Page 6 – The Fresh Toast

Can CBD Replace Pacifiers And Other Anxiety Hacks

Amy Hansen

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October 23, 2025

Can CBD Replace Pacifiers And Other Anxiety Hacks? Gen Z’s trending stress relief methods revealed.

Young people are stretched thin — school debt, gig work, social media pressures and a thinning safety net have turned everyday stress into a public-health problem. Anxiety diagnoses and troubling self-reported symptoms are common: recent national data show high rates of anxiety among adolescents and young adults, and public-health surveys flag a steady rise in youth mental-health concerns over the last decade. Can CBD replace pacifiers and other anxiety hacks.

That context helps explain why some under-30s are trying unconventional fixes. Two viral coping trends — adult “soothers” or pacifiers and the now-ubiquitous “bathroom camping” — have lit up TikTok feeds. Advocates say an oral device or a private stall offers instant calm: a small, controllable ritual in a noisy world. But clinicians warn these are stopgaps at best and can carry real downsides (dental problems and disrupted breathing for prolonged pacifier use; social and safety tradeoffs for frequent bathroom retreats). Reporting on the pacifier trend has prompted dentists and sleep experts to caution against making it a habit.

CBD gummies, meanwhile, have burst into the mainstream as a more “medical” alternative. Cannabidiol — the non-intoxicating compound from cannabis — has been the subject of randomized trials and systematic reviews suggest it can reduce acute anxiety in some settings and may help social anxiety and stress responses at certain doses. But the science is still emerging: meta-analyses show promising signals, yet point out small sample sizes, variable dosing, and a need for larger, longer trials before clinicians can confidently recommend CBD as a frontline treatment.

So which is better? If you’re under 30 and looking for short-term relief, CBD has a stronger evidence base than adult pacifiers — but only when used responsibly: buy lab-tested products, check for low THC content, be alert for side effects, and consult a clinician about drug interactions. Pacifiers and bathroom camping may provide quick comfort, but they don’t treat underlying anxiety and can create new problems if they become the default coping tool.

Bottom line for Millennials shopping for solutions for younger friends or kids: prioritize proven public-health approaches — sleep, movement, therapy access and social connection — and treat CBD as an experimental supplement rather than a cure. If anxiety is frequent or disabling, professional help is the safest route. For readers who want to dive deeper, see the NIMH summary on anxiety prevalence and recent systematic reviews of CBD’s therapeutic potential.

Tariffs And Visas Add To The Cannabis Industry’s Misery

Terry Hacienda

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October 22, 2025

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Tariffs And Visas Add To The Cannabis Industry’s Misery

Tariffs And Visa Add To The Cannabis Industry’s Misery, squeezing profits, talent, and innovation nationwide.

The U.S. legal cannabis industry has been suffering over the last two years under an indecisive federal government — and now it’s getting squeezed from two unexpected angles: Tariffs and Visas add to the cannabis industry’s misery. For businesses and workers alike, what once looked like a budding success story is showing greater turbulence.

The first punch comes via international trade policy. Many cannabis-adjacent businesses — from vape cartridge manufacturers to packaging suppliers and cultivation equipment importers — rely heavily on overseas inputs, especially from China. Recent U.S. tariffs on Chinese goods — in some cases raising rates to 30–50% or more — have forced costs up, and the ripple is hitting weed-industry players hard.

According to one industry analysis, the cost to produce a typical vape unit is rising by a few cents apiece because of tariffs on hardware and packaging. With thousands of units produced monthly, it adds up quickly. Some companies are absorbing the hit, but others expect the increases to eventually land on consumers — or push buyers back into illicit markets.

What makes this especially tough for cannabis businesses: margins are already razor-thin, regulatory burdens are high, and the domestic supply chain just isn’t built out. Switching suppliers takes time; finding U.S.-based manufacturers meeting regulatory compliance is even harder.

Now consider the human side of the workforce. The immigration and “visa” side of the equation rarely gets front-page attention in cannabis, but it’s quietly important. The federal government still classifies cannabis (marijuana) as a Schedule I controlled substance, despite many states legalizing it. That creates complications for foreign nationals trying to work in or invest in cannabis-related businesses.

For example, non-U.S. citizens on visas or applying for visas risk denial or revocation if they have past cannabis use, or if they’re working or investing in the cannabis industry—even when it’s legal in the state. This means companies would otherwise recruit international talent, or rely on global investment, may find restrictions.

