Former NFL Player In Hot Water After Claiming Marijuana Cures Coronavirus

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April 1, 2020

Former NFL Player In Hot Water After Claiming Marijuana Cures Coronavirus

Former All-Pro tight end Kyle Turley received swift backlash from the FDA and FTC, after numerous claims that CBD will save you from COVID-19.

You should first know that former NFL All-Pro Kyle Turley believes marijuana saved his life. He used that exact phrasing in interviews with both Sports Illustrated and USA Today. He claimed the plant allowed him to stop taking painkillers, saying it cured him of chronic pain, vertigo, rage (including homicidal tendencies), and more.

“Without a doubt, cannabis saved my life,” he told Benzinga. “I wouldn’t be where I am today; I would not have my family, my kids, my house, everything I have right now, if not for cannabis.”

But lately, Turley has told anyone who will listen that marijuana can prevent and cure the coronavirus. No clinical trials exist to corroborate such claims. NORML (the National Organization for the Reformation of Marijuana Laws) told advocates and consumers alike to beware “if something sounds too good to be true,” regarding how marijuana can affect the coronavirus.

https://twitter.com/KyleTurley/status/1244399607016083457

Turley, who owns a South California dispensary and a line of CBD products called Neuro XPF, added that cannabis will boost your immune system and allow your body to fight the virus on its own. While research indicates cannabis is an immune-modulator, scientists disagree on how exactly marijuana affects your system. Some say marijuana suppresses your immune system, which causes inflammation to decrease. But inflammation also traps harmful viruses and bacteria, limiting their spread throughout your body.

“What are we going to do here?” Turley told USA TODAY. “Are we going to go into quarantine? Or are we going to live? And if you choose cannabis, I’m here to tell you that you’re going to live.”

Coronavirus: Bad For Marijuana Companies, Good For Investors? — Photo by 4X-image/Getty Images

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Federal Trade Commission (FTC) warned several companies last month to stop making unsubstantiated claims about coronavirus cures. Turley said in an interview that he’d welcome federal action against his company for telling people the “truth” about CBD and cannabis. The FDA and FTC obliged his request.

“FDA is taking urgent measures to protect consumers from certain products that, without approval or authorization by FDA, claim to mitigate, prevent, treat, diagnose, or cure COVID-19 in people,” the FTC and FDA wrote in a joint letter to Turley. “As described below, you sell products that are intended to mitigate, prevent, treat, diagnose, or cure COVID-19 in people. We request that you take immediate action to cease the sale of such unapproved and unauthorized products for the mitigation, prevention, treatment, diagnosis, or cure of COVID-19.”

https://twitter.com/KyleTurley/status/1245029567246434310

This isn’t the first time Turley made unsubstantiated claims around marijuana. The NFL radically changed its drug policies this year and will no longer suspend players for positive marijuana tests. Turley — an early advocate for NFL players using marijuana — credits himself for the rule revision, not all the other former and current football athletes who lobbied publicly and behind the scenes.

“I made this happen,” Turley told APN News. “The NFL is moving the needle on this because I first spoke with the NFL. There is no way the conversation is happening without me.”

Why States Need To ‘Flick The Legal Switch’ On Cannabis Amid COVID-19

Anthony Noto

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April 1, 2020

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Why States Need To ‘Flick The Legal Switch’ On Cannabis Amid COVID-19

Despite the varying policies and confusing rules, cannabis businesses continue to generate significant tax revenue in various states during the pandemic.

The coronavirus outbreak has prevented most businesses from remaining open for the foreseeable future, slamming local economies and devastating state tax revenue.

This grim scenario should be enough to convince states that were previously anti-cannabis to change their tune, according to David Hess, the co-founder of investment firm Tress Capital.

“Whereas several years ago some debate was possible, there is now indisputable data that state legalization equals job creation and tax revenue,” Hess told Benzinga. “Cannabis is simply one of the few sectors that governments can identify where with the flick of a legal switch, revenue and employment can be found.”

In certain states, medical cannabis is legal. In others, it’s available for recreational use as well. But the drug remains federally illegal and will likely remain that way so long as President Donald Trump is office.

Despite the varying policies and confusing rules, cannabis businesses — per Benzinga’s coverage — continue to generate significant tax revenue in various states, including Michigan joining Alaska, California, Colorado, Maine, Massachusetts, Nevada, Oregon and Washington.

