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Medical Marijuana Legislation Introduced in Kentucky

January 19, 2019 by Staff Writer Leave a Comment

A new year brings a new effort to pass medical cannabis legislation in Kentucky. The path is often hard, but the momentum has built year after year and many think this is the year that substantial progress will be made on medical marijuana in the Bluegrass State.

Legislation filed recently could provide the access that so many in the state desperately need. “There are 40,000 – 60,000 Kentuckians who have little to no relief provided by traditional medicine for symptoms of debilitating illnesses,” Diane St. Onge, a Kentucky State Representative (R-Ft. Wright) and one of the sponsors of medical marijuana in Frankfort, told The Marijuana Times. “Their quality of life is severely compromised. Often they take upwards of 30 pills a day which interact with each other rendering the patients unable to drive, to work, to function in anything other than a highly compromised world.”

For Diane, the time for medical legalization has come. “Medicinal marijuana has been legalized in 33 states. It is time for legislators to do the will of 82% of Kentuckians – Republicans, Democrats, and Independents alike – and offer an alternative remedy to the pain these Kentuckians face day in and day out. HB 136 provides for a highly structured, regulated and licensed framework, within which those qualified individuals in a bonafide doctor/patient relationship, can become eligible for a medical marijuana card.”

Allowing people access to the medicine of their choice doesn’t seem like a battle that should be necessary. Those who oppose medical cannabis will tell you that they are simply looking out for patients and that they are protecting them from themselves. But who has more right to decide what you ingest than you do?

More than anything else, the fear and stigma that surrounds marijuana needs to be overcome in states like Kentucky. What else would account for the hesitancy on the part of many lawmakers when it comes to advancing medical cannabis reform measures? Every year patients from all over the state descend on Frankfort and plead their case, and every year they are denied relief.

Who is harmed if a doctor recommends that a patient use cannabis? I can certainly show you who is harmed if a doctor is not allowed to make that recommendation.

Rep. St. Onge told us she believes that HB 136 would pass if it made it to a vote on the House floor. “There is also some support for medical marijuana in the Senate and as we allay fears with references as to how these have been addressed by this bill, we gain more support daily,” she said.

Hopefully 2020 will be the year the legislature gathers to improve the medical marijuana bill passed this year. Patients cannot wait any longer, and there is really no good reason to make them do so.

Medical Marijuana Legislation Introduced in Kentucky
Source: Marijuana Times

Ohio Medical Cannabis Dispensaries Officially Open

January 18, 2019 by Staff Writer Leave a Comment

Medical cannabis dispensaries in Ohio officially sold the first legal plant medicine this week. According to a report from Ohio 10 TV, four dispensaries were open for the first day of sales. This is good news for patients in need of cannabis medicine, but the state’s program is definitely not without its fair share of complications.

The state government has issued over 56 licenses to dispensaries, but unfortunately, only four of those were open this week – two in Wintersville, one in Canton, and one in Sandusky. A dispensary in the Cleveland area also expects to open within the next few days, according to Ohio 10 TV.

And only cannabis growers are currently licensed and certified to operate. Processing and manufacturing facilities for cannabis will still have to wait longer to be licensed, which is naturally causing some challenges. The medical program in Ohio currently allows for physicians to recommend patients use medical cannabis if they have one of 21 qualifying conditions. At this time, only cannabis flowers are being sold. Edibles, vape pens and tinctures will be available for purchase once the processing centers are open and operating.

As we are seeing with other legal states, the prices of the first legal cannabis being sold in Ohio are sky-high. An ounce of cannabis in Ohio medical cannabis dispensaries costs an astronomical $500. This, of course, isn’t including what it costs to see a doctor for a recommendation, and any costs for a medical card itself. This is a shame, because such high costs encourage the black market to flourish.

In addition to the high costs of the product itself, the medical cannabis program in Ohio has been delayed several times. Cannabis sales were initially slated to being last September, but regulators say that the quality of license applicants was lacking. Ohio Senate Minority Leader Kenny Yuko, a cannabis legalization advocate, made a public statement criticizing the regulatory officials in the state for delaying sales and making patients wait for the cannabis medicine they need. He says that the number of dispensaries and processor licenses needs to continue to grow, creating “An opportunity for the new governor to do right by people who are suffering,” he said.

