Maine Sets October 9 For Recreational Sales

Debra Borchardt

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August 18, 2020

Maine Sets October 9 For Recreational Sales

Voters legalized adult-use cannabis in 2016 and state legislators planned legal sales to begin in Feb. 2018. But Gov. Paul LePage vetoed it, delaying the process until he was replaced in Jan. 2019.

Maine’s Office of Marijuana Policy announced that retail sales of adult-use marijuana to consumers 21 years of age or older will be permitted starting on Friday, October 9, 2020. The office, which is a part of the Maine Department of Administrative and Financial Services, intends to issue the first active licenses to recreational cannabis businesses on Tuesday, September 8, 2020.

“The public’s health and safety are at the forefront of every decision we make at the Office of Marijuana Policy,” said OMP Director Erik Gundersen. “While we were poised to launch this new industry earlier this year, we were unwilling to sacrifice the high standards we have set for this program by launching during an emerging public health pandemic and in the absence of a testing facility. With the support of the public health community, municipalities across the state, and the industry we regulate, we have used the last few months to ensure this new industry is introduced to Maine consumers in a manner that is as responsible as possible.”

The department said that the issuance of active licenses will continue the Office of Marijuana Policy’s structured rollout of Maine’s emerging adult-use industry, which had been indefinitely postponed in April in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. While it isn’t a big state with regards to population, it is still seen as one that could be profitable for businesses.

The recent BDSA Arcview State of Legalized Marijuana Report stated, “There are several small states like Maine, New Mexico and Rhode Island that will also pay off for operators on a smaller scale. That happens when what is typically a consumer base of 2% or less of the population with medical cars suddenly becomes 20%-plus of adults that consumer cannabis.” Maine’s cannabis sales are forecasted to reach $314 million by 2025, putting it on par with Alaska which is forecast to reach $325 million.

Getting Licensed in Maine

Getting a license in Maine is a three-step application process that also includes conditional licensure and local authorization, respectively. An active license is required for adult-use establishments to come into possession, process, and sell adult-use marijuana, including initiating plant transfers from Maine’s existing medical marijuana program.

The statement read, “It is expected adult-use licensees will utilize the time between active licensure and Maine’s retail sales launch date to harvest and process marijuana, ensure those products satisfy the mandatory testing requirements, and move product through the supply chain to stock retail store shelves.”

Voters legalized adult-use cannabis in 2016 and state legislators originally planned legal sales to begin in February 2018. Governor Paul LePage fought to keep that from happening and when he was replaced by voters with Janet Mills, the process was reenergized. She took over the Governor’s role in January 2019 and signed a bill defining the program in June 2019.

“Today’s announcement is a major milestone in honoring the will of Maine voters and a significant step toward launching a new industry in the state,” added Gundersen. “Many of the business owners we have spoken with during the application process are ready and eager to commence operations.”

Maine’s Process

The application process required by the adult-use law requires state regulators to review application materials for form and substance, with an eye toward details such as ensuring that all applicants have completed their required state and federal criminal history record checks; that the establishment’s operation, facility, and security plans satisfy the requirements of both the Marijuana Legalization Act and the adult-use program rule; and that the designated host municipality has provided the applicant with authorization to conduct business in their community.

OMP expects to issue licenses in each of the four categories of adult-use establishments: cultivation, product manufacturing, retail sale, and testing. Information on the specific number of licenses issued and the identities of active licensees will be made available on Tuesday, September 8, 2020.

The Mills Administration created OMP within DAFS in February 2019. The Office is responsible for the oversight of all aspects of legalized marijuana, including Maine’s existing Medical Use of Marijuana Program.

Feds Still Unhappy

Despite the legalization efforts in the state, it seems the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) isn’t too happy about the cannabis companies. A few weeks ago the Bangor Daily News reported that Homegrown Connection and Narrow Gauge Distributors in Farmington were raided by agents claiming “court-authorized activity” in connection with an ongoing investigation. The report said agents, “could be seen piling what appeared to be marijuana plants outside the back of one of those locations. More than 14 state police cruisers were there, as well as unmarked vehicles from several New England states, according to the Sun Journal.”

The article stated that, “Both businesses are linked to Luke Sirois of Rangeley, who is the registered agent for Narrow Gauge Distributors in documents filed with the Maine secretary of state and has owned the Homegrown Connection for roughly a decade.” He is described as “a strong and vocal advocate for public policy.”

