Senate Republicans Balk Move To Legalize Marijuana

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December 2, 2020

Senate Republicans Balk Move To Legalize Marijuana

Over the past few days, many Republicans have taken to social media to protest moving forward with the MORE Act out of respect for those still trying to survive COVID.

Senator GOP members can’t believe that House Democrats are moving forward with plans to legalize marijuana while America continues to suffer from the effects of the coronavirus. The Senate republicans balk at a move to legalize marijuana. But whose fault is that?

The U.S. House will vote on a measure today (Dec. 2) to legalize marijuana like alcohol, yet opposing forces think it should be postponed until Congress can pass a COVID relief bill. As it stands, no new round of coronavirus funding has been approved, and individuals and businesses alike are tanking.

The House wants to pass legislation known as the Marijuana Opportunity, Reinvestment and Expungement (MORE) Act. The bill is designed to eliminate marijuana from the Controlled Substances Act, allowing for a nationwide taxed and regulated pot market to unfold. It also sets aside a percentage of the tax revenue to help rebuild communities ravaged the most by the war on drugs.

Sounds great, right?

Not to a slew of Republicans. Over the past few days, many have taken to social media to protest moving forward with the MORE Act out of respect for those still trying to survive the coronavirus. “Democrats are bringing the House back into session to…Legalize marijuana?” reads a Tweet from the official House Republicans Twitter page. “THOSE are the Democrats’ priorities right now — not COVID and small business relief that the American people actually need.”

Democrats are bringing the House back into session to…

Legalize marijuana?

And…

Ban the private ownership of lions and tigers?

You read that right.

THOSE are the Democrats’ priorities right now — not COVID and small business relief that the American people actually need.

— House Republicans (@HouseGOP) December 1, 2020

Democrats aren’t under any illusion that prioritizing marijuana reform over COVID relief efforts is going to win them any popularity contests. In fact, the MORE Act was initially scheduled to be voted on in September, yet it was pushed back to keep from upsetting the voters. But, the truth is, Democrats actually put coronavirus funding ahead of anything else. The House passed a $2.2 trillion relief bill in October — one that provided $400 per week in jobless benefits and additional funding for the business sector — but the Republicans did not want a bill that went that far.

Furthermore, on Tuesday, House and Senate lawmakers reached a $908 billion compromise on a COVID relief bill, but Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell shot it down. Instead, he wants one that is closer to $500 billion — something he believes will be signed into law by President Trump. So, it’s not that the Democrats aren’t trying to move on a measure to help people ravaged by the corona debacle. It’s more or less a showdown between the two parties that has prevented action.

A Right-Leaning Supreme Court Won't Impede Cannabis Reform, Legal Experts Say — Photo by Esther Kelleter/Getty Images

But Republicans want their constituents to think that all the Democrats care about is legal weed. Only that narrative is a tad askew from the truth. Again, House Democrats have been pushing for trillions in funding since the last round ended in July. Republicans just don’t want to spend the money.

Even if the House passes the MORE Act this week, which is expected to happen, it will still require Senate approval before it can even come close to becoming law. But that is not going to happen — not even close. Senator McConnell, the same gatekeeper to the upper chamber raising a stink over $400 billion, has said time and again that he doesn’t have any interest in supporting a bill aimed at legalizing marijuana. So in a way, the House’s vote on the MORE Act is more symbolic than a calculated move to end pot prohibition.

On the flip side, legalizing marijuana nationwide is a move that market analysts claim would create one million jobs nationwide and contribute billions to the economy. The federal government used a similar move decades ago to help dig the country out of the pits of the Great Depression. It ended alcohol prohibition.

Perhaps it’s time for history to repeat itself.

The Fascinating Role Marijuana Plays In Sex

Alana Armstrong

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December 2, 2020

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The Fascinating Role Marijuana Plays In Sex

Cannabis can help both men and women in all sexual phases by opening the mind to deeper intimacy and promoting mindfulness.

Experts have some fascinating news about weed and our sex drives, and it’s not quite what we all expected.

It’s all in a study titled “Masturbation to Orgasm Stimulates the Release of the Endocannabinoid 2-Arachidonoylglycerol in Humans,” published in the Journal of Sexual Medicine. The paper expresses a link between the orgasm state and the release of an endocannabinoid — chemicals produced by the human body — that looks and acts just like ones found in the marijuana plant.

