Page 759 – The Fresh Toast

Sorry, But Malcolm Gladwell Is Plain Wrong About Marijuana

Brendan Bures

-

January 8, 2019

Sorry, But Malcolm Gladwell Is Plain Wrong About Marijuana

I met Malcolm Gladwell once. Working at one of the Austin coffee shops I frequent, I overheard that distinct voice of his—a reassuring, rigorous tone that his prose also embodies. Eventually I approached him, commenting how I enjoyed his work, but he seemed busy, not really looking to engage, as was his right. Polite, but not altogether genial, if I had to characterize the interaction.

Now, I only write that to clarify I don’t think he’s a bad guy. But he seems quite lost in the weeds when it comes to cannabis. In a recent New Yorker feature titled “Is Marijuana As Safe As We Think It Is?”, Gladwell posits significant concern over the public’s embrace of cannabis. He cites lack of research on marijuana’s myriad effects and compounds, while also worrying about the increasing potency of commercial cannabis, and how its usage could link to rises in schizophrenia and violence.

Glad to see Malcolm Gladwell is as rigorous as ever. https://t.co/mxy4HcCq6M pic.twitter.com/lUEGjxKYA2

— Tom Ley (@ToLey88) January 8, 2019

What has drawn the ire of cannabis activists and public health advocates across the internet is how Gladwell seemingly mistakes correlation for causation—or at least his winking suggestion of such conclusions—and how the scope of his story seems written with blinders on, altogether ignoring significant context or contrarian evidence to the research he highlights.

Here at The Fresh Toast we’ve exposed both sides of the argument: that marijuana may work to trigger psychosis in some while also questioning the cause-and-effect relationship between cannabis and schizophrenia cases. “Researchers have to tread carefully in evaluating the evidence and avoiding scaremongering,” Musa Sami, Researcher and Academic Psychiatrist at King’s College London, wrote on this site.

You should also know that anyone within the cannabis industry worth their salt has expressed to me a need for more research on cannabis and a tempering of expectations that cannabis might be a miracle penicillin. Even the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health has made open calls for more cannabis research. In other words, shouting the need for more cannabis research is not a revolutionary stance.

Just reading the responses to my @NewYorker piece on the unknowns about marijuana. I’m puzzled why pot advocates would be hostile to the idea of learning more about the consequences of their habit. Haven’t we been through this w the climate deniers?

— Malcolm Gladwell (@Gladwell) January 8, 2019

Gladwell, however, doesn’t tell you why more significant research on cannabis hasn’t occurred. Because the federal government classifies cannabis as a Schedule I drug, universities and institutions hoping to study cannabis in a clinical trial must first acquire approval from three different government agencies: the Drug Enforcement Agency, the Food and Drug Administration, and the National Institute on Drug Abuse. In addition, scientists studying cannabis have long battled an additional loophole their colleagues focused on other Schedule I drugs—like LSD or MDMA—do not face. For the past 50 years scientists could only use cannabis grown from NIDA at the University of Mississippi. The problem? The federal pot farm was delivering unusable moldy samples.

Thanks to a crusade from Rep. Matthew Gaetz (R-FL), that should soon change. Gaetz sponsored the Medical Cannabis Research Act, which forces the government to hand out more cultivation licenses for marijuana to be used in scientific research. This is an improvement, but the irony is a Colorado-based researcher cannot simply run to the store, buy some weed, and use it for research. They must jump through many hoops, like Arizona-based Dr. Sue Sisley did only to receive the moldy weed she did.

This is why some American researchers have demonstrated jealousy over their Canadian brethren. Because of all the limitations I’ve laid out, many Americans researchers conduct observational studies—meaning they follow subjects already using cannabis while asking them questions or to perform certain tasks, then develop findings from there. It’s not an exact science. Thanks to Canada legalizing cannabis, it’s opening a treasure trove of data for Canadian researchers to dig through and develop more conclusive findings. Seriously, Canadian scientists are downright giddy over their newfound opportunities to conduct the research they’ve long hoped to do.

“It’s super exciting,” Sean Myles, research chair in Dalhousie University’s Department of Plant, Food, and Environmental Sciences, told Motherboard. “Like, this never happens. All of a sudden, there’s an organism on the planet that’s worth a tremendous amount, that nobody knew anything about, and you’re allowed to investigate it with some pretty deep pockets behind it.”

Here is where it’s probably worth mentioning that Malcolm Gladwell is Canadian.

