WeedLife News Network

Hemp Seed Oil is the perfect ingredient in skincare products.

“HSO moisturizes, reduces inflammation, and provides high levels of antioxidants,” said Iva Plummer, one of the co-founders of Vido’s Health & Beauty USA. “HSO’s anti-inflammatory properties allow it to treat skincare issues.”

Inflammation is a common cause of a variety of skin conditions.

“There are several symptoms of skincare inflammation, such as itching, burning, redness, blisters or pimples, and cracked skin,” Plummer said. “HSO is great for the skin because it has anti-inflammatory properties.”

Vido’s Health & Beauty USA products contain Hemp Seed Oil and are packed with vitamins A, C, and E, and other natural essential oils to create herbal elixirs that enhance the skin’s appearance.

What is otherwise considered normal for the rest of us, such as making eye contact, talking to people, and interacting with others, is extremely difficult and nerve-wrecking for the socially anxious.

Being an introvert is different from having social anxiety. Whereas its normal for introverts to feel drained from social interactions, social anxiety is actually a type of mental illness that causes a person to experience fear during social situations.

Also known as social phobia, people who suffer from this condition experience severe dread and fear whenever they have to do anything with other people; it could be public speaking, making a presentation, attending a party, or even a simple family gathering.

What is otherwise considered normal for the rest of us, such as making eye contact, talking to people, and interacting with others, is extremely difficult and nerve-wrecking for the socially anxious. These can result in physical symptoms such as sweating, increased heart rate, trembling, dizziness, upset stomach, and brain fog.  With around 7% of the American population suffering from social anxiety disorder, it’s more common than we think but treatment and diagnosis is necessary to prevent it from escalating to depression or substance abuse.

Currently, available treatments are not always successful. Data shows that just 30% of anxiety patients undergoing treatment show improvements, but it’s also not helpful that pharmacological treatments have negative side effects.

According to the Jointly: Cannabis Wellness app, nearly one out of three Arizonans who logged into the free app consumes cannabis to "relax and refresh." Those are the biggest reasons people consume marijuana in this state, according to the experience-based cannabis product rating platform.

The app solicits consumers to ask themselves, "What kind of experience am I after?" The self-analysis demonstrates to cannabis users "purposeful cannabis consumption," which is broken down into 11 experiences that "is the key to unlocking a new level of well-being."

The second-most popular reason Arizona Jointly subscribers consume cannabis is to "relieve everyday stress," which accounts for one of four participating Arizonans.

The remaining nine choices are: to focus and create; improve sleep; ease everyday pain; enjoy social experiences; energize and uplift; replace other substances; enhance intimacy; recover from exercise; and stimulate appetite, which was the experience with the lowest percentile among the Grand Canyon State's subscribers.

Jointly has more than 200,000 unique cannabis experiences from worldwide users in its database. Many live in metro Phoenix. On the app, which can be downloaded onto IOS or Android devices, users rate the cannabis products they consume, which helps fellow-valley cannabis users determine the best outcome for their needs. But unlike Yelp and Google Reviews, where almost anybody with a device can instantaneously key in on their experience about a product and service — a single Jointly rating takes a few minutes to input into the cannabis product database.

WM Technology, Inc. (“WM Technology” or the “Company”) (Nasdaq: MAPS), the leading marketplace and technology solutions provider to the cannabis industry, today announced it will be presenting and taking investor meetings at the following upcoming conferences:

WM Technology’s conference presentations are expected to be available via webcast on the Investor Relations section of the company’s website.

About WM Technology

Founded in 2008, WM Technology (Nasdaq: MAPS) operates the leading online cannabis marketplace, Weedmaps, with a comprehensive set of eCommerce and compliance software solutions, WM Business, sold to retailers and brands in the U.S. state-legal and Canadian cannabis markets. The Company’s mission is to power a transparent and inclusive global cannabis economy.

The Company’s technology addresses the challenges facing both consumers seeking to understand cannabis products and businesses who serve cannabis users in a legally compliant fashion. Over the past 14 years, the Weedmaps marketplace has become the premier destination for cannabis consumers to discover and browse information regarding cannabis and cannabis products, permitting product discovery and order-ahead for pickup or delivery by participating retailers. WM Business is a set of eCommerce-enablement tools designed to help retailers and brands get the best out of the Weedmaps’ consumer experience, create labor efficiencies, and manage compliance needs.

