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Tag: marijjuana

  • DEA Delivers Gut Punch To Marijuana Industry

    DEA Delivers Gut Punch To Marijuana Industry

    The DEA has worked hard to keep marijuana illegal – despite almost 90% believing it shouldn’t be.

    The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has work diligently to turn the tide of legal marijuana. An agency built on the “War on Drugs” is doing everything to stop cannabis being available to the population and undercutting a vast amount of their efforts. And now again the DEA delivers gut punch to the marijuana industry. The agency is swimming upstream in the process as it is being recommended by Health and Human Services and the Food and Drug Administration to them to reclassify cannabis in part do to the medical benefits. This goes along the American Medical Association and  the American College of Physicians encouraging the federal government to change based proven, science based medical help to a variety of patients including cancer, chronic pain, inflammation and more.

    The  delay until post-election is do to the DEA’s inability to coordinate the next steps so they pushed the in-person testimony for the upcoming marijuana rescheduling until early next year. DEA director Anne Milligan is seen as anti-marijuana and more inline with House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA). When the current administration announced the move to reschedule, Director Milligan had a meeting with key DEA Leaders with “no note taking” and off the record. The DEA not rescheduling would go against the norm as they have always followed HHS and the FDA recommendations.

    While both presidential candidates have expressed support for marijuana, a YOUGOV poll has indicated more people have faith in Harris to support the industry. The surprise is the fact is both Democrats (65%) and Republicans (31%) believe her administration would follow through. Pew Research, who has followed the mainstreaming of cannabis, has it at 88+% of the population is for some form of federal legalization.  Even AARP has moved toward legalizing marijuana, a key voting block for both parties. But, it seems, the DEA, is against the move and is hoping there is a change of heart in policy making.

    In another slap to the cannabis industry, Milligan and the DEA have tried to stack the deck against cannabis. NORML’s Deputy Director Paul Armentano said that he was disappointed but hardly surprised by the DEA’s decision to disproportionately include groups opposed to marijuana policy reform as designated participants. “The fight to end our nation’s outdated and failed cannabis prohibition laws has never been fought on a level playing field,” he said.

    Terry Hacienda

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  • The Basics On Using Marijuana Tinctures And Oils

    The Basics On Using Marijuana Tinctures And Oils

    Want to consume marijuana and want a quick hit but don’t want to smoke? Consider a tincture or oil.

    More people are using cannabis to relax, to sleep, or for medical reasons. It has become popular with all ages and all over the country. But for those new to it and don’t want to smoke or vape, there is an alternative other than edibles. Cannabis tinctures and oils offer a discreet and precise way to consume marijuana, providing fast-acting effects and easy dosing. Discreet and odorless consumption, precise dosing, adjustable timing, a long shelf life and low-calorie alternative to edibles. Here are the basics on using marijuana tinctures and oils.

    Select a tincture based on your desired effects. CBD-dominant tinctures offer relaxation benefits with minimal psychoactive effects. THC-dominant tinctures provide stronger psychoactive effects. Balanced THC:CBD ratios offer a combination of benefits

    Proper dosing is crucial when using cannabis tinctures or oils. Start with a low dose, especially if you’re new to cannabis or the specific tincture. Begin with 1-3 drops and wait at least an hour to assess the effects. Gradually increase the dose if needed, but do so cautiously. Remember that individual responses to cannabinoids vary based on factors like body weight, tolerance, and the tincture’s potency.

    Photo by Tinnakorn Jorruang/Getty Images

    The most common and efficient method of using a cannabis tincture is sublingual administration:

    1. Shake the tincture bottle well before use.
    2. Using the dropper, place the desired dose under your tongue.
    3. Hold the liquid there for 60-90 seconds without swallowing
    4. After holding, swish the remaining tincture around your mouth before swallowing.

    This method allows for rapid absorption through the sublingual blood vessels, resulting in faster onset of effects compared to oral ingestion. You can expect to feel the effects within 15-30 minutes, lasting for up to 3 hours.

