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Marijuana Foe Jeff Sessions Is OUT, But Is That A Good Thing

JJ McKay
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Marijuana Foe Jeff Sessions Is OUT, But Is That A Good Thing

The cannabis industry expressed relief at the resignation/firing of U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions on Tuesday, but is it too quick for toast of celebration?   Trump used positive marijuana messaging to punish Sessions in his feud over the Russian hearing. But Trump, a proud teetotaler, hasn’t really taken a strong stand either way.  What has been clear is the closer you are to him the more influence you have. Remember his flip-flop on gun rights after his meeting with the then well-funded NRA?

On Sessions, Marijuana Policy Project’s Mason Tvert stated, “Marijuana policy reforms were being implemented in states around the country and the federal government was generally refraining from interfering. That is still the case, and hopefully it will continue to be the case under his successor.”

Related: What Tuesday’s Marijuana Wins Mean For The Future Of Legalization

Sessions is a long-time opponent to the cannabis industry and has made it a personal mission to keep the public away from a drug he feels is very dangerous. He has encouraged the president to speak out about it and chided him for the lax treatment and comments on marijuana. Sessions lead the repeal of the Cole Memo that wound up being a big nothingburger and business proceeded without a pause.  His whole approach stems from deep-seeded personal beliefs and he has not allowed facts and data to deter him from his mission.

Morgan Fox, spokesman for the National Cannabis Industry Association, said Sessions’ resignation is “welcome news” to the advocacy group. “Hopefully, it marks the end of reefer madness at the DOJ (Department of Justice),” Fox said, adding:

Given that there wasn’t any crackdown following the rescission of the Cole Memo, it might be just business as usual.

Industry insiders have used this period to grow companies, encourage investors and allow the industry to grow leaders like MedMen, GW Pharma and InsysTherapeutics without the oversized influence of giant industry’s like tobacco, alcohol or pharmaceutical companies. Once it is fully legal, those players will have the resources to bring significant change quickly, reaping huge profits for existing conglomerates.

Related: Just How Harmful Is Jeff Sessions To Cannabis Legalization?

Anthony Scaramucci, former White House Director of Communications, last week suggested President Trump could legalize cannabis after the mid-terms.  Don’t hold your breathe, Scaramucci is also persona non-grata at the White House and there are doubts on his having knowledge of the administration’s thinking.

What we do know is that Matthew Whitaker, the acting U.S. Attorney General, is a known opponent of cannabis, a friend of Trump and his administration, and now someone who can pull levers. Trump tends to let favored leaders do as they please as long as the spotlight doesn’t take away from him.

The white knight hero in the story could turn out to be Congress.  They sent a clear message to Sessions to keep his hands off marijuana, its medical benefits and its revenue. In May, the House Appropriation Committee, one of the most powerful on the Hill, voted to add a provision regarding funding the U.S. Attorney’s office that protected medical marijuana. Congress wants to be able to benefit from the public acceptance and the state taxes on cannabis and doesn’t want to upset the apple cart.

Related: What Would Happen To The Cannabis Movement If Trump Left Office?

What we do know is that nothing will be clear until the first part of 2019, giving the industry more time to grow, organize and win over more of the public.

What Tuesday’s Marijuana Wins Mean For The Future Of Legalization

JJ McKay
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What Tuesday’s Marijuana Wins Mean For The Future Of Legalization

The nation woke up Wednesday morning to Michigan legalizing recreational cannabis, letting the green wave into the Midwest, and Missouri and Utah passing initiatives to allow the use of medical marijuana. What’s interesting about Tuesday’s election is that it proved that cannabis legalization has become a non-partisan issue.

“This election proves that U.S. voters are ready and eager for comprehensive cannabis policy reform at the state and federal level,” said Aaron Smith, executive director of the National Cannabis Industry Association. “This is no longer a third-rail issue. Members of Congress need to listen to their constituents, allow states to determine their own cannabis policies, and start treating this burgeoning legal industry fairly.”

