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Curaleaf Cannabis Dispensary In Queens Offers High End Experience

Though the new dispensary in Queens, New York is Curaleaf’s fourth in the state, it’s their first to open downstate and the first to be relatively accessible to most of NYC. The Forest Hills location was chosen for its close proximity to a variety of subway lines and is set up to be a sterile, high-end environment with big glass windows to eliminate stigma.

Curaleaf already made big waves earlier this year by opening the largest medical marijuana dispensary on the East Coast in New Jersey; now they’re looking to make even more of an impression. The Queens location has been reported as being more health spa-like than what could be considered weed themed (the manager is a New York licensed pharmacist).

The 3,000-square-foot dispensary is currently offering medical-grade cannabis capsules, tinctures and other state approved forms of cannabis concoctions. It will also soon have tablets to add to their list of treatments. On the first visit, a patient is sat down with a trained consultant and the ailments ranging from PTSD to the side effects of cancer and its treatment are discussed along with the best plan of action, form of medication and frequency.

Photo courtesy of curaleaf

The owners said that they wanted big, glass windows in the front because they don’t want people feeling embarrassed about getting their medicine. It’s a forward thinking approach that goes straight into the faces of paranoia and stigma and says, “See ya, have a nice day.”

The parent company of Curaleaf, PalliaTech NY, is only one of 10 entities that are properly licensed to manufacture and distribute cannabis in the state. PalliaTech is a company that clearly prides itself in its professionalism and thoroughness.

“PalliaTech is a holding company with controlling investments in cannabis operations in eleven states,” reads the corporate website, “Its national network of operating entities leverages its extensive research and development capabilities to cultivate and process medical cannabis that sets a standard for safety, effectiveness and consistent quality. Through its Curaleaf™ subsidiary, PalliaTech is the first cannabis company to achieve Global Food Safety Standards (SQF-certified), which is a testament to delivering safe and quality products to patients across the United States.”

It does make it seem safe to say that the new Queens dispensary will operate on a high level that will likely attract many New Yorkers who are also medical marijuana patients. This latest Curaleaf is located at 107-18 70th Road in Forest Hills, accessible by the E, F, M and R lines.

Meghan Markle Is Accused Of Expressing Her Political Opinion On Abortion

She’s known for breaking royal protocol — crossing her legs, showing PDA at a royal event, wearing a pantsuit — and now the Duchess of Sussex is reportedly the target of some scrutiny for voicing her opinions on abortion.

It happened during her first official visit to Ireland, along with her new husband, Prince Harry. While speaking with Irish Senator Catherine Noone, she allegedly expressed her political beliefs.

Noone posted a picture of she and Markle chatting, using the caption: “A pleasure to meet Prince Harry and the Duchess of Sussex at the British Ambassador’s Residence this evening,” adding, “The Duchess and I had a chat about the recent referendum result – she watched with interest and was pleased to see the result.”

https://twitter.com/senatornoone/status/1016798061958492160

“The results” refers to Ireland’s most recent vote, where 66 percent of the country voted to overturn a countrywide abortion ban.

Noone deleted the message and wrote, “I clarified – it was a very benign chat, she expressed no political opinion. She was interested and charming.”

Members of the monarchy in Britain have been banned from taking a public view on political issues since the 17th century. However, this isn’t exactly the first time something like this has happened. Royal comments and/or opinions have found their way to the surface of government policies before. And it will likely happen again.

[h/t AOL]

Your SPF Moisturizer Is Not As Effective As Sunscreen, Says Study

Although skin moisturizers with SPF do provide sun protection, research suggests that it’s not to the same degree as sunscreen.

It’s officially summer, which means there’s no time to mess around with UV protection for your skin. This is not the time to call in the JV squad line of defense. This is when you tap your first string to win the game!

According to a new study, released at the British Association of Dermatologists’ Annual Conference earlier this month, moisturizer with added SPF might not be that great if you’re trying to avoid skin cancer. And the reason boils down to basic laziness.

