During the COVID-19 crisis, states are opening up online ordering and delivery options so medical patients can get marijuana safely. Check out what your state’s doing.
The post COVID-19 and medical marijuana patients: What you need to know appeared first on Leafly.
Federal Policy On Hemp CBD Is Taking Shape: What Needs To Be Addressed?
One feature that could show up in the FDA’s enforcement guidance submitted to the White House is instruction on how to measure THC in hemp products.
The post Federal Policy On Hemp CBD Is Taking Shape: What Needs To Be Addressed? appeared first on The Fresh Toast.
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It’s looking likely that New Jersey will become the 12th US state to legalize adult-use cannabis, according to a new poll conducted by DKC Analytics.
This November, the state’s general election ballot will include a referendum question asking whether the state constitution should be amended to allow legal cannabis sales and use. The ballot measure would legalize possession and use for adults aged 21 and older and establish a state-run cannabis commission to oversee licensing and regulations for retail sales.
It’s hard to predict how the 2020 election will pan out, but polls are suggesting that the legalization measure will be a solid success. According to a new poll released on Tuesday, 68 percent of respondents say they are in favor of legalization. Support seems to have grown since April, when a separate poll reported that around 60 percent of respondents were in favor of legalization.
In the current poll, nearly 40 percent said they “strongly support” legalization, while 28 percent said they “somewhat support” the ballot measure. Only about a quarter of respondents said they opposed legalization, and around 6 percent said they were uncertain. Like most other cannabis-related polls, Democrats were most likely (78 percent) to support legalization, but majorities of Republicans (57 percent) and independents (63 percent) were still down with legal weed.
“The polling results confirmed our belief that there is overwhelming support for the creation of a regulated, adult-use cannabis marketplace in New Jersey,” said John Fanburg, an attorney at Brach Eichler, the law firm that commissioned the survey, according to Marijuana Moment. “Respondents supported it because it will create tremendous opportunity. It will create vitally needed new businesses, the state will receive significant tax revenues and illegal sales will be dramatically reduced, if not eliminated. Voters see this as a win for everyone.”
The poll also asked respondents to weigh in on exactly how legalization should be implemented. The vast majority of voters were in favor of limiting pot use to private property (71 percent) and expunging the criminal records of former pot offenders (68 percent). Half of the respondents said that the state should allow weed consumption lounges, while 56 percent said that they supported home weed delivery. Voters were divided on the issue of whether to allow individual towns to ban legal pot businesses, however.
Interestingly, although 68 percent of voters said they supported legalization, 57 percent of them said that they did not personally use cannabis. To delve further into the issue, the survey asked voters why they supported or opposed the measure. Nearly 70 percent of supporters said that they believed legalization would help destroy the black market, and 43 percent said they believed pot was safer than alcohol.
Around 57 percent of voters said they believed legal weed would create more jobs, 61 percent said legalization would increase tax revenue and ensure safer weed products, and 60 percent said it would save taxpayer money that is currently being wasted on enforcing cannabis prohibition laws.
“The strong level of support for correcting this decades-old inequality, especially in the context of recent protests of inherent bias in law enforcement, should be well noted by our legislators who will be tasked with correcting this unfortunate consequence of the failed policy of prohibition,” said Charles Gormally of Brach Eichler to Marijuana Moment.
For those opposed to legalization, 38 percent said they were concerned about impaired driving, 27 percent were afraid of increased youth access, and 24 percent still believe the tired old “gateway drug” myth.
Governor Phil Murphy initially hoped to legalize adult-use immediately after taking office in 2017, but conservative lawmakers shot down his plan, and every adult-use bill introduced in the state Legislature since then has failed. Last December, after the last of these bills was finally tabled, lawmakers decided to let the state’s residents decide the fate of legal weed, and created a referendum to be included on this year’s election ballot.
Image via
It’s looking likely that New Jersey will become the 12th US state to legalize adult-use cannabis, according to a new poll conducted by DKC Analytics.
This November, the state’s general election ballot will include a referendum question asking whether the state constitution should be amended to allow legal cannabis sales and use. The ballot measure would legalize possession and use for adults aged 21 and older and establish a state-run cannabis commission to oversee licensing and regulations for retail sales.
It’s hard to predict how the 2020 election will pan out, but polls are suggesting that the legalization measure will be a solid success. According to a new poll released on Tuesday, 68 percent of respondents say they are in favor of legalization. Support seems to have grown since April, when a separate poll reported that around 60 percent of respondents were in favor of legalization.
In the current poll, nearly 40 percent said they “strongly support” legalization, while 28 percent said they “somewhat support” the ballot measure. Only about a quarter of respondents said they opposed legalization, and around 6 percent said they were uncertain. Like most other cannabis-related polls, Democrats were most likely (78 percent) to support legalization, but majorities of Republicans (57 percent) and independents (63 percent) were still down with legal weed.