The two biggest wins of the day were Michigan, a middle country state that will be a pillar for the surrounding states, and Mormon dominated Utah. Michigan represents a large market and is near Illinois, Ohio, and Indiana, giving them access to additional customers and influence over their state laws. In addition, newly elected Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker wants to legalize Marijuana nearly right away – shortly after his taking office. From a business point of view, this opens up the signature Midwest market in 2019, helping propel the industry to $20 billion in 2021. Michigan and Illinois combined have a population of almost 22 million, a bit more than half of California, the world’s largest market. Full recreational in Michigan and Illinois also makes for a positive social impact considering the strain on the criminal justice system with minor marijuana offenses.

Utah’s vote for medical marijuana highlights the nation’s view of cannabis.  The initiative passed with the tacit support of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the largest political influence in the state. “We are not opposed to medical marijuana” said Marty Stephens, director of government relations for the church to a group of about 20 online influencers on September 29, 2019.

The one loss was North Dakota.  The state-wide campaign was led by a grass roots efforts that was not fully funded and did not offer a clear vision of legalization post-election.  What was learned from Ohio was voters want a clear, fair picture of what happens once they start to walk down the weed road.  Despite this, they managed to receive 39 percent of the vote. A better organized campaign could lead to passage in the next election. Remember, their neighbor South Dakota converted in the Trump 2016 election.

The industry and the public has to be patient. This is not a quick turnaround; there are many factors that play into legalization including how to divide the large tax revenue. But one thing is clear, the general public has moved on and decided cannabis is here to stay.

Missouri Police Not Sure How They Will Deal With Medical Marijuana

Mike Adams
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Missouri Police Not Sure How They Will Deal With Medical Marijuana

Now that the voters in Missouri have decided that medical marijuana should be available to patients suffering from any health condition whatsoever, law enforcement agencies across the state are starting to freak out a little. While police understand there will be people who can legally possess and even grown marijuana for personal use, they are concerned that the new law will make it more difficult for them to enforce prohibition laws for those not affiliated with the program.

The Show-Me State’s approval of Amendment 2 gives way to one of the most lenient medical marijuana laws in the country. What makes it more liberal than others around the country is the fact that it doesn’t come with a specific set of qualified conditions. The law puts this determination into the hands of the physicians.

So, if a patient walks into a doctor’s office and complains about not having a sense of humor unless he or she smokes weed three times a day, they could technically walk away with a recommendation for medical marijuana. The state would then issue that person a medical marijuana card, which would give them the freedom to purchase several ounces of medicinal cannabis a month and grow up to six plants at home.

This makes police nervous.

While most cops in legal marijuana states are often worried about things like policing stoned drivers, Greene County Sheriff Jim Arnott says his concerns run much deeper. He believes the cultivation aspect of the medical marijuana program will allow the state to become a major hub for illegal marijuana trafficking operations.

“What it does is it gives a lot of people the thought that you can just start growing marijuana,” Arnott told the Springfield News-Leader.

Still, Arnott admits that policing pot in Missouri will not be that much of an issue once it gets rolling. Since the health officials will provide every medical marijuana patient with an identification card, determining who should be in possession of pot and who shouldn’t be that tough, he said.

“Once they lay out the regulations, it’s not going to be difficult on the enforcement side,” Arnott told the news source.

Meanwhile, Springfield Police Chief Paul Williams, who has been opposed to the legalization of marijuana since the beginning, questions whether Missouri’s approval of Amendment 2 is really about helping patients.

“I’m not opposed to providing a benefit to people in a medical way, but allowing people to basically grow marijuana and smoke it, I think, is ripe for abuse,” Williams said.

Police in other legal states have been cracking down on illegal marijuana operations. Missouri should be no exception. However, Chief Williams seems a bit misguided in his approach to law enforcement in a legal state. He says his force will continue to arrest people who use the herb illegally.

But considering the nature of the law, anyone in Missouri who wants medical marijuana will be able to procure it through legal sources. Again, patients with any condition can qualify for participation. The focus of police should be lending support to the licensed trade, not busting people for pot. It’s time for Missouri police to reprogram and learn that legal marijuana is not the enemy.

