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Mexican Lawmakers introduce marijuana legalization Bill

Mexico is poised to became the third nation in the world to legalize recreational cannabis. This is in part because President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador is in support and in part because Canada and Uruguay and much of the United States allow adults to legally consume the world’s most popular illicit drug, but also because the country has no choice.

Legalization at some unknown later date has been inevitable since last fall, when country’s Supreme Court ruled that a nationwide “absolute ban” on recreational cannabis violated a “fundamental right to the free development of the personality,” and that an appropriate change in federal law — legalization — is necessary.

But lawmaking takes time, even when lawmaking is imposed by the courts. As Marijuana Moment reported, on Tuesday, almost a year after the court’s landmark ruling, Sen. Julio Ramon Menchaca Salazar introduced a legalization bill in the Mexican Congress.

If passed, Salazar’s bill would reform two sections of the country’s General Health Law and allow for both recreational as well as medical use of cannabis. There would also be allowances for a Mexican CBD industry — if passed, Salazar’s proposal would allow for the “textile use of the plant,” according to the senator.

Under Salazar’s proposal, official state sanction from the Ministry of Health would be required to cultivate, process, transport and possess cannabis.

The reasons why will all sound familiar: Prohibition has empowered organized crime (though narcos have largely abandoned cannabis as a cash crop in favor of harder drugs, Mexico’s drug cartels and their cartoonishly heinous acts need no introduction) and has failed to bolster the health or welfare of the state and its citizens.

Ironically, though popular worldwide and in other countries, legalization is not very popular in Mexico, at all. As a 2018 survey from the country’s Center for Social Studies and Public Opinion found, only half of Mexican citizens approve marijuana legalization and 70% disapprove of recreational use, though 90% support medical cannabis, as the Washington Post reported.

What happens next? More talking, and then maybe some lawmaking. Next week, the Congress of the Union will hear from a series of experts exactly how to best regulate and tax cannabis. In the meantime, the proposal will be heard in several committees.

Cannabis reform has come slowly in Mexico despite several clear instructions from the courts to speed things along and legalize.

The first came in 2017, when the Supreme Court also ruled that banning medical marijuana was unconstitutional — though in the interim period, there has been little progress. The courts took notice: In August, the court ordered health authorities to publish “within 180 days” guidelines for how medical cannabis might be obtained, grown, and sold.

Legendary among old-school heads who bore modern-day terp-hunters with tales of heady highs gleaned from Acapulco Gold, Mexican cannabis may be ideal to compete on the growing global market. Unlike Canada, now the world’s largest exporter of cannabis flower and oil, Mexico has an ideal climate and cheap labor costs, as the The Washington Post noticed.

And entrepreneurs are getting ready. Last week, Mexico City hosted the fifth incarnation of ExpoWeed, the country’s largest cannabis convocation. And in Tijuana, the once-notorious border city riven by drug-fueled cartel violence, the city’s first head shop has opened for business.

“Legal weed here is going to happen, but probably not for another year,” the head shop’s owner told WeedMaps’s news vertical.

Eve & Co announces third German supply agreement for immediate release

Eve & Co Incorporated (the “Company” or “Eve & Co”) (TSXV: EVE; OTCQB: EEVVF) is pleased to announce that its wholly-owned subsidiary Natural MedCo Ltd. has entered into a third binding, non-exclusive supply agreement for the sale of dried cannabis to a German importer and distributor.

The supply agreement is for an initial term of two years and is automatically renewable for subsequent two-year terms unless otherwise terminated by the parties at the end of the initial or renewal term.  The German distributor has agreed to purchase a minimum of 25 kilograms of dried cannabis per month for the first two months and a minimum of 100 kilograms per month for the next 22 months. The Company expects to commence shipments subsequent to the anticipated approval by Health Canada of the Company’s 780,000 square foot greenhouse expansion.

