WeedLife News Network

Many would argue 2020 has been the most stressful year in a generation.

Between a polarizing U.S. presidential election, a novel coronavirus pandemic claiming more than 268,000 lives from 13.6 million reported cases (as of November 30),, the fluctuating, unreliable data, and millions of people who may be stressing out due to ongoing isolation from their loved ones due to rolling lockdowns and social distancing measures, as well as rising unemployment with no end in sight, it is understandable for Americans to have a sense of heightened anxiety and insecurity.

However, one set of data that can be relied upon is that Americans are turning en masse to cannabis, and cannabis delivery, to ease their tensions during these trying times. 

Enter the rise of cannabis delivery companies and the ancillary services that power them. 

Lantern: A Light in the Darkness 

Lantern is an independently-operated cannabis e-commerce marketplace and delivery platform in the U.S.

A new report finds a new main reason Americans were interested in using medical cannabis during 2020; a year many would like to forget.

The report was based details supplied by Veriheal, which has a database of around 125,000 patient assessments, and comparing sign-up and appointment numbers with Centre for Disease Control (CDC) COVID-19 tracker numbers.

While the researchers were expecting the majority of interest in cannabis would involve “Relief/Pain-Free,” the results indicated patients were most commonly looking to medical cannabis for alleviation of mental stresses in 2020. In addition to the coronavirus, other major events during the year also mentioned as a stressors were riots, protests and  the US election.

““Happy/Bliss” was found to be the most desired effect while “Relief/Pain-Free” was the second by a much lesser degree,” says Veriheal.

When it came to the point of a confirmed appointment, the primary reason for acquiring medical cannabis was “happy” among males (42%) and “relief” for females (39%), with Verihealth saying the latter was linked to women’s and reproductive health – issues such as menstrual cramps and menopausal pains.

Consumers have been forced underground with the herb all their lives and now that it is finally being recognized as a legal substance, they refuse to keep hiding.

It’s getting to the point where it is almost impossible to be anywhere in the United States and not catch a whiff of marijuana coming from somewhere at some point. More than half the nation has legalized the leaf for medicinal and recreational use.

Even though cannabis users aren’t supposed to smoke the stuff in public, the odors seem to be out there, invading everyone’s olfactory senses, regardless of whether they like it or not. For some folks, the scent of marijuana wafting through the air is not a problem. But the smell can get others noticeably offended.

And it’s not just the old-time conservatives well-adjusted to the ways of pot prohibition taking a stand. Younger people are among those who think marijuana odors in this country are out of control.

Photo by Tunatura/Getty Images

Smoking weed is getting more popular than ever with people of all age brackets. Though it is not yet completely legal worldwide, the legalization movement has gained a lot of traction over the last few years. It remains to be seen when it becomes fully legal. What are the reasons for this consideration of legalizing what was once vehemently frowned at? There have been proven successes with using weed medically. It is known that the cannabinoids in weeds may reduce pain by altering the pathways for pain perception in the brain.  It can be helpful for treating chronic pains like those from arthritis. Smoking weed normally has its immediate effect on the brain. So, is it likely that this can affect one’s creativity? Let us find out together.

The science and neuroscience of doing weed

From renowned PhDs in science laboratories to those kids with dreadlocks in their dormitories, the effect of weed on creativity has been studied extensively. The findings have been somewhat of a mixed bag situation. Creativity is like divergent thinking or the ability to view things in several other different ways from the norm. When people see innovations that practically beat normal human imagination, you do hear remarks of “wow, what did he smoke?”. It is proof that some people believe that there is some temporary genius that comes with smoking weed.

In 2010,  a study by Rothwell Morgan showed that one of the properties of weed is the ability to make connections among concepts that seem unrelated. It is like increasing hyper-priming. Weed also causes the brain to release dopamine, a neurochemical substance that gives users a calm feeling. People high on weed usually discover that their thoughts and feelings move more freely. More research on the use of weed shows that it blurs the lines between the human five senses, increasing the capacity for some creative display.

