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Will Bernie Sanders Push Joe Biden Toward Dramatic Marijuana Reform?

Brendan Bures
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Will Bernie Sanders Push Joe Biden Toward Dramatic Marijuana Reform?

Sanders and Biden plan on working together on key policy task forces. Could that include marijuana reform?

Former vice president Joe Biden is the presumed Democrat presidential nominee, as Sen. Bernie Sanders announced he was ending his presidential campaign last week. This week Sanders formally endorsed Biden for President in a video livestream, where the two septuagenarians said they would work together on forming policy task forces around key issues like the economy and criminal justice in the upcoming election.

“It’s no great secret out there, Joe, that you and I have our differences,” Sanders said. “We’re not going to paper them over, that’s real, but I hope that these task forces will come together, utilizing the best minds and people in your campaign and in my campaign to work out real solutions.”

The move has largely been recognized as a rallying cry in a Democratic party that’s appeared divided throughout primary season. But a coalition of young voters wrote in a letter last Wednesday that a “return to normalcy,” as promised by Biden, would not earn their support. If Biden is to bridge the generational divide, the group implored him “to champion the bold ideas that have galvanized our generation and given us hope in the political process.”

RELATED: These States Are Most Likely To Legalize Marijuana In 2020

Marijuana legalization was included among those “bold ideas.”

bernie sanders blasts marijuana prohibition in his new book
Photo by Ralph Freso/Stringer/Getty Images

“End the War on Drugs and support the equitable legalization of marijuana based on proposals laid out by Senator Booker, Senator Warren, Senator Sanders, Secretary Castro, and others,” the group’s letter reads.

Over the past four years, Sanders has slowly pushed the Democratic party to the left in policy issues, such as universal health care, raises in the minimum wage, and overhauling the criminal justice system by ending the War on Drugs. When he was still vying for the candidacy, Sanders announced he would legalize marijuana his first day in office through executive order. Many of Sanders’ opponents, including Sens. Elizabeth Warren and Cory Booker, also spoke of intentions to legalize marijuana as President.

RELATED: Why Intelligent Cannabis Reform Is Good Politics For 2020

Joe Biden remained a man apart from his party, often stating conflicting views on possible marijuana reform plans. His official platform position is to decriminalize marijuana nationwide and automatically expunge all past cannabis convictions. Within this election cycle, he’s also labeled cannabis “a gateway drug” and accidentally stated intentions to legalize, not decriminalize marijuana.

Around 66% of Americans support legalizing marijuana, according to a Gallup poll released last year. Though Biden was a drug warrior in the past, he’ll have to recognize the shifting tides of the voting public to bridge the cracks within the Democratic party. Young voters have already told Biden a simple solution to making their voices feel included in his campaign this fall — ending the War on Drugs through cannabis legalization. A majority of Americans would support the decision.

5 Reasons Cannabis Was Named An Essential Business

Veronica Castillo
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5 Reasons Cannabis Was Named An Essential Business

Cannabis is considered as essential as food, water, and all other medicine. Here’s why.

2020 is the year that changed the way people socialize. This is also the year that cannabis legalization swept the ballots. With 34 states having legalized cannabis in some form, in addition to the coronavirus pandemic, we are seeing a shift in cannabis support for the better.

Not long ago, cannabis was considered “the devil’s lettuce”. Today, cannabis has been deemed an essential business, just like the grocery store. Cannabis is considered as essential as food, toilet paper, and soap. Dispensaries and other cannabis businesses in multiple states are considered vital members of the community, like the pharmacy.

During this time of pandemic response, state and city governments around the country have deemed medicinal marijuana companies “essential businesses.” This means that they can remain open for business. Many have changed the way they operate — online and phone ordering, delivery, curbside — but nonetheless, they are open.

RELATED: Medical Marijuana Considered ‘Essential’ Good During Quarantines

So, why did some local governments deem cannabis essential?

