Law Weird Cannabis News

[Baron23]

So, how can you tell if your pachyderm is depressed....do they sigh and mope a lot?????


Warsaw Zoo Testing If CBD Can Treat Depression In Elephants


Zookeepers at Poland’s Warsaw Zoo have announced a new project testing whether CBD oil can help to reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression in elephants.
Zookeepers at Poland’s Warsaw Zoo are launching a project to test whether CBD oil can help reduce anxiety in animals, the BBC reports. Fredzia, a female elephant who is grieving following the loss of the herd elder, will be the first animal to receive the treatment.
Dr. Agnieszka Czujkowska, head of the zoo’s Animal Rehabilitation Department, told the BBC that Fredzia had “reacted strangely” when she saw the dead body of Erna, the herd leader and its largest female. Fredzia displayed signs of stress and depression and struggled to establish a new relationship with her female companion. Czujkowska said elephants are prone to stress but easy to monitor, making them ideal for the study.
The first part of the trial included collecting fecal, saliva, and blood samples to monitor the animals’ cortisol levels. Cortisol is produced by humans and animals when stressed. The oil will next be administered to the elephants via their food or directly into their mouths. The zookeepers will then measure their cortisol levels again to see whether the CBD is working to reduce their stress.
The results of the study are not expected for at least two years. If successful, the zoo plans to expand the project to other stressed animals, including bears and rhinoceroses.
While there are CBD products marketed for animals, there are no comprehensive studies showing efficacy for the cannabis-derived compound related to animals and stress. In February, researchers at Texas’ Tarleton State University’s Equine Center announced a study examining whether CBD can reduce anxiety for horses with plans to publish the results next year.

 

[momofthegoons]

So.... with all the cannabis research that could be done, this is what the Feds think need to be researched?


Feds Fund Research On Whether Cows Can Eat Hemp Without Milk Drinkers Getting High

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) recently took to Twitter to publicize a $200,000 grant it awarded to researchers investigating whether or not feeding hemp to livestock leads to unacceptable concentrations of cannabinoids in resulting food for human consumption.

Scientists at Kansas State University are conducting the studies, which will help inform policies on whether hemp can safely be used in animal feed. As it stands, the practice is prohibited despite the federal legalization of the crop and its derivatives.

Little is known about the effects of cannabinoids on cattle, as most studies have focused on humans, mice and pigs. But a main reason for the new research is that there are concerns that feeding hemp to livestock could potentially result in high concentrations of THC in meat and milk sold commercially.

“Our goal is to fill in the knowledge gaps,” Kansas State University’s Michael Kleinhenz, who is part of the multidisciplinary team behind the studies, said. “Until feedstuffs containing hemp are established as safe in animals, our data will assist producers in managing situations involving intentional or unintentional hemp exposures.”



“Industrial hemp is typically grown to produce oil, seed, fiber and medicines,” Kleinhenz added. “While varieties of hemp may be planted for a single or dual purpose, such as for seed and fiber, byproducts consisting of leaves, fodder and residual plant fibers remain after harvest. These byproducts could serve as potential feedstuffs for animals. Because these are predominantly cellulose-containing plant materials, the ideal species for utilizing these feeds are ruminant animals, specifically cattle.”

So far the team has completed two preliminary studies using the USDA funds.

“The cannabinoids CBDA, tetrahydrocannabinolic acid-A (THCA-A), cannabidivarinic acid (CBDVA), and cannabichromenic acid (CBCA) were detected in all cattle after [industrial hemp] dosing,” one paper, which was published in the journal Nature in July, concluded. “These results show acidic cannabinoids, especially CBDA, are readily absorbed from the rumen and available for distribution throughout the body.”

Follow-up research will examine the effects of hemp foods on animal behavior and immune function.

“Now that we have found that some cannabinoids are readily absorbed from the rumen, the next steps are to study the tissue and milk residue depletion profiles of these compounds after animal feeding experiments,” Kleinhenz said, referring to one of the four bovine stomachs.

Researchers believe that if farmers were able to use leftover parts of hemp plants as cattle feed, it would make cultivation of the crop more economical and could boost the industry globally.

“We don’t believe that the degree of absorption is sufficient for us to be concerned about potential intoxication following the consumption of meat and milk,” Hans Coetzee, also with Kansas State, said in an interview with KSNW-TV. “If we can prove that that is of no concern of consequence to the consumer, we feel that that would remove one of the major impediments to the widespread production of hemp worldwide.”

The USDA Agriculture and Food Research Initiative Competitive Grant being used by the researchers is another example of how the federal agency is prioritizing hemp since its legalization under the 2018 Farm Bill.

Meanwhile, as scientists work to better understand the crop and its derivatives, USDA is actively developing regulations for the industry. Last week, it announced that a public comment period on its proposed rules for hemp is being reopened due to widespread interest and feedback from stakeholders.

 

[momofthegoons]

Pothead’ mouse pictured ‘comatose’ after gorging on cannabis leaves

A ‘pothead’ mouse had to be weaned off cannabis leaves after it became hooked on the high. Colin Sullivan, from New Brunswick, Canada found the animal passed out on it’s back after it stole the leaves from his plants for two days straight. It was sent to ‘rodent rehab’ to get back on the straight and narrow and was released back into the wild this week after six full days of sobriety. Colin decided an ‘intervention’ was necessary after he caught the ‘little pothead taking leaves off of my plant and eating them until he passes out’ on Tuesday last week.

Writing on Facebook, he said: ‘He’s missing an ear so it may be self-medication for his PTSD but I still think it’s time for an Intervention. ‘I’ll let him sleep this one off but when he wakes up he’s getting a real stern talking to.’ The stoner mouse experienced ‘belly ache and a wicked bad case of the munchies’ over the next two days, as it was limited to one medium leaf per day by Colin.

After six days on the ’12 step programme’, the rodent finally received it’s 12 step chip – a medallion given to addicts to celebrate their commitment to recovery. Colin said: ‘On The Rodent To Redemption. After a long and desperate battle with addiction this little mouse has grinded up his struggle, picked out the seeds and stems and is ready to roll out. ‘Weed all benefit from joining together to help the smoke clear in any addict’s life.

