How CannaAid Became the Gold Standard of Delta-8 Products

Recently, the industry has witnessed the rise of a new compound: Delta-8 THC. Delta-8 has made waves throughout the market, introducing consumers to products we’ve never experienced before. 

In a time when so many brands are trying to capitalize off this new cannabinoid, there’s one company that seems to have achieved the gold standard for Delta-8 products. Their name is CannaAid. 

The Rapid Growth of the Delta-8 THC Industry

Before we talk more about CannaAid itself, it’s important to look at the incredible, rapid growth that the Delta-8 THC industry has seen in the past few years.

Even though the Delta-8 compound was discovered way back in the 1940s, it wasn’t until recently that its popularity hit the United States. But, once it did, it never slowed down.

When it was first introduced, it was clear that Delta-8’s legality fell under the 2018 Farm Bill. As long as you derived the compound from hemp and it didn’t contain more than 0.3 percent Delta-9 THC, then D8 is federally legal across the country. Quickly, popularity exploded, and people from all over the US fell in love with delta 8’s accessibility and potency. At the time, Delta-8 was the most psychoactive compound you could purchase under the Farm Bill. Thus, consumers were bound to celebrate.

Unfortunately, this lack of regulation didn’t last long.

While the manufacturing of Delta-8 THC is still widely unregulated today, many states have taken it upon themselves to regulate the cannbainoid. Some places have banned the cannabinoid altogether. Thus, you won’t be able to purchase Delta-8 THC in many places in the U.S., and the list of states prohibiting the substance only continues to grow.

Alongside the incredible growth and popularity this cannabinoid has brought, it’s also brought a lot of conversation surrounding legality, psychoactivity and more. 

Regardless, for consumers and canna-buisness-owners, the introduction of D8 has been both a positive and exciting experience. Despite pushes for regulations, Delta-8 THC’s popularity only continues to grow each and every day. And CannaAid sees that firsthand.     

Courtesy of CannaAid

The Launch of CannaAid

Lee VanTine, the founder of CannaAid, knew the cannabis industry was going to be big long before he ever became a part of it.

At just 18 years old, VanTine moved to Colorado in hopes of learning more about the industry, its cannabinoids and what the plant had to offer. A few years later, once he got his footing, and cannabis started becoming more mainstream, VanTine decided to release his own line of CBD products. From there, CannaAid was born.

VanTine knew that, in order for his company to be a success, he had to make sure his products were both quality and affordable. He wanted everyday consumers to get the chance to access hemp and hemp-derived CBD products. Thus, the brand started becoming well-known for its great product selection and affordability. But, at the time, CannaAid—and the rest of the cannabis industry—was focused on CBD. Quickly, that changed, too.

As the market adjusted, so did CannaAid. When it became clear that the cannabis industry was more than just CBD and THC, CannaAid began focusing on crafting products with other cannabinoids such as THC-O, CBG, and, of course, Delta-8 THC.

CannaAid prides themselves on their reliability and consistency when it comes to high-quality, safe hemp products. While so many brands fail to provide their customers with the same top-shelf blends, CannaAid makes sure that they create every product carefully, consciously, and with consistent formulas. As Nicholas Groat, CannaAid’s COO, says, “No one wants to get something that’s different the next time around.”

Today, CannaAid offers a huge selection of hemp products, ranging from various cannabinoids, strengths and flavors. No matter what kind of CBD, THCV or even D8 product you’re looking for, CannaAid is the place to turn to. 

Courtesy of CannaAid

THCV and THCO Products of CannaAid

Even though CannaAid might be known for their gold-standard Delta-8 THC products, the brand offers way more than just that. We wanted to give you an inside look into some of CannaAid’s best THCV and THCO products, too.

THCV + CBD Weight Loss and Energy Vegan Softgels – If you’re looking for a healthy, natural way to get your body looking and feeling better, then CannaAid’s THCV + CBD softgels are ideal. These high-quality softgels come packed with 10 mg of THCV and 10 mg of CBD per softgel, giving you a potent dose of 20 mg altogether. These softgels are a great way to experience the benefits of THCV in a subtle-yet-energizing way. 

THC Delta 8 + THCV Blue Razz Gummies – Easily, CannaAid’s Blue Razz gummies are the best way to give your body some D8—especially if you have a sweet tooth. These gummies are packed with 5 mg of THCV and 5 mg of Delta-8 THC each to give you a mild yet blissful experience. These gummies are 100 percent vegan, hemp-derived and won’t melt while you’re waiting for your next dose. 

