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This Small Town Accidentally Legalized Cannabis

Brendan Bures
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This Small Town Accidentally Legalized Cannabis

Whom among us hasn’t been confused by a ballot question affecting local ordinances amidst the general election? In other words, was your vote for President as certain as your vote regarding a small-town referendum, like zoning codes? The impact of ballot questions obviously vary, but in the village town of Turner, Oregon, it led to residents accidentally allowing marijuana into city limits.

You may be wondering how that happens in Oregon, a state that legalized recreational marijuana in 2014. Well, at the time, local politicians weren’t as enthusiastic about the reform as state residents. So when Measure 91 legalized marijuana statewide, politicians produced a compromise—local regulation fell underneath a different category and “if a city or county wanted to locally prohibit recreational marijuana businesses, they needed to put the ban on the next general election ballot,” writes The Intercept.

This worked for a town like Turner, where 57 percent of voting was a “no” on Measure 91. It’s a strongly conservative place, where residents supported Donald Trump over Hillary Clinton by a 2 to 1 margin. In 2016, the compromise politicians had enacted was up for a vote in Turner, only things didn’t quite go according to plan.

Via The Intercept:

To nobody’s surprise, they voted overwhelmingly — 63 percent — to prohibit the businesses in the unincorporated parts of their county.  But to everybody’s surprise, this time, the town voted 51 percent in favor of allowing pot businesses within the city limits. “We were actually shocked,” Mayor Gary Tiffin told me.

Based on The Intercept’s analysis, the mix-up occurred from an awkward series of questioning. A small number of cities, like Turner, saw two different questions regarding a ban on marijuana businesses. The first question regarded prohibition of marijuana businesses in the county, while farther down the ballot they also answered whether to ban marijuana businesses within city limits.

The difficulty lies within the ballot phrasing:

When county ban and city ban questions were phrased the same way, how precincts voted on the two questions was nearly identical. But in a few cities, like Turner, residents needed to vote “no” if they wanted to prohibit marijuana businesses in their county but also vote “yes” if they wanted to maintain their city ban.

Confusing to say the least.

The first weed store will open in a matter of weeks. And according to Turner’s mayor, the town is involved in “a laborious and tough lawsuit from a person in town who wants to put a grow operation in a residential area.”

Turner may consider placing the ballot in the 2018 election, but not until residents can sample the weed store’s offerings. Perhaps they’ll feel different about the issue afterwards. At the very least, they’ll be high.

What’s The Name Of Apple’s Next iPhone?

Maria Loreto
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What’s The Name Of Apple’s Next iPhone?

Last year, Apple released the news that they would drop their current line of iPhones, meaning that we won’t see any more iPhones 8 or X.

Even though Apple is being more secretive than usual, some people have managed to find some leaks, claiming that there will be three new devices that will be a different twist on the iPhone X, with different price ranges and abilities. The names of these devices are important; they’ll signal a reboot of the brand and announce Apple’s plans of staying on top of the industry by innovating.

So, what’s the name of the next iPhone? iPhone 9 sounds weird, and it would also make little sense considering that the iPhone X was also known as the iPhone 10. Mashable compiled a list of possible names for the iPhone, Here are 5 of our favorites:

iPhone 8S

https://giphy.com/gifs/workaholics-l0ErI580RENel1dRK

The iPhone 8S would make sense since Apple likes to throw an S onto their devices when they need a reboot, or when they go through a change, while still remaining sort of the same. The one problem with this is that people are not going to know that the 8S is a generation that follows the iPhone X. That X sure caused Apple some trouble.

iPhone 9

https://giphy.com/gifs/season-7-the-simpsons-7×10-xT5LMpMtDpdQalumJy

The most intuitive option would be to name it the iPhone 9, but like with the 8S, it still won’t feel like an upgrade over the iPhone X. The number 9 suggests that it’s an inferior version of the iPhone X, even though it’s meant to be the next generation of the phone.

iPhone 11

https://giphy.com/gifs/genius-cardi-b-hectic-xTiN0kxizOHzdVMYus

This name makes the most sense out of all the ones on this list, but it’s also awful. It’s long and complicated, and we bet some people are gonna ask, “Wait, where is the iPhone 10 then?”

