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You Can Now Buy A Rose Gold iPhone X For Only $4K

Maria Loreto
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You Can Now Buy A Rose Gold iPhone X For Only $4K

Because it’s not enough that a smartphone with a life span of around two years costs $1,000, Truly Exquisite, a London based company, decided to create an iPhone X that’s covered in 18K of rose gold and that has a price of more than $4,000.

Truly Exquisite’s gold is set in aluminum, which is then wrapped around the back and sides of the device. While this addition is beautiful and classy, the aluminum cover can compromise features such as wireless charging and water resistance.

Mashable reports that the London based store has other types of exotic looking iPhones, featuring different types of animal leather, if you’re the sort of person who’s into that. These designs include dyed black crocodile or red dyed python.

Since Truly Exquisite’s prices are so high — all versions of the iPhone come in at over $4,000 — for a limited time the store’s providing an Apple Watch Series 3 with the purchase of one of their devices. Apple Watch devices are priced at around $329.

While none of this makes us very excited for the store, they claim to donate 5 percent of some of their product revenue to organizations such as UNICEF and the World Wildlife Fund.

Kylie Jenner Reveals Baby Stormi’s Pierced Ears; Inside Prince Harry And Meghan Markle’s Romantic Date In Dublin

Naughty Gossip
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Kylie Jenner Reveals Baby Stormi’s Pierced Ears; Inside Prince Harry And Meghan Markle’s Romantic Date In Dublin

Kylie Jenner, the makeup mogul, stole away some time with her little one on Wednesday for snuggling and smooches. As she chronicled on Snapchat, the doting mama planted some kisses on her 5-month-old daughter, ones the reality star regards as “the best kisses.”

Since Jenner said last month that she was not going to share photos of her daughters face, any social media sighting of Stormi is a welcome one for Jenner’s devoted fans.

Plus, if followers looked closely at the clip, they could spot some jewelry on the little one’s ears, confirming that she got her ears pierced.

A post shared by Kylie Jenner (@kyliesnapchat) on

Inside Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s Romantic Lunch Date in Dublin

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle visited Croke Park and Trinity College, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex had lunch at Delahunt, one of Dublin’s best-known restaurants, which was closed to the public at the time.

“The booking was made some time ago, and they had pre-ordered their meals,” manager Grace Davis told the outlet. “They had the smoked salmon starter. Meghan had the hake for her main course; Harry had the lamb. They had planned to have dessert too, but said they were too full by the end of their meal. So they just had what we call our 3fe Dublin roasted coffee. They seemed to love it—it was empty plates all around. They even shared a half-pint of Guinness, and Harry had a Coke.”

“They were very warm and friendly and very happy together,” Davis added. “This was their only downtime on the tour, and they were chatting the whole time over lunch. They were also very engaging, and both of them popped into the kitchen to see our chef, Dermot Staunton. Harry told him, ‘I hear it’s the best food in Ireland,’ and Dermot told him it was, but that he is biased.”

DOJ Continues To Sandbag Medical Marijuana Research

Mike Adams
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DOJ Continues To Sandbag Medical Marijuana Research

Some of the latest national polls show that 91 percent of the American population supports the legalization of marijuana for medical purposes. Yet, the Justice Department, which is headed up by U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions, continues to do everything in its power to prevent the scientific community from exploring the therapeutic potential of the herb. Essentially, Sessions has allowed his personal opinions get in the way of progress on something that even medical professionals admit is very real.

It was earlier this year that Sessions told a Senate Appropriations subcommittee that the studies suggesting that medical marijuana could reduce overdose deaths related to opioids were questionable, at best. He said there still was not enough research to substantiate this phenomenon, which may be true. But there have been several studies emerge over the past few years showing some decline in prescription opioids in states where marijuana is legal for medicinal use. Yet, instead of allowing a platform for research to expand, perhaps a move that would help get to the bottom of this debate once and for all, the Justice Department has done nothing but sandbag the issue.

