Cannabis

Has Marijuana Become A Political Football

Published

6 months ago

July 26, 2024

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Marijuana is a HUGE no for Olympics athletes – and for guests visiting Paris, it is also a French non (wink wink).

Like most sporting organizations, cannabis use, even for medical reasons, is a big no go for athletes. The Olympics are no exception. While the WADA guidance says they can use the cannabidiol (CBD), athletes are prohibited from consuming any natural or synthetic cannabinoids in the time leading up to a competition. US sprinter Sha’Carri Richardson was dismissed from the Tokyo Olympics because she tested positive. So again, marijuana is a big non at the Paris Olympics. And it is still illegal in France, so for visitors, it is also a big French non (well – wink wink)

Like most major cites including London, Delhi, Tokyo, and Rome, just because it says on things on the books, doesn’t mean the local population adheres to what it says. The illegal black market is a vast multi-billion industry in most of Europe, most of South America and parts of Asia. Canada is fully legal and the US is a patchwork with both approved and illicit markets. While traveling aboard with marijuana on you can be spotty, in the country you can usually find it pretty easy. Just be careful and go with you gut on trusting people.

Cannabis use is illegal in France. But like it most countries, marijuana continues to a widely used drug for both recreational and medical reasons. It is not uncommon in the trendy Maris, at football stadiums or even on the famed Avenue des Champs-Élysées to catch a whiff. And with gummies and vapes, it has blended into the Paris scene with hardly anyone noticing or caring. It is reported the country’s population are among the largest consumers of cannabis worldwide. Possession of cannabis has been somewhat decriminalized in France, with minor offenders potentially being served with fines.

However, prison sentences of up to one year are still possible for people found in illegal possession of cannabis especially those looking to sell.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) technically has no problem with athletes legally having a few drinks. But of course, the focus is on performance, so drinks would come at the end of the games.

While there is reference to the original games in Ancient Greece, the ones we watch really started in 1896 in Athens and are overseen by the International Olympic Committee.

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Cannabis

Is Cannabis Now The #1 Sleep Aid

Published

2 hours ago

January 27, 2025

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Sleep is vital to a function, happy life…but sometimes is so hard to achieve. But good news – is cannabis now the #1 sleep aid?

Post hoildays, pre-summer, extra work and more – all leading to less sleep and even struggling to fall asleep. Roughly 14.5% of adults had trouble falling asleep and 17.8% of adults had trouble staying asleep. It is such an issue, people tend to drink more coffee in the winter months, especially January. But is cannabis now the #1 sleep aid? More people are turning to marijuana for help, with promising results for those struggling with insomnia and other sleep disorders.

A recent study published in Exploration of Medicine revealed that over 80% of participants reported cannabis helps them relax their mind and body for sleep. Additionally, 56% said it helps them achieve deeper sleep, and 41% reported longer sleep duration. Sleep issues can interfere with work, relationships, driving, and more. It can lead to trouble learning, focusing, and reacting. Sleep deficiency also can make you feel frustrated, cranky, or worried in social situations.

From above of comfortable messy with soft white blanket and pillows in sunny morning

Benefits of Cannabis for Sleep

Cannabis may offer several advantages for sleep:

Faster sleep onset: THC can reduce sleep onset latency, helping users fall asleep more quickly.
Increased sleep duration: Some users report longer total sleep time when using cannabis.
Improved sleep quality: Cannabis may enhance slow-wave sleep and overall sleep satisfaction.
Reduced nightmares: THC can decrease REM sleep, potentially benefiting those with PTSD-related nightmares.

Comparison to Conventional Sleep Aids

Many users find cannabis more effective than traditional sleep medications:

In a 2022 study, 39% of participants stopped using their sleep medication after starting cannabis use, with 71% reporting improved sleep.
Cannabis users reported feeling more refreshed, focused, and better able to function the morning after use compared to conventional sleep aids.
Over 80% of survey participants no longer use sleep medications, preferring cannabis instead.

While research continues, these findings suggest cannabis may be a promising alternative for those seeking better sleep. However, it’s important to note individual responses may vary, and consulting with a healthcare professional is advised before using cannabis as a sleep aid.

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Cannabis

Will Representative Dina Titus Help Cannabis

Published

6 hours ago

January 27, 2025

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Representative Dina Titus (D) Nevada is the new chair of the cannabis caucus in Congress – will it make a difference?

She has been appointed co-chair of the Congressional Cannabis Caucus, succeeding retiring Congressman Earl Blumenauer. This appointment, announced on January 2, 2025, positions her as a leading voice on cannabis-related issues in Congress. But will representative Dina Titus help cannabis? Her co-chair is Ilhan Omar (D-MN) and both are in the minority party. The causcas has included bi-partisan chairs, but it is troubling at critical point, the marijority is not represented in leadership.

