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The Navy Softens Their Stance On Marijuana

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With recruitment down, the US Navy is taking a softer approach to marijuana

Their motto used to be “see the world, join the Navy”, but enticing young people to be part of the armed forces have been tough the last few years. Only 23% of young people between 17 and 24 even qualify to join the military. Even fewer have expressed the desire to enlist, officials said.  Also, Gen Z is changing what they want in a career, they would rather see the world on their own terms.  Additionally, Gen Z has a different approach to life regarding drinking and drugs.  They have drifted away from alcohol and embraced marijuana – especially gummies and vaping. They are a key part of the California sober movement.

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In response to changes and to be competitive with every almost every other business/opportunity, it seems the Navy softens their stance on marijuana. The are no longer immediately kicking out recruits who arrive at boot camp at Recruit Training Command in Great Lakes, Illinois, with detectable amounts of marijuana in their system.

Photo by skeeze via Pixabay

The Navy increased drug positives 68% from 3,367 in 2021 to 5,661 in 2022. This increase is due to the rise in THC use (nearly 80% of all positives): including both the delta-8 variant (CBD; testing began in 2021) and the traditional delta-9 variant (cannabis).

Rear Adm. James Waters, director of the Navy’s military personnel plans and policy division made a statement. “The service has expanded the authority to grant waivers for any recruits who initially test positive for THC, the main psychoactive compound in marijuana.”

“If they fail the test and own up — ‘Yes, I smoke marijuana ‘– we do an evaluation of the young person to make sure there’s not something else going on,” Waters said. “But we trust that through the process of boot camp that we have an opportunity to bring them along with our culture.”

RELATED: How To Be Discreet When Using Weed

The Navy maintains a zero tolerance policy for active duty drug use. They state it is based on both federal law and no test can adequately test someone’s fitness for duty based on the amount of THC in their system.

The currently philosophy is THC consumption is not a moral issue (right or wrong). Instead, it  is incompatible with the Navy’s mission to prepare to fight and win anytime, anywhere.

In September of 2022, the Air Force and Space Force announced a new pilot program that would grant certain applicants who test positive for THC, the main psychoactive component in marijuana, a chance to retest and possibly join the ranks.  By December, the Air Force Recruiting Service granted waivers to 43 applicants who tested positive for THC.  This was a larger than expected.



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Marijuana Pops Up In These Popular Video Games

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Video games are so popular around 25% of the world population plays them…so which ones have the marijuana in them?

Over 3 billion people play video games globally with about 1.7 billion playing online. The average age is 32 years old with 53% being male.  And also being mainstream, marijuana pops up in these popular video games. Cannabis has been featured in various video games over the years, reflecting changing societal attitudes towards the plant.  The green planet has been featured on the Simpsons, Martha Stewart is a fan, and even younger and state level politicians is promoting it. It is part of the culture. And if you want to add into your gaming life, here are some options.

RELATED: Science Says Medical Marijuana Improves Quality Of Life

Grand Theft Auto

The Grand Theft Auto (GTA) franchise has prominently featured cannabis in multiple installments. In GTA: San Andreas, players encounter “The Truth,” a cannabis-loving hippie voiced by Peter Fonda. GTA V takes it further, allowing players to smoke from bongs and even purchase a medical marijuana dispensary called “Smoke on the Water”. In GTA Online, players can operate cannabis farms and smoke to the point of in-game death.

Saints Row Series

The Saints Row games push the envelope further than GTA, offering players various cannabis consumption options, including bongs and rolling papers. The game’s visuals become hazy after the character uses cannabis, simulating the effects.

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2

Surprisingly, this military-themed game includes cannabis references in its unlockable content. Players can earn titles and emblems with names like “Blunt Trauma,” “High Command,” and “Joint Ops”.

Far Cry 3

In this open-world game, players can set cannabis fields ablaze with a flamethrower and experience a “high” from the smok3.

Narc (2005 Remake)

This remake of the 1988 anti-drug arcade game took a different approach. Players control narcotics officers who can not only confiscate drugs but also use them, with cannabis slowing down the game’s action.

Indie and Niche Games

Several games focus specifically on cannabis cultivation and distribution:

  • Weed Shop: Players run their own virtual cannabis dispensaries.
  • Mary Jane’s Marijuana Adventure: This game allows players to grow and sell their own cannabis.

As cannabis legalization spreads, we can expect more games to incorporate it into their narratives and gameplay mechanics. Changes have to be made for version in countries who are anti-marijuana including China and parts of Africa.  Virtual reality games simulating cannabis consumption may also become more prevalent.



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Blackout Wednesday

Marijuana Continues To Be Embraced By The Mainstream

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Despite a naysayers in DC, the public has embraced wed in a big way

In 2012 Washington and Colorado legalized weed for recreational use, since then 22 more states have followed and 38 states have medical marijuana. Over 50 perfect of the population has access and it has become popular with all ages. Even the “war on drugs” generation of Boomers have embraced with AARP explaining many use it for the medical benefits. From Martha Stewart to Fox News, the plant is treated as a another consumer product and as a business line.

