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The Fresh Toast Marijuana Legislative Roundup: April 23

Alec Engber
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The Fresh Toast Marijuana Legislative Roundup: April 23

It was a landmark week for cannabis legal reform as Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY), the nation’s top Democrat, announced his plan to introduce legislation decriminalizing marijuana nationwide. The unexpected about-face from a onetime drug warrior is a strong indication that electoral politics is changing quickly. On the state level, Maine and Alaska made progress on their legalization efforts. Find out more in our weekly marijuana legislative roundup.

National:  

On Friday, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) introduced legislation to decriminalize marijuana nationwide. The bill would remove cannabis from the list of controlled substances under the Controlled Substances Act, which would effectively leave marijuana policy up to the states.

The move comes in the wake of President Donald Trump’s announcement the prior week that he would support leaving the issue up to the states, which put him directly at odds with outspoken cannabis critic Attorney General Jeff Sessions. Sessions in January rescinded the Obama administration’s hands-off policy toward state legalization efforts, as outlined in the so-called Cole Memo, in favor of placing marijuana prosecution at the discretion of U.S. Attorneys. 

Maine: 

On Tuesday, the Maine legislature sent a bill to Gov. Paul LePage for signature that would implement a modified version of the recreational cannabis legalization measure passed by voters in 2016. Both houses passed the bill the week before, but legislative procedure held up the legislation for a few more days. The bill would eliminate cannabis social clubs and increase taxes on recreational cannabis sales from 10 percent to 20 percent while providing some tax revenues for public awareness initiatives and law enforcement.

The bill would also cut the number of plants that adults can grow at home from six to three. LePage, who vetoed a similar bill last fall, has vowed to veto the legislation. Unlike last fall, however, lawmakers were able to garner a veto-proof majority in both houses of the legislature, so the bill is likely to become law regardless. LePage, who has been an outspoken critic of cannabis legalization, said he opposes the present bill because it does not merge the state’s recreational and medical cannabis systems. Possession of up to 2.5 ounces of marijuana has been legal for adults 21 and older in the state since February.  

Alaska: 

On Monday, the Alaska House of Representatives passed a bill to limit access to past convictions for adult marijuana possession. The legislation, which will now go to a vote of the Senate, would prohibit state courts from listing prior convictions for possession of up to an ounce of cannabis committed by adults 21 and older on their publicly-accessible websites. While the convictions would not be expunged, it would limit public access to them for employment and similar purposes.  

5 Vape Pens Perfect For A DL Smoke Sesh

Mary Schumacher
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5 Vape Pens Perfect For A DL Smoke Sesh

There are too many reasons to count why vape pens and cartridges are THE “it” gear. They’re stealthy, they’re portable, and if you get the right pen, the hits are smooth — and they can definitely go where most other paraphernalia can’t go. Whether you are looking for a quick session between sets at a show or just want to kick back with Netflix and some measured tokes, vaping is the way to do it.

Here are five standout pens that will literally blow your mind:

A post shared by ONA.life (@ona.life) on

The HIGHLIGHTER PLUS is newly revamped with lots to appreciate. For one thing, they hold distillate that is between 75 and 90 percent THC. When choosing from the daytime sativa, nighttime indica or anytime hybrid, remember that the concentrate is enhanced with select terpenes to preserve taste. The other mega impressor is the stronger new battery that creates up to 10 watts that manage consistent power. Plus, they come ready to go and are breath activated, meaning the perfect hit every time.

Gold Drop’s Gold Standard is renowned for its clean, pure concentrates. Made with single sourced THC and terpenes, all plant matter and carcinogens are removed and to top it off, there is always zero mold, pesticides or mildew, making these highly concentrated pens truly medicinal. They come in pre-filled 500mg cartridges and get you straight lifted.

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This one’s for the ladies. Jane West’s Wand is the ultimate in beauty stealth. It looks exactly like a mascara tube. Instead of distillate, however, West chose to make this a cannabis product, with “just enough flower for a night out.” Though not a vape pen – this is actually a new take on the one-hitter – we had to include it for its incognito points and innovation. The cap and tip are self cleaning and West’s products are aimed at streamlining and normalizing cannabis use for women everywhere.

