It was going to happen. Somewhere in Europe was going to give. While it looked like it might be Germany – the current biggest European market was beat out by the tiniest EU country. Yup, that’s right, Malta just became the first legalized European country (so long as Georgia is not considered Europe).Malta passed a bill which legalized cannabis in the country (save for a signature from the Pres), making the EU that much more cannabis friendly. No place is quite as friendly as the US though, where tons of cannabis products can be found, including a host of new cannabinoids like delta-8 THC, THCV, and HHC, which can be bought, even outside of dispensaries. The holidays are a great time to stock up on your favorite products, so go ahead and check our deals, to make everyone on your Christmas list happy this year. Malta set to become the first legalized European countryOn December 14th, 2021, Bill No. 241 passed in Malta’s parliament legalizing the cultivation and use of cannabis recreationally. The vote ran 36 in favor, 27 against, and the new law stipulates that adults (18+) will be able to carry up to seven grams of cannabis, and grow up to four plants at home, with up to 50 grams stored. 50 grams stored is okay (not great), but seven grams is certainly not the most amazing accomplishment, and is a low amount in contrast to most legalized locations. Being found with more than seven grams but less than 28 grams, will incur a user a fine of €100 ($112). The main attraction to this law, is that it gives the ability to grow. According to Owen Bonnici, the county’s Equality Minister, this new law will “curb drug trafficking by making sure that [users] now have a safe and regularized way from where they can obtain cannabis”. This along with keeping personal users from having to face criminal charges. Kids who are caught with cannabis will not face criminal charges either, but will instead be placed in some kind of treatment program. ![]() Bonnici stated: “There is a wave of understanding now that the hard-fist approach against cannabis users was disproportionate, unjust and it was rendering a lot of suffering to people who are leading exemplary lives. But the fact that they make use on a personal basis of cannabis is putting them in the jaws of criminality.” To back this up, those who have incurred criminal records from prior cannabis infractions, can apply for expungement of their records, depending on the crime. The new law does not cover many things, and is very short of being a real cannabis legalization, or at least a far reaching one. Cannabis will still be illegal in public, with a fine of €235 ($264) attached, and smoking in front of anyone under 18 years of age incurs a fine of €500 ($562). More importantly, there is no ability to buy or sell in a free market. This means no dispensaries, no products market, no general business. In place of this, the country will set up ‘associations’. These non-profit associations will grow and distribute either the actual plant, or seeds for cultivation, thereby keeping track specifically of what anyone receives. A person will only be able to be a part of one association, so no tricking the authorities by joining several. Associations tap out at 500 members, will only sell up to seven grams in a transaction (which makes sense as per carry laws), and won’t sell more than 50 grams to a person in a month. If a person desires seeds instead, they may receive up to 20 in a month. How much choice users will have in these associations has not been made entirely clear, nor whether they will be operating at the behest of the government, or independently. If its the former, then Malta would join Uruguay in having a state-run system, unlike Canada and the US states. Though the bill has not been signed into law yet by President George Vella, and though opponents of this legislation are asking him not to sign it, this last step is generally more ceremonial than not, and is fully expected to happen. Even so, I never like to count something as happened when it hasn’t, so to be perfectly on-point about it, nothing has technically been legalized yet. And it won’t be, until he signs off. He is expected to sign it later this week. Does this really make Malta the first legalized European country?The answer to this depends entirely on definitions. First and foremost, when looking at the EU – European Union, then yes, Malta is absolutely the first country to allow for any official recreational cannabis legalization, making it the first legalized European Union country. There is plenty of cannabis acceptance already in the EU though. The Netherlands turns a blind eye and allows coffeeshops, but doesn’t have a recreational legalization. Spain has its social club loophole which essentially allows for near-legal use, but without official legalization. Luxembourg is on its way to allowing close to the same level of legalization that Malta just did, but its bill is still in parliament. ![]() Germany has a new government forming which is likely to legalize and start the first fully regulated European market, but its still supposition at this point. Denmark has Christiana, an operational ‘Freetown’ where the possession and use of cannabis are ceremonially legal, despite being in a country that does not allow recreational use. And though not for an actual legalization, Italy is set for a referendum on decriminalization next year. However, definitionally, if Georgia is considered part of Europe (albeit certainly not a part of the European Union), then the designation of first legalized European country actually goes to it. This definition is questionable as Georgia sits on the border between Eastern Europe and Western Asia, part of the former Soviet Bloc, technically a part of the Caucasus region. It is a member of the Council of Europe, Eurocontrol, European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, and OSCE, making a decent argument for its inclusion in Europe. Georgia became the third country to legalize cannabis in 2018 with a Constitutional Court ruling that stated it was unconstitutional to punish a person for using cannabis as it restricts personal freedoms, and since it doesn’t hurt anyone else. The court ruled that unless a third party somehow is being harmed, that cannabis use is okay. Unlike the Malta law, Georgia did not institute any form of cultivation law, nor associations, or regulated market. Meaning though the recreational possession and use of cannabis are legal in Georgia, the people are left in the uncomfortable position of having no legal way to procure it. Obviously not the best system, but still a reality. Malta and cannabis in generalMalta certainly looks like it’ll be the first legalized European country, at least in the EU. And this isn’t surprising considering the country has been pushing toward less restrictive measures for quite some time. Prior to Bill 241 Malta had already decriminalized small amounts of cannabis for personal use, though it was otherwise federally illegal. 2014’s Drug Dependence (Treatment not Imprisonment) Act made the specification that those caught with small amounts for personal use will go before a Commissioner of Justice, and generally only receive a small fine. If caught again within a two year period, the offender is required to go before the Drug Offender’s Rehabilitation Board to be reviewed for possible treatment. The small amount does cover one plant grown in a house, though more plants than that incur mandatory prison time. Even if all plants are for personal use. This negative loophole requiring mandatory prison time for offenders, has caused people to go to jail, even when growing multiple plants for personal medical usage. The increase to four legal plants will be beneficial for those who do require (or want) more. ![]() Malta does have a comprehensive medical cannabis program, signed into law in 2018. A month after that bill was signed, a second bill was signed with specifications in terms of cultivation, production, use, and importation. Malta celebrated its legalization of medical cannabis with an application to import 15 kilos for medical purposes. Though this new legalization law is certainly a step up, providing for even more freedoms, it’s still pretty stiff. It takes a step up from Georgia, but doesn’t create anything to the level that Canada, or the legalized US states have. Even so, it is a clear indication of changing times that an EU country is allowing recreational use at all. ConclusionThough it’s not a big country – smallest in the EU, Malta has a lot of eyes on it globally as this new passed-legislation now goes to the president’s desk for signature. While Malta represents the smallest of the EU countries, it’s opposite on the other end of the spectrum, Germany, also looks likely to be passing legislation soon. Even if it takes longer than expected for Germany, this new move by Mata opens the EU up to new levels of cannabis relaxation, and with several countries already mulling legislation, and debating in parliaments around the continent, the next few years are sure to bring major change in EU cannabis laws. Welcome to CBDtesters.co, the #1 web spot for all the most recent cannabis and psychedelics-related news going on in the world today. Stop by whenever you can to stay in-the-know on the quickly-changing landscape of legal drugs and industrial hemp, and sign up for The Delta 8 Weekly Newsletter, so you never miss a single thing. Disclaimer: Hi, I’m a researcher and writer. I’m not a doctor, lawyer, or businessperson. All information in my articles is sourced and referenced, and all opinions stated are mine. I am not giving anyone advise, and though I am more than happy to discuss topics, should someone have a further question or concern, they should seek guidance from a relevant professional. The post Malta Beats Out Germany to Become First Legalized European Country appeared first on CBD Testers. Via https://cbdtesters.co/2021/12/19/malta-beats-out-germany-to-become-first-legalized-european-country/
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Last Year New Zealand said no to recreational cannabis in a country-wide referendum. Now, the government is attempting to go one step further. New Zealand has become one of the first countries to introduce legislation that gives a hard ‘no’ to cigarettes, instituting a ban, and criminalizing their sale.Tis the season to buy a whole bunch of stuff for your loved ones, and hope they put as much thought into your gift too. If you’ve got cannabis aficionados on your list this year, you can sure make them happy with tons of new cannabis offerings. Like delta-8 THC, THCV, HHC, and THC-O-A. Whether they’re vapers, or edible lovers, oil users, or flower smokers, we’ve got tons of great deals for the holiday season, so check ’em out, and stock up today! What the #%@$ is New Zealand trying to do?If you’re scratching your head and asking that same question, it’s a logical one. Cigarettes are one of the most widely used products/drugs in the world, making the idea of banning them a big move. But that’s what’s on the docket to happen, albeit with a plan to implement this ban in steps. Yes, it’s true, New Zealand just gave a very hard ‘no’ to smoking cigarettes. On Thursday, December 9th, New Zealand’s Ministry of Health announced possible and sweeping regulation in the fight against smoking. The country isn’t trying to eliminate the ability for smoking altogether, at least not yet. But it is attempting to set the stage for this by announcing what is essentially a first step. The government of New Zealand has proposed a very hard ‘no’ on smoking cigarettes by making the sale of cigarettes and other tobacco products, illegal for those born after 2008. Should the proposed law go through (which headlines be darned, it has not yet!) then this is expected to start next year. According to Health Minister Dr. Ayesha Verall, “We want to make sure young people never start smoking.” This reform is very much appreciated by health care professionals as a way to reduce overall cigarette smoking, and as a way to limit the amount of tobacco in