Wave of Robberies Targets Cannabis Dispensaries

12/02/2021

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Cannabis dispensaries and other licensees are still operating under an elevated risk of robbery as a combination of issues including police indifference and a lack of financial services make these companies a prime target for burglars. The issue is highlighted best by a recent string of dispensary robberies up and down the West Coast.

On the weekend of November 20-21 in Oakland, California, a coordinated mob of people traveling in what police described as a “roving band of vehicles” carried out a lengthy spree of smash-and-grab retail robberies. The criminals targeted a variety of cannabis operations, traditional retailers including jewelry and department stores, and pharmacies, CBS SF Bay Area reported.

The weekend was a frightening callback to a last year’s similar crime spree which took place during the nationwide social justice protests following the murder of George Floyd, an unarmed Black man, by Minneapolis police. Some Bay Area businesses, like Oakland’s Purple Heart — which was the city’s longest-running cannabis dispensary — have yet to recover from the repeated burglaries.

Amber Sentner, the CEO of Oakland-based MAKR House, a cannabis distribution and infusions company, said at a news conference outside City Hall on Monday that cannabis businesses in her city are “under attack” and police are doing little or nothing to protect them, the San Francisco Chronicle reported. Sentner said that the recent crimespree affected more than 25 cannabis licensees and caused more than $5 million in losses for the industry, and called for a two-year cannabis industry tax reprieve from the city of Oakland to help local businesses recover.

“We need more protection. We need more funds and resources to improve security so that we can protect ourselves.” — Amber Sentner, CEO of MAKR House and Co-Founder of Supernova Women, in a statement

The claim that officers sometimes look the other way when it comes to crimes against cannabis firms is hard to verify but has been echoed elsewhere in the industry. Additionally, security footage that surfaced last week appears to show San Francisco police observing — and doing nothing to stop — an in-progress burglary at a cannabis grow site, the Chronicle reports.

The issue is not secluded to California — in Medford, Oregon, police arrested six suspects this week who are accused of burglarizing two cannabis dispensaries and robbing an ATM, KTVL reports.

Willamette Week reported in March, meanwhile, that there were 95 dispensary robberies, burglaries, or lootings in Portland over a 10-month period in 2020. In December, the worst-case scenario played out: a budtender was shot and killed during an armed robbery. During the same time frame, Portland saw just 22 liquor store burglaries and zero liquor store robberies.

Armed robberies are also rampant in the Washington state cannabis industry. On November 18, three men wearing masks held employees at gunpoint and stole cash and cannabis worth a combined $7,000 at Uncle Ike’s Pot Shop in Lake City. During the robbery, one of the suspects hit a customer who attempted to flee in the head with his pistol but nobody was seriously injured — security footage posted on Facebook shows the group’s brutally efficient smash-and-grab tactics.

Meanwhile, just a few hours earlier in Spanaway, Washington, a group of five men robbed a local dispensary at gunpoint. According to The News Tribune, a store employee managed to retrieve a gun during the holdup and fired at the suspected robbers, injuring two of them as they fled the scene. Police later arrested and charged two teenagers who had checked into the hospital with gunshot wounds but the other suspects — as well as the three suspects behind the Lake City robbery — remain at large.

And just last weekend, three masked men robbed an East Wenatchee dispensary at gunpoint. They restrained employees with duct tape before making off with cash and cannabis products, The Wenatchee World reports.

Federal law keeps the cash, and crime, flowing

While there is no guaranteed way to prevent such crime, federal legalization — or at the very least, opening up state-legal cannabis industries to traditional banking services — would be a significant step forward for cannabis worker safety.

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Harborside Acquires Urbn Leaf, Loudpack to Create ‘West Coast Cannabis Powerhouse’

12/02/2021

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Oakland, California-based Harborside Inc. has agreed to acquire UL Holdings — which owns and operates Urbn Leaf dispensaries, and LPF JV Corporation, or Loudpack, one of the state’s leading cannabis companies. Once the deals are finalized, Harborside will rebrand as StateHouse and Urbn Leaf CEO Ed Schmults will be named CEO.

“The cannabis industry in California has reached an important tipping point, and with the collective strengths of these three companies and the benefits of integration, we have the right combination of assets and skills to set a new standard, offering consumers the widest variety of products with best-in-class customer service.” — Schmults in a press release

For the first nine months of 2021, Harborside reported gross revenues of $57.8 million, on a proforma basis, while Urbn Leaf and Loudpack had revenues of $45.9 million and $61.4 million, respectively. Were the companies already combined, StateHouse would have revenues of $165 million over the first nine months of the year on a proforma basis.

Matthew Hawkins, current chairman and interim CEO of Harborside, will remain as chairman of the board of StateHouse. He said that, with the transactions, the companies “are working to create a west coast cannabis powerhouse.” He added that Schmults “is the right person to lead StateHouse into the future.”

“StateHouse will have a unique ability to navigate the operating challenges in the state and capitalize on the combined potential of the businesses we are acquiring,” Hawkins said in a statement. “We are building what we believe is the ideal platform to consolidate the California cannabis sector, positioning us for long-term growth in both market share and profitability.”

Once complete, StateHouse will have 15 retail locations; nine brands; manufacturing facilities with an annual capacity of more than $400 million; a state-wide distribution network for its branded products that reach more than 780 active accounts, including about 75% of California dispensaries; 230,000 square feet of greenhouse cultivation space; and 36,000 pounds of cultivation capacity with 22,000 pounds of additional near-term cultivation capacity.

Additionally, the management team has entered into a letter of intent with Pelorus Equity Group to complete the real estate financing of $77.3 million of non-dilutive real estate debt financing. The companies said the deal “unlocks significant value from the StateHouse real estate portfolio and provides significant growth capital for the business.”

The transactions are expected to close in the first half of 2022 and must still be approved by California regulators.

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Session Goods Designer Series Bong and Pipe Review

12/02/2021

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San Francisco-based cannabis lifestyle brand Session Goods presents their limited edition Designer Series of black and white pipes, bongs, and cleaning caps. The series was designed to highlight the artistry and sleek modernity of the black and white style, fusing fashion and functionality seamlessly in these unique pieces.

The pair (bong and pipe) make for a sophisticated procurement for both medical patients and adult-use cannabis enthusiasts. Here are the design features and stand-out aesthetic properties in this fabulous glassware.

Pipe

The pipe comes in a silicone sleeve for protection and for quick stowing, even if the piece is hot from just being passed around. Its functional design gives it a distinct conical shape that is filled with explorable intricacies for both the eye and touch. A near-mouthpiece ash catcher doubles as a suitable finger hold for easy passing while on the trail or at the pad. Both the carb and air out on the bowl are small enough to make sure the ash and resin stay out of your mouth and off your fingers. Plus, the specially designed rigid cleaning wire will help with that too.

This is a pipe that will be around for many sessions and will be great for making memories with friends for years to come.

