Industrial hemp has a less than 0.3% THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol, the psychoactive agent in Marijuana) level.
Furthermore, hemp was removed from its classification as a controlled substance.

The Farm Bill contains a change of how industrial hemp is now classified.

Under the Farm Bill, hemp is no longer considered a controlled substance non-hallucinogenic cousin of marijuana; hemp has been considered a controlled substance because it has that tiny amount of THC. However, hemp has about as much chance of getting someone high as honeybuns have got someone drunk (honeybuns contain a correspondingly small amount of alcohol.)

So, other than a wholly undeserved stigma created by an industrial juggernaut engaging its political allies to remove its biggest competitor through a campaign of utter falsehoods and racially-charged exaggerated fabrications: there is absolutely no reason not to farm hemp and reap all the socio-economical benefits from farming hemp in 2021. None.

The pathway to a uniquely versatile product that produces millions of dollars within 100 days has been approved, cleared, and green-lighted by the Biden Administration and the US government. On a planet whose atmospheric composition has become a bit too heavy with carbon dioxide lately, the carbon-sequestering ability of hemp offers yet another win-win scenario. The more hemp planted, the more CO2 neutralized.

For years, the pattern has held: The New Hampshire House recommends fully legalizing the recreational use of marijuana in the Granite State, and the Senate shoots the measure down.

Perhaps not this year.

In a notable move late last month, the House Criminal Justice Committee recommended that the 400-member body scrap two bills that would greatly loosen marijuana laws in the state. After one hearing, the committee recommended putting off until next year House Bill 237, which would legalize the use marijuana, and House Bill 629, which would legalize it and allow growing at home.

The 14-7 vote was opposed by seven Democrats on the committee.

With nearly 21,000 people working in marijuana dispensaries or affiliated businesses, Arizona ranks No. 4 nationally for jobs in the cannabis industry, according to a report released Tuesday by Leafly.

The report was based on employment in 2020, before Arizona launched adult-use marijuana sales in January, so those figures are sure to rise as dispensaries around the state ramp up to meet the new demand from sales to any adult over age 21, not just medical-marijuana patients.

Arizona had more than $1 billion in medical-marijuana sales last year, with about 5,600 new jobs created just last year, according to estimates in the report.

Cannabinoids (CBD, CBG, CBN, THC) are known to provide all sorts of benefits for seniors, from relieving arthritis pain and inflammation to strengthening and improving brain function. But there is another critical benefit that cannabinoids offer seniors, and it has a lot to do with the aging process. Let's explore.

The human body has an Endocannabinoid System (ECS), which means that we naturally produce cannabinoids (this is why they are called Endocannabinoids as in "within" ). Cannabinoids are also found in hemp and marijuana plants (called Phytocannabinoids).  Most importantly, both types of cannabinoids function the same way and provide similar health benefits in the body.

The ECS is responsible for keeping our body in balance (called "homeostasis") with the help of the cannabinoids. Think of it as the body's command center that keeps us humming along like a well-oiled machine. It controls all of our physiological systems - the nervous system, digestive tract, brain, hormones, immune system, bones & skin, liver, and heart. 

As the body ages, the ability to produce cannabinoids declines and causes an unbalanced endocannabinoid system (ECS). It becomes unhealthy and susceptible to illness and disease. The more severe the condition, the higher the level of ECS dysfunction.

Stress, environmental toxins, prescription drugs, and unhealthy foods also disrupt homeostasis. Foods high in Omega 3 and Omega 6 fatty acids are also necessary for our body to produce cannabinoids.

Former TV news anchor Dan Rather has referred to certain political races in the past as hotter than "a Times Square Rolex," "the devil's anvil," and "a Laredo parking lot." His folksy descriptions could just as readily apply to the U.S. cannabis market. No matter how you look at it, pot is hot.

“Because I would like to see my people liberated,” entrepreneur Al Harrington recently replied pointedly when asked why he chose the cannabis industry after retiring from professional basketball.

Harrington – CEO of Los Angeles-based canabis company Viola Brands – was also clear about his entrepreneurial focus. “Black people who suffered a lot,” he said.

“When you think about the cannabis plant and what it has done to my community, 85 percent of all drug arrests are cannabis-related,” Harrington explained. “Our [white] counterparts are bragging on panels that they paid their way through college by selling weed on campuses, and that they never had any interruptions or issues.

“I’m fighting for the people that are still locked up.”

During this current Black History Month – indeed, year round – black leaders of legal cannabis/CBD organizations are expressing frustration over the numbers of minority men arrested and imprisoned for even minor cannabis offenses. The American Civil Liberties Union in 2020 reported that African Americans were 3.73 times more likely than whites to be arrested for marijuana.

After nearly 59 years, the Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND), the UN’s central drug policy-making body, recently voted to remove Cannabis from Schedule IV of the 1961 Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs - where the strictest control measures apply, and its use was generally discouraged for medicinal purposes. 

27 of the CND’s 53 Member States, including India, the United States and most European nations, voted “Yes” on the motion.