A number of cannabis advocacy groups drafted a medical cannabis open letter in support of keeping cannabis businesses open during the pandemic:

  •         Marijuana Policy Project
  •         Veterans Cannabis Project
  •         Veterans for Natural Rights
  •         Clergy for a New Drug Policy
  •         Epilepsy Foundation
  •         Doctors for Cannabis Regulation
  •         Law Enforcement Action Partnership
  •         Students for Sensible Drug Policy
5 questions you should ask yourself before visiting a marijuana dispensary
Photo by A_Melnyk/Getty Images

RELATED: Here’s A Breakdown Of Who Supports Cannabis As ‘Essential’ During Pandemic

5 reasons cannabis is essential for patients:

1. Cannabis is a crucial part of the treatment regimens of hundreds of thousands of individuals.

2. Many who have vulnerable immune systems because of their advanced age or a serious medical condition consume medicinal cannabis.

3. Some patients use cannabis to quell chemotherapy-induced nausea and appetite loss.

4. Patients administer cannabis to alleviate agonizing pain or PTSD.

5. The uncertainty created by the crisis is compounded by the prospect of losing access to a treatment option that is essential to patient’s wellbeing.

Later, a second letter was drafted asking that access extend beyond medical cannabis to businesses that sell to the adult-use space (recreational).

So, it seems that cannabis is in fact an essential plant for multiple reasons — all related to health. Cannabis is considered as essential as food, water, and all other medicine. Medical cannabis dispensaries in multiple states have remained open. Recreational cannabis businesses, not so much. In Oregon, all cannabis is deemed essential, but in Massachusetts, only medical cannabis businesses are considered essential.

How Long Do Edibles Last

Maria Loreto
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How Long Do Edibles Last

Edibles should be treated like any other food. Follow your common sense and use your nose to sniff out any foul odors when in doubt.

Edibles have grown increasingly popular over the years, with people making their recipes at home and with cannabis companies producing hundreds of different flavors and styles. Now that people are trying to take better care of their lungs they might be foregoing other methods of consuming cannabis, especially during the pandemic, in order to stock up on edibles. Whether you’re making them yourself or purchasing them in bulk, it’s important to know how long these items can last.

The shelf life of edibles varies depending on what’s in them and how they were prepared. An edible made at home will presumably have a shorter lifespan than a preservative-heavy product made by a company to ensure it can last for longer periods of time (think Twinkie vs. homemade pound cake).

RELATED: Why You Need To Be Careful Using Edibles The First Time

When purchasing edibles online or in a store, be sure to check their expiration dates. If you’re buying in bulk, use your freezer and fridge, which will increase the shelf life as with any other food. Edibles in the freezer, for instance, should last for up to 6 months, just like most other foods.

brownies
Photo by skeeze via Pixabay

When it comes to making your own edibles and stocking up on them ahead of time, consider what you’re making and treat it as if there was no cannabis involved. There’s no reason why the presence of the plant should impact the shelf life of your product. There’s mixed data on THC potency. Some scientific studies claim that it tends to degrade slowly over time, while anecdotal evidence touts the powerful highs of old edibles.

RELATED: Are Marijuana Edibles Better For Your Brain Than Smoking?

Edibles should be treated like any other food. Follow your common sense and use your nose to sniff out any foul odors when in doubt. If the edible looks bad, smells off or has some moss on it, don’t eat it! Or eat it and see what happens. You’ve been warned.

2 Chainz Pushes Back Against Claims Marijuana Use Raises COVID-19 Risk

Brendan Bures
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2 Chainz Pushes Back Against Claims Marijuana Use Raises COVID-19 Risk

2 Chainz was making a tongue-in-cheek joke, but the health concerns around smoking and vaping marijuana remain.

Last week, public health officials and experts announced smoking or vaping marijuana carried higher risk of contracting the novel coronavirus. Using cannabis in this way also caused more severe symptoms in patients and urged quitting. The report coincided with news marijuana use had reached an all-time high in March, as 33% Americans reported using cannabis at some point in their lives.