Bong

Both pleasing to the eye and touch, the bong features a slew of unique modern design points. Besides including a silicon sleeve for the bottom and a base-heavy design that helps the water pipe sit solidly on a bar top or display shelf, the ergonomic design of the piece itself makes it easy to grip and pass. Even the frosty finish adds to its ease of grip, making it a great bong for medical patients or late-night revelers who may have trouble with hand or finger dexterity. The package includes two stems, a silicon stem collar, two bowl pieces — large and small — and an interchangeable, branded silicone tab to pull the bowl carb for the perfect hit. But, the best part of the bong is that it comes with two caps that fit in the mouthpiece and stem to allow for easy cleaning. Just pour your alcohol and salt in, put the caps on, shake, pour and repeat — and the bong is back to its original condition, ready for the next session.

For more information and additional pics, check out Session Good’s limited edition Designer Series on their website. The pipe and bong bundle make a great purchase or gift for collectors, recreational heavy hitters, or medical patients. While at their website be sure to take a peek at their wide selection of merch and smoking implements.

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Arizona Raises $106M in Cannabis Taxes in First Year

12/02/2021

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Since adult-use cannabis sales launched in Arizona one year ago, the state has raised more than $106 million, KGUN reports. Under the state’s legalization law, the funds are earmarked for public safety, which Jeffrey Yates, head of Tucson’s Business Services Department, explained was the city’s “largest expenditure.”

“So a large portion of every dollar the city gets goes to that public safety effort, which includes community safety programs and all those different things not just law enforcement, but all the components.” — Yates to KGUN

Pima County, the state’s second-largest behind Maricopa, is expecting about $1.8 million in taxes, of which $314,000 will go to the Sheriff’s department budget and about $900,000 for road repair. The city of Tucson is expecting about $9.7 million, which represents less than 1% of the city budget.

In all, Arizona has sold more than $405 million worth of adult-use cannabis from January through October, according to state data, and more than $572 million in medical cannabis. Data for October published by the state is incomplete, though.

The state reached its adult-use sales record in July when it sold more than $54.3 million worth of cannabis products; that same month medical cannabis sales reached more than $71 million.

In July, officials admitted that some of the tax data might be off as some retailers were missing tax payments, while others were paying off more than a month of taxes at once, according to an Arizona Republic report.

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Cannabis Decriminalization Ballot Initiative Signatures Submitted in Austin 

12/02/2021

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Activists in Austin, Texas have submitted signatures to city officials seeking to add a ballot initiative to decriminalize cannabis in the city and ban no-knock police warrants, Fox 7 Austin reports. Ken Casaday, president of the Austin Police Association, said that since a city ordinance last year changed how police enforce cannabis laws, he doesn’t “really see the point” of the cannabis proposal as Austin police “don’t arrest for low amounts of marijuana.”

Mike Siegel, political director of Ground Game Texas, which is backing the campaign, said the initiative would codify the city’s “current informal policy.”

“These are two measures that have been very popular with voters but have not yet become city law.” — Seigel to Fox 7

Seigel added the city officials have asked Austin police to end the use of no-knock raids, but the group wants to see the policy “formally” put into law.

“We want to avoid unnecessary injury to residents and officers themselves,” he said.

Casaday indicated that the force has “done three or four” in the city this year, adding that the action is “usually saved for very violent individuals or people that have barricaded their homes.”

The practice came under increased scrutiny last year after Breonna Taylor, a Black medical worker, was shot and killed during a no-knock raid in her Louisville, Kentucky apartment. Her boyfriend, Jamarcus Glover, was the target of that raid. He was sentenced Tuesday on a drug-related charge, WAVE 3 reports. Investigators believed Glover was using Taylor’s apartment to sell drugs and conducted a no-knock raid. The Federal Bureau of Investigation still has an open case on the circumstances surrounding Taylor’s death.

Siegel said that the group will submit more than 34,000 signatures to the city clerk, of which 22,000 have been pre-validated. At least 20,000 valid signatures are required to be certified for the ballot.

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Jamaica Launches ‘Good Ganja Sense’ Campaign

12/02/2021

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The Jamaican government has launched a cannabis education campaign, Marijuana Moment reports. Branded “Good Ganja Sense,” the program features a website with educational materials covering the risks and benefits of cannabis and debunking some common cannabis myths. The program is under the Jamaican Ministry of Health and Wellness in partnership with the National Campaign on Drug Abuse (NCDA), the report says.

“The NCDA through the Good Ganja Sense Campaign seeks to support the national goal of reducing substance use and dependence by addressing misconceptions about ganja and how these might potentially result in misuse of the substance, especially by vulnerable groups such as adolescents and adults prone to substance dependence. The Good Ganja Sense Campaign will attempt to clarify the potential benefits of ganja use and raise awareness about the potential harms of its misuse.“ — Good Ganja Sense website excerpt

Program head Juliet Cuthbert-Flynn, said in a press release the site provides “several resources that will certainly stimulate more talk about ganja,” adding that there is a contact form “so you can get in touch with the ‘Good Ganja’ team.”

“We are in a digital world where people are finding information for themselves, and the information may be false or it very well may be true, depending on where they go,” said Cuthbert-Flynn. “Ganja will no longer be underpinned by what has been passed down through oral traditions and old tales, but fact-based information that is now available at the fingertips.”

General cannabis use is decriminalized in Jamaica and medical cannabis has been legalized. Jamaica was also the first country in the world to legalize cannabis for religious purposes.

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CDC Issues Cannabis Guidance for Businesses That Employ Drivers

12/01/2021

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The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has shared cannabis workplace policy guidance for businesses that employ drivers. First reported by Marijuana Moment, the CDC’s National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) said that due to rising cannabis use rates in the U.S. and the fact cannabis is second only to alcohol as the most prevalent drug in post-crash testing, “the substance needs to be addressed as part of all workplace motor vehicle safety programs.”

In the post, CDC reminds readers that cannabis affects parts of the brain that control “movements, balance, coordination, memory, and judgment.” They say cannabis use may slow down reaction time and point to studies that have shown an increased risk of crashing after cannabis use. However, CDC says that “marijuana’s specific contribution to crash risk is unclear because it can be detected in body fluids for days or even weeks after use.”

Instead of advising a blanket no-tolerance policy, CDC calls for a more nuanced approach depending on the cannabis laws in the state the business is located. However, they encourage a zero-tolerance policy when it comes to on-the-job cannabis use and cannabis use right before work.

“Despite some unanswered questions about marijuana’s role in crash risk, workers under the influence of marijuana do not have the skills needed to drive safely,” NIOSH wrote.

The post outlines a host of other suggestions like partnering with an attorney to review drug policies and to be very clear about drug testing and the conditions and circumstances where such a test may be required. They advise employers to explain to drivers that consuming CBD products may be risky as the labels may not accurately reflect THC concentrations, which could lead to a failed drug test.

CDC also recommends driver education around impaired driving and suggests managers stay up to date on relevant cannabis laws in their state.

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Deftones Launch Cannabis Brand

12/01/2021

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The alternative metal band Deftones have launched a cannabis collection in partnership with Golden Barn with strain names based on their songs. In an Instagram post, the band said that throughout their career, “it has been an ongoing mission to provide our fans with quality products.”

“Whether it’s music, beer, or tequila, we put in the time, care and effort to make sure we’re delivering merchandise to the market that have been thoroughly scrutinized by all of us. The obvious next step in this progression is cannabis.” — Deftones via Instagram

The band also launched an Instagram page — @deftonescannabis — for the brand.