That’s what you get when you try to have your cake and eat it too, Apple.

iPhone X1

https://giphy.com/gifs/itsdyo-dyo-reactions-26BGA5OpVeREmkZt6

This name kind of fits our culture’s zeitgeist, where there seems to be no new ideas, just an unlimited amount of updates of things that used to be fresh and better. This is a bad, bad name.

iPhone

https://giphy.com/gifs/filmeditor-mean-girls-movie-l2YWnMs4mEkwallIc

If there’s one company in the world that can pull this move off it’s Apple. Everyone knows the iPhone, and it’d be nice to get a fresh reboot where you forget about the 8 versions of the device that did little to improve its software. Plain iPhone is clean, simple and universal.

Kate Middleton Gives Fashion Advice To Meghan Markle

Maria Loreto
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Kate Middleton Gives Fashion Advice To Meghan Markle

Marrying into the royal family must be nice, but also very stressful and draining. Fortunately, according to different sources, Meghan Markle has found a friend in Kate Middleton, who’s also giving her the best advice and help because it comes from someone who faced the same pressures years ago.

According to FOX News, Middleton’s advice ranges from how to act in public to how to dress up for events. Middleton’s been a fashion icon ever since she stepped into the spotlight once she announced her engagement to Prince William, often making the news for her classy looks.

The Independent reports that Middleton “has provided Meghan with names of some of the favorite U.K. go-to designers on everything from dresses, coats and the all-important British hat.” While both women are expected to do things their own way and to have their own sense of fashion, people also expect them to honor the late Princess Diana, who was one of the biggest fashion icons of her time.

During these last couple of months, Markle has been preparing to become a royal, learning the appropriate protocol for self-defense and hostage training in case anything happens. Just regular princess things.

Markle is also expected to speak more like a royal by softening her American accent and by getting acquainted with the way in which British people speak. The Independent quotes a source as saying: “Meghan’s American twang will be softened and toned down. But more essential is her switching to British terminology — she simply cannot be ‘taking out the trash’ and ‘wearing pants.'” Someone needs to relax.

Louisiana OKs Medical Marijuana For Chronic Pain, PTSD And More

Terry Hacienda
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Louisiana OKs Medical Marijuana For Chronic Pain, PTSD And More

Louisiana’s medical marijuana program is about to exponentially bigger, thanks to a House committee vote earlier this week. By an 8-4 vote, the committee agreed to add four new qualifying conditions for patients: chronic pain, PTSD, glaucoma and muscle spasms.

In 2016, the state passed a law allowing the use of medical marijuana to treat certain conditions, including HIV/AIDS, Crohn’s disease, muscular dystrophy and epilepsy. By adding the four new ailments, it is expected the number of medical marijuana patients will skyrocket.

According to 2016 data, here are the top reasons registered patients give for cannabis treatment in all states that have programs:

  • Chronic pain:  64.2 percent
  • Muscle spasms: 13 percent
  • Nausea: 6.3 percent
  • Cancer: 5.8 percent
  • PTSD: 4.2 percent
  • Seizures/Epilepsy: 1.8 percent
  • Glaucoma: 1 percent
  • All other conditions: 3.6 percent

These numbers show that the Louisiana medical marijuana program will be available to 82 percent additional potential patients.  The program is scheduled to launch in September.

According to the New Orleans Times-Picayune:

HB 579, sponsored by Rep. Edward James, D-Baton Rouge, met some debate before the vote. Opponents questioned whether there was enough medical research establishing medical marijuana as an effective treatment for people with chronic medical conditions.

The proposal appears to offer medical marijuana use as a possible alternative to prescription painkillers. It makes reference to opiate use in defining what would be considered “intractable pain,” or a state in which the cause of the pain “cannot be removed or otherwise treated with the consent of the patient … it is a pain so chronic and severe as to otherwise warrant an opiate prescription,” according to the bill.

Veterans hailed the plan, saying that medical marijuana could help thousands who are dealing with PTSD and chronic pain. Tom Landry, a veteran who suffers from chronic pain, spoke in favor of the plan. “I am here to advocate for other veterans who can get off of opioids,” Landry told the News-Picayune.

Rep. Dodie Horton, who voted against the bill, said she could not “support expanding a system, where we haven’t even begun testing the medications. You can testify here, that this magic potion will work. I just don’t believe. We don’t even have proof of the help it will give people.”

