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This Fitness Influencer Only Lost 5 Lbs. But Looks Like A Completely Different Person

Amy Hansen
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This Fitness Influencer Only Lost 5 Lbs. But Looks Like A Completely Different Person

Just when you started to tire of these “10 Year Challenge” photos on social media depicting how people have aged over the past decade, a viral photo is here to save the day, proving once and for all it’s not about the number on the scale.

Eleven years ago, 30-year-old Anna Victoria looked much heavier, due to several contributor factors, which she said included too much drinking, not sleeping and eating junk food.

Want to know what’s weird? There is only a 5-pound difference between these two photos.

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

Last summer, she posted a photo of her  then-and-now with the caption, “I was the LAST person my friends would’ve caught in the gym or eating healthy. In fact, I hid my journey for the first YEAR because of it. ? This journey can be scary you know?”

RELATED: 8 Celebs Who Were Food Shamed For No Good Reason

https://www.instagram.com/p/BlDeStfB6VV

In another photo, also from 2015, Victoria wrote:

Although many tell me I looked fine or even “better” on the left, the fact that I looked fine was not an excuse to continue living such an unhealthy lifestyle (which was my excuse for many years). Sure, you can say I was lucky to look as I did while eating fast food 3x a day, but I didn’t FEEL good.

Personally, I was not healthy on the left, even if I looked like it. You can’t always tell someone’s health by how they look on the outside, and the only thing that matters is that you are happy and healthy.

RELATED: Sarah Michelle Gellar Is Pissing People Off With Her ‘Don’t Overeat’ Instagram Post

https://www.instagram.com/p/4nOa7PPh2D/

So if you’re lamenting  your age progression during these ridiculous “10 Year Challenges,” just remember: it’s not about how you look or the number on the scale, it’s about how you feel.

[h/t People]

Sorry, But Japanese Breakfast Is Not A Fan Of Edibles

Brendan Bures
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Sorry, But Japanese Breakfast Is Not A Fan Of Edibles

If there’s one subject in the cannabis world that celebrities love to dish their opinion on, it’s edibles. Very rarely do their comments register as ringing endorsements. Seth Rogen once told Howard Stern, “The most negative drug experiences I’ve ever had in my life are from weed edibles.” Rogen added his buddy Snoop Dogg agreed, because, “edibles ain’t got no off button.”

Their discipline of expression doesn’t matter either. Multiple comedians have infamously overindulged on edibles while visiting Colorado, resulting in bad stand-up sets, or, in the case of the Lucas Bros. late-night cheeseburger quest, failing to show up. The most positive recent endorsement was from Martha Stewart, who described edibles as “fine,” though admitted some companies have approached her to start a Martha Stewart-branded edible line.

RELATED: Martha Stewart Eats Marijuana Edibles, Says ‘They’re Fine’

All this is to preface the comment musician Michelle Zauner — who goes by the alias Japanese Breakfast — made calling edibles “overrated” during a video interview with Pitchfork. What we’re saying is her opinion isn’t exactly new or worthy of backlash. Instead, she’s just another celebrity who isn’t down with edibles.

“I feel like any drug you ingest is overrated because I’m a very impatient person,” said Zauner. “I immediately assume that something’s not working, that I should go and take more of that something.”

The refrain is a common one about edibles. No one will forget that time Maureen Dowd experimented with edibles and lost her shit. But Zauner also has a more personal reason for her trepidation with edibles.

RELATED: 10 Surprising Celebrities Who’ve Come Out—As Cannabis Fans

“I’m like so afraid of myself and the darkness that exists here, that I don’t try to tempt what’s going on here to come out,” she said.

For those interested in edibles but unsure where to start we have two handy guides for you: 6 essential facts to know before indulging on edibles, and 9 ways to calm down if you’ve had too much.

Senators Urging FDA To Update Rules On CBD Products

Mike Adams
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Senators Urging FDA To Update Rules On CBD Products

Now that industrial hemp production is legal nationwide, there is some question over whether food and supplements containing cannabidiol (CBD) – a non-intoxicating cannabinoid derived from hemp – can be sold in the marketplace without the approval of U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb said recently that the compound was still considered illegal if added to products without following the agency’s approval process. This means all of the CBD oils and other items that have been distributed in the shadows of legality for the past few years are at risk of being rendered obsolete as a result of the government’s willingness to make hemp a legitimate part of American commerce for the first time since the late 1930s.