Yuko went on to urge Ohio Governor Mike DeWine to prioritize the growth of the medical cannabis program in the state. At any rate, at least some Ohio patients are finally given access to the medicine that they need and have been waiting for, and hopefully the program continues to expand successfully.

Ohio Medical Cannabis Dispensaries Officially Open
Source: Marijuana Times

Cuomo Unveils Cannabis Legalization Plan for New York State

January 17, 2019 by Staff Writer Leave a Comment

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo’s long pivot towards cannabis legalization came to a head at the close of 2018. In mid-December, the Governor who once considered cannabis a gateway drug announced his emphasis on legalizing adult-use cannabis in the state. Cuomo went so far as to call on lawmakers to legalize marijuana within a busy first 100 days of the Governor’s third term in office.

Well over 60% of New Yorkers support legalization for scores of reasons. For Governor Cuomo, the reason is mainly driven by criminal justice reform. The move would be part of a proposed justice agenda that also focuses on stronger gun control laws.

Since the announcement, New Yorkers have waited to learn more about the proposed cannabis plan. On Tuesday, January 15th, the Governor released additional information about his administration’s plans during his State of the State address. The excitement was clearly felt right at the top when the Governor opened by proclaiming that 2019 was going to be a great year.

Cuomo’s plan centers on an environmental plan referred to as the Green New Deal. This is not to be confused with Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s Green New Deal. Though, both plans do have overlap when it comes to environmental.

The Governor’s plan to legalize adult-use cannabis hopes to come within the first 100 days of the year. However, a jam-packed agenda consisting of, but not limited to, women’s equal rights, criminal justice reform, broadband internet for all and election reform could bog down the efforts.

“Stop the disproportionate impact on communities of color,” the Governor emphatically said while highlighting the plan. He added, “And let’s create an industry that empowers the poor communities that paid the price and not the rich corporations who come in to make a profit.”

About an hour into the address, the Governor would elaborate on his adult-use program plans. Citing the findings of reviews the Governor launched last year, Cuomo called for a regulated market for adults 21 and over. Once again, an emphasis was placed on empowering poor communities instead of rich entities. Cuomo called this “an economic opportunity.”

Cuomo went on to touch on a few key topics of the plan. Highlighting the list was once again criminal justice reform. With legalization, communities of color should feel less of an impact concerning criminalization; which currently affects these communities at rates of 8:1 to white communities despite similar usage rates. The plan also aims to correct some past wrongs in the justice system by automatically sealing certain cannabis arrest records.

The plan also believes that it will provide quality control to a market that can only regulate medical cannabis consumption under the current laws. It was also announced that counties and large cities could opt out of the program. This option has not sat well with some State Senators. In a tweet, Julia Salazar, representing the state’s 18th District, called the option unacceptable.

A marijuana legalization proposal that allows counties & large cities to “opt-out” of the regulations that would empower directly impacted communities is unacceptable.

New Yorkers have been enormously harmed by criminalization. Alleviating that harm must be our top priority.

— Julia Salazar (@JuliaCarmel__) January 15, 2019

Closing out this portion of the address, Governor Cuomo projected the state would earn $300 million in tax revenue, though no timeline was specified. The plan should also create “good union jobs that we need”, according to Cuomo, though no numbers were projected during the address.

Watch the full State of the State address below:

Some had hoped that Cuomo would use the address to speak more to specifics related to the program. That said, a packed agenda left the Governor little time to go in-depth on most topics during the nearly hour and a half speech. However, more details were made available in the Governor’s fiscal year 2020 executive budget financial plan.

Provisions include the enactment of the Cannabis Regulation and Taxation Act which would tax $1 per dry weight gram of flower cultivated and $.25 per dry weight gram of trim. A second 20% tax would be imposed on a wholesalers invoice to retail dispensaries. Wholesalers also face a 2% tax on the same sale “but collected in trust for and on account of the county in which the retail dispensary is located.”

Ryan Lepore, a Business Operations Specialist for the telemedicine company PrestoDoctor thought that “Cuomo was very vague in his approach to unveiling the program – though the summary was on the correct track.” He added, “The devil is in the details with any new program or system, especially with something as complicated as an adult-use cannabis program.”