Horton, clearly, is out of touch with reality. During the committee deliberations, she referenced a satirical news article from The Daily Currant that claimed 37 people died on the first day recreational marijuana was legalized in Colorado in January 2014.

Um, no. The Daily Currant, which has not updated its site for almost two years, also ran stories with headlines such as “Donald Trump In Critical Condition After Choking on Own Bullshit” and “Study: Climate Change May Melt Cher By 2020.” You can watch the video here.

Cake Sitting Is A Thing And Popular Enough To Be A Business

Maria Loreto
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Cake Sitting Is A Thing And Popular Enough To Be A Business

Sexual fetishes are kinky, sometimes sexy, but usually weird. There’s probably a fetish for whatever thing you can think of, no matter how crazy it is. With this in mind we present you with cake sitting: Literally sitting down on the baked good. Popping on Reddit, OnlyFans, and other specialized sites, it is hitting with the sweet spots with some viewers.

Uproxx reports cake sitting is a fetish that’s gained popularity over the years, and that can no longer be considered underground. The fetish falls under the category of “sploshing”, which is when people get turned on by rubbing food on their bodies, or by watching people rub food or substances onto themselves. These people enjoy the sensation of handling sticky things and of being covered in them while engaging in sex acts.

A post shared by Lindsay Dye (@dyelindsay) on

While not as famous — or infamous — as bondage, it has a history in media. Uproxx quotes the moment where Christina Aguilera sat on a cake while wearing a wedding dress on the cover of Out magazine as an example.

Lindsay Dye is a cake-sitter and artist, who makes videos where she sits on cakes. She’s been making these videos since 2015, but believes that the world is still too guarded when it comes to enjoying fetishes openly. According to her, the world needs to become more sex positive in order to enjoy these fetishes and our sexuality.

Cake sitting seems like a harmless enough fetish. It’s niche, yes, but it definitely has its audience. Dye has over 11,000 followers, so maybe even though people aren’t admitting that they’re into cake sitting, they at least like to watch it on social media.

4 Out Of 5 Older Adults Support Doctor-Recommended Medical Marijuana

Terry Hacienda
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4 Out Of 5 Older Adults Support Doctor-Recommended Medical Marijuana

Only six percent of older adults currently use cannabis, but four out five Americans between the ages of 50 and 80 support medical marijuana if a doctor recommends it, a new study reveals. Only 13 percent would definitely say no to cannabis.

According to new findings from the National Poll on Healthy Aging, older Americans may have a sense of uncertainty about the medical use of marijuana. But if it’s OK with a doctor, it’s okay with them. The survey also reported that 40 percent support allowing marijuana use for any reason and that two-thirds say the government should do more to study the herb’s health effects.

“While just six percent of our poll respondents said they’d used marijuana for medical purposes themselves, 18 percent said they know someone who has,” says U-M’s Preeti Malani, M.D., director of the poll and a specialist in the treatment of older patients. “With medical marijuana already legal in 29 states and the District of Columbia, and other states considering legalizing this use or all use, this is an issue of interest to patients, providers and policymakers alike.”

The poll was conducted in a nationally representative sample of 2,007 Americans between the ages of 50 and 80 by the University of Michigan Institute for Healthcare Policy and Innovation. It was sponsored by AARP and Michigan Medicine, U-M’s academic medical center.

The poll results revealed that 48 percent believe prescription pain medicines are more addictive than marijuana, and 57 said that such medicines have more side effects than marijuana.

“These perceptions of relative safety and efficacy are important for physicians, other providers and public health regulators to understand,” says Malani. The widespread support by older Americans for more research on the effects of marijuana is especially significant, she says, given the growing legalization trend in states and the continued federal policy that marijuana use is illegal.

“Although older adults may be a bit wary about marijuana, the majority support more research on it,” says Alison Bryant, Ph.D., senior vice president of research for AARP. “This openness to more research likely speaks to a desire to find safe, alternative treatments to control pain.”

A full report of the findings and methodology is available at www.healthyagingpoll.org, along with past reports on National Poll on Healthy Aging findings.  

