They may be cute, but deer will eat your growing weed plants. Here’s how to prevent them and other critters from destroying your weed.

The post Do deer eat weed? And other pests to watch out for when growing cannabis appeared first on Leafly.

Trump To Republicans: Keep Marijuana Legalization Off The Ballot If You Want To Win

“The next time you run please don’t put marijuana on the ballot at the same time you’re running,” said Trump.

The post Trump To Republicans: Keep Marijuana Legalization Off The Ballot If You Want To Win appeared first on The Fresh Toast.

Here’s What You Should Know About CBD Suppositories

Cannabis suppositories are becoming increasingly more popular. Here’s what they can do for you.

The post Here’s What You Should Know About CBD Suppositories appeared first on The Fresh Toast.

A worker making pre-rolls in Michigan decided to lick them closed. State regulators shut the whole operation down.

The post Hey, who pre-licked my pre-roll? A cautionary tale in the time of COVID-19 appeared first on Leafly.

Image via 

Last week, a new research study linking prenatal cannabis use to autism made headlines, raising further concerns over the unknown risks of using weed while pregnant. 

Mainstream media is quick to seize on attention-grabbing research headlines like this one, but reporters are generally content on taking these studies at their word, without examining the limitations of the research. Clinical researchers are now urging people to take the study’s findings with a grain of salt, as it does not conclusively prove that prenatal pot use causes autism.

The original study, published in Nature Medicine, looked at data from every birth recorded in Ontario, Canada, between 2007 and 2012. Researchers then identified 2,200 women who admitted to using pot while pregnant, but did not use tobacco, alcohol, or opioids. The study authors also tracked diagnoses of autism and other neurodevelopmental conditions among children born during this time period.

Out of all the babies covered in the study, 7,125 were diagnosed with autism. A further analysis of the data revealed that women who used cannabis were more likely to give birth to children with autism than those who abstained. “Women who used cannabis during pregnancy were 1.5 times more likely to have a child with autism,” said study author Dr. Darine El-Chaâr, maternal fetal medicine specialist and clinical investigator at Ottawa Hospital Research Institute in Canada, to CNN.

The results of the study are particularly concerning, especially given the large study size. But as a purely observational study, there are a number of limitations that prevent scientists from conclusively proving that prenatal cannabis use causes autism. For one, recreational cannabis use was illegal in Canada until 2018. Some mothers who used pot while pregnant may have lied about their use for fear of recrimination, and therefore wrongly been counted as abstainers.

“There’s a long history of efforts to harshly criminalize drug use during pregnancy, and this is damaging to mothers and babies because it shunts women from the healthcare system to the legal system in really damaging ways,” said Stephen Sheinkopf, associate professor of psychiatry and human behavior at Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island, to Spectrum News. “We as clinical scientists need to advocate for the findings to be used to improve healthcare and not for the purposes of criminalization of moms.”

The study was also unable to collect information on what kind of cannabis these expectant mothers used, or how often they used it. Given that non-medical cannabis was illegal at the time of the study, it is likely that some of these mothers were using black market cannabis. Other studies have found that illegally-grown weed is often contaminated with molds, toxic pesticides or other chemicals, or heavy metals, and it is entirely possible that these contaminants were responsible for the increased autism risk.

The authors of the study are well aware of the limitations of their research, and specifically emphasized “a cautious interpretation of these findings given the likelihood of residual confounding.” Lead investigator Daniel Corsi, senior research associate at the Ottawa Hospital Research Institute in Canada, told Spectrum News that “this is still a database study and it’s not going to answer all the questions… We don’t have perfect data.”

Keely Cheslack-Postava, research scientist at the New York State Psychiatric Institute, said that the study does not prove a link between cannabis and autism, but does show that the issue is “a question that deserves further examination.” The researcher added that the original study made “great use of the data that was there,” but added that he “would like to see that kind of evidence in the future to help us really assess if this is a true association.”

Other research studies have found that cannabis use among pregnant women has definitely been increasing over recent years. Clinical research evaluating the actual risks of prenatal pot use has been a mixed bag, however, and few of these studies have been able to present conclusive proof of their findings.

Until further research can conclusively prove or disprove these potential risks, health experts urge expectant mothers to err on the safe side and refrain from cannabis use during pregnancy. 

How To Incorporate CBD Oils Into Your Daily Routine

If you’ve been wondering how to start using CBD oil, you’re in luck. Here are some tips and tricks for incorporating CBD oils into your everyday routine.

The post How To Incorporate CBD Oils Into Your Daily Routine appeared first on The Fresh Toast.

Image via

President Trump warned his fellow Republicans on Monday not to include cannabis reform on state ballots because it attracts extra voters who tend to lean liberal rather than those who support him and his party. Somehow it’s worse when all this evil is just conducted out in the open, isn’t it?   

This latest declaration of suppression occurred at a Trump campaign event in Wisconsin attended by Scott Walker, the state’s former governor who once described weed as “a gateway drug” and who was quickly voted out of office in 2018.

“The next time you run please don’t put marijuana on the ballot at the same time you’re running,” Trump said, addressing Walker directly. “You brought out like a million people that nobody ever knew were coming out.”

While shocking (but not uncommon), Trump’s comments showcase his ignorance. Walker had nothing to do with “putting marijuana on the ballot” in 2018; instead, elected officials in each district put reform measures up for the vote. That’s how the process works, Mr. President.  

Trump’s latest outburst marks his first explicit opinion on marijuana initiatives during this phase of the campaign, although it’s certainly not his first blatant boast about strategizing to suppress votes.

Of course, Trump did also blurt that presumptive Democratic VP nominee Kamala Harris “lied” when she laughingly recalled smoking weed in college. And he called her “nasty.” In 2019, Harris came out in favor of federal legalization.  

