Sunday, June 21, 2026
Home Blog Page 643

Kim Kardashian Teases New Kanye West Album; Justin Bieber Returns To The Stage For Emotional Gospel Performance

Justin Bieber sang at a church in Beverly Hills last night; Mrs. Kanye West took to Twitter to tease her husband’s new album, ‘Jesus Is King’.

Justin Bieber Returns To The Stage For Emotional Gospel Performance

Via iHeart Radio:

Justin Bieber put his faith on display on Thursday (August 29) when the pop titan shared a snippet of him leading a gospel performance at Churchome in Beverly Hills.

 

In the caption for the post, which saw him cover Marvin Sapp’s “Never Would Have Made It,” while ad-libbing some of his own lyrics, Bieber admitted that he is going “through a hard season,” but he has some major support surrounding him. “Sang at church last night. God is pulling me through a hard season. Having trust in Jesus at your worst times is the absolute hardest. But he is faithful to complete what he started,” the pop titan, 25, wrote. “I also want to thank my wife for being such a huge support in my life through this season.. it says in the bible count it ALL JOY when you face trials of various kinds.”

He continued, “Sounds insane considering when u face trials u feel terrible. But if we are grateful and worship god for what we do have in that season there is so much power in that… whatever pain you are going through just keep telling yourself THIS WONT LAST! Love you guys we in this together.”

https://www.instagram.com/p/B1w_BSNHQ61/

In a separate clip, Churchome’s lead pastor, Judah Smith, spoke about meeting Bieber for the first time. “We first met Justin in Toronto and he’s always been a worshipper… It’s a lot of who he is,” he said. “I want him to be a part of the church where everyone gets a fair share to contribute to the community… who am I to stand in the way of someone who clearly has a gift to lead worship?”

 

As noted by The Blast, Hailey Baldwin took to her stylist’s Instagram account to hit back at a user who implied she wasn’t supporting his big performance. “I was there the whole time backstage watching every moment,” she replied.

Kim Kardashian Announces New Kanye West Album 

Via iHeart Radio:

Kanye West is nearing the release of some brand-new music, specifically a new album titled Jesus Is King on September 27, or at least that’s what wife Kim Kardashian has seemingly teased via social media.

Photo by Jamie McCarthy/Staff/Getty Images

On Thursday (August 28), the E! reality star took to Twitter to share a photo of a table with a sheet that depicts the tracklist for the rapper’s upcoming 12-song set. Among the titles on the piece of paper include “Garden,” “Gold Is,” Wake The Dead” and “Sweet Jesus.” Elsewhere on the table, viewers can see a bible and a notepad, which reads: “He will defend and keep safe all who call on his name.”

Jesus Is King will follow his eighth studio album, ye, which was released in 2018, and featured guest vocals from PartyNextDoor, Ty Dolla $ign, Kid Cudi, Jeremih and 070 Shake.

Health Benefits of Smoking Properly Dried And Cured Cannabis

While it is commonly known that improper curing techniques can greatly hinder the flavor and smell of cannabis, little has been said about any potential health issues related to smoking uncured flowers.

As the American cannabis marketplace gets legitimized, business procedures concerning the cultivation, processing, and storage of marijuana flowers are a reflection of an industry transformation into the mainstream. With this in mind, cannabis business models—mainly in the cultivation sector—are adopting procedures based on efficiency and industrial production.

The roots of the American cannabis marketplace are found in the underground expanses of western states such as California, which has had a functioning medical marijuana industry for over 20 years. Artisanal growers in these arenas oftentimes paid careful attention to the fine details of cannabis cultivation, processing, and storage. They also took great pride in properly drying and curing their flowers.

Looking at industrial agricultural models of regulated cannabis cultivation seen in states like Colorado, much of the intimate care of artisanal farming — including proper drying and curing processes — is lost in favor of efficiency and subsequent cost reduction. While it is commonly known that improper curing techniques can greatly hinder the flavor and smell of cannabis, little has been said about any potential health issues related to smoking uncured flowers.