RELATED: Science Says Medical Marijuana Improves Quality Of Life

For adults aged 35-50, past-year marijuana use reached an all-time high of 28% in 2022, more than doubling from 13% in 2012. This trend reflects a broader increase in marijuana use across different age groups. Gen Z has taken a different approach by embracing the California Sober concept replacing alcohol for the healthier marijuana.

Reflecting the mainstreaming, Michigan, a midwestern state, is breaking another year over year sales record.  The states has already clocked $2.4 billion in sales and expects to hit $3 billion for 2024.  This will secure the state more tax revenue from cannabis than alcohol again. Marijuana has been a reliable source of income for states since legalization.

Taking a page from traditional departments stores, Planet 13, the largest dispensary in the North America has introduced the “store in store” concept. Department stores have used the concept in the beauty department and high end lines like Chanel and Louis Vuitton.  Khalifa Kush will be the inaugural brand offering exclusive merch and strains.

“Since we launched earlier this year, we’ve loved having the Khalifa Kush store-in-store at Planet 13 be the home of the brand in Vegas. We’re working on something special for the lounge that’s going to drop early next year — we can’t wait” shared Wiz.

“Our partnership with Wiz Khalifa is the perfect example of authentic celebrity-driven branding — since we signed Wiz, it is the fastest product partnership in terms of sales activity in the history of Planet 13.  Authenticity is about more than just an endorsement and with Wizit’s a match made in cannabis heaven. We look forward to Wiz visiting the store more often, meeting his fans and enjoying Dazed! Consumption Lounge when he is in Vegas.  “Planet 13 = Experiences and Memories!” stated Lee Fraser, Chief Administrative Officer, Planet 13

The Las Vegas based 112,000 square-foot Planet 13 Entertainment Complex has become the flagship destination for celebrities to showcase the top brands in the industry.  Cannabition, another major attraction in the footprint will be opening soon and is an elevated immersive experience.

Cannabis has also joined alcohol in celebrations. The day before Thanksgiving is one of the top 5 drinking days in the US.  Some much so the industry refers to it as “Drinksgiving” and “Blackout Friday“. The public has also made the day in the top 5 of consuming, dubbing the day Green Wednesday.



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Cannabis

Veterans With PTSD Are Given A Little Hope

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Some good new from the government about veterans who are suffering from PTSD and are using marijuana.

While our military is generally honored, medical treatment for them can lag behind the praises given by politicians and bureaucrats. Almost 23% of veterans who use the Veterans Admstinatrion (VA) health care have had Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) at some point in their lives. In 2021, 10% of men and 19% of women veterans using VA care were diagnosed with PTSD. A study of veterans from Iraq and Afghanistan found the prevalence of PTSD varied by unit component. For example, deployed active duty veterans had an 18.5% prevalence of PTSD, while non-deployed active duty veterans had a 13.2% prevalence.  It is difficult to treat and has ruined thousands of lives. But cannabis has helped and now veterans with PTSD are given a little hope with additional medical research.

RELATED: Can CBD Oils Help With Anxiety & Depression

Cannabis has shown promising potential in alleviating symptoms PTSD, offering hope to those struggling with this debilitating condition. Earlier studies have shed light on the biological mechanisms behind cannabis’s therapeutic effects on PTSD. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) this week authorized a long-delayed clinical trial to test whether marijuana can be used to treat post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in veterans. The agency had raised a variety of objections. The change is good news for veterans and their families. And another indicator the FDA is supportive of the rescheduling.

Veterans With PTSD Given A Little Hope

One key way cannabis helps PTSD sufferers is by reducing activity in the amygdala, a part of the brain associated with fear responses to threats. This dampening of the anxiety response can help individuals manage their symptoms more effectively.Additionally, cannabis may aid in extinguishing traumatic memories through a process called ‘extinction learning’.

The cannabinoids in cannabis, particularly THC and CBD, can enhance the rate at which challenging memories are processed and reduce overall anxiety responses. Research has shown that cannabis use is associated with a reduction in overall PTSD symptoms and improved quality of life. Low doses of THC or a combination of THC and CBD have been found to be particularly effective in enhancing extinction rates for traumatic memories and reducing anxiety.

RELATED: Marijuana Use And Guy’s Member

The endocannabinoid system plays a crucial role in this process. CBD, a non-psychoactive component of cannabis, indirectly affects this system by inhibiting the uptake or enzymatic degradation of endogenous cannabinoids. This action allows for a greater effect on CB1 and CB2 receptors, which are found in brain regions important for anxiety and aversive learnin

.Cannabis may also help address specific PTSD symptoms such as sleep disturbances, recurrent fear memories, and panic episodes. While individual responses can vary, cannabis can be considered as part of a comprehensive treatment plan under medical supervision.



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