Louisiana is known as a laid back state when it comes to drinking. Where else are there drive up liquor stores where you can order a cocktail? Louisiana’s drinking age was raised to 21 from 18 in 1986 to avoid losing federal highway dollars, but a loophole made it legal for bars and others to sell alcohol to those under 21, complicating possible enforcement of the law not fixed until 10 years later. But the state home to the Big Easy has the big quest about marijuana. Cannabis is definitely not as embraced as booze and the elected are wary – despite the public wanting it legal.
During an April 18 Senate Agriculture Committee hearing, Louisiana State Senators Jay Morris and Stewart Cathey remarked that legalizing hemp products containing THC was not deliberate. According to The Daily Advertiser, during the meeting, Cathey stated that in the previous session, the Legislature inadvertently established a recreational THC market in Louisiana. He added that they did not intend to allow an unregulated psychoactive drug marketplace to be flooded throughout the state.
Senate Bill 219
On April 10, Cathey put forward Senate Bill 219, which was first discussed during the April 18 meeting. The bill suggests modifying the state law that permits a maximum of 8 mg of THC in a hemp product. Instead, it proposes reducing the limit to 2 mg of THC.
Morris elaborated that if the intention is to legalize recreational THC, it should be done transparently and candidly, which was not the case before. He added that the Legislature was informed that psychoactive substances would not be allowed. The committee approved the bill, which will now be presented before the Senate after the April 18 hearing.
As Cathey and Morris strive to modify the existing state law, advocates and entrepreneurs spoke about the adverse consequences that altering the law may bring.
Cannabis.net heard from locals on their reactions. John Ford Lafayette, the president of Black Farmers Hemp, expressed similar concerns, stating that it did not make sense and that they were attempting to develop an industry. Casey White, the owner of Pippi’s Purpose, indicated that they had invested their life savings in opening their storefronts. Blaine Jennings, the owner of Virgin Hemp Farms, referred to the bill as a direct assault on the thousands of business owners in the rapidly growing industry.
House Bill 605
House Bill 605 was also recently introduced by Louisiana House Speaker Clay Schexnayder to modify the existing hemp law. But to a different extent than Cathey’s proposal. Since federal legalization in 2018, Schexnayder has presented four hemp-related bills.
Schexnayder accused the Louisiana Health Department of mishandling the implementation of the hemp bills in March, stating that the Legislature’s intentions were clear.
The Louisiana Legislative Auditor released the results of its audit of the Louisiana Department of Health on April 10. The “Oversight of consumable hemp products” report revealed that out of the 2,564 registered consumable hemp products approved by the DOH, 36 were prohibited. Moreover, 198 edible products exceeded the 8 mg THC limit, and several other examples showed non-compliance with state law.
Louisiana’s medical cannabis sector has thrived, but recreational cannabis remains illegal. However, the sale of cannabis flowers commenced in January 2022.
Despite the reluctance of the Legislature to legalize recreational cannabis, Louisiana has already established a medical cannabis program. Moreover, public opinion polls indicate that many Louisiana voters favor legalizing cannabis for recreational purposes.
According to a survey conducted by the University of New Orleans Research Center last year, 58% of registered voters in Louisiana expressed support for legalizing recreational marijuana. Meanwhile, 30% of respondents opposed it, and 12% did not have a clear stance.
In recent years, support for legalizing cannabis has increased in Louisiana. According to UNO polls, until 2021, most registered voters were against legalization. However, the trend shifted, with 54% opposing it in 2020 but 55% supporting it just one year later.
A survey conducted in 2021 by JMC Analytics discovered that nine districts, mainly in South Louisiana, where Trump had strong support, had significant backing for the legalization of cannabis. According to Marrero Democrat Representative Kyle Green, the 2021 survey by JMC Analytics aligns with what he has observed in his district. Green has brought a legalization bill before and has noticed that even some of his Republican Trump-supporting constituents favor legalization and use cannabis themselves.
However, public support for a policy does not guarantee it will be easy to pass. Nevada has shown a clear pathway for the other big convention/tourism state with one major city. You think they would like to them a model.
They seem to be total enemies – but can CBD help cats chill out around the Christmas Tree?
While is seems cats do things just to annoy their owners, there are reasons. And when it comes to the Christmas tree, there are manyfelines that causes the pull to be “involved” with the giant temporary addition to the festive season. They enjoy being high up to survey their surroundings and it makes them feel safe from predators. Yhe branches provide a fun climbing challenge. And they are attracted to shiny objects with the ornaments and lights. Like humans, cats enjoy the smell of live evergreen trees which is another reason they stay close. But can CBD keep cats from the Christmas tree?
Alone, CBD can not keep them from exploring, but can be used as another tool to relax them and help them lose interest in wrecking a tree. CBD for cats has gained popularity among pet owners seeking alternative treatments for various feline health issues. CBD is generally considered safe for cats when used appropriately. CBD, or cannabidiol, is a non-psychoactive compound found in hemp plants that interacts with the endocannabinoid system in cats, potentially offering benefits for anxiety, pain, inflammation, and overall wellness.
