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Celebrities Are Banned From Doing This With Cannabis In Canada

Terry Hacienda
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Celebrities Are Banned From Doing This With Cannabis In Canada

In the United States, famous entertainers ranging from Tommy Chong to Willie Nelson, Whoopie Goldberg and Melissa Etheridge are hawking cannabis products. But in Canada, celebrity endorsements will be outlawed.

“I’m the most recognizable pot head, probably, in the world,” Chong told “CNNMoney.” But the native Canadian won’t be able to lend his image to help sell products, according to Bill Blair, the former Toronto police chief and point person for the nation’s cannabis policies:

The law is explicit and clear, that celebrity endorsement, lifestyle advertising is not allowed with cannabis

Blair’s warning might be news to Canadian celebrities such as the quirky actors starring in “The Trailer Park Boys” or members of the band The Tragically Hip. And just recently, KISS frontman Gene Simmons joined a Canadian cannabis firm. According to Global News in Canada, “established companies will undoubtedly be trying to find ways to get around those rules as more and more celebrities link their names to Canadian pot.”

But Blair insists the Canadian cannabis industry will be free of stars. “It’s not the government’s intention to promote the use of this drug, he Blair. “We are not allowing the heavy marketing that we’ve seen with other products, alcohol for example, and so there will be severe restrictions on things like celebrity endorsement and [company] sponsorship.” Canada is scheduled to legalize marijuana nationally this summer.

In the US, it appears every celebrity who tokes is lining up an endorsement deal. “Legalization has opened the doors to all the celebrity branding,” according to longtime cannabis journalist Steve Bloom, who runs Celebstoner.com. “It’s not surprising that all the most likely celebrities are jumping aboard.”

It’s clear that celebrities see the green rush as another way to extend their brand outside of the entertainment industry. According to New Frontier, a cannabis research firm, the US cannabis market will hit $23 billion in 2o2o.

Boehner’s Cannabis Flip-Flop: Is It A Money Grab Or Is It Legit?

Terry Hacienda
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Boehner’s Cannabis Flip-Flop: Is It A Money Grab Or Is It Legit?

Former House Speaker John Boehner’s flip-flop on marijuana reform might rank up there with the all-time doozies. After Boehner’s shocking announcement on Wednesday that his “thinking on cannabis has evolved,” advocates on both sides of the cannabis argument remain dubious of his real intention.

After years of fierce opposition to cannabis legalization, the conservative Republican son of a bar owner tweeted that will join the Board of Advisors of Acreage Holdings, a multi-state cannabis company. “I’m convinced de-scheduling the drug is needed so we can do research, help our veterans, and reverse the opioid epidemic ravaging our communities,” he wrote on Twitter.

Was it a change of heart? Or merely an opportunity to fatten his wallet? Deb Haaland, a candidate for a Congressional seat in New Mexico, thinks it is the latter:

“John Boehner announced he was joining a marijuana investing firm after years of opposing legalization, and years of supporting mass arrests in communities of color for marijuana possession and sale. Millions of black, Latino, and Native American people across America are currently sitting in prison or jail on marijuana charges — and millions more are barred from affordable housing, educational opportunities, and jobs because of a criminal record for marijuana.

“Men like John Boehner who have allowed horrific injustices to occur to our communities should not be allowed to make a dime from this industry until every American in jail for marijuana is freed and their records are wiped clean. For too long, our criminal justice system has used the criminalization of marijuana to oppress communities of color, which is why I will fight for federal legalization the moment I get to Congress.”

Haaland, who would be the first Native American congresswoman in history if elected, is not alone in her suspicion. Comedian/actor Mak McKinney tweeted:

And actress Cynthia Nixon, who is running for governor of New York, also accused Boehner of cashing in on the green rush:

But Erik Altieri, executive director of NORML, the nation’s largest and oldest marijuana reform group, welcomed Boehner. “John Boehner’s evolution on marijuana legalization mirrors that of both the American public in general and Republicans specifically. Recent polling finds that over 60 percent of Americans support adult use marijuana legalization and, for the first time, this percentage includes a majority of self-identified Republicans,” Altieri said.

