The Surprising Way Legal Marijuana Affects The Alcohol And Tobacco Industries

Maria Loreto

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October 18, 2019

The Surprising Way Legal Marijuana Affects The Alcohol And Tobacco Industries

A recent study says that marijuana legalization influences both the alcohol and tobacco industry, although in unexpected ways.

The legalization of marijuana has become a source of stress for the alcohol and tobacco industries. When researchers set out to find which market was more affected, they discovered that legal marijuana made people drink less alcohol and smoke more cigarettes.

While alcohol and marijuana appear to be totally different substances, many people have strayed from the former due to hangovers and the dangers associated with heavy drinking (and the negative effects of alcohol in general). Now that marijuana is earning more respect, many people see the plant as an activity that is natural, less harmful, and more fun.

Marketing Science published the study, which was conducted by the Terry College of Business at the University of Georgia. In order to find answers, researchers looked into the internet browsing habits of states with legalized cannabis and found over 28 million searches and 120 million ad impressions regarding cannabis, alcohol and tobacco.

The study found that marijuana searches increased once the drug was legalized and that search volumes for alcohol decreased significantly. “We can infer a reduction of 10.9% in alcohol searches after recreational cannabis legalization relative to the average of the pre-treatment period,” reports the study.

The other main discovery the study made was that the tobacco industry seemed to benefit from marijuana legalization, with tobacco-related online searches, ad impression and revenues all increasing significantly.

With the rise of tobacco and cannabis vaping in teens and people of all ages, there’s some sense to this phenomenon. The tobacco market would benefit from reconsidering their stance on the drug or in switching things up marketing-wise. As for the future of both tobacco and cannabis, we’ll have to wait and see if the surge in lung diseases related to vaping will put a damper on their sales and growth.

I Bought Legal Cannabis For The First Time And This Happened

Danielle Guercio

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October 18, 2019

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I Bought Legal Cannabis For The First Time And This Happened

Buying weed legally for the first time was a blessing and a promise of what I hope the future holds for not just the East Coast or all of America, but the whole world.

The first time I blazed up was a fun day that I’ll never forget. It in true New Jersey fashion, one party brings the weed, the other brings a Dutchmaster and the change from paying for it with a $20. We rolled more cannabis than I would probably smoke over the next year into a super fat blunt and got ludicrously high. Whoever said you don’t get high your first time was lying. We cackled and cavorted and ate pizza and talked about dumb stuff, the best pressure valve we could deploy in our strict and uptight suburban town, and we were 13-years-old.

Now, at 30, I have been partaking in cannabis on and off for that entire length of time. There were six years of total abstinence, a few years of Saturday-only smoking, and even some binges, but now I consider cannabis a normal part of my life despite the draconian marijuana laws that remain for East Coasters, such as myself.

Despite having many medically sound reasons to use cannabis, I’ve never once bought cannabis legally, and saying so plainly is the truth that provides context to reality, as only severe illness is eligible in the New York State medical cannabis program.

One fine morning I woke up in Seattle, where it’s not only legal to purchase cannabis in many forms, but buying legal marijuana is completely run-of-the-mill for many Seattleites. Though being basically no big deal to most imbibers, just walking inside the clean, well stocked and attractive aisles at Uncle Ike’s on Capitol Hill was mind-altering.

The first thing a cannabis lover in exile notices about a pot shop is the collective smell of the dozens of strains and all of their terpenous glory mingling together into a potent haze of scent. You can’t smell it when you’re standing on the corner, but the second you open the door is wraps you in a loving, safe, green cloud, and is probably why no one is carrying even a whiff of bad attitude inside.

Not only impressed by sheer selection, I found the whole legal commerce part most overwhelming, but in a good way. I felt cared for in a genuine customer service way by the wonderful woman behind the counter. She knew her strains, knew the threads of related strains for different effects but similar taste profile, and was patient, kind, and budget conscious. It was like being in Sephora and having someone not only know the products well, but the ingredients, differences in prices and brands, and all without looking up a thing and being pleasant as hell.

