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The Federal Government Doesn’t Need To Legalize Weed

Mike Adams
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The Federal Government Doesn’t Need To Legalize Weed

All in all, legal marijuana would make just as much for governmental minions as prohibition has. It’s just a matter of perspective.

One of the biggest arguments right now for ending marijuana prohibition in the United States is that it would generate beaucoup bucks in tax revenue and provide the nation with a trapdoor out of the economic sludge brought about by the coronavirus. After all, marijuana sales are a boon in states where it is legal. Here is why the federal government doesn’t need to legalize weed.

In Colorado, one of the first states to legalize the leaf for recreational purposes, dispensaries have sold more weed in 10 months than they did all of last year. The state is poised to end the year with almost $2 billion in pot sales, providing millions of dollars in state tax revenue.

So why not take this concept nationwide? It would make sense since American economies are starved for financial relief. Some data shows that nationwide legalization would create around 1 million jobs and contribute hundreds of billions in federal tax revenue. 

Advocacy Group Petitions Feds To Recognize Marijauna Prohibtion As More Damaging Than Cannabis Itself
Photo by YayaErnst/Getty Images

However, the federal government is doing just fine without putting a taxed and regulated cannabis market to work. In fact, marijuana legalization stands to cut the head off a mega-money beast that has been capitalizing on pot prohibition for years. For starters, Uncle Sam is already raking in loads of money in marijuana taxes every year.

Section 280E of the American Tax Code requires illegal marijuana businesses (even those considered legal in some states) to claim their earnings on their tax returns. But since none of these businesses can write off expenses like other sectors, they are subject to a 70% tax rate. Yep, Uncle Sam is taking the majority of the money from businesses it still considers illegal. If this policy sounds like robbery, that’s because it is. Data shows the federal government makes billions taxing weed operations in legal states. 

Some cannabis advocates argue the federal government is still losing money by not embracing a fully legal system. They talk about how marijuana prohibition costs billions of dollars to uphold while preventing the opportunity to collect billions in tax revenue. But legalization almost certainly means that law enforcement and the privatized prison system would have to take a cut — a big one. They need around 96% occupancy to turn a profit.

Meanwhile, law enforcement agencies rake in billions each year from marijuana arrests and federal grants. Despite legalization, the country still locks up more than 600,000 marijuana offenders a year. And most of these arrests are for small-time possession. Without it, police forces might lose critical funding. 

What To Expect When You're Expecting Legal Marijuana
Photo by boonchai wedmakawand/Getty Images

Others claim that a colossal excise tax would need to be imposed on legal weed to compete with the IRS’s 280E scam. The country has virtually found a way to make prohibition more profitable than a legal system. “An excise tax would need to be very high in order to compensate for 280E,” Pat Oglesby, an attorney who specializes in cannabis tax policy, told Rolling Stone in 2018. The problem is higher taxes makes marijuana less affordable and it doesn’t give customers any incentive to vacate the black market. We are seeing this happen now in some legal states. 

RELATED: Chances For Federal Marijuana Legalization Live On, According To New Poll

The more states that legalize marijuana — five more did it in the November election — the more tax money the government is set to collect. It has also been argued that Big Pharma, as well as the alcohol and tobacco companies are also responsible for preventing the nation from going green. These companies donate tens of millions of dollars to politicians every year to keep them on their side. At the same time, some of these companies are also investing in marijuana just in case there comes a time they can’t buy off prohibition.

And while the cannabis industry is starting to ramp up its lobbying efforts, it’s still not contributing anywhere close to what the business of booze, cigarettes and pharmaceutical drugs are doing. Unfortunately, the weed industry is outbid on Capitol Hill, reportedly tossing only a measly $11 million into federal lobbying efforts.

RELATED: Marijuana Could Easily Be Rescheduled With Biden’s Health Secretary

All in all, legal marijuana would make just as much for governmental minions as prohibition has. It’s just a matter of perspective. Do we continue to spend substantial amounts of money and resources to repress society, or do we make a shift that allows the nation to flourish forward to better times?

Considering some of the steps taken recently by the U.S. House of Representatives, the answer seems to be more of the latter. If only they could get the Senate to agree.

This Is The Kind Of Content That Our Brains Can Handle During The Pandemic

Maria Loreto
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This Is The Kind Of Content That Our Brains Can Handle During The Pandemic

While this type of content, one that’s been made with an almost loose approach, has been a huge success, Hollywood’s response hasn’t been well received.