If the idea is to genuinely tackle and provide a solution for medical ailments using Cannabis, the regulations in India already provide for it under Ayurveda. 

In India, the earliest mention of this plant has been found in The Vedas (the Atharva Veda) - where it is listed as one of the five sacred plants. In fact, due to the legality of being able to provide this medication across all states, India is actually one of the few “federally legal” medical Cannabis countries.

Cannabis, (genus Cannabis) is a group of medicinal, recreational, and fibre plants belonging to the family Cannabaceae

Cannabis is a big business. Consumer spending in the US is set to rise by $13bn in the four years from 2018, as legalization hits more states and the medical cannabis sector continues to thrive. Analysis of this booming trade indicates that medical marijuana dispensaries are turning over more money per square foot of retail space than Apple Stores and Tiffany’s.

One consequence of this incredible increase in activity is the innovations and advancements in how marijuana is consumed. These new consumption methods have opened the doors of the marijuana world to a whole new audience, especially those who are consuming cannabis for medicinal purposes. 

For those new to cannabis, and even for seasoned veterans, these new methods can be confusing. As a whole new host of devices and modes of delivery hit the market, they bring new questions. So read on as we breakdown some of the most popular ways to introduce THC into your system.

Vaping

You may already be familiar with vaping and e-cigarettes from the craze that took hold a few years ago touted as a healthy alternative to smoking tobacco and a stepping stone to quitting nicotine altogether. 

Hot on the heels of nicotine vapes are cannabis vaporizers. There are many different ways to vape cannabis and a whole host of devices to match. One of the most popular is the dry herb vaporizer, a device that heats cannabis flower just enough to release THC but not so much that the bud combusts and releases toxin-filled smoke. Brands like Pax continue to push the boundaries of the dry herb vaporizer technology, such is the case with their new Pax 3 which can be seen here. This dry herb vaporizer allows the marijuana to be heated up in just 15 seconds and is roughly the same size as an average cigarette lighter.

President Joe Biden received a letter from 37 members of Congress on Thursday urging him to issue a blanket pardon for nonviolent offenders with convictions for federal marijuana crimes. The letter was led by Rep. Barbara Lee and Rep. Earl Blumenauer, the co-chairs of the Congressional Cannabis Caucus, and 35 other leaders and members of the House of Representatives including Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerry Nadler.

In the letter dated February 18, the members of Congress called on Biden to continue efforts that were initiated during his term as vice president to address injustices caused by the failed War on Drugs.

“During your previous tenure at the White House, President Obama understood that decades of harsh and discriminatory federal drug laws unfairly trapped minority individuals and communities in cycles of despair,” they wrote. “That is why he used the tools of justice to grant clemency for 1,927 individuals convicted of federal crimes. Most of these individuals had been convicted on drug charges and would not have been sentenced so harshly, if at all, under today’s standards.”

“Your Administration has the power to expand on this legacy and issue a general pardon to all former federal, non-violent cannabis offenders in the U.S and trigger resentencing for all those who remain federally incarcerated on non-violent, cannabis-only offenses for activity now legal under state laws,” the letter continues.

NORML Praises Leaders In Congress

Justin Strekal, the political director of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML), expressed his appreciation for the members of Congress leading the charge for cannabis policy reform.

As is typical of most entrepreneurs, I like to think that I am responsible for my success. Entrepreneurs do work very hard, and some are talented enough (and lucky enough) to become successful. 

Wouldn’t it be great if we could find a formula that would help you feel full longer, after you ate? Studies have shown repeatedly that people who expose themselves to CBD and other formulas of cannabidiols over their lifetime don’t gain weight like other people over the years.

There’s a number of different researchers looking at exactly why this isn’t happening, and how this benefit could be applied to a broader population. One way it appears is that CBD and other formulas help people control their weight is simply by making you feel fuller for longer.

There are CB1 receptors aligning the gut that help with managing inflammation that can cause problems like diarrhea or constipation. But there are also CB2 receptors that impact the smooth muscle around the colon.

The food moving through the colon is very responsive to the stimulation from this smooth muscle, where it sort of squeezes in a stable pattern and helps to move food through the intestinal system. But the smooth muscle can be relaxed a little bit with CB receptor stimulation and that can help to slow the transit of food from the mouth all the way to the anus.

If you’re chronically constipated, that’s not great news because you don’t want to be even more constipated by exposure to CBD or other cannabidiols. However, if you’re trying to lose weight and you want to feel fuller longer after you eat food, slowing the transit of the food and making it sit in the stomach or in the intestines for longer, will make you feel fuller. It will give you a sense of fullness after eating food for longer than if you didn’t have that stimulation.

Responsible cannabis consumers refrains from driving while impaired from significant cannabis use, nobody wants a DUI.

That point is apparently lost on cannabis opponents, who argue cannabis reform will inevitably and immediately be followed by a ‘stoned driver’ epidemic.

The ‘terror on the roadways’ argument is one of the most popular talking points for cannabis opponents, even though it is not well-founded.

