What You Should Know About Cholesterol, Marijuana And CBD

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March 22, 2021

What You Should Know About Cholesterol, Marijuana And CBD

Heart health is directly tied to overall health and aging. Here’s how CBD and marijuana could impact it.

In 2016, 28.2 million American adults were diagnosed with heart disease with a heart attack occurring every 40 seconds, according to the American Heart Association. As the leading cause of death for men, women and people of most racial and ethnic groups, new research is coming out every year that investigates other methods to eradicate the 1 in every 4 deaths that are heart disease related.

Heart health truly matters, not just because of the importance of the body’s ability to pump blood and gain oxygen, but heart health is directly tied to overall health and aging.

The National Institute on Aging explains, “Adults age 65 and older are more likely than younger people to suffer from cardiovascular disease, which is problems with the heart, blood vessels, or both. Aging can cause changes in the heart and blood vessels that may increase a person’s risk of developing cardiovascular disease.” Ailments like high cholesterol, angina and heart disease often occur because of a heart not functioning at its proper capacity.

Understanding Cholesterol

Cholesterol often has a bad reputation. Needed inside the body to make vitamin D, it’s a waxy substance that’s found in all cells. With a healthy diet and exercise, many people can stave off high cholesterol levels. However, for those with a genetic history of high cholesterol, other recommendations come into play.

Mayo Clinic says to eat these top foods to help cholesterol numbers while keeping a heart healthy:

High-fiber foods like oatmeal and bran cereal
Omega-3 fatty acids (walnuts, chia seeds, flax seeds)
Fish (mackerel, herring, tuna, salmon, trout)
Almonds
Avocados

In a pinch, experts recommend looking for colorful, leafy fruits and veggies, which are often low-fat and cholesterol-free.

Does Medical Marijuana Increase Your Heart Rate? — Photo by rud0070 via Pixabay

Marijuana and CBD’s effects on the heart

CBD and marijuana seem to affect the heart in different ways, signaling more research is needed to best understand the body’s reaction to cannabidiol (CBD) and other cannabis compounds.

Board Certified Cardiologist Adam Splaver MD shared with us that CBD could have an impact on heart health.“We are at the infancy of understanding the effects of CBD in cardiac health. There have been several studies, one of which looked at a single dose of CBD on healthy volunteers and they found it lowered blood pressure,” he explained. “Since we know high blood pressure is tied to cardiovascular events, lowering blood pressure by using CBD ( and not THC) can be beneficial to heart health.”

In a 2012 study, published in the British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology, researchers found that direct application of CBD caused a reduction in vascular tension. While the application of CBD didn’t have an effect on blood pressure or heart rate, it did reduce the cardiovascular response to stress in non-humans.

Dr. Steven Reisman, a nationally-recognized cardiologist at the New York Cardiac Diagnostic Center, believes individuals should be cautious with cannabis and CBD. In speaking to The Fresh Toast, he explained that while there are no current peer-reviewed studies proving marijuana or CBD are efficacious in treating heart disease and are unproven, “a small study published in 2017 suggested CBD ‘may’ have some effect on reducing stress related systolic blood pressure.”

Is Marijuana Use Risky For Your Heart? — Photo by Khwanchai Phanthong/EyeEm/Getty Images

Dr. Reisman also spoke on the importance of lowering stress as it relates in playing a key role in increasing the risk of a heart attack. He explained, “Some studies have shown an increase in heart attack and death following natural disasters such as earthquakes and also in relation to the stress involved with the loss of a loved one.”

With medical marijuana approved in some states (New Jersey and Delaware) for anxiety, some individuals are finding THC and CBD bring peace and calm to stressful situations.

Dr. Splaver mentioned the importance of understanding marijuana and CBD have a long way to go, sharing, “It is also still too early to know the effects of CBD on cholesterol. There are several small studies that showed a positive effect. Do not stop taking your cholesterol medication and keep in mind the overall negative effects smoking has on your health when considering CBD use.”

While research continues to catch up with a growing number of individuals affected by heart disease, older advice still rings true: Eat well, sleep often, and don’t sweat the small stuff.

Demand For Weed Surges, Prices Skyrocket

Terry Hacienda

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March 21, 2021

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Demand For Weed Surges, Prices Skyrocket

Without the help of the government, demand will continue to skyrocket and so will prices, forcing many to the black market.

One year into the pandemic, and we’re only just about to start seeing a glimmer of hope with the vaccine rollout.

