Wednesday, December 24, 2025
Home Blog Page 780

Despite Bloody War On Drugs, Phillipine President Jokes About Marijuana Usage

Marijuana jokes can be good and fun, except when the leader of a country has capitalized and campaigned on a brutal and bloody War on Drugs, one that has cost thousands of lives over the past two years, like Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte did Monday. But following local reports that Duterte had skipped meetings for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to take “power naps,” the President couldn’t help pushing back.

He blamed the grueling schedule set forth by ASEAN, stating that as a 73-year-old leader of the country, he needed to work harder to keep up.

“It’s a killing activity,” Duterte said, according to the New York Times. “But at my age, I am not really bothered because I take marijuana to stay awake.”

His comments were reportedly met with “bursts of laughter,” according to the Times. Duterte apparently has a history of making offense-laden jokes, reminding readers of another President with a penchant for the profane.

Official government statistics state that 4,500 have died in Duterte’s anti-drug campaign. But according to “conservative estimates” from humans rights groups, more than 12,000 men, women, and children have been killed from the Philippine President’s War on Drugs, launched when he took over office in 2016. Duterte has admitted as such, too. “My sin is extrajudicial killings,” he said earlier this year.

Duterte later clarified that his joke was made in jest. But Gary Alejano, an opposition member of the House of Representatives, quickly condemned Duterte’s comments.

“If you are making a joke on an issue that has cost the lives of thousands of people in your drug war, then what does that say? You also treat peoples’ lives as a joke,” Alejano said.

New Jersey Politician Would Rather Legalize Prostitution Than Marijuana

In an insult to both sex worker and cannabis advocates alike, former New Jersey Lt. Governor Kim Guadagno said during a radio interview that, “losing an entire generation of children with pot,” would be worse than letting loose laws surrounding the planet’s oldest profession.

In a nod to the benefits of legalizing prostitution, however, Guadagno did point out that prostitution is a victimless crime and would be even safer if regulated. Why she can’t see the same is true for cannabis is a mystery.

And while it sounds like the politician is in favor of legalizing sex for sale, she’s not actually that hip to the idea. She made sure to clear up her stance and point out that she was not, in fact, advocating for prostitution, just hating on marijuana.

The former Monmouth County Sheriff under former Governor Chris Christie seems to have a real case of foot-in-mouth syndrome. In the meantime, more states continue to legalize and New Jersey just might be the next to go green, likely prompting the odd slag by Guadagno.

Earlier this week, a bill advanced that would expunge records of cannabis “offenders” and legalize cannabis possession for adults in the Garden State. It now must pass both floors before becoming law.

New Jersey Senators are coming around on the issue, however, and don’t hold the same staunch anti-cannabis views of Guadagno. Jersey has seen a blue wave since the days of Gov. Christie, and with it has come a darker shade of green. Christie’s replacement, Phil Murphy, ran on a pro-pot platform.

In the U.S., 10 states and D.C. have legalized adult-use cannabis and 33 states and D.C. also have medical marijuana laws in place. Canada went legal as the world’s second nation to do so in July of this year and even the conservative country of South Korea recently implemented a medical CBD oil law for patients in need.

7 Weekend Activities That Will Make Your Mondays Less Awful

0

Studies and experts have proven that when it comes to productivity your free time is just as important as the time you spend working. A study from Stanford demonstrates that over working has clear limitations, with employees showing a sharp decline in productivity when they clocked in more than 50 hours per week. People in the study who worked more than 70 hours per week managed to get the same amount of work done than people who worked 55 hours per week. Where does all of that time go?

Studies like these highlight how important is to have time for yourself, where you can reflect, think, and do things that bring you pleasure. Quartz compiled a list of habits you can pick up on your weekends so that your work week is more productive and you end up enjoying most of your time. Check out some of our favorites:

Disconnect from work

https://giphy.com/gifs/statefarm-4NgptgGdjLZBSm47ci

RELATED: 5 Simple Tips To Increase Your Productivity

It’s important to remove yourself from work over the weekend, digitally and physically, so that you feel that you had some days off and were able to rest. This is easier said than done, especially if you need to get work done over the weekend. What you can do is make a weekend work schedule that allows you to check emails and make calls without the time you’d spend doing other more pleasant things.

