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Why CBD Is So Popular With Pet Owners Who Have Anxious Dogs

February 4, 2019 by Staff Writer

If someone asked you what medical condition do you think affects dogs more so than any other, would you guess it’s anxiety? This may surprise you, and you may immediately think, “My dog gets nervous, but he doesn’t have an anxiety condition!” Ask yourself these next questions, though:

Does your dog bark when they shouldn’t?
Do they freak out when you come home?
Do they hide or seek comfort during storms?
Have you noticed there are occasions where they pace, pant, or pin their ears back more than usual?

These are signs that your dog could have an anxiety condition.

Dogs give us a run for our money when it comes to who is more anxious. And in many cases, we are the cause of their anxiety. Dogs aren’t naturally afraid of thunder.

In truth, many dogs are susceptible to anxiety, and it’s easy to mess up and exacerbate it. Thankfully, we live in the perfect time to help our dogs with this issue. Today, cannabis products like CBD aren’t only helping us with our anxiety, but also our dogs.

For many, CBD has been the answer to helping their dogs tolerate thunderstorms, long workdays, and the strange neighborhood dog. Even better, when combined with training, CBD offers a powerful one-two punch solution for eliminating even the worst cases of anxiety.

Here’s how you can use CBD for your dog’s anxiety, as well as a few general tips that help prevent it.

Why Is CBD So Popular for Dog Anxiety?

CBD is popular amongst dog owners because CBD kicks anxiety’s butt when dogs get anxious. But why do our dogs get so anxious in the first place?

Why Is My Dog So Nervous?

Usually, the cause for your dog’s anxiety can be traced back to certain events during their puppyhood. Maybe a massive dog came up to them *bang anxiety*, or you clipped a nail too far back *leviathan level of anxiety*.

Dogs are pack animals, and when something scares them as a puppy, they come running to us. Our first response to this is to lighten our voices and comfort our dog, but this backfires because it reinforces their awareness/reaction to the situation. Essentially, you’ve just told your dog that there is a reason to be scared. Your best option to situations like this is to act like nothing happened – if needed, you can even throw a ball or toy to take their attention off of it.

These are just a few ways dogs can develop anxiety, though, yet with it being such a dilemma there isn’t a lot to help them.

With anxiety being so prevalent amongst dogs, many owners don’t feel a prescription drug is warranted to treat it. This doesn’t mean they don’t want to help their dog’s anxiety – they just don’t have an easily available option that is safe and effective. Until CBD…

CBD for Situational Anxiety

What’s great about CBD for dog anxiety is that it can help regardless of the source. For fleeting issues, like the 4th of July, CBD helps by offering around 6 hours of anxiety relief with just a single dose. Many owners find that this is all that’s needed.

Maybe your dog gets antsy on long car rides, but little do they know the beach is just a few hours away. CBD can help keep them – and you – stay calm on the road trip.

Using CBD for anxiety issues that don’t really warrant behavioral training is a great, quick, and easy fix for many pet owners.

CBD for Behavioral Anxiety

When you come home to a room that looks like a twister slammed a cow through your house – *90’s movie joke for ya* – you’re not dealing with mild or situational anxiety.

Behavioral anxiety includes aggression, severe separation anxiety, etc. and will require behavioral training to cure. But we all know training will not set in overnight, and your house can’t take one more hit, and work is tomorrow.

Again, the answer many owners are finding to this sticky situation is giving their dog CBD to help out in the meantime. In fact, one could argue that CBD is even more important for this form of anxiety as it can help dilute the emotional stress their anxiety is taking on them.

Final Thoughts

If you haven’t given your dog CBD before and are worried about the stigma or danger of giving your dog cannabis, don’t worry. Only high amounts of THC are toxic to dogs, and legal CBD has nowhere near enough – studies show small traces may even help.

As well, the dog community is perfectly fine with using CBD. Vets are still a bit wary of it – possibly due to legal reasons – but veterinarian clinical studies are starting to take place on dogs and are showing great results. Plus, the 2018 Farm Bill will catapult CBD’s acceptance among all forward.

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

Why CBD Is So Popular With Pet Owners Who Have Anxious Dogs
Source: Marijuana Times

Nebraska’s Governor Opposes Medical Marijuana, Even if it Helped His Own Children

February 4, 2019 by Staff Writer

From the time we can understand anything, we are taught to trust doctors. The vast majority of people in the United States carry an innate trust of medical professionals. They are experts and they are there to help us. We trust them with our secrets and our very lives.

Yet, when it comes to medical marijuana, that trust seems to get suspended for some. It’s not enough for your doctor to think you should use medical cannabis; there has to be a law to allow him/her to do so.