Virutally every industry has come to a halt due to the pandemic, and they will likely remain that way since social distancing quidelines and other quarantine measures have been extended to the end of April. Many cannabis companies, however, have remained open and put various delivery and drop-off services into action to abide by county and state rules.

The Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board, for example, is allowing curbside pickup for green card holders, while limiting the number of people inside a store at once. In Nevada and other states, cannabis dispensaries were not listed among the “non-essential” services in any risk mitigation guidelines.

5 questions you should ask yourself before visiting a marijuana dispensary — Photo by A_Melnyk/Getty Images

Turns out, social distancing is driving cannabis demand.

As a result, legislatures that had not considered legalization are more likely to do so now than before, Hess explained.

“In New York, for example, conservative estimates have shown legal cannabis would bring over $1 billion in tax revenue per year,” he said. “Given New York’s COVID-19-induced financial crunch, cannabis seems like an obvious item to add to the list of levers to pull for capital.”

California has raised $1 billion in cannabis tax revenue since January 2018. Colorado’s cannabis tax revenues generate hundreds of millions annually.

“This is simply one of the go-to areas to find tax revenue and jobs,” Hess said.

It remains to be seen how quickly states will, or are able to, act. MJBizDaily reported last week that cannabis ballot initiatives across the U.S., including a recreational initiative in Ohio and a medical marijuana petition drive in Nebraska, have stalled as petition drives go on hiatus due to stay-at-home advisories put in place to prevent the spread of coronavirus.

As a result, pot enthusiasts have not been able to collect enough signatures ahead of official deadlines.

This article originally appeared on Benzinga.

How The Coronavirus Pandemic Is Affecting Our Sex Lives

Culture
Sex

Maria Loreto

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April 1, 2020

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How The Coronavirus Pandemic Is Affecting Our Sex Lives

The coronavirus is affecting the sex industry, people’s porn-viewing habits and the ways in which dating apps work.

Since the coronavirus emerged, people’s sex lives have been affected in various waus. From sex workers to singles to married couples, the stress that the virus has caused is reflected in the ways in which we’re intimate.

The easiest results to track, and the ones that were first reported, relate to the sex industry. Since early March, sex workers have reported a significant loss of income, be that due to empty strip clubs or the fact that porn stars are trying to minimize contact with other performers in order to protect their health.

Psychology Today reports that porn consumption rates are higher than usual, with Pornhub reporting a steady increase throughout the month of March. This is due to people spending more time at home and also the fact that Pornhub has granted premium subscriptions for most users across the world. (There’s also been a rise in coronavirus-themed porn, which is hilarious but also concerning.)

Dating apps, such as Tinder, have handled mass panic by encouraging people to wash their hands and by facilitating video and phone call options. “It seems a bit counterproductive to be using hand sanitiser in work and then go give a blow job to a stranger in the woods in the evening,” a guy told Vice when asked about how the pandemic has affected his dating life.

Other apps, like Grindr, have devised different ways for people to stay engaged and safe (and indoors!), including “chat only” preferences.

How To Know If Sex On First Date Is The Right Choice — Photo by Alex Iby via Unsplash

The Inner Circle, an upscale dating website, says that the number of messages exchanged through the app have risen by 116% over the past week, with 50% more people opting for video chats and phone calls to interact with their dates. Chatters are also finding themselves discussing unromantic topics such as toilet paper.

“There has also been an 800% increase in members talking about ‘quarantine’ since the start of March. Mentions of Netflix have also increased by 70% as people discuss how they are keeping entertained,” David Vermeulen, CEO of The Inner Circle, told CNBC.

It’s unknown how we’ll respond to these situations as the months progress and whether the coronavirus will affect people’s ability to have sex with strangers in the near future. In the meantime, there’s a lot of stress and uncertainty that surrounds us, not only when it comes to our sex lives but in almost every aspect of our lives. Just try to enjoy that Pornhub premium for as long as it lasts (April 23).

Marijuana Sales Have Leveled Out Post-Coronavirus Bump

Brendan Bures

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April 1, 2020

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Marijuana Sales Have Leveled Out Post-Coronavirus Bump

Following the stockpiling trend, marijuana sales have fallen back to pre-pandemic daily averages.