The first edition of the cannabis line is a set called The Passenger Box, which includes flower, edibles, concentrates, and disposable vapes.

“We’ve been waiting and smoking forever, you know,” guitarist Stephen Carpenter said in the Instagram video announcing the Passenger Box. “And to finally be able to present something that we all enjoy and like is awesome.”

The band worked with Frank Maddocks on the product design. Maddocks also collaborated with the band on their White Pony IPA and previous records, including their most recent release “OHMS.”

The line is currently available at nine dispensaries in California with more retailers expected to offer the product soon, the band said via Instagram.

Other metal musicians, including Slipknot co-founder Shawn “Clown” Crahan and System of a Down bassist Shavo Odadjian, have launched their own cannabis brands. Another metal band, Korukuma, last year partnered with NemeSeeds in creating a strain known as KuroKush.

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Alaska Cannabis Businesses Owe Nearly $1.8M in Back Taxes

12/01/2021

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By the end of June, Alaska cannabis businesses owed $1,785,751 in back taxes, and the state Marijuana Control Board has started shutting down the businesses for non-payment, the Anchorage Daily News reports. In Alaska, cannabis taxes aren’t charged at the point-of-sale, rather paid by growers who say that flat tax structure — $800 per pound on flower and $240 per pound for concentrates — requires them to pay the same amount of money regardless of the end-product quality.

In the fiscal year 2021, Alaska regulators collected just under $29 million, so the $1.8 million in unpaid taxes is a small portion of the total taxes that cultivators pay the state.

Alaska Marijuana Industry Association (AMIA) President Lacy Wilcox told the Daily News that while high-THC crops could sell for around $4,000 a pound, the $3,000-range is more typical. But if a crop sample sent off for a potency test has lower THC levels, cultivators might only be able to get $2,000 per pound wholesale. After state taxes are paid, the cultivator can be left with $1,200 to cover the labor, rent, supplies, and energy costs associated with that crop. Cultivators can destroy crops to avoid the tax liability but will, in turn, make nothing off of the labor and time inputs.

Wilcox called the current tax structure “not sustainable.”

Earlier this year, the AMIA sent a survey asking about whether the state should implement license caps on the industry — currently there are no caps — and 70% of survey respondents indicated they supported such caps. The lack of caps, some in the industry argue, has led to a market surplus and oversaturation, which has a negative effect on wholesale prices.

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Vermont Medical Society Calls for 15% THC Limits

12/01/2021

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The Vermont Medical Society (VMS) last month adopted a resolution calling for a 15% THC limit on adult-use cannabis products in the state. The VMS Board said that the state “has the nation’s highest past-month cannabis use, including use of high potency (greater than 15%) THC” and noted that the Vermont Department of Health said last year that cannabis use “is a significant public health problem in Vermont and it is getting worse.”

The resolution amends and replaces the board’s 2018 resolution which opposed legalized cannabis for adults. The society represents 2,400 physicians and physician assistants throughout the state.

The board cites several studies that suggest using cannabis with THC levels higher than 15% “is associated with increased urgent and emergency department psychiatric visits and increased mental health disorders including psychosis.” The resolution also points to one study, published in 2019, that found using high-THC products “is associated with increased urgent and emergency department non-psychiatric visits, including respiratory distress, often associated with overcrowding and overutilization of emergency room facilities.”

“VMS strongly opposes the advertising, marketing and promotion of cannabis in the state of Vermont (including through the use of packaging, flavorings and placement/density of retail locations) in order to disincentivize establishments from pushing sales through fostering high use and addiction, given that 80% of product will be consumed by 20% or less of users (notably those with current or future dependence or addiction to cannabis).” — Vermont Media Society, VMS Position on Commercialized Sales of Cannabis, Nov. 17, 2021

The board is calling for cannabis packaging and advertising to include warnings about psychosis, impaired driving, addiction, suicide attempt, uncontrollable vomiting, and harm to fetuses or nursing babies.

Adult-use cannabis sales are expected to launch in Vermont in October 2022. The state legalized cannabis for adults in 2018 but the reforms did not include commercial sales.

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GKUA Proprietary Strain Review

11/30/2021

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GKUA Ultra Premium flower is elevating, inspiring, and giving consumers some of the best highs of their lives. Products are available now in five states and over 400 cannabis dispensaries. Each jar, pre-roll, and vape cartridge is tasted and tested by Mr. Dwayne “Lil Wayne” Carter. Nothing hits the dispensaries unless Weezy approves.

As a fan of Lil Wayne and lover of cannabis, one of the things that always makes me smile is the sound of Lil Wayne lighting up his blunt before he releases words to take me on a journey. When I learned of the launch of his cannabis company, my mission became to consume and review Weezy’s weed! I wanted to get to know more about the company, brand, mission, and strains, so I set out on a mission to connect with the company, interview them, and tour their cultivation.

I accomplished this goal in November 2021 when I toured GKUA’s production and cultivation facility in California. At the visit, they handed over jars of everything they grow, with emphasis on exclusive strains that only GKUA cultivation partners can grow: Slime, Mr. Carter OG, G.O.A.T.

And with that, it is my pleasure and honor to share this review of the following exclusive GKUA Ultra Premium cannabis strains. When reviewing these strains, I consumed them using a tobacco leaf. I like to review on a fresh palate, so I consumed as the first smoke of the day — wake and bake.

Slime by GKUA Ultra Premium

  • Hybrid
  • 25%+ THC
  • Lil Wayne tasted and approved
  • Impact: Focus, creativity, euphoric, and energizing
  • Flavor: Nature/ floral

Slime was a real heady high for me, with a lovely massage of my third eye halfway in, like a deep tissue massage. As I continued to consume, Slime began to give me a full-blown forehead massage that had me in the clouds. Slime picked me up like a new husband picks up his new wife, and carries her over the threshold. Slime took me up, gently sat me down on a thick fluffy cloud, kissed my forehead, and left me to enjoy the high — the energy, the gratitude.

On the day of reviewing, my calendar had writing on the schedule and Slime had me ready to create! As my high settled in, I was in a focused zone with a sense of flowing, no pushing. I was listening to the pockets of silence found through the noise and focusing there. In this headspace, content ideas and clarity for existing ones came through, I felt like:

“I’ma go so opposite of soft, off the richter, Hector, Camacho Man, Randy Savage; far from average, above status-quo, flow so pro.” — “Mr. Carter” lyrics

Mr. Carter OG by GKUA Ultra Premium

  • Indica
  • 30%+ THC
  • Lil Wayne tasted and approved
  • Impact: Happy, social, inspired
  • Flavor: Piney with a little lemon seeping through

The flavor of Mr. Carter OG lingered on the tongue a bit- so great! It was a heady one for me; I felt it in my eyebrows and forehead. Halfway into the blunt, my eyelids started to relax, and smiles followed. My mood was lifted up and the focus Mr. Carter OG provided, allowed me to cancel out all distractions, focus on the inhale, and the feeling provided because of it.

This one made me feel like being a little social which I love because I’m introverted and socializing isn’t easy for me. I was focused on intellect, ready to chat about complex topics, happy, and elevated — like, really excited about everything.

By the end of the blunt I felt like:

“MR. CARTER, WHERE YOU BEEN?” — “Mr. Carter” lyrics

I swear I saw him smiling at me and heard him respond, “Shit, you know.”

