420 Department

Over four hundred and twenty things

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The Next Attorney General Might Be More Supportive of Cannabis Legalization

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Since the Trump Administration took over the White House, things have been a little unstable when it comes to how prosecutors are supposed to handle the conflict between federal and state law on marijuana. Under the previous administration things were guided by the Cole Memo, which protected businesses that were operating in compliance with all state laws. However, it was only a year ago when then-AG Jeff Sessions rescinded the memo, removing some of the only federal documentation protecting the legal cannabis industry.

Now that Sessions is out, it is time for a more permanent replacement to step in – and it appears that nominee William Barr might not be such a bad choice. He has confirmed in written responses to questions from U.S. Senators that he would not continue to push against legalization if he were confirmed.

“As discussed at my hearing, I do not intend to go after parties who have complied with state law in reliance on the Cole Memorandum,” he wrote, referring to Obama-era cannabis enforcement guidance that then-Attorney General Jeff Sessions rescinded last year.

“I have not closely considered or determined whether further administrative guidance would be appropriate following the Cole Memorandum and the January 2018 memorandum from Attorney General Sessions, or what such guidance might look like,” he wrote in response to a question from Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ). “If confirmed, I will give the matter careful consideration.”

Barr’s opinion on cannabis may not be entirely in support of legalization, but he does appear to be on board with helping the government to create a more sensible policy to cooperate with states, rather than work against them on this issue. Personal feelings aside, Barr is willing to ensure that state-legal cannabis businesses can continue to operate without fear of federal interference – and he appears willing to work with Congress to come up with proper legislation to handle these issues.

“It’s positive to see Barr make the same commitments on marijuana enforcement in writing as he did in the hearings,” Michael Collins, director of national affairs for the Drug Policy Alliance, said. “My hope is that he sends this message to all federal prosecutors so that states are given space to reform their outdated, broken, racist marijuana laws, and the country can turn the page on prohibition.”

While we don’t know for sure that Barr is the next Attorney General under the Trump Administration, at least we now know that it wouldn’t be something that should bring concern to the industry in the way that Sessions did. In fact, it appears that there is a chance that things could be even more progressive on amending federal law to compliment – rather than conflict – with state laws.


The Next Attorney General Might Be More Supportive of Cannabis Legalization
Source: Marijuana Times

01-30-2019 – Cannabis News with Joe Klare

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Joe Klare discusses Joe Montana’s investment in the cannabis industry, the Trump Attorney General nominee’s written thoughts on marijuana policy and a new billboard in Connecticut.

Will Minnesota Lawmakers Legalize Adult Use Marijuana?

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The year 2019 will be a tough one to encapsulate when it ends. There is so much going on this year in the cannabis law reform movement that a short summary will be impossible come late December. More than a dozen states will be deciding on some form of marijuana legalization or decriminalization – not to mention all the activity expected on the federal level in the U.S.

One of the states expected to make headlines this year for marijuana policy changes is Minnesota. Lawmakers in the state have introduced adult use legalization legislation that would allow limited amounts of cannabis possession, purchases and home growing.

“Minnesota’s outdated prohibition policy has become more of a problem than a solution,” said Rep. Mike Freiberg (DFL-Golden Valley), one of the legislation’s sponsors in the House. “It is forcing marijuana into a shady underground market, which creates more potential harm for consumers and communities than marijuana itself. Regulating marijuana would make our state safer by removing the criminal element and empowering our state and local governments to start controlling production and sales.”

The legislation would also allow local control over marijuana retailers and processors, seed-to-sale tracking, criminal record expungement and money dedicated to help neighborhoods hit hardest by prohibition.

“It is time for Minnesota to recognize that, like alcohol prohibition in the 1920s, its prohibition of marijuana does not work,” said Jason Tarasek, Minnesota political director for the Marijuana Policy Project and co-founder of Minnesotans for Responsible Marijuana Regulation. “By legalizing marijuana and carefully regulating its sale, we can keep it out of the hands of teens without needlessly arresting responsible adult consumers. This would allow law enforcement to spend more time addressing serious crimes, while also creating a significant new revenue stream for our state.”

With the forces that support cannabis prohibition being spread thinner every year, it’s important to push marijuana law reform on as many fronts as possible. Whatever resources they can muster will either be split up to fight legalization in several states, or prohibition forces will focus on one or two big fights in the hope that they can somehow slow down the legalization juggernaut.

The next 2 years will be brutal for those who fight against legalization. The blows will come from every direction and they will not let up. The time is now to get involved in your state, whether it be in Minnesota or elsewhere.