RELATED: The Summer Skinny On CBD Sunscreen

Researchers from the University of Liverpool (“It’s sunny there?” – Everyone) measured the amount of UV light that was hitting the skin of participants after applying different types of sun protection: SPF 30 sunscreen and SPF 30 moisturizer. Researchers then measured how well each blocked UV rays.

Results found that the moisturizer led to sub-par results because participants didn’t apply enough. According to the study:

“Analysis of the photos showed that when applying moisturiser people missed 16 per cent of their face on average, whereas when applying sunscreen this dropped to 11 per cent. When just the high-risk eyelid areas were analysed sunscreen users missed 14 per cent compared with 21 per cent with moisturiser. The eyelid area is a common site for skin cancers.

“In addition to this, the study suggests that people do not apply the moisturiser as thickly as sunscreen, and therefore do not receive the full benefits of the SPF.

“Although skin moisturiser with SPF does provide sun protection, our research suggests that it’s not to the same degree as sunscreen. We do recommend moisturisers and makeup that contain UV protection – it is better than no protection at all, but for prolonged periods in the sun we recommend the application of sunscreen with high SPF,” explained Austin McCormick, Consultant Ophthalmic and Oculoplastic Surgeon, and one of the researchers.

RELATED: Medical Marijuana Can Kill Viability In Melanoma Cancer Cells

Matthew Gass of the British Association of Dermatologists, said you shouldn’t rely on just sunscreen to protect you from rays because people often miss areas of their face when applying protection and that “a good way to prevent this from becoming an issue is to wear sunglasses and reapply sunscreen regularly. This should help protect the bits you miss from being exposed to excessive sun.”

[h/t Allure]

HTC Is Developing Phones That Are Blockchain Friendly

Consumer electronics company HTC has been having a tough time lately. Earlier this month, they let go of more than 22 percent of their staff. So, when they announced that they had plans to release a phone that would feature blockchain technology, most people rolled their eyes and thought that this was some sort of prayer from a company who was trying to avoid bankruptcy. “We envision a phone where you hold your own keys, you own your own identity and data, and your phone is the hub,” said Phil Chen, HTC’s Chief Content Officer, back in May.

Earlier this week, HTC released some specs about their upcoming phone called the Exodus, and an estimated release date. If everything goes according to plan, the Exodus will be available for purchase in the next three months.

While not a lot of information is yet available, Mashable reports that the device will have a “cold storage wallet.” No one really knows what this means in the context of a phone, with experts speculating that “cold storage” means that the device’s wallet could work offline.

The company also announced a partnership with Cryptokitties, the first game to feature blockchain technology, which will come preuploaded on all of the HTC devices. According to The Verge, the addition of this game will give those who don’t know much about blockchain technology the opportunity to play with it and explore it. “Gaming is the most approachable thing on mobile, for the non-crypto crowd,” Chen says.

Cryptokitties is a big deal because even though it’s game about collecting cats it’s the only one of it’s kind, containing a secure wallet called Meta Mask. On this game each cat you own is unique and different, stored in your wallet and owned only by you. You can sell these cats as if they were collectible and unique items, which gives the game an edge that no other software is able to give, at least for now.

HTC is one of the only phone companies out there that’s embracing blockchain technology, which has experienced a lot of ups and downs in the previous year with the rising popularity of  cryptocurrencies, like Bitcoin. The Exodus could be the company’s only opportunity to survive and create something that’s innovative and ahead of the curve.

Top 7 Ways Cannabis Can Strengthen National Public Health

For decades, cannabis has been stigmatized as a dangerous drug that’s bad for your health. Years ago, different forms of propaganda were released regarding the supposed risks of cannabis. However, these so-called claims/risks weren’t supported with any credible scientific evidence or proof. What does have scientific evidence is cannabis’s variety of medicinal properties and benefits. As time goes on, more studies are revealing additional medical benefits of the cannabis plant. Currently, not only is cannabis used for medical reasons, but it also has the ability to strengthen national public health.

In the past, cannabis was viewed as a public health enemy, and in some areas, it’s still viewed this way. However, in recent years, epidemiological research has discovered that the plant contains numerous benefits, which can significantly help improve the lives of the general public. Based on the latest research that has been released thus far, there are seven ways in which the transformation of cannabis can benefit public health.