‘He did his very cannibest and was awarded his first Twelve Step chip. I may have been the one to open his cage but he was the one who set himself free. So long my friend, till we meet again.’ His posts on the mouse’s journey have received over 12,000 likes and attracted thousands of comments. Jalyssa Glenda wrote ‘This series has made my year probably’, while Kayla Halleen said it was ‘the best thing I’ve seen on the internet, ever’. Cannabis became legal for recreational use in Canada when the Cannabis Act went into force across the country on October 17, 2018.

 

[momofthegoons]

Robert Plant says Willie Nelson gives away free weed from his tour bus

"He just gives it away. It's a truckload from here to the... mirrorball and beyond"

Led Zeppelin‘s Robert Plant has shared a story remembering how Willie Nelson would give away free weed from his tour bus.

Plant recently toured with the folk legend, and says it was one of the highlights of his career.

Speaking on his own podcast Digging Deep, Plant spoke of the tour, saying: “The most cherished moment of my career was staying up for a couple of days. Not going home, just going to the next place. Finding that I was in transit forever.

“We were invited to play with Willie Nelson a couple of months ago and he was travelling through his tour with his big bus giving away weed to everybody.”

Elaborating on Nelson’s pop-up shop, Plant added: “He just gives it away. It’s a truckload from here to the … mirrorball and beyond. Free. With doors to go in, get your little hit and go out the other side.”

Back in April, Willie Nelson hosted ‘Come And Toke It’, an online variety show to mark 4/20.Nelson helped celebrate the unofficial weed holiday early by hosting the livestreamed event, which lasted for precisely four hours and 20 minutes.

Back in 2015, Nelson launched his own chain of cannabis shops called Willie’s Reserve.“Willie has spent a lifetime in support of cannabis, both the industrial hemp side and the marijuana side,” his business partner said of the venture at the time.

Willie Nelson released his 70th studio album, ‘First Rose Of Spring’, earlier this summer. A four-star NME review said the album “doesn’t sound like a man coming to the end of his prime, but one slap-bang in the middle of it”.

 

[Baron23]

The one thing I can tell you is....it wasn't me. I never throw out MJ. haha

Who tossed a fridge full of weed onto a Texas highway right in front of a cop?​

An officer with the Ferris Police Department in Texas was speaking to a driver he had pulled over on Interstate-45 when he heard a big bang courtesy of a chiller chock full of cannabis being dumped on the other side of the highway.
The sound of the fridge hitting the side of the interstate in southern Dallas County was enough to finish up with his traffic stop and then check out the discarded appliance, according to NBC DFW.
Badly damaged, the battered fridge offered up a whole lot of green. Inside, he found boxes containing an estimated 15 pounds (6.8 kilograms) of marijuana.



In an ever-so-neighbourly way, the Ferris police offered up some photographic evidence of the strange and noisy find, and extended a friendly invitation to the owners.
“To whomever lost their valuables, please come claim it at the Ferris PD and we will be more than happy to assist you,” the Facebook post reads.

The Dallas County Sheriff’s Office has since taken both the appliance and the cannabis into evidence. Its investigation is continuing.
As expected, the find kicked off a flurry of responses to the police post. One commenter was complementary and apparently wanted to provide a tip for another possible investigation. “Nice. Just seen a washer or dryer under 20 and I45. Might want to sniff that out,” the post reads.

“Looks like bud from the early 2000s. Trash. But still very funny.” / PHOTO BY FERRIS POLICE DEPARTMENT, FACEBOOK
Other respondents were far more critical, not of the police, but of the quality of the stash. “Looks like bud from the early 2000s. Trash. But still very funny,” one post states. “Gawd that’s some trash weed they probably kicked that garbage off the back of a truck for you to deal with!” adds another.
In Texas, FindLaw reports that possessing five (2.3 kg) to 50 pounds (23 kg) of cannabis is a third-degree penalty. And according to the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML), having that much weed can result in two to 10 years incarceration and a fine of up to US$10,000 ($12,900).

 

[momofthegoons]

Oh ffs..... figures the guy was from Indiana... they are so behind the times there.​

GOP Lawmaker Files Complaint Over Democrat’s Marijuana Mask Worn During House Legalization Debate​

A Republican member of the U.S. House of Representatives has filed a formal complaint over a Democratic colleague’s decision to wear a face mask with images of marijuana leaves on it during a debate on a legalization bill, saying the garment amounted to an endorsement of recreational drug use and diminished “the seriousness and decorum of the House floor.”

“Legality aside, it’s unbecoming for a House member to wear clothing that promotes the use of any recreational drugs on the House floor,’ Rep. Jim Banks (R-IN) wrote in a letter to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA). “It’s a clear violation of the House’s Code of Conduct which prohibits all behavior that does not, ‘reflect creditably on the House.'”

Banks—who argued that the speaker has “allowed facemasks to be worn on the House floor that wouldn’t be allowed in a High School assembly hall”—was calling out Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-OR), a longtime legalization advocate who on Thursday wore a mask covered in a cannabis-leaf print during a procedural debate on the Marijuana Opportunity, Reinvestment and Expungement (MORE) Act, which would federally legalize marijuana.

I've been waiting for this moment for 47 years. To preside during this debate is a true honor. #EndCannabisProhibitionpic.twitter.com/6lqiV09Dfn
— Earl Blumenauer (@repblumenauer) December 3, 2020

After Thursday’s debate on the rule for considering the cannabis legislation, the House passed the bill itself on Friday on a 228–164 vote that fell mostly along party lines. Banks himself voted against the legislation, which faces an uphill battle in the GOP-controlled Senate.

“Whether or not members’ dress is appropriate is decided by the Speaker,” Banks acknowledged in his letter to Pelosi, first reported by the Daily Caller, but he added that the “best solution is likely a blanket ban on stylized facemasks.”

Separately in the letter, Banks observed that Rep. Henry Cuellar (D-TX), the House Speaker pro tempore, wore a face mask “that appeared to display his campaign logo while sitting in the Speaker’s chair.”

