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Ted Nugent Is Hardcore Against Legalizing Marijuana

Brendan Bures
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Ted Nugent Is Hardcore Against Legalizing Marijuana

Over the past several months, Michigan has emerged as a top battleground for cannabis legalization in the upcoming midterm elections. Only Utah is comparable in its fight between supporters and opponents of marijuana. In both states, those in favor of legalizing the plant for recreational adult use are just as passionate as those vehemently opposed.

But in Michigan, polls reflecting locals’ views on legalization seem to contradict the political narrative each group is trying to establish. Just when it seems like ending prohibition in Michigan is inevitable, we see evidence that locals aren’t as gung-ho as suspected. It doesn’t help when the state government insists on referring to cannabis as “marihuana” on all government products, possibly confusing those unfamiliar with the tortured history of the word.

And so everyone tangentially affected by cannnabis legalization in Michigan has started voicing their views. That includes Ted Nugent. The conservative singer-songwriter adamantly opposes recreational marijuana. A lot. During a taping of Michigan radio show “Off the Record,” Nugent, who is from Redford, Michigan, was asked about the upcoming ballot proposal.

Surprise: He’s “hardcore” against it.

“I have stepped over so many dead bodies who tried to convince me that smoking dope was a victimless crime,” Nugent said.

“I was unhip because I wouldn’t, I guess, drool and puke and then die,” he also added.

This is nothing new from the notoriously sober rocker, of course. Earlier this summer Nugent got heated with comedian Joe Rogan on the latter’s podcast about marijuana. Echoing the sentiments he made on that podcast, Nugent peddled outdated “lazy stoner” stereotypes on the radio this week.

“When you’re high you cannot make a positive, meaningful, intelligent decision,” he said.

Nugent is so against smoking weed, he emphasized, that he turned down toking offers from Jimi Hendrix and Keith Moon. Though it may surprise outsiders, Nugent is actually pro-medical marijuana and has stated his belief it should be legalized federally.

Regardless, this type of outspoken view from celebrities and civic leaders alike should only continue the closer we get to November 6, when Michigan voters will decide on the measure. Until that day, no one can say with 100 percent certainty if Michigan is really in favor of recreational marijuana or not.

‘We’re Not Sin City’: Houston Bans Proposed Sex Robot Brothel

Maria Loreto
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‘We’re Not Sin City’: Houston Bans Proposed Sex Robot Brothel

The city of Houston recently approved an ordinance preventing the development of a robot brothel, which would have been the first one of its kind in the country.

Canadian company KinkySdollS was behind the plan, and was already building a space where users would be able to rent out dolls and have sex with them privately. According to Mashable, the dolls are priced between $2,500 and $10,000, and have different features such as body heat and A.I. voice commands.

Many citizens took offense with the idea of a robot brothel and organized protests, claiming that a place like this would destroy the homes, families and finances of all sorts of community members. As one resident expressed, “As a woman, I am concerned and horrified to see where our society is taking us.”

The amendment to prevent the development of this establishment was passed unanimously by Houston city council members with some of them claiming that Houston is not “Sin City,” while calling the idea of a robot brothel “weird” and “gross.”

“The Bible says a man will leave his father and mother and become one with his wife. It doesn’t say anything about a man becoming one with a robot,” said one very invested Houston resident.

KinkySdollS has a robot brothel in Toronto that opened over a year ago and has developed quite a following. According to USA Today, the Canadian company targeted Houston because it’s one of the largest cities in the U.S. and it also has a strong history of resisting regulations.

Connecticut Gubernatorial Candidate Says He’ll Legalize Marijuana If Elected

Mary Schumacher
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Connecticut Gubernatorial Candidate Says He’ll Legalize Marijuana If Elected

“If I win, I’ll have the wind at my back,’’ said Connecticut Gubernatorial candidate Ned Lamont in reference to cannabis. “I’ll say we have a budget crisis, and more importantly, Massachusetts legalized, and they’re driving across the border.’’ Connecticut voters are overwhelmingly in favor of legalizing cannabis, so it’s a good issue to focus on as votes draw near.

Lamont, a democrat, also pointed out that having a legal market is better than having an illicit market, and that, “I’ll regulate it. I’ll be careful in terms of quality or potency. I think we know what we’re doing.” In terms of bringing in revenue and quashing a criminal marketplace that lands people in jail for a plant, it certainly does seem that the hopeful knows what he’s doing.

He’s compared and paired legalizing and regulating cannabis with sports betting. Pointing to New Jersey as an example, he said “the train has already left the station.” When it comes to NJ, he could be referencing either sports betting or cannabis, the latter of which has been rumored to be legalized in NJ in the coming weeks and is already broadly medicalized there.