THCV Tincture – One of the best, most effective ways to enjoy your THCV products is with a tincture. Tinctures provide quick, potent effects and you can consume them in a few different ways depending on your personal preference. CannaAid’s THCV tincture is a perfect 500 mg total, ideal for both newbies and experienced consumers to try. 

THCO Gummies – Along with THCV, CannaAid also offers THCO gummies. THCO is said to be even stronger than Delta-9 THC, so you’ve got to consume this tasty treats with caution. Each gummy contains an ideal 20 mg of THCO. 

Alongside D8, THCO, and THCV, you can also find Delta-9, HHC, CBDA, CBG, CBC and CBN products for sale on CannaAid’s website. Truly, there’s something for every cannabis consumer. 

Courtesy of CannaAid

Why CannaAid Delta-8 Products are the Best

There are a lot of reasons why you should turn to CannaAid for your Delta-8 THC products. In a time where so many brands are trying their hand at D8, CannaAid knows the ins and outs of the cannabinoid better than anyone. Their cannabis expertise and years of industry knowledge come out the moment you get your hands on one of their Delta-8 products. Simply put, these products are a clear cut above the rest.

When you purchase Delta-8 THC products from CannaAid, you know you’re getting the purest, high-quality product option possible. They always have their third-party lab-test results available for you to read, giving you the ultimate peace of mind about the brand’s quality-control standards. Whether you’re hoping to purchase D8 gummies, pre-rolls, vapes, or tinctures, CannaAid has just what you need. 

So, the next time you’re interested in trying a Delta-8 THC product but don’t know where to start, head over to CannaAid’s website. Here, you’ll be introduced into a whole new world of high-quality D8 products and supportive cannabinoids. Avoid the hassle of dealing with low-end, sketchy Delta-8 brands and put your faith in CannaAid, instead. We know we do. 

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NFL Awards $1 Million to Two Cannabis Research Initiatives

The National Football League (NFL) is taking another step forward by awarding funds to two cannabis research initiatives focused on the effectiveness of cannabis as a treatment for pain management.

The NFL announced in a press release on February 1 that it would be presenting $1 million to two different researchers at the University of California, San Diego (UCSD) and University of Regina (UR), which is located in Canada. Both researcher groups will be focusing on how cannabinoids can aid in general pain management, with a few other goal studies as well.

A statement on the matter was provided from Dr. Kevin Hill, Co-Chair, NFL-NFLPA Joint Pain Management Committee, Director of Addiction Psychiatry at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Associate Professor of Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School. According to Dr. Hill, this decision to further study cannabis consumption for NFL players will yield positive results. “The NFL-NFLPA Joint Pain Management Committee is thrilled with the results of this process. We received over 100 proposals from top clinicians and researchers from around the world,” said Dr. Hill. “The NFL is eager to advance the science of pain management and performance in an effort to improve the health and safety of the players.”

NFL Chief Medical Officer Dr. Allen Sills also shared his thoughts on the topic, with hope that these initiatives could be the foundation of many more studies to come. “As with the league’s broader approach to health and safety, we want to ensure that our players are receiving care that reflects the most up-to-date medical consensus,” said Dr. Sills. “While the burden of proof is high for NFL players who want to understand the impact of any medical decision on their performance, we are grateful that we have the opportunity to fund these scientifically-sound studies on the use of cannabinoids that may lead to the discovery of data-based evidence that could impact the pain management of our players.”

The NFL-NFLPA Joint Pain Management Committee (PMC) called for research proposals in June 2021, asking for researchers to “supplement the PMC’s knowledge about pain management and athletic performance.” The committee received a total of 106 submissions, which was narrowed down to 10 finalists by the NFL Research and Innovation Committee. After oral presentations and written breakdowns were presented, the NFL chose the final two research groups.

The UCSD study, entitled “Effects of Cannabinoids on Pain and Recovery from Sports-Related Injuries in Elite Athletes: A Randomized Clinical Trial,” will be led by Dr. Thomas Marcottee, Mark Wallace, and other colleagues at the university. Their approach to study the therapeutic and adverse effects of THC, CBD or THC/CBD products by allowing participants to vape after game-related injuries. “Our team is excited to receive this funding to conduct a systematic, ‘real-world, real-time’ study with professional athletes, and which should shed further light upon the many anecdotal reports that cannabis is helpful in reducing post-competition pain,” said Wallace.

