What The Feds Get Wrong About Marijuana

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January 23, 2020

Some government agencies consider marijuana the worst drug on the planet and even claim there is no such thing as medical marijuana.

Cannabis can’t be federally legalized and used for Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved medical research until it is rescheduled from its Schedule 1 designation by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).

There it is listed in that schedule: marijuana, the worst illegal drug on the planet, in one of five distinct DEA-invented categories, along with heroin (15,482 overdose deaths in 2017) and other heinous illegal drugs.

It’s worse than all Schedule II drugs on the list, including cocaine (13,942 overdose deaths in 2017) and fentanyl (3,700 overdose deaths, including fentanyl analog used to sedate large animals).

Reality check: There were 70,237 drug overdose deaths in the U.S. in 2017, according to the Centers for Disease Control. There have been 92 cases of caffeine overdose deaths reported, and it’s not listed on the DEA schedule. Neither is alcohol.

No overdose deaths from marijuana — not in 2017, and not in nearly 6,000 years of human consumption.

That head-scratching scheduling kerfuffle seems to confuse the DEA as well, which is the organization that put it there. Check this out from Chuck Rosenberg, acting administrator of the DEA, in a letter to the governors of Washington State and Rhodes Island: “Schedule I includes some substances that are exceptionally dangerous and some that are less dangerous (including marijuana, which is less dangerous than some substances in other schedules). That strikes some people as odd.”

the dea still doesnt acknowledge all the good things that marijuana offers — Photo by Eric Kayne/Stringer/Getty Images

So, the DEA is saying that there is a sub-category within this “distinct” Schedule 1 controlled substance designation for marijuana? Yes, that is odd.

How cannabis got there is another story just as funky, involving President Richard Nixon and racism, as told by Fresh Toast contributor John Hudak in an article for the Washington Post.

There are also statements by another federal agency, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), that there is no such thing as medical marijuana in part because it doesn’t meet five criteria of “currently accepted medical use.” HHS Secretary Alex Azar reportedly double-downed on the no-such-thing gig at a press conference in Ohio.

Surgeon General Jerome Adams also said there is no such thing as medical marijuana in June, 2019, at the Aspen Ideas Festival.

federal court denies review of deas marijuana extract rule — Photo by OlegMalyshev/Getty Images

This probably comes as a surprise to the over 3 million medical marijuana patients in 33 states that have some form of legalized medical marijuana, including new medical marijuana states like Oklahoma, with 200,000 medical marijuana patients registered as of October, 2019 (in a state with a population just shy of 4 million) 15 months into their legalization program, and is now handling over 700 patient license applications each week.

But check the state’s website, and the first line of a marijuana fact sheet: “Medical marijuana does not exist.” Umm.. huh?

It appears that the DEA, the HHS and even a state government with a booming medical marijuana revenue generation machine are all apparently getting it wrong. But hey, they are open to more medical research to prove cannabis is truly medicine, and that can only be done using DEA-approved cannabis of poor quality that takes years for qualified researchers to get because, well, it’s a dangerous Schedule 1 drug in a sort of sub-category of not being that dangerous.

“Folks might be surprised to learn that we support this type of research,” Rosenberg wrote. “But, we do.” Unsaid between the lines: Good luck with that.

What To Know About Marijuana Tampons

Maria Loreto

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January 23, 2020

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Cannabis tampons may lack scientific research, but they’ve amassed tons of support over a short period of time.

Period cramps fluctuate in severeness, affecting some people dramatically and others, not so much. Medications can vary just as much in effectiveness, with some being capable of controlling the most intense kinds of pain and others not making a dent in the severity. Need relief, what to know about marijuana tampons.

According to Prevention.com, this variation in pain is due to a hormone called prostaglandin. Some people’s uterus produce this chemical in higher amounts than others, triggering more contractions and pains during the first two days of the cycle. Doctors might prescribe these kinds of patients with stronger medications, heat pads and alternative methods. Here’s where marijuana comes in.