Lamont says that he believes Connecticut could generate between $150 million and $200 million if they legalize adult use cannabis and sports betting at the same time.

Bringing revenue into the state isn’t Lamont’s only concern. He’s a union man and he is telling the unions that they’ll make out better with him than with his opponent. Lamont’s had the unions’ support for some time now and continues to enjoy it as the elections approach.

With workers behind him and those in favor of cannabis legalization backing him as well, Lamont has a very good shot at winning come November. As of now, he’s leading by 5 percentage points in the polls. His opponent, Bob Stefanowski (R), has not said that he’s opposed to cannabis, in fact he’s said he’d consider it down the line, but he’s certainly not making it part of his running points.

Interstate trafficking is a big concern, especially for the smugglers sticking their necks out and the cops who are forced to continue to crack down on America’s most popular plant. So is the state’s budget and workers’ rights and they all add up to a few of good reasons why Lamont might win: on the cannabis legalization stance, allowing for sports betting and his vast union support.

CBD Oil Is Now Illegal In Medical Marijuana Friendly Ohio

Mike Adams
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CBD Oil Is Now Illegal In Medical Marijuana Friendly Ohio

There is a bizarre happening in some medical marijuana states that isn’t at all consistent with common sense. Some jurisdictions, while allowing marijuana to be sold to patients for therapeutic purposes, have banned the sale of hemp-based cannabidiol (CBD) in traditional retail outlets where it has been made available for years.

Ohio is the latest state to implement this rule. Even though CBD is non-psychoactive, officials are insisting that all of these products be distributed exclusively in marijuana dispensaries.

It was recently determined by the Ohio Board of Pharmacy that all CBD products, even those derived from hemp, should be classified as medical marijuana and therefore be sold only in state-licensed dispensaries. The board says that patients must be able to trace these products back to a known source and have a full understanding of how much of its active ingredient each one contains.

Although this change in the law will not prevent some customers from getting their hands on this medicine, supplement, whatever they choose to call it, it will, however, lead to inflation in prices.

“The prices, if they’re going to skyrocket, are going to hurt customers’ pockets,” Rabi Ahmad, owner of Smokers Plus, told WHIO. “Senior citizens mostly buy the CBD. The young kids, they don’t buy CBD at all.”  

The new rule may also cause a few snags for those people who may not qualify for participation with the state medical marijuana program. As it stands, the law only allows patients with a severe or debilitating condition, like AIDS, cancer, glaucoma, pain that is either chronic and severe or intractable, and traumatic brain injury, to buy cannabis products.

So, before a person can gain access to a state-sanctioned medical marijuana dispensary to buy CBD, he or she must receive clearance from a physician. In some cases, it may not be difficult to navigate through this red tape and become a patient, while it could prove difficult for others. Not every physician across the Buckeye State is willing to write medical marijuana recommendations.

The situation with this amendment could also prove challenging when it comes to staying out of jail.

Hemp-based CBD products have become very popular. They are sold without any legal stipulation in health food stores, convenience stores, vape shops, and other retail outlets in many nearby states, including Indiana. There is nothing stopping a resident of Ohio from crossing over the state line to buy these products without a medical marijuana recommendation. Yet, that plan comes with risks once they get back home. The Board of Pharmacy said anyone caught with CBD, who has not been cleared for the state’s medical marijuana program, could face criminal charges. The same goes for those non-dispensary businesses that continue to sell it.

For now, however, there doesn’t appear to be a strict enforcement plan in place. But it would not be irresponsible to suggest that local police departments could conduct these sorts of shakedowns on their own accord.

SJP Can’t Imagine Another ‘Sex And The City’ Without Kim Cattrall; ‘The Voice’ Coaches Joining Adam Levine At Super Bowl

Naughty Gossip
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SJP Can’t Imagine Another ‘Sex And The City’ Without Kim Cattrall; ‘The Voice’ Coaches Joining Adam Levine At Super Bowl

SJP CAN’T ‘IMAGINE’ ANOTHER ‘SEX AND THE CITY’ WITHOUT KIM CATTRALL

A fan commented on one of Parker’s Instagram photos, writing, “You are still my hero. Please replace or write her out Kim / Samantha if she is not interested and bring back sex and the city movie #3. The fans need this.”

The “Sex and the City” star-turned-shoe designer, 53, replied, “Not sure if I can imagine doing another movie without her.”

Cattrall, 62, and Parker have been feuding publicly since Parker said Cattrall wasn’t interested in making a third film. Cattrall later said in an interview that she and her castmates were “never friends” and were simply co-workers. Despite their spat making headlines, Parker maintained that they weren’t fighting.

