Weed or COVID Is The Biggest Holiday Travel Worry

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November 25, 2020

Weed or COVID Is The Biggest Holiday Travel Worry

There are more than 600,000 marijuana arrests made every year in the United States. So if you’re not careful, the coronavirus might be the least of your worries.

Millions of Americans are still traveling this holiday season, despite the pandemic. Some of the latest data shows that COVID-19 is now responsible for more than 85,000 hospitalizations per day in the United States. Yet, nobody wants to miss turkey day or any other holiday festivity this year, so they are piling into planes, trains, and automobiles to get to their families, even though the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has warned that this might not be the best idea.

Many of them are under the impression that as long as they wear masks, load up on hand sanitizer and stay six feet away from others, they might escape unscathed. But none of these precautions will save them from going to jail if they happen to get caught with weed.

Wait, what?

Although COVID is the apparent threat in 2020, so is getting busted for marijuana possession. Perhaps now more than ever. Sure, the herb is now legal in some form or fashion in more than half the nation, but that doesn’t mean the population can just transport it from this place to that all willy-nilly like without breaking the law.

And make no mistake about it — even with COVID being the primary concern this year, law enforcement agencies are still on the lookout for toking travelers during the holidays. There are more than 600,000 marijuana arrests made every year in the United States. So if you’re not careful, the coronavirus might be the least of your worries.

When traveling by air this holiday season, it is crucial to have a grip on the marijuana laws before even stepping foot inside the terminal. Although TSA agents have said time and again that they are not actively searching peoples’ luggage for marijuana, they will forward the situation to the local authorities if they find some.

This isn’t a huge deal if a person happens to get caught in LAX; marijuana is entirely legal in California. As long as the traveler is within the possession limit, the most that will happen is the pot will be seized and they might get delayed boarding their flight.

People Are Now Stealing Marijuana From Chicago Airports — Photo by Flickr user Nick Harris

But if the same situation happens in a prohibition state — someplace like Indiana, Kentucky, or Georgia — the outcome will be more severe. Chances are the traveler will be arrested and charged with criminal marijuana possession. And no, they won’t get to eat Thanksgiving dinner before being carted off to jail. From there, they will undoubtedly face a wealth of legal woes that could potentially cost them thousands of dollars in legal fees and fines and perhaps even lead to more jail time.

So be careful out there.

Still, traveling with marijuana by air is safer than doing it on the highways. Police are out in full force during the holiday season, looking for intoxicated drivers and those engaged in the unlawful transport of marijuana. It’s really only a problem for those traveling in and out of prohibition states. If a Denver resident is making the trip to Pueblo with a little herb, the cops cannot give them a hard time during a traffic stop as long as they are sober.

But the same cannot be said if a pot-toting Colorado resident travels into Kansas. First of all, crossing state lines in possession of marijuana is considered federal drug trafficking – an offense that comes with prison time and steep, steep fines. Secondly, police in prohibition states still aren’t keen on weed.

In fact, officers will often find ways to search a person’s vehicle during a routine traffic stop just to see if there’s any marijuana or other illegal drugs. The legality of some of these tactics are questionable at best, especially in rural towns, but they still happen. The best advice for highway travelers this holiday season is to leave the weed at home. Maybe someone at your final destination can spot you. You just don’t want to give the cops any chance of ruining family time.

But if you must take weed along, travel with edibles (they don’t smell), keep your car clean, don’t smoke weed on the road, and obey the traffic codes. Never break more than one law at a time.

How To Stay Sober Through The Holidays

Maria Loreto

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November 25, 2020

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The holidays are an emotional time of year. Here’s what you need to do if you want to stay sober.

For a variety of reasons, we’re all looking forward to the end of the year. With a pandemic, elections and an overall sense of dread that permeates most of our days, you can’t blame people for counting down the days until 2020 is behind us. It has also been a year where we’ve consumed more drugs and alcohol than expected, with lockdown and quarantine giving people the excuse to drink every day the minute the sun goes down. While some people are able to make things work with these new measures in place, medical experts are concerned by the repercussions of these kind of behaviors.