Human sexuality can be divided into four states — desire, arousal, orgasm and satisfaction— and no sexual health medicines address this. Erectile dysfunction medications like Viagra and Cialis treat arousal in men, and that’s all. Interestingly, cannabis can help both men and women in all four of the sexual phases. It heightens the senses, leads to relaxation, opens the mind to deeper intimacy and promotes mindfulness.

Molecules That Make Us Make Vowels

Everyone seems to have an anecdote in the chamber involving marijuana and toe-curling sex, but scientists are interested in what specific molecules are involved in sexual satisfaction.

While many of us would have assumed that it was the THC making sex feel extra gratifying, the researchers of the orgasms and endocannabinoids study found that it’s not anandamide (THC’s endocannabinoid cousin) released during orgasm, it’s 2-Arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG).

Over the course of two studies, the researchers found that healthy individuals who masturbated to orgasm had elevated levels of 2-AG, not anandamide, concluding that 2-AG release plays a role in the reward aspect of sexual arousal and orgasm.

The 5 Most Interesting Discoveries About Sex Made In The Last Decade — Photo by franckreporter/Getty Images

Although it doesn’t directly engage the CB1 or CB2 cannabinoid receptors, the CBD molecule does boost the body’s levels of 2-AG, which may indicate that high-CBD products could improve the action of 2-AG in sexual response.

One More Way Cannabis is Aiding Human Sexuality

Cannabis is an excellent sexual aid for those who have PTSD due to sexual trauma. THC binds to CB1 cannabinoid receptors that reside in the sexual response areas of interest, the hippocampus and amygdala. The two areas are linked to memory, the autonomic nervous system, and emotions such as fear and anxiety. Under the influence of THC, a person is less likely to experience anxiety or other negative feelings surrounding sex.

Equally notable is the fact that cannabis, specifically THC, use induces the impairment of short-term memory which is specifically suitable for keeping one’s mind in the moment during sex. When we’re not stressed out about the things waiting for us outside of the bedroom, we can relax and enjoy the sex happening on the bed (or wherever it’s happening, you animal).

Cannabis Is the Gift That Keeps on Giving

In addition to just being an enjoyable way to unwind at the end of the day, marijuana eases symptoms of anxiety disorder and helps insomniacs get some much-needed shut-eye, and if it turns out that cannabis has benefits in the bedroom as well, it will undoubtedly stoke a whole new section of the market. Who needs a brand name erectile dysfunction drug when there’s a natural supplement that does the trick without the risks and four-hour hard on?

The study on orgasms and the release of 2-AG in humans did not explore whether anandamide hinders our ability to receive 2-AG during sex. They only proved a reliable link between orgasms and the chemical we produce before and during the climax.

There are also no studies exploring sex and marijuana dosage. Dosage is crucial if you plan on smoking or taking edibles before having sex, especially since large doses can interfere with the performance of men.

But if we know anything from watching the cannabis space for this long, it’s that one study leads to a new one, and maybe soon those who need to can precisely dose their way to a more satisfying sex life.

A Deep Dive On A Key Congressional Day For Cannabis

David Hodes

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December 1, 2020

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The people have spoken, the U.S. is ready to go, and it’s time to pull the trigger on legalization.

It’s time. Cannabis history is having its moment. Here is a deep dive on a key congressional day for cannabis. Let’s hope it goes well.

The election is over, cannabis had its biggest voter approval day ever on November 3, and everyone who has a stake in the cannabis industry is saying it out loud: The cannabis legalization battle is over.

In total, 15 states have now either enacted or have voted to enact adult-use legalization laws, while 36 states have either enacted or have voted to enact medical marijuana access laws.

National support for cannabis legalization has reached an all-time high, as 99% of Americans now live in a state that either has now or will soon have some form of legalized marijuana as a result of the 2020 elections.

The National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML) is cheering the move, calling it “…a uniquely popular issue with voters of all political persuasions.”

The National Cannabis Industry Association (NCIA) is banging the gong as well. United States Representative Earl Blumenauer (D-OR), who has been the strongest and most consistent voice for legalization for years now is chomping at the bit to get the deal done.

Step one is scheduled for Wednesday, December 2—an historic hearing on the Marijuana Opportunity Reinvestment and Expungement Act (the MORE Act, or H.R. 3884), originally introduced by now Vice President elect Kamala Harris and recommended for passage in the House by the Committee on the Judiciary.

illinois pot offenders how to get your marijuana offense wiped clean — Photo by FatCamera/Getty Images

It feels like full legalization—not just rescheduling but taking cannabis entirely off the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) schedule of substances where it has lived since the hippie-hating Nixon administration parked it there—is at hand.