Aside from a brilliant service experience, the weed itself was so much better than New York’s ridiculousness that it was worth a chuckle, or maybe a tear. Getting the best requires money, time, and privilege in New York, where as in Washington it’s just a matter of popping in a shop, no different than a bottle of wine, which consequently is also a limited purchase in New York State.

Being that I’ve imbibed in cannabis for almost half of my life, I still can’t wrap my brain around the difference in quality, marketing, packaging, selection, convenience, and basically any and all ways it could be simpler and more a part of everyday life in Washington. The only major barrier is that it’s not possible to smoke it in public legally, which puts a strange twist on things.

It’s no wonder so many people come to legal states to be weed tourists, or simply leave prohibition states altogether. Cannabis prohibition is no longer just looking dumb and dated but sinister and freedom hating. Buying weed legally for the first time was a blessing and a promise of what I hope the future holds for not just the East Coast or all of America, but the whole world.

Photos by Danielle Guercio

UK Government Ditches Controversial ‘Porn Block’ Law

Maria Loreto

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October 17, 2019

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UK Government Ditches Controversial ‘Porn Block’ Law

The U.K. has shelved the “porn block” law, which would require citizens to provide official IDs when watching online porn.

After a lot of drama, the U.K. government has decided to drop their efforts to block pornography online, at least for the time being.

The measure, which was intended to protect children from accessing adult content, would have introduced age verification software across different porn sites. While this would make it much harder for kids to find and watch online porn, it would also require adult viewers to submit a passport or driving license in order to watch the content of their choosing, linking their documentation with their viewing habits.

The porn block, which would have gone into effect in July 15, 2020, struck a nerve with a lot of citizens and members of the porn industry who said that the law could have a chilling effect on free speech while also endangering people’s private information.

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

Nicky Morgan, the U.K.’s Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport released a statement explaining why they’ve decided to shelf the ban, saying:

“The government has concluded that this objective of coherence will be best achieved through our wider online harms proposals and, as a consequence, will not be commencing Part 3 of the Digital Economy Act 2017 concerning age verification for online pornography. The Digital Economy Act [DEA] objectives will therefore be delivered through our proposed online harms regulatory regime. This course of action will give the regulator discretion on the most effective means for companies to meet their duty of care. As currently drafted, the Digital Economy Act does not cover social media platforms.”

While the U.K. porn block has been temporarily shelved, the British government still appears concerned with porn websites and enabling some sort of censorship. Still, given all that’s going on with British politics, it’s unlikely for a porn ban to be drafted and become effective any time soon.

5 Creepy Podcasts To Listen To Before Halloween

Culture
News

Maria Loreto

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October 17, 2019

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5 Creepy Podcasts To Listen To Before Halloween

Although horror podcasts are very popular, there’s an extra layer of fun when tuning in to them around Halloween.

You’ve met at least one person who wants to host their own podcast. These programs have become a sort of hipster joke because of how trendy they are, but this is all for a reason: they’re one of the most digestible ways of consuming content.

This time of the year is one of the most exciting ones for fans of spooky things, because it’s when real life ghost stories come to life. Although horror podcasts are very popular, there’s an extra layer of fun when tuning into them around Halloween. Scary stories are one of those genres that work incredibly well; there’s just something extra creepy about listening alone to narrated stories featuring serial killers and urban legends with only your headphones to keep you company. No matter the gore and special effects, there’s nothing scarier than your imagination.

Here are 5 podcasts that are perfect for this time of the year:

Petrified

This anthology series tells short horror stories set in Ireland, and I don’t know if the accent is a contributing factor but the episodes are creepy as hell. Boasting great writing and amazing voice acting, this podcast is a great pick if you’re looking for something scary that you can get through while commuting to work. Episodes last a little under half hour and they range from creepy phone operators to investigators getting involved with unsettling cases.

Inside The Exorcist

Inside is a podcast series hosted by Mark Ramsey, with each season telling the behind the scenes stories of iconic films such as Jaws and Psycho. This season focuses on The Exorcist, one of the world’s most terrifying movies, which also had one of the most infamous and eerie production processes in Hollywood.