    You can also swallow the tincture directly or mix it with food and beverages:

    1. Add the desired dose to your favorite drink or food item.
    2. Consume the mixture as you normally would.

    When ingested orally, effects may take up to an hour to manifest but can last up to 4-6 hours. This method is ideal for those who dislike the taste of tinctures or prefer a more gradual onset of effects.

    Terry Hacienda

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  • Can Cannabis Help During Flu Season

    Can Cannabis Help During Flu Season

    The cold weather is arriving and with it comes flu season…but maybe a type of cannabis can help.

    The days are getting shorter and the weather a bit more difficult. Which drives people indoors and provides a great chance of catching something – like the flu. People packed together along with cold, dry air, which can weaken resistance, make it easier to catch the virus. But can cannabis help during flu season? As interest in natural remedies grows, many are exploring cannabis as a complementary option for managing discomfort during illness.

    Studies show cannabis contains compounds with anti-inflammatory properties, which some believe could help alleviate flu symptoms. It can also help manage flu symptoms like pain, nausea, and loss of appetite. A key factor is how to consume and the dosage amount.  Smoking, including vaping, can aggravate the virus and the lungs.  The most soothing way would be via edibles, like gummies, or tincture/oils.
    Photo by Tinnakorn Jorruang/Getty Images

    Pain Relief – Cannabinoids like THC and CBD have analgesic properties that may help alleviate body aches and headaches associated with the flu. By binding to pain receptors, cannabis can reduce the perception of pain and provide comfort.

    Anti-Inflammatory Effects – The flu triggers inflammation as part of the immune response. CBD, in particular, is known for its potent anti-inflammatory properties, This may help reduce swelling and discomfort in the respiratory tract.

    Sleep Aid – Getting adequate rest is crucial for recovery. Cannabis, especially strains high in THC, can have sedative effects that may help those struggling with flu-related insomnia

    Appetite Stimulation – The “munchies” effect of cannabis could be beneficial for flu patients experiencing reduced appetite. Maintaining proper nutrition is important for the body’s healing process.

    Interestingly, some research indicates that cannabis may offer temporary respiratory relief.  It might help with bronchodilatation. Infrequent cannabis use has been shown to open airways for 15-60 minutes, potentially easing shortness of breath. Cannabis may act as an expectorant, helping to clear phlegm from the lungs and throat.

    Cannabis may offer a natural approach to managing some flu symptoms, particularly pain, inflammation, and sleep disturbances. However, it’s not a replacement for proper medical care, hydration and rest. As research continues, there will develop a clearer understanding of how cannabis interacts with the immune system during viral infections. Always talk with a health professional if you have flu or flu like symptoms.

    Amy Hansen

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  • Did You Know Cannabis Is Part Of Diwali

    Did You Know Cannabis Is Part Of Diwali

    It is the festival of lights and one of the most popular festivals for Indians, but diid you know cannabis can play a part?

    From Mumbai to Texas, Diwali is a major Indian festival celebrated around the world. Diwali, also known as Deepavali, is a major festival celebrated primarily in India and by Hindu communities worldwide. It is often referred to as the Festival of Lights and symbolizes the triumph of light over darkness and good over evil.

    Did you know cannabis is part of Diwali? The festival has a complex relationship with cannabis that spans ancient traditions and modern concerns.  It is a part of 5 days of celebrations, light, reflections and feasting.  Homes and business put out rows of diyas to invite prosperity and dispel darkness.  It is customary to do a good clean of hte house and light it all up to bring light in home and life.

    Cannabis, has deep roots in Hindu mythology and religious practices. The ancient Vedic texts mention cannabis, sometimes referring to it as “Vijahia” (source of happiness) or “Ananda” (laughter-provoker). Lord Shiva, one of the principal deities in Hinduism, is closely associated with cannabis. According to the Rudrayamal Danakand and Karmakand, Shiva tells his consort Parvati about the benefits, elevating its status to a sacred plant. The use of cannabis in India dates back to ancient times, with evidence suggesting its presence as early as 1000 BC. The Atharva Veda, an ancient sacred text, refers to cannabis as a “liberator from sin” and “heavenly guide”. This long-standing cultural acceptance has led to cannabis being integrated into various religious and social practices.

