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News
Cops Arrest Fairfax County Man Who Accidentally Tried to Sell Them Weed
An extremely unlucky Virginia man was arrested for trying to sell weed to a cop after accidentally dialing and texting to a wrong number. No really. That has got to be the unluckiest case of a wrong number that I’ve ever heard. The man who the Fairfax County Police Department have refused to identify sent the text, “HMU if you wanna get together. I’ve got some nice ins we can burn” to one of their detectives instead of one of his stoner buddies. Fairfax County PD sent an officer to a predetermined location and arrested the man, who had a pound of weed on him. Wait, isn’t this entrapment at this point? I’m not all that knowledgeable about the law, but this seems like it would be entrapment. Feel free to chime in in the comments below with the answer. Things got worse for the would-be weed dealer, when cops obtained a warrant, found another pound at his house and charged him with possession with intent to distribute. Fairfax County PD then decided to gloat about the incident on social media. Source: Facebook The whole incident is pretty funny albeit unfortunate. I cringed pretty hard when I read “New phone, who dis,” on the post. I hate it when cops try to be all hip and cool, as though they’re not there to ruin our good time. Let this be a lesson to all of you: double check that you’re calling and texting the right number. You never know when you might be dialing a cop. Source: Fox News Image Source: VideoBlocks Got anything you’d like to add? Maybe you or someone you know has had a similar encounter. Tell us in the comments!
Snoop Dogg and Patrick Stewart are Investing in a Cannabis Company
Two of my all time favorite stoner celebrities, Snoop Dogg and Sir Patrick Stewart are investing in a British cannabis company together, which will of course mean great things for the company in question. Snoop has invested a total of 10 million dollars in Oxford Cannabinoid Technologies via his venture capital firm Casa Verde (literally: greenhouse). Casa Verde focuses on the aspects of the cannabis industry that are often ignored such as financial services, laboratories, and wellness companies. This investment will greatly help Oxford Cannabinoid Technologies as they conduct research on the ability of cannabis to treat medical conditions such as cancer, gastrointestinal diseases and of course inflammation. Patrick Stewart is also supporting OCT’s research efforts. The actor came out as a cannabis user a couple years ago, saying that he uses cannabis daily to treat his arthritis. Stewart said in a statement, “I am proud to become a patron of OCT. It’s wonderful that OCT have got together the funding that means that Britain will lead the way in what is, in my view, one of the world’s most exciting fields of medical research. The possibilities seem to me to be virtually limitless." The former Star Trek captain will also serve on OCT’s advisory board. This is good news for OCT, which will now be able to conduct this highly important research (no pun intended). With the attention that the joint investment will no doubt bring them, other benefactors will surely begin to come out of the woodwork. Source: Independent Image Source: FeedYeti Got anything to add? Do you think other stoner celebs will jump on board? Tell us in the comments!
Snoop Dogg Mixes World's Largest Gin and Juice
It’s been an exciting year for Snoop Dogg. Last month he discovered a pine cone while chilling at BFF Martha Stewart’s house in New York. He wrapped up the second season of his VH1 cooking show. Now the hip hop guru and king of kind bud is breaking world records. At last month’s BottleRock Napa Valley Music Festival in California, Snoop Dogg delighted attendees by mixing the world’s largest paradise cocktail, according to Guinness World Records. Snoop once sang about the joys of sippin' on gin and juice, so it seems appropriate that he would end up making the largest gin and juice of all time. The record breaking drink contained 180 1 ¾ liter bottles of gin, 156 1 liter bottles of apricot flavored brandy and 28 3.78 liter jugs of orange juice. Imagine the hangover you would get after drinking that! Snoop Dogg with Warren G and one giant gin and juice. Image Source: Guinness World Records Snoop Dogg and 90s icon Warren G garnished the drink with a giant drinking straw, a matching giant parasol, and a whole watermelon impaled on a sword. The giant gin and juice was then dispersed among lucky backstage pass holders. The idea was to create a memorable festival for attendees. I imagine that would certainly do the trick! Source: Guinness World Records Image Source: YouTube Can you imagine drinking a giant gin and juice like this? Tell us your thoughts below in the comments!