Right after social distancing protocols and shelter-in-place orders were mandated in cities like San Francisco and Seattle, consumers exhibited panic-buying behavior by stock piling necessary goods. Not only did cities count cannabis as “essential” during the coronavirus outbreak, consumers stocked up on it like it was toilet paper; sales almost doubled in some recreational markets, with figures comparable to those seen on 4/20.

According to new data from Headset Analytics, that sales bump has disappeared as of late. States popular for marijuana tourism like Nevada and California saw sales dip below average daily sales last week following the stockpiling trend. Washington and Colorado still exhibited slightly above average sales, though not anywhere close to the initial rush saw in the middle of March.

Not all cannabis products are viewed equally at this time, though. Edibles and beverages have become the favorable preference for customers to stock up on, while pre-rolled joints are seen as unnecessary to buy up. In California, median sales and pre-rolls sit below previous daily average for sales. At the same time, edibles have retained a 5% boost in sales even following the drop off elsewhere.

cannabis stocks and the thing about bubbles — Photo by M. B. M. via Unsplash

“Edibles are seeing significantly more growth and a much softer fall than our beloved Pre-Rolls,” wrote the Headset staff. “With most states prohibiting social gatherings there just aren’t nearly as many joints being passed around. However, having an Edible and watching Netflix is a pretty great way to socially distance.”

In Michigan, meanwhile, medical dispensaries and recreational stores experienced their highest ever profits. According to latest numbers, recreational hit $5.8 million in sales (an increase of over 20%), while medical was just under $8 million (an increase of 27%). But those sales are also expected to decline under Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s “Stay Home, Stay Safe” order, which allowed temporary cannabis regulations that expanded curbside pickups and delivery capabilities.

With marijuana becoming an “essential” good, it represents a full embrace of cannabis by the mainstream public. Little to no backlash existed from these announcements. Sustained sales during the outbreak will prove vital for marijuana stores, as companies are ineligible for coronavirus-related relief from the federal government.

How to Find An Effective CBD Dose

Sarah Johns

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April 1, 2020

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Here are some some basic principles and best practices to help you ascertain effectively the correct CBD dose that works for you.

CBD can affect each individual differently, with some people finding a bit of relief with a 5mg microdose (or even less) while others need 50mg of CBD in order to feel any discernible effects. So how can you ascertain how much CBD you need to consume?

While some companies have produced kits that can test one’s endocannabinod system, testing is not readily available to the general public or covered by insurance. This means that your doctor cannot measure the amount of endocannabinoids present in your body like they can test for, say, deficiencies in Vitamin C or assess your cholesterol levels.

As such, your doctor cannot determine how much CBD you need to take given your particular body chemistry. This is why you need to engage in the process of self-titration by testing yourself to achieve your own personal optimal dose.

Anna Symonds, Director of Education for East Fork Cultivars, offers some some basic principles and best practices to help you ascertain effectively the correct CBD dose that works for you.

Start low and go slow. Start with 5mg of CBD and then slowly increase the dosage as needed until you feel the optimal effects. Most people find that 5-30mg of CBD represents the sweet spot that works best for them.

Be patient. Realize that it could take up to a few weeks of consistent supplementation to feel the effects from CBD. If you run into unwanted side effects, back off a bit and then try a slower increase. Also, the lower amount of CBD might be your ideal portion.

Here's What We Know About CBD's Effects On Varicose Veins — Photo by Tinnakorn Jorruang/Getty Images

Symonds also advises not to combine CBD with other substances, such as over-the-counter medicine or pharmaceuticals, without consulting with your health care provider. Also, leave at least a two hour window before and after consuming CBD in order to minimize the risk of any potential interactions.

CBD can naturally lower blood pressure and reduce the need for insulin in the body. So if you’re already on any medication for those purposes, be sure to work with your healthcare providers to keep an eye on their levels.

Best Way For Long Term Storage Of Marijuana

Maria Loreto

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March 31, 2020

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Best Way For Long Term Storage Of Marijuana

The compounds in marijuana are heavily affected by oxygen, light and temperature.

In the Costco mind set, buying in bulk is a value move which allows you to have your favorite products always handy. Why not the same deal for cannabis? But some products don’t last over time, so here is the best way for long term storage of marijuana.

