Medical Marijuana Reduces Opioid Use

Amy Hansen

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January 11, 2024

Good news – opioid use is down when medical marijuana is an option. It benefits the mind, body and patient.

Opioids and fentanyl driving a crisis in recent years, with the COVID-19 pandemic exacerbating the public’s abuse of the drug. The crisis has also become a major U.S. foreign policy issue. Massive lawsuits have been filling the courts due to the addictive and damaging nature of some opioids and patients have been left in shambles. Now, data shows medical marijuana reduces opioid use.

A new study from New York State and CUNY researchers suggests receiving medical cannabis for thirty days or more may help patients on long-term opioid treatment to lower their dose over time.

Medical Marijuana Applications Soaring Under Coronavirus Pandemic — Photo by beusbeus/Getty Images

Another study conducted by the American Medical Association showed positive data. The study, published in JAMA Oncology, analyzed the results of thousands of patients with different types of cancer. ound an association between receiving medical cannabis for chronic pain for a longer duration and a reduction in prescription opioid dosages among patients on long-term opioid therapy. Patients who were on higher baseline dosages of prescription opioids when they started receiving medical cannabis experienced larger reductions in opioid dosages.

Researchers explained that the study was conducted in order to explore the links that exist between marijuana legalization and opioid use. They concluded that medical marijuana curbed opioid use and provided an alternate route for treatment.

RELATED: Marijuana And Prostate Cancer

“Findings of this cross-sectional study suggest that medical marijuana legalization implemented from 2012 to 2017 was associated with a lower rate of opioid dispensing and pain-related hospital events among some adults receiving treatment for newly diagnosed cancer,” they wrote.

“The nature of these associations and their implications for patient safety and quality of life need to be further investigated,” researchers added.

Medical marijuana has less of an impact on the body and mind. Cannabis can be an effective treatment for pain, greatly reduces the chance of dependence, and eliminates the risk of fatal overdose compared to opioid-based medications. Medical cannabis patients report that cannabis is just as effective, if not more, than opioid-based medications for pain.

With medical marijuana available in 40 states, this is indeed good news for most patients.

UFC Greenlights Cannabis

Terry Hacienda

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January 10, 2024

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The first major sports organization is recognizing cannabis can play a role in training and medical recovery

The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) is the first sports organization to fully change their stance on cannabis and THC. Official Mixed Martial Arts events are now cleared for weed. UFC is the parent of the full-contact combat sport MMA which is based on striking, grappling and ground fighting, incorporating techniques from various combat sports from around the world. The first documented use of the term mixed martial arts was in a review of UFC 1 by television critic Howard Rosenberg. In the waning of days of 2023, they set another record when they shared they are dropping cannabis as a banned substance.

In 2021, the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) took steps to shield professional fighters from penalties related to THC-positive test results. Now, the organization has gone one step further and officially removed cannabis from its revised list of prohibited substances for athletes.

“UFC’s goal for the Anti-Doping Policy is to be the best, most effective, and most progressive anti-doping program in all of professional sports,” said Hunter Campbell, UFC Chief Business Officer. “UFC is proud of the advancements we have made with our anti-doping program over the past eight years, and we will continue to maintain an independently administered drug-testing program that ensures all UFC athletes are competing under fair and equal circumstances. With this new iteration of the program, UFC has once again raised the bar for health and safety in combat sports.”

“The criteria for prohibited substances will be modeled after WADA’s In and Out of Competition programs with modifications based on historical findings”. Marijuana was removed from the prohibited.

MMA (Mixed Martial Arts) is generally considered to be one of the most dangerous sports in the world because of the consistent hits to the head and body. A spinning heel kick to the jaw would have anyone gritting their teeth. Every fighter should expect to get injured at some point in their career. Injuries occur during training because they spend most of their time in sparring (low-intensity fighting), grappling, heavy bag, etc. Common injuries include skin lacerations, bone fractures, and concussions.