At the same time, broader visa policy changes are making the environment more uncertain. Recent shifts on H-1B visas, fees, and work permits are complicating cross-border mobility for skilled workers.

The combination of higher input costs and a more restrictive workforce/immigration pipeline is a double whammy for cannabis entrepreneurs. It means:

Higher retail prices or slimmer margins
Supply chain disruption (imports delayed, domestic alternatives still catching up)
Caution around hiring international talent or tapping global investment due to immigration uncertainty
Potential slowdown in growth or innovation as more resources are diverted to coping

For millennial cannabis consumers and industry watchers: yes, you might start seeing slightly steeper prices or less product innovation. And for workers and founders: borders, visas, and trade policy are no longer side conversations — they’re central to whether the business thrives.

In short: the cannabis boom isn’t immune to macroeconomics and immigration policy. If anything, it’s among the more vulnerable sectors, since it straddles imports, regulation, and workforce mobility all at once.

Millennials Are Spending Big on Luxury Travel

Amy Hansen

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October 21, 2025

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Millennials redefine indulgence as experiences, not things — airlines adapt as Millennials are spending big on luxury travel.

Luxury isn’t what it used to be. For Millennials, adults in their 30s and early 40s, living luxuriously means swapping pricey gadgets, cars, and designer clothes for something else. Something their parents did later in life. Millennials are spending bing on luxury travel experiences. From Napa Valley wine tours to boutique ski resorts in Colorado, Millennials are redefining what it means to “treat yourself.” And it’s not just happening in the U.S.—they’re doing it worldwide.

In the U.S., states like California, New York, Florida, and Texas are seeing a boom in experiential travel. Millennials are putting more of their disposable income into curated trips, wellness retreats, and boutique hotels—sometimes choosing these experiences over traditional material luxuries.

Globally, destinations are feeling the impact too. Millennials are flocking to Portugal’s Douro Valley for vineyard tours and Italy’s Amalfi Coast for boutique stays. In Asia, young travelers are splurging on private island resorts in the Maldives and eco-lodges in Bali. Even in Africa, safari trips in South Africa and Kenya are attracting Millennials looking for immersive, Instagram-worthy adventures.

Why the shift? Millennials came of age during tough economic times—from the Great Recession to rising housing costs and inflation. Many have decided memories beat things which depreciate quickly. Social media also plays a role: a picture-perfect vacation is now a status symbol in itself.

Millennials favor “quiet luxury”—understated but high-quality experiences. They prefer boutique hotels, local cuisine, private tours, and eco-friendly resorts over flashy, mass-market offerings. Whether it’s a wine tasting in California or a wellness retreat in Thailand, this generation seeks personalization, authenticity, and sustainability.

Airlines are taking notice. Carriers like Delta, Air France, and Emirates are rolling out perks aimed squarely at Millennials. Think flexible booking, wellness-focused amenities, upgraded seating options, and loyalty programs rewarding experiences rather than just miles. Boutique airline partnerships with resorts, curated city guides, and even “Instagram-ready” lounges cater to this generation’s desire for travel that’s luxurious but meaningful. Some airlines are even offering subscription-style models or bundled travel packages appealing to Millennials who prioritize experiences over possessions.

This trend shows Millennials define luxury differently: it’s freedom, experiences, and personal growth—not what you own. Many are spending on travel instead of expensive cars, big homes, or designer brands. And as Millennials hit peak earning years, the global luxury travel market is set to grow even more.

For Millennials, luxury isn’t just a price tag—it’s an experience you remember, share, and treasure.

Top Millennial Luxury Travel Hot Spots

California, USA: Wine country, coastal retreats, and wellness resorts.
Portugal: Vineyard stays and scenic surf towns.
Bali, Indonesia: Eco-lodges and spiritual wellness retreats.
Italy: Amalfi Coast villas and food-driven cultural tours.
Kenya & South Africa: Luxe safaris with sustainability built in.
Iceland: Adventure and geothermal spas in minimalist luxury.

Airlines Leaning In

Delta Air Lines: Expanding premium cabin and wellness-focused menus for “mindful flyers.”
Emirates: Instagram-worthy lounges and inflight luxury appealing to Millennials’ visual storytelling.
Air France & KLM: Personalized travel guides, flexible booking, and eco-conscious options.
JetBlue Mint: Affordable luxury with craft cocktails and small-brand partnerships.