Trying to get through the holidays without the help of any kind of substance is a tall order under normal circumstances. This year, it almost sounds unrealistic. Still, if alcohol or other substances are causing you discomfort, check out some tips that can help you stay sober through the holidays:

Spot your triggers

Why Cannabis-Infused Drinks Are Hit Or Miss — Photo by Robert Mathews via Unsplash

Most of us don’t think about what makes us want to have a drink. Take this opportunity as a chance to be more introspective, thinking about your relationship with a substance and writing down whenever you feel the urge to have a drink and what prompted that reaction. After a couple of days of sticking to this routine, you’ll spot some trends and patterns that can help you steer clear of those situations, making it easier to stay sober. This is also a helpful practice when using alcohol or substances to numb emotions, which should be cause for concern.

Stick to a routine during the big days

This Is How Our Bodies Will Change After Spending Months Indoors — Photo by Vlada Karpovich via Pexels

Days of celebration, like Thanksgiving or Christmas Eve, are usually associated with a lot of drinking, making it more difficult than other days to stay sober. Make a plan for these days and try to stick to it, waking up at a certain time, working out and planning whatever it is you want to do to celebrate. If you don’t feel like being that productive, it’s okay; plan out your movie marathon, your phone calls with friends or your video game binge. Keep yourself busy and the odds of drinking or overthinking will be dramatically reduced.

Stay in touch with your loved ones

5 Things You Can Do To Make The Most Of Your Therapy Sessions — Photo by cottonbro via Pexels

No matter what your plans are over the holidays, whether you’re riding solo, staying with family or hosting a socially distanced dinner, it’s okay to feel overwhelmed and sad. It’s been a rough year and the holidays usually exacerbate these kind of emotions. Reach out to your loved ones and let them know your situation; odds are, they’re probably coping with something similar.

Mexico’s Cannabis Legalization Bill Will Boost Business

Benzinga Staff Writer

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November 25, 2020

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Mexico’s Cannabis Legalization Bill Will Boost Business

If passed, the measure will improve Mexico’s living conditions while reducing drug trafficking crime. However, cannabis advocates and legal experts have several concerns.

By Andrew Ward

Mexican Senators approved a historic adult use cannabis legalization bill on Nov. 19, with an 82 to 18 vote.

This doesn’t legalize adult use just yet, but Mexico appears well on its way to becoming the third nation to do so and potentially the largest legal market in the world. Mexico’s cannabis legalization bill will boost business, but there are concerns.

The bill’s passage comes after five similar Supreme Court rulings, which deemed prohibition unconstitutional. Two extended deadlines delayed the process, but everything appears to be on track as the bill heads to Congress’ lower house for a final review and Senate vote.

If passed before Mexico’s legislative session ends in December, the measure will improve Mexico’s living conditions while reducing drug trafficking crime.

‘Strict Rules’

Luis Armendáriz, Mexican Attorney and Hoban Law’s Head of Global Practice Group, says the bill is “a huge step for the birth of the legal industry”, which should lead to jobs and investments.

But the proposed regulations continue to impose restrictions and penalties on those who don’t comply with what he considers strict rules.

“Advocates for social justice and public health also have legitimate concerns, but we can all agree that it is a law that will be subject to improvement in the coming years,” Armendáriz says.

Still, he expects the bill to set the foundation for cannabis and hemp legalization.

At the same time, the country’s Secretary of Health is close to publishing the long-awaited medical market laws.

“Hopefully the momentum can push these rules coming out as well,” Armendáriz says.

Mexico's Cannabis Legalization Bill Will Boost Business, But There Are Concerns — Photo by Jezael Melgoza via Unsplash

‘That’s Concerning For Us’

Zara Snapp, co-founder of the research and advocacy group Instituto RIA, points out that Mexico is not effectively decriminalizing the plant before going into a regulatory scheme.

“It continues to have a punitive focus with simple possession continuing to be a crime,” Snapp says. A US$500 fine for possessing over 28 grams is “a huge quantity for any [citizen].”

A police force known for extortion and that penalizes for simple possession-type fines cuts into the bill’s significance, she says.

Also, last minute removals of vertical integration parameters could be a sign of courting large businesses over microliceses.

“That’s concerning for us just because of the entrance of big businesses into the market, which is going to happen anyway,” she said.

Snapp says that much of the rule making will be left up to whoever heads up the institution on cannabis once legalized. Her group will be monitoring the appointment closely, she adds.