Brad Vows He’ll ‘Never, Ever’ Marry Again; Selena Gomez Leaves Rehab ‘In A Better Head Space’

Naughty Gossip
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Brad Vows He’ll ‘Never, Ever’ Marry Again; Selena Gomez Leaves Rehab ‘In A Better Head Space’

Brad Vows He’ll ‘Never, Ever’ Marry Again After Nightmare Divorce!

Brad Vows He’ll ‘Never, Ever’ Marry Again After Nightmare Divorce!

Brad Pitt has vowed never to get married again after his nightmare divorce from Angelina Jolie!

“No way would Brad ever get married again,” a source close to the Fight Club star told Radar.

“He has said that Angie was enough for him and he is never, ever going to do that again,” the insider snitched.

Pitt famously left his wife Jennifer Aniston after meeting Jolie and falling in love with her while filming Mr. and Mrs. Smith — a move that shocked Hollywood.

Selena Gomez Leaves Rehab ‘In A Better Head Space’

Selena Gomez has left rehab after about a month spending time dealing with mental health issues.

A source told E! News Opens a New Window. that Gomez, 26, is now “doing much better” and feeling “refreshed and is in a better head space.”

As Radar reported, Gomez checked into an East Coast treatment facility in early October to deal with an emotional breakdown.

Gomez’s mental health crisis hit while she was hospitalized for low white blood cell count Opens a New Window. one year after undergoing a kidney transplant, and she has been open about her issues with anxiety and depression in the past.

She also struggled with the news her ex-boyfriend, Justin Bieber Opens a New Window. , got married to rebound Hailey Baldwin Opens a New Window. .

However, “Selena benefited tremendously from [rehab],” an insider told Radar, adding, “She will still continue to work with therapists and a psychiatrist and is committed to making sure that she stays healthy both mentally and physically.”

That means not going back to performing anytime soon.

Gomez, said the source, “wants to lay low for a while and Opens a New Window. isn’t ready to go full force into working yet.”

Blac Chyna Shares a Rare Photo of Dream Kardashian!

Can you believe Dream Kardashian is about to turn 2?

That’s right! Rob Kardashian and Blac Chyna’s daughter will celebrate her second birthday on Nov. 10. Ahead of the special day, the Lashed Cosmetics founder took to Instagram to share a rare photo of her baby girl in her stroller with a pacifier and an adorable hat. “Few more days until Dreams 2nd Birthday 11/10,” Chyna captioned the sweet social media photo of her daughter.

Two years ago, E! News confirmed the then-couple had welcomed their baby girl, weighing 7 lbs., 5 oz. via C-section.

“She is gorgeous and has tons of hair!” a source told E! News at the time.

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bp3kPmaADw9/?utm_source=ig_embed

Is It True That Marijuana Really Makes You Horny

Terry Hacienda
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Is It True That Marijuana Really Makes You Horny

For millennia, marijuana has been used as an aphrodisiac to make people more horny. It has been used in ancient cultures to increase libido, produce prolonged erections, delay climax, assist in lubrication and loosen sexual inhibitions.

For most users, cannabis heightens all your senses, puts you in a relaxed state and gives your a feeling of connectedness to your partner. Research suggests “that marijuana use is predictive of lower levels of aggression towards one’s partner.”

What’s happening? THC, the psychoactive cannabinoid in marijuana, releases dopamine in the brain. Dopamine acts as a neurotransmitter and it mimics anandamide, the naturally occurring neurochemical.

Here are a few ways in which marijuana can enhance your love life:

Increased Stamina

Marijuana appears to delay ejaculation for most men. The science is unclear, but many suggest that cannabis eliminates stress and allows your brain to “just go with the flow.” Marijuana also creates a sensation of time slowing down, allowing the user to be more in the moment.

Related: Want To Set The Mood? Try These 7 Sexy Weed Strains

Achieve Orgasm

About one third of American women report difficulty achieving orgasm. When cannabis is consumed, it activates a receptor in your endocannabinoid system, creating physical and mental stimulation.  According to Dr. Mitch Earleywine, professor of psychology at the State University of New York: “The CB1 receptor seems to be involved in improved tactile sensations and general euphoria.”