The prospects for legalization appear to be in the state’s favor. With Massachusetts already luring New Yorkers across the border for legal cannabis, the pressure is on. With the impending legalization in New Jersey, New York lawmakers understand that a significant sum of money will be lost as long as the state is bookended by neighboring legal states.

Speaking of state lawmakers, legalization hopes received a significant boost when the 2019 session of Congress began. For the first time since 2010, Democrats gained full control of the state government. This should all but ensure that New York’s agenda for cannabis and several other subjects remains progressive until, at the very least, the next elections are held.

Governor Cuomo’s insistence on cannabis reform is a stark contrast from the Governor of just a year or two ago. However, the change has cannabis near the top of the list of priorities during his third term as Governor. Passing the law within the first 100 days could be difficult with a large sum of high-priority legislation on deck. That said, cannabis legislation means criminal justice reform and additional income for the state. It is likely that the multiple benefits associated won’t be lost on Cuomo or other state lawmakers. Only time will tell if this comes to fruition in the first 100 days or in 2019 at all.

Cuomo Unveils Cannabis Legalization Plan for New York State
Source: Marijuana Times

Michigan Sees A Shortage of Medical Cannabis So Unlicensed Facilities Are Re-opened

January 17, 2019 by Staff Writer Leave a Comment

At the beginning of the year Michigan legislature required that all non-licensed medical marijuana dispensaries shut down until proper licensing is obtained. Unfortunately, the closing of over 70 dispensaries left very few with their doors open to patients. This, in turn, abruptly left many patients without access to their medicine.

Last Wednesday, the Medical Marihuana Licensing Board agreed in a unanimous 4-0 vote to allow dispensaries that are in the process of applying for a license and have a local buy-in to re-open their doors – at least until March 31st.

“We have heard from Michiganders closely affected by the ongoing transition to licensed marijuana facilities,” Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said in a news release Tuesday. “It is important that we ensure that patients have access to their medicine while the medical marijuana industry continues to develop.”

Along with the lack of open dispensaries, 72 unlicensed provisioning centers were closed at the start of the year and there are not enough established licensed growers in the state. All of this has led to an extreme shortage of product. Regulators have now put temporary regulations in place in an effort to fix this problem, allowing licensed provisioning centers to continue buying marijuana from a caregiver or temporarily operating facility and sell it without testing it until March 31st.

“There is a shortage of supply in the market because there are only a handful of licensed growers in Michigan,” Jeff Schroder with law firm Plunkett Cooney said. “This would allow dispensaries and retail provisioning centers to purchase their quantities from caregivers again.”

However, patients are required to sign an acknowledgement that states that the product has not met complete testing requirements before they are able to purchase it. As it stands now, there are nearly 300,000 medical marijuana cardholders in the state of Michigan. For several years they have been purchasing their medical marijuana from local dispensaries that get their product from unlicensed growers or even local caregivers – so most of them are frustrated with the less than smooth transition to a more regulated market.

“I think it’s a step forward,” said The Reef’s Rush Hassan. “It’s definitely a short term solution but it does open up patient access for these products.”

Until the medical marijuana industry in the state is functioning optimally, it will be almost impossible to successfully roll out the recreational industry that was legalized in November 2018. Hopefully by the time these temporary regulations expire at the end of March there will be enough licenses for the industry to properly sustain itself.

Michigan Sees A Shortage of Medical Cannabis So Unlicensed Facilities Are Re-opened
Source: Marijuana Times

Is Medical Marijuana Denial the New Flat Earth?

January 16, 2019 by Staff Writer Leave a Comment

No matter how many people say something is true, there will always be a segment of the population that will deny the truth of it no matter what evidence they are shown. To be clear, there is something to be said for a healthy amount of skepticism; humanity wouldn’t have lasted long without it.

But the stalwart denial of something in the face of overwhelming evidence goes beyond mere skepticism. In most cases, it doesn’t matter on a practical level. For instance, if people gather in groups online and in real life to discuss why they believe the Earth is flat, it really doesn’t affect anyone else. Prohibitions haven’t been enacted by governments over adult human beings based on Flat Earth. People haven’t gone to jail for thinking the Earth is round and acting accordingly.