Here are a few interesting points to consider concerning the relationship of human health and properly drying and curing buds:

Curing And Drying

Proper drying and curing procedures are essential in producing the highest quality, as well as healthiest to consume, marijuana flowers.

As per drying, experts recommend that flowers are dried in a dark room with low humidity and temperatures around 75 deg. F. Once flowers are almost completely dry, yet a bit “springy” to the touch, they are ready for curing. While this process may not seem too difficult, one would be amazed at how many growers nearly destroy their products by over-drying or under-drying their flowers.

RELATED: What’s The Difference Between Medical And Recreational Marijuana?

Photo by jopstock/Getty Images

While explaining the fine nuances of the curing process is beyond the scope of this work, there are a couple of important points to note in the relationship of curing processes and health issues surrounding marijuana smoking. According to renowned marijuana authority Kyle Kushman, curing cannabis flowers causes “aerobic bacteria to come to life. They will consume chlorophyll and make your buds smoke … less harsh on the throat.”

When marijuana flowers are properly dried and cured, these processes make for the healthiest flowers to consume. Smoking fresh or improperly cured buds can not only lead to a sore throat for users—due to water and chlorophyll levels in the plant—but can also cause chronic lung problems with incessant coughing. For asthmatic cannabis users, this notion is greatly heightened.

CBG And THC

The marijuana plant harbors a number of chemical compounds which, altogether, present a vast array of potential medical applications for human beings. However, how these chemical compounds express themselves varies with the life-cycles of the plants, even after harvest. For example, the cannabinoid CBG, or “cannabigerol,” actually acts as the precursor chemical compound to THC.

RELATED: Report: The Future Of Cannabis Flowers Is A Total Boom

Studies have shown that CBG continues to break down into THC for a good amount of time after the plant is harvested—this chemical process is promoted by proper curing practices. As such, thorough curing practice ensures that cannabis flowers “express” their THC levels to their maximum capacity. Therefore, properly cured cannabis flowers present an attractive medicine for those medical marijuana patients whose ailments respond favorably to THC.

Kent Gruetzmacher M.F.A. is a Colorado based freelance writer and the Director of Business Development at Mac & Fulton Talent Partners (www.mandfconsultants.com), a recruiting firm dedicated to the indoor gardening and cannabis space. He is interested in utilizing his M.A. in the Humanities to critically explore the many cultural and business facets of this youthful, emergent industry by way of his entrepreneurial projects.

Is New Marijuana Breathalyzer Technology On The Way?

Researchers from the University of Pittsburgh have developed a new THC breathalyzer, but does it have real-world application?

Throughout the legalization movement, a growing concern has been marijuana users while high. This is not an alarmist worry, either. One poll found that more than half of habitual cannabis users believe they can drive while stoned. In addition, a study released by AAA reported that more than 15 million Americans have gotten behind the wheel of a car within an hour of smoking cannabis.

As more states legalize cannabis in the coming years, this will only become more of a pressing issue for law enforcement. While police have had technology to measure lawful blood-alcohol levels of drivers for years, the same can’t be said for quantifying THC levels. (THC is the cannabinoid in marijuana that induces psychoactive sensations in users.) But in response to the developing need, scientists have been hard at work to develop a so-called marijuana breathalyzer.

RELATED: Disclosing Marijuana Use Before Surgery: What You Need To Know

Traffic Searches
Photo by bluegame/Getty Images

Tech companies in California and Canada have both raised significant funding to get their own marijuana breathalyzers off the ground in recent weeks. But it’s been researchers from the University of Pittsburgh responsible for developing and patenting a working THC breathalyzer. Using nanotechnology, a possibly intoxicated will blow into the device. Then, those air molecules will bind with carbon tubes 100,000 times smaller than a human hair, which will effectively identify the level of THC molecules.

“We used machine learning to ‘teach’ the breathalyzer to recognize the presence of THC based on the electrical current’s recovery time, even when there are other substances, like alcohol, present in the breath,” Sean Hwang, a Pitt doctoral candidate in chemistry and lead author of a written report of the device in the journal ACS Sensor, said in a press release.

