Gov’t on controversial Cannabis-impaired Driving laws: Punish first, research later

On July 4, 2018, the federal government announced its plan to earmark nearly $1 million towards research on cannabis-impaired driving.   The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health is set to undertake a three-year study to determine, once and for all, how high a person has to be to be too high to drive.  This announcement […]

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VCBC gives MLA Carol James 3 conditions for compliance with legalization laws

If you ask any of the staff or volunteers at the Victoria Cannabis Buyers Club what they will do on October 17th, they will tell you that business will operate as usual. On July 26, 2018, Ted Smith wrote a letter to BC’s Deputy Premier and Finance Minister, Carole James to explain. Here is that letter: […]

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How Prohibition has led to Shady and Toxic CBD Products

We live in a shady world where some people will do anything for a quick buck- even if that means poisoning other people to make that buck. That’s why it’s essential only to purchase CBD from trusted sources, especially because some companies use low CBD hemp oil and market it differently, making mislabeling a considerable […]

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Cannabis Patient Profile – Meet Margie

I had never heard of juvenile arthritis until one day when I was working at the VCBC; a very warm and friendly senior couple, Ian and Margie came through the doors. Right away, I noticed two bright, contagious smiles while I served them, delighted to hear them express how cannabis had saved their lives. Margie […]

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Ryan Reynolds producing R-rated pot parody of 90’s classic “Home Alone”

Movie star Ryan Reynolds is producing an R-rated parody of Home Alone called Stoned Alone for 20th Century Fox. It’s like Fox exec Matt Reilly saw Jon Stewart’s cameo in Half Baked and took it a little too seriously, probably thinking to himself, “Remember Home Alone? Well, let’s do that, except on weed”, while chuckling and patting […]

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Ontario on the verge of scrapping government-only cannabis stores

Wherever you lie on the political spectrum, the recent election of the Progressive Conservatives in Ontario, led by Doug Ford, may have a silver lining for cannabis retail after all. Since the Ontario PC’s were elected, there has been little clarification on the issue of allowing private stores to sell cannabis despite requests from multiple […]

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How Cannabis Legalization May Affect Your Insurance

Almost 5 million Canadians may have consumed cannabis in 2017, spending more than $5.5 billion dollars on the drug, according to Statistics Canada, and whether you consume cannabis or not, there will likely be insurance price adjustments coming your way. The numbers of Canadians using cannabis could soon skyrocket because on Oct. 17, the federal […]

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What’s the link between cannabis & schizophrenia & should you be worried?

Studies have shown that schizophrenia only affects up to 1% of the general population, but if you use cannabis, your chances of suffering from schizophrenia can increase by as much as 7X. Why is that? What is schizophrenia? First, we should take a look at what schizophrenia is- a mental illness with symptoms that include abnormal […]

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Poll: Americans View Marijuana As Less Harmful Than Tobacco

A new Gallup poll has revealed that Americans believe that marijuana is far less harmful than most tobacco products. Results of the new survey were published by the research company on Wednesday.

Almost all of the respondents—96 percent—believed that cigarettes are harmful. Of those, 82 percent said that cigarettes are “very harmful.”  Fourteen percent said that cigarettes are “somewhat harmful.”

In contrast, 63 percent of those surveyed believe that marijuana is harmful. Twenty-seven percent believe marijuana is “very harmful,” while 29 percent believe it is “somewhat harmful.” Twenty-four percent believe marijuana is “not too harmful.” Another 18 percent said that they thought marijuana was “not at all” harmful.

Of those polled, 5 percent said they used marijuana on a regular basis. Another 8 percent said that they use pot occasionally.

Tobacco Products Fare Poorly

Those taking the poll were also asked for their perception of the harmfulness of four additional tobacco products. A majority of respondents said that cigars, chewing tobacco, and pipe tobacco were all “very harmful.”

Chewing tobacco, at 71 percent was viewed as the most harmful after cigarettes. Cigars followed at 56 percent while 52 percent believe smoking a pipe is “very harmful.” Vaping e-cigarettes was viewed as relatively safer, with 38 percent saying they are “very harmful.”

Cigarette Smoking Down

The survey also asked about respondents’ usage of tobacco products. Sixteen percent said that they had smoked a cigarette in the past week. That number is about one-third the figure recorded in the 1950s and about half the rate of the 1980s.

Young adults aged 18-29 showed the greatest drop in the rate of cigarette smokers. Since 2001, the rate of cigarette smoking by this age group has fallen by more than half. Over the past three years, 15 percent of young adults reported smoking in the previous week. That’s down from 34 percent in the early 2000s.

Meanwhile, the rate of smokers aged 30-49 dropped only eight percentage points over the same time period, from 28 percent down to 20 percent. Adults 50-64 reported a rate of smoking during 2016-2018, basically unchanged from 2001-2005.

These numbers show a reversal in the long-standing trend of smoking being more popular with young people than middle-aged and older Americans. Gallup offered some analysis that might explain the change in the incidence of smoking in young people.

“Many factors may be turning young Americans against cigarette smoking,” according to Andrew Dugan of Gallup. “Though public anti-smoking campaigns were well established by the time this age cohort came along, many of these young adults came of age when public smoking bans became more commonplace throughout the country.”

“These bans may have made smoking seem like a more stigmatizing behavior, while older adults remembered a time when indoor smoking was more common. For instance, a 2015 Gallup poll found that 18- to 29-year-olds are the most likely of any age group to say they have an “unsympathetic” view of smokers,” Dugan added.

Gallup conducted the poll through telephone interviews with adults aged 18 and older held July 1-11. Respondents included residents of all 50 U.S. states and the District of Columbia. The margin of sampling error is plus or minus four percentage points.

The post Poll: Americans View Marijuana As Less Harmful Than Tobacco appeared first on High Times.