“We are very excited to announce our third German supply agreement and to further expand our supply opportunities in Germany. With regulatory approval of our greenhouse expansion expected before the end of the year, we anticipate being able to meet our supply commitments and to expand our sales channels in Germany,” said Melinda Rombouts, President and Chief Executive Officer of Eve & Co.

The purchase and sale of dried cannabis under the supply agreement are subject to various conditions precedent, including receipt of all requisite regulatory approvals, including applicable Canadian and Germany export and import authorizations.

ABOUT EVE & CO INCORPORATED

Eve & Co, through its wholly-owned subsidiary Natural MedCo Ltd., holds cultivation and processing licenses under the Cannabis Act (Canada) for the production and sale of various cannabis products, including dried cannabis, cannabis plants and cannabis oil. Natural MedCo Ltd. was Canada’s first female founded licensed producer of medicinal marijuana and received its cultivation license from Health Canada in 2016.

Eve & Co is led by a team of agricultural experts and has a licenced 220,000 sq. ft. scalable greenhouse production facility located in Strathroy, Ontario. Eve & Co has completed construction of an additional 780,000 sq. ft. expansion, bringing Eve & Co’s total greenhouse capacity to 1,000,000 sq. ft.

The Company’s website can be visited at www.evecannabis.ca.

8 factors to consider while choosing an online cannabis dispensary

Whether you want to buy cannabis for medical or recreational purposes, you may not feel comfortable about shopping from a store. Online cannabis dispensary are the best option if you are one of the discreet users. At the same time, you cannot match the convenience of getting the products delivered right to your doorstep. Moreover, you can browse through a large number of options online without having a salesperson to show them to you. However, there are a few concerns that online shoppers always have, more so while buying medicinal products. But these can be resolved if you bear some factors in mind while ordering cannabis from an online store. Let us share them with you.

Start by looking around and comparing

The first rule of shopping on the internet is to explore. So it is best to start with extensive research across the web. There will probably be hundreds of options once you start looking around. It is always wise to do some research at your end because it gives you the opportunity to check and compare products and prices. Several physical stores have websites to sell their products virtually. It is a good idea to buy from one that has a physical store near your location, though most of them deliver to different locations as well. Do check the contact information from the website before you order.

Assess the seller with a good look at the website

Once you shortlist a virtual seller to order cannabis, do have a good at their website to establish their credibility. Reliable online sellers will have a good one that gives trust signals to the buyers. Good design and high-quality information are definitely the key points to look for. Also, you can expect them to mention their contact details so that you can verify them. Further, customer testimonials are a plus point that adds credibility to the seller’s profile. Ensure that the site delivers a good shopping experience, which credible sellers always do.

Check the product range they offer

It is important to check the product range that the online dispensary offers. If you love to experiment with different strains, the variety on their menu will obviously matter for you. While some dispensaries have limited offerings, others provide almost everything you may want now or later. Go through their product catalog even before you order for the first time. Prioritize the ones that have a good range because you may want to try different products subsequently. You will probably want to stick to a store once you start buying from them. Choosing one with versatile products helps in this context. Also, ensure that they offer thoroughly-tested and high-quality products.

Verify the delivery locations

Before you start shopping from an online dispensary, be sure to check their delivery locations. Verify whether they deliver in your area and also find the expected timelines. Do have a good look at their delivery charges as well because they can elevate the price considerably. Obviously, Mission Organic Center – San Francisco Cannabis Dispensary would make a feasible choice if you live in San Francisco or around. You cannot expect a seller located somewhere in New York to deliver the product to you. This is because location determines the timing and cost of cannabis delivery.

Ask for recommendations and go through online reviews

Another factor that you should consider while buying cannabis online is the reputation of the dispensary. Start by asking for recommendations from other users. Most of them will probably have something to say about the ones they have tried before. Going through online reviews is also a smart idea as hundreds of reviews from real customers will actually be available if you look around. It always helps to know the opinion of real people rather than simply trust what the sellers have to say. When buying online, you cannot just trust blindly because it is not possible to see and experience the products physically.