The UR study, called “Naturally Produced Cannabinoids for Pain Management and Neuroprotection from Concussion and Participation in Contact Sports,” will be led by Dr. J. Patrick Neary and other researchers at the college, as well as the British Columbia. Their main goal is also to examine the effects of THC or CBD as a form of pain management, and how it reduces the need for opioid prescriptions. Secondly, it will also examine the “neuroprotective properties” of cannabis as a treatment for concussion injuries. “The prevention and treatment of concussions is at the core of my research. That’s why I am excited to have the support of the NFL on this project,” Dr. Neary shared. “Our interdisciplinary research team believes that different cannabinoid formulations found in medical cannabis have the potential to benefit athletes suffering from the acute and long-term chronic effects of concussions. Our research will also work to show that cannabinoids can be used as an alternative to opioids for pain management. Ultimately, this study has the potential to change not only the lives of current and former NFL players, but also the lives of anyone who may suffer from a concussion.”

The NFL press release explicitly states that the results of these studies “will have no impact on the jointly administered Policy and Program on Substances of Abuse in place under the current NFL-NFLPA collective bargaining agreement (CBA).”

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Armored Car Company Sues California Sheriff and FBI for ‘Highway Robbery’ of Dispensary Cash

An armored vehicle company claims that officers from the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) stole legally obtained cash from drivers and clients.

Empyreal Logistics, a company that transports money for dispensaries and other companies, filed a civil suit in the United States District Court for the Central District of California, Eastern Division. Empyreal does not even transport cannabis itself—just large amounts of cash for cannabis-related companies. The company operates in multiple states.

Police and federal agents learned the trucks catered to cannabis businesses, so they picked off trucks of cash as though they were sitting ducks, even though the businesses are state-legal.

The legal team for Empyreal accuses the FBI and the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department of allegedly scheming to illegally pull over company vehicles and seize money from its clients.

The Institute for Justice reports that during five specific stops, no arrests or tickets were given—yet they led to forfeiture of all deposits in the trucks, anyways. Three particular stops alone amounted to over $1 million in cash.

Empyreal_Complaint-filedDownload

“Specifically, Plaintiff Empyreal Logistics, a cash-in-transit company operating in 28 states, challenges the ongoing stops and searches of its vehicles, and the seizure of cash and other property lawfully transported therein,” the civil suit reads. 

It continues, “These unlawful and unconstitutional stops, searches, and seizures are orchestrated by the Department of Justice and its subordinate law-enforcement agencies, including the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Drug Enforcement Administration, in conjunction with local law-enforcement officials, including the San Bernardino County Sheriff. Together, these law-enforcement agencies are targeting armored vehicles owned by Empyreal because those vehicles are transporting cash proceeds from state-legal medical and adult-use cannabis dispensaries to legitimate financial institutions such as banks and credit unions. Notably, Empyreal never transports any actual cannabis.”

What is especially alarming is the stops involving the San Bernardino Sheriff’s Department—where cannabis is legal.

The problem isn’t limited to California. Beginning in May 2021, Empyreal’s vehicles have been stopped and searched by sheriff’s deputies five times, with two incidents in Kansas and three more in San Bernardino County, California. The three San Bernardino incidents took place over the course of just eight weeks, including the most recent stop January 6. 

One incident involved an employee of Empyreal during a traffic stop on May 18 in Dickinson County, Kansas after being collected by the employee from medical cannabis dispensaries in Missouri. In that incident, Empyreal is seeking the return of $165,000 in cash.

Transporting large amounts of cash is due to the federal legal status of cannabis, which bars most cannabis companies from dealing with banks.

As it turns out, some legal experts pointed to a motive for the questionable seizures.

The Institute for Justice notes that each time officers seized money (legal proceeds), they turned it over to federal agencies to go through federal forfeiture protocols. If successfully forfeited, up to 80 percent of the money taken through the federal “equitable sharing” program would then return to local sheriffs to spend as they please.

Furthermore, companies such as Empyreal are considered essential, because moving the cash off of properties reduces the danger level for robberies.

While sheriffs may think they can use the federal equitable sharing program as a loophole around state law, the forfeitures are not allowed under federal law either.

JD Supra notes that despite a recent Supreme Court ruling under Timbs v. Indiana, “asset forfeiture laws still stand as uniquely effective enforcement tools that the county’s federal, state, and local law enforcement officials have at their disposal, posing a threat to the recreational cannabis market.”

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Petition Forces Ohio Lawmakers into Action on Cannabis Legalization

Ohio’s secretary of state announced last week that cannabis activists had collected enough signatures to force lawmakers to consider a proposal to legalize recreational cannabis. The Campaign to Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol collected more than 136,000 verified signatures from registered voters, according to the office of Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose. The total is almost 4,000 more signatures than the number needed to send the legalization proposal for action by the state legislature.

