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5 Simple, Stress-Free Date Ideas For Valentine’s Day

Maria Loreto
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5 Simple, Stress-Free Date Ideas For Valentine’s Day

Being single on Valentine’s Day sucks but being in a relationship also comes with its own set of issues, mainly what you’ll be doing in the much anticipated holiday. Booking a trip or simply having drinks and dinner on February 14 can quickly grow complicated, especially if you didn’t make plans in advance. In order to avoid last minute scrambles and a potential fight with your boyfriend or girlfriend, make sure to come up with a solid plan before Valentine’s Day.

Here are 5 Valentine’s Day date ideas that can help you make your celebrations more memorable:

Dinner at a nice place

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RELATED: Why Candy Hearts Won’t Be Available This Valentine’s Day

Although dinner for two on Valentine’s Day sounds a little been there done that, clichés are clichés  for a reason, right? A romantic dinner is certainly the easiest option if you have some time to make a reservation and you’re willing to spend the money. There are dozens of restaurants that have special menus for the night, offering packages and providing live entertainment. Do your research and you’ll surely find something that will make your boyfriend or girlfriend really happy.

Couples massage

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Couples massages are intimate, special and different than what most people do on Valentine’s Day. It’s a good plan for someone who’s been in a relationship for a while and is looking to try something new.

Ice skating

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Ice skating is great and a good excuse to hold hands, which is a great option for a first date or a new relationship. This plan fits neatly with the winter and perfectly romantic for those who aren’t looking to spend hundreds of dollars on a night out.

A memorable present

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RELATED: 12 Romantic Valentine’s Day Ideas That Don’t Cost A Thing

Gifts for Valentine’s Day depend on the couple. While some like to take it easy on this date, gifting each other flowers or cupcakes, other couples go for more expensive items like jewelry and clothes. Figure out what works best for your relationship, whether it’s a necklace with their initial on it or a matching set of underwear, and surprise them with something that celebrates the spirit of the holiday.

A fun class

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Depending on where you live, there are all sorts of classes for painting and cooking, ranging in prices and times. An amateur painting class or learning how to make chocolate can be a fun and low key activity that’ll be fondly remembered for years to come.

New Alaskan Pilot Program Will Offer Banking Services To Weed Businesses

Nicole Skrobin
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New Alaskan Pilot Program Will Offer Banking Services To Weed Businesses

Alaska—a beautifully scenic state that isn’t highly populated despite it having more coastline than any other U.S. state combined. Besides Alaska being known for its plethora of wild animals and breathtaking nature, it’s also known as a cool state that offers adults the opportunity to purchase, consume, and grow recreational cannabis. In 2014, Alaskan voters approved of recreational cannabis, and since then, various dispensaries and pot shops have brought in millions of dollars in revenue.

Despite Alaska’s rapidly growing cannabis industry, no major banks nor credit card processors are willing to get involved. However, Anchorage-based Credit Union 1 saw a unique opportunity, which led to the development of a special pilot program for certain Alaskan cannabis businesses to participate in. What does this program consist of exactly, which companies qualify as participants, and will this become a trend in the U.S. cannabis industry?

Inefficacy of Cash-only Systems

While cannabis contains numerous medicinal properties and therapeutic benefits, the plant remains a Schedule I illegal substance in America. For decades, various federally regulated banks have turned their backs on cannabis businesses throughout America and in other countries. As a result, currently, the majority of American cannabis companies operate on a cash-only system. Since major banks are unwilling to work with these types of businesses, what other options are there besides exchanging only cash?

Although cannabis legalization changes have progressed over the years, countless dispensaries, pot shops, and collectives are still operating with cash-only systems. Unfortunately, this has led to Alaska enduring a serious “cash crisis” because an overflow of it has been handled between cannabis businesses, owners, and customers for several years thus resulting in too much cash making its way onto the streets. To combat this crisis, James Wileman, Credit Union 1’s CEO became even more motivated to get his company’s pilot program underway.

