If you are in the Oregon cannabis industry, or thinking of joining, the Oregon Marijuana Business Conference (OMBC) is the cannabis event for you. There have been many changes to Oregon’s medical and recreational cannabis policies and you’ll get the latest at the OMBC with a preview on what may be changing next. In addition to the latest information, there will be great networking opportunities with others in the industry and some laughs and entertainment thrown in, as not every business conference includes a party with Tommy Chong in attendance and Del the Funky Homosapien performing. Get your tickets today and save $50 as early bird pricing only lasts until Wednesday at 11:59pm Pacific Time!
Despite the obstacles facing the burgeoning industry, the Oregon cannabis community has already helped create thousands of jobs and generate millions in revenue. Those that are able to adapt and overcome regulatory hurdles, will have a great opportunity to thrive.
New lab testing standards enacted on October 1st have certainly complicated the existing regulated market, but new rule changes are very likely on the horizon, easing the current burden placed upon licensees. The medical community has been greatly impacted by new rules and regulations, but advocates have been working hard to maintain safe access for thousands of patients. The November 8th elections will have a huge say on the industry, as local regulations, outright bans and tax increases will be put to the voters. The OMBC will have the latest on all things Oregon marijuana.
The OMBC always provides extra time for questions, allowing attendees ample opportunity to have their most-pressing issues addressed. Those in attendance will be able to pick the brain of licensed attorneys, entrepreneurs currently navigating regulations and the Chair of the Oregon Liquor Control Commision, who is overseeing the recreational cannabis market’s rules.
In addition to the gritty, Oregon-centric cannabis industry information, the OMBC will open with a presentation from Ed Rosenthal, the Guru of Ganja himself, and close with a celebrity interview of cannabis icon Tommy Chong, who will share stories about his life and career, and surely providing plenty of laughs as well. After a full day of cannabis information, attendees will get an exclusive concert performance from hip-hop legend Del the Funky Homosapien.
Considering the many changes to our laws and the many opportunities available in the Oregon cannabis industry, tickets are going very fast. Purchase your tickets before early bird pricing ends on November 2nd and be sure to get them before they sell out.
The International Cannabis Business Conference (ICBC) is next week and folks that are in the industry or thinking of joining will be there to learn and network. Even though the ICBC is a business conference, much fun will be had as well and one of the highlights will be an appearance by the great Tommy Chong. (You should join Tommy in Vancouver for the ICBC, so get your tickets now.) Here’s a snippet of the Smell the Truth piece:
STT: What topics do you plan to address at this year’s ICBC?
TC: Well, mainly the approach, the mental approach, you know. I’d like to get rid of all this anxiety and all this worry and all this crap. I mean, We’re in the marijuana business, c’mon. Don’t get uptight, don’t get territorial, don’t get worried about your profits and all that stuff, and concentrate more on what we’ve been doing for the past 100 years.
I also tell people, we don’t need people to tell us how to grow it or how to smoke it or where to smoke it, we don’t need that. What we need is people to quit putting us in jail and charging us for nonexistent crimes.
All I would advise the authorities is to enjoy the peace, because that’s what marijuana brings to the world, is peace.
STT: What was Vancouver’s cannabis culture like when you used to live there compared to now?
TC: For a while there, we had to get all our weed from Mexico. And then the Vietnam War happened, and then we started getting our weed from Thailand and Vietnam. And after and during the Vietnam War, people started growing BC buds, so all we had to do is get it from Denman Island or one of the islands.
You could always get it. During the 60s, 70s and 80s, there was so much bud being grown in B.C. that it was always available. Before that, we smoked a lot of hash, because the hash would come in from India, Amsterdam, and all those places.
Head on over to Smell the Truth for the full interview and head on up to cannabis-friendly Vancouver, British Columbia, to hang out with Tommy Chong and many other entrepreneurs and activists at the one-and-only International Cannabis Business Conference.
The cannabis industry is full of possibilities, but also obstacles. It is a lot of hard work, but the rewards can be great. A strong, ethical cannabis industry will continue to help spread legalization laws around the globe, one of the reasons that we are proud to team up with the International Cannabis Business Conference, as the ICBC gives entrepreneurs the tools to succeed, but always keeps activism first and foremost as we can’t ever forget why we are activists in the first place. Happy Labor Day to everyone doing good work in this important industry!
This blog was originally published at WeedNews.co and is reposted here with special permission.
The cannabis law reform movement’s foundation is built upon keeping people out of prison and getting medicine to patients in need. Upon that foundation, we have built a burgeoning industry that helps accomplish our movement’s goals across this nation and around the world. That industry takes a lot of work, from the farmers to the trimmers to the processors to the lab technicians to the budtenders to the dispensary owners surviving despite the atrocious 280E tax law, to everybody in between. On this Labor Day, I want to wish a sincere thanks to all of the workers that make the cannabis industry possible.
A lot of great press gets publicized across all media outlets when new economic benefits of the marijuana movement get released, but none more than the new tax revenue generated by states, especially since revenue generation has exceeded state officials’ projections. Washington State, even with some serious issues getting its licensed system operational, has generated more than $200 million since adult cannabis commerce was legalized in the Evergreen State. Colorado generated more than $135 million in 2015 alone, with more than $35 million earmarked for schools. Thanks to Oregon politicians who wisely saw that cannabis commerce could safely begin, more than $25 million has already been generated in the Beaver State, before the full-fledged adult legalization system has even started.
Decriminalizing marijuana better prioritizes law enforcement resources and saves on judicial costs, but those budgetary numbers aren’t nearly as praised by the media as the millions of new tax dollars generated by legalized sales. New jobs created by the cannabis industry, whose economic impact are probably even greater than the new taxes, fly under the radar a bit when compared to tax revenue, but I expect that the attention paid to job creation will only increase over time.
