Great Interest is Being Shown in Oregon's Retail Marijuana Market
In 2014 voters in the state of Oregon voted yes on measure 91 to legalize recreational marijuana for individuals over the age of 21. With an existing medical marijuana program already in place, medical marijuana dispensaries were able to open their doors for retail sales on on October 1st, 2015. The move to allow medical marijuana dispensaries to cater to retail consumers was taken to allow time for the Oregon Liquor Control Commission, which oversees the recreational market in the state, to properly implement a retail industry. Retail marijuana dispensaries are set to open their doors on October 1st of 2016.
Over the last few months, the Oregon Liquor Control Commission has received over 1,300 recreational cannabis related business applications. At this time Oregon has not implemented a cap on how many recreational facilities can be implemented in the state. So far they have approved almost 200 licenses with the majority of them being granted to cultivators. Many applications have been delayed as they have either been incomplete or there has been questionable logistics surrounding applications for outdoor cultivation.
With the process of approval taking between 45 and 60 days any medical marijuana dispensaries that are hoping to transition into the recreational market are urged to get their applications submitted immediately as they only have until the end of the year. On October 1st of 2015 when medical marijuana dispensaries were allowed to open their doors for retail consumers no taxes were being applied to recreational sales. This did, however, change on January 1st when Oregon implemented a 25% sales tax on all retail cannabis sells. This retail cannabis tax is expected to decrease to 17% once the Oregon Liquor Control Commission takes control over retail sales this fall.
Oregon offers many benefits for retail cannabis consumers. Unlike many other states where cannabis is legal for recreational purposes, Oregon offers cannabis social clubs where cannabis consumers can socialize with like-minded individuals. This is not something you currently see in states such as Colorado, which pioneered recreational cannabis legalization in the United States. If you are a resident of the state you are allowed to cultivate a small number of cannabis plants for personal use which is something that is not legal next door in Washington state. Oregon also offers many spectacular natural landscapes including mountains and oceans which are loved by individuals throughout the cannabis community.
If you are looking to move to a state where you can blaze and not worry about going to jail or if you are looking to open a retail cannabis business, Oregon would be a great place to check out as the market is set to grow expeditiously in the state in the coming years.
image credit: BigStock
Second Medical Marijuana Dispensary Opened This Week in FL
The Sunshine State AKA Florida has experienced a considerable loss in their tourism dollars and is also seeing a decrease in the number of snowbirds that are flocking to the state. The loss of tourism and number of residents who live in the Sunshine State during the winter months is in large part contributed to cannabis legalization in states such as Colorado, Washington, and Oregon. Many tourists are choosing to go to one of these states to spend their vacation time as well as their hard-earned dollars.
Elderly who retire to Florida are changing their tune and heading to rec pot states. They are finding that cannabis is cheaper than their prescription drugs and offers them a healthier lifestyle. Florida has faced issues with trying to legalize cannabis for many years now. With corrupt politicians and special private interest groups controlling the outcome along the way, there has been one blockade after another when it comes to having safe legal access to medical cannabis in the state of Florida. Luckily there is somewhat of a system in place, but it is only benefiting a small handful of individuals.
In April of 2016, Governor Scott signed HB 307 allowing entities to be implemented that are licensed to dispense medical cannabis to patients who qualify based on terminal status. In July of 2016, the doors to the first dispensary opened in Tallahassee and has been providing medicinal marijuana to qualifying patients since. Trulieve which is a part of George Hackney, Inc. was thrilled to be the first entity in the state to supply medicinal marijuana and were even more thrilled when they opened the doors to their second dispensary on Thursday.
The newest location can be found at 24761 US Highway 19N #630 in Clearwater, Florida. Trulieve offers both low THC and high THC cannabis products at their locations and they provide delivery services statewide to qualifying patients. Trulieve is expected to open more locations before the end of the year.
Now that Trulieve has opened its doors in Clearwater, qualifying patients in the area can finally start getting some relief by utilizing a safe all natural plant. Pharmaceutical drugs and prescription drugs alone account for more deaths than cocaine and heroin combined in the United States. Both intentional overdoses and accidental overdoses have been on the rise continually with no sign of relief in sight.
That was until cannabis became legal in the state of Colorado. Statistics have shown that overdose rates from prescription drugs have dropped by 25% or more since cannabis was made legal on a recreationally or retail basis. Other states are starting to see similar results and Florida could stand to use some of these results themselves. The Sunshine State also has considerable problems with heroin, cocaine, and pills.
Being that they are right on the Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic Ocean it makes them a major port for drug trafficking. By allowing safe access to medical cannabis in the state of Florida many people could see a higher quality of life. We can only hope that this November, residents will be able to vote for a more comprehensive and helpful medical marijuana program that includes all the patients that could benefit from cannabis, not just those who are terminally ill.
image credit: wikimedia
Snoop Dogg Isn't Playing Around When it Comes to the NFL
Snoop Dogg is one who is always known for speaking his mind when it’s needed most. There has been an ongoing debate over the last several years regarding whether or not NFL players should be able to utilize marijuana. Despite the NFL’s lack of policy change for players regarding cannabis, one of their recent decisions has Snoop blazingly pissed off. After hearing that the NFL made a decision to allow NFL players to own guns and even went as far as to add gun responsibility to their player conduct training, he went to Instagram to let the NFL know just what he thought about it.
Anyone who has common knowledge regarding cannabis knows that NFL players could benefit substantially from being able to utilize marijuana for medicinal purposes. For some reason, the NFL thinks that players owning guns is more important than them being able to utilize a natural plant for medical applications. Snoop Dogg was also quick to point out that NFL players are already a little wired up and how cannabis can help ease their agitation.
In the past few years, there have been several NFL players including Eugene Monroe and Ricky Williams that have come out of the cannabis closet and started to speak up for the players in the league regarding just how beneficial marijuana can be.
Eugene Monroe is reportedly the first active NFL player to have ever openly campaigned for legalizing the consumption of medical marijuana. Unfortunately after spending an off-season advocating for medical marijuana and spreading knowledge about how NFL players could benefit from cannabis, he was released from his position as an offensive tackle with The Ravens. Despite being released from the team, Eugene has no plans of stopping and has vowed to continue advocating until the league accepts “medical cannabis as a viable option for pain management.”
Leonard Marshall is former NFL player that is also speaking up about the benefits that players both in the league and retired can gain from cannabis. Being a former linesman for the NY Giants, Leonard knows firsthand the injuries that can come along with being a part of the league. Unfortunately, he also knows about just how quick an injury can turn into an addiction to opiates. This is why the former linesman is now advocating for the NFL to remove cannabis from their list of banned substances. He is also urging the league to invest money into research surrounding how cannabis can help combat traumatic brain injuries which are suffered by many players throughout the NFL.
If you would like to check out the original NSFW video posted on Instagram by Snoop, you can find it here.
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
Weeds are flowers too, once you get to know them
I do like to smoke pot. I think it’s good — David Crosby
I do like to smoke pot. I think it’s good. David Crosby
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
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
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
