A Cultural Love Story

For Alessandro Zecca and Danielle Duran-Zecca, a husband-and-wife team of culinary dynamos, the concept of romance language takes on many forms. It’s in their signature cuisine, “Mexitalian,” which merges Zecca’s Italian heritage with Danielle’s upbringing in Los Angeles as the child of Guadalajaran immigrants. It’s in their buzzy new LA restaurant, Amiga Amore, which serves up Mexitalian dishes in a cozy space created by the couple themselves. And it’s also in their shared love of cannabis and its incorporation into their fine-dining pop-ups. 

Like so many love stories, this one started in New York City.

“I went to culinary school in Pasadena at Le Cordon Bleu,” said Duran-Zecca. “The restaurant scene in LA wasn’t as booming as it is now, and I needed a change. I got an opportunity in New York City and bought a one-way ticket, sold everything but two suitcases, and went to go work at Le Bernardin to get Michelin star training.”

After working in the famed French eatery for one year as a line cook, learning and elevating through the ranks, she landed a sous chef position at The Modern restaurant in The Museum of Modern Art in New York. Through that position, she met Zecca.

“We had so much in common,” she said. “He was opening up a restaurant, and he was also on crutches. He had hurt himself and we ended up living like off of the same train. I helped him home… I was just a really nice girl.”

Originally from Italy, Zecca had been working in New York as a restaurant manager. Having grown up in the kitchen of the restaurant where his mother worked her way from server to owner, he was ready to open a spot of his own.

In 2009, he hired Duran-Zecca (at that time, just Duran) to be the chef of his first restaurant, Vespa, in New York. It thrived until an astronomical rent raise in 2017 forced the restaurant to close.

“We had gotten everything out of New York and we wanted to start a family,” said Duran-Zecca. “We wanted to have a restaurant again of our own, and we just didn’t feel like we could get it again there.”

The pair moved back to Duran-Zecca’s native Los Angeles and began hosting pop-ups around the city featuring a cuisine they dubbed “Mexitalian.”

With dishes like huitlacoche cacio e pepe and chile Colorado cavatelli, Mexitalian merges their respective lineages in an unexpected way that reflects their many years in fine dining. The food is chic and delicious, with an air of whimsy as opposed to the pretense that often makes fine dining feel inaccessible.

It was through these Mexitalian pop-ups that they linked up with Cannabis Supper Club, an LA-based cannabis dining collective, and started incorporating weed into their culinary experience. Before that, the frequent smokers had only dabbled with making edibles for friends, mainly using cannabis as medicine for themselves.

“My relationship with the cannabis plant is strong and passionate,” said Zecca. “It lets my creativity flow and helps me relax when I need it most.” 

“It’s my medicine,” said Duran-Zecca. “My family comes from a lot of mental health issues. They all have anxiety, bipolar, this and that. I just never wanted to take pills. But being a chef is a high-stress job. [Cannabis is] my relaxation.

“When I got in touch with the Cannabis Supper Club, it mashed what I love to do outside of work, which is smoke, with my love for fine dining. We were delivering a higher, no pun intended, experience.”

Their cannabis dinners are centered more on the idea of pairing cannabis with food, either with dabs and flower or by adding THC or CBD drops to dishes after they’re prepared, as opposed to infusing the food itself, which can be tricky when it comes to consistent dosing for large groups. 

“We weren’t necessarily infusing the food, but we were pairing it like you would with wine,” Duran-Zecca said. “It was beautiful. The care that went into growing that flower is the same care that went into growing the farmers’ market mushrooms that I used, you know? And it wasn’t about getting faded or anything like that. No alcohol was served. All guests can partake in the cannabis aspect of the experience as much or as little as they please, then take the goodie bag home and experiment.” 

After five years of running pop-ups around Los Angeles, gaining momentum behind their Mexitalian cuisine, the couple was able to open Amiga Amore, a brick-and-mortar Mexitalian restaurant, aptly near where Duran-Zecca grew up in Highland Park.

“The restaurant has been a labor of love,” she said. “It used to be a jewelry store, so there was no kitchen. There was no bar. There were no water lines. We did a lot of work, and we did a lot of it to ourselves.

“We’re really, really proud of it. It’s not the fanciest of restaurants, but it’s our aesthetic to feel like you’re in our home. The fancy part and the whole show come out on the plate. We want you to feel comfortable and homey and relaxed, then get wowed as the food starts to arrive.”

As for what they’re looking forward to next?

 “We’re just excited to keep being in our home, you know?” Duran-Zecca said. “I think we were a pop-up for so long that we got used to just always picking up and being on the move. It feels so nice that it is all here. I just come in and I turn on the lights.”

Mahi-Mahi Aguachile Infused With CBD or THC

Recipe by Amiga Amore
Makes 4 servings

Ingredients:

Broth:

2 apples (Granny Smith preferred)
2 cucumbers (either 2 Persian or ½ hothouse variety, sliced into half-circles)
1 serrano pepper
¼ cup water
½ cup lime juice

Aguachile:

1 pound mahi-mahi (or any other fish you like and can slice thin)
½ small red onion 
6 radishes, sliced thin
1 avocado, sliced thin
1 bunch of cilantro
1 jalapeño, sliced thin

Method:

1. Juice apples, cucumber, and serrano pepper together. Mix with lime juice and water. If you don’t have a juicer, place all ingredients in a blender and purée.
2. Set a fine mesh strainer over a bowl and pour the contents from the blender into it.
3. Let this drain for 20 min. Do not push the mixture through as you want this liquid to be clear. Salt to taste and refrigerate.
4. Slice red onion, radish, avocado, and jalapeño thin, set aside. Chop cilantro. Put a little lime juice over red onion to remove the sharp raw taste.
5. Slice fish to ⅛ in. thick, not too thin.
6. Arrange mahi-mahi with the red onion, radish, avocado, jalapeno and cilantro. Place onto a plate and pour broth over fish with salt. 
7. Serve with saltine crackers, or chips of your choice.

To infuse, use a dropper to add CBD or THC to the liquid broth:

5 mg THC to start (add more if needed)
10 mg CBD to start (add more if needed)

This article was originally published in the March 2024 issue of High Times Magazine.

The post A Cultural Love Story appeared first on High Times.

source https://hightimes.com/culture/a-cultural-love-story/

¿Por Qué Consumimos Cannabis? Un Cómic Uruguayo Explora Las Razones (Y Probablemente No Sean las que Pensás)

Nota por Hernán Panessi publicada originalmente en El Planteo. Más artículos por El Planteo en High Times en Español.

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A lo largo de la historia uruguaya, la marihuana ha sido prohibida, reverenciada, cultivada, traficada y, finalmente, legalizada en el 2013. Sin embargo, a pesar de haber dado un paso al frente, la planta del cannabis y sus usuarios siguen sufriendo estigmatizaciones.

Con frescura y sin solemnidades, el libro Cannabis democratiza la mirada del usuario, conversa sobre el tema sin demonios ni santitos y se yergue sobre historias de consumo cotidiano en formato cómic.

