The machines ensure that their products stay fresh, but they also track consumer data, recording which products have had the most success and which haven’t.
High-tech CBD vending machines are a thing now, populating select 7-Eleven stores in Colorado. The mega-chain is the latest to join other large brands, such as CVS and Walmart, in conveniently distributing CBD products across the U.S..
These machines, developed by Greenbox Robotics, act as CBD dispensers and curators, containing select products that ensure everything inside the machine is fit for customers. This is a great way to eliminate many of the dubious products that are currently populating the CBD market, which claim to provide health benefits without having the necessary evidence to support their claims.
According to the Daily Mail, these vending machines were designed to sell products, while also educating customers on the benefits of CBD and eliminating a trip to the dispensary. The machines ensure that their products stay fresh, but they also track consumer data, recording which products have had the most success and which haven’t.
“Greenbox makes it easy to discover, select and purchase cannabis and CBD products via self-service robot locations. We are bringing a $55-billion-plus industry over the counter with a simple consumer touch,” Zack Johnson, CEO and founder of Greenbox Robotics, tells Daily Mail.
Currently there’s only robots available in two different 7-Eleven locations, with CEOs of both companies rolling out features slowly in order to gage people’s reactions. “What we’re looking for is to generate sales and show 7-Eleven corporate that this is a value add, we’re introducing a product that is protected, not on shelves to risk theft, but we are also looking to generate sales for you in your store beyond just the CBD product,” says Johnson.
In one study, after a single dose of THC, all 2 patients saw a reduction in the amounts of tics they normally experienced.
What’s one to do when their medications still can’t seem to reduce Tourette tics, verbal outbursts and other uncontrollable movements? According to decades of research, cannabis may be the answer.
In a 2016 study, scientists administered two daily doses of THC, cannabis’s most psychoactive ingredient, to a man afflicted with treatment-resistant Tourette Syndrome. After a six-week period, the subject demonstrated a significant improvement in motor and vocal tics. And the researchers concluded cannabinoids to not only be safe, but effective.
Almost 20 years ago, in a study published in the American Journal of Psychiatry, researcher’s used one man’s TS to examine the effects of cannabis on tics. The 25-year old man, who was diagnosed with TS at the age of six, was administered a single dose of THC.
Using the Tourette Syndrome Global Scale, the study concluded that the patient’s tic severity decreased from 41 to seven. Also, he was able to see the reduction in tics only after 30 minutes after receiving the THC and the relieved symptoms lasted for about seven hours. No adverse side effects were noted either.
In a 2002 study, researchers conducted a double-blind placebo test with 12 patients suffering from Tourette’s. After a single dose of THC, only five of the patients noted mild or transient side effects. Even better? Every patient saw a reduction in the amounts of tics they normally experienced.
Photo by Jamie Grill/Getty Images
In the following year, researchers conducted another study with 24 patients. In a six-week randomized trial, patients were given up to 10 mg. per day and resulted were evaluated six times, week one as a baseline, weeks two though four during baseline, and weeks five and six after treatment stopped and withdrawals were present.
The highest differences between the placebo group and THC group were noted during days 14-41 (when treatment was ongoing). As you can imagine the THC group fared very well during the experiment.
Ultimately, the researchers concluded: Our results provide more evidence that THC is effective and safe in the treatment of tics.
With over 20 years of researching proving THC as an effective remedy for treatment-resistant TS, hopefully the 200,000 people suffering from the illness will begin to turn to the powerful plant when traditional treatment methods fall short.
FBI data indicates that drug possession arrests are on the rise again, following a nine-year decline.
Here are two facts that, when read side by side, might hurt your brain. A 2018 study found no correlation between legalizing marijuana and crime rates, with some states, like California, actually experiencing a decrease in crime. However, crime is rising as it relates to marijuana in one respect: FBI data shows that marijuana arrests increased for the third consecutive year.
The War on Drugs, despite calls to treat drug addiction as a public health issue, is not over. As the New York Times highlights, drug-related arrests are on the rise once again following a nine-year decline. Arrests tied to drug possession have also increased for the past 30 years, from about 67% in 1989 to just over 86% in 2018. Small amounts of possession account for a large portion of these arrests, too.
An important note: The FBI’s data is imperfect. The federal agency compiles data submitted from 18,586 agencies at the federal, state, and local level. For 2018, only 16,659 jurisdiction sent in data. New York City was among the groups who did not submit.
The data contains another flaw—the FBI only lists the most serious criminal offense in its arrest cause report. That means someone first apprehended for marijuana possession but who was later committed for something like aggravated assault would not be included in these drug-related arrest numbers.