A few discussions in the House on the MORE Act, which then gets voted on and pushed to and through the Senate, and voila: Open the floodgates because cannabis will join the agriculture mainstream as a just another cash crop, free and clear of all the hindrances that The Man has created to crush it.

It should be a slam dunk. But let’s take a deeper dive.

This article is not about another affirmation, another confirmation, another declaration of clarification that Joe Biden and Kamala Harris will get to work and fix this broken bit of 60-year-old stupid centered around growing and selling a plant that can get you thrown in prison in one state and make you a millionaire in the next state.

This article is a pick axe chipping away, mining down, revealing a blur of red flags throwing shadows of doubt on the light at the end of this particular tunnel leading to cannabis legalization, because full and complete cannabis legalization is nowhere close to being a done deal under this new administration.

The ifs and ands come with pretty large buts.

It begins with Joe Biden.

Biden’s record with cannabis and the war on drugs is messy, as outlined in a GOP memo in June, 2020. He was the sponsor of the National Drug Control Strategy Act of 1990, which, among other things, provides for asset forfeiture for drug offenses and the training of police using military tactics and equipment—both pillars of abuse within the war on drugs.

Biden’s pre-election plan called for the legalization of medical cannabis only, keeping cannabis on the DEA’s list of abused substances and dropping it to a Schedule II drug from its current listing as Schedule 1 drug—on par with heroin.

Biden is not exactly on the same page as his VP, who has her own bumpy background on cannabis.

First the good news: Kamala Harris is the Senate sponsor of the MORE Act in July, 2019 [co-sponsored by seven Democrats and no Republicans, with the House version to be discussed Wednesday sponsored by Jerry Nadler, D-NY].

Kamala Harris On Marijuana and How Cannabis Industry Reacting To Biden's VP Pick — Photo by Pool/Pool/Getty Images

But as San Francisco district attorney from 2004-2010, she reportedly oversaw 1,900 marijuana convictions. Earlier in her career, she worked in the Career Criminal Unit of the San Francisco District Attorney’s Office, where she prosecuted three strikes cases that led to numerous non-violent cannabis arrests which extended to life sentences, such as in the case of Jeff Mizanskey.

Then, to position herself for her run as president, in May, 2018, she came out in favor of cannabis as a co-sponsor of the Marijuana Justice Act, later adding much of the language of that act into her MORE Act.

Will she be proactive for the legalization cause using her new power and influence? No word yet. Biden has demonstrated he can evolve his position on important social issues, like integrated school busing, so maybe there is some hope there.

Then there is the MORE Act itself. As proposed for discussion in the House, there are rules that need to be followed, deadlines to work through after it gets approved in the Senate..

For example, it gives the attorney general six months to decide when and how to remove cannabis from the DEA’s list of controlled substances after the MORE Act is passed—a key ruling of the Act.

House To Vote On Cannabis Descheduling Legislation Today — Photo by FatCamera/Getty Images

Also, the creation of Cannabis Justice Office within the Office of Justice Programs, with a director appointed by the assistant attorney general, could take up to six months after passage of the bill. The director of the office will be charged with organizing and carrying out a far-reaching community reinvestment program with funding from the IRS. That will take time.

The Department of the Treasury, the Department of Justice, and the Small Business Administration all have a year to amend any rules, standard operating procedures, and other legal or policy guidance after the Act becomes law. That could create a nightmare for cannabis businesses just trying to get a foothold in the new cannabis environment.

With all that being said, there is another relevant, crucial deadline—the January 5, 2021 U.S. Senate runoff election in Georgia—that might just be the final break the cannabis industry is looking for.

If the Georgia voters send two Democrats to the Senate, then Democrats could tee up the MORE Act when it gets to the Senate and maybe, just maybe, get it passed.

The take-away here is that the industry is on a roll, a clear winner in the November elections not only in states that voted to legalize it, but because of a new Democratic administration focused on the sort of economic rebuilding assistance offered by the cannabis industry.

Many questions remain, but some uncertainty has dissolved.