RELATED: Marijuana And Prostate Cancer

Medical marijuana will be a huge help after fights with inflammation, pain management and can help speed recovery. The players will be the beneficiaries this policy as it will

Best Ways To Stay Fit Without A Gym

Amy Hansen

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January 10, 2024

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Being realistic with your fitness goals is key – maybe ease into it and build a routine

Exercise is always on the top of the list for new year goals. Usually there is a weight loss goal and a number of days in the gym. Unfortunately, people get very excited and then the enthusiasm tapers off and by the end of January, only 9% of people are still focused on their goal. January is the one of the busiest and definitely the most profitable month for gyms. (March/April is the busiest in attendance as people prep for swimsuit season). But you can get fit without a gym members – especially if your goal is to move more.

For most people, that entails spending on gym membership, which you’ll use maybe half as often as you’d planned. But instead of spending/wasting money on a gym, what if you were able to get in shape on your own…for free? It sounds crazy, but here are the best ways to stay fit without a gym.

Work Out With A Buddy or Two

Everyone has a friend who is either addicted to exercise or is at least determined, like you are, to get in better shape. Make a standing date with your person—once a week, at least—to do some sort of outdoor physical activity. It can be a short jog in the park, a long walk around your neighborhood, running stairs, a game of tennis—anything as long as it gets you moving and lasts at least 30 minutes.

Play A Sport

If you’re physically able, there’s no more fun—and inexpensive—way to get in shape than by playing a sport. There are opportunities for everyone, no matter what your skill level is. If you’re a former college or high school star athlete, then there are leagues in whatever city for you; if you’re just an average person who enjoys a bit of competition every now and again, you can start a casual pickup game of the sport of your choosing in a park with your friends.

Walk More

This sounds like overly simple advice but it works: whenever possible, make yourself walk more. If you live in a city requiring parking, park as far as possible away from your office or home so you have to walk farther. If you sit all day, try to take a short, five-minute walk once an hour or so. If you work on the fifth floor or lower, at least once a day you should take the stairs instead of the elevator. All those extra steps add up!

Bodyweight Exercises

There are dozens of exercises you can do literally anywhere as long as you have a little bit of space. These run from basic options (sit-ups) to the more elaborate ones(Contralateral Limb Raises). Here’s a list of 50.

The important thing is to do some combination which works on your upper body, core, and lower body. But the best part of bodyweight exercises, aside from the results if you do them correctly, is their price: aside from a few basics like sneakers, workout clothes, and maybe a mat to make them more comfortable, they’re totally free.

Why Vapes Don’t Have The Weed Smell

Anthony Washington

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January 10, 2024

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Flower is still popular, but so is vaping. One reason is it more discreet due to the lack of smell

Sometimes you can tell when someone is using weed, and sometimes you can’t. As more states go legal and it is become mainstream in Canada, Europe and the US, how people consume is changing. Millennials and Gen Z’s are upending how people consume. Flower is trending to older and more traditional users. Vaping and gummies have become the go-to for the younger set. It is more discreet and easier to use to transport and easily use in public. This has lead some to ask why vapes don’t have the weed smell.

Why vaping doesn’t smell like marijuana is in the science of how each method delivers a high. Through a process called decarboxylation, heat applied to raw flower alters the precursor tetrahydrocannabinolic acid (THCA) into the psychoactive tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). But raw flower also contains many other organic compounds, many of which, like terpenes, are also altered during combustion and responsible for burnt marijuana’s distinctive odor.

Vaporizing cannabis oil works a little differently. Vaporizers heat up oils and concentrates to a temperature that converts THCA to THC without burning it. Flower vapes also designed to heat up buds only enough to initiate the chemistry that makes the high happen.

For as stealth as vaping is, it is not without some drawbacks. Cannabis oils and concentrates tend to be produced for maximum THC concentration, oftentimes by refining and then distilling inexpensive weed trim. Marijuana flowers have hundreds of compounds besides THC that work together to produce a high unique to smoking flower. This however is changing as concentrate producers are creating “full spectrum” oils that include terpenes, as well as cannabinoids besides THC, such as CBD.