However, a couple of federal lawmakers are working to remedy the problem. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley of Oregon fired a letter off to Gottlieb earlier this week demanding that the FDA change its policy on hemp-derived CBD, allowing it to continue being manufactured and sold without FDA approval. The letter suggests that the latest policy will make financial hardships rather than benefit the agriculture community, which goes against the grain the intent of the Farm Bill.

RELATED: Likelihood & Ramifications: Canada Wants To Classify CBD As A Health Supplement

“Farmers…nationwide are poised to make real economic gains for their communities once these regulations are updated,” the lawmakers wrote.

Although CBD has risen to new heights of popularity over the past few years, any product containing the cannabinoid is in violation of the law as long as it is without the FDA’s seal of approval, according to agency. A statement released by the FDA near the end of 2018 said, “we treat products containing cannabis or cannabis-derived compounds as we do any other FDA-regulated products — meaning they’re subject to the same authorities and requirements as FDA-regulated products containing any other substance. This is true regardless of the source of the substance, including whether the substance is derived from a plant that is classified as hemp.”

The FDA’s primary concern is those companies that tout the medicinal benefits of CBD even though these products have not been put through the federal testing standards necessary to make those claims. There is some anecdotal evidence that CBD is useful in the treatment of conditions ranging from anxiety to chronic pains, but science has yet to substantiate all of these assertions.

Therefore, the FDA has deemed it essential for these companies to prove the efficacy of their products before continuing sales.

“Cannabis and cannabis-derived products claiming in their marketing and promotional materials that they’re intended for use in the diagnosis, cure, mitigation, treatment, or prevention of diseases (such as cancer, Alzheimer’s disease, psychiatric disorders and diabetes) are considered new drugs or new animal drugs and must go through the FDA drug approval process for human or animal use before they are marketed in the U.S,” Gottlieb said in a statement.

RELATED: What Is The Functionality Of CBD’s Presence In Skincare Products?

It should be pointed out that the FDA recently approved a drug (Epidiolex) containing CBD for epilepsy patients. Doctors can now prescribe it, and it can be filled at most pharmacy chains the same as other drugs. However, it is equally important to show that the drug’s manufacturer GW Pharmaceuticals was not awarded this approval overnight. It took years, potentially billions of dollars and many clinical trials before it was given the FDA’s green light to distribute legally in the United States. Many companies selling CBD products do not have the resources to develop a product at this level.

But this is what legalization looks like in the United States. Be careful what you wish for.

Miley Cyrus Shuts Down Pregnancy Rumors; Chris Hansen From ‘To Catch a Predator’ Arrested

Naughty Gossip
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Miley Cyrus Shuts Down Pregnancy Rumors; Chris Hansen From ‘To Catch a Predator’ Arrested

Miley Cyrus shuts down rumor she and Liam Hemsworth are expecting their first child together

Just hours after a report started swirling around the Internet claiming she and husband Liam Hemsworth were expecting their first child together, Miley Cyrus went on social media to shut the rumor down.

“I’m not ‘Egg-xpecting’ but it’s ‘Egg-celent’ to hear everyone is so ‘Happy For Us’ …. we’re happy for us too!” the 26-year-old pop star tweeted in response to one media outlet that picked up the story.

RELATED: These 8 Celeb Moms Are Not Ashamed To Smoke Marijuana

“Egg-cited” for this next chapter in our lives,” continued Cyrus, who also shared a photo of herself featuring an egg meme — a nod to the most-liked Instagram photo — covering her stomach.

“Now, can everyone leave me alone and go back to staring at an egg,” she asked her fans.

Chris Hansen from ‘To Catch a Predator’ arrested

Chris Hansen, the host of NBC’s “To Catch a Predator,” turned himself in to police in Stamford, Connecticut.

Hansen was charged with bouncing checks.

In the summer of 2017, police said Hansen ordered promotional trinkets from a Stamford company.

That September, he was given a bill for $13,000. The check he used to pay it bounced, police said.

