Billie Eilish is a singer and Gen Z icon who’s broken all sorts of music records. Does she smoke weed?
The fact that Billie Eilish is 18-years-old hasn’t stopped her from breaking all kinds of records. Winning five Grammys and releasing a bunch of Billboard hits that deal with unusually dark subject matter (at least for pop music), Eilish is a hugely successful singer, song-writer and performer, and an embodiment of her generation. She’s an artist who’s politically active, outspoken about issues like body image and animal rights. So does Billie Eilish smoke weed?
This week, a picture of Eilish circulated that showed the teenager wearing something more revealing than her signature baggy look. (Earlier this year, Eilish explained that she chose to wear baggy clothes because she “hated” her body, which makes this story even more sad.)
It all started when a man from the U.K. tweeted a photo of Eilish and wrote: “In 10 months Billie Eilish has developed a mid-30’s wine mom body.” The backlash was swift and Eilish soon became a trending topic on Twitter.
body shaming a 18 year old girl must make you feel soooo confident and manly ‼️‼️
Despite the wide and pervasive coverage of Eilish, she remains a private person, one who’s also very young. Unlike teen celebrities of years past, Eilish’s family seems to be a constant presence in her life whether they’re listening to interviews that are conducted in their shared home or through the presence of Finneas, Eilish’s brother, who co-writes, produces and co-performs most of her music. This environment doesn’t leave much room for broaching the topic of marijuana use.
The closest Eilish got to discussing the topic was in an interview with Vogue earlier this year: “Eilish insists that she has never tried a single drug and has no interest in them, though she loves the smell of marijuana.” So, that’s a “no” for now.
Mechoulam was possibly the most significant academic to shed light on the active principles of cannabis back in the 1960s, when his work at the Weizmann Institute led to the discovery of the human endo-cannabinoid system.
Have you heard of the cannabis EPM301? Professor Raphael Mechoulam, also known as the “father of cannabis research,” revealed his latest discovery, cannabidiolic acid methyl ester (EPM301), only a few months ago. The introduction of this new, patented compound (synthetic, fully stable acid-based cannabinoid molecules) caused a wave of excitement around the future of medicinal cannabis.
The compound in question was presented to the world in partnership with EPM, a global biotechnology company based in the U.S. that aims to bridge the gap between the cannabis and pharmaceutical industries.
During a recent, exclusive conversation, CEO Reshef Swisa and Dr. Mechoulam, shared the history of the journey behind this revolutionary process and its significance in evolving the use of CBD as a pharmaceutical drug.
Meet EPM301
“EPM developed a method to work with the original substances of cannabis,” the Professor explained. “So, while everybody is discussing THC and CBD, these cannabinoids are actually a secondary substance; they only appear later in the plant.
“Originally there is an acid that appears in the plant, and those acids are these mysterious worlds of compounds that are much more potent than cannabinoids,” he added.
However, these cannabidiolic acids were unstable, and therefore useless in pharmaceutical drug development. Until now, that is.
Mechoulam’s recent revelation stems from the development of a method that allows to modify the acids in a way that keeps them stable enough to allow for their large-scale use. This opens the door for further pharmaceutical experiments, the professor explained.
“We took a cannabidiol acid and we stabilized it by a simple chemical procedure, called esterification; then the compound is stable,” Swisa explained.
The team then “started looking at the activities of this compound…and found that this particular compound causes suppression of anxiety and suppression of nausea,” he continued, adding that this could make a huge difference in cancer patients on chemotherapy, as well as patients with IBD (Inflammatory Bowel Disease) or Psoriasis.
Screen shot via YouTube
Innovating At 88
That CBD and THC can help with a long list of conditions from inflammation and anxiety, to depression and nausea, has been known for quite some time now.
In fact, Mechoulam was possibly the most significant academic to shed light on the active principles of the cannabis plant back in the 1960s, when his work at the Weizmann Institute led to the discovery of the human endo-cannabinoid system, crowning him the “father of cannabis research.”
But the 88 year-old researcher’s newest discovery presents cannabidiolic acid as a far more potent compound than CBD or THC — with no known negative side effects.
“We badly need new drugs in several diseases and some of the drugs that are available, may be pretty good but they ultimately cause side effects,” he said, referencing most non-natural pharma drugs, wich are semi-synthetic at best.
“We have two groups of compounds today that need to have a replacement: these are steroids and opioids. We believe that cannabis carries the ability to introduce replacements to these families.”