The 2019 study, published in the peer-review journal Forensic Science International, was conducted with the goal of figuring out what factors like oxygen, light and temperature have on marijuana compounds (mainly THC, CBN, and CBD). The best way to store it, freeze it.

The research analyzed 24 samples of cannabis over a period of four years. These samples were stored in four different locations, all with controlled conditions, and were later compared to each other for their THC, CBN, and CBD levels.

Final results concluded that marijuana compound levels, particularly THC and CBN, were heavily altered by outside factors.

When marijuana is stored at room temperature, its THC levels lower while the CBN levels rise. When marijuana is refrigerated, the effects are similar, only slowed down. When cannabis is frozen, the THC levels stay the same, unaffected by the passage of time. Interestingly enough, cannabis’s CBD levels remained unaltered no matter the time or storage conditions.

Studies like these are very useful, since they help scientists understand how cannabis and its compounds work. These results could be used for legal and scientific purposes and could shed a light on how cannabis compounds differ from each other.

On a more basic and useful level for marijuana consumers, studies like this help us take better care of our purchases, allowing people to store marijuana in ways that are efficient and cost effective.

If you’re leaving your house for an indeterminate amount of time or if you just have a bunch of weed at home, sneak a bag in the freezer. Once you’re ready to smoke it, bring it out, wait for it to thaw and the cannabis will be as effective as ever.

Marijuana 101: Know Your Cannabis Social Etiquette

Mary Schumacher

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March 31, 2020

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Marijuana 101: Know Your Cannabis Social Etiquette

The cannabis community, no matter how much it cleans itself up, is still a group of individuals who usually lack prejudice and who are rich in compassion.

One of the great things about marijuana smokers, both professionals and occasional users, is that they’re generally amiable people. They may have their social quirks like anyone else, but if need be, those quirks and tendencies can be quelled with a little lesson, then you will know your cannabis social etiquette. Which, it is totally a thing.

First things first, don’t bogart the joint, my friend. We all know the rule of puff, puff pass, but, even if your story is the most engaging piece of oratory in the room, don’t hold the joint hostage while you tell it. In fact, you can pause for effect, punctuating a point, with a strategic and gracious hit and hand-off.

Once you’re done with that joint, go to the bathroom and freshen up before going back out into the world. There’s nothing shameful that needs to be hidden about cannabis, however, like with alcohol, if you reek of it in public, you carry more of the vestiges of a stigma with you. Normalizing weed doesn’t mean making a spectacle of it.

Offering cannabis in the form of a tincture, even high grade CBD tincture or an edible at a social event or dinner, is naturally circumstantial. Use your best judgement as to whether or not it’s appropriate and don’t partake if the other party declines. Especially at a cannabis business meeting, it may be appropriate — especially if a product is a sample — to imbibe on the spot, but offer your co-worker an edible to-go instead. They may need to drive or have other meetings to attend.

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

Even if you’re lucky enough to live in a legalized state that allows for social consumption, be welcoming to outsiders. If someone asks to join your table, make room, pass the e-nail and maybe everyone will be able to try some new product.

If you are the newbie, be polite, try to BYOC (unless in dire need), but just be yourself. The cannabis community, no matter how much it cleans itself up, is still a group of individuals who usually lack prejudice and who are rich in compassion. As the cannabis movement started to spread in the medical world, it is that same aspect of wellness and giving that are the roots to where we’ve grown.

Don’t be afraid to ask, but whether asking, offering or simply sitting in, do it with simple love. That’s the biggest bit of etiquette there is in the cannabis community. And always pass to the left.

Chapped Hands? Here Are 4 Remedies To Help

Kate-Madonna Hindes

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March 31, 2020

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Chapped Hands? Here Are 4 Remedies To Help

We can keep COVID-19 at bay with proper handwashing and keep our sanity with frequent moisturizing.

With COVID-19 being declared a pandemic, frequent handwashing has been on the minds of many. While Americans are washing their hands more than ever before, some are experiencing drying, cracking and bleeding. Frequent handwashing can cause chapping and peeling, so what should the average person do?