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Toronto-based company creates world’s first beer brewed from cannabis

A Canadian company is claiming to be the first in the world to come up with a cannabis beer but there are already cannabis beers on the market, so what makes this one so different? The new beer is the latest creation from Ontario-based Province Brands and what makes it stand out from any other […]

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Health Canada’s rules for cannabis sponsorships are hypocritical and hurt music festivals

Some of Canada’s biggest licensed producers are getting into sponsorships in a big way and Health Canada is not happy about it at all. On Jul. 13, the government released a statement saying: “The actions of some companies have underscored the need for the [marketing and advertising] prohibitions in the [Cannabis] Act and their rigorous […]

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5 Crazy Busts: Weed all about it

When it comes to weed, you either love it, or you don’t but unless you can’t read, there’s no denying that cannabis has loads of medicinal value. Yet still, this blazing and amazing plant is the center of bust after bust. I took a look online to see what I could find when it came […]

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Medicated while driving: Medicinal cannabis patients get a break under Bill 174

For all the medical cannabis patients rightfully worried about being thrown in jail for driving while medicated, there’s good news- at least for those who live in Ontario. Bill 174, aka the Cannabis, Smoke-Free Ontario and Road Statute Law Amendment Act, contains an important amendment to Ontario’s Highway Traffic Act. The act states that: “Exceptions […]

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Riverside City Council Vaporizes Hope of Marijuana Businesses

Riverside City Council has made its temporary moratorium on marijuana businesses official with a recent 4-3 vote that put a nail in the coffin for residents hoping to one day be able to legally purchase cannabis in their city. According to The Press-Enterprise, council’s decision effectively bans dispensaries, commercial cultivation, and any outdoor grow sites. Medical marijuana dispensaries were already banned by the city in 2007, and an intensive law enforcement strategy has kept illegal dispensaries at bay. Cannabis testing will, however, be permitted.

The tight vote is illustrative of how divided the city is over the issue. Riverside County was one that supported Proposition 64 by about 42,000 votes. Yet the county has banned cultivation, manufacturing, and retail, with individual cities also enforcing their own similar bans. When residents vote one way and their representatives vote in the opposite manner, it truly flies in the face of the will of the people. Try as they might, the city and county governments do not have the power to ban everything, though, no matter how many scare tactics they use to justify their agenda.
Our Riverside marijuana business attorneys are familiar with all local, state, and federal laws regarding cannabis. As such, we can explain that Riverside is only permitted to ban certain marijuana activities under state law. Prop 64 stills allows adults 21 years and older to cultivate up to six plants indoors in a locked area of a private residence. They can process, possess, transport, or even give away limited quantities of cannabis (28.5 grams of marijuana or 8 grams of concentrates). Local governments can still implement regulations, but they cannot outright ban any of these activities.

City and local bans have created what are known as “pot deserts” throughout California, a term coined for areas that are 60 miles or more away from the nearest legal dispensary. Nearly 40 percent of the state falls into such a category. For those who perceive cannabis as a nuisance, this design is certainly intentional. Many, however, depend on cannabis to treat a variety of conditions, such as PTSD, Alzheimer’s Disease, as an alternative to opioids, and, yes, some people use it as a way to relax and have fun. Not everyone can grow the plant on their own, and some require it be processed in a specific way to best treat their condition. It’s a shame that the misconceptions of some are preventing so many from fully benefitting from statewide legalization.

All hope if not lost for Riverside residents, though. The county board of supervisors and planning commission are reviewing proposed regulations for cannabis commerce in the unincorporated communities in the county. If implemented, such provisions would potentially give Riverside residents easier access to dispensaries despite bans within city limits. Our legal team will be keeping a close watch on these developments with great anticipation. Our skilled marijuana business lawyers will be ready to help prepare local entrepreneurs for likely guideline they will be forced to adhere to, such as limitations on land size for cultivation, odor control, security, energy supplies, packaging, and a variety of regulations one might not even consider.

The Los Angeles CANNABIS LAW Group represents growers, dispensaries, collectives, patients, defendants, workers and those facing criminal marijuana charges. Call us at 714-937-2050.

Additional Resources:

Riverside County is Considering These Rules for Cannabis in Unincorporated Areas, April 9, 2018, By Jeff Horseman, The Press-Enterprise

More Blog Entries:

Unincorporated Areas of Riverside County Might Get Marijuana Businesses, March 31, 2018, Cannabis Law Group

 

from https://www.marijuanalawyerblog.com/riverside-city-council-vaporizes-hope-of-marijuana-businesses/

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The Tasteful Intersection of Art and Cannabis

Explore the beautiful pipes of PipeDream LA, a group of artists who make tasteful cannabis accessories that you can use or display as pieces of art.

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5 reasons why Canada needs cannabis lounges

With legalization mere months away, provinces and territories across the country are enacting their respective cannabis regulations, and one of the big questions hanging in the air is: What about cannabis lounges? For anyone dreaming of Amsterdam-style coffee shops and cool lounges where you can drop in to freely smoke and vape cannabis, I’ve got […]

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Osoyoos Banned All Government Retail Cannabis

In an epic and righteous move, Osoyoos has BANNED ALL GOVERNMENT RETAIL CANNABIS IN FAVOR OF PRIVATE RETAIL STORES! That’s right! To support small businesses, giving them a fighting chance, Osoyoos will not allow the sale of LP bud in provincial stores. Mayor Sue McKortoff, the City Council and the South Okanagan Chamber Of Commerce […]

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Marijuana Arrests Still Disproportionate Toward Minorities

One of the benefits of expanding marijuana legalization across the country is that it has afforded an opportunity to correct the disparity in marijuana arrests along race and socio-economic lines. These disparities have negatively impacted black people, Hispanics, and other oppressed groups. The efforts, however, are not producing immediately successful results. A report from New Frontier Data is showing that even now black and Hispanic suspects are arrested at nine times the rate of suspects who are white, despite the fact that data shows the three subgroups sell cannabis at similar rates.

According to the data, from 1997 to 2016, marijuana arrests made up more than 40 percent of drug-related arrests, totaling 15.7 million. Arrests overall from cannabis-related offenses have declined slightly in recent years, down from their height in 2007. This is likely reflective of states expanding marijuana legalization, though the numbers are not significantly lower than the overall average since 1997. For example, arrests for possession hit a low in 2015 of 575,000, but went up again in 2016 to 588,000, neither of which is much lower than 599,000 way back in 1998. Considering 30 states now allow provisions for medical marijuana and nine, plus Washington, D.C., have recreational laws on the books, these numbers should be improving more drastically over the 20-year-old stats. The data sets delved more deeply into what these arrests meant specifically for black and Hispanic people. A look at New York City is revealing that even the best intentions cannot overcome racial profiling and decades of anti-marijuana propaganda. Mayor Bill De Blasio made a campaign promise to address the inequity in marijuana arrests and convictions in the city. He took office in 2014, giving us data that is more reflective of a time when public perception of marijuana has been more favorable. Yet in spite of the improved climate and a mayor dedicated to change, disparity marched on. Black people in New York from 2011-2013, before De Blasio’s election, accounted for 51 percent of cannabis arrests. From 2014-2017 that percentage drops only slightly to 48.3 percent. During those same time periods, Hispanic people accounted for 34.3 percent and 38 percent of marijuana-related arrests respectively, meaning they actually grew in their share of overall arrests. Furthermore, 2018 isn’t shaping up to be any better, with 4,000 possession arrests in the first four months, 89 percent either being black or Hispanic. The percentage of cannabis arrests attributed to white people, meanwhile, went from 10.6 percent in 2011-2013 to 9 percent in 2014-2017.