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

Alcohol Takes Backseat To Cannabis As Intoxicant Of Choice

David Hodes

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November 25, 2020

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Alcohol Takes Backseat To Cannabis As Intoxicant Of Choice

Weed is becoming the new choice for today’s social imbiber, and it’s growing in popularity as alcohol sales crash and burn and more states legalize recreational cannabis.

Cannabis opponents have been wrong before. Now they appear to be wrong again.

Opponents of cannabis legalization were adamant that more legal, available recreational cannabis would lead to more alcohol intoxication…then harder drugs…then to a drug-fueled society out of control.

Cannabis was a gateway to hell.

But guess what? Turns out alcohol as a social lubricant has been losing its appeal as cannabis becomes more of the intoxicant of choice. Alcohol—that substance that could literally kill you in one chug-a-lug sitting, that substance that could get you addicted because somewhere in your brain you needed it, that substance that has a long history of changing people from happy-go-lucky productive citizens into drooling homeless people—has been outed for what it is. Poison. The real gateway drug.

Rising up today is cannabis as the intoxicant of choice, the social lubricant of a new generation. Not addictive (most agree). Not deadly (some disagree-see driving stats, they say). No hangovers (all agree).

Sure, there is hope for the alcoholic. There is Alcoholics Anonymous. And you can overcome your alcohol addiction by following a plan like charting your drinking, or building drink refusal skills using some scripted lines. There are literally hundreds of ways of getting sober. Most caution that even sober, you will always be an addict.

But today’s partier has enough to worry about without adding the stress of overcoming an addiction like with alcohol, an addiction that probably spun out of the use of alcohol at socially approved gatherings, reinforced by a massive alcohol marketing machine that makes you want to slam a beer just about anywhere, anytime, because that’s how you get and keep friends—or impress the opposite sex with you social slurring skills. Or just be the life of the party, as you slowly kill yourself, sip after sip.

Alcohol abuse sloshes on. You probably know the stats but let’s review…

Nearly 70% of adults said that they drank alcohol in the past year; 55% in the last month. Over 14 million U.S. adults suffer from alcohol use disorder, along with over 400,000 youths ages 12 to 17. An estimated 95,0005 people (approximately 68,000 men and 27,000 women) die from alcohol-related causes annually, making alcohol the third leading preventable cause of death in the United States. Alcohol misuse costs this country nearly a quarter of a billion dollars a year.

So why, WHY jump on that particularly ugly, boozy bad-idea bandwagon when there is cannabis, a sweet yet complicated plant winking to you in the wings at the party stage, ready to give you a buzz maybe reminiscent of an alcohol buzz (beer is made with fermented hops, which is a close plant cousin of cannabis). But so much better for you in so many ways.

Cannabis is not the evil perpetrator of disaster like alcohol.

Cannabis doesn’t own you. It calmly rents your mind, it slyly tweaks your body in a good way. Then it goes away. It still lets you be you during and after you consume.

It’s becoming the new choice for today’s social imbiber, and it’s growing in popularity as alcohol sales crash and burn and more states legalize recreational cannabis. As of November 3, 15 states and the District of Columbia 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.

Getting high on cannabis is quickly becoming the new normal for a healthier way to unwind, for living longer, and prospering. Less alcohol, better partying, healthier outcome.

But amid all this feel-good huzzah-ing, studies have shown conflicting results.

For example, the Distilled Spirits Council reported in January, 2019, that, in the three states with the longest history of legalized recreational marijuana sales—Colorado, Washington state and Oregon—there is no evidence that legalization has had any impact on spirits sales, nor is there any evidence that it has impacted total alcohol sales. People are getting just as hammered on alcohol as always.

A 2017 study published in SSM – Population Health showed a definite increase in cannabis consumption states that legalized, like Washington, but that alcohol usage didn’t increase.

Yet another study published in the journal Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research showed that people who consume both cannabis and alcohol tend to use them at the same time, and that simultaneous use was associated with increased frequency and quantity of alcohol use. “Individuals who use both cannabis and alcohol may be inherently more susceptible to poly-substance use because of common genetic vulnerabilities.”

What this all means is that it’s cool to just consume cannabis, but when you start drinking and smoking, the pathway to abuse turns into a slippery downhill slope.

But there is also a trend for less alcohol consumption and more marijuana consumption.

Fewer college-age Americans drink alcohol, compared to nearly 20 years ago, according to a new study in Journal for American Medical Association – Pediatrics.

