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7 Challenges Facing The Cannabis Industry In 2021

Green Market Report
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7 Challenges Facing The Cannabis Industry In 2021

The future is bright for the expanding herb industry, and there’s never been a better time to grow your own bud business.

Despite the damages caused by the global pandemic, the cannabis industry had a remarkably successful 2020. While most businesses closed their doors, many local governments deemed dispensaries and equipment shops essential, allowing them to remain operational.

The public gained a new appreciation for flower, using it as a form of stress-relief, causing sales to skyrocket. Market expansion snowballed a new wave of legalization efforts in states such as New Jersey and Arizona, with an estimated one-in-three gaining recreational herb access in their state.

Additionally, the booming industry produced countless prosperous entrepreneurs. Between herb-centered boutiques and flower-infused food trucks, there are endless ways to run a successful ganja business. Every niche market and curated head shop raises the industry to new heights, and experts estimate the market will be worth $73 billion by 2027.

RELATED: Cannabis Industry Insiders Look Ahead To 2021

In the years ahead, the budding community will undoubtedly reach new peaks and face new obstacles. Before you join the flower power movement, consider these seven challenges the industry will face in 2021.

Limited banking services

Federal condemnation of herb has created substantial financial difficulties for budding business owners. In fear of facing federal prosecution, banks will refuse to grant cannabis companies loans. A lack of options forces herb shops to rely on risky private lenders and investors, resulting in severe economic instability.

More Legal Marijuana Equals Less Crime? Not So Fast
Photo by nattrass/Getty Images

Cash-only operations

Since ascertaining loans is near impossible for herb brands, most businesses continue to operate exclusively in cash. Cash-only businesses drive away potential customer bases who prefer to avoid physical currency, especially during a global pandemic. Additionally, keeping large sums of money at a storefront puts businesses at a higher risk of theft and vandalism.

Lack of insurance

Ambiguity in state and federal regulations has placed bud businesses in the high-risk category. To avoid being held criminally liable for supporting the sale of herb, insurance companies stay far away from ganja brands altogether. Furthermore, some proprietors would rather go uninsured than wade through the intricate legal jargon. Without the security of insurance, companies expose themselves to a myriad of liabilities.

Stigma

Unfortunately, misconceptions have shrouded the organic herb in mystery for most of its existence. Widespread misinformation coupled with federal illegality has clouded the public’s minds, leaving many with a sour taste in their mouth during talk of legalization. Many people still view the herb as a dangerous “gateway” substance that leads to sinister criminal activity.

RELATED: Industry Analysts Predict Which US Cannabis Markets Will Excel In 2021

Difference Between A Marijuana Dispensary And A Liquor Store
Photo by mikroman6/Getty Images

Firearm legislation

This lesser-known threat poses a sizable obstacle for the industry. Gun legislation known as The Firearms Transaction Record is a mandatory form that every purchaser must sign. The document denied firearm sales to buyers who use bud products regardless of legality. Strict regulations further enforce flower stigma, causing many to avoid conversations of legalization.

Brand differentiation

The budding industry has inspired thousands of creative businesses, and every company must work to differentiate itself. A simple budtender recommendation simply doesn’t cut it anymore. Without careful brand strategizing, the average herb brand risks fading into irrelevance.

Green Wednesday Cannabis Sales Blow Away Black Friday
Photo by Ivan-balvan/Getty Images

Federal reform

Perhaps the biggest challenge faced by the hemp industry is the lack of regulation at the federal level. Still labeled as a controlled substance, flower products are inaccessible in the majority of states. The federal prohibition of herb has limited how far the market will expand, although many industry leaders are cautiously optimistic that reform is coming.

Bottom line

The future is bright for the expanding herb industry, and there’s never been a better time to grow your own bud business. As you find a place in the cannabis community, consider how you will face approaching obstacles.

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

Why Dentists Recommend Not Brushing After You Eat

Maria Loreto
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Why Dentists Recommend Not Brushing After You Eat

Some dentists warn against brushing your teeth right after eating. Here’s why.

Brushing your teeth is one of those habits that’s viewed as unquestionably beneficial. For the most part, it’s safe to assume that you can never brush your teeth too much, or during inconvenient times of the day. But dentists say that brushing your teeth after you eat has some negative side effects that could be detrimental to your health.

While it makes perfect sense to brush your teeth after you eat, you should wait awhile before you do it. Here’s why: Digestion starts in the mouth, creating an acidic environment right after you’re done eating.