WM Technology holds a strong belief in the power of cannabis and the importance of enabling safe, legal access to consumers worldwide. Since inception, WM Technology has worked tirelessly, not only to become the most comprehensive platform for consumers, but to build the software solutions that power businesses compliantly in the space, to advocate for legalization, social equity, and licensing in many jurisdictions, and to facilitate further learning through partnering with subject matter experts on providing detailed, accurate information about the plant.

Medicinal cannabis reduces cancer-related pain and the need for opiate-based painkillers, reveals a new comprehensive study of its use by oncology patients.

Pain, along with depression, anxiety, and insomnia, are some of the most fundamental causes of oncology patients’ disability and suffering while undergoing treatment therapies, and may even lead to worsened prognosis.

“Traditionally, cancer-related pain is mainly treated by opioid analgesics, but most oncologists perceive opioid treatment as hazardous, so alternative therapies are required,” explained author David Meiri, assistant professor at the Technion Israel Institute of Technology.

“Our study is the first to assess the possible benefits of medical cannabis for cancer-related pain in oncology patients; gathering information from the start of treatment, and with repeated follow-ups for an extended period of time, to get a thorough analysis of its effectiveness.”

Need for alternative treatment

After talking to several cancer patients, who were looking for alternative options for pain and symptom relief, the researchers were keen to thoroughly test the potential benefits of medicinal cannabis.

“We encountered numerous cancer patients who asked us whether medical cannabis treatment can benefit their health,” said co-author Gil Bar-Sela, associate professor at the Ha’Emek Medical Center Afula.

The Pet Cannabis Coalition is supporting California Assembly Bill 1885 that will formally legalize cannabis products for pets and allow veterinarians to recommend them for a range of conditions

The Pet Cannabis Coalition, a recently established advocacy group that supports legislation aimed at legalizing cannabis products for pets and creating a legal framework that will allow veterinarians to recommend these products, is announcing today its full support of California Assembly Bill 1885 (AB 1885). If passed, the bill will amend existing language to clearly specify that California veterinarians won't risk discipline by the state's Veterinary Medical Board for recommending the use of cannabis on an animal for potential therapeutic effect or health supplementation purposes.

"Cannabis can provide life-changing–-and oftentimes lifesaving–-benefits for animals," says veterinarian Dr. Tim Shu, the President of the Pet Cannabis Coalition and the Founder and CEO of cannabis-based therapy company, VETCBD. 

"Pets and their owners deserve to have access to products that can improve their lives, and veterinarians should be allowed to provide guidance on such products. We need to shed the shroud of prohibition and embrace science if we're to embark on a path of progress. This is why we created the Pet Cannabis Coalition; to ensure there is staunch political advocacy surrounding the health and wellness of our beloved pets."

Animals can benefit from the therapeutic properties of cannabis. Studies have shown that cannabinoids such as CBD can provide benefits to pets suffering from arthritis and seizures, and veterinarians across the country have reported improvements in patients with conditions such as pain, anxiety, allergies, nausea, and seizures.1,2,3

Pet owners want to discuss cannabis with their vets and receive recommendations about products and dosages. However due to the current lack of legal clarity, most veterinarians are reluctant to make any recommendations and could face disciplinary repercussions for doing so.

The pigeon has been sent to an animal shelter to help it “resocialize” and leave behind its delivery days.

The noble, albeit now often-maligned, pigeon has been used as a message carrier during chariot races to times of war. That may be why someone in Peru tried using the bird’s impressive homing abilities to fly weed into a prison.

Perhaps parched, the cannabis-carrying bird was spotted this week when it touched down on the grounds of the Huancayo Penitentiary near the administrative building to drink some water from a puddle there.

In a tweet, the Peruvian National Police reported officers found the bird, which had a “circular package containing marijuana tied around its neck,” near the prison’s main door. The incident reportedly occurred at about 4:00 p.m. outside the prison’s administrative office.

“The little bird was put in a safe place,” a translation of the tweet assures.

Upon catching the bird, agents saw that the delivery package was made of a light blue fabric that had been wrapped in duct tape, according to Newsbeezer. To the surprise of all involved, the package held “dry green seeds, stems and leaves with a characteristic marijuana smell,” the publication reports.

Women have slowly introduced themselves into the equation, disrupting what’s traditionally thought of as a cannabis consumer.

