CategoriesMarijuana News by

Thousands of Californians are Being Arrested for Cannabis Each Year

Despite the fact that Californians voted to legalize medical marijuana in 1996 and reduced the consequences of possessing small amounts of marijuana to be a minor nonarrestable infraction back in 2011, there have still been thousands of cannabis-related arrests made in the state in the past 10 years. According to a report released by the Drug Policy Alliance, there were almost a half million marijuana arrests made in the state in the past decade. In 2015 alone there were almost 9,000 felony arrests for cannabis.
In between 2006 and 2015, there were 465,873 cannabis-related arrests in the state including felony and misdemeanor charges. During this period of time, there were roughly 14,000 marijuana felony arrests made each year. Misdemeanor charges related to cannabis averaged at around 70,000 per year between 2006 and 2011 when a joint could land you a charge rather than a ticket. After the changes in 2011, cannabis related misdemeanor arrests dropped significantly to just over 20,000 and in 2015, this number dropped again to just over 17,000 which is something worth celebrating.
Unfortunately, when looking at the statistics surrounding who accounts for the majority of these arrests it is disheartening to see that minorities still make up the majority of the arrests despite the fact that individuals in the Caucasian, African-American, and Latino communities use and sell cannabis at about the same rates. According to the statistics in the report released by the DPA, African Americans are twice as likely to be arrested for a marijuana misdemeanor and 5 times more likely to be arrested for a felony charge than Caucasians. The report also showed that Latinos are 26% more likely to be arrested for a cannabis related felony charge than Caucasians.
Another statistic that is equally disheartening is the fact that as of 2015 individuals under the age of 18 accounted for two-thirds of the misdemeanor marijuana related arrests in the states. This is a substantial increase from 2011 when this demographic only accounted for one-third of misdemeanor marijuana arrests.
Californians are set to vote on retail cannabis legalization this November. If Proposition 64 passes, you can expect to see the number of misdemeanors and felony charges drop significantly as it would legalize many of the activities that individuals are still being arrested for today such as possessing cannabis concentrates, giving ganja to others, and cultivating a few plants for personal use.
Will it fix the racial disparities that are so widely evident throughout California as well as prohibition and legal states? Probably not unfortunately and this is why the war on drugs needs to be ended immediately. Until that happens cannabis will be just one more way they are trying to divide us all.
Image Credit Stock Photo/pow420

Pros and cons of High THC marijuana strains
CategoriesAnalysis/Opinion by

Pros and cons of High-THC marijuana strains

Marijuana is getting more and more potent as the years go on. Indoor controlled environments have led to the discovery and creation of several High-THC marijuana strains. Competitions like the High Times sponsored Cannabis Cup are also encouraging cultivators of cannabis to compete in growing the highest potency marijuana strains. The cannabis cup has a “Highest THC Strains” category and cannabis connoisseurs are always on the lookout for potent new strains.
During the 2015 High Times US Cannabis Cup in Denver a couple of strains were over 30% in THC content. With potent strains like this now available it’s important for people to know the pros and cons of High-THC marijuana strains.
Like any other medicine cannabis comes with own set of side effects. Some people report adverse effects that sound foreign to regular smokers. This could be due to taking too high of a THC dosage. If you go from smoking no weed to weed with 20% THC you might experience some overdose symptoms. Even an experienced smoker might not know they’ve been smoking on stuff under 15% until they get something with much higher-THC and experience some new side effects.
Side effects of high-THC marijuana strains. 
The worst side effects of THC are probably anxiety and paranoia. This may seem strange since some people actually turn to marijuana as an anxiety reliever. It all comes down to dosage. People using marijuana for anxiety are using smaller doses. The biphasic effects of marijuana can cause it to have opposing effects in high doses. So if at a smaller dose it relieves anxiety, at a higher dose it can cause or enhance feelings of anxiety.
A less harmful side effect of high-THC cannabis is “cottonmouth.” Hopefully it just leads you to drink more water which will benefit your health. The munchies is another less negative side effect… Unless you’re on a diet.
Impaired memory is another common side effect of THC. Memory impairment might hinder a productive work day.
Sleepiness is one side effect that can be considered positive or negative. If you have insomnia and no history of anxiety, you may be in the market for High-THC marijuana strains! However, if you’re looking to stay up and active, you may want to seek low-THC strains. Also avoid indica strains which have been associated with sedative effects.
Benefits of High-THC Strains
Some patients suffering from debilitating conditions require large amounts of marijuana or THC to relieve their symptoms. This can cause them to have to spark up bowl after bowl and the excessive smoking can have negative side effects to their health. With High-THC strains smaller amounts can be smoked to achieve the same medicinal effect.
In Conclusion
If you’re going to use high-THC marijuana strains, try not to overdo it. Make sure you have the tolerance for it. When you pick up new strains, start with low doses so you know how much of a punch it packs. You don’t want any unwanted surprises in the form of a panic attack. If used responsibly high-THC marijuana strains could help avoid some of the negative side effects that surface from frequent exposure to smoke.
image credit: leafly.

