Wake up frenz…you’re in a War Right Now!

Let me be crystal clear about something – the War on Drugs isn’t some relic from the Nixon era that ended when Colorado and Washington first legalized weed. It’s happening right now, as you’re reading this. And if you think I’m being paranoid, stick with me for a minute.

I’ve been documenting the signs of escalation in this war for years, but today I want to address the elephant in the room: this has never been a “War on Drugs.” Drugs don’t get arrested. Drugs don’t lose their jobs. Drugs don’t get their kids taken away. Drugs don’t have their assets seized or their voting rights stripped.

This has always been a war on people – specifically, on YOU.

Despite cannabis enjoying unprecedented public support (70% of Americans favor legalization), the battlefield has simply shifted. The opponents haven’t surrendered; they’ve just changed tactics. As Paul Armentano brilliantly outlines in his recent MarijuanaMoment.net op-ed, cannabis consumers are being targeted by both Republican and Democratic lawmakers, just in different ways.

In this article, we’ll dissect Armentano’s observations about how politicians from both sides of the aisle are undermining legalization efforts – from Republicans outright nullifying voter initiatives to Democrats taxing legal markets into oblivion. More importantly, we’ll explore how we, as cannabis consumers, can start rattling the cages that keep our bodies classified as government property rather than our own sovereign domains.

Time to wake up, frenz. You’re still on the battlefield whether you realize it or not.

Paul Armentano’s recent op-ed for Marijuana Moment reads like a battle report from the frontlines. As NORML’s Deputy Director, he’s been watching the war unfold from a privileged vantage point, and what he sees should alarm every cannabis consumer in America.

On the Republican side, we’re witnessing something particularly insidious – the outright nullification of democracy itself. In South Dakota, GOP lawmakers nearly repealed a voter-approved medical cannabis law by a single vote. Nebraska’s Republican attorney general is urging lawmakers to simply ignore election results. In Ohio, Senate Republicans are gutting the voter-approved legalization by limiting home growing, imposing arbitrary THC caps, and – most disturbing – creating new crimes for adults who share cannabis.

But Democrats aren’t exactly riding to our rescue. As Armentano points out, in blue states like New Jersey, Maryland, and California, Democratic governors are treating cannabis consumers as walking ATMs. Governor Murphy wants to quintuple cannabis taxes in New Jersey. Maryland is looking to double the special sales tax on marijuana purchases. These aren’t just annoyances – they’re calculated moves that push consumers back to the illicit market, undoing the very benefits legalization was supposed to create.

This patchwork approach to legalization has created what amounts to feudal kingdoms where local rulers can target cannabis users however they please. The hodgepodge of conflicting state, county, and municipal laws turns normal people into criminals simply by crossing invisible boundaries. In Texas, the attorney general is actively suing cities that have decriminalized possession, forcing local governments to disregard voter initiatives out of fear of litigation.

Let’s be absolutely clear: until cannabis is completely removed from the Controlled Substances Act, we will remain at the mercy of lawmakers and the special interests that fund their campaigns. The pharmaceutical lobby, prison industry, and alcohol/tobacco interests all have a stake in keeping cannabis users criminalized or overtaxed. These industries pour millions into campaign coffers, and politicians respond accordingly.

While we don’t yet know how the Trump administration might approach cannabis if returned to power, his rhetoric about drug cartels and terrorists raises serious concerns. History has taught us that governments love nothing more than a good massacre or crisis to justify draconian new laws. The escalation of militarized anti-cartel operations in Mexico could easily become the pretext for a renewed crackdown on cannabis domestically.

Remember how quickly civil liberties evaporated after 9/11? How the Patriot Act was rammed through while the rubble was still smoking? I fear we’re one border incident away from politicians using cartel violence as justification to roll back the fragile progress we’ve made.

Armentano’s warning couldn’t be clearer: “Now is not the time to become complacent, nor is it a time to presume that marijuana will somehow legalize itself.” The war continues, the battle lines have shifted, and cannabis consumers remain squarely in the crosshairs – whether they’re being shot at by Republicans with repeal efforts or by Democrats with taxation schemes.