Between 2002 and 2018, the number of adults aged 18-22 in the U.S. who abstained from alcohol increased from 20% to 28% for those in college, according to study researchers at the University of Michigan and Texas State University. And alcohol abuse among both groups decreased by roughly half.

However, this study of 182,722 U.S. young adults found that the number of young adults using marijuana, as well as co-using alcohol and marijuana, has increased.

But wait, there’s more.

There is some indication that consuming cannabis can actually help treat alcohol addiction. And doctors have tried using cannabis to calm the hallucinations of a severely addicted alcoholics, instead of using an intravenous concoction of benzodiazepam.

Then there are other studies examining the alleged physiological addiction to cannabis, complete with withdrawal symptoms that need to be managed.

The trends are becoming harder to understand. Cannabis use rising while alcohol use declines? Cannabis addiction possibilities? Cannabis as a good substance that can cure alcohol abuse?

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

Well, the good-cannabis bad-cannabis cops are all over the place, which is pretty typical in these heady days of growing cannabis adult-use availability and acceptance.

And frankly, figuring out if consuming a complicated plant is either good or bad can go either way, precisely because of its complications—and, to a certain extent, whatever entity may be bankrolling the study.

Whatever the case, industry sees the opportunities in cannabis-infused non-alcoholic drinks, and marches on.

In May, Constellation Brands, makers of Negro Modelo, Corona, and Pacifico, doubled down on their $4 billion investment in cannabis grower Canopy Growth, as they tickle the edges of making and marketing their own cannabis-infused beer.

The huge Anheuser-Busch-InBev alcohol behemoth is betting millions on a consumer preference for cannabis-infused drinks, and have been putting more efforts into athlete-endorsed non-alcoholic beers as they apologize for past sins and want to “reinvent how we drink” (“The harmful use of alcohol has no upside – it’s bad for people, for society, and for our business.”)

And smaller craft breweries, like Ceria Brewing Company in Arvada, Colorado, with their THC and CBD-infused beer and other non-alcoholic beers, are popping up all over to tap into the growing cannabis-infused beer-and-wine crowd.

The non-alcoholic beer market is expected to reach $25 billion by 2024, giving additional credence to the no-alcohol, more cannabis theory.

Go ahead this holiday season and chose your intoxicant wisely. Choose a non-alcoholic beer paired with a cannabis smoke. Or choose to just get high and let the holiday CBD/THC buzz warm your mind and body.

Maybe the best thing to come out of this Shakespearean tragedy of 2020 with its raging pandemic chorus is that we all make better, healthier choices. Methinks it’s time for cannabis to take a bow.

5 Cannabis Hacks To Make The Most Of COVID Winter

Maria Loreto

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November 24, 2020

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5 Cannabis Hacks To Make The Most Of COVID Winter

This winter, expect to spend more time than usual indoors. Here are 5 weed hacks that can help you make the most of this time.

Winter is fast approaching and it’s gonna be one to remember, for better or worse. With less incentive and options to go out and have fun, it looks like the majority of our time will be spent indoors. Smoking weed probably.

While you’ll hopefully spend your time doing a healthy mix of different activities, don’t beat yourself up if you end up smoking more weed than usual. It’s the holidays and it’s been a wild year. Here are 5 weed hacks you should use this winter:

Buy enough to keep you stocked up

While we should never hoard anything, having a sufficient stock of weed during the holiday season s a good investment. Buying anything during this time of the year is a pain and a hassle, made worse by the pandemic. Next time you visit your dispensary, buy enough to keep you stocked for a couple of weeks, that way you limit your level of exposure and can focus on other aspects of the holidays that are fun and also stressful.

Store it correctly

Businesses Are Better In States With Legal Marijuana — Photo by Zummolo/Getty Images

When purchasing significant amounts of weed, it’s important to store it properly in order to not waste any money or product. Don’t store large amounts of weed in Ziploc bags, since they’ll lose all of their stickiness. Place your weed in mason jars, with airtight lids, and place them in areas where there’s no direct sunlight or extreme temperatures. This will preserve the quality of your product without losing smell or flavor. Need more suggestions? Here are 8 Ways To Properly Store Marijuana For Freshness.