Marijuana tampons, if you don’t know any better, could trigger a strange picture in your mind’s eye. For starters, marijuana tampons aren’t real tampons. These devices won’t be able to do the task that your tampons or diva cups are meant to do; instead, these products are suppositories, which are inserted into the vaginal cavity and melt against your skin.

There’s not a lot of research out there that supports CBD or THC vaginal suppositories, but plenty of people have reported their almost miraculous effects, providing relief for a solid couple of hours. These results tend to be stronger and more effective for people who struggle with their period cramps and pains.

“CBD suppositories have definitely taken the place of pain pills for me, which I didn’t think was possible,” one user told Huffington Post. “Once I was aware of my pain scale and kind of the before and after effects, I was like, ‘Whoa, this stuff is powerful.’”

if youre the explorer type cannabis suppositories are a thing — Photo by art-4-art/Getty Images

Marijuana suppositories are made up of some kind of cannabis oil covered by a soluble substance, such as coconut oil or cocoa butter. Like almost all mucous membranes in the human body, vaginal walls are very quick in absorbing the compound, triggering fast and localized relief. While some people report feeling a strange kind of high after consuming them, the effects tend to limit themselves to the lower part of your body, with low odds of developing a head high.

It’s speculated that suppositories that are high in CBD and can help with anti-inflammation, while suppositories that are high in THC are quicker in providing pain relief. There are suppositories with a mixture of compounds, providing an effective mix of both effects.

While cannabis vaginal suppositories are mostly known for their treatment of painful period cramps, they can be used to treat a wide variety of symptoms for people who haven’t found a solution to painful sex, or from conditions like endometriosis and fibromyalgia.

Menstruation and endometriosis are topics that remain mysterious and hard to treat, even when half of the world’s population identifies as female and, you know, we’ve been around since the beginning of time. Cannabis, with the help of thorough scientific research, could become an answer to many people’s problems.

New York Is Very High On Marijuana Legalization This Year

Brendan Bures

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January 23, 2020

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New York Is Very High On Marijuana Legalization This Year

Gov. Cuomo reiterated his intention to legalize marijuana in New York, and state voters are in favor of ending prohibition.

New Yorkers have heard this one before. Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced this week marijuana legalization will be included in his administration’s 2020 budget proposal. The move signals another ardent effort from the governor to push the issue through the state legislature.

Cuomo made similar gestures last year, including placing marijuana legalization in his administration’s 2019 budget proposal. He eventually removed legalization from the budget once it became clear state lawmakers would not agree on significant details ahead of legislative deadlines. Cuomo believes, however, that this year will be different.

“Legalize adult use cannabis,” Cuomo said in his budget speech. “I believe it is best done in the budget. I said that last year. I believe the budget is the opportunity, frankly, to make some tough decisions and work through tough issues that without the budget can often languish. I suggest that we get it done in the budget.”

These States Are Most Likely To Legalize Marijuana In 2020 — Photo by skodonnell/Getty Images

The announcement coincides with a new poll that shows support for marijuana legalization is at an all-time high in New York. A Sienna College poll released Tuesday reported that New York voters are in favor of ending prohibition by a 58 to 38 margin. The issue is not supported from both political sides, however. Republican voters oppose legalization by a 65-31 margin.

The intended legislation would marijuana for adults ages 21 and older, with an intention to correct past harms on individuals and communities disproportionately affected by prohibition. In addition, New York plans to coordinate their legalization efforts with neighboring states, including Connecticut, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania.

“This year Governor Cuomo is proposing a comprehensive regulatory approach to legalize cannabis, creating a new Office of Cannabis Management to specialize in cannabis regulation—overseeing the medical, adult-use and hemp programs,” Cuomo’s administration stated in a release. “The proposal will administer social equity licensing opportunities, develop an egalitarian adult-use market structure and facilitate market entry through access to capital, technical assistance and incubation of equity entrepreneurs.”

What Migraine Sufferers Need To Know About Excedrin

Kate-Madonna Hindes

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January 22, 2020

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What Migraine Sufferers Need To Know About Excedrin

One less item on the market means fewer choices for Americans who rely on the medicine to power-through often painful and debilitating migraines.

