WeedLife News Network

Liz Kirkaldie’s grandson was near the top of his class in high school and a talented jazz bassist when he started smoking pot. The more serious he got about music, the more serious he got about pot.

And the more serious he got about pot, the more paranoid, even psychotic, he became. He started hearing voices.

“They were going to kill him and there were people coming to eat his brain. Weird, weird stuff,” Kirkaldie said.

“I woke up one morning, and no Kory anywhere. Well, it turns out, he’d been running down Villa Lane here totally naked.”

Kory went to live with his grandmother for a couple of years in Napa, California. She thought maybe she could help. Now, she says that was naive.

Kory was diagnosed with schizophrenia. Kirkaldie blames the pot.

Some analysts have become more optimistic about the stock.

Aurora Cannabis (ACB -5.10%) is one of the most beaten-down cannabis stocks in the entire industry. Investors will recall that back in 2018, Aurora announced it was acquiring medical marijuana company MedReleaf for more than $2.5 billion in what at the time was the sector's largest deal. Today, Aurora is worth about one-fifth of that value, with a market cap of over $400 million.

Some precautions and tips for smoking or sipping in soaring temps.

Record heat events are starting to become the norm these days. Much of the US has already experienced multiple heat waves, and summer has only just begun. When the weather gets oppressively hot, there is not much you can do to improve the situation other than to stay hydrated, and if you consume cannabis, maybe get high and hope for a breeze.

Enjoying some quality THC on a particularly hot day can certainly improve your mood, even if it can't make it cooler. There may even be some physical benefits to getting high on a hot day. But there are some precautions and considerations to think about when you decide to get high and embrace the soaring temperatures. Here are five things to remember about marijuana during these brutal summer heat waves.

1. Don't let your edibles melt

Edibles are great for all sorts of occasions. Long plane rides, might nights and days in nature can often be improved by a gummy or piece or THC chocolate. It is important to remember, however, that these products can easily melt and perish in the heat, and extreme heat can render them almost useless.

"I recommend tinctures and flower as they won't quickly break down in high heat," cannabis educator Emma Chasen told MedMen. When you do purchase edibles, make sure you store them somewhere safe, and only take out what you need during the hot months.

2. Summer heat can weaken your weed

Just like with edibles, all your weed needs to be stored properly in these extreme temperatures. Remember to store your weed in a cool dark place, especially if you are an infrequent user or like to buy in bulk. As we have previously reported, sunlight can break down and weaken the product and heat can induce moisture and cause mold.

There is no single answer or solution for how to improve the current state of cannabis in indigenous Sovereign nations because the issue is complicated, and opinions and challenges vary from tribe to tribe throughout the land.

Many lawmakers continue to say marijuana policy should be left up to individual states. Often, they then proceed to either oppose federal marijuana legalization, or deflect back to their opinion that it is a state issue. With more states legalizing marijuana, it may seem that slowly but surely the United States might fully legalize marijuana with or without federal legislation. This logic, however, overlooks a major group of people: Native Americans. 

Cannabis and its tricky legality among indigenous people and their sovereign nations continues to be a topic so unresolved that the U.S. Senate Committee on Indian Affairs launched a hearing called “Cannabis In Indian Country,” which had a listening session recently.

While this committee may spark some necessary dialogue and highlight major issues on the subject, there is not one universal opinion or solution. This is because nearly every Tribal Nation has its own unique views and challenges when it comes to marijuana legalization. 

A sovereign nation, by definition, should have supreme authority over how it runs, but history has shown this is not always the case with Native American Nations, and this includes marijuana laws. While many rules and governance can not be infringed upon by the federal government “Under US law, however, Congress has the authority to legislate on tribal issues. Thus, in the context of marijuana legalization efforts in Indian Country, federal laws may affect legalization implementation,” according to the CDC.

Federally recognized Native American tribes, of which there are well over 500, are often caught in limbo when it comes to marijuana legalization.

With dozens of states passing some form of cannabis legislation in the past decade, more people than ever are using marijuana for either medical or recreational purposes. According to recent research, regular cannabis use has a minimal effect on a user’s physical health. The study adds to the growing body of research on how marijuana affects pulmonary, cardiovascular and other biological functions. Since federal law has made it virtually impossible for researchers to study cannabis for the past few decades, most of the research on the effects of regular cannabis use is quite new. This recent study, whose findings were reported in the Drug and Alcohol Dependence journal, sought to investigate the effect of regular (once a week) cannabis use on physical health. The results indicated that the plant didn’t have detrimental effects. The research involved data from roughly 300 pairs of twins which was sourced from the University of Colorado Boulder’s “Colorado Adoption/Twin Study of Lifespan Behavioural Development and Cognitive Aging” study. This is an ongoing study of cognitive aging in twins from infancy to adulthood to determine how different influences in childhood and adulthood affect cognitive functioning. The researchers specifically tracked factors that influence declines, maintenance or boosts in cognitive abilities. Jessica Megan Ross, the study’s lead researcher, and her team looked at how these factors affected dizygotic twins, who share 50% of their genes, and monozygotic twins, who share 100% of their genes. They also drew data from a larger study that has been assessing twins and siblings on a yearly basis from birth into early adulthood.