Minimize your chores

https://giphy.com/gifs/RjpE964WUAE5a

Chores tend to pile up over the week, resulting in weekends where all you manage to do is clean up and fix stuff around your apartment. To avoid this, try scheduling your chores throughout the week, making them a part of your day to day routine and giving you more time to relax over the weekend.

Work out

https://giphy.com/gifs/nobodiestv-tv-land-tvland-3oKIPDt9rFEVSrCUFO

Finding the time to exercise is taxing, especially on week days where you have to work and get other things done. Weekends are perfect for clocking in your workouts, giving you tons of time of fit in exercises that feel motivational and much less like chores.

Do something you’re passionate about

https://giphy.com/gifs/poptv-90s-hollywood-darlings-l4FGyGcDOqc0ICCwo

Find time to do something you enjoy, be that drawing, writing, reading, or something else that makes you think and also makes you happy. By doing this activity on the weekend you’ll reap even more benefits because you’ll feel like you’re actually doing something instead of passing the time.

Try to wake up at the same time

https://giphy.com/gifs/daria-ooErYnXTDjfTW

RELATED: 5 Products That Can Help Boost Your Productivity

This is kind of hard but it works if you’re the type of person who has a hard time easing yourself back into the week. Inconsistent wake up times over the weekend disturb your circadian rhythms, resulting in you feeling very tired and groggy despite the fact that you slept more than you do regularly. This uncomfortable feeling can also seep into your Mondays and throw the rest of your week off balance.

Use your mornings as your “me time”

https://giphy.com/gifs/theoriginaldonutshopcoffee-dancing-coffee-yNr8LdsnuqdnfbgVXN

Your mind achieves peak performance two to four hours after you wake up, resulting in really gratifying morning activities where you’ll get to have better workouts and enjoy whatever it is that you’re doing.

Prepare for the week

https://giphy.com/gifs/bored-gravity-falls-writing-KyGiMJokZEQvu

By planning some of your work ahead of time, your weeks will be much more productive. You’ll  skip the entire “set up” stage of your Mondays, jumping right into your work and making your week feel much more pleasant and easy going.

11 Horror Movies To Help Get You In The Christmas Spirit

Horror movies succeed based on one goal: do they tap into the underlying fears and premonitions rumbling beneath society? Remove some of the rules stitching us together, and introduce a fantastical, sadistic variable—that’s what great horror does.

So that Christmas season has been fertile soil for the genre’s tilling isn’t a surprise. The holiday and its supporters shoves glee and cheer down your throat you’d feel crazy not participating. That’s what these 11 films show: What if Christmas got a little crazy? The answer is simple—forget the green, Christmas is all about the red.

Silent Night, Bloody Night


A film harshly received upon its release due to its bloody violence, causing Rogert & Ebert to “shame” everyone who made this film. But some of us like our bloody violence and sadistic Santas.

Related: 5 Classic Horror Flicks And What To Drink While Watching Them

Black Christmas

Some consider Black Christmas the first proper slasher film. With angst-inducing phone calls, creepy foreign noises, and Christmas lights made more eerie than cheery, it traps girls in their sorority house, oblivious to the killer in the attic. You will not forget some surprisingly witty banter and fear plastic wrap forevermore afterwards.

Jack Frost

Revel in this campiness: A serial killer named “Jack Frost” crashes into a genetics material truck, causing a fusion with the white powder, transforming him into the abominable snowman. Watching it, you can’t believe how far they really go to push their trashy aesthetic. Jack calls himself “the world’s most pissed off snow cone” before finishing off a victim with an icicle. Pass the red dye, please.

