Colorado Gov.’s Cannabis Go-Around Could Come-Around Big Time

-

September 14, 2020

Colorado Gov.’s Cannabis Go-Around Could Come-Around Big Time

As a U.S. senator, John Hickenlooper could be the hero this industry thought he was eight years ago as governor of the first state to legalize recreational cannabis.

As he coordinates the platform for his senate run to unseat Republican incumbent Cory Gardner, it’s a good time to revisit former Colorado Governor John Hickenlooper’s stance on cannabis.

That may be easier said than done. He’s been up, and he’s been down.

The up? After eight tries, advocates finally convinced the Colorado Legislative Council to put the initiative to legalize recreational cannabis on the 2012 ballot. Suddenly Hickenlooper was governor of a state’s social experiment to legalize a substance for recreational use that the Drug Enforcement Administration claimed was as bad as heroin. He seemed to be the people’s champion. He was in the crosshairs of an annoyed U.S. Department of Justice that held the cannabis industry in contempt. But he didn’t blink.

The down? In September, 2012, out of the blue and just two months before the November votes legalizing recreational cannabis in Colorado, he sounded the alarm to the citizenry about what a bad idea legalizing recreational cannabis would be.

What was that all about? No one really knows.

To the voters of Colorado, it looked likely that Hickenlooper would support cannabis all along, given his background as a banjo-playing brewpub owner and restauranteur who helped develop downtown Denver’s nightlife district. Surely legalizing cannabis would be an easy and logical next step for a guy who knew what people wanted when they were looking for a good time.

But Hickenlooper was apparently no fan of the voter-approved Amendment 64, which legalized recreational cannabis in 2012. “Colorado is known for many great things —marijuana should not be one of them,” he said in a public statement. “Amendment 64 has the potential to increase the number of children using drugs and would detract from efforts to make Colorado the healthiest state in the nation. It sends the wrong message to kids that drugs are OK.”

Cue “The Twilight Zone” music.

Time has proven how out of step that statement was for the majority of citizens who approved the amendment, and the state coffers that continue to benefit from record sales of legalized cannabis.

colorado passes bill in state revenue for cannabis — Photo by Bailey Starner via Unsplash

Total revenue for the state has reached $200 million so far in 2020; total sales today, beginning from 2014, is just over $9 billion. That sort of resounding economic success is a calling card for any governor seeking higher office.

But Hickenlooper has hopped and skipped his way in and around the state’s cannabis economic success story as late as the middle of last year.

For example, in 2019, during his last full term as governor and a year in which Colorado marked $1.5 billion in cannabis sales, Hickenlooper actually vetoed three cannabis-related bills: On June 4th, he vetoed HB18-1258, to allow cannabis consumption rooms; on June 5th, he vetoed HB19-1028 adding autism to conditions covered by medical cannabis (a revised version was one of the first bills Governor Jared Polis signed into law when he took office in January, 2020); also on June 5th, he vetoed HB18-1011, to allow greater investment flexibility in cannabis businesses.

Those veto moves may have come as a sort of prerequisite for Hickenlooper’s plan to run for president in 2020, which he announced on March 4, 2019, when he joined a field of 22 other contenders — maybe he didn’t want to seem to be leaning too much to the left on what many Democrats running for office still consider a contentious issue. But then he bragged about his cannabis legalization work during the presidential debates on July 1.

In his debate summary on July 30, 2019, in Detroit, he said “I’m as progressive as anybody on this stage, but I’m also pragmatic. And I’ve done the things that most of these other people are just talking about.”

Hmm…a veiled reference to his work in cannabis? Maybe. On August 15, 2019, he dropped out of the presidential race. A week later, he announced his run for U.S. senate.

Then on June 30 this year, after a shaky start, he won the Democratic senate primary and is set to go for the November elections.

But so far, he’s been mum on his position about cannabis.

