InHale! hOLd! ExHaLe! sMiLe! AddItIoNs ADDeD iN lArGe TyPe!
StONerS GuiDe @ HERE! LaTest Links @ TWITTER!
OH CANNABIS
Canada's Drug War Redux: Since legalization, Canada's war on drugs has morphed into a retail battle between our licensed verses our unregulated sellers. The latest quarterly findings from the government run OCS [Ontario Cannabis Store] suggest that the newly created legal weed market now accounts for 40% of total sales. Perhaps that's because our pioneering heritage retailers .... yeah, those who actually fought for legalization, put some real skin in the game .... are finally getting their licenses too?!? Better late than never, I suppose! More @ MugH
Med Pot Blues: Sadly, Canada's flagship medical cannabis program has fallen by the wayside since legalization. Sure, we can easily buy recreational weed now, but that misses the point. Lawyer Harrison Jordan outlines how the government has failed @ HJL
Cannabis Tax Spoiler: Legal sales In Canada include an excise tax of 10%, or a dollar a gram, whichever costs more. Of course, an unlicensed retailer doesn't charge tax. That makes a big difference, when you're buying a quarter, a half and an ounce, or even a discount gram. It really hurts our small legal mom and pop growers, producers and retailers. Plus it's a big hit to the wallet for our medical cannabis patients too. Here's to a tax cut! Good luck @ StratCan
Dept of Big Secrets: Why are complete details of each province's bustling, cannabis trade figures being hidden and withheld from us? They could help create better business and consumer pot policies, now so sadly lacking. Duh @ MugH
Cannabis Amnesty: Where are the pardons promised to pot heads busted or incarcerated before Canada legalized weed in 2018?!? This is a grave injustice, especially for our people of colour, who've suffered the most, in a country that prides itself on being inclusive and multicultural, above all that! More @ CA @ TokeC @ Globe
Budding Toronto Cannabis Lawyer Caryma Sa'd explains why Canada's new system for erasing old weed convictions is a dud @ CTV
UNDRIP [United Nations Declaration On The Right of Indigenous People]: British Columbia is a signatory to the declaration, recognizing the indigenous peoples right to freely pursue their own economic development. Now Cory Brewer, an Okanagan Indian Band member from Vernon BC is claiming that he doesn't need a provincial license to sell weed on First Nation lands. Let's see if the province will actually walk the talk, rule of law style, like they said. Or whether it's all just talk, talk, talk? @ CBC
OCS Craft Cannabis: The Ontario Cannabis Store will soon be selling premium priced craft weed. They're hoping it'll help them corner the legacy market, by bringing us into the legal stores to shop. The price will probably decide that. It's going to be expensive. Still, the OCS provides a useful working definition of craft cannabis and explains how it should be grown and prepared @ OCS
Craft Cannabis 2 The Rescue: Unfortunately, legalization has often resulted in lotsa low quality, corporate, ditch weed, that nobody wants to buy, piling up unsold on our dispensary shelves. Canada's micro-growers and the prospect of farm gate sales provide a viable alternative @ CIJ
Legalization's Second Coming: Like micro-brewery beer? Then you're going to love craft cannabis, if you haven't tried it already. CEO Lisa Campbell of the Mercari Agency explains @ Now
Legal Cannabis Shortage: The Ontario Cannabis Store is cutting back on deliveries from Canada's licensed producers due to the pandemic. Hopefully, that'll help protect their workers. However, since Ontario's legal dispensaries can't buy directly from the producers themselves, consumers now face a worsening stock shortage when ordering weed. Without doubt, Ontario's unlicensed dealers and producers will step in to make up the difference @ BNN
IN THE NEWS
Garlands 4 Merrick: Thankfully, US President Joe Biden's new Attorney General seems to pass the cannabis sniff test! He thinks the feds should leave the state's who've legalized it alone, noting it's not the "best use" of Justice Department's resources. He also seems aware of the racial socio-economic impact and inequities of prohibition. All in all, a very refreshing perspective and quite a departure from the long lineup of nightmarish reefer madmen, formerly sitting in the all important AG's seat. More on Merrick Garland @ NORML @ Brook @ MJBiz
Legalize It: Here's a handy guide to how the Democrats will attempt to push legalization through the senate, in the daze ahead @ Axios
US Safe Banking Act: Back to Congress it goes! If passed, the bill will finally allow the legal cannabis sector to do business with the US banks and other financial institutions, like everyone else. That'll be a big plus for the legal states. So too, Canada's LP's [licensed producers], hoping to expand their stateside operations. Sadly, the bill was taken off the table by the GOP controlled Senate late last year. Maybe it'll pass this time around, with the Democrats now in the legislative driver's seat? @ BNN @ MRLLP
Say It Ain't So Joe: Don't get too excited about the prospects for legalization, decriminalization or whatever. The Biden White House asked it's incoming staffers to be honest about whether they toke or not. Then dismissed over a dozen who admitted that they do. Yiikes! Actions speak louder than words @ DB @ MM
Or We'll Do It 4 You: Fortunately, thirty congressional leaders quickly admonish President Biden for firing the potheads. Also, senate majority leader; Chuck Shumer, defiantly insists that he'll act on legalization with or without Biden's consent. Hey! It's democracy in action. Sure beats Trump and the GOP! @ Norml
State Legalization Guide: Medical or Recreational? Who's legal? Who's not? Keep track! This spring, 10 different state legislatures have legalization bills coming down the line. You'll find detailed state by state analysis @ Leafly @ WM @ DISA @ NORML Plus handy legislative links @ MM
Not Whistling Dixie: Alabama lawmakers from both sides of the Senate floor are finding common ground in passing the state's medical cannabis bill, this time with renewed vigour @ MM @ MPP Read the "Compassion Act" @ MPP
Legacy of Exclusion: Blacks and Hispanics in New York State are hoping that they won't be excluded from the new legal marketplace. However, there are lots of barriers standing in their way @ Goth
School Daze: A Florida teacher at Space Coast High is fired, after a school drug test reveals that she's taking medical cannabis, for a workplace injury. Seems it's okay for the students, but not the teachers. Like Allison Enright! She was being supervised and taking it instead of opioids. But the Brevard County School Board was worried that'll affect their federal grants. What a cop out @ GO
Mexico A Go Go! Lawmakers in the lower chamber vote overwhelmingly to legalize and license adult recreational weed. It's still unclear though, whether it'll pass through the upper chamber of the legislature, when two thirds of Mexicans oppose legalization. If it does, Mexico becomes the third country after Uruguay and Canada, to legalize weed. Ironically, leaving the US, the odd man out in our new, three way USMCA trade pact.