Related: 14 Celebs Who Got Their Start In Campy Horror Flicks

Rare Exports: A Christmas Tale

What a threat to a child. He’s making a list and checking it twice. Don’t be naughty, be nice. That way you’ll get present. But what if you’re naughty? Well A Christmas Tale turns the Christmas myth on its head, as Santa is really a supernatural being who really punishes those naughty brats.

Sint

This Dutch reimagining follows a similar conceit about the true nature of Saint Nick. What if Sinterklass was a medieval ghost who returned with the full moon to claim vengeance? This 2010 film was the top-grossing in Denmark the year of its release.

Gremlins


I mean, isn’t there something twisted about how we gift big-eyed furballs to children, then instructing them to love said furballs? Gremlins doesn’t require much explanation—its cultish followers will tell you all you need to know—but this film necessitates inclusion for the scene when those furry creatures don red Santa hats and creepily sing “Deck the Halls.” Watching that makes me wish they’d go Fa La La themselves.

Christmas Horror Story

Last year’s anthology Christmas movies intersects four stories that aren’t so festive. Using William Shatner as a radio DJ to tell these stories, it also features a 25-minute segment on the Krampus myth that’s better and carries more depth than Krampus itself. Though that’s not saying much.

The Nightmare Before Christmas

More angsty than scary, Tim Burton’s conception of Jack Skellington remains a classic. It disturbs you, especially with Danny Elfman’s undertow of a score, but makes you reach out more than collapse into the fetal position.

Related: The Best Christmas Movies To Watch While Baked

Black Mirror’s “White Christmas”

Though it’s television, this 74-minute dread-inducing techno-thriller utilizes the backdrop of Christmas to its ultimate perverse effects. Christmas overwhelms the most stable of souls with a need for human connection. But what if that love was blocked from you? I guess Jon Hamm gets to tell you stories?

Home Alone & Home Alone 2: Lost in New York

Kevin McAllister is a bully. Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise. Within the original, he acts in self-defense. But the sequel sees Kevin ascending to his full Jigsaw powers. He throws bricks at the Wet Bandits’ heads and giggles in their faces! And that’s just how it starts! It’s the mirthless death scream of a true villain. Horror indeed.

Male Birth Control Gel Might Be A Thing

0

Up until now, the only viable birth control option for men was either a condom or a vasectomy. Talk about two polar opposites. But now the National Institutes of Health (NIH) is experimenting with a non-invasive gel that could be the new preferred male contraception.

“A safe, highly effective and reversible method of male contraception would fill an important public health need,” said Diana Blithe, head of the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development’s Contraceptive Development Program. The progestin gel can simply be rubbed into a man’s back and shoulders to stop the production of sperm.

The NICHD is currently enrolling about 400 couples around the world to test the gel and its effectiveness.

“This is the first time that men are using it as part of a couple to test for effectiveness,” said Blithe.

In a statement, the NICHD said the gel contains the compound segesterone acetate (sold under the brand names Nestorone, Elcometrine, and Annovera), along with testosterone and is absorbed through the skin.

The progestin blocks natural testosterone production in the testes, reducing sperm production to low or nonexistent levels. The replacement testosterone maintains normal sex drive and other functions that are dependent on adequate blood levels of the hormone.

Nestorone can also be found in vaginal rings, which, if you’re unfamiliar, is a female contraception.

According to NBC News, the contraception, known as NES/T, is formulated as a gel “because Nestorone does not get absorbed by the body when it’s taken orally, and testosterone does not stay in the body for a full day when taken as a pill. Both hormones last longer and work better when dosed through the skin.”

The question now is: will men actually use it?

6 Books For The High Minded Reader On Your Holiday List

Give someone an edible and they’ll be high for an afternoon. Give someone a book on how to make edibles and you feed their body, mind and soul for life. With cannabis coming up as one of this century’s hottest topics, there are many books that teach, inspire, guide and tell tall tales to be read. And there’s nothing like the feel of an actual book in hand, should one have the passion. If you have a cannabis lover on your list, one of these six books is sure to delight.