Our Orange County marijuana arrest lawyers will be interested to see if New York will see broader changes now that the mayor is working on a path to legalization for the city and is planning to direct police not to arrest people for public consumption. In the meantime, the data acts as a cautionary tale that public opinion and good intentions are not enough to protect the people most affected by the bunk “War on Drugs.”

Practical marijuana laws need to be on the books, if not federally than at least similar to those here in California. Proposition 64 is designed to not only reduce cannabis-related arrests, but undo some of the damage done in the past. Even as such, recent data from the state attorney general shows Hispanic and black Californians are disproportionately being arrested, but because overall felony arrests have dropped by 74 percent from 2016 to 2017 after recreational legalization, a huge burden has been lifted from those communities. The law also allows for those with past marijuana convictions to petition to have their case reviewed, with most misdemeanors being erased completely and some higher level crimes being reduced depending on severity. Many cities are even doing the leg work on their own to review the records and set things straight for Californians. Our legal team is here to defend Southern Californians who find themselves in cannabis-related legal trouble, but we hope to see continued decriminalization efforts across the state and nation.

The Los Angeles CANNABIS LAW Group represents growers, dispensaries, collectives, patients, defendants, workers and those facing criminal marijuana charges. Call us at 714-937-2050.

Additional Resources:

National Arrests for Cannabis-Related Offenses 1996-2016, July 8, 2018, New Frontier Data

More Blog Entries:

Marijuana Possession Arrests Up in NYC, Despite Decriminalization, June 14, 2016, Cannabis Law Group

from https://www.marijuanalawyerblog.com/marijuana-arrests-still-disproportionate-toward-minorities/

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Ontario to end folly of liquor monopoly while blindly pushing ahead with gov’t-controlled cannabis

Ontario’s recently elected Progressive Conservative government announced its plans to end the LCBO’s near-monopoly on alcohol sales in its throne speech last week. That means beer and wine sales will be expanded to big box stores, grocery stores, and corner stores, which fulfills a major campaign promise that the Ford government has called a “show […]

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Awkward Ways Used To Smuggle Cannabis

Recently, I went to a festival and I had to sneak in my weed. Feeling like a teenager about to be busted got me thinking of all the hilarious incognito cannabis use that has happened over the years; as well as all the tricks that have been used to hide it. Considering that these won’t […]

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from https://cannabislifenetwork.com/awkward-ways-used-to-smuggle-cannabis/

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Not Your Dad’s Hash Pipe: Pics From the Puffco Glass Open

A revolutionary electronic hash bubbler has spawned its own custom glass genre. Woah.

The post Not Your Dad’s Hash Pipe: Pics From the Puffco Glass Open appeared first on Leafly.

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DOJ Declares Canadian Border Battleground for Cannabis

The hysteria regarding marijuana laws and the heightened attention to border security have combined to reach a new fever pitch, with border patrol reportedly enforcing wildly audacious rules and ruining lives in the process. U.S. border guards have allegedly started turning away Canadian citizens entering the U.S. if it is revealed that they work in the cannabis industry, regardless of whether or not they are in compliance with Canada’s laws or even if their business deals directly with the drug or not, according to The Vancouver Star. Involvement in the cannabis industry means you are profiting from illicit drug trading, in the eyes of U.S. border patrol, an offense that can get you banned from entering the U.S. for life. Once you’re on the list, you never fall off, and admittance into the country would require the help of an immigration attorney and special temporary waivers. Even admitting to ever using cannabis has reportedly led to Canadians being turned away at the border.

Americans, too, are facing problems at the border. Some are crossing into Canada to take advantage of their legalized medical marijuana and will soon be flocking there to experience federally legalized recreational marijuana, beginning Oct. 17. If they attempt to bring any marijuana with them back into the U.S., however, they could be facing charges for possession or drug smuggling along with fines and/or jail time.

As our cannabis criminal defense attorneys in Los Angeles can explain, many are confused by the way the current marijuana laws work. If they legally purchased marijuana in Canada and they are crossing into a state, like Washington, where cannabis is legal for medical and recreational use, why then would they be in trouble at the border? Even more confounding, why would a Canadian who has never used marijuana a day in his or her life, but whose company creates products that are used by cannabis businesses, be banned from the U.S. for life?

For the answer, one needs to look no further than Attorney General Jeff Sessions and his militant and radical stance on marijuana. He has made it no secret that he is a believer in anti-marijuana propaganda and will use the extent of his power in the Justice Department to enforce the federal ban under Controlled Substances Act, 21 U.S.C. Section 812. His plans have been thwarted in many ways, with more states legalizing cannabis for medical and recreational use. Congress, too, has passed measures to protect those states, including the Rohrabacher-Blumenauer Amendment, an add-on to the federal budget preventing DOJ from using funds to prosecute medical marijuana operations in states where it is legal. Instead of getting with the times, looking at the undeniable mountain of evidence in favor of marijuana legalization, and re-examining federal law, Sessions has chosen to double down on enforcement anywhere he still has power. This, unfortunately, has included border security, and many Canadians and Americans are paying the price.

Our legal team stands by the millions of Americans who find the hostile anti-cannabis agenda of the Justice Department and border patrol to be out of line. The entire country is trending toward a better understanding of cannabis and its benefits. We know the War on Drugs and the aggressive targeting of marijuana users has done nothing but hurt our country. It’s time this administration catch up with the rest of us before any more lives are destroyed.

The Los Angeles CANNABIS LAW Group represents growers, dispensaries, collectives, patients, defendants, workers and those facing criminal marijuana charges. Call us at 714-937-2050.