Data Confirms Cannabis Is Safer Than Alcohol

Amy Hansen

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October 21, 2025

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Data Confirms Cannabis Is Safer Than Alcohol

Cannabis is a hot topic on Capital Hill and online – but what are the facts? Data confirms a key issue about the plant.

The medical community has come out and said cannabis has medical benefits. Despite this, some older congress members are concerned about the harmful effects of the plant. But data confirms cannabis is safer than alcohol. The overall burden of disease and injury from alcohol far exceeds those of marijuana. For example Australia, alcohol accounted for 3.2% of the disease and injury, while marijuana accounted for only 0.2%. The effects are clear and 88% of the public believe it should be legal in some form.

The debate over the safety of marijuana versus alcohol has been ongoing for years, with evidence demonstrating marijuana poses significantly fewer health and safety risks than alcohol. Data supports the marijuana is safer as an alternative to alcohol by examining health impacts, addiction rates, and societal effects. Already Gen Z sees it has a better lifestyle choice by choice to be California sober.

Alcohol use is strongly linked to violent crimes, with estimates suggesting that 25-30% of violent crimes in the U.S. are alcohol-related. In contrast, marijuana use is not commonly associated with violence or crime

Here is more information about the difference between cannabis and marijuana.

Mortality Rates: Alcohol use is associated with tens of thousands of deaths annually in the United States, primarily due to chronic alcohol use and alcohol-related accidents. In contrast, there have been no documented cases of fatal marijuana overdoses.
Health-Related Costs: The health-related costs for alcohol consumers are substantially higher than those for marijuana users. A study found that the annual cost per alcohol user is approximately $165, compared to just $20 per marijuana user.
Neurological Effects: Alcohol consumption is known to cause permanent brain damage, whereas marijuana has been found to have neuroprotective properties.This suggests marijuana may not only be less harmful but can be beneficial in certain neurological contexts.
Addiction Potential: Marijuana is less addictive than alcohol. While some individuals may develop dependence on marijuana, it is less severe and less common than alcohol dependence. Alcohol use can lead to severe physical withdrawal symptoms, which are not observed with marijuana.
Dependence and Tolerance: Alcohol users are more likely to develop tolerance and dependence compared to marijuana users. This indicates that alcohol poses a greater risk of long-term addiction issues.

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In addition, alcohol increases risk-taking behavior, contributing to accidents and injuries, whereas marijuana does not seem to increase such behavior. This difference is crucial in understanding the societal impact of these substances.

Data overwhelmingly supports the conclusion that marijuana is safer than alcohol in terms of health risks, addiction potential, and societal impact. As marijuana use becomes more prevalent, understanding these differences is crucial for informed policy-making and public health strategies.

While both substances carry risks, the evidence suggests that marijuana poses fewer dangers to both individuals and communities compared to alcohol. This understanding can help guide more rational and evidence-based approaches to substance regulation and public health initiatives.

Evidence About Burning Mouth Syndrome And Cannabinoids

Amy Hansen

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October 21, 2025

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Evidence About Burning Mouth Syndrome And Cannabinoids shows cannabis may ease pain through CBD’s nerve-calming effects.

If you mouth on fire frequently? There is evidence about Burning Mouth Syndrome and cannabinoids. It is a weird, stubborn condition: people feel a persistent burning, tingling or scalding pain in the mouth with little or no visible signs. For many sufferers, the pain is daily and annoying enough to wreck sleep, mood and social meals — so new options are getting attention, including cannabis-based therapies. But before you reach for an edible or CBD oil, here’s what the research actually shows.

Short version about help with Burning Mouth Syndrome (BMS). there is encouraging, early evidence cannabinoids — particularly CBD-dominant or topical cannabis extracts — might reduce neuropathic oral pain for some people. A small, open-label pilot found cannabis sativa oil reduced symptoms in people with primary BMS, suggesting a signal worth studying in larger trials. That study didn’t prove a cure, but it’s the kind of clinical pilot which pushes the field forward.

Why cannabinoids could plausibly help, BMS is often considered a neuropathic pain disorder (a problem with how nerves signal pain). Cannabinoids act on the endocannabinoid system, which plays a role in modulating pain, inflammation and stress — all relevant to BMS. Broader reviews of cannabinoids for chronic and neuropathic pain report moderate benefit in some neuropathic conditions, which supports the idea targeted cannabis-based treatments might be useful for mouth pain too.

