Month: April 2020

A bipartisan group of 34 members of Congress is calling on House leadership to include language in the next coronavirus stimulus bill to allow marijuana businesses to access federal disaster relief that is available to other industries.

“The state-legal cannabis industry is a major contributor to the U.S. economy and workforce, employing over 240,000 workers across 33 states and four territories, and generating $1.9 billion in state and local taxes in 2019,” the lawmakers wrote. “State-legal cannabis businesses need access to CARES Act programs to ensure they have the financial capacity to undertake the public health and worker-focused measures experts are urging businesses to take.”

Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-OR) led the effort to build support for the letter, which was released on Friday. A similar letter to Senate leadership, led by Sen. Jacky Rosen (D-NV), is also in the works and is expected to be released in the coming days.

As it stands, the federal Small Business Administration (SBA) maintains that cannabis companies — as well as those that “indirectly” work with the industry like accounting and law firms — are ineligible for its loan and lending programs, including those pegged to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Industry stakeholders and lawmakers have emphasized that while many cannabis shops remains open as state-designated essential services during the outbreak, the market is at economic risk as governments issue shelter-in-place orders and encourage social distancing. As a major sector of state economies that employ tens of thousands of workers, the marijuana industry needs SBA access during the crisis, they say.

“Like other businesses with continued operations, cannabis businesses have met the moment by preserving access to treatment for patients with chronic conditions, donating protective clothing, and manufacturing equipment for medical use. However, unlike other small businesses, cannabis businesses are not eligible for the CARES Act programs,” the lawmakers wrote, referring to a prior coronavirus aid package that was enacted last month.

“The COVID-19 outbreak is no time to permit federal policy to stand in the way of the reality that millions of Americans in states across the country face daily — that state-legal cannabis businesses are sources of economic growth and financial stability for thousands of workers and families, and need our support,” they said. “Given the nature of the epidemic, we must ensure that everyone has the capacity to carry out the recommended public health and worker-focused measures. Without doing that, we risk undercutting the public health efforts nationwide.”

Joining Blumenauer in leading the letter are Reps. Barbara Lee (D-CA), Don Young (R-AK) and Tom McClintock (R-CA).

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) wants to see separate language increasing marijuana businesses’ access to banking services included in an upcoming COVID-19 bill, Rep. Ed Perlmutter (D-CO) said last week after presenting that issue before the Democratic caucus.

“Workers at state-legal cannabis businesses are no different from workers at any other small business — they show up to work every day, perform their duties, and most importantly, work to provide for their families,” the 34 lawmakers wrote to her and Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) on Friday. “This lack of access will undoubtedly lead to unnecessary layoffs, reduced hours, pay cuts, and furloughs for the workers of cannabis businesses who need support the most.”

Rosen, whose pending Senate letter calling for SBA access for marijuana businesses is still being circulated for signatures, has long pushed the issue outside of the coronavirus pandemic, raising it during a committee hearing last year, for example.

The senator led a separate letter earlier this month, asking Appropriations Committee leadership to insert language extending SBA access to small marijuana businesses in upcoming annual spending legislation.

The new House letter makes clear that relief needs to come sooner, however.

“Cannabis businesses are essential to many communities around the country. We cannot be selective about which small businesses receive relief as the COVID-19 pandemic cripples our economy,” Blumenauer told Marijuana Moment. “This is yet another example of the federal government falling behind the states on cannabis. While we continue our fight to reform discriminatory, harmful, and out-of-touch cannabis policies, the fight for the state-legal cannabis industry, which employs hundreds of thousands of Americans, continues.”

In a letter to state treasurers that was delivered earlier this month, a coalition of marijuana industry associations urged the officials to pressure their congressional delegations to include SBA access for cannabis firms in future coronavirus legislation. They also want the states to explore providing separate loan and lending programs for the market.

Colorado Gov. Jared Polis (D) also recently sent a letter asking a congressman from his state to take up the issue with his colleagues and ensure SBA access for the cannabis industry.

Meanwhile, although hemp businesses are eligible for certain SBA programs since the crop was federally legalized under the 2018 Farm Bill, industry associations sent a letter to the head of the agency on Monday, urging SBA to extend access to a series of other coronavirus relief loans to farmers who cultivate hemp.

Lawmakers are also making a different kind of COVID-related cannabis push concerning veterans access to marijuana. In a letter led by Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) last week, members of the Massachusetts congressional delegation urged the head of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to allow its doctors to issue verbal recommendations for medical cannabis amid the pandemic.