Cannabis Consumers Aren’t Major Binge-Drinkers

Over the past few decades, in the U.S., binge-drinking rates have increased. What is binge drinking exactly? In simplest terms, it’s when an individual consumes at least four glasses of alcohol within two hours. According to research published in the American Journal of Public Health, it was discovered that from 2005-2012, the rate of binge drinking increased by 8.9 percent. Binge drinking is risky, and it can cause increased violent behavior and even sexual assault, according to the Centers for Disease Control.

What linkage does cannabis consumption have with binge drinking though? Recent research indicates that cannabis could combat the behaviors caused by binge drinking. One research report found that U.S. states that have adult-use cannabis laws in place noticed a reduction regarding binge drinking rates. Specifically, these states witnessed a binge drinking rate reduction of 9 percent below the national average. It’s believed that cannabis acts as both a social lubricant and alcohol substitute. Thus far, cannabis hasn’t been associated or linked to any debilitating chronic effects, which is very different than alcohol.

Substituting Alcohol for Cannabis Could Reduce Risks of Developing Dementia

According to a 2018 study conducted by the Centre for Addiction & Mental Health, it was found that heavy alcohol consumption is one of the top risk factors for dementia, especially early-onset dementia. The study’s co-author, Jürgen Rehm mentioned that brain damage and dementia caused by alcohol are completely preventable.

In addition, cell line research and preliminary rodent research indicate that cannabis contains strong neuroprotective properties. These properties can work to reduce inflammation in the brain, which could possibly protect against brain cell death in those who neurological diseases. Fortunately, cannabis reform could act as a significant policy contender regarding the event of alcohol-induced brain damage.

It’s Impossible to Experience a Fatal Cannabis Overdose

Moreover, alcohol, cocaine, opioids, and other recreational drugs can lead to fatal overdoses. However, cannabis is one drug that can be used medically or recreationally, which doesn’t result in fatal overdoses. Throughout history and to this day, nobody has died from a cannabis overdose. In general, it’s impossible to experience a fatal overdose from cannabis consumption.

Furthermore, different cannabinoids actively impact cells throughout the body including the brain. The receptor sites that are responsible for cannabis’s psycho-active effects aren’t present in the body’s brainstem. This is important because the brainstem contains the gear that controls respiration. Although cannabis is often referred to as a ‘drug’ because of its psycho-active effects, it’s impossible for it to slow the body’s breathing down to the point of death.

U.S. States with Medical Cannabis Laws Experience Less Opioid Overdose Deaths

So far, cannabis legalization has had a significant impact on the opioid epidemic. In particular, a 2014 study revealed that accessibility to cannabis resulted in reduced opioid overdose deaths by 25 percent. Then, a follow-up study discovered that when individuals have easy access to cannabis through licensed dispensaries, overdose rates decreased even more.

Cannabis Users Aren’t as Likely to Develop Diabetes

In the past, epidemiological research published in 2011 discovered that cannabis usage was associated with reduced obesity rates. Then, in 2012, additional research revealed that cannabis users aren’t as likely to develop diabetes as compared to non-cannabis users. From here, it was discovered that cannabis consumers showed lower levels of fasting insulin in addition to improved glucose metabolism. Fortunately, cannabis can help diabetics while also working to reduce the number of annual deaths due to diabetes.

In U.S. States with Medically Legal Cannabis, Medicare Costs on Prescription Drugs Have Decreased

In recent years, more cannabis users are substituting their prescription drugs for cannabis. A 2016 study found that Medicare Part D prescriptions for anti-depressants and pain-killers declined not long after different U.S. states put medical cannabis laws into place.

According to the same study, it was estimated that medical cannabis laws have saved taxpayers significant money—$165.2 million to be exact due to ditched pharma meds and cannabis usage instead.