Which 4 States Will Legalize This Year?
This year looks like it will be a good year for cannabis legalization as four states are putting cannabis on the ballot. The best news, it looks as though each ballot measure stands a good chance of passing. So, who’s putting cannabis on the ballot this year? Oklahoma First up we have Oklahoma, who will be voting on a measure to legalize medical cannabis later on this month. Oklahoma governor Republican Mary Fallin announced the date of the vote back in January. Fallin herself is not so keen on the idea, citing that there are other ways to deal with the state’s current budget crisis. Regardless of governor Fallin’s feelings, the measure stands a good chance of passing, as more than 6 out of 10 voters approve of legalizing medical cannabis. Michigan After failing to get the necessary number of signatures in 2016, it looks as though Michigan will finally be putting recreational cannabis on the ballot this November. If passed, the measure would legalize cannabis use for all adults 21 and up. The initiative would also set up a tax of 10 percent on retail sales, as well as legalize hemp cultivation. This measure also stands a good chance of passing as 61 percent of voters support legalization, according to a public policy poll by Michigan State University. Missouri Legalization advocacy group New Approach Missouri managed to get almost 400K signatures (more than twice of what was needed) to get a ballot initiative to legalize medical cannabis. If the initiative passes it would legalize the cultivation and sale of cannabis for medical use only. A four percent sales tax would be applied, which would be used to help pay for medical treatment for veterans. The initiative would also allow physicians to recommend cannabis to their patients if they’re suffering from any of the following medical conditions: epilepsy, cancer, MS, and Alzheimer’s. Considering that the petition got more than twice the amount of necessary signatures to get on the ballot, I think it’s safe to say that the ballot measure will pass. Utah With Utah, things get a little trickier, simply because of the Mormon church which is pretty vehemently opposed to legalizing medical cannabis. Support for the measure is pretty high though with more than 75 percent of Utah residents in support of legalization. Will we see as big a victory for cannabis in these states as we did in 2016? I think so! Image Source: Palladium Times Do you live in one of these states? Do you think these measures will pass? Tell us in the comments!
Cannabis has Found a New Demographic: Seniors!
For as long as anyone can remember, cannabis use has been associated with young people. If you were to picture the archetype of the stereotypical stoner, you would probably picture a young man in his late teens or twenties. Now, as cannabis is legalized in more and more states and cannabis use begins to become more normalized, we are beginning to see the demographic of the average cannabis user change quite a bit. One of the fastest growing demographics: senior citizens. By now it is well known that cannabis can be used to treat a number of different medical ailments, such as aches and pains, inflammation, seizures, arthritis, and even diabetes, just to name a few. What do most of these medical conditions have in common? They are common in people over 55. Seniors are discovering that cannabis is more effective at treating their medical conditions than any of the other medications they were using, and they love it! Cannabis use is becoming so popular with seniors that there is even a chartered bus that residents of Laguna Woods Village, an “active-lifestyle community” in Orange County, California board a chartered bus once a month to visit a dispensary. The bus, which is affectionately referred to as the “cannabus” is paid for by Bud and Bloom, a dispensary located in Santa Ana, that advertises itself as being “senior friendly.” The seniors who visit the dispensary each month look forward to their visit like little kids look forward to Christmas. Most of them were introduced to cannabis by their grandchildren or other younger members of their families. Many in the group bring “shopping lists” filled with requests from their friends. The employees at Bud and Bloom are happy to answer any questions the seniors might have. A discussion about how to make cannabutter might take place in one part of the dispensary, as another couple asks questions about topicals. It’s heartening to see so many seniors getting their lives back since they started using cannabis. They are able to remain active and enjoy the many activities that their community offers. Hopefully this trend continues. Source: CNN Image Source: Westworld Do you know of any seniors that have been helped by using cannabis? Got anything else to add? Share with us in the comment section!