“Allowing states the flexibility and autonomy to set their own marijuana regulatory policies is consistent with conservatives’ long-held respect for the Tenth Amendment, as well as with the party’s recent embracing of populism,” Altieri added. “Regardless of motive, former Speaker Boehner is still held in high regard by a large percentage of the GOP membership and voter base. We look forward to his voice joining the growing chorus calling for an end to cannabis criminalization. Anything that expedites the ability for patients to access this safe and reliable treatment alternative and that facilitates an end to the practice of arresting otherwise law-abiding citizens for the possession of a plant should be welcomed with open arms.”

The Marijuana Policy Project, another large cannabis advocacy group concurred with NORML. “Politicians have traditionally lagged behind the people on this issue, so it is wonderful to see one so adamantly opposed to legalization reversing course like this,” said Morgan Fox, MPPs director of communication.

But Kevin Sabet, a longtime opponent of marijuana legalization, questioned Boehner’s motives:

Regardless of his motivation, Boehner joins the majority of Americans who believe marijuana should be legal. According to the latest Gallup survey, 64 percent of Americans, including a majority of both Republicans and Democrats, want to legalize it. In 1969, one year after Boehner graduated from high school, only 12 percent were in favor of legalization.

As Fox News personality Geraldo Rivera says, the time are a changin’:

 

Scott Pruitt Thinks EPA Logo Looks Like Marijuana

Amy Hansen
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Scott Pruitt Thinks EPA Logo Looks Like Marijuana

Our nation’s 14th Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency has asked to have the EPA’s logo replaced because he think it looks a little too much like a marijuana plant.

The EPA’s log contains a flower and four leaves, representing all forms of environmental aspects: water, land, air and climate. But all Scott Pruitt sees is weed.

This nugget of information was revealed after Pruitt asked that a The revelation was part of a story about Pruitt’s alleged demands to change the EPA’s “challenge coin,” a small keepsake medallion of military origin. He wanted to make it bigger and without the EPA logo.

Related: Are Kilos Of Legal Marijuana Being Diverted To Illegal States?

According to the New York Times: “Mr. Pruitt instead wanted the coin to feature some combination of symbols more reflective of himself and the Trump administration. Among the possibilities: a buffalo, to evoke Mr. Pruitt’s native Oklahoma, and a Bible verse to reflect his faith.”

Other ideas included using the Great Seal of the United States — a design similar to the presidential seal — and putting Mr. Pruitt’s name around the rim in large letters, according to a now retired EPA employee.

https://twitter.com/natemcdermott/status/984175275385741313

Pruitt’s anti-marijuana stance is no secret. When he was the AG of Oklahoma, he sued Colorado alleging the state’s recreational marijuana industry (approved by voters in 2012) could be harmful to neighboring states by “draining their treasuries, and placing stress on their criminal justice systems.”

Related: This University’s Attempt To Ban Pro-Marijuana Shirts Backfired Spectacularly

He was also accused of sabotaging a medical marijuana ballot initiative in Oklahoma to make sure it was rejected by voters.

This One Trick Can Help You Achieve Better Orgasms

Maria Loreto
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This One Trick Can Help You Achieve Better Orgasms

Being naked while wearing socks is not a good look. At all. It’s an un-rockable look, no matter how cool your socks are or how many hours you spend in the gym. But socks might help you achieve orgasms more easily, at least according to a new study.

Elite Daily reports that there are people out there who like to keep their socks on during sex., which is a travesty, but whatever. These people feel like socks provide warmth and help them have better orgasms. Research conducted by the University of Groningen in the Netherlands studied 13 heterosexual couples between the ages of 19 and 49 as part of an experiment involving how men and women achieve orgasm. During these tests, couples had to stimulate each other while a researcher looked at their brain waves. Clearly, this was a very European study.