Those of us who came of age during the heightened drug war hysteria of the 90s and early 2000s have a certain skill set today’s younger cannabis users might lack. We remember walking around with eye drops in our pockets, perfecting the art of the towel-under-the-door, and speaking in elaborate coded language over landlines we assumed were tapped. Paranoia wasn’t just a side effect – it was a survival mechanism.

Back then, smoking a joint carried a tangible subversive thrill. It wasn’t just about getting high; it was an act of rebellion against a system we knew was lying to us. There was something almost romantic about it – echoes of the 60s counterculture filtered through hip-hop, Cypress Hill albums, and Kevin Smith movies. Being a stoner meant belonging to a secret society with its own language, rituals, and heroes.

But here’s the hard truth many of us forgot along the way: until your rights are constitutionally enshrined, they can be taken from you just as arbitrarily as they were granted. The progress we’ve celebrated – medical programs, recreational markets, decriminalization – exists at the pleasure of politicians who see us either as moral degenerates or walking tax revenue.

The Controlled Substances Act isn’t just bad policy; it’s fundamentally a pharma-sponsored slaver’s contract. That sounds hyperbolic until you examine the 13th Amendment’s insidious loophole: slavery was abolished “except as punishment for a crime.” By criminalizing what you put in your own body, the state created a legal framework to quite literally own you – to seize your property, your liberty, your vote, and your labor.

When Democrats impose crippling tax burdens on legal cannabis, they aren’t just being greedy – they’re sabotaging the entire experiment. These taxes push consumers back to the illicit market, creating the very problems prohibitionists then point to as evidence that “legalization doesn’t work.” It’s a self-fulfilling prophecy, a rigged game where the house always wins.

The bitter reality? We’ve never experienced true legalization in our lifetimes. What we have is a tenuous, compromised version that leaves millions still vulnerable to life-altering criminal penalties while allowing politicians to boast about their progressive credentials.

This isn’t your parents’ drug war anymore – it’s evolved, adapted, and in some ways become more insidious precisely because it masquerades as progress while maintaining the fundamental power dynamic: the state still claims ownership over your consciousness.

Earlier generations of cannabis activists passed the torch to us. They fought the brutal front lines – facing decades in prison, having their children taken away, being denied housing and employment. We owe it to them, and to future generations, to finish what they started.

Don’t be lulled into complacency by dispensaries with clever branding and budtenders with tattoos. Don’t mistake the ability to buy government-approved cannabis products for actual freedom. And don’t expect politicians from either party to respect your autonomy unless you make it politically painful not to.

The war continues. The question is: will you be a casualty, a conscientious objector, or a freedom fighter?

Your body. Your mind. Your choice. But only if you’re willing to demand it.

WHO IS BLOCKING LEGALIZATION, READ ON…

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CBG For Cancer And Pain?

This Cannabinoid Might Just Be The Next Big Thing In Marijuana

Cannabigerol (CBG) might be considered a minor cannabinoid, but it’s certainly garnering much more attention recently and it isn’t surprising why!

CBG, also known as the mother of all cannabinoids, is a lesser-known cannabinoid compared to its more famous siblings: CBD and THC. But as it occurs as a precursor to CBD and THC, enzymes convert cannabigerolic acid into these other cannabinoids. As a result, mature cannabis plants only contain trace amounts of CBG in them. However, researchers have found that there’s a good reason or two to use CBG for health and wellness.

Studies Show Potential Anti-Cancer Mechanisms In CBG

According to a recent article in Marijuana Moment, scientists found that CBG could even have potential benefits for treating cancer, pain, and inflammatory conditions.  Through a review of studies, researchers from China and the United States worked together to review the effects of the cannabinoid, as well as its impacts on the body.

“CBG has emerged as a potential therapeutic agent with a diverse range of effects,” reads the study. “Although this research on CBG is still in its early stages, its unique molecular mechanism and promising therapeutic profile warrant further exploration,” they said.