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

How To Nap In A Way That Actually Makes You Feel Rested

Maria Loreto

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August 18, 2020

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How To Nap In A Way That Actually Makes You Feel Rested

While naps can’t make up for full night of sleeping, they can help you be more productive and contribute to a healthier lifestyle.

Sleeping is tough when there’s so much going on in the world and our circumstances are ever evolving. Sleeping during the day is almost unheard of, something that only kids and teens are able to get away with. This shouldn’t be the case; there’s no need to feel guilty about resting, even when surrounded by a pandemic and social unrest.

Naps are normally associated with weekends or something you do when you feel sick, but they can and probably should become a part of your wellness routine, as they have the power to make you feel better and happier.

Naps are helpful for adults, especially since the majority of us don’t get our necessary 8 hours of sleep every night. While naps are not a replacement for a full night of sleeping, they can help you feel more alert and productive. Still, despite how delicious they are, you can’t just nap for the entire afternoon. Doing this will only mess with your sleep cycles and will likely result in you feeling groggy and off.

Here are some tips that can help you nap “correctly.”

Use an alarm

Sleep Well With Weed: How To Use marijuana to fall asleep effectively — Photo by Acharaporn Kamornboonyarush via Pexels

The key for proper napping is to stop yourself from sleeping more than you should. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) says that the longer you sleep, the more likely it is for you to become groggy, so keep your naps on the short side of things, lasting between 15 to 30 minutes.

Wake up earlier

5 Simple Ways To Get A Better Night's Sleep — Photo by rawpixel.com

Naps can also affect your night’s sleep, which is something that you don’t want to mess with. In order to prevent sleep disruptions and create a whole new set of problems, be sure to nap during the earlier part of the day. If you wake up earlier you can complete large chunks of your work, exercise and nap, all before 4 p.m.. The rest of the day is up to you.

Account for some grogginess

Why Do We Procrastinate Sleep Even When We're Tired? — Photo by rawpixel.com

Try not to nap before an important meeting or outing. Naps can leave you feeling groggy for a couple of minutes after you wake, which is why it’s important to have them for short periods of time. After your nap is over, try doing something energizing that can help you get back to work or to whatever it is you were planning on doing with your day.

Study Says Post Work Weed Use Doesn’t Affect Job Performance

Brendan Bures

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August 17, 2020

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Study Says Post Work Weed Use Doesn’t Affect Job Performance

Researchers concluded that smoking marijuana after hours had no negative effects at the workplace, and believe drug screening programs should adapt to this new reality.

Although some states have banned pre-employment drug testing regarding cannabis use, a recent survey shows about 50% of employers would still fire workers for a first-time positive test for cannabis. Stereotypes remain about how cannabis use affects job performance, though little to no research has looked into this belief.

Researchers at San Diego State University and Auburn University bucked that trend by conducting a study on how cannabis use affected employees on the job. They concluded that consuming weed after hours had no negative effects at the workplace, but did establish a negative correlation among those who used marijuana before or during work. While inconclusive, the study added that after-hours marijuana use could actually provide some workplace benefits.

“Individuals deciding to consume cannabis after finishing their work may be able to distract themselves from stressful on-the-job issues,” said Dr. Jeremy Bernerth, the study’s lead author. “The relaxation induced by cannabis may help employees restore energy spent during the day and they may subsequently return with more stamina to devote to their job once they are back on the clock.”

Bernerth and his team compiled data from 281 employees and their director supervisors regarding this intersection between cannabis use and job performance. Employees were asked when and how often they used cannabis in relation to their work. This could include how often an employee smoked marijuana before their shift over the past year.

What Can You Do To Battle All That Time Spent Sitting Down? — Photo by Vlada Karpovich via Pexels

Researchers then surveyed the employees’ supervisors about how well someone completed tasks at work, their willingness to support team goals, or if they exhibited any counterproductive work behavior. Supervisors more often reported counterproductive behavior and lack of team behavior by those who consumed before or during their shift. However, according to researchers, there was no “significant change in any of the work performance dimensions when employees used cannabis after work.”

Though drug screening programs continue across workplace environments, “there is virtually no empirical research exploring cannabis use in relation to the modern workplace,” they added.

Bernerth believes his team’s research should prohibit employers from banning all types of cannabis use by employees, because the study finds no adverse effect on job performance by after-hours users. NORML’s Deputy Director Paul Armentano supported the position, noting that many workplace drug testing program were holdover policies by the Drug War era.

