WeedWorthy News Network

The Ministerial Committee on Legislation postponed for a week a bill that would decriminalize cannabis, due in part to a dispute between Likud and Blue and White.

The bill was initiated by Likud MK Sharren Haskel, who was appointed to work on cannabis legislation jointly with Blue and White MK Ram Shefa. But Haskel still hoped to advance the bill that she submitted before the partnership.

The head of the committee, Justice Minister Avi Nissenkorn, decided that more work needed to be done on the legislation before the bill would come to a vote. The social welfare and health ministries requested to have a say on the bill, as did the police. They asked for the bill to be postponed for at least a month.

But Nissenkorn recommended postponing it by a week, and his view passed in the committee.

Asked if she was angered by the postponement, Haskel said: “Yes, but I am trying not to [burn bridges.] Looking forward to next Sunday.”

We’re all geared up to enjoy summer after months in quarantine. And while Vitamin D is great, sunburns, bug bites and overheating can be a total buzzkill. Here’s how cannabis and CBD can help.

It’s finally (almost) here: sweet, sweet, summertime! Summer is a season that’s meant to be enjoyed. From spending more time outdoors thanks to longer days, to glorious weather that makes you want to jump in the pool or drive to the beach (while taking precautions, of course), there’s a lot to love about this time of year.

But then… there’s also the other side of the seasonal debate. Summer also means extreme heat, sunburn, and bug bites, which can be a downer.  

If you want to enjoy the summer as much as possible, cannabis and CBD can help. Here’s how.

Sunburn

Photo by Charles McQuillan/Stringer/Getty Images

Should the resolution pass, the Nevada pardons represents growing marijuana-centric criminal justice reform occurring nationwide.

A new resolution introduced by Gov. Steve Sisolak would pardon tens of thousands of low-level marijuana offenders in Nevada, a state that voted to fully legalize cannabis in 2016. Sisolak will present the resolution to the Nevada Board of Pardons Commissioners next week. If passed, it will provide an unconditional pardon for anyone convicted of possessing less than one ounce of marijuana.

“The people of Nevada have decided that possession of small amounts of marijuana is not a crime,” Sisolak said. “If approved, this resolution will clear the slate for thousands of people who bear the stigma of a conviction for actions that have now been decriminalized.”

The Governor’s office clarified that such pardons would not apply in cases of possession with intent to sell. A bill, signed last year by Sisolak, already exists that allows low-level marijuana offenders to petition the courts to expunge their records. This new resolution would remove that bureaucratic step and pardon offenders automatically.

Sisolak first floated the resolution back in March at a Board of Pardons Commissioners meeting. Though a pardon does not overturn a conviction, it does restore various rights to offenders, including the right to vote and hold certain jobs and public office.

Whether you’re just a recreational user, or a patient who has been prescribed marijuana for a chronic disease or any other condition, you might have, at one point in your life, wondered if you should start growing your own cannabis plants. 

Getting a hold of your preferred strain can be a pain, especially if you live in a remote area, for example in rural Nevada. The middle of the desert is a tough spot for a quick, in-and-out dispensary pickup. Las Vegas may be a long drive and you need your medicine ASAP. 

Growing your own cannabis is a great solution for avoiding situations like the one mentioned above. After all, not only will it enable you to harvest large quantities of the stuff at a time, which lowers your dependence on third-party providers, but also help meet your needs in the best possible way; you’ll be getting exactly what you need when you need it. 

There are plenty of ways you can begin your own growing operation. Modern technology is your biggest ally. Ingenious methods of producing high-quality buds are being developed at a breakneck pace. 

For home growers, grow boxes are all the rage right now, and it seems like it will stay that way for some time to come. Here are some of the most innovative, high-tech systems that will have you harvesting your favorite strain in no time! 

Marijuana legalization advocates kicked off their campaign on Wednesday to convince South Dakota voters to vote to legalize both medical and recreational marijuana in the November general election, according to a new report by the Associated Press.

If passed, South Dakota would be the first state to approve both medical and recreational marijuana at the same time. “In a solidly-conservative state, the proposals may serve as an indicator of how much opinions on marijuana have changed as states across the nation move to legalize a drug that is still technically outlawed by the federal government”, states the AP. “Marijuana advocates started their campaign by touting the support of a former U.S. attorney for South Dakota and a former staffer for a Republican president and senator. But they will have to overcome the opposition of Republican Gov. Kristi Noem.”

The current movement to reform policing and criminal justice laws after the killing of George Floyd by a Minneapolis police officer may lend momentum to the campaign to legalize, said supporter Brendan Johnson, a former U.S. attorney who was appointed under President Barack Obama.

“People are more conscious than ever about the concern of over-criminalization,” he said. “Law enforcement priorities should be focused on significant crimes.”