After analyzing the data, the researchers  found that the increased use of marijuana during adolescence wasn’t necessarily associated with reduced physical activity or exercise in adulthood. Furthermore, they found that increased use of cannabis as an adult isn’t necessarily associated with regular appetite loss either.

Comparing data between siblings showed that the frequent use of cannabis as a teen was associated with less exercise in adulthood.

However, the comparison of the pairs of monozygotic twins revealed that regular cannabis use in adulthood was associated with a lower resting heart rate, suggesting shared family factors could be responsible for the association between adolescent cannabis use and infrequent exercise in adulthood.

The researchers concluded that there was a minimal connection between using cannabis once a week and negative physical health outcomes for adults aged 25 to 35. They also noted that this didn’t apply to adolescents and adults who used cannabis more than once a week.

With dozens of states passing some form of cannabis legislation in the past decade, more people than ever are using marijuana for either medical or recreational purposes. According to recent research, regular cannabis use has a minimal effect on a user’s physical health. The study adds to the growing body of research on how marijuana affects pulmonary, cardiovascular and other biological functions. Since federal law has made it virtually impossible for researchers to study cannabis for the past few decades, most of the research on the effects of regular cannabis use is quite new. This recent study, whose findings were reported in the Drug and Alcohol Dependence journal, sought to investigate the effect of regular (once a week) cannabis use on physical health. The results indicated that the plant didn’t have detrimental effects. The research involved data from roughly 300 pairs of twins which was sourced from the University of Colorado Boulder’s “Colorado Adoption/Twin Study of Lifespan Behavioural Development and Cognitive Aging” study. This is an ongoing study of cognitive aging in twins from infancy to adulthood to determine how different influences in childhood and adulthood affect cognitive functioning. The researchers specifically tracked factors that influence declines, maintenance or boosts in cognitive abilities. Jessica Megan Ross, the study’s lead researcher, and her team looked at how these factors affected dizygotic twins, who share 50% of their genes, and monozygotic twins, who share 100% of their genes. They also drew data from a larger study that has been assessing twins and siblings on a yearly basis from birth into early adulthood.

After analyzing the data, the researchers  found that the increased use of marijuana during adolescence wasn’t necessarily associated with reduced physical activity or exercise in adulthood. Furthermore, they found that increased use of cannabis as an adult isn’t necessarily associated with regular appetite loss either.

Comparing data between siblings showed that the frequent use of cannabis as a teen was associated with less exercise in adulthood.

However, the comparison of the pairs of monozygotic twins revealed that regular cannabis use in adulthood was associated with a lower resting heart rate, suggesting shared family factors could be responsible for the association between adolescent cannabis use and infrequent exercise in adulthood.

The researchers concluded that there was a minimal connection between using cannabis once a week and negative physical health outcomes for adults aged 25 to 35. They also noted that this didn’t apply to adolescents and adults who used cannabis more than once a week.

A top cannabis researcher is predicting that despite valid concerns surrounding inflation, sales on July 4th will generate a double-digit increase, likely racking up the highest number in sales for any day in the market this summer.

The reason for this surge? “Cannabis is a ‘sticky’ good and the market is resilient,” said Roy Bingham, co-founder and CEO of Colorado-based BDSA. “We predict that summer cannabis sales will remain steady, peaking around the 4th of July holiday.”

Also, with more people travelling and many social activities commencing after the COVID-19 restrictions of the last two years, the summer season’s festivities will be especially pronounced.

Branded Legacy, Inc. ( BLEG), a holding company focused on the commercial development of hemp and cannabinoid-infused beverages, along with an array of CBD topicals and tinctures is pleased to announce it has added two new stores to its growing list of retail locations.
Happy Cork, located in Brooklyn, NY has added the new TCH-0/Delta-8 gummies and Delta 8 Tinctures to their growing market. In addition, Transformative Acupuncture in Jacksonville, FL, will now be carrying Spikes CBDX products. They will offer all 4 of its gummies including the new THC-0/Delta-8 blend, Massage oils, moisturizers, Delta-8 / CBD tinctures, and its CryoGel. Products will be offered not only within the services of the business but also available for retail purchases.