So how has the last year been? For some industries, COVID-19 shattered their businesses, but the pandemic was kind to the cannabis industry. All over the United States, sales of legal cannabis jumped 46%, reaching record-breaking sales of $17.5 billion.

A majority of the sales were in adult-use markets, particularly Colorado which is among the more mature markets. They saw a 26% increase in growth, resulting in $2.2 billion in sales, while Oregon saw a 29% increase resulting in $1.1 billion in sales, says a cannabis data firm, BDSA Analytics.

“We expected more potential impact from an economic downturn, but the industry has proven to be resilient,” explains Kelly Nielsen, head of insights and analytics at BDA. “It’s potentially recession-proof.” She goes on to say that there were three factors that contributed to the growth of the cannabis industry in 2020: for one, during the pandemic, cannabis services were deemed essential; then there was also the fact that more customers started buying from mature markets including Colorado, Oregon, and California. Lastly, new recreational markets popped up in Arizona and Illinois.

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

One thing that also needs to be said is that simply, people are just consuming more cannabis than ever before. In states with legal adult-use markets, the number of people who consumed cannabis jumped to 43% from 38%. “Close to 50% market penetration is really compelling, as alcohol penetration is around 60%,” Nielsen says.

Meanwhile, another report this time from Grand View Research, points out that more medical practitioners are recommending cannabis to treat a wide range of ailments, which is now contributing to a higher demand. They also note that more people are suffering from chronic pain these days, while cancer patients around the country need cannabis for pain management. These two are expected to continue driving a high demand for cannabis. “The rise in the number of patients suffering from mental conditions is expected to drive the demand for legal marijuana over the forecast period… Rise in awareness regarding the health benefits of these products, increasing the legalization of medical cannabis, growing consumption, and expansion of the product portfolio is estimated to boost the market growth in the region during the forecast period,” reads the report.

Higher Demand, Higher Prices

It’s basic economics, so naturally the price of cannabis went up. Data from Headset, a Seattle-based analytics company specializing in cannabis, says that the average retail price for recreational cannabis flower in four states continued to get high throughout the pandemic. In Colorado, California, Washington and Nevada, they observed a 17% price increase while the cost of pre-rolled cannabis jumped 15%.

Headset analyzed data over a past 90-day period and compared it with the same period in 2020. Retailers are loving the price hike and strong consumer demand, helping the cannabis economy boom even more. They also note that the price of wholesale flower in Colorado peaked for the first time since 2016, as the average price for a pound of cannabis flower jumped 31% from the start of October 2020 throughout the end of January 2021.

Impact of High Prices

While this is great news for retailers and the industry as a whole, higher prices are turning off many customers. Instead, a great deal of people prefer to keep their black market dealers on speed dial for more competitive prices and better availability of their preferred flowers.

4 things you need to know before visiting a marijuana dispensary — Photo by Scott Eisen/Stringer/Getty Images

That’s not even to mention the hefty taxes involved. Cannabis sales taxes are extremely high, with some products imposing a whopping 25% sales tax which is determined by the state, while some have it even more. Once the taxes have been configured into the price, oftentimes for customers it simply doesn’t make sense anymore to buy legal cannabis from a dispensary.

If governments really want to curb the black market, legal cannabis should be priced relatively low, such as around or slightly less than how much illegal cannabis sells for. Doing so will be beneficial in attracting more people to use it legally, but unfortunately that just isn’t how economics works.

There’s also the fact that the cannabis these days is more potent than ever, with high THC strains and products dominating the shelves at dispensaries. Naturally, higher THC products will cost more, but there’s still a market for it especially for THC products that are over 25% THC.

But do we have a choice? Well, if you buy online, you have a chance of finding a good deal, but dispensaries in legal states can be notorious for the high prices of cannabis. That’s because regulations and startup costs alone are already a large expense for dispensary owners, just like any other new business. In California, for example, it’s $1,000 to apply for permits and licenses to put up a dispensary and if you’re successful, you’ll need another $120,000 more to cough up.

Then there are the real estate costs. Of course, it would vary depending on the location but in California, you’ll be hard pressed to find anything under $50,000 whereas its normal to spend even three times that amount for a good dispensary location. You also have to shell out for point of sale systems, security, inventory, advertising, and other ancillary costs.

In short, it would be up to the government to work out ways of making cannabis lucrative for business owners while ensuring that they are kept affordable for consumers. Millions of people rely on cannabis for life-saving medicine, while some need it to function, or just get out of bed. Without the help of the government, demand will continue to skyrocket and so will prices, forcing many to the black market.

