We are headed out to beautiful Cannon Beach, Oregon again this weekend for the Sixth Annual Northwest Cannabis and Psychedelics Law Conference.

Harris Sliwoski attorneys Matt Goldberg and Vince Sliwoski will attend the conference in person this year. Nicole Gossett-Roxbury and Jesse Mondry plan to attend remotely. The event kicks off tomorrow with a welcome reception sponsored by Harris Sliwoski LLP.

To view the program brochure, including the full schedule of events and presentations, please go here. For any last-minute takers, we were just told that registration remains open through Thursday, September 26, at 12pm PT. The sign-up link is here!

We look forward to connecting with friends and colleagues — especially with the weather report looking so great in Cannon Beach. See you all soon.

Why people choosing cannabis over beer and wine is a good thing!

https://www.marijuanamoment.net/marijuana-legalization-is-a-significant

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In recent years, a fascinating shift has been taking place in the realm of recreational substances. More and more people are opting to light up a joint instead of uncorking a bottle of wine or cracking open a cold beer. This trend, which has been steadily growing, shows no signs of slowing down. It’s a change that’s causing ripples across industries and raising eyebrows in boardrooms.

While some may view this shift with alarm, crying “bloody murder” at the potential impact on the alcohol industry, there’s a compelling case to be made that this transition is actually a positive development for society as a whole. The reasons behind this are multifaceted, touching on aspects of health, social behavior, and even economic factors.

In this article, we’re going to dive deep into these reasons, exploring why the switch from alcohol to cannabis might be more beneficial than detrimental. We’ll examine the potential impacts on public health, social dynamics, and even crime rates. But we won’t stop there.

We’ll also take a journey into the future, imagining a world 50 years from now where this shift has become firmly entrenched in society. What might our social gatherings look like? How might our cities change? What new industries might emerge, and which ones might fade away?

As we embark on this exploration, we invite you to keep an open mind. Whether you’re a cannabis enthusiast, a wine connoisseur, a teetotaler, or somewhere in between, the changing landscape of recreational substances affects us all. So let’s lift the veil on this green revolution and see where it might lead us.

The journey of cannabis from counterculture symbol to mainstream acceptance is nothing short of remarkable. In the 1960s, only about 4% of Americans had tried marijuana. Fast forward to today, and that number has skyrocketed to nearly 50%, with 18% of adults reporting cannabis use in the past year.

But it’s not just usage rates that have changed; public opinion has undergone a seismic shift. In 1969, a mere 12% of Americans supported legalization. Today, that number stands at a staggering 68%, reflecting a complete reversal in public sentiment.

The advent of legal dispensaries has played a crucial role in this transformation. No longer confined to shady street corners, cannabis purchasing has become a legitimate, regulated experience. Sleek, modern dispensaries staffed by knowledgeable “budtenders” have normalized the act of buying cannabis, making it feel more akin to visiting a high-end boutique than engaging in an illicit transaction.

From a physiological standpoint, cannabis often proves superior to alcohol. While excessive alcohol consumption can lead to severe health issues and even death, it’s virtually impossible to fatally overdose on cannabis. Moreover, cannabis lacks the physically addictive properties of alcohol, and its use typically doesn’t result in the aggressive behavior sometimes associated with heavy drinking.

Globally, attitudes towards cannabis have softened as the failures of the War on Drugs become increasingly apparent. Countries from Canada to Uruguay have fully legalized cannabis, while others have decriminalized its use or implemented medical programs. This shift reflects a growing recognition that prohibition causes more harm than good.

Looking ahead, full-scale legalization in the United States seems inevitable, though pinpointing an exact date remains challenging. The complexities of politics and entrenched interests make predictions difficult. However, the momentum is undeniable. As more states legalize and more people experience the benefits of cannabis firsthand, the pressure for federal reform continues to build.

One thing is certain: the people have spoken, and they want cannabis. This trend shows no signs of reversing. As research continues to unveil the plant’s potential benefits and as stigma continues to fade, we can expect cannabis to cement its place as a preferred substance for relaxation and recreation in the years to come.

As cannabis continues its march towards mainstream acceptance, a provocative question emerges: What happens when the masses smoke weed? This isn’t just idle speculation; it’s a query with profound implications for the fabric of our society.

To understand the potential impact, we must first consider the effects of our current drug of choice: alcohol. According to FBI data, alcohol is present in a staggering 45% of all violent crimes. This statistic alone paints a grim picture, but it becomes even more alarming when we consider domestic abuse and sexual assault cases, where alcohol frequently plays a central role.