Marijuana, however, was prohibited by those who claimed it had no worth and was dangerous for people to use. For their own good, citizens had to be barred from possessing, growing, selling or consuming cannabis.

While much of this has been wiped away, there still remain to this day people who claim that cannabis has no medical value. I’m not talking about government officials who say that because the only substances they will admit are medicine are those that are FDA-approved; I’m talking about people who really believe that every person who claims to have medical ailments alleviated by cannabis use is either delusional or lying because they are trying to justify their urge to get high.

Is this group of people small? Maybe so, relatively speaking. But they each have a vote and many of them also have deep pockets and they use those deep pockets to fight legalization measures across the country.

Sadly, all it would take for these people to see their error is for someone they know to get sick and be helped by medical cannabis. It happens all the time. But some refuse to see. The evidence is there, even if they don’t see what medical marijuana can do on a personal level. Studies show people using cannabis to get off prescription painkillers, and there are studies that show cannabis use being effective for treating pain, nausea and a myriad of other ailments.

But beyond the studies are the millions of people who will tell you that they use cannabis to help with medical problems – millions of people who are able to function because cannabis exists. Telling those people that you think marijuana has no medical value makes you sound like a moron.

And if you truly believe that cannabis has no medical value, maybe moron is the best word to use to describe you. Perhaps your absolute refusal to look deeper into an issue you espouse an opinion on brings you the ridicule you deserve.

Is Medical Marijuana Denial the New Flat Earth?
Source: Marijuana Times

The Power of Ignorance

January 14, 2019 by Staff Writer Leave a Comment

Ignorance doesn’t discriminate. It is not exclusive to any race, creed, religion, economic status or intelligence level. This is because ignorance often comes down to a simple lack of perspective – and lack of perspective is a flaw every human can succumb to.

In our minds we tend to exclude some groups of people from those who fall prey to this flaw; we put our trust in them as authorities and experts, and we often – whether we mean to or not – let them make decisions for us.

But a so-called person of authority can be just as ignorant about a subject as anyone else. The fact that people see them as an authority or expert on a matter may be the very reason they are blind to seeing a subject from another perspective.

As an example, let us examine a recent op-ed written by Dr. John C. Ropp III, chairman of the Board of the South Carolina Medical Association. It is a screed of jumbled misconceptions and odd justifications so full of ignorance about cannabis that one would have to assume the author had never really looked into the issue at all.

You see, Dr. Ropp thinks that the consideration of medical marijuana in South Carolina is ill-considered because he feels that doctors shouldn’t be the ones in charge of making decisions about cannabis, at least until others in the federal government tell them that it’s okay.

Of legislators in South Carolina, Dr. Ropp said they “intend to have this debate as though it were a medical issue by making physicians the singular access point for the ‘marijuana drug.’” Beyond the offensive ignorance inherent in the phrase “as though it were a medical issue”, Dr. Ropp seems to be saying that there is a problem with doctors making decisions on matters of health, an odd abdication of responsibility by someone who presumes to speak for all doctors in the state.

Dr. Ropp feels it is wrong to force “physicians to decide who can and cannot have access to marijuana.” On this I can agree with the good doctor. The only person’s permission needed for someone to ingest marijuana should be the person themselves. But, of course, Dr. Ropp thinks that no one should have the power to decide such matters, at least not until the government has decreed it so.

Dr. Ropp then spends two paragraphs explaining the Controlled Substances Act and why marijuana is placed under Schedule 1, as if the placement of cannabis on that list is in any way justified.

“As physicians, our main concern is medical safety and efficacy, which can only be clearly determined for marijuana after controlled scientific testing on a widespread peer-reviewed basis,” he writes. “For decades, the DEA, FDA, and National Institutes of Health have all agreed on this same process.”

So until the authorities that have wrongly kept marijuana as Schedule I for almost 50 years decide that they made an error and rectify the situation, Dr. Ropp thinks putting the power to recommend marijuana in the hands of doctors is a dangerous proposition. Until the FDA – the agency that has approved drugs that kill tens of thousands of people every year while cannabis has never killed anyone – deems cannabis a medicine, it should not be considered as one.

Ignorance is a powerful thing, but it shouldn’t have the power to deny human beings sovereignty over their own bodies when it comes to what medicine they are allowed to ingest.