Much of Gladwell’s story revolves around a new anti-marijuana book from Alex Berenson, a former investigative reporter at the New York Times. It’s titled Tell Your Children: The Truth About Marijuana, Mental Illness, and Violence. Worth noting for you non-cannabis historians out there: Tell Your Children was the original title for the 1930s anti-cannabis propaganda film Reefer Madness. The book was released today and has enjoyed one hell of a press rollout.

So Alex Berenson's new anti-marijuana book goes on sale today. These are all interviews, op-eds and features based on it that went up in the past week. I don't know who the guy's publicist is but he's doing a hell of a job pic.twitter.com/pfHhC5KRom

— Christopher Ingraham🦗 (@_cingraham) January 8, 2019

In interviews, Berenson makes claims about medical marijuana users like “nearly all were recreational users before they became ‘patients’” and “medical legalization is simply a backdoor way to protect recreational users from arrest.” His book is quoted liberally, whether it’s being directly cited or not, in Gladwell’s piece, as one journalist pointed out.

https://twitter.com/davelevitan/status/1082680433689706498

https://twitter.com/davelevitan/status/1082690921395900416

This whole backlash has raised questions about Malcolm Gladwell being a “tobacco industry shill.” That label originated with a 1990 Washington Post article Gladwell wrote titled “Not Smoking Could Be Hazardous to Pension System.” But the accusation gained momentum, however, when a S.H.A.M.E. article demonstrated Gladwell’s possible ties to Big Pharma and Big Tobacco. To his credit, Gladwell recently responded to the controversy.

“I have been staunchly anti-tobacco for as long as I’ve lived,” Gladwell wrote in an email to the Huffington Post. “I’ve never smoked. No one in my family smokes. I hate smoking. (I’m a runner, for goodness sake.) I am someone who is passionate about the dangers of smoking. It’s something I have cared about for years—and I’ve attempted to write about the issue with intelligence and insight. For these morons to come along and somehow maintain that I am sympathetic to big tobacco is beyond offensive.”

You’re free to draw your own conclusions there. Personally, I don’t consider Gladwell a shill or a hack by any means. However, it seems Gladwell has been taken in by Berenson’s book, because of, if for no other reason, its research underpinnings support Gladwell’s position on cannabis. While plenty of other research exists out there to showcase marijuana’s positive medical benefits and what scientists are saying about cannabis, it appears you won’t hear them from Gladwell.

4 Ways The New Royal Baby Will Make History

Amy Hansen

-

January 8, 2019

0

4 Ways The New Royal Baby Will Make History

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry are expecting the monarchy’s newest member soon (some speculate as early as March). Not only will the baby be born to a mother considered to be the first person of African decent to marry into the royal family (not to mention the first American actress), Good Housekeeping compiled a list of other ways this baby is going to be an exceptional addition to the Royal Family. Here are 4 ways little baby Sussex will make history.

U.S. citizenship

Since Meghan is an American who has lived in the U.S. for a minimum of five years, her offspring qualifies for U.S. or dual citizenship. However, it’s ultimately in the best interest of the royal family that Meghan ditch her passport, since remaining a U.S. citizen could put them at risk for an IRS audit.

Home birth

Although home births are not exactly preferred within the Royal Family, it’s rumored that Meghan could opt for the untraditional birthing method. Back in the day, home births were very common among royals. In fact, Prince William was the first royal heir to be born in a hospital in 1982. Since then, it’s protocol that royals give birth at the Lindo Wing of St. Mary’s Hospital, which is basically like the penthouse suite at the Four Seasons. But sources told Vanity Fair that Meghan and Harry are considering other options for the birth of their first child,

History-making title

If baby Sussex turns out to be a girl, she could overturn the patriarchy with a title that’s never been given to a female member of the Royal Family: Duke. According to TIME, five women have filed a case with the European Court of Human Rights asserting that women should be allowed to inherit dukedoms, too. We’ll have to wait and see if this old crusty law gets overturned, but if it does, the new baby could potentially become the first “Duke.”

New home

The baby will be the first newborn to live in Frogmore Cottage, where his or her parents will soon reside full-time. The Queen gifted the home to the newlyweds shortly after they got married in May 2018.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BqkgZu0Bksq

Where Does Presidential Candidate Elizabeth Warren Stand On Marijuana?

Mike Adams

-

January 8, 2019

0

Where Does Presidential Candidate Elizabeth Warren Stand On Marijuana?