“As research progresses, CBG presents a promising therapeutic agent with a unique molecular profile and a broad spectrum of potential benefits,” said the researchers. “As we deepen our understanding of CBG, it may lead to breakthroughs in treating complex conditions, ultimately improving patient outcomes and expanding the scope of cannabinoid-based medicine,” it wrote.

Researchers also found that it could be beneficial in reducing pain. They observed that administering CBG was helpful in decreasing pain sensitivity on animal subjects. “This research unveils a potential mechanism for CBG’s indirect neuroprotective effects. By reducing pain signaling in the nervous system, CBG might offer relief from chronic pain conditions,” said the researchers. “This finding adds to the growing body of evidence suggesting CBG’s potential role in protecting the nervous system by managing pain.”

In another study also from 2024, scientists acknowledge the anti-cancer properties of cannabinoids including CBD, THC, and even CBG. “Cannabinoids, including 9-THC, CBD, and CBG exhibit significant anticancer activities such as apoptosis induction, autophagy stimulation, cell cycle arrest, anti-proliferation, anti-angiogenesis, and metastasis inhibition,” wrote the report.

“Clinical trials have demonstrated cannabinoids’ efficacy in tumor regression and health improvement in palliative care,” they wrote. That said, the researchers acknowledge that more work needs to be done to understand the cannabinoids’ mechanism of action for these. “Despite the evident anti-cancer properties of cannabinoids from numerous experimental results, the exact mechanisms of action still require extensive research,” they said.

These, and several other studies, note the promising efficacy and safety of CBG for treating cancer especially when used in conjunction with other cannabinoids. Typically, these studies also look at CBD and THC. After all, it’s a well-known fact that the entourage effect is more powerful than isolating cannabinoids alone. It refers to the synergistic interactions between cannabinoids as well as the other compounds found in marijuana.

Simply put, the entourage effect states that the therapeutic benefits of cannabinoids are much more powerful when they all work together instead of just one alone. In these studies, we can see that CBG may be a potent anti-cancer compound particularly when given to patients alongside CBD and THC.

CBG For Colorectal Cancer

Meanwhile, another study from 2014 highlighted CBG’s potential for treating colorectal cancer. The study, which was published in the medical journal, Carcinogenesis, discusses the powerful action observed where CBG  promotes programmed cell death (apoptosis). In addition, the scientists observed that CBG was also beneficial in improving oxidative stress response while reducing the cancer cell growth.

CBG with Other Cannabinoids For Breast Cancer

In a 2018 study, researchers analyzed the anti-tumor activity observed in different types of cancer when exposed to various botanical preparations containing cannabinoids such as THC, THCA, and CBG. They found that the preparations containing all these cannabinoids were much more powerful than those containing just THC for breast cancer, of course due to the entourage effect. The researchers concluded that these drug preparations were indeed more powerful than just simply pure cannabinoids.

CBG For Tumors

Glioblastoma is one of the most difficult cancers to treat. It’s also extremely aggressive, and patients with this form of cancer are given just about a year more to live. Since glioblastoma is so difficult to treat, it usually requires radiation, chemotherapy, as well as surgery.

There have been several studies pointing to the numerous benefits of THC for glioblastoma, but now scientists see the potential of CBG as well. In February 2021, the results of a significant study on CBG and glioblastoma was released. Researchers from the University Medical Centre Ljubljana studied biopsied glioblastoma tumor cells as well as glioblastoma stem cells from patients with this type of cancer. For this study, the researchers analyzed the anti-tumor properties of different cannabinoids and doses, including THC, CBD, and CBG. They also compared the results of cannabinoids with temozolomide.

They found that CBG was effective in making glioblastoma more responsive to chemotherapy, when used alone or together with CBD. As a result, this yielded better rates of apoptosis. Furthermore, they found that combining CBD and THC was effective in reducing the viability of both cell types and promoted a significant degree of apoptosis among glioblastoma cells.