Featured image from Shutterstock

---

This article has been republished from Marijuana Moment under a content-sharing agreement. Read the original article here.

The post Lawmakers push Congressional Leaders to include Cannabis Businesses in Coronavirus Relief Bill appeared first on Weedmaps News.

Source: wm

The first time I encountered a CBD pre-roll, I was at work. As a writer for a cannabis lifestyle website, brands would send all kinds of products our way, the bulk of which contained high levels of THC. This was back in early 2017 when CBD had just begun taking off and the idea that you would smoke something with less than 20% THC—let alone none at all—sounded absurd. As we examined the cigarette-like filter and packaging, my coworker laughed. “The only thing that’s good for is wasting money,” he said. 

I was inclined to agree. What’s the point of smoking something that doesn’t get you high? Why not roll up some dried rose petals or oregano and call it a day? Still, I was curious. So, I took the pack home with me and lit one up on my back porch. I smoked the whole thing and waited. And waited. When I still couldn’t feel any noticeable difference in my body or mind twenty minutes later, I assumed my coworker was right. CBD pre-rolls had no place in a stoner’s life. 

It would be another two weeks before I tried again, this time in the anxiety-charged aftermath of a deeply upsetting phone call. As I puffed away, I could feel a wash of calm gaining momentum, slowing my torrent of dark thoughts down to a trickle by the time the ash reached the filter. I wasn’t a ray of sunshine by any means, but I was calm and clear-headed. I realized there might be something to these high-less joints after all. 

A word on myths and benefits

If you’ve tried a CBD product before and didn’t feel a damn thing, you’re not alone. With so much misinformation out there, it’s hard to know what dose you should be taking or if what you bought actually contains any CBD at all. It doesn’t help either that the conversation around CBD has vacillated between two extremes: either it’s god’s pain-relieving, anxiety-crushing, sleep-inducing gift to earth or snake oil designed to fool the unassuming masses. 

As with most things that cause such rancorous debate, the truth lies somewhere in the murky middle. In terms of hard scientific evidence, the FDA approved a CBD-rich, cannabis-derived drug after research proved it to be effective at treating severe forms of epilepsy. According to a comprehensive WHO report, CBD could help wean addicts off of opioids, cocaine, and tobacco (albeit much more research is needed). 

Very, very early research shows CBD may even assist antibiotics in killing off increasingly resilient bacteria. But before you go stocking up for the apocalypse, know that much more research needs to be conducted before we can understand what dose or frequency is required. 

That’s the clinical stuff. For our purposes, there’s plenty of anecdotal evidence to suggest CBD can help alleviate stress and mild aches and pains. In my personal experience, CBD feels most akin to an over-the-counter pain reliever or supplement. When I feel perfectly fine, it does nothing for me, but if I’m in mild pain or discomfort, it can do wonders. 

Not that it’s all about feeling something. Noticeable psychoactive or physical effects are well and good — that’s what most of us have traditionally looked for in a THC experience. But there’s something to be said for subtle shifts and adjustments. For instance, I like to consume some CBD along with a second cup of coffee to feel a boost of focus and energy — minus the heart palpitations. 

When done right, I tend to notice less what CBD is adding to my experience and more what it’s taking away.

Why CBD pre-rolls?

For all the CBD-infused products I’ve tried and enjoyed, I love CBD pre-rolls the most because they’re highly shareable and you cannot mess it up. I can share them with my grandma and THC-fearing girlfriend without fear they’ll overdo it and have a bad experience. And unlike edibles, which involve a lot of guessing and waiting around, pre-rolls allow you to self-titrate in real-time. 

For more experienced smokers like myself, they can quickly balance out a high that’s taken a turn for the jittery. I’m not alone. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve gleefully watched my stoner friends feel the subtle, calming shift and enjoy it despite themselves.

All of that said, you have to do your research to make sure what you’re buying is legitimate. Filling your Amazon cart with anything and everything labeled “CBD” is not going to cut it. The simplest way to find reputable products? Visit a licensed dispensary. While requirements do vary state to state, you’re far more likely to find lab-tested products in a dispensary than from a random online retailer. 

If you don’t live in a legal state, one hack is to look for brands that sell CBD pre-rolls in addition to ones with THC. Going through the arduous process of getting licensed to sell THC products is a good indication they’ve put in the effort to sell reputable CBD products as well. 

A few of our pre-roll recommendations 

No matter which route you go, hemp CBD and high-CBD pre-rolls offer a gentler, wider path for more people to enter the weed world and experience all the benefits the plant has to offer. Below, check out some of the CBD brands we’ve come to love. 