GlaxoSmithKline announced earlier this week that it has temporarily halted production of Excedrin Migraine and Excedrin Extra Strength, two of its most popular drugs to treat migraines and headaches.

Citing a precautionary measure with “inconsistencies in how we transfer and weigh ingredients,” the pharmaceutical giant explained that while it was a nation-wide issue, the drug should be available again in the future.

While GlaxoSmithKline does not believe there is a risk to the general public, one less item on the market means fewer choices for Americans who rely on the medicine to power-through often painful and debilitating migraines.

Understanding the impact of migraines

According to the Migraine Research Foundation, as the third most prevalent illness in the world, migraines affect 1 in 4 U.S. households. Most common between the ages of 18 and 44, migraine sufferers affect 18% of American women, 6% of men and 10% of children. Many sufferers cite a diminished quality of life, and anxiety as to when their next migraine may occur.

A 2019 study quoted in Neurology Advisor found that patients who experienced migraines had a significantly reduced visual quality of life. Those in the study who had chronic migraines had visual quality scores that were comparable to patients with Multiple Sclerosis.

Barriers starting to break down

With marijuana recognized as a Schedule I drug, research has been slow to effect change for those battling chronic conditions who could use marijuana for relief. With congressional subcommittees more open to discussion around marijuana and the barriers in place for human treatment, federal agencies are starting to realize the impact of THC.

relieve your migraines — Photo by JGI/Jamie Grill/Getty Images

Within the past week, the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) opened submissions from the public to seek new insights and treatments for migraines being conducted by AHRQ’s Evidence-based Practice Centers (EPC) Program. (You can find details to submit personal information here.)

Can medical marijuana help?

What many don’t know is that medical marijuana can offer some relief. In fact, according to an April 2017 study published in the journal Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research:

“Early reports of cannabis for the treatment of headache appear to be largely positive, with many patients experiencing a decrease in the frequency and intensity of their headache episodes. In some cases, headache was cured entirely even after cannabis discontinuation.”

Even more interesting, the study found out of 139 patients, cannabis had value in treating a portion of the patients. Some experienced cluster headaches while on THC, which was attributed to a known increase in heart rate and blood pressure.

A 2019 study published by the American Pain Society found that inhaling cannabis reduced self-reported headache and migraine severity by about 50%, but its effectiveness appears to diminish across time. Interestingly, men reported larger reductions in severity than women and no evidence for overuse was detected.

Are you a candidate for cannabis?

With medical marijuana now legal in more states than ever before, it’s important to discuss how adding THC to your pain regimen will work. Just like pharmaceutical drugs work differently for each individual depending on other drugs taken or medical history, marijuana is much of the same — without the side effects that many pharmaceuticals bring.

Excedrin’s side effects include excess stomach acid, heartburn, nausea, and potential damage to the liver, where according to research, marijuana has very little effects on the body when used appropriately.

While even a temporarily pulling a drug from the market can cause stress when it’s relied upon, there are other options for migraine sufferers that are finally coming to light.

5 Animal Videos To Save Your Week: Jan. 20

Maria Loreto

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January 22, 2020

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5 Animal Videos To Save Your Week: Jan. 20

This week’s cute animals include dog friends, nosy pets and very expressive cats.

There’s no better pick-me-up than the one you get when you see a clip of an animal acting silly, which is why we’ve compiled this weekly column. These short videos feature all sorts of animals and can provide that much needed mid-week rush of endorphins, anywhere at any time.

This week’s cute animals are all about funny and friendly cats and dogs. Check them out!

Clingy friends

https://www.instagram.com/p/B6tj70ZlEdZ/

Aside from the fact that this video is very aesthetically pleasing due to how it’s shot and because the dogs are very cute, the cuddle is just perfectly timed. Give me 20 more of these please.

Christmas puppy

https://www.instagram.com/p/B6iznNUFXAe/

Yeah yeah, January is almost over, but it’s never too late for a dog to pop out of a box while wearing a Santa Claus outfit.

Bored kitty

https://www.instagram.com/p/B7Uxyqil96u/

This cat is bored, this cat is sleepy and it doesn’t want to appear in this video.