Photo by FatCamera/Getty Images
The FBI plans to change that, however. In 2021, the agency will unveil its National Incident-Based Reporting System, which will track crime date on a more detailed level. For example, the amount of drug someone has on their possession when arrested will be recorded. That type of information could influence policymaking.
Authors of a paper titled Sharks and Minnows in the War on Drugs: A Study of Quantity, Race and Drug Type in Drug Arrestsused the FBI data in 2004, 2008, and 2012 to analyze 700,000 drug arrests. They found that 40% of all drug possession arrests were for trace amounts—a quarter of a gram or less. Drug possession between a quarter gram and one gram accounted for another 20% of all arrests. That means a majority of all drug arrests from their analysis were for a gram or less.
A big issue, as the Times reported, is that local and state agencies still use arrest numbers as a mark of achievement. By arresting more people, the thinking goes, they are doing more work. But that line of thinking has become outdated in recent years by policymakers and academics alike. You may wonder what police do when the law eliminates drug possession as a cause for arrest.
As it turns out, they do better work. Following legalization in Vermont, the Burlington Police Department decreased roadside traffics stops by 70%; The Stanford Open Police Project reported that roadside searches were cut in half in Washington and Colorado post-legalization. As these arrests falls, a different 2018 study found that police in legal marijuana states made more arrests for violent crimes, burglaries, vehicular theft, and property crime.
“Our models show no negative effects of legalization and, instead, indicate that crime clearance rates for at least some types of crime are increasing faster in states that legalized than in those that did not,” the researchers behind the study wrote.
Toys from the 80s and 90s are now being sold for crazy amounts of money. And chances are not terrible that you have at least one.
Looking at your old toys and belongings is great for nostalgia purposes, but everyone always dreams of selling one of them and becoming instantly rich. Although highly unlikely, these kind of stories do happen, especially if you were a picky child who purchased a special edition toys and left them inside their box. That’s like, the plot of Toy Story 2.
Sadly, not every old Barbie you own is going to be worth $500. The toys that sell for a lot of money are generally special editions maintained in pristine conditions. Here are some toys that could make you rich if you have the right model and find the right buyer:
Cabbage Patch Kids
Cabbage Patch Kids were huge in the 80s and 90s, so obviously they’re worth a lot of money nowadays. The really old dolls can be sold for over a thousand bucks. According to Ebay’s guidelines, the dolls need to be in good conditions in order to be sold and the rarer they are the better. “Baldies” and “Red Fuzzies” are some of the most prized Cabbage Patch dolls,
A classic Nintendo console
Buzzfeed reports that some original Nintendo consoles are being sold for almost $2,000. That’s a true travesty once you realize that Nintendo has been re-releasing them and selling them for $60.
A Furby
We all had a Furby, caring for it and being awoken by it at late hours of the night. Sadly, few people had the foresight to keep it inside its box. Rare edition Furbies in pristine conditions have been sold for $100,000.
Garbage Pail Kids collectible cards
Trading cards are sold for really crazy prices, with some Garbage Pail original & unopened packs selling for $4,000.
Beanie Babies
Beanie Babies were collected by a lot of people in the 90s, and they released some really weird special editions. There’s the Princess Diana Beanie Baby and the Valentino Bear Beanie Baby, both of which sell for a couple of hundred dollars. Then there’s Peanut the Elephant Beanie Baby, which is priced between $2,000 and $5,000. Go look through your basement.
Old school Pokemon cards, especially the shiney ones, can be sold for a lot of money nowadays. Take that, parents.
Game Boys
Game Boys in pristine conditions can be sold for over $250, especially if they have cool designs and colors. The catch is that these devices have to actually work.
“Harry Potter & the Philosopher’s Stone”
If you own one of the first editions of Harry Potter & the Philosopher’s Stone (only 500 were published), you might earn $40,000. While this is totally a long shot, it’s too outrageous not to include in this list!
Happy Meal toys
If you have a bucketful of Happy Meal toys, you might sell them for a substantial amount on eBay.
Hot Wheels
Several Hot Wheels toys from the 90’s can be sold on eBay for over $100. One special edition is being sold for $10,000. You never know, sometimes it pays to be a hoarder.
The type of cannabis a DJ smokes is as varied as the music they play. We chatted with four DJs to get their favorite strains and these are their picks.
Music and cannabis go together like rolling papers and a lighter, so it’s important that we pay attention to their recommendations — and not just in the music realm — as we travel further down the cannabis-lined path. Music selectors are among the most important parts of a good party or night out, and their guidance can have you feeling joy that you may have been missing in between dance dates.