“Amén de la creación de un mercado informal interno, está claro que los uruguayos prefieren obtener cannabis de fuentes legales, ya sea a través del autocultivo, clubes de membresía o farmacias”, asegura Pablo “Roy” Leguísamo, guionista, escritor y autor de la historieta Cannabis, un compilado de pinceladas mitad humorísticas, mitad profundas, que orbitan el imaginario 420.

Viñetas sueltas

El trabajo de Roy vinculado con el cannabis nació del junte con Lento, revista de La Diaria de Montevideo, que convocó a Roy y a la ilustradora Maco con el objetivo de crear un cómic serializado. Después de presentarle algunas ideas al editor, la que más aceptación tuvo fue la de Cannabis, posiblemente por la sensibilidad del tema.

Y, tras ser publicadas en viñetas, las historias de Cannabis terminaron recopiladas en una antología en formato libro, publicado por la editora Dragon Comics.

Contenido relacionado: Conocé a Marijuanaman, el Superhéroe Cannábico de Ziggy Marley: Hablamos con Uno de sus Autores

Por lo demás, María Concepción “Maco” Algorta y Roy, sus autores, mantienen desde hace unos años una profunda relación como guionista y dibujante. De hecho, colaboraron juntos previamente en un tendal de historietas como, por ejemplo, “el libro titulado modestamente Greatest Hits” (el sic es de Roy), publicado en 2016.

Asimismo, Leguísamo es un autor reconocido por sus novelas relacionadas a temas políticos, como la que escribió sobre Los Tupamaros (Tupamaros, La Fuga) o la que trata sobre la visita del Che Guevara a Uruguay (Morir por el Che). “Son obras que han tenido una buena repercusión y popularidad”, sostiene.

Razones para fumar marihuana

Sin estigmatizar ni idolatrar el consumo, el cómic Cannabis, su último trabajo en papel, explora de una forma sencilla y cercana las razones por las cuales las personas consumen marihuana. No obstante, “no es posible que esas razones puedan comprenderse del todo”, avisa el autor.

A ver, ¿cómo sería eso? De su boca: “Creo que hay tantas razones como consumidores, y estas razones pueden cambiar a lo largo del tiempo. Lo importante es que el tema esté sobre la mesa para que se cuestione abiertamente”.

Contenido relacionado: ¿Un Cómic de Harley Quinn con Aroma a Marihuana? Hablamos con Jimmy Palmiotti, su Creador

Entretanto, para su trabajo en Cannabis, Roy dedicó tiempo a la lectura de papers y al visionado de documentales sobre el tema. En ese sentido, aquella investigación previa le aportó un contexto y una narrativa verosímil al asunto.

Por eso, muy probablemente, para su publicación en 2019, ese compromiso le haya servido a su obra para recibir una acogida muy favorable entre los sectores más cercanos al churro y, también, entre los lectores (fumones y de los otros) de historietas.

“Creo que en Uruguay hay un gran interés en abordar el tema de manera más abierta y honesta”, dice Roy.

Un empleo singular

Por caso, si bien el autor se asume a sí mismo como un usuario regular de marihuana, no ha vuelto a escribir sobre el tema desde aquel entonces.

“Probé el porro algunas veces durante la universidad y, luego de que el cannabis se legalizara en Uruguay, comencé a consumirlo de manera más regular con amigos. Hoy, hago mi propia manteca cannábica”.

Contenido relacionado: Grandes Autores del Cómic Mundial Dibujan Héroes Cannábicos para Banco Español: Conocé Hero Seeds

Así las cosas, mientras pasa sus días como guionista de un reality de cocina (el dato es real y es 100% alucinante), se encuentra adaptando una película de ciencia ficción distópica a formato novela. Y, además, trabaja en una adaptación de Los Viajes de Guillever a historieta, junto al artista argentino Juan Caminador.

“Tengo un proyecto con un director para escribir una película de ciencia ficción animada y trabajar en la segunda parte de una novela que escribí hace algún tiempo”, cierra Leguísamo, desde Montevideo.

The post ¿Por Qué Consumimos Cannabis? Un Cómic Uruguayo Explora Las Razones (Y Probablemente No Sean las que Pensás) appeared first on High Times.

source https://hightimes.com/espanol/cannabis-comic-uruguay-historieta/

Prepared to Fail

Comedian Stavros Halkias is ready to chill the fuck out. After blazing through the comedy scene over the past year—self-producing his debut comedy special, Live At The Lodge Room, and recently dropping his first Netflix special, Fat Rascal, just over a year later—the New York-based comedian hailing from Baltimore is ready to finally rest for a minute.

“I’m tired of hotel rooms and Delta lounges,” Halkias said during a recent phone conversation. “I’m looking forward to sitting on my couch, smoking weed, and just zoning out for a couple of months.”

It’s a well-deserved respite for a man who’s been in the spotlight seemingly overnight. But a look under the hood reveals Halkias has been hitting the road hard in preparation for his first Netflix special—shooting it less than a year after Lodge Room dropped—while simultaneously continuing with his podcast Stavvy’s World and writing and shooting an indie movie Let’s Start A Cult which is expected to drop this year.

Throughout our conversation, Halkias opened up on his path to success, his relationship with weed, and how thinking he wasn’t going to “make it” helped his comedy career unfold in a fun, organic way that ultimately led to success.

High Times Magazine: Growing up in Baltimore, was pursuing comedy always the goal?

Stavros Halkias: It was a weird thing because, in the back of my head, I knew I always wanted to pursue comedy, but it was this forbidden thing because I’m the firstborn son in an immigrant family.

I was good at school. I went to school on scholarship, and everyone expected me to become a lawyer or something. Comedy was something I could never fully admit to openly but was something I knew I wanted to get into.

My freshman year of college, there was an open mic night in the basement of my dorm, so I decided to try stand-up for the first time. It was a very friendly crowd, and it became sort of this secret thing. I don’t want to equate it to being in the closet—obviously, being queer in the closet is much harder, and I’m not saying it affected my life in a negative way—but it did feel like I was living with a secret that I didn’t want my parents to find out about. I knew it had to come out eventually, and I was always trying to find acceptable ways to flex that funny talent and desire.

You knew innately your calling, but because of external factors—namely your parents—you were stuck in the comedy closet.

I was, man. I really was. I was a lot funnier to be around when I didn’t have comedy because you’re trying to prove you’re funny and flex that muscle. I was always joking around in school and fucking with people—which is also a product of going to Baltimore City Public Schools—where you kind of have to roast for your life. You have to roast to make sure you’re not getting mocked, especially when you’re a fat kid—which I’ve been my entire life and have been pretty comfortable with. Humor is also a classic deflecting device and is a good way to endear yourself to people, so while I couldn’t admit that comedy was what I wanted to pursue, it was my strongest social asset when I was a little kid.

What helped you eventually embrace comedy as part of your identity?