“What happens to your airways when you smoke cannabis is that it causes some degree of inflammation, very similar to bronchitis, very similar to the type of inflammation that cigarette smoking can cause,” Dr. Albert Rizzo, chief medical officer for the American Lung Association, told CNN. “Now you have some airway inflammation and you get an infection on top of it. So, yes, your chance of getting more complications is there.”

Rapper 2 Chainz pushed back against these reports Sunday, though he didn’t refute the public health warnings. On social media, he questioned the framing of media reports targeting marijuana as the primary health concern.

“What about cigarettes , cigars , heroin , crack , meth ?? Or only reefa ? ?Asking for a friend,” 2 Chainz wrote on both Twitter and Instagram, alongside a picture of him smoking what is presumably a blunt.

https://www.instagram.com/p/B-29gokFct-/

RELATED: Severe COVID-19 Infections More Likely In Marijuana Smokers And Vapers

Though the rapper posted this mostly tongue-in-cheek, it also represents a straw man argument. Massachusetts attorney general Maura Healey issued an advisory last week encouraging residents to quit smoking and vaping any products, including tobacco and marijuana. An initial study investigating underlying causes to the spread of the coronavirus in China pinpointed cigarette smoking as a significant risk factor.

if undergoing fertility treatment you might want to lay off marijuana
Photo by Image Source/Getty Images

RELATED: Is Marijuana Worse Than Tobacco For Cardiovascular Health?

NORML, or the National Organization for the Reformation of Marijuana Laws, also released a guide to responsible consumer safety tips during the coronavirus pandemic. They cautioned users against smoking at this time, and suggested edibles and tinctures as safer delivery methods at this time, stating:

“Because COVID-19 is a respiratory illness, you may wish to limit your exposure to combustive smoke. Use of edibles or tinctures can eliminate exposure to potential lung irritants entirely.”

5 Things To Talk About When You Don’t Feel Like Discussing Coronavirus

Maria Loreto
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5 Things To Talk About When You Don’t Feel Like Discussing Coronavirus

The coronavirus is very hard to avoid. Here are 5 topics you can discuss to keep your mood up and escape the news cycle.

It’s extremely hard to talk about something other than the coronavirus. The constant barrage of news and the fact that we’re bound to our houses also make it tough to find new things to discuss, such as office gossip or the latest thing that happened during that last outing with your friends. Still, at this time, we could all use a coronavirus break.

While it’s unrealistic to expect to not mention coronavirus during your weekly call with your friends, there are ways of steering the conversation towards other directions. Arm yourself with some patience and some knowledge and get ready to talk to people about other topics other than your health:

Pop culture

Pop culture is one of the easiest topics to hold on to in a conversation, whether you’re discussing the latest show that premiered, that old TV show you’re binging, an engaging podcast or your favorite artist’s new record. These topics tend to get people engaged and are a nice escape. You might also get a few great recommendations out of it.

Recipes you’ve tried at home

5 Topics To Talk About When You Don't Feel Like Discussing Coronavirus
Photo by Kevin McCutcheon via Unsplash

RELATED: 5 Simple Tricks That’ll Help You Appear Smarter In Work Meetings

Cooking has been huge during the pandemic with people largely decreasing the amount of food they consume outside of their homes. Try sharing these with friends and family and ask for suggestions, bonding over an activity that’s fun and nourishing.

Books

Many people report reading a lot more now that they’re in the middle of a pandemic. Create a shared Google doc with your loved ones where everyone adds the books they’ve read and recommend — a sort of virtual book club that will give you even more to talk about next time you get together (virtually, of course).

Play some games

5 video games to play during summer
Photo by Aleks Dorohovich via Unsplash

RELATED: Does Sex Boost Your Immunity?

Another way of staying in touch with others is to play games together. Sporcle, Words With Friends and Parcheesi are some of the trendiest ones out there today.