Find out about their payment options

One of the important concerns for online shoppers is the modes of payment that the store follows. Obviously, you need to find whether the store accepts payments the way you can give them. For example, you may be more comfortable with cash payments rather than debit cards. Or you may simply not have a debit card to make card payments to them. So it is best to go through their policies to find out about the payment modes they accept. Having a look at their website will give you a fair idea because it gives you complete information about their process and policies.

Look for deals and offers

Whether you buy online or in-store, you would always want a good deal. This is an advantage that you get by shopping from an online dispensary. And this is also one of the reasons why the number of cannabis consumers willing to shop online is increasing! You will probably find that most of them give you special coupons and discounts, particularly as first-time buyers. There are membership programs that offer special treatment for regular shoppers. Plus, you may even get a referral bonus or points when you get a new customer through a referral program. Just keep looking around and you will find a site that has something lucrative for you.

Customer support also matters

When you shop cannabis online, you may have some questions to ask and doubts to clarify. Since you do not interact with a salesperson directly, you need someone who can address your concerns properly. Customer support matters a lot in this context. Besides making things easier for the buyers, it indicates the willingness of the seller to serve them better. Check the website to find how they would be available if you need to connect with them.

Shopping cannabis online can make life much easier but it really boils down to finding a seller you can trust. After all, you need one that caters quality products, while making the buying process completely hassle-free for you. This list will surely help you find an online dispensary that you can trust for buying cannabis products for medicinal and recreational purposes.

Marijuana use by US college students highest in 35 years

U.S. college students are using marijuana at the highest rates in 35 years, according to a report released Thursday.

About 43% of full-time college students said they used some form of pot at least once in the past year, up from 38%, a University of Michigan survey found. About 25% said they did so in the previous month, up from 21%.

The latest figures are the highest levels seen in the annual survey since 1983.

About 6% of college students said they used marijuana 20 or more times in the past month. For adults the same age who weren’t enrolled in college, the figure was 11%.

“It’s the frequent use we’re most worried about” because it’s linked to poor academic performance and can be detrimental to mental health, said John Schulenberg, one of the Michigan researchers.

College-age adults are the biggest users of marijuana than any other age group. Use among high school students has been flat for a few years.

The 2018 findings are based on responses from about 1,400 adults age 19 to 22, including 900 who were full-time college students and about 500 who were not.

The survey only has comparable data on college kids going back to 1980. So it doesn’t say how common marijuana use was in the 1960s and 1970s — a time when marijuana use on college campuses was considered widespread.

Marijuana use has been rising in college-age kids for more than a decade. Schulenberg said it seems to be tied to views about risk — in the early 1990s, about three-quarters of young adults said pot was risky. But last year it was down to 22%.

The survey also found about 11% of college students said they vaped marijuana in the previous month — more than double the figure in the 2017 survey.

Pot stocks in September show great potential

The month of September has gotten off to a positive start for the pot stock market. Many marijuana stocks have shown sides of uptrends after a past few months of heavy volatility in the industry. With so much happening so quickly throughout cannabis stocks, it can be difficult at times to keep up with where the market is headed. One of the most important things to consider before investing in marijuana stocks is the amount of research that one has completed.

As is investing in any industry, one should always find out as much information as they can about a given company. This ensures that there are no surprises once the investment has been made. While pot stocks are undoubtedly still an infant market, the reality is that the industry functions just like any other. With projections set into the triple digit billions in the next ten or so years, it looks like the potential is continuing to shoot up into the near future.