G.O.A.T by GKUA Ultra Premium

  • Indica
  • 25%+ THC
  • Lil Wayne-tasted and approved
  • Impact: inspired, connected, tuned in
  • Flavor: a mixed batch of sweet and nature

The G.O.A.T was another heady high for me. This one rubbed my temples, and by the 3rd inhale, my brain felt connected to the source. By that 6th inhale, I felt G.O.A.T massage my forehead, so much so that I literally closed my eyes and laid my head back. As I consumed, I found myself looking back at the blunt like, “no wonder you’re named the G.O.A.T!”

The focus this gave me was more than amazing! I was able to hear nature’s music: birds and pigeons, the wind blowing through the leaves, the sounds of wings flapping, and then… the faint sound of the airplane flying over the city. With more than half of the blunt consumed, I was super elevated though grounded — like, my body was on the ground and my spirit in the clouds.

The connection to the source intensified the thoughts within me, as if the source dropped them off for me to consider. I was sitting there deep in thought, while smoking the last of my blunt, with the question burning a need to know in my core: how much of reality is really real if we can just mess with something as crucial as time (daylight savings: spring forward and fall back in time every year)? People really swear by the concept of time but, what is it, really?

By the end it was like:

“They say you gotta hear it from the G.O.A.T. mouth, that’s that G.O.A.T. talk.” — “Goat Talk” lyrics

When GKUA says that they want to give people the best high of their life, they aren’t lying. It’s a “mission accomplished” for me!

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9% of New York Towns Opt Out of Cannabis Operations

11/30/2021

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Only 9% of New York towns and villages have opted out of allowing adult-use cannabis operations, according to Associations of Towns of New York (ATNY) data outlined by Finger Lakes 1 News. The 9% opt-out rates include 84 towns and 46 villages throughout the state.

Although there is time left for jurisdictions to opt out, the ATNY does not expect a “major wave” of last-minute program refusals, Chris Anderson, research director for ATNY said.

“We expect to see some more activity, but it’s certainly pretty late in the game. We have a good indication now it will be a low opt-out percentage statewide.” — Chris Anderson, via Finger Lakes 1 News

The opt-out figures in New York, which only legalized cannabis this year via the legislative process, are in stark contrast to the opt-out rate in California, which — despite being the world’s largest regulated cannabis marketplace — stands at 68%, according to a Politico report from September. That report notes that the low acceptance numbers have been blamed on the state’s flourishing underground cannabis market.

“You don’t have a real cannabis industry if the dominant portion of it has no interest in being legal,” Adam Spiker, executive director of the cannabis trade group Southern California Coalition, told Politico. “There’s no other regulated industry in the world that I know of that operates like that.”

A report from Maine Public Radio in September, meanwhile, found a 90% opt-out rate in Vacationland with just 47 of the state’s 500 towns and cities permitting any adult-use cannabis sales.

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61% of Massachusetts Residents Favor Cannabis Legalization

11/30/2021

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According to a University of Massachusetts-Amherst and WCVB poll published Monday, 61% of Bay Staters had a favorable view of cannabis legalization five years after voters approved the reforms. The poll found 37% who had a “very positive” view of legalization along with 24% who had a “somewhat positive” view.

The poll found 25% of respondents held “neither positive nor negative” opinions of the reforms; while 6% held “somewhat negative” views and 7% held “very negative” views.

The poll included 773 respondents and has a margin of error of 4.3%.

Earlier this month, the Massachusetts Cannabis Commission announced that the state had sold $2.3 billion worth of cannabis in the three years since the first adult-use dispensaries opened on Nov. 20, 2018. Commission Chairman Steven Hoffman called the sales figures “pretty phenomenal.” The state’s adult-use cannabis sector employs more than 17,000 employees, while medical cannabis employs about 8,800, according to state figures.

Hoffman told MassLive that the UMass and MCVB poll “shows that legalization is reducing the stigma historically associated with cannabis,” which he said, “will only enable the commission to continue making headway on efforts to ensure full participation in this industry by disproportionately harmed communities.”

Since Massachusetts became the first New England state to allow adult-use cannabis operations, 179 stores have started operations, including 325 adult-use establishments which encompass indoor and outdoor cultivators, product manufacturers, microbusinesses, delivery businesses, and independent testing labs, according to the state data outlined by MassLive.

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Alliance for Cannabis Equity Launches in Connecticut

11/30/2021

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Two Connecticut-based workforce and economic development organizations last week announced the creation of the Alliance for Cannabis Equity (ACE), which will focus on social equity and the economic opportunities for Black and Brown entrepreneurs and minority workers throughout the state’s cannabis industry.

The groups — the Connecticut Community Outreach Revitalization Program (ConnCORP) and The WorkPlace — said the Alliance “is being created in recognition of the need for an authoritative and trusted resource for those interested in assuring that the social equity provisions related to adult-use cannabis are fully realized.”

In a press release, Carlton Highsmith, board chair for ConnCORP, said that cannabis legalization in the state “introduces a brand new growth industry” which will lead to the creation of “thousands of new jobs, … dozens of new businesses, [and] millions, if not billions, of dollars of wealth.”

“Provisions of the law aim to ensure that Black and Brown communities that have been disparately impacted by aggressive marijuana enforcement; that these communities not be left behind, but also benefit from the commercialization of cannabis.” — Highsmith, in a statement

Joseph Carbone, president and CEO of The WorkPlace, said the “collaboration will support underserved communities with the resources to develop enterprises and provide workers with training to access careers with good-paying, quality employment.”

“Legalized cannabis creates significant economic opportunities for entrepreneurs and workers from distressed communities to gain skills and advance in the growing cannabis industry,” he said in a statement.

State lawmakers approved the reforms earlier this year and parts of the law, including possession by adults, took effect on July 1. Officials had expected retail sales would begin sometime next year; however, in September, Commissioner for the Department of Consumer Protection Michelle Seagull indicated the rollout could be delayed.

The state’s 15-member Connecticut Social Equity Council, which was created by the legalization law, has already held meetings, the Associated Press reports. In August, the council approved 215 communities that will be given priority for cannabis licenses and access to special equity programs.

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Cannabis Reform Ballot Question Bills Pre-Filed in Kentucky

11/30/2021

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Kentucky state Rep. Nima Kulkarni (D) on Monday pre-filed bills to decriminalize cannabis possession in the state and to allow voters the opportunity to entrench broader reforms, including adult-use sales, in the state constitution, the River City News reports.

Kulkarni said she was sponsoring the bills for three reasons — the impact of the unequal enforcement of drug laws on communities of color, the medical benefits, and the potential revenue associated with the reforms. She added that “any one” of those reasons “should be enough for them to become law.”

“First, current cannabis statutes have needlessly and tragically ruined many lives, especially people of color who have suffered because of unequal enforcement. Second, thousands of citizens, from cancer patients to veterans suffering from PTSD, should have the right to use something that gives them the mental and physical relief they deserve without relying on stronger, potentially addictive medicine. Third, cannabis decriminalization would give the state a much-needed source of reliable revenue without raising current taxes a single cent.” — Kulkarni to River City News

Were the bill to add the ballot question approved by three-fifths of the House and Senate, it would be put to voters but the timeline is unclear. If approved, the amendment would legalize use and possession by adults 21-and-older and allow the home cultivation of up to five cannabis plants. The General Assembly would create cannabis industry rules and regulations, the report says.