Additional Resources:

When Marijuana is Legal in Canada, Americans are Expected to Flock, But the Border, and U.S. Law, Stands in the Way, July 11, 2018, By Lornet Turnbull and Katie Zezima, Washington Post

More Blog Entries:

Report: Legal Medical Pot User in Canada Denied U.S. Access for Life, Sept. 25, 2016, Cannabis Law Group

from https://www.marijuanalawyerblog.com/2018/07/doj-declares-canadian-border-battleground-for-cannabis.html

The blog post DOJ Declares Canadian Border Battleground for Cannabis is available on Mrs-Hardy.com.com

source https://www.mrs-hardy.com/2018/07/17/doj-declares-canadian-border-battleground-for-cannabis/

Misinformation About Medical Marijuana Not Helping Anyone

Extremism breeds extremism, a concept seen pretty clearly in the marijuana industry. In a country where, despite mounting evidence, the federal government is stubbornly standing by marijuana’s classification as a Schedule I narcotic, it’s discouraging to see facts seemingly ignored. It’s no wonder, then, people would take the opposite extreme stance to combat. A report from Los Angeles Times delves into the phenomenon of pro-marijuana hyperbole in the face of anti-cannabis hysteria.

Controlled Substances Act, 21 U.S.C. Section 812, deems that marijuana has no medical benefits, is addictive, and would be harmful to use even under a doctor’s supervision. Thirty states and Washington, D.C., disagree with this assessment and have passed medical marijuana laws as such. Those states laws, however, can only go so far to usurp the authority of the federal government. As such, certified doctors in those states can only dole out medical cannabis recommendations, rather than a full-fledged prescription. They can suggest certain forms of consumption for the ailments of the particular patient, such a lotions or edibles, but the patient is on their own for the most part once they reach the dispensary. Dispensary owners, for their part, have done a tremendous job learning about the different products they carry. They gather information from their shoppers about which products have had the most effective results for what disorders and diseases and they try to share this anecdotal knowledge with other patients. This strategy is hardly the exact science many patients with really dire diagnoses need.

This has bred a grassroots culture of knowledge sharing among cannabis users that has been both good and bad. The good is, millions of people across the country have woken up to the plentiful benefits of cannabis, for both medical purposes and pleasure. Without leading medical authorities to point to for guidance in the quest for knowledge about cannabis, though, it has been challenging to rein in exaggerated claims. For example, cannabis can ease the nausea associated with cancer chemotherapy treatments, and medical professionals are beginning to discover a link between CBD and cancer treatments. If you look to the authority of the collective intelligence of the Internet, though, cannabis allegedly can outright cure seven out of 10 cancer patients. Evidence is lacking, obviously, for such an over-the-top claim. When authority figures try to disputes these claims, however, there’s little room for trust. After all, how can the common person believe the same authority figures who tell them that cannabis has absolutely no medical benefits whatsoever, when it obviously does.

That is why our L.A. medical marijuana attorneys believe so strongly in legalization. People need to be able to trust their doctors again. They need to be able to have legal access to marijuana that can potentially ease the symptoms of chronic pain, anxiety, Alzheimer’s Disease, and, yes, cancer. Doctors need to have access to the best medical research available to be able to prescribe exactly what their patients need. And researchers need funding and freedoms to conduct such tests without federal agencies looming over their shoulders. We all need to be operating on the facts, and the first step is for the federal government to face the facts about marijuana’s health benefits.

The Los Angeles CANNABIS LAW Group represents growers, dispensaries, collectives, patients, defendants, workers and those facing criminal marijuana charges. Call us at 714-937-2050.

Additional Resources:

With Marijuana Legal, California Flooded with Dubious Health Claims About the Drug, July 9, 2018, By Gary Robbins, Los Angeles Times

More Blog Entries:

FDA Approval Could Change Everything for Medical Marijuana, July 1, 2018, Cannabis Law Group

from https://www.marijuanalawyerblog.com/2018/07/misinformation-about-medical-marijuana-not-helping-anyone.html

Misinformation About Medical Marijuana Not Helping Anyone is courtesy of Mrs. Hardy 420!

source https://www.mrs-hardy.com/2018/07/17/misinformation-about-medical-marijuana-not-helping-anyone/

Marijuana and the Opioid Crisis: A Tale of Two Countries

In the fight for medical marijuana, there has been no more compelling of a battleground than opioid addiction. Both U.S. and Canadian governments have dubbed the rapid increase in overdoses to be a crisis or epidemic. Meanwhile, cannabis has demonstrated itself to be the potential key to unlocking the addictive cycles, adding to the urgency in passing more effective medical marijuana laws. In New York, emergency rules have been put in place to allow medical marijuana as an opioid replacement. Yet in Ontario, where medical marijuana is permitted at the federal level for a variety of conditions, workers are still having opioids pushed on them.

New York state Department of Health recently added opioid dependency to the list of 12 other conditions that qualify patients for medical marijuana recommendations, according to Marijuana Moment. Chronic pain, one of the key issues opioids are used to treat, is already on the list, but specifically adding opioid substitution gives doctors the freedom to recommend cannabis to those with opioid addictions regardless of the reason they started taking them. Officials are hoping this strategy reduces the number of opioid deaths, noting that states with pro-medical marijuana laws on the books have seen a 30 percent drop in opioid prescriptions for Medicaid users.Statistics as of March 2018 from National Institute on Drug Abuse show more than 115 people die of opioid overdoses every day in the U.S. In Canada, numbers are also on the rise with an average of almost 8 deaths per day in 2016 and a push for better data collection across the provinces. Meanwhile, cannabis has continued to hold strong at zero deaths from overdose year after year. Hard to fathom, then why marijuana remains a Schedule I narcotic (considered the most dangerous) compared to opioids which are Schedule III, according to Controlled Substances Act, 21 U.S.C. Section 812.

These anecdotes and evidence make it more confounding what’s happening in Ontario. Ontario Workplace Safety and Insurance Board is denying medical cannabis claims from patients licensed to use it to treat their injuries and manage pain. Other private insurers in the country have gotten on board with covering their patients, but WSIB has opted to favor opiates. Despite citing a concern over the addition crisis, WSIB has reportedly denied patients who have found pain relief from CBD and other cannabis compounds and want to free themselves of their opioid addictions. We’re used to these types of games in the U.S. because insurers have to be wary of federal laws, but it’s disappointing to see professionals still dragging their feet even when law is on their side.