Intensify Orgasms

Once again, there is no clear science here. But the intensity of the sexual activity is heightened under the influence of cannabis, especially among women. Dr. Earleywine attributes this sensation to the CB1 receptor’s ability to convert the THC into a more tactile experience. The euphoric feeling lasts longer, or at least the perception is that the orgasm is longer. And whether it is perception or reality, the smile is the same.

Related: Marijuana As A Sexual Aid? Here’s What The Experts Say

Eliminate Stress

Anxiety and stress are sex killers. For most people, marijuana is a stress reliever and calms down your active brain. There is nothing worse than trying to enjoy an intimate moment when you’re stressing out about your job or your bank account.

A Word Of Warning

Chronic, long-term cannabis consumption in some people can cause low motivation. And, unfortunately, this includes sexual activity.

Iliana Eve Makes A Return To Music After Traumatic Home Invasion On 4/20

Javier Hasse
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Iliana Eve Makes A Return To Music After Traumatic Home Invasion On 4/20

Iliana Eve got her professional start in the music business with a single that premiered on Billboard and was released with Snoop Dogg’s record label, Doggy Style Records. Shortly after, Iliana trended with MTV’s Funny Mike (aka 22 Savage) for the song “Kylie’s Daddy,” which debut on TMZ and went viral.

Iliana then went on to record a song called “Mommy,” receiving international attention. The heavy-hearted tune deals with the topic of sexual abuse and was inspired by Korn’s “Daddy,” a song that addressed similar issues, released in 1994. The metal frontman’s late wife, Deven Davis, was a supporter of Iliana and involved in the production of the song “Mommy.”

But tragedy struck on April 20, 2017, putting an abrupt end to Iliana’s lucky-steak. Iliana and her father, producer Jonathan Hay, were violently attacked in a home invasion and kidnapping allegedly perpetrated by their former neighbor.

The stress caused by this situation shut Iliana’s desire to record music for some time, as she struggled to come to terms with the severe incident. Hay, who is not only her father but also her producer, continued to release some of Iliana’s music: tracks that had been recorded before the horrendous attack. One of those songs, “Can’t Help Falling In Love,” was featured on two #1 Billboard albums- Jazz [Deluxe] and The Whoodlum Ball.

At just 16-years-old, Iliana has also released successful songs with Kxng Crooked, Cyhi The Prynce , and Royce The 5’9″.

This past October, a year and a half after the home invasion, Iliana Eve got back into the recording studio. Record producer Ranna Royce helped mentor her back into the creative space of music, she told The Fresh Toast.

Iliana recorded “Love You Goodbye” with Boosie Badazz artist T-Rell and “Message In The Bottle” with Yung Bleu for the album Jail Tattoos, an upcoming album produced by Royce and Hay and featuring yours truly, to be released on November 9.

Iliana is recording an additional three songs for Jail Tattoos (Deluxe) that will be released on December 7 through Hoodlum Ball Records and Mike Smith’s SMH Records (the label of BET’s One Shot with DJ Khaled, T.I., Remy Ma, and Sway Calloway).

I spoke with Royce who told me, “I’m so elated to see Iliana recording music again. She’s extremely gifted and her musical process is so organic. Iliana does not use cannabis products and Jonathan and I are very mindful of making sure cannabis isn’t around her, despite some of the music she’s involved with advocates for smoking weed. Jonathan is open about his use of cannabis with all three of his children and family.”

Can Marijuana Really Cure Cancer? Here’s The Science

Richard Faulk
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Can Marijuana Really Cure Cancer? Here’s The Science

To delve into the literature on medical marijuana can, at times, feel like wading into a sea of nonsense. But one of the claims that seems on its face to rank among the most supremely bullshittiest turns out to be… an astonishing breakthrough that will astonish you: Cannabis actually can cure cancer.

Provided your cancer is a brain tumor, and you are a laboratory rat.