“The polling results confirmed our belief that there is overwhelming support for the creation of a regulated, adult-use cannabis marketplace in New Jersey,” said John Fanburg, an attorney at Brach Eichler, the law firm that commissioned the survey, according to Marijuana Moment. “Respondents supported it because it will create tremendous opportunity. It will create vitally needed new businesses, the state will receive significant tax revenues and illegal sales will be dramatically reduced, if not eliminated. Voters see this as a win for everyone.”
The poll also asked respondents to weigh in on exactly how legalization should be implemented. The vast majority of voters were in favor of limiting pot use to private property (71 percent) and expunging the criminal records of former pot offenders (68 percent). Half of the respondents said that the state should allow weed consumption lounges, while 56 percent said that they supported home weed delivery. Voters were divided on the issue of whether to allow individual towns to ban legal pot businesses, however.
Interestingly, although 68 percent of voters said they supported legalization, 57 percent of them said that they did not personally use cannabis. To delve further into the issue, the survey asked voters why they supported or opposed the measure. Nearly 70 percent of supporters said that they believed legalization would help destroy the black market, and 43 percent said they believed pot was safer than alcohol.
Around 57 percent of voters said they believed legal weed would create more jobs, 61 percent said legalization would increase tax revenue and ensure safer weed products, and 60 percent said it would save taxpayer money that is currently being wasted on enforcing cannabis prohibition laws.
“The strong level of support for correcting this decades-old inequality, especially in the context of recent protests of inherent bias in law enforcement, should be well noted by our legislators who will be tasked with correcting this unfortunate consequence of the failed policy of prohibition,” said Charles Gormally of Brach Eichler to Marijuana Moment.
For those opposed to legalization, 38 percent said they were concerned about impaired driving, 27 percent were afraid of increased youth access, and 24 percent still believe the tired old “gateway drug” myth.
Governor Phil Murphy initially hoped to legalize adult-use immediately after taking office in 2017, but conservative lawmakers shot down his plan, and every adult-use bill introduced in the state Legislature since then has failed. Last December, after the last of these bills was finally tabled, lawmakers decided to let the state’s residents decide the fate of legal weed, and created a referendum to be included on this year’s election ballot.
This Is The Most Important Factor When It Comes To Relationship Success
While individual characteristics are important, a recent study shows a new way of viewing relationships.
The post This Is The Most Important Factor When It Comes To Relationship Success appeared first on The Fresh Toast.
The House of Representatives is prepared to vote this week on a measure to prohibit the Department of Justice from meddling with any state, territory, or tribal cannabis programs, according to a report.
If the House votes in favor of the amendment, which is similar to the famous Rohrabacher-Farr amendment, it would give legal marijuana businesses the ability to operate without fear of federal busts. That’s a huge relief, considering cannabis is still technically illegal under federal law.
The proposal in play is an amendment to spending legislation FY2021 that was sponsored by Reps. Earl Blumenauer (D-OR), Barbara Lee (D-CA), Tom McClintock (R-CA), and Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC). This past Tuesday, the House Rules Committee passed the measure for a floor vote, which is reportedly expected to happen before the weekend.
“None of the funds made available by this Act to the Department of Justice may be used… to prevent any [states, territories, or tribes] from implementing their own laws that authorize the use, distribution, possession, or cultivation of marijuana,” the amendment states.
This DOJ-blocking move is just the latest weed-related component of the FY2021 legislation expected to face yea-or-nea counts this week.
Previously approved FY2021 amendments include language to prevent universities from being denied federal funds for studying cannabis, as well as a measure that prohibits the Treasury Department from penalizing banks for conducting business with legal cannabis companies.
Unfortunately, the latest version of FY2021 doesn’t include language that would allow Washington DC to legally permit retail sales — let alone a whole adult-use market. DC has a unique “legal cannabis” situation because the region passed recreational and medical weed laws years ago, but the surrounding laws have barred bringing an industry into existence, ultimately keeping it in a liminal space.
Last year, House members from both parties voted 267-165 in favor of legislation to protect legal cannabis states from federal harassment. Those measures got shot down in the Republican-led Senate, however — an example of the governmental trends that pot advocates hope will be reversed in the upcoming November elections.
As MERRY JANE reported earlier this week, plans also appear to be underway for Congress to vote in September on The Marijuana Opportunity, Reinvestment, and Expungement (MORE) Act.
Among other proposed advances, the MORE Act aims to federally deschedule cannabis, entirely expunge any existing marijuana conviction records, and attach a five-percent sales tax on weed in order to finance reinvestment in communities and populations most damaged by the War on Drugs.
In the meantime, we can all participate by contacting our government reps to make it clear that the public demands legalization and other reforms. Plus, maybe even above all else, let’s actively vote Trump and his corrosive cronies out of office come the fall.
What Effect Does CBD Oil Have On Cats?
