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Mistakes To Avoid When Using CBD For Anxiety

If you’re looking to CBD to help treat certain ailments, like anxiety, make sure you don’t fall into the trap of making these common mistakes.

Over the last couple of years, the demand for cannabis products has been skyrocketed. Scientists have proved the amazing benefits of this powerful plant. CBD acts as a non-psychoactive way to treat various mental issues like anxiety. Many people use CBD products regularly but are not seeing any effect of cannabis for improving their anxiety. Remember, the reason is not cannabis, but rather the way you are using it. Here are common mistakes to avoid when using CBD for anxiety.

RELATED: What If You’re Not Feeling The Effects Of CBD?

There are two common mistakes new consumers make: consuming too much CBD, and buying the wrong product. These blunders may become a big hurdle in getting effective results.

Going With Cheap Quality Products

One of the most common mistakes that many people make is not choosing the right product.

Users purchase cheap quality products to save some bucks or sometimes are not aware of less reputed brands in the market. Therefore, to get the best quality, you need to choose high-quality products. But how to choose the best quality is a matter of concern for new CBD users. Keep in mind these factors;

  • Check out whether the product is made from a local source of organic hemp. It will save you from buying pesticide-contaminated products.
  • Choose a product that has undergone with a CO2 extraction method rather than petroleum processing.
  • Check whether the CBD products have been lab-tested. It will ensure that you are choosing the right product from a reputable vendor.

RELATED: Using CBD Oils To Battle Anxiety & Depression During COVID-19

Sometimes it could be hard to get a quality product that can meet the guidelines mentioned above. But once you choose the best product, it will help minimize anxiety and other symptoms.

how to use CBD oil to fight inflammation
Photo by BATCH by Wisconsin Hemp Scientific via Unsplash

Not Using Right Dose

Suppose you get tired of using CBD to minimize anxiety symptoms while still not getting effective results. Keep in mind to check the CBD product’s dose. Consuming too much CBD has an effect on the body. You may need to do experiments to figure out which is the best dose for your body. Here are some general guidelines:

  • Always start with low CBD dose consumption. If you are not sure what will be the right dose, choose CBD capsules, gummies, or other similar products with a fixed-dose.
  • Once you become comfortable with a fixed CBD dose, you can increase it based on the effect on your body. For example, earlier, you were consuming one capsule, now you can go with two. Do not forget to analyze the changing effect of dose on the body.
  • You can also try the micro-dosing method. This means, here you can take a smaller dose of CBD products after a fixed time. It will help to maintain general health troubles and reduce anxiety symptoms.

It is important to pay attention to certain factors such as digestive system, age, gender, and past CBD experience.

RELATED: Why That CBD Oil You Bought Is Probably Useless

CBD products are a great remedy to deal with anxiety issues and symptoms. But make sure to choose the correct quality product and check the CBD dose. You will soon start getting positive results.

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

What Chuck Schumer Can Do For Marijuana As Senate Majority Leader

Some of Schumer’s last comments on the subject before becoming Senate Majority Leader suggested that he would push for full-blown legalization if the Democrats took over the majority.

There’s a new sheriff in town.

Democratic Senator Charles Schumer of New York is the new Majority leader of the United States Senate. He dethroned the now Republican Minority Leader Mitch McConnell after Democratic Senators Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock dominated the Georgia runoff elections. As of President Biden’s Inauguration on Wednesday, the exchange of power is official. McConnell, the self-proclaimed Grim Reaper of Capitol Hill, is no longer calling the shots. Schumer is. 

This is great news for cannabis advocates who have grown tired of watching as one marijuana-related bill after another gets snuffed out at the hands of Mitch McConnell. Over the past four years, the Democratic-controlled House has passed a few pot-related measures and sent them to the Senate for review. But that’s where all of their good intentions have gone to die. Not only did McConnell refuse to hear the bills, but he also presumably burned them out behind the Capitol. 