They also found that CBG worked to inhibit as much as 90% of invasive glioblastoma cell tendril development, whereas chemotherapy drugs only worked for 50%. These are extremely important findings since glioblastoma cell tendrils are extremely invasive, a major reason why this cancer is nearly impossible to treat. “THC has little added value in combined-cannabinoid glioblastoma treatment, suggesting that this psychotropic cannabinoid should be replaced with CBG in future clinical studies of glioblastoma therapy,” they added.

CONCLUSION

 

CBG should no longer be viewed as a ‘minor cannabinoid’. With all its potential health benefits, especially in the realm of cancer, this life-saving cannabinoid can help improve the prognosis and lifespan for thousands of cancer patients worldwide. We hope to see more studies cementing its therapeutic applications for cancer.

CBG FOR PAIN RELIEF, READ ON…

WHY IS CBG BEING TESTED FOR PAIN RELIEF MEDS?

The Leveling-Out Has Begun

When Colorado and Washington made history by fully legalizing recreational cannabis in 2012, the industry exploded like a champagne bottle that had been shaken for decades.

Sales surged almost immediately—and why wouldn’t they? Something that had been villainized and pushed into the shadows for generations was suddenly available at clean, well-lit stores with knowledgeable staff. No more texting sketchy dealers or meeting in parking lots. No more “my guy is running late” or “all I’ve got is this mysterious brown stuff.” Americans could finally buy cannabis products with the same ease as picking up a bottle of wine.

This green gold rush continued as legalization spread across the country. New markets opened in Oregon, California, Massachusetts, and beyond, each experiencing their own initial boom as consumers celebrated their newfound freedom. Cannabis businesses sprouted like, well, weeds. Investors poured billions into the sector, expecting an endless upward trajectory.

But something interesting has been happening over the past year or two. After watching this market for the past 15 years, I’ve observed a distinct “leveling-out” in 2024. The explosive growth has given way to a more sobering reality. In mature markets like Colorado, sales have actually declined significantly from their peaks. The industry isn’t collapsing by any means, but that initial euphoria has faded.

Today, we’re diving deep into this cannabis market cooldown. What’s causing this plateau? Is it market saturation, changing consumer habits, pricing pressures, or perhaps broader economic forces? And what can we expect moving forward, especially with the political shitfuckery surrounding cannabis policy at the federal level? Will the DEA’s potential rescheduling of cannabis to Schedule III change the game, or is it just another half-measure that misses the point?

Grab your favorite strain and settle in—we’ve got a lot to unpack.

Let’s face it—cannabis has undergone one of the most dramatic image rehabilitations in American cultural history. What was once depicted as a gateway to madness and moral decay in films like “Reefer Madness” is now casually discussed at dinner parties and openly consumed by celebrities on podcasts. These days, most people across the political spectrum support cannabis legalization in some form. The social stigma hasn’t completely vanished, but it’s fading faster than your memory after hitting a potent indica.

Sure, you still have your occasional media hit pieces about “today’s super-potent weed,” and there’s no shortage of conservative cucks who believe they should dictate what sovereign human beings can put into their own bodies. They’ll raise hell about the “dangers” of legalization while sipping their third bourbon of the evening. But these voices are increasingly drowned out by common sense and empirical evidence.

The truth is that the majority of Americans no longer consider cannabis to be more dangerous than beer. And if Budweiser can drop $7 million on a 30-second Super Bowl ad featuring talking frogs, then bowls of cannabis should be legally available to adults without controversy. This widespread acceptance is a double-edged sword for the industry, though.

When cannabis was first legalized, there was an undeniable electricity in the air. Hardcore stoners who had been advocating for decades were vindicated and celebrated. Curious newcomers who had been cannabis-curious but law-abiding finally had the opportunity to try it in a safe, legal environment. The euphoria of legalization was palpable, almost like fresh lovers high on endorphins and serotonin, eagerly exploring this new terrain of freedom.