One attractive idea is using topical or intra-oral CBD formulations (drops, rinses, or oil applied to the mucosa) to get local effects without strong psychoactive side effects. Emerging reviews and early trials suggest intraoral CBD or cannabis-containing mouthwashes can reduce inflammation, pain, and even change oral microbiota in some small studies — but these findings are preliminary and product formulations vary widely. If dryness (xerostomia) is an issue — a common BMS complaint — be cautious: some cannabinoid products and delivery methods can affect salivation differently.

High-quality randomized controlled trials for cannabis specifically in BMS are still limited. Systematic reviews of BMS treatments note while several options can help some patients, consistent, large-scale evidence is lacking — and the same is true for cannabinoids in this specific condition. That means clinicians and patients must balance promising pilot data with uncertainty and potential side effects.

A few practical takeaways

If considering cannabis for BMS, prioritize CBD-dominant or topical formulations and avoid high-dose THC until you know how you react.
Talk with your dentist/oral medicine specialist first — rule out nutritional deficiencies, meds, or infections mimicking BMS.
Expect a trial-and-error approach: some patients report meaningful relief; others don’t. A 2023 patient survey also found many people with neuropathic pain reported symptom improvement with cannabis, but self-report data has limits.

Bottom line: cannabis is a promising avenue for some people with BMS, especially CBD/topical approaches, but evidence is early. If you’re curious, involve your clinician, start low, and track outcomes — the science is moving, but not finished.

Cannabis Mogul Appointed Ambassador To Middle East Country

Terry Hacienda

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October 21, 2025

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Washington surprised as cannabis mogul appointed ambassador to Middle East Country amid tension

Considering the delay in rescheduling, it is a bit of surprising and positive news a cannabis mogul appointed ambassador to Middle East country. yes, Mark Savaya, a Michigan businessman best known for his Leaf & Bud marijuana dispensary chain and ubiquitous billboards around Detroit, may become the new special envoy to the Republic of Iraq. The pick, announced on Trump’s Truth Social, landed like a Twitter storm: part hometown booster move, part political reward, and part diplomatic wildcard.

Savaya’s rise is the kind of American-story headline editors love. An Iraqi-born Chaldean who built a visible cannabis brand in Metro Detroit, he became a local celebrity for aggressive billboard marketing and a social-media presence pushing his products — and his persona — into the public eye. His Leaf & Bud outlets and “Mark Savaya Collection” branding have been the subject of local debate and municipal attention.

The background matters for two reasons. First, Savaya has been politically active in Michigan and a visible backer of the current presideent’s campaign efforts in the state — a factor the White House explicitly referenced when explaining the appointment. Second, his cannabis ties present an awkward optics clash: the U.S. appointee’s business is legal under Michigan state law but remains illegal under federal law, while Iraq enforces some of the region’s toughest drug penalties.

Why Iraq makes this appointment a high-stakes headline: U.S.–Iraq ties are layered and fragile. The role of a special envoy historically carries weight — envoys have been central to reconstruction, counterterrorism coordination and high-stakes diplomacy since 2003 — and Baghdad’s politics are a mosaic of sectarian factions, foreign influences, and security challenges. The choice of a non-career political appointee with no formal diplomatic resume has prompted questions in both Baghdad and Washington about what the administration expects Savaya to accomplish.

And then there’s the cannabis angle. Iraq’s law is unforgiving: recreational and medical cannabis are illegal, and penalties for possession, trafficking and cultivation can be severe under Iraqi statutes and long-standing narcotics laws. That stark legal contrast — an American envoy whose public brand is tied to cannabis, representing U.S. interests in a country who criminalizes it — is likely to be raised in Baghdad’s briefings and in public reaction.

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What to watch next: how Baghdad and Baghdad’s partners (including the Kurdistan Regional Government) publicly receive Savaya; whether his appointment is purely symbolic outreach to Iraqi-American communities and voters in Michigan, or whether he’ll be given a clear, policy-driven brief; and how the White House manages the optics of a cannabis entrepreneur handling sensitive Middle East diplomacy. For young readers and beat-followers, this is less a culture-war curiosity and more a case study in modern patronage diplomacy — where brand, social capital, and partisan loyalty can land you in a geopolitically delicate job.