Cannabis: A Beginner’s Guide to Growing Marijuana

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Danny Danko (@dannydankoht) on

If your loved one lives in a state that has implemented laws that incorporate cultivation, growing their own weed can be one of the most fulfilling practices to take on. Though cannabis grows like a weed, it still takes elbow grease and finesse to cultivate a rockstar cultivar. This book by longtime senior cultivation editor of High Times Magazine Danny Danko covers all the bases and beyond, and because of his hard earned expertise in all things cannabis, there’s something to be learned at every level of growing within its pages.

The Cannabis Manifesto

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by The Cannabis Manifesto (@steve.deangelo) on

This highly encompassing book by Steve DeAngelo, founder of Harborside, the world’s largest medical marijuana dispensary, DeAngelo’s insights are priceless – or maybe $18.95 in paperback. Still, from being a call to rally together and take action to the idea that cannabis not should, but must, be legalized, for the sake of social justice, patients and the health of the world at large, this manifesto will inspire any cannabis enthusiast on your list.

Bong Appétit

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Christine Ha (@theblindcook) on

Based of of MUNCHIES and the Viceland series Bong Appétit, this cookbook has recipes in it that will please almost any pallette. Sweet to savory, cocktails to milky concoctions, they sprinkle in dosage recommendations and strain and flavor pairings that make all the difference in an infused experience. This one’s for the canna-cook in your circle and is sure to be a hit.

The Little Book of Cannabis

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Pure & Ethical CBD? (@hempelement) on

The easy read of a book is for the friend or family member who’s maybe stuck their little toe into the ocean of cannabis, but hasn’t ever really taken the full plunge. This stigma crushing, health inspiring, honest little book on all things cannabis is by journalist Amanda Siebert, who spoke with top medical professionals and cannabis experts around the globe to put together a concise guide for those who have more to learn. And isn’t that all of us, really?

The Emperor Wears No Clothes

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by The Original Jack Herer (@theoriginaljackherer) on

If any one of your cannabis and hemp loving cohorts hasn’t yet read this mish-mash of a delectable read on everything marijuana by the legendary Hemperor himself, Jack Herer, then this is a must-gift. It’s the original, self-published masterpiece that gathers together factoids and theories that range from profoundly inspirational to incredibly disturbing. From government cover-ups and conglomerate greed to saving the planet via hemp, this book was part of the original heart and soul of the marijuana movement.

Brave New Weed

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Brave New Weed (@bravenewweed) on

A romp of storytelling and fact checking that emcompasses a worldwide journey, Brave New Weed will have its recipient on one hand lamenting all the wasted years of prohibition and their heavy outcomes and on the other delighting in all the great things that have come out of the now burgeoning industry: new strains, new ways to imbibe, new information on the plant we all hold dear all can all be found between the covers.

Green Market Report: Marijuana Money Nov. 30

The week kicked off with New Jersey making a bold move towards adult use legalization. The state approved proposals in the Senate and Assembly with the next step to send to the full chambers for a vote. The market is estimated to bring in $300 million in additional tax revenues for the state.

We got some new stocks to trade this week. Dixie began trading on the Canadian Securities Exchange this week using the symbol DIXI. Grown Rogue also began trading on the CSE with the symbol GRIN.

It was a busy week for earnings.

(Editors Note – Following the taping of Marijuana Money on Thursday, the market saw major earnings releases from MedMen and Acreage Holdings. In order to produce this video for Friday, it must be written and taped in advance. In some cases this means major news can occur afterward.)

KushCo Holdings (KSHB) said its revenue jumped 177% to $52 million. The net loss, including $1.0 million in depreciation expense, was $23.9 million in SG&A, and $1.6 million in provisions for income tax, was approximately $10.2 million compared to net income of $69,000 in fiscal 2017.

MedMen Enterprises (MMEN) (MMNFF) reported that its fiscal year 2019 first-quarter revenue grew 1,094% to $21.5 million over last year’s $1.8 million for the same time period. Still, the company reported a net loss of $66.5 million, or a loss of $1.42 per share, a dramatic increase over last year’s loss of $5.7 million for the same time period. This was a slight improvement over the net loss of $78.7 million for the fourth quarter last year.