RELATED: Here’s How To Realistically Reduce Sugar From Your Diet

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

“When you eat foods containing sugar (or simple starches that break down into sugars inside your mouth), cavity-causing bacteria inside your mouth feed on the sugars and produce acid. When your teeth are exposed to a highly acidic environment, it temporarily weakens your enamel (the hard, outer surface of the tooth) by causing it to lose minerals,” pediatric dentist Dr. Jin Lin told Best Life. “Rubbing your enamel with a toothbrush when it is in this weakened state may further damage the enamel.”

Brushing your teeth might spread the acid in your mouth around, causing harm when paired with the rubbing motion of the brush.

RELATED: TikTok Is Filled With Mental Health Advice — Here’s Why You Should Be Wary

You should wait at least an hour after you eat to brush your teeth. This amount of time allows your digestion to move past the oral stage, eliminating that acidic environment that could have occurred when you consumed those foods. Once an hour has passed, your saliva will do its job and return your mouth’s pH back to a normal state, which is what you want when you brush your teeth.

Senate Democrats Needs To Look At Real Cannabis Reform

Mike Adams
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Senate Democrats Needs To Look At Real Cannabis Reform

While the Dems have majority rule in both chambers of Congress, the margin is so slim that it’s going to take some bare-knuckle politics to pass anything on their agenda.

The U.S. Senate is expected to address nationwide cannabis reform in the coming months, and the cannabis industry can’t wait to see how it’s going to look. Some think Congress will try to pass a bill to legalize marijuana at the federal level. In contrast, others believe that, given the complexities of the Hill this session, Senate Democrats needs to look at real cannabis reform, not just what is out currently.

Unfortunately, the bare minimum could involve a bill known as the SAFE Banking Act. It’s a measure that would allow financial institutions to do business with the cannabis industry without a DEA raid. And if this bill is the best that the new Democratic Congress can do for Americans, well, they should just give them another stimulus check or something. 

The SAFE Banking Act is not cannabis reform.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and crew appear eager to pass legislation that does more than connect banks with the weed business. At the beginning of February, Schumer, along with Senators Cory Booker and Ron Wyden, released a joint statement revealing their dedication to passing “comprehensive cannabis reform” in the new session — retribution for decades of drug war savagery.  

The Senators wrote: 

“We are committed to working together to put forward and advance comprehensive cannabis reform legislation that will not only turn the page on this sad chapter in American history, but also undo the devastating consequences of these discriminatory policies. The Senate will make consideration of these reforms a priority.”

Does Democratic Senate Really Have Enough Power To Legalize Marijuana Nationwide?
Photo by Drew Angerer/Getty Images

The keyword in the statement is “consideration.” While the Democrats have majority rule in both chambers of Congress, the margin is so slim that it’s still going to take some savoir fare and perhaps even some bare-knuckle politics to pass anything on their agenda. It is going to be tough to get a comprehensive cannabis proposal approved in the Senate. Many Republicans still aren’t about weed enough to get onboard. However, Democrats need some support across the aisle to get it done.

Even President Biden wants to be careful.

RELATED: Does Democratic Senate Really Have Enough Power To Legalize Marijuana Nationwide?

Biden has said that he would support decriminalization and medical marijuana, but he doesn’t think a full-scale taxed and regulated cannabis market is suitable for the United States. At least, not yet. So, we don’t know what the Senate thinks it can accomplish under these conditions, but comprehensive isn’t it. 

Cannabis experts believe the most likely scenario this year is a marijuana-related bill that mimics three popular pieces of legislation that have been making the rounds on the Hill over the past few years. There is the Marijuana Opportunity Reinvestment and Expungement (MORE) Act, which was passed in a historic vote by the entire US House of Representatives last December; the States Act, a bill that simply forces the federal government to recognize state-level legalization efforts, and the SAFE Banking Act — a measly banking bill disguised as cannabis reform. 

RELATED: Congressional Democrats Must Legalize Marijuana Nationwide Before Midterms, Or Else

Whatever mutated version emerges from the pile will likely only equate to marijuana decriminalization and not a taxed and regulated market. Even modest reforms will be a tall order this year. Democrats must find a way to make a bill palatable to Republicans, especially Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, and come to terms on its reach. That seems unlikely given the divisiveness of Congress. Remember, Senate Democrats have only promised to give the cannabis issue “consideration.” No promises have been made. They understand that getting a bill approved is going to be a knockdown dragged-out fight — and it’s one they will probably lose. 

RELATED: How Prohibitionist Ideology Has Wrecked The Republican Party And Undermined Democracy

We just hope the party’s desperation to pass a marijuana bill doesn’t get the best of them, causing a push for a bare minimum measure like SAFE Banking. Although more pot businesses could make deposits — plenty of banks are already working with the cannabis industry — Americans would still get busted for weed. Nothing about this legislation can be called cannabis reform. Senate Democrats needs to look at real cannabis reform and continue the fight.