RELATED: Cannabis Vacation Guide: Get Baked In The Wilds Of Alaska

Furthermore, there are safety concerns with cash-only transactions plus several other risks associated with this outdated system. However, Credit Union 1’s pilot program can make a positive difference, especially by lessening various risks caused by an all-cash cannabis industry. This will not only benefit numerous dispensaries, but also the state of Alaska.

According to Cecilia Jefferson, a manager of Dankorage Dispensary, cashless transactions will be safer, simpler, and more convenient for customers and various dispensary employees.

“A lot of our vendors and cultivators have the same problems,” she said in a statement. “It would be safer for us and our customers to carry around credit or debit cards, but everything is cash, cash, cash.”

Benefits, Qualifiers, and Duration

In November of last year, Credit Union 1 informed people about their new pilot program that’ll offer financial services to different state-approved marijuana-related businesses (MRBs). The $1 billion-asset financial institution surprised countless people by making such a bold move, especially one that other credit unions and federal banks have yet to do.

It wasn’t until recently that Credit Union 1 decided to get involved in Alaska’s cannabis industry to make a real impact. Due to its unique pilot program, a handful of state-licensed Alaskan cannabis dispensaries will be permitted to open legitimate bank accounts. According to Credit Union 1 representatives, the operation of their new pilot program isn’t meant to suggest any specific moral or political stance on cannabis usage. Instead, it’s meant to help underserved cannabis businesses and eliminate an overflow of cash on the streets of Alaska.

Thus far, the size of the pilot program and its duration hasn’t been released to the public yet. In the very beginning of the program though, only a few Alaskan MRBs will be given the opportunity to participate. However, the only MRBs that can be served are those that are state-approved and operate legally. Also, each participating cannabis business must endure monitoring by the credit union’s compliance team. The intention of this is to make sure that all parts of each business remain legal. If everything goes as planned though, it’s likely that more MRBs will be accepted and served by the credit union in the near future.

RELATED: 20 Women Set To Dominate The International Cannabis Space In 2019

“When it comes to our members, we always seek to meet the financial needs of those we serve without judgment or prejudice—and as a state-chartered credit union that only serves Alaskans, we are in the best position to provide this service for MRBs,” Credit Union 1 said in a statement.

According to Wileman, the pilot program will most likely start in the first half of this year. Then, after the program runs for about six months, Credit Union 1 will determine whether they’ll offer their services to all Alaskan MRBs or not.

The Future of Marijuana Banking Services 

Once Credit Union 1’s pilot program goes into effect, Alaska will certainly benefit, especially because less time would be spent by the state’s tax division agency counting cash. Whereas, Alaskan residents would likely benefit in the long-run due to the convenience and safety of cashless transactions.

Although Credit Union 1’s pilot program isn’t underway yet, other U.S. states will be watching to see how it plays out. Based on how successful the pilot program will be, it’s probable that similar programs will be implemented in other regions soon.

World Health Organization Recommends Rescheduling Marijuana

Mike Adams
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World Health Organization Recommends Rescheduling Marijuana

There could come a day soon when the cannabis plant and its derivatives are no longer part of the international drug treaties.

Just last week, the World Health Organization (WHO) recommended that all components of marijuana—THC and CBD—be removed entirely from it Schedule IV classification—the most restrictive drug category of the 1961 convention.

For decades the plant has been wrapped up in international drug control conventions as one of the most dangerous drugs in the world. A decision to move forward with no restrictions would eliminate any cause to enforce prohibition laws in most parts of the planet. In fact, it could give the United States government the ammunition it needs to move forward with legalizing at the national level.

Interestingly, WHO ’s recommendation was not expected to come in 2019.

RELATED: Is The World Health Organization Punting On Global CBD Reform?

Last year, there was a great deal of hope that WHO would endorse amending drug treaties to at least put cannabis in a less restrictive classification. But the agency complained that it needed more time to sort through the details before it could make a decision.

Many cannabis advocates argued that this dragging-of-the-feet was just a ploy to continue sandbagging the global marijuana movement and perhaps even sabotage a vote on the issue when it comes up this March at the Commission on Narcotic Drugs.