Video Palace

Video Palace is produced by Shudder, a subscription service that creates all kinds of horror content. It tells the fictional story of Mark Cambria, a video collector who watches a VHS tape that makes him talk in his sleep in a strange language. The podcast is like a remix of the scary parts of The Ring and the fun vibes of Stranger Things, resulting on something unique that creeps under your skin.

Alice Isn’t Dead

Alice Isn’t Dead is the perfect example of a podcast that outgrows the medium and that makes its way onto more popular formats. The story is presented in the form of tapes, all recorded by a truck driver on the look for her missing wife. Along the way, a lot of weird and spooky stuff pops up. There are three seasons of the show available on Spotify and Apple Podcasts, a recently published novel and talks for a TV series.

Rabbits

Rabbits is a strange podcast, mixing reality and fiction in a way that can only be achieved through this medium. It follows Carly Parker, a woman who is investigating the mysterious disappearance of her missing friend. She soon stumbles into Rabbits, an alternate reality game that evokes conspiracy theories and lots of creepiness.

CBD Is Positively Changing People’s Perspectives On Marijuana

Maria Loreto

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October 17, 2019

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CBD Is Positively Changing People’s Perspectives On Marijuana

A new survey found that older adults have made the most impressive changes towards marijuana, gravitating towards CBD as a natural way of treating different ailments.

While CBD may not have the same effect as THC, it’s certainly having a huge impact on the way people think about cannabis.

The study, which surveyed 2,000 Americans, was conducted by OnePoll on behalf of CBD brand HempFusion. A whopping 82% of participants said that their opinions on marijuana had evolved in recent years, while 46% said that CBD products, such as CBD oil, were primarily responsible for changing their perspectives on the drug.

The takeaway? America’s changing attitudes prove that many people are outgrowing the anti-drug propaganda that they learned in their youth and embracing medical and recreational marijuana.

Here's What Doctors Know About CBD — Photo by Tinnakorn Jorruang/Getty Images.

As a refresher, both CBD and THC are both derived from cannabis plants. But while THC is psychoactive (mind-altering), CBD is not, which is why many companies prefer to use it as their active ingredient in everything from beauty products to beverages.

“Once people realize two things, they’re much more open to trying CBD,” says Ashley Grace, chief marketing officer at HempFusion. “One – your own body makes cannabinoids as part of what’s called your Endocannabinoid System (ECS). Two – the US Department of Health patented the plant-based cannabinoids found in hemp as ‘antioxidants and neuroprotectants.’ Given this, clearly there might be some value in plant-based cannabinoids as a dietary supplement. And since they don’t get you high – why not give them a try?”

RELATED: How To Spot Fake CBD

The survey, by way of New York Post, represents the opinions of a broad spectrum of different age groups, reflecting how varied CBD’s target audience is. Younger Americans, who’ve grown up with looser perspectives regarding marijuana laws (and the marijuana plant, in general), are mostly supportive of legal cannabis and are willing to try out new products. Older adults are the ones who have made the most impressive changes, gravitating towards the benefits of CBD as a natural way of treating different ailments.

As The Presidential Election Looms, Where Is Florida In Their Legalization Of Marijuana?

Mike Adams

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October 17, 2019

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As The Presidential Election Looms, Where Is Florida In Their Legalization Of Marijuana?

Florida already has a medical marijuana program in place, but the consensus seems to be that unleashing the leaf from its prohibition standard is the next logical step.

The presidential election is just about a year away from either making America great again, again or sending it down the path to a long recovery from the clown shoe politics of the past four years. In the midst of the madness, there is marijuana. Some claim the issue has achieved great strides in 2019, more prominent than ever before, while those of us who reside in a more real place has clearly noticed that legal weed is not really in any better position than it has been in a long time.

But 2020 is supposed to be when the powers that be across the country (whomever they may be) are supposed to get serious about taking the next step to ending a nation of prohibition. Some think that Florida could be one of those states to carry the movement forward in a big way. But just how likely is it that the Sunshine State will pull it together?