cigarettes. Along with the idea that New Zealand will introduce its hard ‘no’ on smoking cigarettes by way of a ban for kids, it also proposed other new tobacco controls. ![]() These include restricting the amount of nicotine in cigarettes, as well as applying restrictions in terms of where they can be sold. They would no longer be found on supermarket shelves or in corner stores. While somewhere in the neighborhood of 8,000 retailers exist now, the government intends to cut this down to closer to 500. What’s the climate for cigarette smoking in New Zealand?According to New Zealand’s Health Ministry, about 13% of the country currently smokes. The indigenous populations, the Maori and the Pacifika, have much higher rates within their population, and have higher numbers of health-related issues as a result. The Ministry says that smoking causes one out of four cancer cases in the country, and is the leading cause of preventative death within the country, which houses five million people. New Zealand’s immediate goal is to reduce its country-wide smoking rate by 5% by the year 2025. The overall goal, of course, is to eliminate it altogether. New Zealand does seem to understand this is tactically difficult to do all at once, and set up this system to eliminate it in stages, first by banning it from younger kids so they never start the habit. Basically, New Zealand is looking to stop smoking by generation. In a way, this is strange timing, as New Zealand smoking rates have already been declining. In 2018, the daily smoke rate was 11.6%, which is a drop from 10 years prior when it was up at 18%. The bigger issue comes from the indigenous populations like the Māori and Pacifika, which have higher smoking rates of 29% and 18% respectively. Dr. Verrall stated about this: “If nothing changes, it would be decades till Māori smoking rates fall below 5%.” Personally, I find this to be a strange complaint. He’s actually saying the smoking rate is falling, and is expected to fall more, even in poorer communities where the rate is higher. In fact, what he’s saying – that the expected decrease for the Māori in a few decades could bring the rate down to under 5%, is actually incredible. It’s like they’re already on the right trajectory, and yet looking to institute these weird laws anyway. Laws that will light up the black market, and encourage current smokers to pay more money for the same thing. Will New Zealand really be able to make a hard ‘no’ on smoking cigarettes?This is hard to say. Yeah, smoking is bad. We don’t even need to speak about it in uncertain terms, that’s how well understood the subject is. Breathing in smoke causes cancer, and cigarettes are the primary way people unnecessarily breathe it in. So, drawing a line in the sand and saying ‘I want better for my people’ doesn’t sound so bad. Sure, that’s great, and it does make a lot of sense. ![]() But there are some issues here as well, and I say this as someone who wholeheartedly promotes the elimination of cigarettes. One of the bigger concerns – which is highly valid in this day and age, is that this will simply bolster a tobacco black market rather than keeping people away from tobacco. If cannabis prohibition and alcohol prohibition taught us anything, its that black markets love it when the government outlaws something that’s widely used, since it rarely means people will actually stop using it. What was New Zealand’s way of trying to account for this issue? To announce that border controls will need to be bolstered by customs, and will likely require more resources. Seems kind of weak considering the previous prohibitions mentioned, especially since tobacco is a plant, and plants can easily be grown within the country, whether legally or not. The more realistic side is noted by chairman of the Dairy and Business Owners Group – a lobbyist for local convenience stores, Sunny Kaushal, who stated, “This is all 100% theory and 0% substance… There’s going to be a crime wave. Gangs and criminals will fill the gap”. Another main issue has to do with personal sovereignty. The idea that people should be able to choose how to live their lives, however dangerously. How well people will accept being told they can’t have this, is questionable at best, and will likely only empower the black market, since people will want to do, what they want to do. People do dangerous stuff all the time, like climbing Mount Everest, or bungee jumping off cliffs. I’ve never heard of a law against those things. Plus, as long as something like alcohol exists, and is widely sold, coming down on something like cigarettes for their negative health benefits, will always be lacking, and nonsensical. Sure, cigarettes are bad, but if New Zealand really wanted to save its people from substances which cause the most damage, alcohol would be first on the list, or banned in tandem. And I certainly haven’t seen anything about that. Further to that, the idea of limiting the amount of nicotine in cigarettes, as a run-up to banning them, is less likely to ween anyone off in the process, but more likely to encourage smokers to spend more money to get the same effect they’re already used to. This means more money to tobacco companies, and more money out-of-pocket for people already having a hard time getting by. Doesn’t sound very useful to the people of New Zealand. How necessary is this?By all accounts the smoking rate in New Zealand is already falling, and at a decent rate, making such a hard ‘no’ on smoking cigarettes a little confusing. Why institute unpopular laws when they’re not necessary? Especially when such laws are looking to so obviously promote a tobacco black market, and force people to pay out more money on weaker products. ![]() Laws like this are generally used to curb problems that are out of control. If deaths were increasing, or smoking rates were going up, that would be one thing. If a ridiculous number of kids had recently started smoking, or New Zealand was one of the smokiest countries, this might be understandable. But the country is already getting it under control, so why? Is it a hit on tobacco companies, or a backhanded way to get people to pay more? And if so, why? Truth is, younger generations have been adopting vaping at break-neck speeds. In a survey of 19,000 high school kids in New Zealand, nearly 20% were vaping every day, and often with high amounts of nicotine. This actually brings up the rate of nicotine consumption. In 2018, for example, only 3% of kids aged 15-17 smoked, and 10 years prior to this, it was at 13%. What these statistics imply, is that vaping has helped reduce smoking cigarettes, but it has widened the door of exposure to kids who might not have adopted nicotine use otherwise. If nicotine was really the issue, New Zealand would be representative of a very big problem. ConclusionThough bad writers like to state that this is already a done deal, it most certainly is not. In fact, there’s so much pushback that it might not go through at all, or not in the form its in now. Add onto that the lack of a need for this bill, and it becomes, well, silly. The smoking rate is already dropping in the country, making the New Zealand proposed hard ‘no’ on smoking cigarettes, one of the strangest, and most unnecessary laws I’ve seen lately. And that says a lot. Hello and welcome to the site! Thanks for stopping by CBDtesters.co, the #1 internet location for the best cannabis and psychedelics-related news, offering up the most interesting stories of today. Read-thru daily to stay abreast of the ever-changing world of legal drugs and industrial hemp, and sign up for the The Delta 8 Weekly Newsletter, so you never miss a single thing. Disclaimer: Hi, I’m a researcher and writer. I’m not a doctor, lawyer, or businessperson. All information in my articles is sourced and referenced, and all opinions stated are mine. I am not giving anyone advise, and though I am more than happy to discuss topics, should someone have a further question or concern, they should seek guidance from a relevant professional. The post New Zealand Gives a Hard ‘No’ to Cigarettes appeared first on CBD Testers. Via https://cbdtesters.co/2021/12/18/new-zealand-gives-a-hard-no-to-cigarettes/ We all associate smoking weed with that gnawing hunger that feels like starvation, and the term ‘munchies’ is well known for its association with sweet, salty, and fatty foods. So why are stoners generally skinny? It’s an age-old question that is starting to have some answers through recent research. In fact, one of the interesting components of smoking cannabis, might be in keeping the endocannabinoid system in check, as an over-active cannabinoid system, is often associated with obesity. If the endocannabinoid system is related to obesity, then cannabis could play a big role in dealing with it, particularly with compound THCV. THCV is one of many cannabis cannabinoids to make it to store shelves, along with the likes of delta-8 THC, HHC, and THC-O-A. If you’re concerned about your weight this holiday season, think about giving THCV a shot, you never know, could make a difference. We’ve got tons of deals for the holidays, so go ahead and start your shopping today, (or finish it if you didn’t wait til the last minute)! Make sure to subscribe to The THC Weekly Newsletter for deals on legal cannabis products, as well as all the latest news and industry stories. Also save big on Delta 8, Delta 9 THC, Delta-10 THC, THCO, THCV, THCP & HHC products by checking out our “Best-of” lists! First off, what’s obesity?To simply say that ‘obese’ means ‘fat’ is a bit of an understatement. We all know the term ‘fat’ to be wide-ranging of course. We use it for anything from a little extra gut flab to a person twice the size they technically (and healthily) should be. But ‘obese’ is actually way more specific. Whereas simply being overweight means having a BMI over 25%, ‘obese’ specifically relates to a BMI of over 30%. The two terms, ‘overweight’, and ‘obese’ also come with the connotation of not just excess fat, but enough to present a health risk. If you’re wondering what ‘BMI’ means, this stands for ‘body mass index’, and is a measure of a person’s weight in kilograms, divided by height in meters squared. Therefore, its written as mg/kg, so a BMI of 25 looks like this: 25kg/m2. While there is no ‘right’ BMI, since we all vary in our builds, particularly in bone density, it suffices to say that a standard or average adult BMI is between 18.5-24.9. Being above or below does not have to indicate a weight issue, but it does make it more likely. It suffices to say that this is a growing problem (no pun intended). While some like to point at more sedentary lifestyles as the culprit, the much more concerning factor is the food we eat, and the increasingly lower quality of it, which has allowed for this ballooning out. That developing countries have this same issue (when they used to be the skinnier countries, and without intervention, places without a lot of processed foods) says a lot of awful things about what rich agricultural companies push on those who can’t afford to say no. But that’s an article for a different time, probably for a different publication. ![]() How big is the obesity problem?When it comes to America – the home of obesity, the statistics can get quite staggering. According to the CDC, in 2017-2018, a staggering 42.4% of the population weighed in as obese. That means that nearly an entire half of the population was not only overweight, but qualifying as obese. When measuring the increase, the rate shot up 30.5% between the years of 1999-2018. In the same time period, severe obesity (BMI greater than 40) went up from 4.7% to 9.2%. On a larger scale (no pun intended again), the WHO’s global burden of disease statistics state that in 2017, over four million people died worldwide due to being overweight or obese. The rates have been growing quite quickly, with an increase of 4% to 18% in children alone (ages 5-19) between the years of 1975-2016. Funny thing is, it’s usually stated that the majority of obese children are from developing countries due to poor nutrition issues, with those