Will Minnesota Lawmakers Legalize Adult Use Marijuana?
Source: Marijuana Times

Hump Day High: Dispatches from January’s Biggest Adult Entertainment Events

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January brought another busy month of trade shows. As you’ve probably learned by now, dear reader, January and July are my busiest months of the year. This year was no exception, and was intensified by two big media hits right before the trade shows began. Here’s my big news, as well as my favorite toys from the Adult Novelty Manufacturing Expo (ANME) and an exciting new partnership!

On January 7 I was checking my notifications at 6 a.m. (I know, I know) and I saw a message from a colleague: “Look what came into my inbox this morning!” I immediately knew what they meant — my cover of Sexual Health Magazine had gone live! Yes, I am now officially a cover girl, and I could not be more thrilled. I was even more overjoyed that the cover photo the editors chose featured me holding an ounce of one of my favorite cultivars, Purple Punch, under the headline, “Ms. CannaSexual: Meet Ashley Manta, America’s High Priestess of Pleasure.” Yep, that happened. I spent the next two days responding to countless congratulatory messages, which felt amazing.

Ashley Manta
Photo courtesy of XBIZ

Two days later, my other big news went live. Back in October I’d filmed a CannaSexual workshop with ATTN:, and the clip had finally been posted on Facebook. As I’m writing this piece, the video has over 250,000 views. I spent the rest of the week posting and reposting, avoiding the comments section like the plague, and gearing up for the trade show in LA that weekend.

What was especially cool about going to ANME this year was that, as XBIZ is a sponsor of ANME and XBIZ owns Sexual Health Magazine, my magazine cover was all over the place. Plus, XBIZ hosted their own conference immediately after ANME, and all of the attendees got a Sexual Health Magazine in their gift bags. CannaSexual received a tonof press all in the same week — and it was magical! And overwhelming. And wonderful. And stressful.

On January 12 I had a brunch and sex date with my boyfriend then drove up to LA, stopping briefly in San Clemente to pick up my good friend and “show wife” Janine, who owns one of my favorite brands, Warm. Her company makes a product called Touch that warms and automatically dispenses lube, and it was nominated for Specialty Product/Line of the Year for the XBIZ Awards (as you’ll remember, I was nominated for Sexpert of the Year!).

Fast-forward to the ANME show, which officially started on January 13. I walked around to see the latest and greatest from the manufacturers at the show, and my favorite new toy quickly emerged: a new vibrating stroker from Fun Factory appropriately named the Manta. While the toy was technicallynamed after its manta ray shape, my friends at Fun Factory assured me they also had me in mind when the name was chosen, given my penchant for hand jobs. This toy is brilliant — equally excellent for solo or partnered play, it can be used to spice up oral or manual stimulation, to give extra sensation during penetrative sex and, of course, to use solo as a penis stroker. I’d suggest using plenty of lube, and make sure that it’s either oil-based or water-based, since it’s a silicone toy and silicone lube can degrade silicone toys.

Ashley Manta
Photo Courtesy of FORIA

I’m also super excited about a new We-Vibe toy that’s coming out — it won’t be out until March, so I can’t give you details yet, but it’s going to be a rumbly vibe that magnetically attaches to your panties. I am super excited for all of the date night possibilities!

The last bit of excitement that came during ANME is a piece of news that no one knows yet — you’re reading it here first! We haven’t even put out a press release yet! Drumroll … I’m going to be officially working with my favorite lube company, Sliquid! They’re now sponsoring me, so look for giveaways and promotions of all of my favorite Sliquid lubes, handing out samples at events and sharing information via social media and livestreams! Plus, Sliquid owns a company called Mad Toto, who make carrying cases and kits for smoking accoutrements! It’s a match made in heaven! Sliquid also won Sexual Health and Wellness Brand of the Year at the XBIZ Awards, which makes them a perfect fit for my values and exceptionally high quality standards.

I had a blast at the XBIZ Awards. My sexy boyfriend, B, accompanied me (wearing a waistcoat — swoon!) and we had a marvelous time walking the red carpet together. Stormy Daniels was the host of the show, so you know she brought some powerful energy to the stage! My friend Buck Angel presented the Sexpert of the Year award, and when he announced that it went to Dr. Emily Morse, I cheered for her! I believe strongly in collaboration over competition, and Emily Morse is one of the hardest working women in the industry. Congratulations to her — she deserves it!