Let’s consider some ifs.

when in colorado — Photo by Kait Herzog via Unsplash

If he wins the senate seat…and if Joe Biden and cannabis-legalization leader Kamala Harris win…and if Hickenlooper’s winning a senate seat helps change the balance of Democratic power in the Senate, which has always been where cannabis legalization bills go to die at the hands of a Republican majority…and if the issues about the pandemic are addressed to include fixing the economy and solving race issues related to the war on drugs, where cannabis legalization lives…then maybe Hickenlooper would find himself speaking out about his state’s wonderful and rosy cannabis past (and present, and future) and put himself and Colorado right in the center of the legalizing cannabis discussion across the country as a case study in what goes right in the cannabis industry.

He said last year during his presidential run that if he became president, he would sign a bill to decriminalize cannabis at the federal level.

That’s encouraging news. But a senator doesn’t have the same power as president.

As a U.S. senator, Hickenlooper could be the hero this industry thought he was eight years ago as governor of the first state to legalize recreational cannabis. He could make a more enduring history as a U.S. senator to work with a new president and new vice president on an important issue Congress has tossed around and bullied for years. He could be the catalyst of a vote or a bill that would instantly change the lives of millions, and help the cannabis industry finally overcome all those dumb obstacles that a federally scheduled drug has to deal with.

If he did all those things, the cannabis industry could finally ride the winds of destiny to sail on into the money-making hinterlands of a stronger American economy it helped make, without a fear of blowback.

Hickenlooper could be a big part of that. If only…

Cannabis Vending Machines: Gaining Sector Or Passing Trend?

Benzinga Staff Writer

-

September 13, 2020

0

Cannabis Vending Machines: Gaining Sector Or Passing Trend?

“The evolving retail arena is increasingly competitive and requires rapid innovation,” – Cannapreneur Partners Co-CEO Todd Sullivan.

By Andrew Ward

Cannabis vending machines have been gaining ground in the U.S. and Canadian markets.

In 2014, Vancouver dispensary B.C. Pain Society installed what is believed to be the first assistant-less vending option. Since then, other Canadian operations and legal U.S. markets have followed suit.

In Colorado, for example, the first “anna” vending machines debuted with some 2,000 products, including flower, oils and edible options. Introduced at Pueblo’s Strawberry Fields dispensary, these machines catered to experienced consumers who didn’t require Budtender assistance.

“The evolving retail arena is increasingly competitive and requires rapid innovation,” says Anna investor and Cannapreneur Partners Co-CEO Todd Sullivan. “Cannabis vending machine technologies can be a viable solution for dispensary owners to give themselves an edge.”

An Emerging Market Feature

For Greenbox CEO Zack Johnson, the rollout of “Anna” machines is a positive sign for the sector.

“We’re actually excited to see the launch of the Anna vending machines in Colorado simply because it spans the automation market within the cannabis industry,” Johnson said.

Greenbox is touted as a robot that recognizes new and returning customers, creating a tailored CBD buying experience for each user, Johnson explained.

Beyond that, vending machines and adjacent products alike need to create an efficient consumer experience, he added, citing how average transaction times for Greenbox shrank from just short of four minutes to under two minutes.

The company also partnered with Cura Cannabis Solutions and its Select brand, which leased four Greenbox robots to sell CBD items at the 2019 Coachella Festival. This created an opportunity for Greenbox that would have otherwise taken years to achieve.

“We ended up pivoting to offer CBD robots where customers can learn as much as they possibly can about how these products are going to help them with any sort of challenge,” Johnson said.

Greenbox expanded to 10 malls across the U.S., in states such as California, Texas, Florida and New Jersey. Each robot offers 15 different brands and various consumption methods.

However, additional pivoting would be required with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Tap 👆Swipe ↔️ Go ✌️#greenbox #cbdvendingmachine #modernwellness pic.twitter.com/OTLXUGENxo

— greenbox (@itsgreenbox) August 30, 2020

COVID-19 Creates Setbacks, Opportunities

Because the ongoing pandemic kept potential customers in their homes and away from malls, Johnson had to assess Greenbox’s next steps. That’s when he connected with The Souferian Group and Behzad Souferian, who recently acquired Los Angeles’ 10th largest apartment complex.

One robot was installed in its lobby, stocked with products geared toward home consumption, including oils and bath bombs. The decision led to the company’s most successful robot to date.

Johnson said the company is now looking into rolling out more residential options.