On the first run, only half of the couples managed to orgasm. Maybe it was the controlled environment, or the fact that the couples had some Peeping Toms, but researchers decided to give socks to the women to make them feel more comfortable. Surprisingly, there was a 30 percent increase in orgasms.

Researchers believe that socks facilitate orgasms because they make women feel safer, giving them coziness and warmth. Socks also help dilate the blood vessels in your feet, allowing for better blood flow.

Maybe there’s some relationship between wearing socks and having orgasms, or maybe the women from the study achieved orgasms because they’d been going at it for a while. Either way, if you’re having trouble with your orgasms, socks could provide an answer for you. You won’t look cool, but you’ll feel good.

Why Is Less Than A Third Of California Working With Legal Weed

Terry Hacienda
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Why Is Less Than A Third Of California Working With Legal Weed

When California opened up its regulated cannabis retail program in January, marijuana consumers rejoiced. But after three months, the cheers have subsided.

According to a detailed examination by the Orange County Register, only 144 out of 482 cities in the Golden State allow any kind of cannabis business inside the city limits and only 18 of 58 counties allow the industry in unincorporated areas.

Although recreational marijuana legalization received 57 percent of the vote in November 2016, nearly tw0-thirds of the cities continue to ban the now-legal herb.

RELATED: Many Californians Are Shut Out Despite Marijuana Legalization

The Sacramento Bee has called the situation “marijuana deserts,” using the term used to describe the paucity of healthy food and grocery stores in poorer areas. According to the Bee’s analysis:

  • 30 percent of the state is within 30 miles of at least one dispensary. These are mostly the metro areas for the state’s biggest cities, including Los Angeles, San Francisco and Sacramento.
  • 29 percent of the state is between 30 and 60 miles of a dispensary.
  • The biggest part of the state, 38 percent, is between 60 and 120 miles of a dispensary.
  • Eastern California — from Oregon to Mexico — has the longest drive times to dispensaries.

The Register report revealed that less than 20 percent of California cities allow medical marijuana, depriving patients with medication to treat various ailments. Six out of seven cities still have a ban on recreational retail outlets.

This is not what Californians voted for, according to some cannabis advocates. “It’s really beyond what the normal powers of local government are under the California constitution,” Dale Gieringer, California’s director of the marijuana rights advocacy group NORML, told the Register.

RELATED: California’s 5 Worst Counties for Recreational Marijuana 

“Voters passed Prop. 64 in 2016 with the idea that they would be legalizing marijuana, including cultivation,” said Jolene Forman, an attorney with the Drug Policy Alliance. “We want to ensure that people’s right granted by Prop. 64 is honored.”

The Register reports that every city in the tiny counties of Madera and Sutter have passed the toughest rules possible.

Watch Mariah Carey’s New Commercial For Hostels — Yes, Hostels

Amy Hansen
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Watch Mariah Carey’s New Commercial For Hostels — Yes, Hostels

When you think of Mariah Carey, several words likely come to mind: diva, spoiled, glitter, drama. But hostel? Yeah, that’s probably not on the list, which is why it makes such a great commercial.

(Unlike her 2017 live performance of “Honey,” in which she just didn’t feel like dancing, you guys!)

https://www.instagram.com/p/BWp7Ym1Ftjr

(Or when she was wheeled to the stage in a customized “wheelchair” because she just didn’t feel like walking, you guys!)

Finally, pop music’s favorite princess makes fun of herself in a new commercial for Hostelworld, which begins with the words “M. Carey” popping up on the computer screen as the poor woman working the front desk nervously scurries to find help. Because, why is Mariah Carey coming to a hostel? Did she get lost?

A limo pulls up, an entourage walks through the front doors and M. Carey is in full-on diva mode.

“You booked me into a hostel?” Carey barks at one of her “people” as they arrive. Another of her minions tries to appease her by saying, “If it’s any consolation, you look great.”