Are you looking for something truly different? How about pairing your distillate with hops? Lagunitas Brewing Company joined forces with AbsoluteXtracts to create the first vape pen with hoppy overtones and the marriage of two of california’s best home grown crops. The hop terpenes are precisely divvied out to taste like a classic “SuperCritical” Lagunitas brew and the cannabinoids pair nicely and get to the heart of why you’re vaping in the first place.

Photo courtesy of Kandypens

Awarded the Best Vape Pen 2017 by “The Vape Critic,” KandyPens’ ELITE is a luxurious option with titanium coils, yet has a coilless ceramic chamber to avoid combustion. This pen is made for shatter, wax or your other favorite concentrate and is not a preloaded pen. We need these pens, though, as it’s beyond nice to have a little toke off your favorite concentrate and then go to your next favorite, and your next… Take it easy the first go around though, these hit like a beast!

Everything You Never Wanted To Know About Artificial Sweeteners

Maria Loreto
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Everything You Never Wanted To Know About Artificial Sweeteners

While most people know deep down that there’s something wrong with fake sugar — it can’t taste that sweet without negative side effects, right? — they still don’t know what’s up, which leads to a lot of myths and confusion. 

Every couple of years a new artificial sweetener comes out claiming that it’s much better than the other artificial sweeteners around, which cause cancer and death, and are the worst thing that you can put in your body. This is not true.

According to Popular Science, sweeteners don’t cause cancer, but they do have issues. The main problem with artificial sweeteners is the fact that they might not help people lose weight at all, and that they might even contribute to weight gain.

Recent studies claim that the consumption of fake sugar trains your insulin response to store more fat. This means that your body ends up producing the same amount of insulin as if you were consuming real sugar but your brain doesn’t reward you for it. This causes a big problem because people end up craving more sugar while their bodies are still producing insulin. 

Another problem that this study poses is that, since your body is still producing insulin, artificial sweeteners can lead to type 2 diabetes, just like sugar.

In the long term, consuming artificial sweeteners instead of sugar doesn’t make much of a difference. If you consume both in large amounts you’ll have health issues and gain weight. The key here is not about which sugar is better, it’s about consuming them with moderation.

Pet Raccoon Gets High On Weed And Confuses Firefighters

Brendan Bures
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Pet Raccoon Gets High On Weed And Confuses Firefighters

We want to warn you upfront — this is a story that will cause you to ask a lot of questions that will likely never be answered.

According to local NBC affiliate WTHR, an Indianapolis woman called upon local firefighters when her pet raccoon somehow ingested loads of marijuana and she worried the pet raccoon might be overdosing.

She was so worried, in fact, that she didn’t call her veterinarian or 911, but instead approached the fire department at 2 a.m. and began furiously ringing their doorbell. Wayne Township Fire Capt. Mike Pruitt told WTHR the doorbell was rung so many times, firefighters worried something seriously dangerous had occurred.

Instead they were greeted by a woman and her pet raccoon, high as hell.

“They could tell that the raccoon was lethargic and met all of those symptoms that we typically run into when someone’s been exposed to marijuana,” Pruitt said. “It really left the guys scratching their heads that someone brought a raccoon to the firehouse at 2 a.m. seeking help.”

While the firefighters dealt with the stoned raccoon and its owner, dispatchers were on radio trying to deduce the cause. Speculation started that the raccoon might actually be on meth or heroin, and someone suggested they Narcan the pet raccoon if necessary.

Eventually the firefighters and dispatchers gave up, with one citing the whole situation was just “too weird.” The only thing to do when you become too high is let time takes its course. Now we know that extends to pet raccoons as well.

Here’s How To Create Your Own Filters On Snapchat

Maria Loreto
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Here’s How To Create Your Own Filters On Snapchat

Snap Inc. recently announced that users will now be able to make their own selfie filters by using the Lens Studio software available on the Snapchat app. Until now, this function was only available on the rear camera of the phone, and it was pretty big when it first came out (dancing hot dog anyone?) allowing users to create their own 2D and 3D augmented reality (AR) animations that could be shared and uploaded through the app. 