The Power of Ignorance
Source: Marijuana Times

A Look Back at One Year of Adult Use Marijuana Sales in California

January 12, 2019 by Staff Writer Leave a Comment

For obvious reasons, the cannabis industry in California gets a lot of coverage, both from the “cannabis media” and from more mainstream outlets. As many know, the consumer market in California is huge; by itself, California boasts one of the largest economies in the world. Comprising about 12% of the entire country’s population, California holds 10 million+ more people than live in Texas and its population is roughly the same as those of Florida and New York combined. In other words, it’s big and there are a lot of people there.

In November of 2016 – after 20 years of medical marijuana – voters in CA approved recreational marijuana legalization, with sales beginning in January of 2018. We covered much of the journey of the last year here at The Marijuana Times, from the good news to the most ridiculous. High taxes and restrictive regulations kept a lid on explosive growth, forcing many smaller competitors out of business before they really got started.

Some of the problems were anticipated by activists in the state. “[T]hese problems were foreseeable from the outset, from the time the legislature passed the Medical Marijuana Regulation and Safety Act (2015), the template on which the current regulations are based,” Dale Gieringer, Director of CA NORML, told The Marijuana Times.

“It was inevitable that CA’s culture of backyard ‘mom & pop’ growers would be unable to compete in a legalized market,” Dale said. “It’s not like the parsley, tomatoes, or grapes we buy in the store are produced by small-scale backyard farmers. Modern day agriculture is performed most economically by large agribusiness enterprises.”

This new reality means that the demand served by small growers before legalization will now be met for the most part by large-scale growers. “Sadly, there was no way that all of these legacy growers could be accommodated under legalization. (I say sadly, because many of them were friends and supporters during the 40-year struggle for legalization),” Dale told us.

And while focus is on the adult use industry, Dale also wants lawmakers to keep an eye on improving the newly regulated medical marijuana program in CA. “[I]t’s most important that access for medical patients be protected and expanded, especially since MMJ has proven to be an effective harm reduction substitute for prescription opiates. Existing taxes and regulations have made it harder for needy patients to get affordable access to the medicine they need.” Along these lines, CA NORML would like to see the state protect medical marijuana patient giveaways as well as create employment and prescription drug protections for medical patients in the state.

Overall, Dale thinks the bureau that oversees adult use cannabis in California is doing a good job, considering the restraints it operates under. “Under Lori Ajax’s leadership, the Bureau of Cannabis Control has been very responsive to industry and consumer concerns. We are especially happy that they have ruled that local governments can’t ban licensed deliveries to residents in their jurisdictions. The problem is that there is only so much BCC can do within the straightjacket of existing state laws. For example, there’s nothing BCC can do to spur local governments to license more dispensaries. Nor can they streamline the laws that have chopped up transportation, cultivation, distribution, testing, manufacturing, etc. into so many rigidly discrete categories.”

The potential of the cannabis market in California is massive. Hopefully they are laying the groundwork for an industry that serves consumers with the best products at the lowest prices – something that should be the goal no matter what the industry.

A Look Back at One Year of Adult Use Marijuana Sales in California
Source: Marijuana Times

Massachusetts Could See Cannabis Cafes in the Near Future

January 11, 2019 by Staff Writer Leave a Comment

Cannabis enthusiasts in Massachusetts could soon be given the option to legally consume the plant in public in cafes and lounges, after the State Advisory Board’s public safety subcommittee voted to recommend such activities be legalized. NBC Boston reports that the measure to recommend legal social consumption spaces passed by a 5-2 vote. The same board also unanimously voted to allow legal home delivery of cannabis products.

While adult-use recreational cannabis is now legal in ten states and Washington D.C., consumption in public spaces is still off-limits, usually punishable by a fine if caught. These restrictions on cannabis consumption are often frustrating to advocates of the plant medicine, considering there are no shortages of the public consumption of tobacco and alcohol.

Walpole Police Chief John Carmichael was one of the only two parties who voted no at the committee meeting, trotting out the same antiquated prohibitionist rhetoric that we’ve seen debunked countless times. Carmichael claimed legal cannabis cafes and lounges would lead to more intoxicated drivers on the roads, which is a claim that has been proven false time and time again.