So long as misconceptions and falsehoods about cannabis continue to prevent people from accessing the care they need, our Riverside medical marijuana attorneys will keep fighting for your rights. Our law firm protects patients, advises business owners, and even offers defense in criminal cases related to cannabis. We take pride in our work to defend medical marijuana users in Southern California and educating people about the truths and benefits of this substantially useful drug, especially in the face of the international opioid epidemic.

The Los Angeles CANNABIS LAW Group represents growers, dispensaries, collectives, patients, defendants, workers and those facing criminal marijuana charges. Call us at 714-937-2050.

Additional Resources:

Injured Workers in Ontario Advised to Seek Opioids Instead of Cannabis, July 12, 2018, By A.J. Herrington, High Times

More Blog Entries:

Study: Legal Marijuana is Saving Lives Amid Opioid Epidemic, Oct. 23, 2017, Cannabis Law Group

from https://www.marijuanalawyerblog.com/2018/07/marijuana-and-the-opioid-crisis-a-tale-of-two-countries.html

The article Marijuana and the Opioid Crisis: A Tale of Two Countries is courtesy of www.mrs-hardy.com

source https://www.mrs-hardy.com/2018/07/17/marijuana-and-the-opioid-crisis-a-tale-of-two-countries/

Dumbstruck By Beauty At The Great Canadian Glass Gathering

Of all the cannabis events I have been to or heard of, the Great Canadian Glass Gathering is one of the best. The energy of the place is serenely peaceful, happy and welcoming. You don’t need a lot of money to experience it but you could definitely spend a small fortune and walk away happy […]

The post Dumbstruck By Beauty At The Great Canadian Glass Gathering appeared first on Cannabis Life Network.

from https://cannabislifenetwork.com/dumbstruck-by-beauty-at-the-great-canadian-glass-gathering/

Dumbstruck By Beauty At The Great Canadian Glass Gathering Find more on: Mrs. Hardy's Blog

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Canadians should Think Twice Before Crossing the American Border

Crossing the border may become much more difficult for a certain group of Canadians come October 17, 2018.  While cannabis-users have been gearing up for potential issues at the border for some time, it now appears that people working in the cannabis industry may also be affected – regardless of whether they use the drug […]

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The article Canadians should Think Twice Before Crossing the American Border See more on: Mrs. Hardy's 420 Blog

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BC Liquor Supplying from LPs — Have We Lost BC Bud?

The British Columbia Liquor Distribution Branch, the only legal wholesaler of cannabis in the province, announced Wednesday that it had begun contract negotiations with 31 licensed producers. The branch’s general manager and CEO, Blain Lawson, went as far as to announce “LDB’s commitment to working towards eliminating the illicit market.” Who is this black market? The 5% of […]

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BC Liquor Supplying from LPs — Have We Lost BC Bud? See more on: Mrs-Hardy.com.com

source https://www.mrs-hardy.com/2018/07/14/bc-liquor-supplying-from-lps-have-we-lost-bc-bud/

Health Canada Sucks (And is Killing You)

Health Canada spent most of the 20th century promoting a terrible diet for everyone. The Lipid hypothesis says saturated fats are bad for you and we should use carbohydrates as our primary source of fuel. This is bunk.  Governments severely messed up in their health care delivery system by forgetting that prevention is key to […]

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The following blog article Health Canada Sucks (And is Killing You) is republished from Mrs. Hardy 420!

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Indiana Judge Won’t Recognize Pot as Part of Higher Power

State law, federal law, and religious liberties have collided to form an unholy trinity in a case involving First Church of Cannabis. The church had put in a bid attempting to allow smoking of marijuana as a religious sacrament in Indiana. The group sued the state, attorney general, and then Gov. Mike Pence in 2015. But a judge out of Marion County Superior Court recently ruled against the church, according to RTV6.

Indiana currently has extremely limited medical marijuana provisions and relatively strict laws against recreational use. Attempts to decriminalize small amounts of marijuana were thwarted in 2013, and instead an amendment to IC 35-48-4-11 was added to HB 1006 to increase penalties of certain types of possession to felonies rather than misdemeanors. Some attempts to legalize medical marijuana also failed a few years ago, but last year the legislature was able to push through a bill allowing CBD oil specifically for seizures. Considering all of the people nationwide who have found relief from cannabis for a wide variety of ailments, this seems to be the absolute least they could do.First Church of Cannabis was attempting to appeal to the state’s Religious Freedom Restoration Act, which is intended to protect religious groups from government interference. The act stirred up controversy from people concerned the law could lead to discrimination against certain residents, particularly LGBTQ individuals, with business owners citing religion as a shield for their discrimination. It is clear, though, given the reaction to the First Church of Cannabis that the law was never intended to protect all religions. When it comes to discrimination under the guise of religion, state leaders shrug. When a church suggests cannabis be used, however, suddenly there is much concern over churches abusing the law and using the cover of religion for illegal practices.

On the surface, the concern of state officials is not invalid. If marijuana were to be considered a dangerous drug, allowing this church to use it in religious practices would be unfathomable. It could set a precedent for drug rings to use religions as a front for illicit sales and smuggling. Our Orange County cannabis lawyers must ask, though, why is it considered a dangerous drug at all? Marijuana is legal in 30 states for medical use, nine of those states also allowing recreational use. By pushing against this issue so fervently, state leaders have actually exposed a nerve. If marijuana is not allowed to be used in religious ceremonies because it could pave the way for harder drugs to do the same, we must have the conversation about why it is lumped in with other Schedule I narcotics, like heroin or LSD, at all.

The state of Indiana made it clear where its priorities are: to further outdated propaganda about marijuana, and protect its anti-cannabis agenda even above religious liberties. We’ve come a long way in the fight for cannabis rights, but this goes to show there is much work to still be done on the national stage. Considering Pence, now vice president of the United States, had a large part to play in both the religious liberties law and the harsh marijuana punishments in Indiana, it’s no wonder there is still such confused messaging from our top leaders in regards to marijuana.

The Los Angeles CANNABIS LAW Group represents growers, dispensaries, collectives, patients, defendants, workers and those facing criminal marijuana charges. Call us at 714-937-2050.