Acreage Holdings Inc. (CSE: ACRG.U) announced its unaudited financial results for the third quarter, which ended on September 30, 2018. Acreage reported quarterly revenue of $5.5 million, representing a 160% increase when compared to the same period in the previous year. The company’s year-to-date revenue increased by 92% to $10.6 million. The company’s net loss increased from $0.7 million in the third quarter of 2017 to $4 million.

Charlottes Web (CWEB) which delivered revenue of $17.7 million. Net income fell slightly to $1.8 million, but gross profits increased 54% to $13.8 million.

Green Thumb Industries (GTII) reported that its revenue jumped 344% to $17.2 million, but the company delivered a net loss of $3.3 million.

GW Pharmaceuticals (GWPH) reported that its revenue declined to $2.4 million missing analysts estimates for $2.9 million. The company also reported a net loss of $79 million.  It wasn’t all bad because at the beginning of the week GW Pharm also said it had positive study results on a phase 3 trial for Epidiolex.

Canopy Rivers (CNOPF) recorded a net income in the quarter of $10.9 million.

MJardin’s (MJAR) revenue increased 65% to $7 million with a net loss of $400k.

Sunniva reported revenue of $3.8 million, but a net loss of $6.7 million.

In financial moves, Cura Cannabis Solutions raised $75 million in a private placement.

Altitude Investment Management closed its fund after raising $30 million with plans for a second fund to raise $100 million.

Green Gotham invested $15 million in LA’s The High Note.

This article originally appeared on Green Market Report.

How Marijuana Can Be A Practical Ally Against Chronic Stress

Depression can come in many forms: seasonal, postpartum, premenstrual and the list goes on. The causes of depression also vary: sometimes it develops from chemical imbalances in the brain, other times it develops from the happenings in everyday life.

Treatments for depression are readily available, ranging from medication, talk therapy and even a combination of both. However, for those battling depression from chronic stress, these outlets don’t always work.

Scientists at the University at Buffalo’s Research Institute on Addictions say that certain components of cannabis may be very helpful in reducing depression caused by chronic stress, specifically.

Chronic stress, can be “psychologically and physically debilitating.” However, after studying the endocannabinoid system — the brain’s group of chemicals similar to the chemicals in cannabis that affect the way we feel, think, behave and respond — researchers believe that cannabis can have a significant impact on this system.

In general, stress has a negative effect on the endocannabinoid system. It ultimately alters the function of the system, decreasing its production of these much needed cannabinoids; and without these chemicals, people are subject to mood swings, breakdowns and more.

Because the chemicals in marijuana are similar to the chemicals in the endocannabinoid system, researchers believe that cannabis’ main compounds (THC and CBD) can “stabilize moods and erase depression.”

Another study from 2007 showed that low doses of THC can work like an antidepressant by increasing serotonin, the neurotransmitter that affects mood, behavior and sleep.

The scientists of the study injected laboratory animals with a synthetic cannabinoid called WIN55,212-2 and tested the effectiveness using the Forced Swim Test – a test that measures depression in animals. Ultimately, the researchers observed an antidepressant effect that also increased serotonin production.

All of this research is exciting, it shows that cannabis can be a promising remedy for the hundreds of thousands of people battling chronic stress’ byproduct.

Why Many Weekend Warriors Workout With Marijuana

It’s no secret that many fitness routines can be enhanced with cannabis. And as marijuana legalization spreads across the nation, more weekend warriors are consuming cannabis products before or after lifting weights, playing team sports, hiking and running.

A study released in May adds scientific credibility to the notion that marijuana is beneficial for athletes of all stripes.

According to the study titled “Patterns and Perceptions of Cannabis Use with Physical Activity”:

Analysis of survey responses revealed that participants were using cannabis in combination with a wide range of physical activities. While cannabis use was reported before, during, and after [physical activity], the majority of participants (92 percent) reported use of cannabis before [physical activity]. Most participants (77 percent) believed that the use of cannabis products with their [physical activity] had a positive effect on their performance.

