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Governor DeSantis Wants It Both Ways On Marijuana

Terry Hacienda
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Governor DeSantis Wants It Both Ways On Marijuana

When it comes to marijuana legalization – Governor DeSantis wants it both ways – His Way – and convincing the majority of people who are pro legalization to support him on his way

Ron DeSantis is hoping for a better year. 2023 started strong with positive approval rates, a presidential campaign and Florida doing his bidding. But things got messy and by the end of the year, things had taken an ugly turn. He is losing in both national and statewide polls, the presidential campaign trail has only released scandals and messes, and Floridians are losing interest in him as he begs for more taxpayer money to keep up his feud with Disney and others.  So once again he is turning for help with something popular.  Governor Desantis wants it both ways on marijuana.

RELATED: Clifornia or New York, Which Has The Biggest Marijuana Mess

During his 2018 campaign he dismissed recreational marijuana because his high school classmates who used weed didn’t turn out as well as him. Sheldon Addison, the Las Vegas billionaire was a major backer.  Adelson, along with the private prison lobby, helped fund anti-marijuana efforts across the country, including in Florida.

When he ran for Governor, DeSantis cozied up with the marijuana lobby, where one of the leaders were Panhandle Congressman Matt Gaetz. Despite his distaste of marijuana and his constantly blocking recreational, he did easy their campaign checks and sign in medical marijuana.  But the law DeSantis signed to start the Florida medical marijuana industry became a foundation for income for donors and a nightmare for patients. DeSantis ensured only a handful of companies could sell marijuana through a regulatory system he once likened to a “cartel”.

Governor DeSantis Wants It Both Ways On Marijuana
Photo by Jeff Swensen/Getty Images

Now, when he is running around the country in private planes his campaign struggles to afford, the people of Florida are pushing for recreational cannabis. On the campaign trail part of his stump speech is he is working for the people.  But when it comes to weed what he says and does is two different things. UNF Public Opinion Research Lab (PORL), found that 67% of those surveyed said that they would vote for a state constitutional amendment to legalize the possession and regulated sales of small amounts of marijuana for personal use by adults. Only 28% said that they would vote against such a ballot measure.  But he is allowing his Attorney General to put up as many roadblocks as possible without having to play the bad guy.

RELATED: People Who Use Weed Also Do More Of Another Fun Thing

DeSantis always positions himself as the savor of Florida as he feels he knows best.  While is comments on the messed up system in California has merits, he is flat out wrong on Colorado.  The states system has reduced the black market, there is a decrease in youth use and cities haven’t suddenly become crime filled due to legal weed.

RELATED: Americans Want It, Some Politicians Prefer a Nanny State

Last marijuana election, 71% of the population wanted a free and open medical marijuana systems.  The Governor feels they were confused. This year’s election will see if Florida voters have faith in DeSantis to continue to run a nanny state and allow him to decide about  marijuana and other benefits for citizens. There is little chance of him being elected as president and the public seeing if follows thought on his promise hands-off approach like prior administrations from both parties.  But the people of Florida will experience first hand.

Best Boozy Drinks For When You Are Snow Bound

Sarah Johns
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Best Boozy Drinks For When You Are Snow Bound

Zoom and conference calls have ruined snow days….but here are a few recipes for a boozy hot drink to lift your spirits

As kids, nothing was better than school being closed for weather.  Snow days gave you the time to sleep in, goof, play outside and have fun.  As adults, there was a hint of thrill when there was as snow, you might front load stuff in the morning and then have a leisurely afternoon with a hearty meal and some good spirits.

RELATED: 5 Morning Activities To Help You Feel Happier

But Zoom and conference calls have changed snow days. Still, it seems like a snow day is a little permission to relax and goof off during the work week.  And here are the best boozy drinks for when you are snow bound.

clear glass mug with yellow liquid

Ski Lift

This twist on a classic is the perfect companion inside and out on a snow day!

Ingredients

  • One pack of hot chocolate
  • Hot Milk
  • One shot of Schnapps or Frangelico
  • Whipped Cream
  • Coconut flakes

Create

Heat the milk and mix with the hot chocolate packet then stir in the spirits.  Add whipped cream and sprinkling with coconuts (like snow flakes) and drink up!

