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New Jersey residents say right to use cannabis at home outweighs right not to smell neighbor’s use, poll shows

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1 year ago

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More than a year into cannabis legalization in New Jersey, people say they’re noticing the smell of cannabis — but most aren’t bothered by it, according to a new poll. The survey also shows that far more people believe driving under the influence of alcohol to be “very dangerous” than say the same about getting behind the wheel after consuming marijuana.

About half of adults in the state report having smelled marijuana from a neighboring house or apartment, according to the poll from Stockton University’s Hughes Center for Public Policy. But more respondents said they think the right to use legal marijuana in one’s own home (31 percent) is more important than the right not to have to smell cannabis being used by a neighbor (16 percent).

Nearly half of participants (46 percent) said they thought the two rights were equally important.

Gina Coleman/Weedmaps

People aren’t smelling cannabis all the time, of course: 14 percent said they smelled it coming from a neighbor often, 15 percent said it happened sometimes and 21 percent said it was rare. Another 49 percent said they never smell neighbors’ cannabis consumption.

Meanwhile 57 percent of New Jersey adults said they’ve smelled marijuana in public places either often (28 percent) or sometimes (29 percent). A third (32 percent) said they smell it rarely in public, while just 9 percent said they never have.

“Not much thought was given to the issue of the smell of marijuana becoming part of the public landscape in New Jersey,” John Froonjian, director of the Hughes Center, said in a Wednesday press release about the survey. “There are hardly any places to legally consume these products, so people are lighting up in parks, at festivals, in parking lots and on the street.”

Of all respondents, 90 percent said they were able to identify the smell of cannabis. And a majority (52 percent) said it doesn’t bother them at all. Another 19 percent said it bothers them “a great deal” while 28 percent said it bothers them somewhat.

While the new survey captures a snapshot of New Jerseyans’ experience since legalization, the report is silent on the degree to which residents smelled or were bothered by cannabis use prior to legalization.

Gina Coleman/Weedmaps

Views on some questions varied considerably based on whether or not a person had consumed cannabis products in the past year. Among people who had, for example, 55 percent felt that the right to use legal marijuana in one’s home outweighed a neighbor’s right to not have to smell it in theirs. Among people who didn’t consume marijuana, just 21 percent felt that way.

Strong majorities of both groups, however—75 percent of cannabis consumers and 91 percent of nonusers—agreed that driving while high is dangerous. And most (52 percent and 81 percent of consumers and nonconsumers, respectively) believe it’s important to have a roadside test to determine a driver’s level of impairment.

The development of a roadside drug test was more important to Republicans, 62 percent of whom said it was very important compared to 42 percent of Democrats and 45 percent of independents.

Of all respondents, 39 percent said they knew somebody who has driven while under the influence of marijuana, and 56 percent said they did not.

Respondents seemed to feel that cannabis presents less of a danger than driving drunk. Fifty-one percent of respondents said driving while high on marijuana is extremely dangerous, while 90 percent said that of drunk driving.

Froonjian said in Stockton’s press release that driving under the influence of any substance “is a bad idea that causes accidents,” adding that responsible users “must avoid driving while high on weed.”

Meanwhile, the New Jersey Cannabis Regulatory Commission this week unveiled a campaign to, in part, encourage adults to use cannabis delivery services to mitigate the risk of impaired driving.

Commissioner Krista Nash, co-chair of the panel’s Public Engagement and Education Committee, said during a press conference on Wednesday that members’ “top priority is the safety, health, and well-being of all New Jerseyans—whether they are cannabis consumers or not.”

Gona Coleman/Weedmaps

Applications for delivery service licenses, as well as other license types like wholesales, opened up last month. Regulators are starting by prioritizing people who have been disproportionately impacted by cannabis prohibition enforcement.

Regulators also recently voted to allow THC-infused products such as brownies and edibles and have proposed allowing dispensaries to partner with research institutions to use real-world marijuana products in studies.

The state recently awarded $12 million in grant money to 48 licensed cannabis operators to help them start and expand their businesses, part of an effort to remove barriers to entry to the legal industry, especially among people from communities disproportionately harmed by the drug war.