With investors becoming more cautious and capital more expensive, only the strongest cannabis firms will survive a downturn in the global economy. 

Cannabis startups in Europe are facing a harder time raising capital amid recession fears and sinking stock markets, but that could ultimately help the industry. 

“This period will be really good for clearing out those who were just trying to make a quick buck,” said Alastair Moore, the founder of Hanway Associates, a research firm focused on marijuana. “That’s a good thing for the sector.”

Startups likely to survive include those that have already built strong, sustainable business models, according to Moore. That will help them keep winning over investors who are becoming more cautious, he said.

“The drug war has been a horrendous instrument of prejudice and punishment for racial minorities.”

Long-time talk show host and cannabis retail partner Bill Maher told his Real Time with Bill Maher audience last week that he gets why some people think those affected by the War on Drug should have first dibs on weed retail licences.

Maher made the comments during the “New Rule” segment on Friday, which focused on how key it is to have a lawyer who fights for client wants and needs.

To illustrate the value of such representation, he kicked off the segment with the Amber Heard-Johnny Depp defamation trial example before segueing into why he believes Democrats are losing ground to Republicans, including citing the flip of a Texas district from blue to red, the Latinx term and student loan relief.

During the segment, Maher, 66, noted that Bernie Sanders (at about 4:42 in clip below) promised during his 2020 run to become the Democratic nominee for president that he would legalize cannabis on his first day as president. Beyond that, the idea would be to have those who suffered most from the drug war be first up to receive retail licences.

“And you know what? I can’t argue with that instinct. The drug war has been a horrendous instrument of prejudice and punishment for racial minorities, so it seems fair that they jump the line for weed franchises the way Indians (Native Americans) did for casinos,” Maher told his studio audience.

In their latest report on the topic, the UN equates cocaine and heroin with cannabis use and creates boogeymen around every corner of the end of Prohibition.

The UN has just issued a report about cannabis that will no doubt in the near future look as alarmist as it is dated. Namely, the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) has issued its annual world drug report.

Here are the high level takeaways—which are hard to read with a straight face.

The most recent study to examine such issues, emanating from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) last year had to concede that they could not “establish that cannabis use caused the increased suicidality we observed in this study,” and that “these associations warrant further research.” The same study also noted that cannabis use by adults more than doubled in the United States between 2008 and 2019—precisely the years that normalization became a multi-state campaign politically.

It is also worth noting that one of the most recent studies about cannabis and PTSD, which includes episodes of depression leading to suicide, found that cannabis use dramatically decreased PTSD symptoms to the point that many patients no longer met the diagnostic criteria for the condition.

Veterans are perhaps the population most at risk for suicide, even in the best of times. According to most national estimates, there are 22 veteran suicides a day in the U.S. Deployed veterans serving in either Iraq or Afghanistan had a suicide risk 41% higher than the average population. Even more intriguingly, non-deployed veterans had a 61% greater risk of committing suicide than the average person.

A new article claims higher levels of THC are affecting the health of teens.

Marijuana products can have THC levels of up to 100%. This is a relatively new development, with marijuana growers and handlers learning how to cultivate stronger products in recent years. According to The New York Times, these high levels of THC are affecting teens, increasing their odds of dependency and even resulting in conditions like cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome.

The article interviews several experts, teens and their parents and paints a picture of some of the marijuana products that are in circulation today, claiming that these are stronger than in years past and that they can affect consumers in adverse ways.

Elysse, one of the teenagers interviewed, shared that marijuana made her feel euphoric and happy. The oils and waxes she purchased had THC levels of up to 90%, which she consumed several times a day. After a few months of regular use, her positive highs morphed into sad and anxiety-inducing experiences, including one instance where she vomited more than 20 times within the span of two hours. She was diagnosed with cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome, a rare side effect of cannabis.

While there’s a lot we don’t know about marijuana, it’s clear that the drug has great medicinal capabilities. In terms of its side effects, they’re not wholly understood but cannabis has been linked with conditions like cannabis hyperemesis syndrome, cannabis addiction, mental health conditions, and more. These issues are more concerning in the case of teens, with the overuse of the drug affecting their brains in ways that may impact them for the rest of their lives.

More and more states are legalizing cannabis, but since the drug remains illegal on a federal level every state moves at its own pace. Currently, recreational marijuana is legal in 19 states, Washington DC and Guam. Only Vermont and Connecticut have caps on THC concentrations.

It helps with arthritis and overall inflammation.