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

Two Things Preventing Herd Immunity Against COVID-19

News

Maria Loreto

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March 21, 2021

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Two Things Preventing Herd Immunity Against COVID-19

The good news: the U.S. is on its way to herd immunity. The bad news: these things are standing in the way of achieving it.

America is well on its way to vaccinating everyone — at least everyone who’s interested in getting inoculated. More than 22% of the U.S. population has received at least one dose of the vaccine, and according to government and health experts, only two things are standing in the way of achieving herd immunity (when a large percentage of the population of a certain area is immune to a specific disease).

Vaccine hesitancy and COVID-19 variants are slowing down the process of returning to normal; a process that’s made worse by restrictions being lifted in different parts of the country, making the world feel like it’s back to normal when it’s not.

These Are The 5 Most Common Face Mask Mistakes — Photo by ?? Claudio Schwarz via Unsplash

“We have a pretty narrow window of opportunity to make clear what the benefits of vaccinations are. We know that these vaccines are really effective at preventing severe disease. They also do substantially reduce your risk in each of these different types of settings, whether it’s going to the restaurant or gym, or seeing family and friends,” emergency physician Leana Wen told CNN.

While there has been great progress in vaccination rates, according to John Hopkins University data 10 states have reported an increase of 10% or more in their daily average coronavirus cases. People’s increased levels of activity and the new COVID-19 variants in circulation might be the reason behind this spike.

“What the CDC really needs to do at this point is to say for unvaccinated people, here are the activities that are low risk, medium risk and high risk. Probably a lot of things are going to be high risk for unvaccinated people,” Wen said. “Then they need to say for vaccinated individuals, you’re able to do so much more. Nothing is going to be zero risk, but many of these activities that were formally high risk are now low risk. I think that type of benefit of vaccination really needs to be illustrated to people.”

In order to manage this issue and brave the rest of the pandemic as best as possible, responsible parties need to make it a priority to warn people to be as safe as they can, wearing the appropriate face masks and practicing social distancing when possible. While domestic travel is on the rise, it’s important to remember that we’re not in the clear yet.

While those who’ve been vaccinated may operate under different guidelines, the vast majority of people will have to wait a little bit longer before they can resume their lives normally.

The Worst Things You Can Add To Your Coffee

Maria Loreto

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March 20, 2021

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The Worst Things You Can Add To Your Coffee

Coffee is the wakeup call many of us rely on, but it’s easy to make this morning ritual unhealthy.

Coffee is undoubtedly the best way to start the day, at least according to those of us addicted to the stuff. But coffee can quickly throw a wrench into our nutrition and health if we’re not careful.

Still, not all is bad news. There are plenty of coffee additions that are delicious and harmless. Here are the worst things you can add to your coffee and some replacements you could use instead:

White sugar

this is how much coffee is safe to drink each day — Photo by Sara Johnston via Unsplash

While adding sugar to coffee is a ritual to most people’s mornings, the use of white sugar provides no nutrition and can quickly get out of hand when added to the sugar you consume throughout the rest of your day, especially if you tend to have several cups of coffee a day.

Fortunately, this is one of the easiest problems to solve. While sweeteners have gotten a terrible reputation, studies are unclear on their potential side effects and are believed to be neutral elements: it’s not great for your health, but not detrimental, either. Sweeteners have much less calories and provide more sweetness than sugar, resulting in a drink with less additives. So instead of reaching for white table sugar, try SweetDrops, Stevia, maple syrup or even coconut sugar.

Flavored syrups

Canadian Company Wants To Be Starbucks Of Cannabis In US — Photo by Engin_Akyurt via Pixabay

Right up there with sugar is flavored syrups. Next time you order your double tall vanilla latte, ask for “one pump of syrup” or else you might end up getting three, which is typical at many coffee chains. Flavored syrups are just cane sugar in liquid form. If you’re using syrups to mask the flavor of your coffee, maybe it’s time to find another coffee shop.

Powdered creamer

Powdered creamers are basically just chemicals and oils flavored as “cream.” Powdered creamer can actually be explosive. We’re not kidding. Cow’s milk or plant based milk makes for a good replacement, having less calories and less concerning stuff that could ruin your mornings. And if you want to skip all the extra hormones, which aren’t great either, head for the plant-based milks. Oat milk is possibly the closest you’ll get to the real thing.

Whipped cream

Pumpkin Spice Coffee — Photo courtesy of Starbucks

RELATED: 5 Easy Ways To Eat Less Meat

You already knew this. Whipped cream might be the most delicious addition to any hot drink, but it adds calories, fat and sugar to your morning coffee, not to mention high cholesterol fat if you’re whipping your own using half-and-half. If you’re using the stuff from a spray can, you’re also dealing with a lot of corn syrup and nasty chemicals. It’s best to skip it all together or make your own out of coconut cream.