McConnell championed the legalization of industrial hemp, but he’s never been a fan of marijuana. He promised that legalization would not transpire as long as he was running the show. “I don’t have any plans to endorse the legalization of marijuana,” McConnell said back in 2018.

The Kentucky-Republican was always flaunting his power. “I’m the one who decides what we take to the floor, that’s my responsibility as the majority leader,” he once told reporters. Therefore, one of the first things Senate Majority Leader Schumer can do for the marijuana movement is give legislation some consideration. He can allow bills to be debated and voted on by the full Senate. But will he? 

Anti-Marijuana Mitch McConnell Could Still Control Senate As Minority Leader
Photo by Nicholas Kamm-Pool/Getty Images

Senator Schumer is a longtime friend of marijuana reform. He brought the Marijuana Freedom and Opportunity Act to the table in 2018 and pushed it again the following year. He’s also been critical of weak cannabis banking measures and really pressured federal lawmakers to take a more hammer-fisted approach to legalizing marijuana at the national level. Schumer isn’t interested in taking baby-steps. Some of his last comments on the subject before becoming Senate Majority Leader suggested that he would push for full-blown legalization if the Democrats took over the majority. “If I become majority leader, I put this on the floor and it’s likely to pass,” he told Green Enterprise. 

That’s right, Schumer could actually give marijuana a fighting chance at gaining ground in 2021. 

The Senate Majority Leader sets the legislative schedule and controls the agenda. If Schumer wants the Senate to discuss the MORE Act (Marijuana Opportunity and Expungement Act) — a bill designed to legalize the leaf at the national level — it is going to happen. According to the Senate paradigm, “motions to proceed to the consideration of bills and resolutions on the calendar are usually made by the majority leader or his designee, who, as spokesman of his party and in consultation with his policy committee, implements and directs the legislative schedule and program.” 

RELATED: Anti-Marijuana Mitch McConnell Could Still Control Senate As Minority Leader

But the minority leader still gets some input. In fact, the rules of the Senate shows that the minority leader can always move a bill. There’s just a gentlemen’s agreement in place, so nobody except the majority leader dictates the flow. This is why Schumer and McConnell are presently trying to negotiate a power-sharing deal on how the 50-50 Senate will operate. Democrats are trying to get rid of the filibuster, while McConnell is clinging on to it because it’s his only chance at maintaining power.

As it stands, though, Schumer is the top dog, which means that marijuana-related legislation will at least receive more consideration than when McConnell held the position. It just depends on whether the Democrats can get the necessary votes to pass something. 

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

However, there’s a lot more at stake this year than just pot reform. Finding ways to alleviate the continued hardship of the pandemic will come first. So, weed might not be the highest priority for Schumer at the very beginning. “We have a lengthy agenda, and we need to get it done together. … This will be an exceptionally busy and consequential period for the United States Senate,” he said in his first speech as majority leader. Still, it would be naïve to think that Schumer and the Democrats won’t use this unique opportunity to get a marijuana-related law on the books.

After all, the time is now. The Democrats could lose their majority power once again in the midterms.

With Biden In White House, Cannabis Pros Expect ‘Fresh Influx Of Investment Dollars’

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On the heels of the Blue Wave, the markets are anticipating that the MORE Act passed by the House in December will be approved by the Senate.

By Anthony Noto

Cannabis pros are expecting the industry to look and feel quite different on the heels of President Joe Biden’s inauguration.

“The cannabis industry will certainly see a fresh influx of investment dollars under a Biden administration,” Narmin Jarrous, the chief development officer of Michigan’s first licensed recreational cannabis retailer Exclusive Brands LLC, told Benzinga.

Democrats taking control of the U.S. Senate bodes well for marijuana reform. But it won’t be on the fervent levels that were seen in 2015 and 2016, Jarrous said.

“While predicting full federal legalization within the next two years may be a little far-reaching, further federal government reforms including passage of the SAFE Banking Act, decriminalization and new social equity initiatives all appear within reach,” she said.