Have a comfortable smoking space

A good smoking space can transform your smoking experience. Whether that’s your bedroom or your couch, make the space comfy and inviting, someplace you’d be happy to spend hours on end. Make sure there’s a window nearby, that way the smell and air will clear out and that you wash nearby blankets and sheets with some regularity.

Stock up on healthy snacks

vegan cannabis fruit snacks — Photos by Danielle Guercio

The holidays are already a tough time on everyone’s waistline. If you’re the type of person who gets very intense munchies, save yourself some stress by stocking up on healthy snacks that can be stored and preserved. Limit the amount of junk foods you purchase, since they’ll look extra appetizing after you smoke a joint.

Build up your kief stash

Buy a grinder with an extra level on the bottom, perfect for storing kief. Build up your reserves and use these to add an extra kick to your joints. Your kief will build up naturally, without much work from you. Just be sure to store your grinder in a dark and cool space, that way the quality of the kief won’t be messed with. But first, What Is Kief And What To Do With It.

COVID Not Expected To Hurt Holiday Cannabis Sales

Julie Aitcheson

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November 24, 2020

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COVID Not Expected To Hurt Holiday Cannabis Sales

The pandemic has made consumers even more comfortable with ordering online as a safer and more convenient purchasing option.

‘Tis the season for America’s favorite foodie holiday, and whether turkey, Tofurkey, or none of the above are on the menu, this is sure to be a Thanksgiving like no other. With Covid-19 spikes turning the U.S. map red and growing concerns about the capacity of states to handle an even higher coronavirus positivity rate if citizens choose to gather, some thought leaders in the cannabis industry are taking a stab at predicting the impact on Thanksgiving sales.

Cannabis compliance technology company Akerna (NASDAQ: KERN) anticipates a 78% increase over average daily sales for 2020 during this Thanksgiving weekend, hitting $270 million between November 25 and November 28. James Arendt, Akerna’s Business Intelligence Architect, explains that the huge sales spikes typically happen on Green Wednesday and Black Friday as most dispensaries are closed on Thanksgiving Day, but this hasn’t prevented Thanksgiving from being one of the Top 5 sales holidays of the year. A trend that is expected to continue in 2020.

Akerna projects that the average order total will be around $83.30 for adult-use consumers and $128.46 for medical consumers. This is an increase of roughly $13 over average order totals for the rest of the year. Cannabis flower is predicted to be the top seller, garnering 42% of sales with cartridges and pens coming in a strong second at 37%. Male users will likely make up the majority of consumers at 64%, with under 30’s and 30-40 year-olds making up a combined 58% of the top consumers over Thanksgiving.

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

Akerna’s data doesn’t make correlations with anticipated sales and the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, but Joe Catabliano, founder of cannabis and medical marijuana company, Cresco Labs, (OTC: CRLBF) highlights the fact that cannabis was deemed essential at the pandemic’s outset. “At the same time,” he adds, “we saw regulators rapidly adopt emergency rules allowing online ordering, curbside pick-up, and delivery in areas where it’s permitted.”

These measures will no doubt contribute to keeping cannabis sales strong for Thanksgiving, as retail sales increased by 40% after the measures were taken and remained high even after the stimulus paid out by the federal government in April was exhausted. Catabliano posits that the pandemic has made consumers even more comfortable with ordering online as a safer and more convenient purchasing option, with retailers offering special deals for those who choose to purchase online, further brightening the prospect for chart-topping Thanksgiving totals.

Catabliano also predicts that the money saved on airfare, hotels, or other travel-related expenses by those choosing the “safer at home” approach this Thanksgiving may lead to a pandemic holiday trend of self-care. “This year’s new tradition could be treating oneself with an eighth of premium flower instead of buying a bottle of wine for the family dinner.” Between that and the fact that other pandemic-era holidays such as the Fourth of July and Labor Day have seen increased retail sales, Catabliano thinks retailers will have ample reason to give thanks once Thanksgiving 2020 is done and dusted.

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

Dispensaries Pivot As Regions In Ontario Start New Lockdown Orders

Debra Borchardt

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November 24, 2020

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Dispensaries Pivot As Regions In Ontario Start New Lockdown Orders

Cannabis retail stores located in the lockdown regions are allowed to operate through e-commerce, curbside pickup, and home delivery services causing cannabis stores to once again pivot to online orders.