If you’re ever out and hear a super long disco song, you may be unknowingly dancing to that DJ’s smoke break, which is a fun little trick that the pros deploy to carve out 5 minutes for themselves, while making the rest of us enjoy life so much.
We chatted with four DJs to get their favorite strains and these are their picks.
DJ Yamez
Photo courtesy of Yamez Blannon
Yamez Blannon has been on the scene shredding mixes far past the capability of 80% of NYC deejays for some time. Catch his regular mixes on his Instagram account, where you can also see his love of cannabis.
OG Kush or Gorilla Glue. I usually smoke before I DJ and during, it kinda takes me away to my own space where I’m a lot more in tune to the music.
Julianne
California native Julianne Latino goes for the heady vibes, but only when the mood strikes. Her sets are fun-packed dance marathons, and she saves the smoke for times when she isn’t spinning.
Latino shares:
My preferred type of weed to smoke would have to be Lambs-bread, also rumored to be Bob Marley’s favorite strain, who’s a big role model of mine.
“Weed isn’t a daily thing for me, it’s more of a special ritual I’ll indulge in if i’m going to do something fun and interesting like a music concert, or an epic nature excursion.
“I look at cannabis as a way to chill me out, spark some creativity, and most importantly, make me laugh. Everything in my life is about laughing. I like my weed to feel like a cozy cloud I can bounce off of. I also f*** with edibles. I love a good body high, whereas sometimes smoking weed may hit me a little too fast and then I start forgetting words.”
The Gent
Photo courtesy of Jimmy C
“I love weed so there isn’t really a wrong strand for me. But I’m an Indica or Dominant Indica Hybrid by all means,” says Jimmy C, known as The Gent while on the turntables. His work brings together a vibe pulling from all eras of Hip Hop and ending with you having a great time.
The Gent also likes Gorilla Glue he says:
My go to strain when I’m in New York is Gorilla Glue. New York isn’t the West Coast, the corner still runs shifts on my block. I prefer the block over the fancy delivery services.The block is more convenient.
As a traveling deejay, Jimmy gets to try the legal market’s bounty as well, “When I’m in LA I always go for Girl Scout Cookies, that’s my default on the West Coast. I’m a bit on the old side and growing up we didn’t really have this intuitive of a system but I’m hip to it.”
Elaborating on popular GG, The Gent says, “I like Gorilla glue so much because it’s the right amount of heavy and I can still get work done. In a fast paced city such as New York with a high stress level you need a strong weed. Smoking while I’m working helps me be in tune with the music. I prefer a joint over a drink creatively. I strongly believe weed and music go hand and hand. They feed each other. The two things that bring people together universally.”
Smurfo
Photo: Maria Penaloza
Bringing the party to the Lower East Side since he could take the subway alone, Smurfo is an accomplished artist and has an ear for the best classics. Musically, he’s wise beyond his years.
Reaching for active Sativa, Smurfo shares:
My favorite strain (at the moment) is Durban Poison. It’s a kick that gets me hype to play funk and disco and rare groove and really puts me in the mood.
Don’t let a good song or a good strain pass you by. Enjoy every moment like the next you have to go home to walk the dog or relieve the babysitter, especially when you’re out enjoying the fruits of a Dj’s labor. After all, the fruits of the cannabis cultivator probably motivate you both.
This week’s cute animal column features an adorable dog who loves to be massaged, a kitten who’s busy dreaming…and more!
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 animal column has animals for all sorts of people. There’s an adorable dog who loves to be massaged, a kitten who’s busy dreaming, a pug puppy falling asleep, a weird looking lizard and a running piglet. Have a look!
Who doesn’t love massages?
This adorable pit bull is willing to wait around all day giving you puppy eyes just so you can give him some massages. It’s extremely cute.
This kitty is caught between stretching and continuing to sleep. Its also dreaming about drinking milk, which is the best part of all.
https://www.instagram.com/p/B4h55eNFmBu/
Pug meme
There’s nothing better than a pug meme, especially if the meme stars a sleepy baby pug.
https://www.instagram.com/p/B4c0xN8BkyL/
This weirdo
This video has me kind of torn. Although the lizard has a sort of cute face, it’s also a little scary and looks like an old man. Also, what’s up with those eyes?
Piglets are some of the most adorable animals you’ll find, being super tiny and adorable. They grow up though, so they’re a pet for people who know how to handle their animals.