The decriminalization measure would remove criminal penalties for possession of personal amounts of cannabis and remove cannabis accessories from Kentucky’s drug paraphernalia statutes.

“My bills complement each other because they give the General Assembly a short-term path to act quickly and a more permanent fix that gives cannabis use the constitutional protection it deserves,” Kulkarni told the Times. “With the public’s support, I believe we can pass both next year.”

In a press release, C.J. Carter, Kentucky State Director for Minorities for Medical Marijuana, noted that the state is “at the precipice of the opening” of the state’s cannabis industry.

“This is indeed a dangerous moment in time for Black and Brown people. There’s a new multi-billion-dollar industry that will soon open on both the Federal and State level while simultaneously, people who look like me remain criminalized behind bars and are once again being left out of the conversation,” he said in the statement. “We now have the opportunity to write a different narrative in Kentucky that would benefit us first and foremost. The State of Kentucky and its history as it relates to cannabis owes a tremendous debt to the Black Community and that starts with this legislation that is being introduced by Rep. Kulkarni.”

In February, Democratic state Rep. Rachel Roberts filed a similar bill to legalize cannabis and expunge low-level cannabis crimes in Kentucky. That measure would allow home cultivation, up to five mature and five immature plants, and would require home growers to pay $250 for a permit.

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Study: Police Solve More Violent Crimes After Cannabis Legalization

11/29/2021

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The legalization of adult-use cannabis is associated with increased clearance rates for varying types of violent crimes according to a study soon to be published in the International Journal of Drug Policy, outlined by NORML. Researchers from the University of Utah and the University of China looked at crime clearance rates in Oregon and control states prior to and post adult-use cannabis legalization.

The clearance rate for violent crime represents the proportion of violent crimes solved — meaning when an arrest is made and charges are laid — versus all violent crimes that are reported to the police.

Researchers found “significant increases in the clearance rate for overall violent crimes and for aggravated assault in Oregon counties relative to those in non-legalized states following legalization.”

“These conclusions reaffirm the notion that states can sensibly regulate the adult use and sale of cannabis in a manner that doesn’t adversely impact public safety. Moreover, in some cases, legalization may contribute to an environment that positively affects police officers’ performance in solving serious crimes.” — NORML’s Deputy Director Paul Armentano, in a statement

Titled “Recreational marijuana legalization on clearance rates for violent crimes: Evidence from Oregon,” the paper found, however, that the positive effects of legalization on clearance rates “appear to reduce over time.” Additional research is also needed on the effect of adult-use cannabis legalization on police performance and clearance rates, investigators wrote.

A 2019 study, also outlined by NORML, noted a similar increase in the clearance rates for violent crime following the legalization of cannabis in Washington state and Colorado.

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UK Medical Cannabis Program Would Be Worth £1.2 Billion

11/29/2021

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Broad medical cannabis legalization in the U.K. could be worth 1.2 billion pounds and create 41,437 new industry jobs and about 17,000 ancillary jobs, according to a Volteface report. The report, “New Leaf: Beyond Brexit, Countering Covid,” includes a variety of recommendations for the industry, including the appointment of a “Cannabis Czar” or government agency to oversee the industry, which the group claims would speed development.

“At the moment, regulatory matters must be processed through the Home Office. This is slowing down development due to a lack of a streamlined approach. A governmental body reserved for cannabinoid regulation, licensing and innovation funding is a necessary step towards further harmonizing development in the sector.” — “New Leaf: Beyond Brexit, Countering Covid”

The report clarifies that under the current regime, customs and other legislative bodies slow down supply and increase costs and, were the processes “simplified,” costs would be reduced and patient access would be improved.

The report suggests officials provide regulatory “clarity” around the amount of THC permitted in CBD-only products and proposes “such regulatory clarity” be done “in a way to ensure it encourages further investment and innovation.” Additionally, Voltface calls for allowing THC percentage above 0.2% and as much as 1% for hemp seed varieties, which the group claims “would improve the health of the plant and increase the yield of CBD per acre” while not affecting the end product, which could still have undetectable levels of THC.

Moreover, the report suggests changes to the current, very limited, medical cannabis program, including amending regulations that require specialist physicians to recommend medical cannabis to patients. Voltface recommends allowing all physicians to be permitted to prescribe medical cannabis after they complete a Continuing Professional Development course.

“Ensuring that all doctors can prescribe medical cannabis is a huge and achievable win,” the report says. “The U.K. should follow in Germany’s footsteps in regards to how quickly the sector can grow if allowed. The U.K. should aim to help private patients achieve reimbursement on insurance.”

The organization also asserts that the only way to “fully unlock” the potential of the U.K. medical cannabis market is to “increase the evidence base for cannabis-based medicinal products … in order to expand patient access on the [National Health Service.]”

Daniel Pryor, head of programs for Adam Smith Institute, wrote in the report foreword that “widening patient access” remains the “elephant in the room” for medical cannabis in the U.K.

“The only way of successfully achieving this would be through a government-funded national trial,” the report says. “Forming strategic partnerships with well-regarded U.K. medical establishments is essential in bringing cannabis medicines into the mainstream medical ecosystem.”

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United Arab Emirates to Relax Drug Penalties

11/29/2021

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The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is relaxing penalties for travelers who arrive in the country with products containing THC, opting instead for confiscation of the food and drink products for first-time offenders, instead of incarceration, the Associated Press reports. The reforms were published Sunday in the UAE’s official gazette and take effect on January 2.

The new rules also reduce minimum sentences for first-time drug offenders from two years to three months and offer convicts rehabilitation at a detention facility separate from other prisoners. The new law also leaves the decision as to whether to deport foreigners caught with drugs up to the judge, rather than to automatically deport them.

In an editorial, The National described the reforms as part of “the biggest change to UAE laws in history” which were sparked by the 50th anniversary of the country’s founding.

“It is important to put these developments in their wider context; the past year has seen a flurry of reforms. In November of last year, new laws decriminalized suicide, changed regulations on alcohol consumption and boosted women’s rights, among others.” — The National Editorial Board, Nov. 28, 2021

The criminal justice reforms include a minimum of six months in prison for individuals who repeat offenses within three years and a two-year minimum for third-time offenders.

Ahmed Ibrahim Saif, senior judge at the Dubai Civil Court and former chief justice of Dubai’s Criminal Courts, told The National that the changes reflect prioritizing reform and are in line with the UAE’s principles.

“…Offenders are given second chances and are spared the loss of successful futures and decent living they have in the country,” he said.

The prison term for drug trafficking — a minimum of five years — remains in place.

 

 

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Malawi Sparks Controversy by Asking Mike Tyson to Serve as Cannabis Ambassador

11/29/2021

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Officials in Malawi have asked former professional boxer turned cannabis entrepreneur Mike Tyson to serve as the nation’s cannabis ambassador, MMA News reports. The request comes after Malawi legalized medical cannabis last year but also comes with backlash due to Tyson’s 1992 conviction for rape, for which he served three years in prison before being released on parole.