The pandemic has forced us to change a lot about our lives. The economic and emotional toll that has been dealt throughout this past year is tough to conceptualize. While some have taken to working out or cooking during the course of the year, the majority of us have looked for escapes. Our relationship with our screens has never been more important, providing entertainment and information when we need it most.

But what have we been watching? While some have been able to watch more movies and shows than ever before, others have looked for anything that triggers their nostalgia, while others stick to easy binges, like reality TV.

TheSoul Publishing conducted a survey of over 2,000 people, looking into their viewing habits during this past year and found that the majority of respondents were looking for content that was short and sweet. According to the survey, “Music videos (38%), comedy (36%), cooking or baking (33%), and DIY or crafting videos (29%) were the most frequently selected categories of short-form.”

TikTok Is Valuable For The CBD Industry
Photo by Kon Karampelas via Unsplash

While short form video content has been on the rise over the past couple of years, the pandemic triggered a significant boom in this kind of viewing. Eight-four percent of audiences said they’d spent more or the same amount of time watching this kind of content during the pandemic, with people using these videos to cope with the challenges prompted by their new normal.

RELATED: Gen Z And Millennial Cannabis Consumers Are Influenced By… Who? And What?

“Nearly 30% of Americans stated that they watch positive online video content to improve their mood, while 26% said they watch for inspiration for ideas and projects and 19% said they watch to escape from the news of the day,” the survey found.

“It’s interesting to see that it’s not just any short-form video that’s resonating with the American audience right now. It’s really positive content that has taken the spotlight, becoming the popular form of escapism and a welcome source of entertainment,” said Victor Potrel, VP of Platform Partnerships at sur.

RELATED: 5 Signs You Might Have Seasonal Depression

Short form videos are becoming increasingly popular, from YouTube channels to TikTok viral clips. While this type of content, one that’s been made with an almost loose approach, has been a huge success, Hollywood’s response hasn’t been well received. Quibi, a streaming platform specializing in short form stories that boasted A-list actors and creatives was yanked just six months after its release this year.

Pornhub Is Now Deleting Most Of Its Videos

Maria Loreto
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Pornhub Is Now Deleting Most Of Its Videos

In an effort to be more transparent and seen as a safer space, Pornhub is deleting all videos from unverified users.

Pornhub, the world’s largest porn site, is now in the process of deleting the majority of its video library. Following a week plagued by claims of illegal content published on their site and by major credit card companies pulling their support, Vice reports that Pornhub is now in the process of reviewing all videos that weren’t been uploaded by verified users. The site plans to implement a new verification process in the coming year.

“As part of our policy to ban unverified uploaders, we have now also suspended all previously uploaded content that was not created by content partners or members of the Model Program,” Pornhub said n a statement. “This means every piece of Pornhub content is from verified uploaders, a requirement that platforms like Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, Snapchat, and Twitter have yet to institute.”

These changes were prompted after a New York Times piece was published a couple of weeks ago, one that followed the lives of minors whose videos were posted on Pornhub without their consent. Mastercard and Visa then began an investigation on the contents on the site; a couple of days later, they decided to stop processing all payments made to the site. They also threatened to pull their support from Mindgeek, Pornhub’s parent company, which is in charge of other adult sites like Youporn, XTube and Brazzers.

RELATED: Can Social Isolation From COVID-19 Cause Pornography Compulsion?

Marijuana Use Reaches All-Time High Under Coronavirus Pandemic
https://www.pexels.com/photo/man-using-laptop-3360204/

While these changes got Pornhub to listen and to ensure that there are no illegal videos on their site, they also affect a large percentage of people who have done nothing illegal. Sex workers and performers have long been looking forward to changes in the way in which porn sites manage their content, especially those whose work is often pirated and reposted on these sites.

Still, the decision from Mastercard and Visa was one that was decried, calling it conservatory and discriminatory by the Sex Workers Outreach Program Behind Bars.

“We say ‘war against sex workers’ because the damage they do does not impact the labor as much as it affects the laborers who depend on the Pornhub platform to earn a living,” the group said. They also discuss how dangerous this decision is during a pandemic, when a lot of people have lost their jobs and have turned to sex work as a way of paying their bills.

RELATED: What Will Sex Look Like In The Post-Pandemic World?