The number of cases of COVID-19 has spiked in the province of Ontario causing new lockdown orders. It was reported that more than 1,400 new coronavirus cases had been recorded in Ontario on November 20. Toronto has been the hot zone for the latest outbreak as the city broke its record for new infections on Tuesday and has reported several hundred new cases each day this week.

On Friday, Attorney General Doug Downey approved an emergency order placing the Toronto and Peel regions under a new lockdown to combat COVID-19. On Sunday, Ontario Regulation 654/20 was made allowing cannabis retail stores located in the lockdown regions to operate through e-commerce, curbside pickup, and home delivery services causing cannabis stores to once again pivot to online orders.

High Tide

High Tide Inc. (OTCQB: HITIF) announced that it is fully compliant with the order issued by the Province of Ontario to place Toronto and Peel under lockdown. The company noted that in Toronto, the affected locations have been adjusted to offer only curbside pickup with delivery services to follow shortly thereafter for the announced 28-day period. High Tide currently operates 60 other retail cannabis stores across Canada and it does not have any locations in the Peel Region.

“Throughout the pandemic, we have remained agile in our operations to prioritize the needs of our customers across the country in a safe and compliant manner. Our curbside pickup services available at CannaCabana.com and MetaCannabis.com will continue to provide our Toronto-based customers with access to our full catalog of cannabis products throughout the 28-day lockdown,” said Raj Grover, President and Chief Executive Officer of High Tide.

“As a diversified cannabis company with 66 retail locations in four provinces, a robust e-commerce portfolio and extensive operations in the US and abroad, we expect the lockdown to minimally impact our business. We will continue to optimize our business and are taking appropriate action to manage our operating costs accordingly,” added Mr. Grover.

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

Fire & Flower

Fire & Flower Holdings Corp. (OTC: FFLWF) has said that its stores will once again offer free home delivery and curbside pick-up to safely and responsibly service its customers during the newly-mandated Toronto and Peel region lockdown in the Province of Ontario. “We applaud Attorney General Doug Downey for the practical solution of allowing provincially-licensed cannabis retailers the same e-commerce abilities of delivery and curbside pick-up that all other retailers have during this period of lockdown,” said Trevor Fencott, Chief Executive Officer, Fire & Flower. “This act allows us to safely provide service to our customers and continue to combat the burgeoning illegal market during these challenging times.”

“As the legal industry steps up for the second time and invests in safe delivery for our customers, we hope the Provincial government will recognize that the Ontario Cannabis Store’s monopoly on delivery is an unnecessary burden on public health, taxpayers, customers and economic growth in the Province” continued Fencott.

“Lockdowns will eventually end, but the road to economic recovery for private business will be difficult and the large illegal market will continue unchallenged unless the government makes these changes permanent. Our customers expect e-commerce and delivery options from every other kind of retailer in the Province, and deserve to receive equitable treatment for licensed cannabis retailers.”

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

A Right-Leaning Supreme Court Won’t Impede Cannabis Reform, Legal Experts Say

Benzinga Staff Writer

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November 23, 2020

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A Right-Leaning Supreme Court Won’t Impede Cannabis Reform, Legal Experts Say

While the Amy Coney Barrett appointment leans the court considerably conservative, it is unlikely to impact the ongoing Green Wave.

By Andrew Ward

Justice Amy Coney Barrett’s Oct. 27 confirmation to the Supreme Court may feel like ages ago after a historic election season complicated by President Trump’s attempts to reverse the results.

Under a month into the role, Justice Barrett stands poised to weigh in on a myriad of pressing issues, including voting rights, the census and the fourth amendment.

Cannabis reform likely won’t be one of those matters, legal experts say.

A Conservative Court Unlikely To Impact Reform Efforts Much

While the Barrett appointment leans the court considerably conservative, it is unlikely to impact the ongoing Green Wave.

“Unless a party can formulate an argument that the scheduling of cannabis is unconstitutional…the question is unlikely to reach the Supreme Court anytime soon,” Jodi Avergun, Cadwalader Wickersham and Taft’s chair of white collar defense, says.

The Supreme Court refused to hear cannabis classification cases in the past, namely an October 2020 case brought up by several medical patients, including Alexis Bortell, Marvin Washington and Jose Belen.

Avergun, the former chief of staff at the DEA and former chief of the narcotic and dangerous drug section of the Justice Department’s criminal division, said the case was not indicative of future cannabis decision making.