“All of these positive developments will lead to interest from venture capitalists and a new surge of investment dollars into cannabis companies.”

ETFs

Exchange-traded funds operating in the cannabis corner of the market are expected to do well under a Biden-Harris administration.

“Investors now have a greater appetite for cannabis stocks and ETFs, as true marijuana reform seems on the horizon,” Medical Marijuana Inc. CEO Stuart Titus said.

For example, one fund — Global X Cannabis ETF POTX — targets the cannabis industry and spiked more than 93% in recent months, according to Nasdaq.

Canadian cannabis stocks
Graph by 3dman_eu; Leaf by cheifyc via Pixabay

On the heels of the Blue Wave, the markets are anticipating that the Marijuana Opportunity Reinvestment and Expungement (MORE) Act passed by the House in December will be approved by the Senate, which is now split to an even 50-50 between those voting with Democrats and those voting with Republicans.

RELATED: What You Need To Know About Investing In Marijuana With A Biden-Harris Win

The MORE Act — which aims to decriminalize cannabis at the national level for the first time, and remove cannabis from the list of federally controlled substances and erase certain federal convictions — would have otherwise had a slim chance of passage.

Marijuana Is Patriotic AF
Photo by StockSnap via Pixabay

‘Stars Seem To Be Lining Up’

While Biden did not specifically mention marijuana reform in his Wednesday speech — the ongoing pandemic and unifying conservatives and liberals were cited as top priorities — Titus and others remain optimistic about how the cannabis sector will transform over the next four years.

“We see this in politics with VP Kamala Harris being ‘all in’ for marijuana legalization, incoming Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer sponsoring many congressional bills, and the House’s passage last month of their version of the MORE Act for decriminalization,” Titus said.

RELATED: Expert Tips To Help You Pinpoint The Best Cannabis Stocks

“The stars seem to be lining up for federal cannabis reform, especially now that the United Nations has allowed more nations to have leeway for international cannabis treaties.”

One can readily see the tremendous increase in the volume of cannabis stocks being traded on a daily basis, Titus said, pointing out how many cannabis stocks have doubled over the past few weeks.

“Expect the trend to continue, although it may take six months to get major cannabis legislation passed through the new incoming Congress,” he added.

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

Here’s Why Some States Are Distributing COVID-19 Vaccines Faster Than Others

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The distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine hasn’t gone according to plan. Here’s why some states have fallen behind and why some are moving faster.

COVID-19 vaccinations are available, but they’re making their way into qualified patients slowly as the government struggles to establish a solid vaccine distribution plan. Still, some states are doing better than others, with experts trying to understand what’s working for them and what’s going wrong with the states that haven’t vaccinated as many people as they wanted.

There’s a huge discrepency between the vaccines that have been distributed by the government to each state and the amount of people that have been vaccinated. While plans have changed on a daily basis, with different governors expanding on who can be vaccinated, the CDC reports that only 39% of the distributed vaccines have been administered to patients.

CNN reports that 9 states have managed to distribute more than half of the doses they received. Leading the nation, with 65% of vaccine distribution, are North Dakota and West Virginia.

covid-19 vaccine
Photo by RF._.studio from Pexels

According to experts, states that are doing better at administering vaccines prioritize planning and communication, utilizing lots of local partnerships. “There’s daily communication, with the opportunity for partners to share feedback on what’s working and what’s not. Open lines of communication are ongoing,” said Daniel Bucheli, South Dakota’s director of communications for the state health department.

RELATED: COVID-19 Viral Loads Matter — Here’s What That Means

These states are also putting pressure on healthcare workers to administer their vaccines, with the state of Colorado pressuring health care workers to administer vaccines within 72 hours of having received it. If the vaccine is not administered, it’ll be moved to another hospital or center, so other people can be vaccinated.

