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NBA forward Montrezl Harrell faces felony drug trafficking charges after Kentucky state troopers discovered three pounds of cannabis in a vehicle he was driving last month.

NBA forward Montrezl Harrell is facing felony drug charges after police discovered three pounds of weed during a traffic stop in Kentucky last month. Harrell, who plays for the Charlotte Hornets, was scheduled to appear in court to answer the charges filed in Madison County, Kentucky on Monday but the arraignment hearing has been delayed until next month, court records show.

According to a police report cited by the Charlotte Observer, Harrell was driving a rented 2020 Honda Pilot southbound on I-75 on the morning of May 12 when he was pulled over by a Kentucky state trooper for following too closely behind the vehicle in front of him. In the report, Trooper Jesse Owens wrote that after stopping Harrell’s vehicle, he “observed” the odor of marijuana. The citation also notes that Harrell “admitted to being in possession of marijuana and produced a small amount from his sweatpants.” Law enforcement officers then searched the vehicle Harrell was driving. During the search, the trooper discovered “three pounds of marijuana in vacuum sealed bags” in a backpack that was found on the back seat of the vehicle, according to the traffic citation.

Harrell has been charged with trafficking less than five pounds of marijuana. Under Kentucky state law, possession of more than eight ounces but less than five pounds of marijuana is classified as a Class D felony for the first offense. Those convicted of the charge are subject to a sentence of one to five years behind bars and a fine ranging from $1,000 to $10,000.

The Charlotte Hornets have declined to comment on Harrell’s case, according to multiple media reports.

8-Year NBA career

Harrell, a North Carolina native, is in his eighth season with the NBA. He played NCAA Division 1 college basketball in Kentucky for the University of Louisville Cardinals, where he averaged 11.6 points, 6.9 rebounds and 1.1 blocked shots per game. As a freshman, he played on the Cardinals’ 2013 national championship team, although the title was later taken away by the league for NCAA violations.

Oklahoma Smokes are rolled with hemp flowers, so they’re completely free of both nicotine and tobacco. This organically grown hemp is rich in CBD and provides a tasty and satisfying smoke. It’s nearly identical to a traditional cigarette, but it contains no tobacco, nicotine, or other additives.

These hemp cigarettes are shown to be an effective quitting aid, particularly when used in conjunction with other aids like nicotine patches or gum. And Oklahoma Smokes runs its hemp through an extensive laboratory testing process that ensures each cig is free of pesticides and other chemicals.

One of the hardest parts about quitting smoking is losing the muscle memory that accompanies the regular ritual of a cigarette. With Oklahoma Smokes, you can ditch nicotine without ditching the ritual, and you might find those cravings grow a little less intense and frequent over time until you’re ready to quit altogether. So, click here to learn more!

Joe Rogan,  a cannabis and psychedelics advocate was not pleased about the U.S. Customs and Border Protection's (CPB) recent seizure of a shipment containing marijuana, psilocybin and MDMA from a private vehicle. Popular for his often controversial views on the Joe Rogan Experience, the podcaster publicly slammed the agency after it posted a tweet boasting the seizure from the vehicle of two 30-year-olds returning home from vacation in Canada. “The narcotic substances field-tested positive for the presence of methylenedioxymethamphetamine, marijuana, and psilocybin,” the CBP reported.

The car didn’t pass the first inspection and was sent for the secondary inspection for further checking. The CPB tweeted photos of mushrooms in front of a canister and another with pills looking like ecstasy.

Even though marijuana is legal both in Canada and New York State, taking it across international borders is illegal. The situation got more complicated when other substances were found in the vehicle, such as “ecstasy, marijuana, and psilocybin mushrooms in raw form and infused in a chocolate bar.”

Nevertheless, Rogan seems to think that current drug laws make no sense and that it should not be up to lawmakers to decide what substances are legal. He tweeted some advice to the CPB.

Champlain Port Director Steven Bronson had a different opinion, stating “Our CBP Officers continue to remain dedicated and vigilant, successfully intercepting these illegal substances. I am proud of their enforcement efforts to ensure the safety of our communities.”

Snoop Dogg smokes so much weed, it’s worth the cost of hiring a full-time blunt roller. The Long Beach rapper appeared on The Howard Stern Show alongside actor and fellow weed enthusiast Seth Rogen in October 2019, where he revealed he pays someone up to $50,000 a year to roll blunts for him.

“I don’t have time,” Snoop explained.