Cannabis Users Experience Lower Domestic Violence Rates

One 2014 study focused on 634 couples during their first nine years of marriage and the impact cannabis consumption had on rates of intimate partner violence. It was found that couples who consumed cannabis together during year one of marriage weren’t as likely to experience violence during their first nine years of marriage. Although cannabis cannot stop domestic violence, it could act as an alternative to other harmful and violence-inducing substances.

Overall, it’s safe to say that cannabis reform is progressing, and there’s significant potential for the future. Stay tuned to see what impact cannabis reform has moving forward and how it can positively affect people’s lives and well-being even further.

Meghan Markle’s Signature Is Much Fancier Now That She’s A Duchess

A lot of things change once you marry a British prince. For starters, you become a Duchess. You might also adopt a lovely accent, and you get to develop a much fancier and better looking signature.

According to Hello Giggles, the royal house is extremely strict when it comes to its members, demanding that women wear pantyhose, neutral colored nail polish, and to never ever take selfies.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are currently on their royal tour, most recently swinging through Ireland. The couple met President Michael Higgins, signing their names on the official guest book and taking tons of pictures to memorialize the event.

Photo: Pool/Pool/Getty Images

In the image above, you can see Markle’s old signature. You can easily make out the capital “M” and then, if you squint, you can sort of make out the rest of her name.

Photo: WPA Pool/Pool/Getty Images

On the second image, Meghan’s signature is much easier to read. There’s also the beautiful calligraphy, which looks like the one used on wedding invitations or a really fancy birthday party.

Harper’s Bazaar consulted a handwriting expert who pointed out that the royal newlyweds have very similar handwriting. “It’s as if they’re singing from the same hymn sheets or reflecting each other in the same mirror,” said Tracey Trussell. “There are matching features that reveal a desire for synchronicity and stability. They are also both instinctively in tune with the soul.”

Trussel mused that Harry and Meghan’s signature style hint at two people who have a need for each other.  “Harry’s need for Meghan is seen in the long ‘y’ stem that opens to the left. Meghan’s need for Harry is seen in the dramatic left sweep of letter ‘n’, to the left, combined with the protective ‘umbrella’ style of superfluous loops above the letters.”

We know what you’re thinking. It’s just handwriting. But it’s a field of study for a reason, right? In any case, Trussell should try writing romance novels.

Mexico Pushing To Make CBD A Supplement

Mexico, a country that has been associated with the illegal drug trade for decades, is on a path to treating certain marijuana derivatives as a health supplement. According to a recent article from Forbes, now that the nation, sometimes referred to as “South of Freedom,” has legalized the cultivation and sale of medicinal cannabis containing no more than 1 percent tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), products rich is cannabidiol (CBD) are could soon be treated in a manner similar to vitamins and minerals.

It was just last year that President Enrique Peña Nieto signed a piece of legislation legalizing the production and use of low-THC medical marijuana products. The new law, according to Raul Elizalde, President of HempMeds Latin America, will allow cannabis producers to incorporate CBD in a variety of health products. It could also allow patients to gain access to higher strength cannabis through the healthcare system.

“A good point about this regulation in Mexico is that any product with a THC concentration higher than 1 percent can still be registered with the government, and sold as a prescription,” Elizalde said. “But the best part is that [cannabinoids] with below 1 percent THC content can be in medicine, supplements, lotions, food, anything. This is very, very good for our country, and I think we’re one of the very first in the world to take that path.”

Although there is potential for great innovation in the world of therapeutic cannabis south of the border, it presently remains difficult to for patients to gain access to CBD and other cannabis products, the report claims. As it stands, Medical Marijuana, Inc is the only source for cannabis products. But a physician must prescribe them. There are not available over the counter.

HempMeds, which is a subsidiary of the company, was created two years ago to begin pressuring lawmakers to pass “broader medical marijuana regulations in the country.”

In the meantime, some Mexican residents are simply crossing over into California to reap the benefits of the state’s new recreational marijuana market. It is there that adults 21 and older can bypass all of the red tape associated with gaining access to pot products in their country by simply flashing a little cash in a retail dispensary. It is a system that Elizalde thinks Mexico may need to get onboard with in the not so distant future.

