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The holidays are around the corner; 2020 isn’t over.

It’s time to get all the presents ordered and wrapped under the tree. Cannabis & Tech Today did the leg work and found gifts to satisfy all your CBD needs.

Sträva Craft CBD Coffee

Sträva is available in K-Cups, whole or ground beans, and comes in a wide range of dosages and flavors.

The company’s mission is “to enrich the lives of its customers by delivering extraordinary products, meaningful experiences, and to make a positive impact on the health and well being of customers around the world.”

It’s almost hard to believe that as the UN voted on recommendations to globally open the legality of cannabis, that some countries are still so against it that they’ll kill you for crimes related to it. Yup, it might be 2020, but you can still receive the death penalty for cannabis crimes in many different places.

The first thing to understand about the death penalty for cannabis is that there are different kinds of cannabis crimes, and just because a country employs the death sentence, it doesn’t mean it’s applicable to all crimes involving cannabis. Some countries will only enforce such a law for traffickers, others are more hardcore, and will go after actual users with death. While it all seems like a massive overstep in any scenario, here are the places that still give out the death penalty for cannabis crimes.

Before we go to the list of countries where you shouldn’t use cannabis, we need to keep in mind that the situation in the United States is different and you can use cannabis related products almost anywhere. Recently, a new kind of cannabis product, hemp-derived Delta-8 THC (also known as cannabis-lite) has become very popular, as it legal to order it online, even in countries where recreational use of cannabis is still forbidden. People who use Delta-8 THC report that while it is very uplifting and relaxing, it is also “easier to the mind” and brings no anxiety or paranoia at all, so they prefer it over regular cannabis.

Ready to finish out your holiday shopping? Check out the best Delta-8 THC deals this year, and make everyone happy this holiday season.

China

China is at the top of pretty much any list when it comes to the use of capital punishment. Though the country didn’t begin handing out sentences for cannabis use until the 1980’s, it certainly went from 0 to 100 pretty fast. In China, being caught with just five kilograms can be enough to get the death penalty, though some publications put the amount at 10 kilograms of hash or 150 kilograms of marijuana. Lesser punishments involve prison sentences of five years to life, with a fine of up to 1,000 yuan. Sale and supply crimes will get you a death sentence that much faster, even with smaller amounts. The problem with China is that information is very rarely released with actual, usable numbers. While there is a strong expectation that China is killing its own people for all kinds of crimes, the specifics are merely speculation.

Members of the New Jersey state Assembly and Senate have given final approval to legislation permitting the possession of marijuana by adults and regulating its commercial production and retail sales. Each of the measures now awaits the signature of Democratic Gov. Phil Murphy. The Assembly approved A21 by a 49 to 24 vote with six abstentions, and the Senate later approved S21 by a 23 to 17 vote.

“I commend lawmakers for working quickly to implement the will of the voters, who made their mandate clear at the ballot box.” said NORML State Policies Coordinator Carly Wolf. “While this legislation is not perfect and our work is far from finished, it is a crucial step forward toward repairing the decades of damage done to New Jersey’s most vulnerable communities as a result of the enforcement of marijuana prohibition. Historically, law enforcement in New Jersey has arrested more people per capita for marijuana law violations than almost any other state in the nation. Most notably, going forward tens of thousands of otherwise law-abiding New Jerseyans will no longer be subject to arrest, incarceration, and a criminal record for their personal use of marijuana, and that is a reason to celebrate.”

Senate Bill 21 and Assembly Bill 21 establish regulatory guidelines for the marijuana market. Under the bills, adults may legally purchase and possess up to one ounce of cannabis. The measures cap the number of commercial cultivators permitted under the law at 37 for the first two years. The measures direct 70 percent of the revenue derived from sales taxes on retail marijuana purchases toward reinvestment in designated communities that have been most adversely impacted by prohibition.

“New Jersey is already one of the largest cannabis markets in the world, and the industry here is poised to grow substantially as the state embraces legalization and regulation,” said Cranford-based attorney Jennifer Cabrera of Vicente Sederberg LLP, a national cannabis law firm that has helped shape and implement cannabis laws and regulations across the U.S. She works closely with state lawmakers and regulators on cannabis policy issues and provided testimony to the Assembly regarding the legislation.

“This legislation creates the conditions for a vibrant craft cannabis industry in New Jersey,” Cabrera said. “Setting aside licenses and streamlining the application process for microbusinesses will hopefully enable a healthy number of smaller local companies to sprout up across the state. There are some additional steps we would like to see policymakers take to make it easier to operate these microbusinesses, and we look forward to working with them as they fine-tune the system. Still, this is a great starting point and opens the door to a lot of exciting opportunity for local entrepreneurs.”

Nowadays, there’s numerous ways to smoke cannabis. Here are some things you should consider before making your purchase.

Buying your first marijuana smoking piece is a big deal. It’s the moment when you say to yourself that you’re committed to your weed habit. Once you own a pipe, bong or other piece of equipment, you won’t need to depend on the whims of your stoner friend, which is a clear step forward.