Classic Hot Toddy

Perfect for after playing outside or shoveling snow.  Best to drink in front of a fire or watching the cold weather from inside someplace warm.

RELATED: People Who Use Weed Also Do More Of Another Fun Thing

Ingredients

  • 2 fluid ounces boiling water
  • 1-2 ounces whiskey

  • 1 teaspoon honey

  • 2 whole cloves
  • 1 cinnamon stick (or a sprinkle of cinnamon)
  • A lemon slice

Create

Pour boiling water, whiskey, and honey into a cup. Add cloves, cinnamon, and lemon slice. Let mixture stand for 5 minutes so flavors can mingle, then sprinkle with a pinch of nutmeg before serving.

Hot Butter Rum

The perfect drink to shake off the chill and thinking of a warm, tropical vacation.  The perfect cocktail mixing the current weather and the hope of an island getaway.

Ingredients

  • 1 teaspoon butter
  • 1 teaspoon brown sugar
  • 1 pinch ground cinnamon
  • 1 pinch ground nutmeg
  • 1 pinch ground allspice
  • 1 dash vanilla extract
  • 2 ounces rum (light rum is preferred)
  • 1 cup boiling water

CREATE

Place butter, sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, and vanilla extract in the bottom of an Irish coffee glass. Pour in rum and hot water. Stir.

The first slight of snow flakes, kick back and make one of these creations and let your body relax.

Can Marijuana Help Treat Symptoms Of Irritable Bowel Disease

Maria Loreto
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Can Marijuana Help Treat Symptoms Of Irritable Bowel Disease

Roughly up to 15% of the population suffers with it. Women are effected more than men – both both genders suffer from Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) can interfere with someone’s ability to enjoy family meals and get-togethers with friends. It can affect their ability to be the parent or partner that one would like to be, or to fulfill commitments. This can lead to feelings of guilt and self-blame, as well as stress.  Roughly 15% of the population is struck by IBS with more women than men dealing symptoms. Can marijuana help treat symptoms of Irritable Bowel disease, well, data gives hope!

A study looking into the effects of marijuana on irritable bowel disease (IBD) has revealed some good news, patients who took marijuana experienced fewer symptoms of IBD than those who didn’t.

IBD encapsulates two conditions: Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. About three million adults are diagnosed in the US, with symptoms ranging from mild to severe.

Photo by Tharakorn/Getty Images

The study was published in the Journal of Clinical Gastroenterology and examined patients with IBD and their history with marijuana. Researchers conducted an anonymous survey on patients with IBD who were over the age of 18 and made medical marijuana purchases on dispensaries in New York or Minnesota.

Survey questions ranged from the patients’ IBD symptoms to their medical marijuana habits, including their purchase history and adverse side effects.

RELATED: What Are The Benefits Of Using Cannabis For Digestive Disorders?

The results were mostly positive, with the majority of IBD cases ranging from mild to moderate, with the median frequency of medical marijuana use being about once a week. Most patients preferred to vape marijuana, mainly with high amounts of THC.

The study concluded medical marijuana users experienced decreased IBD symptoms and fewer visits to the emergency room. Medical marijuana appeared to have a positive impact on patients’ lives, lessening their everyday IBD symptoms.

RELATED: Using Cannabis To Treat Inflammatory Bowel Disease

In terms of side effects, the majority of respondents reported feeling euphoric (75.4%) after using marijuana, with only a small minority feeling negative effects such as drowsiness (4.2%), dry mouth/eyes (3.4%), and anxiety, depression, and paranoia (3.4%).

More studies are needed to paint a clearer picture of marijuana’s effect on IBD. For now, it appears like there’s an existing connection, showing marijuana can have a positive impact on patients struggling with IBD.

According to the CDC, IBD is a generalized GI tract condition; it can target any part of the digestive system, from the mouth to the intestines. The fact medical marijuana can have a positive impact is good news, and should be studied further.

A Guide To Your First Marijuana Dab

Terry Hacienda
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A Guide To Your First Marijuana Dab

Not for the newbie, dabbing is for the experience user.

Like tequila – there are beginners and experience drinkers….each having their own journey.  In the cannabis world you have people who microdose gummies and those who want a deeper, stronger experience by dabbing. Dabbing is thought to produce a greater high than smoking marijuana. Compared to other marijuana consumption methods, dabbing delivers one of the quickest highs. It also tends to produce a stronger high, since the THC is more concentrated.  Here is a guide to your first marijuana dab.