Non-consensual and underage sex content is a problem on porn sites, but it’s also a problem on social media platforms like Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. These sites aren’t viewed the same as porn sites and thus aren’t targets for these kinds of attacks that, while well intentioned, are likely to impact the livelihoods of thousands while not offering much protection or remuneration for victims.

Atlantic City Casinos Ban On Marijuana

Mike Adams
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Atlantic City Casinos Ban On Marijuana

Lawmakers haven’t given much consideration to how weed will be treated in places like casinos, mostly because everyone involved seems to be under the impression that it will be treated the same as booze and tobacco. 

New Jersey just legalized recreational marijuana in the November election, but don’t bet on Atlantic City’s casinos amending their policies to accommodate people who use the herb. That’s probably not going to happen, according to a report from the Press Of Atlantic City.

Although people have been secretly using marijuana in the hotels for years, people close to these operations say that’s only because management has turned a blind eye. However, now that marijuana is legal, the protocol might get a little more militant with respect to the “no marijuana” restrictions.

“I don’t think there’s going to be any real major change,” Dan Heneghan, an industry consultant and retired spokesperson for the state Casino Control Commission, told the news source. “The blind eye that (casinos) turn to that will just be opened.”

So far, the Casino Association of New Jersey has not come out and taken a definitive stance against marijuana use. But that is likely because marijuana regulations are still being hashed out in the state legislature. The truth is, New Jersey lawmakers haven’t really given much consideration to how marijuana will be treated in places like casinos, mostly because everyone involved seems to be under the impression that it will be treated the same as alcohol and tobacco. 

“If it’s a nonsmoking room, I would assume you would not be able to smoke cannabis there. But if it’s a smoking room, I don’t see why you couldn’t smoke marijuana there,” said Democratic state Senator Nicholas Scutari.

But the gaming world isn’t keen on weed. All one has to do is look to Nevada to see that much is true. 

Although the Silver State legalized marijuana for recreational use in 2016, Las Vegas casinos still aren’t pot-friendly. Since marijuana remains illegal at the federal level, the Nevada Gaming Commission is against pot on the premises. In fact, it doesn’t even want anyone stoned on pot to be allowed to play. Anyone who is “visibly impaired” on drugs or alcohol can be asked to leave. In 2018, the commission amended this policy to ensure that everyone understood that this includes marijuana.

It’s probably going to be this way in Las Vegas as long as the federal government continues to view cannabis as an illegal substance. 

“The federal law is what’s stopping (casinos) from integrating cannabis,” Jennifer Roberts, an attorney and the associated director for UNLV’s International Center for Gaming Regulation, told the Las Vegas Sun. “That and the Gaming Control Board telling the establishments to not go there. I will say that federal laws are difficult to change. You’re still not seeing politicians out there talking about getting rid of marijuana from Schedule I, though I think a lot of people would like to see that change.” 

Nevada Casinos
Photo by whekevi via Pixabay

Gaming experts believe Atlantic City will borrow a chapter from Las Vegas by not allowing marijuana.

RELATED: 5 Ways To Score Marijuana In Vegas 

“Atlantic City’s casinos will likely follow Las Vegas’ lead in not openly embracing recreational marijuana until increasing mainstream acceptance, and the experiences of states like Colorado, California, Washington, Oregon, and Nevada lead to a change in the federal position,” Jane Bokunewicz, coordinator of the Lloyd D. Levenson Institute of Gaming, Hospitality & Tourism at Stockton University, told the Press.

Federal marijuana laws could start to change as early as 2021. Democrats and Republicans are still duking it out over control of the Senate. If the Democrats reign victorious, several bills, including one designed to end federal marijuana prohibition (MORE Act), would move swiftly through the Senate and on to President-elect Biden’s desk.

RELATED: New Jersey Legalized Recreational Cannabis — Now What?

If Republicans maintain control of the upper chamber, it could still be a few years before marijuana makes any progress on Capitol Hill. But once it does, and it will, marijuana will slowly start to become more widely accepted in casinos nationwide. We might even see a day when some forms of it are allowed on gaming premises.

We Need To Educate Children And Adults About ‘Drug Education’

Richard Cowan
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We Need To Educate Children And Adults About ‘Drug Education’

Over 22 million marijuana arrests later, the political consequences of Reefer Madness are still being hidden from the American people. 