Strain Review Strawberry Cough
CategoriesStrain Reviews by

Strain Review: Strawberry Cough

Literally like candy. Any strain of weed that’s fruit-based, tangy, citrusy, is like candy to me. Strawberry Cough will not disappoint on either part of its name. I wish even the buds were pink, but the flavor of them is bright enough to make you THINK they’re pink. Before you’ve even smoked them you’ll be hit with the aroma of a freshly-poured bowl of Fruity Pebbles. Have you ever wished you could just light the end of a Twizzler, and it’d smoke and taste like delicious strawberry candy smoke? Roll up some Strawberry Cough into a joint, and you’ll be living that dream.
I liked the happy feelings I got from consuming this strain. Strong anxiety relief would make it perfect for helping let go of whatever’s plaguing your thoughts, as well as providing a physical and energetic body high. Take your Twizzler outside to the woods, by the lake, or up a mountain, and get in touch with yourself and nature. I highly suggest solo adventuring to somewhere high, with a view. Smoke on the way up, then when you get to the summit or viewpoint, take the largest breath you possibly can, and just let the beauty wash over you. Strawberry Cough is brilliant for allowing the space to step back, ground yourself where you are, and find some peace in the moment.
Another sativa to hit you “right in the eyes.” Frosty, sweet, and very pungent in berries and skunk. It’s a strain that ages well, starting out as tight, small green buds with subtle effects. If curated, the strawberry color and flavor will become sharper, and the smoking effects will intensify. The sativa elements come through strongly to give motivation and energy, with an added positive outlook.
I bet a concentrate of this would be fantastic for chronic anxiety, and the smell would go virtually unnoticed amongst someone puffing from a vape pen. I felt only an initial fog when I tried Strawberry Cough, and like many, experienced a mellowing out. I was able to focus on the task at hand (rolling another) with little trouble, and I’m sure that would extend to larger or more complicated tasks if necessary.
image: medicaljane

398sed
CategoriesCulture, Marijuana News by

Seattle Hempfest is Set to be a Hempsational Event

Coming up this weekend in Seattle Washington one of the biggest festivals surrounding cannabis in the world is going on. That’s right it’s none other than Seattle Hempfest 2016. People everywhere are excited to attend this incredible event full of hempsational activities. It is being said this could be the biggest Seattle Hempfest in history!
It’s estimated that more than 100,000 festival-goers will participate in the Seattle Hempfest and the festivities being offered. Attendees can partake in 6 musical stages,  400 arts and crafts exhibits or indulge in the food vendors that come from all over Seattle. Meet advocacy groups and cannabis companies, speakers, activists, and even pro-cannabis lawmakers at this year’s event.
While you are there visit the Clear Choice cannabis booth and meet Sir-Mix-Alot. Chief Greenbud will also be on hand performing at this incredible festival. Enjoy the arts combined with education and activism surrounding everything cannabis from hemp to marijuana and everything in between.
The Seattle Hempfest begins August 19th and runs through August 21st. By all means, this incredible event is free to the public however you are encouraged to contribute $10 to help the cause. So get ready this weekend and head over to the Seattle Hempfest in Seattle Washington for one hempsational incredible event.
image credit: everfest.com

patent
CategoriesAnalysis/Opinion, Medical, Science by

Talk to the Hand DEA- Quit Lying for Personal Gain

Talk to the hand has been a phrase used by kids, teenagers, and adults alike for years, however, more recently cannabis activists have been utilizing the phrase to educate the public about the documented proof that cannabis is medicine!

If you are part of the cannabis community or have friends in your social media circle that are cannacentric, chances are you have seen a different posts and profile pictures popping up that include a picture of someone’s hand with a patent number written upon it.

You see just recently the DEA announced that they would not be rescheduling cannabis or removing it from a categorization that puts it in the same danger level as heroin, cocaine, and other deadly drugs.