Ricky Williams is Now in the Cannabiz with Real Wellness
Former NFL star and Dolphins running back Ricky Williams has now entered the cannabiz by starting his long promised cannabis lifestyle brand, Real Wellness. Williams was a former Heisman trophy winner with a promising career, but he was best known for his cannabis use, at a time when even casual use was deeply stigmatized by the general public. Williams ended up retiring early after failing a drug test. After retirement Ricky Williams began to devote himself full time to becoming a “holistic healer”, and is even studying for a PhD in Chinese medicine. Williams said of his post retirement time, “When I left I started to train as a healer, I started to study and learn about herbs, so it dawned on me cannabis is an herb and these are other herbs so I started playing with herbs and creating formulas to help myself and family and friends.” Real Wellness consists of six different products, all designed by Williams. "It’s been all on me creating these formulas. I did research on what people were searching for herbal remedies and medicinal marijuana, I looked at lists of all ailments and consulted with my instructors and mentors and together we came up with formulas we feel really good about," he said. He also founded the first cannabis friendly gym, Power Plant Fitness. “The most exciting part for me is the story that at one point people thought it was one thing but I’ve pushed through, educated myself, gained knowledge and wisdom and have now offered something to my community,” he said. He’s right. Ricky Williams was once considered one of the bad boys of the NFL, someone who left a promising career to just go smoke weed all the time. He certainly showed the doubters and haters. Source: nbcsandiego.com Image Source: Sports Illustrated Will you be testing out Ricky Williams’ Real Wellness line? Tell us in the comments!
John Boehner Joins Cannabis Board
Ex Speaker of the House and current tobacco industry representative, John Boehner has recently jioned the board of a cannabis advisory board. I have somewhat mixed feelings about this. This week Boehner, whose name I love to intentionally mispronounce, announced last week that he would be joining the board of Acreage Holdings, which cultivates, processes and delivers cannabis in 11 states in the US. Some news sources are touting this as a sign that cannabis has gone mainstream, and to a certain extent they are right. While he was in Congress Boehner was not close lipped about his opposition to cannabis use. For years he maintained that cannabis should remain illegal. Now, all of a sudden there is a change of heart. According to Boehner, “Over the last 10 or 15 years, the American people’s attitudes have changed dramatically. I find myself in that same position,” he said in an interview. Why the sudden change of heart? Some, myself included, have surmised that Boehner has seen the changing tide and decided to jump on board. You see, Boehner knows that cannabis legalization is inevitable and he wants to get on the that money train. One can imagine that being on the board of a tobacco company is not that profitable. As of the last Gallup poll, a majority of Americans support legalizing cannabis. It’s of course likely that Boehner has seen the light, but I doubt it. Regardless, it doesn’t matter all that much in the long run. Acreage is convinced that Boehner’s involvement will help with the long term legalization effort. They’re probably right. Boehner does after all know his way around the legislative chamber; there’s no doubt he could be of some use when passing new cannabis legislation. The only issue is that I don’t remember Boehner being all that effective when he was in the US House. The thing that stands out the most clearly in my mind is him resigning from his position as Speaker of the House. Acreage is looking at this as a positive thing for the industry, Bloomberg reports. “It is difficult to overstate the impact of this monumental event for the U.S. cannabis sector,” says Vahan Ajamian, an analyst for Beacon Securities Ltd., an investment banking company in Canada. Boehner is also joined by former Massachusetts governor William Weld, who was also Libertarian party candidate Gary Johnson’s running mate in the last election. How will this venture turn out for the cannabis industry? I have some mixed feelings about it. Source: Bloomberg Image Source: NY Magazine Is Boehner joining the cannabis industry a good thing or a bad thing? Discuss amongst yourselves in the comments!