Additional Resources:

Judge Dismisses Cannabis Church Case Defending Weed as Religious Sacrament, July 8, 2018, By Morgan Gstalter, The Hil

More Blog Entries:

International Church of Cannabis Draws Mixed Feelings, April 17, 2018, Cannabis Law Group

from https://www.marijuanalawyerblog.com/2018/07/indiana-judge-wont-recognize-pot-as-part-of-higher-power.html

Indiana Judge Won’t Recognize Pot as Part of Higher Power was originally seen on www.mrs-hardy.com

source https://www.mrs-hardy.com/2018/07/12/indiana-judge-wont-recognize-pot-as-part-of-higher-power/

Craig Ex on heading to Amsterdam for the High Times Cannabis Cup

CLN caught up with Craig Ex aka the Expert of Expert Joints before he hit the tarmac on his way to Amsterdam for the High Times Cannabis Cup, and he told us about the special “Fridazed” radio show he’ll be doing this Friday live from Amsterdam, what he’s looking forward to in the city famous […]

The post Craig Ex on heading to Amsterdam for the High Times Cannabis Cup appeared first on Cannabis Life Network.

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Canopy acquires Hiku, owner of Tokyo Smoke, as cannabis oligopoly looms

Canopy Growth Corp., Canada’s largest licensed producer, has announced its acquisition of Hiku Brands Co., and estimates of the all-stock deal range from $250 M (as reported in the Financial Post) to $350 M (according to Hiku). Hiku owns the cannabis lifestyle brand/ coffee shop Tokyo Smoke along with licensed producer DOJA Cannabis, and Canopy […]

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Canopy acquires Hiku, owner of Tokyo Smoke, as cannabis oligopoly looms is republished from Mrs. Hardy's Blog

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Adding a Little Green to the Red, White, and Blue

Sparklers weren’t the only things people were lighting up across the country this Fourth of July. Residents of states with adult-use marijuana laws were enjoying newfound freedoms to consume cannabis products. This was especially true here in California with this being the first Independence Day with legalized recreational marijuana.

The holiday came just a few short days after regulations went into place for packaging and sales of cannabis in California. The new rules mean that all products must meet certain standards of quality control, pass tests for safe pesticide content, and have packaging that clearly displays warnings and the makeup of the product, including THC levels. This spurred retailers to offer deep discounts on cannabis products last month that did not meet new standards, putting an influx of marijuana in the hands of Californians ahead of the July 1 deadline. This made for a very happy Independence Day for many users, indeed.Some people used the holiday famous for cookouts and picnics to try new cannabis-infused recipes. Others hosted soirees that allowed celebrants to indulge in cannabis products and enjoy the holiday, all while staying at one location, according to Palm Spring Desert Sun. One local inn, which has dubbed itself a “bud and breakfast,” hosted a Fourth of July event complete with swimming, catered snacks and meals, cannabis and crystal healers, vendors, dispensary representatives, and music, all with a safe place to crash at the end of the night.

This type of event was ideal for law enforcement, who were encouraging residents to play it safe when it came to driving over the holiday. Police already have to be extra aware of those  driving under the influence over the week of July 4 because of heightened alcohol consumption. Law enforcement officials warned residents of the importance of making sure they had a designated driver if they were consuming cannabis, as well, and to be particularly aware of the effects of mixing marijuana with alcohol or other drugs.

Independence Day isn’t always a party for everyone, though. For some, including veterans who have experienced combat situations, fireworks can trigger symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder and cause heightened anxiety. Many veterans are finding cannabis to be a respite from some of their PTSD symptoms, however. With easier access to CBD oils, and recreational products, veterans had more options to help keep calm amidst explosive displays this year. Even man’s best friend found some peace over the holiday thanks to cannabis. Some pet owners reported buying CBD-infused oils, chews, and dog treats to help their furry friends stay calm during fireworks shows.

The many freedoms cannabis users can now enjoy should not be taken for granted, however. Our Riverside marijuana lawyers know all too well that with marijuana still banned federally under Controlled Substances Act, 21 U.S.C. Section 812, and with the many sales restrictions and bans by local jurisdictions throughout California, there is still a long way to go before marijuana users can truly be free. Those looking to set up a marijuana business or understand local cannabis laws in Southern California can trust the guidance and experience of our knowledgeable legal team.

The Los Angeles CANNABIS LAW Group represents growers, dispensaries, collectives, patients, defendants, workers and those facing criminal marijuana charges. Call us at 714-937-2050.

Additional Resources:

To Calm Dogs Spooked by Fireworks, Pet Owners are Using Treats Made from Marijuana Plants, July 4, 2018, By Vikki Ortiz, Chicago Tribune

More Blog Entries:

Want to Honor Veterans? Access to Medical Marijuana a Good Start, April 13, 2018, Marijuana Lawyer Blog

from https://www.marijuanalawyerblog.com/2018/07/adding-a-little-green-to-the-red-white-and-blue.html

Adding a Little Green to the Red, White, and Blue is courtesy of Mrs. Hardy's Blog

source https://www.mrs-hardy.com/2018/07/11/adding-a-little-green-to-the-red-white-and-blue/

Too High for This

Eat, sleep, and CBD are all great ways to come down from cannabis if you get too high. “I’m freaking out man, talk me down.” These aren’t usually the words you hear when you’re smoking bud with your buds. But, that doesn’t mean that it can’t happen. Weed is getting stronger, and the effects of […]

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from https://cannabislifenetwork.com/too-high-for-this/

The following blog post Too High for This is available on Mrs-Hardy.com.com

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What Groups Still Oppose Marijuana? Follow the Money

At Cannabis Law Group, we discuss at length the groups who support marijuana legalization: from health organizations and doctors to veterans, cancer patients, and NFL players. Support crosses age groups, socio-economic status, race, and gender. A recent report from High Times, however, revealed some groups who do not support marijuana legalization, and it paints an interesting picture of those who have profited most off of the criminalization of this relatively benign drug.

Several of the groups on the list are, no surprise, involved in the arrest and incarceration of marijuana users. Law enforcement officials, for example, have received a great deal of funding over the years that was earmarked for the barbaric and misguided “War on Drugs.” Despite much more dangerous and lethal street drugs, marijuana users have always been a favorite target. It’s no wonder, considering the docile effect cannabis can often have on users, as opposed to the aggressive, violent, and hyperactive responses other drugs can induce. Marijuana has allowed police officers the ability to go after low-hanging fruit, pull in big numbers, and still get paid the same. Many police stations have also benefitted greatly from asset forfeiture programs, in which they line their budgets with money made off of auctioning seized property in marijuana raids. It’s not like there would even be a lack of work to be done. Without marijuana, officers will have to focus their time and resources on more risky areas, such as meth labs and opioid rings, which will be far more challenging.From there, for-profit prisons and prison guards have much to gain from criminalization. Not only will there be fewer marijuana-related prosecutions and jail time, but states like California have opened up the opportunity for people to petition to have their charges reduced or expunged. Some cities are even automatically reviewing cases and making adjustments based on new laws on the behalf of those with relevant criminal records. That means some prisons could be losing inmates, i.e. their bread and butter. Data indicates prisons across the country could be losing up to $2 billion as a result of marijuana legalization. The lives of marijuana users are worth much more to them behind bars. This is one of the many reasons it is so important to seek the counsel of one of our marijuana criminal defense attorneys in Orange County to make sure someone is advocating for your rights.

