Opening Statement



Wednesday 23 September 2020

Oh Cannabis Fall 2020 News + Views!

InHale! hOld! eXhAle! SmiLe! ChEcK oUt My
 "STONERs Guide 2 Oh Cannabis News Y View" @ Directory! 
UpDAtEs AddED iN LaRgE TyPe! 
LiVe TwEeTs @davidchiarelli 

OH CANNABIS

Happy Cannaversary: Yup! Canada legalized cannabis two years ago this fall, on October 17th 2018. Ending a lot of the old school reefer madness. With legal pot shops. Home grows. Licensed producers. Cheap weed. And even oils, concentrates, drinks, topicals and edibles. Then again, our indies, illicit and indigenous brothers and sisters are still locked out of the legal market. As for an amnesty and expungement of criminal records? All that dumb legal packaging? The low THC counts? And hysterical safety concerns? We've still got a long way to go @ Leafly @ 420i

Weed Lockdown: Ontario Premier Doug Ford is letting our liquor stores stay open during the second wave of the pandemic. But not so the province's lowly, licensed weed dispensaries. The upside? They're open for curb side pick up and home delivery again @ CC

Welcome 2 Prohibition 2.0: Ontario's Doug Ford government is keeping our legacy cannabis retailers in legal limbo. After somehow weeding them out with his dubious pot shop licensing lottery, they're now just being left hung out to dry. Sure, there's no more "lottery". But with 550 licenses pending, it takes up to two years now, to get one approved. Legalization?!? Ford's still unfairly locking most of our long suffering, pioneering, pot shop activist-entrepreneurs out of the legal marketplace. Total BS. A real Neo Con @ DH


Beating Covid-19? Tetra Bio-Pharma! is focused on developing a CBD cannabinoid ARDS 3 [Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome] treatment for Covid-19. Phase 1 testing enrolment begins in December. We stoners know that our favourite weed is great for stress and anxiety. It's sure helping us relax during the pandemic. Let's not got too far ahead of ourselves, just yet. But wouldn't it be great if it can be scientifically proven that cannabinoids can also help treat and prevent Covid-19? And a company in Canada .... National Anthem Time.... helps lead the way! More @ Forbes Tetra Bio-Pharma

Target Pharmaceuticals + George Mason University partner with Tetra Bio-Pharma on a collaborative ARDS-003 research agreement. More on how cannabinoids might help treat and prevent the virus @ Biosp

Discount Legal Weed: Our thriving unlicensed legacy marketplace is really making Canada's Licenced Producers and dispensaries feel the heat! Now they're offering more cheaper, value brands of weed to compete. Good luck @ MJB

WeedMD -Union Buster: The Strathroy LP [Licensed Producer] has been very busy putting a dodgy chill on the employee's UFWC union drive. Nasty. Nasty. @ LFP

Weed Whacked: It gets worse! Some licensees have even been caught red handed writing a letter to the RCMP. Asking them to use Weedmaps to bust our unlicensed legacy retailers. The goal? To put them out of business! Rather than include them in the new regulated marketplace too. Hey! If ya can't stand the heat, get out of the kitchen! That's what's happening anyways! Want some quality and integrity with that weed? We know where 2 shop, in Canada's new licensed verses unregulated cannabis marketplace! Read the story @ BNN Let's boycott Dougie's very special Signa-Tory buddies for not getting it. If it weren't for our legacy retailers, you wouldn't even be in business in the first place!!! Screw that @ List


Cannabis Activist-Entrepreneur Erin Goodwin

Friendly Stranger Strikes Back: Ontario legacy headshop brand The Friendly Stranger [Think Robin Ellins] has acquired Toronto's legacy Hotbox Shop [Think Abi Roach]. And Peterborough's legacy Happy Daze outlet. With lots and lots more trez kool legacy surprises in store. Sooooo .... who's that behind the Hotbox counter now?!? Why, it's totally kick butt activist-entrepreneur Erin Goodwin! Know this: All three landmarks have now applied to become licensed pot shops! Friendly Stranger Holdings Corp also plans to open 17 more, new locations across the province. Take that, you Ford conster tools @ Cision @ BlogTO @ PEx