“We’re seeing names pop up again and again,” Johnson said of returning business at the apartment complex.

Next Steps

Cannapreneur Partners’ Sullivan said the company has an eye on disruptive tech while emphasizing that brick-and-mortar will continue to remain in the space.

“As we continue to deploy capital in the cannabis space, our eye is on a wide range of next-generation technologies with the potential to be effective solutions for the industry’s ever-changing demands and drive sizable growth,” Sullivan said.

One potential solution is the integration of Android and Apple Pay options so consumers can make contactless payments, Johnson says, adding that companies must remain innovative.

“If you can’t execute and move the ball down the field, evolve your business and your offering, as well as stay up to speed on regulations and compliance, then you will get left in the dust,” Johnson said.

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

What We Can Learn About Cannabis From Chinese Medicine

Becky Garrison

-

September 12, 2020

0

What We Can Learn About Cannabis From Chinese Medicine

Holistic Chinese medicine views the body as a garden and seeks to integrate the physical body, mind, and spirit so that the garden can thrive.

What roles do herbal and classic natural medicines have in common with modern medical research when it comes using cannabis for medicinal purposes? During the 2019 Cannabis Collaborative Conference in Portland, Oregon, Dr. Heather George, Doctor of Science in Oriental Medicine (DSOM), c-IAYT , TheLotusWay.org and AOMScholarshipFund.org, sought to address this question.

George offered a brief history of cannabis as a healing agent dating back to around 2737 BCE. During this era, Emperor Shen Nung, the father of Chinese medicine, was said to have used cannabis for medical purposes. During this reign form 2698-2598, Emperor Huangdi was said to have written the Nei Jing (Chinese Canon of Medicine).

Quoting from the Nei Jing, George pointed to how, throughout history, Chinese medicine sought to return the body to a state of equilibrium.

“The ancient sages treated all disease through living a peaceful life in balance with nature. They moved and transformed the concentrated Qi without herbs or needles. But humans became internally disturbed by over-attachment to emotions. Sense organs became externally vulnerable by overwork & loss of balance with nature. Our immune systems (Zheng qi) became weak; and in general qi was no longer able to flow optimally; Organs bones and marrow could become more easily damaged.” (Chapter 13)

George then explained Chinese herbalism’s role in helping to regulate the endocannabinoid system (ECS). “This unique body of knowledge explains how and why to use various parts of plants or the whole plants for different purposes.” In her practice, “using multi-herbal formulations is foundational and vital to the successful treatment of our patients. We can boost the effectiveness of individual herbs when we know and understand how to combine those herbs and counter side effects.”

Next, George outlined the distinctions between traditional Western medicine and holistic Chinese medicine. Western/modern medicine views the body more like a machine. Health is seen as the absence of disease whereby the body functions within normative parameters. In this model, medicine is practiced akin to war whereby the aim is to kill any disease and maximize the body’s performance. This model portrays doctors as generals, disease as the enemy, and the patient as occupied territory.

Here's Where Consumers Draw The Line At Where Cannabis Is Sold — Photo by CasarsaGuru/Getty Images

Conversely, holistic Chinese medicine views the body as a garden and seeks to integrate the physical body, mind, and spirit so that the garden can thrive. Medicine is seen as cultivating health with the doctor and the patient working in partnership to improve the body’s ecological conditions. Here, the goal is to enhance the patient’s self-regulatory capacity.

In Chinese medicine, every organ and channel/networking system is regulated by a system tuned in to the most sensitive and densest levels of our body. According to George, “The ECS may be a key part of this process.” However, they are just at the beginning phase of researching how holistic Chinese medicine combined with the newest in cannabinoid research can help people get their ECS into a state of homeostasis.

Marijuana Decriminalization, Record Expungement Top Priority For Biden-Harris

Brendan Bures

-

September 12, 2020

0

Marijuana Decriminalization, Record Expungement Top Priority For Biden-Harris

Cannabis reform, or lack thereof, appears an influential factor in the upcoming presidential election based on recent comments by both campaigns.