Once you hit 40 years of age and over, your body can throw all kinds of curveballs at you. Some individuals already have or may start to develop health ailments at this stage of life, including chronic back pain, diabetes, cardiovascular issues, and more. A healthcare professional will address your particular situation and decide the best course of treatment for you. But did you know there are also surprising side effects of taking CBDA after 40?

Let's start at the beginning. CBDA (cannabidiolic acid) can be found in hemp plants and it's a cannabinoid. Cannabinoids are compounds that make up the active ingredients of marijuana. The plant contains many of them, and they can affect the body in plenty of ways, including providing pain relief, helping with depression, decreasing nausea, and more.

We spoke with Inesa Ponomariovaite, a CBDA expert and CEO of Nesa's Hemp, who addresses how taking this cannabinoid is an extraordinary addition to your routine as you age, so read on to learn more about the surprising side effects of CBDA. And next up, don't miss The 6 Best Exercises for Strong and Toned Arms in 2022, Trainer Says.

Nesa's Hemp

According to Ponomariovaite, Nesa's Hemp is a key player when it comes to CBDA hemp oil. She explains to Eat This, Not That!, "There are so many people searching for holistic remedies to heal and ease suffering from cancer and other pathogens—Nesa's Hemp was created for this reason—to heal the world and restore happiness. I created what the industry was missing—the first living CBDA biological product on the market. That is certified beyond any organic levels. The safest, cleanest, and most effective product."

It's easy to get hemp CBDA products mixed up with marijuana products. Note that they differ greatly, and Ponomariovaite lets us in on their differences and legality. "Marijuana products contain mostly THC which is the compound that makes you high. Unlike THC, CBDA actually suppresses THC and works in different ways and doesn't make you high," she says.

The popular edibles brand introduces an innovative alcohol alternative through their “Summer of Quick” campaign.

Summer is in full swing, and Michiganders are celebrating with lakeside parties, backyard barbecues… and the inevitable hangovers that follow. But one cannabis company is offering consumers a new, hangover-proof way to enhance their sunny celebrations: fast-acting, THC-infused gummies.

The old, inefficient lighting systems used to cultivate cannabis have long proved problematic. For some time, individuals, regulatory agencies, and state governments have been looking into modern LEDs as the solution to their growing needs

All organic matter needs light to grow and flourish. The source of that light might be the sun, or it might be artificial, but without an abundant and steady supply of light, life withers and never reaches its full potential. Nowhere does this ring truer than in horticulture and farming, specifically the cultivation of a crop that has rocketed in popularity and demand in recent years — cannabis. Sourcing efficient, productive, and affordable LED grow lights for their cannabis plants has been a bone of contention for both commercial and home growers for many a moon. However, courtesy of new lighting technology introduced to the market by innovative tech company Fohse, indoor cannabis growing is a lot easier.

The old, inefficient lighting systems used to cultivate cannabis have long proved problematic. For some time, individuals, regulatory agencies, and state governments have been looking into modern LEDs as the solution to their growing needs. Companies strove in vain to produce LED grow lights that were both efficient and productive until Fohse appeared on the scene and heralded a lighting revolution. Fohse introduced technology to the marketplace that has enabled cultivators, big and small, to replace their old energy and profit sapping light set-ups with state-of-the-art LEDs that utilize less energy and produce higher yields.

Co-founder and CEO of Fohse, Brett Stevens, explained, "The cannabis industry is spreading like wildfire, and any good cannabis product rises and falls on one key aspect — cultivation! Quality cultivation relies on quality lighting, and that's our mission statement. LED is the light that will lead us towards a greener and more energy-efficient future. So it makes perfect sense that Fohse wants to revolutionize one of the fastest growing industries worldwide with a lighting source that is practical, sustainable, efficient, affordable, and, above all, works. Good lighting is the key component to any productive farm. Without it, the farm cannot succeed. It is the integral aspect that no grower can afford to ignore."

As more and more states legalize cannabis and commercial and individual growers get in on the act, Fohse believes their technology will spur the industry they love and have invested so much time into towards a brighter and better future, one LED grow light at a time.

Sources told Rolling Stone that there are guns, bullets and cannabis on the property

Rolling Stone is reporting that sources are concerned that conditions on a farm owned by U.S. actor Ezra Miller may not be safe for three children staying there.

The children and their 25-year-old mother are reportedly currently residing on the Vermont farm, which Rolling Stone notes the children’s father and two other sources with knowledge of the situation find concerning.

The publication was told by two sources that there are unattended guns on-site and one incident cited by one source involved a one-year-old child picking up a loose bullet and putting it into her mouth.