The Fresh Toast recently checked in with three nurses who shared important tips for keeping hands free from dry, chapped skin. On the front lines of fighting the coronavirus, these three explained how they keep their hands at their best. (Last names have been withheld to protect the privacy of these women.)

Lanolin

One nurse, Dianne, swears by Lanolin, a type of wax that comes from sheep and their wool. Known for its effects in keeping skin soft and smooth, Dianne mentioned she believed it wasn’t just the lanolin itself, but how it’s placed on the hands that truly helps. She explained, “Wash and dry your hands, but don’t over dry them. Get it to the point where the water is absorbed, then place 2 pea-sized blobs on your hands and rub it in.” Also using Lanolin on her chapped nose under her mask and cracked heels, she said it’s every nurse’s best friend.

Frequent moisturizing

5 Things You Can Make With Leftover Marijuana Stems — Photo by kate_sept2004/Getty Images

Amber, a pediatric nurse, stated the secret to keeping hands safe from chapping was to frequently moisturize them. As nurses are constantly washing their hands, Amber recommended taking a moment to moisturize hands after every hand-washing to ensure skin doesn’t crack or bleed.

Nightly gloves

Amy, who works in hospice in St. Cloud, Minnesota, shared that often she sees reactions to frequent hand-washing in rashes or painful skin in older adults. She’s started to utilize a nightly routine for herself of spreading Vaseline on her hands, (especially on the knuckles) and placing gloves over to save her sheets. She said she’s used it with a few patients who have had skin issues with their hands, and it seems to work wonders.

Check the ingredients

5 New Ways To Fight Acne — Photo by Matthew Henry via Burst

Dermatologist Paula Zook of Spectrum Dermatology believes that looking at ingredients in both hand soap and lotion can give a glimpse to how drying the product is. She told KOMO News to avoid alcohol, isopropyl alcohol and fragrances for the best experience. Dr. Zook also mentioned to check the consistency of lotions and opt for using one that’s firmer in texture, versus watery.

The Centers for Disease Control has a guide to handwashing and explain that individuals should scrub their fingers anytime before, during or after preparing or eating food, after using the toilet and after coughing, sneezing or blowing the nose.

To those on the front lines of this virus: Thank you. And to everyone else, we can help keep COVID-19 at bay with proper handwashing and keep our sanity with frequent moisturizing.

Should COVID-19 Allow Medical Patients To Grow Marijuana

Brendan Bures

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March 31, 2020

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Should COVID-19 Allow Medical Patients To Grow Marijuana

While some medical marijuana states allow home cultivation, others do not, potentially harming lives during the coronavirus outbreak.

This past month, numerous cities and states recognized marijuana as an essential good under quarantine from the novel coronavirus, allowing medical dispensaries and recreational cannabis stores to remain open during the pandemic. Governments also lifted restrictions around delivery and curbside pickup rules.

Another option exists, however, that could improve upon social distancing efforts even more: Letting people grow their own weed at home. Bill Caruso, an attorney and founding member of New Jersey United for Marijuana Reform, recently said that support for home cultivation exists among patients and industry professionals.

“I talk to a lot of folks in the industry. A lot of people think that the industry is fighting this,” Caruso said during an NJ Insider webinar. “I have not heard one credible source in the cannabis industry that is opposed.”

Other advocates and industry leaders argued during the webinar that medical patients shouldn’t have to rely on outside sources to acquire plant medicine. This is especially true for at-risk patients, who could be placing themselves in more danger by accepting deliveries or picking up cannabis curbside.

“If you have a child with Dravet syndrome and you don’t have access to your medicine, that’s a big freaking deal. And that should make people angry, right? People should not have to worry about where they’re going to get medicines for themselves or for their child,” said Scott Rudder, president of the New Jersey CannaBusiness Association.

Italian Government Approves Of Marijuana Home Growing — Photo by Duncan McCulloch/Getty Images

Lawmakers and big industry players alike have fought home growing in multiple states. Home cultivation was included in the initial 2009 draft for medical marijuana legislation in New Jersey, but was eventually removed to increase its likelihood of passing.

The gambit worked. However, corporations such as MedMen and Vireo Health advised New York lawmakers not to include home cultivation in recreational legislation because it would be too dangerous in the hands of consumers (which later inspired a parody from South Park).