No state or country on the planet that has legalized cannabis for adult use has also legalized impaired driving, nor is that expected to ever happen.

Impaired driving due to cannabis use was, is, and likely always will be illegal and related laws will be enforced against those that violate the law.

We've seen the popularity of craft beer rise across the nation, and according to IBISWorld, "Craft beer industry revenue has increased at an annualized rate of 4.4 percent to $7.6 billion over the five years to 2020, including estimated growth of 2.1 percent in 2020 alone." There always seems to be a unique appeal to any product we deem to be "craft." As many of us predicted, we're starting to see this trend become more evident in the cannabis space.

I sat down with Taig Rehmel, the Co-Founder and Lead Grower of Asheville Craft Cannabis, to dig deeper into the craft cannabis scene. Taig has over two decades of experience in large-scale cannabis research and cultivation, which gives him a unique vantage point into the essence of craft cannabis, sustainable architecture, and regenerative agriculture.

Here's what Taig had to say about craft cannabis being the next potential craze in cannabis, how it relates to craft beer, the difference between craft and average flower, and the future of craft cannabis.

What exactly is craft cannabis?

Taig Rehmel: A critical component of craft cannabis is that it’s consciously cultivated. Unlike “super-market” cannabis, craft is not just consumed, it’s experienced. Craft cannabis is handmade, each step of the process is carried out by artisans, rather than mass-produced. On the micro-level of all of this, there needs to be a relationship between the cultivator and the plants.

What’s the difference between an average quality flower and something that a connoisseur would consider to be craft cannabis?

It's no surprise that brands like Constellation and 

Hawaii Senate Says Yes To Cannabis Legalization

Hawaii Senate Committee on Public Safety, Intergovernmental and Military Affairs voted in favor of two cannabis measures on Tuesday. (h/t Marijuana Moment)

The first bill asks for adult-use cannabis legalization and the other to amend the state’s current decimalization law.

The Aloha State decriminalized the possession of up to three grams of cannabis in 2019, under a law that went into effect in 2020.

The law also replaced criminal penalties with a $130 fine.

The new bill, SB 758, proposes decriminalization for up to 28.5 grams of cannabis. It is now sent over to the Judiciary Committee.

The number of cannabis industry jobs in Michigan is growing faster than any other state with legal marijuana, according to a new jobs report released on Tuesday. Michigan has surpassed Oregon and now places sixth on the list of the most cannabis jobs by state, as documented by the report from cannabis education resource and marketplace Leafly.

The state can resume its review of nearly 150 medical marijuana license applications that have sat untouched for more than a year, thanks to a ruling from a state appellate court Thursday.

The court ruled against all but one medical marijuana license applicant rejected by the Department of Health in 2019. It upheld the department’s denial of seven other applications.

The case, which consolidated eight applicants rejected in an initial review, halted the expansion of New Jersey’s strained medical marijuana program in late 2019 when the court granted a stay in the process. Now, with the stay lifted, the Health Department can reopen its review of 146 applications the state put on hold and resume the process of issuing as many as 24 new licenses.

No matter the ruling, these paused applicants were always going to see victory in a decision that gets the process restarted and inches them closer to attaining a license.

The new licenses will not only ease burdens to medical marijuana for the state’s 100,000 registered patients, but also set New Jersey up for the 21 and older marijuana market. Medically-licensed facilities are slated to get the first shot at selling to the public.

Don't look now, but marijuana stocks are blazing hot, once again.

Pot stocks have been on fire since the beginning of November, which follows a roughly 19-month lull (April 2019 to October 2020) where they grossly underperformed. For instance, the ETFMG Alternative Harvest ETF, which holds stakes in dozens of direct and ancillary pot players, is up 129% since the end of October.

If you're wondering what changed, look no further than the political makeup in the United States.

A new bill in Indiana would give more people a chance at beating a flawed system. And police are not happy.

Marijuana decriminalization is the latest buzzword in the weed world. It’s a move that President Joe Biden has said that he would be willing to impose nationwide. The concept typically means the elimination of criminal penalties associated with the possession of marijuana. In most cases, decriminalization lets anyone caught in possession of up to an ounce of weed slide with a small fine. The offender doesn’t get jammed up in the criminal justice system.

However, in parts of the country, those which remain some of the most militant toward marijuana offenders, the definition of decriminalization has changed. It is now being defined by one Indiana state representative as a way to prevent law enforcement from charging motorists with DUI.

Indiana has had it tough when it comes to changing its marijuana laws. For years, lawmakers have proposed various bills intended to lessen the criminal penalties associated with low-level marijuana offenses. But the Republican-dominated legislature has seemingly made it it’s life’s work to stop anything pot-related from going the distance. They’re even opposed to prosecutors tossing out pot cases.

Still, lawmakers keep returning to the drawing board in hopes of concocting some version of a marijuana bill that they believe can become law. The latest one, introduced by Republican State Representative Jim Lucas, is a weird “decriminalization” measure designed to increase the THC-blood intoxication limit to 5 nanograms per milliliter of blood while operating a vehicle rather than zero