The proposal now heads to Ohio lawmakers. They will have four months to adopt the measure as state law or pass an amended version. If the state Senate and House of Representatives fail to do so, the campaign would have the chance to collect another 132,887 signatures to place the measure on the ballot for this year’s general election.

“We are ready and eager to work with Ohio legislators over the next four months to legalize the adult use of marijuana in Ohio,” Campaign Spokesman Tom Haren said in a statement. “We are also fully prepared to collect additional signatures and take this issue directly to voters on November 8, 2022, if legislators fail to act.”

Ohio Secretary of State Validates Signatures

In December, the campaign submitted petitions with more than 200,000 signatures. This was significantly more than the 132,887 necessary to send the proposal to lawmakers. But after the secretary of state’s office announced earlier this month that only 119,985 of the signatures had been verified as registered voters, activists submitted nearly 30,000 additional signatures to state officials.

In a letter sent by LaRose’s office on Friday, the secretary of state wrote that with the additional submissions activists had collected a sufficient number of signatures in enough counties to send the petition to the legislature.

“The initial part-petitions contained 119,825 valid signatures on behalf of the proposed statewide initiative of the total signatures submitted, signatures from 51 counties were submitted that met or exceeded 1.5 percent of the total number of votes cast for governor in the respective counties at the last gubernatorial election,” Larose wrote in a letter posted online by Northeast Ohio Media Group.

“The additional part-petitions contained 16,904 valid signatures on behalf of the proposed statewide initiative,” he continued. “I hereby certify that the part-petitions contained a total of 136,729 valid signatures submitted on behalf of the proposed statewide initiative petition.”

The proposal from the Campaign to Regulate Marijuana Like Alchohol would allow adults 21 and older in Ohio to legally possess and purchase up to 2.5 of cannabis and up to 15 grams of cannabis concentrates. Adults would also be permitted to cultivate up to six cannabis plants at home, with a maximum of 12 plants per household.

The measure would also set a 10 percent tax on cannabis products. Revenue raised by cannabis taxes would be dedicated to administering the program and to municipalities with marijuana dispensaries. Taxes would also fund substance abuse programs and a social equity and jobs program.

Cannabis Legalization a Long Shot in GOP-led Legislature

However, the legalization proposal is unlikely to gain approval from Ohio’s GOP-controlled state legislature. And even if lawmakers pass the measure, it would likely be vetoed when it reached the desk of Republican Gov. Mike DeWine, who voiced opposition to legalizing recreational cannabis in Ohio earlier this month.

“No, I think that’s a mistake,” DeWine said. “I think you change the culture and you send a signal to kids… If it’s legal, every kid, the message is it’s okay.”

But the campaign believes that lawmakers may eventually approve the measure.

“We are expecting a vigorous debate but we expect this to pass because it is popular among Democrats, Independents and Republicans,” Haren told local media.

Last month, two Republican lawmakers introduced a bill to legalize recreational cannabis in Ohio. Separately, the legislature is considering a bill that would expand the state’s medical cannabis program.

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‘La Persona Más Conocida del Barrio Antes Era Tévez y Ahora Es La Queen’: Una Entrevista a la Diva Drag de Fuerte Apache

Nota por Lola Sasturain publicada originalmente en El Planteo. Más artículos por El Planteo en High Times en Español.

Síguenos en Instagram (@El.Planteo) y Twitter (@ElPlanteo).

El entrevistado se presenta como Walter Javier y luego presenta a La Queen: “Es una superstar argentina, cantante, actriz, modelo, todo lo que quieras, a donde vas ella va”. Ella cobra vida cuando Walter, una marica de Fuerte Apache, se draguea. Y es una artista de éxito en el trap y la música urbana que hoy conquista el pop con su álbum Mi Mundo.

La Queen comenzó a gestar Mi Mundo a inicios de la pandemia. “Se llama así porque me dije: ‘si todo esto se va al choto, voy a hacer lo que quiero hacer yo, que es pop’”. Antes, La Queen hacía trap y le iba bien: su canción “Te Quiero”, junto a Emanero, perteneciente a su álbum Re Fuerte, de 2019, le había valido una nominación a la categoría “Mejor colaboración de música urbana” en los premios Carlos Gardel del 2020. 