My buddy Eldis Sula—producer of my podcast Stavvy’s World and my tour manager—is my best friend, who I met in kindergarten. He’s a very funny guy—even though he’s not a performer—and I used to run all my jokes by him. I remember doing that first open mic and then crashing Eldis’s apartment to do open mics in College Park, D.C. It was literally freshman year of college when I was no longer in my family environment, away from those pressures and expectations. In the same way, kids experiment with all kinds of shit in college; it was the same for me and comedy. The second I stopped living with immigrant guilt, I was like, “Fuck it, let’s do this.”

Was the validation from friends and peers for being funny the thing that gave you the confidence to keep going?

It’s not even a matter of confidence. I just don’t feel I ever wanted to do anything else. I remember doing open mics, being like, “Hey, if nothing happens from this, I will do open mics my whole life.” That’s what I thought when I was 22. You can think that when you’re 22, but it’s a different story if you’re fucking 40 and you have kids, and you’re missing soccer practice because you’re bombing at an open mic.

I never thought about “what could go wrong,” and really, I was just prepared to fail. I just assumed it wasn’t going to work out. My craziest goals were to headline really shitty clubs—I just wanted to find really shitty places to perform.

I never really thought about my career, never cared about what was going to happen, and I got very lucky that when the time came to start thinking about that stuff, my career started to do well.

While I’ve never come face to face with some kind of “needing confidence” moment, I did quit comedy after doing it at 19 for two years. Two years after starting, all that immigrant guilt came back. I fully quit comedy for a year and a half and dedicated myself to studying. I was in the public policy scholarship program, and I interned in the Maryland House of Delegates and was getting my resume together. I even went to therapy to try and work through my guilt issues. But I was so miserable for those 18 months that it was so clear I had to do shitty open mics. I was so depressed from trying not to be a comedian that I committed myself to comedy—with the idea that if it ever made me as equally depressed—I’d find something else to do.

Now you’ve got your special Fat Rascal out on Netflix. How did your journey so far culminate with this material and what’s the inspiration behind it?

I’m really proud of the hour. I worked really hard on it, and it really is the culmination of all of these different things.

After going on tour with Bobby Kelly, I was doing a podcast with Adam Friedland and Nick Mullen called Cum Town, and we started making money on it, which is where I had my first taste of a fanbase. So, as that grew, I started to post videos online, which became an online fanbase. That then powered ticket sales, which then helped power my first self-produced special, Live At The Lodge Room, which got over six million views [on YouTube].

Suddenly, I had all this attention from all of these different sources. I had planned to take some time off, but for the first time, I had a real demand. So, instead of taking time off, I stayed on the road that entire year and ended up developing a new hour faster than I’d anticipated. I thought, “Could I potentially get a Netflix special?” It felt crazy and farfetched, but I wanted to try for it—and if it seemed possible—I’d do it. It was like, “Fuck taking a year off, this could change my life.” I felt I had the opportunity to work on some cool shit, and you don’t get a lot of those chances. We put the pedal to the medal, and to my surprise, everything worked out. The flipside to that, though, was that I then had to do everything.

The material for Fat Rascal was really forged in the chaos of things popping for me and me trying to seize the moment—doing eight-show weekends so I could really hammer the material home while also doing a bunch of other stuff. A lot of it is about me giving into my vices—the portrait of a guy who’s all over the place, a little scatter-brained, traveling constantly, disconnected emotionally—who’s not doing great but is still trying to keep it together and make the special. It’s like a child born out of a dysfunctional family that you’re really hoping will grow up to be an honors student. That’s what this special is. Having said that, I’m really proud of it and I think the kid’s really smart—I think he’s really got somethin’ [laughs].

What role—if any—did cannabis play in your process?

A very prominent one. I’m a huge edibles guy, with weed being my biggest issue. They say there’s no weed addicts, but it’s pretty fucking good as far as I’m concerned. I love getting high constantly, and it was the kind of thing where I was having too good a time.

Still, when I’m stressed, the thing I like most is decompressing with a joint—even more so than pills or a couple of drinks. The ritual of a joint before bed is awesome, but that ritual turned into 50 milligrams before bed and getting Ben & Jerry’s. I could tell when I was getting serious because I was like, “Alright, weed’s gotta go for a second [laughs]. You know what I mean? I gotta lock up my friend and see him after all this work gets done.”

Food, weed, and girls—or just trying to have sex—is the best time in the world for me. Getting high with a pretty girl, splitting a fucking pint of Ben & Jerry’s—that’s the dream, baby.

Does it aid your creativity, or is your consumption mainly to reduce stress?

Weed is more of a good time for me, but when it hits in that creative zone, it feels great. If I smoke early in the day, don’t overdo it, and pair it with a coffee or ADHD meds—I’m in the fucking zone. My problem is I like it too much, and I think, “If I feel this good right now, why don’t I smoke even more? [laughs]” And then it’s like, “Fuck it, we’re watching Chuck Norris movies instead of working the rest of the day.”

This article was originally published in the March 2024 issue of High Times Magazine.

The post Prepared to Fail appeared first on High Times.

source https://hightimes.com/culture/prepared-to-fail/

Cannabeginners: What is Humulene?

Humulene is one of the predominant terpenes in Humulus lupulus, the common hops, from which it derives its name. As hops and cannabis are plant cousins, it should come as no surprise that humulene is also one of the most common terpenes in cannabis.

What is Humulene?

Like beta-caryophyllene, alpha-humulene (or humulene) is a sesquiterpene, but it does not have the cyclobutane ring which makes caryophyllene stand out from other terpenes. Due to how frequently they are found together, in the past humulene was referred to as alpha-caryophyllene, but it is a substantially different terpene with its own medical effects. While beta-caryophyllene has been identified as a dietary cannabinoid, humulene has so far not been given that same status. 

As the core ingredient in heavily hopped beers, like India Pale Ales, hops is usually described as having a bitter or “hoppy” flavor, which isn’t terribly helpful for anyone who hasn’t had an IPA. What is meant by bitter and hoppy is that the flavor is herbal, woody, or spicy, similar to the scents and flavors of the ginseng, sage, and cannabis plants where it also is commonly found. 

It is important to note, that despite humulene (a terpene) having a very similar name to “humulone,” they are very different chemicals, and humulone is not a terpene but actually a form of lupulic acid found in hops. If you are researching studies on humulene you should be certain that the studies you are looking at are on humulene and not humulone. 

The Hops Connection

Despite IPAs having “India” in their name, they were first brewed in England and originally called barleywine, the name became IPA when the British Indian army began to import it to India. While today, barleywine is a distinctly different style of beer with a higher alcohol content and sweeter flavor than most IPAs, what they have in common is a huge amount of hops, thus, humulene. Some of the original IPAs were brewed with “up to 10 pounds [of hops] per barrel.” The main reason for hops in beer is that it acts as a preservative, and as the main terpene in hops (up to 52% of the terpenes), humulene plays a huge part in those effects. In addition to having a high amount of humulene, most hops cultivars also have a significant amount of caryophyllene and myrcene. Like cannabis, there can be a wide range of flavors for different types of hops, from the sweet citrus Citra hops, to bitter cultivars like Chinook.