This new addition signals a big expansion for the Snap company. Mashable reports that there will be seven new templates on Lens Studio, giving users tons of more options when it comes to selfie filters. Aside from traditional and iconic filters, such as the flower crown and the dog face, users will now be able to access other creations developed by other users and artists.

These lenses will be located on a new section of the Snapchat app called Discover, which you’ll be able to browse and access whenever the patch is made available. This is a smart idea, because the new lenses won’t crowd and mess with your app.  

These tech developments improve Snapchat’s already impressive AR repertoire, which is much more developed than it’s main competitor, Instagram.

Executives at Snap Inc. expect these developments to increase their audience’s long term engagement with Snapchat, something that has been notoriously dropping ever since Instagram launched their own version of filters and lenses.

The development of Lens Studio software could also make Snapchat relevant for other types of users, including artists and designers who could share their work through the app and utilize it in different ways. It’s an interesting endeavor that could prove to be vital for the company’s growth and survival. 

After Son’s Successful CBD Treatment, Mother Launches CBD Product Line

Sara Somerset
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After Son’s Successful CBD Treatment, Mother Launches CBD Product Line

Roxanne Benton, owner of Patriot Botanicals, launched her line of hemp cannabidiol oil (CBD) drops after she was inspired by her son’s positive reaction to CBD, which has helped to control his ADHD and Tourette’s.

Photo courtesy of Patriot Botanicals

A few years ago, her teenage son Bevan was diagnosed with ADHD and Tourette’s Syndrome. Roxanne initially used essential oils to help relieve his symptoms, which inspired her to learn about holistic healing.  She now has a store that sells tools and supplies to people in the aromatherapy industry.

Having used essential oils in her own health and wellness routines for over six years, she eventually met a man named John Taylor, who  informed her about a CBD project he was working on in Kentucky. The project utilized hemp that is grown under a Federal Pilot Program, is flavored with natural CO2 extracts, is pesticide-free and is federally legal throughout the U.S., as per the Farm Bill of 2014.

Naturally, Roxanne trusted her new friend John and decided to launch her own company reselling his product, and named it Patriot Botanicals.

“I named my company Patriot Botanicals because it harkens back to our country’s positive history with hemp,” she said.

“I already had a small audience, and they were thirsty for knowledge about how this misunderstood plant – this natural product – could help so many with widely varied issues. So, I did what I do best – dug into research and started offering my own brand of Patriot Botanicals CBD oil, to my customers.”

Photo courtesy of Patriot Botanicals

CBD is derived from cannabinoids, which is one of a class of diverse chemical compounds that acts on cannabinoid receptors in cells that alter neurotransmitter release in the brain. Cannabinoids are the natural compounds found in cannabis and they react to the human body’s endocannabinoid system.

Roxanne hadn’t mentioned to Bevan’s therapist that he was taking CBD until he remarked to her that Bevan was behaving differently.

“I told him about the whole story about my friend, the manufacturer of CBD in Kentucky and how we gave it to Bevan. His therapist said to ‘keep it up!’ ” says Roxanne, who was so thrilled with Bevan’s progress. Bevan is now 15 and thriving. He and his twin sister both play Lacrosse, and Roxanne’s whole family uses CBD on a daily basis.

These days, Roxanne is using her son’s personal experience to help people, especially other moms, realize that CBD is neither a snake oil nor a cure-all. “As I understand it, CBD mainly helps bring our bodies back to homeostasis, so our bodies can work more efficiently,” she said.

Patriot Botanicals has a walk-in shop located at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway, however, most customers prefer to order online. PB offers speedy, free, same or next day shipping in the Continental US. CBD from industrial hemp is federally legal to ship to all 50 states (due to the 2014 Farm Bill) as it contains .03 percent THC or less.

Says Roxanne, “There’s less than a Horton Hears A Who speck of THC in our hemp drops. You’d have a greater chance of getting high at a  perfume counter at Macy’s.”