Educate Yourself

Dabbing is not anything like smoking a joint. It requires a whole new set of tools. The cannabis is in completely different form. The psychoactive effect is exponentially more intense. And the intoxication will last longer.

Essentially, a dab is a small dose of highly concentrated cannabis that is heated on a hot surface and then inhaled. Focus on the word “concentrate” — and fully grasp the meaning. Cannabis concentrates are exactly what they sound like: Take the herb and extract all the THC out of it as you can. The extreme amount of THC in the concentrate means you will need very little (just a dab) to achieve the psychoactive effect.

RELATED: What’s The Deal With Dabbing 

Dabs are concentrated doses — typically about the size of a Tic-Tac breath mint — of marijuana.  Dabs are manufactured by extracting THC, most commonly by using a solvent such as butane. The end product is a potent oil often referred to as wax, honey, shatter, budder, crumble or butane hash oil (BHO).

Typical marijuana bud contains roughly 15 to 25 percent THC; concentrates typically range between 65 to 85 percent THC, depending on the type and quality of the product.

Find A Dab Buddy

Dabbing alone is not advised the first few times you try it. Find a friend who is willing to experiment with you — or at least be your chaperone as you do it yourself. Ideally, you will know someone who not only has tried it, but can bring along his or her own dab kit — the set of tools one needs to dab correctly.

RELATED: 8 Ways to Enjoy Weed Without Smoking It 

Why a dab buddy? Just as a precaution in case you feel faint or paranoid. Other possible side effects include a rapid heartbeat and hallucinations. If you feel any of these symptoms, hydrate, lay down and close your eyes.

Remember, you can’t suffer a fatal overdose from cannabis — including dabbing. But you can harm yourself if you should fall down. Your dad buddy is there for insurance just in case the situation becomes uncomfortable.

This Is The Right Temperature For The Perfect Marijuana Dab
Photo by Flickr user Andres Rodriguez

What You Need

The technology of dabbing is changing quickly, with more and more ancillary products promising more effectiveness, greater ease or lower cost. But, essentially, if you are going to dab on a regular basis, you will need to purchase some new tools:

  • The concentrate: Whether it is wax, honey, shatter, budder, crumble or BHO, this is the THC-rich product. It is highly recommended you purchase the concentrate from a licensed, tested retailer. There is a lot of black market wax out there is full of residual contaminants from processing. The raw material needs to be high quality — which does not mean high in THC, it means well made. Start small. A small dose looks no larger than a crumb. If you need more, go for a second dab. But it’s better to be cautious when it comes to dosage.
  • Dabber: The dabber looks like a small poker. Typically, the dabber is made of metal or glass or ceramic and is used to apply the concentrate to the nail. With the dabber, take the small amount of the concentrate and keep it on the tip of the dabber.
  • Dab rig: Dab rigs, also known as oil rigs, are basically glass water pipes (bongs) used for vaporizing extracts, oils, and concentrates. Like bongs found at head shops, there are sorts of sizes, shapes and colors. You will use the rig to inhale the fumes after lighting the nail.
  • Nail: The nail fits inside the gauge of your rig (or water pipe). Most experts swear by the nails made of high-quality titanium, but there are also ceramic nails and quartz nails. Glass nails are out there, but are a bit tricky.
  • A dome (or carb cap): There are some “domeless nails” on the market, do not require a carb cap, but most standard nails need a dome to trap the vapor. Essentially, all the dome does is limit the amount of air flow inside the rig, allowing for the vapor to be inhaled rather than vanish in thin air.
  • A torch: Have you ever used a crème brulee torch? Well, if you have then you will be able to use a dab torch. A butane cigar lighter or something like is simply not powerful enough for a dab. The torch is used to heat the nail to extreme temperatures. The goal is a red-hot nail in a short amount of time.
  • Butane: You’ll need butane to refill the torch.