Given the strong genetic links between hops and cannabis, the overlap in terpenes shouldn’t be a shocker. The similarities go even deeper than that, as both cannabis and hops have resinous glands (either trichomes in cannabis, or lupulin glands in hops). This explains why many beer brewers and top craft breweries have been working on creating cannabis-infused beer, either with just terpenes, or in some cases cannabinoids as well. 

Humulene in Cannabis

Despite humulene being one of the major terpenes in cannabis, the overall percentage can be quite low. In one older study, researchers found that just 0.7-6.7% of the terpenes in cannabis samples was humulene. In a 2018 study, the percentage of humulene was found to be as low as 11% to potentially as high as 27%, significantly more than in previous research.

Generally speaking, plants have terpenes because they offer some kind of defense or benefit to the plant, and humulene is no exception. Multiple studies have shown humulene to have insecticidal effects in a variety of plants, including “paralysis and muscle contractions … which indicates neurotoxic effects,” and it displays a “deterrent effect” against the yellow fever mosquito. Presumably, humulene plays a similar role in cannabis and hops, fending off predatory insects. 

Medical Effects Of Humulene

Pain is one of the major conditions people turn to cannabis for, and humulene is one of the chemicals that plays a role in those pain relieving effects. Research has shown it to be an “effective analgesic when taken topically, orally, or by aerosol.” Multiple studies have found humulene to possess anti-inflammatory properties when taken topically, orally, and by aerosol. In one study, humulene was found to have anti-inflammatory effects comparable to the drug dexamethasone.

Just like humulene can protect plants from insects, it can help protect your body from bacteria. Despite humulene being a relatively minor constituent of balsam fir oil, it was found to be one of three terpenes in that oil with an effect against Staphylococcus aureus bacteria. In a 2020 study on humulene researchers noted it was also effective against enterotoxigenic Bacteroides fragilis, which can cause inflammatory bowel disease and colorectal cancer.

Beyond helping prevent a potential cause of colorectal cancer, humulene has demonstrated anti-cancer properties for a range of other cancers. In another study looking at balsam fir oil, humulene was observed to have dose-dependent antitumor effects through multiple mechanisms of action. A different study on humulene and cancer found its antiproliferative activities to be “significant,” and also that it possessed no binding properties for the CB2 receptor. Finally, caryophyllene has been shown to “significantly increase the anticancer activity of alpha-humulene.”

A Quick Hit

Humulene is one of the main terpenes found in both cannabis and hops, giving them a woody, spicy, or herbal flavor. In addition to giving IPAs their characteristic flavor, humulene has a number of medical benefits including antibacterial and anticancer properties.

The post Cannabeginners: What is Humulene? appeared first on High Times.

source https://hightimes.com/guides/cannabeginners-what-is-humulene/

Pew Survey Finds 9 in 10 Americans Support Pot Legalization

Thinking back just 10 years ago, the previous U.S. cannabis landscape stood in stark contrast to the one we enjoy today. The United States currently has 38 states with legal medical or recreational cannabis, with 74% of Americans living in a legal cannabis state and 79% living in a county with at least one cannabis dispensary. 

With nearly 15,000 dispensaries throughout the nation, retail cannabis stores now outnumber the roughly 13,500 McDonald’s locations in the country.

Given the prevalence of legal cannabis throughout the nation, and as reform becomes a prominent political talking point among state lawmakers and even in the executive branch, it’s perhaps unsurprising that American attitudes surrounding cannabis legalization have become overwhelmingly supportive over the years.

Most Americans Continue to Support Cannabis Legalization

Pew Research Center has consistently monitored this progression, with its most recent report affirming that U.S. citizens are indeed incredibly supportive of legal cannabis. The survey was conducted Jan. 16-21, 2024 among 5,140 adult participants.

Nearly nine in 10 U.S. Americans (88%) said that cannabis should be legal for medical or recreational use, and a majority (57%) said that they believe cannabis should be legal for both medical and recreational purposes. About a third (32%) said that cannabis should only be legal for medical use, while just 11% of respondents said that cannabis should not be legal whatsoever.

The survey also took a closer look at American attitudes surrounding the impacts of legalization, with 52% saying it’s good for local economies (17% said it is bad while 29% said it has no impact). Respondents were also asked about reform’s impact on the criminal justice system, with 42% saying that legalizing recreational cannabis results in more fairness (18% said recreational legalization makes criminal justice less fair and 38% said it has no impact).

Negative Impacts of Cannabis Reform and Party Divisions

American views were more mixed when it came to recreational cannabis legalization and some of the more negative potential implications.

Around the same amount of respondents said that adult-use cannabis legalization increases (29%) or decreases (27%) the use of other drugs (42% said it has no impact), and more Americans viewed recreational cannabis legalization as creating less safety (34%) for communities over more (21%), with the majority (44%) saying that it does not have an impact on community safety.

While cannabis reform has steadily gained more bipartisan support over time, the survey shows that Democrats and Democrat-leaning independents still tend to show more support than their Republican counterparts. Democrats largely believe that recreational cannabis is good for local economies (64%) and makes the criminal justice system more fair (58%), while fewer Republicans said the same (41% and 27%, respectively).

Consequently, Republican respondents tended to cite the negative potential impacts of cannabis reform more than Democrats, with 42% saying it increases the use of other drugs (compared to 17% of Democrats) and 48% saying it makes communities less safe (compared to 21% of Democrats who said the same).

While the long-term impacts of cannabis reform are still being studied, it should be noted that numerous studies have debunked the assertion that cannabis reform encourages the use of other drugs. Similarly, studies have shown cannabis legalization is not associated with an uptick in car crashes, a rise in use among youth or youth perceptions of cannabis.

American Attitudes ‘Largely Unchanged’ in Recent Years

Looking closer at other demographics, Pew echoes myriad other studies and surveys finding that older adults are far less likely than younger adults to support cannabis legalization. Pew reported similar trends when it came to attitudes around the impacts of cannabis legalization, with younger respondents far more likely to report that cannabis is good for local economies and makes the criminal justice system more fair.

The polling is largely consistent with Pew’s previous reports. The 2022 survey also reported that 88% of American adults supported legal medical or recreational cannabis, with 10% stating cannabis use should not be legal at all.

Speaking to the survey results, Paul Armentano, deputy director for the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML) advocacy group, said that the increasing support can be linked to a lack of “buyer’s remorse” surrounding cannabis legalization among voters.

“As more states have adopted legalization, public support for this policy has risen dramatically,” Armentano said. “That’s because these policies are largely working as intended and because voters prefer legalization and regulation over the failed policy of cannabis prohibition. Elected officials who refuse to take action to end cannabis criminalization do so at their own political peril.”

The post Pew Survey Finds 9 in 10 Americans Support Pot Legalization appeared first on High Times.

source https://hightimes.com/news/pew-survey-finds-9-in-10-americans-support-pot-legalization/

Gavin Rossdale Shows How Celebrity Weed Features Should Be Done

Since breaking through with Sixteen Stone in 1994, Bush’s Gavin Rossdale has been a music industry mainstay. The debut album peaked at #4 on the Billboard charts, leading to successful albums and side projects over the next three decades. In all, Rossdale and Bush have amassed 24 million record sales and over a billion streams. 