Cannabis For Arthritic Joints Gives Millions A New Option

Terry Hacienda
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Cannabis For Arthritic Joints Gives Millions A New Option

One of the biggest medical reviews to study cannabis and pain indicated that there is “substantial evidence that cannabis is an effective treatment for chronic pain in adults.”

Joint pain, or arthritis, is any kind of inflammation, pain, or discomfort from any joint within the body. It can also be from any part of the joint, including the tendons, muscles, ligaments, bone, and cartilage.

The pain itself can be varying in degrees; for some it can be mild while for other people it can be excruciating, resulting in limited movement even with basic everyday activities such as walking, bathing, or dressing up. There are many causes of joint pain, ranging from certain conditions such as fibromyalgia, bone cancer, or gout, though other times it can come with age, weight gain, gender, or caused by a sprain.

There are more than 54 million people in the United States alone that suffer from joint pain. There are also over 100 different kinds of arthritis pain, yet pain is a central feature for all of them. Despite that, many arthritis conditions don’t look and act similarly. Current treatment available ranges, and is recommended by doctors depending on factors such as the pain levels, the kind of joint pain or arthritis, and the overall health of the patient. The primary goal of treating it is to enable patients to manage their pain, increase strength, and joint mobility.

Pharmaceutical medications may be recommended for treatment, with or without exercise, the use of heat or cold, but in extreme cases surgery may be needed. In some cases, occupational therapy may also work.

However, despite all these, many patients still struggle with dealing with joint pain. That’s why so many people have been turning to cannabis.

How Cannabis Helps

There are numerous studies proving that the two primary compounds of cannabis, cannabidiol (CBD) and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) are extremely helpful for treating joint pain. Aside from the many anecdotal reports that it does work better than many drugs, opioids included, the studies are there to prove it. More importantly, the studies available show that cannabis products are safe and well-tolerated by humans.

RELATED: Young People Experience Arthritis Too And Cannabis Can Help

A Gallup poll, whose results were released in August 2019, showed that around 14% of Americans said that they use CBD products for a range of health reasons, though the number one cause is pain. Additionally, a poll conducted by the Arthritis Foundation revealed that 29% of people use CBD, and out of those respondents, a majority of them reported that they saw significant improvement in well-being, physical symptoms of pain, and sleep.

In fact, you probably already know someone who is using cannabis for pain. And why not? There are no side effects and it’s not addictive, unlike opiates. One of the biggest medical reviews to study cannabis and pain indicated that there is “substantial evidence that cannabis is an effective treatment for chronic pain in adults.”

whats next for rheumatoid arthritis and cannabis
Photo by gilaxia/Getty Images

While CBD has become more popular as the primary choice for pain, especially among patients who don’t want to get high, there’s also THC for those who don’t mind. “THC activates certain cannabinoid receptors, one of which is in the nerve cells and the other is in the immune cells. When it activates the one in the nerve cells, it reduces the sensation of pain,” explains Steve Alexander, a University of Nottingham Medical School associate professor.

RELATED: What You Need To Know About Treating Joint Pain With Cannabis

“A little bit of euphoria can help us not care that we’re experiencing quite as much pain, much in the same way that other pain medications work,” adds Angela D. Bryan, a neuroscience and psychology professor at the University of Colorado Boulder.

Depending on the kind of joint pain you have, you can explore different ways of medicating with cannabis. For example, studies show that CBD is ideal for treating inflammatory pain, which is common among those suffering from injuries or arthritis. Scientists believe that CBD works in many ways to reduce inflammation, one of these ways is by blocking the inflammatory markers.  Other studies show that CBD increases the work of glycine receptors which are responsible for regulating pain and as a result, reduce neuropathic pain.

On the other hand, studies show that THC is good for neuropathic and central pain, or pain caused by cancer, fibromyalgia, AIDS, and other similar conditions. THC also contains powerful anti-inflammatory properties so they target the problem at its very root.

Photo by TAMHSCPhotos via Pixabay

There is no one-size fits-all solution when it comes to cannabis for joint pain; it’s recommended to speak to a doctor who has experience working with cannabis. They would be the best resource to recommend products or strains that can be of the best help for your specific joint pain condition.

Types Of Cannabis Products To Try For Joint Pain

Topical: Balms and lotions infused with cannabinoids are helpful in treating joint pain. They provide localized pain relief since they are applied directly on the affected area. Some  products are also made with additional ingredients such as camphor, menthol, or capsaicin, which further help to alleviate joint pain.