“The fact that the recommendations weren’t made today as expected could mean that when the time comes to decide what to do with the recommendations in March, it will be easier for certain countries to argue that they didn’t have enough time to review the inputs to have a position, possibly delaying the process once again,” Bruno Javier Faraone Machado, permanent representative of Uruguay to the United Nations, said in a December interview with Marijuana Business Daily.

Further reports supported these claims.

In fact, an article published earlier this month by Cannabis Wire suggested that a representative for the agency believed that the recommendation would not come until sometime in 2020. A delay of this magnitude would have been problematic, as a full endorsement is needed to even give the issue of eliminating marijuana from the confines of international drug law a fair shot at being approved.

RELATED: UN Reviewing Marijuana’s Place With International Drug Treaties

Then out of the clear blue sky, WHO not only came through with its recommendation but it was one that was the best case scenario for cannabis reform advocates all over the world—a full deschedule.

Although the positive report doesn’t necessarily guarantee that the cannabis plant will be scratched from international drug laws—this is not the first time WHO has published a favorable cannabis report—it provides it with a clear path to bigger and better opportunities in the world of research and commerce.

Of course, some countries, like China and Russia, are expected to reject the recommendations made by WHO, but there is hope that there will be enough positive support with world leaders to usher in the kind of reform necessary to legitimize the plant.

The Weed Brands Establishing Themselves As The Biggest Names In Cannabis

Danielle Guercio
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The Weed Brands Establishing Themselves As The Biggest Names In Cannabis

It’s no surprise that the adult-use industry is undergoing a near constant state of change. Until legalization is global and things settle around the world, regulations, trends and markets are always going to be in flux, but we can start to see some patterns turning up. We may not be in the final phase of construction, but the bigger players are already becoming clear.

From award winners to the most ubiquitous, it’s hard not to notice that name recognition is beginning to take hold, and it could be an indicator of future national trends or what the marketplace could look like on a larger scale. Edibles, flower, vapes and even experiences are starting to distinguish themselves in legal states and customers are becoming more specific in their tastes.

Next time you’re in the dispensary, you’ll feel a bit more equipped to choose between these bigger brands. Some are taking after the top brands in fashion and food and beverage with bold looks and social media presence, others are letting their influence on the shelves speak for itself, but all are making dank products that are laying the ground level of cannabis commerce that will influence everything to come.

Dixie

Photo: Maria Penaloza

This is among the biggest brands in cannabis today, and they’re in two countries, extremely rare in this new world. With sub brands and various product lines to mold to the regs in each place of operation, Dixie is known for their topicals, pet products, and CBD line most of all. Available in Colorado, Nevada, Maryland, and California, Dixie will be expanding to Latin America a few more states in 2019.  Top selling products include their Sour Smash Gummies and Synergy Releif Balm. After 10 years in business, they’ve won edible awards, and with over 100 products the reach is only expanding.

RELATED: Just A Little THC Please: 6 Great Low-Dose Marijuana Edibles

THC Design

Photo: Danielle Guercio

Weed billboards still give this New Yorker a thrill, and when in LA, broadly advertised and widely sold THC Design is the go-to for super fragrant buds and prerolls. Known for their Forbidden Fruit strain, this iconic molecule logo is being seen all over Southern California, but with the reach of their co-fonder’s YouTube Growing show, Grow Girl, it’s likely that THCD will go national some day.

Keef Brands

It’s so exciting to see cannabis multinational companies. Known for their cola, Keef brands operates in the US and Jamaica, and they’re dropping pax pods, edibles, and disposable vapes in states like Colorado, California, Arizona, Nevada, Michigan, and Puerto Rico. Another award winning operation, Keef Brands has won Best Edible at the Cannabis Cup, one of the biggest weed contests in the world, as well as best vape pen in the Colorado Cannabis Cup, and Best Edible in the THC Championship. With so much already happening, we’re going to see much more from Keef Brands in the coming years.