An Alternative To Steroids And Opioids
While CBD has been considered an alternative to addictive prescription drugs for several years now, EPM’s patent on the use of cannabidiolic acid is the first to prove that these drugs can essentially be substituted without major changes in their efficiency.
“We compare our compound not only to cannabinoids, but to the existing drugs that are applied today,” Mechoulam explained. “So, for example, in IBD we compared our compounds to two conventional products: one is the prednisone (the steroids) and one is a biological drug. And in both of them, we managed to prove that the activity of our compound is very similar to the common one.”
The researcher is optimistic when it comes to the future.
“I sincerely hope that one day we will have, within the next few years, a cannabidiolic acid derivative on the market in parallel to CBD itself.”
But he also warned of the importance of classifying and regulating drugs correctly for their medical use, in order to avoid unwanted side effects.
“Companies should be careful when they’re taking compounds and claiming therapeutics. They need to do it in accordance with the regulation in order to create consistency in the language…because people confuse recreational use with the medicinal use and aren’t necessarily looking to a specific indication, with specific dosing,” he ended.
The goal of Assembly Bill 1525 is to make it easier for financial institutions to adhere to federal reporting requirements.
In a step towards achieving the goals of the SAFE Banking Act, California Governor Gavin Newsom approved Assembly Bill 1525, which importantly provides that banks, credit unions, and other financial servicers to cannabis businesses do not violate California law “solely by virtue of the fact that the person receiving the benefit of any of those services engages in commercial cannabis activity as a licensee.” AB 1525 provides:
This bill would provide that an entity, as defined, that receives deposits, extends credit, conducts fund transfers, transports cash or financial instruments, or provides other financial services, including public accounting, as provided, does not commit a crime under any California law solely by virtue of the fact that the person receiving the benefit of any of those services engages in commercial cannabis activity as a licensee.
Photo by Jessica Kourkounis/Stringer/Getty Images
Governor Newsom stated:
I am signing Assembly Bill 1525, which affirmatively protects certain entities providing financial services to the legal cannabis industry and allows licensees to request that specific information about them be shared with financial institutions … This bill has the potential to increase the provision of financial services to the legal cannabis industry, and for that reason, I support it.
The goal of AB 1525 is to make it easier for financial institutions to adhere to federal reporting requirements. Specifically, AB 1525 now allows licensed cannabis businesses to sign a waiver permitting state or local licensing and regulatory authorities to share “application, license, and other regulatory and financial information” with a designated financial institution “for the purpose of facilitating the provision of financial services for that licensee.” Now, it will be easier to be assessed for loans and other services. Governor Newsom directed state regulators to establish rules meant to protect these businesses’ privacy, and he urged that such data be kept confidential and used only “for the provision of financial services to support licensees.”
As we reported a few times in the past two years, the SAFE Banking Act was a landmark cannabis banking bill that the House of Representative passed last year. That progress, of course, has unfortunately been undercut by Senate Republicans. Most recently, upon urging from multiple groups, including state treasurers, it was also included in the latest Democrat-proposed coronavirus stimulus bill worth $2.2 trillion.
AB 1525 is markedly similar in that it aims to help legitimize the cannabis industry and aid in the multiple concerns that come when such a lucrative industry is forced to operate on a cash-only basis. Here’s hoping this will create a new wave for other states and ultimately, on the federal level as well.
Jihee Ahn is an attorney at Harris Bricken. This article was originally published on the Canna Law Blog and has been reposted with permission.
ICYMI: Here are the headlines making news this week on The Fresh Toast.
Kamala Harris made a statement during the debates that represents the biggest promise on cannabis reform made on such a prominently visible stage in recent history; if you’re struggling with depression, Dr. Thomas Green has some recommendations before initiating medical marijuana or increasing the dosage; and the smell of weed is tough to hide, particularly when your neighbors are working from home. But there’s a way around that.
Let’s dive into these stories and more as we round up the top 5 news headlines on The Fresh Toast this week:
Kamala Harris Just Made A Whopper Of A Cannabis Promise
Though some voters may feel last night’s debate between Vice President Mike President and VP candidate Kamala Harris produced little by way of substance, it provided clarity on one particular issue—marijuana.
On the national stage, in front of millions of viewers, Harris promised that a Biden-Harris administration would decriminalize cannabis if elected.
“We will decriminalize marijuana and we will expunge the records of those who have been convicted of marijuana,” she said.
5 Big Differences Between Consuming Edibles And Smoking Marijuana
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If you’ve been around the marijuana block, you know the ways in which you consume the plant can greatly affect your high.