A very expressive cat

https://www.instagram.com/p/B7UQxFyFhtz/

Play this on a loop when you’re feeling sad. Or when feeling any type of feeling, really. It fits all moods.

Workout buddy

https://www.instagram.com/p/B7Tx5kMhjkP/

Dogs don’t make for the best workout buddies, but they are very cute. Especially this guy, who is just the best. Who cares about working out when you can cuddle?

Chocolate Brand Trademarks The Word Psilocybin

Green Market Report

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January 22, 2020

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The company sells chocolate bars that don’t seem to contain any mushroom ingredients.

Just as the psilocybin mushroom market begins to heat up, one enterprising entrepreneur has quickly snapped up the trademark for the word “Psilocybin.” Marijuana Moment picked up on the founder’s notice on LinkedIn that the word had been trademarked. That post has since disappeared and while there is no mention of the trademark happening on the company’s website, the tiny TM does appear after each mention of the word Psilocybin on the company’s website.

The company sells chocolate bars that don’t seem to contain any mushroom ingredients. In fact, there is little in the way of a description as to how the chocolate is made or sourced. It says the bars “have been created as a gateway to educate you on what is next for medicinal mushroom health and healing.” It does say that all the products are sold out.

Scarlet Ravin describes her company Psilocybin™️ as “a community-based support system holding a sacred knowing for others to come back to their knowing of their God-self.” She describes herself as being “known for her visionary Branding and Marketing which has led her companies to the front of the market allowing multiple press mentions and forward-thinking concepts that grab the attention of the mass market.”

Ravin told Marijuana Moment that she “plans to contribute 10 percent of profits to the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS), which is involved in researching the therapeutic benefits of psychedelic substances.”

Marijuana Trademarks Not Allowed

Psilocybin mushrooms are also a schedule 1 substance under the Controlled Substance Act like marijuana. The U.S. Patent Trade Office stated that marijuana is still prohibited from U.S. trademark registration. “The CSA prohibits, among other things, manufacturing, distributing, dispensing, or possessing certain controlled substances, including marijuana. 21 U.S.C. §§812, 841(a)(1), 844(a). Therefore, the USPTO refuses registration when an application identifies goods encompassing CBD or other extracts of marijuana because such goods are unlawful under federal law and do not support valid use of the applied-for mark in commerce.”

Marijuana Moment noted that this trademark is “Specifically for educational materials and it’s listed on the supplemental register, rather than the principal register, which means it would be incumbent upon the brand to prove that it has earned distinctiveness of the mark if the issue went to court.”

This article originally appeared on Green Market Report.

Smuggling Legal Weed, Don’t Get Caught By Doing This

Mike Adams

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January 22, 2020

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Smuggling Legal Weed, Don’t Get Caught By Doing This

A motorist driving home with a little weed stowed inside doesn’t have to be a master smuggler, they just have to be a smidge smarter than the fool doing it at high speeds.

Interstate marijuana trafficking is about to become more widespread in the Midwest now that legalization has taken hold in Illinois and Michigan for adults 21 and older. There’s just no way to stop diehard weed enthusiasts, not to mention the droves of cannabis curious, from trekking into one of these states for legal bud. But if you are smuggling weed in for a legal state, don’t get caught doing this

Not only do they get to experience the novelty that is buying weed from a store, but they also get to, for once, avoid street dealers, corner thugs, and other shady characters of the illicit drug trade. It’s a thing of beauty, really, as long as these folks don’t get busted. Weed might be legal in parts of the country, but it is still very much a no-no in others.

Still, while the threat of jail is very real for those caught with weed in prohibition states, most amateur marijuana smugglers can pull it off unscathed if they aren’t complete, bumbling idiots. It’s like the old adage goes: “You don’t have to run faster than the bear to get away. You just have to run faster than the guy next to you.” The same goes for transporting marijuana into areas of prohibition. A motorist driving home with a little weed stowed inside doesn’t have to be a master smuggler, they just have to be a smidge smarter than the fool doing it at speeds of over 100mph.