RELATED: Solving For CBD’s Funky Taste Before Beverages Can Go Mainstream

Sherbinskis

Photo courtesy of Sherbinskis

The bright orange hue that represents Sherbinskis cannabis— known by anyone with an Instagram account— is no random choice. The deep connotations with luxury brand Hermès are even more striking when viewing their intense green bud posts/ Sherbinskis is a NorCal brand, but its reach is global thanks to social media. In a post Fyre Festival world, we know just how potent this power is. Watch out for future Sherbinskis drops in lifestyle and cannabis, the demand for their products should be the driving force that gets them in shops the world over some day.

 

These 10 Celebs Shamelessly Love Weed More Than You

Ashlee Nolan
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These 10 Celebs Shamelessly Love Weed More Than You

Who says celebs aren’t just like us? As cannabis gradually becomes recreationally legal and socially acceptable, more celebrities have openly professed their love for the plant. Here are ten celebs who shamelessly indulge in a little smoke sesh from time to time (or all the time).

Rihanna

 

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If you check out RiRi’s Instagram page loaded with blunt-smoking selfies, you can see the singer is no stranger to ganja. She’s even been spotted rolling a blunt on her bodyguard’s head at Coachella.

Pete Davidson

Pete Davidson is “flagrant” about his weed use, as he stated in a live stand-up in Boston on NYE. The Saturday Night Live star is very vocal about his use of weed to manage symptoms of Crohn’s disease and borderline personality disorder.

Miley Cyrus

 

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RELATED: Why You’ll Never See Kevin Smith Wear His Iconic Hockey Jerseys Again

In the past, Miley has said “I think weed in the best drug on Earth.” She brazenly smoked a joint onstage at MTV’s European Music Awards and even sold 24k gold rolling papers as merch for her Bangerz tour. Despite a hiatus from toking back in 2017, Miley is apparently smoking again thanks to her mom.

Kevin Smith

Since being turned on to smoking weed by Seth Rogen, Kevin Smith has developed a weed-themed sitcom and a cannabis line inspired by the characters Jay and Silent Bob in Clerks. He’s even said that his doctor credits the joint he smoked shortly before for he suffered a massive heart attack for keeping him calm and ultimately saving his life.

Lady Gaga

During a 2012 live performance in Amsterdam, Lady Gaga smoked a joint onstage after it was thrown to her from the crowd and she stated that she loved “wondrous marijuana,” because it helped her cut down on drinking. Apparently she also smoked a ton of joints in front of Beyoncé and nearly gave her, “like, a panic attack.”

Sir Patrick Stewart

The iconic actor Sir Patrick Stewart recently revealed that he uses marijuana daily to treat the symptoms of his arthritis. The actor also serves on the Advisory Board of the U.K.-based Oxford Cannabinoid Technologies company, established in 2017 to develop cannabinoid-based medicines, in which Snoop Dogg invested $10 million this past summer.

Seth Rogen

 

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RELATED: Michael Caine ‘Laughed For Five Hours’ The First Time He Tried Marijuana

In an interview with Vulture, Seth Rogen said smoking weed makes him “willing to work” and staves off the drudgery of his work days. In an appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live!, Rogen said he smoked a joint in director Steven Spielberg’s face during their conversation because he had just lit it and didn’t want to put it out. He says this incident is why Spielberg won’t work with him.

Sarah Silverman

Sarah Silverman has always been open about her love for marijuana. At the 2014 Emmy Awards, Silverman openly displayed the weed pen she was carrying bag after E!’s “Clutch Cam” host Giuliana Rancic took her bag out of her hands and started going through it. She grabbed it before Rancic could find it and said, “This is my pot. It’s, um, liquid pot.”

Ricky Williams

Former Heisman Trophy winner and Miami Dolphins running back Ricky Williams abruptly retired from the NFL in 2004, at the start of his fifth season, after he failed his third league-mandated drug test for marijuana. Since then, he’s redefined himself as a sort of cannabis healer and announced the launch of his own cannabis brand last Spring.

Wiz Khalifa

 

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Wiz might be the most shameless stoner of them all. The rapper and weed connoisseur has his own strain called Khalifa Kush, his own line of papers, and a “dab bar” and “weed wall” in his mansion.