Alive & Kicking 

Alive and Kicking is one brand that sells low-THC, high-CBD pre-rolls in dispensaries in addition to hemp-derived CBD pre-rolls by mail. They come in $26 packs of 14, and the cigarette-like joints are so tiny you could easily smoke one to yourself. I find them adorable and very convenient for a quick smoke break, and even my girlfriend — who is the champion of weed lightweights — loves them. 

Price: $26

Available: Nationwide (pre-rolls with THC only sold in California)

Her Highness

I’m a fan of the single CBD pre-roll and lighter kit sold by Her Highness. (Full disclosure: I was recently hired to write their product descriptions and tried just about all of their products in the process.) For $15, you get one extra-long pre-roll and a reusable gold lighter. I would like to see a CBD pre-roll pack from them since I’m not about to buy a new lighter every time I want a pre-roll, but in terms of a gift for your lightweight friends, it’s pretty ideal. 

Price: $15

Available: Nationwide

East Fork and Friends 

Alternatively, if you want the most bang for your buck and don’t mind a little elbow grease, East Fork and Friends sells premium craft hemp online for $95 an ounce. That’ll leave you with 56 half-gram joints for about $1.60 apiece. Not bad. 

Price: $95

Available: Nationwide

Henry’s Original 

If you’re still skeptical about boarding the hemp CBD train, may I suggest trying high-CBD pre-rolls? For a balanced mind-body buzz, try Henry’s Original. It’s a reputable brand with a range of high-CBD pre-rolls that deliver a gentle yet still psychoactive experience. 

Price: Varies

Available: California

The post You can laugh, but CBD Pre-rolls are the future appeared first on Weedmaps News.

Source: wm

With the country adhering to shelter-in-place practices, many within the cannabis community and weed culture openly worried about what would happen to their favorite day of the year: 4/20. 

On Monday, April 20, Weedmaps is celebrating 4/20 by hosting “Higher Together: Sessions from Home,” a live streamed event with exclusive concerts, comedic stand-up sets, artist interviews and smoke sessions to celebrate 4/20. 

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Weedmaps (@weedmaps) on Apr 13, 2020 at 4:20pm PDT

Since announcing the live stream, we’ve been receiving some questions about some of the logistics of the event. Considering these types of virtual experiences are new and constantly evolving since we’ve all adapted to online events, we’ve decided to put together a quick guide on how to stream and not miss out on the biggest 4/20 virtual celebration.  

When and where do I stream it? 

• When: April 20, 2020 12:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. PDT. 
• Where: You can watch it at Weedmaps’ 420 webpage, which is here. 

Who is performing?

Musicians:

• Wiz Khalifa (DJ set)
• Billy Ray Cyrus (acoustic set & video premiere)
• Berner (listening party and smoke session giveaway) 
• Ari Lennox
• Stephen Marley
• Tycho (DJ set)
• Dave East
• Cam’ron
• The Alchemist
• Kitty Cash

Comedians:

• Joey “Coco” Diaz 
• Tony Hinchcliffe
• Chaunté Wayans

Chefs:

• Chef Nikki 
• Chef Miguel Trinidad

How much does it cost to watch?

Nothing. It’s completely free to stream. 

Community givebacks

Weedmaps is partnering with the Last Prisoner Project, a coalition dedicated to bringing restorative justice to the cannabis industry, to highlight their efforts as well as to host a donation drive. 

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Last Prisoner Project (@lastprisonerproject) on Apr 16, 2020 at 9:06am PDT

Additionally, the Minority Cannabis Business Association (MCBA) and Minorities for Medical Marijuana (M4MM) will have messages during the live stream.   

Why watch?

The answer: 4/20 is an important time within the cannabis community. It’s not only a cultural celebration for weed, but it’s a chance to look back at how far we’ve come since the days of prohibition and remember all the hard, difficult work that lies ahead in expanding access to cannabis for all. 

Also: It’s a party! We know y’all are cooped up inside, missing the act of going to concerts and comedy shows and burning one with our friends. We are, too! This is a chance to see some of your favorite artists, donate to some great causes, and spark one up with your cannabis community, including Smokers Club, Cookies, and Weedmaps. Tune out all the noise and tune in with us. 

The post Watch the Weedmaps' 4/20 Live Stream appeared first on Weedmaps News.

Source: wm

With most of the country under stay-at-home orders due to Covid-19, there is no better time than the present to grab your favorite strain, kick back in front of a great movie and forget the world for a while. 