The strain of cannabis used with PA was dependent on timing of cannabis use before, during, or after [physical activity]. Although participants reported a range of reasons for using cannabis before, during, or after, pain management was the only reason reported across all time periods.

Of course, these findings merely substantiate a large body of research suggesting that the human body benefits from cannabinoids before, during and after a fitness regimen. The Boston Globe, in a recent report, examined the fitness trend of “cannathletes.”

According to the story:

While the idea might seem inherently counterintuitive — weed, after all, is a substance more commonly paired with Doritos than dead lifts — there is a passionate contingent that swears by it.

“It’s a weird phenomenon, but it’s an increasingly common phenomenon,” says Dr. Peter Grinspoon, a primary care doctor at Massachusetts General Hospital and author of the book “Free Refills: A Doctor Confronts His Addiction.” “The fact that a lot of people are saying it helps them can’t be ignored.”

Signs of its influence are everywhere. In Boston and beyond, cannabis-themed yoga classes have become en vogue. On Reddit, users swap stories about their best (and worst) experiences working out under the influence. (“I toke up then go for a jog at night through the neighborhood,” writes one user. “It’s like a spirit journey.”)

The Globe points out that even the Massachusetts State Police gave a nod to the curious trend in a recent public service announcement. The police department’s official Twitter page recently posted this tip: “Working out high is legal. Driving is not.”

Jim Alpine, the founder of the 420 Games, has been proselytizing the benefits of cannabis and fitness for years. It is now his job.

“I call it a social movement,” Jim McAlpine told the Globe. “I’ll look on Instagram, and people define themselves as kind of ‘cannabis athletes.’ ”

McAlpine is not alone; other fitness experts are jumping on the bandwagon these days.

Eric Wilson, the owner of Movement Sciences in Boston, tells the Globe that in the next three to five years there will be different types of cannabis products developed specifically for fitness goals. “If you’re going fishing, maybe you want an indica blend,” he says. “If you want to go for a long run, maybe a different one.”

 

5 Holiday Gifts From Companies That Donate Proceeds To Charity

There are people out there who are great at gift giving. And there are others who are not. These people always seem to find themselves struggling during this time of year, when you’re expected to give presents to close family members, distant cousins, friends, co-workers, boyfriends and girlfriends.

While there are dozens of gift options available, there are some companies that are charitable with their profits, donating them to good causes and helping out people in need.

Mashable compiled a list of these companies. Check out 5 of our favorites.

Gifts for Good office prints

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Gifts for Good (@giftsforgoodhq) on

Related: For The Santa Win: Science Shows Us How To Pick The Perfect Prezzie

Gifts for Good designs all sorts of art and items while helping out over 40 different nonprofit organizations located throughout the world. Their prints are beautiful and can serve as a good present for someone’s office or home.

Bixbee backpacks

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Bixbee (@bixbeebuzz) on

These backpacks are super cute, especially designed for kids (or cool adults) with all sorts of patterns. For every bag you purchase, Bixbee will donate a backpack for a kid in need somewhere around the world.

Mitscoots Outfitters

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Mitscoots Outfitters (@mitscoots) on

The store sells a variety of items including socks, beanies, shirts, and more, giving out an equal to a person in need located all over the country. Mitscoot also gives jobs to people in need who are in charge of packaging stuff and making sure that your donation reaches a trusted charity.

Adventurist Backpack

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Adventurist Backpack Co. (@adventuristbackpacks) on

Related: How To Choose The Perfect Wine For A Wedding Present

Adventurist Backpacks designs minimalist, durable and good looking backpacks with the purpose of helping out hungry families.For every backpack sold the company provides 25 meals for different people across the US.

The Buddy Project

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Buddy Project (@buddyproject) on

The Buddy Project is an organization that helps out teens and children in need, providing them with a buddy that has similar interests and age and that’s trained in preventing suicides and bringing awareness to mental health. The nonprofit sells shirts, sweatshirts, phone covers, and more.

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

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

We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe anytime.