RELATED: Don’t Use Your Phone While High For This Reason, Warn Scientists

That said, the Pitt researchers’ breathalyzer has not been set for commercial use and was tested under pristine laboratory settings. In other words, we really have no idea about its possible real-world application. There’s a possibility this technology can only detect marijuana consumed via smoking—not by other methods like edibles, tinctures, and topicals, which have spread in popularity following legalization.

In addition, the effects of cannabis on users varies far differently than that of alcohol. How we measure someone’s inebriation, and whether that level is suitable for driving is not yet known. As is usual the case in the world of marijuana science, more research is necessary before setting such parameters. But it could be closer that we initially believed.

The Queen’s Favorite Champagne And It’s Totally Affordable

Queen Elizabeth’s sparkling of choice is Bollinger, the first Champagne to ever receive the royal stamp of approval. And you can score a bottle for way less than a Benjamin.

Anyone who’s been keeping up with the Queen’s drinking habits shouldn’t be surprised by the news that Her Majesty likes to imbibe in Champagne on a nightly basis. It’s just one of four cocktails she consumes daily  (being the Queen is stressful!)

Queen Elizabeth’s sparkling of choice is Bollinger, the first Champagne to ever receive the royal stamp of approval. While many bottles clock in at more than $100, you can score a bottle of Bollinger Brut Special Cuvee for around $50.

RELATED: The Queen Of England Drinks How Many Cocktails A Day?

Photo by WPA Pool/Pool/Getty Images

According to the Observer, Bollinger became the official supplier of Champagne to the British court after receiving a Royal Warrant in 1884 from Queen Victoria, and again in 1950 from King George VI.

Fun fact: there are only eight Champagne brands that have received royal warrants. The others include Krug, Lanson and Pol Roger.

RELATED: 5 Questions About Champagne You Always Wanted Answered

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

A royal warrant is issued for brands that have supplied the royal family for a minimum of five years.

Here’s where the Average Joe comes in. Bollinger is releasing a bottle of limited edition rosé 2006 (the brand’s inaugural limited edition rosé), which has been aged for  a decade and is a combination of 72 percent pinot noir and 28 percent Chardonnay. A bottle of this limited edition bubbly will run you about $120. But then again, it’s not everyday you get to drink like royalty.

https://giphy.com/gifs/images-queen-elizabeth-2k4CSOMmoFZYc

Oh, Goody! More Ads Are Coming To Instagram

Facebook has plans to increase monetization for Instagram, their most popular app. Here’s what users can expect.

What started off as Facebook’s somewhat loose approach to purchasing Instagram has transformed into one company completely gorging the other. Back when Facebook bought  Instagram in 2012, Mark Zuckerberg made it clear that Instagram developers and workers would continue to drive the ship with their own vision. In 2018, Instagram’s founders Kevin Systrom and Mike Krieger abruptly walked out of their company because of creative differences with Facebook.

Instagram’s slowly changing methodology has taken some time but has hit a point of no return. The increase of ads and focus on shopping is one of the most notorious changes, but the most telling one is the fact that most of the original creatives have been replaced with some of Facebook’s top executives.

RELATED: Facebook Brags Its AI Can Differentiate Between Marijuana And Broccoli

Photo by rawpixel.com

This past Tuesday, Instagram announced a new batch of changes to its advertising strategy, giving more brands the chance to promote original content created by influencers. “One of the biggest requests from brands to date is the ability to incorporate branded content posts into their advertising strategies,” explains Instagram.

The ads will be labeled as “paid partnerships” and will look similarly to the ones that have been appearing in your stories and Instagram feeds. Experts explain that these new types of ads are hoping to take advantage of the influencer boom, which is primed to be one of the largest growing industries of the future.

RELATED: Facebook Is Rolling Out A New ‘Secret Crush’ Feature

Instagram has hundreds of plans for the future. From a better functioning of their IGTV, the introduction of more interactive stories and the development of their close friends feature, it’s an exciting time for fans of the app. And also, for Facebook.

Food, Drug Or Something Else: What Is Hemp-Derived CBD?

Under the FDA, once a product is approved as a drug, it cannot be a constituent of a food or dietary supplement product legally sold or marketed in interstate commerce.