The people have spoken, the U.S. is ready to go, and it’s time to pull the trigger on legalization. “The vote in the House will mark the first time that the House or the Senate has ever voted as a full chamber on legislation to end the federal cannabis prohibition since it went into effect following the passage of the Controlled Substances Act of 1970,” Blumenauer said in a statement on his website. “Congress must capitalize on this momentum and do our part to end the failed policy of prohibition that has resulted in a long and shameful period of selective enforcement against communities of color.”

Here’s What To Do If You Feel Guilty For Skipping Workouts Over The Holidays

Maria Loreto

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December 1, 2020

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Here’s What To Do If You Feel Guilty For Skipping Workouts Over The Holidays

The holiday season is a stressful time, resulting in overeating and skipped workout sessions. Here’s what you can do to erase the guilt and build some peace of mind.

Thanksgiving marks the official start of the holiday season, when Christmas decorations pop up overnight and the countdown to New Year’s begins. It’s also the season where eating, drinking and huddling up for the winter becomes the focus. As we grow older, the holiday season takes on a tint of stress that’s difficult to shake.

For many of us, it’s hard to feel like our healthiest and happiest self, especially for those who have complicated relationships with food. The holiday season exposes us to many of our favorite meals and treats, all in the span of a month. It’s very common for people to gain some weight and to forego some of their workouts and health routines. Still, no matter how much prep you do before hand, it’s tough to control the guilt that this results in.

Here are some tips that can help you feel better in the coming weeks:

Listen to your body

most marijuana users smoke to unwind while listening to rock music poll finds — Photo by McKinsey via rawpixel.com

The holidays can stir up a lot of emotions in your life. You can feel excited, happy, anxious and melancholic, all at the same time. These emotions can also spark your appetite, resulting in eating when you’re not hungry, or stress eating, which many of us are participating in right now. Pay attention to how your body feels and give it what it wants, whether that’s food, rest or movement. It’s difficult to be in tune with your body, but the more you try, the easier it becomes.

Don’t “reward” yourself with food

Cannabis Users Exercise Much More Than You Think — Photo by rawpixel

A comment we often hear throughout our lives is that you should get a good workout in after indulging in a dessert or a meal you’ve looked forward to, burning off all of those calories. While some people feel rewarded by this behavior, working out shouldn’t be associated with some form of punishment or as a way of ridding your body of calories. Or worse yet, something you do to “allow” yourself to eat. You never have to “earn” a meal.

This way of thinking creates a negative relationship with food, one that can transform into disorders and that can cause tons of stress and unhappiness. If you overeat, try your best to forgive yourself. Keep a somewhat regular workout schedule through the holidays, accepting that some weeks will be better than others. If you don’t have time to include a vigorous workout, a light stretch or a yoga session will help you feel better and will ease your anxiety.

Associate workouts with pleasure and feeling good

5 Signs That Indicate Your Workouts Are Paying Off — Photo by Julia Ballew via Unsplash

A lot of people work out because they want to look good. While this provides results and encourages healthy lifestyles, it doesn’t work for everyone. A more positive and accurate approach to fitness would be to see movement and exercise as a complement to a healthy lifestyle, one that works best when supported by healthy eating and a positive relationship with food. At the end of the day, food should be enjoyed since it makes living possible. On significant dates, it should be indulged in and shared with others.

The US Is Sandwiched Between Two Countries With Legal Weed

Mike Adams

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December 1, 2020

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U.S. lawmakers keep saying that marijuana legalization will pass, but they just can’t make any predictions on the timeline.

Marijuana is legal nationwide in Canada, and it could soon be in Mexico, as well. So the US is sandwiched between two countries with legal weed. But the United States government has all but refused to even consider marijuana legalization as part of the American way.

Although a slew of states has ended pot prohibition at the state level — allowing weed to be sold like booze — the feds do not have any interest in taking this concept to the big stage. But if the U.S. is about to be sandwiched between two countries with legal weed, could lawmakers have a change of heart? The answer is one part politics and two parts everything else.

Last week, Mexico’s Senate put its seal of approval on a bill aimed at creating a fully legal cannabis market. The initiative aims to remove the power from the drug cartels and put the plant to work for the national economy in a way that doesn’t bring about waves of brutality and murder. It’s not exactly a done deal, according to a recent report from Reuters. The legislation must first pass the lower House, and some technicalities need to be hashed out before it is a lock. If it happens, though, Mexico will join Canada in operating a taxed and regulated marijuana market.