The appointment is real, it’s provocative, and it underscores how unconventional pathways to influence are reshaping U.S. diplomacy — for better or worse — at a moment when Iraq’s stability and the U.S. role there remain anything but settled.

The Best Microdosing Strains For A Rough Week

Terry Hacienda

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October 20, 2025

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Is it a Monday of a week you already wish was over? Discover the best microdosing strains for a rough week.

Life gets messy sometimes. Deadlines pile up, meetings run long, and anxiety seems to lurk around every corner. For many Millennials and Gen Zers, microdosing cannabis has become a go-to strategy for managing stress without the heavy “high” that can derail productivity. But not all strains are created equal. So, what’s the best microdosing strains for a rough week.

Microdosing is the art of taking small, controlled amounts of cannabis to achieve subtle benefits—think calm focus, creativity, and mood regulation—without intense intoxication. It’s especially appealing for young professionals and students who want stress relief without feeling “out of it.” According to recent wellness studies, microdosing can improve mood, ease tension, and even boost mental clarity when done responsibly.

Gummy Products Are Changing The Way People Think About CBD — Photo by Pharma Hemp Complex via Unsplash

Top Strains for Microdosing

Harlequin

A CBD-dominant strain, Harlequin is famous for delivering clear-headed relief. It’s ideal for microdosing because its balanced 5:2 ratio of CBD to THC allows you to relax without feeling drowsy or overly stoned. Millennials dealing with tight work schedules and Gen Zers balancing side hustles love its subtle calm.

ACDC

Another CBD powerhouse, ACDC is perfect for anyone needing a mental reset midweek. Users report reduced anxiety, enhanced focus, and a sense of grounded calm. Microdosing this strain helps you stay functional while keeping stress at bay.

Jack Herer

For those who want a slight mood lift alongside focus, Jack Herer is the classic sativa-leaning option. A microdose delivers gentle energy and creativity without the jittery side effects of coffee or high-THC strains. Ideal for brainstorming sessions or powering through challenging workdays.

Cannatonic

Known for its medicinal properties, Cannatonic is CBD-rich with just enough THC to soothe without sedation. This strain is particularly good for those with anxiety or tension headaches during rough weeks. A microdose can bring mental clarity while keeping physical stress in check.

Tips for Microdosing Success

Start small: Begin with just 2–3 mg of THC and adjust slowly.
Track your response: Use a journal or app to note effects and optimal dosage.
Pair with routine: Microdosing works best when combined with healthy sleep, hydration, and mindful breaks.
Choose the right delivery: Sublingual oils, low-dose edibles, or vaping allow precise dosing.

Microdosing cannabis is more than a trend—it’s a modern wellness strategy for Millennials and Gen Zers navigating high-pressure lives. Strains like Harlequin, ACDC, Jack Herer, and Cannatonic provide stress relief, focus, and calm without the overwhelming effects of a full high. The key? Start small, track your experience, and let microdosing be your subtle secret weapon for surviving even the roughest week.

Does Skateboarding Need To Level Up

Anthony Washington

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October 20, 2025

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Skateboarding faces new rivals — is it time for the culture to evolve and level up again?

Skateboarding has always thrived on rebellion — the sound of wheels on asphalt, a challenge to conformity, a statement of personal style. But as trends shift and new forms of recreation take hold, the question arises: does skateboarding need to level up?

Once the symbol of youth independence and counterculture, skateboarding now finds itself at a crossroads. The sport’s inclusion in the Tokyo and Paris Olympics brought legitimacy, sponsorships, and visibility — yet participation numbers tell a more nuanced story.

An estimated 11 million Americans skateboard, according to recent industry studies, and the global market for boards and gear is worth over $4 billion. Still, U.S. participation dipped slightly in 2023, suggesting that the sport’s “golden era” growth may have plateaued.

Meanwhile, the pandemic-era surge in board sales, fueled by outdoor social distancing trends, has cooled as many younger adults have shifted toward other activities — from electric scooters and longboards to the gym, pickleball, and snow sports.

If skateboarding’s asphalt sibling is searching for its next boost, its snow-covered cousin seems to have found one. Snowboarding, once thought to be in decline, has rebounded in recent years. The National Ski Areas Association reports winter sports participation surpassed 30 million in the 2023–24 season, with snowboarding showing one of the fastest growth rates — roughly 9%.