Legal marijuana has changed the way some people think about cannabis, leading to a shift in the way in which it’s marketed. A new study explores how is promoted on social media apps, prompting the market to open up and people who don’t fit the typical stoner stereotype.

The study, published in Crime, Media, Culture: An International Journal, found that women have slowly introduced themselves into the equation, disrupting what’s traditionally thought of as a cannabis consumer. These women promote cannabis in different ways, incorporating it into their daily lives and activities.

Researchers used Instagram as their social media platform of choice, analyzing illegal sellers in Switzerland with “cannabis influencers” in the U.S., and spotting any differences. Investigators found that cannabis influencers were challenging what has long been considered appealing to cannabis markets, something that could have a global impact.

“Our findings show that cannabis influencers on Instagram are changing the stereotypical characteristics of illegal cannabis culture as being almost entirely dominated by men, to one where cannabis is represented as a desirable accessory in certain feminine lifestyles,” write the study’s researchers.

These influencers painted cannabis as an activity that can be pursued by mothers, people who are invested in their physical and mental health and more.

The era of triploid cannabis is here and it can easily be the solution cannabis growers sought in the 1970s. But what does triploid mean?

The world of cannabis cultivation might be in for a new paradigm shift in the form of seedless cannabis. The huge potential of triploid cannabis has gotten many in the cannabis industry hoping and rejoicing.

Though there is still much to know and understand about the application of triploid cannabis, early signs are already good. Here, we explore all there is to know about triploid cannabis which might just be the future of seedless cannabis.

Triploid cannabis

Many might be confused as to what the term “triploid” means and how it applies to cannabis. Surprisingly enough, the term triploid is quite common in the world of agriculture. Watermelons that are seedless for example are regarded as triploid watermelons. The same goes for a host of other crops like citrus, grapes, and banana. This helps us to understand that the common factor of triploid plants is that they are seedless. However, how does this apply to cannabis plants?

To fully understand the concept of triploid cannabis, we will have to go back to the basics of science a bit. We know that chromosomes carry genetic information in the form of genes. Humans possess 23 pairs of these chromosomes which make humans diploid. Cannabis plants on the other hand are diploid as well with only 10 chromosomes. Research has, however, shown that cannabis like most plants can be tetraploid (4 copies) or octoploid (8 copies) and more.

Triploid expression of plant chromosomes is a very rare variation that can occur naturally in plants. Scientists have since developed how to get this triploid expression by crossing a tetraploid with a diploid.

Kamil Misztal released on $100,000 bail

Federal prosecutors have filed marijuana trafficking and gun possession charges against a popular social media influencer who runs a luxury car rental business in Illinois, court records show. Kamil Misztal, 31, was charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm and possessing more than 100 pounds of marijuana with intent to distribute. He was released from federal custody May 16 on a $100,000 bond, three days after arranging to turn himself in on the federal arrest warrant.

Drug Enforcement Administration Special Agent Brian Nehring wrote in the criminal complaint that federal authorities began investigating Misztal last October, based on the suspicion he was arranging for marijuana to be transported from California to Illinois.

“I received information that Misztal lived outside of California in Illinois where he ran an exotic vehicle rental business ‘I-94 Exotics.’ I also received information that Misztal regularly travelled to California to obtain multiple, 100-pound quantities of marijuana and then transported the marijuana back to Illinois for distribution,” Nehring wrote.

On Oct. 27, agents raided a Roseville home where Misztal was believed to be staying, seized roughly $28,000 in cash, approximately 140 pounds of marijuana in one-pound bags, and a pistol that Misztal was prohibited from possessing due to a 2007 burglary conviction, according to the complaint.

Misztal has more than 500,000 Instagram followers and has publicly spoken about his journey to becoming a “self-made millionaire,” starting with working at grocery stores and car detailing jobs when he was just 13. He also owns a legal marijuana business, according to interviews and sponsored content, including a sponsored post that was published by the Bay Area News Group.

Fun, Safe and elevated tourism experience deeply rooted in the town's history

Visit Oakland launches the Oakland Cannabis Trail – a historical, colorful travel adventure with unique retail and cannabis centric experiences for the cannasseur (a well-informed cannabis enthusiast) and canna-curious (one who is discovering the world of cannabis) alike.