New Bill Would Legalize Cannabis in New Jersey
A new bill making its way around the New Jersey legislature would make a move towards legalizing recreational cannabis in the state. The new legislation, proposed by Assemblyman Reed Gusciora (D-Mercer) would allow for more than 400 dispensaries in the state and a much lower tax rate than the one that was originally proposed by legalization advocates in the past. Medical cannabis is currently legal in the state of New Jersey, but the medical cannabis program in the state is very restrictive, mostly due to opposition by former governor Chris Christie. Governor Christie made his opposition to legalizing cannabis widely known and has said many times that he would fight legalization tooth and nail. In contrast, while he was campaigning for governor, new governor Phil Murphy said that he would legalize cannabis for recreational use should a bill pass his desk. Though legalization is a popular idea in the state, there are still many who oppose it, particularly members of anti-legalization groups. Some lawmakers are saying that decriminalization would be the next logical step. Some have cited concerns that DUIs have gone up and more teens are using cannabis. Neither are true, as a matter of fact. Teen cannabis use is at its lowest point in two decades. Governor Murphy disagrees with them. "[decriminalization] will not help protect our kids and it will not end the racial disparities (in cannabis arrests) we see," Murphy said. Gusciora’s bill calls for as many as 400 retail marijuana dispensaries, 10 in each of New Jersey's 40 legislative districts, with a minimum of two dispensaries in each. Gusciora's bill starts at a 7 percent tax rate for the first two years, before rising to 10 percent during years 3 and 4. The cannabis tax rate then caps at 15 percent beginning in the fifth year. Will this be the beginning of a new era for cannabis in New Jersey? It certainly seems inevitable at this point. Source: Asbury Park Press Will recreational cannabis be legalized in New Jersey? Tell us in the comments!
There's No Weed Allowed at Coachella
Recreational weed is legal in California, so that means you’ll be able to smoke up while you’re hanging out at Coachella, right? Nope, as it turns out. Coachella has not embraced the rest of the state’s enlightened attitude toward cannabis and have instead decided to completely ban it. It’s not all that surprising of a move. Despite the popular music festival’s progressive appearance, it is anything but. Over the years since Coachella was first established, the festival has become a shell of what it once was, a haven for corporate greed, as well as girls in obnoxious headresses. What even is the lineup this year? Is anyone good playing? Don’t get me wrong, I’m sure there are one or two or five awesome bands there that I would be dying to see, but if there’s not only not going to be any ganja to smoke, but bringing it in is actively banned, I can think of other things that I would rather do the weekend of Coachella. Maybe I’ll start my own music festival strictly for cannabis lovers. This has got to be a new idea right? If you are going to Coachella and you are going to try to sneak in some herb, I should probably tell you not to. They are going to be on high alert for that type of thing and you don’t want to be made an example of. Maybe just do some edibles in the car beforehand? Source: Billboard Image Source: Washington Times Will you go to Coachella this year? Tell us why or why not in the comments!
Canada Considers Waiving Prior Cannabis Convictions
As Canada gets ready to legalize cannabis for recreational use, the Canadian government is considering whether or not to pardon low level drug offenders. The answer is yes, of course they should. Public Safety Minister Ralph Goodale told CBC News that the liberal government is looking closely at “all the legal implications,” though they have not yet come to a decision about how they should proceed. “We're in the midst of a major change here. I know there is a real anxiety for a bit of a play-by-play commentary, but I think the responsible thing is to do the analysis, see where the unfairnesses are and take the appropriate steps to correct those problem,” Goodale said. Many people have called for the Canadian government to stop charging people with cannabis possession, citing the unfairness and hypocrisy of arresting and charging people for possession of a substance that is going to be legal in less than seven months. Goodale acknowledged that yes, this is unfair, but the law is the law basically. I’ll admit, I am not the most knowledgeable person in matters of the law, but it seems like it would be pretty simple for police officers to simply look the other way on this matter? This would certainly help unclog the justice system in Canada. One thing that is for certain is that people with cannabis charges prior to legalization should be released from prison or have their records expunged. I understand that this will be a long and complicated process, and it will most likely not be possible until after the new law is finalized, but it needs to be done. There is no reason for some people to have the freedom to smoke all the weed they want, while others have a criminal record for the same thing. No one should sit in prison for selling dime bags, when celebrities are allowed to start their own cannabis lifestyle brands, weed resorts, etc. Prisons are filled with people who had the bad luck to get caught using or selling a plant. It’s time to let them out. Source: CBC News Image Source: Leafly Do you think people with prior cannabis convictions should have their records expunged? Tell us why or why not in the comments!