“Yo sola puedo” fue el primer tema que lanzó en este registro de gran diva pop, y el público se volvió loco. El trap la ayudó para darse a conocer y forjar un público, pero el pop es la misión para la que La Queen llegó al mundo. “Yo soy artista, no hago música porque sí. Si lo que hago no lo sienten, esperen a que saque algo nuevo. La vida no es para complicarse: si no te vio nadie, trabajá en eso y la próxima te van a ver”, dice, con una determinación que es marca registrada.

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“Yo sé que soy una súper estrella, una cantante, una artissssta así con la ‘s’ arrastrada. Yo nací para la cámara.  Si sabés para dónde vas, la gente te empieza a seguir. Yo sé lo que quiero, y hacer un álbum pop en un mundo donde el trap y el reggaeton dominan fue una decisión”, cuenta. Presentó el álbum en Tecnópolis y fue un éxito: semanas después repetiría el show en el mismo lugar, esta vez en el escenario principal.

Nacida para ser la gran drag argentina

Walter tiene 24 años vividos con intensidad. La Queen existe desde el 8 de enero de 2019, día que lanzó al mundo su primer video.

La Queen nace a partir de una pregunta: ¿cómo puede ser que no haya una gran drag argentina? Walter no tuvo dudas: tenía que encarnarla él (¿ella?) mismo/a. Había vedettes y también drags en circuitos rave o rockeros, pero este joven artista identificó un lugar vacante, el de la popstar masiva. “Hay muchísimas drags, pero nadie realmente popular, no había como una Pablo Vittar para Brasil o Ru Paul para Estados Unidos, que es nuestra reina. Yo no podía entender que estuviera ese espacio vacío y nadie lo use”, explica.

El camino no fue fácil pero tampoco fue tan difícil como los relatos hegemónicos quieren hacer creer. La Queen no empezó bailando en fiestas ni haciendo perfos, por una cuestión que era a su vez práctica y de supervivencia. No venía desde un lugar sencillo para empezar a hacerse conocer. Se preguntaba ¿qué va a pasar si salgo montada acá en el barrio? Así que decidió empezar por las redes sociales. 

“Instagram fue mi ventana para que la gente me pueda conocer, y posta que estoy re agradecida”, dice quién se refiere a sí mismx alternadamente en femenino y masculino. 

Walter era muy consciente de las dificultades a las que se enfrentaba con esta misión: en sus palabras, un pibe puto de Fuerte Apache nunca había tenido acceso a las tendencias, ni hablar de un nutrido guardarropa o lo último en maquillaje importado. Empezó con nada. “Al principio, en vez de pelucas usaba pañuelos, porque no tenía plata. ¿Sabés lo que cuesta una peluca acá?”, se indigna entre risas.

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Hoy puede decir que lo logró y es referencia obligatoria a la hora de pensar drags argentinas. La Queen logró el que puede parecer el reconocimiento máximo para una artista de su tipo: fue convocada por World of Wonder de Warner Bros, la productora de Ru Paul, para el reality “Queen of the Universe”, un concurso de canto que reúne Drag Queens de todo el globo. Un sueño hecho realidad. Pero el contexto no acompaña y todavía no sabe si podrá hacer el casting. Y si no es para ésta, será para la próxima temporada. 

“Nunca pensé que esto iba a suceder cuando creé a La Queen”, se emociona Walter.

‘El amor del barrio siempre fue genial’

Con su historia, a Walter le parece importantísimo derribar el prejuicio sobre el ser una disidencia en un barrio pobre: él creció rodeado de amor, cariño y aceptación. 

“El amor del barrio siempre fue genial”, afirma el artista, quien fue adoptado por su familia cuando era un bebé. Por caso, su familia siempre le dio todo lo que estuvo a su alcance para que pueda ser feliz y auténticx. Walter no deja de agradecerles una y otra vez en el transcurso de la charla y le gustaría que su caso sirviera de ejemplo para que otras familias comiencen a apoyar a sus hijes, sean de la manera que sean. 

“En mi casa siempre fue ‘acá te respetamos y queremos que seas feliz, no nos interesa otra cosa’ ¿Y por qué? Porque sabían en qué barrio vivimos. Yo me di cuenta de que vivía en el Fuerte Apache [enfatiza con las manos] a los nueve años, porque cuando iba al colegio o me movía por afuera y decía dónde vivía, me empezaban a mirar con una cara fea. Yo no entendía el trasfondo. Después me fui dando cuenta. Yo soy una disidencia en un barrio que ya es marginado de por sí. Entonces, soy una persona doblemente marginada”.