When it comes to marijuana, women may feel a higher craving for it than men.

At least at the behavioral level, according to a new study. However, men and women react in much the same way at the cellular level. The reasons for this may involve estrogen, although researchers are just now beginning to understand the science behind it. 

One thing is certain: women use more marijuana now than in the past. Recent studies and statistics back this finding. For example, in 2018, Eaze reported women now make up 38 percent of all cannabis consumers. In 2020, the markets have been flooded with “women-centric cannabis products” such as low dose mints, high-end topical oils, lotions, CBD bath balms, and mini-joints with low levels of THC.

While women are buying more marijuana, a new study by the Center of Brain Health Research at the University of Texas - Dallas sought to determine if they crave it more than men. The researchers found that yes, they do, at the subjective⁠—or more accurately, at a behavioral level.

However, the study found that at the cellular level, neurons in both male and female brains responded in the same way to cannabis.

Due to the popularity of cannabis products, the demand for this potent plant has increased. The health sector, as well as the beauty industry, are all talking about the benefits and integrating the compound in their products. The excitement is all about the health benefits of cannabis, especially CBD, THC, and hemp seed oil.

But rarely do they tell you about any known side effects. Luckily, some health organizations are dedicated to telling users the truth so that they can make informed decisions.

Just to let you know, hemp oil is obtained from the hemp plant's seeds and sometimes the stalk. Just like CBD, it has very little THC, which adds to the health benefits. Additionally, the oil is rich in omega 3, 6, and 9 fatty acids.

So, Are There Any Side Effects in the Body?

Well, a significant percentage of things that we consume have side effects. Some might be natural while others might be the result of misuse. Hemp seed oil is not an exception. It can lead to the following side effects.

·         Change in mood –When taking hemp seed oil, you might experience some changes in mood. The CBD that is present interacts with the nervous system, and this sends a variety of signals that can alter your mood. However, this is not an effect for all users. Some may not even feel any change in mood.

Due to the popularity of cannabis products, the demand for this potent plant has increased. The health sector, as well as the beauty industry, are all talking about the benefits and integrating the compound in their products. The excitement is all about the health benefits of cannabis, especially CBD, THC, and hemp seed oil.

But rarely do they tell you about any known side effects. Luckily, some health organizations are dedicated to telling users the truth so that they can make informed decisions.

Just to let you know, hemp oil is obtained from the hemp plant's seeds and sometimes the stalk. Just like CBD, it has very little THC, which adds to the health benefits. Additionally, the oil is rich in omega 3, 6, and 9 fatty acids.

So, Are There Any Side Effects in the Body?

Well, a significant percentage of things that we consume have side effects. Some might be natural while others might be the result of misuse. Hemp seed oil is not an exception. It can lead to the following side effects.

·         Change in mood –When taking hemp seed oil, you might experience some changes in mood. The CBD that is present interacts with the nervous system, and this sends a variety of signals that can alter your mood. However, this is not an effect for all users. Some may not even feel any change in mood.

While the generally held assumption is that high-potency weed — say with a lofty THC count — will produce a higher high, a new study suggests that isn’t actually the case.

Researchers from the University of Colorado, Boulder looked to see if physical and cognitive impairment among regular cannabis users varies based on THC blood concentration. Touted as the first study to assess the acute impact of cannabis among real-world users of legal market products, it involved randomly assigning higher- or lower-THC products to 121 users.  Participants used weed they had bought on their own and consumed it in their homes before being tested.

Beyond drawing participants’ blood, their mood and intoxication levels were assessed, and their cognitive function and balance tested before, directly after and an hour after they had consumed weed.

The findings?

Smoking high-potency marijuana will boost blood levels of THC more than twice as much as conventional weed, but it doesn’t get you higher.

A breast cancer patient from Minnesota shares  her cancer journey and how medical marijuana has made a great deal of difference in her treatment.

“Marijuana has been used in herbal remedies for centuries. Scientists have identified many biologically active components in marijuana. These are called cannabinoids. The two best studied components are the chemicals delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (often referred to as THC), and cannabidiol (CBD). Other cannabinoids are being studied.” — American Cancer Society

With states all over the U.S. legalizing medical marijuana for those with certain conditions, many more cancer patients are not hesitating to ask their care teams if marijuana could help them through cancer treatment, recovery and beyond. 

Nancy (whose name was changed to protect her privacy), a breast cancer patient from Minnesota, shared exclusively with The Fresh Toast her cancer journey and how medical marijuana has made a great deal of difference in her treatment. When asked how marijuana had augmented her treatment, Nancy shared that while she had hesitation in the beginning, marijuana changed her life in a matter of hours. “I am able to be off my anti-nausea cocktails now. It’s pretty remarkable how medical marijuana is not only helping my nausea and appetite, but my pain as well.”