States have relied on partnerships with CVS and Walgreens or have taken full ownership of vaccine administration, relying in their own plans instead of the one handed out by the federal government. Another influencing factor is that a large number of the fastest states are rural, with fewer healthcare systems and a smaller population, making for a more simple process.

RELATED: 5 Most Common Face Mask Mistakes

Each state’s situation is different, with governors approaching their situation individually. While clear communication and setting timelines for when the vaccine should be distributed is necessary, states with larger populations might have more on their plate, making it more difficult to distribute the vaccine as efficiently as the situation asks for.

Why Prince Harry Gave Away Princess Diana’s Engagement Ring

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One of the most photographed rings in royal history is sitting on the finger of Kate Middleton, but it was actually a keepsake Harry took from his mom when she died.

Kate Middletons gorgeous engagement ring made headlines of its own when Prince William popped the question. After all, it once rested on the finger of Will’s late mother, Princess Diana. But it was actually Prince Harry who owned the ring, not his brother. So how did it end up on the finger of Kate and not Meghan? People are wondering why Prince Harry gave away princess Diana’s engagement ring.

According to Hello!, Harry gave the ring to his brother once Kate and William’s relationship got serious and William was going to propose. It’s reported that Harry liked the idea of having his mom’s ring on the throne.

Paul Burrell, Diana’s former butler, revealed this intel during an interview for the Amazon Prime documentary The Diana Story, explaining that the brothers were allowed to keep an item from their mom when she passed.

Per Paul, William said something to the effect of, “I’d like mummy’s Cartier watch, the one that Grandpa Spencer gave to her for her 21st birthday,” and Harry kept the engagement ring.

Why Prince Harry Gave Away Princess Diana's Engagement Ring
Photo by Chris Jackson/Getty Images

“I remember when I held mummy’s hand when I was a small boy and that ring always hurt me because it was so big,” Harry reportedly said.

Had Harry been the first brother to propose, Meghan likely would have been wearing the keepsake. But don’t shed a tear for her, because she didn’t exactly lose out on the amazing jewelry lottery, either.

RELATED: Princess Diana Avoided Wearing This Fashion Accessory

Meghan’s engagement ring is composed of diamonds chosen by Harry himself. “The central diamond is from Botswana, where the couple previously vacationed together, and the other two diamonds are from his late mother’s personal collection,” explains Hello!.

Meghan Markle Might Wear This Ridiculously Expensive Tiara During Wedding
Photo by Chris Jackson/Staff/Getty Images

RELATED: Was Kate Middleton Throwing Shade At Meghan By Wearing These To Archie’s Christening?

And even though she didn’t get Princess Di’s engagement ring, she did receive another piece of jewelry from her would-be mother-in-law. At her wedding reception, she was seen wearing a stunning aquamarine cocktail ring, which many assumed was given to Meghan by her newly minted husband. From Harper’s Bazaar:

“Princess Diana left her jewelry to the wives of her sons in her will, and given that Meghan wasn’t officially a married woman until the end of the ceremony, she may have chosen to wait to wear a piece from Diana’s collection until after the marriage was official.”

How Marijuana Can Change Your Relationship To Money

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A study by University fo Michigan researchers found that cannabis users produce less dopamine at times when the chemical should be running rampant in the brain.

Although the cannabis industry is one of the largest growing businesses sectors in the United States, some of the science published over the years finds that cannabis users are not exactly pillars of capitalism.

Apparently, people who smoke marijuana do not care as much about money as their sober counterparts, according to Live Science.

A few years ago, researchers at the University of Michigan asked people to participate in a game where they could win a sum of money. While most people’s brains naturally fire up whenever the prospect of winning cash is on the table — producing the feel-good chemical dopamine—this was not the reaction of people who used marijuana. Lead study author Mary Heitzeg suggests that for marijuana users “there is not as much pleasure that is being received from something that would naturally give somebody pleasure.”

Now, to some, the idea of putting less of an emphasis on the almighty dollar might not sound like a bad idea. But researchers believe the results could be an indication that regular cannabis use is changing the pleasure output of our brains, which could make some people more susceptible to dependency issues.