Indiana State Police say they finally caught a local resident crossing the border with marijuana purchased in Illinois. But it wasn’t some next-level police work that led to their capture. It was the fact that they were driving along the interstate at 103mph. It’s a chapter straight out of the dumb strikes back.

A report from WNDU says that on January 1, the day weed went legal in Illinois, a trooper was parked along I-80 when a Chrysler zipped by him at a blinding rate of speed. Of course, this is when the lights came on and the trooper dashed out in pursuit of the hurried vehicle. During the traffic stop, the officer noticed a strong odor of marijuana coming from inside. The report indicates that the driver, 26-year-old Michael Peavey, was sweating profusely by the time the cop started asking questions, which only amplified their suspicions. Eventually, a search of the vehicle was conducted.

Colorado Weed — Photo by MichaelGaida via Pixabay

Anyone care to take a guess what the officer discovered? Wait for it. Try 100 grams of marijuana that was bought earlier that morning in Illinois. The driver also had an illegal firearm and ammunition under his seat. In other words, he is royally screwed and, unless his legal team is top-notch, will probably spend some time in prison.

Meanwhile, police in parts of Iowa say they haven’t experienced an uptick in people smuggling marijuana from Illinois. And they’ve been watching for it, too. Princeton Police Chief Brian Carsten told WQAD that his force patrols the interstate, hoping to catch drivers coming across the state line with weed. But so far, this quest has been fairly uneventful. Carsten has a theory, too, for why legalization across the river hasn’t caused an uprising in marijuana busts in his neck of the woods.

Festivus — Photo by Matt Popovich via Unsplash

“I don’t think the people we’re dealing with in the street and in patrol are the ones that are going to dispensaries and buying it legally,” the officers told the news source.

But in reality, the reason police aren’t seeing much interstate drug trafficking is simple. Most people traveling with weed from Illinois or Michigan are not getting caught because they are obeying the traffic laws. It’s the reason we haven’t heard about any substantial increases in small time smuggling as of yet. The speed demon with the pistol under his seat and a few other miscreants is the worst of it.

Marijuana customers that are smuggling stashes in from Illinois aren’t putting themselves in a position to get stopped by the police in the first place. They are minding their speed, not crossing over the center line, and just otherwise driving responsibly. After all, law enforcement in prohibition states cannot spend all day pulling over hundreds of motorists in hopes of finding marijuana. Therefore, most of these people are getting away with breaking the law.

Tulsi Gabbard Now Believes We Should Legalize All Drugs

Brendan Bures

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January 21, 2020

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Tulsi Gabbard Now Believes We Should Legalize All Drugs

Citing Portugal’s drug policy as inspiration, Tulsi Gabbard wants to end the war on drugs by legalizing and regulating all drugs.

Last year, Democratic presidential candidate Tulsi Gabbard said the United States should move to legalize marijuana and decriminalize illicit drugs like cocaine and heroin. This, she told Reason, was her strategy to end America’s war on drugs. In a campaign stop in Merrimack, New Hampshire, Gabbard expanded on that position; she endorsed legalizing all illegal drugs so that addicts can receive proper treatment instead of entering the criminal justice system.

“If we take that step to legalize and regulate, then we’re no longer treating people who are struggling with substance addiction and abuse as criminals and instead getting them the help that they need,” Gabbard said, as reported by Forbes.

The Hawaii congresswoman was responding to a voter’s query about whether or not Gabbard’s position was more focused on harm reduction and treatment, or if it was about removing illicit black-market narcotics from the streets. All the above, said Gabbard, who has previously introduced federal bills to expand marijuana research.

Federal Employees — Photo by Flickr user Paul Frederickson

“The costs and the consequence to this failed war on drugs is so vast and far reaching, socially and fiscally, that if we take these necessary steps, we’ll be able to solve a lot of other problems that we’re dealing with in this country,” she said.