Comments from a top Biden-Harris aide show how the Democratic presidential ticket has prioritized cannabis reform ahead of the 2020 election. Symone Sanders, a senior advisor to Biden, stated in a recent interview the potential administration wants to establish preemptive criminal justice reform and that includes cannabis records.

“We’re really reforming the criminal justice system so we’re preventing things on the front end,” Sanders said, as Marijuana Moment first reported.

“Joe Biden and Kamala Harris don’t believe anyone should be in jail for drug offenses only,” she continued. “They believe that marijuana should be decriminalized and folks with marijuana convictions should have those automatically expunged.”

This does not represent a new stance by the Biden administration, however. Biden running mate Kamala Harris had previously reiterated that cannabis decriminalization was a primary concern, as well as expunging prior cannabis records. Harris, who has had a complicated history with cannabis reform, is also a lead Senate sponsor on the Marijuana Opportunity, Reinvestment, and Expungement (MORE) Act, which will receive a vote in the House this month.

Some thought Harris may push Biden further to the left on marijuana. Although the ticket announced no new changes to their policy on cannabis reform, the campaign and has mentioned the issue more and more in recent months.

How Impeachment Could Affect Marijuana Legalization — Photo by Esther Kelleter/Getty Images

Sanders membered a policy task force formed between Biden and Bernie Sanders to issue guidelines on important issues for the Democratic party. Advocates had hoped the task force would also convince Biden to push for legalization, a position that would be in line with many Democratic party members.

But Biden has remained firm on his policies. He believes in cannabis decriminalization and expunging past marijuana records. He also supports legalizing medicinal marijuana and re-scheduling the plant to remove current restrictions imposed on cannabis research.

Cannabis reform, or lack thereof, appears an influential factor in the upcoming presidential election. At the same time as the Biden campaign’s comments, President Donald Trump has told Republicans to keep legalization off the ballots if they want to. Trump reportedly fears that cannabis could lose him the election and requests regular updates where legalization is on the 2020 ballot.

Does Wearing A Face Mask Make Sex Safer?

Maria Loreto

-

September 12, 2020

0

Does Wearing A Face Mask Make Sex Safer?

Safe sex during COVID now includes face masks, according to Canadian guidelines.

Because sex is one of the few things we can do to bring us pleasure and a sense of normalcy in a pandemic, new health guidelines are being recommended to help us all ease back into real life dating. Still, even if you try your best to meet up with someone who is COVID free, there are risks to having sex with someone outside of your bubble during the pandemic; and governments are making this very clear.

Canada is the most recent country to release guidelines on sex, recently outlining steps people should take to stay careful. One of their golden nuggets of advice is to wear a mask that completely covers the nose and mouth, because that isn’t at all awkward.

“If you choose to engage in an in-person sexual encounter with someone outside of your household or close contacts bubble, there are some steps you can take to reduce your risk,” Canada’s Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Theresa Tam, said in a statement.

The report says the safest sex you can have is with yourself (who else is getting high school sex ed vibes?), echoing what other governments have said recently. Health experts also advise that before having sex, you and your partner should check for COVID-19 symptoms, including sore throat, fever, coughs, etc. Even if there are none, they express that it’s still a risk to expose yourself to someone who isn’t a part of your bubble, which is why they suggest skipping kissing and face to face contact.

4 Ways Quarantine Has Affected People's Sex Lives — Photo by Dean Mitchell/Getty Images

“Current evidence indicates there is a very low likelihood of contracting the novel coronavirus through semen or vaginal fluids. However, even if the people involved do not have symptoms, sexual activity with new partners does increase your risk of getting or passing COVID-19 through close contact, like kissing. Remember as with all social interactions, try to keep your number of close contacts low if possible,” explains Dr. Tam.

Like all activities that put you in close contact with other people, sex is a thorny issue during these complicated times. It’s up to everyone to weigh the pros and cons and measure their level of risk, contemplating their age or if there’s an underlying condition that they have to cope with. Afterwards, they can make a decision that works best for them and what they need.

How To Ensure A Safe Cannabis Vaping Experience

Becky Garrison

-

September 12, 2020

0

How To Ensure A Safe Cannabis Vaping Experience

How can consumers who enjoy vaping cannabis be sure they are purchasing pure cannabis? Two pros weigh in.