Hansen told the proprietor that he would pay in installments but never followed through.

The proprietor called the police, who tried to speak with Hansen before a second check bounced.

Hansen was charged with writing a bad check and failing to pay his debt. He was released after promising to appear in court at a later date.

Paris Jackson speaks out following reports she’s seeking treatment: ‘I am happy and healthy’

Paris Jackson is speaking out following reports she’s seeking treatment for her emotional health.

On Wednesday, the 20-year-old daughter of the late Michael Jackson, went on Instagram where she seemingly addressed the news.

RELATED: Paris Jackson Claps Back Over Twitter’s Marijuana Shaming

“The media is exaggerating per usual.. yes i’ve taken a break from work and social media and my phone because it can be too much sometimes, and everyone deserves a break, but i am happy and healthy and feeling better than ever!” she captioned a photo of herself sitting alongside her pup.

The model-singer went on to reveal that her band — The Sound Flowers — has “some new music” coming out that they are “stoked to share” with fans.

“Hope you guys’ new year started out with lots of love and light and all the things,” Jackson added. “I’ll be back soon!! xxox ?♥️”

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bss3spzAj1t/

Here Is Why Urine Therapy Is Trending

Amy Hansen
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Here Is Why Urine Therapy Is Trending

There seems to be a group for every niche interest on social media, which partially explains why urine therapy is trending. There are several of these groupsAnd while people have been drinking their own Wee for centuries, it’s worth noting that thousands of people believe it’s healthy.

The group Urine Therapy: THE REAL UNIVERSAL REMEDY has nearly 7,000 members and describes itself as a group “for using urine as therapy for maintenance of our body. Join us! Be conscious, that this is a serious therapy for healing of the body / mind complex… Urine therapy, opens the doors of your soul, healing every part of your being, use the knowledge you gain here wisely. It can change your life if you choose to allow it to.”

RELATED: How Marijuana Can Help People Over 60 Date

These groups are not new, but they recently saw a spike in popularity when someone tweeted out screenshots of some of their discussions.  The screenshots were splashed across the Twitterverse with photos of people and their various uses for their own pee, from drinking it to soaking their feet in it.

The community is also on Instagram, often using terms like “alkaline” instead of “urine” in their photos. Apparently, a sample from your “first flow” of the day is the most important and beneficial.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BgibKexBHR0/

https://www.instagram.com/p/BfIWd2YlpBS/

There’s no scientific evidence to support claims that drinking urine is beneficial. In fact, it can be dangerous. It’s not sterile, after all. According to Healthline, “research suggests that drinking urine can introduce bacteria, toxins, and other harmful substances into your bloodstream. It can even place undue stress on your kidneys.”

RELATED: Science Says Medical Marijuana Improves Quality Of Life

The Guardian says the practice exists today “as a hybrid of Indian folk remedies and pseudo-science promoted by a British crank, John W Armstrong, in the 1940s. One of the bases for his book, The Water of Life, was a fairly literal reading of Proverbs 5:15: ‘Drink waters out of thine own cistern, and running waters out of thine own well.’”

Drinking a little bit of your own pee likely won’t be super harmful, but here’s an idea: drink a glass of water instead.

Odor Issues Are Moving To The Forefront As More States Allow Recreational Cannabis

Green Market Report
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Odor Issues Are Moving To The Forefront As More States Allow Recreational Cannabis

With 10 states and the District of Columbia having legalized recreational cannabis (representing nearly a quarter of the U.S. population, including the most populous state), an emerging issue is how to deal with the odor generated by marijuana production facilities. A December 19, 2018 article in The New York Times noted a growing number of neighbors of cannabis farms are complaining about “skunky” odors caused by certain volatile organic compounds generated during growing and processing. The Times cited Sonoma County in California, which it reported received more than 730 complaints about cannabis last year, nearly two-thirds related to odor. Regulators at the state, regional and local levels are attempting to deal with these issues through a combination of permitting, land use and nuisance rules.