RELATED: Marijuana Is Replacing Alcohol During The Pandemic And May Have Long Term Benefits

A 2016 study, published in the journal JAMA Psychiatry, examined more than 100 people in their early 20s over the course of four years. Results showed that cannabis users produce less dopamine at times when the chemical should be running rampant in the brain. People who have never used marijuana experienced a completely different reaction. If there is the potential for reward, their dopamine production will be off the charts.

Photo by rawpixel.com

Researchers believe the results show how marijuana dulls the brain and opens users up to addiction.

“Some people may believe that marijuana is not addictive or that it’s ‘better’ than other drugs that can cause dependence,” Heitzeg said. “But the new study shows that marijuana’s effects on the brain may make it more difficult for people to stop using the substance. “It changes your brain in a way that may change your behavior, and where you get your sense of reward from,” Heitzeg added.

RELATED: These States Enter The Billion Dollar Cannabis Club For 2020

Without discounting the study, it is important to point out that people who enter the realm of cannabis dependency are not walking the dark, all-damning ledge that is often associated with other drug addictions. Unlike opioids, cannabis does not cause permanent changes in the brain and dependency issues are rare. In fact, some of the latest government studies find that marijuana is really only problematic for roughly 9% of those who use it regularly — about the same as caffeine.

What’s more is researchers admit that the brain changes they witnessed may not even be related to cannabis.

Expert Tips To Help You Pinpoint The Best Cannabis Stocks

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Investors believe stocks at ETFs will continue to flourish in the years to come with America embracing a slightly more liberal-leaning federal government.

The global cannabis market is ballooning and should continue to inflate more in the coming years. Recent reports suggest that the global market could reach a value of $73.6 billion by 2027

The boom and its potential have scores of cannabis stocks listing on various global exchanges. Interested investors have a plethora to choose from. It can be challenging to gauge which will win out with many to choose from in the end. At this time, there is no one clear-cut dominant stock in the emerging cannabis space. 

However, through a variety of matrices, experienced stock leaders determine what they consider to be leading options in the market. A few of these investors offered various takes on leading stocks and sectors to consider. 

Various Methods To Determining Best Stocks

Veteran cannabis investors use a variety of approaches to designating their best picks in the market. As such, several investors were hesitant to offer up specific stock picks. Instead, most touched on their most influential metrics, as well as some leading those data points at the current moment. 

Joseph Hogue, a former Wall Street analyst and founder of My Stock Market Basics, highlighted market cap and size as prime factors. With a $2.3 billion market cap, the analyst singled out Cronos Group

“Another advantage of Cronos over peers is that it’s got a huge cash reserve,” added Hogue. He noted that having a $1.8 billion investment from Altria Group and no debt are significant advantages for growth and acquisition. 

Hogue brought up Canopy Growth‘s and its industry-leading $6.4 billion market size as one of his favorite plays. He said American federal legalization plays a significant factor in the determination. 

“Canopy closed a deal last year to buy U.S. Acreage contingent upon federal legalization, and this kind of foresight could be about to pay off,” said Hogue, adding that Acreage holds licenses for over 100 dispensaries and cultivation sites across 20 U.S. states.

Dennis O’Neill, a former investment banker of over 30 years and current president of BioMediCan, discussed estimated net incomes. He said, “The best stocks are the companies that are profitable and have significant revenue and profitability.”

Southern California Cannabis Investment Forum
Photo by PhotoAlto/Ale Ventura/Getty Images

He mentioned Trulieve ($78.3 million), Innovative Industrial Properties ($47.8), The Valens Company ($40.4) and Harvest Health & Recreation ($40.3) as current market leaders. 

Others focused on sectors over data points when making their choices.  

Jeff Siegel, the managing editor and co-founder of Green Chip Stocks, focused on a market both Hogue and O’Neill see winners in, multi-state operators (MSOs). Siegel, a managing partner of the psychedelics and plant-based medicine JLS Fund, described what he looks for in a viable MSO.  