PUBLISHER:  CANNABIS LAW REPORT

It has been just over a month since the public comment period closed in the wake of the public hearing held by the FDA, “Scientific Data and Information about Products Containing Cannabis or Cannabis-Derived Compounds”. Over 4,000 comments were docketed, ranging from controlled scientific data submissions to tales of miracle cures to horror stories. It will be interesting to see what the agency gleans from the docket.

Nevertheless, the FDA currently stands as a pillar of uncertainty in the cannabis industry, at least when it comes to products derived from “hemp”, now defined essentially as Cannabis sativa L. and its derivatives containing no more than 0.3% THC by dry weight following the enactment of the 2018 Farm Bill. While the USDA has issued a confirmation that hemp is no longer a controlled substance, uncertainty remains about what FDA-regulated products may and may not be shipped across state lines.

RELATED: FDA Holds First Public Hearing On Regulating CBD

Photo by Tinnakorn Jorruang/Getty Images

The FDA approved a purified CBD product for the treatment of certain types of seizures in 2018 under its new drug application process. This would lead one to believe that CDB is now considered a “drug” as a matter of law and has to be approved by the FDA to be sold or marketed interstate. The FDA has also issued several warning letters to makers of CBD-containing products labeled with certain health or therapeutic claims, suggesting that that is, in fact, the current view of the agency. But what about CBD that is derived from hemp in view of its removal from the controlled substance list? Not only that but what about foods and dietary supplements containing CBD derived from hemp?

Under the Food, Drug & Cosmetic Act, once a product is approved as a drug, it cannot be a constituent of a food or dietary supplement product legally sold or marketed in interstate commerce, unless it was present in these products prior to FDA approval of the ingredient in question as a drug, or prior to the publication of clinical trial data associated with drug approval (I’m paraphrasing, but that’s the general idea). The FDA has already stated that this exception does not apply for CBD.

RELATED: Congress Lays Out Expectations For FDA On Hemp-CBD In Budget Report

The uncertainty is even greater for the host of CBD-containing products that are likely cosmetics under the Food, Drug & Cosmetic Act. The FDA guidance on these products is basically that while there is not a literal prohibition on the books, a substance in a cosmetic that affects the structure or function of the body or has some therapeutic effect may be a drug, and the FDA is likely to issue warning letters in cases where CBD-containing products such as oils and lotions bear labels touting therapeutic claims.

Hemp may be a safer bet where CBD is present in trace amounts. The FDA has responded to at least three hemp-related GRAS notifications (submissions asserting substances are Generally Regarded As Safe and should be allowed in certain FDA-regulated products) positively, but with the caveat that there is no guarantee that, for example, the products can be legally introduced into the food.

It will be interesting to see where the FDA falls once the agency digests the public comments in the wake of the public hearing on cannabis products.

This article originally appeared on Cannabis Law Report.

Kim Kardashian Responds To Claims She Bought Her Way Into A Law Degree; Missy Elliott’s Diamond VMAs Necklace Is Missing

Kim K. says ‘being underestimated and over-delivering’ is her vibe; One of the diamond necklaces Missy Elliott wore to the VMAs is MIA.

Missy Elliott’s Diamond VMAs Necklace Is Missing — And There’s a Reward

Via People:

Missy Elliot had a small “misdemeanor” with her accessories at the 2019 MTV Video Music Awards.

Two days after the superstar won the esteemed MTV Video Vanguard Award on Monday night, she revealed she lost one of the dazzling diamond necklaces she was wearing backstage.

https://www.instagram.com/p/B1uAbVrAPMn/

“Anyone found this necklace at the VMAs backstage or know anything about it there’s a reward,” the rapper wrote in an Instagram story with a close-up of her jewels, pointing out that the one MIA is the shorter of her multiple chains.

Kim Kardashian: It’s ‘absolutely not true’ that ‘I’ve bought my way into a law degree’

Via Celebitchy:

Kim Kardashian covers the latest issue of Vogue Arabia. Some highlights from the cover story:

On her “reading the law” studies: “There is a misconception that I don’t actually have to study and that I’ve bought my way into getting a law degree – that’s absolutely not true… Being underestimated and over-delivering is my vibe.”