The band’s debut release, known for hits like “Machinehead” and “Glycerine,” solidified Bush’s 90s legacy. They continued with chart-topping releases, including 1996’s follow-up Razorblade Suitcase, and maintained momentum through the 2000s. Their latest album, The Art of Survival, released in 2022. 

The combined endeavors created a lasting impact in the ears and minds of listeners, amassing 24 million records sold and over a billion streams across various platforms. With Gen-Z leading a 90s revival in recent years, the band has earned scores more fans while reminding older listeners that unlike some 90s acts, Bush isn’t a nostalgia act. 

That’s great and all, but why are we talking about this in a weed publication?

Great question! It all boils down to authenticity. Gavin Rossdale’s eager engagement with New York’s weed culture, exploring both licensed and unlicensed scenes, stands out in the saturated world of celebrity weed narratives that few others have been willing to embark on. In doing so, he created a lasting experience for himself and hopefully readers. 

The Licensed Dispensary Experience

We introduced Rossdale to New York’s licensed cannabis scene with a stop at The Travel Agency in Union Square, a sleek, all-white interior dispensary with discreet marketing, thanks to state laws. Despite its unassuming street presence, marked only by a small sign above eye level, a joint-styled art installation in the window lets passersby know what’s inside.

Rossdale mentioned previously visiting one of the city’s untold number of unlicensed shops in the city. He discussed how the shop gave off a lack of trust and fostered shopper uncertainty about product quality and trust. 

“You’re just basically buying it old school from some dude on the corner,” he remarked. Rossdale felt similarly uncertain about licensed shop products, likely due to his unfamiliarity with many of the brands sold in the store and an inability to smell flower. 

However, he took a keen interest in learning. Photographer Jhalil D. Wright and I peppered Rossdale with facts about the market, products, and particular brands. Typically, this type of info dump leads many to tune out or lose interest. To the singer’s credit, he soaked up the information, showing an eagerness to learn about topics like market trust, sprayed terps, and drying and curing methods.

While shopping, the Bush frontman discussed his preference for smoking flower and largely avoiding pre-rolls. After browsing for a few minutes, Rossdale bought an eighth of Mimosa from Etain despite the restrictions on examining product before buying. He also scooped up edibles from Eaton Botanticals, infused olive oil from Chef for Higher, and Flintts Mints.

The experience was fine enough, or at least as much as a shop can deliver under New York law. But, like many legacy consumers, Rossdale seemed to be seeking something more hands-on. To get that, we visited the underground hotspot Astor Club. 

On the ride over, Rossdale discussed his preferences for weed over alcohol, stating that drinking and hangovers do not benefit singers while on tour. No matter the substance, Rossdale likes to remember that it should amplify the moment or intention, not bring someone down. He’s shared this with his three sons under-18. 

He emphasized the importance of telling them the truth. “Use it to amplify the moment instead of pull you down,” he explained. “My main thing is just to be a guy, to be helpful, not a hypocrite,” he said, noting that pot makes him feel creative. To maintain the effects to his ideal level, Rossdale tends to consume every few days. 

The Legacy Experience

At Astor Club, Rossdale found the cannabis experience he was looking for. No shade to The Travel Agency or any other licensed spot. It’s not their fault. The current state and federal regulations don’t allow dispensaries to compete with the flower or features found at underground meccas. On the other hand, Astor Club has cultivated a reputation for sourcing the top bud from elite producers across the country—all while creating an environment synonymous with the culture. 

After rolling up a J of Cookie Dough from Khashtree Mason, Rossdale was convinced. “It’s like Cristal Champagne,” he said, offering ample praise for the bud and the lounge. The Bush founder was so fond of the strain that he almost stuck to it exclusively. Staff ended up reminding him of their extensive menu, all top tier options in their own right. Eventually, a few different strains were selected and smoked.  

After smoking another J, Rossdale discussed his career and personal life in-depth. Feeling that living with intention, learning, and striving to improve are all important, he said, “You have to put everything into it.” As evidenced by Bush’s new harder rock and detuned sound, Rossdale said he loves finding new sounds and ways to play music, as evidenced by the detuned sound on the band’s 2022 album The Art of Survival. 

A greatest hits album, Loaded, was released in October 2023. Originally hesitant to put out a hits compilation and be seen as a fading act, Rossdale is now eager to see the band’s top works compiled together. 

“It’s been really fun to look back and see what those songs have done for other people,” Rossdale said, sharing a similar feeling when playing live. “When I play those big crowds, it’s really fun, because there’s all these memories emanating like shooting stars out of all the audiences.” The band embarks on a summer tour starting June 1. 

Despite the ongoing passion for music and performing, Rossdale does see retirement happening at some point. A self-proclaimed fan of restaurants and food, he recently put his passion on screen hosting his own celebrity cooking show, Rockstar Kitchen Chronicles, featuring guests such as Tom Jones and Jack McBrayer. 

Despite a love for food, music, the plant, and more, Rossdale envisions dogs as his ideal next career. “I would like to run a huge ranch for rescue dogs and animals,” he said. 

Enamored with the menu of choices, Rossdale, Jhalil and I departed Astor Club with a few more selections, including more Cookie Dough and Moon Doh from Archive. 

An Authentic Celebrity Experience

Credit to Rossdale and his public relations team. All too often, PR will pitch Zoom interviews and carefully curated celebrity press ops that blanket numerous outlets and reporters, often regurgitating the same talking points no matter the outlet. 

After years of writing up celeb features that didn’t do much for the plant or reader, I have chosen to steer clear of most star-studded coverage, especially those making the media rounds hawking their new seeds, strain, brand, etc. Rossdale was no doubt in press mode, promoting his new tour and latest single. But unlike far too many celebrities, he didn’t have a stake in the weed game. He just wanted to pick up, smoke, and talk shop. 

This simple, authentic concept is one few outside of hip hop have even flirted with on the record. And that’s a damn shame. The standard media approach does little for readers and, as sales seem to indicate, it does little to help most brands boost sales or awareness. Rather than Zoom-ing or calling it to discuss a fondness for weed, Rossdale showed up, discussed his own experiences, and demonstrated an authentic desire to learn more. In doing so, he got to see both sides of New York City’s weed community, and got hella high in the process. And, unless I fucked up in my role as the storyteller here, the Rossdale approach makes for a better story every time. 

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Minnesota Bill Doubles Home Grow Plant Count for MMJ Patients

Medical marijuana patients would be permitted to grow up to 16 cannabis plants at home under a bill now pending in the state legislature. If approved, patients and caregivers would be able to grow twice the number of plants allowed under the state’s recreational marijuana legalization law, which went into effect on August 1 of last year.

Minnesota legalized medical marijuana in 2014 with a law that allows patients diagnosed with certain qualifying conditions to use cannabis medicinally with a doctor’s recommendation. The law also allows the state’s approximately 41,000 registered patients to designate a caregiver to pick up medical marijuana from a licensed medical dispensary on their behalf. The law did not authorize home cultivation by patients or caregivers, however.