“Suspicionless marijuana testing never has been an evidence-based policy,” Armentano said. “Rather, these discriminatory practices are a holdover from the zeitgeist of the 1980s ‘war on drugs.’ But times have changed; attitudes have changed, and in many places, the marijuana laws have changed. It is time for workplace policies to adapt to this new reality.”

Seth Rogen’s Pandemic Weed PSA

Brendan Bures

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August 17, 2020

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The Canadian-born comedian has some advice for young people partying it up in B.C., which is experiencing a COVID-19 uptick.

As the global COVID-19 pandemic extends another month with no true end in sight, the temptation to return to a semblance of normalcy may come calling. But yet, social distancing protocols prevent many activities we associate with the summer, such as large family gatherings, late nights out, and group hangouts.

For those unsure about how to handle the angst of the sunny season, Seth Rogen has some advice, especially if you’re thinking of trying to outsmart the virus: Stay home, smoke weed, and watch movies. Rogen tweeted the suggestion following a call to action by British Columbia Premier John Horgan, who requested Canadian actors like Rogen and Ryan Reynolds positively use their influence amid the pandemic.

We need young people to understand that now is not the time to go to large parties. @VancityReynolds & @Sethrogen – please help spread the message to stop the spread of #COVID19. pic.twitter.com/u9SodpRnxu

— John Horgan (@jjhorgan) August 12, 2020

“Please do not go out to parties and BBQs and other large gatherings! The COVID is still out there!” Rogen tweeted. “It’s more fun to hang out alone and smoke weed and watch movies and TV shows anyway! Do that instead! Thank you!”

Although B.C. received commendations for initially controlling the coronavirus spread, a rash of outbreaks have occurred in recent months. Canada Day celebrations and summertime partying has caused an outbreak in the province and younger generations carry much of the blame.

People of British Columbia! Please do not go out to parties and BBQs and other large gatherings! The COVID is still out there! It’s more fun to hang out alone and smoke weed and watch movies and TV shows anyway! Do that instead! Thank you!

— Seth Rogen (@Sethrogen) August 15, 2020

According to B.C. Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC), the largest proportion of new cases fall among those ages 20 to 39 years old. This demographic accounts for more than 1,500 cases as of late, which amounts to 37% of all new cases. People aged 20 to 39 only represent 27% of British Columbia’s total population.

Seth Rogen Reveals How Weed Makes Him Creative — Photo by Christopher Polk/Staff/Getty Images

Rogen’s comments were used to garner positive attention, but some medical experts have suggested cannabis users refrain from smoking or vaping at this time. The Food and Drug Administration stated back in April that there was no evidence connecting smoking or vaping to COVID-19, but the organization added that ingesting any combustible smoke could cause more serious symptoms.

NORML (The National Organization for the Reformation of Marijuana Laws) provided safety guidelines for marijuana consumers that recommended not sharing any smoking devices. They urged users to consider using noncombustible cannabis forms like edibles and tinctures instead. British Columbia released a similar “Good Times Guide” that asked residents not to share drinks, vaporizers, or any smoking apparatus, stating, “Now is not the time for sharing anything that’s been in your mouth.”

A Guide To Making Your First Marijuana Experience Great

Mary Schumacher

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August 17, 2020

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A Guide To Making Your First Marijuana Experience Great

Cannabis shouldn’t create anxiety. Depending on the strain you use, it should ease anxiety, so let’s start there.

As marijuana’s popularity spreads, more people are open to trying it. Perhaps they’ve heard that their medical condition is eased or treated by medical marijuana. Maybe it’s simply time to try something other than a glass of wine at the end of the day. No matter the reason, it’s important to get the dosage right.

The thing is, like most mind-altering substances, cannabis effects people in different ways. And with the myriad of choices as to how one can imbibe, it can become complicated. Cannabis shouldn’t create anxiety. Depending on the strain you use, it should ease anxiety, so let’s start there.

Indicas, Sativas And Hybrids

These are the three types of marijuana plants that are harvested. Indicas are known for sedation and appetite stimulation, while sativas create more of a “heady” high: cerebral, creative and more active. A hybrid is a cross between sativa and indica and many people new to pot start with a hybrid. Though it’s sativa dominant, a very good strain for newbies is Jack Herer. Its uplifting high is a good start for almost anyone. If you’re looking for something more indica dominant, Bubble Kush is a very popular choice.