Better than expected accommodations are made, Carey is satisfied, and the oddly posh hostel lounge gets an A-List celeb as entertainment that night.

Everybody wins in this scenario, especially Carey’s management team, who no doubt knew what they were agreeing to when they booked this gig. Not only does it bring Carey’s infamous ego down a notch, it’s nice to see that’s she’s able to partake in some harmless self-deprecation.

Now, for the headlining act:

Why The Mormon Church Won’t Support Medical Marijuana In Utah

Brendan Bures
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Why The Mormon Church Won’t Support Medical Marijuana In Utah

The Mormon Church has demonstrated its lack of support for the medical marijuana ballot initiative in Utah. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints said in a statement Tuesday that drugs intended to relieve pain and suffering should be scrutinized and tested by official medical institutions before release to the public. Around two-thirds of the state’s residents are Mormons.

In a statement, the Mormon church commended the powerful Utah Medical Association’s recent stance, which opposed medical marijuana and cautioned that “The proposed Utah marijuana initiative would compromise the health and safety of Utah communities.”

“We respect the wise counsel of the medical doctors of Utah,” read the statement on The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints’ website. “The public interest is best served when all new drugs designed to relieve suffering and illness, and the procedures by which they are made available to the public, undergo the scrutiny of medical scientists and official approval bodies.”

A Salt Lake City Tribune poll stated that 76 percent of Utahns and nearly two-thirds of Utah Mormons support medical marijuana legalization earlier this year. But a vocal minority opposing such legalization gains steam in what almost appears a coordinated effort.

Utah Governor Gary Herbert announced late last month he would opposed the medical marijuana ballot initiative, citing its “significant flaws,” that voters are expected to decide upon this November. His statement was shortly followed by the UMA’s statement, mentioned above, which included the following stance bolded and italicized: “UMA unequivocally states its opposition to the current initiative and applauds Gov. Herbert for speaking out in opposition as well.”

How the Mormon church backing the position of fellow influential institutions will play out remains unknown. But supporters of the medical marijuana initiative have already spoken out. The Salt Lake City Tribune columnist Robert Gehrke broke down the hypocrisy of the Mormon church’s opposition in Utah, but not in a state with recreational marijuana like Nevada.

The Utah Patients Association, supportive of the initiative, also pushed back against the UMA representing the opinion of all Utah doctors. UPA’s medical adviser, Dr. Dan Cottam, issued a statement saying he we never consulted for his opinion and the UMA’s opposition only reflects the opinion of its board.

“Far from being based on research or science, let alone the consensus of the doctors they purport to represent, it is a position that does not speak for many doctors like myself who are prepared to provide this medicine for our patients,” Cottam said. “The initiative will relieve the suffering of hundreds of patients each year.”

Inside The Private Suite Where Kate Middleton Will Give Birth

Amy Hansen
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Inside The Private Suite Where Kate Middleton Will Give Birth

All (parking) signs point to Kate Middleton giving birth any day now, as evidenced by the hospital where she’ll be delivering baby number three announcing a temporary parking restriction outside. And when that happens, we know the Queen will be told first, followed by an announcement by the town crier. But what will actually be going on inside the birthing suite at St. Mary’s hospital?

Hello! Magazine interviewed a woman who knows first hand. Katherine Filkins gave birth in the exclusive Lindo Wing seven months ago and says she was treated like royalty, even though she’s no Kate Middleton.

She revealed to the magazine that there was afternoon tea to celebrate the baby’s birth, a post-delivery massage and glasses of bubbly.

“While the Lindo Wing was a functional hospital, it was a little bit like a hotel in terms of the service,” Filkins said. “You had really fancy toiletries, the quality of the food that you got was fantastic. There was a wine list, you could have had champagne if you wanted. Right after the birth, they bring you a delicious afternoon tea for you and your family.”

Filkins earned every perk she got, having been in labor for 18 hours.

