Black athletes deserve a place in the cannabis industry as much as anyone else. See which ones are putting their hard earned dollars towards cannabis brands and investments.
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Biden Marijuana Plan ‘Essentially Meaningless,’ Says Democratic Congressman
Rep. Earl Blumenauer said that legalization is “demanded by the American public” and that “it’s no longer controversial.”
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This company doesn’t just sell seeds—they teach you everything you need to know about growing them, too.
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The vast majority of patients wouldn’t turn to their doctors for advice about medical marijuana, according to a new survey published in The Journal of Primary Care & Community Health.
Researchers from the University of Vermont polled 1,009 primary care patients who were seeing physicians in the Green Mountain State. The survey asked patients to self-report if they used CBD or THC products and whether they believed that these products could effectively treat specific medical conditions. The respondents were also asked whether they believed that their primary care provider was a good source of information about cannabinoids.
Nearly half (45 percent) of the respondents said that they had used some form of cannabinoid within the previous year. 21 percent said they had used CBD within the past month, and 19 percent reported using THC products. The majority of patients said that they found medical marijuana to be either “very” or “somewhat” helpful in treating a wide range of symptoms, including depression, insomnia, nausea, chronic pain, and migraines.
Only 18 percent of patients said they believed that their doctor was a good source of knowledge regarding the benefits or risks of cannabis, however. The study authors explain that “while cannabis has been medically legal in Vermont since 2004 and recreationally legal since 2018 there has been minimal published research regarding the use and practices in the adult population. This gap in understanding results in primary care providers having difficulty navigating conversations surrounding cannabinoid use.”
“The results of our research pose important questions that should be investigated in the future,” the study concludes, according to NORML. “Considering patients feel that their providers may not be an adequate source of information regarding cannabinoids, it would be interesting to explore the perceived knowledge and perceptions of cannabinoids by primary care providers, to identify opportunities for improvement.”
Although the study only considers the viewpoints of primary care patients in Vermont, studies from other states indicate that physicians’ lack of cannabis knowledge is a national issue. Cancer patients and military veterans have reported that their doctors are unwilling or unable to discuss medical marijuana with them, even in states where it is legal. A recent study also found that although three-quarters of oncologists believe cannabis can help treat cancer, over half feel uncomfortable recommending medical marijuana to patients.
Last year, a survey found that 91 percent of hospice professionals believed medical marijuana treatments are effective, but most doctors still claim ignorance when it comes to weed. In a recent op-ed in a medical journal, a leading Stanford physician called out the medical community for widespread ignorance about the medical uses of cannabis. But for doctors who do want to learn about cannabis, they must do so on their own. Another study found that 60 percent of medical students said that they received absolutely no training about medical marijuana during their education.
To resolve the issue, the authors of the Vermont study recommend that additional research should be conducted to explore “how to assist primary care providers in having informed conversations about the risks and benefits of cannabis, especially in the setting of chronic pain.”
NIST And FDA May Be the Cannabis Quality Assurance Heroes We Need
There may be some light at the end of the quality assurance tunnel.
The post NIST And FDA May Be the Cannabis Quality Assurance Heroes We Need appeared first on The Fresh Toast.
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The Oregon-based Dutchie, an e-commerce platform transforming how marijuana dispensaries facilitate orders online, has raised $35 million in its latest round of funding.
The soaring startup has attracted noteworthy investors including former Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz, NBA superstar Kevin Durant, and, in a sure sign that Dutchie is sitting on green gold, hip-hop icon (and our fearless leader), Snoop Dogg.
Since launching in 2017, Dutchie has steadily morphed into a cannabis e-commerce monster. Currently, Dutchie services 25 percent of all legal dispensaries in North America and, more even mind-boggling, 10 percent of all legal weed sales worldwide.
The coronavirus, while horrible for humanity, has proven to be a boon for Dutchie. The company reports a 700 percent sales surge since the pandemic took hold, leading to a forecast of processing $2.4 billion in sales for this year. They also recently celebrated processing their 10 millionth order.
Those numbers make sense. In these wicked times, weed is even more essential than ever. That also means having an easy and convenient way to select, purchase, and pick up cannabis under the conditions of our new normal are equally important. That’s where Dutchie comes in.
“Consumers are stocking up on cannabis like other non-perishable goods, and businesses have to offer alternative services to meet their needs,” Dutchie CEO Ross Lipson told GeekWire. “We’re seeing adoption rates for online orders, curbside pickup, and delivery soaring through the roof with widespread ‘stay at home’ orders.”
Lipson comes from an e-commerce background. In 2008, he created GrubCanada, one of the country’s first online food ordering services. He said the idea for Dutchie struck him while he was waiting in line at a dispensary. Lipson also added that he’s thrilled to have Snoop on board, referring to the Doggfather as a “cannabis pioneer.”
Snoop’s co-investor Kevin Durant is also no stranger to the realms of high finance and good weed.
Last year, the Slim Reaper officially joined the board of Canopy Rivers, an investment firm spun off of Canadian cannabis company Canopy Growth. More recently, Durant guested on Showtime’s “All the Smoke” podcast, where he called for full legalization of marijuana — beginning with the NBA.