areas seeing a 30% bigger increase in such cases. Yet the US, one of the richest countries, still remains #1. In terms of the problems caused by obesity, the list is endless. Being overweight, especially to intense degrees, will have a negative impact on nearly every body function. Just think how much harder your heart has to work if it has to pump blood for a body double the size it’s supposed to be. And then consider diabetes, and how many Type II cases are out there as a result of bodies being too big to produce enough insulin to account for the amount of sugar being ingested. Diabetes in and of itself has become an insanely big health issue, effecting 422 million in 2014, up from 108 million in 1980, according to WHO. Globally the number increased threefold since 1975. Premature death rates have increased by 5% between the years of 2000-2016 because of diabetes, with 1.5 million deaths directly related to it in 2019. In the US alone, as of 2018, a massive 10.5% of the population had diabetes, equaling 34.2 million people. What’s the endocannabinoid system?There are a myriad of reasons that obesity has gotten so out of control, with a highly adulterated food system taking the #1 spot, followed, possibly, by more sedentary lifestyles. But genetics are a part of it too, and for this reason, how a person’s endocannabinoid system acts and responds, could very well help to dictate the ability for obesity. And it could say something about using cannabis to fight obesity. As recent research has been showing, obesity issues seem to have at least some relation to the endocannabinoid system, and in many cases, the person shows an overactive endocannabinoid system, something not seen as much in pot smokers. The endocannabinoid system, as we know, is a system of lipid-based neurotransmitters, and the receptors which they attach to. While a decent amount is understood about this system, there are still plenty of question marks about it operationally. It’s currently thought that the system relates to CNS function, synaptic plasticity (changes in synaptic behavior), and in how we respond to stimuli from outside and within. ![]() Research points to its involvement in cognitive functions, and physiological processes like fertility, pregnancy, and natal and early growth and development. It also appears to play a role in immune function, mood regulation, emotion, motivation, learning, memory, appetite, pain sensitivity, addiction issues, motor coordination, and with allowing us to feel the super awesome effects of compounds like delta-9 THC. That last point is important, as it’s the endocannabinoid system that contains receptors for cannabis compounds, namely CB1, and CB2 receptors, with possibly plenty more that are less known about, like GRP55. These are the receptor sites that determine how a person will respond to different compounds within the plant. So why are stoners so skinny?Now we come back to that idea of the munchies. Of all drugs, cannabis is known for being one that induces hunger more than others, right? So why do so many potheads (seemingly the majority) look like they could use a burger and fries? And especially in light of cramming in all that munchie style junk food? According to research published in 2017 called Overactivation of the endocannabinoid system alters the antilipolytic action of insulin in mouse adipose tissue, a link was found between obesity and the endocannabinoid system over-functioning. The purpose of the study was to investigate how “obesity-related metabolic dysregulation is associated with overactivation of the endocannabinoid system (ECS), which involves cannabinoid receptor 1 (CB1R), in peripheral tissues, including adipose tissue (AT)”. Adipose tissue is fat tissue. As per the study investigators, the study: “indicates the existence of a functional interaction between CB1R and lipolysis regulation in AT. Further investigation is needed to test if the elevation of ECS tone encountered in obesity is associated with excess fat mobilization contributing to ectopic fat deposition and related metabolic disorders.” Essentially, though more research is required to gain a more firm understanding, it appears that those with elevated endocannabinoid system functioning, are more likely to be obese. In fact, to add to the confusion, regular cannabis smokers are actually known to have lower BMIs, less issues with obesity, and overall better metabolic health. And this despite often consuming more calories than non-smokers who weigh more. So how does this happen? Well, other research has been done into this. ![]() Like the study Theoretical Explanation for Reduced Body Mass Index and Obesity Rates in Cannabis Users from 2018, in which researchers attempted to find an explanation for this contradiction of potheads being skinny. The research shows a possible explanation by way of a long-lasting downregulation of CB1R after cannabis use, which in turn reduces the storage of energy and increases metabolic rates. This would then reverse the impact that elevated dietary omega-6/omega-3 ratios cause on body mass. And this would help keep a person skinny. What about THCV?The cannabinoid market in America is sometimes seedy and completely unregulated, offering products based on different cannabinoids that can be extracted or synthesized from the cannabis plant. While many do occur naturally, the inability to get large amounts means even those naturally occurring are being sold as synthetics. One such cannabinoid of mention here, is THCV, or tetrahydrocannabivarin. THCV comes from precursor CBGVA, which breaks down to form THCVA, which in turn is decarboxylated to create THCV. One of the interesting features of THCV is that it shows in research to effect appetite, by way of being a CB1 receptor antagonist. Unlike delta-9, which works as a CB1 agonist, promoting hunger, THCV does the opposite. Human testing is a little behind on this subject, but tests on mice have revealed appetite suppression, and lower food intake accordingly. This compound therefore could be useful in getting people to simply eat less. But it does something else of value too. THCV has also shown an ability to help with glucose intolerance, something often experienced in obese populations. These studies have only been done on mice as well, with results showing a reduction in glucose intolerance both with genetically obese mice, and mice with dietary-induced obesity. THCV was able to improve glucose tolerance, and insulin signaling in mice, and for mice that were obese due to being overfed, it increased the animal’s sensitivity to insulin. All of this could help explain why cannabis users are often so skinny, and how the endocannabinoid system in general can be related to obesity. ConclusionSure, there are some obese stoners out there, no doubt. And no one is saying that cannabis is an all-out answer to obesity, at least not yet. But with more coming out linking the endocannabinoid system to obesity, and more being learned about compounds like THCV, it could very well be that weed ends up being the unlikeliest answer to our expanding population. Hello and welcome! Thanks for stopping by CBDtesters.co, your #1 web source for cannabis and psychedelics-related news, offering the most interesting stories of today. Join us frequently to stay on-top of the quickly-moving world of legal drugs and industrial hemp, and remember to check out The THC Weekly Newsletter, to ensure you’re never late on getting a story. Disclaimer: Hi, I’m a researcher and writer. I’m not a doctor, lawyer, or businessperson. All information in my articles is sourced and referenced, and all opinions stated are mine. I am not giving anyone advise, and though I am more than happy to discuss topics, should someone have a further question or concern, they should seek guidance from a relevant professional. The post Why Stoners Are Skinny: The Endocannabinoid System, Obesity, and THCV appeared first on CBD Testers. Via https://cbdtesters.co/2021/12/18/why-stoners-are-skinny-the-endocannabinoid-system-obesity-and-thcv/ The United States prides itself on being a nation of social and economic freedom. As a matter of fact, these are some of our founding principles and fundamental rights. Numerous documents have been drafted over the years to make sure these liberties are never taken away from us; the most important being the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights.These documents outline our inalienable rights and the responsibilities of a government that works for us to protect said rights. This all sounds amazing, but what happens when there is a major discrepancy between our legal rights and what we consider our intrinsic rights? Regarding cannabis, this is a question coming up with more regularity; because, if we are granted “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness”, why would something natural, non-toxic, and therapeutic – something that by all definitions, “makes us happy”, be prohibited? Getting straight to the point here, is cannabis prohibition unconstitutional? Numerous industry advocates and legal experts are raising this question in the United States Supreme Court. Weed legality is incredibly complicated and constantly changing. But one aspect of it that does not get challenged enough is whether cannabis prohibition is actually unconstitutional? Is banning cannabis, legal? Maybe focusing on our most important historical documents is the key to federal legalization. In the meantime, make sure to subscribe to The THC Weekly Newsletter for deals on legal cannabis products, as well as all the latest news and industry stories. Also save big on Delta 8, Delta 9 THC, Delta-10 THC, THCO, THCV, THCP & HHC products by checking out our “Best-of” lists! The Declaration, the Constitution, and the Bill of RightsNow, let’s get back to these important documents. Earlier I touched briefly on the Declaration, the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights, but I would be remiss not to discuss each in further detail. After all, they are undeniably our most valued government documents. There are some obvious parallels between the three, starting with the fact that they all have a preamble – which are expressive, introductory statements. They were all written to ease civil unrest or general political turbulence. And most importantly, they all work together and play off each other to guarantee that our basic rights – which the founders believed came from God – are protected and that we, the people, have a way to hold our governing bodies accountable. That said, there are some critical differences between these documents as well – in how they are written, their history, and the purposes they serve. The Declaration and Constitution were both drafted in what is now known as Independence Hall, by a congress and convention that met in 1776 and 1787, whereas the Bill of Rights was written two years later, in 1789, by a congress that met in Federal Hall in New York. The Declaration was written almost entirely by Thomas Jefferson, and James Madison was the primary drafter of the Bill of Rights and Constitution, along with James Wilson. The Declaration was created as a rationale for breaking away from the oppressive British government; and the Constitution and Bill of Rights were constructed to establish a government that will defend our newly established freedoms, as per the Declaration of Independence. The Bill of Rights describes the rights and liberties of the American people, and the constitution details the government’s role in preserving these rights. Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happinessRegarding cannabis, let’s focus more on the part about “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness”. In that short statement, the preamble to the Declaration of Independence basically encompasses the entire theory of a democratic, American government. “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.