Developed by Visit Oakland in collaboration with cannabis travel enthusiasts and Oakland’s leading retailers, the Oakland Cannabis Trail offers a curated, immersive trip through The Town’s diverse, amazing neighborhoods. Shared information highlights cannabis travel facts and tips for a safe, memorable experience.

The trail provides visitors a one-of-a-kind opportunity to immerse themselves in Oakland history as they explore premium cannabis retail shops, an array of restaurants, local attractions, and sensory activities including hand selected art exhibits and the great outdoors. Featured on the trail are eight cannabis shops that represent the deeply rooted past and innovative future of cannabis in Oakland.

Pioneering legacy

From Harborside that was established in 2006 and is one of the oldest, largest, and most respected cannabis retailers in the world to Root’d in the 510 – Oakland’s newest cannabis retailer that opened on 4/20 in 2022 – the trail offers numerous exploration options. Honoring Oakland’s pioneering legacy, three destinations on the trail are Cultural Landmarks – the Oaksterdam Uptown District, Blunts and Moore, and Harborside.

Evolution of emerging travel trend

Oakland has a rich, significant history with safe cannabis access and has played a prominent role in legalization. The Town continues to be at the forefront of progress with some of the best shops and most compelling cannabis offerings in the state. Visit Oakland is leading the evolution of the emerging travel trend. The Cannabis Trail is the visitors trusted guide to enjoying safe, curated cannabis experiences while spending time in Oakland.

Medical marijuana patients spent $24 million in April at the state’s 38 dispensaries to obtain 4,213 pounds, up from the 4,166 pounds sold in March. Hot Springs is home to two of the top five dispensaries for the amount of product sold.

Sales for the first four months of 2022 total $89.8 million, and 15,678 pounds, according to the Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration (DFA).

“The amount of product sold increased slightly from March to April,” said DFA spokesman Scott Hardin.

“On average, patients in Arkansas are spending $22.45 million each month across the state’s 38 dispensaries to purchase approximately 3,919 pounds. State tax collection on medical marijuana also increased in April with $2.98 million in total ($2.46 million collected in March).”

The state also collects a cultivator privilege tax, which means tax revenue is not always tied to how much product is bought by consumers at dispensaries and the price for the product sold to dispensary customers.

A study of the levels of atmospheric cannabis pollen in Murcia has detected a significant increase in recent years—indicating that illicit crop production has increased.

Researchers from the Polytechnic University of Cartagena in Spain have come to an interesting conclusion. Recently, the amount of cannabis pollen in the air has increased dramatically. It is not unreasonable to postulate, as the polytech scientists have now done, that the total amount of illicit cultivation in the region has increased significantly in the last four to five years.

Agriculture Ministry hails development as a major step toward country becoming a significant player in the global cannabis market

The first-ever export shipment of Israeli cannabis seeds has left for the US, the Agriculture Ministry said in a statement Wednesday, hailing the move as a major step toward becoming a global pioneer in the field.

Efforts to arrange the “experimental and initial” shipment, which departed on Tuesday night, have been ongoing for the past year.

The cargo contained seeds from the local BetterSeeds company, which has a research license from the Health Ministry.

They will be examined on arrival “to verify their suitability for the US market,” the ministry said.

“Israel has the ability to make its mark [on the industry] and be among the world’s leaders,” Agriculture Minister Oded Forer said in the statement.

Senator Jeremy Cooney (D-Rochester) announced Wednesday a package of two cannabis bills designed to lay additional groundwork for the future of legalized cannabis in New York State.

Senate Bill S.9217 would permit New Yorkers to cultivate cannabis in licensed personal cultivation facilities. Current regulations allow for personal cultivation eighteen months after the first adult-use sales commence. However, the plants must be grown at the individual’s personal residence. (Benzinga)

These guidelines would exclude those without sufficient open space, especially renters/tenants. This bill would authorize the Cannabis Control Board to make regulations allowing for personal cultivation in specified licensed facilities open to adult use. This will ensure individuals who do not have a residence that is suitable for personal cultivation, such as most renters and individuals living in urban communities, still have the opportunity to utilize personal cultivation in a safe and controlled setting. This is about achieving equity in the home grow process.

“I am proud to introduce legislation that will further support the fast-growing New York cannabis industry. Since the passing of the MRTA last year, the Office of Cannabis Management has made necessary reforms to the medical cannabis program and this legislation will continue that effort by expanding access to medical cannabis for medical patients in-and-outside of New York," said Senator Jeremy Cooney.