Let’s back up a sec. Cannabinoids—the active ingredients in marijuana, which include THC as well as nearly one hundred other related chemicals—work in the body by stimulating a network of receptors. Actually, it’s a series of networks. CB1 receptors, for instance, are found throughout the brain and nerve ends, while CB2 receptors congregate in the immune system. The first cannabinoid receptor was not found until the 1980s, and that was soon followed up with the discovery of endocannabinoids, the body’s own cannabis-like chemicals. Considering the relatively short time we have known about the endocannabinoid system and the obvious legal impediments to marijuana research, we know very little about what cannabinoids do and why we make them.

Nevertheless, the diversity and abundance of the endocannabinoid system is the chief physiological support for the concept of medical marijuana. Everything from mood disorders to nerve diseases to autoimmune illnesses may reasonably be speculated to have a potential cannabis treatment.

Cancer, though, does seem a stretch. First of all, it’s not one disease, but many, although they all manifest in uncontrollable, and sometimes fatal, cell growth. And secondly, cannabinoids play no known role in cell growth.

And yet, since the late 1990s, Dr. Manuel Guzmán, biology professor at Complutense University in Madrid, Spain, has been pursuing the question of whether the brain’s cannabinoid receptors, particularly in the brain, might defend against tumors. According to a series of studies Guzmán has co-authored, the answer might be “Yes.” In 15 years of treating brain tumors in lab mice with a chemical cocktail primarily composed of THC, Guzmán has seen cancer growth halted in one third of his subjects and—astonishingly!—it was reversed in another third, until the tumors were completely eliminated.

In 2006, Dr. Guzman published in The British Journal of Cancer the results of the first clinical trial on humans. Nine subjects with an aggressive form of brain cancer called “glioblastoma” that had resisted traditional interventions were treated with Guzmán’s THC mix. All nine responded at least partially. Such a small sample is, of course, statistically insignificant, but it does certainly suggest that further research is worthwhile.

You might want to pause before engaging in a little homegrown experimentation. Guzmán bathed his subjects’ tumors with a cannabinoid solution that was delivered via a catheter stuck directly into the brain—not the mellowest way to ingest weed. Alas, there is no evidence that smoked marijuana targets brain tumors or can deliver medically effective dosages.

Here’s How To Send A ‘Congrats’ Letter To Prince Harry And Meghan Markle

Amy Hansen
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Here’s How To Send A ‘Congrats’ Letter To Prince Harry And Meghan Markle

If you’re feeling a little left out of the congratulatory baby fuss surrounding Meghan Markle and Prince Harry, you can just invite yourself into the massive hubbub by sending them a lovely card. A handwritten one.

Last month, Kensington Palace announced to the world that the newlyweds are expecting their first child next spring, and you don’t have to miss out on the opportunity to congratulate them personally vs. leaving a comment on their Instagram.

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bo8hnQ6n1AD/

As an added plus, the couple has been known to respond to those who send them greetings. Here’s the trick.

Although Meghan and Harry live at Kensington Palace, their mailing address is at Clarence House. So, if you want to send a card, here’s how to address it:

TRH Duke & Duchess of Sussex
Clarence House
London SW1A 1BA
United Kingdom

https://giphy.com/gifs/season-3-the-simpsons-3×1-xT5LMCr4fYmSCjfjC8

The couple has reportedly sent “thank you” notes to those who have sent congratulation letters on their birthdays and wedding. And while it’s not guaranteed, you probably have a better chance of getting a response if you include your return address.

https://giphy.com/gifs/suitsusanetwork-usa-network-suits-rachel-ToMjGppao2fyJuyViRa

Need help writing that letter? Gert’s Royals has a step-by-step guide that lays it all out for you, from formatting to suggested verbiage. But don’t hold your breath for a response, even though it has happened before.

According to Elite Daily, who says if you send a card to the Clarence House, “it’s going to be scooped up by the Correspondence Section, who handles all communication between the royals and the public. Technically, you can send letters to other addresses, but it all will eventually be filtered through the Clarence House anyway.”

Think of it like Santa Clause. Sure, you might get a response. But will it really be from Santa himself? Don’t get your hopes up.

https://giphy.com/gifs/filmeditor-classic-film-writing-3ohA2MOrFgV6qHCpm8

Facebook’s New Feature Gives You 10 Minutes To Delete An Embarrassing Message

Maria Loreto
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Facebook’s New Feature Gives You 10 Minutes To Delete An Embarrassing Message

Facebook Messenger becomes the latest messaging app to give you the chance to delete embarrassing text. The feature will be available on the Facebook app soon, giving users a 10 minute window to erase a message from their chat history and from the recipient’s inbox.