New Jersey officials also recently announced the availability of $5.5 million in marijuana revenue to support a hospital-based violence intervention grants program.

This article originally appeared on Marijuana Moment.





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How Cannabis Can Help With Dysmenorrhea

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5 days ago

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November 9, 2024

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Millions suffer, but relief could be here thanks to science and a simple plant.  Here is how cannabis can help with dysmenorrhea.

It is an uncomfortable topic to discuss, but the painful truth is a majority of women will suffer it at some point and finding relief is invaluable. Around 80% of women experience period pain at some stage in their lifetime. Dysmenorrhea is the medical term for pain or discomfort during menstruation. It is a common gynecologic problem, but the pain can range from dull cramps to indescribable agony. Here is how cannabis can help with dysmenorrhea.

Medicinal cannabis has emerged as a potential treatment option for dysmenorrhea, offering hope for the tens of millions of women who suffer from menstrual pain. Current medical management options primarily consisting of over-the-counter pain relievers and hormonal contraceptives. The effectiveness of these treatments vary greatly.

The endocannabinoid system plays a role in uterine function and pain perception. Cannabinoid receptors CB1R and CB2R, as well as TRPV receptors, have been identified in human myometrial tissue. Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), a primary component of cannabis, can act as a cannabinoid agonist, potentially triggering myometrial relaxation and easing menstrual pain.

Photo by Esther Kelleter/Getty

The potential benefits of cannabis for dysmenorrhea includes pain relief, improved sleep quality, and reduced reliance on pharmaceutical pain relievers. While research specifically on cannabis for dysmenorrhea is growing, studies on chronic pain provide some insights:

  • A systematic review of 18 randomized controlled trials found that synthetic cannabis products with high THC-to-CBD ratios may offer moderate improvement in pain severity.
  • A meta-analysis of 32 trials showed that medical cannabis or cannabinoids resulted in small to very small improvements in pain relief, physical functioning, and sleep quality among chronic pain patients.

There is significant interest in using cannabis for gynecologic pain management:

  • A survey found that 61.2% of women who had never used cannabis and 90.0% of those who had were willing to try it for gynecologic pain.
  • After cannabis legalization in Canada, current cannabis use increased from 13.3% to 21.5% among women with self-reported moderate-to-severe pelvic pain.

With th American Medical Association, American College of Physicians and even AARP recognizing the medical benefits of cannabis, it is critical more research is funded.  Millions of women may be in pain needlessly due to untreated dysmenorrhea.



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Science Says Cannabis Can Be Making Us Healthier

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5 days ago

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November 8, 2024

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As it it becomes available to more people, there is a positive health change going on according to data.

Cannabis is becoming more mainstream and and the side effects are doing even better than expected.  It seems the availability of legal marijuana is helping with the health of the general population. Studies in California, Canada and the now New Zealand have shown the upside of legalization. While cannabis has been used for health benefits for millions of years, reduction in more harmful intoxication products is another important wellness trend.

RELATED: Can CBD Oils Help With Anxiety & Depression

Alcohol consumption is associated with significant health risks, including liver damage, cardiovascular issues, and certain cancers. In contrast, marijuana has not been linked to the same level of severe physical health consequences. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that over 36,000 annual U.S. deaths are attributed to chronic alcohol use, while there is no comparable category for marijuana-related deaths. Alcohol is also much more addictive than marijuana, causing long term physical and mental issues.

A study from New Zealand has found some interesting trends regarding the relationship between marijuana legalization and the consumption of alcohol and opioids.

heart cannabis
Photo by megaflopp/Getty Images

Following the legalization of marijuana in New Zealand, researchers observed a notable decline in alcohol consumption:

This suggests for adults, marijuana may be serving as a substitute for alcohol in some cases, particularly when it comes to heavy drinking episodes.

The relationship between marijuana legalization and opioid use appears more complex:

  • There was no clear evidence of marijuana legalization directly reducing opioid use or abuse.
  • However, some research indicates that people who use cannabis are more likely to initiate opioid use, with an odds ratio of 2.76 compared to non-cannabis users.
  • The likelihood of transitioning from opioid use to opioid use disorders among cannabis users was found to be 2.52 times higher than non-cannabis users.