The Duchess of Cambridge used a secret door to sneak into a pub and drink with her fellow school mums; Miley Cyrus is being super adult once again by unfollowing her exes on Instagram.
Kate Middleton’s not a regular mom, she’s a cool mom. And, well, she’s a royal mom, so, that can make things complicated when she wants to have a girls night out. Luckily, though, Kate has a few tricks up her sleeve that lets her meet up with other moms from Prince George and Princess Charlotte’s school without being hounded by paparazzi. In fact, Kate was able to sneak into a London pub just last month without being spotted. Here’s how the Duchess of Cambridge managed it.
According to the Daily Mail, Kate was able to attend a meet-and-greet for parents of students at Thomas’s Battersea, which is where George and Charlotte attend school. The night out was held at the Hollywood Arms pub in Chelsea. The pub is reportedly a popular spot, however, Kate managed to sneak in thanks to a secret door in the back.
So, how did Kate know about this secret door? It turns out the door was reportedly installed for Prince Harry during his early twenties. The door allowed Harry to sneak in and out to hang out with his friends without causing a fuss. Though not confirmed, it’s believed that a few popular London pubs had these secret doors installed for Harry back in the day.
While Kate did get to enjoy a night out with her fellow school moms, she did have a personal protection officer in tow. She may be a cool mom, but royals still need to have their PPOs on hand even for a girls night out.
Miley Cyrus is wiping her slate clean of her past.
The “Malibu” musician seems to have made the decision as early as Tuesday morning (November 5), ditching exes Liam Hemsworth and Kaitlynn Carter on the list of those she follows on Instagram. Some additional sleuthing on our part also confirmed Hemworth has done the same, whereas Carter remains one of the singer’s 101 million followers. (Receipts down below.)
Apart from dating Cyrus, it should be noted that both Hemsworth and Carter have something else in common. They’ve both endured respective breakups this year.
After their 10-year relationship lead to their long-awaited (albeit low-key) wedding in December 2018, the former Disney Channel star called it quits with the Hunger Games actor this past August. The relationship ended in light of images surfacing of Carter and Cyrus locking lips on their getaway to Italy around the same time. Hemsworth filed for divorce weeks later.
From there, Cyrus moved on with Carter, who had just freshly ended her marriage to Brody Jenner weeks prior to the vocalist’s separation announcement. Sadly, after a whirlwind relationship of sorts, the duo officially broke up in September. It’s was never revealed why, but guessing from the Hills: New Beginnings star’s recent essay for Elle — in which alludes her love for Cyrus — there doesn’t appear to be any bad blood between them.
Even after going through double-breakups, the 26-year-old is still testing the waters of the dating pool. As yet, she’s been romantically linked to Australian crooner Cody Simpson since last month.
The winter season affects some people more than others, making them more likely to stay indoors and avoid contact with loved ones.
Although it’s not yet winter, the weather is changing rapidly. Daylight savings is already in motion, meaning that, for a lot of people, days are now drastically shorter. Night owls might be into this, but others find this change hard to adapt.
Winter blues, otherwise known as seasonal affective disorder (SAD), is a condition that’s triggered by the changing winter months, affecting around 10 million Americans. The fact that there’s less daylight disturbs people’s circadian rhythms, disrupting their hormone production and making them feel tired, unmotivated and sometimes depressed. Even if you’re not as affected by the weather as people who suffer from SAD, it’s likely that you have to work harder than usual during this time of the year to remain active and positive.
Here are 5 things you can do to stay healthier during the winter.
Try to have fun with the weather
If you hate the cold, it’s hard for you to see the novelty of the snow or the fun in wearing cute winter outfits. Still, a small change in perception can help you feel better, making this time of the year feel shorter and brighter. Learn about activities you can do in the winter, and spend some money on weather appropriate gear. Even if you don’t want to leave your house, make yourself go out and walk around, keeping your body moving and surrounding yourself with nature.
Photo by Visit Almaty via Pexels
Make book and movie lists
The cold weather means that you’ll be spending more time than usual indoors. Take advantage of this by compiling lists of movies and books you want to indulge in. Not only does it distract you from thinking about how miserable you are, you’ll feel productive afterwards. If you’re sad, there’s nothing better than a distraction, even if it only lasts for a couple of hours.
Start a project
Just like list-making, projects such as writing, organizing your house, or taking artsy photos of your pets are all valid ways of distracting yourself and feeling productive. This can be anything, just as long as it makes you feel accomplished and energized.