In light of last year’s deadly vaping outbreak, including vapes that were purchased legally at a licensed dispensary, the question remains if vaping cannabis is safe. In a nutshell, yes. Pure cannabis is regarded as safe compared to alcohol and other drugs that enable intoxication for adult-use.

Emphasis here is on the word “pure” as vape cartridges that do not contain pure cannabis are often sold even in legal markets like Washington, Colorado, and Oregon. These products are cut with substances other than cannabis such as Vitamin E, propylene glycol (PG), PEG 400, vegetable glycerin (VG), and medium chain triglycerides (MCT), as well as using cannabis which is grown using pesticides.

So, how can consumers who enjoy vaping cannabis be sure they are purchasing pure cannabis? To help answer this question, I connected with two of the top processors in the Pacific Northwest, who are well known for processing pure cannabis.

According to Lo Friesen, Founder and CEO of Seattle based Heylo Cannabis, “Producing cannabis vapes that only contain cannabis is absolutely possible.” She places the onus on the processor to ensure that consumers are purchasing a safe extract. This is why they are very transparent about their extraction process and make their product testing certificates readily available on their website.

Heylo only processes full spectrum cannabis, which is cannabis oil that contains the entire plant. In this process nothing is added such as flavorings, additional THC, and other additives. While some may enjoy flavored vape pens or cannabis oil with enhanced THC, switching to full spectrum cannabis oil is one way to ensure that one is having a safe vaping experience.

Katie Stem, CEO of Peak Extracts, has been be a vocal opponent against the use of additives and flavors in vapes and e-cigarettes for years as a result of her training in chemistry and pharmacology. ”We just don’t know what these chemicals might do to human lungs when heated, and it’s a totally unnecessary risk.”

She notes how most of the flavors and additives are approved as GRAS (Generally Regarded As Safe) for dilute cosmetic or internal use but are not designed to be combusted and inhaled as a gas. “Because of this, we made the decision (and went through the years of R&D) as a company to not use any additives whatsoever, and to use our proprietary Terp-lock process. It’s slow, cold, and we don’t even add cannabis derived terpenes.”

Even though Washington State and Oregon ban the use of pesticides when growing cannabis, these laws are not always enforced. Responsible processors, like Heylo and Peak Extracts, will vet their growers very carefully so they are confident they are purchasing cannabis that is pesticide free and grown using organic and sustainable means. Also, both companies use a CO2 as the solvent in their extraction process, as CO2 has been proven not to be harmful as a solvent and is safe to consume.

ICYMI: Here are the headlines making news this week on The Fresh Toast.

Marijuana use among men among ages 65 to 69 nearly doubled between 2016-2018 and researchers are concerned about a few things; cannabis reform appears to be an influential factor in the upcoming presidential election based on recent comments by both campaigns; and did you know cannabis has been used as a healing agent since around 2737 BCE?

Let’s dive into those stories and more as we round up the top five headlines on The Fresh Toast this week:

3 Things Older Adults Using Marijuana Should Be Cautious Of

3 Things Older Adults Using Marijuana Should Be Careful Of — Photo by Katarzyna Grabowska via Unsplash

Now that marijuana has earned legal status across different states, it has gone through a process of reevaluation. People of all ages are now more open to trying the plant, whether for recreational or medicinal purposes. One of the fastest growing demographics are baby boomers.

A survey conducted on adults over the age of 55 between 2016 and 2018 found that men are increasing the amount of marijuana they consume, particularly those between the ages of 60-64. According to NBC News:

“Men ages 60 to 64 reported the highest rates of marijuana use, with 12.6 percent of those surveyed saying they used the drug in the past 30 days in 2018, up from 8.9 percent in 2016. Over the same time period, use also nearly doubled among men ages 65 to 69 (rising from 4.3 percent in 2016 to 8.2 percent in 2018) and among men ages 70 to 74 (from 3.2 percent to 6 percent). There was less change in the use among women.”

While young adults are still the largest consumers of cannabis in the U.S., the rise in older adult use and seniors concerns some researchers; there are a few factors that could influence the effect marijuana has on them. Here are three of the most pressing.

