If you had to guess what “Swan Upping” meant, what would you say? Go ahead, Take a gander. Here’s a hint: it has nothing to do with one-upping a swan, because let’s be honest, swans will always win whatever game you’ve got going on.
Give up? Swan Upping is basically the royal version of census taking. And it’s all the royal Rage. Originally the swans would be part of a feast, but the meat has fallen from favor and they are released to enjoy their freedom.
The British Crown enjoys ownership of all unmarked mute swans in open water. Rights over swans may, however, be granted to a British subject by the Crown (accordingly they may also be claimed by prescription). Until the 16th century, the ownership of swans in a given body of water was commonly granted to landowners. The tradition of swan upping on the Thames began in the 12th century.
The royal website has more information about the activity.
Yesterday the annual census of the mute swan population, known as ‘Swan Upping’ started on the River Thames.
Swan Upping aims to educate people about swan welfare & the need to protect the swan population. pic.twitter.com/bxJYL5HuHt
This afternoon, The Princess Royal joined the Swan Uppers aboard a ‘Thames Skiff’ as they counted the cygnets between Cookham and Marlow. pic.twitter.com/dLEB9MJKMd
Only two companies still have swan marks: Vintners’ Livery Company and Dyers’ Livery Company.
Swan Upping is now less about census taking and more about waterfowl education and conservation. The swans are weighed and checked for any signs of injury and illness.
Professor Christopher Perrins of @UniOfOxford and the @swan_support team were on board to carry out all necessary checks on the swans.
The team weighed the cygnets (which can weigh as little 1kg & as much as 9kg!), measured their beaks & examined them for any injuries. pic.twitter.com/HwIwdWwqZf
JFK is a hot topic again. If he were alive, what would be his take on marijuana?
John F. Kennedy, the 35th President of the United States, has long been a subject of fascination and speculation, including rumors about his alleged cannabis use. While there are some unconfirmed reports, it stands to reason he would consider the plant for his chronic pain. He suffered from Addison’s disease, chronic back problems, osteoporosis, and digestive issues, which he managed in secret. He took numerous medications and approaches to manage his health conditions. So what about JFK and marijuana?
Medical marijuana has a rich history as a therapeutic agent, dating back thousands of years. Ancient civilizations, including those in China, India, and Egypt, utilized cannabis to treat ailments such as pain, inflammation, and digestive issues. In Victorian England, it gained popularity as a painkiller, with even Queen Victoria reportedly using it for postpartum relief.
Today, medical marijuana is widely recognized for its ability to manage chronic pain. Studies show it can alleviate conditions like neuropathic pain, fibromyalgia, and multiple sclerosis-related discomfort. Unlike opioids, cannabis offers pain relief with fewer risks of dependency and sedation, improving patients’ quality of life. Additionally, cannabinoids interact with the endocannabinoid system to modulate pain and inflammation effectively.
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It makes sense Kennedy would consider cannabis. One unconfirmed, secondhand account suggests that Kennedy smoked marijuana once at the White House. This story, published in the National Enquirer in 1976, claimed that Kennedy smoked marijuana with Mary Meyer, one of his mistresses. John F. Kennedy’s relationship with Dr. Max Jacobson, nicknamed “Dr. Feelgood,” was a controversial one beginning during his presidential campaign in 1960. Dr. Jacobson was known for administering “vitamin shots” that were actually laced with amphetamines and other substances.
The 1960s, during and after Kennedy’s presidency, saw a significant increase in marijuana use among the white upper middle class. This cultural shift may have contributed to the rumors and speculation about Kennedy’s personal habits. Reports commissioned during the Kennedy and Johnson administrations found marijuana use did not induce violence or lead to the use of heavier drugs, which began to change public perceptions about the substance
Stacey Flores Chandler, a reference archivist at the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library, stated that she found no evidence in Kennedy’s medical records or secondary sources indicating that he used cannabis to treat his medical conditions. Today, Kennedy would join millions of senior citizens who lean on medical marijuana to treat inflammation, chronic pain and sleep issues.