While both edibles and flower contain THC, the highs they produce are different. While some enjoy a healthy mix of both methods, most people choose a path and stick to it. People who prefer edibles tend to be older, taking advantage of powerful results while avoiding the hassle and the damages that smoking causes. Those who smoke joints don’t need as much expertise or planning, resulting in a loose and less committed experience.
Bernie Sanders Celebrates His Home State’s Marijuana Reform Milestone
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Vermont made history in 2018 by becoming the first state to legalize recreational cannabis through the Legislature. Lawmakers forgot one thing, though — to create a regulated and legal marijuana market in the process.
The state prohibited cannabis sales for the past two years, even though residents could possess and consume the substance without penalty. That changed last week when Vermont Gov. Phil Scott allowed a bill that would legalize recreational cannabis sales without his signature. He also signing separate legislation that would expunge prior marijuana-related records statewide.
Lockdown measures and the overall stress of 2020 has made people turn to weed. A lot. While this might be great for your sanity, it might not be your neighbors’ favorite activity, especially if they’re working from home and have more time now to think and smell everything you do.
While nosy neighbors are never fun, it’s always important to be respectful and avoid annoying others to the best of your ability. You also don’t want them calling your landlord because that’s an extra source of stress that you don’t need.
Doctor’s Advice On Using Marijuana To Treat Anxiety And Depression
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We are in a very stressful time in our lives. For those who have a history of anxiety and depression, the current worldly troubles can lead them back into or worsen these ill feelings. For those who have never had anxiety or depression before, this can be the beginning of a difficult time.
It can be overwhelming to think of COVID-19, job insecurity, food and housing insecurity, managing schooling for the kids, racial issues and typical stressors of life for an extended period of time. But unfortunately, this is where we are without a specific timeline as to when it will sort itself out.
Twitter is giving Her Majesty some serious side-eye for a serious wardrobe faux pas at her first public outing in seven months.
Seven months after COVID-19 hit the world, the Queen is getting back into her normal royal routine. On Thursday the 94-year-old attended an engagement outside the royal bubble since March. She and Prince William toured the new Energetics Analysis Centre at the British military’s Defence Science and Technology Laboratory. Sounds pretty standard, right? Not so fast. The Queen’s first in-person visit has sparked outrage.
Royal watchers were taken aback by one minor, but important detail: Neither the Queen nor her grandson were masked up. In fact, nobody at the event wore a mask.
Royal reporter Chris Ship explained why in a tweet:
Apparently all the staff at @dstlmod were tested for coronavirus before The Queen’s visit – and all returned negative results 😷 pic.twitter.com/8D31bJFwHC
For all those asking why the Queen isn’t wearing a mask, all 48 people meeting her today had tested negative for Covid. Staff at Porton Down have been closely involved in the UK response to Covid-19 so do have a bit of experience in this area.
As Marie Clairenotes, the palace explained that the decision to go sans mask was decided after consulting the queen’s medical team: “Specific advice has been sought from the medical household and relevant parties, and all necessary precautions taken, working closely with [the laboratory].” Kensington Palace didn’t comment on whether Prince William had been tested.
Why no masks or social distancing? Sorry, but this is not a smart move by the Royal Family as the virus rages & the country heads into another lockdown. https://t.co/KSXBFcKaxH
At this point in the pandemic, it’s arguably known around the globe how important masks are in slowing down the spread of COVID-19. Kate Middleton and Prince William have both been snapped multiple times wearing masks. Hopefully the Queen’s first in-person visit sas sparked outrage is a one off. It seems Her Majesty was trying to “return to normal” more than setting an example.
Using hand sanitizer is pretty intuitive. Still, there are some key mistakes we can make that render it useless.
You’ve likely gone through more bottles of hand sanitizer in the past seven months than you have in your entire life, using a quick drop every time you leave your house or interact with high touch surfaces. Hand sanitizer has always been convenient, but now, in the midst of a pandemic, it’s a must have. Here are some common hand sinister mistakes.
Even if it’s extremely easy to use, it’s actually possible to incorrectly use hand sanitizer, especially when it comes to protecting yourself against COVID-19.
You’re using the wrong kind
Not all hand sanitizers are created equal. When it comes to eliminating germs and getting rid of the coronavirus, it’s important for hand sanitizers to contain at least 60% of ethyl alcohol or 70% of isopropyl alcohol. Read the label and make sure that your hand sanitizer of choice kills viruses effectively.
Hand sanitizer is most effective when you rub your hands together until they’re dry. This process should take between 20 to 30 seconds. So much for people saying that the use of hand sanitizer is less time consuming than washing your hands with soap.