Toward the end of last year, Senator Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts announced that she was contemplating a presidential run in 2020. Considering the controversy stirred over the past couple of years by President Trump, this potential bid for the Democratic nomination appears to be a nicely timed political move. Still, some question whether Warren isn’t “likable” enough to win the hearts of the American people.

It doesn’t hurt, however, that she has become a relatively strong voice for marijuana reform in the United States. Now that well over 60 percent of the population supports the concept of legal weed, the next presidential candidates, regardless of whether they are a man, woman, Democrat or Republican, will need to be on board with ending prohibition across the nation or else run the risk of getting snuffed out.

But just how far would Warren go with pot reform if elected? And is it enough to go toe-to-toe with Trump’s flighty support on the issue?

Although Warren says she has never smoked marijuana, she is all for pot reform. The last major piece of legislation the lawmakers cozied up to was called the Strengthening the Tenth Amendment Through Entrusting States (STATES) Act. The bill was designed to remove federal controls from those states that legalized marijuana.

The measure wouldn’t legalize marijuana nationwide, but it would keep Uncle Sam’s nose out of the scene enough to allow cannabis banking solutions and eliminate the possibility of any kind of federal crackdown – no matter how unlikely such a thing is at this juncture. “The federal government needs to get out of the business of outlawing marijuana,” she said last year in a statement regarding the STATES Act.

But it appears Warren would go all the way on the issue. She is also connected to the Marijuana Justice Act, which would legalize marijuana at the national level and lead to the expungement of criminal records associated with certain degrees of marijuana offenses.

Still, it has become clear that protecting the rights of states to legalize marijuana is most important factor right now. Warren understand this.

Last year, back when former Attorney General Jeff Sessions took his disdain for marijuana a step further by rescinding an Obama-era memo (Cole) put into place to allow states to experiment with marijuana legalization, Warren was part of a campaign demanding the memo be restored. The communication asserted that giving states this assurance would “create a pathway to a more comprehensive marijuana policy that respects state interests and prerogatives.”

Some Democratic lawmakers believe President Trump might use marijuana reform to secure the election in 2020. During his first campaign, Trump said that he was in favor of medical marijuana and believed legalization should be left up to individual states. Still, Trump is responsible for putting cabinet members in place that has made it difficult for the cannabis trade to operate with ease. The best we’ve gotten from him so far was earlier last year when he told reporters that he would “probably” sign the STATES Act if it crossed his desk. But as much as he flips on his word, it would be nothing for him to come out all of a sudden in favor of full-blown legalization.

It’s still too early to tell how the marijuana legalization issue will fit in with the 2020 election.

If she would happen to snatch the Democratic nomination, Senator Elizabeth Warren could end up being a favorite. New York Times columnist Krugman wrote this week that while he isn’t sure she deserves to be president, “she is what a serious policy intellectual looks and sounds like in 2019.”

European Union Laying Groundwork For Legalizing Medical Marijuana

Mark Taylor

-

January 8, 2019

0

European Union Laying Groundwork For Legalizing Medical Marijuana

Medicinal cannabis is creeping up the European Union agenda as legislators prepare to divert cash into research of the drug and begin laying the groundwork for a harmonized set of laws across the bloc.

Health committee politicians in the European Parliament, the EU’s directly elected legislative, voted in late 2018 to approve a draft resolution on the use of cannabis for medicinal purposes, and now the proposals will head to the bloc’s executive to be turned into a concrete proposal.

The file has been added to the ‘work in progress’ calendar, and from January 14 EU officials will begin a formal study of the potential clinical benefits of medicinal cannabis and cannabis-derived medicines, and how they are available to patients across Europe.

Europe’s cannabis industry is predicted to be worth €115.7bn ($132bn) by 2028, making it the world’s largest legal marijuana market. A patchwork of domestic regulations means the EU could not legalize cannabis in one fell swoop, but it can lay down a set of guidelines that each country transposes into domestic law.

The EU has 28 member states, each with their own set of cannabis laws. Some jurisdictions, such as the Netherlands, have decriminalized the drug, while others have a more draconian approach and will jail anyone found in possession.

This blog has already looked at the situation in Germany, Malta, Italy, the UK and Irelandamongst other areas taking steps towards cultivating their own cannabis industries, with Portugal and the Scandinavian territories also moving to a more progressive stance.