While House rules prohibit wearing campaign materials on the chamber floor—part of a prohibition on the use of official government resources for campaign purposes—the argument that Blumenauer’s mask was off limits is a farther reach. The mask didn’t specifically reference the legalization bill, nor does it necessarily depict illegal drugs. The only difference between marijuana and its virtually identical cannabis cousin hemp, which Congress federally legalized in 2018, is the amount of THC in the plant.

Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-KY) famously signed the hemp legalization bill with a pen made from cannabis. A year later, he proudly showed off the hemp pen in a video celebrating the newly legal industry.

The marijuana mask isn’t the only sartorial statement Blumenauer has made in recent years. The bicycle- and pedestrian-friendly lawmaker, who co-chairs the informal Congressional Bike Caucus, has also worn an iconic bicycle lapel pin on the House floor for years—so far without being sanctioned for advocacy.

If the MORE Act becomes law, it would remove marijuana from the federal Controlled Substances Act and expunge past convictions, as well as use revenue from a new federal cannabis tax to fund programs to repair the harms of the war on drugs. According to a report by the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office last week, the proposals would bring in $13.7 billion in net revenue to the federal government over the next decade and would save the Bureau of Prisons roughly $1 billion on incarceration costs.

Despite strong support in the Democrat-controlled House, however, the legislation is expected not to make it through the Senate, where Republicans still hold a majority, this year.

Read Banks’s full letter about Blumenauer’s marijuana mask by following title link and scrolling to the bottom of the article.

 

[Baron23]

Oh ffs..... figures the guy was from Indiana... they are so behind the times there.​

GOP Lawmaker Files Complaint Over Democrat’s Marijuana Mask Worn During House Legalization Debate​

View attachment 22515

A Republican member of the U.S. House of Representatives has filed a formal complaint over a Democratic colleague’s decision to wear a face mask with images of marijuana leaves on it during a debate on a legalization bill, saying the garment amounted to an endorsement of recreational drug use and diminished “the seriousness and decorum of the House floor.”

“Legality aside, it’s unbecoming for a House member to wear clothing that promotes the use of any recreational drugs on the House floor,’ Rep. Jim Banks (R-IN) wrote in a letter to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA). “It’s a clear violation of the House’s Code of Conduct which prohibits all behavior that does not, ‘reflect creditably on the House.'”

Banks—who argued that the speaker has “allowed facemasks to be worn on the House floor that wouldn’t be allowed in a High School assembly hall”—was calling out Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-OR), a longtime legalization advocate who on Thursday wore a mask covered in a cannabis-leaf print during a procedural debate on the Marijuana Opportunity, Reinvestment and Expungement (MORE) Act, which would federally legalize marijuana.





After Thursday’s debate on the rule for considering the cannabis legislation, the House passed the bill itself on Friday on a 228–164 vote that fell mostly along party lines. Banks himself voted against the legislation, which faces an uphill battle in the GOP-controlled Senate.

“Whether or not members’ dress is appropriate is decided by the Speaker,” Banks acknowledged in his letter to Pelosi, first reported by the Daily Caller, but he added that the “best solution is likely a blanket ban on stylized facemasks.”

Separately in the letter, Banks observed that Rep. Henry Cuellar (D-TX), the House Speaker pro tempore, wore a face mask “that appeared to display his campaign logo while sitting in the Speaker’s chair.”

While House rules prohibit wearing campaign materials on the chamber floor—part of a prohibition on the use of official government resources for campaign purposes—the argument that Blumenauer’s mask was off limits is a farther reach. The mask didn’t specifically reference the legalization bill, nor does it necessarily depict illegal drugs. The only difference between marijuana and its virtually identical cannabis cousin hemp, which Congress federally legalized in 2018, is the amount of THC in the plant.

Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-KY) famously signed the hemp legalization bill with a pen made from cannabis. A year later, he proudly showed off the hemp pen in a video celebrating the newly legal industry.

The marijuana mask isn’t the only sartorial statement Blumenauer has made in recent years. The bicycle- and pedestrian-friendly lawmaker, who co-chairs the informal Congressional Bike Caucus, has also worn an iconic bicycle lapel pin on the House floor for years—so far without being sanctioned for advocacy.

If the MORE Act becomes law, it would remove marijuana from the federal Controlled Substances Act and expunge past convictions, as well as use revenue from a new federal cannabis tax to fund programs to repair the harms of the war on drugs. According to a report by the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office last week, the proposals would bring in $13.7 billion in net revenue to the federal government over the next decade and would save the Bureau of Prisons roughly $1 billion on incarceration costs.

Despite strong support in the Democrat-controlled House, however, the legislation is expected not to make it through the Senate, where Republicans still hold a majority, this year.

Read Banks’s full letter about Blumenauer’s marijuana mask by following title link and scrolling to the bottom of the article.

What a fucking moron. And we pay this guy $174K/year for this stupid waste of time crap?

 

[Baron23]

Lt. Gov. Flies Weed Flag From Pennsylvania Capitol In Violation Of State Law​

Democratic Lt. Gov. John Fetterman of Pennsylvania is raising the ire of Republican lawmakers with his choice of decor for the state capitol in Harrisburg. After hanging flags supporting cannabis legalization and LGBTQ+ rights from his office balcony, legislators included a provision in a budget measure last month that specifies which flags may be flown from the capitol building.


Under the legislation, only certain flags, including the American flag, Pennsylvania state flag, and the POW/MIA remembrance flag, may be flown at the state capitol. Fetterman’s Pride flag and a banner emblazoned with a cannabis leaf are not authorized.


A spokesperson for Republican House Majority Leader Kerry Benninghoff would not confirm that the new rules were passed because of Fetterman’s flags, saying only that “it has to do with providing for uniformity and decorum for what is displayed on the outside of the Capitol.”


When a reporter informed Fetterman of the new law, he said he wouldn’t be taking the flags down until lawmakers passed legislation guaranteeing protections from workplace discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity as well as a bill to legalize the recreational use of marijuana for adults.



“I would be delighted to take them down if they give us that,” Fetterman said. “That’s the reason I’m flying them.”


But so far, Republicans in the state legislature have blocked progress on both issues, so Fetterman flies the LGBTQ+ flag in June for Pride Month and the pot leaf flag all year.


“Are they going to send the gay pride police to come and seize them? I didn’t know we had that division in the state police,” Fetterman said.