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

Parents are understandably concerned about their children being “indoctrinated” as they are supposedly being “educated”, but the general public should also be concerned, especially when the government has been lying to everyone for decades about marijuana. 

Decades of “Reefer Madness” with absurd claims about marijuana endangered children by undermining effective education about really dangerous drugs… and  adults about really dangerous government. Over 22 million marijuana arrests later, the political consequences are still being hidden from the American people. 

For example, in a 2002 interview with the Baltimore Sun,  John Walters, George W. Bush’s Drug Czar was asked about marijuana: 

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

SEE: CBD Is Not A Narcotic Says EU. Duh, Says I. 

Now, 18 years later, with the House of Representatives having finally voted to end marijuana prohibition, the Drug Enforcement Administration is baaack with a new website, “Just Think Twice”.  

Maybe I missed “Just Think Once”, perhaps a sequel to “Just Say No”, but compared to the DEA’s old Party Line…??? 

First, the Reefer Madness is gone, but not repented. Please forget that the DEA has lied to the American people, and the rest of the world, for decades. In its place is a relatively accurate description of the possible adverse consequences of marijuana use. 

Graphic by mohamed_hassan via Pixabay, Leaf by cheifyc via Pixabay

For example:

Q: IS MARIJUANA ADDICTIVE? 

A: Possibly. 

According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse: 

“Marijuana use can lead to the development of problem use, known as a marijuana use disorder, which takes the form of addiction in severe cases.”  

The problem with that statement is simply the lack of a definition of “addiction” as opposed to “obsessive/compulsive” behavior. (Gambling, hoarding, etc.)

Unlike alcohol, barbiturates and benzodiazepines, (Xanax, etc) and other central nervous system depressants, marijuana withdrawal isn’t life threatening.  

And of course, the DEA could not resist talking about “potency”: 

“In addition, a lot of the marijuana consumed presently (emphasis added) has a higher level of THC (the chemical that causes the drug’s “high”). Researchers still don’t know about the long-term effects of using high THC marijuana.”  

SEE: What Americans Can Learn From A British Study On Hashish Potency 

AND: Trump’s Surgeon General Takes Reefer Quackery to a New Low – Protecting New Mothers from Their Protectors 

Sometimes even their honest answers are misleading:

Q: IS MARIJUANA A CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE? 

A: Yes. (True) 

Then “Marijuana is a Schedule I substance under the Controlled Substances Act, meaning that it has a high potential for abuse, no currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States, and a lack of accepted safety for use under medical supervision.” 

(Completely untrue.) 

This where we need to revisit Orwell’s “Memory Hole.  

Although, this new website is certainly more honest than its predecessors, that is “faint praise” indeed. The “editorial conference” for this website must have been difficult.   

However, to see how limited the DEA’s evolution has really been see PREVENTING MARIJUANA USE AMONG YOUTH & YOUNG ADULTS “This publication gives you everything you need to know about marijuana — from the long-term effects on your brain, to whether or not it’s still considered a “gateway drug.”  

And their answer to “Is Marijuana a Gateway Drug?  

“Some research suggests that marijuana use is likely to precede use of other licit and illicit substances. Marijuana use also is linked to substance use disorders, including addiction to alcohol and nicotine.”  

Actually, alcohol and nicotine use usually precede marijuana use, but remember this is still the DEA.  

Richard Cowan is a former NORML National Director and author of Fascinating Facts About Hemp You Might Not Know. 

Millennial Cannabis Consumers Are Influenced By..

Javier Hasse
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Millennial Cannabis Consumers Are Influenced By..

Gen Z and Millennial cannabis consumers  currently make up 38% of the marketplace in fully legal states, but they are often tough-to-reach by traditional means.

Many brands often struggle with figuring out what young people like. Fortunately for cannabis companies, a new report out of strategic advisory studio Headquarters (HQ) has some answers. The big question if to find out who Gen Z and Millennial cannabis consumers are influenced by and why.

According to the HQ Cannabis Brand Affinity Report, hip-hop, R&B, fashion, social media influencers and gaming are among the top interests young lifestyle cannabis consumers share.

The study was issued in collaboration with The Statement Group (SG), a quantitative and qualitative brand strategy consulting firm. It breaks down the top passions and common values shared by Gen Z and Millennial cannabis consumers in 2020.