Too many voters, politicians, and policy makers are under the assumption that those working in the cannabis industry are rolling around in cash, but that isn’t the case for most folks. The 280E tax code, licensing fees and regulatory hurdles are all extremely tough barriers for entrepreneurs and businesses to overcome. Not to mention trying to succeed in a very competitive market that a lot of talented people are entering.
Sure, there are some making really good money, but most people in the cannabis industry are in the business for the love of the cannabis plant and the greater cannabis community, not to just make a buck. Those that are greedy and self-centered get weeded out (pun intended) soon enough. It takes a lot to survive, let alone thrive, in the cannabis industry, so let’s appreciate all of the good actors helping make this industry a great one, providing an opportunity for many people to follow their American dream.
Since today is International Overdose Awareness Day, we wanted to do our part in spreading the word about the important work the Drug Policy Alliance is doing to combat the international epidemic of fatal drug overdoses. The blog below was originally published over at WeedNews.co and is posted here with special permission.
The Drug Policy Alliance has been doing great work to reform drug laws around the world, including cannabis laws, of course. I know firsthand how valuable DPA was to our efforts to legalize cannabis in Oregon and know that they are working extremely hard to pass legalization in California and other states in 2016. While progressive cannabis laws have been shown to reduce the number of opioid overdoses, DPA, led by the great Ethan Nadelmann, are also tackle the broader drug war and are embarking on a comprehensive campaign to prevent overdoses and save lives.
Like too many people, my family has felt the devastating effect of a fatal drug overdose that took the life of a beloved family member at far too young of an age. It is a heartbreak that is unimaginable, especially for parents that have to face life without a child that helped fill their lives with laughter and love. Drug overdoses are preventable and one day, our nation will wise up and treat drug addiction like a health issue instead of a criminal justice issue. So long as drug use is considered criminal, people who need help will remain in the shadows.
The Drug Policy Alliance wants to eliminate the shadows that allow drug overdoses to thrive, all around the globe. While we fight for an end to the prohibitionists policies that fuel the harmful Drug War, there are some common sense policies that can be enacted, such as good samaritan laws and access to naloxone, a drug that can reverse opioid overdoses. No matter your position on drug use, I would hope that we can all come together on this International Overdose Awareness Day, to combat fatal drug overdoses that inflict so much pain on loved ones.
Accidental overdose deaths are now the leading cause of accidental death in the United States. We must act.
Drug overdose deaths now exceed those attributable to firearms, homicides or HIV/AIDS. Most of these deaths are preventable, but the “tough on crime” rhetoric of the drug war and the stigma associated with drug use have blocked the widespread adoption of life-saving overdose prevention policies like the distribution of the overdose reversal medication naloxone.
Naloxone is an inexpensive, generic drug that works to reverse an opioid overdose by restoring breath to unconscious overdose victims. It has been used with efficacy and safety in emergency rooms and ambulances in the United States for over forty years.
Add your name and join us in the fight to make the overdose reversal drug naloxone more widely available to those that need it.
As we’ve covered, the International Cannabis Business Conference is heading north of the border in October, stopping in Vancouver, British Columbia for a two-day intensive crash course on all things cannabis and Canada. Why not tack on a couple of days and see what makes British Columbia “the best place on Earth.” Marijuana Politics will be joining the many activists and entrepreneurs from around the globe at the ICBC, so we hope to see you there. Get your tickets before this great event sells out!
1. Stanley Park Just a short walk from the Hyatt Regency you’ll find Stanley Park, a forested peninsula that’s home to native old growth trees like the Douglas Fir and Western Red Cedars. Ringed by a paved trail that snakes along the seawall, you’ll get stunning views of the GeorgiaStraight, Lion’s Gate Bridge, and downtown Vancouver. Those with a car can take a scenic drive around the park, stopping off to catch some late-season rays at Second Beach or Third Beach. In the middle of the park you’ll find the internationally renowned Vancouver Aquarium. Also serving as a marine life rescue and rehabilitation center, the aquarium is a hit with both kids and adults. Tickets and information at http://www.vanaqua.org
2. Grouse Mountain Just across the bridge into North Vancouver you’ll find Grouse Mountain, where a gondola will whisk you uphill to a some of the best views of the city. A visitor center, restaurant, andhigh hiking trails are a few of the things you’ll find at the top. For those looking for a bit more adventure, you can experience the Grouse Grind, a 1.8mi hiking trail that ascends 2,830 stairs, gaining around 2,800 feet of elevation. The Grind is a local test of physical endurance for the mountain athletes that live in and around Vancouver. Currently, the fastest ascent clocks in at 23:48 – can you beat it?
3. Squamish and Whistler Less than an hour north on the Sea-to-Sky highway you’ll find Squamish, “the outdoor recreation capital of Canada.” Known as a rock climbing and kite boarding paradise, Squamish also has a number of hiking trails accessible within a few kilometers.Look up at the towering granite walls of the Stawamus Chief to see some of the world’s best rock climbers ply their trade, and it’s not unusual to see base jumpers and parasailers leaping off the cliffs toward twilight. The Sea to Sky Gondola takes you to the summit for a sweeping view of Howe Sound to enjoy over lunch or a drink. For the less faint of heart, you can cross the suspension bridge or trek into the high backcountry. Another 30km north is the town of Whistler, one of North America’s crown jewel ski resorts. Even before the snow flies, there’s plenty to keep you busy: hiking, mountain biking, and some of the trendiest shopping and restaurants this side of Vail.
4. Granville Island Also situated in downtown Vancouver is Granville Island. Accessible by car, street car, ferry, or boat, Granville Island is a top destination for shopping and people watching. At the public market you’ll find fresh, local produce, baked goods and seafood, as well as hand-crafted gifts. A network of theaters and galleries offer regular shows and art exhibits. Top it all off with a stop into Granville Island Brewing to sample their original beers. Word is, the fall seasonal “Pumpking” will be on tap when the ICBC comes to town.