Mike Tyson is Getting into the Legal Cannabis Business
Former world heavyweight champion, convicted rapist and biter of ears, Mike Tyson is just the latest celebrity to jump into the legal weed business. Late last year, Tyson and his new business partners purchased forty acres of land near a small desert town named California City. The land, which they are calling Tyson Ranch will be used to develop a weed resort/ growing facility, celebrity gossip site The Blast reports. Half of the area, or 20 acres will be used for growing cannabis. The other 20 acres of the ranch will be used for building a growing school where growers will learn the latest and greatest ways to perfect their own strains, a facility for making edibles, a growing supply store, and an area for luxury camping, aka “glamping.” California City mayor Jennifer Wood is extremely excited about the venture, telling reporters that Mike Tyson’s new business venture would in effect revitalize the town, calling it a “rebirth” for the town. Mike Tyson, despite his violent past, has always been passionate about the healing power of cannabis. This resort will no doubt draw a large number of high profile clientele, and will certainly save this small town’s struggling economy. This is just another example of how legalization gives more back to local communities than prohibition ever did. There's no doubt that California's cannabis market will do this for other small California towns. Now, if only we could work on releasing people with drug charges from prison. Source: The Blast Image Source: Celebrity Insider Got anything to add? Would you visit Mike Tyson’s weed resort? Tell us in the comments!
Tahoe Does Not Want You to Bring your Weed
This winter marks the first season where recreational cannabis will be available in both California and Nevada, two popular destinations for both skiiing and snowboarding. Finally you’ll be able to hit the slopes in one of the many awesome resorts in Lake Tahoe while smoking a joint of some extra sticky herb you picked up for the occasion. Well, not exactly. Tahoe does not want you to bring your weed with you when you ski or snowboard on any of their trails this winter. Officials at the California Ski Association don´t think that legal weed is going to affect their attendance or the amount of stoners that show up to ski at Tahoe or other famous ski resorts in Nevada or California.”Legalizing marijuana is not an invitation to come to the ski resort and smoke marijuana," said Michael Reitzell, a spokesman for California Ski Industry Association. "For some reason, people think outdoors sports are different than other sports. Would you smoke pot and play basketball or any other sport where you could really injure yourself if you weren't sharp,” he continued. I don’t know how familiar Reitzell is with stoner culture in general. The popular resorts, like the ones in Lake Tahoe, have not changed their policies regarding bringing your herb with you on the trail, but it doesn’t seem like they’re going to put in too much effort to enforce their no weed policies. Mike Person, a spokesperson for Mount Rose Ski Tahoe had this to say, “As far as taking increased steps and actively educating people, no, we haven't really done that. We have a bar on sight, but we don’t actively go out and tell people don’t go skiing if you've had this many drinks. You're responsible for your own actions." Of course, this doesn’t mean that you should just toke up openly on the mountain. You probably shouldn’t go in ridiculously baked either. As lame as this might sound, you can hurt yourself pretty badly, if you’re not careful. As with all things, use caution, but definitely have fun! Source: Reno Gazette Journal Image Source: bayarea.com Will you be hitting up the slopes at Tahoe or anywhere else this winter? Will you be bringing your herb? Tell us in the comments!