Lt. Gov.’s Op-Ed Slams Dems Stance On Weed​

Fetterman’s support for marijuana legalization has also garnered attention on a national level. In an op-ed published by the Washington Post this week, Fetterman decried the Democratic Party’s stance on cannabis policy reform. After asserting support for legal cannabis businesses in 2016, this year’s party platform seemed like a step backward to many. Democrats now take a less progressive stance that favors letting states take the lead on legalization, a position more palatable to President-elect Joe Biden.


“One group doesn’t seem to be keeping up: the Democratic Party. Its platform on weed is now officially and politically to the right of the state of South Dakota,” Fetterman wrote, referring to the midwestern state’s legalization of adult-use cannabis in last month’s election. “I’m in the camp that says that if you’re to the right of South Dakota on anything, you should use that as a moment to recalibrate your core values.”


“Democrats’ historical and current platform on weed is cowardly and on the wrong side of history,” he continued. “We have known for decades that Black and brown communities are disproportionately prosecuted and harmed, but the federal government and many states haven’t done anything to stop it.”



In his closing, Fetterman noted that many are convicted of minor marijuana offenses while much riskier behavior is allowed under state law.


“In Pennsylvania and in most states, it is perfectly legal to wake up in the morning, smoke a carton of Marlboros, chug a fifth of vodka, take a pinch of Copenhagen, pop an OxyContin and gamble away your entire life savings in a state-approved casino,” Fetterman wrote. “But get caught with marijuana, and you’re branded a criminal for life.”

 

[Baron23]

Well, not really weird but also not really related to legalization so....here it goes.

The NBA Is Done Testing Players for Marijuana. At Least for Now.​

The National Basketball Association and the NBA Players Association have reached an agreement that will not test players for marijuana use for the entirety of the 2020 to 2021 season, which starts December 22. It's a continuation of a policy used during the unusual "bubble" arrangement for the 2020 NBA playoffs in Orlando.
In announcing the decision, NBA officials pointed to the coronavirus pandemic as a motivator. NBA spokesman Mike Bass said in a statement, "Due to the unusual circumstances in conjunction with the pandemic, we have agreed with the NBPA to suspend random testing for marijuana for the 2020 to 2021 season and focus our random testing program on performance-enhancing products and drugs of abuse."
In announcing the decision, NBA officials pointed to the coronavirus pandemic as a motivator. NBA spokesman Mike Bass said in a statement, “Due to the unusual circumstances in conjunction with the pandemic, we have agreed with the NBPA to suspend random testing for marijuana for the 2020 to 2021 season and focus our random testing program on performance-enhancing products and drugs of abuse.”



The announcement is another milestone in the ever-evolving relationship between professional sports and cannabis. Earlier this year, the NFL announced that players will face fines, not suspensions, when testing positive for marijuana use.

How long will the new policy last?​

The NBA's decision is of interest to people in the cannabis business because sports often reflect broader cultural trends. It's also another case of businesses having to recalibrate drug testing policy in light of marijuana legalization taking place in states across the country.
That second issue has become even more of a debate in light of a recent study that found marijuana use on their own time does not impact employee performance.
For the current decision, NBA officials apparently wanted to reduce the number of unnecessary contacts with players to reduce the chances of spreading COVID-19. The league plans to return to play in the team's home cities this year, with varying rules in different places about fans' attendance.
As of early December, forty-eight players out of 546 had tested positive for COVID-19 as the NBA started what it calls its “initial return-to-market testing phase.” So, while the current situation is unusual, speculation continues about whether cannabis testing will return in future seasons or how, like the NFL, the association might alter how it tests.

Professional sports leaders have been slowly changing policies on weed.​

Professional leagues have started to change policies that hurt players in the not-too-distant past. For example, NFL running back Ricky Williams lost two of the prime years of his career in the first decade of the century because of a positive weed test. His stance on marijuana use made him an outcast then. Now he looks like a man ahead of his time.
While no league has pushed too far forward, they have scrapped old policies. Major League Baseball took what is arguably the biggest step, removing cannabis from its “drugs of abuse” list. Up until then, major league players got tested for “reasonable cause,” but minor leaguers often faced random tests for weed use. A positive finding could seriously hurt a player’s career.
The NBA—often considered the most progressive of the major sports leagues—recently changed their policy to penalize players for their first positive marijuana test. The second positive test resulted in a $25,000 fine, and the third resulted in a five-game suspension. From there on, each positive resulted in a suspension five games longer than the previous one.
All that is out for the upcoming season, and what happens in-season might determine what the league decides to do going forward.

 

[Baron23]

I have not, and will never, buy any overpriced celebrity branded MJ products or accessories. We got Willie Nelson stuff here in MD's MMJ program. I will never buy any of it

I'd go clean and straight first. Just rich indulged celebs looking to make mo' money. And I hope all realize that these people really don't do shit, for the most part, but provide their name for $$.

So, do you think Paltrow and Goop will give you a set of vagina balls with your MJ? Hmmm? LOL

Celebrities Continue To Cash In On Cannabis​

“This is just another way for a celebrity to leverage their own brand equity and to be crass to make money,” according to one industry insider.

This year, the cannabis world has welcomed so many famous people. Some decided to become part of the industry as brand ambassadors, while others launched their own brands. Musicians, actors and athletes have expressed their love for the plant.
But why now?

Was it because the stigma around cannabis has faded more than ever before? Or, was it because of industry growth, which thus presented lucrative opportunities?
1933 Industries Inc. (OTCQX:TGIFF) CEO Paul Rosen told Benzinga that “the industry has crossed a tipping point from an object of curiosity to a recognized credible emerging asset class promising the potential of high growth.”

He explained that the COVID pandemic has enabled celebrities with new ways to monetize their brands, such as podcasts, Twitch performances and content subscription service OnlyFans.

For most celebrities, money is one important motivator.

“This is just another way for a celebrity to leverage their own brand equity and to be crass to make money,” Rosen says. “They all have their own reasons, but behind the individual narratives the one common denominator is money which as far as I can tell celebrities like as much as anyone else.”
But there’s at least one celebrity who is more spiritually motivated by cannabis.