5. Stroll through Gastown Vancouver’s oldest and arguably hippest neighborhood, Gastown boasts a blend of nightlife, high culture and history. The neighborhood is home to some of the city’s hottest restaurants and bars and it’s said that if you have one night in Vancouver, spend it in Gastown. In Maple Tree Square you’ll find a statue of the town’s founder, John “Gassy Jack” Deighton. Down the street at the corner of Cambie and Water Street you’ll find the neighborhood’s most recognizable landmark, the steam clock.
6. Catch the Canucks Hockey fever will be gripping the city when the ICBC comes to town. The day after the ICBC wraps marks the start of the NHL season, and the Vancouver Canucks start their NHL season at home against the Calgary Flames. Tickets are still available on the secondary market through Stubhub or Seatgeek. Can you really experience Canada without seeing some hockey?
Mark your calendars because the International Cannabis Business Conference is bringing its trademark blend of business, activism and culture to Vancouver, BC for a two- day conference on October 13th and 14th.
The timing couldn’t be any better to gather in Vancouver. Just this month, the Canadian government rolled out a slew of new regulations for the country’s medical marijuana programs and dispensaries, growers, patients and wholesalers are scrambling to get up to speed on what the new rules mean for their businesses.
“It’s crazy,” said Alex Rogers, executive producer of the International Cannabis Business Conference. “Tens of thousands of people have seen a switch flipped on their operations. They’re rushing to figure out what’s still legal, what’s not, and how this will affect their bottom lines. Not to mention patients, who need their cannabis as part of a treatment.”
Conference organizers are arranging two panels of experts to talk about the new rules and how individuals and businesses can stay out of trouble. Top Canadian officials have also indicated their desire to pass legislation legalizing recreational cannabis within the coming year, causing a rush of speculation and investment.
ICBC attendees will be treated to keynote speakers Gabor Mate, a prominent Canadian doctor whose work explores cannabis use as part of a holistic understanding of what it means to be human. He’ll kick off the conference on Friday morning. Saturday’s keynote speaker will be Brendan Kennedy, CEO of Privateer Holdings, the first private equity firm to invest in cannabis. Thier portfolio includes household names including Leafly, Tilray and Marley Naturals. He will be talk about what it takes for a cannabis business to go big.
A full list of speakers is available at the ICBC’s website.
The International Cannabis Business Conference is the world’s leading conference that focuses on the business, science, culture and politics of cannabis. Following back-to-back years of sold-out conferences in San Francisco, the ICBC extends its international reach to Berlin, Germany in April of 2017. More dates to be announced soon.
Considering the churn in Canada’s cannabis economy, tickets are going fast. Get yours before early bird pricing ends on September 28th by following this link.
Sign up for email updates about the conference by letting us know you want updates on our “Contact Us” online form.
The carousel of Canada’s cannabis regulations continues to revolve. With Health Canada’s announcement of the Access to Cannabis for Medical Purposes Regulations (ACMPR), my autocorrect gets to learn a new acronym. Other than that, it’s difficult to see how these new regulations effectively change anything, not only in terms of the perceived and actual shortcomings of the MMAR, or the perceived or actual shortcomings of the MMPR.
While it’s hard to accurately assess regulations we haven’t seen yet, Health Canada has graciously provided a document entitled ‘Understanding The Access to Cannabis for Medical Purpose Regulations’, a fact sheet, and a helpful safety bulletin suggesting things like, maybe getting a taller fence, or a lock.
They did finally acknowledge that marijuana/marihuana is actually cannabis, and that’s a start towards some clarity, but let’s look at the rest of what they announced.
One major issue both municipalities and law enforcement had with the old MMAR was their inability to inspect personal grows. HC was not allowed, for privacy reasons, to divulge patient addresses. (Oh sure they did it anyway, but that was an accident. You see, a clerk purchased the wrong kind of envelopes that had too big a transparent window, and no one noticed until it was too late. Oops.) Even when law or bylaw enforcement stumbled on patient grows by accident, the confusing documentation and revolving regulations that came from the government and the courts playing Hot Potato with cannabis laws left them more than a little confused.
When the MMPR came in, a legal opinion circulated that cities had to zone for licensed producers, and if they didn’t, patients would sue them for lack of access to medicine. Despite the fact that this made no sense in the context of the MMPR, many cities did exactly that. There has been no corresponding legal opinion for the MMAR, or the new ACMPR, no corresponding plea to municipalities for the patients. What Health Canada has done is explicitly state that all registered and designated growers must follow all provincial and municipal bylaws, including any inspection requirements. While we may see municipalities design and implement bylaws around personal growing, others will likely have to amend the ones they crafted with Licensed Producers in mind, but really, most will probably understand Health Canada just flipped them the bird. ‘By all means, draft any bylaws that make you feel comfortable, we’ll even tell growers they have to follow them, but good luck enforcing that shit, we still can’t tell you where they are. Oh, and dispensaries? Still illegal, sort it out. No, no, we can’t help or make your job easier in any way, it’s your problem not ours, nothing to do with us. We said it’s illegal, what more do you want?’
Things may be a little easier for law enforcement however. As opposed to authorizations to grow under the old MMAR, Health Canada will also issue ‘registration cards’, not authorizations, not licenses. This does give patients a clear way to identify their current right to grow cannabis to law enforcement, who should like that this card will also list the exact amounts they are allowed to grow and store, as well as the locations.
And the amounts allowed are interesting. With Health Canada’s ratio of ‘5 plants = 1 g’ is it any wonder they got out of the production business? Obviously they know this ratio is a little low, as the ‘safety bulletin’ released this week clearly states what to do in the case you grew over your allowance. The method they recommend for disposing of all your extra cannabis is…yep, still mixing it with cat litter. Still suggesting the best way to get rid of an organic substance is to mix it with an inorganic one… They also advise against burning your extra cannabis, which makes it sound like it’s perfectly legal to do so, they just advise against it. This is fortunate for all those that post on social media about losing their cannabis in a series of small fires.