Now it appears the EU’s lawmakers are waking up to the health, and tax benefits, of allowing cannabis for medicinal purposes at least, and attempting to draw up a set of rules for the bloc that will give a platform for trade.

In December, the EU’s drug agency, the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA), slipped out its first report on medicinal cannabis.

It sought to answer the evidence base for the use of cannabis and cannabinoids in modern medicine, alongside providing definitions of cannabis preparations and medicinal products, and the differences between both.

Aimed at policymakers, the report responds to growing interest in this topic as more European countries develop policies and practice in this area.

“Many EU countries now allow or are considering allowing, the medical use of cannabis or cannabinoids in some form,” the report states. But approaches vary widely between countries, both in terms of the products permitted and the regulatory frameworks governing their provision, it notes.

The report also outlines the terms “medical use of cannabis and cannabinoids” can refer to a wide variety of products and preparations that may contain different active ingredients and use different routes of administration.

Source: EMCDDA

The publication also provides an overview of evidence for the medical use of cannabis and cannabinoids.

Source: EMCDDA

It concludes, in a similar vein to the EU’s health portfolio holders, that more research and clinical studies are needed to fill “important gaps in the evidence”.

From the US and Canada to Australia and Israel, the report presents a selection of case studies illustrating the diverse approaches used by countries outside the EU to allow the medical use of cannabis.

The report highlights the challenges of decision-making and summarises the multiple issues that governments will consider when deciding whether to make cannabis or cannabinoids available for medical use.

These include the types of product that patients will be allowed to use; the medical conditions for which such products can be used; and the type of medical and regulatory supervision under which patients are allowed to use them.

“In most countries, the provision of cannabis and cannabinoid products and preparations for medical purposes has evolved over time, often in response to patient demand or product development,” said EMCDDA director Alexis Goosdeel. “This report seeks to provide an objective look at current evidence, practice, and experience in this very fast-moving field and describe the complex patchwork of approaches adopted in the EU and beyond.”

It also points to the importance of developing a common language to help build a base for evaluation and assessment, which is EU shorthand for ensuring everyone has the same definition of key points when the regulation is eventually drafted.

This article originally appeared on Green Market Report.

There Are More Cannabis Workers In The US Than Librarians Or Pilots

Sean Hocking

-

January 8, 2019

0

There Are More Cannabis Workers In The US Than Librarians Or Pilots

The cannabis market is a dynamic, quickly changing landscape that has proven very attractive to investors and entrepreneurs from many industries. In the states where marijuana enjoys legal status for recreational or medical use, the cannabis industry and its related partnerships are experiencing robust growth.

This is especially true when it comes to jobs. As of 2018, there are more full-time cannabis workers than there are librarians, and the number is growing. These are not minimum wage positions either – retail managers, agriculture experts, and extraction technicians all earn attractive salaries and desirable compensation packages.

As institutional investors warm up to the cannabis industry, high-profile mergers and acquisitions are beginning to shape the multi-state cannabis market outlook. These multi-million dollar deals are excellent indicators that the cannabis industry is not just growing but also maturing.

These factors combine to drive up the supply end of the cannabis market. As of 2019, consumers continue to see prices fall. The average price of a pound of marijuana flowers has dropped 24.5% since the same time last year, with the largest decreases occurring in states that have legalized recreational use.

As a $20 billion industry creating hundreds of thousands of jobs, the cannabis industry is a burgeoning commodity industry that contributes to the economic welfare of communities and the government organizations that represent them. Experts predict that the economic impact of the cannabis market could double in as little as two or three years.

For all of its gains, the cannabis market still has room to grow. The number of legal states is bound to increase over time, and with it so will the economic value of the commodity itself. Find out more about the state of the domestic cannabis industry in this cannabusiness infographic.

This article originally appeared on the Green Market Report.

5 Tips To Help You Take Better Selfies

Maria Loreto

-

January 8, 2019

0

Selfies are today’s picture style of choice. It’s become a large part of our culture and serves as a valuable form of communication. Even if these photos don’t always end up on our Instagram profiles, we all take them, usually to boost our egos.

Despite the fact that we spend a good amount of our time taking pictures of ourselves, a good-looking selfie is not that easy. Popular Science compiled a list of tips you should follow in order to take some objectively good selfies. Check out some of our favorites.