"Although the legal ability to personally cultivate cannabis is several months away, we must be proactive in reducing the barriers to participate, especially for New Yorkers in urban areas who are most likely to be excluded from home grow. Renters and individuals who are unable to cultivate cannabis in their homes should still have the option guaranteed to them in the MRTA.”

Maybe you've heard that cultivating cannabis is bad for the environment. Perhaps you've seen headlines saying that growing an ounce of indoor cannabis emits the equivalent amount of carbon as burning a full tank of gas. Or maybe you've read reports that say growing a few pounds of weed yields the same environmental toll as driving across America seven times. 

All of this is (mostly) true. Indoor cannabis cultivation is not environmentally friendly. This method requires hours of blasting air conditioning, heating (if you live in snowy regions), lighting, air filtration systems and irrigation. Aside from swapping high voltage lights with LEDs, there are few green solutions for indoor grows to lessen their carbon footprint.

Outdoor cannabis grows aren't perfect, either. They've earned a negative reputation thanks to illegal operators polluting National Park lands, stealing water from protected rivers and leaking pesticides into watersheds. Even legal outdoor grows can contribute to soil erosion, nutrient loss and increased soil acidity. Monoculture, or producing one type of crop to the exclusion of others, in cannabis is equally damaging to soil as it is in traditional agriculture.

But the research highlighting the harms of cannabis cultivation lacks nuance. Why? Because growing cannabis can remediate the Earth and aid in the fight against climate change if done properly. Regenerative farming, for example, is a system of agriculture practices that involves working with plants to utilize photosynthesis and maintain "living soil." Plants draw carbon out of the atmosphere and store it in healthy soil — grazed and naturally fertilized by animals — where it transforms into stable carbon.

"The idea of regenerative farming is simple," says Leah Penniman, co-director and farm manager of Soul Fire Farm, in an interview with Now This News.

A study published in the Journal of Adolescent Health has found that the legalisation of cannabis leads to lower use of alcohol, cigarettes, and pain medications by young adults.

The study, conducted by researchers with the University of Washington assessed trends in alcohol, nicotine, and non-prescribed pain drug use among a group of over 12,500 young adults aged 18 to 25 in Washington State following the legalisation of cannabis.

The study said “contrary to concerns about spillover effects, implementation of legalised nonmedical cannabis coincided with decreases in alcohol and cigarette use and pain reliever misuse. The weakening association of cannabis use with the use of other substances among individuals ages 21–25 requires further research but may suggest increased importance of cannabis-specific prevention and treatment efforts.”

Cannabis is often theorised to be a gateway drug, leading to further substance abuse, yet the results of numerous studies suggest this is untrue. A 2020 study, published in the International Journal of Drug Policy surveyed medical cannabis patients about their alcohol consumption after obtaining a cannabis prescription. The study found that 44% of patients reported drinking less frequently on a monthly basis, 34% consumed fewer drinks per week and 8% said they drank no alcohol in the 30 days prior to taking the survey. Research also suggests that cannabis legalisation reduces the risk of death from opioids, a 2014 study found that annual opioid overdoses were 25% lower in US states where medical cannabis was legal.

The Rhode Island legislature will consider rulings this week that would legalize recreational pot for adults.

Lawmakers in Rhode Island are expected to vote on cannabis policy reform this week, with legislative committees in the state Senate and House of Representatives scheduled to consider identical bills to legalize recreational pot for adults. 

The Senate Judiciary Committee will vote on Senate Bill 2430 sponsored by Democratic Senator Joshua Miller on Wednesday afternoon, according to a report in local media. And later the same day, the House Finance Committee will vote on House Bill 7593 from fellow Democrat Representative Scott A. Slater. If passed, the companion bills would legalize the possession and purchase of up to one ounce of cannabis by adults 21 and older and create a regulatory framework for the commercial production and sale of recreational cannabis.

“This historic shift in public policy will create a vibrant new marketplace in our state and end the failed practice of prohibition, which has caused such harm to so many in our communities,” Miller said when the legislation was unveiled earlier this year.

“To help address those past wrongs, and to ensure all Rhode Islanders have the opportunity to share the economic benefits associated with legalizations, equity is a central focus of this legislation.”

“The time for Rhode Island to move forward with cannabis legalization is now,” Miller, a longtime supporter of cannabis legalization, said in a statement when the legislation was unveiled earlier this year.