Inhalation: Many studies have revealed that when it comes to treating pain, inhalation is the most effective way to do so. You can inhale cannabis products through a joint or using a vape pen. Just be sure to purchase your product from a reputable manufacturer to avoid the risk of consuming unknown chemicals.

Oral: Consuming cannabis, whether it’s THC or CBD, in oral form can provide therapeutic benefits to joint pain in slower onset compared to topical or inhalation, but relief will last for a much longer time. You can also make use of cannabis drops placed under the tongue, or using a tincture or spray for a quicker onset through oral administration.

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

Time For Nasdaq And NYSE To List US Cannabis Companies

David Feldman
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Time For Nasdaq And NYSE To List US Cannabis Companies

The timing of federal legalization, which presumably would trigger the exchanges’ willingness to list, is uncertain at best. So to my good friends at the U.S. exchanges, it’s time.

Yesterday a major special purpose acquisition company (SPAC) merger announcement made some exciting news in cannabis. The Nasdaq-listed SPAC agreed to merge with four different US cannabis companies that are growing, processing and selling state-legal cannabis, with an over $200 million value. But the SPAC will have to delist from the Nasdaq upon closing and trade in the over-the-counter markets. Now is the time for Nasdaq and NYSE to list cannabis companies.

They must take this action because the major U.S. national exchanges, the Nasdaq and New York Stock Exchange still refuse to allow strong and growing American cannabis companies that “touch the plant” to have their stock listed. Frankly it’s a shame that this is continuing and your humble blogger believes it is time for that to change. Here are the main arguments I hear from them and, frankly, why they don’t make sense:

  • “Cannabis is federally illegal.” Maybe so. But the SEC allows these companies to go public with appropriate risk factors. FINRA allows their stock to trade. Each of you has listed stocks of “ancillary” businesses providing software, vaporizers and real estate to these companies, arguably aiding and abetting that federal crime. And you list CBD companies, some of whose products remain prohibited by the FDA. How exactly is this different?
  • “We could be hit with money laundering charges.” As we know, there is a federal statute, renewed every year in the federal budget, which forbids the use of federal enforcement dollars against state-legal medical cannabis. In addition, the feds have taken a very low priority approach to enforcement of state-legal adult use since the famed Cole Memo was issued in 2014, and that includes during the Trump Administration. And even in the worst of enforcement times, in the Bush and early Obama Administrations, hundreds of state-legal operations were shut down, but zero cases were brought against any third parties such as lenders, investors, lawyers, banks, or stock exchanges or trading platforms for working with these companies. So what is this risk of which you speak?
  • “Our reputation could be impacted.” Reputation with whom? In every public survey in the last 3-5 years, 90% of Americans support legalizing medical cannabis and nearly 70%, including a majority of Republicans polled, support legalizing adult use. You are willing to list stocks from other controversial industries such as casino gambling and strip clubs. Also, those who would smite you for this presumably would feel the same about your listing ancillary businesses that help the growers and sellers. And if that’s your real concern why list Canadian plant-touching companies, which you have happily done? Why continue to list GW Pharma which developed a cannabis-based federally legal drug? Why continue to list ScotsMiracle-Gro which is supplying products to the industry, or Microsoft which partnered with a company providing software to states to manage their cannabis regulation?
Wall Street Disruptors Fuel Cannabis Investor Flameout
Photo by lo lo via Unsplash

Here is why it could be critical for these exciting growth companies to list their stock on an exchange:

  1. More analyst coverage of the stocks, leading to more attention and hopefully more trading volume.
  2. More access to institutional investors, many of whom are prohibited from investing in over-the-counter stocks.
  3. More protection for investors in these companies due to the stronger governance and listing requirements of the exchanges.
  4. An end at last to the migration of US plant touching companies to reorganize in Canada solely so that they can list on an exchange up there.
  5. More potential global mergers and acquisitions, in particular with large Canadian companies, who are waiting for the exchanges to approve listings before moving into the States.

I love my good friends at the OTC Markets, led by the amazing Cromwell Coulson. But even Cromwell understands the importance of OTC companies “graduating” to exchange listings, and they even enjoy bragging about how many companies do so each year. So this is not about OTC. The timing of federal legalization, which presumably would trigger the exchanges’ willingness to list, is uncertain at best. So to my good friends at the U.S. exchanges, it’s time.

RELATED: Will Cuomo’s Troubles Impact NY Cannabis Legalization?