Carlos Santana​

Last week, guitar legend Carlos Santana spoke with Benzinga bout his creating high-quality cannabis and CBD brands via a partnership with Left Coast Ventures. In October, Mirayo by Santana — a line of cannabis products influenced by musician’s Latin heritage and dedication to spiritual well-being — was launched.
Santana grew up familiar with the plant’s healing properties, thanks to his mother. Throughout his career, he talked about the benefits of cannabis. From alleviating pain and stiffness to awaking consciousness and creativity.

Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images for The Recording Academy

It is certain, Santana’s approach to cannabis is spiritual.
“Cannabis is a window or a door to different awareness of consciousness,” Santana says. He created Mirayo, which means “my ray” to help people find the light inside them.

Kristen Bell​

Kristen Bell, star of Happy Place and Disney’s Frozen, teamed up with Cronos Group Inc. (NASDAQ:CRON) to launch a CBD skincare brand Happy Dance.

“I don’t need another paycheck, so how are we going to do good in the community here,” she said. The Veronic Mars actress is reportedly engaged in all steps of creating the new brand.

She also chose to collaborate with A New Way of Life Entry Project, an organization that provides housing and pro bono legal services for women restoring their lives after prison.

Photo by Christopher Polk/Staff/Getty Images

The three initial products are cruelty-free and vegan, with affordable price tags. The company is donating one percent of profits from all products sold on the brand’s website to A New Way of Life Entry Project.

“As a working mom, I turned to CBD skincare as a way to turn down the volume of my life and CBD products have since become an essential part of my self-care routine,” Bell says.

In 2020, many celebrities looked after Santana or those who joined the space even before him — such as Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg, and Snoop Dogg, and Karan Wadhera.

Celebrity Newcomers​

In July, Killer Mike and El-P — the rappers known collectively as Run the Jewels — partnered with a lifestyle and cannabis brand Cookies, and its sister brand Lemonnade, to launch its first cannabis strain Ooh La la.

In June, Wu-Tang Clan member Method Man launched a cannabis business with a goal to encourage more black ownership join the industry. The company was named Tical (like his 1994 solo debut album) which stands for “Taking Into Consideration All Lives” and it succeeded to raise $300,000 for its initial launch.

Chelsea Handler also touted a new line of cannabis products.

Timed to coincide with the premiere of her latest stand up special, “Chelsea Handler: Evolution,” Sweet Flower joined forced with the comedian to introduce the Evolution Kit, a curated set featuring Handler’s favorite cannabis products.

Screenshot via chelseahandler/Instagram

At least two Academy Award Winners have attached their names to cannabis brands.

Nicole Kidman, who won Best Actress for The Hours, became the first-ever brand ambassador of The Sera Labs Inc., a health, wellness and beauty company known for its CBD products. Sera Labs was acquired by CURE Pharmaceuticals Holdings (OTCQB:CURR) for $20 million. Kidman “easily” agreed to endorse the company’s topical products.

“With my injury last year, I experienced the benefit of CBD wellness products firsthand,” she shared.

Goop CEO Gwyneth Paltrow, who won the Best Actress Oscar for Shakespeare In Love, invested in cannabis beverage brand Cann. Other big names joined her including Ruby Rose, Rebel Wilson, Darren Criss, Baron Davis, Tove Lo, Casey Neistat, and Calesha Murray (aka Bre-Z).

Photo by Terry Wyatt/Stringer/Getty Images

Paltrow said that cannabis is a “hero ingredient of the future.”

Grammy Award-winning artist and radio personality Khaled Mohamed Khaled — better known as DJ Khaled — recently partnered with CBD company Endexx Corp. (OTC:EDXC) to launch a new CBD company with products expected to hit shelves in 2021.

“I was drawn to Endexx Corporation because they’re an innovative company that has proven they have the keys to deliver consistently, top of the line, high-quality products,” Khaled said.

Industry Veterans Also Grabbed Headlines​

Some celebrities joined the industry earlier, but made some major business moves this year.

For example, music industry mogul Shawn Carter, known widely as Jay-Z, joined the newly formed cannabis company last year. The venture was formed via a partnership between Caliva, Left Coast Ventures, Subversive Capital Acquisition Corp. (OTCQX:SBVCF) and Roc Nation, Jay-Z’s entertainment company. This December, after 18 months of methodical strain pick up and cautious cultivation, cannabis products from Jay-Z cannabis line Monogram finally reached the shelves.

Photo by Craig Barritt/Stringer/Getty Images

Back in February 2018, the “Domestic Goddess” Martha Stewart took an advisory role at Canopy Growth Corp (NASDAQ:CGC) to help with developing a new line of CBD products across various categories. This year, Stewart launched several CBD products, including a holiday-inspired CBD gummies line.
An American actor, comedian, and musician, known for starting in According to Jim, and Saturday Night Live, Jim Belushi joined the cannabis industry back in 2015 as a legal cannabis farmer with a 48-plant crop.

Belushi told Benzinga that his mission in the industry is “to break even — because the purpose, the power of this plant, serves the greater good.”

Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Staff/Getty Images

In 2020, Belushi’s Farm partnered with Curaleaf Holdings Inc. (OTCQX:CURLF) to create a vape pen for the Oregon cannabis market.

Former NBA star and four-time champion, John Salley is no stranger to the cannabis industry. He has taken up several cannabis ventures in the previous years. Salley, who is also a member of the Benzinga Cannabis Advisory Council this year announced his plans to create a health insurance package for cannabis enterprises, their workers, and cannabis users.

“We’ve literally got to a point where we can insure cannabis smokers and cannabis companies,” Salley said.

Furthermore, this October, Salley became the vice president of business development at CBD-concentrated wellness company, The Anthos Group. At The Anthos Group, Salley will help launch a new brand focused on the needs of athletes.

Does A Name Make A Difference?​

One question that comes up with this subject is: How important is a famous face behind a brand and does it make a difference?

“They are celebrities for sure, but then there are the rare few that have created a devoted community,” Holistic Industries’ CEO Josh Genderson says. “Jerry Garcia is at the top of the list when you think of cannabis culture and raising consciousness about cannabis in the U.S.”