Prior to President Trump taking over the White House, the DEA said it was expanding its application process for marijuana growers. For the past several decades, the federal government has only allowed the University of Mississippi to grow all of the cannabis used for research. This has been one of the biggest complaints from those hoping to explore this plant. Not only are there often product shortages, but researchers say the quality of Uncle Sam’s weed is subpar in comparison to the stuff being grown in legal states. This problem stood to be remedied under the new application process. But as soon as Sessions took over, he put a stop to all of that. There are somewhere around 25 application just hanging out in a sea of inaction.

Nothing is expected to change anytime soon, as Sessions says the expansion would be a violation of international drug law. But this is not true. The language of the U.N. drug treaties only restricts recreational marijuana. Medical marijuana research has never been considered a violation.

But parts of the federal government have started to admit that marijuana has some medical function. The FDA recently approved the first ever cannabis-based medicine for distribution in the United States. The drug (Epidiolex) is comprised of the CBD compounds and has been shown “safe and effective” in the treatment of certain kinds of epilepsy. A recent article from Forbes shows the DEA must now rescheduled CBD under the Controlled Substance Act, opening it up to additional research possibilities.

Still, Sessions doesn’t appear anywhere close to changing his tune.

“Restricting scientific research and development within the United States will only hurt American scientists, companies, and patients,” reads a piece from the CATO Institute. “While Jeff Sessions may continue to argue fiercely against medical marijuana, the tide is turning.”

Monstrous 4-Pound ‘Avozilla’ Avocados Arrive In Australia

Amy Hansen
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Monstrous 4-Pound ‘Avozilla’ Avocados Arrive In Australia

Can we all agree to leave avocados alone? They are not supposed to be seedless for the dolts who can’t figure out how to cut one without cutting themselves first. They’re not meant to hide your dumb engagement ring when you propose. And they’re certainly not meant to replace the medicine ball you do sit-ups with.

And while a kiddie pool of guacamole may seem like a dream come true, a four pound avocado? Really?

According to The Guardian, the “Avozilla” is being farmed in Queensland, weighs anywhere from 2 to 4 pounds, and is expected to sell for $12 each. And you thought avocado toast prices in the U.S. were a joke.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BlFaAkolNmk/?tagged=avozilla

“There’s certainly a shock factor when you pick one up and they’re as big as your head,” Ian Groves, the farmer who grew these monsters, told Guardian Australia.

The enormous avocados originated from South Africa, landing in the U.K. in 2013. But Ian and the rest of the Groves family is the first to bring the Avozillas to Australia.

Speaking to The Guardian, Groves said the avocados taste similar to your average avocados, but the fruit is softer.

“I love them. We eat them at home all the time,” he said.

It’s likely the Groves family will have a  monopoly on the Avozillas for some time. As Groves explained, farms have to get permission from the South African company that owns the rights to the avocados before they can start planting them.

“A friend of ours is planting 2000 trees in Bundaberg probably this year, so we’re four years ahead of him. But I don’t know if growers will jump on board, they are such niche market.”

Meme Of The Week: Moon Blob Is Stupid But We Like It

Maria Loreto
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Meme Of The Week: Moon Blob Is Stupid But We Like It

Good and positive things are hard to come across nowadays on the internet, which has become a space filled with depressing news and end-of-the-world scenarios. The moon blob is one of these rare and positive things. A meme that’s pure escapism, that doesn’t mock anyone or anything, and that isn’t feeding on our collective misery. I’m kind of into it.

What is the moon blob? Well, it’s name doesn’t give away much but it suggests that the meme is a little stupid. The moon blob is a sort of malleable and personalized emoji, that results in cute and funny tweets. Mashable reports that the meme made it’s first appearance mid-June on the form of this tweet.

By using the different moon emojis this person created a figure that’s leaning out or peeking behind a wall while smiling. It’s kind of creepy and innocent, like Casper or something. A lot of hard work and understanding of the physics of emojis resulted in this guy, who looks like it’s dancing to a Michael Jackson song.

While a lot of people don’t know what the original post means or tried to express, they borrowed the figure and added their own personal touches, such as the fact that sometimes we become the moon blob when we scarf down cheese at 3 in the morning.

Or, when we encounter an unexpected demon (For the moon blob to work properly, it demands a little bit of your imagination).

The moon blob can reflect real life.

Or fiction.

It can also be used to tribute adorable cinematic masterpieces.