In states such as Washington and Colorado, where recreational cannabis has been legal since voter initiatives passed in 2012, regulators have addressed odor as an air quality issue. For example, in the Puget Sound region, the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency — typically recognized in the industry as “PSCA,” or the organization you may have received an unexpected and nondescript invoice from — does not have a specific regulation for marijuana odors. It does, however, have jurisdiction to impose limitations on marijuana production facilities under the state’s general regulations for air pollution sources (WAC 173-400). PSCA regulates odors through the Notice of Construction process, which operates in conjunction with local permitting processes, such as a conditional use permit, and licensing by the Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Control Board.

RELATED: What’s That Smell? Why Your Marijuana Smells Skunky

The PSCA odor regulations set a “best available control technology” (BACT) standard, which is the maximum degree of reduction for each air pollutant subject to regulation under the Washington Clean Air Act (RCW 70.94) that the permitting authority determines is achievable, taking into account energy, environmental, economic and other costs. PSCA’s rules are based on a nuisance standard — causing or allowing an air contaminant in sufficient quantities and of such characteristics and duration as is, or is likely to be, injurious to human health, plant or animal life, or property, or which unreasonably interferes with enjoyment of life and property.

For marijuana producers under PSCA’s jurisdiction (King, Snohomish, Pierce and Kitsap Counties), the agency has determined that BACT means no detectible cannabis odor outside the facility property line. The agency in recent permitting actions has implemented this standard by requiring operators to design all exhaust points (e.g., vents, stacks, windows, doors) associated with an enclosure, building or greenhouse for cannabis production or processing to continuously control odors and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) using carbon adsorption technology, which involves placement of carbon canisters before emission points. At a minimum, these carbon units must be replaced every quarter. An operator also must have a person who has not been exposed to the smell periodically monitor the air at the property line to determine compliance with the “no detectible odor at or beyond the property line” standard.

One significant ramification of this standard is that PSCA does not believe outdoor cannabis production facilities can continuously achieve the “no odor outside the property boundary” standard without the proper use of an enclosure that routes emissions to a carbon adsorption system. PSCA also does not allow odor masking, such as spraying a curtain of scented oil vapor around the perimeter of greenhouses. Although the Times article mentions this system as a way one California grow operation has tried to mitigate odors, PSCA will not accept that as a control technology.

RELATED: Residents In This California Town Think Cannabis Stinks

In Colorado, cannabis cultivation facilities are designated as agricultural activity and exempt from state air quality regulations unless they are a major source of pollution. The City and County of Denver, however, has an odor ordinance that requires cultivation facilities control the odor impacts of their operations. An August 2018 draft of the Denver Department of Public Health & Environment’s “Cannabis Environmental Best Management Practices” (BMP) recommends use of carbon filtration to reduce the VOC emissions from a cannabis cultivator. In addition, draft guidance recommends other best management practices, including:

  • Regular inspection and maintenance of HVAC systems;
  • Sealing the grow space within a greenhouse and circulating air for approximately one week and purging exhausts during low ozone formation periods (evenings, windy days, cloudy days);
  • Ensuring temperature and relative humidity are under control and within tolerances so that high temperatures and humidity do not perpetuate odor issues;
  • Having a system in place to record and respond to odor complaints;
  • Purchasing a “scentometer” or Nasal Ranger to quantify odors and record data from self-testing;
  • Timing harvests to minimize ozone impact and minimizing emissions during morning, early afternoon and summer; and
  • Train and allocate responsibilities among staff members to ensure consistent and continuous implementation of BMPs.

Colorado facilities manufacturing marijuana-infused product are subject to health and safety regulations and regulations on extraction processes in the Colorado Code of Regulations. Those facilities must estimate their VOC emissions from solvent uses and follow the state’s Air Pollutant Emission Notice and permitting requirements.

With the increasing production of cannabis for recreational purposes, more conflicts with neighbors are likely. This is a situation where an ounce of prevention by implementing a wide-range of BMPs could go a long way toward reducing the risks of litigation and enforcement.

This article originally appeared on Green Market Report.

Photo of Michael A. Nesteroff
Mike Nesteroff is a preeminent environmental lawyer with extensive experience representing clients in environmental litigation, agency negotiations, property acquisition and leasing issues, and counseling clients on risk and compliance.During his 29 years at Lane Powell, Mike has represented clients in litigation claims involving hazardous material investigations, cleanups, and cost recovery at sites in Washington, Oregon and Alaska. He has obtained a several million-dollar cost recovery judgement on behalf of one client and a defense verdict in another cost recovery case. Mike has also represented clients in litigation involving public records and obtained a favorable court of appeals ruling on a previously-untested exemption in the Washington Public Records Act.