Malawi’s Minister of Gender, Patricia Kaliati, told CNN that the government’s request to the former heavyweight champion is “about business” and the “economic business of cannabis.”

“We look for the prominent people, the decision makers who can say a thing which can be recognized internationally.” — Kaliati to CNN

Kondwani Munthali, acting director of the Malawian think tank, the Centre for Public Accountability (CPA) — which opposes allowing Tyson to serve in the role — said that appointing a convicted rapist would be “wrong.”

“Yes, he paid his debt three years he was in jail, but we are saying to be the face of a nation is something beyond reformatory,” Munthali said in a statement to CNN. “We would want (a) less controversial character than Tyson.”

Ministry of Agriculture spokesperson Gracian Lungu also defended the offer, telling CNN that “Malawi, as a nation, believes that Mr. Tyson is a right and reformed person as he was released on parole.”

“The moral appeal by some quarters, to continue holding Mr. Tyson to a wall of moral incapacity doesn’t hold water,” Lungu added.

Tyson has not yet publicly responded to the offer from the Malawi government.

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South Dakota Supreme Court Strikes Down Voter-Approved Legalization Initiative

11/26/2021

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The South Dakota Supreme Court on Wednesday ruled against the state’s successful cannabis legalization voter initiative, the Associated Press reports.

Officially, the high court upheld a lower court’s February ruling that the initiative, which sought to legalize the plant through a constitutional amendment, violated a state requirement that constitutional amendments can only address a single topic. The initiative had been worded to legalize and regulate three new industries — adult-use cannabis, medical cannabis, and industrial hemp — which the courts interpreted as three separate issues.

“It is clear that Amendment A contains provisions embracing at least three separate subjects, each with distinct objects or purposes.” — Chief Justice Steven Jensen, in the majority opinion

The effort to overturn the initiative only came after 54% of voters cast their votes in favor of legalization and was spearheaded by Gov. Kristi Noem (R), who opposed the reforms.

Matthew Schweich, cannabis advocate and campaign director for South Dakotans for Better Marijuana Laws, described the ruling in a statement as “a disrespectful assumption that South Dakota voters were intellectually incapable of understanding the initiative.”

“The court has rejected common sense and instead used a far-fetched legal theory to overturn a law passed by over 225,000 South Dakota voters based on no logical or evidentiary support,” he said.

During last year’s election, voters also overwhelmingly approved a separate initiative to establish a medical cannabis program — the implementation of which is already underway.

South Dakota activists, meanwhile, are already preparing a renewed legalization effort for next year’s ballot. Additionally, state lawmakers are likely to consider a cannabis legalization bill in the coming legislative session.

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VA Secretary Expresses Need for Medical Cannabis Reforms

11/26/2021

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The Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) Denis McDonough said that although the agency does not allow its physicians to discuss medical cannabis with Veterans, VA officials have discussed the need for policy changes and shared this with the White House, Marijuana Moment reports.

At a Veterans Day Q&A session, McDonough was asked a question by a Marine Corp Veteran who said medical cannabis often works better than pharmaceuticals for treating conditions like pain and PTSD. The Secretary responded by revealing the VA is “looking into” policy changes. He then shared a story about a veteran who felt he was only alive because of his service dog and cannabis.

“It was very profound,” McDonough remarked.

“We’re trying to explore what more we can do. And I’ve talked to our friends in the rest of the federal government, including the Department of Justice, on what we can do on this, and with the White House.” — Denis McDonough via Marijuana Moment

However, he dashed some cold water on the remarks, saying he was not in a position to make the change to allow VA doctors to recommend medical cannabis for veterans due to the plant’s designation as a Schedule I narcotic.

“Right now under current law and current policy, we cannot be in a position to get those [medical marijuana] cards to veterans,” the secretary said. “In order to get to a point where we would give those cards, we’re going to need both a change of policy, which I’m looking at, as well as a change in law.”

Despite the Secretary’s expressed sympathies with veterans who use medical cannabis in the Q&A, the VA opposed recent access and research reforms passed by the House Veterans Affairs Committee on the grounds the legislation was “overly prescriptive” and the VA was already doing research into medical cannabis, according to the report.

McDonough did not speak to specific legislation but concluded his remarks on a positive note. “Let’s make sure that we’re addressing the range of options that our veterans know can work for them without falling into the trap on pharmaceuticals,” he said.

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Native and Indigenous-Owned Cannabis Brands Thrive Despite Regulatory Obstacles

11/26/2021

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Most Americans are taught in elementary school that Native Americans and colonizing European pilgrims feasted together jovially on the first Thanksgiving, and that we recreate that tradition each year with our own Thanksgiving family feasts. The truth is that the first Thanksgiving was an accidental gathering. Pilgrims were shooting muskets to celebrate their first harvest and members of the Wampanoag tribe arrived prepared for war. When realizing that the gunshots were celebratory, the Wampanoag stayed for a tense meal to maintain peace. Some Wampanoag members regard the day referred to as “Thanksgiving” as a National Day of Mourning. These truths are an essential part of American history, and recognizing them is just one way to honor the Indigenous peoples who have stewarded this land for generations.

When cannabis prohibition began to lift and the industry opened up, many tribes and those who lived on reservations were left out of the legislation. For example, the 2014 Farm Bill granted states the right to set up hemp pilot programs but did not grant the same authority to American Indian Tribes. Under the 2018 Farm Bill, which federally legalized the crop, tribes still had to wait for USDA regulations before they could begin building hemp programs. This gave other businesses a head start on capturing the market share and establishing their hemp agriculture infrastructure. The same lack of representation is an issue in Canada as well: as of September 2021, only 5% of the Canadian cannabis market was Indigenous-owned. Despite the lack of Indigenous representation, there are still Indigenous-owned retail shops, cultivations, CBD companies, and testing labs on Turtle Island. Some state legislatures, like Washington and Nevada, have opened up the cannabis industry to tribal business but there is a long way to go in making cannabis business more accessible to Indigenous people.

Chenae Bullock is a member of the Shinnecock Nation and the Managing Director of Little Beach Harvest, the tribe’s cannabis retail store that chose to open through a partnership with TILT.

“Building partnerships as a tribal business takes work on creating change on how tribal communities are viewed. For far too long, we have been purposely hidden and talked about in the past tense, making it a challenge for many to see we are leaders in what we set forth in. Once that view changes, we are looked at as equal partners and business can thrive.” — Chenae Bullock, Managing Director of Little Beach Harvest

In hope that you will shop Indigenous whenever possible, we’ve put together a list of cannabis industry businesses that are owned by Native tribes, owned by tribal members, and some that are owned by tribes in partnership with larger cannabis brands.

These stores have been pulled from various sources including InclusiveBase, the cannabis PoC directory. Before they were added here, the following businesses were vetted to ensure that they were Indigenous-owned. Some companies are owned by tribes, some operate on reservations while others do not. We’ve displayed the relevant information for each business — scroll down to find Indigenous-owned cannabis retailers, cultivation sites, testing labs, CBD brands, and industry partnerships.