In an interview with the publication, the mother reported that firearms were for self-defence purposes and were stored in areas of the home where the children don’t go. She further noted she had a violent and abusive ex, which the father denies, and that the farm offered a healing and safe place for the children.

The two sources further alleged that there had been frequent and heavy cannabis use in front of the children, with Rolling Stone reporting that there also appears to be “a sizable cannabis farm on Miller’s property.”

Man in a skunky-smelling car pulled up right behind cruiser parked on side of roadway

A Missouri driver is likely questioning his decision to pull up behind a parked cruiser after a cop sniffed out a suspiciously skunky smell coming from his vehicle and busted him for illegal cannabis.

While on patrol earlier this month, an officer with the Smithville Police Department (SPD) spied a mama duck and her ducklings trying to cross Highway 169, according to a police statement.

Presumably wanting to serve and protect, the officer activated the patrol car lights to slow any traffic and allow time for the family to complete its treacherous trek.

However, the duck apparently changed her mind. While parked on the side of the highway to make sure the duck family made it back into the adjacent tree line, a vehicle pulled over behind the officer, SPD reports.

A short video clip posted by police shows the officer approaching the duck family in his vehicle as they safely make their way to the trees and out of harm’s way.

Here are some precautions and considerations to think about when you decide to get high and embrace the soaring temperatures.

Record heat events are starting to become the norm these days. Much of the US has already experienced multiple heat waves, and summer has only just begun. When the weather gets oppressively hot, there is not much you can do to improve the situation other than to stay hydrated, and if you consume cannabis, maybe get high and hope for a breeze. 

Enjoying some quality THC on a particularly hot day can certainly improve your mood, even if it can’t make it cooler. There may even be some physical benefits to getting high on a hot day. But there are some precautions and considerations to think about when you decide to get high and embrace the soaring temperatures. Here are five things to remember about marijuana during these brutal summer heat waves.

1. Don’t let your edibles melt

Edibles are great for all sorts of occasions. Long plane rides, might nights and days in nature can often be improved by a gummy or piece or THC chocolate. It is important to remember, however, that these products can easily melt and perish in the heat, and extreme heat can render them almost useless. 

“I recommend tinctures and flower as they won’t quickly break down in high heat,” cannabis educator Emma Chasen told MedMen. When you do purchase edibles, make sure you store them somewhere safe, and only take out what you need during the hot months.

2. Summer heat can weaken your weed

Just like with edibles, all your weed needs to be stored properly in these extreme temperatures. Remember to store your weed in a cool dark place, especially if you are an infrequent user or like to buy in bulk. As we have previously reported, sunlight can break down and weaken the product and heat can induce moisture and cause mold.

A bill to allow financial services to businesses in the legal cannabis industry was dropped from a China competition bill after passing in the House of Representatives but failing to gain the approval of Senate negotiators.

Federal legislation that would permit financial institutions to provide banking services to legal cannabis businesses has been dropped from a bill designed to foster competition with China, marking the sixth time the cannabis banking provisions have failed to gain the approval of the U.S. Senate after being passed by the House of Representatives.

Known as the Secure and Fair Enforcement (SAFE) Banking Act, the legislation would have permitted banks and other financial institutions to serve companies in the legal cannabis industry. Under current regulations, providing traditional banking services such as loans and payroll, checking and deposit accounts is tightly regulated by the federal government, resulting in few financial institutions agreeing to work with marijuana businesses. Critics note that the current policy forces cannabis companies to operate primarily in cash, leaving the businesses vulnerable to crime.

The SAFE Banking Act was first introduced in Congress by Democratic Rep. Ed Perlmutter of Colorado in 2013. Since then, the House of Representatives has passed the bill six times as either a standalone bill or attached to other legislation. But the measure has failed to gain the approval of the Senate.

Most recently, the House approved provisions of the SAFE Banking Act in February as part of the America Creating Opportunities for Manufacturing, Pre-Eminence in Technology, and Economic Strength Act of 2022 (America COMPETES Act), a bill to support U.S. manufacturing and improve competitiveness with China. But on Thursday, Punchbowl News reported that the cannabis banking provisions have been dropped from the latest version of the COMPETES Act, which is currently in conference committee with House and Senate lawmakers. The report noted that the SAFE Act language had been dropped at the insistence of Republican negotiators.

“In the wake of the Senate’s inaction, people continue to be killed, businesses continue to be robbed, and employees and business owners in the cannabis industry continue to be excluded from the financial system,” Perlmutter, the lead sponsor of the SAFE Banking Act, said in a statement quoted by The Hill.

As this Congress enters its final months, lawmakers warm to the idea of cannabis banking “plus.”