Garica, leader of the psychedelic rock band The Grateful Dead, is the latest on a list of late celebrities whose likeness has been used on legal cannabis products — others include Bob Marley and Jimi Hendrix.

Genderson told us that the company was reached out by a few celebrities through the years with the idea to partner on a new collection, but the company decided to collaborate with Garcia’s family, introducing the new line in 2020.

“Jerry’s fan base is diverse in generation, geography and almost every other demographic,” Genderson says. “What we all share is a sense of belonging to the unique community Jerry helped build. We wanted to give fans something new to celebrate in Garcia Hand Picked, while also creating something that would appeal to people who aren’t fans yet but know enough to try the products and engage with the brand. From eco-friendly packaging to Jerry’s original artwork, quotes from Jerry and suggested playlists for each strain, Garcia Hand Picked products and merchandise were designed specifically for the fans.”

A Long Shadow​

Does celebrity involvement mean that smaller brands are in danger of being overshadowed if they don’t have celebrity backers?
Rosen doesn’t think so. He believes authenticity is the key.

“Consumers are super savvy and they have to love the product first and foremost not the spokesperson. I think this is a time and place event and over time I don’t believe that a good brand needs a celebrity to validate it unless the authenticity of the celebrity is beyond dispute,” Rosen says.

“Do I want to smoke a $50 monogram joint because it has Jay-Z’s fingerprints on it? No doubt many will but the premium price likely is not borne out so much by the superior quality of the product as it is by the cool factor associated with an icon like Jay Z,” he adds. “And to answer my own question, I definitely want to try one of those $50 joints by Jay Z, but I doubt I would make a habit out of it. As much as I am a massive Jay Z fan, that shit is just too expensive.”

Indeed, famous names help spread the word on weed. So while the cannabis space appears big enough for both celebrity-backed and non-celebrity-backed brands, celebrity influence on breaking the stigma around the plan shouldn’t be underestimated.

As for whether the trend will continue in 2021, Rosen expects it will.

“To quote the philosopher Eric Hoffer when people are free to do as they please they usually imitate each other,” he says. “So absolutely yes more will follow out of a sense of FOMO and opportunity.”

 

[CarolKing]

Oh ffs..... figures the guy was from Indiana... they are so behind the times there.​

GOP Lawmaker Files Complaint Over Democrat’s Marijuana Mask Worn During House Legalization Debate​

View attachment 22515

A Republican member of the U.S. House of Representatives has filed a formal complaint over a Democratic colleague’s decision to wear a face mask with images of marijuana leaves on it during a debate on a legalization bill, saying the garment amounted to an endorsement of recreational drug use and diminished “the seriousness and decorum of the House floor.”

“Legality aside, it’s unbecoming for a House member to wear clothing that promotes the use of any recreational drugs on the House floor,’ Rep. Jim Banks (R-IN) wrote in a letter to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA). “It’s a clear violation of the House’s Code of Conduct which prohibits all behavior that does not, ‘reflect creditably on the House.'”

Banks—who argued that the speaker has “allowed facemasks to be worn on the House floor that wouldn’t be allowed in a High School assembly hall”—was calling out Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-OR), a longtime legalization advocate who on Thursday wore a mask covered in a cannabis-leaf print during a procedural debate on the Marijuana Opportunity, Reinvestment and Expungement (MORE) Act, which would federally legalize marijuana.





After Thursday’s debate on the rule for considering the cannabis legislation, the House passed the bill itself on Friday on a 228–164 vote that fell mostly along party lines. Banks himself voted against the legislation, which faces an uphill battle in the GOP-controlled Senate.

“Whether or not members’ dress is appropriate is decided by the Speaker,” Banks acknowledged in his letter to Pelosi, first reported by the Daily Caller, but he added that the “best solution is likely a blanket ban on stylized facemasks.”

Separately in the letter, Banks observed that Rep. Henry Cuellar (D-TX), the House Speaker pro tempore, wore a face mask “that appeared to display his campaign logo while sitting in the Speaker’s chair.”

While House rules prohibit wearing campaign materials on the chamber floor—part of a prohibition on the use of official government resources for campaign purposes—the argument that Blumenauer’s mask was off limits is a farther reach. The mask didn’t specifically reference the legalization bill, nor does it necessarily depict illegal drugs. The only difference between marijuana and its virtually identical cannabis cousin hemp, which Congress federally legalized in 2018, is the amount of THC in the plant.

Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-KY) famously signed the hemp legalization bill with a pen made from cannabis. A year later, he proudly showed off the hemp pen in a video celebrating the newly legal industry.

The marijuana mask isn’t the only sartorial statement Blumenauer has made in recent years. The bicycle- and pedestrian-friendly lawmaker, who co-chairs the informal Congressional Bike Caucus, has also worn an iconic bicycle lapel pin on the House floor for years—so far without being sanctioned for advocacy.

If the MORE Act becomes law, it would remove marijuana from the federal Controlled Substances Act and expunge past convictions, as well as use revenue from a new federal cannabis tax to fund programs to repair the harms of the war on drugs. According to a report by the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office last week, the proposals would bring in $13.7 billion in net revenue to the federal government over the next decade and would save the Bureau of Prisons roughly $1 billion on incarceration costs.

Despite strong support in the Democrat-controlled House, however, the legislation is expected not to make it through the Senate, where Republicans still hold a majority, this year.

Read Banks’s full letter about Blumenauer’s marijuana mask by following title link and scrolling to the bottom of the article.

I want that mask!!

 

[Thedev]

@Baron23 - I agree with you 100% - I would personally not buy any overpriced anything... I love Wyllie, I have partied with him, spent time on his ranch, and even worked for him in a project, but never would pay a dime more for his stuff. But I do see value in him and his causes, but that's it..... I love quality AND value.
IMO Celebrities and Silicon Valley are helping legalization, but because of their own interests. I don't blame them, not my cup of tea, but I see the low hanging fruit...I am a fan of personal responsibility, a sucker is born every day.

 

[Bcbud]

Marijuana Tax Revenue in States that Regulate Marijuana for Adult Use

We Change Laws!

www.mpp.org

 

[Thedev]

Marijuana Tax Revenue in States that Regulate Marijuana for Adult Use

We Change Laws!

www.mpp.org

Hell yeah, those are the Data Points we crave.....