VOICE COACHES JOINING ADAM LEVINE AT SUPER BOWL – EXCLUSIVE

Maroon 5 is set to headline the 2019 Super Bowl Super Halftime Show and Adam Levine has already signed up some very special surprise guest performers – his friends from ‘The Voice.’

“Adam Levine and his bandmates will take the stage on Feb. 3 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta during Super Bowl LIII and he is hoping they will be joined by Blake Shelton, Kelly Clarkson and Jennifer Hudson,” sources tell STRAIGHT SHUTER. “Adam wants to give one of the all-time great performances. He loves his band but knows he is going to have to bring more star power if he is going to stop the show. Do not think this is going to be a regular Maroon 5 performance, he is pulling out ALL the stops.”

MEGHAN AND HARRY’S BIGGEST FEAR – HER DAD TURNS UP IN LONDON – EXCLUSIVE

Prince Harry is super-protective of his new bride, Meghan Markle, but not even royalty knows what to do if her troubled father turns up in London knocking on the door of the palace.

“Meghan’s worst fear is that her dad will just show up and try to get into the palace to see her. The scenario is so real that there have been several top-level conversations with the family’s security about what to do if such a situation arises,” sources tell STRAIGHT SHUTER. “The last thing anyone wants is a public scene outside the palace of daddy getting turned away. Yet at the same time you cannot just turn up uninvited, even if you are family. It’s all very ugly and there are no good options. The guards around the residence are on high alert fearing her dad could arrive at any moment.”

Listen: These Brothers Wrote A Song For Their Mom Battling Breast Cancer

Maria Loreto
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Listen: These Brothers Wrote A Song For Their Mom Battling Breast Cancer

Will and Anthony Nunziata are twins who’ve performed over 300 concerts in theaters and concert halls all over the country. They’re both singers and songwriters and are known for infusing their songs with their classical voice training.

When their mother was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2016, it inspired the siblings to write their first song. They titled it “The Gift Is You,” and co-wrote it with Jeff Franzel, a songwriter who’s worked with other performers, such as Josh Groban and Celine Dion. “This is a song that people can relate to, not only if they’ve suffered from cancer, but just an homage and a love letter to a loved one,” says Will.

In December 2016, the duet premiered “The Gift Is You” in a sold-out show at Carnegie Hall, where they performed with the New York Pops Symphony Orchestra. Since then, they’ve performed this song around the world and have released a Spanish version, with lyrics written by Grammy winning songwriter and producer Rudy Perez.

Fans of Will and Anthony have reached out to the duo thanking them and embracing the song and the positive message it has for breast cancer survivors and survivors all over the world. “Through social media and after shows, men and women come forward and discuss their experiences with breast cancer. It’s been really incredible to hear the stories of how this song affects people of all different backgrounds, no matter their language or culture,” Will says.

The official video of “The Gift Is You” features the performance of Tony award winning actress Cady Huffman and appearances from Anthony and Will themselves. Thankfully, their mother is now cancer-free.

You can watch the official music video below and share it with your friends and family over the course of October.

Cannabutter Pudding Pops For a Total Serious 80s Yum

Jessie Moore
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Cannabutter Pudding Pops For a Total Serious 80s Yum

Remember pudding pops? This homemade version has a totally tubular surprise in the middle: a cannabutter core!

This recipe starts out with instant pudding, which is combined with whipped cream for a perfectly creamy texture and flavor. Then, while filling the popsicle molds, you sneak in a spoonful of cannabutter in the center of each pop. When they’re frozen and it’s time to enjoy, it’s like each portion has a psychedelic buried treasure hidden inside!

The Fresh Toast – Remember pudding pops? Try these homemade cannabutter pudding pops for a total serious 80s yum.

Photo by Jessie Moore
  • 1 package (3.9 ounces) instant pudding (I used pistachio, because it’s clearly the best flavor, but you can use whatever flavor you prefer)
  • 2 cups cold milk
  • 1 cup whipped cream
  • 6 teaspoons cannabutter (regular cannabutter or vegan cannabutter is fine, too)
  • 6 small paper or plastic cups (6 to 8 ounces, and not too wide, works best)
  • 6 popsicle sticks or wooden coffee stirrers
Photo by Jessie Moore

1. In a large bowl, whisk the pudding mix and milk together until it begins to thicken.

Photo by Jessie Moore

2. Add the whipped cream, and whisk (or stir) until incorporated and smooth in color.

Photo by Jessie Moore

3. Spoon a small amount of the pudding into each cup. Spoon 1 teaspoon of cannabutter on top of the pudding.

Photo by Jessie Moore

4. Divide the remainder of the pudding evenly among the cups (they won’t be all the way full). Press a popsicle stick or wooden coffee stirrer into the center of each one.