As you see there really is no reason, other than decades-old, long since debunked stereotypes, misinformation and fear-mongering, to explain your continued reticence to earn lucrative listing fees and benefit investors.

David N. Feldman, Esq. is a partner in the boutique law firm Hiller, P.C. and is Co-Founder and CEO of Skip Intro Advisors LLC. This article originally appeared on his blog and has been reposted with permission.

New York Inches Closer To Legalization

Green Market Report
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New York Inches Closer To Legalization

“Passing marijuana reform, and legalizing recreational marijuana. We’ve tried to do that for the past three years. We have to get it done this year,” said Gov. Cuomo at a press conference yesterday.

During a press conference Monday at a vaccination site in Long Island to provide an update on COVID-19, New York State Governor Andrew Cuomo touched on marijuana, saying “passing marijuana reform and legalizing recreational marijuana” remains a priority and that he spent the weekend speaking with Assembly Majority Leader Crystal Peoples-Stokes (D), who is the sponsor of the Marijuana Regulation and Taxation Act (MRTA), “working through” the legislation. He said they are “very close on marijuana.” However, some of the sticking points on getting the legislation passed include decisions surround growing cannabis at home and continuing the use of stop and frisk measures when cannabis is smelled.

Melissa Moore, New York State Director of the Drug Policy Alliance and member of Start SMART NY Coalition (Sensible Marijuana Access through Regulated Trade) said, “Today’s Siena poll confirms that New Yorkers across the board are overwhelmingly in favor of marijuana legalization. Nearly 60% of New York State residents support legal marijuana for adult use. Literally every single category of voters from every corner of the state — women, men, liberals, conservatives, from upstate, downstate and everywhere in between — supports legal marijuana now. Given this broad-based mandate, it is imperative that the absolute best marijuana reform bill becomes law. We urge swift passage of the Marijuana Regulation and Taxation Act (S.854/A.1248) to secure justice, jobs, and equity for the millions of New Yorkers that have borne the brunt of marijuana criminalization and restitution for the communities most harmed by the war on drugs. The time to act is now.”

RELATED: New York Gov. Cuomo Wants To Legalize Weed, But It Won’t Be Easy — Here’s Why

“We’ve tried to do that for the past three years, we have to get it done this year,” he said. “There’s been too many young lives that have been ruined because of the marijuana laws.”

The actual language is as follows:

Cannabis Regulation and Taxation Act: The Assembly proposes to continue discussions with the Executive and the Senate to provide for the legalization and regulation of the cultivation, production, sale of cannabis and cannabis products for adult-use, expanding the existing medical cannabis program and address the collateral consequences of the criminalization of cannabis. The Assembly supports the establishment of a centralized regulatory approach for the licensure and regulation of medical, adult-use, and hemp-based cannabis and cannabis products and businesses through the creation of a regulatory body comprised of legislative and executive appointments, as well as ex-officio agency representation from agencies involved in implementation.

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

The Assembly also supports provisions to: reduce criminal penalties attributed to future cannabis-related activity; expand the ability of individuals to vacate or expunge certain lower level past cannabis convictions; protect legal rights in the workplace; ensure appropriate standards and protections are in place as it relates to public assistance, child care workers, foster parents and investigations of child abuse, neglect, and endangerment involving the use of cannabis; provide access to business mentoring, application process assistance, incubators, capital and other social equity programs necessary to support the long-term success of social and economic equity applicants as part of a plan  to award percent of adult-use cannabis licenses to individuals in communities that have been disproportionately impacted by past criminalization of cannabis, communities of color, minority- and women-owned business, disadvantaged farmers and service-disabled veterans; establish a reasonable tax structure related to the sale of adult-use cannabis; provide for personal cultivation; ensure access to medical cannabis is maintained and expanded; recognize community priorities through local opt-out provisions from the adult-use market; and other priorities deemed necessary and appropriate.

RELATED: Will Cuomo’s Troubles Impact NY Cannabis Legalization?

The Assembly maintains that it is critically important that revenue generated from legalization of cannabis be invested in communities that have been disproportionately impacted by past criminalization of cannabis, including creating a Community Grants Reinvestment Fund. Therefore, the Assembly will further continue discussions on how to direct revenue to ensure that funds will be used for: public education; job creation, skills development and training; social justice and reentry services for impacted communities; substance use disorder services and mental health services; community-based supportive services; expanded training for state and local law enforcement to maintain driver safety; and any other uses deemed necessary and appropriate.

“This is not about getting in the red zone anymore,” Cuomo added. “We have to get over the goal line this time. We need the seven points.”

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

You can read the full transcript of Cuomo’s presser here.