Step-By-Step

  1. Sit Down: Dabbing is best sitting down. Get comfortable on a couch or chair. Have all the tools arranged in front of you.
  2. Heat Nail: Turn on the butane torch. Once you have properly adjusted the flame, heat the nail until it begins turning a medium shade or red.
  3. Dome It: Once the nail is red-hot, turn off the torch — the last thing you need is to accidentally start a fire. Turning off the torch is important. Now the nail is ready, place the carb cap or dome over the nail.
  4. turn off your torch and place the glass dome over the nail. It’s recommended to let titanium nails cool for about 10 seconds and quartz nails about 45 seconds so the surface temperature isn’t too hot.
  5. Apply Dab: After the nail is domed or covered, count to 1o to let the nail cool just a little. Put the dabber in your dominant hand and touch the dabber on the hot nail. You will see white vapor (it looks like smoke, but it’s really vapor) collecting inside the dome. Slowly inhale. Rotate the tip of the dabber on the nail until the concentrate is gone.
  6. Exhale: Stay seated for a few minutes. Drink a glass of water. Enjoy the experience. And thank your dab buddy,

 

The Best Day Drinking Guide With Recipes

Amy Hansen
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The Best Day Drinking Guide With Recipes

Sometimes day drinking just feels right. Football games, brunch with friends, a sun day, apré skiing. Here hte best day drinking guide with recipes to enjoy the day. The biggest rule is drinking enough water, it’s important to be eating throughout the day, an empty stomach can cause problems. Aside from those two, moderate and have fun.  While beer and Bloody Marys are the usual, try some of these to add zest to your day drinking adventure!

Erik Hakkinen, Head Bartender, Zig Zag, Seattle

“My favorite two low-octane drinks are Campari and grapefruit juice (2 oz Campari, 4 oz fresh grapefruit juice), and then Bonal and tonic (2 oz Bonal, 2-4oz good tonic, like Fever Tree, East India Imperial, squeeze of lime). So simple, so delicious! I like both served as long drinks.”

RELATED: Here’s Why Food Tastes Better When You Have The Munchies

Ramon Garcia, Bar Director, Alchemist, San Francisco

KISS N’ TELL

  • 1 oz Manzanilla Sherry
  • 1 oz Dolin Blanc Vermouth
  • .5 oz Rosemary syrup
  • .25 oz Lemon juice
  • 1 bar spoon Laphroaig 10yr Whisky
  • 1 small pinch of salt
  • 4 oz La Croix Peach Pear sparkling water

Shake all ingredients with ice except La Croix Peach Pear and double strain into a Collins glass filled with ice. Top off with La Croix Peach Pear Sparkling Water. Garnish with 3 pear slices and a rosemary sprig.

Rosemary syrup:

  • 1 cup Sugar
  • 1 cup Water
  • 3 Rosemary sprigs

Bring water to a boil and add sugar, then simmer until sugar dissolves add the rosemary sprigs and let them steep for 30 mins. Strain the Rosemary and store in a nonreactive containers.

Morgan Weber, Co-owner, Eight Row Flint, Houston

ALL DAY LONG

  • 3 oz Lillet Rosé
  • 2 oz Topo Chico
  • ½ oz Fresh Lemon
  • ¼ oz Rich Simple
  • 2 dashes grapefruit bitters

Build in Collins glass full of ice. Garnish with fat grapefruit peel, oil expressed into glass.

Krissy Harris, Creative Director, The Wren, NYC

RUBY ROSE SPRITZ

“This cocktail is currently on our brunch cocktail menu (also, that’s my daughters name).”

  • 1 oz Martin Miller’s Gin
  • ¾ Aperol
  • ¼ Giffard Black Rose Liquor

Shake & Strain into a Highball glass. Top with Schofferhofer Grapefruit Bier.

LOOK MA! NO HANDS

“We serve this at the Wren off menu, but we call it a Dirty ‘Delo.”

  • Modelo Especial can
  • Valentina Hot Sauce (or equally good brand)
  • Salt
  • Lime

Use lime to wet the lip of the can new opening. Dip can into salt. Open can. Pour healthy dose of Valentina into and around the opening. Garnish with lime wedge.

RELATED: Great Fall Whiskeys

HIGH ROAD

“I like to pre-spice the tequila by slicing 1-2 jalapeños and adding them to the full bottle of tequila. I taste every hour or so until I get to the desired heat level. That way, it’s a consistent drink every time. This was on our brunch cocktail menu and will come back!”