It was just a few years ago that the northern nation made the same leap. It was one of the first lines of business brought on by then newly appointed Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. He, too, was sick of the criminal organizations reaping all of the benefits while the country’s youth suffered the consequences. Still, there were and continue to be growing pains with legal weed. Cannabis consumers are still getting a better price on the black market, preventing around 40 percent from moving over to the legal system. But all in all, the business is in reasonably decent shape.

So, what are the chances that the U.S. government will recognize the legalization efforts to the north and south and make a move to do something similar? For now, the chances are slim.

In November, more states moved to legalize the leaf for medicinal and recreational purposes. More than half of the nation now recognizes cannabis as a legitimate product. Meanwhile, some of the latest polls show that nearly 70 percent of the U.S. population now supports full-blown legalization. But this sentiment is not resonating in the nation’s capital.

Dem. Lawmaker Tim Ryan: 'Marijuana Should Be Legal In All 50 States' — Photo by runner of art/Getty Images

The Republican-dominated Senate is still morally opposed to marijuana. A lot of the older Republicans, like Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, aren’t about to legalize a substance that they worry might wreak havoc on society. It’s just not consistent with their Bible-belt upbringing.

And while the Democratic-controlled House is set to vote on a legalization bill (MORE Act) this week, there are still plenty of reservations in the lower chamber. In fact, the upcoming vote was initially scheduled for September, but Democrats thought it best to reschedule it for a later date because they were worried about losing votes. It’s like they aren’t even paying attention to the polls. In short, marijuana isn’t the hot topic on Capitol Hill that cannabis advocates would like the masses to think it is. Congress just isn’t aligned in a way that is going to allow marijuana to go legal anytime soon.

But it is getting there. Just slowly.

U.S. lawmakers keep saying that marijuana legalization will pass, but they just can’t make any predictions on the timeline. “[Cannabis legalization] is going to happen, I’m confident,” Democratic Senator Cory Booker told Politico. “But how it happens and when it happens is the question.”

Pro-marijuana lawmakers have been slinging the same “coming soon” spiel for the past decade or more. Sadly, Congress just isn’t going to be equipped to make significant strides on this issue next year. Even president-elect Joe Biden isn’t interested in leading the country into fully legal territory. The most he’s willing to do is decriminalize it and make it more accessible for medicinal purposes.

So, it’s unlikely that Canada and Mexico are going to inspire U.S. lawmakers to join the fun. At best, the United States could see some reforms falling into place that lessens the criminal penalties for pot possession and perhaps even some that allow convicted marijuana offenders some reprieve. But as for marijuana legalization in America, it’s a non-starter.

Cannabis: What Is Its Legal Status in Scandinavia?

Green Market Report

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December 1, 2020

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Cannabis: What Is Its Legal Status in Scandinavia?

While there are countries where the use of cannabis is a way of life, it is a big crime to be found with a cannabis product in many other countries.

What was once an illegal substance is now considered in many countries around the world as being acceptable. As you could guess, I’m talking about cannabis or marijuana. Thanks to its many benefits, cannabis has infiltrated many markets globally, with more and more people joining the bandwagon of users, sellers, transporters, and producers. So, what is its legal status in the Scandinavian world? Well, just a little patience will pay off, as the answer is just around the corner. But first things first: what is cannabis?.

Cannabis Explained

Cannabis is a plant that grows naturally in temperate and tropical conditions. However, by use of what is known as hydroponic technology, many people also grow this plant in just about any climate conditions. THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) is the main psychoactive ingredient in this plant, and it is known for initiating the “high” feeling.

The plant exists in two divisions, which include Cannabis sativa and Cannabis indica. You can differentiate the two by simply looking at their different physical characteristics. Typically, cannabis is consumed in the form of hash oil, hashish, or marijuana, which are made from the plant’s hashish, resin, and dried leaves respectively.

The Legal Situation of Cannabis in Scandinavia

I must explain that the legality of cannabis products depends upon the country. And while there are countries where the use of cannabis is a way of life, it is a big crime to be found with a cannabis product in many other countries. Let’s explore its legality in Scandinavian countries.

Sweden

The cannabis laws here are even tougher, with transportation, selling, usage, and production of the plant all forbidden. However, the country allows limited usage of cannabis for medical purposes. For instance, doctors in Sweden may be allowed to prescribe cannabis-based drugs for patients with multiple sclerosis.
Need more information on cannabis or CBD? Please visit cbdguiden.se, a one-stop shop, education, and FAQ.