Toke Cannabis: Like Abi, Robin and Erin, pioneering cannabis activist-entrepreneur Chris Goodwin was certainly no stranger to us at Oh Cannabis, during the local, legalization good fight either. Nowadaze, he's focused on helping develop our challenged Canadian legal, retail cannabis marketplace too. More good news @ Toke

No Cannabis Cafes: Nope! Not in Ontario! Not 4 now anyways. More Ford nonsense @ CBC

Racial + Gender Disparities: Not everybody has profited equally under Canadian legalization. Far from it @ Globe

RIP: Med Pot? Canada's medical cannabis patients often got overlooked in the legalization process. Safety? Access? Compassion Clubs? Support groups? At the pharmacy? Here's to imagining a much, more inclusive system to better meet our very specific needs @ Muggles

IN THE NEWS

Big News: The United Nations has voted to remove cannabis from it's Schedule 4 list of "dangerous drugs"Nope! Our favourite weed isn't like heroin or fentanyl at all. Thankfully, the long overdue change in status now eases many international restrictions. Opens the door for a lot more scientific research. While strengthening the legalization case for medical cannabis around the world. Just check out how many countries voted for the motion. Considering that it's still illegal in most places, what comes next?!? Prohibition isn't over yet, far from it, but there's finally some light at the end of the tunnel @ HT @ NYT @ Forbes @ AfricaN

Give Us MORE: The Democratic controlled US House of Representatives votes 228 to 164 to pass the MORE act. It decriminalizes cannabis at the federal level. Could help ease banking restrictions. While also providing several social and criminal measures to try to remediate the problems prohibition has created for people of colour; in being criminalized the most and largely left shut out of the legal US cannabiz sector. But sigh! Alas! There's no saying that the GOP Senate will agree to pass the MORE act into law anytime soon @ RS @ Leafly @ BI Act @ Congress


US Green Wave: Cannabis is the only clearcut winner in this fall's election. All 5 state legalization referendums pass by a broad margin, despite some stiff opposition. Seems our favourite weed, is no longer the highly divisive reefer madness issue it once was. This is big! Now, a third of adult Americans can enjoy legal access, without hassle. Can the rest be far behind? @ NORML @ ArcaM @ Politico 

More Weed Referendums: This federal election, Arizona, Montana, New Jersey and North Dakota vote to legalize recreational cannabis. Mississippi and South Dakota  -medical pot. Popular support runs high, despite a sad, all to often lack of vision, amongst the state political leaders @ Hill


Yer Weed Election Prospectus:
 Trump-Pence? Biden-Harris? Nope, legalization wise, neither ticket is an excellent choice. But best hold your nose and vote @ Complex NORML @ NORML

Dump Trump: If there's still any doubt, Der Donald is a lousy businessman, as his tax returns show. Rather than embrace the new cannabiz sector, he's done little but engage in reefer madman attacks and obstruction over the past four years. Plus the issue is a Liberal-Commie non-starter for most of his die hard MAGA base. Bottom line? There's little real hope for legalization anytime soon, if Trump gets re-elected. It's uncertain at best @ Leafly @ MM

Harris-Biden: Joe and Kamala are promising to decriminalize recreational cannabis and expunge all conviction records for cannabis use. Plus they support the legalization of medical cannabis. And will reschedule cannabis as a Schedule 2 drug. They are a step forward at least @ TeenVogue @ JB @ MS

Senator Bernie Sanders continues to robustly advocate legalization. But of course, you can't vote for him for president. No way. Still, if this is a transitional election, maybe the young progressives in a Democrat Congress can pick up the gauntlet. Complete the transformation in the year's ahead. A reasonable bet! More @ MM


30 years later ...