And for that, in many states, you need the permission of lawmakers. Lawmakers who have had no reason to look into the issue of medical cannabis and clearly haven’t done so.

For example, in Nebraska, Governor Pete Ricketts doesn’t think anyone should have the option of using medical marijuana legally until the FDA has said it’s okay. “I’ve sat down with the families and they’re very sympathetic and I certainly understand where they’re coming from with regard to a child,” Governor Ricketts told News Channel Nebraska. “But we also have to remember we have to protect the entire public…to protect the public safety you really have to make sure it goes through the FDA process….And I know it’s a long process but that is what’s happening and we are getting those drugs.”

The NCN reporter pressed the Governor more in regards to his own children and whether or not them needing medical marijuana would sway his position, to which he responded, “[a]gain we have to think about the broader issue of public safety here with regard to how we have drugs in our country. To make sure they’re safe and effective and what dosage for what ailments, what side effects and that’s what the FDA process does.”

Despite the fact that FDA-approved drugs kill tens of thousands of people every year in this country and marijuana kills no one – although Gov. Ricketts did assert that “every few days someone in Colorado dies in a marijuana-related car accident” – some people really believe that the only safe and effective medicines on Earth cannot be medicines until they have gone through the FDA approval process.

So if the parents and doctor of a child feel that child could benefit from medical cannabis, in the eyes of the Governor of Nebraska, they shouldn’t be allowed to do that until the FDA says it’s okay – no matter how long that takes and no matter what the reason.

This is the ignorance that condemns so many people to criminality every day simply for choosing a better way to live.

Nebraska’s Governor Opposes Medical Marijuana, Even if it Helped His Own Children
Source: Marijuana Times

Senator Diane Savino on New York’s Cannabis Prospects in 2019

February 3, 2019 by Staff Writer

New York State Senator Diane Savino is one of the earliest lawmakers in the state to champion cannabis reform. Senator Savino carried the state’s medical cannabis bill after her predecessor, Thomas K. Duane, did not seek re-election in 2012.

Savino recalled how Duane, the state’s first openly gay member of the Senate – who was also the only openly HIV-positive member – pushed for the bill in honor of those self-medicating to treat their HIV symptoms. “Anyone who’s ever seen anyone suffer from either the effects of cancer or chemotherapy or just chronic pain, you realize the limitations to what modern medicine can provide,” the Senator said. She went on to say, “…why would we stand in the way of people finding treatments that they could live with? So, [supporting the measure] was a no-brainer for me.”

After re-writing the bill to reflect the current climate, Savino was pivotal in passing legislation, which was signed in 2014. Today, the state appears poised to become one of the latest to legalize a recreational cannabis market. However, Senator Savino isn’t so sure it’s a done deal. That said, progress concerning New York’s cannabis access has been rapid in recent years.

In its earlier stages, New York’s medical cannabis program was considered one of the more restrictive in the country. Today, however, it is one of the more progressive markets, which includes becoming one of the first states to allow people with opioid-prescriptions to qualify for a medical marijuana ID.

Getting to this stage was not easy, according to Savino, and she cited Governor Andrew Cuomo’s reluctant support for cannabis. As recently as 2017, he had been calling marijuana a gateway drug. However, Savino noted that Cuomo saw the writing on the wall between public demand and sales revenue. A great deal of back and forth during the 2014 legislative session resulted in a bill which had proponents agreeing to restricted sizes and lengths of the program, as well as limited qualifying conditions and a ban on smokable flower.

Pro-medical supporters did earn clear dates to the program during negotiations. Doing so helped New York open its first dispensary within the quoted time – a feat several states failed to achieve. From there, she said the state began to see the concerns of supporters. The results were limited access for patients and practitioners, while businesses could not operate and left the market.

Since then, the state has opened its access for easier practitioner enrollment, which has allowed for more efficient patient enrollment under expanded qualifying conditions. By Q2 of 2018, 1,718 practitioners had been registered – up from 1,098 the year before, according to a state DOH report. Meanwhile, New York has certified 98,101 patients, adding 23,637 people during that period.

Still, the Senator sees gaps in the program. The biggest, according to Savino, has been doctors. State medical societies, like the Medical Society of the State of New York (MSSNY), consider legalized cannabis a public health concern. In a statement, Dr. Thomas Madejski, President of the MSSNY, agreed that there are medical purposes for cannabis. However, Dr. Madejski added, “Physicians are very concerned that marijuana is an addictive drug that can have significant adverse public health impact if it were to be legalized for non-medicinal purposes.”