Growers will be allowed to convert their cannabis into other products, though oil still seems to be the only option on offer (oil that cannot be made with an organic solvent, such as butane). However limonene, a terpene that is found in many strains of cannabis, is also an organic solvent…and its hard to say exactly what this means without seeing the actual regulations. I’m assuming they’ll be busy writing them right up to the August 24th date (I remember having to do term papers, I used the same method: don’t start until you’re pretty sure it’s going to be tough to finish in time).
Except for the small number of people covered under the injunction from Allard, everyone else wishing to grow will require the same documentation as required under the current MMPR. Those covered under the injunction will finally be allowed to update or change their authorization information, and all will be required to sign up with a Licensed Producer. They will be the only legal source for seeds, seedlings, or plants. All will also be required to ‘register’ with Health Canada,
If growing outdoors, your limit drops from 5 plants/g up to daily limit, to 2 plants/g. Oh, and you can’t do it if your property borders on a school, playground, or any other ‘public place frequented mainly by minors’…so…none of Chuck E Cheese’s neighbours can grow, no matter how big a fence or how many locks they have.
There are some other changes around testing requirements and labelling, including the mandate that Licensed Producer cannabis be labelled with the percentage of THC and CBD that ‘could be yielded’ including the ‘potential’ that could be converted from THCA and CBDA, ie: “This strain ‘could’ ‘potentially’ be 58% THC.” This number is obviously ridiculous, but the vague wording here ‘could’ ‘potentially’ allow producers to make such claims. Hopefully this is addressed better in the regulations than it was in the press release.
It remains to be seen if the government has effectively dealt with access concerns with both the MMAR and MMPR separately by simply grafting one on to the other. At this point, only the courts can say, but they may not have time. Health Canada has also made it clear these are only temporary regulations, not to be interpreted as their plans for medical access under legalization. While this does seem to indicate there will be some form of medical access under legalization, it also hints that this ain’t it. So, go ahead former MMAR growers, invest in your second legal grow op, sign up with an LP in order to buy back the genetics they bought from you under the MMPR transitional rules, and see where the ball lands when the wheel stops.
Jamie Shaw is a former President of the Canadian Association of Medical Cannabis Dispensaries, a former Director of the BC Compassion Club Society, and co-founder of the first Canadian chapter of Women Grow. She currently consults for dispensaries, serves as Community Engagement Manager at Lift Resource Centres, and is very much looking forward to moderating a panel of Canadian legal experts on these topics at the upcoming International Cannabis Business Conference in Vancouver this October 13th to 14th.
This blog originally appeared on www.canlio.com and has been reposted here with special permission.
On July 1st of 2015, cannabis consumers celebrated across Oregon, with a rather infamous celebration occurring on the Burnside Bridge in downtown Portland. Today, one year later, and legalization is a part of the normal fabric of life in much of Oregon. Jobs have been created, millions of dollars have been generated for the state and hundreds of people have taken advantage of new provisions that have allowed for the expungement of old marijuana offenses.
Unfortunately, more conservative areas of the state have banned marijuana businesses (but that they can’t ban personal use and cultivation) and their have been roll-backs of the medical marijuana system that have hurt sick and disabled patients. However, advocates that helped lead the charge for legalization haven’t given up and will continue to work to improve and protect Oregon’s marijuana laws, as the state helps lead the nation towards ending the failed and harmful Drug War.
Here’s a post by New Approach Oregon, the political action committee responsible for legalized marijuana (directed by our very own Anthony Johnson):
After one year of legalized marijuana, it is clear that Oregon voters got it right.
Millions of dollars have been added to the state’s coffers, thousands of jobs have been created and many lives have been improved.
Oregon can celebrate one year of legal marijuana, knowing that we have better prioritized law enforcement resources and raised revenue for important social services. The state has been an example for the rest of the country to follow as more and more voters and public officials understand that marijuana regulation is a much better policy than prohibition.
Thanks to over 56% of Oregon voters and all of New Approach Oregon’s supporters, we have made history and become national leaders in marijuana law reform. Cannabis commerce has reportedly created more than 2,000 jobs to go along with about $15 million in new tax revenue after just the first few months of taxed sales. Later in the fall, more marijuana products will be available to all adults over the age of 21, likely increasing the tax dollars being collected.
More important than tax dollars are the lives that have been improved due to legalization and its aftermath. We are proud to have helped lead the legislative efforts that reduced marijuana-related criminal penalties even further and allowed for the expungement of past marijuana offenses. More than 500 Oregonians have taken advantage of expunging old marijuana penalties from their records since Measure 91 passed in 2014
Oregon still needs to bring much of the state into the regulated system as too many localities have banned regulated marijuana sales. These bans hurt the statewide system and deny local residents much-needed jobs and tax dollars. Additionally, the state still needs to reduce more marijuana penalties; ensure that low-income patients have safe access to medicine; and allow social consumption locations for adults.
Medical marijuana fees and regulations remain too burdensome for many patients and some local and state regulations are restricting the ability of small business owners to thrive. We will continue working on these issues until Oregon has gotten it right, all across the state.
Clearly, the sky hasn’t fallen as Oregon has benefited from the new jobs and revenue. As the legalization experience continues to be positive, public officials across the state should remove barriers that exist for patients, farmers and businesses and bring more and more people into the regulated system.
There is much more work to be done, but today, Oregon can be proud of being a true trailblazer. Thank you all for helping move Oregon, and our nation, away from failed Drug War policies.
Science is starting to understand what marijuana smokers have known for years: how marijuana helps sleep. Because of this understanding, doctors are now able to legally prescribe marijuana for sleep disorders in seven states.
Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is the most active marijuana ingredient that affects sleeping patterns. We’ll look into exactly how marijuana aids sleep, delve into how our brains work, and offer insights on this fascinating subject.