Largest Human Trial To Date Will Review Safety Of Full Spectrum Hemp Products

Nathalie Bougenies

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March 20, 2021

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Largest Human Trial To Date Will Review Safety Of Full Spectrum Hemp Products

As is the case in the United States, Europe lacks sufficiently reliable scientific data to support the safety of products infused with full spectrum hemp extract.

In January 2019, the European Union (EU) reclassified extracts of cannabis sativa L. and derived products containing cannabinoids, including CBD, as “Novel Food” under the EU Novel Food Catalogue. The reclassification was based on the lack of demonstrated history of human consumption of these extracts and of any product to which they might be added.

As one would naturally suspect, the Novel Food Application process is time consuming and expensive. Every successful Novel Food Application goes through three phases (the “Application Assessment,” the “Safety Assessment” and the “Marketing Authorization”), which last 3 to 4 years and require a hefty budget of €350,000 to €500,000.

To alleviate to burdensome cost of an individual Novel Food Application, the European Industrial Hemp Association (EIHA), which represents and advocate for the interest of European hemp producers and processors, launched a Novel Food Consortium (the Consortium). The Consortium was established to submit joint Novel Food applications and share the costs between its members, the majority of which are small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that could not bear the cost of an individual application.

To date EIHA has submit three categories of Novel Food applications, including one for CBD-isolate-based products, another for synthetic-CBD-based products and a third one for products infused with full spectrum hemp extract. For each of these applications, EIHA will need to submit toxicological studies showing the substances are safe for human consumption, yet the organization seems particularly concerned with that of full spectrum hemp extract-based products.

In a recent interview with Cannabis Health, EIHA’s Managing Director, Lorenza Romanese explained that the challenge lays in the presence of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) in the full spectrum hemp extract.

As is the case in the United States, Europe lacks sufficiently reliable scientific data to support the safety of products infused with full spectrum hemp extract, including the safety of THC, one of the 100+ cannabinoids naturally found in the extract. Therefore, through its collective effort, EIHA is taking the lead on investing in the type of comprehensive research the industry so desperately needs to freely operate by spearheading the largest human trial to date on the safety of consuming trace amounts of THC.

person holding white and black box mod — Photo by Evopure CBD via Unsplash

EIHA hopes that this toxicological study, which will assess 200 participants during a 30-day period, will make regulators more comfortable with the concept of full spectrum hemp extract and will enable EIHA members to continue producing and selling these products on the European market and overseas.

Nevertheless, there remains a possibility that European regulators will reject the validity of the study during the Assessment Phase of the Novel Food Application process, in which case EIHA is prepared to appeal.

Once submitted, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), the Food and Drug Administration’s European counterpart, will have 9 months to carry out the safety assessment of EIHA’s toxicological study, at which point the EFSA will issue an opinion to the EU Commission. If favorable, the EU Commission will submit a draft of an implementing regulation approving products infused with full spectrum hemp extract to the Standing Committee on Plants, Animals, Food and Feed, which would then add these products to the EU Novel Food Catalogue.

Needless to say, such approval would be a game changer for the industry. We’ll continue to monitor and report on the development of this ground-breaking study so stay tuned!

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

The Most Effective Way To Start Taking CBD

CBD
How-To

Terry Hacienda

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March 20, 2021

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The Most Effective Way To Start Taking CBD

The more comfortable you get with the product, the more likely you are to experiment with it in its various forms.

Cannabis plants consist of more than 100 chemical compounds which are called cannabinoids. Cannabinoids, or CBD for short, attach to receptors in the brain and the body’s immune system and have been known to have a variety of health benefits. Whereas tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is the psychedelic ingredient from the cannabis plant, CBD has zero psychoactive properties and doesn’t get its users high or stoned. Here is the most effective way to start taking CBD.

Several studies suggest that CBD is effective for children, animals, and anyone who else wants to reap the benefits of cannabis without the “high” that’s commonly associated with marijuana use. The CBD compound itself is proving to be a valuable compound with a bevy of health benefits.

For CBD to work in both humans and animals, the body must absorb it. CBD needs to find a way into the bloodstream where it can interact with the brain and immune system’s receptors.

It should be noted that you can’t overdose on CBD; because it’s a natural substance, no amount of CBD is too much.