 

[momofthegoons]

Well... since we don't have a 'Hilarious Cannabis News' thread... I'll post this here...

Canada – Judge says cop who ate cannabis during raid a ‘complete idiot’​

As they say.. LOL

A Toronto police officer who ate a cannabis-laced chocolate bar seized during a raid was described as a “complete idiot” by a judge.

Vittorio Dominelli pleaded guilty to attempting to obstruct justice in connection with the incident at an illegal marijuana dispensary.

Justice Mary Misener, who presided over the case, said: “From the point of view of public interest, the impact is profound,” she said. “The conduct here you cannot describe as anything other than stupid … He was just a complete idiot.”

Source: https://www.theweek.co.uk/news/world-news/952175/cop-who-ate-cannabis-during-raid-a-complete-idiot



The Star also reports

Two Toronto officers allegedly consumed cannabis-infused chocolate that had been seized as evidence hours earlier during a dispensary raid — only to have to call for backup and be taken to hospital, according to newly released police documents.

Just weeks after Const. Vittorio Dominelli and Const. Jamie Young were criminally charged in connection to the January incident, the officers appeared at the Toronto police disciplinary tribunal Tuesday, facing professional misconduct charges under Ontario’s Police Services Act.

The documents filed at the hearing detail allegations of a bizarre and potentially dangerous night that began with the alleged theft of cannabis-infused chocolate and ended with a 911 call, paramedics rushing to the scene and three officers being sent to hospital.


The hearing documents also reveal that, as a result of the officers’ alleged actions, criminal charges were withdrawn against seven people who were arrested during the raid on a west-end dispensary earlier that same night, where the officers allegedly obtained the cannabis-infused chocolate.

Read more:

Toronto cops accused of eating pot edibles now charged with destroying evidence

Two Toronto police officers accused of consuming marijuana edibles while on duty


Dominelli, 36, faces four misconduct charges, including discreditable conduct and being unfit for duty through consumption of drugs. Young, 35, faces the same misconduct charges and two more, including neglecting to carry out a lawful order and knowingly making a false statement.

https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/20...e-laced-with-cannabis-oil-documents-show.html

 

[Baron23]

What's next....Door Dash? "Wanna some fries with that oz?" LOL

Uber would add home delivery of marijuana as part of its business​

More and more cities and countries are leaning towards the decriminalization and legalization of cannabis , which opens up many business possibilities. Uber does not plan to be left behind and is already considering adding home delivery of marijuana to its portfolio of services.

Dara Khosrowshahi , CEO of Uber , said the company could deliver cannabis through its private transportation network. This as soon as the federal regulation in the United States is approved and depending on how the legislation is.

“When the path is clear for cannabis, when federal laws come into play, we are definitely going to take a look at it. (...) We are excited even though we have to review the law and that will take time , "Khosrowshahi said in an interview with CNBC .

The CEO of Uber assures that, for now, the company will focus on the services that it can offer and that have brought it good results: the delivery of food, medicine and alcoholic beverages.

"For now, with the grocery store, food, alcohol, etc., we see a lot of opportunities out there and we are going to focus on the opportunity that we have at hand," said the CEO of the company.

A few months ago, Uber bought the Drizly platform, dedicated to the delivery of alcoholic beverages at home for $ 1.1 billion in shares and cash. Drizly operates in 1,400 cities and the idea is to integrate it with Uber Eats to bring drinks such as beer, wine or spirits to its users.

 

[CarolKing]

I wish my state would allow home deliveries. We’ve tried to get the legislature to OK this but they only allow cannabis to be bought and sold at cannabis stores and no delivery. It really is a stupid rule and doesn’t make sense. I think it might be because they are afraid of security, somebody robbing them. We have very strict cannabis rules. Cannabis is barcoded from seed to sale. The state doesn’t want to miss out on any money.

 

[deep_meditation]

Just don’t let your Uber rating drop below 4.20.

I’ve used home delivery from a local MD dispensary. It worked well and was easy. Simple cash handoff. The delivery guy was nice enough and on the phone we joked around a bit about my order - I was essentially ordering up because I didn’t want to have to call back for a while.

On that note I bought some Wedding Cake BHO Wax and I’m going to get some more. The flower had bad reviews but this wax is fine by me.

 

[Baron23]

Free Marijuana For Vaccinations And Cannabis Dog Toys: How Brands Are Celebrating 4/20 This Year​

Marijuana advocates and enthusiasts have a lot to celebrate on this year’s unofficial cannabis holiday 4/20.


State-level legalization has continued to spread in 2021—adding New York, Virginia and New Mexico to the list of adult-use states within the span of weeks. Congressional leaders are on the verge of introducing legislation to end federal prohibition, and Democrats are in control of both chambers plus the White House, raising hopes that comprehensive reform will be enacted this session.


But one thing hasn’t changed in 2021: companies and organizations are still doing their most to promote brands and products with marijuana-themed promotions and events on April 20.


And it makes sense. Cannabis reform is popular, with a new national poll finding a record 69 percent of Americans in favor of legalization. Plus, more adults have access to marijuana products to safely and legally enjoy the festivities, even if things still look a little different amid the pandemic.


The result of all of this is a lot of businesses and organizations trying to get in on the action, including those that aren’t necessarily tied directly to the cannabis industry.


Here’s a rundown of major brands that are celebrating 4/20:

Ben & Jerry’s​

Keeping with a theme it set out last year, ice cream company Ben & Jerry’s is using its platform to promote federal marijuana reform. Digital billboards and a van covered in advertising promoting the Marijuana Opportunity, Reinvestment and Expungement (MORE) Act could be seen in the nation’s capitol, paid for by the activist-minded business.

And in partnership with the ACLU, Ben & Jerry’s is launching a call-to-action, asking Americans to text “MORE” to 40456 “to show their support of the MORE Act.”

Jimmy John’s​

The sandwich company is inviting enthusiasts to engage with its social media feeds on 4/20 for a chance to win limited-edition merchandise—a bean bag chair modeled after its signature jalepeno chips.