A Vertically Integrated Pot Stock to Watch

1933 Industries Inc. (TGIFF Stock Report) (TGIF Stock Report) is one of the leading vertically integrated cannabis stocks working out of the U.S. and Canada. The company has been operating throughout several subsidiaries that they own wholly. 1933 Industries has stated that they operate within cannabis cultivation, extraction, processing and the manufacturing of various assets.

pot stocks to watch 1933 Industries (TGIFF) (TGIF)

The company has stated that they have the goal of delivering some of the highest quality natural wellness products that are available on the open marijuana stock market. Some of their internal brands include AMA Flower and AMA concentrates, CBD-infused Canna Hemp and more. With their broad spectrum reach across the pot stock market, 1933 Industries has shown that they are a major pot stock to watch.

A Big Announcement for 1933 Industries

The company recently announced that they have commenced a move into a new cultivation facility. The facility will be based out of Las Vegas, Nevada. For those who don’t know, Nevada has become one of the largest hotbeds for cannabis company growth in the past few years. After extensive systems testing, 1933 Industries decided that moving into this new Las Vegas facility is the best move for their future.

Tim Spencer, Director of Cultivation stated that “this is a brand new facility and we worked around the clock to ensure that all systems were operational before transferring our plants.” The new facility should allow them to meet the increasing demand for their various branded products moving forward. For these reasons, they remain a key marijuana stock to watch for the near future.

Pot Stocks And Cannabis Cultivation

Aurora Cannabis (ACB Stock Report) is one of the largest growers of cannabis in the world. The company has been working to deliver larger revenues. This would benefit investors and the company as a whole. Although they have seen some downtrends in their stock price in the past month or so, it looks as though this could a time to consider the stock at a value price.

The company has stated that they expect their newest report to reflect positive adjusted earnings however they have not confirmed this with an official fourth-quarter result. With new members on the board and a strong plan for the future, Aurora Cannabis shows that they are a pot stock to watch as they build outgrowth throughout the company.

Study shows that cannabis combats stress, anxiety and depression

A Washington State University study has examined how cannabis combats stress, anxiety and depression by looking at different strains and quantities of cannabis being inhaled by patients at home.

The work, published in the Journal of Affective Disorders, suggests that inhaling cannabis can significantly reduce short-term levels of depression, anxiety, and stress but may contribute to worse overall feelings of depression over time.

This new study is one of the first attempts by United States scientists to assess how cannabis with varying concentrations of THC and CBD affect medicinal cannabis users’ feelings of wellbeing when inhaled outside of a laboratory.

Current research not sufficient

Previous research to see whether cannabis combats stress and anxiety has be done with THC only strains that have been put into a capsule – but this study looks at the impact of cannabis when it is inhaled.

Carrie Cuttler, clinical assistant professor of psychology at Washington State University (WSU) and lead author of the study, said: “Existing research on the effects of cannabis on depression, anxiety and stress are very rare and have almost exclusively been done with orally administered THC pills in a laboratory.

“What is unique about our study is that we looked at actual inhaled cannabis by medical marijuana patients who were using it in the comfort of their own homes as opposed to a laboratory.”

The team found that one puff of cannabis high in CBD and low in THC was optimal for reducing symptoms of depression, two puffs of any type of cannabis was sufficient to reduce symptoms of anxiety, while 10 or more puffs of cannabis high in CBD and high in THC produced the largest reductions in stress.

Cuttler continued: “A lot of consumers seem to be under the false assumption that more THC is always better. Our study shows that CBD is also a very important ingredient in cannabis and may augment some of the positive effects of THC.”

Cannabis combats stress, anxiety and depression

The results of the study showed that patients inhaling cannabis saw a significant reduction in their adverse feelings with depression symptom being reduced in 89.3% of sessions. However, the study also revealed that the symptoms of depression were exacerbated in a total 3.2% of sessions, and there was no change in 7.5% of sessions.

Symptoms of anxiety were reduced in a total of 93.5% of tracked sessions but were exacerbated in 2.1% of sessions, and there was no change in symptoms for 4.4% of sessions. Symptoms of stress were reduced in 93.3% of tracked sessions, increased in 2.7% of sessions, and there was no change in reported levels of stress for 4% of sessions.