Let’s Discuss Adam Levine’s Furniture-Inspired Tank Top Instead Of The Boring Super Bowl

Maria Loreto
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Let’s Discuss Adam Levine’s Furniture-Inspired Tank Top Instead Of The Boring Super Bowl

This year’s Super Bowl was submerged in a ton of controversy which wasn’t helped by the game itself. Only 16 points were scored between the Patriots and the Rams, breaking a historical record for…least amount of points scored in a Super Bowl. Suffice to say, a lot of people were bored. Beyond that, Maroon 5’s performance was criticized and some of the biggest commercials of the night were accused of leeching off pop culture and trying too hard to prove they were in on the joke. So let’s discuss Adam Levine’s furniture-inspired tank top instead of the boring Super Bowl.

Levine is a pop musician born from Los Angeles, best known as the lead singer of Maroon 5. He began his music career in the ’90s with the band Kara’s Flowers, which later transformed into Maroon 5, launching their breakthrough with the album “Songs About Jane” in 2002

A take is not controversial and is in fact the truth, is that Adam Levine’s tank top shares a strong similarity with different pieces of furniture, especially those that are 70’s inspired.

RELATED: 5 Of The Most Memorable 2019 Super Bowl Commercials

The original tweet was replied to by different users who also had their own curtains and chairs that could replace Levine’s tank top.

RELATED: Meme Of The Week: Couture Runway Dresses Have Embraced Memes

You know something’s off with your entire performance when your shirt, or lack thereof, becomes one of the most entertaining parts of the night.  FYI the shirt is named after tank suits, one-piece bathing suits of the 1920s worn in tanks or swimming pools. The upper garment is worn commonly by both men and women.

 

Jessica Biel Fell Asleep On Her Date Night With Justin Timberlake; Trump Thinks He Looks Too Orange On Television

Naughty Gossip
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Jessica Biel Fell Asleep On Her Date Night With Justin Timberlake; Trump Thinks He Looks Too Orange On Television

Jessica Biel Fell Asleep on Her Date Night With Justin Timberlake

Justin Timberlake’s birthday is today (January 31), and to celebrate he and Jessica Biel went out last night in New York City. Things got off to quite the hilarious start, though. In perhaps the most relatable move ever, Biel fell asleep in the car before their date even began.

The “Mirrors” singer filmed the entire situation and posted it to Instagram. “Happy birthday to me, happy birthday to me,” he sings to himself quietly before panning to Biel, who couldn’t be bothered with anything besides her REM cycle. Wow. Me. Same.

Timberlake starts singing a little bit louder, and that’s what eventually wakes Biel up. “I’m just preparing for our big night out,” she says, laughing. “I’m just preparing!” Timberlake then chuckles to himself and gives some side eye. But the real shade should go to him for rustling Biel from her shut-eye. She looked so comfy.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BtRxGD5hxCU/

Trump Thinks He Looks Too Orange On Television

The New York Times reports:

The official line from the White House, as with other matters surrounding the president’s physical health and appearance, is that Mr. Trump’s glow is the result of “good genes,” according to a senior administration official who would speak only on the condition of anonymity.

Certainly Mr. Trump, who has long taken antibiotics to treat rosacea, a condition that can make the skin appear rosy and ruddy, is attentive to how he looks on television. He has complained that his skin and hair appear too yellow or orange on the screen, according to one person familiar with his views.

RELATED: People Think Meghan Markle Is Having Twins And Here’s Why

As a result, events in the White House are now more dimly lit than in previous administrations. The president has also become a fan of natural light, like the setting of the White House Rose Garden, where Mr. Trump chose to announce the end of the government shutdown in 40-degree weather.

Matt LeBlanc says he only had $11 in his bank account before landing ‘Friends’

The 51-year-old sitcom star appeared on Thursday’s “Conan,” where he talked about how he almost didn’t make it in show business.

“I had, I think, I was down to $11,” he said of his pre-“Friends” bank account. “That’s holding out too long. Because even if I said at that point, ‘Alright, I’m going to go get a waiter job.’ By the time that $11 ran out, it would have been before the first paycheck on that job. I would have starved.”