Ways to get cannabis into one’s system vary. From smoking, vaping, and dabbing to edibles, tinctures and topicals, it can be tough to know where to start. Especially if the newcomer is enthusiastic. The best advice is don’t try everything at once, because you may freak out. The biggest risk with marijuana is the potential panic attack from being “too high.” It’s easily avoidable, however, if you just follow a few rules.

One, if you start with edibles or tinctures, wait an hour before adding onto your dose, even if you don’t feel it yet. Plus, start with half of the recommended dose the first few times out of the gate.

Two, with smoking or vaping, start with one or two hits that don’t completely fill your lungs. Hold the hits in for a few seconds and release. And three, if someone offers you a dab, the best idea is to wait. Dabs are extremely potent and not for the not-yet-initiated. However, if a dab it is, just don’t hold it in and stick to one to start. You’ll thank us later.

Final tip? Don’t try weed for the first time while drunk. For one thing, you’ll probably end up getting sick or falling asleep, and for another, alcohol increases the active components of cannabis and cannabis increases the drunk feeling. (Here’s What You Should Know About Crossfaded Highs.) Not a good look. Stick to a little bit to start, don’t mix it with other substances so it’s felt through and through and don’t be shy. The cannabis community welcomes all.

Science States CBD Can Treat These Conditions

Maria Loreto

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August 17, 2020

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Science States CBD Can Treat These Conditions

There’s a lot of misinformation and exaggeration regarding the benefits of CBD. Here are some conditions that the compound can help alleviate.

Despite the incredible popularity that CBD has amassed over the past couple of years, there’s a lot that scientists and experts still don’t know about the compound. While it’d be great if CBD could do all of the things many companies promise it does, it’s a compound like any other, with its fair share of limitations. It’s also one that stands on rocky legal ground, meaning that it needs much more research in order for us to get a clearer picture of what it does and how it functions with our bodies.

While there’s a lot of misleading marketing regarding a large percentage of CBD products, there are a few benefits that have been associated with CBD and that have some scientific support. Here are three conditions that CBD can actually treat and provide relief from:

Epilepsy

FDA Declares Cannabis Drug Epidiolex No Longer A Controlled Substance — Photo by KATERYNA KON/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY/Getty Images

The most significant results that support medicinal CBD oil show that the compound is effective at treating seizures and rare forms of epilepsy. In 2018, Epidiolex, an oral CBD medicine, was approved by the FDA. The drug can be used to treat two kinds of epilepsy: Dravet syndrome and Lennox-Gestault syndrome. According to the research, it’s believed that CBD helps suppress seizures by decreasing inflammation in the brain and thus slowing down the messages that it’s receiving.

Inflammation

Although inflammation is a very broad symptom that’s prompted by many different scenarios, the majority of conditions that CBD treats have some kind of connection with inflammation. Studies conducted in human cells and rodents show that the compound is an effective anti-inflammatory agent. Still, more research needs to be conducted in order to understand how this works and how it could be used to provide relief for different conditions.

Pain

Studies conducted on animals show that CBD could be helpful in treating chronic pain, arthritis and even multiple sclerosis, primarily by targeting inflammation and helping the subjects experience less pain over prolonged use. Most of these results are modest and are reflected in studies that are small or that need human subjects. Still, there’s some promise there and there’s also lots of anecdotal evidence of people using CBD products in order to treat all kinds of pain.

The Cannabis Industry’s Essential Upside From COVID-19

David Hodes

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August 17, 2020

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The Cannabis Industry’s Essential Upside From COVID-19

The designation of the cannabis business as essential caught some states and some state officials off guard.

It was a classic watershed moment when 20 of the 33 states across the U.S. that allowed some form of sale and consumption of marijuana had those businesses designated as essential businesses in March during the early days of the coronavirus outbreak.

And while that designation of what is “essential” was just an advisory from the Department of Homeland Security, and not a federal directive or standard, meaning that it’s open to wide interpretation by various jurisdictions, cannabis advocates jumped on the opportunity in March to remind state governors about the importance of the cannabis industry.

A letter from the Marijuana Policy Project states that governors and legislative leaders played up the significance of access to medical cannabis in times of a pandemic: “As leaders of states with medical cannabis or cannabidiol (CBD) laws, we write to urge you to ensure patients can safely access their treatment option in a way that is consistent with public health. Cannabis is a crucial part of the treatment regimens of hundreds of thousands of individuals, including many who have vulnerable immune systems because of their advanced age or a serious medical condition.”