Cute animal videos

As a last resort, if you have a close friend or family member who can’t stop talking about the coronavirus, you can just show them a cute dog or cat video. Pepper them with good news, such as the fact that fostering is on the rise and thousands of dogs are being loved and cared for.

How OTC Drug Reform In COVID’s Newest FDA Bill Will Affect Healthcare

Kate-Madonna Hindes
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How OTC Drug Reform In COVID’s Newest FDA Bill Will Affect Healthcare

A new bill seeks to better the approach of bringing new products to the market and pulling products with known issues. 

Can a change in over-the-counter (OTC) medicines improve public health and decrease fatalities due to the COVID-19 epidemic? One doctor in Minnesota believes that the process of greenlighting OTC medications was long overdue for reform.

Signed in March, the Over-the-Counter Monograph Safety, Innovation, and Reform Act (also known as H.R.3443) is using a two-fold approach to modernizing and innovating OTC standards of safety. Updated for the first time since 1972, the new bill seeks to cut the red-tape and the time involved in processing concerns of safety to have a better approach to bring new products to the market and pull products with known issues. 

With over 80 classes of OTC medications and 300,000 products on store shelves, the measure is slated to improve innovation and safety throughout the U.S.. 

Kellie Stecher, an OBGYN out of Edina, Minn. explains, “I think implementing the new legislation will actually help make review processes for medication better. Previously, medication had a ‘cookbook’ or list of ingredients that were acceptable, and the FDA didn’t need to individually evaluate each medication. This will not only streamline but allow for better outcomes.”  

RELATED: Can Hospitals And Clinics Draw From COVID-19 Relief Fund?

Stecher believes the change was driven by concerns over ranitidine’s safety on the market and illustrated the new mandate allows for better data collection by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as well.

“Sometimes, OTC medicines claim wildly-inappropriate cures,” Dr. Stecher explained, “This will help not only innovate medicines on the market but remove potentially unsafe medications quicker — creating less harm to patients.” 

Not Telling Your Doctor About Marijuana Use Can Hurt You
Photo by Parentingupstream via Pixabay

Pew profiled the new bill changes, sharing that the FDA’s previous system had made it difficult to protect patients using a system of guidelines that weren’t easily updated. Called a monograph, or a pre-determined checklist covering active ingredients, doses, formulations and labeling, the system in place permitted ingredients known to be unsafe. Pew goes on to explain:

“Meanwhile, no changes have been made since 1987 to the monograph for another category of OTC products — cough and cold medicines — even as serious safety risks have been identified. The current monograph permits labeling that describes these products as appropriate for anyone age 2 or over, despite the fact that these drugs were associated with the deaths of more than 100 children under age 6 between 1969 and 2006.”

RELATED: Breaking Down COVID’s Newest Rules For Admins And Billing Specialists

A bonus to the bill is that it allocates more funding to ensure that the FDA is staffed to investigate drug issues as they learn about them, allowing for faster movement on safety concerns in the OTC drug industry. 

Can Marijuana Improve Sleep For Chronic Insomnia Patients

Brendan Bures
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Can Marijuana Improve Sleep For Chronic Insomnia Patients

Researchers found that a proprietary CBD-THC blend was able to help chronic insomnia patients fall asleep and stay asleep through the night.

In the past week, Google searches for “why am I having weird dreams lately” has quadrupled. It appears the global coronavirus pandemic has caused anxious dreams involving lockdown or other vivid scenarios. But it’s also within reason that you’ve experienced difficulty sleeping since the pandemic started and would like some help falling asleep.

According to new research from Australia, cannabis could provide effective treatment for chronic insomnia patients. Though anecdotal reports have pointed to this possibility, this study represents the first double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial to show scientific evidence of the relationship. The study was funded by medical marijuana company Zelira Therapeutic, however, University of Western Australia researchers conducted the study independently.