“He said, ‘Before we take this, you might want to go get that tooth filed.’ I go, ‘What are you talking about?’ He said, ‘One tooth is a little longer than the other one. You should go get that filed,’” LeBlanc noted, saying he then went to a dentist when he didn’t have insurance.

The dentist told him it would cost $80 to file the tooth, so he refused.

“I go to the drug store and buy a three pack of emery boards. I’m very frugal,” he recalled. As for the photographer, “He goes, ‘They did a nice job!’”

https://www.instagram.com/p/BiHrAX4AWKh/

4 Fun CBD Edibles To Try For Beginners

Cyrus Partow
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4 Fun CBD Edibles To Try For Beginners

As the CBD Boom heats up across the country, we have access to more CBD-related products than ever before. People have been raving about CBD oil for it’s anti-inflammatory and anti-anxiety properties. Unlike its counterpart THC, CBD can’t get you high. CBD is safe and sold legally in the USA.

Instead of the euphoric high, CBD is the part of cannabis that provides you with a more balanced mood, regulated appetite, and it might be a little easier to sleep. Whenever you eat on these edibles throughout the day, you’ll be able to experience the benefits without the negative effects that come with the THC counterpart to CBD. There are plenty of fun ways to take CBD outside of the traditional oil tinctures that can taste awful.

Companies have come out with alternatives topical treatments, beverages, edibles and more. We’ve come up with a list of four of the best CBD edibles on the market right now for you to explore. While these edibles don’t get you high, they do provide the medical health benefits that are being discovered through research with CBD.

RELATED: 10 Perfect Microdose CBD Products You Can Use Everyday

Endoca Chewing Gum

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Made from organic, food-grade, 100% natural ingredients and nothing synthetic, Endoca engineered a CBD chewing gum that’s also completely THC-free. With a serving of 15MG CBD per stick of gum, it’s made with mint and wild peppermint essential oils, xylitol, and sunflower lecithin (which helps promote brain health!). Made from a short list of ingredients, you can be confident about what you’re consuming. Sweetened with xylitol, Endoca explains how it may help reduce plaque and cavities in addition to all the benefits you’ll receive from the CBD. I don’t know about keeping cavities away, but this is a fun convenient way to pop some CBD.

Green Roads Gummies

https://www.instagram.com/p/Br8ltzYjOGB/

One of the most delicious ways to consume CBD, the RELAX Gummies from Green Roads are infused with 10MG CBD per gummy and formulated by a pharmacist. They help make any situation more relaxing, also promoting appetite and sleep. Green Roads boasts about their highest quality cannabidiol, offering a pharmaceutical-grade rich broad-spectrum oil that is packed with nutrients and medicinal benefits. Their CBD is derived from the hemp plant, which helps to ensure the lack of THC in the product.

Diamond CBD Honey Sticks

https://twitter.com/i_IrishPhoenix/status/984484846574669824

Made from industrial CBD hemp oil, the CBD-infused Honey Sticks from Diamond CBD offers a sweet alternative to other CBD edibles, pills, or tinctures. Composed of all-natural honey and 100% CBD, each stick is infused with 10MG of CBD. Each pack comes with 5 sticks, or 50MG of CBD in total. We recommend putting the honey on a slice of toast or using it to sweeten your morning tea. If you decide to go with these honey sticks, we recommend including a CBD capsule with your dosage as you would need to eat 5 of these sticks for an adequate daily dose.

RELATED: CBD Is The New Darling Of The Wellness Market

Medix CBD Sour Bears

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Infused with premium quality PCR (Phyto-cannabinoid-rich) hemp oil, these sour gummies are both fun to eat and effective. A perfect way to boost your day, Medix CBD Sour Bears are a wonderful treat after a meal or if you just feel like snacking. You can be confident you’re getting a pure CBD product with no THC, and no unwanted highs. Professional quality, these CBD infused sour gummy bears come in bottles of 30 pieces or packs of 10. There are 10MG of CBD per gummy bear, after which they’re coated in a layer of sour and sweet sugar crystals to truly optimize their flavor. We recommend eating 2-3 of them a day.