  • 1 oz El Jimador Blanco or Herradura Silver
  • ½  oz Del Maguey Vida Mezcal
  • 1 oz Pineapple Juice
  • ¼ oz Agave
  • ½ oz Lime Juice
  • 3 slices Jalapeno

Add all ingredients to a shaker, add ice and shake. Pour into a salt rimmed rocks glass.

COCCHI CUP

  • 2 oz Cocchi Americano Bianco
  • 1 oz Lime
  • cucumber & mint

Add all ingredients to a shaker, add ice. Dump contents into a pint glass adding ice to fill glass. Top with Ginger Beer.

 

Best Tips To Roll Your Own Joint

Terry Hacienda
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Best Tips To Roll Your Own Joint

New year, new skills! Canoeing is a term used to describe the uneven burning of a joint. If you want to be old school – here are tips to roll a blunt

More and more people are starting are being more open about their marijuana use.  In fact, 90% of citizens want some form of legal cannabis.  While gummies are the most popular way people use, joints are still the classic.  You can buy pre-rolls, but some still enjoy rolling their own.  But it is tough and it can mean the blunt can burn unevenly.  Here are the best tips to roll your own joint.

Canoeing has nothing to do with experience because even the most experienced smokers occasionally have their blunts shaped like canoes.

marijuana joint
Photo by RODNAE Productions from Pexels

What Is Canoeing?

Canoeing is a term used to describe the uneven burning of a joint. The blunt burns more on one side than the other, and trust me, and this takes the fun out of smoking. Imagine coming home after a long day, taking the time to roll a blunt, only for the joint to canoe after a few drags. It sometimes gets infuriating. To derive the most satisfaction from your joint, you must try everything possible to avoid canoeing.

RELATED: Is Vacuum-Sealing Your Weed Worth It — Or Is It An Urban Legend?

Joint canoeing is a problem. No one wants to take the time to smoke a joint which only smolders on one end. The blunt-taking appearance of a canoe is not the main problem but the effects of this uneven burning. When a joint canoes, it results in less-satisfying drags, faster-burning flowers, and a coarser, denser taste and smell. Overall, joint canoeing is more or less a waste of paper and cannabis flowers.

How to Avoid Having an Unevenly Burning Joint

If you immediately you notice your joint canoeing, there are quick fixes for you to remedy the situation, but it’s best to avoid the occurrence altogether. You have to take caution from the very beginning—which is grinding. Novice smokers often make the mistake of loosely rolling their joints and filling them with air pockets. And there are times when you could light your blunt in the wrong manner. There are various things could go wrong, from grinding to pulling on your joint. Here are some steps to follow to prevent canoeing.

  • Properly Grind Your Weed

This is the first step to ensuring your joint is perfectly rolled to burn at the same rate on all sides. If your weed is not crushed correctly from the start, then there’s very little you can do to correct the canoeing anomaly. Thanks to innovations in the weed industry, smokers have no reason to grind their weed with their fingers. You can check out the best weed grinders on the market to ensure your weed is reduced to uniform-sized particles. Equal-sized particles burn at the same rates, which is what you should be after.

  • Evenly Roll Your Joints

Tightly or loosely packed joints always burn unevenly. After grinding your herb to get the same-sized particles, you have to distribute it across the rolling paper evenly. Not too tight and not too loose, and all sides have to contain the same amount of plant materials. You can use your finger to press the herbs down or a sharp-edged ruler to trim off the excess materials before you roll.

marijuana cannabis joint
Photo by Cavan Images/Getty Images

RELATED: Asking For A Friend: How Long Does Marijuana Stay In Your System?

The key to achieving an evenly rolled joint is consistency. It would be best if you did not overpay your joint. This would only make it difficult for you to drag. While a loose pack will have different air gaps, What you want is a tight roll void of lumps and bumps. If you can’t get the hang of rolling your joint evenly, you can purchase a rolling machine. Make sure you go for products with high ratings on the market, as these would guarantee you’d get an even burn.

  • Aptly Light Your Joint

At this point, you should have a precisely rolled joint. However, the probability of your joint canoeing is still very much available. Lighting your joint the right way is another major step to avoiding canoeing.