—That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed,—That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness.” There are a few different interpretations of the “pursuit of happiness” segment, but there really are not very many ways to misconstrue that. Some describe it as the right to freely pursue anything joyous, as long as you live life in a way that is not violating the rights of another individual. Others take that definition one step further to include breaking the law as a barrier to “pursuing happiness”. Arguably, cannabis makes most people happy… it does me for sure. My cannabis use doesn’t harm others or infringe upon anyone else’s rights; however, it is still illegal. But legality is just about as subjective as defining happiness. I mean, interracial marriage was once illegal in the US, and the only people allowed to work, vote, and own property were white men. Laws are often unjust and society is waiting on the right people to make waves, shake things up a bit, and abolish the old, archaic ways. So, at this point, knowing the medicinal benefits of cannabis and how it functions in the human body; and taking into consideration that the level of intoxication and risk of adverse effects are both very low; how can the government justify prohibition anymore? If alcohol is legal, then yes, keeping cannabis illegal does seem to border on unconstitutional. Liberty vs Personal SovereigntyIf you’ve been following any global cannabis news lately, you’ve likely noticed that some countries, like Mexico and South Africa, are pushing cannabis legalization through Supreme Courts using personal sovereignty clauses in their constitutions. Personal sovereignty can be defined as follows: To be sovereign over one’s self is to be free of the control or coercion of others – to truly direct one’s own life.” Summed up, it’s the concept of self-ownership and governing one’s own body without interference from anyone else, including the government. This applies to legal/inalienable rights, body and health-related rights, and simply being the sole controller over your own body and life. Personal sovereignty is a central idea rooted in several different political ideologies including liberalism, libertarianism, and anarchism. Many countries that have constitutional documents and supreme courts also have personal sovereignty clauses. What’s interesting is that even these “God-given” rights do vary based on your locality. So, what’s considered inviolable in one country might not be so in another country. That being said, no, the United States does not have a personal sovereignty clause in its constitution. The closest we get is that passionate preamble, which is not absolute and can be interpreted in different ways. Because cannabis laws are relaxing all over the world and a greater number of large-scale studies are becoming available, it’s possible, theoretically, that the “pursuit of happiness” argument could hold up in court, but as of now, that has not happened yet. NORML’s amicus briefIn an amicus curiae brief filed last year by a NORML (National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Law) Legal Committee member David Holland, Esq., argued that the harsh federal scheduling of cannabis is unconstitutional because all three branches of our government (legislative, executive and judicial) have supported and promoted laws and policies that directly contradict the plant’s illegal status. Holland said: “The Brief exposes a fundamental paradox – if cannabis is federally illegal for all purposes, and the three coordinate branches of federal government have acted to allow for cannabis businesses, then the federal government is nullifying its own law. Simply put, under the Constitution, something cannot be illegal and legal at the same time especially when it comes to state laws that conflict with federal laws. The only resolution to this constitutional conflict is for the Supreme Court to invoke the doctrine of estoppel to prevent the federal government from reversing course and retroactively penalizing that which it has protected in fostering state cannabis programs and effectively legalizing it.” He added: “Federal precedent exists for the Court to invoke the doctrine and Attorney General William Barr has testified before Congress about his belief that it would be fundamentally unfair to penalize those who in good faith relied upon those government statements and policies because it would violate Due Process. Due Process and fairness are the very heart of the reasoning for the Court to invoke the doctrine of estoppel.” Click here to read the full text. What about Justice Clarence Thomas?A sudden and unlikely proponent of cannabis legalization is Justice Clarence Thomas, one of the Supreme Court’s most conservative members. Thomas is challenging federal cannabis prohibition based on the government’s inconsistent policies and enforcement. He asked whether the federal government had the right to undermine state-regulated markets, and what to make of all their contradicting messages. “Once comprehensive, the Federal Government’s current approach is a half-in, half-out regime that simultaneously tolerates and forbids local use of marijuana,” Thomas wrote. “This contradictory and unstable state of affairs strains basic principles of federalism and conceals traps for the unwary.” Thomas’ newfound views stem from a case brought against the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) by a medical cannabis dispensary in Colorado. They sued over a tax code that blocked cannabis retailers from claiming regular business deductions that other industries were able to do. ![]() In 2009 and 2013, the Department of Justice issued memorandums instructing prosecutors to let cannabis businesses in legal states operate without interference. Additionally, congress passed a law in 2015 that completely prohibits the Justice Department to spend any money going after these legal operators. “Given all these developments, one can certainly understand why an ordinary person might think that the Federal Government has retreated from its once-absolute ban on marijuana,” Thomas wrote. “If the Government is now content to allow States to act ‘as laboratories’ ‘and try novel social and economic experiments,’ then it might no longer have authority to intrude on ‘the States’ core police powers . . . to define criminal law and to protect the health, safety and welfare of their citizens,’” he wrote. “A prohibition on intrastate use or cultivation of marijuana may no longer be necessary or proper to support the Federal Government’s piecemeal approach.” Jim Thorburn, the attorney who is representing the Colorado dispensary whose lawsuit Thomas commented on, believes there’s a way to legalize marijuana federally through the Supreme Court. “Justice Thomas is providing the roadmap to the end of Prohibition,” says Thorburn. “He’s trying to end the federal prohibition.” Thorburn believes that Thomas’ statement was a suggestion to attack Gonzales v. Raich head-on. “When he says this is straining the core of federalism, and calling Gonzalez v. Reich into question, whether the Court could support that case today—I think he’s suggesting that cannabis prohibition might be unconstitutional,” says Thorburn. Conclusion – Is cannabis prohibition unconstitutional or not?The fight for cannabis, Thorburn says, could very well be decided by the Supreme Court, similar to how marriage equality, abortion rights, and other social issues have been historically resolved. Only time will where that final push to legalization will come from, but looking at some of our oldest and most important government documents may hold the answer. Hello and welcome! You made it to CBDtesters.co, your one-stop-shop for the most up-to-date and thought-provoking cannabis and psychedelics-related news, offering up the most relevant stories of today. Join us frequently to stay informed on the quickly-moving universe of legal drugs and industrial hemp, and sign up for The THC Weekly Newsletter, to make sure you always know what’s going on first. Disclaimer: Hi, I’m a researcher and writer. I’m not a doctor, lawyer, or businessperson. All information in my articles is sourced and referenced, and all opinions stated are mine. I am not giving anyone advice, and though I am more than happy to discuss topics, should someone have a further question or concern, they should seek guidance from a relevant professional. The post Is Cannabis Prohibition Unconstitutional? appeared first on CBD Testers. Via https://cbdtesters.co/2021/12/17/is-cannabis-prohibition-unconstitutional/ In the modern-day recreational cannabis market, there is a constant, ongoing race to isolate and utilize the most potent, safe, and legal compounds from the cannabis plant. Since Delta 9 THC is the unlucky one to fall into the category of federally prohibited, we look to alternative THCs to get the job done. At this point, most people have heard of Delta 8 THC, or maybe even Delta 10 and THCV, but the newest one to make waves in the industry is THCh, or tetrahydrocannabihexol.Discovering new cananbinoids is always exciting, with THCh we’re at 150 so far, and still counting! To say up-to-date with more articles like this one, make sure to subscribe to The THC Weekly Newsletter – your top source for industry information as well as exclusive deals on flowers, vapes, edibles, and other legal products. And save big on Delta 8, Delta 9 THC, Delta-10, THCO, THCV, THCP & HHC products by checking out our “Best-of” lists! What is THCh and how was it discovered?Delta 9 Tetrahydrocannabihexol (THCh, Δ9-THCh or n-Hexyl-Δ9-THC), along with is cannabidihexol (CBDh), are phytocannabinoids that were discovered in 2020 by the same group of Italian researchers who first isolated THCP and CBDP (tetrahydrocannabiphorol and cannabidiphorol). In short, THCh is a hexyl homolog of delta 9 THC. A homolog is simply a molecule that has a nearly identical structure and function to another molecule, and primary cannabinoids have many homologs. Many of the alternate THCs, like Delta 8 and Delta 10, share terpenophenolic profiles with Delta 9 but the double bond on their linear alkyl side chain varies in location (ie Delta 8 has the link on the 8th chain, whereas Delta 9 has it on the 9th chain). However, in the case of THCh, this compound bears a n-hexyl side chain. These are the first hexyl derivatives of cannabinoids that have been discovered thus far. The definition of a hexyl group is “an irregular, saturated radical compound of hydrogen and carbon, derived from hexane.” Often this is the result of the loss of one or more hydrogen atoms. THCh can be both naturally-derived and synthetically produced. When it comes to consumer products, expect the latter, as it exists in much too low of concentrations to be successfully extracted from plant matter on a regular basis. Most likely, hemp-based CBD will be converted into THC, and that would then be turned into THCh, although I’m personally unfamiliar with the exact process of how to do that.