Despite the excitement you’ll feel over the prospect of buying a cute pipe in the shape of an elephant, it’s important to first do some research. What is it that you’re looking for? Is it something discreet or something geared for premium enjoyment?

Here are some tips that can help you find what you’re looking for:

Pipes

Photo by SharonMcCutcheon via Pixabay

Over 22 million marijuana arrests later, the political consequences of Reefer Madness are still being hidden from the American people. 

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article solely belong to the author and do not necessarily represent those of The Fresh Toast. 

Parents are understandably concerned about their children being “indoctrinated” as they are supposedly being “educated”, but the general public should also be concerned, especially when the government has been lying to everyone for decades about marijuana. 

Decades of “Reefer Madness” with absurd claims about marijuana endangered children by undermining effective education about really dangerous drugs… and  adults about really dangerous government. Over 22 million marijuana arrests later, the political consequences are still being hidden from the American people. 

For example, in a 2002 interview with the Baltimore Sun,  John Walters, George W. Bush’s Drug Czar was asked about marijuana: 

Cannabis has been popular in Europe for a very long time.

While it’s unclear when cannabis consumption first became popular in Europe, it’s as popular today as ever before.

Parts of Europe such as Amsterdam and Barcelona have been top cannabis tourist destinations among cannabis fans for many years.

Europe has yet to see a country fully legalize cannabis for adult use, although momentum for legalization has gained steam in recent years.

A court decision in Italy, similar to one issued in Mexico, determined that cannabis prohibition is unconstitutional, however, lawmakers in Italy have yet to implement the court’s mandate.

When a new cannabis user asks their budtender a question, they expect to receive an accurate answer.

Given that many doctors still don’t understand the medical science of cannabis, budtenders become even the medical user’s primary resource to understand dosing, cannabinoids and terpenes, and measures of quality. 

But according to cannabis education expert Emma Chasen, most of those budtenders don’t get nearly enough training to be good stewards of cannabis. 

“They go into these entry-level positions expecting some kind of educational opportunity, some kind of upward mobility, some allowance for growth and opportunity in this industry, and they often just don’t get it,” she says. 

Budtenders, she argues, aren’t just any retail workers  — many of them have big dreams of moving up the ranks in the industry, and take on entry level roles expecting to learn the ropes. 

Even the most experienced consumers of alcohol and cannabis can find themselves in that dreaded over-intoxicated space, when a fun night sipping drinks and toking up with friends turns into a greened-out horror show. 

Crossfading, or being high and drunk at the same time, is a difficult thing to master without going over the edge of either one. Most often, crossfaded highs are a terrible experience because they can be disorienting, nauseating, dizzying, and can even bring on anxiety and panic attacks. Motor skills are significantly diminished to the point of putting people in danger.

Some medical experts believe that consuming alcohol and marijuana can be straight up dangerous. For instance, cannabis is an antiemetic, meaning that it helps prevent nausea and vomiting. However, if you've consumed too much alcohol, the most efficient way to get it out of your system is to vomit. In this scenario, cannabis disrupts the body's instinct to rid itself of excess alcohol. 

Cannabis and alcohol are both frequently consumed psychoactive substances, where they alter a person's mental state. Though they exert different effects, the combination of the two often leads to impaired decision making. We all know how dangerous it is to drink and drive, which kills one person in the U.S. every 50 minutes. 

But, hey, you're only human. Sometimes the night simply gets away, and you've found yourself totally wasted, baked, and careening into crossfaded territory. Here are some of the warning signs to keep an eye on.

Arizona health officials have begun writing the rules for marijuana retailers the state will oversee following the passage of Proposition 207, which legalized adult, recreational use.

Sales of the drug could begin in the spring.

The election results were made official Nov. 30, meaning it's now legal for adults to possess as much as an ounce of marijuana and grow six plants at home, or 12 if there is more than one adult in the home.

But setting up the licensing and oversight of retail shops that sell the drug will take a few months.

Public can weigh in

The Department of Health Services on Thursday announced draft rules, much of which remain to be written, along with a survey asking the public what they like and what they see as deficient in the draft. The survey will be open until Dec. 17.

The cost of cannabis flower has fluctuated throughout the years. 

For many decades the standard cannabis flower that was available in most parts of the world originated in third-world countries, was compressed into bricks, and then distributed to various markets.

The cannabis flower was often low-quality and not that potent, and it was priced accordingly. 

Cannabis was more expensive than other crops due to the illegalities involved, but for the most part it was affordable for many consumers.

Prices for cannabis started to climb as sophisticated cultivation practices were implemented, such as hydroponic cultivation methods.

Looking back at 2020, the Brightfield Group determined the cannabis product shelf space winners. A review of the first three quarters provided a snapshot of which products cannabis consumers wanted most. This type of information is invaluable to producers and dispensary owners alike. The producers can make sure that they have these products in their portfolio and dispensaries can make sure they stock their shelves with the items that customers want.