Some spark up their buds and start puffing away. It is more complex than this. Once you light the tip, you have to rotate the joint slowly to ensure the tip is perfectly lit. As soon as this is done, take short little puffs on the joint, and keep spinning. This way, the joint burns at a uniform rate, and the weed flowers are not wasted.

Avoid taking deep drags immediately after the blunt is lit. It could result in one area burning slower than the other.

Other Pointers to Prevent Joint Canoeing

While the major factors causing canoeing joints have been highlighted above, there are other preventive steps you can adopt to reduce your chances of ending up with a duff joint.

  • Cure your buds before using

If you grow your own cannabis at home, you must not smoke your buds immediately after harvest. Instead, you have to take your time to dry or cure these buds for a smoother smoke. Skipping the curing stage results in canoeing, less flavorful buds with reduced potency. When buds are properly cured, it would be easier to break them down into uniform sizes.

  • Use high-quality marijuana and smoking materials.

The best cannabis flowers Try not to cut costs by purchasing rolling papers of inferior quality. The type of rolling paper you use could make or break your rolling technique. You could have perfectly ground buds and have bad roll-ups if your papers are bad. The best rolling papers are thin yet robust. They are produced from rice or hemp materials. You can experiment with different brands of rolling papers to find the one which suits you best.

marijuana joint
Photo by Olena Bondarenko/Getty Images
  • Include Concentrates

This is not compulsory as not every smoker likes mixing products like hash or resin with their herbs. This is recommended because of the different burning temperatures of each. If concentrated and adequately mixed with herbs, it would slow down the burning rate of the plant materials. It’s nice concentrates increase the potency of the joint; hence, you must exercise caution when adding them.

If you feel you aren’t up to the task of rolling or grinding your weed perfectly, don’t hesitate to buy the appropriate portable machines. It’s nothing to be ashamed of. You could also consider switching to high-quality pre-rolled joints. If you stick to the tips in this article, you’ll be smoking perfect joints in no time. Just go ahead and say goodbye to unevenly burning joints. It could take you a few tries to get it right. As they say, practice makes perfect!

 

Which Was The Greater Discovery – Butter Or Garlic

Sarah Johns
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Which Was The Greater Discovery – Butter Or Garlic

It isn’t an age old question – but the two are definitely a part of people’s lives.

Garlic bread is a delicious and a staple from Italian tables to the Olive Garden.  The combination of the two is a delight to the tongue, taste buds and tummy. But looking at them, which was the greater discovery – butter or garlic?

Every year, over 8 million tons of butter are consumed worldwide. And in the US in 2022, about 1.06 million tons of butter were manufactured, up from 676,000 tons  in 2005. In 2021, world production of garlic was 28 million tons, with China alone accounting for 73% of the total. Garlic consumption has more than tripled in the United States since 1980 and now stands at about 2.5 pounds per capita. Around 24,000 to 26,000 acres of garlic are planted annually in the United States with a total production of around 200,000 tons.

RELATED: What Is California Sober

“Discovering butter is hands down the more important discovery, allowing for massive leaps in flavor and texture opportunities in both sweet and savory preparations. Don’t get me wrong, garlic is delicious, but replace it with another ingredient in most recipes and the result is still delicious. Try and replace butter and people start to complain. I’d say that speaks for itself” shared noted chef and educator Justin Khanna.

Photo by Brodie Vissers via Burst

Butter has many uses including a condiment or melted for frying or coating. Butter is also used in baking, such as in cakes and pastries, or for enriching sauces.  Garlic is used primarily to add a distinctive flavor.

“Shallots are for babies; Onions are for men; garlic is for heroes.” Unknown

Records show garlic has been cultivated in Mesopotamia for at least 4,000 years. Use of garlic in China and Egypt also dates back thousands of years. Well-preserved garlic was found in the tomb of Tutankhamun (King Tut) and used by the Greeks and Romans.

“Garlic is the catsup of intellectuals.” Unknown

Butter, according to author Elaine Khosrova goes back to Neolithic-era Africa 8,000 B.C  A later Sumerian tablet, dating to approximately 2,500 B.C., describes the butter making process starting from milking of cow. Contemporary Sumerian tablets identify butter as a ritual offering.