Hoy sigue viviendo en el Fuerte Apache y no tiene intenciones de dejar de hacerlo: “Yo crecí acá y tengo a todos mis amigos y mis vecinos de toda la vida. Cuando creé a La Queen y la mostré al mundo, nadie sabía que era yo y, después, no lo podían creer. Porque la persona más conocida del barrio antes era Tévez y ahora es La Queen”, se divierte. “Pasar de un extremo al otro, mover todas las estructuras completas. Porque yo soy un putón, un maricón, el LGBTIQ soy yo”.

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Y está orgullosx del cambio que siente que ayudó a construir. Hoy en día, el barrio es un lugar mucho más amable para aquellxs que no encajan en los estereotipos de género. “Antes estábamos súper invisibilizados en el barrio. No había ninguna representación del marica o del putón. Y ahora no te das una idea de la cantidad de maricas que hay acá”, dice con orgullo palpable. “Me han dicho en la calle ‘gracias a vos pude ser’. Y eso es impresionante”.

Lo glamourosa no le quita lo nacional y popular. La consciencia de clase y el agradecimiento son centrales en su mensaje. Walter asegura: recibir una computadora del plan Conectar Igualdad le cambió la vida. Así comenzó a hacer música. “Yo siempre voy a decir que la computadora me la dio Cristina, y que Cristina me ayudó a ser quién soy hoy”, dice. “Y gracias a eso yo encontré mi arte, gracias a esa netbook, que para algunos será una netbook de mierda pero para mí era una netbook de oro”. 

En ese momento, rememora, ni podía soñar con una computadora propia, sus xadres se mataban trabajando pero así y todo tenían lo justo para comer y se vestía todos los días igual porque no tenía opciones. Y revela: “Esa acción, esa política de estado, me abrió los ojos: yo puedo tener esto. Y fue mi puente a lo tecnológico, yo no tenía ni celular. Fue un cambio de vida”. 

Entonces trata de aquellxs que lo sigan puedan ver el privilegio que tienen: “Es muy importante ser agradecidx, siempre nos quejamos de todo”, dice.

Britney, Madonna, Kylie, Lali y La Queen

Al escuchar Mi Mundo, hay un tema que capta la atención en una primera escucha, y es porque es una trasposición libre y personal de “(You Drive Me) Crazy” de Britney Spears, el hit de 1999. Se llama “¿Dónde estás?” y que esta canción haya sido lanzada en tiempos de #FreeBritney, no es algo casual.  “Para mí, Britney es todo”, afirma. “La reina del pop latino es Raffaella Carra, punto número uno. La reina del pop – pop es Madonna. La reina del pop disco y electro es Kylie Minogue y su último álbum es el mejor. Y la princesa del pop hot, sensual, es Britney”.

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“Con el tema quiero darle un abrazo, que sepa que en Argentina la re bancamos”, explica el autor. Es una canción para un chico, pero el trasfondo se inspira en “(You Drive Me) Crazy” de una manera más profunda. Le suscita una reflexión sobre la situación que vivió Britney la última década, extendiéndola al mundo del espectáculo en general: “Tenemos que mover el avispero porque esto no sólo le pasa a Britney. A alguien nuestro, Paulo Londra, le pasó algo parecido. Eso es muy peligroso dentro del mundo del arte: unx piensa que dedicarse a la música es sentarse con una guitarra y un micrófono, pero no”, reflexiona.

“Probame” y “Me quiero ir” también están inspiradas en Britney. “Tenemos que ver y escuchar que el pop está volviendo”, dice. “Por ejemplo, lo nuevo de Lali. Yo lo que más quiero es que un artista pueda ser quién es. Y es obvio que ella es eso”.

‘Te podés chocar, te podés caer: pero hay que seguir adelante’

Walter Javier es una persona que toda su vida persiguió sus objetivos. Como artista que no viene de un lugar fácil, le interesa inspirar lo mismo en quienes le siguen: a formarse, a ir a por más.

“Yo siempre les digo, te doy un autógrafo, pero te lo firmo en el libro que estés leyendo o en un título… ¡estudien!”, dice riéndose pero en serio. Y cree que es un mensaje que los artistas más masivos, más pegadxs, deberían dar: “No veo a nadie que le diga a sus fans que estudien o que se enfoquen en sus carreras. Todos vivimos para nosotros, todo egocéntrico. Yo creo que siempre hay que dar un mensaje con lo que hacés”.

Walter se muestra como es en todos los aspectos de su vida y la autenticidad le parece lo primero. Eso por supuesto aplica a La Queen. “Yo sigo a muy poca gente, sólo me gustan lxs artistas que son fieles a sí mismxs”, sentencia.