Why You Shouldn’t Charge Your Phone Overnight

Maria Loreto
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Why You Shouldn’t Charge Your Phone Overnight

There’s a lot of myths that surround phones and their batteries. Here’s what happens if you charge your iPhone battery too often.

While many of us shut down our laptops everyday in order to preserve battery and improve performance, others charge their phones strategically in order to avoid the wear and tear that happens after long periods of charging. What’s the right thing to do if you want to take care of your phone’s battery?

Smartphone batteries tend to functioning really well in the beginning, wasting away as time passes. There’s no way of preventing this, but charging patterns might have an influence.

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

Apple says its iPhones “remain at full charge for prolonged periods of time, battery health can be affected.” Other phone makers, such as Samsung and Huawei, say that phones shouldn’t be charged overnight and that keeping your battery within the 30%-70% range is best for prolonging battery life. In short, according to USA Today, don’t wait until your phone reaches 1% of battery; when it starts to get below 30%, try to plug it in and charge it, that way your battery will have a longer life and you won’t go through your battery’s finite amount of cycles.

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Batteries are complicated devices, working differently depending on the way they’re made and the components within them. While the vast majority of smartphones are smart enough to avoid overcharging, most experts agree that once the battery is completely charged, there’s no need to leave your phone plugged in in order to prevent trickle charge.

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PC Magazine says trickle charge can generate heat, which, depending on your phone’s circumstances, could create extra heat and damage the battery. A clunky protective case, putting your phone under your pillow or stacking stuff on top can easily increase the heat levels in your device.

Otherwise, there’s not much you can do except face the fact that phones wear with age, including their batteries. In order to protect your battery you can smartly utilize your device’s low battery mode, preventing running your battery to zero percent, and invest in some certified cables and chargers, which can also harm your battery life.

Wait, What Does Organic CBD Actually Mean?

Terry Hacienda
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Wait, What Does Organic CBD Actually Mean?

The strict protocols and rudiments employed in the production of organic CBD help to ensure that no filler and adulterants are added into the production process.

CBD is the second most popular cannabinoid derived from the cannabis plant and much of its popularity has been on the back of its numerous medicinal benefits. These medicinal benefits of CBD also account for the legalization of hemp-derived CBD in a lot of states in the US.

Although it is still illegal federally, this beneficial hemp extract has been infused and incorporated into different products, such as oils, creams, lotions, and transdermal patches. CBD products are classified into full-spectrum, broad-spectrum, and isolate depending on the presence of other cannabinoids. However, CBD can also be classified into organic and non-organic CBD depending on the process of cultivation, handling, and harvesting.

It is possible for some users of CBD to not have noticed the fact that there are organic CBD products and non-organic CBD products. However, there are and the products differ in terms of method of production as well as effects. It is a general belief that organic products are probably healthier while non-organic products are cheaper.

Organic CBD

Organic CBD refers to CBD derived at a higher standard compared to the non-organic alternative. As seen with organic fruits and vegetables, deriving an organic product has a lot of rudiments applied to it. It involves the process of growing the crops, the harvesting process, the extraction process, and final handling and storage. For an agricultural product to be labeled organic, it needs to pass through some specific conditions and requirements put forward by the US Department of Agriculture. These conditions and guidelines start from the field and end at the stage of storage and final processing of the product.

How to produce organic CBD

The first stage of producing organic CBD starts from the field where the hemp is to be grown. The soil to be used in growing the crop must not be treated with organic-prohibited substances like pesticides. The soil must have also not been treated with such substances 3 years before the hemp cultivation process commences. This ensures that the soil maintains its integrity and heavy metals and detrimental chemicals have not compromised its uniqueness. It is also important that no synthetic additive is added to the soil to boost the growth of the crop.

The 2020s Will Be The Decade Of CBD
Photo by IRA_EVVA/Getty Images

The treatment of the soil to be used goes beyond just keeping synthetic substances away from the soil. For organic products to meet guidelines stipulated by the USDA, the soil must be maintained through cultural practices such as crop rotation, use of natural fertilizers, and tilling of the ground. These practices ensure that the soil maintains its biological and chemical profile and it also limits infestation by insects and other pests. For organic CBD to be derived, there must be a total prohibition of the use of genetically engineered seeds in the cultivation process.

RELATED: How To Find High-Quality CBD Oil

From the protocols and conditions of the field, the next set of conditions apply to the harvesting process. At the harvesting process, stricter protocols than those placed on the field are experienced. It generally involves the harvesting process from the field and the handling and storage process off the field. The USDA has a National List of Allowed and Prohibited substances and all substances that fall under prohibited mustn’t be allowed to come in contact with the crop. All noni agricultural ingredients that do not conform to the list should be excluded from the harvesting and storage of the products.