Or that weirdly famous photo-shopped cat.

New York Report Says Recreational Marijuana Is A Winner

Brendan Bures
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New York Report Says Recreational Marijuana Is A Winner

Various moves have built momentum toward cannabis legalization in New York. From Mayor Bill de Blasio telling the New York Police Department to stop arresting people for smoking weed to Gov. Andrew Cuomo encouraging banks to work with cannabis businesses, all signs point toward an embrace of cannabis in the Big Apple.

The state’s Health Department continued the trend on Friday. In a report the Health department stated that the “positive effects” of legalization “outweigh the potential negative impacts.” In addition, the report recommends expunging the criminal records of New Yorkers in any cannabis-related convictions.

“Numerous NYS agencies and subject matter experts in the fields of public health, mental health, substance use, public safety, transportation, and economics worked in developing this assessment,” the 75-page document says, according to Forbes. “No insurmountable obstacles to regulation of marijuana were raised.”

Regulation of marijuana benefits public health by enabling government oversight of the production, testing, labeling, distribution, and sale of marijuana. The creation of a regulated marijuana program would enable NYS to better control licensing, ensure quality control and consumer protection, and set age and quantity restrictions.

The report also recommends that New York pursue a familiar strategy regarding righting past wrongs. As seen in San Francisco, Seattle, and San Diego, New York should “review, recall, re-sentence, potentially dismiss, and seal” past misdemeanor and felony convictions involving marijuana.

New York also has much to gain itself should the state legalize recreational marijuana. Legal sales could produce as high as $677.7 million in revenue, depending on tax rates.

Overall the report continues laying the framework for legalization in New York. Though the report does mention, possible negative effects like how smoking could impact your lungs or making people lazy, those “areas that may be a cause for concern can be mitigated with regulation and proper use of public education that is tailored to address key populations,” the report concludes.

Can Marijuana Blunt Your Sexual Health

Thomas Green, MD
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Can Marijuana Blunt Your Sexual Health

OK, first of all, weed is not going to give you a bigger penis with superhero abilities.

It makes sense that it could have some kind of influence though. Science has shown that we have receptors distributed from our head to toes made to interact with our endocannabinoids, compounds similar to those found in cannabis. It is part of our chemistry, at a cellular level. 

We wanted to know more about how cannabis may affect men’s sexual health, so we asked The Fresh Toast Medical Director, Dr. Thomas Green, a board-certified urologist who has helped men be their best sexual selves for the past (nearly) 40 years. He pointed out that for young men, a common concern is erections:

When I evaluate men with impotency, I categorize the potential causes: circulatory, neurologic, hormonal and psychological. My experience is that there is commonly psychological overlay for medical erectile difficulties. In the younger age groups, there is a higher incidence of pure psychological impotence than the older age groups.

Let’s take a look at each of those.

Circulatory concerns

Some Canadian researchers chose to study marijuana and monkey erections. Really, they did. They discovered a negative effect in the smooth muscle tissue of the monkey penis. It seems that high doses of THC decreased the ability of the smooth muscle of the erectile body to contract and made erections less likely, while smaller doses showed no change. Thus, a super high monkey is not always a hard monkey. Point taken.

Neurological

We do know that being high can create the perception of shifted time or an ability to be lost in the moment. In one small Canadian study, half of respondents said cannabis was sex enhancing and delayed orgasm. We do not know if this was a true change or a difference in the perception of time. Two-thirds said it had a positive effect on their sexual desire. Others found it killed their love buzz.

Hormonal

Findings regarding how using cannabis affects testosterone vary widely and are rather inconclusive so far. Higher consumption rates of cannabis have been tied to lower testosterone levels. These levels seem to readjust as quickly as 24 hours after use is stopped or reduced. We do know that frequent users are leaner and less likely to be obese. Being fit can allow for a more active and even athletic sexual expression. That’s not bad.

Psychological

“It’s not about the body, it’s about the mind,” to quote the late, great musical genius Prince, who certainly knew a thing or two about sex. Performance anxiety can increase with an intense high. So, guys with an inconsistent erection may not want to smoke out before the big moment or they may risk getting too much in their head. On the other hand, cannabis can help make a good sexual experience a nearly mystical one, given the right balance.