Research began in 2018 after scientists recruited 23 participants who were considered chronic insomnia patients. Those subjects were then given either an active dose or a placebo for two weeks, given in the form of a cannabis tincture. Single or double doses were permitted, depending on user preference and their severity of symptoms. The active marijuana tincture was a proprietary cannabinoid blend called ZTL-101, with both THC and CBD. Researchers have not disclosed the exact formula at this time.

RELATED: How To Use Marijuana To Help You Fall Asleep

Scientists measured the sleep quality of subject through multiple channels, including digital sleep trackers, subjective responses, and the Insomnia Severity Index (ISI) — a clinical tool used to register insomnia symptoms.

Among those who’d taken an active marijuana dose, ISI scores dropped by 26% and that reduction was higher for those who’d taken a double tincture dose. Treated participants also slept for more hours, fell asleep quicker, and could fall back to sleep faster after waking than the placebo group. They also reported feeling less fatigued, less stressed, and reported significant improvements in their quality of life.

How Cannabis Can Help With Chronic Insmonia
Photo by Andrea Piacquadio via Pexels

“This study represents the most rigorous clinical trial ever undertaken to assess the therapeutic potential of medicinal cannabis to treat the symptoms of chronic insomnia,” lead researcher Peter Eastwood said in a statement. “The fact that ZLT-101 treatment achieved statistically significant, dose responsive improvements across a broad range of key insomnia indices is impressive, particularly given the relatively short two-week dosing window.”

RELATED: Does Marijuana Work Better Than Sleeping Pills For Insomnia?

Insomnia affects around 30% of Americans and can pose greater risk factors for those suffering from chronic pain, cardiovascular disease, and mental disorders, like anxiety or depression. A recent study also found that medical marijuana helped chronic pain patients suffering from insomnia sleep through the night. However, the research indicated that chronic pain patients could eventually develop a tolerance to marijuana, which could result in interrupted sleep.

Here’s How CBD Can Help You Focus

Maria Loreto
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Here’s How CBD Can Help You Focus

CBD is known for treating anxiety, stress and depression — all factors that could be affecting you and your productivity right now.

The coronavirus has affected people in different ways, but one of the most common afflictions is a lack of focus and drive. From completing work on time to finishing up an episode of TV, a lot of people are reporting having trouble reigning in their brains. Here’s how CBD can potentially help.

While CBD is not the blanket cure that many brands claim it is, there are plenty of benefits that are associated with its use. The large amount of fake and mislabeled products that are in circulation are due to the fact that the compound is still relatively new and on shaky legal ground, which makes it ripe for the picking for money hungry businesses.

Good quality CBD products can treat different forms of physical pain and stress while also working on improving your mental health, helping manage different levels of anxiety, depression, PTSD and more.

RELATED: What Is The Best Time Of Day To Take CBD?

Depending on the CBD product you stumble upon, it could claim anything from helping you increase your focus to tackling depression, but regardless, they’re all interacting with your cannabinoid system and producing the same neurological responses. Before you purchase anything, make sure to be thorough with your research, reading reviews of the product and ensuring that you’re investing your money into something that’s worth it.

multitasking costs tons of concentration and some believe it may not even be possible
Photo by rawpixel.com

There are large amounts of CBD products out there, from those that target specific symptoms to those that claim to enhance certain moods, such as “creative,” “calm” or “focus.” The goal of these products is to keep you alert and more in tune with your body, thus, helping you complete tasks in more efficient ways.

RELATED: Painsomnia: When Falling Asleep Hurts, CBD Can Help

The science on CBD has a long way to go and isn’t all that understood, but most CBD believers say that consuming the product in its oil form is the most efficient way of experiencing it’s relaxing and tranquilizing effects, with more prominent results appearing over time. These oils are easy to use, only requiring you to ingest a couple of drops a day to begin experiencing its benefits.

Virginia Decriminalizes Marijuana, But Legalization Is Likely Years Away

Brendan Bures
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0
Virginia Decriminalizes Marijuana, But Legalization Is Likely Years Away

Decriminalization is expected to start July 1 in Virginia, but don’t expect the state to legalize marijuana anytime soon.