Another drawback are counterfeit vape cartridges and devices. Vape batteries contain batteries that can explode or cause a fire if it’s left in a high temperature area, like a locked car, or it’s exposed to air or water. Some malfunction due to poor quality. Counterfeit cartridges can contain harmful chemicals, or little to no cannabis in it. Cheaply made carts can also malfunction or leak, making whatever oil is left wasted and unusable.

Being able to conveniently and discreetly get high with a vape is great, made all the better, consistent, and trouble-free when manufacturer’s instructions are followed and you consume responsibility.

Marijuana And Prostate Cancer

Terry Hacienda

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January 10, 2024

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Prostate cancer has been in the news – can marijuana help?

About 13 out of 100 men are struck with prostate cancer over the course of their life. More than 95 out of 100 (more than 95%) will survive their cancer for 1 year or more. more than 85 out of 100 (more than 85%) will survive their cancer for 5 years or more. Almost 80 out of 100 (almost 80%) will survive their cancer for 10 years or more. Science and data have made clear marijuana has some medical benefits. More research needs to be done, but cannabis has been used as medicine for a 1,000 years.

Studies of the chemicals (or cannabinoids) found in the marijuana plant suggest certain cannabinoids can be helpful in treating nausea and vomiting from cancer chemotherapy, as well as in treating neuropathic pain (pain caused by damaged nerves). The U.S Food and Drug Administrationexternal. (FDA) has approved two specific drugs (dronabinol [name brands Marinol and Syndros] and nabilone [name brand Cesamet]) that are synthetic (man-made) forms of specific cannabinoids for use in cancer patients with chemotherapy-associated nausea and vomiting.

Cannabis may help treat prostate cancer. Some studies have looked at the effect of chemicals in cannabis, on prostate cancer cells. There are two main cannabinoids that have been investigated – THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) and CBD (cannabidiol). The studies found that cannabinoids may stop prostate cancer cells from growing and dividing, cause prostate cancer cells to die, and stop prostate cancer cells from invading other tissues and spreading. But these studies have only looked at prostate cancer cells grown in laboratories or in mice. To understand

Another study demonstrated that cannabidiol is a viable therapy to treat prostate cancer cells, in combination with silencing of RBBP6. This suggests that cannabidiol rather cannabis sativa extract may play an important role in reducing cancer progression.

More research need to be done to find the best path cannabis can help in the treatment of prostate cancer. Meanwhile, be aware of the early warning sign including trouble urinating or decreased force of stream, blood in the urine or semen, bone pain, unexpected weight loss, and unexplained fevers. If you consistently notice any of these symptoms, you should see your doctor as soon as possible.

A Doctor Weighs In On Marijuana In The Bedroom

Thomas Green, MD

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January 9, 2024

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A Doctor Weighs In On Marijuana In The Bedroom

Marijuana can have some medical benefits. Dr. Green weigh’s in about one in the bedroom

Science and data have made clear marijuana has some medical benefits. More research needs to be done, but cannabis has been used as medicine for a 1,000 years. One area still being explored is in the bedroom. the most common sexual disorder in men younger than 40 years, with 30-70% of males in the United States affected to some degree at one time or another. A doctor weights in on marijuana in the bedroom and how it may help.

All of us in the sexual healthcare profession are asked about premature ejaculation, its causes and treatments. It is an embarrassing topic for many men to address and therefore is not often discussed among friends. Those of us in healthcare are open to discussions, but we have not had major improvements in our treatments for many years.

Premature ejaculation may be underreported, but estimates of those who are affected range up to 30 percent. Basically, this means that men experience an ejaculation within a minute of penetration, ejaculate prior to penetration or they are unable to delay ejaculation some or all of the time.

Most commonly, I have seen this in men early in their sexual experience or with anxiety, intermittent sexual experiences or erectile dysfunction. There are other less common causes, however.