About 7.6 million Americans now snowboard, and resorts across Colorado, Utah, and the Pacific Northwest report that younger millennials and Gen Z riders are returning to the slopes. Snowboarding also benefits from its “destination sport” appeal — combining travel, social sharing, and an athletic challenge that fits neatly into the Instagram era.

Despite its challenges, skateboarding remains a cornerstone of urban youth culture. Its influence stretches beyond half-pipes and handrails — shaping streetwear, music videos, and even high fashion. Skateboarders were among the first to blend sport and identity, long before lifestyle branding became mainstream.

Still, the industry faces pressure to evolve. Skateparks remain unevenly distributed across cities, and many public spaces remain unfriendly to skaters. The sport’s professional scene also struggles for consistent media coverage and financial backing, especially compared to snowboarding’s polished resort circuits and televised events.

To “level up,” skateboarding may need to redefine what it stands for. The sport’s future could lie in expanding beyond tricks and competitions — embracing its role as a sustainable urban mobility option, a form of fitness, and a social connector for adults who grew up with a board and never really put it away.

In an era of electric everything, skateboarding’s analog soul may be its greatest strength — but only if it adapts. Snowboarding may currently own the momentum, but skateboarding owns the streets, the seasons, and the style.

For now, it’s not about whether the sport survives — but whether it dares to reinvent itself, again.

Do Public Votes About Cannabis Matter Currently

Terry Hacienda

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October 20, 2025

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Do Public Votes About Cannabis Matter Currently

Do public votes on cannabis matter currently? State lawmakers are rewriting rules despite public support.

In what increasingly feels like a democratic disconnect, some publican-led state legislatures are quietly rewriting or trimming cannabis laws voters overwhelmingly backed. The question now looms: when citizen ballots say one thing—but elected lawmakers say another. Do public votes about cannabis matter currently? It seems the voting public doesn’t matter much anymore.

Take Ohio. Voters in 2023 went to the polls and approved adult-use cannabis legalization, signalling a clear public mandate. Yet earlier this year, the state’s Senate—under GOP leadership—passed legislation would shrink the home-grow allowance and cap THC content in products, arguing voters “didn’t know what they were voting on.” It is not just a tweaking of policy—it is a direct pushback against the will of the electorate.

Meanwhile, in Nebraska, citizens voted to legalize medical cannabis in 2024. Yet Republican officials have floated rolling back key access provisions and delaying licensing—an outcome labelled by critics as “targeting voter-approved medical marijuana.” In both states, the message is clear: when public votes favor more liberal cannabis policy, legislative majorities with opposing views are ready to push them aside.

This trend raises a larger question for millennials and voters nationwide: Are ballots just theatrical props in the policy theatre? When elected officials override or rewrite voter-backed initiatives, the very idea of representative democracy starts to feel hollow. For younger generations used to digital petitions and civic engagement, it’s a bitter pill to swallow.

Ironically, this political tug-of-war is happening while medical studies continue to show meaningful benefits of cannabis for patient communities. For instance, a study at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine followed nearly 400 medical-cannabis patients and found significant gains in physical functioning, social life and emotional well-being after three months. Similarly, researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine found medical users reported less pain, better sleep, reduced anxiety—and fewer hospital or ER visits. And the Center for Medical Cannabis Research at the University of Utah is now leading rigorous trials on therapeutic use and safety. If doctors and scientists are increasingly seeing a medical case, why are some legislators throttling access?

It comes down to control. Many GOP-led legislatures argue that while voters perhaps intended change, they didn’t foresee the consequences—or “the devil in the details,” like THC caps, home grows, advertising, youth access. Ohio’s Senate, for example, claimed voters “didn’t know what they were voting on.” And in Nebraska, the medical-cannabis law’s licensing deadlines were missed and regulatory power handed to a commission criticised for obstructing the popular will.

or millennials who’ve come of age during legalized cannabis expansion and who expect transparency and inclusion, this feels like a let-down. Yes, your state might vote in favour—but if lawmakers can simply override or dilute the legal decision, the vote becomes symbolic, not consequential.

So yes: public votes still matter—they show where the people stand. But what matters more is whether lawmakers respect the vote and implement policy accordingly. Otherwise, ballot boxes become placeholders, and legislative bodies the real gatekeepers. Until the law catches up with popular sentiment, many voters will feel they’re speaking into a void.

Will this dynamic spark a backlash, forcing legislatures to honour public ballots—or will it deepen cynicism among a generation already sceptical of politics? Time, and the next set of votes, will tell.