Angles matter

https://giphy.com/gifs/lol-james-franco-selfie-KMcZ9XZeQIks8

We all have good sides and bad sides but angles are pretty standard for everyone. Selfies from low angles tend to make us look bloated and bad, so keep you phone at a good enough distance from your head and position the camera at face level or higher. If you want to capture something in the background, like a monument or a pretty landscape, you can use a selfie stick or try around with different angles.

Find a good source of light

https://giphy.com/gifs/kim-kardashian-kuwtk-west-GgvPAS9Fu2rYs

While selfies are normally taken in places where you don’t have full control of you environment, try to take advantage of natural and artificial light. Avoid strong back-lighting and spots where there’s not a lot of light. Look for light sources located in front of the selfie subjects and use your phone’s front flash setting when necessary.

Take advantage of the filters

https://giphy.com/gifs/kimmyschmidt-26AHxNt3bpqw9Yexq

Filters are great, making your image look more interesting and helping you get rid of imperfections. As long as you don’t overuse the dog ears or saturate your selfies with too much color, filters can do a great job. New phones also include different camera selfie modes, which are worth investigating. Depending on the device there are Portrait, Beauty and Selfie modes, most of them producing really good results.

Use a timer

https://giphy.com/gifs/impastortv-tv-land-tvland-3oz8xEgf0wV8UGL5y8

Timers are great tools for group photos or selfies where you don’t want your arm to take a whole lot of space. Find a good and elevated spot for your phone, prop it against something and set the timer. Almost all phones include this feature. They’re normally found on your device’s camera modes, where you’ll also be able to manipulate the seconds of delay.

Buy a new smartphone

https://giphy.com/gifs/southparkgifs-3o6Ztd1LZDgebofUoE

If your is taking selfies that look blurry and ancient then maybe it’s time for a swap. Cameras in smartphones are one of the features that get the most updates, with the Google Pixel and the iPhone being stand outs to produce some really good photos.

5 Ways To Develop A Healthier, More Fulfilling Sex Life

Maria Loreto

-

January 8, 2019

0

5 Ways To Develop A Healthier, More Fulfilling Sex Life

Countless amount of studies say that a healthy sex life is good for your health and relationships. Openly stating that you’re unsatisfied with your sex life is awkward and can make people feel really vulnerable, so it’s normal to keep these problems to yourself.

Although women are the first to report discomfort with their sex life, the problem is sort of pervasive, affecting people of all ages and genders. The Huffington Post reports that our society is having less sex than a decade ago and that we’re entering a state of sexual emergency.

“The fact of the matter is that everyone is struggling [with their sex drive] and it’s much more common than we think,”says expert Alisa Vitti.

Here are five tips gathered from experts that can help you and your partner find your groove back or simply help you have better sex:

Find what’s messing with your sex drive

https://giphy.com/gifs/southparkgifs-l0HlPtbGpcnqa0fja

If you find yourself having a low sex drive, avoiding sex, or feeling pressured by the thought of it, reflect on why this is happening and try to find an appropriate solution. According to Vitti, some of the most common factors that affect your libido include mental health conditions, certain medications, not exercising enough, and more. “Many of these issues are treatable with care from a doctor, so you need to bring them up,” she says.

Be safe when trying out new things

https://giphy.com/gifs/mylabbox-safety-safe-3oz8xUJsD8AsihJrtC

Sexually active individuals should get regularly tested for STIs, especially if they have multiple sex partners. It’s tough to enjoy sex and to look forward to it if there are physical issues that are getting in the way, so be sure to pay attention to your body and to be on the lookout so you can mention any issues whenever you visit your doctor.

Don’t worry about other people’s sex lives

https://giphy.com/gifs/i-hate-you-everyone-vd4rbpLg9xL68

We tend to get fixated on other people’s sex lives, wondering how much sex they have and if you’re having too little or too much of it. When it comes to sex you should never compare yourself to others and should focus on what makes you happy, yet you should still be aware of your body and know if your low sex drive is becoming a problem.

The Huffington Post says: “Overall low sexual desire ― an issue that’s primarily assumed to be associated with women ― can easily affect men, particularly those who are in poor physical or emotional shape, according to research published in the Journal of the American Medical Association.”

Set a time for sex

https://giphy.com/gifs/warnerarchive-a-mighty-wind-l2JInZhQ501ASOEs8

Scheduling sex doesn’t sound like the sexiest thing in the world but it gets the job done and makes people have sex, which is all that matters. Setting a date and a time for sex gives it an important spot in your life and also gives you something romantic to look forward to. Try to stick to this schedule but also to prevent it from becoming a problem. Find a date that works out for both of you and have fun with it.