While doctors are a problem, according to Savino, nurse practitioners seem more open to medical cannabis. “Nurses just tend to be a little bit more progressive than doctors,” she stated.

When asked if lawmakers are actually supportive of cannabis reform or just going along with the wills of constituents, Savino was unsure. Her uncertainty extended to the legislation itself. “I’m not absolutely certain that we have the votes to pass this yet.” Savino cited potential sticking points for lawmakers. Key points centered on the expansion of the adult-use market as well as issues surrounding traffic, youth access and lingering concerns that cannabis is a gateway drug.

While Savino may have concerns, Governor Cuomo made legalization seem as if it is right around the corner. During his recent State of the State address, the Governor called for recreational reform in the first 100 days of 2019. When asked if this will come to fruition, Savino wasn’t sure of the Governor’s timeline. She stated that “[Cuomo]’s hard to predict whether he thinks something is good or whether he’s just throwing it out there.” She added, “I think he assumed that we can get it done.”

At this time, Senator Savino sees legislation at a different phase. “I think right now people are in that phase that well maybe it doesn’t have to happen in the budget or it’s just not quite there yet. But we’ll know soon.”

Savino doubts that the bill will pass in its current form. One concern could be the Governor’s newly proposed Office of Cannabis Management, which would oversee the market. According to the Senator, its Executive Director would have “an extraordinary amount of power over this program”. This is an aspect of the program she does not see making the final bill. “I sincerely doubt that will remain the case. We’re not gonna give somebody so much power over a public health program, an adult-use program, tax policy and the administration of regulation of something as important as this without having some legislative oversight.”

Other significant concerns could upend the proposed bill’s progress. They include a provision which would allow counties and cities with less than 100,00 citizens to opt out of the program. Savino said that this rule would apply to “basically every county and every city in the state of New York with the exception of Buffalo and New York City.” While Savino supports towns, villages and possibly small cities opting out, some sparse upstate counties not participating could create massive cannabis deserts in New York.

Meanwhile, concerns over taxes and a lack of dispensaries could create additional headaches for the measure. However, Savino believes that the matter is moving in the right direction. This includes inclusive ownership points laid out by Governor Cuomo in his 2019 agenda. Programs and stipulations aimed at prioritizing minorities, women and disadvantaged farmers are currently in Cuomo’s proposal. These measures are likely to include licensing priority and an incubative program. However, no key data points were available at this time to demonstrate the initiative’s goals concerning market share.

As New York State moves towards likely legalization of its adult-use market, Savino sees progress with other significant steps that need sorted. This includes amendments of the state’s penal code concerning marijuana decriminalization. Additionally, the state must send a clear message to offenders that black market activities will be penalized.

With cannabis such a wide-spanning subject, State Senator Savino expects the topic to come up during a series of budget hearings this month. Soon enough, we could have a clearer idea as to when, or if, New York legalizes adult-use cannabis.

Senator Diane Savino on New York’s Cannabis Prospects in 2019
Source: Marijuana Times

The Battle Over Marijuana Legalization in Minnesota

February 2, 2019 by Staff Writer

Earlier this week I wrote about the launch of the campaign to legalize cannabis for adult use in Minnesota. Since Minnesota is one of about two dozen states that doesn’t allow citizens to bring issues to voters via ballot, activists must focus on the Minnesota state legislature.

Minnesota voters have developed a bit of a reputation for being unpredictable at times; Minnesota was the only state in the win column for Democratic Presidential candidate Walter Mondale in 1984 (to be fair, it was his home state) and they made Jesse Ventura their 38th governor in 1998.

Whether or not these quirks will translate into state legislators approving marijuana legalization remains to be seen. After all, supporting cannabis law reform is not exactly a “maverick” position to have anymore. This is all the more reason to believe activists in Minnesota have a great shot at bringing real reform to their state this year.

Working toward that end is the pro-legalization group Minnesotans for Responsible Marijuana Regulation (MRMR). Described on their website as “a broad coalition of Minnesota organizations and individuals supporting and advocating for the legalization and regulation of marijuana in Minnesota for adult recreational use”, MRMR boasts a support roster that includes the Mayor of Minneapolis.

And MRMR hopes to educate state legislators and their constituents about why legalization is the best path to take. “We started Minnesotans for Responsible Marijuana Regulation because we believe now is the time to have substantive, collaborative, inclusive conversations that help shape what marijuana legalization and policy look like in Minnesota,” Laura Monn Ginsburg, the MRMR Campaign Co-Manager, told The Marijuana Times. “To that end, we decided to launch the campaign with a Steering Committee made of a diverse group of individuals that can work toward thoughtful, thorough, and equitable ways marijuana could be legalized and regulated in Minnesota. We intend to take the conversation well beyond the Capitol, and head out throughout the state to engage and listen.”