Her life lessons: “I try to be a good person and to take my mistakes and make them into a better experience — to learn and grow from them and move on.”

On her first proper date with West: “I was like, ‘Damn, why did I waste so much time and energy? Why didn’t I do this sooner?’”

https://www.instagram.com/p/B1q51cgBPOz/

On the idea that she’s a role model: “I never felt the responsibility of being a role model until I had kids.”

On living her life in public: “Even in my darkest of times I don’t regret putting myself out there for the world to see. People have shared with me over the years how much it has helped them to feel less alone when dealing with their own adversity. I love having a voice and I appreciate the platform that I have been given, even though I do wish I could have more privacy at times.”

On fame & money: “Money was always the goal but I was obsessed with fame, like, embarrassingly obsessed… I do agree that fame can be addictive.”

https://www.instagram.com/p/B1oP_RAhZkg/

Kanye asked her to pick her favorite sister. “It changes, just like friends or relationships go in and out. I think this year has been a really strong Kim and Khloé year. I’m obviously so close with Kendall and Kylie too but I’ve spent so much more time on this earth with Kourtney and Khloé – 16 and 17 years longer with them. We have more history, have been through so much together, and we have more friends in common. Kourtney and I will always be really close, but this year, Khloé and I really bonded.”

Pornhub Makes The First Porn Film Focused On Pollution

0

In partnership with an ocean preservation foundation, the porn site made a movie about waste and plastic pollution.

Pornhub has always been open to trying out new and sometimes strange things, especially when these hit the sweet spot of viral and socially conscious topics. Recently, the company  released an adult film directed by former Disney actress Bella Thorne, and now, they’re producing the first adult movie where there’s a focus on pollution.

The campaign is called the “Dirtiest Porn Ever” and it will donate some of its profits to Ocean Polymers, a foundation that wants to preserve oceans by changing our relationship with waste and plastic. The short film stars Leolulu, one of Pornhub’s most popular amateur couples, and it depicts them having sex on one of the world’s dirtiest beaches. This whole thing doesn’t sound all that sanitary, but at least it’s a conversation starter. Pornhub will donate money to Ocean Polymers per each full view of the clip.

RELATED: Facebook And Google Know What Porn You Watch, Even When Browsing In Private Mode

Photo by pladkani via Pixabay

In an innovative and bizarre twist, the opening few minutes of the film won’t show any nudity or action, since trash will be blocking your field of view, because these are clearly the dangers of pollution. Afterwards, the Pornhub crew will appear onscreen and they’ll begin to clear out the trash.

RELATED: Pornhub Reveals Most Popular ‘Avengers’ Character Searches

“As of today, 12.7 million tons of plastic can be found within the depths of our oceans. What’s perhaps even more shocking, is that scientists predict that there will be more plastic than fish within our oceans in only 30 years. Ocean pollution has grown to become of the most significant global issues of our lifetime, and it’s only getting worse. That’s why it’s imperative that we use our platform to raise awareness and inspire change – not just for the time being but for generations to come. We’re dirty here at Pornhub, but that doesn’t mean our beaches need to be,” the vice president of Pornhub told LADBible.

You can read more about Pornhub’s campaign here.

Tucker Carlson Tries To Blame Marijuana For Mass Shootings

Tucker Carlson brought on Alex Berenson, an anti-marijuana author largely discredited by the scientific community, to bolster his argument.

The summer heat may have finally gotten to FOX News this month. Last week, we had the cable news network criticize people on the San Francisco streets shooting up marijuana. But now Tucker Carlson wants you to consider a correlation between the increase in mass shootings and increased access to marijuana across the country.

“In the aftermaths of the mass shootings in El Paso and Dayton, the country scrambled, justifiably, to understand what motivated the killers,” said Carlson. “Ideology seemed like an obvious reason and we picked that apart at some length. But it could it just be part of the answer?

“A toxicology report on the Dayton shooter, for example, revealed that he had several drugs in his system including cocaine and Xanax. He was also known to be a longtime user of marijuana. It turns out, in fact, that many violent individuals have been avid marijuana users. Is there a connection?”