The recreational marijuana legalization bill passed last year allows adults to grow up to eight cannabis plants at home, including up to four mature plants. Under a bill (HF 3766) introduced by Democratic Representative Jessica Hanson earlier this month, registered medical cannabis patients would be permitted to grow 16 plants. The bill also allows registered caregivers to grow marijuana on a patient’s behalf.

Minnesota Lawmaker Advocates for Patients

At a hearing on the legislation on Monday, Hanson said the bill would allow more medical marijuana patients to benefit from homegrown cannabis. She noted that because of their medical conditions, many patients have limited incomes that do not allow them to buy medical marijuana at dispensary prices. Additionally, patients who are disabled or face other limitations often are not able to grow cannabis themselves.

“As it stands, people with disabilities and conditions that qualify them to be on the medical program can only grow their own if they know how to, if they can afford to, if their condition or living situation allows them to or if they know someone who will gift them homegrown products,” Hanson said, according to a report from CBS News.

Hanson told her colleagues that approving the bill would allow more patients to take advantage of the state’s medical cannabis program.

“We do not think that people with qualifying medical conditions on our medical cannabis program ought to be left out of the ability to benefit from homegrown cannabis simply because they are unable to grow it by themselves,” Hanson said in a news report of the hearing published by the Minnesota House of Representatives.

Republican state Representative Anne Neu Brindley questioned the need for Hanson’s bill, noting that the recreational marijuana legalization law allows all adults to grow cannabis at home. She also noted that cannabis grown under Hanson’s bill would not face the same safety testing requirements faced by commercial cannabis growers.

“I would question whether or not caregivers are the best place to do that. They’re not trained in this and we’re treating this as medicine in this situation particularly,” she said. “And so I would question whether or not this is the most appropriate way to move forward on that.”

Hanson replied that the cannabis lab testing infrastructure in Minnesota would not be able to accommodate the demand that would be created by requiring all homegrown medical cannabis to be tested. She also noted that the law does not require testing of home-cultivated recreational marijuana.

“It’s my opinion that setting a different or a higher bar for people with disabilities who simply need help growing their own cannabis at home is not inclusive,” Hanson said.

Leili Fatehi, a cannabis advocate and partner and principal of Minneapolis-based consultancy firm Blunt Strategies, said that the “legislation takes a thoughtful approach to the complex issues faced by patients with debilitating conditions, aiming to reduce the financial burden associated with accessing effective treatment.”

“The efforts of Rep. Jessica Hanson and local advocates highlight a commitment to compassionate, patient-centered healthcare, reflecting the best in both legislative and community leadership,” Fatehi wrote in a statement to High Times. “Moreover, recognizing that many in our registry program are either physically incapable of cultivating cannabis due to health conditions or are hindered by their living situations, this bill addresses the critical need for accessible alternatives to forcing patients to choose between high dispensary prices or the unpredictability of receiving cannabis through legal gifting.”

Hanson’s bill has been referred to the House Commerce Finance and Policy Committee for consideration.

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source https://hightimes.com/news/minnesota-bill-doubles-home-grow-plant-count-for-mmj-patients/

Cannabis Cultivator Fees Waived in New York Until 2026

The New York State Cannabis Control Board (CCB) recently voted to waive cannabis cultivator licensing fees for the next two years. Gov. Kathy Hochul celebrated this recent progress to help struggling cultivators. “Farmers are the backbone of our State, and we’re making sure the family farms across New York that are building our cannabis industry have a real chance to succeed,” Hochul said. “I have made it clear that New York State needs to issue more dispensary licenses and kickstart cannabis sales in New York, and this two-year promise to Adult-Use Conditional Cultivators will make sure these farmers can reap the benefits of this growing industry.”

On the same day, the CCB also approved 114 new cannabis business licenses (45 for retail dispensaries and 31 microbusinesses) which allows the grantees to grow, process, and sell cannabis. The state currently has 89 licensed dispensaries currently operating, and hundreds more licenses that have been granted, with 223 approved in 2024. Additionally, the CCB approved 38 non-conditional adult-use licenses as well. 

Until 2026, cultivators will no longer have to pay for the fee that is applied when they transition to a non-conditional license, such as cultivation or microbusiness licenses. Conditional license fees range anywhere between $4,500 to $40,000, and the price is based on their license tier size and canopy size, according to a press release published by Hochul’s office.

Chris Alexander, executive director of the New York Office of Cannabis Management also provided a statement regarding the new licenses. “New York State’s cannabis market is moving in the right direction, and by waiving licensing fees for two years, we’re making sure conditional cultivators have a chance to reap the rewards of this growing industry,” Alexander said. “As we mark three years of legalized adult-use cannabis in New York state, we look forward to this next chapter of our cannabis story.”

The 114 applicants who were granted licenses on March 22 submitted their applications prior to Nov. 17, 2023, and also already own a physical location for their business. Those who applied after Nov. 17 but before Dec. 18 will likely be approved within the next few months “on a rolling basis.” At the March meeting, the CCB also renewed permits for 17 testing labs. “Since the last Cannabis Control Board meeting in February, 16 new adult-use cannabis dispensaries have opened their doors across New York State,” the CCB wrote in a press release. “This is a continuation of the swift rate of store openings since the December lifting of an injunction preventing New York’s retail cannabis licensees from opening their doors.”

There are an estimated 2,000 illegal cannabis business operators in New York, according to The New York Times. In comparison to the 89 legal businesses (10 which are delivery-only), that is approximately 24 illegal businesses for every one legal business.

The original legal framework for New York’s adult-use cannabis program was signed by former Gov. Andrew Cuomo in March 2021, and Hochul replaced him and took office later that year in August. Last month Hochul spoke about the initial framework. “You have to go back to the very beginning,” Hochul said. “Prior to my time [as governor], the legislation was crafted in a way that was not poised for success.”

As a result though, legal cannabis businesses have been struggling. “We’ve got farmers who are just losing money. We’ve got these people who took out loans and are excited about their opportunities, ready to start,” Hochul said. “And meanwhile, no money is flowing back to the state. We have all this, and the illicit market is flourishing.”

Earlier this month, the New York Senate discussed a budget proposal that would earmark $128 million to support cannabis businesses. This includes $60 million to go toward farmers’ loans, $40 million for Cannabis Farmer Relief Fund grants, and $28 million for cannabis farmers who lost money due to the state’s slow ramp-up for its legal industry.

A few weeks ago on the Senate floor, Sen. George Borrello spoke about the importance of the bill. “We are now three years into where we have passed the legalization of recreational marijuana in New York state—three years now this month,” said Borrello, according to The Post-Journal. “We are now proposing a bailout for pot farmers of $128 million. We all, I think, would agree this has been an abject failure. It’s been said on both sides of the aisle. Somehow New York state has managed to screw up pot. I don’t know how that happens, but we did.”