It can help you stay alert during the day if the marijuana strain is high in cannabidiol (CBD)
In one study, researchers used a synthetic cannabinoid. Cannabinoids are the chemical compounds in marijuana that link up with receptors in your brain. Researchers in 2014 used a synthetic cannabinoid much like THC, and found it can help reduce sleep apnea by relaxing a muscle in the chin and tongue.
Your brain is very active during sleep. When a sleep disorder intrudes, it disrupts your brain’s regular activity. Sleep disorders can be triggered by stress & discomfort, psychiatric issues and psychological problems.
Anxiety is one example of a psychological issue that affects sleep. Trauma can cause anxiety, as is the case with PTSD victims. Alcohol and drug abuse can also lead to anxiety – 16.5% of people with anxiety report alcohol or drug abuse. People with anxiety have low levels of the neurotransmitter GABA. GABA regulates stress and helps the brain sleep. Low GABA levels can also cause depression. Depression is one of the causes of primary insomnia.
Insomnia is a complex issue. Causes of insomnia can include restless leg syndrome and sleep apnea. Medical conditions such as arthritis and chronic pain can cause it as well. Your lifestyle, including working at home evenings and taking naps, can trigger insomnia. Too much alcohol, caffeine and nicotine can also lead to insomnia. Your brain’s neurotransmitters may be firing or not firing in ways that promote insomnia.
How Marijuana Affects Sleep
Marijuana Helps Sleep
Here’s a brief overview: research shows that the THC in marijuana increases deep sleep stages and decreases REM sleep. REM is the stage in which you dream the most. Stages 3 and 4, which come directly before REM, are the deep sleep stages. Deep sleep is when your brain refreshes and restores itself.
To understand how marijuana affects sleep, it’s necessary to look at how the endocannabinoid system works.
The Endocannabinoid System
The endocannabinoid system is located in the brain and throughout the body in the central and peripheral nervous systems. The endocannabinoid system helps regulate a variety of functions including appetite, energy & metabolism, stress response, immune function, pain management and sleep.
The system produces endocannabinoids which are substances classified as ligands. The ligands bind with cannabinoid receptors. Ligands are like keys that give signals to locks. The locks we know of, the receptors, are called CB1 and CB2. They’re located throughout your body. Based on their interaction with receptors, endocannabinoids either inhibit or excite a reaction from the receptor. They can also set off a cascade of signaling molecules within cells.
Our cannabinoid receptors also bind with plant-based phytocannabinoids, such as the THC and CBD in marijuana. As noted above, CBD typically solicits an excitatory reaction from the receptor, while THC tends to have a sedative, inhibitory effect.
This study notes the role of endocannabinoid signaling in regulating sleep stability. Researchers administered an inhibitor to CB1 receptors, which increased the stability of deep sleep (NREM). Phytocannabinoids, particularly THC, may also increase the stability of NREM.
THC, CBD and Sleep
Marijuana contains both THC and CBD. These cannibinoids affect sleep in different ways. The amount of THC and CBD in marijuana will determine how you sleep and how much marijuana helps sleep.
In a study on young adults, researchers determined that THC is a sedative, while CBD has “alerting properties.” When participants took the same amount of THC and CBD together, it actually decreased stage 3 sleep in. THC by itself led to an increase in sleepiness. It did not, however, affect “nocturnal sleep.” This indicates that THC can help you fall asleep, while other studies have indicated that THC increases stage 4 sleep.
THC and Sleep Apnea
THC in marijuana helps sleep? A study from Frontiers in Psychology showed that THC helps with sleep apnea in animals. THC “stabilizes autonomic output during sleep, reduces spontaneous sleep-disordered breathing, and blocks serotonin-induced exacerbation of sleep apnea.” Since it’s incredibly hard to get permission to conduct the same study on humans, researchers used a synthetic THC called Dronabinol on seventeen adults with sleep apnea. It significantly reduced their apnea in the short-term, helping them breathe easy.
What type of Marijuana helps sleep?
According to the Colorado Pot Guide, Sativa-dominant strains “tend to be more uplifting, creative and energetic.” Indica-dominant strains, on the other hand, are more “relaxing and analgesic.” Indica strains are what doctors in states such as Colorado and Washington will prescribe for pain and insomnia relief.
What are the downsides of using marijuana for sleep?
Scientists have found that marijuana abuse blunts the brain’s response to dopamine. Marijuana helps sleep, but the marijuana users in the study were heavy smokers, averaging five joints a day. The dopamine-blunting affect may be one of the reasons that users report no dreams and have a decrease in the REM stage. Although scientists aren’t exactly sure what the REM stage is for, decreasing the amount of REM sleep isn’t natural. Participants in studies have experienced a withdrawal effect when they go off of marijuana where they experience intense dreaming and less stage 4 sleep.
There is still a surprising lack of research on marijuana and sleep. Because of this, there is not a lot of conclusive evidence on marijuana’s efficacy for treating sleep disorders.
In which states can doctors prescribe marijuana for sleep disorders?
State-to-state medical marijuana laws vary. In Washington D.C., if a D.C. licensed physician recommends it, you can get medical marijuana for any condition. Since Marijuana helps sleep, here’s a list of other states in which a prescription for medical marijuana, due to a sleep disorder, may be possible:
California – a physician can recommend medical marijuana for any debilitating illness
Connecticut – the Department of Consumer Protection must approve that your sleep disorder warrants a prescription
Massachusetts – your physician may determine in writing that your condition qualifies you
Oregon – recreational marijuana is legal and your physician may approve your condition which would qualify you for medical marijuana
Rhode Island – your physician may approve and your condition qualifies you for medical marijuana
Nevada – your physician may approve and your condition qualifies you for medical marijuana
Washington – recreational marijuana is legal and your physician may prescribe it for any terminal or debilitating condition
Colorado – recreational marijuana is legal and medicinal marijuana for sleep disorders is subject to approval by the Colorado Board of Health
Your doctor will tell you what the recommended dosage is as well as method of consumption. Even if you’re in a state where recreational marijuana is legal, be sure to consult a physician for guidance if you are planning on using it for sleep. It may not be right for you.