She said the court rejecting the case, which sought to force the DEA to take action on a rescheduling petition, sets no precedential value.

“Moreover, that case is not terribly instructive because it focused more on agency rulemaking than the substantive question of cannabis reform,” added Avergun.

Clark Hill group’s Senior Counsel Michelle R. E. Donovan says litigants need to seek administrative relief necessary petitions to the DEA and HHS first to reschedule its classification.

“Until this is done, cannabis will remain illegal under federal law, and continue to bring about associated federal problems for the cannabis business, while States scramble for legislative remedies for a booming market,” Donovan says.

US Supreme Court Gambling Decision Works In Favor Of Marijuana Reform — Photo by MarkThomas via Pixabay

Unlikely Pathway To Reform Through The Judicial Branch

Sources say cannabis reform will almost assuredly pass through the Legislative Branch before ever reaching the Supreme Court.

Avergun doesn’t see a change in that prospect, though there is potential if Chevron deference is overruled or limited in some fashion.

“The Court will not defer to DEA’s judgment’s about legality, but any cannabis case before the court will not likely be grounded in regulatory action, so Chevron deference or limits thereon probably will not help here,” Avergun added.

Cannabis decisions have found their way to the Supreme Court in the past. Recall 2005’s Gonzales v. Raich, which ruled for the regulation or banning of compliant in-state cannabis cultivation through the Commerce Clause.

Marijuana Policy Project’s Director of Government Relations Chris Lindsey said the 2005 ruling is rare for cannabis. However, policy change could give way to court action, according to Lindsey.

“Perhaps once a MORE Act or another legalization measure passes, the makeup of the Court will have a big impact on its treatment should it face challenges, but it is hard to know how that might play out,” Lindsey says.

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

5 Virtual Ways To Stay Social This Winter

Maria Loreto

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November 23, 2020

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5 Virtual Ways To Stay Social This Winter

It’s difficult to be social with people outdoors when the weather is cold. Here’s how to stay social while also taking care of yourself.

Socializing is important, even when you choose not to hang out with people or would rather spend your time doing something else. After several months of social distancing, you may have chosen the friends you choose to hang out with, leaving some people out of your bubble. Add to that, differing opinions on the pandemic and the elections and it’s been a convoluted year in terms of relationships.

Still, no matter the weather and what’s going on in the world, there’s no need for you to stay completely isolated. There are plenty of creative and safe ways of making new friends and reconnecting with old ones.

Here are 5 ways to be more social this winter:

Virtual book, podcast or TV club

laptop — Photo by Vlada Karpovich from Pexels

In the normal world, clubs are an ideal way of making new friends and bonding over passions. While this is no longer possible due to its level of risk, there are many opportunities for online clubs, which will still connect you with others and give you an activity to do. These clubs will provide you with book, podcast, TV or movie recommendations and allow you to bond with others, whether they’re friends or strangers.

Virtual happy hours

While a bit more awkward to host digitally, virtual happy hours are a thing. While the Zoom craze has passed a bit, you can expect it to return full force now that winter is kicking off and COVID cases are on the rise. Try to have different themes, like choosing a cocktail for the night ahead of time and having every participant prepare their own, making it feel a little more connected than just having a bunch of people get wasted on Zoom.

Collaborative playlists, viewing or gaming parties

netflix reveals most watched tv shows and movies — Photo by Pinho . via Unsplash

If you want to do something different with your friends, try doing something together, whether that’s working on Spotify playlists, using websites like Twitch to hang out and bond with others or using Netflix Party to synchronize a viewing. It’s not the same as having an in-person watch party, but it’s the next best thing.

Devices like Alexa or Facebook Portal

If you want to invest in some hardware, Alexa and Facebook Portal were designed to make it easier to connect with a select group of people. The Echo Show allows you to enable hands-free video and phone calls with others using the Echo app or Alexa. Facebook Portal acts in the same way, providing phone and video options with different people through Facebook chat.

Socially distant hangouts

social distance — Photo by Kate Trifo from Pexels

Sometimes, technology won’t be able to cut it. Be sure to stay safe and to act depending on your community’s infection rates and guidelines, that way you won’t be exposing yourself or others unnecessarily. Be sure to discuss the risks with your friends or family and to agree upon some safety measures that work for everyone, whether that’s hanging out somewhere outdoors when the weather permits or getting tested and having some more peace of mind.