The high and creative

If we move away from science a little bit, another evidence of the importance of weed to creativity is the way celebrities fight over it. Many famous people have made their conclusion on their use of weed clear. Steve Jobs once remarked that the best way he could define the effect of weed is that it made him relaxed and creative. Brian Wilson of the Beach Boys claims that smoking weed helped him to write the massively acclaimed pet sound album. Another actor, screenwriter, and director named Kevin Smith credited his ability to climb out of his failures with films, to the smoking of weed

Weed and creativity in music production

Most musical artists especially the ones in rap and rock do showcase weed in their videos and the probability is high that they patronize it. Studies have shown that one of the ways in which weed helps the user to be creative is in the production of music. Some of these artists smoke weed to get new ideas either with their rapping, singing, disk jockeying, playing musical instruments, or even while using music making software.

In a move that could limit the options of advocates promoting cannabis legalization initiatives, the Idaho Senate approved a bill on Wednesday that would ban advertising for marijuana in the state. The Senate passed the measure, SB 1218, with a vote of 21 to 14, sending the legislation to the state House of Representatives for consideration.

During debate on the bill, Sen. Scott Grow, the sponsor of the measure, said that billboards in western Idaho advertise cannabis businesses just over the border in Oregon, where recreational marijuana is legal for adults.

“People are being encouraged to violate the law,” Grow said. “They’re being encouraged to go over and get something they know is illegal in Idaho.”

Earlier on Wednesday, the bill had been placed on a fast track for approval, receiving a committee hearing with little notice for the public to participate. Nonetheless, four citizens appeared at the meeting to oppose the measure, while no one showed up to speak in favor of the bill. Their efforts were in vain, however, with the panel’s Republican majority approving the bill with a vote of 7 to 2 along party lines.

Serra Frank, a cannabis activist and the organizer of Boise Hempfest, told High Times that anti-cannabis lawmakers are going to extreme measures to thwart reform.

As Judge Richard A. Licht (quoting a slightly more famous source) said in a 2017 court opinion: “I get high with a little help from my friends.” Four years later, employers may be asking themselves which of their employees are getting high and what can they do about it.

States have been busy when it comes to marijuana laws. Before the mid-2010s, employers tended not to worry about state marijuana laws because of marijuana’s illegal status under federal law. However, those days are over, and state marijuana legalization laws continue to affect how employers can run their workplaces.

In 2020, and even as state legislatures were unable to proceed with typical legislative sessions due to the COVID-19 pandemic, two states (Mississippi and South Dakota) approved voter ballot initiatives legalizing medical marijuana and four states (Arizona, Montana, New Jersey, and South Dakota) legalized recreational marijuana. Already in 2021, New Mexico, New York, and Virginia have passed laws legalizing recreational marijuana, and other state legislatures are still considering medical or recreational marijuana legalization laws or amendments to existing laws to create employment protections or otherwise expand the coverage of existing laws. These include Alabama, California, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Florida, Hawaii, Kansas, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Texas.

Even employers in jurisdictions that haven’t yet legalized marijuana for any purpose, should take note that change is likely coming. If a state has legalized marijuana but maintained an employer-friendly landscape, that could also change. For many states, the legalization of marijuana has followed a predictable timeline. First, these states legalize cannabidiol (CBD) and other low- tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) products. Then, they legalize medical marijuana, sometimes with employment protections for medical marijuana cardholders and sometimes not. Then, they amend existing medical marijuana laws to add employment protections. Finally, they legalize recreational marijuana. Perhaps most worrisome for employers are new provisions in New Jersey’s and New York’s laws that provide recreational marijuana users with direct or indirect employment protections.

As this trend continues, it will be challenging for employers to stay ahead of developments and compliant with state and federal laws. Employers may have employment-related concerns stemming from the legalization of marijuana and the possibility of employees being in the workplace while under the influence. These concerns extend beyond the nuances of the marijuana laws themselves and include disability discrimination and accommodation issues, drug testing rights and responsibilities, state and federal statutory and regulatory compliance matters, workplace safety questions, varied obligations pertaining to government contractors, workers’ compensation implications, employee privacy protections, and more. The differences in laws from state to state make it even more difficult for employers, which must develop policies and procedures that are compliant in each jurisdiction where they have employees and worksites. To further complicate matters, federal and state disability discrimination and accommodation requirements apply across the board.