Following This Instagram Account Is The Best Thing You’ll Ever Do

Maria Loreto
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Following This Instagram Account Is The Best Thing You’ll Ever Do

The Instagram account @ifyouhigh is aptly named. Featuring all sorts of ASMR and aesthetically pleasing clips, it’s a pretty famous social media account, having won a Shorty Award and cultivating a following of over 3 million users that includes the likes of Ariana Grande, Awkwafina, and other famous people who look like they’d really enjoy this type of content.

You don’t need to be high to enjoy these clips, but smoking before watching them will definitely add an extra layer of awesomeness. The account features one of the largest and most varied video libraries, displaying content where people make mirrors from scratch (!!!), a bubble of water transforms into ice, and all sorts of time lapses that look completely surreal. If there’s anything that’s somehow pleasing to the eye, ear and brain, you can bet it’ll be featured on this account.

RELATED: Understanding The Blissful And Bizarre World Of ASMR

https://www.instagram.com/p/BsD9M0Wn2kI/

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by IFYOUHIGH (@ifyouhigh) on

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by IFYOUHIGH (@ifyouhigh) on

Watching these videos will make you question the laws of physics in a good way. It’s an account that will make you happy, while also taking a toll on your productivity, so you should definitely factor that in before you tap the follow button. Once you go down this particular rabbit hole, it’s almost impossible to find your way out.

Alexandra Ocasio-Cortez Will Be A New Marijuana Ally In Congress

Brendan Bures
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Alexandra Ocasio-Cortez Will Be A New Marijuana Ally In Congress

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) has made waves as the youngest woman to serve in Congress and her openly socialist policies. Ocasio-Cortez, often known by her initials AOC, has also firmly presented herself as an ally to ending federal prohibition of marijuana.

Earlier this month, AOC tapped former cannabis lobbyist and Marijuana Policy Project director of federal policies Dan Riffle to be her senior counsel and adviser. The 29-year-old legislator has also publicly supported federal marijuana legalization and the release of individuals in jail for non-violent drug offenses.

She also appears to have made an ally in Rep. Matthew Gaetz (R-FL), a well-known advocate for expanding access and research for medical marijuana. In a retweet of the news that AOC had brought Riffle on staff, Ocasio-Cortez wrote, “#LegalizeIt, and demand justice for communities ravaged by the War on Drugs.”

RELATED: New 420 Bill Would Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol

That sentiment caught the eye of Gaetz, who responded via retweet, “You had me at hello.”

As two millennial lawmakers, both of whom are loathed by the establishment in their parties, they could lead a bipartisan charge for legalization despite their party differences. CNN hinted their joint interest in legalization and working together could stem from their millennial status, as a 2018 Pew poll showed that 74 percent of millennials supported legalization, a figure that’s significantly lower for older generations.

“Instead of chasing after committee positions that don’t matter, and instead of authoring dust bin bills with no chance of passage, the two should team up immediately,” wrote Washington Examiner columnist Philip Wegmann. “Despite their many ideological differences, there are enough areas the two agree upon where they could make legislation happen.”

RELATED: Cannabis Use On The Rise, But Not Because Of Legalization

Whether that happens or not remains to be seen. But Ocasio-Cortez has made at least one thing clear: she will be a firm ally of marijuana legalization in Washington. With key legislation like the STATES Act and the Gaetz’s Medical Cannabis Research Act hanging in the balance, Ocasio-Cortez’s voice could help push those bills through.

Things People Gets Wrong About Marijuana’s CBD

Martin A. Lee
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Things People Gets Wrong About Marijuana’s CBD

Cannabis is legal in some form in over 40 states and CBD is found at Walmart, Amazon and other mainstream sources.  But here are the things people get wrong about marijuana’s cbd. It doesn’t get you high, but it’s causing quite a buzz among medical scientists and patients. The past year has seen a surge of interest in marijuana’s CBD, a non-intoxicating cannabis compound with significant therapeutic properties. Numerous commercial start-ups and internet retailers have jumped on the CBD bandwagon, touting CBD derived from industrial hemp as the next big thing, a miracle oil that can shrink tumors, quell seizures, and ease chronic pain — without making people feel “stoned.” But along with a growing awareness of cannabidiol as a potential health aid there has been a proliferation of misconceptions about CBD.