Ashley Manta

 

 

The post Hump Day High: Dispatches from January’s Biggest Adult Entertainment Events appeared first on DOPE Magazine.


Hump Day High: Dispatches from January’s Biggest Adult Entertainment Events
Source: Dope Magazine

01-29-2019 – Cannabis News with Joe Klare

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Joe Klare discusses medical cannabis in Oklahoma, marijuana delivery in California and CBD suppositories.

Is Buying Marijuana Online Legal?

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When it comes to buying marijuana, for the longest time – and still today, for many people – it meant going to your dealer. Interestingly, all over the U.S. people are starting to try – and in many cases, succeed – to buy their cannabis online. In fact, according to a recent study posted in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine, the number of people who look to buy their marijuana from online retailers has risen by 300 percent from 2005 to 2017.

Considering the fact that over half of the U.S. allows medical marijuana now – and an ever-increasing number of states is legalizing recreational cannabis – it might seem like a normal advancement. After all, the internet has streamlined our lives; things like our calendars, social media and Amazon purchases all happen online. You can order dinner, set an appointment with your physician or find a new place to live. Just about everything we do these days revolves around the internet – but is it really legal to buy cannabis online?

The answer to that is somewhat complicated. There are legitimate licensed dispensaries that give you a way to buy cannabis and cannabis products online, but in most cases, the websites themselves are not completely legal. Numerous websites that freely sell marijuana have been taken down and this is likely to continue to happen, even though new sites will creep up faster than the unseen internet authorities can take them down. Most of these sites can be found through combinations of search terms like “cannabis”, “marijuana”, and “weed” combined with words like “order”, “shop”, and “buy”.

Unfortunately, for the legal cannabis market that is trying to prove that legalization and regulation is the safest and smartest policy, this might make things more difficult. According to researcher John W. Ayers of San Diego State University Graduate School of Public Health, anyone, regardless of age and location, can purchase marijuana via the internet. This facilitates underage use – which is something that the legal market doesn’t allow, just like with alcohol. The point continues to stand that only in a legal and regulated market can we truly ensure that adult consumption stays “adult” consumption.

So how can we combat websites that are selling marijuana illegally to anyone and everyone? The best course of action is to keep your cannabis buying to in-person transactions at your local dispensary. Only if your dispensary advertises online ordering and/or delivery should you ever purchase cannabis online – otherwise be aware that even if it is legal in your state, these websites are not licensed retailers and that sale remains illegal. Eventually, buying cannabis will be as simple as point-and-click for all of us, but until then, be wary of where you purchase your bud.

Disclaimer: This article is intended for entertainment purposes only and is not intended to provide legal advice.


Is Buying Marijuana Online Legal?
Source: Marijuana Times

Death Star: A Rollercoaster of Relaxation

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Death Star by The Giving Tree

Death Star, a Sensi Star and Sour Diesel cross, maintains the good parts of both parent strains. Blending a pleasant body relaxation and a head high that didn’t go skyward, I found myself humming along to “The Muppet Movie” while planted on my couch.

The high reminded me of walking through the top deck of a slow-moving ferry; my nose was on a gentle roller coaster of slightly sweet earthiness and fresh kettle corn, followed by a lingering light fuel scent reminiscent of a motocross track the day after a race, and then a pungent sniff of roasting, but unseasoned, Portobello mushrooms.

Death Star by The Giving Tree

Available At…

  1. Sticky Saguaro: 12338 E Riggs Rd., Chandler, AZ 85249
  2. Sky Dispensaries – Phoenix: 3155 E McDowell Rd #2, Phoenix, AZ 85008
  3. Giving Tree Dispensary: 21617 N 9th Ave., Phoenix, AZ 85027

The post Death Star: A Rollercoaster of Relaxation appeared first on DOPE Magazine.


Death Star: A Rollercoaster of Relaxation
Source: Dope Magazine

01-28-2019 – Cannabis News with Joe Klare

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Joe Klare discusses hemp in Pennsylvania, adult use legalization in Connecticut and Mike Tyson on Joe Rogan’s podcast talking about cannabis.

How to Pass a Marijuana Drug Test

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If you smoke marijuana, as many people do, you may find that you are tested for its presence on occasions. This is generally done by companies who want to ensure the workforce is free from any drug usage. How can you pass a marijuana drug test? First, let us explain what it is the test is looking for.

What is THC?