There are a couple of groups (Make It Legal Florida & Regulate Florida) doing an admirable job seeing that the question of legalizing marijuana makes it on the ballot in 2020. Make It legal Florida seems to have the best shot at getting it done, however, since it is the initiative drawing the largest financial support. That’s the thing about trying to legalize weed through the ballot initiative process — it’s super expensive. It can cost millions of dollars to break through to the people and secure their support. Some reports show that it could take $10 million to usher in a recreational weed law next year. As of September, Make It Legal Florida has amassed around $1.1 million.

Make It Legal Florida is also doing exceptionally well at collecting signatures. It gathered somewhere around 100,000 within the first 20 days of its campaign. Still, Regulate Florida isn’t doing too shabby either. The group announced in August that it had collected 77,000 signatures. All either one of these groups has to do is secure 76,632 verified signatures to get a review by the Florida Supreme Court (a weird step that Florida has in its ballot initiative process).

But they would have to show 766,200 verified petitions by February to be cleared for the 2020 general election. So, it stands to reason that it is going to be grind time for the next few months for Florida to have a shot.

Florida lawmakers are already preparing for the voters to be presented with the question of legal weed next year. It was earlier this week that the House Health & Human Services Committee spent some time discussing the possibility. “We’re all going to be asked by our constituents where are we on this,” said Committee Chair Rep. Ray Rodrigues, (R-Estero), according to ABC News. “We need to be equipped to take a position and articulate why we’ve taken that position.”

The goal of both petitions is to legalize marijuana for adult use the same as 11 other states have done. Florida already has a medical marijuana program in place, something that was pushed through in a ballot measure in 2016, but the consensus seems to be that unleashing the leaf from its prohibition standard is the next logical step. Some of the latest polls show that Floridians are all about it, too. Sixty-five percent of the population is in favor of legalizing for recreational use. In Florida, it will take 60 percent of the vote to pass. But the biggest challenge, as of now, will be getting one of the groups to submit the required signature count before the February deadline.

It’s time to kick it into high gear.

What Is Cuffing Season And Does Science Support It?

Maria Loreto

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October 17, 2019

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What Is Cuffing Season And Does Science Support It?

Cuffing season is just around the corner, but is there any scientific evidence that supports this phenomenon?

Cuffing season is that magical time of the year when the days are shorter and the weather is colder, which results in ~~lonely and desperate~~ singles pairing off for a brief spell, because what else is there to do?. Once the sun is setting at a normal hour and there’s no need to layer up when leaving the house, the singles are back and ready for summer fun. Although “cuffing” is a very popular expression that has resulted in a lot of great memes, is there a scientific basis to support its existence?

The fall and winter months are taxing, affecting some people more than others. Cold weather paired with limited sunlight makes it more likely for people to be depressed, to gain weight, and to feel a general sense of isolation. Winter also happens to coincide with different holidays, something that can make single people feel more alone than usual.

“Hormones change with the season due to light and temperature,” Tristan Coopersmith, licensed psychotherapist and founder of Life Lab, tells Bustle. “Our sex hormones, which are responsible for libido are super charged. We are literally just hungrier for sex during this time of the year.”

how real is cuffing season — Photo by Kristina Litvjak via Unsplash.

The Guardian also spoke with some experts who gauged the reality of cuffing season. Overall, they found that although there’s little empirical support, there’s some science that suggests that humans are more sexually active during the winter.

Testosterone peaks during the months of October and November, making it more likely for people to look for sex. Most babies in the U.S. are born within the months of July through September, meaning that they were conceived during winter. Relationship expert Marisa T. Cohen explains that surrounding yourself with family members might also be a contributing factor. “It might be external pressure from aunts, uncles, grandparents: ‘When are you going to bring someone home?’ or ‘Are you planning on getting married?’,” she told The Guardian.

Although there’s no way of knowing if people are consciously looking for relationships that’ll only last through the winter, there’s a large amount of data that at least supports the fact that the winter makes us all a little crazy.

No matter your plans or stance on the matter, cuffing season officially begins this November 8th.

Could Ireland Be Softening Its Stance On Cannabis?

Rudy Sanchez

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October 17, 2019

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Could Ireland Be Softening Its Stance On Cannabis?