Two other industries also stand to lose a significant amount of profit from marijuana legalization, but not because of the War on Drugs. On the contrary, pharmaceutical drug manufacturers feel very threatened by cannabis, which is fairly cheap and easy to produce. Many states even allow medical marijuana patients and/or their caregivers to grow their own plants, making it difficult for big pharma to figure out how to capitalize. Still there is plenty of room for companies to join to club. For example, FDA recently approved a liquid CBD-based drug specifically formulated for treating childhood seizures. There are numerous opportunities to harness the power of cannabis in ways that could help patients and break them from their dependency on far more dangerous drugs, like opioids.

The forestry industry also feels the heat from cannabis or, more specifically, hemp. Hemp is an excellent resource for creating paper, and it reproduces much quicker than trees. There’s no stopping the hemp industry now, though, especially with a recent push from the Senate to legalize this particular variety of cannabis. It would be wise for forestry workers, and all the other industries mentioned here, to rethink their models and embrace a future of cannabis legalization.

The Los Angeles CANNABIS LAW Group represents growers, dispensaries, collectives, patients, defendants, workers and those facing criminal marijuana charges. Call us at 714-937-2050.

Additional Resources:

About Six-in-Ten Americans Support Marijuana Legalization, Jan. 5, 2018, Pew Research Center

More Blog Entries:

Senate Plants Seed for Hemp Legalization, June 30, 2018, Marijuana Lawyer Blog

from https://www.marijuanalawyerblog.com/2018/07/what-groups-still-oppose-marijuana-follow-the-money.html

The following article What Groups Still Oppose Marijuana? Follow the Money was initially seen on https://www.mrs-hardy.com

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Recreational Marijuana Use Legal in Vermont; Sales, Not So Much

Recreational marijuana is now officially legal in Vermont, but it looks quite a bit different than it does in California. According to Associated Press, the new law that recently went into effect did not include provisions for how to tax and regulate marijuana production. As our marijuana attorneys can explain, this means while residents can possess and consume cannabis, they cannot open up a business to sell recreational products.

Broken down into more precise terms, this is what adult-use legalization means for those in Vermont. Residents are allowed to have four immature cannabis plants and two mature plants in their homes, so while it’s true there are no stores to purchase from, marijuana can be grown at home. Plants must be in enclosures that are secure and obscured from public view. Renters, however, must have permission from their landlords before they are allowed to begin a grow. Those 21 years and older are allowed to possess up to one ounce of marijuana, but it cannot be consumed in public spaces.Aside from home grows and all their limitations, the only other options Vermont residents have is to procure marijuana by illicit means. This is not unlike the way medical marijuana started in Vermont. Medical marijuana was legalized in the state in 2004 with the passage of Senate Bill 76. This law offered protections to qualifying patients and their caregivers who possessed or cultivated marijuana. The move was more about making sure that people who needed cannabis for health reasons were not treated like criminals, rather than giving them a concrete way to access and distribute cannabis products. As anyone in the medical marijuana industry knows, this is problematic because it limits the ways patients can consume marijuana and is a really imprecise way to attain proper strains and dosages to treat specific symptoms. It wasn’t until 2011 that the infrastructure really began to take shape when Senate Bill 17 allowed four state-licensed nonprofit organizations to dispense medical marijuana.

Vermont is also unusual in that it is the first state to legalize recreational marijuana through legislation rather than a ballot measure. In 2015, legislators attempted to push bills through that would establish a regulated system for recreational cannabis sales, but could not get any traction. A few attempts to legalize possession hit walls in 2017. Finally in early 2018, a possession, use, and cultivation bill passed. Once again, the intention of the state is clear: officials know people are already using marijuana recreationally, and so long as they follow guidelines, there’s no reason they should not be allowed to carry on.

Our Los Angeles recreational marijuana lawyers hope this new law paves the way for a more official adult-use marketplace to be established in Vermont in the near future. Most states have already come to realize the medical benefits of cannabis. The more states recognize cannabis as a benign recreational alternative to already socially acceptable products like alcohol and cigarettes, the quicker we can move forward together as a country. Right now marijuana businesses in California are still stifled by federal laws. The sooner we all unite on this issue, the more opportunities we will have to expand cannabis business ventures nationwide.

The Los Angeles CANNABIS LAW Group represents growers, dispensaries, collectives, patients, defendants, workers and those facing criminal marijuana charges. Call us at 714-937-2050.

Additional Resources:

Vermont Medical Marijuana Laws & Regulations, Americans for Safe Access

More Blog Entries:

Vermont Governor Signs Recreational Marijuana into Law, Feb. 1, 2018, Marijuana Law Blog

from https://www.marijuanalawyerblog.com/2018/07/recreational-marijuana-use-legal-in-vermont-sales-not-so-much.html

The blog article Recreational Marijuana Use Legal in Vermont; Sales, Not So Much is republished from The Mrs. Hardy Blog

source https://www.mrs-hardy.com/2018/07/10/recreational-marijuana-use-legal-in-vermont-sales-not-so-much/

Just Say No to the Community Safety Unit

British Columbia’s NDP government is promising a Community Safety Unit to enforce cannabis legalization.  How Orwellian. A new whole bureaucracy to enforce cannabis laws. So much for the argument that prohibition was a waste of taxpayers money. Somehow, governments in Canada have made legalization a boondoggle as well. These people really do deserve to be locked […]

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2018 Great Canadian Glass Gathering Recap

Check out the recap of the Great Canadian Glass Gathering which was an amazing weekend in beautiful Birken BC full of dabs, glass art, community, and culture. Watch as Chad Jackett from Liberty Farms says hi to and gets high with some new and familiar faces as he explores the grounds of the Glass Gathering […]

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2018 Great Canadian Glass Gathering Recap was initially published to Mrs. Hardy's 420 Blog

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Can You Smoke Weed In Antarctica?