Joe Kennedy Has Beef With Marijuana Legalization

Brendan Bures
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Joe Kennedy Has Beef With Marijuana Legalization

In the world of politics, the Kennedy name is held in high regard. The latest rising figure from the legendary family is Joe Kennedy III, a Massachusetts congressman surging upwards through the Democratic Party. But he’s faced scrutiny recently for his views on cannabis legalization, a stance he has refused to back down from.

It’s also a stance he repeated during a guest appearance on “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” recently, stating:

I do have concerns about what the increased availability of marijuana means for adolescents, what it means for folks who struggle with addiction, and mental health.

Kennedy also stressed a “thoughtful” approach to widespread cannabis legalization, while conceding that Attorney General Jeff Sessions’ policies have only convoluted the situation.

“I acknowledge that I’m an outlier on this, I just think it’s something we want to be careful and deliberate about as we move forward,” Kennedy said.

That stance, under the soft lights of late-night TV, seems like a docile and cautious one from Kennedy. But it only tells part of the story. At a time when the Democrat Party has slowly embraced marijuana, Kennedy has voted against cannabis initiatives at seemingly every opportunity.

As Tom Angell astutely documented at Marijuana Moment, Kennedy has voted to permit the DEA arresting medical marijuana patients and providers, voted three times against increasing military veterans’ access to medical marijuana, and even voted against a proposal that would protect children using non-psychoactive cannabidiol extracts to treat seizures from DEA persecution. In its congressional scorecard, The National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML) gave Kennedy a “D.”

Two months before Massachusetts voters opted to legalize recreational marijuana in 2016, Kennedy flat-out opposed it. “I don’t think marijuana should be legalized,” he told Boston magazine at the time.

In public appearances, Kennedy continuously beats the same drums of worries concerning mental health, addiction, and public safety without citing any specific research or figures.  He was interviewed on Ezra Klein’s podcast and bemoaned how decriminalization in Massachusetts prohibits officers from searching cars that smell like marijuana.

Via Boston.com:

Klein later argued the change was probably for the good, given the racial disparities that exist in the legal system’s treatment of marijuana, which Kennedy conceded was a good point. Another criminal justice concern Kennedy expressed was the lack of an admissible roadside test to determine whether a driver is operating under the influence of marijuana, which he said would be an increased threat with more widespread usage.

“I think it’s worth us understanding, ‘Do we have the tools that are necessary to keep the communities safe?’ as we try to actually go through and make this a substance that is far more widespread,” he told Klein.

Kennedy’s “concerns” often seem closer to dogwhistle trolling than informed stances on the matter. He seems eager to cite all the potential pitfalls of legalizing marijuana—many of which this website has showcased as standing on flimsy footing—without acknowledging research or scientific understanding to the contrary. As he echoes tired stances of “reefer madness,” he almost seems stuck in the past. With a last name like Kennedy, maybe that shouldn’t be much of a surprise.

NY Gubernatorial Candidate Cynthia Nixon Supports Marijuana Legalization

Mike Adams
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NY Gubernatorial Candidate Cynthia Nixon Supports Marijuana Legalization

Depending on the outcome of New York’s next gubernatorial election, the concept of recreational marijuana may not be too far away. That’s because Cynthia Nixon, the former “Sex and the City” star, who’s poised to be Andrew Cuomo’s primary competition in the race for governor, told those in attendance at a fundraiser Tuesday night that she would work to establish a taxed and regulated marijuana market if she is elected.

“She said that if marijuana is legal, we can tax it and make a lot of money from that,” Julie Klam, an author who was at the event, told the New York Times.

This would be a welcomed change for New York. Governor Cuomo has fought tooth and nail over the years to prevent legal marijuana from becoming a reality. In his opinion, marijuana is a “gateway drug” that only stands to worsen the state’s problems with addiction. This in spite of the latest research suggesting that marijuana could be a partial solution.

So far, Cuomo has not been persuaded to side with legal weed even for the potential economic benefit. The most recent projections show the state could rake in a whopping $500 million in annual tax revenue simply by legalizing the leaf in a manner similar to states like Colorado and California. Yet, fear that this move would turn New York into a society of drug fiends continues to deter the path to common sense reform.

But Nixon, a Democrat, understands just how important this economic relief would be for New York. One attendee told the Times that, “she was very exuberant about” raising revenue through the legalization of marijuana.