Why It Matters

“The Gen Z and Millennial cannabis consumer segment is rapidly growing and currently makes up 38% of the marketplace in fully legal states, but they are often tough-to-reach by traditional means,” Headquarters CEO Daniel Abrahami told Benzinga. “Our goal is to give brands a competitive advantage by providing specialized data. In today’s marketplace, these insights are a key for cannabis entrepreneurs to build authentic and community-driven initiatives.”

According to Business Insider, the Gen Z’s spending power stood at $143 billion in January of 2020; Millennials, for their part, spend roughly $600 billion a year.

For recreational cannabis consumers in these age groups, hip-hop and R&B is 24 times more important than the average Internet user.

As ranked by the relevance these consumers give to certain artists — on a 1 to 100 scale — the following were the scores for the top performers:

Other noteworthy names that got high scores included EDM producers Marshmello (63) and Alison Wonderland (79); gamer Nijna (67); entrepreneur Jordan Daley (76); lifestyle brand Supreme (89); fashion brand Just Don (94); and influencers Stoney Sunday (77), Ngaio Bealum (76), and Dope as Yola (74).

How The Data Was Collected

HQ collects data using proprietary software, which analyzes millions of social media and online connections across 56 online categories such as music, podcasts, apparel, athletes, politics, automotive, food, wellness, celebrities, online influencers, TV personalities, entertainment, technologies and gaming.

RELATED: Millennials Are Fueling The Cannabis Economy

The report’s “Value Score” identifies which medium and micro-sized brands, publishers, celebrities, influencers, and more, that over-index with specific consumers.

HQ also pinpoints the names that resonate with a targeted consumer group, and uncovers the ones that are “actionable” for most budgets, Abrahami says.

RELATED: Here’s How Millennials And Boomers Differ On Marijuana Use

“By partnering with The Statement Group, we can curate a detailed roadmap for brands to create revenue-driving partnerships, paid media campaigns and social media and native content strategies. This results in enhanced engagement and the development of stronger loyalty and emotional connection with consumers,” he added.

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

Georgia On My Mind: The Future Of The MORE Act

Daniel Shortt
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Georgia On My Mind: The Future Of The MORE Act

If the Democratic candidates are successful in the two run-off races in Georgia, the MORE Act could have a chance at becoming law in 2021.

Last week, the US House of Representatives voted to pass the Marijuana Opportunity Reinvestment and Expungement Act (the MORE Act) which would remove marijuana from the Controlled Substances Act (CSA). This historic vote is the closest that the federal government has come to legalizing marijuana since 1937, when the passage of the Marihuana Tax Stamp Act effectively outlawed cannabis nationwide. This is a big moment in the marijuana reform movement, and it is a promising step forward.

However, in order to become law, the MORE Act must also pass the Senate before going to the President for signature. It is still unlikely that the MORE Act makes it past Mitch McConnell and the Republican-controlled Senate. But, if the Democratic candidates are successful in the two run-off races in Georgia, the MORE Act could have a chance at becoming law in 2021.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has been open in his opposition to marijuana. The Republican from Kentucky was instrumental in including hemp provisions in the 2018 Farm Bill but his support evaporates when it comes to THC-rich marijuana. Here is how reporter Natalie Fertig characterized McConnell’s position in an article on marijuana legalization for Rolling Stone back in July 2019:

Even if a cannabis bill passes a Senate committee[,] that doesn’t necessarily mean it will make it to a vote. Majority Leader Mitch McConnell holds the keys to the Senate chamber, and he only brings bills to the floor that he personally wants passed. Though he worked hard last year to legalize hemp –– Kentucky has a long history of farming industrial hemp, and McConnell was looking for a way to help the state’s economy — he’s said he will not consider descheduling cannabis. (McConnell’s office did not respond to multiple requests for comment for this story.)

So long as the Republicans control the Senate, marijuana legalization appears untenable through the legislative process because Mitch McConnell is unlikely to allow a vote in the Senate. This is true even though fellow Kentucky Republican, Sen. Rand Paul is a strong supporter of legalization. McConnell’s simply not willing to allow a vote to remove marijuana from the CSA at this time.

Senate Minority leader Chuck Schumer, who would likely replace McConnell as Senate Majority Leader if the Democrats control the Senate, is in favor of legalization and has gone so far as to say that marijuana legalization will be a priority if the Democrats retake the Senate, as reported by Marijuana Moment. This is why the future of the MORE Act is so closely intertwined with the two Senate races in Georgia.