Prevailing attitudes in Ireland still hold cannabis as a dangerous substance, in contrast to the support of strictly-controlled medicinal marijuana.

Despite being known as “The Emerald Isle,” cannabis remains illegal for recreational use in Ireland, while medicinal use has only recently been legalized and approved for specific conditions as a “last resort” treatment. Prevailing attitudes in Ireland still consider the marijuana plant as dangerous, in contrast to the support of strictly-controlled medical cannabis. Nonetheless, personal possession and consumption is treated as a minor offense. But could the Irish be softening their stance on cannabis and be in the early stages of legalization?

Cannabis has been considered an illegal substance in Ireland since 1934, although today the police in Ireland have wide discretion in the enforcement of marijuana possession laws. In 1996, cannabis was made an unscheduled drug, allowing for penalties less harsh than for other substances on the illicit market.

Hemp and CBD, however, are legal in Ireland, and similar to other markets, the CBD rush is happening in Erie as well; one industry expert estimates that CBD could create 80,000 jobs and revitalize moribund rural economies. The cultivation of the cannabis plant for hemp and CBD is strictly controlled, can not be grown alongside public roads or in public view, and cultivators are subject to Garda (police) vetting.

Like CBD and hemp, medical marijuana is legal but strictly regulated, with a five-year pilot program recently signed into law and expected to go into effect soon. The new law allows doctors to prescribe cannabis to their patients to treat specific symptoms arising from multiple sclerosis, chemotherapy, and epilepsy, and only when other methods to abate conditions have proved ineffective. The new program also allows for importation of cannabis, with eyes towards domestic sourcing. In some cases, the cost of cannabis would be covered by the patient’s drug plan.

Like in many western nations where cannabis remains prohibited but largely tolerated, cannabis is not overly difficult to obtain, although its recreational use is more taboo than in Canada, and much of the US and Western Europe. While medicinal marijuana was still under consideration, a group of Irish physicians penned an open letter to the Irish Times warning that the allowing of medicinal use would lead to the legalization of recreational cannabis, characterizing medical marijuana as a “Trojan Horse.”

There seems to be little to suggest Ireland will be legalizing recreational marijuana soon, but a curious legal loophole exists within Irish law; cannabis seeds are legal to sell, buy, and possess, for collecting purposes. Germinating and cultivating cannabis from those same seeds remains illegal however.

The Science Behind Marijuana And Migraines

Kate-Madonna Hindes

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October 17, 2019

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The Science Behind Marijuana And Migraines

It’s estimated that over 1 billion individuals worldwide suffer from the debilitating pain of migraines. And now new research shows that CBD may help.

There is nothing quite like a migraine. The American Migraine Foundation (AMF) estimates that over 1 billion individuals worldwide suffer from the debilitating pain of migraines. With 1 in 5 women, 1 in 16 men, and 1 in 11 children all dealing with the life-changing effects of migraines, it’s no wonder CBD and marijuana are often brought up as a means of therapy.

Dr. Stephen Silberstein, director of the Headache Center at Jefferson University Hospital in Philadelphia, recently published a piece with the AMF that showcased the benefits and risks of CBD and THC for those that experience migraines. He states, “If you have a lot of neck pain or soreness, it is perfectly reasonable to use CBD oil. It may even prevent nausea and vomiting,” symptoms often associated with a severe migraine episode.

Dr. Silberstein also notes that while CBD and medical marijuana is not yet legal in all states, patients should consult their doctor and research where their CBD is made to ensure it’s labeled correctly.

Do studies exist to showcase other benefits that CBD offers those that have migraines?

A study from the University of Colorado, published in the journal Pharmacotherapy, showed that the frequency of migraines in patients who used cannabis dropped from 10.4 per month to 4.6 — a number that’s both statistically and clinically significant. Additionally, secondary findings showed that different cannabis delivery routes had different strengths: Smoked marijuana, which hits the bloodstream almost instantly, was best for treating acute migraines. On the other hand, edibles, which take much longer to metabolize, helped prevent headaches.