“We start getting people out of jail for marijuana. That’s the next step,” Durant said. “And just keep going. But it’s a plant that’s put here for a reason, and that’s to bring us together. Hopefully [reform] happens, especially in the NBA.”
In the meantime, Dutchie plans to use some of that Snoop and KD cash to double its workforce from 102 employees by the end of next year and even assemble teams that will work fully remotely. “One of our biggest uses with our new funding will be to recruit top talent from a variety of industries to help us further define the overall cannabis consumer experience,” Lipson said.
Get in while the getting is good — and going green.
Can Mindfulness And Meditation Actually Worsen Anxiety?
If past studies are to be believed, you can forget about everything your yoga instructor has ever told you.
The post Can Mindfulness And Meditation Actually Worsen Anxiety? appeared first on The Fresh Toast.
In the beginning, there was the Grinder Card — a flat, wallet-ready shredder launched in 2010 that instantly set the 420 accessory business ablaze. It also established V Syndicate as a cutting-edge leader in the realm of smoking accessories.
But, V Syndicate has since upped its game even more. The inventors behind these useful products recognize that where buds are ground, proper storage is also required to keep your greens ultra-fresh. And thus, the SmartStash was born.
It’s a calculated move on V Syndicate’s part because the SmartStash is an all-in-one jar that features a detachable magnetic grinder plate, a wooden bowl that doubles as a lid, a cavity for a humidity packet (which comes included), and an exquisitely designed glass jar. It’s functional, durable, and designed with a clean, sharp aesthetic. The SmartStash even fits other brands’ humidity packets, like Boveda and Integra.
To use the SmartStash, you simply grind your bud against the holes on top of the container. The shake then falls into the hollowed out, bowl portion of the lid. From there, you can funnel out the weed through a metal lip and onto your rolling paper (or pipe). And, anything you don’t smoke can be stored in the jar where a humidity packet keeps it fresh. Nifty, right?
“The SmartStash was created by combining the innovation of the Grinder Card, and the necessity for a high-end stash jar that keeps herb fresh,” said Melissa Breccia, V Syndicate’s communications director to MERRY JANE. “We realized ‘flat is where it’s at’ in 2010 when the company was founded.”
If you’re a long time toker, you remember the importance of discretion and portability when trying to get stoned out in the world. Hell — discretion and portability are still critical to getting stoned outside the comfort of your home. It’s not convenient to lug around bulky grinders. That’s why the Grinder Card was clutch, Breccia explains. “People could just throw it in their wallet and no one — except that person’s chosen few — would know.” The SmartStash takes it a step further, however.
“We tested various types of glass jars, different humidity packets, magnet strength, and grinding on our newly designed surfaces,” Breccia said, ultimately explaining why the SmartStash is so effective and handy. “Although we are always looking for ways to improve our products, we work hard to ensure that each [accessory] is the best version of itself before hitting the market.”
Old school stoner aesthetic will forever have its place in our culture. But, the evolution of who a “pothead” is and what it means to smoke weed has also played a key role in developing the SmartStash. As of currently, the SmartStash comes in three sizes and in a dozen different colors and designs, including owls, Calaveras’ (also known as sugar skulls), and other high-vibe symbols.
“Currently, the industry is shifting in a direction of creating products that are less in the niche of the ‘classic stoner,’ and more for the everyday consumer that doesn’t necessarily want to brand themselves in that manner,” Breccia said. “We want to offer a product that can sit in a home and blend well with the décor, as well as one that is multifunctional, so users don’t need several accessories to enjoy a sesh.”
Despite these shifts, creating the SmartStash was a risk for V Syndicate. Fortunately, it worked, and the rewards have proven more than fruitful — especially for smokers. “When we introduced SmartStash, it was the highest-priced and most different product we’ve ever created,” Breccia explained. “However, people caught on quickly and we had a great response off the bat.”
Another change is that, unlike V Syndicate’s wildly popular past partnerships with Snoop Dogg, Cheech and Chong, Wiz Khalifa, Rick and Morty, and other stoner icons, the SmartStash is not available for private labeling.
“We’re always excited to collaborate with various names and to work on something that speaks to their following,” Breccia said. “It’s always a delight to see what artwork they’ll send our way, and we get just as excited as they do when the final product is in our hands.”
Despite the warm response to collaborations, V Syndicate departed from their usual approach. “Through social media, we have been able to gauge a better understanding of how individuals enjoy them and have used their feedback to make some small changes. New designs are set to be released over the next few months.”
Using the SmartStash makes getting high and inspired easier than ever. No wonder people have discovered other ways to utilize V Syndicate’s dope accessories. “We’ve seen people use V Syndicate products for all kinds of other tasks. Our customers are creative, so you never know what you’ll see when you introduce the next item!”
Doctors And Patients Agree: Doctors Aren’t Good Sources For Medical Marijuana Info
The majority of medical marijuana patients do not consider their primary care physicians a good source of information regarding cannabis, according to a recent survey.
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Colorado Recreational Marijuana Shoppers Switching Back To Medical
Since the COVID-19 pandemic took its hit on the economy, the U.S. Cannabis industry has proven remarkably resilient with a surprising resurgence in Colorado.
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