The designation of the cannabis business as essential caught some states and some state officials off guard.

For example, on March 22nd, Colorado Governor Jared Polis said that state retail and medical cannabis stores could go ahead and stay open. Denver Mayor Michael Hancock closed recreational dispensaries down the next day—oops—then quickly reversed himself the following day after public outcry and panicked cannabis buying.

Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker allowed medical cannabis stores only to stay open, and closed down recreational cannabis stores, before reversing course two months later after being hit by lawsuits.

Being declared essential was the proverbial feather in the hat of the industry, and a strong vote by the federal government that cannabis businesses were crucial to the survival of not only the economy but the people and patients who depended on it.

Except there was, and is, still a problem.

That essential business designation ran into federal roadblocks that no other essential business had to deal with, when cannabis businesses were denied financial assistance in the form of small business disaster loans of up to $2 million.

4 things you need to know before visiting a marijuana dispensary — Photo by Scott Eisen/Stringer/Getty Images

That denial inspired a quick response from the National Cannabis Industry Association (NCIA) who gathered support from other business associations and advocates — such as Cannabis Trade Federation, the Global Alliance for Cannabis Commerce, the Minority Cannabis Business Association, and National Cannabis Roundtable — and fired off a letter imploring Congress to grant small business loan assistance to cannabis businesses just like any other business during the pandemic.

“The ineligibility of cannabis businesses for disaster assistance loans is especially inequitable given that these same cannabis businesses are required to comply with other coronavirus-related measures, such as paid sick leave coverage,” the letter stated. “We are not seeking special treatment for state-legal cannabis businesses. We only seek to have them treated on an equal level as all other job-generating, tax-paying companies in this country.”

Even the most skeptical economist could clearly see the importance of the cannabis industry to the health of the U.S. economy. Though some dispensaries are struggling, and some mergers and acquisitions of cannabis businesses are gaining momentum, there are industry watchers that speculate that it may be revenue from the cannabis industry that could help shore up broken state economies once the pandemic subsides.

FDA Issues Draft Guidance For Cannabis Research — Photo by Cavan Images/Getty Images

In any case, it’s clear that, overall, COVID has provided a sort of boon to the cannabis business as consumers stocked up early and often.

In Colorado in late March, for example, flower sales were up over 80 percent compared to an average Monday, according to cannabis data company Headset. The California rush to stock up on cannabis products saw both edibles and beverages with significant sales increase. One of the most stocked up on products was gummies, according to Headset, which saw a sales boost of 157% compared to a normal Monday in those early days of the corona virus.

According to New Frontier Data, a global cannabis intelligence company, flower sales were up 23% since March. New Frontier found that more than 53% of cannabis consumers will purchase more than a two-week supply at any one visit to a dispensary.

The cannabis business is forecast to have $30 billion in sales by 2023 — more than triple of sales in 2018, a figure which may change by the end of this year based on consumer demand.

The CBD market alone is expected to reach $16.8 billion in sales by 2025, with the number of consumers buying CBD online increasing from 29% in the first quarter of 2020 to 47% now because of COVID-19, according to a report from the Brightfield Group.

What’s more, investors are not shying away from the industry. New Frontier reports that 80% of investors will stay the course this year, with 26 percent expecting to invest $1 million or more in 2020.

COVID has changed consumption habits, according to New Frontier, with 31% reporting consuming by themselves, and 8% consuming with others over video chats.

The downside of being designated as “essential” for the cannabis industry? There doesn’t really seem to be one for now, other than the issue of more Americans being unemployed with less disposable income.

But even in hard times like these, during what is actually a recession, it looks like cannabis has joined other industries, such as liquor and gambling, as an industry that will always hold steady.

Microdosing Marijuana: What Doctors Say Is The Best Way To Consume

Mike Adams

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August 17, 2020

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Microdosing Marijuana: What Doctors Say Is The Best Way To Consume

Although microdosing may go against the grain of the old time stoner philosophy, doctors say that finding the “minimum effective dose” is the key to medical treatment.

There are those cannabis connoisseurs who enjoy getting super stoned at the end of a long day at the office, while others are embracing microdosing, a method that allows the user to moderate their mind by taking small doses throughout the day.