    Cannabis is an element of Diwali celebrations for all participants. Yogis or sadhus along with other Hindu mystics have been known to smoke a mixture of cannabis sativa and tobacco in order to enhance meditation. In Hinduism, it’s believed drinking bhang during religious rites can cleanse sins, unite one with Shiva, and avoid hell in the future. Priests, mystics and everyday Indians have been known to consume.

    Bhang is an Indian edible preparation made from the leaves of the cannabis plant. Bhang is part of the ancient Hindu tradition and custom in the Indian subcontinent. In some parts of rural India, people attribute various medicinal properties to the cannabis plant. If taken in proper quantity, bhang is believed to cure fever, dysentery, and sunstroke, to clear phlegm, aid in digestion, increase appetite, cure speech imperfections and lisping, and give alertness to the body. Because the country’s legal definition of ‘cannabis’ does not include the leaves of the cannabis plant, it preserves the legality of bhang. Important festivals such as Holi and Maha Shivratri have traditionally seen people consume bhang.

    Amy Hansen

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  • Best Ways To Reduce Your Halloween Hangover

    Best Ways To Reduce Your Halloween Hangover

    Halloween is on a Thursday – so there are multiple days to celebrate….here is a guide to surviving with a minimal hangover.

    Halloween is on a Thursday this year so you have two weekend, and Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday to celebrate with parties, haunted houses or just drinks with friends.  But all this festive and spooky drinks, might mean a hangover.  Here are the best ways to reduce your Halloween hangover.

    For most people, a hangover is comes from drinking. Alcohol is a diuretic, which means it causes the body to urinate more and lose fluids.This can lead to dehydration, which can cause thirst, fatigue, headaches, and dizziness.  Alcohol can also trigger an inflammatory response from the immune system, which can cause physical symptoms like headaches, chills, fatigue, nausea, and stomach upset. 
    One reason people are moving to becoming California sober is to avoid these affects, especially the inflammation.

    Eat a Hearty Meal
    Consuming a meal rich in fats before drinking can help slow alcohol absorption. Foods like avocados delay the absorption of alcohol in the body, potentially lessening the hangover’s intensity.

    Hydrate Properly
    Drink plenty of water throughout the day before you start consuming alcohol. This helps prepare your body for the dehydrating effects of alcohol.

    Choose Drinks Wisely
    Opt for drinks with lower congener content. Congeners are toxic chemicals that contribute to hangover severity. Clear spirits like vodka, gin, and rum have lower congener levels compared to darker liquors like whiskey and cognac.

    Pace Yourself
    Drink slowly and alternate between alcoholic beverages and water. This helps your body process the alcohol more efficiently and keeps you hydrated.

    Stay Hydrated
    Drink a glass of water after every alcoholic beverage. This practice helps counteract alcohol’s diuretic effect and reduces dehydration.

    Avoid Mixing Drinks
    Stick to one type of alcohol throughout the night. Mixing different types of drinks can increase the likelihood and severity of a hangover

    If all the pre-work doesn’t help – here are tips to help with the recovery.

    Rehydrate
    Before going to bed, drink a large glass of water. Keep water by your bedside to sip if you wake up during the night.

    Get Adequate Sleep
    Allow yourself plenty of time to sleep. Alcohol can disrupt sleep patterns, so giving your body extra time to rest and recover is crucial.

    Eat a Nutritious Breakfast
    In the morning, have a hearty breakfast. This helps restore blood sugar levels and provides necessary nutrients. Consider foods that are easy on the stomach, like toast or crackers.