What are other ways to deal with my sleep disorder?
It’s not for everyone, but while Marijuana helps sleep, there are also plenty of other ways to promote healthy sleep. Neuroscientists in Switzerland found that the rocking motion of hammocks helped people go to sleep faster and helped them have a deeper sleep. There are natural sleep aids, such as melatonin and valerian. And there are a number of ways to deal with insomnia that involve adjusting your behaviors which can be quite effective.
Author: Daniel Matthews is a widely-published freelance writer, social worker, and musician with a passion for the truth, creativity, and understanding. You can find him on Twitter and LinkedIn.
In this historical election cycle where the impossible becomes possible, Donald J Trump and Bernie Sanders look like they might be debating each other in California before the June 7 primaries there. Sanders had already accepted Fox’s proposal to debate Hillary Clinton, but after Clinton declined the invitation, Trump said he would debate Sanders with the caveat that the proceeds would go to benefit a Women’s Health charity. He set the price at $10 million after his conversation on the Jimmy Kimmel show on Wednesday night.
Senator Sanders tweeted out “Game on. I look forward to debating Donald Trump in California before the June 7 primary.
Game on. I look forward to debating Donald Trump in California before the June 7 primary.
It looks like ABC News, CBS News and Fox are all interested in what would appear to be a YUGE ratings bonanza. This would legitimize Sanders claim that he should be the Democratic nominee and may even sway Super Delegates his way. The optics of the Democratic establishment currently appear to be #NeverBernie with many of them feeling that Vice President Joe Biden and Sen. Elizabeth Warren will magically swoop in should Hillary’s email server and pay to play scandals force her out. While this may force the party’s establishment to consider Sanders, it also looks like this would be a play for Trump to get his chance to woo Sander’s supporters. Of course it works both ways and Sanders would be getting his message out to Republicans.
During a Sanders rally in California Sanders said he would like to ask Trump why he thinks Climate Change is a hoax while the scientific community is almost unanimous that it’s causing devastating problems. He also asked Why does Trump think it is appropriate to be insulting Mexican’s, Latinos, Muslims and women and why he was a leader of the “Birther” movement. We’re sure Trump has his own interesting perspective on those accusations and look forward to hearing them.
Bernie has some compelling views and is a strong proponent for Marijuana Legalization and drug reform (aside from his Tommy Chong snub ), but Trump is a 10th amendment advocate and has said he’s for letting the states decide. If there is a debate between the two, we’d like to see them explore Marijuana reform and we’ve got our popcorn ready for that show.
(update: Trump said today 5/27/2016, that the system is rigged and that he won’t debate the ‘second place finisher’! “Based on the fact that the Democratic nominating process is totally rigged and Crooked Hillary Clinton and (Debbie) Wasserman-Schultz will not allow Bernie Sanders to win, and now that I am the presumptive Republican nominee, it seems inappropriate that I would debate the second-place finisher…As much as I want to debate Bernie Sanders, I will wait to debate the first place finisher in the Democratic Party”)
Hillary Clinton’s ongoing private email server scandal is not an engineered right-wing smear. Even though Bernie Sanders hasn’t made Clinton’s server and corresponding ethical questions an issue during his anti-establishment campaign, that doesn’t mean that Clinton’s server and lack of transparency isn’t a legitimate issue to the American people.
We are all “sick and tired” of the damn emails, but the real scandal is a lack of transparency
Regardless of one’s political persuasion, American citizens should be concerned about the lack of transparency from former Secretary of State Clinton, and all of our government officials. As Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton was helping negotiate arms deals with Saudi Arabia; broker fracking deals around the globe; push regime change in Libya; and determine the U.S. government’s decision to back an illegitimate government in Honduras following a military coup that ousted the rightfully democratically-elected president.
The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, a progressive publication that endorsed Barack Obama for president and doesn’t have warm feelings for Republican front-runner Donald Trump, believes that, “the only believable reason for the private server in her basement was to keep her emails out of the public eye by willfully avoiding freedom of information laws.” Wisconsin’s largest newspaper also wrote:
Nothing matters more to leadership in a democracy than support for an open, honest government in which citizens are informed and in charge. It is the foundational building block of the republic upon which all else rests. And any candidate vying for the votes of the American people needs to have demonstrated a firm commitment not only to the ideal but to the reality of open government.
As we noted Tuesday, Republican front-runner Donald Trump is not one of those candidates. But neither is Democratic front-runner Hillary Clinton. Her horrible track record on transparency raises serious concerns for open government under a Clinton administration — so serious we believe they may disqualify her from public office. We hope Wisconsin voters give this issue the consideration it deserves when they go to the polls on Tuesday.
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Clinton has a long track record of public service but an equally long record of obfuscation, secrecy and working in the shadows to boost her power and further her ambition. We encourage voters to think long and hard about that record when choosing the next president.
While conducting international business on behalf of the American people, the Clinton Foundation was accepting donations from businesses and countries that were dealing with our government. Millions of dollars were donated by seven governments to the Clinton Foundation and one of those donations violated the foundation’s ethics agreement with the Obama Administration. Seventeen countries, such as Saudi Arabia and Bahrain, that donated to the Clinton Foundation garnered bigger defense contracts with the United States during Clinton’s tenure than under the previous administration.
Not only did the Clinton Foundation accept a foreign donation from Algeria in violation of its ethics agreement with President Obama’s Administration, but Secretary of State staffers also violated ethics rules by not properly disclosing outside income. Close confidante Huma Abedin and Bryan Pagliano, who set up the now-infamous private email server, both received outside income arranged by, or paid directly, by the Clintons. Pagliano has received immunity by the FBI and has long been cooperating with the federal agency investigating the latest Clinton scandal while Ms. Abedin is expected to be interviewed by the FBI soon. The FBI is likely to also interview Hillary Clinton herself.