Retail

  • Agate Dreams // Port Madison Indian Reservation
    Agate Dreams is a retail cannabis shop operated by the Suquamish Evergreen Corporation, a wholly owned subsidiary of Port Madison Enterprises, an agency of the Suquamish Tribe.
  • Cedar Greens // S’Kllalam Territory – Sequim, Washington
    This store is owned by the Jamestown S’Kllalam tribe, a band of the S’kllalam people who purchased 210-acres along the Strait of Juan de Fuca where they continue to preserve and enhance the Jamestown S’Kllalam Nation’s cultural identity.
  • Commencement Bay Cannabis // Occupied Coast Salish & Puyallup Land – Fife & Tacoma, Washington
    The Commencement Bay chain of stores is owned by the Puyallup Tribe.
  • Elevation // Occupied Squaxin, Coast Salish land – Shelton, Washington
    This store is owned by The Squaxin Island Tribe who have compiled this Native American etiquette for those who are visiting.
  • High Point Cannabis // Occupied Suquamish, Coast Salish land – Kingston, Washington.
    This cannabis dispensary is owned by the Port Gamble band of the S’Kllalam tribe.
  • Joint Rivers // Occupied Coast Salish, Muckleshoot land – Auburn, Washington
    This store is operated by the Muckleshoot Tribe which is made up of Duwamish and Upper Puyallup people, the name Muckleshoot comes from the prairie on which the reservation was established, the tribe was then referred to by the name of the prairie rather than their historic tribal names.
  • Remedy Tulalip // Tulalip territory – Tulalip, Washington
    The government set up a reservation in Tulalip for the Snohomish, Snoqualmie, Skykomish, and other allied tribes and bands signatory to the Treaty of Point Elliot. Tulalip is one of the Coast Salish Tribes of Puget Sound and the tribe owns Remedy Tulalip.
  • Salish Coast Cannabis // Occupied territories of the Samish, Coast Salish, Sauk Suiattle, Skagit, and Hul-qumi-num treaty group – Anacortes, Washington
    This shop is owned and operated by the Swinomish Indian Tribal Community.
  • Elwha Peaks // Occupied Coast Salish, S’Kllalam land – Port Angeles, Washington
    Elwha Peaks is wholly owned and operated by the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe, all revenues from the store go to supporting the betterment of the tribe through infrastructure, education, and similar initiatives.
  • Mountain Source Dispensary // Iipay Nation tribal lands – Santa Ysabel, California.
    This shop is owned by the Iipay Nation tribal lands a band of the Kumeyaay Nation.
  • Oak Creek Dispensary // Numu (Northern Paiute) territory – Independence, California
    Oak Creek dispensary is owned by the Fort Independence tribe of Paiute Indians who are indigenous to the area. The tribe also owns Oak Creek Farm.
  • Long Lodge Tribal Enterprises // Occupied Tongva (Gabrielino) land – Costa Mesa, California
    The link above goes to the Long Lodge Twitter account which states that first the dispensary was shut down due to damage from police raids on illegal operations in the same business park as their regulated business. In the wake of this the brand moved to delivery, which has now been shut down by city regulators.
  • Little Beach Harvest // Shinnecock nation territory – South Hampton, New York
    This cannabis store is owned by the Shinnecock tribe in partnership with TILT and will be open soon.
  • Nabodoka Dispensary // Numu (Norther Paiute territory) Lovelock, Nevada – Northern Paiute territory
    The Lovelock Paiute nation owns Nabodoka dispensary. They view the human to cannabis relationship as one of mutualism where the plant ally provides for the people and the people put love in to the cannabis.
  • NeWe Cannabis // Newe (Western Shoshone) land – Elko, Nevada
    This shop is owned and operated by the Elko Band Colony of the Te-Moak Tribe of Western Shoshone Indians.
  • NuWu // Newe (Western Shoshone) land – Las Vegas, Nevada
    NuWu is a huge store with a modern design, smoking lounge, and drive thru window owned by the Las Vegas Paiute Tribe.
  • Pesha’ Numma // Yerington Paiute Tribe Colony – Yerington, Nevada
    Pesha’ Numma is owned and operated by the Yerington Paiute Tribe Colony, they have provided donations to local organization, Native American Domestic Violence, the Yerington Food Bank, and more.
  • Tsaa Nesunkwa Dispensary // Shoshone tribal land – Ely, Nevada
    The Ely Shoshone tribe runs Tsar Nesunkwa dispensary for the betterment of their people, money earned is put back into food drives, toy drives, and other fundraisers.
  • Water Canyon Dispensary // Numu (Northern Paiute) territory – Winnemucca, Nevada
    This store is owned by the Winnemucca Indian Colony.
  • Green Chief Naturals // Mohawk land – Cornwall Island, Ontario
  • Seven Leaf // Located on Akwesasne Mohawk land, known as Ontario.
    The Canadian dispensary is run by Mohawk executive leadership.

Cultivation

  • Red Market Brand // Canada
  • Native Humboldt // Whilkut territory – Humboldt, California
  • La Vida Ranchera – The Botanical Joint // Yokuts territory – Fresno, California
  • Tokem // Washington
  • Native Seed Co. // Ohlone territory – California
    Native Seed Co. is owned by a husband and wife team who have recently experienced severe trauma: Robbie was in a car accident while transporting Advanced Nutrients products that contain lye. The container exploded and he suffered a chemical burn to 30% of his body, primarily in his face and eyes. If you can support his uninsured recovery, there is a GoFundMe set up by friends of the family.

Testing

  • Medicine Creek Analytics // Puyallup tribal land – Fife, Washington

Extraction

CBD

  • Nice Hemp Co. // Gabrielino-Tongva, Kizh, and Chumash lands – Los Angeles, California
  • MaatRa // Online Nationwide
  • Canndigenous // Kiikaapoi (Kickapoo) tribal land – Cambridge, Wisconsin
  • Niota by Ho-Chunk Farms // Winnebago Reservation
    Niota is crafted and sold by the Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska whose traditional name is Hochungra which is shortened to Ho-Chunk.
  • White Plume Hemp Company // Pine Ridge Reservation
    Building a CBD brand is a dream of Alex White Plume which he believes will invigorate the tribes who are settled in South Dakota. Donate to this dream here.

Partnerships

  • Indigenous Bloom // Ten locations in Kanata – Canada
    These stores are owned by First Nations tribes and Veritas in partnerships that give tribes 51% equity in the store. Indigenous Bloom employs approximately 200 people, 60 percent of whom are Indigenous.
  • Lume // Michigan
    Vertically integrated Lume Cannabis Co. works with individual Native American tribes in Michigan to lease stores on tribal land.

Note: Land acknowledgments and other tribal information in this article were sourced from Native-Land.ca followed by researching the individual tribes, typically through official tribe websites.

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Stündenglass Gravity Hookah Review

11/26/2021

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Some of my fondest cannabis memories start with a clean, water-filled trash can and an empty two-liter bottle. At this point, I’m sure some readers are furrowing their brows, wondering what in the heck I’m talking about — what I’m talking about, dear reader, is a gravity bong. The bottle cap would have a little bowl piece affixed to it that flowed into the 2-liter bottle with the bottom cut out. The open end of the bottle is submerged in water up to the neck, as you light the bowl the smoke fills and lifts the bottle out of the water. Once full, we’d unscrew the cap and inhale while pushing the bottle down into the water. Oftentimes, I’d end up with a mouthful of questionable water with my hit. Even so, there wasn’t anything like it so I always accepted a GT, or “gravity toke,” when it was offered.