“In a country where we have suffered so much from drug violence, we know that drug policy is wrong,” he said. “Last year, our president said that drug policy has failed. I think we need to do something different, and maybe that difference is to make marijuana recreational, make it legal, so that states could regulate it, and promote regulation over prohibition.”

President-elect Andrés Manuel López Obrador, a man that U.S. President Donald Trump has nicknamed “Juan Trump,” reportedly has a plan to change the country’s drug laws. He plans to take a “transitional justice” approach to non-violent drug offenders, reducing jail time and putting more emphasis on rehabilitation. He is set to take office in December.

3 Tricks That’ll Help You Fix The Most Common Smartphone Problems

Bugs, crashes, and poor battery life are issues we have to deal with regularly when it comes to our cellphones, especially if these devices are over a year old. Sometimes these problems start popping up even earlier, depending on your phone usage, downloaded apps, and specs.

While you won’t be able to fix every problem yourself, there are several things anyone can learn to do to improve the performance and life span of their devices. Popular Science compiled a list of tricks that are simple and that target the most basic bugs that affect most phones. Here are 4 of our favorites:

Faulty apps

https://giphy.com/gifs/snl-saturday-night-live-1970s-l0HlEoBftRyKwIEes

When it comes to crashes and bugs, it’s important to know the source of the problem. If an app crashes regularly then it’s probably faulty, slowing down your entire system. If this problem is localized, it’s pretty easy to fix. On Android, go to Settings, tap on App & Notifications, then select App Info. Tap the app that’s causing problems and select Storage. Here, you can do two things: Clear Cache and Clear Data. The Clear Cache option will delete temporary files that won’t mess with the app’s settings, but it may not solve the underlying issue. Clearing the data may solve the problem but you’ll have to re-enter all you information afterwards.

On iOS there’s no option to clear cache or data, so you must uninstall and reinstall the app, To do this, tap and hold the app that’s causing problems and then tap the X icon that pops up.

Bugs

https://giphy.com/gifs/shitty-Qn1semmjgPkSk

Bugs are random problems that affect your phone no matter what app you’re using, and they can be hard to pinpoint and correct. To fix the problem, shut down the device and turn it back on. While this is a very simple solution, it works because it clears out your phone’s temporary data.  If your phone is frozen and you’re not able to turn it off, try to manually reset it. These resets vary from model to model, so look them up.

If turning your device on and off doesn’t work then you need to check other parts of your phone that might be causing problems, like hardware. If your device overheats, monitor it closely. Does it happen while it’s charging? If this is the case the issue might lie with the charger, the cord or the battery.

Lack of storage space can also cause problems that affect your entire device, so make sure your phone has sufficient storage to function on a day to day basis. To check your storage on Android tap on Settings and then on Storage. On iOS tap on Settings, then on General, and finally on iPhone Storage.

Poor battery life

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Poor battery life affects most people who own smartphones and is mostly due to degrading batteries. Buy a new one and be sure to maximize its life by taking care of it. Always close out apps that drain battery life, use airplane mode sporadically, and use chargers that are approved by the phone makers. If you have an Android device, use their different battery saver modes and dim your display.

You don’t need to do this every day, but these tips work on special occasions where you can’t charge your phone.

Vets Say They’re Seeing More Dogs Being Poisoned By Marijuana

More and more dogs are getting hauled into the emergency room because of marijuana. Vets say cases of weed poisoning are skyrocketing among man’s best friend.

The issue is so far out of control that calls to the Veterinary Services Poison Helpline for marijuana ingestion by pets has jumped 448 percent over the past six years, according to a statement provided by the American Veterinarian Medical Association.

CBD Oil For Dogs: As Popularity Grows, So Do The Scams
Photo by Alvan Nee via Unsplash

If you’re a dog owner and you didn’t already realize, dogs will eat just about anything. They’re curious creatures who have no discerning taste when it comes to edibles, whether they come in the form of poop or cannabis.

Laura Stern, a veterinarian with the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center, told NBC News: “We have seen a significant increase in the number of calls we have received about pets and marijuana.”