Effects and BenefitsAny specifics on what exactly THCh can do for us are still up for debate, but experts do have some theories on what conditions it could best treat. Initial reports indicate that THCh is effective in elevating the mood and relieving pain. The team that discovered this cannabinoid tested these hypotheses on mice and found that THCh was able to block the neural pathways that are responsible for the physiological detection of pain. So basically, it subconsciously stops our brains from recognizing pain. More studies are needed to back up these results, as well to further explore its potential for providing mental health relief. When it comes to THCs in general, the way the work is via their ability to bind with one of the two cannabinoid receptors found in the human body. CB1 receptors are found in our brains and nervous systems and CB2 receptors are found throughout the immune system and surround structures. CB1 receptors are the primary binding points for THC, which make the psychoactive effects make that much more sense. As far as effects go, there isn’t much to go on there either. I haven’t tried it and have not been able to find any accounts from anyone who has. That being said, it’s believed that THCh is more potent than Delta 9 THC but slightly less potent than THCP, if that helps put it into any kind of perspective. More about CBDhDuring this experiment, researchers also discovered CBDh; it was actually the focal point of their entire study, and THCh was the added bonus. What’s unique about CBDh, compared to other compounds in the same family like CBD and CBDP, is that it binds directly to the CB receptors. Most CBD-type cannabinoids have very little affinity to CB receptors. They typically bind to TRPV1 receptors, which are known to encourage higher levels of anandamide production. Anandamide is a fatty acid neurotransmitter and the first endocannabinoid to be discovered. Anandamide does bind directly to CB receptors. So, simply put, CBD does stimulate those same receptors, but in a secondary, roundabout way. But, since CBDh is different and does engage these receptors, its pharmacological benefits could be much greater than CBD’s. In the initial study, it was determined that much less CBDh is need for pain relief and management than CBD or CBDP. 1.2 mg/kg of CBDH reduced pain response and 2 mg/kg of CBDH significantly blocked the physiological detection of pain. Conversely, higher doses (3 and 5 mg/kg) had no pain-relieving effects. This isn’t entirely uncommon – with some compounds, going over a certain dose does absolutely nothing as the body will only process and utilize so much at a time. Delta 8 THCh?Another isomer being discussed is Δ8-THCh, or Delta 8 THCh. It’s currently a synthetic cannabinoid categorized under the code number JWH-124 in Clemson University’s, John W. Huffman’s, research group list of cannabinoids. In total, this group has identified about 450 cannabis plant compounds, about a third of which are cannabinoids. Theoretically, this could be a naturally occurring compound as Delta 8 is found in very small concentrations in cannabis and is also sometimes a degraded form of Delta 9 THC; but Delta 8 THCh has not yet been isolated in the plant. To expand more on that degradation: Delta 9 THC, although very abundant in marijuana strains, is an extremely unstable compound. When exposed to heat and light, THC molecules start breaking down at a rapid rate. During this process, roughly 90 percent of THC becomes CBN (cannabinol, non-psychoactive), but the other 10 percent will turn into other compounds, often Delta 8 THC. Any products available?So far, I have not been able to find any products that scream safety or legitimacy. Doing a quick google search I found a couple companies selling vape carts that supposedly contain THCh combined with Delta 8 THC. The jury is still out regarding how these two compounds work together, or if it’s even THCh in those carts. *** UPDATE: THCh products are arriving soon. Subscribe to The THC Weekly Newsletter and be the first to know once those products are available. Currently, you can experience THCh in regular, full spectrum cannabis products, since it’s naturally occuring in small amounts, but you won’t find many items containing an isolated version of this cannabinoid just yet. But make sure to check back with us because as soon as decent products are available, we will do what we can to get them to our readers. Hello readers! Thanks for joining us at CBDtesters.co, the #1 internet location for the most recent and interesting cannabis and psychedelics-related news from around the globe. Visit the site everyday to stay abreast of the quickly-moving landscape of legal drugs and industrial hemp, and sign up for The Psychedelics Weekly Newsletter, to ensure you always know what’s going on. Disclaimer: Hi, I’m a researcher and writer. I’m not a doctor, lawyer, or businessperson. All information in my articles is sourced and referenced, and all opinions stated are mine. I am not giving anyone advice, and though I am more than happy to discuss topics, should someone have a further question or concern, they should seek guidance from a relevant professional. Want hemp flowers? Look at the best smokable hemp flowers The post What is THCh? Learn Everything About Tetrahydrocannabihexol appeared first on CBD Testers. Via https://cbdtesters.co/2021/12/15/what-is-thch-learn-everything-about-tetrahydrocannabihexol/ The cannabis debate is a long-ranging one, encompassing many topics from safety, to medical uses, to how the plant was used in history. While we can often get ourselves in a tizzy over disagreements, today is just about enjoying the lighter side of weed. In honor of the Jewish tradition of Hanukkah, here’s a look at cannabis mentions in the Old Testament. Whether cannabis is mentioned in the Old Testament or not is an interesting and on-going question. Luckily, either way, there are tons of great products from this age-old plant you can take advantage of. Plus, with the growing cannabinoids industry, you can switch it up in lots of ways. Like using delta-8 THC, or THCV, or HHC in place of regular delta-9. We’ve got an array of holiday deals for you to check out on all cannabinoids whether you like vapes, gummies, oil, or something else. So go ahead, and get them while the getting is good! Make sure to subscribe to The THC Weekly Newsletter. Also save big on Delta 8, Delta 9 THC, Delta-10 THC, THCO, THCV, THCP & HHC products by checking out our “Best-of” lists! Cannabis in old literatureOne of the reasons the debate in favor of cannabis is so strong, and has prevailed so well, is that cannabis has been used for so long. Not every longstanding tradition is a good one, but in the case of cannabis, this longstanding tradition has shown an overall positive balance, with plenty of mentions throughout history, all the way back to ancient times. Most mentions are about medical and spiritual uses of the plant. While we don’t have all translations for Traditional Chinese Medicine texts, cannabis has been identified in them, going back to 1,800 years ago, and possibly as far as 4,000. In such texts, the use of cannabis was established for different medical issues from controlling constipation and diarrhea, to use as an antidiabetic, to skin applications, to uses for intractable illnesses. We also know that cannabis as a tea was used in China going back to 1,500 BC. We know the ancient Egyptians used cannabis in 1,700 BC calling it shemshemet, and that mentions can be seen in a variety of texts like The Ramesseum III Papyrus dated to 1,700 BC, and Eber’s Papyrus from 1,600 BC, among others. Plus, we know that India has a Bhang tradition going back 1,000 years, which has been written about extensively in Indian texts. We know it was an important part of ancient Ayervedic medicine in India in general, with texts going back thousands of years speaking of cannabis as a cure for diarrhea, as well as other gastrointestinal issues; as an anti-spasmodic and anti-convulsant; for nervous system issues; for skin applications; to stimulate the sex drive, or assuage unwanted sexual feelings; for genital and urinary functions; for respiratory issues; to counter infectious diseases; and for a range of other issues that essentially cover nearly every kind of ailment. ![]() There is no shortage of mentions of cannabis in ancient times, however the idea of religious texts are different. Whether cannabis appears in old religious texts will never matter to some people, but to others, it will provide the reasons by which cannabis should be accepted or not. As the majority of the world holds to some religion, arguments over mentions in religious texts are therefore not uncommon, and can create quite heated debates. While we could debate about it today, we’ll skip it this time around. Instead, in honor of the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah, we’ll take a look at cannabis mentions in the Old Testament. Cannabis mentions in the Old TestamentFirst and foremost, when getting into anything like this, it’s important to understand that no hard and fast answers exist. Realistically, we can’t even agree on who wrote religious texts, when exactly they’re from, and how much truth value, or actual historical value they have. So while some people will swear by them, and live their lives by how they interpret teachings, others see such texts as nothing more than stories, with only minimal – if any – actual relation to accepted history. Because of this, it really can be a contentious subject. However, as stated, today we’re just having a little fun. Maybe the upcoming mentions have real value. Maybe they were made up in recent years, and repeated enough times to be passed off as valid stories. Since we’re not looking for life answers right now, we don’t have to care. One thing to understand about this topic – and a reason for contention on it, is that cannabis is not mentioned by any formal name in the Old Testament, at least not for sure. When talking about cannabis mentions in it, the first thing to know is that we often have to put together some pieces, in order to make inferences into what the subject matter really is. Non-specific mentions of cannabis in the Old TestamentSome mentions are completely non-specific, but because they are general statements, they therefore should include cannabis. The only question as to whether cannabis would be included, is about whether its existence was known about for sure by whoever wrote the text. Like the following passage from Genesis 1:12, “The earth brought forth vegetation, plants yielding seed according to their own kinds, and trees bearing fruit in which is their seed, each according to its kind. And God saw that it was good.” The line states that the earth grows plants. That these plants grow seeds and fruit. And that according to god, it’s all good. Unless therefore cannabis wasn’t known about, kind of seems like it would be included. ![]() This is re-stated in Genesis 1:29-31: “And God said, “Behold, I have given you every plant yielding seed that is on the face of all the earth, and every tree with seed in its fruit. You shall have them for food. And to every beast of the earth and to every bird of the heavens and to everything that creeps on the earth, everything that has the breath of life, I have given every green plant for food.”” These are interesting mentions because they aren’t about cannabis specifically, but obviously apply to it entirely as a general plant on earth. Such statements – and others geared at those who do not accept all of god’s creations, can also be found in the New Testament, like in Romans 14:1-23 where it says: “One person believes he may eat anything, while the weak person eats only vegetables. Let not the one who eats despise the one who abstains, and let not the one who abstains pass judgment on the one who eats, for God has welcomed him.” Or, 1 Timothy 4:4-6, where it says, “For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, for it is made holy by the word of God and prayer. If you put these things before the brothers, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, being trained in the words of the faith and of the good doctrine that you have followed.” More specific possible mentions of cannabis in the Old TestamentIf we know that cannabis might not be mentioned directly by name, we can’t expect to see it clearly pointed out. But we also know religious texts can make points while not being entirely clear. As a plant that we know was used for medicine purposes back in ancient times, we can infer that some mentions could indeed be about cannabis. But its important to remember that they could be for other plants as well. There is one possible direct mention to cannabis in the Old Testament, with the story being that it was mistranslated through time. Whether it actually is about cannabis is nearly impossible to say for sure right now, but it does create a very compelling argument that cannabis was specifically fingered in this literature. The theory has to do with the term ‘kaneh bosem’ being mistranslated to the word ‘calamus’, which is mentioned five times in the old text. In Hebrew, “קנה בשם” refers to an aromatic stalk plant which is meant to soak in a sacred oil. “קנה” specifically means ‘reed’ or ‘stalk’. Translations can be tricky. Though several English words use ‘kaneh’ as a root, (most unrelated to cannabis), this root can be seen in other languages where it does refer to cannabis. This is exemplified by the “Syriac word ‘qunnappa,’ the Arabic word ‘kunnab,’ the Greek word ‘kannabis,’ and the Latin word ‘canabum.’” The ancient Scythians, who are often thought to be the first cannabis users, likely took the name they used for it from the neighboring Semitic region, which then became kanab in Persia. ![]() What is this kaneh bosem?The ‘kaneh bosm’ issue can be seen as either completely irrelevant to cannabis when mentioned, or a mistranslation meant to signify cannabis. The idea of misinterpretations runs deep, especially when even today, different translations can be found for the same passage. Here are some examples of the passage, Exodus 30:23: In the King James Version (KJV 1900) version, it says: “Take thou also unto thee principal spices, of pure myrrh five hundred shekels, and of sweet cinnamon half so much, even two hundred and fifty shekels, and of sweet calamus two hundred and fifty shekels…” The New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) says: “Take the finest spices: of liquid myrrh five hundred shekels, and of sweet-smelling cinnamon half as much, that is, two hundred fifty, and two hundred fifty of aromatic cane…” And in the The Lexham English Bible (LEB) says: “And take for yourself top quality balsam oils, five hundred shekels of flowing myrrh, half as much—two hundred and fifty shekels of fragrant cinnamon, and two hundred and fifty shekels of fragrant reed…” Whether ‘calamus’ is meant to mean, ‘cannabis’, ‘fragrant reed’, or ‘aromatic cane’ is unclear from just these three translations (as well as what the latter two would actually refer to). Other translations make it even murkier. The whole idea of the passage is that it gives instructions to make “holy anointing oil”. If ‘calamus’ is a mistranslation of ‘kaneh bosem’, and if ‘kaneh bosem’ is a reference to cannabis, it gives the whole thing an entirely different meaning, and makes weed not only directly mentioned, but prominent in the Old Testament. ConclusionSo is ‘kaneh bosem’ cannabis? Well, I sure can’t say. But if it is, not only is there a direct mention in the Old Testament, but multiple, including how to use it for holy purposes. Even if ‘calamus’ doesn’t relate to ‘kaneh bosem’, or if ‘kaneh bosem’ doesn’t relate to weed, there is still a compelling argument that mentions to all fruiting or flowering plants, would include this one. There may or may not be direct mentions of cannabis in the bible, depending on the actual translations given. This holiday, let’s not waste too much time worrying about what an old book says, and enjoy the ability to just get high. Welcome to the site! Thanks for joining us at CBDtesters.co, your best internet source for cannabis and psychedelics-related news, providing the most thought-provoking and relevant stories of today. Stop by whenever you can to stay aware of the ever-moving landscape of legal drugs and industrial hemp, and check out The Delta 8 Weekly Newsletter, to ensure you get every news story first. Disclaimer: Hi, I’m a researcher and writer. I’m not a doctor, lawyer, or businessperson. All information in my articles is sourced and referenced, and all opinions stated are mine. I am not giving anyone advise, and though I am more than happy to discuss topics, should someone have a further question or concern, they should seek guidance from a relevant professional. The post In Honor of Hanukkah, A Look at Cannabis in The Old Testament appeared first on CBD Testers. Via https://cbdtesters.co/2021/12/16/in-honor-of-hanukkah-a-look-at-cannabis-in-the-old-testament/ DMT… few letters in the world of drugs have such an impressive following, reputations and devotion. Nicknamed the spirit substance due to its link to out of body experiences and incredibly strong trips, DMT is truly one of the most fascinating hallucinogens available, and one that deserves a thorough examination.As part of our What Is (Drugs) series, examining different compounds and presenting their histories, effects and legality around the world, we’ve looked at a plethora of substances that can truly alter one’s experience. We will now look at DMT, perhaps best known for providing most intense trip a person can experience, but also for being the only known psychedelic substance to be naturally produced within the brain. So strap in as things get intense and we dive into the wonderful world of DMT. Remember to subscribe to The Psychedelics Weekly Newsletter for more articles like this one and all the latest, most exciting industry news. And save big on Delta 8, Delta 9 THC, Delta-10, THCO, THCV, THCP & HHC products by checking out our “Best-of” lists! What Is DMT?Brittanica defines DMT, an abbreviation of its longer, chemical name Dimethyltryptamine, as a ‘powerful, naturally occurring hallucinogenic compound structurally related to the Drug LSD (lysergic acid diethylamide).’ It is the “naturally-occurring” part of this definition which is particularly interesting as DMT can be found in many plants and animals, including humans. DMT is a type of chemical called a tryptamine, a family of compounds that cause hallucinogenic experiences. Another member of the Tryptamine family is Psilocin, found in magic mushrooms. Due to the fact that it can be produced by plants and is naturally occuring in the human body, DMT has a long historical connection with humans and has been used in Southern American countries for thousands of years in the plant based drink Ayahuasca, given at some shamanistic ceremonies. DMT can also be synthesised and produced artificially. In many European countries you are more likely to use synthetic DMT as fewer plants that produce it are grown there. DMT is known for giving users an intense and often spiritual trip that many have described as the most intense trip possible. What Does It Look Like?DMT can be consumed in a number of ways, but it cannot really be taken orally unless consumed in a mixture as Ayahuasca. Ayahuasca is a plant based mixture of which DMT is the main active ingredient. Apparently it tastes like cigarette butts and stale beer, so enjoy. Pure DMT is white and crystal like in its form but is often found as a yellowish powder or mixed with other substances. DMT can be smoked, snorted or injected. Regarding the smoking of DMT, it can either be vaporized as its pure substance, or smoked instead as a powder, often in its salt based form. The History of DMTDMT has been present within some cultures for many years, due to it being the main active ingredient in Ayahuasca. Ayahuasca has a long history associated with many South American tribes, including the Aztecs and a pouch containing the substance was found on an Aztec archaeological site dating back to over 1000 years ago. It was likely used in shamanic practices, allowing chosen members of the tribe to experience otherworldly connections with gods and spirits (an experience even users today may have on the drug). In terms of modern use, the drug was first synthesised by a Chemist called Richard Manske in 1931. The hallucinogenic properties of the chemical weren’t discovered until the 1950’s when another chemist called Stephen Szará injected himself with DMT and experienced the first artificially created DMT high. The drug very quickly became illegal in the US, being listed as a Schedule 1 in 1970. This didn’t stop further research into DMT though, people began to find DMT produced by plants and trees and eventually a scientist called Rick Strassman began to formulate ideas about human genesis of DMT in the brain after finding the presence of DMT in rat brains. ‘Strassman became obsessed with the chemical, even going as far as to explain near death experiences as a bi-product of DMT production in the brain, supposedly coming from the pineal gland. DMT’s fame has risen considerably over the past few years and the intensity and spirituality of the highs it produces has made it one of the bucket list drugs for many psychedelic fans. How Does It Feel?There is no one way to describe a DMT trip, and indeed many users argue that words can;t do it justice. It is perhaps this complexity that makes the drug so compelling. Each person’s trip seems to be unique to them. The universal experiences seem to be a sense of euphoria, strong visual hallucinations, the feeling of floating and depersonalisation. The experience of a very strong DMT trip is described as ‘breaking through’ and is often accompanied with the feeling of moving through some kind of vortex, with fractal patterns and bright shapes. Many people describe having intense encounters with ‘beings’ or ‘entities’ and having profound realisations and feelings of oneness. It all sounds quite incredible, but of course with all Psychedelics there is the risk of a bad trip. For some comprehensive accounts of DMT trips, good and bad, I highly recommend the youtube channel ‘Tales from the Trip’. DMT & the BrainDMT, like many other hallucinogens, affects Serotonin receptors. DMT has a very similar structure to Serotonin, a neurotransmitter that is linked to mood control, hunger and inhibition. What this means is that DMT will bind to serotonin receptors. DMT also seems to alter the waves that our brains produce, moving people into a biological altered state. Some psychologists actually hypothesise that humans can naturally produce DMT within there own brains. This is where things get kind of crazy. DMT has been found to be potentially present inside human brains, suggesting that it is indeed produced naturally. Researchers began investigating this phenomenon after DMT was found to be present in the brains of dead rats. Locating exactly the amounts of DMT and indeed where it comes from is very tricky and lots of the research is preliminary, but still the idea that we have a naturally occurring source of one of the most powerful Hallucinogens in our own brains is quite incredible. PositivesDMT is often described as the most intense tripping experience one can have, and for some people that’s already enough for them to hunt down their nearest supplier. The intensity of the stories people tell after tripping on DMT shows that if you want a profound, potentially life altering experience, this may be the drug for you. Another benefit is the relatively short amount of time it takes to wear off. The effects supposedly wear off after 30-45 minutes, with many people saying that they feel completely sober as soon as the trip finishes, potentially even more clear minded than before. There also seems to be potential evidence of DMT’s therapeutic benefits, with a small dose of the drug possibly producing antidepressant effects in a sample of rats. This evidence, combined with anecdotal reports of the anti-depressant effects of DMT in humans, suggest a future avenue for research (though it must be re-stated, this is very preliminary evidence). NegativesBad trips. Always the fear with any psychedelic, but particularly with one so powerful. A bad trip on DMT often includes: anxiety, feelings of paranoia and scary hallucinations that can feel as though they stay around for a while. Also, DMT can cause a very rapid increase in heart rate, which could be dangerous for someone with an already unstable heart-rate. Flashbacks as well can cause some users psychological stress, if they are reminded of a particularly bad situation. For all of these reasons above, it is essential that if you choose to use DMT you must do so in a safe, comfortable environment, surrounded by people you know and trust. With the right precautions, you can ensure a good DMT experience. My Own ExperiencesI personally haven’t ever tried DMT, but know of people who have and swear by it. It’s a drug that I am very keen to try one day, but know that I have to be in the right mindset and with the right people. Friends have told me stories of seeing great, god-like figures on their trips, which both fascinates and scares me. I am a skeptical man, but am always open to experiences that may change my attitude to life and perhaps DMT might be one of those experiences. ConclusionDMT