THC is an abbreviation for the compound in marijuana that is responsible for getting you high. It is this substance that the test will be looking for. The problem is that the level of THC absorbed and remaining in the body can be influenced by many factors, such as:

  • Regular use means you will retain more THC
  • Stronger strains of weed may infuse more THC into the body
  • You diet and general physical activity

These are just a few of the factors that influence the THC level after you have been smoking marijuana. For how long will THC remain in your blood, urine or saliva? This also depends upon the above factors, and rough guidelines says that for occasional use, THC may remain in your system for as long as four weeks. For regular users, this can extend to far longer.

So, you can clearly see the problem when it comes to passing the test!

Types of Test

Companies – and other people who wish to test you for marijuana consumption – use a variety of methods to test for THC in your system. These are:

  • Urine test – the most frequently used and easiest of all the tests. Be aware that THC will remain in the urine for up to 8 days after usage for an occasional user, longer for regular users.
  • Hair follicle test – not often used as it is expensive and not so easy, you are unlikely to be subjected to this type of test.
  • Blood test – THC will remain in the blood for several hours for occasional or one off usage, several days for regular users
  • Saliva test – used occasionally, THC will remain in the saliva for as long as 24 hours.

If you know the type of test you are to be subjected to it can help you pass the test, and how to pass is our next subject.

How To Pass the Marijuana Test

You may be subjected to a drug test before you join a company, or your employer may run random tests every now and then. This is becoming far more commonplace, so it’s worth being prepared. Bear in mind that you don’t need to be completely free of THC in the system; what you do need to do is make sure it is below 50ng/mL. This is the level at which you are considered clear.

How can you pass the test? Let’s make it clear there is no 100% sure fire way to do so, but the following can help. If you want more information, check out the420times.com as they are an authority source on the subject:

  • Drink 2 to 3 litres of water 24 hours before the test, and a further litre or 2 a few hours before.
  • Relax before the test, do not exercise as this will cause the THC to ‘spike’
  • Vitamins b12, b2 and b complex taken in 100mg doses may help
  • Use products such as Toxin Rid or Mega Clean, which help rid the body of THC.

For an occasional user there is a good chance of passing a test if you follow the above tips, so make sure you read through and check out all the information at the link we have provided.

Disclaimer: This article is intended for information and educational purposes only and is not intended to reflect the views of the publication.


How to Pass a Marijuana Drug Test
Source: Marijuana Times

NFL Hall of Famer Joe Montana’s Big Marijuana Investment

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I usually don’t relate personal stories in this space, but today I’m making an exception.

January 22nd, 1989, almost 30 years ago to the day that I’m writing this. I don’t remember what the weather was like around my home in a suburb of Cincinnati, but I’m sure it was cold. In fact, thirty years has clouded most of my memories of the mundane aspects of that day, but there are a few things about that night that I will not forget any time soon.

Those of you who are old enough to remember Super Bowl XXIII (see video below) probably know where I’m going with this. With about 3 minutes to go in the game, my beloved Cincinnati Bengals led the San Francisco 49ers 16 to 13. The 49ers offense, led by already legendary quarterback Joe Montana, had the ball at their own 8-yard line, meaning they had to drive 92 yards to score the game-winning touchdown.

And, of course, they did. Joe Montana marched his team down the field and hit wide receiver John Taylor in the back of the end zone with 34 seconds left in the game. I was nine years old and I was crushed. Tears streamed down my face.

What’s the point of all this? Well, besides being kind of cathartic for me, this story is my long way of leading into Joe Montana’s recent monetary investment in the legal cannabis industry. While I applaud investments in the legal marijuana industry that will help grow the industry in the years to come, Joe Montana’s name and face give rise to a visceral reaction in me, like my nine-year-old self trying to fight his way out and exact his revenge.

Well, maybe not something as dramatic as all that, but you get my point. It’s like seeing the bully who beat you up in grade school reading to blind children thirty years later. It creates mixed emotions.

Yet one thing fans and haters of Joe Montana alike know very well is that he is a winner. And the marijuana industry needs winners now more than ever as it fights its way through a myriad of rules, regulations and tax rates to take its place as the mainstream multi-billion dollar industry it should always have been.

As for the nuts-and-bolts of the investment itself, Montana is part of a $75 million stake in Caliva, a San Jose, California-based group that said it’s using the money to grow a company that includes a farm, a retail store, distribution center and a delivery service. He’s part of a growing group of NFL veterans that are publicly questioning the way players are treated for their ailments, saying cannabis “can provide relief to many people and can make a serious impact on opioid use or addiction.”

Despite my feelings, when it’s time to get something done, I would put my money on Joe Montana to get it done.