It’s improperly stored
As long as you don’t get too crazy with where you store your hand sanitizer, you should be okay. “You don’t put it in the refrigerator, and you don’t put it out in the sun,” says Aaron E. Glatt, chief of infectious diseases at Mount Sinai South Nassau, New York.
If your hands are covered with dirt or grease, the chemicals in the hand sanitizer might not have enough contact with the skin to provide the sanitizing effects. Experts say that if your hands are visibly dirty, you should always opt for a wash with water and soap. While hand sanitizer is a good replacement for soap, soap and water remain the most efficient ways of cleaning dirty hands.
You’re making your own
Back when the pandemic started and people were panic buying toilet paper and cleaning supplies, it became very difficult to find hand sanitizer. So people started making their own. While many people claim they were effective, there’s no need to do this anymore. Effective hand sanitizer is now extremely easy to find.
A spike in new COVID-19 cases suggests that we’re experiencing a second wave of the pandemic. Here’s why.
The number of COVID cases in the United States is surging again, following a steady period of decrease witnessed during the late summer. And while coronavirus is surging more in the Midwest, most states are also reporting a steady increase in cases, raising alarms for many health experts.
Caitlin Rivers, an epidemiologist from John Hopkins University, explained to the New York Times why these numbers indicate that the COVID-19 outbreak is far from over.
“We are headed in the wrong direction, and that’s reflected not only in the number of new cases but also in test positivity and the number of hospitalizations,” said Rivers. She explains that the plateau we’re seeing now, which is higher than it was during the COVID peak in the summer, likely indicates that we’ll experience more cases this time around.
While many people have been calling this the “second” wave of COVID-19, this is actually the third peak of the illness in the country.
Photo by Thomas de Luze via Unsplash
This new wave of COVID has been building up for a while, with experts warning people about staying vigilant and getting their flu shots as early as they can. The start of the flu season and the drop in temperatures will increase the spread of the virus, pushing people indoors. This is all without accounting for the country’s political climate, which remains volatile and has politicized mask mandates.
After a disastrous couple of months for the economy, businesses are reopening, trying to survive in adverse conditions. These openings of indoor restaurants and shops, while inevitable, give people a false sense of security, encouraging them to gather in indoor spaces or in areas where there’s poor ventilation.
Despite the disheartening news, we’re more equipped to cope with COVID than ever before. There’s increased testing capacity all over the country and better knowledge about effective treatment and measures of containment.
We’re all experiencing pandemic fatigue after the better half of a year spent under restrictive conditions. But while we’re all exhausted with the state of the world, we have to stay smart and vigilant, getting our flu shots as soon as we can and complying with face masks and social distancing guidelines.
The munchies are real — at least sometimes and for some people — and science has only begun to understand why.
Given the long shared history cannabis has with humanity, several associations have long endured. One of those connections is marijuana and “the munchies” — the increased appetite attributed to weed consumption.
It’s not a completely unfounded association. Many medical marijuana patients cite cannabis’s uncanny ability to induce appetite as a reason for its therapeutic use, yet many pot smokers will tell you they don’t experience an increased urge to stuff their pie holes at all. As it turns out, the munchies are real — at least sometimes and for some people — and science has only begun to understand why.
What little research surrounding appetite and marijuana seems to point to THC as the cannabinoid responsible for inducing hunger and the activation of the body’s CB1 receptors, which triggers the secretion of hormones that cause “the munchies,” according to a study published in the Journal of Biological Chemistry.
The process, however, is complicated. In a different study conducted by Virginia Commonwealth University researchers, CB1 activation also has the reverse effect: suppressing hunger. One drug designed to mimic this effect, marketed under the name Rimonabant, proved effective in suppressing appetite. But it also induced depression and suicidal thoughts, forcing drugmaker Safosi-Aventis to pull Rimonabant from the market, even after European regulators had initially approved its sale.
A 2011 study published in the American Journal of Epidemiology found cannabis smokers generally did not see an increase in weight due to their pot consumption. In fact, among those surveyed, research found that the rates of obesity were higher among non-cannabis users than those that partake in marijuana. Anecdotally, regular and frequent pot smokers report that while smoking weed does not make them hungry, it does improve the sensation of eating, making food taste and smell better, which increases the overall satisfaction of meals.
Photo by Flickr user Kate Ter Haar
The complex mechanisms surrounding the active compounds of the cannabis plant and our bodies are still far from being understood enough to manipulate and isolate for specific, desired effects, as tinkering with marijuana’s hunger effects have shown in the case of Rimonabant.