Continue reading >>>

How Introverts Can Use Cannabis To Cope With Social Anxiety

For those with social anxiety who prefer to be alone or in the company of a small group of close friends, social situations involving a large group of people can be quite stressful.

Some of Collen King’s introverted qualities stem from her over sensitivity where she can get overwhelmed by any stimulus. King, who does strategic sourcing for cannabis and specialty coffee, finds that taking cannabis before a social event can help reduce her anxiety and make it easier for her to connect with people. “With cannabis,” says King, “I’m more patient and less analytical. Some times it makes me feel like I have a superpower because I can do things that I honestly would never try without the help of cannabis.”

Her favorite strains are Peanut Butter Breath, Harletsu, and Kosher Kush. Except for family events, she will smoke a 1/2 gram joint throughout the evening. When she’s around family during the holidays, she’ll take a 10mg edible for a very chill evening though increase the dosage to 20mg if people are drinking.

Continue reading >>>

What We Can Learn About Cannabis From Chinese Medicine

What roles do herbal and classic natural medicines have in common with modern medical research when it comes using cannabis for medicinal purposes? During the 2019 Cannabis Collaborative Conference in Portland, Oregon, Dr. Heather George, Doctor of Science in Oriental Medicine (DSOM), c-IAYT , TheLotusWay.org and AOMScholarshipFund.org, sought to address this question.

George offered a brief history of cannabis as a healing agent dating back to around 2737 BCE. During this era, Emperor Shen Nung, the father of Chinese medicine, was said to have used cannabis for medical purposes. During this reign form 2698-2598, Emperor Huangdi was said to have written the Nei Jing (Chinese Canon of Medicine).

Quoting from the Nei Jing, George pointed to how, throughout history, Chinese medicine sought to return the body to a state of equilibrium.

Continue reading >>>

Marijuana Decriminalization, Record Expungement Now Top Priority For Biden-Harris

Marijuana Decriminalization and Record Expungment Top Priority for Biden-Harris Now — Photos: Drew Angerer/Staff/Getty Images; Pool/Pool/Getty Images

Comments from a top Biden-Harris aide show how the Democratic presidential ticket has prioritized cannabis reform ahead of the 2020 election. Symone Sanders, a senior advisor to Biden, stated in a recent interview the potential administration wants to establish preemptive criminal justice reform and that includes cannabis records.

“We’re really reforming the criminal justice system so we’re preventing things on the front end,” Sanders said, as Marijuana Moment first reported.

“Joe Biden and Kamala Harris don’t believe anyone should be in jail for drug offenses only,” she continued. “They believe that marijuana should be decriminalized and folks with marijuana convictions should have those automatically expunged.”

Continue reading >>>

5 Life Hacks You Wish You Knew Sooner

fart-tracking pill — Photo by George Morgan via Unsplash

If we were ever in need of some simple tricks to make our lives easier, it’s now. While life hacks may sound like they take some effort, they’re actually creative solutions to simplify everyday tasks. Here are just a few clever and effective shortcuts that you’ll wish you had in your arsenal sooner.

Continue reading >>>

The Oregon Fires And Cannabis

Vince Sliwoski

-

September 11, 2020

0

The Oregon Liquor Control Commission states that moving product to an unlicensed area, even in evacuation scenarios, is not allowed.

Wildfires are ravaging Oregon, Washington and California. They are truly terrible. Here in Oregon, a full 500,000 residents have been evacuated as I write this blog post on the evening of September 9. Portland smells like burning ash and the suburbs are in evacuation protocols. It’s awful even here.

For the cannabis industry, things look scary too. According to the Oregonian, the Oregon Liquor Control Commission (OLCC) reported that one in every five licensed marijuana businesses (or 408 businesses) are in evacuation protocols from the 35 uncontained wildfires. A total of 73 outdoor producers have been forced off site entirely. As to hemp grows, which are heavily concentrated in some of the afflicted areas, things may be even worse.