Orally Ingested Capsules

Finding The Best CBD Capsules & Soft Gels For Your Needs — Photo by Elsa Olofsson via Unsplash

If smoking isn’t for you, you might want to consider using pills or capsules of CBD, like any other type of medication. Plus, monitoring the dosage is easier with things that come in pill form. Being able to have a reliable CBD dosage (which isn’t the case when smoking), might be ideal for people who want a consistent concentration of CBD. Starting off with 25mg of capsules would be a smart starter and you could slowly increase the increments if you feel the effects are working but want a bit more. Unlike smoking, however, capsules can take at least 45 minutes to work its way into your system and then the effects last for several hours. If you’re looking for a quick fix orally, ingesting CBD might not be for you.

CBD Tinctures

What If You're Not Feeling The Effects Of CBD? — Photo by CRYSTALWEED cannabis via Unsplash

CBD oil is one of its most popular forms, especially when it comes to cooking (yes, you can even replace your regular cooking oil with CBD oil for added benefits). If you’re not using the oil in food, you simply place a few drops under your tongue and the effects are reasonably quick. Check for the right dosage level, and a full spectrum CBD oil is known for more benefits than isolate CBD tinctures. You can also easily adjust the amount you’re ingesting with relative ease.

Edibles

Are High-CBD Hemp Flowers The Next Big Thing In Cannabis? — Photo by BATCH by Wisconsin Hemp Scientific via Unsplash

It used to be popular to assume eating cannabis edibles was a way to start tripping out on hallucinogenics but CBD-based gummies have been proven as effective ways to feel the effects. Gummies, like other candies, come in a variety of flavors and colors and can pack a pretty good CBD kick.

Orally ingesting CBD is often used for people who are suffering from sleeping disorders, anxiety, and other body issues as CBD gives off more of a “full body high” when taken orally.

If you’re looking to loosen up some body or joint pain, you might want to consider the next option.

Inhaled

The FDA Objects To The Sale And Marketing Of Nasal, Ophthalmic, Inhalable CBD Products — Photo by
Javier Zayas Photography/Getty Images

Just like its THC counterpart, CBD can be inhaled, which has an effective and quick delivery to the body. Effects are almost immediate making it a viable option for people who are experiencing pain and need something to kick in quickly.

Inhaling CBD, like vaping, gets the compound into your lungs and quickly into your bloodstream. Similarly to rolling a cigarette or marijuana joint, rolling CBD joints can take under five minutes — its impact is almost immediate upon smoking. If you’re in pain and you think CBD might be the right choice, rolling a joint and smoking it might be the fastest way to reap the benefits. Many cannabis shops sell non-THC strains of marijuana, which would be the cannabis equivalent of non-alcoholic beverages.

Topical Creams

Here's What You Should Know About CBD Topicals — Photo by vadimguzhva/Getty Images

For muscle aches and pains, a CBD cream is a smart option. The value of topical treatment is they can specifically target one area instead of working the entire body or mind. The majority of CBD creams are packaged with herbal and natural remedies to give a variety of solutions to body aches. CBD cream is popular among athletes and trainers. The cream gives off a warmer sensation. It might be your next go-to on a cold day.

CBD Isolate

This Is The Most Effective Way To Start Taking CBD If You Are Just Starting Out — Photo by Kelly Sikkema via Unsplash

CBD isolate is considered by many to be the purest form of the plant because it consists predominantly of cannabidiol and nothing else. There are a few ways that CBD isolate comes in, but perhaps none is as popular as powder.

The powder can be used to cook, bake, or as a sprinkle inside fruit smoothies. The powder can also be vaporized or mixed with other forms of CBD ingestion.

CBD Dabbing

5 Amazing Things To Know About CBD Was And Shatter — Photo by Cappi Thompson/Getty Images

CBD dabbing is a form of ‘flash vaporization’ and it’s achieved by heating the cannabis to a very high heat to extract the most out of its compounds. Many CBD users agree that dabbing is the most effective way to ingest CBD. The effects are instantaneous, longer lasting, and it feels more potent than ingesting it any other way. While CBD dabbing may seem a bit complex for first time users, there are tools for sale that facilitates the process. Dabbing rigs, torches, and nails are available for people who want to consider going down the dabbing route.

In the end, there’s no one real way of consuming the magical compound. It’s a matter of personal preference and it varies by user. If you’re a cigarette smoker, smoking CBD joints might be your best bet. If you’re an avid cooker, sprinkling some CBD powder or using CBD oil as a substitute might be your easiest method. For beginners, you might want to start off ingesting CBD in a form that is already manufactured, like edibles or pills. The more comfortable you get with the product, the more likely you are to experiment with it in its various forms.