Iceland

Any cannabis-related activity here is completely illegal, whether it is consuming, selling, cultivating, or possessing. The government of Iceland first declared the illegality of cannabis in 1969, which means the laws here have been in force for about half a century. If you are found in contravention of the law, you would be liable to a fine or jail, which varies depending on the amount of substance you are found with and what you were doing with it. For instance, if you are caught with more than half a kilogram of cannabis, you may be jailed for no less than three months.

Finland

Just like in Iceland, possessing, selling, transporting, using, or producing cannabis is prohibited. Any person found using cannabis in the country could be liable to summary fines, which are usually imposed by the police. If the user insists on being taken to court, however, the police have no option but to comply. Those found culpable of serious cannabis offenses, such as selling, typically face a trial in the court of law, and the penalties for such people are usually harsher.

sweden — Photo by Jon Flobrant via Unsplash

Norway

It was not until recently (2018) that the laws on the use and possession of cannabis in Norway were adjusted to favor the country’s citizens. This was upon the realization that the citizens were missing out on the medicinal effects of the substance. As such, Norwegians who are found to be in possession of small amounts of cannabis are not brought to book. Rather, they are treated for any possible addiction issues etc.

Denmark

The Danes are, by law, prohibited from everything cannabis-related. Those found culpable may be fined or jailed, but the same law also protects (since the amendment of the 1955 Euphoriants Act in 2004) the Danes found with limited quantities (less than 10 grams) of cannabis. Such people may only be warned by the authorities. However, they may face the law if they are repeatedly found committing the same offense.

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

These People Are First In Line To Get COVID-19 Vaccine

Maria Loreto

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November 30, 2020

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These People Are First In Line To Get COVID-19 Vaccine

The CDC released guidelines on how COVID-19 vaccines will be distributed, highlighting four groups of people that’ll likely be the first recipients.

There are three promising coronavirus vaccines in the works, from Pzifer, Moderna and AstraZeneca, meaning that the release of the first round of immunizations is imminent. The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) to the Centers For Disease Control (CDC) released their first guidelines on how they are making important decisions, such as who gets the first round of COVID-19 vaccines. The panel notes four groups of people who’ll likely be the recipients of these inaugural doses.

According to disease experts, one of the proposed vaccines should be ready for distribution by the end of this year. The problem lies in creating enough dosages to treat everyone, which is why vaccines will likely be released to groups, prioritizing those who are most in contact with the virus and people who belong to high risk groups.

5 Coronavirus Testing Myths — Photo by Paul Biris/Getty Images

The panel will distribute doses according to four ethical principles: maximizing benefits and limiting harm, promoting justice, mitigating health inequities and promoting transparency about the plans surrounding the spread of the vaccine.

According to ACIP’s guidelines, the four groups that should have first access to the vaccine are health care personnel (an estimated 21 million people), essential workers (87 million people), adults with underlying health conditions (100 million people) and adults over the age of 65 who are also considered high risk (53 million people).

It’s estimated that vaccines should be available to anyone who wants them in the U.S by mid-2021. Until then, the government will continue to advise for patience, social distancing, face masks, hand washing, and other important safety measures.

Want To Stay COVID Free This Holiday Season? Don’t Smoke Weed With Others

Mike Adams

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November 30, 2020

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Want To Stay COVID Free This Holiday Season? Don’t Smoke Weed With Others

The days of puff, puff, pass are over, if for no other reason than to prevent COVID-19 from conquering the world.

To further prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have all but begged Americans not to travel this holiday season. But nobody appears to be listening. Nope, holiday travel is not missing a beat this year, as millions of people presumably do not have any reservations about being Petri-dished together at a time when COVID infection rates are among the highest we’ve seen.

If you are reading this from home, know that your chances of survival are better than most. That is unless you are among those cannabis users who still insist on smoking weed with others. Then, well, you might be at just as much risk.

Smoking is the most common form of consumption on the cannabis scene. It is one that almost inevitably means that two or more people are going to be swapping spit with one another in pursuit of a buzz. Many cannabis users continue to defend this practice because it is all about one love and fellowship.

But smoking weed with the masses is a sure-fire way to get sick. This was true long before the “Rona” was ever a thing.

In many ways, sharing a joint with someone is just as risky as having unprotected sex or not washing your hands after using a public restroom. It can spread a variety of diseases from the common cold, flu to herpes. In other words, the days of puff, puff, pass are over, if for no other reason than to prevent COVID-19 from conquering the world.