Another Path To Nationwide Marijuana Legalization Is Still In The Cards
Jon Ossoff / Photo by Elijah Nouvelage/Getty Images

In Georgia, a candidate cannot advance through a primary or general election without more than 50% of the votes. In the event that no single candidate reaches that threshold, then the two candidates who received the most votes advance to a runoff. That is exactly what happened this year in Georgia in two races, one for a special election to fill the remaining term of Senator Jonny Isakson (R), and one regular Senate race.

RELATED: How The House Approved MORE Act Would Jack Up The Economy

The special election pits Democrat Rev. Raphael Warnock against Republican Kelly Loeffler while the regular election is between the incumbent, Republican Sen. David Perdue and Democrat Jon Ossoff. If Democrats win both races than the Senate will be split 50-50 between Republicans and Democrats. In the event of a tie in the Senate, Vice President Kamala Harris, who sponsored the MORE Act in the Senate, would cast the deciding vote. I think we know how she would vote.

RELATED: Why Advocates Say MORE Act Falls Short In Restorative Justice

The National Cannabis Association (NCIA) provides more information on the Georgia races. Democrats have a tough road ahead to win both Senate races in Georgia, but Georgia did go for a Democrat for the first time in decades in 2020. We will continue to monitor the outcome in Georgia and watch for additional developments in Congress.

Daniel Shortt is a corporate and regulatory attorney based in Seattle, Washington who works extensively with entrepreneurs in the cannabis industry. This article originally appeared on Green Light Law Group and has been reposted with permission. You can contact Daniel at info@gl-lg.com or (206) 430-1336.

Does Ellen DeGeneres Smoke Weed?

Maria Loreto
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Does Ellen DeGeneres Smoke Weed?

Ellen DeGeneres has had a tough year. Does she smoke weed to help her manage all the drama? Let’s discuss.

Ellen DeGeneres is one of the world’s biggest TV personalities. As the amicable host of her namesake talkshow, DeGeneres’s stature has taken a nose dive this year, plagued by a host of workplace hostility claims, including the exit of three senior producers who left amid dozens of sexual harassment, racism and toxic behavior accusations. While DeGeneres made a public apology, her reputation continues to suffer.

A couple of days ago, DeGeneres announced through Twitter that she’d been diagnosed with COVID-19.

RELATED: Does Vanessa Hudgens Smoke Weed?

Does Ellen DeGeneres Smoke Weed?
Photo by Dave Kotinsky/Stringer/Getty Images

When reached out by a representative from NPR, it was confirmed that production of The Ellen DeGeneres Show was put on hold until January. But anyway, let’s get to why you really came here: does Ellen DeGeneres smoke weed?

DeGeneres has long shown a positive attitude towards the herb, using her platform to comment on it, even selling weed merchandise on 4/20, which doesn’t make her a smoker but rather a smart business person.

RELATED: Does The Weeknd Smoke Weed?

Back in 2017, when the marijuana website Civilized dug into her potential pot-smoking preferences (much like we’re doing here), pointing to that 420 merchandise tweet as evidence, she explained on her show: “So their first piece of evidence is that I sold merchandise to marijuana users on 420. That does not make me a smoker, that makes me a smart business-lady. Look, you are never too high to buy Ellen underwear.”

To avoid any confusion, Ellen did state plainly that she does not smoke weed.

Long story short: while someone might sell weed merch, it doesn’t make them weed smokers.

Chances For Federal Marijuana Legalization Live On, According To New Poll

Mike Adams
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Chances For Federal Marijuana Legalization Live On, According To New Poll

If this were a horse race, everyone would be on their feet right now, nervous for what could happen in the final quarter-mile.  

Political analysts and cannabis advocates are all saying the same thing right now: The bill that the Democratic-controlled U.S. House of Representatives just passed to legalize marijuana at the national level (MORE Act) isn’t going to get through the Senate or become law.

The reason is that Republican Mitch McConnell is still in control of the upper chamber. The last time we checked, the self-proclaimed grim reaper of Capitol Hill wasn’t prepared to help the Democrats further their agenda, especially when it comes to marijuana. But McConnell might not get a say after all.