Smuggling A Little Marijuana On An Airplane Is No Big Deal

Mike Adams
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Smuggling A Little Marijuana On An Airplane Is No Big Deal

Anyone who has ever visited a legal marijuana state has, at least, thought about whether it might be possible to sneak the remainder of their cannabis purchase through the heat of airport security in an effort to smuggle it back home. They may have heard from other stoned road dogs that the process of getting weed on an airplane is fairly easy to do, but they just lack the confidence to summon their inner George Jung.

Although flying with marijuana is technically against the laws of the federal government, TSA and police operating in a legal states, like Colorado or California, are not going to flog someone with a cat o’ nine tails for simply “forgetting” that they had a little pot on them. But it is important to understand a few basic rules. First, TSA is not hanging around airports trying to bust people for pot. Even the agency admits that they are not “actively” searching luggage in hopes discovering drugs. These folks are after explosives and weapons – anything that can be used to unleash terror in the skies.

Related: Flying With Legal Weed: Does The TSA Care About Marijuana?

The next detail to remember is never attempt to bring much…and never try to stow it in checked luggage. Carry on only. It can be tempting to try to get as much weed as humanly possible aboard the plane, but this ideology only increases a person’s chances of getting caught. So, keeping the stash at around an eighth of an ounce of bud is a good idea. Small amounts of edibles should also move through security checkpoints undetected. We would, however, suggest avoid bringing THC-infused beverages or other cannabis liquids. These types of items are more likely to set off a red flag.

It is not necessary to use hardcore cartel tactics when trying to get through security with weed. And by this we mean there is absolutely no reason that anyone should have to stuff contraband up his or her bunghole. But it is not a bad idea to get a little creative. Stashing a few buds in a bottle of Ibuprofen or other over the counter medication works. If trying to smuggle edibles, especially gummies or chocolates, just switch out the wrappers before going to the airport – give them the appearance of regular store bought candy. TSA doesn’t have the time to shakedown folks with a sweet tooth.

Related: Rainy Weather Cocktails

But its not a person’s smuggling technique that puts them at risk of getting caught – it’s how nervous they act while waiting to go through security. Again, TSA is there to catch potential threats. If a person is dripping with sweat and acting like a stuttering lunatic, chances are their luggage is going to get searched. Just stay calm. TSA’s policy is to refer all marijuana cases to local law enforcement. In a legal state, this means nothing is going to happen. The cops will just confiscate the weed and cut the passenger loose. But if smuggling weed in an area of prohibition, like Indiana, jail is a distinct possibility.

Most Americans Want Legal Marijuana, But States Can’t Agree On How To Do It

Santiago Guerra
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Most Americans Want Legal Marijuana, But States Can’t Agree On How To Do It

On 4/20, many across the US gathered to celebrate their love and appreciation for marijuana.

Polls show that 64 percent of Americans favor legalizing marijuana. But, despite the majority support, there’s no clear consensus on how it should be regulated. As a researcher who has studied the impact of drugs in the US and Mexico, it’s been captivating to watch states adapt as they attempt to regulate this illicit and stigmatized substance.

Many states permit medical marijuana, but there’s a wide variety of approaches. Today, 29 states currently permit medical marijuana and have an established system for regulating it.

Another 17 states have limited medical programs. These programs provide access to products with low levels of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and high levels of cannabidiol (CBD), with the goal of eliminating the “high” and maximizing medical benefits. Beyond that, the conditions doctors and patients can treat with cannabis vary from state to state.

Minnesota, New York and West Virginia don’t permit marijuana smoking as part of their medical programs. West Virginia, however, allows patients to vaporize marijuana plant matter, while Minnesota only permits consumption of marijuana in liquid extract form.

Colorado, where I am based, has a much more expansive medical program. Patients can access an array of products, from extracts to strains of raw plant material. While New York caps the amount of THC that a product dose may contain, Colorado and other states have no such limit on their medical marijuana products.

Meanwhile, recreational marijuana use has been approved for adults 21 and over by nine states: Alaska, California, Colorado, Maine, Massachusetts, Nevada, Oregon, Vermont and Washington, as well as the District of Columbia.

However, once again, states haven’t implemented their policies uniformly. Vermont, for example, does not currently have a system for commercial sale and distribution, and only allows individuals to cultivate two plants. Colorado, on the other hand, has developed a robust commercial system, allows individuals to grow up to six plants, and limits the amount of marijuana products an individual can possess.