This has outraged cannabis activists and medical marijuana patients alike as our federal government holds not just one patent stating that cannabis has medicinal properties but several.

One of the excuses the DEA gave for not rescheduling cannabis was the fact that it has no medicinal properties.

If you take a simple look at these patents you can see for yourself that this is an outright lie as they have known that cannabis has medicinal values for several years now.

In fact, the federal government has been sending medical marijuana to 4 patients for decades to be used for medicinal purposes. If you are sick and tired of the government lying and deceiving people for their own monetary gain, I challenge you to tell them to talk to the hand. Learn more about these patents via the links below.

6630507

6410588

Other patents are listed in more detail here.

palsay
CategoriesAnalysis/Opinion, Medical, Science by

Can Marijuana Help with Cerebral Palsy?

Cerebral Palsy is an incurable congenital disorder of movement, muscle tone, or posture. Cerebral palsy is due to abnormal brain development, often before birth. Symptoms of cerebral palsy include difficulty walking, difficulty with bodily movements, stiff muscles, overactive reflexes, involuntary movements, muscle spams, stuttering, and more. According to Mayo Clinic seizures are also a common symptom of Cerebral Palsy. Cerebral Palsy is non-progressive meaning it is resistant to change unlike cancer which can go into remission. People with Cerebral Palsy are suffering from a debilitating condition with no hope for change.
Symptoms of Cerebral Palsy
However, marijuana has been found by some to ease the symptoms of cerebral palsy. Unfortunately, we still don’t see CP popping up on the qualifying conditions lists of any states with medical marijuana laws. The pain and seizures that may come with CP make some suffers eligible for medical marijuana in certain states.
According to the Cerebral Palsy Alliance (CPA), between 30 to 50 percent of children that have CP also have seizure disorders. With 17 million people with Cerebral Palsy worldwide this is a significant number of people who could benefit from medical marijuana. Seizure disorders already allow patients in several medical marijuana states to have access to medical marijuana. Although the research is limited there has been evidence to illustrate how medical marijuana has been able to help people with CP.
The studies… 
In one case study, Curtis Kile, a middle-aged man suffering from CP was experiencing severe muscle spasms from his condition. He now uses cannabis to relieve his spasms. “I don’t smoke a lot… a couple of hits off a pipe… or a joint. It relives my spasticity.” Without it he would be stuck in his wheelchair for multiple days in a row. Since he began smoking marijuana he’s been able to enjoy more of a regular life.
A 2011 study on people with cerebral palsy found that 63 percent of them suffer from chronic pain on a daily basis. Apparently, cannabis was found to be the most effective pain treatment among the patients surveyed. Even though only 5 percent of those patients had even used marijuana to treat their chronic pain. This illustrates how the pharmaceutical drugs are failing to aid sufferers of Cerebral Palsy.
In fact, Terri Argast, a 53-year old CP patient has found cannabis to have no negative side effects unlike her experience with the drugs she consumed in the past to reduce her muscle stiffness and pain. Before using marijuana she had to take several pharmaceutical drugs “just to be able to walk.” Marijuana has eased her “life-long struggle.”
What needs to be done
There is not currently enough research on cannabis and cerebral palsy for the medical establishment to recommend it to their patients. This is due to the Schedule I status of cannabis. Doctors cannot currently prescribe marijuana to any patients and only doctors in certain states can “recommend” marijuana to patients. Even fewers doctors can recommend it to patients suffering from CP. With no alternative forms of medication for sufferers of Cerebral Palsy, they should have access to medical marijuana.

Next 10 Biggest Cannabis Events
CategoriesMarijuana News by

Next 10 Biggest Cannabis Events

We’ve compiled a list of the next 10 biggest cannabis-related events to keep an eye out for the rest of the year.