What a time to be alive! Not only is the number of U.S. states with legal recreational weed on the rise—not to mention entire countries like Canada and Uruguay—it’s never been easier to travel to those places to partake in the consumption of cannabis. Checking off places and dream activities is almost a form of social currency nowadays with flights as fast and cheap as they are, and getting stoned in different places is high up there.

At the nexus of these bucket lists and country counts is The Big One: smoking weed in Antarctica.

Making it to Antarctica is the traveler’s version of a runner completing their first marathon. It’s one of the few places on the planet that’s still prohibitively expensive and challenging to reach, with trips to South America preceding costly ice-breaker voyages that only run for a few months out of the year. Having the time, funds, and durability to get to the South Pole isn’t something every wanderer can claim.

But if you are going to go through the effort to check off Antarctica on the ol’ bucket list, the obvious question is, “How do I get high while I’m there?” The best way to figure this out is by looking at the scientists who spend upwards of 6 months a year working on the ice.

Antarctica is a strong, independent continent that has no government, and even though it’s functionally a lawless land, there isn’t a straightforward yes or no answer to the question of legality. The Antarctic Treaty forbids anyone of any citizenship from doing things like setting off nuclear bombs, but it has nothing to say about the consumption of cannabis (or any other drug, for that matter). So growing, consuming, or selling pot is technically legal. There’s no law saying you can’t.

There’s no known information of what would happen if a tourist was caught smoking a bowl, but it’s extremely unlikely that a tour company would abandon their guest in Antarctica.

However, scientists in Antarctica are subject to the laws of their home country, and tourists are beholden to whichever travel company brought them there. Crimes committed by tourists in Antarctica would refer back to their home country. There isn’t a category of people arriving in Antarctica independently—at least not yet—but in theory they would be able to do whatever they want.

Whether you’re a scientist or a tourist, “You tend to be there as part of a group that expects certain standards, and you might have signed a code of conduct contract,” explains soil scientist and Oregon-based grower Otis Gardens’ Greg Selby in an email interview with High Times. Scientists may find themselves facing greater scrutiny, due to being sponsored to be there, Selby tells us: “Since you’re paid by a government and living in university camps, [cannabis] use is normally frowned upon. The only real risk is getting kicked out of camp for breaking government or campus policy.”

There’s no known information of what would happen if a tourist was caught smoking a bowl, but it’s extremely unlikely that a tour company would abandon their guest in Antarctica, or have them arrested over a little self-medication. And unless a penguin figures out how to snitch, you probably won’t get caught sucking on a vape pen.

The answer to the legality question may be a little murky, but the main thing is to be discreet. The answer to how to obtain marijuana in Antarctica is surprisingly a little more straightforward if you plan for it.

“Most of the cannabis used in these areas is for pain relief and sleeping,” Selby explains.

In 1981 the New York Times reported on a story wherein New Zealand got pissy about packages containing drugs being sent through their territory from the United States to McMurdo Station, the largest research community on the continent. The U.S. was surprisingly chill about the whole thing, cooperating unenthusiastically with customs searches.

Although Selby has not been to Antarctica, his research was focused on cannabis growth in the polar climate, and he has worked with scientists who got high in Antarctica. “In the days before vape pens it depended on the amount of flower people found safe to smuggle over,” Selby says. “Then it was normally pipes made out of apples, and hitting tobacco smokers up for papers. Nowadays you get an assortment of vape pens and live resin carts that are easy to zip into your luggage. They have made life much easier.”

Even though carving out an apple brings back the nostalgia of teenage years, long-term Antarctic residents aren’t just getting high for the fun of it: it can be essential to survival. “Most of the cannabis used in these areas is for pain relief and sleeping,” Selby explains. “Working 12-16 hour days can hurt! The sun never goes down during the working season. You can get blackout curtains and hide in tents, but your body never really adjusts to 24 hours of light, so you might need some help.” And how bad is it really for the people determining how quickly our planet is dying of climate change to get help from a little bud?

Selby has an idea for an alternative to packing enough resin to last the winter and risking an extra-thorough customs search: “Any cannabis grown successfully in polar regions would be in a greenhouse or indoor setup where lighting can be controlled. I would hope one day, as ideas change, that a small garden with a few medical use plants would be available to people in these areas. Most of these camps have a small area for ornamental and fruit-bearing plants. At -40 degrees in the winter, a live plant can really boost your mood.”

Perhaps eventually the Antarctic’s first dispensary will come into existence so that scientists and tourists alike can partake in the herb, avoiding the problems associated with border crossing by using greenhouse technology. You have to check off that bucket list somehow!

The post Can You Smoke Weed In Antarctica? appeared first on High Times.

from https://hightimes.com/news/world/smoke-weed-antarctica/

Can You Smoke Weed In Antarctica? is available on https://www.mrs-hardy.com/

source https://www.mrs-hardy.com/2018/07/06/can-you-smoke-weed-in-antarctica/

Cannabis Business Summit announces keynote speaker: former deputy AG James M. Cole

James M. Cole, the former Deputy Attorney General who served from 2010-2015 during the Obama presidency, has been announced as the keynote speaker at the Cannabis Business Summit and Expo in San Jose on July 25-27. As the author of the 2013 “Cole Memo”, James Cole fundamentally shifted the legal landscape for cannabis in America. […]

The post Cannabis Business Summit announces keynote speaker: former deputy AG James M. Cole appeared first on Cannabis Life Network.

from https://cannabislifenetwork.com/cannabis-business-summit-announces-keynote-speaker-former-deputy-ag-james-m-cole/

Cannabis Business Summit announces keynote speaker: former deputy AG James M. Cole is republished from https://www.mrs-hardy.com

source https://www.mrs-hardy.com/2018/07/06/cannabis-business-summit-announces-keynote-speaker-former-deputy-ag-james-m-cole/

Some States Still Hate

Cannabis legalization took another step forward in the United States as Oklahoma became the 30th state to pass a medical cannabis law. This should show you how bought out the countries political leaders are. They’re owned by big pharma and other special interest groups that have their own plans for the American people. That can be […]

The post Some States Still Hate appeared first on Cannabis Life Network.

from https://cannabislifenetwork.com/some-states-still-hate/

Some States Still Hate is courtesy of Mrs. Hardy's 420 Blog

source https://www.mrs-hardy.com/2018/07/06/some-states-still-hate/