The concept of microdosing is simple: instead of consuming enough THC to join the land of catatonia, the user leans on somewhere between 3 to 10 mg to feel some effect without entering into a realm of laughing fits, paranoia and ravenous hunger. It is increasingly popular practice that Rolling Stone calls “Marijuana 2.0,” an idea that less is actually more when it comes to using cannabis for its therapeutic and creativity-inducing benefits.

However, there are some challenges involved. What is considered a low dose for some may not cut it for others. It is similar to how it would be if measuring the effectiveness of Ibuprofen on a large group of people. Some of them would find relief with 200 mg, while it might take others near pharmaceutical levels to cut through the pain. So, the core of this dosing principle is really just about the individual finding the perfect “micro-buzz” that allows them to feel comfortable and productive.

Dr. Duston Sulak, who has been working with medical marijuana patients in Maine for the past eight years, told Rolling Stone that he has developed a system to help people find their optimal microdose.

Assorted cannabis bud strains.
Roxana Gonzalez/Shutterstock.com

“Abstain from cannabis for two days. On day three, consume one milligram of THC and one milligram of CBD, preferably in a tincture or oil where they can be measured precisely,” he said. “Before consuming, ask yourself three questions, and answer on a scale of one to 10: How easy is it to breathe, how comfortable and calm does your body feel and how easy is it for you to smile authentically, to feel content and grateful?”

Feel nothing? Increase your dose by one milligram, the doctor says.

“You repeat this process over the next few days, increasing the dose by small increments,” he explained. “When you reach a point where you feel a difference after consuming, you’ve found your minimal effective dose.”

No matter how high of a tolerance a person has, the doctor says 48 hours of abstinence is all that is needed to hit the rest button.

Although microdosing may go against the grain of the old time stoner philosophy, medical experts say that finding the “minimum effective dose” is the key when treating a patient with any medication. After all, it is not advised to take other medications at intoxicating levels, so why should marijuana be treated any differently?

5 Ways For Parents To Find Alone Time

Maria Loreto

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August 16, 2020

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The pandemic has pretty much eliminated personal space for many of us. Here’s how you can escape your kids for a little bit.

Parenting is one of those jobs that never stops. There are no breaks, much less with the pandemic. Over the past months, schools have been suspended and parents have been left in charge of their kids, all the while juggling work and other responsibilities.

The pandemic is tough for everyone, but parents have it especially rough. The lack of clear guidance from the government and schools makes the situation even more nerve wracking, making it important for parents to learn how to carve out time for themselves.

Alone time is very important, especially in times of high stress. Although it may seem like it’s impossible to carve out, parents must prioritize it if they hope to stay sane and avoid freaking out on their kids for the simplest of reasons. The good thing is that alone time doesn’t mean an entire night or an hour; it can be any amount of time that recharges and soothes you.

Combine audiobooks and playtime

Playtime is great for kids but taxing for parents, especially now, since kids want to play all day. While these moments are great for bonding and spending time together, there’s no need why playtime needs to be active all the time. Play an audiobook for your child and let them draw or play with their favorite toys as you sit with them quietly and do something you enjoy, whether that’s reading a book or looking through your social media feed.

Schedule morning playtime

Mornings are usually the time where we have the most energy. Use this to your advantage, playing with your kids and tiring them out earlier on in the day before the tantrums and the tiredness seeps into them. While there’s never a sure way of predicting your child’s behavior, if they were active early on they might be more at ease during the afternoons, giving you time to check your email, talk with friends or catch up with the news.

Schedule your self-care moments

Like all things in life that matter, self-care should be scheduled in, that way you don’t allow the weeks to pass with no time for yourself. Talk it out with your partner or anyone that’s around and can provide some support for you. Let them know with time that you’ll be having a bubble bath on whatever day, or that you’re going out for a half hour walk or drive. These moments are always important, but in a pandemic they’re pivotal.

Have an activity that’s just for you

While kids like to be included in most things, there are activities that they won’t find attractive and will likely leave you alone for stretches of time. Take up gardening, walking or watching a movie while your kids watch something that’s age appropriate in a separate room. While the pandemic should be used as a time for bonding and spending more time with your children, it’s also important for both of you to have your own space.

Stay up later

Try to keep your kid’s sleep schedule somewhat regular. While sleep is important for their growth and development, nowadays, it’s also the one time during the day where you can be without your kids. Take advantage of it and use the night time to talk with your partner, watch movies together, cuddle etc. While you shouldn’t go too crazy with going to bed super late, sometimes the night is the easiest time for you to catch a break.