Corporate Weed: Many Mexicans are also concerned about whom will profit. It might well not be Mexican consumers, home growers or indigenous people. Activists insist that the new laws will continue to discriminate against, stigmatize and criminalize the grassroots cannabis community. While only furthering the government's nefarious, corporate weed agenda. Hmmm ... sound familiar?!? More @ NYT @ MugH @ MugH
Much more to come ....
GREEN MARKETING
Perhaps a separate section is redundant, what with so many business stories being posted throughout my blog this spring. Anyway, here's a tip o' the hat to what I myself am enjoying. More reviews will follow, especially as the warm weather takes me back to Ontario's Land o' Lakes, near all those fab Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory pot shops once again:
Bruce Banner: Yep! After a loooooong winter lock downed here in Toronto, this hybrid bud is just about the only thing stopping me from turning into the incredible hulk. First, I scored a few grams of "Elemental" Bruce Banner shatter for just shy of $20 each from Toke Online @ HERE! Cheap and very relaxing! Plus it's helping keep me mindful, focused and alert too! I love it so much that I also scored an ounce of phat, earthy BC Bruce Banner buds from BudBox online @ HERE! $180 with shipping and tax! Top notch sales and service from both retailers. Was delivered to my door in no time flat! Definitely, two thumbs up!
Redecan Reign Drops: Earth to David! We have lift off! 28.5 grams. 30 mg THC. Mixed with MTC oil. It's quite the space trip! 30ml for $43.50. Like the next two products, available though Shoppers Drug Market @ HERE!
RHO CBD Spray: My morning medical cannabis fix! 22 mg CBD. 11 mg THC. Too bad about the leaky dispenser. Spills all over the place. Is plastered with big dumb warning stickers. A real packaging turn off, but par for the course with the legal stuff! 15 ml cost $34.99.
Zenabis Spray: At 27.9 THC it's a handy pick me upper, when I don't feel like rolling one, or getting out my torch. Two or three squirts will do. But again, it comes in a super leaky dispenser with a big ugly sticker on it. What a friggin' mess! So el cheapo looking and downright clunky at 15 ml for $39.98.
"Turn! Turn! Turn!" Or "Too Everything There Is A Reason": The OCS, Ontario's government online retailer, has gone through 6 presidents in it's first 3 years. Insiders insist there's "unique circumstances" behind each executive departure. However, that still represents an alarming sense of "corporate discontinuity" at the bumbling Ford government's flagship cannabis store @ MJD
Celebrating 420 in Style: Edibles? Elixirs? Glass? Papers? Volcanos? Pens etc. etc. etc. Moreso for Mr. + Ms. Fancy Pants, or I suppose anyone wanting to liven up your sesh @ HT
Put A Spring In Your Step: Here are some strains that are especially appropriate come this time of year @ Civilized @ CN
Much more to come ....
HIGHER LEARNING
Grow Yer Own: Adult Canadians ... ahem ... can each legally grow 4 cannabis plants at home. So whatcha waiting for?!? Here's how to get growing, in just 8 easy steps @ TOk Plus some spring seeds suggestions @ H2GM
A 420 Beginners Guide: All day April 20th is a stoner holiday. We also celebrate together at 4:20 pm each day. Sound strange? Hmmm. Here's a guide to everything you could want to know about 420, but were afraid to ask @ Leafly
Fighting the Racist Stigma: Where to begin? Please! Everyone from Weed Nation; white, black, brown, purple or ... or ... or .... whatever ... just admit it! You smoke pot! Or maybe we white folk should go first? We're the least at risk. Love to toke. Can get the ball rolling. So that we can all work together to dispel the stupid social barriers, especially for our brothers and sisters of colour @ MIC
Call It Cannabis: Marijuana sounds more outlaw-ish and sexier. But it also has racist connotations that most of us know little about. Learn more @ LVS
This Ain't The Summer of Love: During the Covid pandemic, seniors are increasingly turning to cannabis. It's great for stress, depression, aches and pains .... whatever ails. There's lots of the usual fear mongering in this article about the effects of smoking weed. Will it make you dizzy? Lightheaded? Confused? Coz you're old?!? Funny how nobody goes on and on like that about booze, which makes folks get real aggressive and results in lots of fights. Still, like they say, "start low, go slow". Weed today is a lot more potent than back in the day, especially if you haven't toked in a while @ NYT @ Insider
Much more to come ....
HIGH TIMES
Much more to come ....
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