Laura told us that although a lack of ballot access is a challenge, legalization has several things going for it. “There are a number of things that work greatly to our advantage here in Minnesota: we have legalized medicinal marijuana, we have the experience of other states to draw from, we have two marijuana legalization parties that reached the threshold for major political party status, and we have a Governor and many other elected officials who openly support legalization and did so when they were campaigning,” she said.

Laura told us that MRMR wants “marijuana legalization in Minnesota to promote economic opportunity and public safety in every community and to redress the disproportionate adverse impacts that marijuana prohibition has had on our residents and communities of color. That’s going to require tough work engaging with many stakeholder groups, but that’s precisely the work we established MRMR to do.”

So far, Laura told us that the feedback in the state has been overwhelmingly positive, even though there are still some who are not ready to engage in a discussion about legalization. Sadly, those people will be left behind, on the wrong side of an issue that’s time has clearly come.

If you live in Minnesota and support adult-use legalization, the time to make your voice heard has come as well.

The Battle Over Marijuana Legalization in Minnesota
Source: Marijuana Times

Maryland State’s Attorney Pushes for Removal of Criminal Charges for Cannabis Possession in Baltimore

February 1, 2019 by Staff Writer

A state’s attorney in Maryland, Marilyn Mosby, announced this week at a press conference that the city of Baltimore will stop prosecuting crimes associated with cannabis consumption, according to a report from The Baltimore Sun. Mosby says that she will instruct courts and law enforcement agencies not to prosecute people for simple cannabis possession, regardless of what kind of criminal history an individual has.

In addition, Mosby has requested that courts within the city of Baltimore stop pursuing and throw out around 5,000 cases of simple cannabis possession that currently exist on the books. When asked about the thought process behind removing criminal charges for cannabis possession, Mosby pointed to the fact that possessing a plant usually doesn’t harm anyone.

“When I ask myself: Is the enforcement and prosecution of marijuana possession making us safer as a city? The answer is emphatically no,” said Mosby.

Even though there were no city representatives or law enforcement present at the press conference, Baltimore Mayor Catherine Pugh said that she supports Mosby’s push to stop prosecuting cannabis crimes.

According to The Baltimore Sun, Mosby went on to say that cannabis arrests have a negative impact on the job potential of Maryland residents, and have also resulted in the unnecessary criminal records of thousands of otherwise law-abiding individuals. Additionally, Mosby rightly identified the fact that Maryland police resources should not be wasted on people who are in simple possession of the cannabis plant.

Mosby then went on to bring up the murder statistics in Baltimore. In 2018, there were 309 murders, but only 25% of them were solved. Mosby expressed her displeasure at that number, stating what cannabis advocates have always said – that police should be using their time and resources to go after real crimes with real victims.

No surprisingly, Baltimore police commissioner Gary Tuggle said he has no plans to order city officers to stop arresting peaceful people for possessing a plant medicine. (Tuggle is a former DEA agent.) Baltimore police also expressed a resistance to Mosby’s initiative, but the state’s attorney countered by stating that she will continue to seek support outside of her office.

Mosby isn’t the only state official in a major U.S. city to announce their intent in removing penalties for cannabis possession. Within the past two to three month, state officials in Pennsylvania, North Carolina and Texas have also announced plans to pass bills that will decriminalize or legalize cannabis.

Will Mosby’s efforts be effective, or will it be “business as usual” for cannabis arrests in Baltimore? Will we just have to wait and see.

Maryland State’s Attorney Pushes for Removal of Criminal Charges for Cannabis Possession in Baltimore
Source: Marijuana Times

6 Important Ways CBD Is Helping Our Pets

January 31, 2019 by Staff Writer

At one time, when you heard people talk about pets and cannabis, it would usually go something like “OH NO, my dog just ate my pot – what do I do?” But in 2019, you’re more likely to hear people talk about giving their pets cannabis to help with their medical issues.

The cannabis of which I speak of is CBD oil derived from the hemp plant. CBD is everywhere now – you can find it in gum, ice cream, soda, and more. And now, we’re giving it to our feline friends, our pups, and even to horses to help with a long list of medical conditions. Here are just six ways CBD is helping our pets stay happy and healthy.

CBD Can Reduce Inflammation

Unlike THC that attaches to CB1 receptors triggering psychoactive effects, CBD merely activates CB2 receptors by giving anandamide – which is a self-produced cannabinoid – a boost. Unlike CB1 receptors that reside heavily in the brain, CB2 receptors are found more in the immune system, where their activation promotes proper regulation.