Latin America Moves Toward Legalization With Some Absurd Exceptions

Opinion

Richard Cowan

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November 23, 2020

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Latin America Moves Toward Legalization With Some Absurd Exceptions

Before he was elected, the President of Argentina said that “the war on drugs has failed” and “the solution isn’t to go around persecuting people for smoking a joint”. 

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

Latin America has been very hard hit by the COVID-19 pandemic, and Argentina and other countries continue with their chronic economic problems. Now the New York Times is reporting that the President of Argentina, Alberto Fernández, has issued a decree that allows pharmacies to sell cannabis-based oils, creams and other products, and “orders public and private insurance systems to cover these medications for patients who obtain a prescription.”

Before he was elected, Fernandez said that “the war on drugs has failed” and “the solution isn’t to go around persecuting people for smoking a joint”. 

The new decree also allows patients to grow their own medicine. Not that they were waiting for permission. The new rules also state that cannabis products should be made available for free in the country’s public health system for patients who don’t have health insurance. Obviously, any country with public health insurance should include medical cannabis in its coverage. It would probably save the government money. 

SEE: Richard’s Tips to Latin American Countries on the Cusp of Legalization of Cannabis and Medical Marijuana

Of course, Argentina’s smaller neighbor, Uruguay, legalized recreational cannabis in 2017, which is sold in pharmacies. Uruguay’s political and economic stability is a source of embarrassment for its neighbors, so Argentina will be under pressure to catch up.

The drive for medical marijuana was led by a group of mothers called Mamá Cultiva Argentina. It was founded in 2016 by a group of mothers who were using cannabis to treat their children’s health conditions. Their mission was “to demand legality for an activity that we were already doing […] which gave us what conventional medicine couldn’t — quality of life and dignity for our loved ones.”

Argentina has a sad history of mothers having to try to protect their children.  They had to organize and demand to know what happened to their children who “disappeared” under the military dictatorship in the 1970s. In fact, Nora Cortiñas of Mothers of Plaza de Mayo, said she uses cannabis for pain relief.

My old friends at Sensi Seeds, the Dutch cannabis giant, are monitoring the situation in Colombia. (For obvious reasons.) 

In 2018, Colombia’s relatively progressive approach came under fire. Colombia’s new president, Ivan Duque, signed a decree, stating that police would be able to confiscate even small amounts of cannabis; even if the individual only had it for personal use.

“We are signing a decree,” he said, “that gives tools to the police to remove drugs from the streets of our cities, and of course, to destroy any dose.” Yeah, sure.

The Colombian website Colombia Reports says, “Anyone in Colombia is free to criticize far-right President Ivan Duque as long as they are willing to die or live in terror for anti-opposition violence.

“A surge in assassination and death threats is making it clear that an increasing number of allies of Duque and his far-right Democratic Center party no longer tolerate democratic opposition.”

Thus cannabis prohibition is associated with fascism in Colombia, and will be a serious problem for the regime, especially with the Biden Administration.

Mexico News Daily reports, “Lawmakers are expected to legalize the recreational use of marijuana by the middle of December… People will be allowed to have 28 grams of marijuana for their own personal use and sets out a range of other rules to govern the possession and use of recreational marijuana.

“People will be allowed to grow up to four marijuana plants at their home for personal use; fines can be imposed on people in possession of more than 28 grams but fewer than 200 grams of cannabis (more serious charges will apply for possession above 200 grams); people will only be allowed to smoke in their own homes or in the premises of marijuana associations…”

This will be very good for tourism which has been devastated by the pandemic and is vital for the Mexican economy. 

SEE: Mexico May Move to Complete Legalization of Marijuana and Hemp Without THC Limits By the End of the Year

Of course, Mexico has a long border with the United States, and Arizona just voted to legalize recreational marijuana. This will put more pressure on the Texas legislature, which goes into its biennial session after the first of the year.

Richard Cowan is a former NORML National Director and author of How Is Cannabidiol (CBD) Useful For Treating Rheumatic Diseases?

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Latin America Moves Toward Legalization With Some Absurd Exceptions

Before he was elected, the President of Argentina said that “the war on drugs has failed” and “the solution isn’t to go around persecuting people for smoking a joint”.

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