They will also be streaming a “wake & bake” session on their Instagram live account that features actor and comedian Rob Huebel taking viewers through a “guided breaditation” that involves “vibe-filled, euphemism-filled, bread-science-filled words of introspection.”

Hotels.com​

Up until 4:20am on 4/20, people who book hotel reservations through Hotels.com can send an email with their confirmation receipt to munchiehotels@hotels.com for a chance to win a $200 room service credit… or “munchie money.”


“The perks included as part of this Munchie Money deal are truly the culmination of all the best aspects of being a Hotels.com rewards member,” Jennifer Dohm, head of PR, said. “From late checkout to a bonus night stay, onlyHotels.com allows you to get rewarded just for reserving a stay. Getting your massive room service spread covered doesn’t hurt either!”

Nuggs​

The plant-based food company is getting in on the holiday as well, offering a $420 giveaway to select Instagram followers who send them a message showing a receipt for any product that ends in $4.20.

“You can buy literally anything from anywhere, and any variation of $4.20 counts (ex: $64.20, $114.20, etc),” Nuggs said. “Remember, we said we MIGHT send you $420… winners will be randomly selected over the next few days and notified via IG DM.”

BarkBox​

The dog toy and treat business is back at it again with another round of 4/20 themed dog goodies. Get a “spinach burrito,” “spice grinder” or a “single maple leaf” for your furry friend.


“In honor of the upcoming very normal April 20th in this very normal month, we would like to direct your attention to these very normal toys available for a limited time,” BarkBox said in a blog post. “We sourced these toys from a totally normal farm owned by a totally normal Jared, a farmer.”

Slim Jim​

Slim Jim is latching onto the converging 4/20 and DogeCoin trends to raise money for World Central Kitchen.

Snickers​

Snickers is also trying to ride the Doge and cannabis wave.

discovery+​

The TV station is launching a new marijuana-themed version of the cooking competition show Chopped.

Paramount+​

Paramount+ also wants you to stay home and watch TV today.

Grand Theft Auto​

Rockstar Games is offering free virtual gifts and bonuses in GTA Online.

Call of Duty​

Cannabis-themed items launched in Black Ops Cold War and Warzone.

White Castle​

The burger joint with a reputation for attracting cannabis enthusiasts is promoting its $4.20 Muncheese meal and offering free deliveries through UberEats for orders of $15 or more.

Lagunitas Brewing Co.​

The beer company launched a new ale to commemorate the Waldos, the group California teens who began the 420 craze in the 1970s.

Weedmaps​

Weedmaps is hosting a 4/20 livestream event, with musical performances by artists like Snoop Dogg and A$AP. There will also be a panel led by the Last Prisoner Project to discuss the need for social equity in legalization legislation.

Musicians are also taking a moment to celebrate 4/20:​

Wiz Khalifa​

The Flaming Lips​

Advocacy organizations are also marking the cannabis occasion:​

ACLU​

The civil rights group is promoting its cannabis-themed products such as a marijuana stress ball.

NORML​

The pro-legalization organization put out a call-to-action ahead of 4/20 to encourage supporters to hemp them “Finish the Fight” to end prohibition.


“While we have undoubtedly made immense progress in recent years, hundreds of thousands of our fellow citizens are still arrested each year for simple possession of a plant,” NORML Executive Director Erik Altieri said. “That is why we are calling on all legalization supporters to take time out of their 4/20 celebrations this year to help us finish the fight, both at the federal level and in those states that still are living under the dark ages of prohibition.”

DC Marijuana Justice (DCMJ)​

On 4/20, DCMJ is organizing an event where members will give away free marijuana at COVID-19 vaccination centers across the nation’s capital.

Other organization are using the holiday for public education purposes around cannabis laws:​

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration​

The federal agency is urging people not to drive while impaired, using the hashtag #420 in a tweet.

U.S. Department of Agriculture​

USDA’s Risk Management Agency saw 4/20 as an opportunity to educate hemp growers about crop insurance.

Colorado Department of Transportation​

The department is raising awareness about the dangers of driving while impaired by alcohol or marijuana.

MADD​

MADD is also reminding people not to drive while impaired.

Transportation Security Administration (TSA)​

TSA says it wants to “clear the smoke when it comes to traveling with medical marijuana.”

“Marijuana remains illegal federally unless it’s less than 0.3% THC on a dry weight basis,” it said. “This means you can’t travel with it, even if going from one legalized state to another.”

Food and Drug Administration (FDA)​

While not explicitly tied to 4/20, the federal agency did tweet on Tuesday a link to a blog post about the rules around adding cannabis ingredients to cosmetics.

Even prohibitionists are trying to take advantage of the occasion:​

Smart Approaches to Marijuana​

Smart Approaches To Marijuana’s Kevin Sabet released a book on 4/20 that attempts to lay out reasons not to pursue legalization and offers insights into the man behind the anti-reform movement.

Drug Enforcement Administration​

Even the DEA wanted to join in on the 4/20 fun.


In other words: no matter where people stand on marijuana, it seems everyone has something to say about it at least once a year.

 

[momofthegoons]

JOE EXOTICLAUNCHING HIS OWN CANNABIS LINE ...Straight from the Joint!!!​

Joe Exotic has a new venture that could put him in high spirits -- he's launching his own cannabis line all while doing hard time in federal prison.

The 'Tiger King' star cooked up the idea last July and the wheels have been in motion ever since. His attorney, Brad Small, tells TMZ ... they have a deal locked for Joe to partner with Tango Hotel Charlie Group, LLC and Cannaxxs LTD to launch Joe Exotic Cannabis.

We're told Joe's been directly involved in the biz through calls and emails with his attorney. The deal includes the various companies ponying up the dough with Joe's name attached to the products.

Small tells us the products include CBD edibles and will be sold in dispensaries throughout California, Colorado and Oklahoma. While recreational THC is legal in Cali and Colorado, only medicinal is kosher in Joe's old OK stomping grounds.

We're told part of the reason Joe's doing this is to help people who need cannabis to ease their pain from various ailments.

Small says the launch will happen within weeks, and a share of Joe's profits will go towards captive tiger care. As we reported ... Joe said in the year since the Netflix docuseries 'Tiger King' dropped his life had been a living hell.

The new revenue stream should give him a boost.