How To Sniff Out Free Weed At A Party — Photo courtesy of Cannaclusive/Flickr

Marijuana legalization is helping to end the longtime trend of the communal smoke circle. There are now a variety of cannabis products built-for-one sold in retail cannabis dispensaries across the United States. Edibles, beverages, and topicals produce the same mind-numbing effects as smoking, yet they can be enjoyed without sharing bodily fluids with others. But this doesn’t mean that people who want to smoke cannabis are being shut out. Vape pens, flower, and personal-sized pre-rolls are ways for cannabis consumers to keep the tradition of smoking alive.

Legal cannabis dispensaries are now catering to the individual marijuana user just like the alcohol trade does its customers. After all, nobody shares a beer these days. Everyone has their own. Considering that coronavirus cases in the U.S. have reached more than 12 million, marijuana should be no different.

Still, just because a person refuses to share their weed doesn’t mean they won’t catch the virus. A study published over the summer from the University of Western Australia shows a correlation between cannabis use and COVID infection rates. Most of the connection, however, has more to do with smoking in general than cannabis alone. “Cannabis thus joins tobacco as a SARS2-CoV-2 risk factor,” researchers noted.

A more recent study shows that excessive marijuana smoking is also putting people at risk for COVID. Once again, these findings are more about how marijuana smoke can weaken the lungs and make a person more susceptible to the virus than the herb being a risk factor. Researchers found that “heavy problematic cannabis use may increase chances of hospitalization due to COVID-19 respiratory complications.”

Therefore, it is advised to avoid smoking marijuana with friends and family during the holiday season. It might not be a bad idea to consider not smoking at all. Instead, look to other consumption methods, like edibles, that will not put your lungs at risk. Even though the jury is still out on a lot of the science surrounding cannabis use and a higher risk for COVID infection, we don’t need science to tell us that putting our mouths where others have gone could make us sick.

What To Expect When You’re Expecting Legal Marijuana

Cannabusiness

Daniel Shortt

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November 30, 2020

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What To Expect When You’re Expecting Legal Marijuana

Did your state recently legalize marijuana? Here’s an overview of what the next few years will bring.

With so many states recently adopting measures to legalize adult-use (recreational) marijuana it seems like it’s time to give an overview, from a lawyer’s perspective, of what the first few years of legal marijuana generally look like in newly-legalized states. These projections are based on what we have seen in jurisdictions like Washington, Oregon, Colorado, and California, which now have relatively mature marijuana markets.

Rulemaking and Licensing. When a state first legalizes marijuana, a state agency will be tasked with regulating the industry, including issuing licenses. This process will involve agency rulemaking which will be done pursuant to the implementing legislation. I strongly suggest monitoring agency rulemaking as it will provide the public the opportunity to provide comments on the proposed rules.

If you would like to obtain a marijuana license, you need to become an expert on the licensing process. Here are some questions you will need to answer if you want to obtain a license: Will there be a lottery for applications? Will existing medical marijuana operators be given a priority? How will the agency evaluate applications? Perhaps most importantly, what are the relevant licensing timeframes and deadlines? It is imperative that if you apply you do so in a timely manner but also that you keep in mind the application priorities that the regulatory decision makers will have in mind while they review your application.

Business Formation. Individuals who want to operate a marijuana business should apply through a limited liability company (LLC), corporation, or other business entity (not a sole proprietorship or general partnership) so that the stakeholders of the company are shielded from personal liability. The marijuana industry is riskier than most industries so applicants should submit their application through a business entity rather than in a personal capacity.

You should also carefully select who you are going into business with. Licensing incentives can often create strange bedfellows depending on application priorities. For example, in 2015 Washington State merged its medical marijuana program into the recreational market. As part of this merger, the Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board (WSLCB) opened a second round of licensing for marijuana retailers. However, dispensary owners who were operational and current on taxes before the recreational and medical market merger were given a priority in their applications. I remember seeing advertisements on Craigslist where dispensary owners were trying to find deep pocket partners to take advantage of their application priorities. That lead to some predictable disputes.

Applicants must vet their potential business partners and corporate governance documents need to spell out how the parties will handle disputes when they inevitably come up.

could marijuana legalization unite a divided country — Photo by strelov/Getty Images

Business Break-Ups. In Washington State, where I practice, I noticed in the first few years after licensing that many business relationships began to deteriorate. I think that this happened for a few reasons. Running a marijuana business is incredibly stressful and that stress can take a serious toll on the interpersonal relationships of stake holders. Additionally, as I outlined above, in the licensing stage people go into business together hastily and find out over time that they are not compatible. Regardless of how it happens, many marijuana businesses are the subject of disputes a few years after licensing.