is clearly an incredibly powerful drug with a reputation for spiritual and intense trips. If taken correctly it seems that an unforgettable almost life altering experience can be had. Of course, you must be cautious and certain that you want this type of experience before taking the drug, because there is no going back. The research around the potential of DMT’s synthesis in the brain is tantalising and may mean that taking the drug is the closest to a near death experience we can safely have. I think it’s fitting to close with a quote by Rick Strassman, author of ‘The Spirit Molecule’ and one of the pioneers into DMT’s spiritual effects in the brain: “I thought I had died, and that I might not ever come back. I don’t know what happened. All of a sudden, BAM!, there I was. It was the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen.” Hello readers! Thanks for joining us at CBDtesters.co, the #1 internet location for the most recent and interesting cannabis and psychedelics-related news from around the globe. Visit the site everyday to stay abreast of the quickly-moving landscape of legal drugs and industrial hemp, and sign up for The Psychedelics Weekly Newsletter, to ensure you always know what’s going on. Disclaimer: Hi, I’m a researcher and writer. I’m not a doctor, lawyer, or businessperson. All information in my articles is sourced and referenced, and all opinions stated are mine. I am not giving anyone advice, and though I am more than happy to discuss topics, should someone have a further question or concern, they should seek guidance from a relevant professional. The post Everything You Need to Know About DMT appeared first on CBD Testers. Via https://cbdtesters.co/2021/12/16/what-is-dmt/ Have you tried the new hemp-derived Delta 9 gummies finally available online? Delta-9 THC, or just ‘THC’ as we like to call it, is the psychoactive compound found in hemp and cannabis. Until recently, the only way to get Delta-9 THC products, was by ordering from a dispensary, but lately, due to the hemp-derived loophole, you can freely buy it online.With Delta 9 gummies finally sold online, suppliers are racing to introduce more products to the markets, with the lowest price possible. This is a great opportunity for us all, to stock-up on these new recreational products, sometimes sold for less than $1 per gummy of 10ml THC. As always, the subscribers of the THC Weekly newsletter are the first to claim the best-available deals on new cannabinoid-based products. Best Christmas Deals On Hemp-Derived Delta 9 GummiesChristmas Deal: 40% Discount On The Delta-9 THC Bundle 40% Discount On The Delta-9 THC BundleThe new ‘Legal Limits D9 + CBD Saver Bundle‘ offers us a great way to experience the combined benefits of Delta-9 THC and CBD, heavily discounted for the holiday. All products in this bundle are hemp-derived, which means you can freely buy it online. 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Look at the best smokable hemp flowers The post Best Delta 9 Gummies To Buy This Christmas appeared first on CBD Testers. Via https://cbdtesters.co/2021/12/15/best-delta-9-gummies-to-buy-this-christmas/ The tale of Santa Claus and Christmas can be traced back to numerous different origins and cultures throughout history. The most popular narrative is the legend of Saint Nicholas, a Christian bishop of Greek descent who was known for his kindness and generosity. It’s a great story, but it’s not the only historical account of Santa Claus, and personally, it’s not my favorite rendition.The reality is that winter festivals and a version of “Christmas” have been celebrated since long before Christianity swept the world, and certain elements of Santa Claus’ life and common Christmas themes seem to better align with ancient Pagan and Shamanic traditions of centuries prior. In this article, we’ll explore the Siberian and Arctic regions, where, as the story goes, ‘Santa’ was actually a local shaman who dropped bags of psychedelic mushrooms into the homes of residents during the winter solstice. Christmas stories are fun, espeically when they include psychedelics. Remember to subscribe to The Psychedelics Weekly Newsletter for more articles like this one and all the latest, most exciting industry news. And save big on Delta 8, Delta 9 THC, Delta-10, THCO, THCV, THCP & HHC products by checking out our “Best-of” lists! What is Paganism?In the mainstream world, there are a lot of preconceived notions about paganism connecting it to witchcraft and Satanism, but these ideas simply are not rooted in any sort of fact. The word ‘Pagan’ is an umbrella term coming from the Latin word ‘paganus’ which can be roughly translated to mean “those who live in the country”. When Christianity began to take hold in the Roman Empire, it happened mainly in larger cities. The new Christian began using the word ‘pagan’ to describe those living in rural areas who continued to follow and believe in the old ways. Nowadays, a Pagan is basically anyone who is spiritual but falls out of the realms of major religion, although the definition does still vary a bit depending on who you ask. Christians, Jews, and Muslims use this term to categorize those involved in “any religious act, practice, or ceremony” that is not theirs. Hindus, Buddhists, and others define it as “being without a religion”. In a way, these definitions are accurate. Paganism is technically not a religion, but a system of overlapping beliefs lacking an official doctrine or text (like the Bible, Koran, Tanakh, etc.). A common thread among Pagans is a belief in the divine and natural order of the universe. Christmas before ChristianityIn modern culture, Christmas is a Christian holiday commemorating the birth of Jesus Christ and celebrated on the 25th of December. But prior to the birth of Christianity, winter festivals with Christmas-like elements were incredibly popular among European and Siberian Pagans. Some of the Christmas traditions that we still know and love today stem from Celtic winter celebrations, like the hanging of mistletoe and ivy. Take the Germanic, midwinter festival known as Yule. It was time for festivities, baking, decorating, gift giving, and family that occurred over a period of 12 nights around the winter solstice (yes, that is where 12 days of Christmas come from). So much of the current iconography and themes that we associate with modern-day Christmas – such as the Yule log, decorated trees, the wreath, holly, mistletoe, and the star – all originated from Yule. Other European cultures had their own festivals and celebrations, components of which were stolen by Christian settlers as well. Ancient Romans celebrated Saturnalia, a festival celebrated from December 17th to 23rd and celebrated the agricultural god Saturn. During Saturnalia, people would also decorate their homes with intricate wreaths and different types of greenery. Even Christmas carols come from the ‘Kondela’, an Eastern European, pagan custom of singing seasonal songs to drive away evil. These kondelas were sung during their winter festivities to protect the villages and usher in a blessed new year. Santa the Siberian Mushroom ShamanSome of our Christmas customs even come from further east, from the Evenki Northern Tungusic people in what is currently known as Siberia. The Evenki were hunter-gatherers and reindeer herders, and their survival depended almost entirely on the latter. Reindeer provided the tribes with almost all their basic needs including food, transportation, milk, clothing, tools made from the bones and antlers, as well as cultural, spiritual, and artistic inspiration and customs. The Evenki participated in a form of Paganism, known as Shamanism. The word “shaman” can be traced back to the Tungus word “saman”, which can be loosely defined as “one to talks to spirits”. A prominent aspect in their Shamanic rituals included the consumption of Amanita muscaria, or the Fly Agaric Mushroom. This fungus, arguably the most recognizable species of toadstool mushrooms, is known for its powerful psychoactive effects, attributable to the presence of the neurotoxins ibotenic acid and muscimol. Amanita muscaria was sacred to the indigenous people of Siberia and the Evenki Shaman used them regularly during ceremonies and rituals. Because these mushrooms can be very toxic, they need to dry a bit before eating. While collecting the mushrooms, people would lay them out under the big evergreen trees in the woods, very much resembling a present-day Christmas tree with red and white bulbous ornaments. ![]() “Why do people bring pine trees into their houses at the Winter Solstice, placing brightly colored (red and white) packages under their boughs, as gifts to show their love for each other?” asks James Arthur, author of Mushrooms and Mankind. “It is because, underneath the pine bough is the exact location where one would find this ‘Most Sacred’ substance, the Amanita muscaria, in the wild.” Once ready, the shaman would collect all the mushrooms in a large sac and deliver them to the villagers as gifts during the winter solstice. The villagers would then continue the process of drying their mushrooms by handing them in a sock near the fire. Sounds vaguely familiar right? It’s because the Santa we tell our children about today is just a modern counterpart of an ancient shaman who consumed psychedelic plants to connect with the natural and spiritual world. Magical Reindeer, Chimney Drops, and other storiesAgain, reindeer play a pivotal role of the Tungusic people’s existence and success. According to Mircea Eliade, “shamans take on a chimeric association with regional animals including wolves, bears, fish, and reindeer. The shaman dies to his old identity as he assumes this hybrid role, where the animal symbolizes a real and direct connection with the beyond.” In Siberia, it’s not uncommon for reindeer to eat the Amanita mushrooms, and yes, they do feel the psychotropic effects to some extent, although how ‘high’ they actually get still remains up for debate. Some experts theorize that, while humans seek out psychedelics to feel of sensation of spiritual connection, some animals might use them to make the monotony of a cold, bleak, depressing winter a bit more tolerable. The chimney symbology hails from these pagan, shamanistic Siberian communities as well. We know that shamans were collecting magic mushrooms and delivering them to the homes of their people, but how they entered the homes is another story. Since it was common to be snowed in during that time of the year, the teepee-like homes had an opening in the roof, to allow smoke from fireplaces to escape and for people to enter and exit when there was too much snow. And so the Santa chimney story was born. Speaking of mushrooms and gift giving, this story is not unique to Siberian shamans, as surprising as that sounds. The Sami Shamans of Lapland in Northern Finland share similar tales of winter parties, passing out healing fits to children, and drying psychedelic mushrooms and trees. “An all-knowing man who defies space and time? Flying reindeer? Reindeer-drawn sleds? Climbing down the chimney? The giving of gifts? The tales of the Sami shamans have it all,” says Matthew Salton director/producer of New York Times Op-Docs Santa is a Psychedelic Mushroom. “Regional connections shouldn’t surprise us. Wherever psychedelics appear in nature, rituals have emerged to celebrate them. Secret societies being built around the notion of death and resurrection are a repeated historical phenomenon. And what story better fits the mythos of Santa Claus, a man dressed like a psychedelic mushroom who is reborn every year, flying around the world bringing healing gifts to children, yet is never seen by a soul?” ConclusionAlmost every single contemporary Christmas tradition can be traced back to paganism, and the same can be said for Easter and Halloween. When the first Christian missionaries were forcibly converting the people of Europe, they found it easier and less controversial to simply repackage the annual festivities as “Christian Holidays” and just let people continue celebrating as they had been. But just because