The study also compared the impact of cannabis on these symptoms between the sexes and found that women perceived a greater reduction in symptoms of anxiety than men did.

Dosage and the interaction between THC and CBD

The study compared different strains of cannabis that had different levels of THC and CBD to see if there was any difference.

When studying the effects on depression, the study revealed a significant THC and CBD interaction and the greatest reduction in ratings of depression were reported after using cannabis with relatively low levels of THC and relatively high levels of CBD. There was also a nonsignificant effect of dose on change in symptoms of depression.

Contrastingly, when looking at anxiety the study showed that there was no significant interaction between THC and CBD, and neither THC nor CBD alone were predictors of change in anxiety ratings.  Results of models testing change in ratings of anxiety across different doses also revealed a nonsignificant linear effect. However, the team tested several models to explore curvilinear relationships – finding a significant curvilinear relationship. Further contrasts revealed that one puff produced significantly smaller changes in ratings of anxiety than all other doses, but no other differences across doses beyond one puff were detected.

When looking at whether cannabis combats stress, however, the study revealed a significant THC and CBD interaction, whereby ratings of stress were reduced the most after using cannabis with relatively high levels of THC and relatively high levels of CBD. Doses In contrast, strains with high THC/low CBD, low THC/high CBD, or low THC/low CBD, showed no appreciable differences in symptom change. Varying doses revealed a significant linear effect of dose and significant reduction of symptoms when having up to ten puffs.

Collecting cannabis impact data

The study used data taken from an app which provides medical cannabis users a means of tracking how different doses and types of cannabis affect a wide variety of symptoms of wellbeing.

The users rate the symptoms they are experiencing before using cannabis on a scale of 1-10 and then input information about the type of cannabis they are using. Twenty minutes after inhaling, they are prompted to report how many puffs they took and to rerate the severity of their symptoms.

Cuttler and WSU colleagues Alexander Spradlin and Ryan McLaughlin used a form of statistical analysis called multilevel modelling to analyse around 12,000 anonymous app entries for depression, anxiety and stress. The researchers did not receive any of the app users personally identifying information for their work.

Cuttler said: “This is to my knowledge one of the first scientific studies to provide guidance on the strains and quantities of cannabis people should be seeking out for reducing stress, anxiety and depression. Currently, medical and recreational cannabis users rely on the advice of bud tenders whose recommendations are based off of anecdotal not scientific evidence.”

The study is among several cannabis-related research projects currently underway at WSU, all of which are consistent with federal law and many of which are funded with Washington state cannabis taxes and liquor license fees.

Oregon vaping death investigation centers on marijuana oil purchased from 2 stores

A middle-age Oregon resident who died from lung disease tied to vaping bought cannabis oil from two marijuana retail stores and investigators are now trying to find leftover product to analyze it, state health officials said Thursday.

It’s unclear if the person vaped products from one or both of the stores, said Oregon Health Authority spokesman Jonathan Modie. Nor do health officials know if the person altered the THC liquid or mixed it with a home-made product, Modie said.

Health investigators are trying to track the oil to figure out if or how it led to the resident’s death in July. Officials wouldn’t identify the stores where the victim shopped.

The Oregon death is one of just two in the country connected to e-cigarettes amid an outbreak of 215 cases of severe lung disease in 25 states. Many cases have been linked to vaping oils that contain THC, the psychoactive component of marijuana that gives people a high.

The agency learned of the death in August, at least 19 days after the person died. Investigators with the Oregon Health Authority believe the oils the victim used can still be found.

“What is believed to be connected to this case is still out there,” Modie said. “We’re trying to retrieve it.”

Medical experts don’t know what’s causing the illnesses, with theories ranging from bootleg products to low-quality e-cigarette cartridges to Vitamin E oils. A sample of the product used by the Oregon victim could help both local and federal investigators better understand the outbreak.