CBD’s anti-inflammatory and stress relieving properties might be a good option for treating anxiety without causing meaningful side effects.
The post What Effect Does CBD Oil Have On Cats? appeared first on The Fresh Toast.
The self-care industry has experienced a wildly explosive boom the past few years, and the cannabis market has been paying attention. You can walk into any dispensary and find as many skincare products as stoney edibles.
But self-care isn’t just for the body, it can contribute to overall well-being. Simply caring for yourself and setting up a routine can boost self-esteem. No need to make it elaborate — washing your hair with your favorite shampoo or preparing your favorite meal can help build you up.
In these long days of quarantine and coronavirus, self-care may have taken a backseat in your day-to-day life. Time begins to blend together, and the overwhelming news cycle can start to feel like a constant buzz — so much of this can make everything feel a little hopeless and grey. But these are the times when self-care is most important.
To understand the need for self-care and CBD, we spoke to Tamara Anderson, founder of Culinary and Cannabis, an ongoing event forum that provides cooking classes and cannabis education from “healthcare professionals, advocacy groups and food & wine experts within the community for a great cause.”
Also a nurse, Anderson knows how important it is to care for the body and mind, and understands how cannabis may help manage pain and bring relief to a variety of patients. Seeing how self-care and cannabis go hand-in-hand, she’s set up virtual “CannaSpas” where you can buy wellness kits and follow along as she or other educators create candles, lotions, edible treats, and various CBD-infused self-care goods.
CBD has been a mainstay in the industry for decades due to its anti-inflammatory properties and its effects on epilepsy, along with numerous studies pointing out its anti-anxiety effects. And according to a study done by the Journal of Cannabis Research, a 1:1 ratio of CBD to THC can have a significant impact on social anxiety disorders.
But what about self-care? Through her events, which only use CBD ingredients, Anderson has seen first-hand how caring for oneself can change one’s outlook on life when things are getting emotionally tough, “if you’re not taking care of yourself, how are you going to take care of anyone else? You can’t. And right now, it’s really important to take care of yourself. A lot of people think that since you’re in the house, you don’t have to think about it. But you have to take care of your mental health.”
Seclusion brought by quarantine, and being constantly surrounded by the media, can take a toll on the brain. The Centers for Disease Control has linked social isolation to increased risk of dementia, heart disease, and depression, among other illnesses. Anderson adds, “being in the house can be very depressing, and if you don’t have an outlet for that or you don’t have a way to communicate and express that, it’s going to change yourself and it’s going to change your own culture.”
Like many industries, coronavirus has caused almost everything to hop online, self-care included. And though you aren’t face-to-face, it’s never a detriment to participate and learn something new, “A big part of cannabis is teaching people the holistic benefits of it, and providing a safe, comfortable, and beautiful place to learn about the plant.”
There doesn’t seem to be an end in sight for all forms of quarantine to be lifted, which can feel defeating, but breaking up your day and continuing to do even one small thing for yourself can make a difference. “It’s optimal that when this is over, for you to be the best person that you can be, you need to take care of yourself. Whether that be mentally, physically, spiritually — all of that needs to be taken care of right now. And with CBD, it’s about providing education for people and letting them know it’s an alternative.”
In need of a relaxing bath or delicious treat to set your mind at ease? Below, check out our favorite calming products for the long quarantine days ahead.
One of Anderson’s favorite brands, Bhang delivers on taste and effects. Their 1:1 Vegan Caramel Dark Chocolate Bar blends rich flavors and soothing qualities with 100 milligrams THC to 100 milligrams CBD.
Available: California
When you purchase a single pack of Om Body’s Lavender CBD Epsom Salts, 100% of proceeds will be donated to Black Lives Matter. Not only will you feel positive by supporting the cause, you’ll feel every relaxing moment that comes with soaking in ultra-calming lavender and 100 milligrams CBD.
Available: Nationwide
Packed with 400 mg CBD, Brown Girl Jane’s Heal Whipped CBD Body Butter is the perfect solution for cracked hand or sore muscles. Along with chamomile, calendula, and aloe, you’ll feel bathed in luxury when smoothing this creamy body butter after a warm shower or bath.
Available: Nationwide
Featured image by Reiana Lorin/Cannaclusive
The post CBD and self-care during coronavirus appeared first on Weedmaps News.
Worried About COVID Health? This Diet Cuts Risk Of Death By 10%
Boosting our immune systems is one of our best defenses against the novel coronavirus.
The post Worried About COVID Health? This Diet Cuts Risk Of Death By 10% appeared first on The Fresh Toast.
Cannabis Cravings: A New Study Addresses Why It Happens
We now have a better understanding of why cannabis users crave the herb — and it has a lot to do with brain connectivity.
The post Cannabis Cravings: A New Study Addresses Why It Happens appeared first on The Fresh Toast.