Since it is a natural substance, CBD medication isn’t dangerous if it’s mixed with alcohol, different foods, or other prescription drugs. There’s also no way to overdose on the plant so you can ingest as much as you want.

The only side effects associated with CBD are relatively mild, including drowsiness, changes in appetite, and occasionally dizziness. Apart from that, there are a variety of positive factors to consider before you embark on a potentially prosperous CBD adventure.

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

Will Senate’s Marijuana Legalization Plan Work In The Land Of The Greedy?

Mike Adams

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March 19, 2021

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Will Senate’s Marijuana Legalization Plan Work In The Land Of The Greedy?

We shall see soon whether Chuck Schumer’s plan to legalize marijuana while keeping the cannabis industry in the hands of small businesses has any clout.

More details about the upcoming proposal designed to legalize marijuana at the federal level have emerged, and they might be just as ambitious as they are unrealistic for the capitalistic ethos of the United States of America.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer just released a video on his Twitter page explaining details of his plan to take on cannabis reform in 2021. Set to be filed in a matter of days, Schumer indicated the bill would focus on small business, preventing Big Alcohol and Big Tobacco from hijacking the cannabis scene, “justice, justice, justice” and freedom.

It is long past time to end the federal prohibition on marijuana and undo the damage of the War on Drugs.

WATCH: I talked with @SenBooker and @RonWyden this week about how we’re working together on legislation for comprehensive marijuana reform. https://t.co/jfKxJOsIzq

— Chuck Schumer (@SenSchumer) March 18, 2021

Schumer said, “We don’t want the big tobacco companies and the big liquor companies to swoop in and take over. The legislation we have will make sure that smaller businesses, businesses in communities of color, get the advantage because communities of color have paid the price for decades. They should at least get something back. “For decades,” the Senator continued, “young men who were arrested with a small amount of marijuana in their pockets served long prison terms and then they had a felony record and could never make themselves right.”

All of Schumer’s ideas sound well and good, but is it really possible to keep the big dogs of American commerce out? This question is going to be tested for sure — this year and in the years to come. Although the US Senate is hellbent on approaching the cannabis reform issue this year, Congressional divides and a skeptical president could make it next to impossible for the Democrats to get anything remotely close to a “comprehensive” cannabis bill approved this year.

What Chuck Schumer Can Do For Marijuana As Senate Majority Leader — Photo by Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images

According to the Daily Beast, President Biden just forced dozens of White House staffers to resign because they admitted to marijuana use. Even though a spokesperson for the Biden Administration says, “well-qualified applicants with limited marijuana use will not be barred from serving the American people,” that still doesn’t account for why the White House is firing people for this substance in the first place. The undertones suggest that Biden isn’t yet all in on cannabis.

Meanwhile, Big Alcohol and Big Tobacco have already banded together to create a national lobbying group intended to do just what Schumer is trying to avoid – a complete hijacking of the cannabis industry. Therefore, in his limited leadership, Senator Schumer will have to combat the American Way — capitalism — to get his vision of a marijuana law on the books in the coming months.

The real focus of the US Senate appears to be in drafting a “restorative justice” bill that includes marijuana legalization. Senator Cory Booker said in Schumer’s video that the nation cannot have one without the other. ”It’s not just about creating an environment where states are legalizing, it’s about restorative justice, and that’s a number of things,” Senator Booker asserted. “That’s, one, making sure that we expunge records. Don’t talk about free adult use of marijuana without talking about expunging records. Number two, the tax money — this is going to be a multibillion-dollar business. Those tax receipts should be reinvested in those in those communities.”

Senator Ron Wyden, one of the three key players in the Senate’s marijuana legalization campaign, thinks the group has “a real shot now at making progress.” However, I can’t decide whether this attitude is wishful thinking, delusions of grandeur, or just another political illusion designed to keep Democrats looking progressive and productive.

Marijuana Reform Could Lose Out This Year To ‘Scorched Earth Senate’ — Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

There is a whole lot stacked against the cannabis reform debate this year. Slim majorities in both houses, the controversial fate of the filibuster, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell’s threats of a scorched earth Senate, and Biden’s apparent anti-cannabis stance could all have a negative impact on this battle. Ending pot prohibition is bigger than Senate Democrats. It’s a feat that will need significant reach from both sides of Congress and the White House to gain enough traction to advance. One way or another, divergence and bad blood will likely continue to be the ultimate saboteur.