we have been fed a certain story our whole lives, that doesn’t necessarily mean that it’s the ultimate truth. As a matter of fact, most of what we know about holidays, religion, and history is inaccurate and we’re learning more every day about the importance to due diligence and doing your own research. When you get down to the core of it, the idea of Santa being a mushroom-eating shaman who rode an intoxicated reindeer to deliver gifts to local children on the winter solstice, oddly, makes more sense than the alternative. Hello readers! Thanks for joining us at CBDtesters.co, the #1 internet location for the most recent and interesting cannabis and psychedelics-related news from around the globe. Visit the site everyday to stay abreast of the quickly-moving landscape of legal drugs and industrial hemp, and sign up for The Psychedelics Weekly Newsletter, to ensure you always know what’s going on. Disclaimer: Hi, I’m a researcher and writer. I’m not a doctor, lawyer, or businessperson. All information in my articles is sourced and referenced, and all opinions stated are mine. I am not giving anyone advise, and though I am more than happy to discuss topics, should someone have a further question or concern, they should seek guidance from a relevant professional. The post Santa Claus, Paganism, and Psychedelic Mushrooms of Siberia appeared first on CBD Testers. Via https://cbdtesters.co/2021/12/14/santa-claus-paganism-and-psychedelic-mushrooms-of-siberia/ As many already anticipated, anti-cannabis Governor Holcomb of Indiana made a recent announcement stating that he will NOT consider medical marijuana, decriminalization, or any type of regulatory infrastructure until cannabis is federally legal; but that he’s ‘open’ to allowing regulated sales once prohibition ends. Cannabis laws are complicated and often unjust, but that’s something we in the industry are used to dealing with. What gets difficult is keeping up with the ever-changing landscape of legal cannabis. For more articles like this one, and for exclusive deals on flowers, vapes, edibles, and other products, make sure to subscribe to The THC Weekly Newsletter. Also save big on Delta 8, Delta 9 THC, Delta-10 THC, THCO, THCV, THCP & HHC products by checking out our “Best-of” lists! Cannabis in the Hoosier StateWhen it comes to personal views vs state laws, Indiana is in stark juxtaposition. Speaking anecdotally, everyone I have ever met in Indiana either uses cannabis products, or doesn’t but still supports legalization and personal choice. And I have lived here off and on for about 4 years now, so I’ve spoken to quite a few different people on the matter. Statistically, the numbers are not far off from what I’ve been noticing. Regional surveys have found that 84% of Hoosiers support more lenient and progressive cannabis regulations. Approximately 39 percent of Hoosiers favor allowing cannabis to be used for any purpose, while 42 percent prefer medical use only to be permitted. Regardless, only 16 percent of Indiana residents support the laws as they currently stand, so suffice it say, there is a huge discrepancy between what the people want, and what Eric Holcomb is willing to give us; at least for the time being. Penalties for possession are rather harsh, in Indiana, among the most restrictive in the entire country. A first offense of possession up to 30 grams is a class B misdemeanor punishable by a fine of up to $1000 and up to 180 days in jail. If you have priors, you’re looking at class A misdemeanors and even felony charges. Same goes for subsequent possession charges. If you’re found to be growing and/or distributing, you’re looking at felony for your first offense. Governor Holcomb’s StatementsDuring a year-end interview with Indy Politics conducted earlier this week, Holcomb was asked what he thought about lawmakers starting the process of setting up some type of licensing and retail structure so when cannabis does become legal, Indiana will be ready to launch their own program. “I don’t mind that at all,” the governor replied. It’s much different than what other “legal” states have been doing thus far, and the approach is not without benefits. Instead of rushing head first into legalization with no regulatory framework in place, then scrambling to deal with issues at the last minute as they come up, Indiana can look at other states for guidance to creating their own plan with as little room for error as possible. Although Holcomb is on board with getting a game plan in place for the future, he made sure to emphasize that cannabis legalization is not a top priority for him, and that no circumstances will sway him to act on this matter before the federal government does. “We’re talking about something that is illegal, and it’s just at the core of me—I’ve said this, I’ve taken a couple blows—it’s to uphold and defend the laws of the state and nation,” the governor said. “I don’t get to pick and choose. Even if I agreed with it, I couldn’t get myself to just look the other way as a lot of states have. But just because a lot of other states have doesn’t mean it’s the right thing.” In the meantime, Holcomb said he does want to see more research into cannabis. “I would encourage research, proper research, to be conducted,” he added. “We’ve got Indiana University and Purdue University that agree to participate in—an ag school, a medical school—to do the proper research as they would with any other controlled substance and get the [Food and Drug Administration] involved in and get real data.” Legal weed on all sidesIndiana is the last prohibition stronghold in a sea of midwestern green. Looking west, Illinois has a recreational cannabis program that went into effect on January 1st, 2020. They have a thriving market that has already outpaced liquor sales, totaling around $560 million in the last couple years. There are dispensaries all over the state, even in rural areas. Then we go up north to Michigan, where medical cannabis passed back in 2008 and recreational was legalized a decade later in 2018. As of April 2021, the state had a total of 410 medical dispensaries, 260 recreational stores, and 91 pending licenses for new storefronts. They are evenly distributed throughout the state and quite a few are conveniently close to the Indiana state line. Other surrounding states are a bit slow to hit the button on full legalization, but the cannabis conversation is ongoing everywhere in the Midwest. Ohio, for instance, has a comprehensive medical program with over 10,000 active patients. To the south, Kentucky has a medical bill in the works that is expected to pass soon. And even further west, both Kansas and Missouri have cannabis-related initiatives waiting to be voted on when sessions reconvene in 2022; recreational in Missouri and medical in Kansas. Eli Lily and the pharmaceutical industry roadblockMany locals believe that Indiana is basically bought and paid for by Eli Lilly Pharmaceuticals, a known enemy of cannabis reform who has spent hundreds of thousands of dollars lobbying against legalization. Eli Lily is the 4th largest company and employer in the state, with a total of 10,281 employees in Indiana alone – a third of their global worker count. Eli Lily is one of the many pharmaceutical companies that are spending millions every year to lobby against cannabis legalization. Knowing what we know about cannabis and how its compounds work with the human endocannabinoid system, it makes sense why it can be used medicinally to treat so many different and wildly varying ailments. It’s also safe to assume that as an effective, non-toxic, and natural therapeutic, cannabis has the potential of completely replacing dozens, if not hundreds, of existing pharmaceutical medications. According to retired police officer-turned-legalization advocate Howard Wooldridge, “Big Pharma is a top opponent of legalization, due to the emerging potential of marijuana as an alternative to Advil, ibuprofen all the way to Vicodin, pills for nausea – I mean expensive store-bought pills.” This theory is further cemented by a recent study claiming that, on average, states providing easy access to medical marijuana saw a 20 percent drop in prescription drug use, particularly opioids. A review of 79 total studies on this subject found that patients experienced, roughly, a 30 percent improvement in pain with cannabinoids compared to placebos, and in states where dispensaries are widely distributed, the rate of opioid-related hospital admissions and deaths dropped by 15-35 percent. A lot of the main figures in the fight against cannabis legalization are the companies making opioid painkillers such as Oxycontin and Zohydrol. “It’s more than a little odd that groups leading the fight against relaxing marijuana laws derive a significant portion of their budget from opioid manufacturers and other pharmaceutical companies.” – Lee Fang, Journalist and Investigative Reporter at The Intercept. But it’s not just pain medication that takes a back seat to the powers of medicinal cannabinoid, in legal states, doctors report writing fewer prescriptions for depression, anxiety, seizures, and nausea medications as well. Any unbiased comparison of benefits vs risks would find that weed is superior to prescription pills on a regular basis. No matter how you look at it, the financial stakes are crazy high. In addition to big pharma obviously trying to protect its $10 billion annual revenues, prescription pill dependency causes a ripple effect of additional problems, many of which are expensive and profitable. For example, think of all the incurred medical and rehabilitative treatments needed to treat opioid addiction, repeated overdoses, and spread of disease within drug-using communities. The more pills you’re one, the more money they make… and more cannabis you have access to, the less pills you need to take. It’s pretty easy to see the conflict here. ConclusionThis is Indiana, so we can’t expect too much. But it’s good to know that once possession of cannabis is federally legal, Governor Holcomb won’t hinder the state’s ability to implement a recreational market, which will translate to a lot of revenue for the state. So far, Rep. Sue Errington (D) from Muncie has been assigned to the case, and she claims to be working on a bill “along the lines of what the governor says he’s open to”. She recently hosted a town hall event to get more opinions from constituents. My personal concern is that Indiana will remain one of the more restrictive states even post legalization (regarding personal cultivation laws, sale of concentrates, zoning limitations, etc.), but anything is a step in the right direction at this point. Hello and welcome! You made it to CBDtesters.co, your one-stop-shop for the most up-to-date and thought-provoking cannabis and psychedelics-related news, offering up the most relevant stories of today. Join us frequently to stay informed on the quickly-moving universe of legal drugs and industrial hemp, and sign up for The THC Weekly Newsletter, to make sure you always know what’s going on first. Disclaimer: Hi, I’m a researcher and writer. I’m not a doctor, lawyer, or businessperson. All information in my articles is sourced and referenced, and all opinions stated are mine. I am not giving anyone advise, and though I am more than happy to discuss topics, should someone have a further question or concern, they should seek guidance from a relevant professional. The post It’s Official, Indiana Will NOT Legalize Cannabis Until Federal Govt. Does appeared first on CBD Testers. Via https://cbdtesters.co/2021/12/13/its-official-indiana-will-not-legalize-cannabis-until-federal-govt-does/ |
ABOUT MEHallo, ik ben Rosalina Klerkx, ik ben een RHIA-gecertificeerde zorgbeheerder met meer dan 6 jaar ervaring in het creëren van een productieve omgeving voor zorgprofessionals. Leiding gegeven aan een team van 12 opname- en verkoopmedewerkers in een instelling voor langdurige zorg met meer dan 170 patiënten. Opstellen van complexe HIPAA-conforme rapporten aan patiëntendienstcoördinatoren in een zorgkliniek. Archives
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