The Democrats still have a chance to win control of the U.S. Senate in Georgia’s upcoming runoff election. Georgia requires candidates to secure 50 percent of the vote to win. None of them achieved that in the November election. So they are duking it out once again for an official winner. All the Democrats have to do is win the two seats up for grabs in the Peach State, giving them 50 votes with Vice President Kamala Harris being the tiebreaker if one should be needed. Honestly, it will be a tight race, but the latest polls show the Democrats are ahead by a nose. 

According to the FiveThirtyEight political podcast, Democrat Jon Ossoff is leading Republican Senator David Perdue. A new poll shows that Ossoff is gaining support by the day (presently at 48.3%), while Perdue’s fanfare is declining. As far as the other seat, Democrat Raphael Warnock is ahead of Republican Senator Kelly Loeffler by 1.7 points. Still, Warnock’s rating is on the decline, while Loeffler’s is holding fairly steady. Democrats must find a way to keep the voters on their side if they want a fighting chance at getting into Washington D.C. next year to make some changes.

President-elect Joe Biden is stepping in to help. 

Biden will stop in Atlanta on Tuesday to try and drum up more support for Ossoff and Warnock. To say there is a lot at stake for Democrats in these final weeks would be an understatement. Failing to gain control of the Senate will mean at least a few more years of a divided Congress, more Mitch McConnell, and no new reforms getting passed. The United States would basically be put in a state of suspended animation by a Congress unable to reach a compromise — even with a newly-elected president running the show. So Democrats must win over the voters in Georgia over the next few weeks. If they succeed, then they will control both chambers of Congress.

Georgia On My Mind: The Future Of The MORE Act
Photo by Elijah Nouvelage/Getty Images

That means McConnell will be run out on a rail. Democrats would then have the authority to appoint a new Senate Majority Leader and set the stage for bigger and better things. Like what, you ask? Well, the MORE Act, for starters. The bill, which was approved by the full House last week and expected to die a miserable death in the Senate, would advance in the upper chamber.

RELATED: Marijuana Could Easily Be Rescheduled With Biden’s Health Secretary

So would the Medical Marijuana Research Act, which would expand research opportunities for scientists wanting to truly explore the therapeutic possibilities of cannabis. It passed a floor vote in the U.S. House just this week. Indeed, the wheels are turning for cannabis reform in the United States. The only thing standing in the way is the outcome of the runoff election.

RELATED: How The House Approved MORE Act Would Jack Up The Economy

If this were a horse race, everyone would be on their feet right now, nervous for what could happen in the final quarter-mile. That’s where all of the action happens. So far, the pro-pot horse is winning. But you never know when one is going to come up from behind and cost you everything.

Harry And Meghan Are On Much Better Terms With The Royal Family

Patricia Wallace
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Harry And Meghan Are On Much Better Terms With The Royal Family

Sources near the royal family say that Prince Harry now has a much better relationship with the royal family. Here’s why.

Harry and Meghan have had a tough year, one plagued by changes, including two international moves, a miscarriage, and a global pandemic. But sources close to the couple say that they’re optimistic over the future, and that they are on better terms with the royal family.

Vanity Fair reports that Harry’s relationship with William is, according to a family friend, “much better than it was.” The brothers have been in regular contact and the Sussexes have sent Christmas gifts to Cambridge. “I have no doubt they will be video calling each other over Christmas,” said the friend.

For their part, the Sussexes plan on hosting a quiet Christmas celebration with Meghan’s mother, Doria Ragland. Meghan supervised the menu and will be cooking.

Photo by WPA Pool/Pool/Getty Images

Harry and Meghan were busy throughout the year, even if the pandemic has delayed the launch of their charity, Archewell, and has changed the way in which they prefer to work. “They value being able to connect with people in person,” said the friend. “That’s why they’ve done various bits of volunteering, some of which were public while some have remained private.”

RELATED: Kate And William Have Changed In This Major Way Since Meghan And Harry Left

Still, the couple has remained engaged with their individual charities and have made some appearances in several Los Angeles based charities. In the wake of George Floyd’s death, Meghan did a video for her alma mater, Northwestern University, and the couple did a video for Time 100 on the importance of voting, which caused some stress for royals. In this video, Harry revealed that he’d never been able to vote in the past due to his ties to the royal family.

RELATED: Former Royal Butler Spills Tea On Queen’s Falling Out With Prince Harry

In 2021, the couple has a lot to look forward to, including the launch of their U.S. based charities and a multi-million dollar deal with Netflix, which will be made up of family friendly content that’s informative and entertaining.

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