    Take Pain Relief (if needed)
    If you have a headache, consider taking an over-the-counter pain reliever like ibuprofen or aspirin. Avoid acetaminophen, as it can be harmful to your liver when combined with alcohol.

    Anthony Washington

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  • Can Gummies Bring Down Election Anxiety

    Can Gummies Bring Down Election Anxiety

    Tensions are high, but can hemp, CBD, or cannabis gummies help you relax – especially with microdosing?

    The American Psychological Association recent poll should 69% of American’s are experiencing anxiety about the election. Compared with the previous two presidential elections, stress related to the 2024 election was slightly higher than in 2020 (69% vs. 68%) but significantly higher than in 2016 (52%). Stress related to the current election appeared to be driven, in part, by the potential consequences from the election results.  The barrage of news, memes, friends complain is making it hard on people’s mind and body. Can gummies bring down election anxiety?

    Anxiety can cause feelings of fear, dread, or uneasiness, and can make it hard to concentrate or make decisions. People with anxiety may also feel irritable, tense, or restless, and may have a sense of impending danger, panic, or doom. Not only does it leave you feeling miserable, it can interfere with your job and relationships. A short term solution may come from the cannabis plant. Can gummies bring down election anxiety?

    Studies have shown the cannabis plant can help with a variety of medical ailments, including anxiety. A Johns Hopkins Medicine-led research team has added to evidence that a chemical found naturally in cannabis (also known as marijuana) can — in the right amounts — lessen the anxiety-inducing effects of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the primary psychoactive sister chemical found in cannabis.

    The cannabis plant produces marijuana (with THC), CBD, and hemp. Studies show all can help with anxiety at some level, but is dependent on dosage.  Microdosing a new trend to provide a very low dosage to take off the edge but to stay focused. Most gummies are either 5 or 10 mg. A microcode would be between 2.5 – 5 mg.  So a half or third and you can avoid the “high” while reducing the anxiety and moving into a better state of mind.

    Marijuana Gummies

    Marijuana gummies are a way for adults to cope with anxiety. But you should start with a low dose as you want to have a calming effect with out the extra bells and whistles.  Consider 2.5 mg and see how it goes from there….and recognize it will take 45 minutes to an hour for impact.

    CBD Gummies

    While some CBD gummies products promise and don’t deliver, Epidiolex is the only FDA-approved prescription CBD medicine, which among many things, means that it has a safety and efficacy profile that has been thoroughly evaluated in clinical trials. CBD doesn’t have the THC high as with marijuana so this would completely avoid any high. It is also a popular aide to sleep issues.

    Other ways to reduce anxiety during this time is to focus on what you can control and what positive actions you can take. it is also important to set boundaries with how much information you will consume (including social media) and the conversations you will have.  Mostly, try to focus on things which help you relax.

     

    Amy Hansen

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  • US Territory Puerto Rico And Cannabis

    US Territory Puerto Rico And Cannabis

    It is a popular tourist destination as part of the US, but what about consuming cannabis there?

    Over 5 million people travel to Puerto Rico each year, the island territory of the US is popular with tourists. Beaches, outdoor adventures, good food and sun are always a popular draw and it is considered a safe and easy destinations. Millions of American’s have visited, but as the US embraces marijuana, what about US territory Puerto Rico and cannabis?

    Puerto Rico became a territory of the United States as a result of the Spanish-American War in 1898. In 1898, the United States went to war with Spain and invaded their colony Puerto Rico on July 25, 1898. It has been under Spanish rule for over 400 years.War ended with the signing of the Treaty of Paris with Spain ceding Puerto Rico to the United States, along with other territories like Guam. After the war, Puerto Rico came under direct U.S. military rule for about two years. In 1900, the U.S. Congress passed the Foraker Act, which established a civilian government for Puerto Rico and officially designated it as an “unincorporated territory” belonging to the United States.  It has some benefits of the US, but not a formal voice in the Congress.