If the health authority can get samples of the marijuana oil, investigators will take pictures, then send it to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for analysis. If the tests reveal hazardous components in a specific product, the agency will warn the public against using that product, Modie said.

The lung disease striking people usually starts with a cough, difficulty breathing and chest pain, said state public health expert Ann Thomas. Some patients also report nausea, fatigue and diarrhea. People will sometimes have such a tough time breathing that they’ll have to get oxygen treatment at a hospital. In extreme cases, patients will get oxygen with the help of a ventilator.

Modie said the agency has no plans at the moment to pull specific marijuana products off shelves. At this juncture, health officials just don’t know enough about what caused the Oregon victim’s lung illness.

Nor can the agency give specific advice for people who vape but want to avoid getting ill.

“The best advice we can give people is to not vape,” Modie said.

10 historical figures who loved cannabis

You definitely learned a thing or two about these notable figures during your classroom studies, but we bet your teacher didn’t mention that they all smoked weed. We’re here to school you.

People love smoking weed. They always have, and they always will. So, it should come as no surprise that some of our favorite historical figures we learned about in school dabbled in the recreational (and medicinal!) cannabis scene.

While these historical celebrities probably didn’t quite use the Tsunami 1000X Vaporizer Pen, they certainly got the job done somehow. Here are some of the most notable examples, from George Washington to Joan of Arc.

George Washington

After founding our nation, Washington retired to a farm in Mount Vernon. There, he mostly grew hemp. Entries in Washington’s diary strongly suggest he had an affinity for the medical use of marijuana. 

Shakespeare

At Shakespeare’s home in Stratford-Upon-Avon, researchers found clay pipes with cannabis residue. When you combine that with the mention of a ‘noted weed’ in one of his sonnets, it’s not hard to imagine Shakespeare enjoying a hand-rolled while doing his writing. Our take? Imagine Hamlet if Shakespeare had an Arcatek Button Cube at his disposal, instead of some old clay pipes. 

Alexandre Dumas

Although known primarily for The Three Musketeers andThe Count of Monte Cristo, Dumas was also a hash enthusiast. In fact, he even helped found an organization called the Club des Hashishchins. In English? The Club of Hash-Eaters.

Joan of Arc

Joan of Arc was burned at the stake for heresy, having claimed to receive visions and messages from the Archangel Michael. Although there’s no written record of Joan of Arc consuming cannabis, she came from a village that was well-known for its medicinal herbs,  including cannabis.

Pharaohs of Egypt

Egyptian civilization lasted nearly 3000 years, during which time a great number of pharaohs ruled the land around the Nile. When researchers examined the mummy of Ramesses II, cannabis pollen was found in abundance. In addition, medical records from the Egyptians also describe numerous uses for cannabis.

JFK

This one isn’t exactly a secret. Predating the drug war, JFK was said to use marijuana to cope with back pain. In fact, one account from John F. Kennedy: A Biography tells of JFK enjoying three joints with a woman named Mary Meyer. Perhaps it’s for the best that JFK existed before he could get his hands on a Tsunami Microscope Waterpipe.

Carl Sagan

At age 35, astronomer Carl Sagan wrote an essay under a pen name advocating for the legalization of marijuana. In fact, his wife even served on the board of directors at NORML.

Christopher Columbus

When Columbus set sail for the New World, it’s said that he made sure to bring plenty of cannabis seeds. If his crew were to get shipwrecked or marooned, at least they could plant some crops.

Hua Tuo

You may not have heard of him, but Hua Tuo is known for having invented the world’s first anesthetic. The recipe? Powdered cannabis mixed with wine. While it’s not great by modern medicine’s standards, it does sound like a good time.

Queen Victoria

Despite being a symbol of everything prim and proper, Queen Victoria was certainly given cannabis for its medicinal purposes. In fact, her private doctor even went on record as saying: “When pure and administered carefully, [cannabis] is one of the most valuable medicines we possess.”