The study also revealed some additional findings regarding substance use patterns:

  • Marijuana use increased by 16% among adults aged 21 and older following legalization.
  • There was a 5-6% increase in marijuana use initiation among adolescents and young adults aged 12-20. This would be go with the greater North American trend of California sober and Gen Z drifting away from alcohol and more into marijuana.
  • No significant changes were observed in the use of hard drugs like cocaine or heroin in any age group.

RELATED: Marijuana Use And Guy’s Member

These findings suggest while marijuana legalization may lead to decreased alcohol consumption among adults, it does not necessarily translate to reduced use of other substances, particularly opioids. The relationship between cannabis use and other substance use behaviors is complex and multifaceted. Time and more research should yield more benefits.



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Try These Delicious Autumn Cream Drinks

Published

6 days ago

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November 8, 2024

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Want something delicious with an “oomph” – these yummy creamy concoctions will make your mouth happy!

Fall is a time of coziness, cuffing and nights in front of the fire. Want better way to accent it with a nice tasty cocktail? Try these delicious autumn cream drinks and enjoy the pre-holiday season. Bailey’s was the commercial first cream liquor and made available to the public in 1971. But Irish monks have blended whiskey with fresh dairy cream since the 14th century.  These new and classic connections will bring a smile on crisp nights.

RELATED: Beer Sales Flatten Thanks To Marijuana

Important note, using cream instead of milk in alcoholic cocktails can significantly enhance the drink’s texture, flavor, and overall experience. Cream provides a richer and smoother texture compared to milk. The higher fat content in cream (typically around 36% or more) creates a luxurious mouthfeel that can elevate the drinking experience.

White Russian

The White Russian’s development took about 30 years. The first mention of the drink is in a newspaper was in 1965 in the Oakland Tribune. The 1961 edition of the Diner’s Club Drink Book included a recipe for a Black Russian, with a note suggesting adding cream to make a White Russian. The White Russian’s popularity increased after the 1998 movie The Big Lebowski, where the main character, Jeffrey “The Dude” Lebowski, drinks it throughout the film.

Ingredients

  • 2 ounces vodka
  • 1 ounce Kahlúa
  • 1 ounce heavy cream

Create

  1. Add the vodka and Kahlúa to a rocks glass filled with ice
  2. Top with the heavy cream and stir
White Russian cocktail

Churro Cocktails

A churro is a fried dough pastry originated in Spain and Portugal. They are a fast-growing dessert and breakfast item on menus, and are a popular treat at theme parks and sporting events in Europe and North and South America.  Somrus, who makes cream liquors, made a cocktail from the flavor.

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 parts Somrus Coffee
  • 1/2 part cinnamon whiskey

Create

  1. In an ice-filled shaker, add ingredients and shake
  2. Strain and pour

Brandy Alexander

This is was a classic “go to drink” for X. It was rumored to have been created at the Paris Ritz in 1922. Or it could have been made in 1915 by celebrate pitcher Grover Cleveland Alexander during a World Series. It was considered a posh way to end the evening, especially after other cocktails.It’s creamy and boozy or a delicious replacement for dessert for those who like to drink their sweets. In the 2000s, it has moved to the back of the line, but is still a great way to cap off a night drinking.

  • 1 1/2 ounces cognac
  • 1 ounce dark creme de cacao
  • 1 ounce cream
  • Grated nutmeg for garnish

Create

  1. Add cognac, dark creme de cacao and cream into a shaker with ice and shake until well-chilled
  2. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass or a coupe glass
  3. Garnish with freshly grated nutmeg

RELATED: Rainy Weather Cocktails

Mango Fizz

For those who are holding on to every last bit of summer, this mango cocktail can add a a little sunshine. The fruit is considered the world’s most popular fruit with over 20 million tons consumed each year. Mangoes are a symbol of friendship and love, which can add to special evening.

Ingredients

  • 2 parts Somrus Mango
  • 1 part citrus vodka
  • ½ part simple syrup
  • Club soda

Create

  1. Combine Mango liqueur, vodka and simple syrup in an ice-filled shaker
  2. Shake vigorously
  3. Strain into ice-filled glass
  4. Top with club soda

 



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