To bolster his argument, he brought on former New York Times journalist Alex Berenson. Those within the cannabis community are familiar with Berenson and his fear-mongering, anti-marijuana book, Tell Your Children: The Truth About Marijuana, Mental Illness, and Violence. Berenson gained publicity from a well-positioned media blitz during his book launch, including a laudatory and misguided New Yorker article from Malcolm Gladwell.

Photo by MmeEmil/Getty Images

RELATED: Reality Check: Cigarettes And Pot Linked To Teen Psychosis?

Berenson’s position is anti-legalization, but pro-decriminalization. As he writes in his book, “Marijuana causes psychosis. Psychosis causes violence. The obvious implication is that marijuana causes violence.” But many scientists and experts whose work is cited in Tell Your Children have refuted the conclusions Berenson profligates, adding that the author misinterpreted their research. In addition, 75 doctors and scholars from New York University, Harvard Medical School and Columbia University joined forces to write an open letter to Berenson against his book’s claims, which they say are “based on a deeply inaccurate misreading of science.”

“We urge policymakers and the public to rely on scientific evidence, not flawed pop science and ideological polemics, in formulating their opinions about marijuana legalization,” the letter reads.

On Carlson’s program, Berenson repeated much of what he has previous, cherry-picking data and science to link cannabis use to psychosis, then psychosis to deadly violence. When Carlson heard that connection, he took it and ran with it.

RELATED: Ohio Lawmaker Blames Recreational Marijuana For Mass Shootings

“I don’t think it’s going way out on a limb to draw that connection then between cannabis use, particularly I assume chronic use and acts of violence,” Carlson said. “Why is this not something that we’re pursuing more aggressively?”

You can watch the full video above, but fair warning: If you’re looking for a rigorous, empirical, evidence-based discussion on the matter, you will not be finding in their discussion.

A Beginner’s Guide To CBD Tincture

Tinctures are one of the most popular ways to ingest CBD and are available at most head shops and online. They are legal in all fifty states as long as they are made with hemp oil.

Tincture is a plant-matter extraction into a carrier oil or other fluid like alcohol or glycerin. CBD is less-often associated with alcohol extractions, so users are more likely to see grapeseed oil and coconut oil, vegetable glycerin and other stable carriers.

Using a tincture is simple. Most tinctures come with a dropper so that you can take measured dosages. Each tincture will have it’s own potency, so they will have different doses listed on the bottle as a general guideline. The good news is that CBD is non-toxic,so if you feel you need an extra dropper full or two, you can go for it.

CBD has very few side effects, the main one being a feeling of relaxation or drowsiness in higher intakes. This is one of the main reasons that people use CBD for a sleep aid and also for high anxiety. CBD is known to alleviate depression, symptoms of menopause and even seizure disorder.

Photo by Nisangha/Getty Images

Obviously the severity of the symptoms you are experiencing will influence the amount of CBD tincture you ingest. When you have the dropper fulls of tincture under your tongue, hold the liquid there for at least a minute and a half to take in all the benefits. Swishing it around a bit may help absorption, but it also might stir up that hempy taste, some like it, some don’t.

RELATED: How To: Making The Perfect Marijuana Tincture At Home

Tinctures are one of the most popular ways to ingest CBD and are available at most head shops and online. They are legal in all fifty states as long as they are made with hemp oil. Though not as potent as CBD rich cannabis plants, which are legal in low-THC, high-CBD states and all medical and recreational states. Plant extracted CBD oil is what is usually used for more severe disorders like epilepsy, while hemp CBD oil still interacts with our endocannabinoid system, just in a different, more gentle way.

CBD hemp oil is more than a component of the hemp sativa plant, it is a superfood and is a stabilizing medicine that soothes nerves, eases tension and can lift one’s mood. Though not psychotropic, the effects are still felt in the way of relief and easing into a CBD tincture routine can be beneficial for the mind, body and soul.

Don't Miss Your Weekly Dose of The Fresh Toast.

Stay informed with exclusive news briefs delivered directly to your inbox every Friday.

We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe anytime.