The OLCC moved quickly on Wednesday to issue Guidance for OLCC Marijuana Licensees Impacted by Natural Disasters. The Guidance is straightforward. If emergency officials issue a level 1 or level 2 evacuation notice (as has happened in many locales), licensees may transfer endangered product while notifying OLCC. The product must go to another licensee, although it can be any licensee: the prohibition on producers transferring to producers, for example, does not apply. The 24-hour notice requirement for bulk product transfers is also waived temporarily.

The Guidance is very clear that moving product to an unlicensed area, even in evacuation scenarios, is not allowed. Everything must be manifested and tracked in CTS, like always. Licensees are also prohibited from transferring products back to an evacuated premises prior to confirmation that buildings and cameras are fully operational. All in all, it seems the OLCC is trying to help vulnerable businesses while guarding against diversion.

Forest Fires Ruin Wine — Photo by Ylvers via Pixabay

The Oregon Department of Agriculture (ODA), which largely oversees hemp, has not issued any advisement to date on wildfire protocol. Hemp does not have similar diversion issues to marijuana, and Oregon hemp crops are still in the ground (at least for another few weeks). For those reasons, it’s likely that we won’t be seeing much from ODA on this issue.

Here at the law firm, our thoughts are with our clients and the industry at large. Many Oregon cannabis businesses are un- or underinsured and others were struggling even before the fires. Looking ahead, it is hard to predict what effects the wildfires will have on the industry at large– especially because we do not know when the fires will be done with Oregon. For now, the best approach is probably to remain alert, listen to local authorities and keep an eye out for further regulatory advisement. And pray for rain.

Vince Sliwoski is an attorney at Harris Bricken, a law firm with lawyers in Seattle, Portland, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Barcelona, and Beijing. This story was originally published on the Canna Law Blog and has been reposted with permission.

This Texas Law Unintentionally Caused Cannabis Arrests To Drop In The State

Brendan Bures

-

September 11, 2020

0

This Texas Law Unintentionally Caused Cannabis Arrests To Drop In The State

Hemp legalization caused confusion among police and prosecutors, who have instead adopted a ‘Smart on Crime’ approach.

The Austin Police Department will no longer cite or arrest people for small possessions of cannabis, Police Chief Brian Manley wrote in a July memo. The announcement essentially decriminalized marijuana possession in the city, but data shows cannabis arrests were already trending downward statewide before the announcement.

Cannabis possession arrests declined 30% between 2018 and 2019, according to the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS). Around 63,000 cannabis arrests were prosecuted by the state in 2018. That figure dropped to 45,000 possession arrests in 2019 while actual prosecutions declined by over half.

These decline is associated with hemp legalization in Texas. THC-rich marijuana remains illegal in the state, but the similarity between the plants have caused confusion among state police. That’s because Texas law technically defines marijuana as any cannabis plant above 0.3% THC.

That caused a stack of dominoes to fall that lawmakers did not intend. Back in February, Texas crime labs announced they would stop testing suspected cannabis in low-level possession cases. Accordingly, state prosecutors began dismissing possession cases without lab reports that proved THC was present in the cannabis.

Since hemp legalization, cannabis manufacturing arrests also dropped from around 2,700 in 2018 to 1,900 in 2019.

Pennsylvania — Photo by Caspar Benson/Getty Images

Austin isn’t the only city to enact major policy changes around cannabis possession. Houston, Dallas, San Antonio, and El Paso have some version of a cite-and-release program. Cannabis is still illegal, but offenders will receive a citation ticket instead of an arrest if caught in possession.

“Local law enforcement, led by district and county attorneys, have made a big (and long overdue) shift away from the traditional ‘Tough on Crime’ mentality,” Heather Fazio, director of Texans for Responsible Marijuana Policy, told Marijuana Moment. “Instead, we’re adopting a ‘Smart on Crime’ approach, focusing on real threats rather than arresting and prosecuting those who use marijuana.

“Now it’s time to change state law and stop all arrests for marijuana possession in Texas.”

5 Tips To Help You Work Out With A Mask On

Maria Loreto

-

September 11, 2020

0

5 Tips To Help You Work Out With A Mask On

Face masks are necessary whenever you’re spending time near others, and this includes working out. Sweating with a face covering isn’t easy, but here are some tips that can help.