Tulsi tonight endorsed a proposal to “legalize and regulate” all drugs (not just marijuana) and rejected that this was an “extreme” solution to end the Drug War, cited the Portugal model where all drugs are decriminalized pic.twitter.com/LUVIw5tjpa

— Michael Tracey (@mtracey) January 18, 2020

Gabbard acknowledged the Portuguese approach to drug policy as an inspiration. In Portugal, all drugs have been decriminalized since 2001. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the United States saw 70,237 drug overdose deaths in 2017 alone, with synthetic opioids credited as the main cause. Portugal, comparatively, had 30 deaths attributed to drug overdoses in 2016, Statistics Portugal reported.

This new endorsement to legalize all drugs places Gabbard further left than her Democratic presidential competitors when it comes to drug policy. Mayor Pete Buttigieg supports decriminalizing all drugs while tech entrepreneur Andrew Yang has advocated to decriminalize all opioids while tweeting that we should make psilocybin “magic” mushrooms “more freely available.”

Does The Entourage Effect Affect Your High

Maria Loreto

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January 21, 2020

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Does The Entourage Effect Affect Your High

The strong and uncomfortable side effects of THC, like paranoia and anxiety, are believed to be decreased when a strain also contains a healthy amount of CBD

Despite America’s slow but steady embrace of cannabis, there are still plenty of aspects about the plant that we don’t understand. One of the mysteries that inspires the most curiosity amongst researchers is how cannabis compounds interact with each other, producing different medicinal benefits and highs.

One of the most useful examples is that of THC. If you isolate pure THC and consume it, it’s not the same effect as when THC is consumed and allowed to mix with the other elements present in cannabis. The same case occurs with CBD and it’s a phenomenon known as the entourage or ensemble effect.

Although most data relies on anecdotes, it’s believed that THC and CBD have a strong relationship, with one tempering the other. The strong and uncomfortable side effects of THC, like paranoia and anxiety, are believed to be decreased when a strain also contains a healthy amount of CBD, leaving you with a high that’s mellow, manageable and pleasant.

What Is CBG And Is It Legal? — Photo by Andrea Robinson/Getty Images

While CBD and THC are the compounds believed to have most medicinal effects, until there’s more research on the other parts of the cannabis plant, we’ll never know which compound is responsible for marijuana’s medicinal benefits and which one produces the strongest results. Even the plant’s terpenes — the aromatic oils present in cannabis and in plenty of other plants — have been associated with medicinal benefits.

In an interview with Wired, Adie Wilson-Poe, a cannabis researcher at Washington University, said, “If you were to vaporize a whole flower, you’d be consuming potentially a couple dozen anti-inflammatory molecules at once. In this sense I think of whole-plant cannabis as like a multivitamin for inflammation.”

While this influx of potential therapeutic compounds is exciting, it’s also a little daunting. For us to exploit the depths of cannabis for medicinal and recreational purposes, the government needs to figure itself out; cannabis remains classified as a schedule I type of drug, limiting its use and preventing scientists from conducting the necessary research.

Once the entourage effect is explored in full, studies will be able to orient researchers and help them understand the different compounds in cannabis — specifically, which ones work together and which ones are best kept separate. Change is coming, just at a snail’s pace.

Is Smoking Marijuana Laced With Human Remains Dangerous

Mike Adams

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January 20, 2020

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Is Smoking Marijuana Laced With Human Remains Dangerous

We already know consumption of marijuana via smoking is not the healthiest thing for humans. So throwing in a lump of human ash can’t possibly make it better, right?

New Orleans-based metal band Down said it best: “And when I die, bury me in smoke.” The sentiment behind the words, at least as far as I’m concerned, is that once this life is over, there is no better tribute to all of the good, the bad and utterly rotten we’ve cast out into the world than if our friends and family roll up our ashes in a fat joint and smoke us straight to the great beyond.

It’s a seemingly insane ethos that’s been a part of the stoner community for a long time, especially among celebrities. In fact, several years ago, members of Tupac Shakur’s circle claimed they smoked the late artist’s ashes, while Keith Richards of the Rolling Stones says he snorted his father’s remains in a pile of cocaine.

And, just when it couldn’t possibly get any weirder, just this week, a Wisconsin man was arrested for selling marijuana laced with his mother’s ashes. This got me thinking: Man, it really is a weird world. But it also made me question whether any of the people who ever engaged in such a ritual ever experienced any health repercussions. We are talking about inhaling the dust of corpse, after all. It cannot be sanitary.