What makes marijuana business break-ups so challenging is that there is almost always some asset worth fighting over: the marijuana license. This makes it harder for each side to back away and gives each a nuclear option, reporting violations to regulators to cause the license to be revoked or terminated.

In addition, entrepreneurs drawn to the marijuana industry often feel comfortable operating in the “wild west.” After all, they are entering an industry where the commodity is unquestionably illegal under federal law. Key terms are often written on the back of a napkin which was not saved. Handshake deals rarely are reduced to writing. If you are entering this space, do not take this approach! Write things down and keep records in case things go poorly down the road. Also, consider including mandatory arbitration provisions in corporate governance documents so that if a dispute arises, the airing of dirty laundry does not have to take place in open court.

Regulatory Compliance. You can expect state agencies to regulate pretty much every aspect of a marijuana business. Stakeholders in a marijuana business should know these regulations well! Licensees will be expected to trace marijuana from seed-to-sale. They will need to keep records on pretty much any person who enters a licensed facility. Marijuana businesses should also prepare to account for every penny that goes in and out of the business so that regulators can ensure that money is not being diverted to some illicit channel. Eventually, every marijuana business will receive a violation for some instance of non-compliance. Be prepared to defend yourself against these alleged violations.

Conclusion. I hope that this article helps to give you an idea of what the next few years will bring if your state has recently legalized marijuana. This is a tough market to succeed in, but there are unique opportunities in marijuana that you may not find in any other field.

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.

5 Ways To Have A More Positive Social Media Experience

Maria Loreto

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November 29, 2020

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5 Ways To Have A More Positive Social Media Experience

Social media is addictive and overwhelming, but it’s also a helpful tool in connecting you with friends and family.

We all know that social media is here to stay. While we might try to fight its influence and the hold it has on our lives, its thriving existence is inevitable, especially now with digital learning and remote work.

Instead of developing a love/hate relationship with it, we should try to change our approach to it. We all know social media produces a great amount of anxiety, but it also makes life easier and is quite enjoyable. And there are ways of having a better experience online.

Here are 5 things you can do in order to have a more positive social media experience:

Comment and reply

Social media encourages us to post about our lives while also allowing us to watch the lives of other people. Depending on the app you use, these interactions can be conducted on a surface level, never encouraging further communication. If you want to have a deeper experience, get to know other people or get back in touch with someone, try other approaches aside from a simple like. Comment on other people’s posts and post replies when someone interacts with you. Don’t fight with strangers, though.

Narrow down which apps you use

Can You Trust CBD Ads On Social Media? — Photo by dole777 via Unsplash

Social media apps have their pros and cons. While Facebook puts you in touch with distant family and friends, it also puts you in touch with some opinions and comments that you maybe don’t want to see. Instagram doesn’t encourage much contact, but it’s one of the most utilized social media platforms. Twitter opens the floodgates to all kinds of people.

Know your limits when it comes to social media, and what you want to get out of these apps. While there are ways of limiting your exposure to annoying content on all sites, you can also choose to drop apps if they’re not working for you.

Set some rules

In order to have a less charged relationship with social media, be aware of what works for you and set some boundaries. If the news cycle makes you feel stressed, disconnect from it and limit the amount of times you check your phone. If other people’s lives has you questioning your own, take a break from these websites. Take advantage of the limits your apps allow you to set and try to avoid checking your phone last thing at night and first thing in the morning. Progress from there.

No need to follow people or things that stress you out

Tom Brady Smoked Weed In High School, He Says In New Howard Stern Interview — Photo by Andrea Piacquadio via Pexels

If there’s a family member who posts annoying and ignorant stuff, there’s no need to engage with them. Unfollow or block them and move on with your life. If the news is too triggering for you, set some boundaries or avoid following so many news sites. Try to find a corner of the internet that makes content for you, whether that’s soothing videos of people watering their plants or accounts that post interesting bits of movie trivia.

Mute and block

The mute and block options are available across all sites and are vastly underused. Don’t waste brain space in fighting with others or engaging in internet discussions when you don’t feel like it. Mute threads, block annoying followers, and more. These tools are there to make your social media experience better and more positive, and they will do this if you learn how to use them to your favor.

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