Inflammation is a natural – and often times, beneficial – process, but when poorly regulated it turns on the body and causes issues out the wazoo.

CBD Provides Anxiety Relief

CBD oil for cat anxiety is one of God’s gifts to man. It can help calm them down when they are in their crate for more pleasant vacation trips – and even for less bloody scratches down your arm after vet visits.

And don’t even get us started on how you can use CBD oil for dogs’ anxiety. You may never have to come home to a destroyed house again. Research is showing that it really doesn’t matter where the source of anxiety is coming from, CBD can help.

In fact, CBD is a natural anti-anxiety mediator of THC. So if you find your current marijuana strain is making you nervous or paranoid, try taking some CBD.

CBD Has An Important Role in Cancer and Cancer Treatment

There are a number of studies out there highlighting the potential for cannabinoids like CBD and THC to become common drugs we use to fight pet cancer. However, there isn’t any reason to wait for that as many are already using CBD to help fight cancer.

One of the most difficult aspects of cancer treatment isn’t the disease, but the side effects from the drugs used for treatment: nausea, inflammation, pain, fatigue, loss of appetite, etc.

Not only does this make the whole process more strenuous, but it can also make the body’s fight against cancer more difficult, which can ultimately slow down recovery. CBD has somewhat similar benefits to medical marijuana, which has long been an incredible help in reducing the side effects of conventional cancer treatments. All without causing a high, that is!

CBD has helped pets going through cancer treatment regain their appetite, sleep better, experience less discomfort, fight back against inflammation, and possibly even protect/repair cells.

CBD Benefits Working Animals

Many of our pets dedicate themselves to giving humans a helping hand and work hard for our benefit. When we talk about CBD for pets, we usually think of our cats or dogs, but CBD oil for horses has taken off recently.

CBD can help our working horses with everything from recovery to performance to keeping them calmer during training and work, which can prevent injuries to both you and the horse. The last thing you want on your hands is an anxious 1000+ pound horse… because it really never goes well.

CBD Targets All Forms of Epilepsy

There are a number of dog breeds susceptible to epilepsy, and if you know anything about medical marijuana, you’re likely aware of the role it has played in reducing seizures.

Cannabis – including CBD – is indebted to how it’s helped people with drug-resistant forms of epilepsy. In fact, a few states first legalized CBD for the treatment of epilepsy and nothing else. That alone tells you how much it can help.

The thing that separates cannabis from conventional antiepileptic drugs on the market is its ability to help reduce seizures in all forms of epilepsy. When it comes to using CBD for epilepsy, this is one place it may be just as potent as marijuana. This is because CBD – not THC – has the most antiepileptic properties of any cannabinoid.

However, while studies show that CBD is the most potent antiepileptic cannabinoid, it’s about half as effective if it’s isolated and not full spectrum. Scientists believe the legal traces of THC allowed in full spectrum CBD (0.3%) helps – even though there isn’t enough to produce a high.

CBD Promotes Homeostasis for Preventive Health

Whenever you hear about how CBD works in the body, you’ll see the word “homeostasis” somewhere in its vicinity. So what is homeostasis and what does CBD have to do with it?

Homeostasis is any process that cells use to regulate, repair, and optimize both their performance and defense against their host’s environment. Everything from extreme temperatures to germs to stress can wear down our cells.

When this happens, the system they’re involved in – like the immune or nervous system – perform poorly, resulting in diseases. The cannabinoids in cannabis mimic select neurotransmitters (endocannabinoids) that trigger receptors that send signals to help cells undergo homeostasis.

Lots of science, but what this tells us is giving CBD to our pets may help them stay healthier, stronger, and live longer.

Final Thoughts

Remember, this is just six ways CBD can help improve the health of our pets. It’s fantastic to see the stigma surrounding cannabis go away and have the plant become more involved not only in our lives, but in our pets’ lives, too.

It’s important to only give your pet CBD oil with low (less than 1%) to no THC, as dogs and some other animals are sensitive to THC and they can overdose on large amounts.

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

6 Important Ways CBD Is Helping Our Pets
Source: Marijuana Times

The Next Attorney General Might Be More Supportive of Cannabis Legalization

January 31, 2019 by Staff Writer

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

Will Minnesota Lawmakers Legalize Adult Use Marijuana?

January 30, 2019 by Staff Writer

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

Is Buying Marijuana Online Legal?

January 29, 2019 by Staff Writer

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

How to Pass a Marijuana Drug Test

January 28, 2019 by Staff Writer

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