In the Mediterranean, unclarified butter spoils quickly, unlike cheese, making it impractical in preserving the nutrients of milk. Ancient Greeks and Romans seemed to have considered butter a food fit more for the northern barbarians. A play by the Greek comic poet Anaxandrides refers to Thracians as boutyrophagoi, “butter-eaters”. In his Natural History, Pliny the Elder calls butter “the most delicate of food among barbarous nations” and goes on to describe its medicinal properties.

RELATED: How To Be Discreet When Using Weed

In an informal poll, butter slightly outpaced garlic, with more men voting for butter.  Surprisingly, they referenced the complexity of making the dairy product as opposed to just finding garlic.

Tech engineer Brandon in Seattle sums up his thoughts with “Because it had a process which needed to be discovered. It also requires animal husbandry.”

Marijuana Industry Gobbled Up HUGE Holiday Sales

Terry Hacienda
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Marijuana Industry Gobbled Up HUGE Holiday Sales

Change is in the air for how people relax and feel better

The marijuana industry is receiving some good news – Thanksgiving marijuana sales were good, record breaking good. This follows the trend of the cannabis mainstreaming and the majority of American being “over” the cannabis stigma and are ok with the use of legal weed. Well, with over 50% of the country having access to legal cannabis and the marijuana industry gobbled up huge holiday sales.

Almost 90% of the country believes marijuana should be legal in some form. And there is a generational shift in the approach to alcohol and marijuana. Gen Z turning away from drinking and embracing the healthier weed. An example of the culture shift is in recently recreational legal Michigan. In their first year, marijuana sales will likely surpass $3 billion, helped by record-breaking July and a very robust holiday season.  This is above their expectations and cannabis tax revenue overtook alcohol income for the state.

 

RELATED: Science Says Medical Marijuana Improves Quality Of Life

In a clear example of public sentiment, BDSA, a leading data analyst company who covers cannabis released their Thanksgiving week sales.  Comparing same 7 holiday days of 2022 to 2023 and they saw an average of a 19% increase year over year.  it seems gummies are the new champagne or whiskey of the holiday season

Photo by Hans via Pixabay

What is especially interesting is the Wednesday before Thanksgiving and “Black Friday” are two of the biggest alcohol and weed days of the year.  In fact, the Wednesday before is called “Green Wednesday in the cannabis industry and “Drinksgiving” in the alcohol industry.  Sales for those days are higher.  In the weed industry it can be up to 50% higher.  The BDSA data shows it up with 19% above last year 66% increase which is a huge two year increase.

Driving the big increase is an increase in edibles, primarily gummies which saw an increase of 21% year over year. They are the most common way people consume marijuana with nearly 49% of people saying it is their primary way of using cannabis.

RELATED: How To Be Discreet When Using Weed

Another perk for consumers is the average cost was 3% cheaper than last year, which was an added bonus. Edibles were on average 8% less expensive.  Customers at dispensaries are similar to customers at liquor/grocery stores and respond to pricing.

DEA Causes A Stir Regarding Marijuana Rescheduling

Terry Hacienda
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DEA Causes A Stir Regarding Marijuana Rescheduling

With New York and California in a mess, the cannabis industry needs rescheduling

Consumers of marijuana have increased in unprecedented numbers. An example is in recently recreational legal Michigan. It looks as if in their first year, marijuana sales will surpass $3 billion, helped by record-breaking July.  Feeding the boom is Gen Z turning away from alcohol and embracing the healthier weed. But chaotic state enforcement, wacky tax burdens and business killing restrictions including lack of interstate commerce has wrecked havoc in the industry.

RELATED: California or New York, Which Has The Biggest Marijuana Mess

Biden’s slow moving process toward federal action received a big bump when his administration asked for rescheduling last year.  Now the DEA causes a stir regarding marijuana rescheduling. Long the driver of the War On Drugs, they asserted they are the decider in what is going on. The reason for the statement? U.S. Rep. Earl Blumenauer and 30 others expressed support for marijuana reform at the federal level and encouraging moving marijuana to Schedule III from Schedule I drug.

Photo by bones64 via Pixabay

Terran Cooper, the regulatory consultant at Falcon Rappaport & Berkman LLP, a key cannabis law firm shared “It seems that many people are alarmed upon the realization that the very agency tasked with enforcing the Controlled Substances Act, is also the one tasked with potentially rescheduling cannabis.”

