

-

March 22, 2021

0

Journaling is a practice that helps many decompress and keep track of their moods and thoughts. Here are some apps that can help you get started.

The use of journals has increased over the years, with many people enjoying its therapeutic properties. It’s become especially helpful during the pandemic.

If you’re not familiar with journaling, it’s a practice that allows your to keep track of your thoughts and feelings, noticing patterns, having a place to put down goals, relieve stress and even work on personal writing.

Still, no matter the many benefits of journaling, it’s difficult to commit to a pen and paper habit if you’re just starting out. Fortunately, technology can always make this process a lot easier. Here are 5 apps that can help you get started in your journey.

Reflectly

Journalist Sy Hersh Admits Smoking Weed With Eugene McCarthy, Jerry Brown — Photo by 6689062 via Pixabay

Reflectly is an AI powered journal, which might provide some extra help if you’re just starting out journaling and need some motivation. The app provides you with some prompts, mood trackers and a peaceful and beautiful looking interface that makes the whole process much more intuitive.

Daylio

5 Online Bookclubs To Join Now That You're Spending More Time At Home — Photo by Thought Catalog from Pexels

Daylio is another virtual journal that prompts you to create two daily entries while selecting your mood and activities. The more you use the app, the more your data gets analyzed, allowing you to have a personalized experience that can be exported into PDF format so you can keep track of your habits and moods over long of time.

Day One

5 Ways You Can Stay In Touch With People While Social Distancing — Photo by Andrea Piacquadio via Pexels

Day One is highly customizable, allowing you to journal with words or to add images if that’s more your style. You journal is kept safe in the app, hidden behind a password or biometric security, which can be shared between smartphone and laptop. You can have the basic experience for free or can enjoy the premium experience for $2.92 a month, which provides added features like bonus journal colors, unlimited video, photos and audio.

Happyfeed

most marijuana users smoke to unwind while listening to rock music poll finds — Photo by McKinsey via rawpixel.com

Happyfeed provides a more guided approach to journaling, asking you to reflect on three positive things in your day. The app allows you to join groups or to fill out your private journal.

Prompted Journal

Here's What You Should Know About Video Call Make Up — Photo by Ekaterina Bolovtsova via Pexels

Prompted Journal is for those who want a more guided experience, an app to provide them with meaty prompts that make them think and vent their feelings out on the page. There’s a repository of over 100 prompts to choose from, making the work fun and easy if you have the dedication.

Women More Likely To Use Psychedelics Than Men — Here’s Why

Julie Aitcheson

-

March 22, 2021

0

Women More Likely To Use Psychedelics Than Men — Here’s Why

Twice as many women as men suffer depression and are likely to experience anxiety or PTSD — conditions which psychedelics are most commonly used to treat.

Whether through research, writing, entrepreneurship, investment, or artistic endeavor, women are making important inroads in the emerging psychedelics market. A 2020 Global Drug Survey found that women are more likely than men to use LSD and magic mushrooms to treat psychiatric conditions and emotional stress.

“It’s time we stepped into our power and psychedelics can help us do that,” says Zoe Helene, founder of environmental feminist collective Cosmic Sister. Helene coined the term “Psychedelic Feminism”, which is a sub-genre of feminism that embraces the transformational power of psychic plants, and she isn’t the only one who sees the potential of psychedelics to positively impact women’s lives.

Susan Chapelle, Havn Life’s (OTC: HAVLF) executive vice president for research and development, sees massive growth in integrating psychedelics into women’s health. She points to the War on Drugs, which disproportionally impacted women and low-income communities, as evidence of a political bias that continues to deprive these demographics of access to safe and effective plant medicines due to restrictive regulations. By creating a safe, standardized supply chain for researchers, Chapelle hopes to break down this bias and get psychedelics to those who could most benefit, women included.

Researchers Tricked People Into Hallucinating From Fake Psychedelics — Photo by Isi Parente via Unsplash

As Ann Barnes, CEO of Edica Naturals and co-director of Red Light Holland (OTC: TRUFF) says, “Now, the massive amount of research being done by the psychedelic community will truly help women; this will be an imperative part of women’s health.” According to the American Psychiatric Association, every year one in five women in the U.S. has a mental health problem such as depression, PTSD, or an eating disorder, which makes Barnes’ prediction sound more like realism than optimism.

The APA also states that twice as many women suffer depression as men, and twice as many women are likely to experience anxiety or PTSD — conditions which psychedelics are most commonly used to treat. In 2020, Data Bridge Market Research projected that the psychedelic drugs market would reach $6.5 billion dollars by 2027, growth at least partially attributed to factors such as the increasing prevalence of depression and mental disorders and the increasing acceptance of psilocybin as an effective treatment.

With women at the forefront of a mental health revolution working to incorporate psychedelics into treatment protocols and a large and growing population of women in need of the benefits these substances offer, the economic future of the psychedelics market could very well be female.

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

The Fresh ToastThe most trusted name in cannabis

Vape Industry Under PACT Act Attack

Sellers who do no register or comply with new regulations, which are set to take effect 90 days from passage, would be subject to severe penalties, including up to three years in prison.

Long-Awaited Study Shows Cannabis Not Very Effective For PTSD

Unfortunately, the results of the latest study do not bode well for the immediate future of cannabis medicine.

Biden Betrayal Shows Cannabigotry In The White House

Workers in cannabis businesses struggle to obtain health and life insurance, and in general are treated as a separate, unfavored class, subject to vicissitudes unique to this industry.

Here’s What Experts Really Think About Air Travel This Spring

Airplanes are the riskiest form of travel during the pandemic, but it can be safer if people follow some safety and distancing guidelines.

FDA Warns CBD Companies For Violations

The FDA said in a statement that the products that are the subject of the warning letters have not gone through the FDA drug approval process and are considered unapproved new drugs.

Senate Democrats And President Biden Not On Same Page With Cannabis Reform

Despite all of his “nobody should be in jail for smoking marijuana” comments, Biden, too, has joined the club where the president avoids the cannabis issue at all costs.

Will Prohibitionists Tie The New Conservative Movement To Trump?

The problem for “Conservatism” is that everything has to be calibrated around Trump, whose previous “libertarian” views on weed evaporated when he thought a prohibitionist Attorney General would be his consigliere.

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

Is Delta-10 THC The Future Of Cannabis