CBD Is Medical. THC Is Recreational

Project CBD receives many inquiries from around the world and oftentimes people say they are seeking “CBD, the medical part” of the plant, “not THC, the recreational part” that gets you high. Actually, THC, “The High Causer,” has awesome therapeutic properties. Scientists at the Scripps Research Center in San Diego reported that THC inhibits an enzyme implicated in the formation of beta-amyloid plaque, the hallmark of Alzheimer’s-related dementia.

RELATED: The Only CBD User’s Manual You Need

The federal government recognizes single-molecule THC (Marinol) as an anti-nausea compound and appetite booster, deeming it a Schedule III drug, a category reserved for medicinal substances with little abuse potential. But whole plant marijuana, the only natural source of THC, continues to be classified as a dangerous Schedule I drug with no medical value.

THC Is The Bad Cannabinoid. CBD Is The Good Cannabinoid

The drug warrior’s strategic retreat: Give ground on CBD while continuing to demonize THC. Diehard marijuana prohibitionists are exploiting the good news about CBD to further stigmatize high-THC cannabis, casting tetrahydrocannabinol as the bad cannabinoid, whereas CBD is framed as the good cannabinoid. Why? Because CBD doesn’t make you high like THC does.

Project CBD categorically rejects this moralistic, reefer madness dichotomy in favor of whole plant cannabis therapeutics. (Read the foundational science paper: A Tale of Two Cannabinoids.)

CBD Is Most Effective Without THC

THC and CBD are the power couple of cannabis compounds — they work best together. Scientific studies have established that CBD and THC interact synergistically to enhance each other’s therapeutic effects. British researchers have shown that CBD potentiates THC’s anti-inflammatory properties in an animal model of colitis.

Scientists at the California Pacific Medical Center in San Francisco determined that a combination of CBD and THC has a more potent anti-tumoral effect than either compound alone when tested on brain cancer and breast cancer cell lines. And extensive clinical research has demonstrated that CBD combined with THC is more beneficial for neuropathic pain than either compound as a single molecule.

Single-Molecule Pharmaceuticals Are Superior To ‘Crude’ Whole-Plant Medicinals

According to the federal government, specific components of the marijuana plant (THC, CBD) have medical value, but the plant itself does not have medical value. Uncle Sam’s single-molecule blinders reflect a cultural and political bias that privileges Big Pharma products. Single-molecule medicine is the predominant corporate way, the FDA-approved way, but it’s not the only way, and it’s not necessarily the optimal way to benefit from cannabis therapeutics.

Cannabis contains several hundred compounds, including various flavonoids, aromatic terpenes, and many minor cannabinoids in addition to THC and CBD. Each of these compounds has specific healing attributes, but when combined they create what scientists refer to as a holistic “entourage effect,” so that the therapeutic impact of the whole plant is greater than the sum of its single-molecule parts. The Food and Drug Administration, however, isn’t in the business of approving plants as medicine. (See the scientific evidence.)

Psychoactivity Is Inherently An Adverse Side Effect

According to politically correct drug war catechism, the marijuana high is an unwanted side effect. Big Pharma is keen on synthesizing medically active marijuana-like molecules that don’t make people high — although it’s not obvious why mild euphoric feelings are intrinsically negative for a sick person or a healthy person, for that matter.

RELATED: How Marijuana’s CBD Works In The Body According To Science

In ancient Greece, the word euphoria meant “having health,” a state of well-being. The euphoric qualities of cannabis, far from being an unwholesome side effect, are deeply implicated in the therapeutic value of the plant.

“We should be thinking of cannabis as a medicine first,” said Dr. Tod Mikuriya, “that happens to have some psychoactive properties, as many medicines do, rather than as an intoxicant that happens to have a few therapeutic properties on the side.”