RELATED: States Most Likely To Legalize Cannabis In 2021

“You have to go with the ones that have the largest war chests of capital and the least amount of unsustainable debt,” he said. 

His top pick was Curaleaf, with MariMed and Red, White & Bloom considered bargains at their prices. He said the low prices are due to overselling and trading the stock at discounts compared to peers. 

Would-be investors should avoid red flags, including those that don’t provide benefit to its shareholders as well as those that took on an unsustainable amount of debt in recent years. 

This Marijuana Stock Is Beloved By Millennials
Photo by rawpixel.com

“They’ll be gone by the end of the year,” Siegel predicted of the debt-saddled companies. 

RELATED: Election Results Getting You Stoked About Cannabis Stocks? Here’s How To Invest

Vice Ventures Founding Partner Catharine Dockery also finds value in the retail space while adding that she’d avoid cultivation stocks. “These companies tend to be capital intensive and, more importantly, are really at the mercy of wholesale cannabis prices,” she said. Dockery added that vertically integrated companies have a degree more protection but are still at risk as legalization increases in the U.S.

“Cannabis price declines have been a fact of life in legal markets,” said Dockery.

Don’t Rule Out ETFs

Exchange-traded funds (ETFs), an investment fund composed of several securities typically under one index, are also worthwhile for some investors. 

Stock novices may be one group to benefit. “If you’re expecting the entire sector to move higher and don’t have strong research or fundamental views in the space, you’d probably be best served by looking at an ETF or one of the larger players,” said Dockery. 

O’Neill offered a similar take. “ETFs are fine if you are a novice and just want some exposure to the market,” he said. “Otherwise, the well informed will buy individual stocks.”

What You Need To Know About Investing In Marijuana With A Biden-Harris Win
Photo by Darren415/Getty Images

Other well-informed investors detailed benefits they found in ETFs. Dockery liked how an ETF shields from some adverse market happenings. “It also leaves you less exposed to bad news, like disappointing earnings or poorly received M&A, in any specific company,” she added. 

Both Hogue and Dockery enjoyed the ease and less-intensive tasks involved with ETFs. Calling it “stress-free investing,” Hogue said ETFs like market leader ETFMG Alternative Harvest ETF could help build exposure. 

However, he added that investors could recreate the fund and its 37 accounts on their own without the 0.75% expense fees. “That’s not a deal-breaker, but you can easily recreate the same returns by investing in a dozen or so of the individual companies,” he said. 

RELATED: What You Need To Know About Investing In Marijuana With A Biden-Harris Win

Like a single stock, investors need to do their research to see which securities are in the fund. Research into ETFs led Siegel to steer clear of the funds despite their ease. He said that individual ETF options could contain questionable holdings and unnecessary risks. 

Investors must consider the pros and cons of each stock and ETF before investing. That said, investors believe that those options will continue to flourish in the years to come with America embracing a slightly more liberal-leaning federal government for the next two to four years.

FTC’s Crackdown Against CBD Market Stirs Mixed Feelings Among Cannabis Pros

A well-designed regulatory scheme aimed at bad actors without over-regulating the industry would likely lead to positive market gains, says one industry expert.

By Andrew Ward

Recent settlements between the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and six CBD operators underscore the latest attempt to curtail long-running mislabeling concerns.

A new endeavor, Operation CBDeceit, now aims to crack down on CBD operators’ deceptive claims that the drug treats medical conditions.

“The FTC is requiring each of the companies, and individuals behind them, to stop making such unsupported health claims immediately, and several will pay monetary judgments to the agency,” says Braden Perry, a regulatory and government investigations attorney with Kansas City-based Kennyhertz Perry LLC.