Meanwhile, Harris’s running mate Joe Biden has thus far stuck to his support for decriminalization, legalizing medical marijuana, and enacting other piecemeal reforms rather than just legalizing weed — a change supported by two-thirds of Americans.

Disappointingly, Biden’s task force on the issue (co-created by staunch legalization advocate Bernie Sanders) reached conclusions in July that backed decrim over adult-use legalization. So, that’s where Biden remains as the Democratic National Convention unfolds this week.

Despite the focus on the presidential race, there’s a chance Congress could make a final call on cannabis next month. The House of Representatives is set to vote on the Marijuana Opportunity, Reinvestment and Expungement (MORE) Act in September.

If passed, the MORE Act is a sweeping bill that would deschedule cannabis on a federal level, entirely expunge prior marijuana conviction records, and attach a five-percent sales tax on weed — the revenue from which would go back into rebuilding the communities most torn apart by the drug war.

No matter what, just get out and vote against Donald Trump this November — the prospect of cannabis legalization, our lives, and the future of (non-fascist) America depends on it. 

We Must End Marijuana Prohibition For Economic Recovery In A Post Pandemic World 

In the midst of the pandemic, there is much uncertainty about almost everything, but one thing does seem certain: America is going to be much poorer.

The post We Must End Marijuana Prohibition For Economic Recovery In A Post Pandemic World  appeared first on The Fresh Toast.

Since G Pen burst onto the vaporizer scene in 2012 with the first tank system specifically designed for “personal aromatherapy regimens,” they’ve been responsible for propelling the industry forward with a steady stream of revolutionary products. 

While their Elite and Pro flower vaporizers, the Nova concentrate pen, and the Connect concentrate attachment have all been blockbusters in their own right, none are quite as game changing as G Pen’s newest creation: the G Pen Roam.

The Roam is G Pen’s first totally portable concentrate vaporizer with a self-contained water filtration system. While that may sound like a mouthful, don’t worry, we’re here to break it down for you. 

Here’s our take on the new G Pen Roam.

What is the G Pen Roam?

The Roam is a fully portable electronic dab rig in the form of a large vape. The first of its kind, the Roam features a spill-proof, self-contained borosilicate glass hydrotube, a fully quartz tank, and a 1300mAh lithium-ion battery that heats to temperature within seconds of activation — delivering a perfect dab-like vapor experience with every hit.

What truly sets the Roam apart is the water filtration feature. Normally, portable concentrate vaporizers hit rather harshly, delivering concentrate vapor at high temperatures directly into the lungs. It can be rough. By introducing water filtration to the portable vape, the Roam offers smooth vapor with a dab rig experience that you can hit anywhere.

Coming in at $249.95, the Roam is G Pen’s most expensive product, making it a bit of an investment, albeit a worthwhile one.

What can you vape with the Roam?

Thanks to its fully quartz tank and super strong battery, the Roam is capable of vaporizing any conceivable concentrate, even crystalline substances like shatter. Because it’s a concentrate vaporizer, it does not work with flower or other ground material. 

How do you use the G Pen Roam?

Now that you know what The Roam brings to the table, how exactly do you use this new device?

How to charge the Roam

The Roam uses USB charging and comes with a USB charging cable. The battery level is displayed on the LED screen. Brand new, straight-out-the-box Roams need about 45 minutes to fully charge. 

Press the power button located on the Roam battery five times to power on/off. 

Changing temperatures

The buttons located above the LED screen can adjust the temperature up and down by 25 degree intervals. The temperature range is 600 — 800°F. To enter “Max Mode” (where the device outputs full power without temperature control), press the up button one time when the device is set at 800°F. If the device begins to overheat, a warning will be displayed and the device will stop until a safe operating temperature is reached. 

Filling up the water tube and concentrate tank

Slide the device apart to reveal the water tank and connected mouthpiece. Remove the water tank and fill to the black line with a very small amount of water. Replace tank and connect back to the battery. 

Open the quartz concentrate tank on the top of the device, and fill with desired concentrate using the tool found inside the Roam kit. 

Heating for use

For automatic heat activation, press the power button two times. Once the device has heated to optimal temperature, the device will vibrate, notifying you that it’s time to start hitting from the mouthpiece. The Roam will remain at temperature for 30 seconds, then vibrate again before being deactivated. Press the power button an additional two times to extend the session for 10 seconds. 

For manual heat activation, hold the power button while the device is powered on. The device will heat up to selected temperature, vibrate to indicate that temperature has been reached, and maintain that temperature until the button is released or until the 30-second time limit has elapsed. 

How to clean the Roam

Clean the Roam like you would any other vaporizer or concentrate device, with cotton swabs and isopropyl alcohol. All parts of the Roam are removable for separate cleaning. 

What’s the appeal?

Aside from being sleek, discrete, and easy-to-use, the Roam is exciting because there’s nothing else like it on the market. By merging the concepts of concentrate vaporizer and portable dab rig into this wild new creation, G Pen has created the most exciting product of Summer 2020 — one that could significantly elevate all upcoming days spent enjoying the great outdoors. 

Thought taking a dab before jumping off a waterfall sounded too good to be true? With the Roam, you can comfortably get high on concentrates anytime, anywhere. No one will suspect a thing, because they’ve never seen anything like it before. 

Photos provided by G Pen

The post Everything to know about the G Pen Roam appeared first on Weedmaps News.

Maine Sets October 9 For Recreational Sales

Retail sales of adult-use marijuana to consumers 21 years of age or older will be permitted starting on Friday, October 9, 2020.

The post Maine Sets October 9 For Recreational Sales appeared first on The Fresh Toast.