CBD Is Legal In All 50 States 

Purveyors of imported, CBD-infused hemp oil claim it’s legal to market their wares anywhere in the United States as long as the oil contains less than 0.3 percent THC. Actually, it’s not so simple.

Federal law prohibits U.S. farmers from growing hemp as a commercial crop, but the sale of imported, low-THC, industrial hemp products is permitted in the United States as long as these products are derived from the seed or stalk of the plant, not from the leaves and flowers. Here’s the catch: Cannabidiol can’t be pressed or extracted from hempseed. CBD can be extracted from the flower, leaves, and, only to a very minor extent, from the stalk of the hemp plant. Hemp oil start-ups lack credibility when they say their CBD comes from hempseed and stalk.

‘CBD-Only’ Laws Adequately Serve The Patient Population 

Some U.S. state legislatures have passed “CBD only” (or, more accurately, “low THC”) laws, and other states are poised to follow suit. Some states restrict the sources of CBD-rich products and specify the diseases for which CBD can be accessed; others do not. Ostensibly these laws allow the use of CBD-infused oil derived from hemp or cannabis that measures less than 0.3 percent THC.

But a CBD-rich remedy with little THC doesn’t work for everyone. Parents of epileptic children have found that adding some THC (or THCA, the raw unheated version of THC) helps with seizure control in many instances. For some epileptics, THC-dominant strains are more effective than CBD-rich products.

The vast majority of patients are not well served by CBD-only laws. They need access to a broad spectrum of whole plant cannabis remedies, not just the low THC medicine. One size doesn’t fit all with respect to cannabis therapeutics, and neither does one compound or one product or one strain. (Read more: Prohibition’s Last Gasp: “CBD Only.”)

CBD Is CBD—It Doesn’t Matter Where It Comes From

Yes it does matter. The flower-tops and leaves of some industrial hemp strains may be a viable source of CBD (legal issues notwithstanding), but hemp is by no means an optimal source of cannabidiol. Industrial hemp typically contains far less cannabidiol than CBD-rich cannabis. Huge amounts of industrial hemp are required to extract a small amount of CBD, thereby raising the risk of toxic contaminants because hemp is a “bio-accumulator” that draws heavy metals from the soil.

Single-molecule CBD synthesized in a lab or extracted and refined from industrial hemp lacks critical medicinal terpenes and secondary cannabinoids found in cannabis strains. These compounds interact with CBD and THC to enhance their therapeutic benefits.

This article was originally posted on Projectcbd.org. 

Toto’s ‘Africa’ Will Play For Eternity In Namib Desert, Thanks To This Artist

Brendan Bures
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Toto’s ‘Africa’ Will Play For Eternity In Namib Desert, Thanks To This Artist

Somewhere along the past several years, Toto’s “Africa” evolved from a kind of great song to a truly iconic one. Even scientists have joked “Africa” is the greatest song ever made, according to science. Maybe we just needed the time to properly digest those lovingly enigmatic lyrics. Weezer collected its first Hot 100 hit from an “Africa” cover while Rolling Stone declared it a retro contemporary anthem, a new “Don’t Stop Believin’” if you will.

A mild nitpick of “Africa” is that it doesn’t really have anything to do with the continent. As Rolling Stone writes, it’s “an Eighties ode to Africa by a bunch of L.A. rock dudes who’d never set foot in the place.” But thanks to one artist, now the song “Africa” will forever play across the world’s oldest desert in Africa.

Namibian-German artist Max Siedentopf created an undisclosed art installation in the Namib desert called Toto Forever. As Siedentopf writes on his site, the installation “pays tribute to probably the most popular song of the last four decades.”

“The sound installation consists of 6 speakers which are attached to an MP3 player that only has one song on it – Toto’s Africa. The song is put on loop and the installation runs on solar batteries to keep Toto going for all eternity,” he adds.

RELATED: 5 Good Things That Would Happen If The Internet Went Away Forever

Siedentopf told the Guardian he’d consider any reaction to the work as a compliment, negative or positive. He also doesn’t seem particularly worried over anyone finding it anytime soon. His website includes an unhelpful map circling the entire Namib desert as the location of the installation.

“I’m not too worried that someone will put it in jeopardy,” Siedentopf wrote in an email to the Guardian. “Finding it might take some time.”

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