Focus on your emotional connection

https://giphy.com/gifs/homer-simpson-dancing-the-simpsons-10pHteyVCBH6uI

Instead of having sex just to have an orgasm, be mindful of your partner and try to connect with them in other ways that aren’t limited to the physical.

“For many the intensity and enjoyment of sex grows as their connection to their partner builds. While some can create that level of present connection and feeling of intense emotional connection during momentary encounters, most of us need time and investment in the relationship to create that,” says sex therapist Angie Gunn.

Darryl Strawberry Calls Weed Gateway Drug

Brendan Bures

-

January 8, 2019

0

Darryl Strawberry Calls Weed Gateway Drug

Well it looks like we can’t go a full week without a celebrity making an unqualified opinion about cannabis. Former New York Mets star made headline recently about the mainstreaming of cannabis. Darryl Strawberry calls weed gateway drug, pitting him against athletes using cannabis as a natural pain reliever.

“Most people don’t understand marijuana is a drug,” Strawberry told TMZ Sports. “It’s just the beginning. Starting people off when they’re young and then it leads to everything else.”

“Most young people start off with marijuana … it’s a gateway,” he added. “I started with marijuana when I was young—14, 15 years old—and it led me to everything else.”

Strawberry was suspended three times during his MLB career for cocaine usage. The ex-right fielder also opened up about his sex addiction in 2017, telling Dr. Oz he “would go between innings, and stuff like that and run back and have a little party going on.”

Those anti-marijuana comments have driven backlash from various corners of the internet, including Stephen Jackson, the cannabis advocate and former NBA star. Jackson initially called Strawberry “a whole crackhead,” though he later walked back those comments. He did remain firm in his statement that cannabis was not a gateway drug for athletes.

“If you think weed is a gateway drug, then you weak-minded,” he said. “It’s a gateway for weak-minded people. That’s just what it is. So if you weak-minded, don’t smoke weed because it’s going to make you try coke and crack.”

Athletes for Care, a group made of former athletes that advocates for medical cannabis to treat ailments, also rejected Strawberry’s position and his notion that cannabis “destroys lives.”

“Many across the country are unfamiliar with the medicinal properties of the cannabis plant and Mr. Strawberry is no exception,” Anna Valent, Executive Director of Athletes For Care, said in a statement. “As an organization that provides a community for athletes in their life after a career in sports, we empathize with Mr. Strawberry’s struggle with substance abuse.”

“Our organization’s members include ex-players from every professional sports league, who have found that regulated, properly dosed cannabis can provide a better quality of life, and we believe that every patient deserves to understand this alternative,” she added. “We invite Mr. Strawberry to join our organization because, even beyond cannabis, his experiences through the years are extremely relevant to this conversation.”

Cannabis Cream Saving Celebs On Red Carpet This Awards Season

Brendan Bures

-

January 7, 2019

0

Cannabis Cream Saving Celebs On Red Carpet This Awards Season

With another Awards Season in full swing, celebrities are once again turning to cannabis to provide relief from the red carpet’s aches and pains. Though A-listers have been known to use gel insoles in their high heels to alleviate discomfort, CBD lotion is what many now turn to survive the marathon of red carpets, glam outfits, and long nights.

As The Sun recently highlighted, CBD lotions, particularly the Lord Jones brand, have earned significant buzz in Hollywood.

“One great trick that a lot of celebrities in LA use is CBD cream on their feet, because it numbs the pain,” E! style expert Zanna Roberts Rassi told The Sun. “The Lord Jones cream is one that Michelle Williams swears by.”

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

We’ve highlighted this trend before, with Olivia Wilde, Kristen Bell, and writer Kelly Oxford openly praising the Lord Jones CBD cream. With a new crop of awards hopefuls walking the red carpet this year, however, it appears even more celebrities can’t wait to highlight the benefits of CBD lotion.

Here’s what Karla Welch, who dresses stars from Karlie Kloss and Elisabeth Moss, had to say about Lord Jones:

A shout out to my friends @thelordjones Their pain and wellness cream with CBD is the absolute CURE for aching feet on the red carpet. Don’t worry, your feet ain’t going to get high but this miracle cream is going to make a long #GoldenGlobes evening much more fun. So until designers learn how to make a stiletto as comfy as sneakers, @thelordjones is in my styling kit. #thisisnotanad

The Fresh Toast has also compiled the best CBD lotions for new users to try, whether it be used to battle arthritis or winter skin care issues. If the stars are trying it, why shouldn’t you?