As a urologist, I have taught men and partners the “squeeze technique” to delay orgasm. This is done by squeezing behind the head of the penis during foreplay to decrease sensation and reset the orgasmic pattern over time. This requires time, work and, if another is involved, a committed partner.

We have also used local anesthetics (which can have a side effect of being less pleasurable to the partner), condoms to decrease sensation, and antidepressants (which can also have a side effect of a decreased libido).

So a question remains: Will consuming cannabis help delay orgasm?

This is a very intriguing question with very little reported data. A landline telephone study of the ages 16-64 was done at La Trobe in Australia in 2009 and reported in The Journal of Sexual Medicine. The findings were very interesting. There were 126 people using cannabis daily. It was found that in this group men were four times more likely to have difficulties reaching orgasm, but also were 3 times more likely to have premature ejaculation. These results certainly make it difficult to decide if cannabis will improve a romp in bed.

One of the weaknesses of the study has to do with the fact that only landlines were used. Could this be a different population than what we would see in cell phone users? So the jury is still out as to whether or not a specialist in sexual medicine should recommend or discourage cannabis for ejaculatory issues in men.

My advice is that if premature ejaculation is due to anxiety and the patient is already an occasional smoker, a low dose of cannabis which can alleviate anxiety may help the situation. A higher dose may have the effect of causing impotency or difficulty in reaching an orgasm.

All of this is very user-dependent and may require trial and error which can be very satisfying or very frustrating for one or two people. Hopefully our doctor’s take on cannabis to last longer in bed if helpful.

Damp January, Dry January or California Sober

Sarah Johns

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January 9, 2024

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Damp January, Dry January or California Sober

New Year, new you, extra weight, exhaustion from the holidays – all reasons to maybe make a temporary change in January – but what is right for you?

The holiday season is fun and full of indulgences, but it can leave you feeling a little wrecked in at the start of a fresh new year. January is the time of year when you make a fresh start and set goals to improve yourself. Get fit, lose weight, do more, focus – all great goals, but only 9% of people follow through on their new year resolutions. As people share their intentions, about 15% of people start Dry January, but it is the right or the practical solution? Trying to figure out Damp January, Dry January or California Sober depends on your goals.

Ask what are you trying to accomplish? Giving your liver a break, taking a general tolerance vacation from intoxicants? Perhaps you want to shed the extra holiday weight. The average weight gain during this time period is anywhere from 0.8 pounds to just under 2 pounds. Or maybe you just want to clear your head. Here is a guideline to help you make a decision.

Damp January

Damp January is an initiative where people choose to reduce their alcohol and/or marijuana consumption during the month of January. It allows a more flexible approach, focusing on reducing intake rather than complete abstinence. Considering there is a 3 day weekend in the middle of the month, it can make keeping the goal a bit easier.

if you’re following Damp January, it means that you should be drinking in moderation, with a more mindful approach. Weight loss is a bit harder and you have should plan your consumption and set limits on amounts.

California Sober

California Sober is an initiative where people stop drinking and drugs other than marijuana. And they partake of marijuana in moderation. This is a more flexible approach and many people use vapes and gummies instead of alcohol at social events. Done correctly, this also can used to assist in weight loss.

Dry January

Dry January is the OG of all three and it means stopping everything cold for 31 days. This is the least flexible approach, although slipping once or twice doesn’t mean you should give up. This is the best program for weight loss and giving your body a break. This is a tolerance break for both alcohol and marijuana users who have a high frequency of use.

Damp January, Dry January or California Sober can all help you mind and body.

Make This Quick Marijuana Raspberry Shrub

Danielle Guercio

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January 9, 2024

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Looking for something different to delight the mouth and relax the brain? Here is how to make this quick marijuana raspberry shrub. It is a great way to relax and enjoy. a good trip. Less harsh than alcohol and refreshing to you system, this is a nice mid week or Sunday break. And raspberries are among the most popular berries in the world. They are consumed as fresh fruits and used in a variety of treats from sauces to baked goods.

