Some politicians believe the majority of the public are confused or just smart. They feel it is important to step in and change things.
It seems the nanny state is on the rise! Following Florida and Texas, Virginia seems to think their citizens are “confused” about what they want and their highest elected officials need to take care of a populace unable to care for themselves. Singapore, Korea and China are big examples of nanny states, but the trend is become popular in the United States.
A perfect example is around legalized marijuana. According to Pew Research Center, an overwhelming 88% of U.S. adults say either that marijuana should be legal for medical and recreational use by adults (59%) or that it should be legal for medical use only (30%). Only one-in-ten (10%) say marijuana use should not be legal. It has become an almost $30 billion industry and a proven revenue driver for states. Consumer numbers show the stigma is gone. But some states aren’t having it.
A few states feel they are better run by parental figures who know better. These include Florida where over 71% of the public voted for marijuana but the current Governor does everything to block it. Not to be outdone, Texas jumped on the bandwagon. Meanwhile, in a fact based world, the Department of Veterans Affairs changed policy for veterans so they can use medical marijuana without losing their eligibility for care and services. The change was based on science, data and need. Despite the step forward for veterans, it seems now it looks like Virginia is the new newest marijuana nanny state.
In a messy fight, the Old Dominion Governor Glenn Youngkin has made it clear he has no intention of allowing legal marijuana. The tourism slogan is Virginia is for Lovers, but the top elected official is showing any for cannabis, even as some of his allies soften their stance. No doubt there are looking at states like Missouri who are pulling in significant amount of tax revenue.
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott doesn’t care polls reveal a majority of Texans support legalizing marijuana for medical and recreational use. Abbott stated his position has not changed beyond what he’s proposed in the past — reducing the criminal penalty for marijuana possession to a Class C misdemeanor, but not legalizing the drug.
It is the time of year when things tend to speed up at work, at home, and in politics….but can a gummy help you stop and take a breath?
Politics are dominating the news, more people are back to the office and it seems the work load is heavier. Sometimes you just need a little down time. While marijuana has a reputation of getting stoned, can a gummy help you relax and unwind? Well, science says yes. Gen Z has embraced the trend as they are the first generation to be experiencing anxiety at an alarming rate.
Some people reach for alcohol, a scented candle, or music to relax, but a study at John Hopkins has shown using marijuana at a lower dose can help the body and mind relax.
Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is a cannabinoid found in cannabis. It is the principal psychoactive constituent of cannabis and one of at least 113 total cannabinoids in the plant. identified in the plant. It interacts with receptors in the brain to produce feelings of relaxation and euphoria. But indulging too much can have a negative impact.
While more research needs to be done, it is clear from research dosage it a key compartment with marijuana. Gummies tend to have 5-10 mg, a lower amount than in a joint and easier to control than taking several hits off a vape. Microdosing, which has become popular, provides an opportunity to take part of gummies just to smooth the rough edges of the day.
“People use cannabis to help reduce anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder, but since THC levels vary widely, if a person overshoots their tolerance of THC, cannabis can induce anxiety rather than relieve it,” says study senior author Ryan Vandrey, Ph.D., professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. “Our study demonstrates d-limonene can modulate the effects of THC in a meaningful way and make THC more tolerable to people using it for both therapeutic and non-therapeutic purposes.”
The research team concluded combining d-limonene with THC significantly reduced subjective indicators/reports of THC-induced anxiety in participants. These reductions were greater as the dose of d-limonene was increased.
Additionally, they saw no interference with THC’s subjective, cognitive or physiological effects when co-administered with d-limonene, as well as no effects from d-limonene alone that differed from the placebo test.
If anxiety is frequent, it is important speak to a health professional to develop a routine for long term help.
The cannabis has been suffering for the last two years…but do the presidential candidates really care?
The last two years has been brutal for the cannabis industry. Consumer use continues to climb, but the cost of doing business is outpacing the profit. Filled with mainly mom and pop small business owners, it has become tougher and tougher as more and more people consume. But does either political parties care and what are they actually going to do? The marijuana industry seeks positive signs from candidates, and more than just statements, they want sound policy.
Legal states have reaped the benefits of making the plant safely available. ncreased tax revenue, a decreased in youth use, and a variable options for medical marijuana patients from addictive opioids. But the businesses themselves are battling high taxes, no tax benefits, increase in crime and a massive federal restrictions. Even with a growing customer base, hope is dwindling the government will act. And both parties have not been helpful.
Vice President Harris expressed support for legalizing marijuana, speaking publicly about where she stands for the first time she became the Democratic nominee.
“I just think we have come to a point where we have to understand that we need to legalize it and stop criminalizing this behavior,” Harris said during a nearly hourlong interview on the sports and culture podcast “All the Smoke” released Monday.
But what does it mean? Biden promised to help in 2020. The seasoned policy maker waited to the last moment to make the move, and then didn’t push the gas petal. While 2024 looked like a turning point year, nothing will happen. The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) postponed their rescheduling announcement to December, after the election and a potential change in priorities, legalization actions, and executive orders.
Walz, as governor of Minnesota, saw the introduction of legal marijuana and how the state’s citizen’s embraced it in large numbers. But recently he shared he believed it should be a “states rights” issue but he still wants to Democrats to win Congress to help SAFE Banking.
The GOP Presidential candidate has given a nod to the industry, but under his previous term, nothing happened. Party leaders including House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) and Senator Mitch McConnell (R-KY) have made it clear they want a regression of marijuana legality. The Senate GOP blocked the SAFER BANKING ACT 7 times. And the chaos over the ousting of Kevin McCarthy as speaker ruined the last big chance before camping started.
It seems all the states want the revenue, but no political leader wants to support the growth of the industry. The industry is just hoping something will hold candidates to their promises.
It is a jaw dropping scandal flooding the news…but the cannabis industry is avoiding it because the big investment deal fell through.
The entertainment industry and the public is general have been shocked by the scandal around Diddy (formerly Puff Daddy, Sean Combs, etc). The tentacles of his being charged at a federal level is making causing X in the music, entertainment, fashion, alcohol and monied worlds…but one industry is breathing a sigh of relief. There is a flood of celebrates who worried they will be pulled down including Ashton Kutcher, actor and Silicon Valley investor, Kevin Hart, Usher, Jay-Z, and more. But Diddy’s failed cannabis investment saves industry a scandal, right as it seems to waiting for good news.
Combs was arrested on Sept. 16 and charged with sex trafficking, racketeering and transportation to engage in prostitution charges. He is depicted as the leader of an alleged criminal enterprise, subjecting women and men to a pattern of physical and sexual abuse, according to federal prosecutors.
Investigators allege over a span of years, Combs would ply victims with narcotics and even resort to violence and intimidation during days-long sex sessions in events called “freak offs”. Big names were at these events and it has people running scared.
Diddy deeply dove into being part of the merge of cannabis companies Cresco Labs Inc. and Columbia Care Inc. They are currently two of the largest cannabis companies and were exploring a joint operations while adding additional investors. Diddy’s $155 million part would have given him a huge foothold into the growing market. His reach, wealth, and connections could have helped the industry. Luckily, in August 2023, the $ merger was terminated, canceling and voiding his deal with them.
But what next? Other people near him have a role in the industry including Jay-Z. He Jay-Z started a $10 million investment for minority-owned cannabis startups. He is the Chief Visionary Officer of TPCO Holding.
Wiz Khalifa, Method Man, and Snoop Dog all have fingers in marijuana. Time will tell how the Diddy indictments plays out for all the players.