Coming off her big Grammy win, does Beyoncé consume marijuana – cause the industry needs some high profile allies
Coming off her big Grammys win, she is continue to expand her empire. Her fame, business savvy and talent has lead her to founding Parkwood Entertainment, Ivy Park, Cécred, and SirDavis. She has done endorsements for Pepsi and Levis and has a Netflick deal. She seems to go from one success to another. With all she has going on, does Beyoncé consume marijiana? Turns out she has leaned into the plant, but publicly here engagement is squarely in the wellness sphere.
Beyoncé has openly incorporated cannabis-derived CBD into her wellness routine, citing its benefits for physical recovery and mental health, though she has not explicitly confirmed recreational cannabis use. The global icon revealed in a 2021 Harper’s Bazaar interview CBD became a crucial tool during her tours, helping manage inflammation, muscle soreness, and insomnia. “I discovered CBD on my last tour, and I’ve experienced its benefits for soreness and inflammation. It helped with my restless nights,” she shared, emphasizing its role in her self-care practices
Beyoncé announced plans to build a hemp and honey farm to produce her own CBD, aiming to create natural wellness products for her family. This venture aligns with her focus on holistic health rituals, which she also teaches her children. She described finding her daughter Blue Ivy using homemade bath blends for relaxation, highlighting intergenerational wellness practices. While CBD is non-psychoactive (unlike THC-rich marijuana), her farm underscores her commitment to cannabis-derived wellness solutions.
Beyoncé’s entry into the hemp industry follows her husband Jay-Z’s cannabis brand, Monogram, though her approach centers on therapeutic applications rather than recreational use. In 2020, her BeyGOOD Foundation partnered with the NAACP to grant $10,000 to Black-owned cannabis businesses like The Gift, a wellness-focused hemp company. These efforts reflect her support for equitable opportunities in an industry where Black entrepreneurs face systemic barriers
Despite lyrical references to cannabis in her Cowboy Carter album and fan speculation about recreational use, Beyoncé has never publicly confirmed smoking marijuana. Experts note her CBD use focuses on documented (though FDA-unapproved) benefits like pain relief, while avoiding psychoactive effects. Medical researchers caution that CBD’s efficacy for conditions like insomnia remains inconclusive, though its safety profile for adults is generally accepted.
He has another movie dropping – but does Will Ferrell chill with cannabis after all the production?
He is paired with Reese Witherspoon for a new comedy You Are Cordially Invited. Ferrell has had a series of success from the wildly popular original Lego Movie to Elf. He is a majorly bankable star and never seems to be too far from a project. He become famous during his stint on SNL where he starred from 1995 to 2002. “I had a wonderful seven seasons on that show, where I made lifelong friends,” he said. “I knew in that moment it would be the hardest but most fun job I would ever get to do, and I still look back on it that way” he shared. But does Will Ferrell consumer marijuana?
In a series of tweets from 2013, Ferrell humorously addressed the topic, stating, “Smoking weed doesn’t make me a bad person, just like going to church doesn’t make you a good person” and “Yes, I smoke weed. No, I am not a drug addict”. This implies he is a canna consumer. But more importantly, he is a canna fan.
Ferrell’s comments reflect a broader cultural shift towards more accepting views of marijuana use. His humor often touches on social norms and stereotypes, and his remarks about marijuana are consistent with this approach. By joking about the topic, Ferrell helps normalize the conversation around marijuana, aligning with a growing public perception that marijuana use is not necessarily indicative of addiction or moral failing.
The relationship between marijuana use and creativity, particularly in comedy, is a topic of interest. Some comedians and artists report that marijuana enhances their creativity or helps them perceive humor differently. While Ferrell has not explicitly linked marijuana to his comedic creativity, his casual attitude towards its use suggests that he may view it as a part of a relaxed lifestyle rather than a tool for creative enhancement.
known for his unique brand of humor and his ability to create memorable characters, he connects with the viewing public. In doing so, he help make cannabis acceptable.