Facebook published some release notes on the App store where they explained their “unsend” feature and discussed other tweaks that they’ve also added to the app.

Via the App Store:

Remove a message from a chat thread after it’s been sent. If you accidentally send the wrong photo, incorrect information or message the wrong thread, you can easily correct it by removing the message within ten minutes of sending it.”

Despite the fact that you now have the ability to delete a message, the new feature doesn’t guarantee that your message won’t be read, it only guarantees that it’ll disappear if you choose to unsend it within your 10 minute window.

Other messaging apps like WhatsApp and Gmail have similar message deleting features, with WhatsApp giving users up to one hour to delete their messages. Still, there are some drawbacks. WhatsApp can’t completely erase a message, it simply deletes the text while notifying the recipient that a message was deleted. Gmail works differently, holding your email in a queue for a short period of time and guaranteeing that no one will receive your email should you choose to erase it.

In any case, it’s always great to have ways of scrubbing things off the internet, even if the features are still a little clunky. We still don’t have a perfect way of preventing dumb text messages, but we’re getting there.

Marijuana Vs. Fentanyl: Which One Best Fights Pain?

Mike Adams
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Marijuana Vs. Fentanyl: Which One Best Fights Pain?

There is plenty of anecdotal evidence showing that medical marijuana could be a reliable treatment for chronic pain conditions. But a lack of ironclad science and legal issues in most parts of the world has prevented the herb from being embraced wholeheartedly by the healthcare community.

Instead, doctors have been on a pill kick for the past couple of decades, doling out thousands of prescriptions for dangerous opioid painkillers. Not only has this trend caused problems with addiction, it has also contributed tragic numbers of overdose deaths. Many have asked: Is it necessary to treat pain with hard drugs that come with such savage repercussions? Well, one Canadian pharmaceutical company intends to find out, according to a report from the Cowichan Valley Citizen.

Ontario-based Tetra Bio-Pharma intends to roll up their sleeves in the coming months to learn more about cannabis versus pain. Specifically, the company will open up a clinical trial that will dig deeper into whether marijuana or fentanyl is more effective at combating the pain often experienced by patients with cancer and other debilitating conditions.

Researchers believe their findings will show that cannabis can hold its own when compared with one of the world’s most potent opioids. The hope is that with the right kind of data, more members of the medical community will start to recognize medical marijuana as an effective pain reliever.

“Medical cannabis may help reduce the use of drugs like fentanyl for treating breakthrough and chronic pain,” CEO Dr. Guy Chamberland said in a news release. “However, unrefuted scientific data on its safety and effectiveness that will satisfy regulators, professional groups and insurers is what’s missing.”

Canada recently legalized marijuana for recreational use. There is some belief that the country could become of the leading medical marijuana research hubs in the world. And those with the power to make it happen aren’t wasting any time. The Canadian government has already put its seal of approval on the company’s clinical trial and it is being overseen by the research firm Sante Cannabis, according to the Citizen.

This is predicted to be the first of many Canadian studies looking into the therapeutic benefits of the cannabis plant.

Perhaps the United States government should take note. Over half the nation has some kind of medical marijuana law on the books, yet the big dogs in Washington continue to hinder research opportunities. Even after some of the leading scientific minds in the land have admitted that pot is an effective treatment for pain. Meanwhile, around 60,000 people drop dead each year from an opioid overdose. The Feds still don’t seem to have any idea how to manage the opioid problem.

Canada has taken a proactive approach to this scourge.

Over the summer, Health Canada imposed restrictions on the marketing tactics used by opioid manufacturers, and some provincial governments have even filed lawsuits against pharmaceutical firms to help offset the costs for dealing with it. Tetra Bio-Pharma hopes to inspire doctors, insurance companies and others in the healthcare field to see how cannabis might be a viable solution.

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