Earlier this week, we predicted that, if backed against a wall, Senate Democrats might try to pass a measly banking bill and call it cannabis reform. Wall Street analysts have since come forward to confirm that such a move is precisely what the party plans to do if they can’t rally enough support for full legalization. It’s “the backup plan if Democrats cannot enact legalization legislation,” Cowen’s Jaret Seiberg recently told MarketWatch. “Right now there is pressure to pass a cannabis bill,” said Seiberg. “Passing the SAFE Act would relieve that pressure, which means legalization would be unlikely to get a Senate vote. It is why the more likely play is to try to pass legalization with the backup plan of switching to the SAFE Act if there are not the votes to legalize.”

We shall see soon whether Schumer’s plan to legalize marijuana while keeping the cannabis industry in the hands of small businesses has any clout. It seems highly unlikely that will be the case. This is America, after all. Even at the state level, marijuana corporations have played at stakes much higher than their pay grade. They’ve tried to compete with the big dogs, and now they’re officially in the cage.

Schumer’s concept of a small national cannabis sector and giving back to ravaged drug war communities could be viewed as soft and laughed off the Hill. However it shakes out, the cannabis industry will eventually lock horns with Big Alcohol and Big Tobacco to maintain control. These two mega industrial sectors come with extremely deep pockets and far too much political experience to just walk away from potentially billions of dollars.

No, this is only the beginning.

Cannabis Prohibition Is About To End — Does History Have To Repeat Itself?

Marijuana Legislation

Emily Burns

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March 19, 2021

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Cannabis Prohibition Is About To End — Does History Have To Repeat Itself?

Federal cannabis legalization may not help residents of states that currently prohibit cannabis in some form unless those states enact their own legalization measures.

America is on the cusp of legalizing marijuana at the federal level. There appears to be enough support in Congress to amend federal law and make commercial marijuana activities legal. But a federal mandate may not mean that recreational marijuana will be accessible in all 50 states.

As we near the end of cannabis prohibition in the U.S., it is important that we look at the history of prohibition to better assess the potential outcomes that states’ rights may cause, even after cannabis is federally legal.

In 1972, the federal Controlled Substances Act (“CSA”) classified “marihuana” as a Schedule I substance. This law made it illegal to cultivate, distribute, or possess cannabis. Before the CSA was signed into law, the federal strategy for thwarting cannabis use was imposing a substantial tax on the transfer of marijuana using the Marihuana Tax Act of 1937 (“MTA”). The MTA did not expressly prohibit the cultivation, distribution, and possession of marijuana, but instead made marijuana transactions prohibitively expensive.

Before the CSA, marijuana criminal laws were largely creations of state law. Interestingly, the relatively conservative state of Utah was the last state to criminalize marijuana. It is ironic that state legislatures have subsequently reversed course and removed criminal sanctions at such a rapid pace that now federal lawmakers are using state repeal and reform efforts to inform federal legalization proposals. For those keeping score, California was the first state to legalize medical marijuana, doing so in 1996. Colorado and Washington became the first two states to legalize recreational marijuana in 2012.

With cannabis prohibition nearing its end, it is useful to review the history of federal repeal of alcohol prohibition. Alcohol prohibition ended in 1933 with the repeal of the Volstead Act and 18th Amendment, which were the federal laws prohibiting alcohol manufacture, distribution, and possession. However, some state legislatures refused to repeal their parallel state laws criminalizing alcohol, despite the repeal of prohibition on the federal level. The state of Mississippi remained a dry state until 1966, 33 years after the repeal of the Volstead Act and 18th Amendment. Almost half the state’s local jurisdictions continue to ban liquor sales as of today.

So, How Close Are The Feds To Ending Marijuana Prohibition? — Photo by bubaone/Getty Images

It is important to recognize that the repeal of federal marijuana prohibition will not automatically entitle individuals in all fifty states to possess marijuana for recreational use. The Constitutional doctrine of preemption provides that the federal government cannot require state legislatures to enact identical federal laws, so a state legislature must decide to actually repeal criminal law sanctions for marijuana possession, distribution, and manufacture, even if federal legalization measures are successful.

The movement for federal cannabis legalization may not help residents of states that currently prohibit cannabis in some form unless those states enact their own legalization measures. Idaho was the only state without any legalization measure in effect until late 2020 (i.e., not even allowing an affirmative defense based on medical necessity if found in possession of ≤.03% THC, industrial hemp-derived CBD products), which demonstrates that the movement towards national legalization could be irrelevant in Idaho. Like Mississippi and alcohol, it could take years for Idaho, and other politically and culturally conservative states, to fully legalize cannabis even after federal cannabis prohibition ends.