Interestingly, Nixon’s comments about marijuana legalization are the first reveal of her policy objectives. Since announcing her candidacy in March, she has not provided much insight over her plans to improve New York if chosen by the voters to hold the state’s highest office.

Instead, her focus has been on bashing the Cuomo administration, which she believes is up to its neck in corruption.

“Cuomo’s time in office has been defined by a string of indictments for corruption, his failure to fix the New York City subway, and his support for a backroom deal which handed Republicans control of the state Senate, resulting in the failure of numerous pieces of progressive legislation,” Nixon said in a statement.

But does Nixon stand a fighting chance at becoming the next governor of New York? That’s hard to say at this point. The latest poll shows Cuomo, who has been running the show for the past two terms, is still out pacing Nixon in terms of public opinion. But this could change now that she has made known her intentions to legalize marijuana.

Here’s Why You’ll Never Hear A Royal Say ‘Dessert’ Or ‘Perfume’

Amy Hansen
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Here’s Why You’ll Never Hear A Royal Say ‘Dessert’ Or ‘Perfume’

In the world of royalty, there are just certain words you never use. Acting like a commoner is not okay. In fact, it’s so important to maintain an elite social status, the royal family is not allowed to say certain words.

Kate Fox, a social anthropologist and author of the book Watching The English: The Hidden Rules of English Behaviour says these are the words upper class Brits would never say. Instead, they use more refined terminology.

Dessert

“Pudding” is used as the last meal. Dessert joins the ranks of “sweets” and “afters,” which are both unacceptable.

https://giphy.com/gifs/the-office-tv-show-no-6U5Rar5nqfbMI

Perfume

They use “scent.”

Mum And Dad

Mum (mom) and dad are used by commoners. Royalty uses “daddy” and “mummy,” the latter of which Prince Charles still reportedly uses to refer to Queen Elizabeth.

Refreshments

Food and drink is served at a “party” (royalty never uses the word “function”), not refreshments.

https://giphy.com/gifs/blake-shelton-UTiocnrXAQ12

Lounge Or Living Room

The room that houses the sofa is referred to as either the “sitting” or “drawing” room, though the former is most often used as it’s seen as last pretentious, according to Fox.

Head to Business Insider for the full list of words that will surely give away a Brit’s social status.

Legal Marijuana Poised To Outsell Soft Drinks By 2030

Mike Adams
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Legal Marijuana Poised To Outsell Soft Drinks By 2030

Marijuana is poised to take the fizz out the American soda market. Now that marijuana legalization has taken over more parts of the country, the nationwide cannabis industry is expected to grow into a ferocious beast worth an estimated $75 billion. According to Bloomberg, that will put the legal pot scene in line to beat out sales of the entire North American carbonated soda market.

It could be said that cannabis is moving up in the ranks of modern industry – even without the support of the federal government. As it stands, there are fewer than 10 states with recreational marijuana laws on the books. Perhaps the biggest development in this movement has been the 2018 launch of recreational marijuana in California.

But a recent report by the Wall Street investment firm Cowen & Co. finds that the momentum surrounding the marijuana marketplace has been strong enough in recent years to expect larger growth potential than original expected.

The company predicted earlier that the national pot market could hit the $50 million mark within the next decade if that federal government ended pot prohibition. But Cowen analyst Vivien Azner says, “new forecasts suggest that the market is already that size.”

Considering the American soda market has been diminishing for the past few years, as more consumers look to healthier alternative to sugary sodas, marijuana could soon outrank the Coke and Pepsi’s in terms of its financial girth inside the Thunderdome of U.S. commerce. The soft driving industry is currently experiencing a 30-year low, according to the latest trade data. It fell from $78.3 billion in 2016 to $76.4 billion last year.

Although soda is taking a dive, this is not directly related to the legalization of marijuana. But that is not the case with booze. It is the alcohol industry that actually has the most to fear from the rapid spread of legal weed. Cowen’s report shows that binge drinking rates have dropped in states with taxed and regulated marijuana markets.

“We have consistently argued that cannabis and alcohol are substitute social lubricants,” Azner said. But exactly what will be the extent of the damage. That’s anyone’s guess. But it will be significant.

Just last month, a report from BDS Analytics found that cannabis products are already on their way to surpassing craft beer sales in California. Other reports show the alcohol trade is losing millions in legal states, as more people put all or portions of their booze budget into weed.

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