We hat to break it to you, but face masks may be here to stay. Even if they’ve sparked clashes of ideologies and a new genre of memes and videos, most people have embraced them, following the advice of medical experts. Still, one of the main aspects of daily life that face masks have disrupted are outdoor workouts.

Unless you’re comfortable working out from home or live in a state where there are functioning gyms, most people are now utilizing outdoor spaces for fitness. While many choose to tie their face masks to their wrists, only wearing them when in close contact with others, consistently using your face mask is the safest thing you can do for yourself and others. Still, this knowledge doesn’t make it any easier to sweat with some cloth over your nose and mouth.

While it takes some getting used to, it’s possible to work out and wear face masks efficiently. Here are 5 tips that can help you:

Buy the right mask

First things first; you won’t get too far along in your workout if you’re wearing a surgical mask and it’s 90 degrees outside. You’ll sweat through the material and will have a bad time and an unproductive workout. Do your research and compare options. Many sports brands have designed face masks that are breathable and comfortable for workouts, minimizing the degree of moisture that they absorb. This prevents the fabric from getting heavy and soggy.

Hydrate

power plant the first cannabis gym — Photo by Dom J via Pexels

Once you have the right mask, prepare yourself ahead of time by drinking more water and having some available as you workout. It’s important to hydrate since the face mask and the heat can increase your heart rate, making it feel as if you’re dehydrated and overheated. Cool water will help you feel relaxed and like you can continue on sweating and working out.

Set realistic goals

Try to take it slow the first few times you work out with your mask, understanding that this is a new challenge for your body. Set some realistic goals and expectations for your first couple of workouts. The most important thing you can do here is to acclimate and later increase the intensity when you feel like you can handle it.

Keep an eye on the weather

Even if you’re not wearing a mask, it’s important to account for the weather when working out outdoors. If you live in a place that’s very hot, find hours where the heat is at its lowest, like later in the evening. Your face mask will pose fewer obstacles, plus, you’re way less likely to run into others who may or may not be practicing COVID safety .

Try other workouts

If running with a face mask is too much for you to handle, try other workouts . Lift weights, practice yoga or anything else that appeals to you. In the long run, this might develop other muscles and skill sets that you normally don’t exercise, leaving you with better fitness levels.

The Fresh ToastThe most trusted name in cannabis

Colorado Gov.’s Cannabis Go-Around Could Come-Around Big Time

As a U.S. senator, John Hickenlooper could be the hero this industry thought he was eight years ago as governor of the first state to legalize recreational cannabis.

Cannabis Vending Machines: Gaining Sector Or Passing Trend?

“The evolving retail arena is increasingly competitive and requires rapid innovation,” – Cannapreneur Partners Co-CEO Todd Sullivan.

An Emerging Market Feature

COVID-19 Creates Setbacks, Opportunities

Next Steps

What We Can Learn About Cannabis From Chinese Medicine

Holistic Chinese medicine views the body as a garden and seeks to integrate the physical body, mind, and spirit so that the garden can thrive.

Marijuana Decriminalization, Record Expungement Top Priority For Biden-Harris

Cannabis reform, or lack thereof, appears an influential factor in the upcoming presidential election based on recent comments by both campaigns.

Does Wearing A Face Mask Make Sex Safer?

Safe sex during COVID now includes face masks, according to Canadian guidelines.

How To Ensure A Safe Cannabis Vaping Experience

How can consumers who enjoy vaping cannabis be sure they are purchasing pure cannabis? Two pros weigh in.

The Oregon Fires And Cannabis

The Oregon Liquor Control Commission states that moving product to an unlicensed area, even in evacuation scenarios, is not allowed.

This Texas Law Unintentionally Caused Cannabis Arrests To Drop In The State

Hemp legalization caused confusion among police and prosecutors, who have instead adopted a ‘Smart on Crime’ approach.

5 Tips To Help You Work Out With A Mask On

Face masks are necessary whenever you’re spending time near others, and this includes working out. Sweating with a face covering isn’t easy, but here are some tips that can help.

Buy the right mask

Hydrate

Set realistic goals

Keep an eye on the weather

Try other workouts

Don't Miss Your Weekly Dose of The Fresh Toast.