The popularity of non-alcoholic beverages is always growing, as cola and artificial juices wane in influence, healthy, fresh, and unique beverages begin their ascent into our hearts and refrigerators. If you’re looking for something fun to serve to guests who don’t drink this, consider the shrub. This quick marijuana raspberry shrub dates back centuries, and provides a use to fruit that is on its way to rotting, preventing waste and satisfying your sweet tooth and thirst at the same time.

Quick Raspberry Shrub

1 cup ripe raspberries
1 cup Demerara sugar
1 oz alcohol cannabis tincture*
Juice of a lemon
¼ cup apple cider vinegar

Muddle raspberries with sugar in a jar. Allow to sit for at least 15 minutes, during which time the sugar will dissolve.

Strain seeds and solids. Add apple cider vinegar, lemon juice, and tincture. Pour 2 oz of juice mixture into a glass with ice.

Top with seltzer and garnish with a lemon peel.

*Cannabis Tincture:

Decarboxylate an eighth of finely ground cannabis by heating in an oven safe and well sealed container for 20 minutes at 225 degrees. Put cannabis and high proof spirit (like 151 rum) into a jar or vacuum sealed bag and place in a water bath at just under boiling for 1-3 hours. Strain into dropper bottle and dispense 1-5mL as a dose or use in recipes.

This drink is gorgeous, natural, and so easy to prepare. The longer you allow the mixture to sit in the fridge, the more flavor it will develop. Up to a month should be no big deal in a well-sealed jar. Catering to your non-alcoholic friends (or just your taste for finery sans intoxication) makes every gathering more special. The continuous foisting of booze as an equivalent to fun concept is is taking its toll, since cannabis and fruit are relatively harmless compared to the 88-thousand alcohol related deaths per year. It seems like alcohol has no chill, but you can.

Photos: Danielle Guercio

Does Jimmy Kimmel Use Weed

Amy Hansen

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January 9, 2024

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Jimmy Kimmel has a way of making it into the news as a regular basis. Popular, funny and an understanding of the public. But does he consume?

The news is full of the feud with Aaron Rodgers, where it seems Kimmel has the upper hand. Since he started in high school on radio, Jimmy Kimmel has been outspoken in comedy, his personal life and his beliefs. It seems the public is still a a huge fan. In the late night wars, Kimmel is winning in the ratings over Colbert, especially in key demographics of males 25-45.

Kimmel started his career during high school working in radio. He hosted a Sunday night interview show on UNLV‘s college station, KUNV.. In 1989, Kimmel landed his first paying job as morning drive co-host of The Me and Him Show at in Seattle, Washington. He eventually switched to writing comedy and made his TV premier on Comedy Central. n January 2003, Kimmel permanently left The Man Show to host his own late-night talk show, Jimmy Kimmel Live!,

Jimmy Kimmel is marijuana friendly, including doing a bit with Seth Rogen on the who is top 4 people to share a toke. During a Rolling Stone interview, he lit up and proceeded to get fully relaxed. This was after Kimmel asked interviewer Jonah Weiner, “If we smoke weed right now, is that on the record?” So Jimmy consumes and knows his way around a joint and a preroll. It seems on the alcohol front, Johnnie Walker King George V is among his favorite.

Kimmel was a bit fuller until losing 28 pounds. You wonder if he use cannabis as a help for weight loss. In October of 2023 he proclaims October 20, which is Snoop Dogg’s birthday and the midpoint to stoner holiday 4/20 a new holiday. He declared it “Doggsfather Day” after his good friend Snoop Dogg.

He also did a great job making weed approachable with a bit around EMJAY.

Kimmel seems like a great guy, has been open about the health issues of his child and seems to stick up for the little guy. Being in the public like he is, he has to deal with jerks at times, but it seems he focuses on making people laugh.