Ethanol contains 7 calories per gram. That’s almost two times the calories of carbohydrates and nearly as many of fat. So, if you want to drink beer without the calories, sorry — it’s not going to happen. It can’t.

That may be why, as breweries strive to minimize their beers’ caloric value, cannabis beverages are taking flight. With THC-infused drinks, consumers can attain that buzz they’re after without the caloric baggage. In a sense, they’re required to, since it is illegal to combine alcohol and THC in the same product.

Cannabis-infused drinks have been on the market for several years now, but I didn’t have a taste until last week, when I was delivered a sample pack of a lime-and-basil-flavored bubbly water infused lightly with the compounds of interest from marijuana — namely, and chemically, tetrahydrocannabinol and cannabidiol. These are better known in daily dialogues as THC and CBD.

CBD is the miracle molecule that cures all ills, or nearly so, according to high life advocates, while THC is the compound that messes with people’s heads.

The product I tasted contains both. It is on shelves now and emerged from a collaboration between Sava, a local online cannabis vendor, and Cann, which makes a variety of all-natural, low-dose “social tonics,” as Cann’s website calls them.

The pandemic might be fading in the U.S., but Americans are still toking up in record numbers. Two states where recreational marijuana is permitted just published April sales numbers, and the results provided a nice contact high for the cannabis industry.

In Oregon, the first state to decriminalize cannabis (before making it fully legal many years later), total weed sales topped $110.5 million in April, setting a new monthly record and exceeding $110 million for the first time. That's saying something in a market that has effectively been open only since 2016.

That breaks the previous all-time high, which happened to be the preceding month. The April peak was 5% over the March result ($109 million, to be exact). While Illinois is still fairly new to the recreational legalization game (it flipped the switch in January 2020), it's far more populous than Oregon; given that, plus the newness of the recreational market, the state theoretically has much greater potential for growth.

Considering these developments, one company for marijuana stock investors to keep an eye on is sprawling multistate operator (MSO) Curaleaf (OTC:CURLF), which has dispensaries in both states. Of the two, the stronger presence by far is in Illinois, where Curaleaf operates 10 dispensaries, including one on -- believe it or not -- West Weed Street in Chicago.

In honor of all the moms out there, we’ve curated a special list of hemp-based products mothers will surely swoon over. High-quality CBD topicals always make for a nice gift, but Mom also deserves a thoughtful gesture—a massage at her favorite spa, breakfast in bed, a relaxing afternoon to herself, or maybe just spending some time together.

Along with premium, best-in class CBD products, this list also features fun hemp-related products along with ideas for incorporating the benefits of CBD into a memorable Mother’s Day. From waking up on Sunday morning, to falling asleep at night, the mom in your life will be feeling the love.

1. Cannabis Leaf Waffle Maker by Waffleye

Wake Mom up this Mother’s Day with cannabis-themed waffles. The Waffleye Waffle Maker features a large cannabis leaf design and adds some fun and creativity to breakfast, regardless of whether you infuse your waffles with cannabis or not. If she likes to wake and bake, be sure to check out Waffleye’s cannabis-infused recipes, ranging from easy to more difficult. Top it off with this pure, grade-A CBD maple syrup by Northwoods Maple Farm for an added treat.

2. CBD Coffee by Strava

Strava’s specialty coffee is infused with broad-spectrum CBD for a delicious cup of joe that delivers energy, focus and alertness without the jitters. Whole bean, K-Cup or Nespresso formats make it easy for you to prepare her favorite way. Strava coffee is available in three different strengths of CBD (4mg, 10mg, and 20 mg) so that you can make Mom the perfect morning cup. Not only are the beans delicious and sustainably sourced, but we love how the synergy of CBD and caffeine sets you up for an energetic, fulfilling day, and we think she will too.