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“Con este álbum, el mensaje es que quiero que siempre sean fieles a lo que son. No importa cómo seas, no cambies para encajar. Hacé lo que sientas hacer y, obviamente, te vas a equivocar, todxs nos vamos a chocar con muros millones de veces. Eso parece que no se entiende hoy en día: te podés chocar, te podés caer, pero hay que seguir adelante. Ese es el mensaje con ‘Mi Mundo’: sé vos, sé quién quieras ser. Punto”.

Pero aunque es un proyecto artístico visceralmente honesto y el que lo representa por completo, La Queen y Walter no son la misma persona ni están tan mezcladas como puede parecer a simple vista. Walter es un auténtico workaholic y La Queen no le deja respiro.

¿Entonces, quién es quién?

“Yo no me maquillo cuando estoy aburrido. La Queen es mi trabajo, yo soy una persona de negocios. Si yo voy por cinco pesos, me van a llamar por cinco pesos. ¡Y La Queen no va a ningún lado por cinco pesos! Ella es un personaje, es una superstar y hay que cuidarla. Y Walter soy yo en mi día a día, el productor de La Queen, es mucho más estricto que ella. La Queen sólo tiene que brillar y yo me preocupo de que salga todo perfecto, porque quiero que la gente que pagó una entrada se vaya sintiéndose que fue a Disney”.

The post ‘La Persona Más Conocida del Barrio Antes Era Tévez y Ahora Es La Queen’: Una Entrevista a la Diva Drag de Fuerte Apache appeared first on High Times.

source https://hightimes.com/espanol/la-queen-diva-drag-argentina/

New Jersey Congressman Outraged that Not One Cannabis License Issued to Black-Owned Businesses

Representative Donald M. Payne, Jr. issued an official statement on January 28, announcing his disapproval that not a single cannabis license, out of 56 licenses issued in New Jersey, was granted to Black-owned businesses.

New Jersey’s Cannabis Regulatory Commission (CRC) is the entity in charge of issuing any cannabis licenses, and the CRC has not issued one to any of the state’s Black business owners. The CRC started taking applications from adult-use cannabis growers, manufacturers and testing labs on December 15, 2021.

Medical cannabis has been legal in the state since 2012. Last year, New Jersey legalized marijuana for adult us, paving the way for retail sales. But in the 10 years of legalization, not one Black-owned cannabis business has been granted a license, according to the African American Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey.

“I am outraged to hear that Black-owned businesses have been shut out of the state’s cannabis marketplace,” said Rep. Donald M. Payne, Jr. “Black users are four times more likely to be arrested for marijuana possession than white users, even though overall use for both groups is almost the same.  New Jersey has a chance to correct this inequality and allow people abused by the system to finally benefit from it with a fair distribution of cannabis business licenses.  Instead, we are seeing the same inequality with these licenses that we see in marijuana arrests. Governor Phil Murphy promised that the state’s cannabis industry would right the wrongs of the past as it concerns social justice.  Now, New Jersey needs to uphold this promise.  I join the African American Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey in their outrage that this inequality continues to plague our state, our society, and our country.”      

I am outraged to hear that none of the 56 NJ cannabis business licenses were awarded to a Black-owned business. These entrepreneurs have been shut out of New Jersey's cannabis market. NJ needs to end this injustice! pic.twitter.com/ITYIfyMYC3

— Rep. Donald Payne Jr (@RepDonaldPayne) January 28, 2022

The African American Chamber of Commerce (AACCNJ) brought up the issue in the first place, saying that Black business owners were excluded from New Jersey’s cannabis business in a press release issued January 27.

“Our intent here is not to go back and forth with Governor Murphy and the CRC, but is to make a point,” Founder, President and CEO of the African American Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey, John E. Harmon, Sr., IOM told High Times. “I believe that we spent a lot of time establishing medical cannabis that dates back to 2009 with Governor Christie, and Governor Murphy has expanded it. In that length of time, somebody should have figured out the process. They knew—it’s well-documented—that Black and brown people had been severely penalized from this industry. So New Jersey has not put a policy in place like New York to include minority women. Had that policy been in place, the equity would have been clearly understood […]”

Harmon continued, “Without policy, you leave it to others to get in where they fit in. That doesn’t say much to the people who gave this administration 94 percent of the vote.”

“Based on conversations I’ve had, with stakeholders, out of the 56 licenses awarded to date, none has been awarded to a Black-owned business. People need to know what’s going on,” stated Harmon.