What States Will Legalize Marijuana In 2019?

Mike Adams

-

January 7, 2019

0

What States Will Legalize Marijuana In 2019?

It has been said that 2019 will be the biggest year yet in the grand scheme of marijuana reform in the United States. This seems to be a reasonably logical assessment, considering that the country just bid farewell to Year of the Dog stronger than ever with respect to the issue.

Ten states have now given clearance to the concept of recreational marijuana, while more than 30 of them have put medical marijuana laws on the books. But it is the adult-use scheme (recreational) that seems to be shining through a little more these days. Giving marijuana a retail platform and hence a spot inside American commerce is where this decades-old movement is heading.

But which states will be the next to make a move on marijuana legalization as we ready ourselves for a new year? The following three states are the most likely to pull the trigger.

New York

Although Governor Andrew Cuomo was once opposed to the idea of legalizing marijuana, he changed his tune in 2018. This was mostly due to the results of a report by the State’s Department of Health, which came with a recommendation to legalize because “the positive effects of a regulated marijuana market in New York State outweigh the potential negative impacts.”

In December, Cuomo announced that marijuana legalization would be a high priority in 2019.

“Let’s legalize the adult use of recreational marijuana once and for all,” he said, adding that all prohibition has done is jam up minorities in the criminal justice system. “We must also end the needless and unjust criminal convictions and the debilitating criminal stigma.”

Lawmakers are expected to dive into this issue early in the session. If the state is successful, this will be a big deal toward federal change.

Illinois

The Land of Lincoln is another top pick for pot. Governor-elect J.B. Pritzker made marijuana legalization part of his campaign. He would like to use legal weed to pay for his capital construction plan and as a means for repairing the state’s $8 billion budget deficit. NPR Illinois reported in December that Pritzker was already meeting with lawmakers to get the ball rolling.

“There’s an opportunity for us to be the first state in the Midwest to make it available, and so I think the legislature should get at it,” he told the news source.

The issue will likely be one of five or so initiatives to be tossed into the laps of the Illinois General Assembly when it reconvenes next week. A report published last year found the state could see $1 billion in economic benefit from legalization. It’s not a sure thing, but it is one our favorites to win in the new year.

New Jersey

New Jersey struggled in 2018 to put a recreational marijuana law on the books. But this will be the year it gets done. Governor Phil Murphy has been pushing for it ever since he took office, but getting everyone to agree on a plan has proven difficult.

The primary hang-up at this point is taxes. Lawmakers want one thing, while Murphy wants another. However, this expected to get ironed out early in the new session. In fact, it is conceivable that New Jersey will be the first state to legalize in 2019.

Other Contenders

Other states are expected to tackle marijuana reform in the New Year. Some believe Connecticut, Pennsylvania and Minnesota have a fair shot at furthering the issue. There will likely be some surprises and, undoubtedly, some let downs in 2019. But for the most part, expect to see big things.

We could even witness for the first time ever marijuana being given some serious considering on Capitol Hill. But don’t get too excited about those developments. It’s not likely that Congress will have the guts to legalize marijuana nationwide by next Christmas.

The Fresh ToastThe most trusted name in cannabis

Sorry, But Malcolm Gladwell Is Plain Wrong About Marijuana

4 Ways The New Royal Baby Will Make History

U.S. citizenship

Home birth

History-making title

New home

Where Does Presidential Candidate Elizabeth Warren Stand On Marijuana?

European Union Laying Groundwork For Legalizing Medical Marijuana

This article originally appeared on Green Market Report.

There Are More Cannabis Workers In The US Than Librarians Or Pilots

This article originally appeared on the Green Market Report.

5 Tips To Help You Take Better Selfies

Angles matter

Find a good source of light

Take advantage of the filters

Use a timer

Buy a new smartphone

5 Ways To Develop A Healthier, More Fulfilling Sex Life

Find what’s messing with your sex drive

Be safe when trying out new things

Don’t worry about other people’s sex lives

Set a time for sex

Focus on your emotional connection

Darryl Strawberry Calls Weed Gateway Drug

Cannabis Cream Saving Celebs On Red Carpet This Awards Season

What States Will Legalize Marijuana In 2019?

New York

Illinois

New Jersey

Other Contenders

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