3. Italian Sparkling Rose & Prosecco by Weed Cellars

Whether it’s breakfast in bed with mimosas, or an afternoon soaking up the sun and sipping on rose that she wants, Weed Cellars has you covered. This fun brand name reflects the changing times, but none of their products contain THC or CBD. Their sparkling rose and prosecco are produced from Glera grapes in Friuli, Italy—an ideal location for sparkling wines. At $12.99/bottle, both styles showcase a full range of flavors at an affordable price point. Not too dry and not too sweet, these wines hit the mark.

It’s been well over two years since Mexico’s Supreme Court made its 5th consecutive ruling which knocked down cannabis prohibition. And yet, with no debate as to whether legislation must pass, it still has not, making cannabis remain in the legal gray area of Supreme Court legalization, and legislative illegality. So, what’s the current story with Mexican cannabis legalization?

The world changes quickly – new states are legalizing cannabis every day, and even Mexican cannabis legislation is set to go through eventually, even if not on time. In this ever-changing world of cannabis, one of the newer, and more exciting, additions to the products family, is delta-8 THC, a slightly different variation of delta-9 THC, which causes less anxiety in users, and provides a clear-headed high. Sound beneficial? We’ve got great delta-8 THC deals so you can give it a go yourself, and keep up with the newest change in the industry.

Why cannabis is already kind-of legal in Mexico

The most interesting aspect of the current Mexican cannabis legalization dilemma, is that there isn’t really a debate to be had over general legality. Though the public might be fooled by titles like this from last year: Mexican Senate Passes Bill To Legalize Marijuana Nationwide, which make it sound like the decision was only just made, this is not the case at all.

Back in October 2018, the Supreme Court of Mexico made its 5th of five consecutive rulings related to cannabis possession. The ruling was in favor of the defendants, and since it was the 5th consecutive ruling of its kind, it kicked in jurisprudencia. In Mexico, jurisprudencia takes effect if the Supreme Court makes five consecutive rulings on a specific matter, and when this happens, the ruling becomes binding for all lower courts, essentially creating judicial law.

What does this do? It puts the judiciary branch of government at odds with the legislative branch, which was not changed due to the Supreme Court rulings. The legislative branch of government is then required to update itself in order to stay in concert with the courts. As such, though the decision of legality has technically been made, how this will be done has not been hammered out fully, leading Mexico’s legislature to ask for extensions for 2.5 years running. For anyone confused, the extensions have no bearing on whether legislation will pass, as it has already been decided that it must. The only thing being argued about, are the exact provisions related to the upcoming Mexican cannabis legalization.

Israel’s cannabis market is finally moving into the recreational box this year. Some time this year, if all goes as planned, the country will implement a recreational system for adults over 21. In a page from the American state market, deliveries will be allowed, although cannabis edibles that resemble candy will be banned. There will also be state control of prices to ensure that customers do not return to illicit sales channels.

Public smoking of cannabis however will remain banned (so no coffee shops or clubs allowed). Home grow without a license will also still be forbidden.

Employment discrimination, particularly for those who require background checks, is also expected to come under review (particularly striking given the Biden Administration’s quick and rather embarrassing reversal on the same earlier this year).

Why Is This A Significant Development For Israel’s Cannabis Market And Beyond?

The first interesting aspect of all of this is that Israel will again step ahead – this time on the recreational front – just as two European countries (Luxembourg and Switzerland) gear up for their own recreational programs next year.

What goes in Israel, in other words, will be closely watched and analysed in at least these two federally run programs in a region where recreational reform is increasingly a topic on the national agendas of several countries even if not yet at a point of critical mass.

Australia’s Therapeutics Goods Administration (TGA) has warned of the risks of sourcing cannabis products for medicinal purposes via illicit channels.