“The muthafucka rolls them and puts them in the package. Timing – that muthafucka’s timing is impeccable. That’s his J-O-B, his occupation. On his resumé, it says, ‘What do you do?’ ‘I’m a blunt roller. P-B-R – professional blunt roller. If you’re great at something I need, I’m hiring you.”

He continued, “That’s somewhere between $40,000 and $50,000 a year. Free weed, muthafucking all paid expenses. Everything free I get, he gets. I go get some free clothes, I give him some.”

Levels for THC and CBG were increased by 17 per cent and 25 per cent more, respectively.

Researchers from the University of Jerusalem have managed to manipulate the number of cannabinoids within a cannabis plant.

According to The Jerusalem Post, the research increased the plant’s THC level to 20 per cent more, something that could help create new strains with more medicinal power and to help boost crop yields.

The researchers were led by Professor Alexander Vainstein and managed to increase a variety of cannabinoid levels, including for THC and cannabigerol (CBG), which were increased by 17 per cent more and 25 per cent more, respectively.

Researchers were also reportedly able to increase increase the ratio of terpenes ⁠— aromatic elements within the plant linked to euphoric and strong medicinal effects ⁠— by 20 per cent to 30 per cent.

Per investigators, the goal of the study was to “intervene in the biochemical pathways in the cannabis plant” to manipulate the production of active substances.

Researchers asked 145 couples in which a least one of the partners used cannabis to share how regularly they used it and how satisfied they are with their relationships.

Cannabis might have more to do with your love life than you think, according to a new study that examined its associations with couple functioning.

Researchers from Rutgers University and Mount Holyoke College may be on to something. They found that marijuana users appear to present more negative behaviors as they approach managing conflict with their partners.

Moreover, those who use cannabis seemed to be less aware of an unhealthy relationship, as per the results published in the journal Drug and Alcohol Dependence.

“We looked at different indicators of relationship functioning: how satisfied and committed people felt about their relationship, their behavior, and physiology during a laboratory-based conflict interaction and their perceptions about their conflict discussion and relationship afterward,” said study author Jessica Salvatore, an associate professor in the department of psychiatry at Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School.

Now’s the time to enjoy warm weather, time outside, and new experiences, whether that be through summer jobs, internships, travel or reconnecting with friends. In the midst of summer fun, don’t forget to keep yourself safe. Follow these six tips to have a great time.

1) Hydrate often

If you’ll be spending time doing outdoor activities such as boating, hiking, or camping it is especially important to have lots of drinking water with you. And if you choose to drink alcohol, balancing with water is essential. Alcohol is a diuretic, so it is easy to become dehydrated. This is especially true if you are spending time outside in the sun and sweating. Make sure to stay hydrated by drinking water before and while drinking alcohol. Try switching between alcoholic and non-alcohol beverages. You may find it helpful to bring Gatorade or a similar hydration booster with you.

2) Prevent heat exposure

Before going outside, check the heat advisory for the day. Limit time outdoors during extreme temperatures. If you feel overheated, weak or dizzy, get to a cooler area immediately.

3) Be aware of your surroundings

If you are anticipating drinking enough that you would not drive home, you should also avoid potentially dangerous situations such as pools, open water, rooftops and fire pits. Alcohol impacts your motor skills, balance, and decision making. When both your balance and decision making are impaired, these fun recreation areas can quickly turn hazardous. No one wants to end the night with a chipped tooth, concussion or worse.

4) Be responsible around the water

You should always swim with at least one buddy; and avoid drinking alcohol before and during water activities. For the same reasons drinking and driving is incredibly dangerous, drinking and boating is perhaps even more so. It requires significant concentration to take a boat in and out of the water and to navigate trailers, ramps, buoys, and more. The slippery decks and movement on a boat can add to the effects of alcohol-induced imbalance. Depending on the location of the boat, it can be difficult to get help in the event of an emergency.

Did you know? Nebraska has BUI laws – Boating Under the Influence. Similar to driving, it is illegal to operate a motorboat in Nebraska with a BAC of .08 or more. If you plan to drink while boating, appoint a “Designated Boater” for the day.

The new campaign celebrates "queer joy, inclusivity and cannabis"

Cannabis beverage brand Cann and Weedmaps have partnered on a new Pride campaign that features Patricia Arquette and a host of stars celebrating “queer joy, inclusivity and cannabis.”

Arquette joins Gus Kenworthy, Sarah Michelle Gellar, Kornbread, Kerri Colby, Jorgeous and more in the original song and music video, dubbed “Taste So Good.”