As you may have gathered, none of this is absolutely resolved, not by scientific standards.

Being a good doctor, concerned for our general health and safety, Dr. Green left us with a bit of professional advice:

We have much to learn about the effect of cannabis on erections. Lower doses tend to reduce anxiety and higher doses tend to increase anxiety. If we look at the effects of anxiety on erections, it appears that anxiety can cause intermittent impotence. Therefore, on an anecdotal basis I would recommend moderation to increase the odds of erectile success.

Here is some fun homework if you are ready to take matters into your own hands. Find some time and privacy to enjoy some good, clean cannabis home alone and see how marijuana may affect your erection. If things go well, invite your partner to try a special, elevated experience. While we wait for additional data to answer these questions, you may have fun doing your own home-grown research. 

Note: Dr. Thomas Green writes the “Ask the Doctor” column for The Fresh Toast. If you have any medical questions, please send it to Dr. Green. 

North Dakota Will Vote On Legalizing Marijuana This November

Brendan Bures
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North Dakota Will Vote On Legalizing Marijuana This November

The next state that could legalize marijuana is one that hasn’t received much publicity: North Dakota. More than 18,700 signatures were submitted to the Secretary of State’s office Monday in support of a measure that would legalize recreational marijuana. North Dakotans required a total of 13,452 signatures to secure the measure on the ballot and now will have the chance this November to vote on legalization.

According to the Bismarck Tribune, the petition effort was largely driven by 100 volunteers starting back in December. The group reached the necessary signatures in May but added more to provide a “pillow.” Dave Owen, chairperson of the ND Legalization Initiative, said 451 packets, each including 44 signatures, was submitted.

“It’s great to see three to four years of hard work finally pay off, and to get people what they really want and what they deserve, because the people of North Dakota deserve this,” Owen told the Bismarck Tribune.

The effort to put marijuana on the ballot was a completely grassroots initiative, similar to the successful endeavor by Oklahomans to legalize medical marijuana. The ND Legalization group received no financial backing from national advocacy groups like the Marijuana Policy Project or the Drug Policy Alliance.

“Not a single penny was spent on petitioning and gathering, because we wanted this to be the will of the people, not the will of some big company out in Lord knows where,” Owen said. “This is, primarily, a grassroots effort.”

The ND Legalize website clarifies specifically what the petitioned measure would legalize:

The measure legalizes the use, sale, possession, and distribution of marijuana for anyone 21 years or older.  For anyone under the age of 21, the law creates a new specific subset of non-felony penalties. Additionally, the law legalizes “paraphernalia” for marijuana exclusively. Finally, records are expunged for anyone that followed the new law even if it occurred in the past, except for cases of someone being under the age of 21.

As you can see, the measure leaves many open-ended questions to provide the framework of recreational marijuana in North Dakota. Details like possession limits, dispensary regulations, and home-growing aren’t mentioned, which activists say was by design.

“We leave our bill wide open so the legislature can do their job—regulations, taxes, zoning, whatever,” Cole Haymond, an adviser to the Legalize ND campaign, told the Washington Post. “This bill is by far the most progressive yet most conservative marijuana legalization bill that will be on any ballot across the country.”

Owen added that North Dakota will have the “strictest” law when it comes to operating a motor vehicle under the influence of marijuana. The possibility of “stoned” drivers, Owen said, is a major hang-up for those that oppose the measure.

The Secretary of State’s office must now validate the signatures, which could take up to 35 days. A draft of the ballot measure will follow.

420 Suites In Boston Offer An Holistic Cannabis Experience

Mary Schumacher
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420 Suites In Boston Offer An Holistic Cannabis Experience

Later this month, visitors to the Boston area who are into everything cannabis have an alternative to traditional hotels, the latter of which are pretty much across the board straight and narrow. At these 420 themed condos situated in East Boston, downtown, Fenway, Back Bay and Longwood, you’ll be treated to a CBD treat on your pillow instead of a mint.

The shampoos and conditioners are made with hemp and a book of coupons for local dispensaries is reportedly available at the front desk. They also provide transportation to and from a dispensary in Somerville, where there are also discounts, consultations and consumable treats for current medical patients until recreational is fully enacted.