Role of personnel

Production of organic CBD largely depends on the effectiveness of the personnel on the. Their roles are very important as it applies to quality control and good production process to achieve the desired final product. Care must be taken by the personnel to ensure that during mixed crop harvesting, organic and non-organic CBD products are completely separated. It is also their role to be attentive to ensure that prohibited and non-organic substances are not allowed to come in contact with the crop products. This ensures that cross-contamination does not occur which will nullify the essence of the whole exercise.

how is CBD oil made
Photo by Evopure CBD via Unsplash

Importance of organic CBD

The benefits of organic CBD will not be fully understood if one doesn’t consider the care and thought applied towards producing the products. The exclusion of synthetic products like pesticides, synthetic fertilizers, and other chemical influences helps to maintain the integrity of the components of the soil. It also ensures that the full spectrum of the cannabinoids and other phytochemicals are available without being contaminated with chemicals. The presence of these cannabinoids ensures that the entourage effect of the cannabinoids is fully effective and gives rise to more medicinal effects.

RELATED: How Is CBD Oil Made?

The strict protocols and rudiments employed in the production of organic CBD help to ensure that no filler and adulterants are added into the production process. It begins from the cultivation process to the extraction process and ensures that the identity of such products can be trusted. The product is devoid of heavy metals and consists of natural substances that give rise to beneficial effects that further enhance the effectiveness of the product. The plant doesn’t get to absorb toxic chemicals and materials that may be detrimental to the health of those that use the product.

Organic CBD is also important for sustaining the environment due to the processes involved in its production. The use of organic practices is as beneficial to the plant as it is to the environment. It helps to reduce soil erosion, infestation by insects and pests, increase soil fertility, and reduce pollution.

Bottom line

Organic CBD offers the medical benefits of CBD which include:

Granting relief from pain

Reducing inflammation

Promoting calm and relaxation

And promoting quality sleep

Finally, note that organic CBD is produced through strict protocols to ensure it provides the needed health benefits of CBD without additional harmful effects.

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

The Cannabis Pre-Roll Hype In 2020 Was Real — And It’s Just The Beginning

Benzinga Staff Writer
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The Cannabis Pre-Roll Hype In 2020 Was Real — And It’s Just The Beginning

The pandemic accelerated the trend as it led to more opportunities to consume and caused conditions that likely led to increased usage.

By Andrew Ward

Market response to cannabs pre-rolls exceeded expectations in 2020.

Undeterred by the coronavirus pandemic,  sales increased nearly 50% across California, Colorado, Nevada, Oregon and Washington, according to Marijuana Business Daily citing data from Headset and LeafLink. The sector became the second-fastest growing cannabis item, only behind flower (54%).

Operators say that they expect pre-rolls to continue to perform well in 2021, in line with the rest of the market.

Record Highs

LeafLink noted a market share increase from 6.2% to 7.5% for pre-rolls last year.

Alex Feldman, LeafLink general manager of insights and marketing services, stated that if 2020 is any indication of seasonal performance, then a slight spring dip could give way to a “potentially large increase” during the fall as post-harvest supplies arrive.

But market performance can’t be isolated from the pandemic’s influence, according to Headset analyst Cooper Ashley, citing how pre-rolls were dealt a blow early in the pandemic.

The five states mentioned above saw market shares drop 17% for the items, going from 10.5% in February to an 8.7% share in April.

RELATED: How To Make Your Joints Burn Slower

Since then, strong month-over-month growth propelled the sector to new heights — a 10.8% market share in October.

“As we move into the warmer months of the year and as life moves back towards a post-COVID ‘normal’ it would make sense for pre-roll sales to increase,” Ashley forecasted, also noting a shift in buying to larger package sizes.

Pros And Cons Of Smoking CBD Joints
Photo by Jeff W via Unsplash

2021’s Market Surge

David Farris, VP of sales and marketing at Las Vegas’ Planet 13 Holdings Inc. (OTCQX:PLNHF), noted a shift in customer purchasing, with larger pre-roll orders becoming the norm.

Planet 13, which introduced a pre-roll line recently, has seen its buying demographic shift during the pandemic, going from 90% tourist business to almost entirely local. The pandemic also led to consumers buying pre-roll packs, as well as mixing and matching from cultivators, said Farris.

RELATED: Is It Safe To Smoke Pre-Rolls During COVID?

Farris credited Planet 13’s extensive product choices, including its in-house brands, as a motivating factor in consumer purchasing.