Titus represents Nevada’s 1st Congressional District. This includes Las Vegas, home of the national largest dispensary Planet 13 and soon to open Cannabition, an immersive cannabis experience. But does she have the political savvy and clout to make headway, especially since the Speaker of the House, Mike Johnson (R-LA) is against the green plant?

As the doyenne off of the Nevada delegation, she has established herself as an effective lawmaker, focusing on issues such as affordable housing, transportation infrastructure, and environmental protection. With a background in education, Titus taught American and Nevada government at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas for 34 years before retiring in 2011. She serves on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and the Foreign Affairs Committee.

Congress Approves CBD Use For Military Members — Photo by uschools/Getty Images

Some of her positions have run counter to the current admisntartion including legislation to ban bump stocks and her vocal support for the DREAM Act and comprehensive immigration reform. Titus has championed policies supporting children, seniors, and people with disabilities5. Her commitment to public service and her constituents has made her a respected figure in Nevada politics and on Capitol Hill.

Titus aims to address several key issues:

Banking services and tax treatment for cannabis businesses
Veteran access to medical cannabis through the VA
Reforming the federal scheduling of marijuana

While 24 states have legalized recreational cannabis use, it remains a Schedule I drug under federal law. Titus advocates for federal recognition of the cannabis industry’s responsible practices in these states. Titus has emphasized the need for federal reform, stating, “It is time for the federal government to recognize that and treat it accordingly”. Her appointment is seen as a step in advancing cannabis policy reform at the national level.

Cannabis industry leaders and advocates have expressed strong support for Titus’s appointment, citing her long-standing advocacy and knowledge of the challenges faced by cannabis businesses. With Mike Johnson and others seeing cannabis as an enemy, it will take wisdom, strength, ally building and more to have movement.

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Cannabis

Is Hemp The Future Instead Of Marijuana

Published

3 days ago

January 24, 2025

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He has a big audience and a huge voice with the administration – so what about Joe Rogan and marijuana?

In a surprising turn of events, hemp is starting to rival marijuana in sales, marking a significant shift in the cannabis industry landscape. As of 2025, the industrial hemp market has experienced explosive growth. Meanwhile, marijuana has acceptance by almost 90% of the country, but the 10% against it include leaders in DC. The small group seems to have blocked a path for profitably for thousands of mom and pop marijuana companies. Currently, it is unclear what the new administration will do with the rescheduling, SAFE Banking and more. But amid the chaos, hemp hums along ibeing carried in mainstream retailers like Total Wine and convience stores, allowing them access to large customer bases.

“Hemp is living the cannabis dream. No 280E tax or punitive state excise taxes exist, while direct-to-consumer sales and interstate commerce are allowed. Intoxicating hemp is being treated like a regular commodity, while cannabis remains in the penalty box.” shared Jesse Redmond, an executive at LEEF Holdings.

The surge in hemp’s popularity can be attributed to several factors. Firstly, the legalization of industrial hemp farming in many countries has opened up new opportunities for large-scale cultivation and production. In the United States, the 2018 Farm Bill paved the way for the cultivation and sale of hemp, separating it legally from marijuana by establishing a THC threshold of 0.3%.

Hemp’s versatility has been a key driver of its success. The plant offers a wide range of applications across various industries, including textiles, construction, packaging, and personal care. Moreover, the increasing demand for eco-friendly and sustainable products has fueled the growth of the hemp market, as hemp requires fewer resources to produce compared to other crops.

The rise of CBD products has also contributed significantly to hemp’s dominance. The wellness and pharmaceutical sectors have seen a surge in demand for hemp-derived CBD, further boosting the market. In fact, the top 10 best-selling THC beverage brands, many of which are hemp-based, represented 59% of all total cannabis drink sales in the year ending June 2024.

Daniel Shortt, one of the partners at the Seattle firm Salzhauer & Shortt shares “At this stage, it is anyone’s guess how the new administration is going to approach cannabis. The new president has sent mixed message about cannabis, but it is clearly not a priority for the next few months which could be good for the largely unregulated hemp-derivative market.

The new administration began before the cannabis rescheduling process concluded, and an administrative law judge has now paused that process for at least 90 days. With the future of federal reform so uncertain, it’s likely that hemp products will continue to be sold widely across the country under the 2018 Farm Bill, despite significant pushback at the state level—unless Congress amends the next version of the Farm Bill. The current version of the Farm Bill governs the production of hemp but does not specifically regulate the manufacture and distribution of hemp products. While the FDA has opposed these products, it has done little to enforce actions against them. It seems unlikely that halting the spread of hemp products will be a priority for new adminstration’s FDA.”

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