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

The Association of Migraine Disorders shared a first-hand account of Michelle Tracy, who explained her fear and hesitation to try CBD and marijuana to combat migraines. Her compelling story serves as a reminder that often, when patients are told, “there’s nothing else that can be done,” it can cause debilitating stress and confusion. Travis closes her story with, “I remain optimistic that there is even more help to be found as more research is conducted, and as marijuana becomes even more socially acceptable.”

While CBD offers therapy above and beyond prescriptions, Mayo Clinic cites that patients need to be aware of risks as well. “Though it’s often well-tolerated, CBD can cause side effects, such as dry mouth, diarrhea, reduced appetite, drowsiness, and fatigue.” For those that spend days in the dark, it may be time to bring up CBD to their health care team to investigate if it’s a viable solution to their migraines.

5 Animal Videos To Save Your Week: Oct. 14

Maria Loreto

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October 16, 2019

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5 Animal Videos To Save Your Week: Oct. 14

This week’s column features a couple of cute cats, a UPS delivery dog, and a skating bulldog.

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 include a screaming kitten, a cat jumping in slow motion, a UPS delivery dog, a dog getting a haircut and a dog who’s also a great skater. Have a look.

Tiny kitty

This is just a video of a black kitty screaming. You don’t need anything else.

https://www.instagram.com/p/B3py4gLl_3r/

A UPS delivery dog

This elaborate video shows us a well trained pup wearing the cutest UPS dog costume ever made. The lopsided hat just brings the whole video together.

https://www.instagram.com/p/B3rpdjogKdH/

An upset dog getting a haircut

This dog is a perfect representation of broken trust, looking at his owner resentfully because he was manipulated into getting a haircut.

https://www.instagram.com/p/B3peOFDANKH/

Cat in slow motion

Cats are agile creatures, jumping over fences smoothly. This video capitalizes captures this and becomes an endlessly watchable loop.

https://www.instagram.com/p/B3qHFpHF3pQ/

A skater dog

This skating bulldog has become quite famous on social media. Aside from looking adorable on a skateboard, as this breed of dog tends to do, he actually looks like he knows what he’s doing, which is crazy because riding a skateboard is super hard.

https://www.instagram.com/p/B3sHDTSBar3/

The Fresh ToastThe most trusted name in cannabis

The Surprising Way Legal Marijuana Affects The Alcohol And Tobacco Industries

A recent study says that marijuana legalization influences both the alcohol and tobacco industry, although in unexpected ways.

I Bought Legal Cannabis For The First Time And This Happened

Buying weed legally for the first time was a blessing and a promise of what I hope the future holds for not just the East Coast or all of America, but the whole world.

UK Government Ditches Controversial ‘Porn Block’ Law

The U.K. has shelved the “porn block” law, which would require citizens to provide official IDs when watching online porn.

5 Creepy Podcasts To Listen To Before Halloween

Although horror podcasts are very popular, there’s an extra layer of fun when tuning in to them around Halloween.

Petrified

Inside The Exorcist

Video Palace

Alice Isn’t Dead

Rabbits

CBD Is Positively Changing People’s Perspectives On Marijuana

A new survey found that older adults have made the most impressive changes towards marijuana, gravitating towards CBD as a natural way of treating different ailments.

As The Presidential Election Looms, Where Is Florida In Their Legalization Of Marijuana?

Florida already has a medical marijuana program in place, but the consensus seems to be that unleashing the leaf from its prohibition standard is the next logical step.

What Is Cuffing Season And Does Science Support It?

Cuffing season is just around the corner, but is there any scientific evidence that supports this phenomenon?

Could Ireland Be Softening Its Stance On Cannabis?

Prevailing attitudes in Ireland still hold cannabis as a dangerous substance, in contrast to the support of strictly-controlled medicinal marijuana.

The Science Behind Marijuana And Migraines

It’s estimated that over 1 billion individuals worldwide suffer from the debilitating pain of migraines. And now new research shows that CBD may help.

5 Animal Videos To Save Your Week: Oct. 14

This week’s column features a couple of cute cats, a UPS delivery dog, and a skating bulldog.

Tiny kitty

A UPS delivery dog

An upset dog getting a haircut

Cat in slow motion

A skater dog

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