The pandemic played its part as well, serving as an accelerant to an already hot market.

“The pandemic accelerated that trend as it led to more opportunities to consume with work from home arrangements and also caused conditions that likely led to increased usage,” stated Louie Reformina, chief business development officer at Turning Point Brands Inc. (NYSE:TPB).

Strong pre-roll sales are just the beginning, according to David Bleicher, brand manager of Green Thumb Industries Inc.‘s (OTCQX:GTBIF) pre-roll line Dogwalkers.

“Consumers will continue to seek unique ways to consume their flower and will demand it in convenient and single-use formats, like pre-rolls,” he predicted.

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

Have You Seen The Viral Ad Linking Marijuana To Satanic Cults?

Mike Adams
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Have You Seen The Viral Ad Linking Marijuana To Satanic Cults?

The PSA that reads, “Just a simple toke of ‘devil’s lettuce’ could make you sacrifice your family to Satan!” is a complete work of fiction.

An anti-marijuana advertisement has been making the rounds on social media lately, and it is making some parents a little nervous. The ad states that smoking weed is the “leading cause of America’s youth joining Satanic Cults, and that’s a fact.” Gasp!

As one might imagine, the thought of Little Jimmy and Jenny getting high with friends one morning under the monkey bars and, unbeknownst to them, subsequently being put in a league with Satan is enough to send chills down the spine of any upstanding mom and dad. Parents have come to expect that marijuana might be a gateway drug for their teen, maybe even one that leads them down a path to penniless squalor, but not Satanism! Rest easy, mom and dad. The viral PSA is fake.

At first glance, the ad that reads “Smoke a doobie? You’re smoking with SATAN ” looks like a legit enough warning against the use of marijuana — something that is now legal in over half the United States. It is a finely crafted piece that appears to have been made by the graphic design professionals at the Ad Council. The ad looks like it means business, so the claims must be true, right? Not so fast.


We live in a time of misleading news, artificial intelligence and deep fakes. Technology is now so sophisticated that people don’t even need to hit the gym anymore to look fit for their profile pictures. Nope, there’s an app that will sculpt them to look like Greek gods and give their followers the impression that they workout 12-hours a day. Apps also make it easy for creative minds to produce phony social media ads. Anyone with a phone can do it. Still, that doesn’t stop much of the American population from believing their messages and using the share button to spread the lies.

So, yes, just in case you were bamboozled by the bull, the Ad Council PSA that reads, “Just a simple toke of ‘devil’s lettuce’ could make you sacrifice your family to Satan!” is a complete work of fiction. There’s no truth in it whatsoever.

Anyone who thought to examine the ad closer would have seen the ridiculous message printed at the bottom: “If you or someone you know is addicted to marijuana, call Domino’s at 215-712-1000, rent a tape and enjoy!” Since a pizza chain doesn’t run the Ad Council, and nobody is renting video tapes anymore, that’s a pretty solid indication that the ad was designed to be funny and never intended to be taken seriously.

how rising levels of anxiety in teens might support the rise of cbd
Photo by rawpixel.com

Unfortunately, many folks had a knee-jerk reaction to the ad and shared it without giving it a full review. I even shared it on my Facebook page a few months ago because I thought it was hilarious. I mean, if everyone who smoked pot ended up in a Satanic cult, well, we would all probably be using Ouija boards to sing the National Anthem at sporting events.

RELATED: Another Survey Shows Teen Marijuana Use Declines After Legalization

I was shocked just how many of my followers got angry over the ad and even posted comments about how it was “reefer madness” and all part of the federal government’s plot to maintain pot prohibition. They never stopped to consider that some silly stoner probably designed it in his parents’ basement in hopes of getting some laughs — just an evening of design hijinks in pursuit of clicks and likes.  

A recent USA Today fact-checking mission confirmed that, yep, the ad is as fake as it gets. “The image is not an Ad Council piece,” the news source wrote. “The Ad Council confirmed that the warning is fake, and similar advertisements on marijuana claiming to come from the Ad Council have been previously debunked.” 

RELATED: How Can Parents Tell If Their Teenager Is Using Marijuana?

So, if you were ever worried about your teen using marijuana and then praising the Dark Lord, you can sleep better tonight knowing that’s probably not going to happen. Satanism and marijuana have absolutely no connection in the real world. In fact, Lavey Satanists reject the use of cannabis and any other drug.

Other Satanic groups are okay with marijuana, but they are not actively trying to lure kids into their covens with drug-induced tactics. Nope, regardless of how much marijuana they smoke, Little Jimmy and Jenny are still going to have to pay an annual membership fee.

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