Chief Carmichael also claimed that cannabis cafes would be targets for robberies, which is a talking point we haven’t seen much of, and a curious one at that. Are liquor stores, bars and tobacco shops higher targets for robberies? It’s a bit of a surprise that Carmichael didn’t bring up increased youth cannabis usage and overconsumption, which are two other prohibitionist talking points that simply hold little to no water.

The recommendation from the public safety committee to legalize public cannabis consumption now makes its way to another layer of unnecessary bureaucracy for final consideration, which is the Cannabis Control Commission. The five-member panel oversees all of the regulations for the state of Massachusetts.

“The commission would need to reopen and amend its current regulations to allow for social consumption and delivery licenses in the commonwealth,” Maryalice Grill, the commission’s press secretary, said in a statement.

Many cannabis advocates would likely argue that it should be left up to the taxpayers whether they want legal consumption spaces, but that’s how the state currently operates. Massachusetts came close to legalizing public cannabis consumption spaces when the plant was first legalized for recreational purposes back in 2017. The state governor shot down cannabis cafes then, but now the idea is resurfacing. Will public consumption of cannabis be legal in Massachusetts? Only time will tell.

Massachusetts Could See Cannabis Cafes in the Near Future
Source: Marijuana Times

Important Tips for Using CBD for Dogs

January 10, 2019 by Staff Writer Leave a Comment

The cannabis plant has a variety of compounds that include CBD, flavonoids, terpenoids, and phytocannabinoids. Humans have specific cannabinoid receptor sites that are located in the brain and the central nervous system. Additionally, the sites are also found in the immune cells of the peripheral organs. Cannabis has wide benefits for human health, but it can also be beneficial for your dog. CBD for dogs can be used to treat pets suffering from a number of different ailments.

How CBD can help your dog

CBD oil for dogs can help treat both acute and chronic diseases. Among the chronic conditions, it can help with digestive issues, aggression, stress responses, and arthritis. Research from veterinarians shows that CBD is useful in the treatment of bone breaks, strains, and torn ligaments in dogs. It’s commonly used during post-operative care as it helps to reduce stiffness, pain, and swelling. If you are using conventional drugs on your dog for any of these ailments, then the use of CBD may make it possible to achieve therapeutic effects with lower doses of the drugs.

Straight CBD for dogs that is derived from hemp may be what will get your dog going again. According to a survey conducted in 2016 at the Colorado State University, 72% of those surveyed reported having used a hemp-based cannabis product on their dog(s), and 64% of those surveyed also admitted that the product was helpful to their dog(s). In a 2018 report by the American Veterinarian, various types of cannabis were a priority for veterinarians as the research into pain management and symptoms relief benefits was showing positive results.

Is it safe to give your dog CBD?

Most vets will agree that it is not safe to give your dog CBD with high amounts of THC, which is the psychoactive ingredient in cannabis. There are plenty of reasons why you should not. The most common being dogs may not enjoy THC the same way humans do and it might turn out to be dangerous. CBD oil for dogs is derived from the hemp plant, which has low amounts of THC. Most have 0.03% of THC – which is often the recommended percentage for use in health applications.

For those buying CBD for dogs online, it is advisable to do your research before buying. This will help you to avoid falling prey to the hype in the market. It is also important to seek impartial views in order to see what other people are saying concerning the product. Most CBD bought online comes from industrial hemp. The extraction process involves the use of solvents like hexane and butane. When these solvents are not properly handled they may leave a toxic residue. This is one of the reasons you should do your research on the company you intend to buy your CBD products from. The research should include how they make their products and any unbiased reviews.

CBD should also be placed in a safe place away from the dog as they may probably eat more than they should if they happen to find it. This is most important for CBD dog products like CBD dog biscuits and treats. The products should be kept in a safe place, such as behind a locked door.

Treating dog conditions with CBD oil

Relieving pain and inflammation

The most popular benefit of using hemp oil for dogs is in the treatment of inflammation and pain relief. Many types of health conditions result in pain. Although inflammation is part of the healing process, it may lead to an increase in pain and discomfort for your dog. Studies have shown that CBD helps to interrupt the pain signals through suppression. This happens in the brain, which helps to alleviate both chronic and acute pain in your dog.