Most states have struggled with how to navigate the public consumption of cannabis, which remains illegal. As states continue to debate and implement marijuana policies, the American public will begin to recognize what works (and what doesn’t).

The ConversationWhile these policy inconsistencies may raise concerns for some constituents, these state experiments are a valuable way to figure out how this substance works and how it affects society.

Santiago Guerra is an assistant professor of Southwest Studies, Colorado College. This article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the original article.

The FBI Can’t Hire Hackers Because They All Use Marijuana

Mary Schumacher
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The FBI Can’t Hire Hackers Because They All Use Marijuana

The FBI’s weed policy could be hurting our cyber security during a time when that’s simply unacceptable.

Being a tech whiz and smoking cannabis go hand-in-hand. Watch an episode of “Silicon Valley” if not convinced. Hence, this anti-pot administration is having trouble getting good hackers to even apply to the FBI. And as current affairs demonstrate, we need hackers’ talents now more than ever.

Hacking is a skill that’s in high demand, especially in this age of digital privacy. It’s a skill that can get you in the door of many top tier companies, willing to overlook some harmless cannabis use if fingers are fast enough, but not so at the FBI.

marijuana laptop
Photo by Jose Luque / EyeEm/Getty Images

The FBI has a three year waiting period for weed imbibers. And if another different illegal substance has been used, such as cocaine or ecstacy, the waiting period turns into 10 years. This policy isn’t hurting hackers, unless it was their lifelong dream to join, but it could be hurting our cyber security during a time when that’s simply unacceptable.

With stories flying across the TV at lightning speed about Russian interference in our election and with all the digital wartime tools that are themselves at least somewhat vulnerable to hacking from another country or even from within, now is not the time to discriminate against pot smokers.

There was a window of time back in 2014 when now fired FBI Director James Comey said, “He should go ahead and apply,” regarding a hacker who had been shying away because of cannabis use, as reported by The Atlantic. But who knows if any of God’s own stoners made it in or if bureaucracy got in the way.

3 Reasons Why You Should Smoke Marijuana With Your Friends Online
Photo by Christina Morillo via Pexels

It’s the three year law that really keeps potential hackers at bay. It’s not as if one can clean up and apply. Any hacker would have to have been free of cannabis use for a full three years before they could get behind the screens of any FBI computers. So if you’re reading this and you’re a hacker, sorry, but you’re likely not getting a job at the FBI.

With marijuana legalized in eight states and the District of Columbia and medical marijuana legal in 30 states plus D.C., you’d think some of these arcane techniques would fall by the wayside, but no. And, it seems, especially not in the FBI. Nothing, not a puff for three years? Good luck, FBI, and good luck to us all.

You’re Welcome: Here’s How To Make A Fruit Fly Orgasm

Maria Loreto
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You’re Welcome: Here’s How To Make A Fruit Fly Orgasm

Fruit flies like to have sex and, in some ways, they’re very similar to us. How do we know this? Because scientists studied their mating rituals, and noticed different responses when flies were able to ejaculate and when they weren’t. Flies have a lot of personality.

According to the New Yorker, a study from Israel demonstrates that pleasure in sex is important for evolution, and is present on many different species, including fruit flies, which are a pretty basic organism.

The experiment they conducted was pretty complex. For starters, scientists basically robocopped several fruit flies so they could achieve their goal, which was to control the production of the flies’ corozonin (the protein responsible for ejaculation). Scientists prompted the production of this protein by activating a red light, which triggered the flies’ sexual behavior.

After the flies were trained, they were put with a control group of normal flies in an enclosure that had a side that was lit up red. After a few seconds, the engineered flies were all hanging around the red light district, jerking off, surprising no one.

The scientists then tried different things, like associating the flies’ aroused state with a color and monitoring their alcohol intake. From these results, scientists gathered that flies always prefer the color that reminds them of sex, and that they also drink more alcohol if they’re celibate.

Turning to alcohol when there’s no sex is something that flies have in common with a lot of mammals, who look for other types of rewards when sexual pleasure is denied. This is surely the strangest and most torturous experiment ever conducted on flies.

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