Arquette is also the co-founder of the Los Angeles-based cannabis consumption lounge Fantom Flower, which is set to open next year. Arquette told Vanity Fair that her work in cannabis is about highlighting how “cannabis has been an element of cultures, throughout time.”

For herself, growing up in California, cannabis was often front and centre, even at home.

“I have an interesting history with cannabis, I guess, in that my dad was a real stoner growing up,” Arquette told Vanity Fair. 

Armed with a new album and with touring back in motion, Sean Paul is staying busy this year.

Jamaica’s Sean Paul returns to the dancehall throne, and expectations are high with A-list featured guests on the album representing various facets of the music industry. Paul dropped his eighth full-length studio album and Island Records debut, Scorcha, on May 27.

Scorcha provides a party blueprint for the weekend, led by the single “Light My Fire” with Gwen Stefani and Shenseea. The new album also includes previously released songs “Scorcha,” “Only Fanz” (ft. Ty Dolla $ign), “Dynamite” (ft. Sia), “How We Do It” (ft. Pia Mia), and “No Fear” (ft. Damian Marley and Nicky Jam).

Paul recently earned a Grammy Award nomination for Best Reggae Album for his seventh studio album Live N Livin, which was released last year, after winning a Grammy Award for Dutty Rock in 2013. While Live N Livin was more of straight heavy dancehall, he’s honing in on a club vibe this time around.

High Times caught up with Paul inside Fingerprints Music, located on 420 East 4th Street in Long Beach, California, before his performance later that night at The Novo in downtown Los Angeles.

“It’s not really a formula,” Paul told High Times, referring to his methods in the studio. “It’s just what feels good at the time. Last year was more hardcore danchall feeling, and this year’s more of a scotch feeling, you know what I mean. I’m feeling to touch the clubs with it, but also there is some growth on the album on some introspective songs. I think people should enjoy it, bro.”

During a recent interview with Wrestling Inc. WWE Hall Of Famer Teddy Long revealed how he had to stop smoking marijuana for a while as General Manager of SmackDown due to the WWE Wellness Policy. Below are some highlights: Teddy Long on how he quit smoking marijuana for a while out of respect for Vince McMahon: 

“I said, ‘Hey man, my job is more important so I don’t want to let Vince down. That man gave me the opportunity of a lifetime and the reason I am where I am today is because of Vince. So, I quit, maybe about a year. I quit for a real long time. What made me start back, man, I think I just got kind of burnt out. I had been on the road for over 25 years of my life … I think I just kind of got stressed, then me and Chioda kind of started riding again.”

From the worlds of sports, music, and entertainment.

Plenty of celebrities have dipped their toes in the cannabis industry. Usually, they'll do a licensing deal that allows cannabis brands to make a product and use that celeb's name, image, and likeness for marketing. Because of this, you will often see limited-edition drops where they release a product once — then you never see it again.

To spare you the heartbreak of a limited-edition drop, consider some celebrity cannabis brands with products you can try again and again.

Sports

Ricky Williams: Highsman

Highsman is football legend Ricky Williams' brand. It offers flower and infused pre-rolls. Highsman markets its strains as Pregame (sativa), Halftime (hybrid), and Postgame (indica). The Jesus Zkittlezworth and Ken Jiffy Jr. strains ain't half bad. The Berry Bonds strain is the champion though.

Available: California and Oregon

Al Harrington: Viola

Viola is former NBA player Al Harrington's brand. It also produces Allen Iverson's line of weed: Iverson. Viola has flower, pre-rolls, and concentrate — the concentrates are pretty fire, especially in Oregon.

Creating a new legal market will take time to build and to earn the trust of new shoppers.

Legal cannabis is becoming more and more accessible. Still, in countries such as the U.S. and Canada, where there are legal markets in place, black market marijuana sales remain consistent.

According to a new survey, the largest determining factor is price.

The survey, conducted between 2019 and 2020 and published in the Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs, polled 12,000 cannabis users in Canada and the U.S. and found that price outranked convenience, which is the second main reason people continue to opt for illegal weed.

The reasons behind why consumers still shop the illicit market was dependent on the year and the country.

Survey authors write: In both years, there were two most commonly reported barriers to legal purchasing. In all, about a third of Canadian repondents and 27 per cent of U.S. respondents citing price, while about a fifth of Canadian respondents and slightly less than U.S. respondents pointed to inconvenience.