    The locals have nothing against fun, the national drink of Puerto Rico is the Pina Coloda. Made with local rum, coconut cream, and pineapple juice. It’s often made without rum so that everyone can enjoy it. Also, 85% of the population identifies as Catholic, a faith that doesn’t mind some wine.

    Like the mainland US, Puerto Rico enacted legislation banning cannabis in 1932, making it illegal to plant, import, purchase, or sell marijuana. The prohibition remained in place for decades, with attempts at decriminalization failing to gain traction. In 2013, a proposal to decriminalize cannabis was met with significant public opposition, with 70% of those surveyed against the idea.

    A major shift occurred in 2015 when Governor Alejandro Garcia Padilla signed an executive order permitting the use of medical cannabis. This was followed in 2017 by the passage of Act 42-2017, officially legalizing cannabis for medicinal purposes in Puerto Rico.The medical cannabis program established regulations for:

    • Licensing of dispensaries, cultivators, processors, and caregivers
    • Safety protocols including product testing and labeling requirements
    • Taxation of cannabis sales to fund social programs and education initiatives

    While smoking cannabis remains prohibited, other forms of consumption are permitted for approved medical conditions. Recreational use of cannabis in Puerto Rico remains illegal. Possession is considered a crime with some type of punishment.

    However, in 2015 the governor advised judges not to imprison defendants caught with less than 6 grams of cannabis, indicating some leniency for small amounts. Despite its illegal status, marijuana remains one of the most commonly abused illicit drugs in Puerto Rico

    Amy Hansen

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  • Maybe You Shouldn’t Watch Horror Movies While High

    Maybe You Shouldn’t Watch Horror Movies While High

    Halloween is a great time of year for tricks and treats…but if a little marijuana is your treat, maybe you should watch true horror movies.

    October is the month of Halloween and horror movies. Movie marathons and film festivals abound along with special screenings in movie theaters. But, it might not be the thing for growing mainstream who are embracing cannabis.  Maybe you shouldn’t watch horror movies while high. Horror is the fastest-rising film genre, having doubled market share from 4.87 percent in 2013 to 10.08 percent in 2023, While the Conjuring universe, Us, Talk to Me and more might grab the imagination, the effects of marijuana on the mind might give you pause.

    The first horror movie is widely believed to be the 1896 short film Le Manoir du Diable, The House of the Devil. This 3-minute short film was created by French filmmaker Georges Méliès, who is also credited with inventing many filming techniques and tricks.

    Watching horror movies while under the influence of cannabis can lead to a uniquely intense experience, but it often comes with significant drawbacks. Here are several reasons why you might want to reconsider this combination.

    The Shining

    Cannabis can amplify feelings of anxiety and paranoia, which are already prevalent in horror films. The suspenseful music, sudden scares, and disturbing imagery can become overwhelming when paired with the psychoactive effects of marijuana. Many viewers report a heightened state of awareness which can transform a thrilling scare into a panic-inducing moment, making the experience far from enjoyable.

    When stoned, perception of reality can shift dramatically. Horror movies often blur the lines between fiction and reality. Under the influence, this distortion can feel even more pronounced. This heightened sense of immersion might lead to confusion or fear of what is happening on screen could somehow affect you in real life. For instance, films like The Thing and Hellraiser are particularly noted for their ability to evoke intense feelings of claustrophobia and dread, which can spiral into a bad trip when viewed while high.

    Certain horror films are notorious for inducing “bad trips,” especially for those who may already be predisposed to anxiety or have had negative experiences with substances. Movies that delve into psychological horror or body horror—like Tusk or The Trip—can trigger distressing thoughts or feelings that linger long after the film ends. Experts advise avoiding these films if you’re not in a stable mental state.

    There is a case for a few exceptions. Comedy or old school horror can be fun. The original Frankenstein or Young Frankenstein can be great. Some of the 1970s sexy campy horror can be enjoyable and interesting.   Also, Scary Movie, The Cabin in the Woods, Trolls, Little Shop of Horrors.

    Anthony Washington

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