While there are lots of movies out there that feature weed and iconic stoner characters, like 1993‘s Dazed and Confused, other movies to watch while high might not feature weed at all, but present compelling plots or visual storytelling that can be enjoyed on a distinctly separate level.

To learn more about what makes for the best movies to watch high, Weedmaps spoke with Steve Bloom, writer, editor and pot culture aficionado. Among Bloom’s many credits, he is the founder and publisher of CelebStoner, former co-editor at High Times, current editor-in-chief at Centennial Media (Marijuana Goes Mainstream), and co-author of the books, PotCulture: The A-Z Guide to Stoner Language and Life and Reefer Movie Madness; The Ultimate Stoner Film Guide. 

Stoner movies through the ages 

“What makes a stoner movie, first and foremost, is pot. The more marijuana the better. Bongs, joints, lots of smoke, gags and jokes,” said Bloom. “A stoner movie is a comedy generally speaking, and the theme revolves around whatever characters — usually a couple of guys — and their marijuana use.” 

For Bloom, the granddaddy of all stoner movies is 1969’s Easy Rider, starring Peter Fonda, Jack Nicholson and Dennis Hopper. But long before Easy Rider, there was the original Reefer Madness, the 1936 prohibition tale that focused on, from the Internet Movie Database (IMDB), “a trio of drug dealers that lead innocent teenagers to become addicted to ‘reefer’ cigarettes by holding wild parties with jazz music.”

And according to Bloom, Cheech and Chong defined the comedic stoner movies as we know them with the 1978 film Up in Smoke, followed by Nice Dreams, Still Smoking, Things are Tough All Over and Roasted. These movies not only provided the much-copied formula for stoner comedy, but laid the groundwork for actor/producers like Seth Rogen, whose credits are dominated by stoner films, and writer/actor/director/producer Kevin Smith, whose stony film Clerks put him (Silent Bob) and Jason Mewes (Jay) on the Hollywood map. 

Bloom’s picks and recommendations

You can check out all of Bloom’s top picks for The Top 25 Stoner Movies of All Time on the website CelebStoner, but here are some of his favorites: 

• The Big Lebowski (1998): “The Dude is one of the great stoner characters. Jeff Bridges has had a career sort of defined by Jeff Lebowski. The guy just wants to smoke a joint and a bowl.”
• 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968): “This is a great example of a stoner movie with no drugs in it. [It’s} considered to be one of the great stoner movies of all time because of the visuals.” 
• Dazed and Confused (1993): ”There are so many great actors that came out of that movie. Matthew McConaughey, Ben Affleck, Joey Lauren Adams, Parker Posey. It is really one of the true top 10 stoner movies.”
• Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle (2004), Harold & Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay (2008): “These are absolutely stoner movies. [Harold and Kumar are] Cheech and Chong-like in terms of culty weed roles with Asian stoners, they’re kind of reminiscent of the Cheech and Chong formula.”
• Barbarella (1968): Bloom features this flick in the sci-fi section of his book. Starring a young and nubile Jane Fonda as space adventurer Barbarella, according to IMDB, she is assigned by the President of Earth to retrieve Dr. Durand Durand from the Tau Ceti planetary system. 
• Half Baked (1998): Dave Chapelle does double duty in this film about three stoners who try to raise bail for their friend by selling stolen pot. 
• Pineapple Express (2008): Seth Rogen and James Franco’s mid-2000s stoner classic made the stoner flick mainstream and a legitimate movie genre. Seth Rogen has been a weed icon ever since and the Pineapple Express strain has become one of the most popular strains in weed culture.
• Jay and Silent Bob Reboot (2019): According to Bloom, this reboot directed by Kevin Smith is the best stoner movie of 2019. Featuring a reunited Jay and Silent Bob, the pair goes to Hollywood to stop ‘Bluntman and Chronic’ from being remade. 

If watching movies featuring stoner high jinks isn’t necessarily your thing, Bloom suggests checking out movies that feature captivating visuals. He suggests movies in the realm of science fiction or animation that are visually exciting. “It’s a fun experience to watch a movie that’s taking you places visually,” said Bloom. “It could be a Star Wars movie, anything that’s turning you on in terms of the visuals. You could do whatever movie you want, it doesn’t matter if you’re doing drugs or not. There are tons of movies you could watch while high.” 

While 1999’s Fight Club and 2010’s Inception turns up on many “movies to watch while high” lists, Bloom believes it’s probably best to stay away from films heavy on the violence, especially when compounded by the strange and anxiety-inducing world we currently inhabit. 

Featured image from Shutterstock

The post Best Movies to Watch While High appeared first on Weedmaps News.

Source: wm