In stark contrast, cannabis has not been linked to such violent behaviors. In fact, the longstanding narrative surrounding marijuana use has been one of passivity rather than aggression. While this stereotype may be oversimplified, it does reflect a fundamental truth about cannabis’s effects on behavior.

Even more surprisingly, in states where cannabis has been legalized, we’ve seen a decline in automobile accidents. This counterintuitive finding challenges the fear-mongering narratives that predicted roads would become more dangerous with legal marijuana.

So, as cannabis gains ground and potentially displaces alcohol as the recreational substance of choice, could we be looking at a less violent, more tolerant society? It’s a tantalizing possibility. If alcohol consumption decreases as more people turn to cannabis, we might see a corresponding drop in violent crimes, domestic abuse, and sexual assaults.

But the potential benefits don’t stop at reduced violence. Cannabis has long been associated with creativity and introspection. Could a society that embraces cannabis be one that produces better art, music, and literature? Might we see a surge in innovation as more people tap into cannabis-induced creative states?

Moreover, cannabis often promotes a sense of connection and empathy. In a world grappling with division and polarization, could increased cannabis use foster greater understanding and tolerance among different groups? It’s not unreasonable to imagine that a substance known for promoting peace and love could have a positive impact on social cohesion.

Of course, this is all speculative. We can’t predict with certainty how mass adoption of cannabis will shape our society. However, based on what we know about cannabis’s effects and the harm reduction potential compared to alcohol, it seems reasonable to hypothesize that society at large could benefit from this shift.

Perhaps most intriguingly, this cannabis wave could be just the beginning of a broader transformation in consciousness. As attitudes towards psychoactive substances evolve, we’re seeing increasing interest in and research on psychedelics. These substances, known for their ability to induce profound spiritual experiences and shift perspectives, are poised to enter the mainstream in the coming years.

Could we be on the cusp of a neo-spiritual awakening? As cannabis paves the way for more open-minded approaches to consciousness alteration, and as psychedelics follow in its wake, we might see a society more attuned to spiritual and existential questions. This could lead to shifts in values, priorities, and ways of understanding the world and our place in it.

While it’s crucial to approach these possibilities with a balanced perspective, acknowledging potential downsides and unintended consequences, the overall picture is one of promise. A society less burdened by alcohol-fueled violence, more open to creative expression, more empathetic and interconnected, and potentially more spiritually aware – these are outcomes worth considering as we navigate this transition.

As we move forward into this new era, it’s essential to continue studying the effects of cannabis on individuals and society, to implement responsible policies, and to remain open to the possibilities this shift might bring. The cannabis revolution isn’t just about a change in recreational substances; it could be the harbinger of a broader societal transformation.

ALCOHOL OR WEED, WHICH SHOULD PARENTS WORRY ABOUT THE MOST?

WHAT DRUG SHOULD PARENTS WORRY ABOUT  THE MOST RIGHT NOW?

Florida is set to vote this coming Election Day on the Marijuana Legalization Initiative, also known as Amendment 3. Voters in the Sunshine State will have the chance to amend Article X, Section 29 of the Florida Constitution to allow the possession, purchase, and use of marijuana products and marijuana accessories. The proposed initiative would also allow Medical Marijuana Treatment Centers and other state licensed entities, to acquire, cultivate, process, manufacture, sell, and distribute marijuana products and accessories.

For the initiative to pass, a supermajority of 60% must vote in favor, and the vote is expected to be tight. The most recent published poll results indicate 64% support for Amendment 3, with 9% undecided (and a 3.4% margin of error). Other recent polls, however, suggest that the 60% threshold will not be reached.

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and the rest of the state’s governing establishment oppose the initiative and have established a curious alliance with the state’s hemp industry to stop the measure. For its part, the legalization camp has its own odd bedfellow in the form of Palm Beach resident Donald Trump, who has voiced his intention to vote in favor of Amendment 3 come November. Even during a year that has thrown up more than its fair share of surprises, it would be quite the story if by putting his finger on the scale Trump helps bring about a legalization victory the likes of which we have never seen.

It is far too early to call the race, but the impact of a favorable vote would be enormous. With more than 22 million people, Florida would become the second-largest regulated market for legal cannabis in the country. No wonder this has been by far the most expensive legalization campaign ever, by far, with most of the money going towards a yes vote.

Needless to say, cannabis businesses should be paying close attention on November 5. We will continue to follow this critical story and keep you posted from down here in the Sunshine State.