As the public’s support for the decriminalization of marijuana rises, scientists and researchers will have more access to the plant and increased opportunities to understand the layered, complicated biochemical effects of cannabis and its consumers.
Regulations, ethical guidelines set by a medical practice, and local criminal statues (which are always changing) vary widely by state, by county, and by community.
There are few topics that spark as much debate as the use of products like THC in medical treatments; emotions are strong on both sides. However, it is essential you do prepare to understand the compound, the active ingredient in marijuana, and scourged as the side villain in medical treatment.
Medical marijuana is currently legal in 33 states. But it is still illegal in the disapproving eyes of the federal government. The Obama administration did not make prosecuting medical marijuana even a minor priority. About 85% of Americans support legalizing medical marijuana, and it is estimated that at least 7 million or more Americans currently use it, in one form or another, for a variety of ailments.
There are various ways to administer THC, and an even greater number of treatments. For example, a dispensary in Brattleboro, Vermont, uses a tincture made from organic cane alcohol and CO2 cannabis. Vermontonians with specific conditions, including cancer, multiple sclerosis, HIV, AIDS and other chronic and/or debilitating ailments, are usually approved for tincture treatments. But in most cases, there is little or no insurance coverage for these treatments, including Medicaid.
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Traditionally a tincture is one of the oldest methods to concentrate plant compounds in medical treatment. Tinctures are also the preferred way to administer plant-based compounds to be used in various forms of treatments. One of the strongest benefits of using tinctures in treatment is their inherent versatility.
Marijuana is quite effective for the chronic pain that plagues millions of Americans, especially as they age. Part of its allure is that it is clearly safer than opiates (it is impossible to overdose on and far less addictive) and it can take the place of NSAIDs such as Advil or Aleve, which have caused inflammation.
The preferred dosage of a tincture will vary from person to person, depending on their pain level, the type of problem they are trying to manage, and whether they are using a CBD or THC tincture. If you are under medical supervision, consult with your physician to determine the appropriate THC to CBD ratio.
Cannabis could stand to benefit women in a multitude of ways throughout their lives, providing pain relief while also improving their quality of life.
The medical benefits that cannabis could provide women is unparalleled, especially when compared to the traditional treatments that are currently available. From PMS to menopause to endometriosis, cannabis could present exceptional relief for women throughout their lives. Here are 3 ways cannabis can help women live their best life!
Menstrual Cycles And PMS
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While these cycles are essential for a healthy reproductive system, they also come with a batch of side effects that can be severe and crippling. Menstrual cycles commonly cause symptoms such as mood swings, cramps, and nausea among others depending on the person and the severity of the cycle. The good news is that cannabis provides alternative treatment options that are effective and natural.
Mood swings are one of the most common side effects of women’s menstrual cycles. And since many individuals who consume cannabis feel euphoric, happy, relaxed, and stress-free, so it makes a lot of sense that cannabis could be an effective treatment option.
Menstrual cramps are also very common and coincidentally the utilization of cannabis to treat menstrual cramps dates back to the 1800s, when it was documented that Queen Victoria utilized the plant for treating her cramps.
Menopause
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Menopause is another inevitability for women. For most, menopause occurs later in life but there cases where the condition is accelerated due to medical conditions.. With menopause comes an entire array of different side effects and health concerns.
The body naturally produces an endocannabinoid known as anandamide, which together with the endocannabinoid system helps to regulate body temperature. Studies have shown that replacing anandamide with the phytocannabinoid THC can help regulate and even lower body temperature. This means that cannabis could combat hot flashes and night sweats, some of the most common side effects of menopause.
Anandamide also plays a crucial role in balancing hormones as well as regulating sleep and appetite. When cannabis is consumed the body utilizes cannabinoids such as THC and CBD to replace anandamide as well as assist it in maintaining homeostasis throughout these areas. This means that the consumption of cannabis could also help with anxiety, insomnia, and depression, all of which are commonly suffered by women during menopause.
Weight Management
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Despite the age-old stereotypes and stigma surrounding munchie eating stoners, there’s scientific proof that individuals who consume cannabis on a regular basis maintain a lower overall body mass index. Studies have shown that exercising activates the ECS in the same manner that consuming cannabis does. This means that oftentimes the effects of exercise such as “runner’s high” are very similar to actually getting high off of THC. For this reason, many individuals are choosing to consume cannabis before and after their workouts to enhance the effects of both their exercise routine as well as their cannabis.