Despite Hillary Clinton’s denial to even think that there may be a federal indictment due to the email scandal, can she, or the American people, be so confident that nothing will come out of the investigation that has employed the services of dozens of FBI agents? Can Clinton, her staffers, and the American people be 100% confident that the FBI interviews don’t catch staffers, or Clinton herself, in a false statement?
It does seem unlikely that President Obama’s Justice Department would proceed with an indictment of the president’s first secretary of state, but can everyone be so confidant that a staffer won’t be indicted? Or that an indictment won’t recommended by the FBI? With Democrats heavily favored to win the 2016 election, this ongoing email scandal is one of the few matters that could lead to a Republican occupying the White House.
In addition to any potential indictment, is the private email server, the millions of dollars donated by foreign governments and defense contractors, and the various ethical violations really the type of behavior that the American people should be excusing? While many progressives and Democrats are calling into question the propriety of the private email server and lack of transparency from Clinton’s tenure as secretary of state, too many are ignoring, excusing and even defending this type of unethical behavior.
Would these same progressives and Democrats excuse this type of behavior from a Trump, Cruz or Kasich Administration? Excusing Hillary Clinton’s latest scandal virtually gives a green light to future administrations to conduct similar activities and we will always have a government that operates with a supreme lack of transparency.
(Featured photo by: Jim Cole, Associated Press/File)
The Oregon chapter of the prohibitionist group Smart Approaches to Marijuana (SAM) claimed that “their [sic] is no such thing as ‘Medical’ Marijuana” in a March 25th Facebook post, insulting all of the patients that legitimately use marijuana as medicine. There are a few false statements in the Facebook posts, which isn’t surprising since cannabis prohibition is based upon lies, but denigrating medical patients is the most offensive and egregious portion of the post. This isn’t the first time Oregon medical marijuana patients have been insulted, but let’s hope that the days of ridiculing sick and disabled patients are dwindling.
Many prohibitionists ridicule the number of patients that use cannabis to treat pain, ignoring that some patients may be allergic to painkillers, that many patients want to reduce or avoid the use of lethal narcotics, and that painkiller deaths have been reduced in medical marijuana states. (They also ignore that suicide rates decrease in medical marijuana states, they have an agenda against a policy that is literally saving lives.) You would think that even the most ardent prohibitionist would have more sympathy for patients that have cancer, HIV/AIDS, cachexia and epileptic seizures; but not SAM Oregon.
Many prohibitionists, like those in SAM Oregon, dismiss the more than 70,000 Oregon medical marijuana patients with severe pain, not caring about why those patients may choose cannabis over OxyContin, so we can set those aside for not. Patients in Oregon can apply for state Oregon Medical Marijuana Program (OMMP) cards for a variety of conditions, and many patients have multiple conditions. At the beginning of the year, more than 4,400 Oregon patients qualified for the OMMP due to their cancer diagnosis; more than 760 listed HIV/AIDS; over 1,100 for cachexia (a wasting syndrome) and more than 2,000 for seizures.
Anyone that knows anything about cannabis knows that it can reduce nausea, stimulate the appetite (the so-called munchies) and can alleviate pain. Most people, with any kind of a heart anyway, wouldn’t disparage cancer patients from using medical marijuana when undergoing chemotherapy. It baffles the mind that some would dismiss the medical use HIV patients who found that cannabis “effectively relieved chronic neuropathic pain from HIV-related peripheral neuropathy.” SAM Oregon doesn’t shy away from disparaging the medical marijuana use of cancer and HIV/AIDS patients, and that is a shameful position to have, even for prohibitionists. We hope they evolve, as many have on the issue, and apologize.
The offensive Facebook post (sincere thanks to the good folks over at the Oregon Marijuana Policy Initiative for standing up for patients and calling out SAM Oregon):
Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders, fresh off of three crucial, landslide victories in Washington, Alaska and Hawaii, returned to calling for a debate with front-runner Hillary Clinton in New York, ahead of the state’s April 19th primary. Former Secretary of State Clinton is the favorite in the state she represented as senator, but Sanders was born in Brooklyn and plans on making a big push in the delegate-rich state. Sanders hopes to seize upon his momentum and find a path to victory despite Clinton’s delegate lead. The Vermont Senator has even started a petition urging Clinton to debate him in New York.
Senator Sanders is correct in that the Empire State should host a debate between the candidates. We’ll go one step further and contend that the Democrats should host a debate in California as well. The two most populous Democratic strongholds, should not only have a massive amount of influence in selecting the next nominee with their respective delegates, but the candidates should also have to face voters in those states and address their concerns.
Coming off 3 sweeping victories yesterday, @BernieSanders challenges @HillaryClinton to debate on her home turf: New York.
New York and California shape the United States in many ways, beyond just population. New York is the media capital of the world while the Golden State is the global entertainment mecca. The economies of both states exceed most nations as California’s economic impact ranks 7th worldwide, just ahead of the entire country of Brazil. New York State is no slouch either, with the 3rd gross state product in the U.S., just behind Texas, the Empire State’s global economic impact ranks 12th in the world, ahead of Australia, South Korea and Spain.
Of course, we here at Marijuana Politics want the Democratic candidates to be pressed further on their marijuana policies, as well as larger criminal justice issues as these topics weigh large in these two states. Both have made good statements on criminal justice issues, while we give Sanders an “A-” for his marijuana policy, while Hillary Clinton is in the “B” range, but seems to be evolving in the right direction. Both of the candidates need to be reminded by their base about the importance of dramatic justice reforms as just being better than the other party isn’t good enough.
As President, let me be very clear that no one will fight harder to end racism and reform our broken criminal justice system than I will.
New York and California voters deserve to hear candidates’ address climate change, from fracking to EPA regulations, as well as trade policies, immigration and a whole host of issues facing these states, as well as our nation. Democratic voters deserve to hear more from these two candidates and New York and California are the perfect venues for the last two debates between the Democratic contenders.