We already know that the consumption of marijuana via smoking is not the healthiest thing for humans to do. Just like any other burnt plant matter, marijuana smoke contains carcinogens that have been known to cause a pesky disease called cancer. But toss in a lump of ash from something that used to walk the Earth, and the risk of harm should increase exponentially, right?

Well, not exactly.

Apparently, a person would need to smoke marijuana laced with human remains quite regularly before it would cause any real health issues. It’s sort of like what coal miners might experience after spending years in the mines inhaling the dust. On occasion, breathing in these particles isn’t going to destroy the lungs, but do it for a decade or more and the harms could be significant, even deadly.

How To Use CBD To Reduce Holiday Stress — Photo by Dennis Aglaster/EyeEm/Getty Images

There are all sorts of factors that could seemingly cripple the lungs of anyone who dares smoke the ashes of a dead relative. But it really depends on how the body was dealt with before cremation that dictates the level of danger.

The real risk comes into play if the body was embalmed before entering the oven. The chemicals used in this process are incredibly toxic and can bring about some severe adverse effects if they are consumed. Interestingly enough, embalming fluid soaked marijuana is highly sought after in some circles. It creates a PCP type effect that some folks, for whatever reason, tend to enjoy. But health experts advise against this practice wholeheartedly. Not only can it lead to poisoning, but it can produce long term health problems.

Fortunately, there are no laws in any state that requires embalming for bodies set to be cremated. Some funeral homes might have policies that mandate embalming if a body is going to be viewed publicly. Some may even require the process if the body cannot be dealt with within a certain amount of time.

But for the most part, the Federal Trade Commission, which enforces funeral rule, does not require embalming for cremation. Most of the time, refrigeration is an acceptable method of preservation until it comes time to fire up the oven. Therefore, anyone wishing to smoke the remains of a loved one should discuss memorial options with the funeral director that do not involve embalming.

Whether or not you choose to share with them your plans is entirely up to you. But don’t worry about breaking the law. While there are strict rules for handling a body before cremation, there aren’t any for what can or cannot be done with the remains after the ashes are in hand. There are, however, some cases when smoking human remains could be considered “abuse of a corpse,” which is a criminal offense. But most states do not treat it as such.

The Fresh ToastThe most trusted name in cannabis

What The Feds Get Wrong About Marijuana

Some government agencies consider marijuana the worst drug on the planet and even claim there is no such thing as medical marijuana.

What To Know About Marijuana Tampons

Cannabis tampons may lack scientific research, but they’ve amassed tons of support over a short period of time.

New York Is Very High On Marijuana Legalization This Year

Gov. Cuomo reiterated his intention to legalize marijuana in New York, and state voters are in favor of ending prohibition.

What Migraine Sufferers Need To Know About Excedrin

One less item on the market means fewer choices for Americans who rely on the medicine to power-through often painful and debilitating migraines.

Understanding the impact of migraines

Barriers starting to break down

Can medical marijuana help?

Are you a candidate for cannabis?

Chocolate Brand Trademarks The Word Psilocybin

The company sells chocolate bars that don’t seem to contain any mushroom ingredients.

Marijuana Trademarks Not Allowed

Smuggling Legal Weed, Don’t Get Caught By Doing This

A motorist driving home with a little weed stowed inside doesn’t have to be a master smuggler, they just have to be a smidge smarter than the fool doing it at high speeds.

Tulsi Gabbard Now Believes We Should Legalize All Drugs

Citing Portugal’s drug policy as inspiration, Tulsi Gabbard wants to end the war on drugs by legalizing and regulating all drugs.

Does The Entourage Effect Affect Your High

The strong and uncomfortable side effects of THC, like paranoia and anxiety, are believed to be decreased when a strain also contains a healthy amount of CBD

Is Smoking Marijuana Laced With Human Remains Dangerous

We already know consumption of marijuana via smoking is not the healthiest thing for humans. So throwing in a lump of human ash can’t possibly make it better, right?

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