Virginia Governor Ralph Northam announced Sunday he had approved legislation that decriminalized marijuana in the state. The law, placed on the governor’s desk in March, eliminates jail time for simple marijuana possession, reducing marijuana possession up to one ounce to a civil violation and $25 fine. These civil violations carry no criminal record and seals past marijuana criminal records from employers and school administrators.

Under previous state law, marijuana possession was punishable up to a maximum $500 fine, 30 days jail time, and a criminal record. Between June 2018 and June 2019, more than 15,000 Virginians were arrested for either first or second marijuana possession, data from the Virginia Criminal Sentencing Commission found. More than 1,300 people received jail time while the majority were placed on probation.

RELATED: Marijuana Use Reaches All-Time High Under Coronavirus Pandemic

“Virginians have long opposed the criminalization of personal marijuana possession, and Governor Northam’s signature turns that public opinion into public policy,” NORML Development Director and Virginia NORML Executive Director Jenn Michelle Pedini said in a statement.

Virginia Decriminalizes Marijuana
Photo by Isaac Wendland via Unsplash

Northam had previously stated that he was in favor of marijuana decriminalization, opening the doors for the bipartisan legislation. The legislature also approved multiple bills that calls for the study of marijuana legalization and how it could impact the state ahead of the 2021 Legislative Session.

This report was previously due by November 30, 2020, but Northam proposed an amendment to the bill he signed that would push that date back to November 30, 2021. While this could roll marijuana legalization in the state to 2022, it likely would’ve been challenging for researchers to gather and prepare the report in time due to the coronavirus pandemic.

RELATED: How The Coronavirus Has Negatively Impacted Marijuana Legalization

“As we decriminalize simple possession of marijuana and seal the records of prior convictions, I am proposing a study to assess the impact of fully legalizing marijuana in the Commonwealth,” Northam tweeted.

If lawmakers approve this amendment, and a few others made by Northam, decriminalization would go into full effect on July 1.

Here’s How To Safely Disinfect Cannabis Packaging

Maria Loreto
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0
Here’s How To Safely Disinfect Cannabis Packaging

Cannabis dispensaries are offering delivery and curbside pickup. Here’s how you can take the necessary precautions when purchasing products.

The coronavirus pandemic has affected every aspect of our lives, including the ways in which we handle marijuana. Now that some states have qualified dispensaries as essential businesses, these establishments have found ways of distributing their products to customers through curbside pickup and delivery, all while ensuring that their sanitary measures are up to date and that the products they’re handing out are in the best possible condition.

Safety measures for shopping, whether you’re visiting a grocery store or a dispensary remain the same. Government guidelines suggest people wear a mask, keep a 6-foot distance, and minimize the amount of items you touch (including your face). When it comes to the package of marijuana, how do you safely disinfect it?

Dispensary employees handling your marijuana should be healthy and wearing protective gear, such as gloves and face masks. While someone who’s carrying the virus and is asymptomatic may have interacted with the package and left the virus there, it’s very unlikely for you to catch it. Although the odds are in your favor, experts have said that remnants of the coronavirus can live up to two days depending on the material of the package.

RELATED: Marijuana Use Reaches All-Time High Under Coronavirus Pandemic

Medical Marijuana Patients Can Get Into Trouble Without Proper Packaging
Photo by LPETTET/Getty Images

For some peace of mind, you could follow other safety measures when purchasing groceries and receiving packages through the mail. Disinfect the outer package only with a strong disinfectant and wash your hands before and after interacting with it. Don’t wash it with soap and water since you might damage the product inside.

RELATED: Harsh Marijuana Delivery Restrictions Being Eliminated Due To COVID-19

Since marijuana doesn’t expire, you could also let the product sit in a safe space with a cool temperature for a couple of days and wait for any viruses to die off naturally. Avoid mixing different disinfectants to prohibit any adverse reactions and, when in doubt, wash your hands.

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