Increased 2020 Shelf Space:

Candy

Brightfield’s report found that since January 2020, the candy category has captured 12% of the shelf and in August held 14% of the shelf its largest position to date. The category has grown by 41% in 2020. The report also noted that the shelves saw a shift towards luxury and premium prices.  Consumers have also been drawn to natural marketing and like options that are vegan, non-GMO, and additive-free.

Top Candy Flavors:

Top Candy Brands

Vapes

Despite the vape crisis of 2019, vape products commanded 22% of the shelf space for 2020. The report found that cartridges and pods grew shelf space by 3% in 2020. 74% of these products were in 500mg packages and a majority were marketed for relaxation and stress relief. The price preference was the opposite of candy, but that’s probably because vapes in general are more expensive. Budget-priced products saw an increase in shelf space and premium-priced products saw shelf space declines.

Top Vape Attributes

Top Vape Brands

Resin & Rosin

THC concentrates continue to win over new consumers. The product packs a bigger punch than vapes or traditional flower that typically deliver 15%-35% THC. These concentrates can provide doses of 60%-90% THC. While dabbing shatter, wax, or crumble has been the predominant concentrate method, rosin and live resin are coming on strong. Rosin is made with a solventless method that relies only on heat and pressure to extract cannabinoids and delivering a “cleaner” dab. Live resin is made with more traditional extraction methods and preserves the terpenes. This category increased its shelf space by 3%, while the shatter, wax and crumble categories fell.

Cannabis products make for great gifts. Here are some recommendations for every type of friend, from seasoned stoners to newbies.

Christmas is right around the corner and it’s expected to be a lonelier affair than usual. A simple way to feel closer to your friends this year is to mail them thoughtful gifts. An even better way is to send them thoughtful weed gifts.

Making cannabis gifts is getting easier every year, with new products targeting a wide variety of people, from the canna-curious to seasoned users.

Here are some gift suggestions for this holiday season:

For your friend who needs to relax

Photo by Pharma Hemp Complex via Unsplash

Cannabis is illegal in Nigeria. Its production, distribution and use are criminalised by local laws. Cultivated mostly in southern Nigeria, the drug is affordable and readily available through street drug-running. Cannabis users are also widely seen as social deviants, and are liable to arrest and imprisonment.

Despite the stigma and danger from the law, the use of cannabis in Nigeria is growing fast. Studies show that it ranks just below alcohol as the second most used psychoactive substance in Nigeria. It is mostly used by people aged 25-39 years.

In my recent research leading to two publications, I explored access to recreational drugs, and the factors that encourage and motivate young adults in an eastern Nigerian city to use cannabis. My study also examined cannabis normalisation among users and their social networks. I recorded how the participants connect cannabis to their academic, leisure, social and sporting lives.

It’s important to understand why young people are using drugs, and if policy and legal frameworks are to be effective in reducing any harm. My findings show that cannabis is readily available in the city where I conducted our interviews, and it is easily accessible.

Cannabis has many uses

For my study, I selected 23 young men and women who were either university undergraduates or graduates who use cannabis. I interviewed them to find out their habits and why they use the drug.

Starting with the Indian Hemp Drugs Commission Report in 1893 ending with the US Drug Czar’s own Institute of Medicine report in 1999, no major study has found any basis for the criminalization of cannabis.   

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article solely belong to the author and do not necessarily represent those of The Fresh Toast. 

Gizmodo.com a website whose motto is “We come from the future” has an article titled, What Is the Biggest Scientific Fraud of the Past 50 Years? It asked some distinguished scientists what they would nominate for that dubious distinction.  

Robert N. Proctor, Professor of the History of Science and Professor by courtesy of Pulmonary Medicine at Stanford University, named the “Council for Tobacco Research, the cigarette industry’s chief instrument for denying that cigarettes cause cancer…   

“Twenty-seven Nobel laureates took money from Big Tobacco, and every major university was showered with cash…”  

2020 has been particularly baked. Instagram feeds have been overloaded with photos of breads, cookies, pies and other comfort foods—even more than usual—in our attempts to manage Covid-related stress and stay occupied while trying out a new recipe. Let’s call it what it is—anxiety baking.  

Now it’s that time of year when we get extra cozy indoors and start whipping up even more delicious baked goods than we do the rest of the year in an attempt to help us all get through the chill of winter. Do we bake out of boredom? Or because brownies are delicious? Or both? It seems that the world is baking extra right now because our activity options are more limited. And because, let’s face it, anxiety baking, or any kind of baking, is fun.

Baking can be solitary or social; it can be done to pass time, or it can be attached to a special occasion. Like any hobby or activity, it’s always exciting to experiment, which you can do in baking by tinkering with new (or old) recipes, playing with temperature, and adding or removing ingredients, among other things.

Photo credit: Alex M. Smith

One way that people are experimenting with baking this season is by mixing all the many varieties of CBD oils, tinctures, sweeteners and more into breads, cakes, muffins, and beyond.