Reduces anxiety and stress

Dogs can develop anxiety and stress from loud noises and alarms. Conversely, dogs may also experience stress and anxiety when they are in a crowded place or riding in a car. Some of the symptoms of stress in a dog include excessive panting, reduced appetite, behavioral changes, and shaking. CBD oil for dogs might help to reduce situational stress or anxiety in a dog. According to researchers, serotonin plays a significant role in helping to reduce anxiety.

Tips for using CBD for Dogs

These guidelines for the health and safety of your dog should be followed if you decide to give CBD a try.

Start low: The dosage of CBD from hemp varies in regards to the product. It is very important to follow the dosage directions, which are stated on the product label. It is recommended to use CBD for dogs according to the weight of your pet. Conversely, some pets may use more or less CBD depending on their current condition. The general rule is to always be conservative and ensure you observe your dog over the course of a few days to check for adverse effects.
Use oil: CBD oil for dogs can easily be mixed in food and is the main choice for most pet owners. The oil allows for easier absorption of the cannabis into the body. In addition, it produces less intense effects which are long-lasting.
Consult with a veterinarian: When it comes to cannabis for pets, many vets are getting on board. Some vets have received special training on cannabis and you may easily be informed by a vet on the safest and best way of using CBD for dogs.
Monitor your dog: The first time you give your dog cannabis it is important to keep an eye on them. Monitor your dog on a daily basis to see if there are any changes to the conditions being treated. The best way to do this is to keep a log of the day and amount of dosage you administered in case you may want to change the dosage in the future.
Go organic: It is important to avoid exposing your dog to pesticides. The hemp oil for dogs you use should be safely produced. You also should ensure that it is also organically sourced.

When you decide to introduce CBD products to your dogs, there are many considerations that you have to bear in mind. They range from proper dosage to choosing the best and safest products. Keep in mind that dogs, just like humans, stand to benefit a lot from this extract, but that will depend on how it is administered.

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

Important Tips for Using CBD for Dogs
Source: Marijuana Times

Vermont Supreme Court Says The Scent of Marijuana is Not Grounds for Search and Seizure

January 10, 2019 by Staff Writer Leave a Comment

It’s a known fact to those pushing for cannabis legalization that there are a number of problems when it comes to how the criminalization of cannabis has been enforced. All around the country people are arrested daily for cannabis possession, with a large majority of those people being minorities. This is one of the biggest reasons that so many individual municipalities have moved towards decriminalization to help end the unnecessary arrests.

After two years, the Vermont Supreme Court reached a unanimous decision that could drastically reduce the number of people arrested on cannabis possession – the smell of marijuana is not grounds for search and seizure.

“Police have had enormous discretion to stop and search motorists, including for erroneous or pretextual reasons and on the basis of implicit or explicit bias,” said Lia Ernst, the ACLU attorney who argued the case. “In ruling that police can be liable for such acts, this decision sends a clear message — no one is above the law, and if police make bad stops, they can and will be held accountable.”

This comes after Gregory Zullo was pulled over because snow was covering the registration sticker on his license plate – which is not a traffic violation. His vehicle was then seized by State Trooper Lewis Hatch, who justified the search and seizure by claiming to have smelled marijuana. In Vermont, neither the license plate issue nor the marijuana are illegal – so Zullo sued and the court ruled in his favor.

The National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL), which submitted a joint amicus brief in 2018 in support of Zullo, lauded the decision: “All people in this country should be able to trust that law enforcement is not targeting them for any improper purpose. And now the Vermont Supreme Court has held that the people of Vermont have a path to vindicate their rights should they be so violated.”

Originally, the state court had dismissed the lawsuit, claiming the officer was immune from being sued. However, the state high court reinstated the case, deciding that officers could be sued for discriminatory searches and seizures in violation of the Vermont Constitution.

In a time when cannabis is becoming legal for recreational use in more and more states – including Vermont – it makes sense that the scent of marijuana, especially a faint scent, should not be enough to warrant a search. In many cities and states, marijuana is now only a ticketed offense, with the intention of reducing the number of arrests and hours wasted due to criminalization.

Vermont Supreme Court Says The Scent of Marijuana is Not Grounds for Search and Seizure
Source: Marijuana Times