Enter Stündenglass Gravity Hookah: the luxury counterpart to the tried and true 2-liter bottle set-up. A quick web search will show Reddit threads expounding how the Stündenglass is overrated and overpriced, that it just chugs and inevitably wastes cannabis. Many have seen a video of Seth Rogen absolutely biffing a hit from a prototype of the gravity hookah which made the rounds a few years ago. Despite the negative reviews from Reddit weed bros, I had to find out for myself whether this seemingly genius device was worth its weight.

When the box arrived I was overwhelmed by all of the pieces but the directions were simple. With some diligent reading, I was able to get the device up and running in mere moments. Using the piece is just as easy, the first step is to load the ground flower into the bowl piece. Then I hover the fire over the herb and tip the 360° glass bulbs over, which pulls the flame down into the bowl. Once cherried, the hookah will keep the flower going so just wait and watch the glass fill with milky smoke. Here is another point of Reddit contention, many commented on the color of the smoke in the Seth Rogen video. It was yellow and ominous, the type of smoke that you know will give you deep, painful coughs. Maybe it was the size of the bowl he packed, the quality of the weed he loaded, or the fact that he kept the flame right on top of the bowl the entire time; but my smoke was always a delightful, milky white.

I used the bowl piece to smoke ground flower from my neighborhood shop, but there is also an aluminum bowl attachment that is designed for hookah coals. I found the experience to be delightful, but my preferred method of smoking is a 1-2 foot beaker bong so I prefer a piece that chugs a little bit. To gauge the spectrum of cannabis smokers, I had a few friends try it as well, which led to mixed results. My intermediate friend coughed a lot and took way too big of a hit on accident, but soon we discovered the ability to stop the smoke by turning the piece to the side. This is a real game-changer, especially when you’re seshing with your vaxxed friends. My micro-dose friend would just take sips and give me the rest of the rip, so I may not recommend the full-sized Stündenglass for people who smoke very rarely or only in small amounts.

A lot of reviewers claim that this type of device is meant for college life where the aim of smoking pot is to get super tanked and watch 4 hours of How Did This Get Made, but I simply don’t agree. There is always the option to pack a smaller bowl or stop the smoke halfway through and share, you don’t have to take a monstrous hit every time you rip the Stüudenglass. And for those like my micro-dosing friend who need a less voluminous option, there is now the Stündenglass Kompact which features one-third of the smoke volume and comes in a compact travel case.

It’s not a secret after that review, I really dig the Stündenglass Gravity Hookah. In my experience as a bong-ripping, long-time cannabis enthusiast, it’s an efficient way to soothe the most clenched mind. The biggest barrier for this piece is the price, which doesn’t get any smaller with the smaller unit. But if you’re in the market for a well-engineered high ticket item that hits hard, then this is the one for you. And for those interested, on Friday, November 26, Stündenglass is offering 10% off the original, Cookies, and Dr. Greenthumb Gravity Hookahs.

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Marvin Washington’s ‘5th Quarter’ TV Series Hopes to Normalize Cannabis Medicine for Athletes

11/26/2021

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Super Bowl champion Marvin Washington is the host of the brand new show “5th Quarter,” which starts streaming today, November 16, on CannactedTV from 420MEDIA. In the cannabis-focused series, Marvin speaks with fellow former football players and contact sport athletes, cannabis nurses, mothers, and medical practitioners about the benefits of using cannabis plant medicine.

Former defensive end Marvin Washington spoke with us about the new interview series over Zoom, “Listen, we’ve medicated with this for thousands of years, let’s get back to it. This is the way we’ve medicated from the shaman to the witch doctor to the medicine men in Asia, this is what we’ve medicated with: things that came from the earth.”

Marvin has been filming the interviews featured in the “5th Quarter” since 2016 and he is excited to finally share them with the world. He is most looking forward to the first episode, which features a one-on-one interview with Boo Williams, a former NFL tight end whose story is one of difficulty that eventually leads to triumph. Boo suffered a close contact head injury that sent his life into turmoil before seeking treatment for chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE). American football players, hockey players, and boxers are more susceptible to repeated concussions, the cause of CTE, but there is still very little awareness about this issue.

“If the NFL wants continually grow their game, if the NFL wants to take their game across the pond to Europe, I think it’s going to have to change. Because you can’t be exporting the game where you’re going to give the players who play it a brain disease, and so the game has to get safer. All sports evolve… but, if football wants to remain the number one sport in the world… they’re going to have to make the game safer,” said Marvin.

Boo ultimately fell into a spiral of CTE symptoms including memory loss, confusion, impulse control problems, anxiety, depression, and suicidality. After being rescued from a suicide attempt, he sought out The Crosby Clinic. At the clinic, he realized smoking cannabis had been helping him with CTE symptoms over the years. He didn’t know his recreational smoke was functioning medicinally until detoxing off of everything at the clinic. In the premiere episode, Marvin goes in-depth into Boo’s story where we learned to understand how cannabis medicine worked for him with the help from his doctor.

This compelling story is just the beginning of the educational “5th Quarter” series that explores the possibilities of cannabis sports medicine and how we can adapt the game of football to better value athletes’ brain health. After speaking with Marvin Washington, it was clear that he loves football and he values his fellow players, which is precisely why the “5th Quarter” is so important to him. Many of his fellow football players, and many contact sport athletes in general, will struggle with CTE in their lifetime. We’ve lost some treasured CTE-diagnosed athletes to suicide already, so if cannabis medicine can help with maintaining brain health or dealing with symptoms, then it should be explored by all of the major leagues.

“5th Quarter” shows viewers exactly how cannabis medicine can be merged with sports medicine. In addition to no longer vilifying athletes for using cannabis, Marvin believes that there’s room for rule changes in the NFL to lower the risk of head injury. This notion isn’t unheard of — in 1906 there were safety changes made to reduce the risk of death by banning the flying wedge maneuver, legalizing the forward pass, and creating a neutral zone between the lines. These changes can be made again to create more longevity for a game that is already seeing huge drops in youth participation.

“I can see the evolution of football where they back the linemen off the ball like they do in Canada, and they go from a 2-point stand and even make the field wider. That’s going to cut down on those head-to-head, in-the-scrum type of hits that we’ve grown up being used to,” explains Marvin, “This is not going to be your father’s NFL or my father’s NFL. It’s going to be a different NFL, it’s still going to be blocking and tackling but it’s going to be safe.”

Marvin Washington, host of Cannected TV’s new “5th Quarter” docuseries.

With the addition of natural cannabis medicine, the consideration of rules that cut down on head-to-head bashing, and more CTE awareness amongst fans, coaches, team owners, and players; Marvin believes the NFL has a prosperous future that could extend across the pond. However, the dream is not possible with the game of football, as-is. Hopefully, “5th Quarter” can open more eyes to the possibilities for playing contact sports without the risk of head injury. CTE isn’t the focus of every episode but it is a theme woven throughout the series. Marvin’s passion for the plant is clear in the first episode, and we look forward to seeing who he speaks with next.

To watch “5th Quarter” and other cannabis content, download the Cannacted TV app from 420MEDIA on your phone or smart TV.

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