The Royal Family Has A Strangely Large List Of These

Maria Loreto
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The Royal Family Has A Strangely Large List Of These

They are one of the most fascinating families in the world…but this is a bit surprising.

They are unique, gracious, and hardworking…and the Royal family as a strangely large list of these.  That’s right, it turns out they are real people after all. Who would have thought? The family seems to be addicted to nicknames.

The Windsor family has a long tradition of nicknames, with a close source saying that they use these as a way of relieving tension since they’re not the best at confronting their feelings directly. Watch one episode of The Crown and you’ll see what they mean. “They can also be a rather childlike family. They love to play games and they give each other silly presents. I think it’s because they have to be so earnest in their public lives,” says a source.

RELATED: This Is The Crazy Effect Meghan Markle Is Having On Baby Names

Insiders claim that Kate Middleton calls Prince William “baldy” (she’s not the only one) while he calls her “Duchess of Doolittle.” Other nicknames for the Prince include”Willy the Wombat,” which originated when he was little and was created by his mother, Princess Dianne. The late Princess used to be called “Duch” by her close relatives, with her using this nickname to sign her Christmas cards.

Prince Harry is the royal who has the most nicknames, including “Ginger,” “Potter,” and “Flash,” which references the fictional character of Harry Flashman. Prince Harry’s friends appear to be very literate.

King Charles III and his wife, the Queen consort, are speculated to call each other “Fred” and “Gladys.” Although details on the backstory for these names are pretty scant, it is believed that they pulled these nicknames from characters on The Goon Show. Additionally Queen Camilla is Gaga, a name Prince Williams children started calling the her.

Other curious nicknames for royal family members include “Tugsten” for Meghan Markle, and “Lilibet” for the late Queen Elizabeth.

What Happened When NASA Gave Spiders Marijuana?

Terry Hacienda
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What Happened When NASA Gave Spiders Marijuana?

If spiders get high on marijuana, would the webs they weave become more intricate? More creative? More artistic? Or would it become a sloppy mess?

Believe it or not, scientists have been conducting studies on spiders and intoxicants dating back to 1948, when a German zoologist and a German pharmacologist teamed up to study the web-building abilities of arachnids.

RELATED: Stress Can Kill You: Marijuana Can Help Kill Stress

In 1995, NASA scientists attempted to replicate the German studies. The space agency used Araneus diadematus (your ordinary, run-of-the-mill house spiders) and supplied them with caffeine, amphetamines, marijuana and chloral hydrate.  Depending on the substance, the spiders spun unconventional webs.  “The more toxic the chemical,” wrote the researchers, “the more deformed a web looks in comparison with a normal web.”

Here are some of the findings:

  • On marijuana: According to NASA’s research, spiders given cannabis became easily sidetracked while web building and left their work unfinished.
  • On benzedrine: Spiders weaved their webs with increased energy but without attention to detail. Their webs appeared not to have been planned and were characterized by large gaps.
  • On caffeine: Spiders appeared to build webs at random and they grew impatient easily. The “hub” or “spoke” of the web was often missing.
  • On chloral hydrate (a sedative): Spiders gave up on building webs at a faster than the cannabis-consuming spiders.
  • On LSD: The webs were more geometrically regular and “more orderly” than ones built by sober spiders.

“When a spider’s central nervous system is drugged,” wrote Witt back in 1948, the insect faltered “as a man intoxicated by alcohol weaves an erratic course down the street.” LSD  was the lone exception to this rule.

RELATED: Marijuana Can Reverse The Aging Process In Humans

A spider’s skill at spinning its web is so obviously affected by the ups and downs of different drugs that scientists at NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center in Alabama think spiders could replace other animals in testing the toxicity of chemicals.

Will this research help humans? Not really. But if there is one thing these studies demonstrate is that some substances can alter dexterity, planning and patience … no matter if you are a human or an arachnid.

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