“The only confidence that DEA will choose to reschedule cannabis comes from precedent. The Congressional Research Service reported that they were unaware of any instances where the DEA rejected a rescheduling recommendation by the FDA & HHS. While the DEA can, and ultimately may, decide not to reschedule cannabis – it would be an unprecedented move.” shared Cooper.

RELATED: How To Be Discreet When Using Weed

Rep. Earl Blumenauer and his allies want marijuana to be fully removed from enforcement under the Controlled Substances Act. The good news is the HHS review, sent to the DEA last August, recommended marijuana be reclassified as a Schedule III substance, which have accepted medical uses and a low to moderate risk of dependence. This would be a game changer for the industry. The letter could mean the DEA plans to slow walk the change.

The DEA has not be a traditional ally of the cannabis industry.  And until the administration releases the final ruling, the industry will be wary of the future.

The Answers To Your Questions About Marijuana

Maria Loreto
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The Answers To Your Questions About Marijuana

Dry January or California Sober on your agenda?  New to cannabis, we have some information for you

From 15-19% of the population does Dry January.  After the excess of the holidays with food, drink, celebrations and family….your body might need a break.  But do you want Dry January of California sober.  What is it? Well, it is taking a break from alcohol and drugs except for cannabis.  And there are some sound reasons as marijuana is less hard on the body and offers up some medical benefits. But if you are new to cannabis, you might be worried, concerned or need more information.  Here are the answers to your questions about marijuana.

Is it addictive?

rolling a marijuana joint
Photo by FilippoBacci/Getty Images

While not all that common, there are people who are heavily affected by marijuana use. The condition, known as cannabis abuse disorder (CID), affects about 30% of users, impairing their lives in one way or another. People who suffer from the condition often have the drug affecting their work and relationships, feel anxious when not consuming it, have cravings, and more. The populations that are at higher risk of developing this condition are teens and young users.

Can you overdose on it?

marijuana joint
Photo by RODNAE Productions from Pexels

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Marijuana overdoses are pretty chill in the grand scheme of things. Still, some awkward and uncomfortable things can happen, so it’s important to pace yourself no matter the method of consumption. Symptoms of a marijuana overdose include dry mouth, sleepiness, paranoia, a fast heart rate, and even vomiting.

Which method is best?

refusing marijuana joint
Photo by chabybucko/Getty Images

Marijuana has come a long way. Long gone are the times of the crappy joint filled with brown weed, making it the perfect time to jump in. While the variety of methods can be overwhelming, it’s simple once you parse it all out. There’s cannabis flower, edibles, and vapes, with each of these having its own perks and pitfalls. In terms of health, vaping and smoking affects your lungs, so an edible might be a good starting place. Just know that edibles take a while to kick in and that you should start off slow.

Can I use it to treat anxiety?

How Does Marijuana Influence Your Anxiety?
Photo by joeypistachio via Pexels

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Historically, cannabis is praised for its anxiety-relieving properties and acting as a facilitator for social situations. While this is true, it’s also not the whole truth. Cannabis is fussy, acting differently depending on the cannabis you’re consuming, the person consuming it, and their level of experience. It’s also important to know what type of anxiety is being treated. If it’s a medical issue, it’s important to talk it out with your doctor.

Can I use it for sleep?

Despite Health Risks, The Use Of This Sleeping Aid Has Increased Over The Years
Photo by Kinga Cichewicz via Unsplash

RELATED: Debunking 4 Common Myths About Edibles

Cannabis can make people very sleepy, but this isn’t the case for everyone and it depends on the type of cannabis you’re consuming. While some strains can make you feel relaxed and sleepy, others can make you feel wired (indica for the former, sativa for the latter). The best advice for using cannabis as a sleep aid is to start off slow, keeping track of your behaviors and patterns.

What is the difference between CBD and THC?

4 Things CBD Won't Help You Achieve In 2022
Photo by Elsa Olofsson via Unsplash

THC and CBD are cannabinoids present in the cannabis plant. The main difference between the two is the fact that THC is psychoactive (producing that “high” feeling), while CBD is not. When smoking a CBD joint you may feel relaxed and loose, yet you won’t get high. CBD is mostly medicinal and it’s also very trendy, appearing in a wide variety of products ranging from hair products to skincare.  

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