RELATED: FTC Announces Crackdown On CBD

The first-of-its-kind industry crackdown targeted six sellers and their unsubstantiated medical claims.​​​​​

A 2017 Penn University study found that nearly 70% of extracts sold online were mislabeled. The following year, an analysis of the UPenn study concluded that inadequate regulations contributed to the startling industry issue.

In July 2020, the Food and Drug Administration reported that less than half of the 150 products evaluated were labeled correctly.

Meanwhile, the CBD market — expected to reach a $26.4 billion valuation by 2025 — continues to grow while facing ongoing issues about mislabeling and misleading claims.

Regulations Prevent Additional CBD Insights

While mislabeling is a concern, so too is the lack of lab studies to verify CBD claims.

In a joint email response, Brett Goldman and Steve Bevan of OCAN Group (formerly GennCanna Global) note that CBD sits in a grey-area regarding federal and state regulations.

“We know that they’re watching the industry intently and will continue to do so until a regulatory framework is released,” they said.

The only recent regulatory shift on the federal level leaves CBD short on verified lab studies, limiting operators from saying much without running afoul of the feds.

Jeff Greene, founder and business development director for The Florida Hemp Council, says “as more research is done, many of these issues will go away.”

“Many companies have tried to thumb their nose at the regulators, and that never goes well long-term,” Greene says.

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

Mixed Reaction From The Industry

OCAN expected this type of regulation since 2017, and called it a positive signal from regulators and their belief that CBD is inherently safe.

Henry Baskerville, a partner at Fortis Law Partners in Denver, also supports the FTC decision.

“All for it,” Baskerville says, adding that his support stems from the more radical claims made by individual operators.

“Some of them say that CBD cures cancer or HIV or all this, and it’s irresponsible,” he adds, citing how improper actors give the market a bad name, leading the public to consider CBD as snake oil.

RELATED: The FDA Continues To Chase CBD Companies

Others are concerned about the precedent set by the FTC.

“Without clear guidance for the industry, this is dangerous territory for the FTC,” Perry says. A hasty attempt to nab every improper actor could lead to a failed mission and more harm to the burgeoning space.

Also, lab testing must be more consistent in the future.

“Getting five different results from five labs makes running a cannabis company very frustrating,” Greene says.

RELATED: The Hemp Standard Is 0.3% THC — And That Should Be Changed

Perry and Greene noted that the market can improve under the right circumstances.

A well-designed regulatory scheme aimed at bad actors without over-regulating the industry would likely lead to positive market gains, Perry says, adding that the success would have to stem from collaborations between regulators, legislators and operators.

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

Trump’s Old Tweets: Here’s Where You Can Find Them

Donald Trump, surely the president who’s tweeted the most, has officially concluded his 4 year term. What happens to all of his tweets?

Today marks the official beginning of Joe Biden’s term as president, meaning that his administration will inherit the official social media accounts of POTUS. Here’s the question we all want to know: What happens to Trump’s old tweets?

Social media is an important presence for politicians, with Donald Trump’s account playing an important part in his tenure, no matter how polarizing and mean-spirited they were. Twitter was one of Trump’s principal forms of self-expression, a place where he found the perfect audience for his ALL CAPS rants. Trump tended to live tweet during televised events and pivotal moments throughout his tenure.

Some weeks ago, following the attack on Capitol Hill by a mob of violent pro-Trump supporters, Facebook and Twitter decided to ban Trump’s accounts in order to prevent further incitement of violence.

screenshot/Twitter
screenshot/Twitter

Unlike Trump who took over the @POTUS Twitter account and inherited all of Obama’s 14 million followers, Biden will take control of the account with zero followers. While some speculated that this was due to Trump’s social media ban, the site remains a newish type of technology for U.S. leaders, one that has existed for only three presidential terms (it started with Obama’s second term). It’s natural for these novel technologies to develop and change the way in which they ensure that important accounts remain secure.