Home 4 Xmas: Mr. Richard DiLisis was sentenced to 90 years in prison, back in 1989, for conspiring to import 100 lbs of ganja into the US from Jamaica. Now, after ONLY 30 years in the slammer, he's being released, just in time to go home for Christmas. Why the change of heart? His failing health. Plus, unsafe prison conditions due to the Covid pandemic. Meet America's longest serving cannabis offender @ NBC 

Toke-La-Homa USA: The red neck state has gone hog wild for free market, legalized weed. Maybe there's hope yet for Trump country, as the Donald fades from view?!? Ma-Ha-Ha-Ha .... Er .... Make America High Again! @ Politico

GREEN MARKETING


$tate Referendum$: The legalization green wave sweeps 5 more states in this fall's US election. The cannabiz industry is projected to grow by an addition $9 billion. It's high times galore @ Yahoo

A Legal High: Ontario's licensed pot shop now account for 25.1% of the province's weed sales. Finally, there's some decent, legal places to shop! The OCS [Ontario Cannabis Store] is even boasting that the cheapest sale priced legal grams are now selling for as little as $7.05 a gram [Cdn]. But how's the THC count? The quality? And what about all that dumb packaging? Let's be frank. A decent sale priced "illicit" ounce still goes on average for $100-200 an ounce or less, in Toronto, for example on Weedmaps. Ditto at the Mohawk shops in Tyendinaga. Sure. Our licensed producers and pot shops are definitely improving. With Abi Roach as it's new senior product manager, the OCS too. But ...  sigh! ...alas! ... on the whole, the legal sector's still got a long way to go, in order to compete @ BNNB

Green Christmas: A recent poll indicates that a third of  Canadians might be gifting weed to their family and friends this Christmas. Hi-de-ho ho ho!420

Women in Weed: Our sisters in the cannabis community are stepping up! Cultivator Autumn Brands is 50% female owned. That's changing the way the company works and does business in some exciting, new ways @ Vie

Women, Blacks and Indigenous are still under represented at the board level of Canada's new Legal Producers [LP's], 2 years after legalization. White folk comprise 73% of our population. But according to a recent survey, we held 84% of the executive and director positions, in the 166 LP's and 56 parent companies being studied @ Vice More facts and figures @ CDPE


Avia Naturals: Our medical cannabis readers know what a pain in the ass it is getting our medicine through Health Canada! Fortunately, this local GTA company provides an excellent, readily available array of organic based, CBD topicals and tinctures. You'll find Michelle downstairs at the weekend Dixie Outlet Mall Flea Market, in Mississauga. Or can order online @ Avian

Next Level: I received 2 of their vape pen cartridges to test and review: Purple Romula and Apple Jack, a THC and CBD distillate, respectively. Made with pure MCT oil. The cartridges have a nice glass mouthpiece. They are rich and full flavoured. Not too harsh on my throat. The Romula packs quite a THC punch. The Apple Jack; a great way to take your CBD's. I quite enjoyed them a lot. Have often been my fall back toke when I'm stuck indoors. More info and to order @ NLD


Takin' it to the Next Level!

Aleafia Emblem: Although I usually detest sales calls, I was quite pleased when this licensed producer phoned to see if I needed any more CBD's. With Toronto back in lockdown, I happily ordered another bottle of Emblem's handy-dandy CBD 20 15 ml Atmosphere oral spray [$40 Cdn], to help tide me over. Just for fun, I also ordered their dried flower; 3.5 g's of Day Dream [$31.50] and 5.0 g's of Kalifornia [$40]. 

The buds were fresh, with good colour, taste and body. 
But the THC count? The low 20's! That's the best they could do! Maybe it's because I have been toking for a good many years. But I found that 
I had to smoke quite a lot to get high. Plus the overall buzz wore off pretty quick. 