A specific CRC requirement, Harmon says, that license applicants maintain site control while the CRC considers their applications, is what’s keeping some Black entrepreneurs from participating in the industry. Applicants must have control of the real estate of operations. This means that many applicants are burdened with monthly lease payments which cannot be deducted as a business expense—given the federal status of cannabis.

Social justice is the backbone of dozens of state cannabis reform bills across the country. Governor Phil Murphy ushered in the creation of New Jersey’s cannabis industry in the name of social justice. “The clock is ticking,” Harmon said, mirroring what other state leaders are saying as well.

States around the country are touting social justice with provisions such as a social equity fund in New York, but walking the walk is another story.   

Furthermore, getting New Jersey’s adult-use cannabis consumer market online may not meet a self-imposed deadline originally set for late February. Jeff Brown, the executive director of the CRC, said a number of factors are still in the way before sales can begin.

The post New Jersey Congressman Outraged that Not One Cannabis License Issued to Black-Owned Businesses appeared first on High Times.

source https://hightimes.com/news/new-jersey-congressman-outraged-that-not-one-cannabis-license-issued-to-black-owned-businesses/

South Carolina Lawmakers Mull Over Medical Cannabis Proposal

Debate surrounding a proposal to legalize medical cannabis will continue this week in the South Carolina legislature, with votes on changes to the bill reportedly coming as early as Tuesday.

Members of the state Senate began debate last week on legislation introduced by Republican Senator Tom Davis, known as the “South Carolina Compassionate Care Act.”

Under the bill offered up by Davis, patients with at least one of a number of qualifying conditions could received cannabis treatment, including: cancer, multiple sclerosis, a neurological disease or disorder (including epilepsy), sickle cell disease, glaucoma, PTSD, autism, Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, cachexia, a condition causing a person to be home-bound that includes severe or persistent nausea, terminal illness with a life expectancy of less than one year, a chronic medical condition causing severe and persistent muscle spasms or a chronic medical condition for which an opioid is or could be prescribed based on accepted standards of care.

But there are restrictions on how the cannabis treatment may be administered, with eligible patients unable to legally smoke marijuana. Instead, they would use alternative methods, such as oils, vaporizers and patches.

According to the Associated Press, “there will be more debate when the Senate meets” on Tuesday, and “there may be votes on amendments to change the bill.”

The state Senate began debate on Davis’s bill last Wednesday and Thursday, but the Associated Press said that lawmakers adjourned before holding a vote.

However, the debate itself was historic. Davis has been pushing to legalize medical marijuana in the Palmetto State since 2015. Last week marked the first time in the GOP lawmaker’s seven-year effort that one of his proposals was actually brought to a debate on the Senate floor.

“If you pound at the door long enough. If you make your case. If the public is asking for something, the state Senate owes a debate,” Davis told The Post and Courier newspaper earlier this month. “The people of South Carolina deserve to know where their elected officials stand on this issue.”

The Post and Courier said that Davis has said that his bill would establish “the most conservative medical marijuana program in the country as a result of continued opposition from law enforcement, most notably State Law Enforcement Division Chief Mark Keel, who’s highly respected in the Statehouse.”

The Associated Press said that Davis “made his bill conservative based on concern from law enforcement and others.”

But the legislation’s prospects will still face headwinds from other lawmakers and interest groups in the state. 

Groups like the South Carolina Sheriff’s Association are opposed to the proposal, for example.

“If marijuana is medicine, it should be regulated as every other medicine is regulated. We are aware of no other medication that has to be approved by the General Assembly,” said Jarrod Bruder, executive director of the South Carolina Sheriff’s Association. “This (bill) includes a lot of other things—including vaping, including edibles. This is not going to your local pharmacy—it’s going to a dispensary. This is not being treated like every other medicine is.”

South Carolina Law Enforcement Division Chief Mark Keel voiced similar objections, telling local television station WYFF4: “My position on medical marijuana is well known and unchanged. Until it is approved by the FDA, prescribed by a physician and dispensed by a pharmacist I remain opposed to it. Doctors cannot legally prescribe it and pharmacists cannot legally dispense it.”

South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster, a Republican, has expressed opposition to recreational pot, but said last summer that he needs “more information” on medical cannabis.

“I know there’s a lot of suffering that is—apparently is—treatable or helped with what they call medical marijuana,” McMaster said at the time. “I think we need to be very careful and use common sense and see what experience has produced in other states before we move too quickly.”

The post South Carolina Lawmakers Mull Over Medical Cannabis Proposal appeared first on High Times.

source https://hightimes.com/news/south-carolina-lawmakers-mull-over-medical-cannabis-proposal/