Kamala Harris Will Help With Cannabis Reform (And That’s Good Enough For Me)

Vince Sliwoski

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August 16, 2020

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Kamala Harris Will Help With Cannabis Reform (And That’s Good Enough For Me)

The Biden-Harris ticket is not the best that legalization advocates could have hoped for, but, like the U.S. at large, the Democratic party continues to float toward inevitably ending prohibition.

Congratulations to Senator Kamala Harris, Joe Biden’s V.P. pick. Harris will become the first Black woman and the first person of Indian descent to be nominated for national office by a major party. It’s a huge accomplishment. It could also impact the race significantly in the coming weeks and months.

What would a Vice President Harris mean for cannabis law and policy? Assuming Biden and Harris win this fall, it’s hard to say. Harris has evolved considerably on cannabis policy, especially in the past few years. She also has emerged as a leading voice on companion issues of racial justice and inequality, even since walking away from her unsuccessful presidential campaign earlier this year.

Looking back, Harris wasn’t always a shining light on criminal justice and cannabis issues. Her resume includes a regrettable tenure as California Attorney General with respect to cannabis enforcement, overseeing the jailing of more than 1,500 people for marijuana crimes, and fighting to keep (and even enhance) the retrograde system of cash bail. These unforced errors famously surfaced in the Democratic Presidential debates and may emerge again with Harris on the ticket.

Eventually, as a U.S. Senator, Harris followed her party away from the War on Drugs– albeit quietly and without much enthusiasm. Back in January of 2018, I went after Harris pretty hard on this blog. In that piece, I criticized her position on cannabis as “mostly just talk”, explaining:

“There are several reasons why Ms. Harris has been catching significant flak for her half measures on cannabis, as compared to other officials: 1) she hails from California, the first state with a medical cannabis program and the world’s largest cannabis economy; 2) she comes from the executive side, having served as California Attorney General; 3) she is a celebrity national politician, who is often floated as a 2020 presidential candidate; and 4) she is constantly talking about the failed War on Drugs. In fact, she talks about it pretty much every single day.

“But it’s all talk. As California Attorney General, Ms. Harris did little to advance her state’s interest as to cannabis. In 2014, when she was asked for her opinion on legalizing adult-use cannabis, her response was dismissive laughter. As a U.S. Senator, she has failed to sponsor or even co-sign any bill to re- or deschedule marijuana (and there are some good ones). Aside from lots of talking, Harris’ one big move has been to put together a petition to decriminalize marijuana nationwide (but not to revise the CSA). My eight-year-old niece could do that.”

kamala harris father scolds her famacian weed joke levels it a travesty — Photo by Al Drago/Stringer/Getty Images

If I had given Harris a letter grade at that time, it might have been a “D.” Fortunately, things have changed quite a bit over the past two-and-a-half years. Last summer, we ran a series of posts taking a close look at each of the 2020 Democratic presidential candidates. At that point, Harris had begun advocating for legalizing cannabis, as well as for expunging marijuana offenses from criminal records. We gave Harris a “B”, noting her improvement but wondering how much priority Harris would give to cannabis reform if elected into office. We also noted how late to the game Harris was, as compared to vanguard cannabis candidates like Bernie Sanders and Cory Booker, to name a few (see the overall roundup here).

All of that said, it’s not how you start, but how you finish. Harris has really picked up the charge on cannabis issues lately, including in her role as Senate sponsor of the MORE Act. As drafted, the MORE Act removes marijuana from the federal Controlled Substances Act and provides expungement for certain cannabis offenses (and has a 3% chance of actually becoming law someday).

Still, if Harris keeps at it, her advocacy will be a real boon, especially given Biden’s perplexing unwillingness to support cannabis legalization (we gave Biden a “D”), and especially given the Democrats’ failure at large to add marijuana legalization to the party platform once again this year. (Pretty disappointing, especially considering where the party was at in the run-up to the 2016 convention).

So we should credit Harris for coming around on cannabis, especially when the center of her party is still a half step behind. It is true that the Biden-Harris ticket is not the best that legalization advocates could have hoped for, but, like the U.S. at large, the Democratic party continues to float toward inevitably ending prohibition. Harris is going to help with that, even if it doesn’t happen as quickly as we had once hoped.

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.

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