However, as with any puppy love, that initial intensity eventually mellows. The novelty wears off. What was once exciting becomes routine. Similarly, the novelty of legal cannabis has faded into normalcy. The “I can’t believe this is actually happening” factor has been replaced with “Yeah, I might stop by the dispensary later, no big deal.”

I hate to break it to you all, but cannabis is now as mainstream as it gets. From soccer moms using tinctures to manage anxiety to lawyers unwinding with a vape pen instead of a martini, cannabis has infiltrated every demographic. College professors, construction workers, retirees, tech entrepreneurs—cannabis use cuts across all social boundaries. It’s just not that edgy or counterculture anymore.

As a result, the cultural force that was driving the cannabis industry in its inception has lost some power. Many consumers assume it’s a done deal—cannabis is legal, accessible, and here to stay. But this complacency is dangerous.

And that’s something we definitely need to address—until cannabis is completely removed from the Controlled Substances Act, nothing is set in stone. Federal prohibition still creates enormous problems for the industry, from banking restrictions to research limitations to inequities in enforcement. Just because you can walk into a dispensary doesn’t mean the battle is over.

The waning of novelty may be inevitable, but the fight for full legalization and normalization continues, even as we browse dispensary menus with the same casual interest we once reserved for Netflix titles.

The cannabis industry’s slowdown in 2024 wasn’t just about market maturation—it was also heavily influenced by the presidential election hanging over everything like a thick cloud of uncertainty. It’s pretty much a given that during presidential election years, cannabis reform tends to stall out as legislators and regulators become hyper-focused on election results and avoiding controversial moves.

The 2024 election was particularly paralyzing due to the vast ideological divide splitting the country. When Donald Trump reclaimed the White House to become the 47th president, the cannabis industry collectively held its breath. After all, the Biden administration had set various cannabis reform wheels in motion—however slowly they were turning—with the DEA’s recommendation to reschedule cannabis to Schedule III being the most significant.

With Trump’s victory, everything suddenly went into freeze-frame. Industry players, investors, and advocates all found themselves stuck in a waiting game, unsure how the new administration would approach cannabis policy. Would Trump honor the rescheduling process already underway? Would he reverse course completely? Nobody knew for certain.

I already told you all that Schedule III was dead on arrival, but the situation is even more complex when you consider who really came into power with Trump. People weren’t just voting for Trump—they were voting for the influence of Elon Musk, Tulsi Gabbard, RFK Jr., and others who have Trump’s ear. That’s why I call him “President Trusk”—because arguably Musk has unprecedented influence over the president’s policies and worldview.

I could go down a deep, dark conspiracy rabbit hole about all of this, but let’s stay focused on the cannabis stuff. What matters is that the industry is now recalibrating and gauging their next steps. We know that Schedule III will likely be blocked or abandoned, and that the only viable path forward is legalization via Congress. However, while that lengthy process plays out—if it even begins—state-by-state legalization must continue to build momentum.

The stark reality is that the next four years will be a roller coaster of unpredictable policies and political maneuvering. Most Americans will be so fixated on the broader cultural and political battles that cannabis reform may fade from the spotlight. The media cycle will be dominated by whatever outrageous tweet or policy announcement comes next, not by incremental changes to state cannabis programs.

I personally have no idea how it’s going to play out, and any analyst who claims they do—unless they have insider information—is lying through their teeth. We’re in uncharted territory with no reliable map.

The truth is that we’re in a weird spot. Without more states legalizing cannabis or expanding their existing programs, the federal government will have little incentive to pursue meaningful reform. The industry’s growth may continue to plateau until there’s a clear signal from Washington.

And let’s not forget, Trump promised the death penalty for drug dealers during his campaign. Will that extreme stance apply to all drugs or just fentanyl? Could the United States become an even more dangerous place for those involved in any aspect of drug policy? The uncertainty alone is enough to make investors hesitant and consumers anxious.

The post-election cannabis landscape isn’t just leveling out—it’s holding its breath, waiting to see which way the wind blows from the White House.

THE SATURATED CANNABIS MARKET, READ ON…

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