There’s a small catch, though. Even with all this cannabis, CBD and dispensary business, which is all well and very, very good, smoking cannabis flower is not allowed in the domiciles. However, 420 Suites told The Fresh Toast that in East Boston, “the apartment building has a rooftop where guests have access to. There is a pier right there where you are allowed to walk out on and there is a quiet safe little harbor walk with trees and plants.”

They also had this to say, “Unfortunately none of the units are currently smoke friendly due to building codes… You are welcome to consume edibles in the room because they don’t produce smoke and we even encourage vapes [in all units].”

Being able to vape without worry and eat edibles that turn your eyes as red and glossy as can be without judgment, but with encouragement is a very cool thing indeed. Plus, the suites are discreet and every stay comes with a goodie bag filled with hemp/CBD infused products, including things like moisturizers, gummies and lip balms. The rooms themselves look like you’re staying at a luxury hotel, just that these rooms encourage the cannabis experience and supports hemp farmers around the world.

420 Suites, which also offer educational experiences, have additional locations in other populous, weed-friendly cities like Denver, San Francisco, Las Vegas, Chicago, and New York City, to name a few. They also offer suites with full kitchens, sitting rooms and bedrooms separated from the main areas. Refreshing artwork hangs on the walls and there is a breezy feeling to the decor.

The next time you’re traveling to Boston, be sure to first check the availability of 420 Suites if you want to enjoy an immersive marijuana experience in a warm and welcoming environment.

Legal Marijuana Might Help Democrats Gain Control Of The Senate

Mike Adams
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Legal Marijuana Might Help Democrats Gain Control Of The Senate

There was once a time when all politicians avoided the marijuana issue like the plague. Regardless of their secret, personal beliefs on the topic, most felt that siding with hippy nation would inevitably lead to career suicide. Decades ago, this may have been true. But now that a heavy majority of the America public supports the idea of both medical and recreational marijuana, a recent report from Politico finds that more Democratic Senators entangled in tight races across the country are getting into bed with the cannabis cause in hopes of seizing votes from the progressives.

“I think what it means is how far along this issue has evolved just over the last couple of years,” Ben Pollara, a Democratic strategist connected to campaigns run by Florida Senator Bill Nelson, who also had a heavy hand in the ballot initiative that led to Florida legalizing marijuana for medicinal purposes with 71 percent support. “It is no longer an issue with political downside; it’s an issue with almost entirely political upside.”

It seems that legal weed could provide Senators in red states with a way to secure more votes at the liberal end of their party. However, the cannabis opposition, namely Kevin Sabet, founder of Smart Approaches to Marijuana, doesn’t buy into the concept of marijuana legalization giving politicians the upper hand. “I’ve never seen marijuana swing any kind of election,” he said. “It’s such a low priority vote.”

But is it really?

Some of the latest national polls show that nearly 70 percent of the American population believes marijuana should be legalized at the federal level — similar to alcohol and tobacco — while 91 percent think it should be out on the books for medicinal use. These numbers have been consistent for the past couple of years. But, as the Politico piece points out, marijuana is not a top-ranking problem “facing the country today,” according to Gallup.

But if you ask Representative Earl Blumenauer of Oregon, one of the founding members of Congressional Cannabis Caucus, the marijuana legalization issue “does, in fact, motivate voters.” Going on to reference elections in Pennsylvania and New York, where a candidates vocal support for cannabis seemed to clinch the win, Blumenauer says that “In a close race, [marijuana] could absolutely determine the outcome.”

Still, many candidates remain afraid to use the word marijuana in their campaigns. Political experts say that while media professionals fully understand how to run ads for most issues, these people are quite inexperienced when it comes to handling the cannabis cause. To make things worse, most campaign managers are “risk-averse,” says Representative Blumenauer, and they believe highlighting their candidate’s support for marijuana is “just stupid.” But for those politicians with the balls to go weird, they could come out ahead.

But the victorious lawmakers will need to take action on Capitol Hill. So far, the Senate has been less than enthusiastic about considering legislation pertaining to marijuana.

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