The total cost? $126 with tax and next day delivery. All in all - a good effort by the Aleafia Emblem medical sales and service team. Seems like our legal LP's are getting a bit better that way. Actually reaching out. Being useful, especially from a medical cannabis perspective. But the weed was hardly a match for what's readily available anyways, in Toronto's local, unlicensed marketplace. Nor at the Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory dispensaries outside Belleville, Ontario, as visited and reviewed here on Oh Cannabis, last summer. Check out Aleafia Emblem online @ Here

US Wake Up Call: The legal cannabis industry is creating a new, booming workforce across the US. That's admist the Covid pandemic, despite the endless, political foot dragging and business complications  @ Forbes

Fighting The Cannabis Stigma: Big weed still doggedly refuses to properly acknowledge, let alone embrace, the huge, already existing heritage cannabis market. Not only is it highly unjust to go after the very growers, producers and dealers who made legalization possible in the first place. They are also largely missing out on the underground consumer market, while reinforcing the negative reefer madness stigma surrounding weed. In short, there's just no respect, and we all suffer as a result @ Jar


Not Ready 4 Prime Time: Why did the oh so promising  Medmen pot start up collapse? Blame the lavish corporate parties. Underhanded business practices. And labour law violations. Such wild west capitalism hardly seems in tune with the legalization movement's counterculture thrust either @ Politico

Meet the United Cannabis Workers: Yup! A widespread union movement is taking hold across the US. Here's a who's who. Plus how they're helping protect the new cannbis workforce's wages, benefits and working conditions @ GMR

Cannabis in Europe: Here's the inside dope on where it's legal to grow, sell, and possess both medical and recreational weed, across Europe. Hint: in most countries it's still highly illegal, not just in Eastern Europe, but in the UK and France. Except for the Netherlands, Czech Republic and Spain @ CLR

Cannabis in Asia: An industry update from China, Hong Kong, Indonesia and Thailand. With lotsa links @ MMJR

HIGHER LEARNING


A Stoner Coronavirus Guide: Be a safe, responsible member of our cannabis community in lockdown. Online. At the dispensary. And when social distancing in public. No more puff, puff pass for now! Sigh! Alas! If Covid-19 doesn't kill you, the long term, side effects are totally blek! Both 4 you and others! Remember, we are all in this together, as a cannabis community @ Woke

Yer Guide 2 Covid + Weed: Here's why cannabis might prove medically useful in treating the virus @ HE

Beginner's Guide 2 Cannabis: Hi! Hi! High there! Here's a quickie peak at everything you need to know to start enjoying our favourite weed. Plenty o' links @ Daze

Toking Glossary: Stoners? Ripped? Baked? Say what?!? Know the lingo @ Toke

A Guide 2 420: Just what the faaak is going on?!? You dunno? Then check here @ Daze

How 2 Grade Pot: Use all five of your senses @ CN

Yer Dab Guide: Wax? Oil? Shatter? Let's supersize that high @ Atlantic

Cannabis Edibles: Jus' the facts m'am/ man @ MMP

Indica Verses Sativa Verses Hybrid: Understand the differences. Choose the strains best for you @ SSA

High Sex: Enjoy great sex while high on weed @ Fa

Wake + Bake: How to pair coffee and weed @ Leafly

Weed Brownies: They're a real stoner classic! Not 2B missed! Let's get cookin' @ Benz

Don't Drink + Toke: Alcohol and cannabis are a bad mix! It might seem like fun, but ... problems galore! @ MMP

How 2 Straighten Up Quick: It's waaaay easier than with alcohol. Definitely not as hard as you might think @ Leafly

Time Out Tips: Stop toking for a bit, every now and then, to keep getting real high AF. The low down on tolerance breaks is @ Leafly

How 2 Store Weed: The do's and don'ts 4 keeping it fresh y yummy @ Leafly

Grow Yer Own: Save big bucks! Never run out of weed! In Canada, you can now legally grow up to 4 plants, hassle free! Here's how to get started @ Benz

Why Pot Was Banned in Canada: Cannabis wasn't illegal here until 1923. Sadly, shameless racism played a strong role, as weed was inexplicably included in a list of banned drugs, without debate in parliament. Why? The Canadian government wanted to stop the flow of immigrants from China. And felt pressured to sign the US backed Geneva Conventions banning weed. 

Seems there was no time to waste. Apparently Cannabis turned tokers into violent, raving maniacs. Moreover, drug addled, young, white women were getting seduced! Having "mixed race" babies! 