“We were given birthing balls, we could lower the lights – they actually recommended that – and you had a midwife that was dedicated to you and your birthing, so she would come and check on you very regularly.”

She says her husband was treated just as well; the hospital provided a bed for him as well as a selection of meals to chose from each day.

How did the couple land the exclusive suite that’s fit for royalty? As it turns out, the other (standard) room they booked was full so they got upgraded. Boy, did they!

Says Filkins,”We’re very [pleased] that we were able to have the opportunity to give birth where the royals had had their babies as well.” The couple even posed with their new bundle of joy on the steps in front of the hospital a la Kate and Will.

Take a look around for yourself:

Senate Passes Bill To Legalize Marijuana Sales In Maine

Amy Hansen
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Senate Passes Bill To Legalize Marijuana Sales In Maine

Maine just got a lot closer to allowing recreational weed. Both the House (112-34) and Senate (24-10) passed a bill that would regulate marijuana sales and overhaul the Marijuana Legalization Act referendum that voters approved in November 2016.

According to Bangor Daily News, “The legislation sets an effective 20 percent tax rate on marijuana products, gives Maine residents a priority for commercial licenses and sets health and safety standards. It also reduces the number of flowering plants a person can posses from six in the version of the bill that failed after a gubernatorial veto last year to three. Lawmakers have said that change was what has pulled more support from House Republicans who sustained the veto last year.

The bill is now in the hands of Governor Paul LePage, who opposes the law, however, the House and Senate votes are enough to override a potential veto showdown.

Says Sen. Roger Katz, R-Augusta, “If somehow this bill fails, the cheers you will hear are the people who are involved in the illicit gray market, who don’t want licenses … and don’t want to pay taxes.”

Sen. Scott Cyrway, R-Benton, a retired police officer, voted against the bill, because he still believes that the state’s children will be “in harm’s way,” saying, “This is a Schedule 1 drug, which is the same category as heroin and cocaine. Is it okay to say that heroin can be in your household?”

Bangor Daily News reports that if the law passes, it could be 2020 before the first marijuana retail shop opens. And that LePage vetoed a similar bill in 2017 and “has opposed new marijuana legalization laws, questioning whether it conflicts with federal prohibitions and saying his administration would have to issue rules governing the commercial system.”

It’s also worth nothing that LePage leaves office in early 2019, which means his successor will likely be in charge of the state’s new marijuana landscape.

Finstagrams: Inside The New Social Trend

Maria Loreto
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Finstagrams: Inside The New Social Trend

It’s hard to separate Instagram from performance. Out of all of the social media apps, Instagram is the glossiest one, the one that’s designed for the perfect snapshot. Instead of acting like a digital journal where you can log your every day thoughts and activities, like Snapchat and Twitter, Instagram begs for you to revise your images, over and over, until you have the perfect photograph with the perfect caption that relays the image you want people to have of you. It’s a lot.

Due to this, many users are creating “Finstagrams”, which are fake Instagram accounts. Even though the name is stupid, these fake accounts give privacy to their users and allow them to be themselves, providing a less filtered experience. Finstas have become a place where people, especially young people, can vent about their issues honestly, and where they can post ugly selfies without worrying about anyone else.

These accounts are private and users don’t worry about their amount of followers, only allowing for their closest friends to have access to them. According to The Verge, Finstas are a good option for people who still want to be present on social media and who want to have the ability to speak their minds, but that don’t want to be under scrutiny.

These users follow small groups of people, and have small followings of their own, allowing for the development of a tight knit community where they won’t miss any of their friends’ posts and where their parents or family members aren’t going to be able to snoop in on them. I guess Finstas are like group chats but on the web.

It’s all really weird, but it makes you think about social media and how it has the ability to evolve after a period of time. The younger the users are, the more invested they’ll be on social media, and the more individualism they’ll add onto the platform to make it their own. This can last for a while, until the general public discovers finstas and then the accounts will stop existing all together. And then another app will pop up, and the cycle begins all over again.

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