  1. Michigan Cup
  • HIGH TIMES is hosting Michigan’s first HIGH TIMES Medical Cannabis Cup & Country Fair!
  • Located within the Auto city Speedway of Clio, Michigan, the event will be held on three days from August 26th – 28th.
  • The event is only open to medical patients, but doctors will be available on site. In addition, medical marijuana qualification of any state is also acceptable for admission.
  • This three day cannabis country fair will feature live concerts, a Sunday POTathlon, Midway Games and a Heady Village.
  • Website: http://www.cannabiscup.com/clio-michigan/#latest-news-
  1. Seattle Hempfest Protestival
  • Entering its 25th anniversary, the Seattle Hempfest protestival has been known as the word’s first and largest cannabis policy reform event. It is held from August 19th-21st at Myrtle Edwards and Centennial Parks on the Seattle waterfront.
  • The event prides itself as the most socially responsible, educational, and largest free speech rally in the nation. Seattle’s hempfest events have influenced regional and public policy, and helped to pave the way for legalization in Washington State.
  • Because this event is a free speech event aimed to educate the public on cannabis, admission is completely free.
  • At the event you will find 6 stages of non-stop speakers and music & 400 arts, crafts, food, and informational vendors.
  • Although this festival seeks to educate and push for cannabis policy reform, this doesn’t mean that attendees can publicly smoke, ingest or sell pot. Doing so is illegal because the festival is held in a public drug free zone.
  • Website: https://www.hempfest.org/festival/attendees/
  1. Oregon State Fair
  • From August 26th to September 5th, the Oregon State Fair will be displaying marijuana plants for the first time to be judged. The fair normally holds competitions for animals, agriculture and horticulture, but this year the decision to allow marijuana plants was due to the plant’s growing social acceptance. Judges will not be smoking the plants, instead they will only be judging the plants on its looks. Anyone 21 and up may enter the marijuana exhibit at the Oregon State Fair to see the award winning cannabis crops.
  1. Dabathon Cup Part 2
  • Held on August 27th and 28th in Los Angeles, the Dabathon Cup is a cannabis competition festival for all valid medical marijuana patients, featuring award winning companies and products. You will also find art, games, live glass blowing, live music and special appearances. The exact location and venue has yet to be announced.
  • All attendees will be able to sample and vote for their favorite cannabis and concentrates varieties from competitors.
  • Website: http://www.dabathoncup.com/
  1. Cannabis World Congress and Business Exposition
  • The Cannabis World Congress and Business Exposition is a business, educational, and networking event for those interested or already working within the cannabis industry. This event will be held at the Los Angeles Convention Center from September 7th to September 9th.
  • This event will feature exhibits, services, seminars, and speakers. Those looking to invest in the industry and those already in it can find the latest technology, products, resources and solutions provided by exhibitors.
  • Register on their website to attend: http://www.cwcbexpo.com/overview-los-angeles/
  1. Boston Freedom Rally
  • The 27th annual Boston Freedom Rally will be held on September 17th and 18th, located within Boston Common. This is a peaceful protest with a mission to educate voters and legislators to end prohibition and collecting signatures for petitions.
  • The Boston Freedom Rally will feature music, inspirational speakers, and vendors. This event is open to the public, and though many attendees do light up in support of cannabis and the name of civil disobedience, it should be noted that possession and smoking in public is still illegal. Smokers partaking in direct resistance do so at their own choice and risk.
  • Stay updated via their facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/bostonfreedomrally/home
  • http://masscann.org/uncategorized/boston-freedom-rally-september-17-18/
  1. The Secret Cup
  • Located in Lake Michigan, the Secret Cup is a vacation style event where visitors with medical marijuana cards can stay at the resort from September 29th to October 2nd. Guests can enjoy a relaxing networking experience, while comfortably sampling products and competition entries. Hash makers from around the world will be showcasing their concentrates in competing for the golden torch. The Secret Cup also prides itself in being the first and only competition to offer a “soil to oil” award, meaning that the award goes to the best flower that also yields the best concentrate. In addition to competitions, guests can enjoy live glass blowing demonstrations, entertainments, food, and shopping at vendor booths.
  • Get your tickets here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-secret-cup-lake-michigan-mi-2016-tickets-21540054884
  • Get more information from event website: http://www.thesecretcup.com/upcoming-events/2016/2/12/lake-michigan
  1. CannaGrow Expo
  • From October 29th – 30th, the CannaGrow Expo in Denver, Colorado will be open to guests 18 and older who are interested in entering the marijuana cultivation industry. The event will showcase the latest technology, techniques, and resources in cultivation. Guests can attend from selection of 25 educational seminars presented by world class growers, as well as networking with cultivators from all over the country. The CannaGrow Expo will be located at the Crowne Plaza Denver Airport Hotel & Convention Center, where guests can also choose to stay.
  • Tickets and information can be found on the event’s website: https://cannagrowexpo.com/
  1. Cannafest
  • For those who wish to travel, Cannafest in Prague, Czech Republic is a great cannabis festival to check out. The event will be held from November 11th to November 13th at Incheba Praha. The event will feature vendors, exhibitions, Czech and English Seminars, workshops, a reading room, a cinema, a vape lounge, hemp catering, and a smoking “Chillout Zone”. Visiting parents can also take advantage of Cannafest’s “Kids Fun and Relax Zone,” where they can hang out with their kids or ask a professional babysitter to take care of them while the parents can enjoy the festival.
  • More information and tickets will be available here: http://www.cannafest.com/en/
  1. The Emerald Cup
  • From December 10th to the 11th in the Sonoma County Fairgrounds in Santa Rosa, California, the Emerald Cup will attract cannabis enthusiasts from around the country ages 18 and up. The Emerald up has a reputation as the “largest, most respected, organic, outdoor, medical cannabis competition in the world.” The Rolling Stone Magazine event called it, “the Academy Awards of the cannabis industry.” This year’s cup will feature an expanded vendor area, a Hall of Flowers, sampling area, and a food court with organic menus.
  • Get your tickets here: https://web.archive.org/web/20160806195007/https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-emerald-cup-2016-tickets-25420681944?aff=erelexpmlt