Canadian icons Emily Murphy and Maclean's magazine even helped stoke the reefer madness. Amongst the confusing panic, prohibition was quickly passed, even though weed wasn't really dangerous. Nor very popular or widespread, throughout the Chinese community TC Walrus

HIGH TIMES



Caremongering: Mercari CEO Lisa Campbell explains how many cannabis enthusiasts are making the best of social distancing during the Covid pandemic -by meeting with and supporting each other online. And in Canada, by legally mailing each other handy, dandy little care packages @ ESun

As If: Trump smokes dope @ BB

Karma Cup 2020: No. I didn't judge this year. I love puff, puff, passing with family and friends. And at the various Cup related events. But that wasn't possible this year, so I sat it out. Still the Karma Cup returns next September 11 and 12th. Meantime, here's the 2020 competiton results @ Karma


Smoke Weed Everyday: It's our stoner meme. A true 420 classic. Started out as a Dr. Dre track @ You Got the Snoop Dog/ Collie Budzz treatment @ Tube And just kept keeps getting and better @ ReMix Know your meme's @ NYM

Senior High: Baby boomers take note! Medical or recreational cannabis? We're turning on again like never before. Surprise! It can even increase the quality of life in our senior years. Get lit @ High Times

RSO: Medical cannabis advocate Rick Simpson is famous for his namesake oil; a natural, cancer treatment that also, gets you totally high AF! Sticking to his higher principles, the Rickster never tried to make a profit off his oil. Just wanted to help folks out. Now he's flat broke and is recovering from a stroke. So it's our turn! Please contribute to Rick Simpson's GoFundMe account. Yaaaay RickHT More on RSO @ Leafly

Sixties Redux: Pot was very popular with the counterculture movement, during the heady 1960's. Suddenly, it's back in favour again. Perhaps that's because it's great for dealing with the increased stress and anxiety of our turbulent life and times? More @ PCBD

Mr. Tamborine Man: Yeah well ... Cough! Cough! ... it unfolded like this; Bob Dylan turned the Beatle's onto pot. And a splendid time was guaranteed for all ... er ... er ... with a little help from their friend! Heh! Eh? Sure, "Revolver" was the Beatle's pot album, not "Sgt. Pepper's... but that was reeeeaal far out too man!!! Trippin' back in the daze @ PCBD

Ten Best Hip Hop Weed Songs: Yeh yeah! This is trez kool but there's plenty more. Feel free to add your own favourites in "Comments" below. The List @ BluntPower


COMMENTS

Communist Girls ARE More Fun!

Communist Girls ARE More Fun!
See below ...

Communist Girls Are More Fun #1

Communist Girls Are More Fun #1

Communist Grrrls are More Fun #2

Communist Grrrls are More Fun #2

Communist Grrrls Are More Fun #3

Communist Grrrls Are More Fun #3

Communist Girls Are More Fun #4

Communist Girls Are More Fun #4

Art at the Paris Louvre: What does it mean?!?

Art at the Paris Louvre: What does it mean?!?
A careful analytical study!

Help! I Have No Arms!

Help! I Have No Arms!
Please scratch my back.

I can't find my underwear!.

I can't find my underwear!.
Have you seen them!

Weee! I can fly!

Weee! I can fly!
Look! I can crawl thru walls!

I have a headache!

I have a headache!
And a broken nose.

I have a square hole in my bum!

I have a square hole in my bum!

Here try this, it's very good!

Here try this, it's very good!
No. You have a bird face.

I have an ugly baby!

I have an ugly baby!
No I'm not!

Let's save all our money + buy pants!

Let's save all our money + buy pants!
OK but I need a new hand too!

Oh no! I got something in my eye!

Oh no! I got something in my eye!

You don't look well.

You don't look well.
No. My head hurts +I have a sore chest.

Would you like a bun?

Would you like a bun?

Chichen-Itza: Lost Maya City of Ruins!

Chichen-Itza: Lost Maya City of Ruins!
The Temple of Kukulkan!

Gotta love it!

Gotta love it!
Truly amazing!

Under Reconstruction!

Under Reconstruction!

Temples + Snakes!

Temples + Snakes!

The Snake!

The Snake!
It runs the length of the ball field!