Nancy isn’t the only cancer patient who has seen a dramatic shift while taking marijuana. Time Magazine featured stories of cancer patients and the marijuana they received in their documentary, “Weed the People.” Hosted by veteran television star and producer Ricki Lake, the documentary focused on real-life examples of patients seeking alternative drugs. Lake explained, “I want to get people seeing it as a medicine, seeing what it was able to do for these children, and fight for this medicine to be available to everyone who needs it.”

According to research conducted by the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT), many frequent cannabis users believe driving under the influence of marijuana is safe. 

The CDOT launched a two-year campaign in 2017 dubbed The Cannabis Conversation, which aimed to understand how people feel about driving under the influence of marijuana in Colorado, where recreational cannabis has been legal since 2012. 

Although it did not provide specific statistics, the CDOT said it surveyed 18,000 Colorado residents across a series of studies since 2017 and concluded that frequent cannabis consumers are more prone to considering driving under the influence of the substance as safe.

In fact, the more often respondents indulged in marijuana, the more they were inclined to state that driving under the influence was more of a personal choice based on one’s ability to handle weed.

Another key highlight from the report noted that “many cannabis users are highly skeptical of the laws, policies and enforcement regarding driving under the influence of cannabis — and want credible, nuanced information.”

CBD & THC INFUSED DRINKS TO BENEFIT FROM “THE LIPSTICK EFFECT” AS CONSUMERS SEEK OUT SMALL LUXURIES DURING COVID-19 LOCKDOWN AND BEYOND

Prohibition Partners, has released a new report indicating that all segments of the beverage industry are now embracing cannabis-infused drinks, with  a clear potential for a growing consumer base as 16% of people who have not yet consumed cannabis-infused drinks say they will probably do so within the next 12 months. They estimate the global cannabis drinks market will be worth US$1.82 billion by the end of 2020 and that number will be infused by those looking for relief from the current COVID-19 pandemic.

“When facing an economic crisis, consumers will be more willing to buy less costly luxury goods. The underlying assumption is that consumers will buy luxury goods even if there is a crisis, but that these goods will be more budget conscious luxury. Cannabis infused drinks are an ideal example of this and Prohibition Partners has found that cannabis products are expected to benefit from this period of self-isolation,“ said Stephen Murphy, Managing Director of Prohibition Partners.

Consumers are stockpiling cannabis products in a bid to ensure that their supplies are secured indefinitely. As part of the “home entertainment line-up” in regions where cannabis is legal, beverages can expect to benefit from this trend in hard times to watch more television and spend more on little extras for their in-home leisure. The current stressors of 2020 have already proven to be a boost to cannabis-based products. Despite the current inevitable economic downturn, cannabis is still set to record impressive growth as consumers look for products to help them relax and de-stress and as the most popular format, drinks will likely be the greatest beneficiary.

Consumer demand is strong; the report finds that one in four consumers or would-be consumers of other cannabinoid-based products would be willing to try cannabis-infused drinks, and 28% of people who have already tried infused beverage consumers say they intend to buy more infused consumer goods in the coming three months.

When a new industry really comes into play, it creates a paradigm shift in its wake, a changed world due to new laws, regulations, business possibilities, new lines of revenue, and new collectors of this revenue. When it comes to the burgeoning global medical cannabis industry, while Africa pushes towards a new paradigm shift, China still remains firmly on top…for now.

The idea of China sitting at the top of global industries has become a new paradigm to life in and of itself. It’s a strange joke that seems to permeate anywhere outside of China that China owns everything, and whether its technically true, it’s hard to get around the fact that an incredibly large percentage of everyday goods, in vast regions of the world, are emblazoned with the now ubiquitous ‘Made in China’. Especially when it comes to low cost production, China has cornered the market and this stretches from electronics to clothing to nearly any household item, office item, and beyond.

So, it’s no massive surprise that a material like hemp, which has near universal applications, would be grown quite a bit in China, and even as many countries still hold it as illegal to grow, or are only now opening their laws to it. Since a large percentage of the legal cannabis market now revolves around medical cannabis, and since a substantial amount of medical cannabis can be made from hemp, by reinstituting its hemp market earlier than other countries, China became – and still remains – the largest hemp producer in the world.

China is one of the largest exporters of medical cannabis as well. It might not be one of the markets people generally refer to when talking about how China owns everything, but when it comes to the hemp market and everything therein, China is still a massive force to be reckoned with.

Differences in regulation

When talking about regulation it’s important to remember that there are two main types to consider when dealing with something like cannabis. The first type has to do with consumers. What are residents of a country allowed to do; and this can be broken down into different sections: actively using something, simply having possession of something, growing something, etc. Then there are the laws that look at the business perspective.

What is the government, or approved private enterprises, allowed to do; and this too can be broken down into component parts: growing something, importing something, exporting something, etc. Sometimes the laws match up, and there is more synchronicity between what private citizens can do and what private business/government can do. Sometimes there’s a vast amount of differences. Recently, Africa has been a hot spot for this. A big, red, flashing, arrow pointing exactly to this idea. But truth be told, China’s been at it for a long time too.

The first shipment of an innovative oral CBD patch has now been completed.

Greater Cannabis Company Inc, a biopharmaceutical company focussed on the development and commercialisation of cannabinoid delivery systems and cannabinoid cannabis products, has announced that it has completed the development, manufacturing, and shipment of the first order of 125,000 units of the oral CBD patch.

What is the oral CBD patch?

The oral CBD patch is a novel cannabinoid product that has been shown in clinical studies to be a safe and effective way to deliver lower doses of pharmaceutical actives, while achieving higher levels of bioavailability.

The technology is versatile in that patients can now receive lower dosing, enhanced bioavailability, and controlled rapid and delayed release using a fully dissolvable, non-irritant oral eluting patch.

Supplying Europe with CBD patches

The shipment of the oral CBD patch has been sent to Greater Cannabis’ commercialisation partner, Symtomax.

Bribing the cops is illegal, but not in politics. Without paying off the cops, California might not have legalized recreational cannabis.

But now, four years later, with the legal industry struggling and police unable to protect legal merchants from either the illicit market or organized thieves, there’s serious doubt whether devoting tax revenue from marijuana sales to police budgets was smart politics. And in light of calls to defund or cut police spending throughout the country, California’s experience is a warning for legalization efforts in other states. Should police get a cut before education, healthcare, or disadvantaged communities shut out of the legal market? And does law enforcement have any business making money off of legalization at all?

A law enforcement officer cuts down marijuana plants during a raid on July 15, 2015. Yurok Indian ... [+]

Universal Images Group via Getty Images

Eager to sell regulating and taxing cannabis to uneasy suburban and conservative voters, the authors of Proposition 64, the Adult Use of Marijuana Act, offered the state’s powerful law-enforcement lobbies a gift.

To legalize, or not to legalize? That is the question South Dakotans will answer when it comes to marijuana in the state. In November, voters will decide on Constitutional Amendment A and Initiated Measure 26.

Amendment A would legalize, regulate, and tax marijuana as well as require laws ensuring access to medical marijuana. IM 26 would establish a medical marijuana program for qualifying patients. On Wednesday, South Dakotans for Better Marijuana Laws held a Zoom news conference to make its case to legalize it. However, local law enforcement has questions about the implications of approving the amendment and initiated measure.

South Dakotans for Better Marijuana Laws want voters to say yes to cannabis in the state.

“The outright prohibition on cannabis does not work,” Brendan Johnson, former U.S Attorney and member of Better Marijuana Laws, said.

Supporters include Johnson and Chuck Parkinson , who worked for President Reagan’s administration on the frontlines of the famed War on Drugs.

The panel recommended the full board approve one new condition: cachexia, or wasting syndrome.

Anxiety, autism spectrum disorder and cachexia had been considered to join the list of 21 qualifying medical conditions included in Ohio’s 2016 medical marijuana law.

It’s a common misconception that all CBD products contain the same hemp-derived ingredients, but in fact there are three major types of CBD products called spectrums. They are full spectrum, broad spectrum or CBD isolate, named based on the hemp-based compounds in the product.

It’s understandable if your head is already spinning. The CBD industry is filled with 1000s of different products . To make things even more confusing, these products are marketed in a variety of different ways — often without consistency from brand to brand.

It’s a common misconception that all CBD products contain the same hemp-derived ingredients, but in fact there are three major types of CBD products called spectrums. They are full spectrum, broad spectrum or CBD isolate, named based on the hemp-based compounds in the product.

It’s understandable if your head is already spinning. The CBD industry is filled with 1000s of different products . To make things even more confusing, these products are marketed in a variety of different ways — often without consistency from brand to brand.

As a consumer this can make it a challenge to identify the specific hemp-derived content in a product. This is a big deal, as these specifics play a BIG role in the effectiveness and accessibility of CBD. Luckily, a little education goes a long way.

By digging in and identifying the spectrum of a CBD product you’ll be able to make educated shopping decisions. This will help you find the most effective products for your needs while avoiding any potential substances that you don’t want in your products.

Keep reading and we will walk you through the three primary spectrums of CBD products, the advantages and disadvantages of each, how to identify them, and how to pick the right one for your needs.