Any other upcoming marijuana events or news can be found here.
image: bigstockphoto

Top 5 YouTube Stoner Vlogs
CategoriesList by

Weedtube: Top 5 YouTube Stoner Vlogs

Smoking at home by yourself can be less lonely with the help of Stoner Youtube vloggers. You can watch videos of them smoking and talking about weed-related topics while you spark a bowl of your own.
Here are five of our favorite Stoned Youtube Vloggers:

SilencedHippie (Sasha)
SilencedHippie is a stoner chick who likes to go on stoned nature hikes. Along with her vlogs, you can find product and strain reviews on her page. She is 23 years old and a legal Rhode Island medical marijuana patient. The young hippie has got two plus years of experience making YouTube videos and her own tie-dye clothing business. She attends events like hempfest and hotboxes tents with bong hits. Her page is female friendly and she even hosts lady smoke seshes, pajama party seshes and more.
SilencedHippie has a turtle, cat, and 2 adorable english bull dogs named Dana and Teddy. They all pop up on her channel, snapchat, and Instagram. Following her can lead to free gifts and offers. She had a “12 days of Kushmas” giveaway during the holidaze. She also puts up discount codes for webshops and products. One of her goals is to “get the good word out” and “be a part of the positive side of cannabis and fighting for it to be legalized.”
Her username is SilencedHippie because at first she never showed her face due to a fear of what her friends and family might think of her habit. However, she wanted to share her enthusiasm and interest in weed with the world. She decided to keep the username because her channel grew in popularity and it ironically gave her a voice. Sasha is no longer afraid to show or be herself on camera.
Strain Central (Josh)
Strain central is a daily cannabis education and entertainment channel run by Josh from Washington State. Josh can be seen participating in smoke sessions and weed challenges on film. He also does strain reviews and live streams his stoned gaming on his twitch channel: straingaming. His youtube channel also features unboxing videos as well as product reviews. He’s quite energetic and speaks clearly for a stoned fellow, his channels definitely worth looking into.
Crutch 420 (Joe Kid)
Joe Kid from Denver Colorado started the Crutch 420 channel. Crutch 420 is an “18+ youtube channel designed to keep adults and cannabis users up to date with everything happening in the wide world of weed.” On his channel Joe kid can be seen telling smoking stories. He also does cannabis-related tutorials, interviews, news, and more.
Jane Dro
Jane Dro is a 40 year old medical cannabis patient and advocate. She considers herself a 420 lifestyle coach and is the mother of 2 young teens. She receives medical cannabis to treat her multiple sclerosis. Her channel features in-depth product reviews and her channel provides a “fun and respectable environment where people can learn, teach and discuss all things marijuana related.”
Kimmy Tan
Kimmy Tan is an eccentric tattooed deadlocked down to earth chill girl hailing from San Francisco, CA. She grew up in China and moved to the U.S. Kimmy Tan has been running her youtube channel since 2007. She’s gone from hair and makeup tutorials, to music videos, to a focus on weed vlogging. She is a medical patient who enjoys posting rolling tutorials, product reviews, unboxing videos and more. She’s got nearly 130,000 subscribers and she’s been making unique weed-related content for youtube viewers over the past two years. Did we mention she has a cat named dabs? She rolls insane joints/blunts that are huge in size, wrapped in wax, or rolled into crazy shapes. Her channel doesn’t only feature weed-related things although as of lately that’s been the main focus of her page.