Interest in medical cannabis in Australia is building, particularly after the TGA’s decision to down-schedule certain CBD (cannabidiol) preparations to Pharmacist Only Medicines (Schedule 3), meaning a prescription isn’t required for qualifying products. While such products have been legally accessible since February 1 this year, there are none yet available.

For a CBD medicine to be supplied without a prescription it must meet Schedule 3 criteria and be listed on the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods (ARTG). None have been, nor are expected to until late this year at the earliest.

“Unless entered in the ARTG, a medicinal cannabis product has not been assessed by the TGA for safety, quality or effectiveness and therefore advertising it to consumers is inappropriate,” says the TGA.

“It may seem like a simple, affordable option, but products bought over the internet may be a serious risk to your health and a waste of money,” it says.

The cannabis space has been less than diverse since its onset as an “industry.” Even behind the scenes, there aren’t too many minorities. During the Winter Emerge 2020 Virtual Cannabis Conference, one panel highlighting diverse voices in cannabis was “Multicultural Experiences in Technology Innovation,” moderated by Sohum J. Shah.

Shah is the founder and CEO of Durban Creative Media, a cannabis consultant, and the founder of the Cannabis Commodities Exchange. Other panelists included Solanje Burnett, Rob Tankson, Andy Singh, and Seibo Shen. 

Cannabis and education

When discussing the need for education about the actual effects and benefits of cannabis, Solanje Burnett was quick to add her insights.

During the pandemic, cannabis delivery and drive-thru options became more of a hot topic than ever before. In addition to the logistics and safety it provides, delivery offers a stress-free, convenient system that is here to stay. According to a recent poll from Ganja Goddess, a California-based, online brand for cannabis consumers, cannabis users want to keep getting their weed delivered.

According to the poll’s results, cannabis use has increased and is driven in many cases by managing mental health issues. Edibles have become even more important than flower as a way to consume, and vape pens are not as popular—or at least they weren’t last year because no one was on the go. 

“Since the start of the pandemic, Americans are spending more time than ever at home, leading to an overwhelming national demand for delivery services,” said Ganja Goddess CEO Zachary Pitts.

“The initial spike in cannabis delivery sales was noteworthy, but its continued prevalence more than one year later speaks volumes. A rise in cannabis consumption and greater emphasis on managing health further highlight the impact of these challenging times. Ganja Goddess has been tracking and sharing a variety of cannabis consumer trends throughout this time frame to uncover lasting shifts in consumer preferences and behaviors. The results help our industry make more informed business decisions and better satisfy customers’ needs and desires as we move into the mainstream.” 

Cannabis Delivery Booming During Pandemic And Not Slowing Down

The poll showed that according to 89.9 percent of respondents, cannabis delivery services are the primary purchasing method during the pandemic. This is up 70 percent from pre-pandemic times. Only 6.4 percent of people say they go to retail shops, and 60 percent said they used delivery apps out of convenience, predicting that this new model should be here to stay if businesses want to keep consumers happy. 

Does your eight-hour workday feel like 40? Are you dragging yourself out of bed every morning just to get to work, whether you commute or telecommute? When your day is over, are you so tired you can barely move? Then you may be experiencing burnout.

Burnout can affect you both emotionally and physically and lead to exhaustion, lack of interest and the feeling you can’t be productive. Its negative effects may spill over into every part of your daily life. If left untreated, burnout can result in long-term serious medical conditions such as an increased likelihood for heart disease, high blood pressure, Type 2 diabetes, respiratory issues and depression.

Between the pandemic, increased health concerns, job loss, and the other stresses that life throws, many are looking for ways to protect their mental health and wellness.

Since this is a cannabis publication, the natural question is “Can cannabis help?”

With all the research on cannabis, many are still at odds on the benefits of using one or both of the natural compounds CBD (cannabidiol) or THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) to aid mental health. Although both are derived from the same plant – cannabis sativa – CBD is a non-psychoactive, so you don’t get the high that you would from THC.

With the medical marijuana industry set to open up in West Virginia in the Fall, some locals are hoping more West Virginia businesses will be granted permits to participate.