Zohram Mamdani And NYC’s Legal Marijuana

Anthony Washington

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October 17, 2025

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Zohram Mamdani And NYC’s Legal Marijuana

Zohran Mamdani and NYC’s legal marijuana guide the public past rollout chaos toward real, legal access.

He is the young, unapologetic state assemblymember who’s risen into the national spotlight. But what about Zohram Mamdani and NYC’s legal marijuana? He has made his pro-legalization stance plain: he supports adult-use access along with social justice, expungement and community reinvestment rather having mom and pop business be part of the development of the rules. He’s even said publicly he’s purchased marijuana at licensed shops, a small detail signaling both personal comfort with regulated access and a political posture aligned with the legalization mainstream.

The mayoral race is mess with Mamdani up against current Mayor, Eric Adams, who was pre-pardoned by Trump who now has dropped out and former Mayor Andrew Cuomo who left office under of a cloudy of corruption and creepiness. Most voters skim the news and lean toward the “doesn’t have a criminal stink on them.

New York’s path to “legal” has been anything but tidy. The Marijuana Regulation & Taxation Act (MRTA) finally legalized adult-use cannabis in March 2021, creating a new Office of Cannabis Management and promising regulatory frameworks, licensing, community equity provisions and expungements. The law was a landmark — and also a beginning, not an endpoint — because implementation has been slow, complaints about licensing delays and enforcement inconsistencies have piled up, and neighbor-state competition (like New Jersey’s earlier retail rollout) complicated expectations.

Photo by Chelsea London Phillips via Unsplash

Mamdani’s position fits within a broader coalition pushing for access that repairs harms: civil-rights groups, harm-reduction advocates and national organizations such as the Drug Policy Alliance, ACLU and NORML have long argued legalization must be reparative — not just profitable. Those groups stress that simple legalization without aggressive expungement, community reinvestment and small-business access will reproduce the inequities of the old, punitive system. That’s the language Mamdani and like-minded progressives use when they talk about who legalization should benefit.

But not everyone loves how legalization looks on the ground. Local polls and advocacy pushback — from neighborhood quality-of-life advocates to groups alarmed about public use and smell — have put political pressure on city leaders to tighten rules on public consumption, storefront density and odor mitigation. That tension matters for mayors and councilmembers who must balance reformist ideals with everyday governance.

For younger voters, Mamdani’s pitch is familiar: legalization to provide access, criminal-justice reform plus sensible regulation. For older, more skeptical New Yorkers, it’s a test of whether lawmakers can turn a symbolic win into tidy, livable reality. The MRTA set the table; Mamdani and other progressive leaders now face the harder work of making sure legalization actually undoes past harms — not just creates new market winners.

The Fresh ToastThe most trusted name in cannabis

Can CBD Replace Pacifiers And Other Anxiety Hacks

Can CBD Replace Pacifiers And Other Anxiety Hacks? Gen Z’s trending stress relief methods revealed.

Tariffs And Visas Add To The Cannabis Industry’s Misery

Tariffs And Visa Add To The Cannabis Industry’s Misery, squeezing profits, talent, and innovation nationwide.

Millennials Are Spending Big on Luxury Travel

Millennials redefine indulgence as experiences, not things — airlines adapt as Millennials are spending big on luxury travel.

Data Confirms Cannabis Is Safer Than Alcohol

Cannabis is a hot topic on Capital Hill and online – but what are the facts? Data confirms a key issue about the plant.

Evidence About Burning Mouth Syndrome And Cannabinoids

Evidence About Burning Mouth Syndrome And Cannabinoids shows cannabis may ease pain through CBD’s nerve-calming effects.

Cannabis Mogul Appointed Ambassador To Middle East Country

Washington surprised as cannabis mogul appointed ambassador to Middle East Country amid tension

The Best Microdosing Strains For A Rough Week

Is it a Monday of a week you already wish was over? Discover the best microdosing strains for a rough week.

Top Strains for Microdosing

Does Skateboarding Need To Level Up

Skateboarding faces new rivals — is it time for the culture to evolve and level up again?

Do Public Votes About Cannabis Matter Currently

Do public votes on cannabis matter currently? State lawmakers are rewriting rules despite public support.

Zohram Mamdani And NYC’s Legal Marijuana

Zohran Mamdani and NYC’s legal marijuana guide the public past rollout chaos toward real, legal access.

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