According to Healthline, certain foods can improve your moods and give your system a boost, especially during the winter. For example, lean proteins like salmon can help you feel better and lighter since they contain tons of amino acids. Other foods like berries and greens with folic acid are also good options that’ll help you balance out your diet during the less active months of the year.
Fill up your social calendar
Surrounding yourself with people is always a good way of distracting yourself from your problems. While it’s very common to feel like you don’t want to get dressed and interact with others, it’s important to force yourself to go out periodically, especially when it comes to activities that you’re looking forward to.
Coffee and weed are a pairing that is here to stay. They go together like they were made for each other, and maybe they were. But here’s how coffee can throw a wrench into that relationship.
It’s the classic mixture that gets a lot of people going in the morning: coffee and cannabis. But at least one study shows that drinking more than three cups per day has an impact on your endocannabinoid system. Now, you may be thinking, “Three cups? But that’s how much I need to consume just to open my eyes!” Perhaps not after reading this article.
“What we’re seeing here is that the systems that are impacted by coffee and cannabis overlap,” lead researcher, Marilyn Cornelis, told Live Science. This implies interacting effects from drinking coffee with cannabis in your system.
Photo by Matthew Henry via Burst
Cornelis also went on to say that though the sort of interactions aren’t yet clear, the endocannabinoids that went down when coffee use went up also decreased when under stress. It’s actually quite likely that the amount of coffee that study participants drank caused agitation, which led to a drop in endocannabinoid levels.
While Cornelis does not mention the amount that the metabolites decrease or how much of your high is affected, anecdotal evidence abounds on the topic. Coffee and weed are a pairing that is here to stay. They go together like they were made for each other, and maybe they were.
The study also speculated that the drop in metabolites at certain levels of caffeine consumption could be a protective measure for the body. Whatever it is, it must have rhyme or reason, so it won’t be surprising that this study only brought up more questions. We’ll see what comes of future research on the two magical substances when subjected to science.
One thing’s for sure: wake and baking would never be the same without a cup o’ Joe and this reporter highly doubts that this study will have too much of an impact on coffee and cannabis imbibing. It wouldn’t hurt if some people cut back on their coffee intake just a bit, as excess caffeine can cause undue stress.
Cannabis is decidedly not a cure-all for this condition, but for some people, such as myself, its effects can provide a stimulant free adjustment of both attitude and attention.
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a complicated bit of neurodiversity. Sometimes you’re an attention superhero who’s as focused as a spotlight, bingeing the grandest projects into the wee hours of the morning. Other times, you’re a mopey, distracted mess, unable to do the most basic of tasks for days or weeks on end.
Though it’s a complex life that isn’t easy, it’s got its perks — and fervent and seemingly limitless creativity can be among them.
ADHD manifests in symptoms of hyperfocus, inability to focus, executive functioning issues, and sometimes irate behavior and mood swings. People who have this disorder will go to great lengths to counteract the negative effects, while others self-cope unknowingly for years before ever receiving a diagnosis, especially women.
Like some others with ADHD, I use cannabis to medicate, but as testing and peer reviewed research is scarce in these early days of innovation, anecdotal evidence is the only peek behind the curtain of those of us with such brains. Cannabis is decidedly not a cure-all for this condition, but for some people, such as myself, its effects can provide a stimulant free adjustment of both attitude and attention.
I asked cannabis consultant and researcher Emma Chasen what she thinks about the possibility of cannabis assisting those with ADHD. She says, “People with ADHD are more likely to consume cannabis. Scientists are not quite sure why this is, however, we do know that certain cannabinoids and terpenes have motivational properties. And the motivational properties of these compounds are actually influenced by the hyperactive brain.
Photo by Kirill Vasikev/EyeEm/Getty Images
“For example, there is anecdotal evidence to support that THC and a terpene commonly found in the haze varieties, known as terpinolene, produce a very motivating, focused experience for those with ADHD & hyperactive, inattentive tendencies. This is in direct contrast to the anxiety-inducing, overwhelming experience that THC and terpinolene can induce for people who do not have symptoms of ADHD.
“More research is needed to elucidate the synergistic properties of cannabinoids and terpenes as they relate to symptom relief, especially when discussing diagnoses like ADHD. However, it seems that cannabis can help as long as the cannabinoids and terpenes are in the optimal ratios/concentrations.”
Chasen and other researchers believe that the various concentrations in different cannabis phenotypes are under researched and that when we understand every molecule in the equation, we will be closer to developing individualized medicine with cannabis.
Until then, here’s a few cannabis products with the terpenes, terpinolene and caryophyllene, which many report are helpful for ADHD.