CBD could help cats with several issues during the holidays including reducing anxiety from visitors, decorations, and changes in routine. It can help alleviate pain and inflammation, which may worsen in colder weather. With the change in routine, it can help with sleep quality. And must of all regarding the tree, it can help them chill and relaxat, giving them a
Use products specifically formulated for cats, as human or dog CBD products may not be suitable. Follow dosage guidelines carefully. Consult with a veterinarian before starting CBD, especially for cats with health issues or on medications. CBD for cats typically comes in oils or treats. Oils allow for precise dosing, while treats may be easier to administer.
Other ways to keep the cat from the tree is have a fake tree which is less dangerous than a real tree. A smaller tree is less likely to cause serious harm if it falls over. Use a heavy base or weights to prevent the tree from toppling over. You can also secure it to a wall with wire. Cats dislike citrus and foil scents, so you can wrap the tree trunk in foil and put orange or lemon peels around the base. Place cheaper, less sentimental decorations toward the bottom of the tree. Tie ornaments tightly to the branches to avoid loose, dangling temptations. Choose wooden or plastic ornaments instead of highly reflective ones. Tie plastic bags filled with orange or lemon peels around the base of the tree.
On the first holiday weekend, should you mix up online and in-store shopping? Well, there is definitely benefits for both – including Target’s new tie-in promotion.
Black Friday is With average holiday spending expected to reach over $1,000, it is important to capture the customers. Twenty years ago, malls were packed and the news reported Karen’s gone wild in an effort to snag shopping deals. Now things are easier with online shopping, but in-store experiences remain crucial. This year 26% of consumers plan to shop primarily in person for the holidays, while 51% plan to do both in-person and online. As usual, retailers offered early discounts and unique shopping experiences to bring people into brick and mortar.
In 2024, the Black Friday shopping landscape has evolved dramatically, presenting consumers with compelling reasons to choose both online and in-store shopping experiences. Each approach offers unique advantages that cater to different shopper preferences and priorities. Online shopping continues to gain momentum, with 75% of shoppers planning to make purchases digitally in 2024.
The benefits are easy and they’re rarely a need to deal with a long line (except for very hard, limited release items). Shoppers can browse and purchase from the comfort of their homes. It provides access to extensive product catalogs across multiple retailers and easy ability to compare prices instantly.
Despite the digital surge, in-store shopping lends itself to being more festive and provide a longer, interactive experience. Shoppers have the ability to try on clothes, test electronics, and physically examine items and are three times more likely to make spontaneous purchases in-store. Usually food purchases from coffee, lunch to drinks are involved and it is considered a full activity. And shoppers arrive home with packages.
Many consumers are adopting a hybrid approach. For instance, some shoppers visit physical stores to try products and then complete purchases online. Retailers are adapting by offering exclusive in-store experiences, like Target’s Taylor Swift album release and special giveaways. Many wine and liquor stores offer tasting and marijuiana dispensaries offer specials on products.
And the reason we call today Black Friday is thanks to the Philadelphia police department. Department stores in the city would hold huge sales to capitalize on the large crowds ahead of the Army/Navy football game. Vast crowds caused havoc for police and forced them to work harsh, extra-long shifts, resulting in them dubbing the day Black Friday, both to express their dislike of the day and to try and reduce visitors by making it sound less appealing.
The day before Thanksgiving has the honor of being two of the biggest consumption days of the year – are you ready?
While some people are prepping for Thanksgiving Thursday, the big feast and the holiday season afterwards, a significant amount are looking forward to Wednesday. The day before Thanksgiving has become a mini-holiday in its own right. It has become a time of robust celebration, so much it is known as Green Wednesday and Blackout Wednesday. It is a significant consumption day for both marijuana and alcohol imbibers.
Blackout Wednesday, also known as Drinksgiving, has grown to rival major drinking holidays like New Year’s Eve and St. Patrick’s Day in terms of alcohol consumption. And cannabis is not far behind seeing a big spike in dispensary purchases on the same day. As legal cannabis moved across the nation, it caught on and gave options to people who want to “unplug” at the start of the holiday weekend.
Green Wednesday is a cannabis-centric moment the Wednesday before Thanksgiving. In in 2016, the phrase was coined when California cannabis delivery service noticed a significant uptick in orders the week before Thanksgiving. With over 50% of the country having access to legal weed, each year has only gotten bigger!
“Last year’s Green Wednesday had sales 72% higher than the average day. Flower accounted for 39.5% of sales with Vape at 23.7%, pre-rolled at 16.9% and edibles at 10.6%. Pre-rolled showed the biggest increase compared to the week before when it accounted for only 11.9%, so sales on Green Wednesday of pre-rolls specifically, were more than double a normal day.” shares Roy Bingham, Co-Founder and CEO of BDSA, one of the cannabis analytics firms.
The original partakers start Blackout Wednesday, also known as Drinksgiving or Thanksgiving Eve. They helped make it become a significant cultural phenomenon. This unofficial holiday takes place on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving and has gained notoriety as one of the busiest drinking nights of the year. The exact origins of Blackout Wednesday are not precisely documented, but the phenomenon is believed to have started decades before it was named. The term “Drinksgiving” dates back to 2007, while the first Google searches for “Blackout Wednesday” were recorded in 2014.
If you choose to celebrate, be safe, have fun, and have the ingredients for a hangover cure come the morning.