Sen. Michelle Hinchey proposed a bill last year that was ultimately vetoed by Hochul but would have opened up opportunities for cannabis farmers earlier. “I don’t right now have any numbers on the broader spectrum of cannabis across the state, but I think it’s incredibly important to recognize and acknowledge that these are growers who we asked to grow the product for the market and so the $128 million here is to cover the losses they would have seen since the rollout was delayed and making sure they have the funds to be able to stay in business until the next growing cycle,” Hinchey explained.

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Recreational Rapper Weed: The Rick Ross Interview

Rap music and cannabis are a marriage crafted in heaven, or hell depending on where your God lines up on the whole “getting high” thing.

With the uprising of recreational cannabis has come a plethora of celebrity strain releases. Some of them were obvious marketing ploys with no real foresight or follow through when it came to the actual weed being sold. Some of these collaborations, however, have been met with overwhelming positivity when it comes to the community response. If anyone remembers the Tenco Pink Zushi collab with Coi Leray, or the Knockout OG release from Mike Tyson’s brand, the general consensus on both was that it was fire flower with a big name behind it to fuel sales. In other words, when done correctly, celebrity rec weed can be a win-win for everybody involved.

Rick Ross, the rapper and millionaire teamed up with a Los Angeles-based brand called High Tolerance to bring his own line of celebrity flower to market. High Times had the opportunity to catch up with the boss himself and the High Tolerance guys to find out more about this collaboration and the strains they released, some of which also include collaborations with fellow rappers Jim Jones and Rich the Kid.

High Times: What has cannabis done for you, your life, your career as a rapper?  

Rick Ross: Cannabis has helped me create the music because it’s always put me in the zone.

High Times: What does your strain, Collins Ave, make you feel like? 

Rick Ross: It makes me feel like a Boss. It’s very uplifting, gets my vibes right. It gets me in the place I like.

High Times: What does it taste like? 

Rick Ross: Real sweet, gassy. It’s the finest flower.

High Times: How do you like to consume it (blunts, joints, bongs etc)? 

Rick Ross: Recently I’ve been doing the big joint in my new venture. I’ve been doing a couple bong rips.

High Times: Do you write and/or record your raps high? 

Rick Ross: I’m always smoking that High Tolerance. I have a high tolerance. It helps me stay creative. It’s a big part of my music and my everyday life. 

High Times: Does this help the creative process in your experience? 

Rick Ross: Most definitely. High Tolerance gets me relaxed and focused at the same time and in the zone vibing.

High Times: What made you decide to bring Rich the Kid and Jim Jones in on this collaboration? What do they bring to the table for this experience you’re providing to people?

Rick Ross: I didn’t bring em but Manny the CEO is heavy in the culture. Everybody knows that High Tolerance got the finest flower and it was just natural for them to want their own collab. That’s what they do.

High Times: Why did you choose High Tolerance to create this strain with? 

Rick Ross: High Tolerance has the finest flower and they’re the best in the game right now. Both on the East and West coasts. That’s the top shelf weed that real weed connoisseurs like.

High Times: Anything I didn’t ask you’d like to talk about in connection with this collaboration? 

Rick Ross: We dropped Collins [Ave] and everyone loved it so much we had to come back with more so we dropped Boss Pop and Belair Pop. You guys can find it in dispensaries in Los Angeles everywhere. Stay tuned for some new stuff coming and new limited merch drops.

Photo credit: Shula Da Don

This might not be super common knowledge but before he was a rapper, Rick Ross spent a little over a year as a correctional officer. He talked about it on an episode of the Full Send podcast in March of 2022. The hosts of the podcast asked if he enjoyed the work and he said he was not a fan.

“I didn’t. Anything you gotta really do you’re fuckin’ running, jogging and all of that shit man,” Rick Ross said to the hosts of Full Send.

High Times asked specifically if Rick Ross worked with cannabis prisoners in his experience as a correctional officer and if this experience had anything to do with his venture into the cannabis industry. Unfortunately, Rick Ross declined to comment on this.

As far as the weed itself and the producers behind it, High Tolerance CEO Manny enlightened us a bit on the process that went into choosing the strain to be used for Collins Ave, which he said was a Gelato X Biscotti cross that came out a bit heavier on the Gelato side. Manny said that when he and Rick Ross decided to collaborate, he brought the rapper five to seven samples to try so he could pick his favorites which became Collins Ave, Boss Pop and Belair Pop. The High Tolerance CEO also gifted Rick Ross with a chain and ring to celebrate their collaboration which TMZ estimated to be worth around $130K together.

“I brought him a good five to seven samples and he ended up liking two or three of them, which is how we ended up coming out with more than just one color, one strain for him because he really liked a couple flavors,” Manny said. “So we gave him Collins Ave. which was his idea, then we came out with the Boss Pop. We have a whole line of pops with a whole bunch of our celebrity collabs. Then we also did the Belair Pop.”

Manny told me he smokes with Rick Ross whenever he sees him. Given the name of the company, High Tolerance, I had to ask Manny who had the Higher Tolerance between him and Rick Ross.

“I think I still take the vote for that,” Manny said. “Just because I do concentrates and stuff but he really doesn’t do that.”

Manny said that High Tolerance has some other projects in the works that the people should keep an eye out for. They’re coming out with a tobacco line including leaf wraps, cigars, grabba and whole leaf. They have more celebrity collaboration strains in the works, the specifics of which he could not share with me just yet, but from what he teased it’s some pretty big names involved. They’re also launching a line of flower called Fly Girl Flower which will be in collectible packaging that resembles Birkin Bags.

On top of all that, High Tolerance is getting into the music business, a natural transition given the number of cannabis collaborations they have with rappers. As aforementioned, one of those collaborations is with Jim Jones. Manny said High Tolerance Records is releasing a song by the artist Low Key featuring Jim Jones. Other artists signed to High Tolerance records include Ace, Killa Brand and Yomel.

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source https://hightimes.com/culture/recreational-rapper-weed-the-rick-ross-interview/

New Study Reveals THC Potency Inflation in Colorado Weed

A majority of cannabis flower products purchased at licensed retail pot shops in Colorado contained less THC than indicated on the label, according to a study performed by a researcher at the University of Colorado Boulder. The study showed that THC levels indicated on the label of approximately 70% of products tested were at least 15% higher than those reported by a third-party lab after purchase.

The research was conducted by Anna Schwabe, an associate lecture professor of modern cannabis science at the University of Colorado Boulder. To complete the study, Scwabe collected 23 cannabis flower samples from 10 licensed dispensaries located across the northern Colorado Front Range, which includes the cities of Denver, Fort Collins and Garden City. 

The samples represented 12 different cannabis strains including sativas, indicas and hybrids, with different THC potency levels reported on the product packaging. Some THC potency levels were reported as a range from 12.8%-19.3% on the lower end and 28.07%-31.28% on the higher limit, while others were reported as a single value such as 16.4% or 17.4%.

After the samples were collected, they were sent to an independent laboratory for analysis using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), which separates, identifies and quantifies the different chemical compounds contained in a mixture. HPLC is the most commonly used method in cannabis testing to determine cannabis potency and detect contaminants, making it an important tool to ensure consumers that products have been tested for safety, purity and potency.