Chris Yeager is the head of Appalachian Cannabis, a veteran-owned business that distributes CBD products found it stores across the state. He had hoped to be one of the companies selected to help with the roll-out by applying for a vertical permit.

"It allows you to go from seed to sale. It really allows you to control the quality of the product you put out and you really have your finger on the pulse of the product."

Yeager had initially hoped to have a location on Harper Road in Beckley, but said he was passed over in the permitting process for a company out-of-state. He hopes to make it in the next round as more people apply for cards and the industry expands.

"I would love to see an opportunity for West Virginians to get involved in this industry. I think from a patient or medical side of things, it's a great thing that we are exploring an alternative to prescription drugs."

Start spreading the news. 

New York City cab drivers no longer have to take drug tests for marijuana, according to the city Taxi & Limousine Commission (TLC), which gave the green light in a statement:

“Due to the change in the law, going forward, the TLC will no longer test for marijuana in required annual drug tests.” 

But don't expect cabbies to smoke doobies while driving. The TLC, which issues licenses to taxi, livery cab and ride-share drivers like Uber and Lyf, went on to caution:

While the use of marijuana is now legal for adults, it is still the law that TLC-licensed Drivers must be sober when they operate a vehicle

The Louisiana House of Representatives recently passed a law that would grow the state’s current limited medical marijuana program. This would happen by allowing patients to purchase whole-flower cannabis. In addition to this bill, they also advanced another proposal that would secure licensing fees for recreational marijuana. That is if Louisiana moves to legalize marijuana under a different piece of legislation. The state’s House of Representatives also approved a proposal that’s meant to sync with Louisiana’s hemp program.

Meaning with the federal rules for the crop that were finalized and took effect under the U.S. Department of Agriculture just 4 weeks ago. State legislators have been passing a range of cannabis reform bills as of late. Yet debatably the most significant bill is one from Rep. Richard Nelson. This bill would create a recreational cannabis market in Louisiana. This new cannabis proposal was passed by the House Administration of Criminal Justice Committee last week. With the anticipation to make the floor for consideration in the coming days.

The companion licensing proposal, which is also being backed by Nelson, made its way through the House. Wich took place on the second reading on Monday without any objections. It would set a $2,500 yearly charge for cannabis business licenses and a $100 yearly fee for a personal cultivation license. As well, it would specify that, if Louisiana takes in more money from those charges then it needs to cover administrative costs. This extra money would go to individual municipalities and law enforcement.

Louisiana Is Pushing For Better Cannabis Reform

The committee gave final passage at the start of the week about legislation that would allow medical marijuana patients in Louisiana to access real marijuana flower. After being approved on a 73-26 victory, the bill, which is sponsored by House Speaker Pro Tempore Tanner Magee is now getting ready to head to the Senate.

“One of the reasons why we’re doing this is because the opioid crisis has been so costly to the people of our state,” Magee said before the vote. “It’s been so costly to them. This is a better version. If you’re on hydrocodone, yeah, it treats your pain, but it’s highly addictive. It has lots of side effects that we don’t like.”

Consumers with no access to recreational marijuana have flocked to hemp-derived Delta-8 products. Delta-8 Sprayed Flower, gummies, drinks, and other products have become common in CBD shops, smoke shops, and vape stores across the country, and consumer demand is just getting started. 

The rapid growth of the Delta-8 market, however, has been met with equally swift bans in several states, and more states are joining that list daily. As Delta-8 sits in a legal gray area, retailers are taking risks by selling these products to consumers, but with the enormous demand, the risk has been worth the reward… so far. 

Store Owners Are Getting Nervous

Some states have taken enforcement actions against retailers already, and more store owners are growing concerned over possible raids. Jay Barrios of No Cap Hemp Co said, “This is nerve-racking. We have lawyers working around the clock. Even then, I still lose sleep at night.” 

A New Solution Enters the Market

With Delta-8 appearing to have a shorter future than the industry had hoped, one company decided to create a product that meets the same consumer demand, and the solution may come as a shock.