RELATED: George W. Bush Shades Trump With Annual Holiday Card

When it comes to Trump’s old tweets, while he had access to the POTUS account while in office, he preferred to use his personal account, @realDonaldTrump. While Twitter didn’t confirm nor deny whether these tweets would be archived, the U.S. National Archives (USNA) said that all of these records would be available and archived for posterity.

Per the BBC, the USNA said that the White House has been using a special archiving tool to capture all content, including deleted tweets, because of the Presidential Records Act. Trump’s tweets will likely be stored in a record system similar to The Obama White House Social Media Archive, built after the last transition.

RELATED: Hey, Protestors Planning Assaults On Capitol Buildings: Smoke Some Weed And Chill

Just as Obama’s did four years ago, Trump’s official POTUS tweets are archived under his personal archive handle, @POTUS45.

Anti-Marijuana McConnell Could Still Have Senate Control

The filibuster will probably remain on the books. And that will inevitably cause marijuana to travel another rough road for the next few years.

Cannabis advocates rejoiced upon hearing that Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer would replace Mitch McConnell as Majority Leader on Wednesday. The recent victory by the Democrats in the Georgia runoffs put the party in control of the Hill. But don’t count him out, anti-marijuana McConnell could still have Senate control.

Advocates believe this power grab means the marijuana debate will finally get a fair shot in Congress. After all, McConnell has stood in the way of every pot-related measure to cross his path. But now that Schumer, a supporter of the cannabis cause, runs the show, all cannabis legislation is a sure thing. Right? 

In a perfect world, yes, Democratic control in both the U.S. House and Senate, not to mention a Democratic President would mean the party could push its agenda without any trouble from Republicans. But they have such a slim majority (the Senate is actually in a 50-50 split, with Vice President Kamala Harris being the tiebreaker) that they have to work with Republicans to accomplish anything — even marijuana reform. McConnell and Schumer must now come to terms on the inner workings of Senate business.  

So far, those negotiations are stagnant.  

On Tuesday, the two Senate leaders met briefly to discuss sharing the power, but nothing substantial transpired. Schumer told reporters that the two discussed “a whole lot of issues,” but didn’t strike a deal.  

McConnell isn’t bending because he fully understands that there’s still a way for him to control the Senate as the Minority Leader — and that’s through the legislative filibuster. This is a political play that has historically included long-winded speeches and debates to thwart majority support. It requires controversial bills, like anything pertaining to the legalization of marijuana, to garner a supermajority of 60 votes to bring a discussion to a close. It spells trouble for the Dems. 

Senator Mitch McConnell Congratulates Biden, But Will He Work With Him On Weed?
Photo by Caroline Brehman-Pool/Getty Images

Although Democrats are pushing to eliminate the filibuster, McConnell is lobbying for it to stay put. According to Fix Our Senate, this is because he knows it’s “the best weapon he has” to prevent Democrats from having real power. Keeping this procedural tool means that anything Biden wants to accomplish, including marijuana decriminalization, could be sabotaged. It also means that any marijuana-related legislation approved by the House could be stalled in the Senate and left for dead.

RELATED: Why Does Congress Need Two Years To Federally Legalize Marijuana?

McConnell is pressuring Schumer for an up-front agreement to keep the filibuster in play. While the Kentucky-Republican has done nothing but flex his authority on the Hill during his reign of terror as Majority Leader, he now wants the two parties to unite. “Having an equally divided Senate means that we have to work together to get anything done and the spirit of true bipartisan compromise is possible only when each side realizes they must come to the table together,” he wrote in a recent memo. 

RELATED: Will Senator Mitch McConnell Be A Problem For Marijuana In 2021?

Unfortunately, Democrats do not have the votes to nix the filibuster. They would need every member to climb onboard, but not all of them are sold. Some Dems have even vowed to vote against it. If Schumer doesn’t agree to keep the filibuster, McConnell says, it could delay the designation of crucial committees and essentially keep the Senate in political purgatory until the two leaders can work something out.

All things considered, the filibuster will probably remain on the books. And that will inevitably cause marijuana to travel another rough road for the next few years.

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