Governor DeSantis Wants It Both Ways On Marijuana

Terry Hacienda

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January 8, 2024

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Governor DeSantis Wants It Both Ways On Marijuana

When it comes to marijuana legalization – Governor DeSantis wants it both ways – His Way – and convincing the majority of people who are pro legalization to support him on his way

Ron DeSantis is hoping for a better year. 2023 started strong with positive approval rates, a presidential campaign and Florida doing his bidding. But things got messy and by the end of the year, things had taken an ugly turn. He is losing in both national and statewide polls, the presidential campaign trail has only released scandals and messes, and Floridians are losing interest in him as he begs for more taxpayer money to keep up his feud with Disney and others. So once again he is turning for help with something popular. Governor Desantis wants it both ways on marijuana.

During his 2018 campaign he dismissed recreational marijuana because his high school classmates who used weed didn’t turn out as well as him. Sheldon Addison, the Las Vegas billionaire was a major backer. Adelson, along with the private prison lobby, helped fund anti-marijuana efforts across the country, including in Florida.

When he ran for Governor, DeSantis cozied up with the marijuana lobby, where one of the leaders were Panhandle Congressman Matt Gaetz. Despite his distaste of marijuana and his constantly blocking recreational, he did easy their campaign checks and sign in medical marijuana. But the law DeSantis signed to start the Florida medical marijuana industry became a foundation for income for donors and a nightmare for patients. DeSantis ensured only a handful of companies could sell marijuana through a regulatory system he once likened to a “cartel”.

Now, when he is running around the country in private planes his campaign struggles to afford, the people of Florida are pushing for recreational cannabis. On the campaign trail part of his stump speech is he is working for the people. But when it comes to weed what he says and does is two different things. UNF Public Opinion Research Lab (PORL), found that 67% of those surveyed said that they would vote for a state constitutional amendment to legalize the possession and regulated sales of small amounts of marijuana for personal use by adults. Only 28% said that they would vote against such a ballot measure. But he is allowing his Attorney General to put up as many roadblocks as possible without having to play the bad guy.

DeSantis always positions himself as the savor of Florida as he feels he knows best. While is comments on the messed up system in California has merits, he is flat out wrong on Colorado. The states system has reduced the black market, there is a decrease in youth use and cities haven’t suddenly become crime filled due to legal weed.

Last marijuana election, 71% of the population wanted a free and open medical marijuana systems. The Governor feels they were confused. This year’s election will see if Florida voters have faith in DeSantis to continue to run a nanny state and allow him to decide about marijuana and other benefits for citizens. There is little chance of him being elected as president and the public seeing if follows thought on his promise hands-off approach like prior administrations from both parties. But the people of Florida will experience first hand.

The Fresh ToastThe most trusted name in cannabis

Medical Marijuana Reduces Opioid Use

Good news – opioid use is down when medical marijuana is an option. It benefits the mind, body and patient.

UFC Greenlights Cannabis

The first major sports organization is recognizing cannabis can play a role in training and medical recovery

Best Ways To Stay Fit Without A Gym

Being realistic with your fitness goals is key – maybe ease into it and build a routine

Work Out With A Buddy or Two

Play A Sport

Walk More

Bodyweight Exercises

Why Vapes Don’t Have The Weed Smell

Flower is still popular, but so is vaping. One reason is it more discreet due to the lack of smell

Marijuana And Prostate Cancer

Prostate cancer has been in the news – can marijuana help?

A Doctor Weighs In On Marijuana In The Bedroom

Marijuana can have some medical benefits. Dr. Green weigh’s in about one in the bedroom

Damp January, Dry January or California Sober

New Year, new you, extra weight, exhaustion from the holidays – all reasons to maybe make a temporary change in January – but what is right for you?

Damp January

California Sober

Dry January

Make This Quick Marijuana Raspberry Shrub

Quick Raspberry Shrub

*Cannabis Tincture:

Does Jimmy Kimmel Use Weed

Jimmy Kimmel has a way of making it into the news as a regular basis. Popular, funny and an understanding of the public. But does he consume?

Governor DeSantis Wants It Both Ways On Marijuana

When it comes to marijuana legalization – Governor DeSantis wants it both ways – His Way – and convincing the majority of people who are pro legalization to support him on his way

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