Photo by Jessie Moore

5. Freeze for at least 4 hours (overnight is even better, texture-wise). To remove from the cups, I like to run a sharp knife around the perimeter of each cup; sometimes they’ll come right out, other times you might need to use kitchen shears to cut the cups away. Store leftovers in the freezer for up to 1 month.

A Note On Dosage:

I “dosed” this recipe with 1 teaspoon of cannabutter per serving. The strength of your finished product will depend on many factors, including the type of marijuana you used and how you made your cannabutter. For more tips on proper dosage, visit this post.

New Spotify Feature Helps Emerging Artists Find An Audience

Maria Loreto
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New Spotify Feature Helps Emerging Artists Find An Audience

Spotify’s newest feature brings the streaming service one step closer to becoming a record label, even though they’ll deny this if you ask them. While currently in beta testing, the feature was launched last week, giving musicians the chance to upload their music directly on the app without the influence of a third party.

Spotify for Artists allows musicians to track their metadata, preview how their song will look and sound and, most importantly, deliver the song to an audience.

Unlike Soundcloud and other similar apps, Spotify offers curated playlists which are extremely popular and one of the highlights of the streaming service. If a song gets picked up by one of these playlists, musicians could obtain overnight popularity and thousands of streams. Another perk of Spotify’s new feature is that artists will receive a 50 percent payout for their songs.

While this all sounds great for independent musicians, major executives are wary of Spotify’s true intentions, believing the feature could influence the way in which they do business. According to Dance Music Northwest, the 50 percent payout could lure artists to bypass record labels entirely and choose to upload their music directly to the app, since some labels offer payouts as low as 15 percent.

It’s important to remember that this new feature is still in beta testing and only a handful of independent artists are able to use it. It’s free and it doesn’t have a cap on the amount of content that artists can introduce, so it looks pretty great on the surface.

If you’re not an artist, then this doesn’t affect you in any way. Still, it’s pretty interesting to witness a changing music industry and the drama that’s lurking just around the corner.

Will Pepsi Be Next To Join Marijuana’s Green Rush?

Brendan Bures
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Will Pepsi Be Next To Join Marijuana’s Green Rush?

Coca-Cola made big waves last month when reports surfaced the company was exploring production of a possible CBD-infused drink in collaboration with Aurora Cannabis. Following the announcement, cannabis stocks soared across the board. Mind you, neither party confirmed the deal. The possibility of the deal was enough.

The opposite has happened to Pepsi, thanks to an interview from the company’s Chief Financial Officer, Hugh Johnston. In an interview with CNBC’s Jim Cramer, Johnston was pressed about Pepsi making similar advances into the cannabis industry like its major soft drink competitor.

“We will look at it very critically,” Johnston said about marijuana. “But I am not prepared to share any plans that we may have in the space right now.”

Johnston emphasized that while he was aware of Canada’s upcoming legalization, cannabis remains federally illegal in the United States. Still, Pepsi would “turn over every stone to look for growth.”

Johnston expanded his views on a company earnings conference call when asked by Cowen analyst Vivien Azier about cannabis.

“I think the difficulties in investing in that category, particularly in the U.S., where federally these things are still not legal, are quite a considerable challenge,” he said. “So we look at everything, but certainly no plans at this point to do anything.”

Cannabis stocks fell everywhere after Johnston’s announcement, none more than Tilray, which dropped by 16 percent Tuesday. Pepsi’s stock dropped 1.8 percent as well following the news.

Instagram Suffers Worldwide Outage After Former Facebook Exec Takes Over

Maria Loreto
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Instagram Suffers Worldwide Outage After Former Facebook Exec Takes Over

Instagram is pretty much back up and running for most users, after being temporarily down earlier this week when Adam Mosseri, a former high-ranking Facebook veteran, was hired to head up the app.

When IG took a nosedive Tuesday, the mobile version displayed a message that read “couldn’t refresh feed,” while the website version would simply not load. Users took to Twitter and Facebook to complain about the incident and make jokes through the use of the hashtag #instagramdown.

Reuters reports that some of the countries affected in the outage include some parts of North America, Europe, Australia, and Singapore.

Instagram has been facing some changes recently.  couple of days ago Kevin Systrom announced that he and Mike Krieger, the original founders of the app, were leaving the company in order to purse other creative ventures. “Mike and I are grateful for the last eight years at Instagram and six years with the Facebook team. We’ve grown from 13 people to over a thousand with offices around the world, all while building products used and loved by a community of over one billion. We’re now ready for our next chapter,” wrote Systrom.

While their departures were unexpected, Facebook, the company that owns Instagram, claims that there’s no animosity between the two companies and that they’re excited to see what Systrom and Krieger develop in the near future.

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