A similar plan was hatched when trying to introduce recreational marijuana legalization on the Florida ballot in 2020. The campaign was backed by the state’s biggest medical marijuana players Surterra and MedMen, but banned any home growing in its petition. When it failed to garner enough support — despite raising $8.7 million in funding — some Florida cannabis advocates were quietly pleased, due to lack of a home growing provision.

While New Jersey advocates don’t believe anything will change in the short-term, they believe the coronavirus could eventually push lawmakers to reconsider the ban on home cultivation.

States that currently allow home cultivation for medical marijuana patients include Washington, Oklahoma, Arizona, New Mexico, Montana, and Missouri. Other states like Maine, Alaska, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Colorado allow home growing for recreational and medical users alike. Meanwhile, California, Michigan, Vermont, Oregon and Nevada permit medical patients to grow more plants than recreational customers.

Sex Clubs Are Now Hosting Digital Orgies Because Of Coronavirus

Maria Loreto

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March 31, 2020

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Sex Clubs Are Now Hosting Digital Orgies Because Of Coronavirus

The current pandemic has impacted most activities and businesses, including sex clubs.

The coronavirus pandemic has limited most of our social contact, making having sex with people you don’t live with a big risk. Orgies are logically a bad idea in times of pandemics, which has forced sex clubs to get creative.

The New York Post reports that a London-based sex club called Killing Kittens is using Zoom for digital orgies. This Friday, the group has scheduled its first meeting, with over 100 guests having already RSVPd.

“It’s a two-hour virtual house party,” said Emma Sayle, Killing Kittens’ founder. “Obviously, there’s not an actual orgy in place, but it’s adult, there will be a lot of nakedness and lingerie on display and people challenging each other to do certain things with each other.”

porn lovers seem to be less sexist than regular men — Photo by kmatija/Getty Images

Aside from the sexual aspect of things, Sayle explains that these Zoom meetings are also opportunities for people to socialize, have fun and bring a party experience to the comfort and safety of their homes. While the digital party is a trial, the event will cost $25 per couple and will put a cap on 55 screens, which makes for a cluttered Zoom meeting. Traditionally, real life entrance to the event is priced at $312 per couple.

While the coronavirus is not a sexually transmitted disease, the easiest way to catch it is by standing close to someone. “But as during sex there is very close contact between two individuals, the chance of someone contracting the virus from another infected person is almost 100%, specifically due to the kissing involved,” Dr. Muhammad Munir of Lancaster University told The Guardian.

While it’s easy enough to walk through a room and avoid people who are outwardly displaying symptoms, the coronavirus is known for its long gestating period and affecting some people in asymptomatic ways. At the moment, in-person sex clubs and orgies are kind of out of the question.

The Fresh ToastThe most trusted name in cannabis

Former NFL Player In Hot Water After Claiming Marijuana Cures Coronavirus

Former All-Pro tight end Kyle Turley received swift backlash from the FDA and FTC, after numerous claims that CBD will save you from COVID-19.

Why States Need To ‘Flick The Legal Switch’ On Cannabis Amid COVID-19

Despite the varying policies and confusing rules, cannabis businesses continue to generate significant tax revenue in various states during the pandemic.

How The Coronavirus Pandemic Is Affecting Our Sex Lives

The coronavirus is affecting the sex industry, people’s porn-viewing habits and the ways in which dating apps work.

Marijuana Sales Have Leveled Out Post-Coronavirus Bump

Following the stockpiling trend, marijuana sales have fallen back to pre-pandemic daily averages.

How to Find An Effective CBD Dose

Here are some some basic principles and best practices to help you ascertain effectively the correct CBD dose that works for you.

Best Way For Long Term Storage Of Marijuana

The compounds in marijuana are heavily affected by oxygen, light and temperature.

Chapped Hands? Here Are 4 Remedies To Help

We can keep COVID-19 at bay with proper handwashing and keep our sanity with frequent moisturizing.

Lanolin

Frequent moisturizing

Nightly gloves

Check the ingredients

Should COVID-19 Allow Medical Patients To Grow Marijuana

While some medical marijuana states allow home cultivation, others do not, potentially harming lives during the coronavirus outbreak.

Sex Clubs Are Now Hosting Digital Orgies Because Of Coronavirus

The current pandemic has impacted most activities and businesses, including sex clubs.

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