Emily is a recognized expert on cannabis-related legal, regulatory, and policy issues, having worked with a wide range of individuals and entities in both the public and private sector. This article originally appeared on Green Light Law Group and has been reposted with permission. You can contact Emily at info@gl-lg.com or (503) 488-5424.

Demystifying Marijuana And Heart Health

Kate-Madonna Hindes

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March 19, 2021

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With the rise of marijuana legalization, researchers conducted a study to determine if marijuana’s growth and use had any impact on cardiovascular disease.

According to the American Heart Association, cardiovascular disease (CVD) claims more lives each year than all forms of cancer. In 2016 alone, CVDs were responsible for every one out of three deaths in the United States.

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) believes that cardiovascular ailments such as stroke and heart attack are now the leading cause of death in America. With almost 50% of the population affected by CVDs, it’s on the forefront of many researchers’ minds to try and understand the complex issue and what other ailments, medicines and activities may help or hurt the heart.

New research details the need for candid conversations

With the ever-growing rise of marijuana legalization, researchers recently unveiled a study to determine if marijuana’s growth and use had any impact on America’s serious CVD issue. Recognizing an opportunity for wider dialog around patients’ marijuana use, the Journal of the American College of Cardiology published a January 2020 study by four major health institutions: Columbia University Irving Medical Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Brigham & Women’s Hospital Heart & Vascular Center, and Harvard Medical School.

Researchers looked at an association of those who have used marijuana against those with cardiovascular diseases. Estimating that over 2 million Americans have used marijuana and that heart disease is still on the rise, the team determined that better screening should be in place to identify key risk factors as some studies showed marijuana could have adverse effects on heart health.

5 Things You Can Do To Protect Your Heart Health — Photo by rawpixel.com

While not a gigantic leap in research, the study is hoping to bring to light the importance of better conversations around marijuana use in a clinical setting, which is a vital element in a good care plan. Candid conversations around lifestyle habits like cannabis can help doctors and nurses offer more personalized care to keep medicines from interacting with one another offering more safety to patients through better communication.

Does marijuana hurt the heart?

With very little research being done around marijuana’s effects on cardiovascular health, doctors have little information to go on when asked about marijuana’s effects from patients. While cannabis can raise the heart rate and make the heart pump faster temporarily, there’s no studies that show long-term effects, positive or negative. Some studies have cited a risk of stroke for those with CVDs immediately after using marijuana, while other studies claim CBD can reduce blood pressure.

While research is inconclusive to heart health, marijuana, and CBD oil, one thing is certain: Better communication between doctors and patients can lead to stronger trust and relationships which can better health outcomes for all.

Willie Nelson On His Marijuana Advocacy: ‘We Have Made A Lot Of Progress’

Maria Loreto

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March 18, 2021

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Willie Nelson On His Marijuana Advocacy: ‘We Have Made A Lot Of Progress’

Willie Nelson made his first SXSW appearance, discussing his music, COVID-19 and, of course, marijuana.

It may be hard to believe, but Willie Nelson had never made an appearance at SXSW until yesterday. The weeklong festival, which began on Monday, not only went digital for the first time but it marked Nelson’s inaugural keynote speech in the festival’s history.

Nelson spoke about his music, his experiences with COVID-19 and how much of an impact this year has had on him. He also took the time to discuss his experiences with cannabis and his life long support for the herb’s decriminalization.

Willie Nelson Has Officially Stopped Smoking Marijuana — Photo by Terry Wyatt/Stringer/Getty Images

“We have made a lot of progress through the years since the first time I was busted for marijuana,” Nelson said. “A lot of people have jumped on the bandwagon and realized marijuana is medicinal, it can help you in a lot of ways. A lot of states out there have already legalized it medicinally and also recreationally, but more states are on the way.”

Nelson talked about the importance of activism, and how it gives people something to believe in and fight for. “It’s important to have those valuable things to keep you going.”

The multi-Grammy award winner has a long history with marijuana and even has his own label, Willie’s Reserve, which has been in circulation since 2015 and continues to expand.

In 2019, Nelson’s stoner image was tarnished after he said he was no longer smoking weed due to having abused his lungs for many years. His son, Lukas Nelson, tweeted that while Willie was more careful with his lungs for health reasons, there were many ways in which cannabis could be consumed besides smoking. Said Nelson’s spokeswoman: “Willie does what he wants, when he wants, when it comes to smoking.”

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