A comparison of lab testing results revealed that approximately 70% of the samples had reported THC levels that were at least 15% higher than the levels determined by the independent laboratory.

“Among the 23 flower samples analyzed, 18 displayed lower THC levels than reported – with 16 falling below 15% of the stated value, 13 falling below 30% of the reported THC and three samples falling below half of the reported THC,” Schwabe wrote in a report about the research published by nonprofit news source The Conversation

Four of the samples were within the range indicated on the label, while only one product contained more THC than the potency level reported on the packaging. 

Schwabe noted that the lower THC values determined through independent lab testing were not due to degradation, adding that THC can degrade to the cannabinoid CBN (cannabinol) over time. However, CBN was not detected in measurable amounts in the samples, and additional testing showed that THC levels were stable over time.

The research also revealed a significant increase in cannabis potency over the last 15 years, a period that includes the 2014 legalization of recreational cannabis in Colorado.

“THC levels averaged 9.75% back in 2009, based on testing of DEA-seized cannabis flower. Today, levels reportedly surpass 35%, though they’re not as common as consumers have been led to believe,” Schwabe wrote in her report. “DEA-seized cannabis flower averaged 13.88% in 2019, which is closer to my observed mean of 14.98% than the reported mean of my samples, which was 20.27%-24.10%.”

The research did not determine who is responsible for the misinformation found in reported cannabis potency levels. Cannabis cultivators or dispensaries could be selecting the best flowers to submit for laboratory testing. Although regulations require tests to be performed on a random sample of a batch of cannabis flowers, oversight to enforce the guidelines is lacking.

The inaccuracy in cannabis potency labeling could also be the result of fraud. Cannabis testing labs could be manipulating the testing process or doctoring the numbers indicated on certificates of analysis to ensure repeat business or gain new clients, the author of the study noted.

Schwabe noted that accurate lab testing of cannabis potency is important for medical marijuana patients who may want to carefully control their dose of THC. Proper potency testing is also significant for consumers who purchase recreational weed because companies can charge higher prices for cannabis with high levels of THC.

Schwabe, who is also a board member for the nonprofit Agricultural Genomics Foundation, said that the cannabis industry should focus on educating “consumers on how to make more informed choices by looking beyond mere THC percentages.” 

“People generally do not shop for wine or beer based on alcohol content,” the researcher wrote. “Instead of focusing on THC content, a novice cannabis consumer might consider brands that are reputable or strains that have an aroma or flavor profile they enjoy. Eventually, they may move on to find a favorite breeder or grower, or a trusted dispensary that employs a knowledgeable budtender.”

The post New Study Reveals THC Potency Inflation in Colorado Weed appeared first on High Times.

source https://hightimes.com/study/new-study-reveals-thc-potency-inflation-in-colorado-weed/

Nebraska Bill Aims To Increase Taxes on CBD, Hemp Products by 100%

A recent property tax relief bill in Nebraska is seeking to create new income opportunities for the state, including a variety of sales tax exemptions. This includes adding sales taxes for products like candy and soda, as well as services such as pet care and grooming, but most importantly, adding a 100% tax to CBD and hemp products.

Legislative Bill 388 was recently passed by the Nebraska Legislature’s Revenue Committee on March 21 in a seven to 10 vote. The bill was initially introduced by Sen. Lou Ann Linehan in January, who is also the chair of the Revenue Committee. “Sales tax exemptions will be removed on pop and candy, on pet services, on advertising revenue over $1 billion dollars, increased taxes on games of skill to 20%, and lottery tickets,” Linehan wrote in an outline. “Taxes on cigarettes will increase from 63 cents to one dollar and on vaping by 20%. We are going to tax hemp and CBD at 100%. This will result in new revenue of $182 million dollars.”

Overall, Linehan estimated that this would allow approximately $560 million in property tax credit funds that would be granted to schools, providing $3,000 per student in foundational aid. It would also create $650 million in property tax relief. The outline also describes “essentials” such as electricity, natural gas, or propane, as things that should not be taxed. “We are in a time of great revenue growth,” the outline concluded. “We have the revenues to pay for this now and for the foreseeable future.”

These proposals have created a rift among Nebraskan legislators. Gov. Jim Pillen approved the committee’s work on approving the bill so it can proceed to the floor for debate. “I want to congratulate the members of the Revenue Committee on advancing historic and transformational property tax relief and reform out of committee on a 7-0 vote,” Pillen said in a statement. “Thank you for delivering once in a lifetime transformational property tax relief plan to all Nebraskans.”

Many others, such as Sen. Julie Slama, expressed shock regarding the CBD and hemp tax increase. “I’m 100% opposed to LB-388, which is the largest tax increase in Nebraska history,” Slama said.

John Gage, state director of Americans for Prosperity, criticized the bill. “There’s nothing innovative about raising taxes on Nebraskans. This bill does not solve our property tax problem and will result in a higher tax bill for hardworking families,” Gage said, according to KETV. “This is the kind of big government nonsense you expect in California, not Nebraska. Legislators will be held accountable if they choose to vote for the largest tax increase in state history.”

Platte Institute CEO Jim Vokal called LB-388 a bad tax policy. “In recent years, the legislature has repeatedly succeeded and shown the best path to lowering taxes is to constrain all sources of revenue and spending growth,” said Vokal. “Such constraints need to be imposed upon local governments. We believe that constraining state and local revenue and spending growth is the best path forward rather than raising new sales tax revenues to lower property tax revenues.”

Cannabis is illegal in Nebraska, although sales of hemp-derived cannabinoid products continue to thrive. In January, Legislature Bill 199 was introduced by Sen. Teresa Ibach which, if passed, would ban the sale, possession, and consumption of such products. “While a product could be advertised as delta-8 or delta-10, these products could—and most likely do—contain chemicals, compounds and other impurities that are not listed on the label,” Ibach explained.

Meanwhile, advocates with Nebraskans for Medical Marijuana (NMM) are hard at work collecting signatures to qualify their medical cannabis initiative for the 2024 ballot later this year. The group needs to collect signatures from 7% of voters in the state and 5% of voters in 38 of the state’s 98 counties (with approximately 125,000 raw signatures in total) by July 3.

As of March 15, NMM said on social media that it has collected more than 72,000 signatures from voters in nearly all Nebraska counties (with the exception of Grant, Keya Paha, McPherson, Sheridan, and Wheeler). NMM has attempted to get medical cannabis legalized since 2020. Back then, they only collected 14,212 signatures in three qualified counties, followed by 16,328 signatures in four counties in 2022. 

Recent polling conducted by the Neilan Strategy Group in February revealed that 70% of participants want to see medical cannabis legalization. “Nebraskans are clearly ready to legalize medical marijuana,” the Neilan Strategy Group stated.

NMM held its own poll in 2022 and found that 80% of participants said they approved of medical cannabis legalization. “Nebraskans are obviously ready to legalize medicinal cannabis,” said NMM campaign manager Crista Eggers, who explained how excited advocates are to be making so much progress this year. “We’re very excited about where we’re at. This time, we’re going to get it done or it is not going to happen,” Eggers said.

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