RELATED: Pets In Pain? Here’s How Marijuana Can Help

While cats can also be victims of marijuana overdose, about 90 percent of the marijuana-related calls to the Animal Poison Control are about dogs, Stern told NBC News.

Peter Bowie, a veterinarian at Pet Emergency & Special Center of Marin, California, tells NBC News he treats about five dogs a week who’ve ingested marijuana, saying:  “Treatment is supportive. If signs are moderately good, we do home nursing care. For more serious cases, we give IV fluids and do a respiratory watch.”

Dogs are actually more susceptible to the effects of cannabis than people, according to Gary Richter, a veterinarian at Holistic Veterinary Care in Oakland, California, who tells NBC News that dog have larger concentrations of cannabinoid receptors — which are involved in memory, appetite and the sensation of pain — than humans.

He says if you think your dog has eaten some marijuana, get on the phone immediately and call your vet, because the situation is no joke. It’s not uncommon for dogs to have seizures or slip into a coma.

Photo by Isabela Kronemberger via Unsplash

“The best way to compare it is to the idea of a really bad trip,” Bowie tells NBC News. “They are disoriented, hyper-reactive and they can also be somnolent. They stumble around and they pee on themselves.”

RELATED: Pet Raccoon Gets High On Weed And Confuses Firefighters

And THC can definitely have a major impact on our four-legged friends. Says Stern, “The more THC a pet ingests, the more severe the signs generally are, so it takes a smaller amount of concentrated material — like edibles — to cause an issue than it would with plant material.”

Kevin Smith Reveals New ‘Hollyweed’ TV Show, Which You Can Watch Right Now

While Kevin Smith was premiering his 2016 film Yoga Hosers at the Sundance Film Festival, news broke that the director/screenwriter had secretly begun filming a comedy series called “Hollyweed”. Reports stated that Smith was working on spec — meaning he wasn’t being paid for the project — and would be acting in the comedy series as well.

Enter Rivit TV, which bills itself as the “first audience powered, commercial-free television platform that gives fans the ability to greenlight all-new original TV series.” The company announced its launch Wednesday with the pilot of Smith’s “Hollyweed”.

Here’s where things get interesting: Fans can watch the “Hollyweed” pilot for free then decide if they’re willing fork over the cash for a full season. In essence, fans will determine whether the show goes into production, allowing fans to receive the exact content they want, instead of being at the mercy of what networks give them.

“Two years ago we shot a pilot for a show called ‘Hollyweed’ and tried to take it out the traditional way but had no luck. Cut to now, and we get to bring it back to life. Thanks to the good folks at Rivit TV, we raised it from the dead, it’s crazy. Rivit TV was smart enough to take this show and leave it up to my fans,” Smith said in a release.


Photo courtesy of HOLLYWEED/Rivit TV

So what’s “Hollyweed” about? It’s a stoner workplace comedy starring Smith in his first major speaking role and will follow two ganjapreneurs as they navigate the small-business world of the cannabis industry. The show also stars Donnell Rawlings, Adam Brody, Jason Mewes and Ralph Garman. Additionally, Smith will act as showrunner.

According to Marcus Wiley, Chief Content Officer at Rivit TV, “This platform allows our industry’s top creators like Kevin Smith to focus on passion projects that resonate with their fans without worrying about a committee of executives or advertisers. Our goal is to directly connect creators with their fans, liberate the creative process and invite the audience to greenlight shows from their favorite storytellers.”

Here’s a quick explanation of how pricing works, according to Rivit TV:

Rivit TV pilots are always free…There is a 45-day period when fans select the per-episode price (from $1.99 to $5.99) they would be willing to pay to get the season made. The higher the price point chosen, the fewer the amount of people who are needed to greenlight the season. More people participating lowers the price and everyone is charged the same lowest price. The season is greenlit at the end of the 45-day timeframe, or when the price-per-episode reaches $1.99. Only then are credit cards charged. There is no charge if the season is not greenlit. Episodes of the new season will begin releasing weekly, approximately 75-90 days after the end of the pricing period

You can watch the “Hollyweed” pilot right now on Rivit TV’s website, or click here.

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