Over recent years, the UK has been awash with cannabis events. Usually packed to the brim with smart-looking businessmen in crisp white shirts, the UK, and London in particular, has become something of a hub for corporate cannabis.

On Thursday 16th June 2022, creative cannabis agency Rounders, and drug policy think tank Volteface will aim to change this narrative when they host the first Cannapedia event at Huckletree West in White City.  Cannapedia is the brainchild of Akeem Babalola, Founder and Director at Rounders and Eleanor Phee, the Creative Director at Rounders. Eleanor’s journey into cannabis is as whimsical as the photography in the brand’s tri-annual magazine. At a photo shoot in 2020, she found a stranger searching her bag for a grinder, that stranger happened to be the founder of Rounders. As cannabis enthusiasts, the pair struck up a conversation, which led to Eleanor joining the company as well as the pair falling in love. Shortly after, the couple moved to the US, where Eleanor now spends much of her time absorbing and learning US cannabis culture, gaining inspiration and understanding she hopes can help can guide the UK.

“I’ve met an incredible array of people in the US cannabis industry doing incredible work in medical treatment, equity, wellness, branding, cultivation,” Eleanor tells us.

“What struck a chord within me is that London really lacks opportunities within cannabis, not just because it isn’t legal, but because people aren’t educated enough on the topic.”

Sensing the opportunity to drive change, the Rounders team started to connect with UK advocacy groups, think tanks and companies that shared similar values on cannabis. Through these connections, they have built a community of people with common goals around public opinion, medical access and social justice, and its this community which inspired Cannapedia.

“Our motivation for Cannapedia is to address the current state of cannabis in the UK, the lack of minority opinion and employment in cannabis and create a space for information to be delivered in a friendlier, receivable manner,” Eleanor says.

“All of a sudden, I start seeing all of my money flying away, and my house is flying away and my career is gone away."

Will Smith in an interview with David Letterman confessed to having a premonition that his career would implode while tripping on ayahuasca.

“Once you drink it, you’re going to see yourself in a way you’ve never seen yourself,” the Academy Award winner for King Richard told Letterman during an episode of My Next Guest Needs No Introduction. The episode was taped in advance of the Oscars on March 27.

Ayahuasca is a brew made from the leaves of the Psychotria viridis shrub and the stalks of the Banisteriopsis caapi vine, according to HealthLine.

Originally used for religious purposes by ancient Amazonian tribes, ayahuasca is still regarded as a sacred beverage by some religious communities. Its medicinal options are now being explored.

Rather than a religious experience, though, Smith recounted how one ayahuasca sesh turned nightmarish.

Hemp Seed Oil is the perfect ingredient in skincare products.

“HSO moisturizes, reduces inflammation, and provides high levels of antioxidants,” said Iva Plummer, one of the co-founders of Vido’s Health & Beauty USA. “HSO’s anti-inflammatory properties allow it to treat skincare issues.”

Inflammation is a common cause of a variety of skin conditions.

“There are several symptoms of skincare inflammation, such as itching, burning, redness, blisters or pimples, and cracked skin,” Plummer said. “HSO is great for the skin because it has anti-inflammatory properties.”

Vido’s Health & Beauty USA products contain Hemp Seed Oil and are packed with vitamins A, C, and E, and other natural essential oils to create herbal elixirs that enhance the skin’s appearance.

The pigeon has been sent to an animal shelter to help it “resocialize” and leave behind its delivery days.

The noble, albeit now often-maligned, pigeon has been used as a message carrier during chariot races to times of war. That may be why someone in Peru tried using the bird’s impressive homing abilities to fly weed into a prison.

Perhaps parched, the cannabis-carrying bird was spotted this week when it touched down on the grounds of the Huancayo Penitentiary near the administrative building to drink some water from a puddle there.

In a tweet, the Peruvian National Police reported officers found the bird, which had a “circular package containing marijuana tied around its neck,” near the prison’s main door. The incident reportedly occurred at about 4:00 p.m. outside the prison’s administrative office.

“The little bird was put in a safe place,” a translation of the tweet assures.

Upon catching the bird, agents saw that the delivery package was made of a light blue fabric that had been wrapped in duct tape, according to Newsbeezer. To the surprise of all involved, the package held “dry green seeds, stems and leaves with a characteristic marijuana smell,” the publication reports.

Fun, Safe and elevated tourism experience deeply rooted in the town's history

Visit Oakland launches the Oakland Cannabis Trail – a historical, colorful travel adventure with unique retail and cannabis centric experiences for the cannasseur (a well-informed cannabis enthusiast) and canna-curious (one who is discovering the world of cannabis) alike.