(Featured photo credit: Joe Raedle / Getty Images)
Democrats abroad voted in record numbers with a turnout more than 50% above 2008, giving Bernie Sanders a much-needed victory over Hillary Clinton heading into Tuesday’s elections in Utah, Idaho and Arizona. Democratic front-runner Clinton has pushed her lead to more than 300 pledged delegates and the anti-establishment Sanders needs to win a strong majority of the remaining contests to secure the nomination. Senator Sanders earned the vote of 69% of Democrats abroad, compared to the 31% garnered by former Secretary of State Clinton. Not getting much press is the fact that Sen. Sanders won 95% of the country committees abroad, winning in 53 of the 56 committees.
Our political revolution is now resonating all over the world. Thank you, Democrats abroad! https://t.co/X8Dvc9d1Kr
Democrats abroad cast votes in more than 170 countries in a variety of ways–online, in-person, by mail and via fax. The various countries are then grouped into 56 country committees. The former first lady only won a majority of the votes in the Dominican Republic, Singapore and Nigeria while Bernie Sanders demonstrated dominance across the rest of the globe, winning a majority in the other 53 country committees.
After tallying the international vote, Sanders secures 9 pledged delegates while Clinton gets 4. The Democrats abroad also have four unpledged “superdelegate” votes that will be cast at the Democratic National Convention. Hillary Clinton now has 1,163 pledged delegates to Sanders’ 844. The eventual Democratic nominee needs 2,383 delegates; about half of the delegates are yet to be awarded. Much has been made of the superdelegate edge enjoyed by Hillary Clinton, but those delegates don’t cast their votes until the party’s convention and are free to change their endorsement at any time, just as many did in favor of Barack Obama in 2008.
With such a diverse group of Democrats voting abroad, it is hard to pinpoint why voters chose to overwhelmingly support Bernie Sanders with a higher percentage of support and more than 8,500 votes than even Barack Obama garnered in 2008. Democratic voters abroad could be more progressive overall than their stateside counterparts, one could certainly speculate that they would be more wary of foreign entanglements or maybe they value their privacy.
Piquing our interest here at Marijuana Politics is how voters living in countries with progressive drug policies voted, to see any correlation. The Netherlands, for instance voted with 68% in favor of Sanders; Portugal voters supported Sanders with 63%; Canada gave 67% to Bernie; while the Americas country committee that would include countries such as Jamaica and Uruguay voted 76% in support of the candidate that wants to repeal federal cannabis prohibition.
Whatever the reason Democrats abroad chose to support the anti-establishment Sanders over the front-runner Clinton, it is very clear that international voters overwhelmingly chose the candidate that is seen to be more progressive on the Drug War (especially federal marijuana policy), foreign policy and privacy rights.
Oregon has been a trailblazer on marijuana policy since becoming the first state to decriminalize personal possession back in 1973. Much progress continues to be made, not without some serious complications, but the state is slowly but surely moving towards a day when no one is sentenced to jail for cannabis. One of the fears that many cannabis community members have of legalizing and regulating marijuana is that the new rules could provide the state with more ammunition to arrest people for minor offenses.
Thus far, while no one is pleased with every development, the state hasn’t used new regulations to arrest people and it is good to hear from the Oregon Liquor Control Commission (OLCC) that they want the state regulatory system to be compliance-based not enforced with violence. Nathan Rix, policy analyst for the OLCC, explained to the IT blog GCN:
“What we’re trying to do is create an atmosphere where you can come into our regulated system and it will feel much more like an IRS audit than a SWAT team because we want you in the regulated market,” Rix said. That is sometimes a tough sell, he said, when you have people who are used to avoiding rather than complying with the law.
The key to getting people into the regulated market, Rix said, is their first experience with filing an application to apply for a license to sell, grow, produce, process or lab test marijuana. The second experience involves the use of radio frequency ID (RFID) tags that track the product. And the third is with the OLCC staff when they look at a grower’s inventory, Rix said.
Since the passage of Measure 91legalized marijuana at the November 2014 ballot box, the Oregon Legislature has further reduced most marijuana felonies, passed landmark retroactive expungement laws and the state has seen a dramatic decrease in the number of people arrested and cited for marijuana. While ending the arrest and imprisonment of the cannabis community is the ultimate goal of legalization, changes in regulations can be maddening and the state will continually be tweaking the laws in the foreseeable future as different problems arise and the some laws may have unintended consequences.
Changes in marijuana law certainly complicate the plight of the cannabis community and industry, but also the lives of regulators tasked to do the job. Two companies hired by the OLCC to handle regulatory issues, NIC and Franwell, were partially selected because of their willingness to roll with modifications to the law, according to GCN:
One of the major challenges OLCC faced when trying to get a solid system up and running was the state’s changing policies while it sorted out exactly how regulation of a new business would work — a problem most states with some form of legalized marijuana are facing. OLCC said it hired NIC and Franwell because they were very willing to develop a system while laws were still being made.
For many in the Oregon cannabis community, the medical system was working just fine for them, so it is understandable to be frustrated with change, but it is necessary that those in the industry adapt to the changes. The OLCC has held seminars across the state and events like the upcoming Oregon Marijuana Business Conference (that we help organize) help keep the cannabis community informed.
Across the board, it has to be recognized that ending a vast majority of arrests, citations and jailings is positive for the entire state. The state just needs to continue to listen to the community, particularly the patients and providers that have been the foundation of Oregon’s medical marijuana law.
It is great to see the state move from a law enforcement mindset to a compliance mindset as the IRS model is preferred to the SWAT model, but Oregonians should remain vigilant so that the IRS model becomes the DMV model (wait, is that an improvement?) to a model that is easily accessible to mom-and-pops and Oregon’s cannabis system follows in the footsteps of the local microbrewery and winery systems that have flourished in the state. When Oregon has a system that easily brings in everyone, then the state can create jobs, generate millions in revenue and take care of sick and disabled patients as well.