Developed by Visit Oakland in collaboration with cannabis travel enthusiasts and Oakland’s leading retailers, the Oakland Cannabis Trail offers a curated, immersive trip through The Town’s diverse, amazing neighborhoods. Shared information highlights cannabis travel facts and tips for a safe, memorable experience.

The trail provides visitors a one-of-a-kind opportunity to immerse themselves in Oakland history as they explore premium cannabis retail shops, an array of restaurants, local attractions, and sensory activities including hand selected art exhibits and the great outdoors. Featured on the trail are eight cannabis shops that represent the deeply rooted past and innovative future of cannabis in Oakland.

Pioneering legacy

From Harborside that was established in 2006 and is one of the oldest, largest, and most respected cannabis retailers in the world to Root’d in the 510 – Oakland’s newest cannabis retailer that opened on 4/20 in 2022 – the trail offers numerous exploration options. Honoring Oakland’s pioneering legacy, three destinations on the trail are Cultural Landmarks – the Oaksterdam Uptown District, Blunts and Moore, and Harborside.

Evolution of emerging travel trend

Oakland has a rich, significant history with safe cannabis access and has played a prominent role in legalization. The Town continues to be at the forefront of progress with some of the best shops and most compelling cannabis offerings in the state. Visit Oakland is leading the evolution of the emerging travel trend. The Cannabis Trail is the visitors trusted guide to enjoying safe, curated cannabis experiences while spending time in Oakland.

The admittedly high Brooklyn Nets star tells David Letterman that cannabis “clears the distractions” and is like “having a glass of wine"

National Basketball Association (NBA) superstar Kevin Durant isn’t shy when it comes to cannabis. Indeed, Durant was high while telling David Letterman all about it.

As part of an upcoming interview with Letterman on Netflix’s My Next Guest Needs No Introduction, Durant, 33, was asked when he first smoked cannabis.

He was no kid; he was 22. “To me, it clears the distractions out your brain a little bit, settles you down. It’s like having a glass of wine,” responded the two-time champion and 2014 NBA Most Valuable Player.

“So, did you smoke today?” Letterman, who hosted late-night television talk shows for over three decades, asks in a clip of the new episode, released this week by Netflix.

Durant says yes before adding nonchalantly, “I’m actually high right now,” causing him to smile and Letterman to laugh.

The hemp body lotion is an essential addition to your natural skincare routine. Hemp is a fantastic ingredient that naturally moisturizes skin while also providing it with a host of other benefits. Hemp body lotions are a great way to incorporate hemp into your daily skincare routine and useful for those who want to use natural skincare products. Here are the reasons you need to use hemp body lotion and incorporate it into your natural skincare routine.

It's Naturally Moisturizing

Hemp oil contains fatty acids that are great for dry skin and Eczema. Our skin needs essential fatty acids to stay hydrated and healthy, such as linoleic acid and oleic acid. When you use hemp lotion, you provide your skin with these nutrients. Hemp lotions are also vegan, cruelty-free, and have an all-natural coconut scent that leaves your skin smelling pleasant.

It Has Anti-Aging Properties

CBD oil has anti-aging properties. The AHA (alpha hydroxy acid) found in hemp oil can fight wrinkles, prevent skin from becoming prematurely aged, and keep it from getting sun-damaged. Ragweed pollen allergy and Eczema have also been reduced after using a hemp body lotion. The anti-inflammatory properties in hemp oil help reduce redness caused by rheumatic and allergic reactions, like the common cold.

It Has Anti-Inflammatory Benefits

Hemp oil is an effective anti-inflammatory. Several studies have even proven that it can reduce the symptoms of Eczema. While several natural ingredients effectively treat Eczema, hemp oil is one of the most effective.

It Contains Omega-3 Fatty Acids

It has Omega-3 fatty acids and is great for your skin. Our skin constantly needs these fatty acids responsible for keeping it hydrated and healthy. The anti-inflammatory properties in hemp oil make this an ideal ingredient for battling Eczema.

Oscar-winner reports he consumed cannabis in the past and still does

The eminently talented and endlessly impersonated Christopher Walken recently handled a question about his possible cannabis use with the same style he’s known for: straight-faced, he just admitted it.

Per El Planteo, his response was simple:

“Sure.”

Apparently hoping to delve deeper, journalist David Marchese then asked:

“Do you still smoke?” Again, the response was short and sweet: