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https://hightimes.com/

Diversity in the Cannabis C-Suite Returns to Pre-Pandemic Levels, Study Finds

Diversity among cannabis executives has returned to pre-pandemic levels. At least, that’s according to a new study, which combined surveys and data reports, and found that, as of today, around 39% of business owners in the industry are women, while some 24% are racial minorities – a step up from 2021 (22% and 13% respectively), and similar to 2019 (36% and 28%). Although the study’s authors quickly mention a couple of possible explanations for this development – like layoffs, inflation, and consolidation – they stress that their goal was to learn if diversity levels went up, not why. This leaves us with two important questions that, even if they can’t be answered definitively, are still worth investigating: what caused so many women and people of color to leave the cannabis c-suite during the pandemic – a time when weed sales soared to an all time high – and what enabled them to come back now – in a time when the industry isn’t doing so well anymore? Because women and people of color were adversely affected by the pandemic – losing jobs and suffering from a disproportionate number of medical complications thanks to America’s crooked health system – it follows that some of those adverse effects also applied to women and people of color working in cannabis. Think of a Black business owner being forced to leave the industry because of COVID-related health complications, or a female executive having to put aside her business to care for her children. Once out, it’s difficult for marginalized individuals to find their way back in. In an opinion piece published in the LA Times, Al Harrington, CEO of the Black-owned cannabis brand Viola, discusses a myriad of challenges African American entrepreneurs are subjected to because of the color of their skin. There’s limited access to financial resources, requiring them to use their own cash, and biased interest rates that make it almost impossible for fledgling companies to turn a profit. Another explanation for the temporary drop in C-suite diversity – as well as its delayed recovery – may be the inordinate amount of bureaucratic red tape that constricts new cannabis brands. The MJBizDaily study highlights the experiences of a number of executives, including one Madison Shockley who, when trying to open the Off the Charts dispensary in Los Angeles, waited a grueling three years before the city finally finished its building and safety inspection. Perhaps the drop in C-suite diversity is a statistical illusion – perhaps the absolute number of women and POC executives has remained somewhat consistent while that of white-owned businesses rose, bringing down the former’s overall proportion. Between 2019 and 2023, Illinois, Arizona, New Jersey, Montana and South Dakota have legalized recreational marijuana. As with any other industry, it’s often the biggest companies run by the most affluent people that get the first piece of the pie, followed by their smaller, often more diverse competitors. Another part of the equation could be the failure of some social equity initiatives, defined by the US Department of Cannabis Regulation as funding meant to address the “disparities in life outcomes for marginalized communities” that suffered during the War on Drugs. New York, a leader in equity, plans to establish a $200 million financing pool for startup costs and rental properties. Waiting for additional investors, the plan has yet to materialize – a delay that has severely stunted the growth of the city’s cannabis market. Equity initiatives in other states have been met with greater success. The MJBizDaily study spotlights Annu Khot, an Indian immigrant who, after qualifying for the program in Illinois, was able to launch Sociale Dispensary in suburban Chicago. “It’s exceeded our expectations,” Khot told MJBizDaily, which noted that between 25 and 30 of his employees were victims of marijuana arrests and incarceration. Also spotlighted is Alicia Deals, who became the first Black person to open a cannabis store in Arizona after winning the equity lottery. “It was more than survival of the fittest,” she said, reaffirming the struggles of marginalized businesses. “I was fortunate enough to partner with some big guys that didn’t want to take advantage of me.” While it’s good to see diversity in cannabis on the rise, the industry has a long way to go before it can truly call itself diverse. This is not a particularly woke statement, even if it reads like one. The War on Drugs was devastating for the country’s lower classes, worsening the very issues it set out to eradicate. It took place during our lifetime, and was carried out by the politicians we voted for. As such, the state and its constitutions have a moral obligation to compensate the victims. Studies like this can help in this effort because they allow us see how far we have come and how much further we still need to go. Unfortunately, the outlet states, surveys at the state level remain limited, making it harder to paint a comprehensive picture of the national industry. If only for transparency’s sake, closed states should follow the example set by open ones like Colorado, which as of 2021 has been conducting detailed surveys on a yearly basis. “Are early entrants leaving the cannabis industry and being replaced by a new and very different group of owners?” “Are there enough new opportunities for women and people of color?” These are some of the questions the study tries to answer, and for good reason. With more information at our disposal, we will know not only the what of industry trends, but also the why.

https://hightimes.com/

Study Finds Ohio Pot Legalization Would Generate $260M in Net Economic Benefits

A cost-benefit analysis of the impact of a proposed cannabis legalization measure in Ohio has determined that legalization would generate a net economic benefit of $260 million per year. Ohio voters go to the polls next week to decide on Issue 2, which would legalize marijuana for adults 21 and over and set the stage for a regulated cannabis industry. In a study released last week, Columbus-based Scioto Analysis attempted to quantify the net economic impact of Issue 2 if it prevails at the polls. To complete the analysis, researchers used studies from Colorado and Washington, two states with mature regulated cannabis markets, in conjunction with economic and census data and crime statistics to estimate the costs and benefits of legalization. Taken together, the data showed an estimated net economic benefit of $260 million per year. One of the biggest economic impacts would come from the approximately $190 million in additional tax revenue the state would receive from cannabis taxes. The study notes that this figure, however, does not represent the total social benefits recognized from legalization. “Tax revenue on its own is not a social benefit, but rather a transfer from taxpayers to the public sector that is then used to pay for goods and services purchased by the government,” it says. “Thus, benefits are only generated when goods and services purchased by governments have positive spillovers.” Researchers explained that the economic benefit is even greater than the taxes raised, however, because of the way the money is spent. Of the tax revenue raised by Issue 2, 36% is directed to the Cannabis Social Equity and Jobs Fund and 25% is reserved for the Substance Abuse Addiction Fund. Using data from other states with similar funds, the report estimated that the Ohio equity and jobs fund would create $5.76 in benefits for every dollar spent and the substance abuse fund would create $9.19 per dollar. “The key reason benefits are likely to outweigh costs when it comes to marijuana legalization is how the tax dollars raised are going to be used,” policy analyst Michael Hartnett, said about the study. “The programs outlined in the ballot initiative have historically been very efficient ways to use public dollars, and will likely generate a lot of value for Ohioans.” The analysis also factored in the new jobs that would be created by the regulated cannabis industry once legalization takes effect. “Our models predict that Ohio will add roughly 3,300 new jobs in the first year after legalization,” the report notes, as cited by the Ohio Capital Journal. “Assuming these jobs are full time and pay matches the average wage across the state of Ohio, this will amount to about $190 million in wage benefits for workers across the state. Since these jobs are likely to include part-time work and may be lower than the average wage across the state, this may represent an upper bound on the value of employment generated by legalization.” The state would also have the added economic benefit of fewer arrests for cannabis-related offenses and the resulting court and incarceration costs needed with prohibition. “One study on arrest rates in Washington found that marijuana arrests fell by 87% for adults aged 21+ and by 46% for adults aged 18-21 after legalization of the sale and purchase of cannabis for recreational purposes,” the study said. “This confirms that for the population that would be allowed to legally use cannabis recreationally, arrests almost completely disappear, but the effect is smaller for the population where it would still be illegal to use cannabis.” “Using data from the FBI’s Uniform Crime Report on the number of cannabis-related arrests in Ohio, we estimate that there would be about 4,400 fewer arrests per year if recreational cannabis were legalized,” the study continued. “Adding up the cost of those arrests, and assuming that 6% of those people would have been convicted of felonies, this amounts to over $38 million in savings for Ohio.” The study subtracted the negative economic impacts of legalization to arrive at its estimate of net benefits. One of the greatest costs incurred is a loss of productivity in some industries that was documented in other states after legalization. “One study from 2017 found that across four industries (mining; construction; arts, entertainment, and recreation; and accommodations and food Service) average productivity per worker fell by just over 1% in states that legalized recreational cannabis,” the report said. “Monetized, this equates to roughly $900 of lost productivity per worker for Ohio.” Using federal employment data, the report said, “we estimate that legalizing recreational cannabis will cost workers across the state about $760 million in lost productivity in the first year of legalization.” The study also identified negative implications on public safety caused by legalization including an increase in arrests for intoxicated driving. The study estimated that legalization would lead to an additional 1,700 intoxicated-driving arrests each year in Ohio, costing about $130 million. But overall, the report estimated that legalization would result in a $260 million net benefit for the state.

https://hightimes.com/

Psychedelics Offer A New Mode Of Grief Therapy, But There’s A Catch

Psychedelics are used to seek insight during life — and help people accept death. More and more families mourning the loss of a loved one are turning to psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy (PAP), Hospice News reports. PAP involves the use of psychedelics, such as psilocybin, ayahuasca, LSD, and MDMA, to comfort those grappling with extended periods of grief. “This transformative experience can enable individuals to tap into feelings of connectedness, both with others and with a transcendent aspect of themselves,” chief science officer at Filament Health Corp, Ryan Moss told Hospice News. Filament Health Corp is a clinical-stage natural psychedelic drug development company based in British Columbia, Canada.“This can result in the emergence of positive, prosocial emotions and attitudes like joy, gratitude, love, care and compassion. Those who undergo challenging or distressing experiences during their psychedelic journeys may see their grief worsen. This underscores the importance of receiving proper therapeutic guidance when embarking on a psychedelic experience, as an unguided challenging experience could potentially be harmful for someone already dealing with grief.” According to Moss, those embarking on PAP therapy do so in a structured process that involves weeks of preparation before the session occurs. A physician and a therapist typically guide these sessions to help with integration and support during the psychedelic experience. And don’t forget about after-care. The health professionals stick with their clients to offer several weeks of sessions following the trip. Moss says this structure is “the most effective” in terms of addressing grief while noting that the therapy is still in its early stages and that more research is needed. “Additional clinical investigations are necessary to clarify the effectiveness of PAP as a treatment for individuals dealing with prolonged grief [and] PAP’s potential to aid in the management of various psychological conditions and disorders,” Moss said. “However, the inherent risks associated with these substances underline the imperative need for more comprehensive data on its efficacy.” So far, most research into the use of psychedelics for addressing life’s darkness regards anxiety, PTSD, and depression. For example, one study in Neuropsychopharmacology found that 37% of participants in a psilocybin therapy trial experienced “meaningful responses” in managing their depression. So can the same effects aid grief? A few studies indicate yes. For example, a 2023 study in the Journal of Psychoactive Drugs focused on 363 adult users of psychedelics who were grieving. The study found that 42% reported a reduction in complicated grief symptoms after two weeks. However, this wasn’t universal. Some participants had “challenging and converse” experiences — what sounds like a bad trip. But about half of those involved did feel better. These findings suggest a potential for psychedelic-assisted therapy in treating bereavement, one of life’s more difficult but unavoidable experiences. The researchers believe these therapies could “target symptoms of grief.” Grief and depression can feel the same and lead to anxiety, anger, and sleeping issues, among other numerous comorbidities. The primary distinction lies in their duration and impact on one’s life. While grief is considered an intense emotional response, depression is a mental health diagnosis for when one experiences at least five of a long checklist of symptoms such as low mood, lack of interest in activities that you used to find enjoyable, and a sense of worthlessness or guilt, for at least two weeks. However, as anyone who’s lost a loved one understands, it doesn’t really matter what you call it. You’re having a hard time and need help getting through it. Thankfully, there’s more than one study indicating that psychedelics can aid in this dark yet transformative form of your life, helping you process, and reminding you that the cloud can lift. 2020 research in Peru investigated how ayahuasca impacts depression in folks coping with grief. This study zeroed in on 50 individuals who participated in an indigenous Shipibo ayahuasca ceremony. They did this within a year after losing someone close to them. A whopping 78.4% of these participants reported that the ayahuasca experience had a direct and meaningful impact on their process of grieving, as noted in the findings published in Psychopharmacology, via Hospice News. The study’s results pointed to a beneficial link between using ayahuasca and heightened levels of acceptance and mindfulness regarding emotions. The researchers accented this connection, suggesting that ayahuasca might be useful in developing a more mindful and accepting approach to processing grief-related emotions. However, the sample size of the study is quite small. Moss is careful to note that figuring out how psychedelics affect people in grief is complicated – for some, these therapies are helpful and can ease them through their grief. But for others, it can actually make feelings of sadness and loss feel stronger, making their grief journey even tougher. However, there’s enough promise that he sees PAP as the future of mourning. “It has been found that individuals who report having profound emotional breakthroughs during their psychedelic experiences tend to experience greater relief from the severity of their grief,” Moss told Hospice News. “One can envision a future in which patients struggling with prolonged grief might be recommended a PAP session by their health care provider or therapist. In this scenario, they could visit a specialized clinic where they would receive both the psychedelic substance and therapeutic support in a coordinated manner.”

https://hightimes.com/

Ole Miss To Offer Masters Degree Program for Medical Cannabis, Supplements

The University of Mississippi, commonly known as Ole Miss, will begin offering a masters degree program for medical cannabis research. According to the Mississippi Clarion-Ledger, Ole Miss will begin offering the program in late 2024. The online-only program through the Ole Miss School of Pharmacy will focus on the development of medical cannabis products as well as dietary supplements, both of which have experienced an increased pool of users in recent years both in Mississippi and across the country. Director of online graduate programs in the biomedical sciences department, David Colby, told the Clarion-Ledger that the program will be more focused on students who want to learn about dietary supplements and how they’re made, including but not limited to medical cannabis products. “The purpose is to provide advanced training for people who are seeking employment or want to advance their current jobs in dietary supplements, which could be herbal products or medical cannabis,” Colby said to the Clarion-Ledger. “We’re more focused on providing the skills for people to be successful in the industry.” Ole Miss has actually been involved in cannabis research since the 1960’s. According to the school’s website, Ole Miss first built a cannabis grow facility for research purposes in 1968. By 1976 the university was growing over 100 varieties of cannabis and they are known today as one of the leading American universities when it comes to cannabis research. “We’re a national leader in dietary supplements and medical cannabis,” Colby said. “And now we’re going to fully build a curriculum across our university to serve our students.” The new program will be separate from the already-established Ole Miss growing facilities and is intended for people who may already be in the medical cannabis or dietary supplement industry as well as newcomers to either field. It focuses more on the design aspect of these products than the consumption or use of them, according to the Clarion-Ledger. Colby told the Clarion-Ledger that he expects the new program will have a large presence of people who are employed in lower level positions in the developing medical cannabis industry or in the long-established yet ever-evolving dietary supplement market who are looking to find a leg up on the competition or acquire technical skills that may lead to career advancement. “Since it’s entirely online, we do expect that we will have students that are partially or fully employed, particularly maybe even already fully employed in the industry, but they want to move ahead. So perhaps they’re operating in an entry-level position and they want to move into something with regulatory affairs or something with formulation and manufacturing, or look at more analytical chemistry or [research and development],” Colby said. “They will be able to do that with this degree.” The program is split into two parts: with one year of study dedicated to learning about dietary supplements and the second year dedicated to medical cannabis. According to the Clarion Ledger, each part of the program has five required courses and is 30 credit hours in total. The respective legs of the program will each cover history, pharmacology and toxicology of medical cannabis and dietary supplements, but the cannabis portion of the program looks at the additional factors of policy and law, formulation and manufacturing, chemistry and standardization, and plant genomics. Ole Miss Professor Hayley Prescot, who serves an instructional assistant professor of biomolecular sciences and will be teaching part of the dietary supplements section of the new program, told the Clarion Ledger that these steps toward educating people who work in these fields will hopefully result in a greater understanding of these products from the people who buy them. “I think by educating the workforce, it will eventually lead to a more informed consumer,” Prescott said, also indicating that her “hope was to be able to answer the ‘why’s’ around a lot of herbal medicine.” Ole Miss told the Clarion Ledger they are awaiting full accreditation for the new program which they expect to come later this year. The first courses of the new program are currently slated to begin in the Fall semester of 2024. Mississippi launched their medical cannabis program in January of this year and the market size has increased month over month since, with $4.4 million in medical cannabis products sold in July alone, according to MjBiz Daily. As of August 23, Mississippi cannabis retailers had sold $15.7 million worth of medical cannabis products.

https://hightimes.com/

Virginia Judge Rejects Injunction on Law Limiting Delta-8, Total THC in Hemp Products

Since the 2018 Farm Bill authorized hemp production and removed the crop from the Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) schedule of Controlled Substances, the hemp-derived cannabinoid industry has boomed across the nation — including the sale of hemp-derived, psychoactive delta-8 and delta-9 THC. Virginia is one of the more recent states to contest the ever-increasing hemp-derived cannabinoid market, namely as it pertains to THC. While hemp businesses recently requested an injunction, which would have blocked a new state law imposing stricter limits on hemp products with intoxicating amounts of THC, a federal judge in Northern Virginia rejected the effort in an initial opinion. This means that the new rules will remain in place until the lawsuit moves forward and the court makes final rulings around the case. Two hemp businesses and a consumer filed the lawsuit in federal court back in September, challenging the controversial new rules surrounding hemp-derived cannabinoid products which went into effect July 1. The new regulations include a 0.3% limit for hemp-derived products, a 2 mg limit on total THC and a CBD-to-THC ratio of at least 25:1. The new rules have effectively made nearly all delta-8 THC products illegal in the state, though online sales are still active. As a result, a number of hemp businesses have been faced with high fines and many have pulled out of the state entirely. Northern Virginia Hemp and Agriculture was one business that brought the suit, saying it had lost 90% of its sales because of the new law. The other company, North Carolina-based Franny’s Farmacy, said that it can no longer lawfully ship its products into or through Verginia. Rose Lane, the private citizen and final plaintiff in the case, also said that the new law has kept her from legally acquiring delta-8 THC to help with pain and symptoms associated with arthritis. While hemp businesses and professionals argued over the past several months that the state had overstepped its authority, regulating hemp in a way that conflicted with federal law and interfered with interstate commerce, U.S. District Judge Leonie M. Brinkema suggested the opposite was true in her 27-page opinion. “On this record, defendants have demonstrated that delta-8 THC is a credible threat to the Virginia population, and there is a strong public interest in protecting the citizens of the commonwealth from substances like delta-8, including a vulnerable population, such as children, from hospitalizations and poisonings,” Brinkema wrote. “The decision to advance that interest was done by the elected policymakers of Virginia, and this court must defer to those political and social welfare judgements.” A main argument of the lawsuit focused on Virginia’s overruling of federal law banning some hemp products, citing the 2018 Farm Bill which opened up the national market for such products including hemp-derived THC. Brinkema argued that Virginia was within its right to make the changes, in that states can take more specific actions in regulation. “If Congress chooses to make a substance — here, industrial hemp as defined by its delta-9 THC level — legal at the federal level with respect to the Controlled Substances Act, that does not mean that Congress has mandated that the substance must be legal in every state,” Brinkema wrote. “Nor does it mean that Congress has mandated that any product that simply includes industrial hemp as one ingredient or derivative among many must be legalized by every state legislature.” Brinkema similarly refuted claims surrounding the interference of interstate commerce, including Virginia law which still allows hemp businesses to “transport federally compliant hemp products through Virginia.” Pointing to Franny’s Farmacy’s claims surrounding diverted transport through the state, the judge said the statements were partly hypothetical given that the company “has not alleged that any of its shippers have actually had to detour around Virginia.” “Because plaintiffs have not demonstrated either a likelihood of success on the merits or irreparable unjust if SB 903 remains in effect, and because they have failed to show that the balance of equities and public interest weigh in favor of an injunction, their Motion for Preliminary Injunction will be denied by an Order to be issue with this Memorandum Opinion,” Brinkema concludes. While the ruling isn’t the end-all-be-all for the new law, it’s surely a sign that the hemp industry may have a hard time combatting the new regulations as the lawsuit continues to progress.

https://hightimes.com/

Access to CBD Leads to Decrease in Opioid Prescriptions, Study Shows

A recent report published in the Southern Economic Journal on Oct. 26 found evidence that legal access to CBD has helped lead to a decrease in opioid prescriptions. A study called “CBD as a cure-all? The impacts of state-level legalization of prescription cannabidiol (CBD) on opioid prescriptions,” was authored by economists associated with South Carolina-based Wofford College, and California State University Bakersfield. “We find that the ability to purchase CBD legally leads to 6.6% to 8.1% fewer opioid prescriptions,” the authors stated. Researchers make it clear that it wasn’t just CBD legalization that led to opioid prescription reduction, but that of legal access to CBD products. “In general, we find that state level legalization of CBD products only leads to a statistically significant reduction in opioid prescriptions when states also allow for open and legal dispensaries, suggesting that adequate supply-side access is necessary to realize the potential benefits of legalization,” authors wrote. The report stated that stores selling CBD help decrease opioid prescriptions by 3.5% just two years after legalization goes into effect. It’s not the same for every state though, as this statistic varied for states with stricter regulations on CBD sales, including the requirement that people provide their ID or submit their personal info to a registry. “…(i) state legalization of prescription CBD alone does not reduce opioid usage; (ii) regulations limited purchasing, such as ID laws, negate nearly all of the benefits of demand-side legalization; and (iii) supply-side access, either via interstate purchasing or legal and open dispensaries, are vital in using pain-management substances to fully combat the opioid epidemic.” “Our paper provides important preliminary evidence that CBD may in fact reduce opioid prescription rates,” the authors said. “While CBD products may not necessarily be the cure-all they are marketed as, they do appear to be net substitutes for opioids.” The authors examined individual state laws and regulations specifically focused on CBD, such as Iowa, Tennessee, and Texas, between 2010-2019. During that window, there was a significant shift in CBD as an accepted and mainstream product. “Although the fastest growing segment of the CBD market is over-the-counter [OTC] usage, the vast majority of states that have established industrial hemp programs did not do so until 2016, meaning that OTC CBD products were largely unavailable until later in our study period.” They also examined Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) data for opioid prescriptions on a county level, but noted that it suggests “…that further research on the impacts of CBD is warranted.” The 2018 Farm Bill transformed the hemp industry in the U.S. Prior to the passage of the bill though, access was more limited. As time passed, states such as Tennessee decided to permit legal importation of CBD products from outside the state in 2016. The authors explained that while opioid prescriptions were reduced in those CBD-only states, the states that also allowed medical marijuana laws (MMLs) and/or recreational marijuana laws (RMLs) still made more of an impact on opioid prescription reduction. “Compared to states with no legal usage of marijuana, those who have adopted MMLs or RMLs prescribe fewer opioids per 100 population. However, these areas tend to be healthier and have more doctors, suggesting it is possible difference in opioid usage rates are not due to the presence of legal marijuana.” A state with a variety of CBD-only dispensaries appears to lead to the most significant drops in opioid prescriptions though. “Importantly, we see that [states with] CBD laws have lower opioid prescribing rates than states with no laws, though still higher than in states with MMLs or RMLs,” However, when we look at states that have allowed CBD dispensaries, we see that opioid prescribing rates are lower than those found in states with MMLs or RMLs, even with similar objective health measures (obesity and diabetes) to states with CBD laws.” Medical cannabis states experienced a 35% decrease in opioid prescriptions, but states that have not yet legalized still saw a decrease of 33%. Researchers concluded that their study is just a glimpse into the positive benefits of CBD and its effect on opioid prescriptions. “While further work is needed to understand the degree to which our results are generalizable to the over-the-counter market for CBD, our results suggest policy makers should consider the costs of regulation and carefully balance the tradeoffs between ensuring the quality of and restricting access to CBD,” authors said in their conclusion. In 2020, a former Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) agent, Anthony Armour, who tried to swap opioids with CBD was fired from his position. Most recently in September 2023, the DEA defended its decision to fire the individual. “Mr. Armour argues that he ‘displayed negligence or poor decision-making,’ and DEA properly held him accountable for his poor decisions when they resulted in a verified positive drug test. DEA lost trust in Mr. Armour and properly removed him.” Separately, the DEA is currently considering recommendations from the Department of Health and Human Services. It’s uncertain if the agency will move forward to reschedule cannabis into a less restrictive category that shows medical value of the plant.

https://hightimes.com/

Study Finds Home Values Higher in States With Legal Weed

Home values in states that have legalized cannabis were higher and grew at a faster rate than in non-legal states, according to a recently published study. The research examining residential real estate prices found that home values in states with recreational cannabis have outpaced home values in other states by $48,983 over the past ten years. Property values in the 23 states that have legalized recreational weed have risen by an average of $185,075 since 2014, according to the study from Real Estate Witch and Leafly. By comparison, real estate values in states that have not yet legalized adult-use cannabis rose by $136,092 over the same period. Typical home values in adult-use states were $417,625, 41% higher than the $295,338 in the states that maintain the prohibition of recreational pot. The authors of the research note that of the 10 states with the largest increase in home values, seven have legalized cannabis for use by adults. Meanwhile, of the 10 states with the smallest increases in residential real estate values, nine have not legalized recreational cannabis. Home values in states that have legalized medical marijuana were also higher than in states without legal medical cannabis. Home values in states with medical marijuana rose by $166,609 since 2014, while the value of homes in prohibition states rose by $137,320. The typical home in medicinal cannabis states is worth $337,360, compared to $281,343 in other states. “This report stands as a testament to what insiders in the cannabis community have long known to be true: The presence of legal cannabis in cities and states does not diminish property values. In fact, it’s quite the opposite,” Josh deBerge, vice president of brand and communications for Leafly, said in a statement about the research. “Regulated cannabis offers a slew of economic benefits to local communities, and that is something this report makes quite clear.” Property values in cities with recreational cannabis states with weed dispensaries also fared better than in cities in adult-use states without pot shops. Home values grew by $168,292 in cities that are the home to dispensaries since 2014, $67,359 more than the $100,933 growth in cities with legal recreational cannabis but no dispensaries. The study notes that the 23 states and Washington, D.C., that have legalized recreational cannabis are projected to average over $1 billion in overall cannabis revenue in 2023, coming to a total of just under $25 billion. Tax revenues were also higher in states that have legalized cannabis. In 2022, the 12 states that reported a full year of cannabis tax revenue averaged an additional $307 million in tax revenue per state, totaling $3.7 billion. In California, where sales of recreational cannabis began in 2018, the state earned an additional $1.1 billion in tax revenue from cannabis in 2022. The researchers note that cannabis tax revenue is often invested in communities, leading to a cycle of improvement in the quality of life for residents. “The funds from legal weed purchases often go toward public programs and policies that aim to improve the quality of life for residents,” the study notes. “From there — the theory goes — more people will move to the area, some of whom will pay cannabis taxes, and continue a cycle of civic investment and improvement.” Data on the way states allocate their recreational cannabis tax revenue is often available to the public, allowing citizens to see where their tax dollars are being spent. For example, California reports directing 60% of cannabis tax revenue to programs that prevent and address substance use among adolescents. The remaining 40% is split between environmental protection and law enforcement. Across all states with legal weed, the most popular spending categories for cannabis tax revenue include education, infrastructure, law enforcement and substance abuse treatment.

https://hightimes.com/

White House Urges Public Schools to Carry NARCAN, Train To Use It

The White House is urging American public schools to carry Naloxone, commonly known as NARCAN, to help combat sky-high overdose rates from fentanyl. A letter was sent regarding fentanyl awareness from United States Secretary of Education, Miguel Cardona and the Director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy, Rahul Gupta to all U.S. schools. The letter called on school administrators and educators to take conscious efforts towards harm reduction in the face of a drug they said was having a “disproportionate impact on our children.” The letter emphasized how effective naloxone, which is an opioid antagonist medication, can be. Naloxone can stop an opiate overdose in its tracks if administered quickly enough and as the letter also mentioned, it’s an incredibly safe medication to use. “Studies show that naloxone access can reduce overdose death rates, that its availability does not lead to increases in youth drug use, and that it causes no harm if used on a person who is not overdosing on opioids,” the letter said. “It is important to note that individuals should not be afraid to administer naloxone, as most states have Good Samaritan Laws protecting bystanders who aid at the scene of an overdose. Our schools are on the frontlines of this epidemic, but our teachers and students can be equipped with tools to save lives.” The Biden administration has made previous efforts to combat an issue that has managed to affect almost every community in the country, including making naloxone an over-the-counter medication. This latest development, however, marks the most concrete acknowledgement by the Biden administration that the fentanyl problem is affecting America’s children. “Overdose deaths among adolescents doubled from 2019 to 2020 and continue to rise, even though youth rates of drug use have remained stagnant. That’s because a teenager today can log onto social media with a smartphone and buy what they think is an opioid pain medicine or a prescription stimulant to help them study—and instead die from one pill that actually has fentanyl in it. Just one pill,” the letter said. “And data show that two-thirds of adolescent drug poisoning deaths occurred with a potential bystander nearby, but naloxone was often not administered.” Naloxone has proven to be, in the most blunt possible terms, the only tool which has managed to prevent any tangible number of deaths from fentanyl, which is hundreds if not thousands of times stronger gram for gram than almost any other opiate available legally or illegally and has killed hundreds of thousands of Americans since emerging onto the scene. Naloxone is administered via an easy-to-use nasal spray which will not harm anyone, even if they don’t have opiates in their system, according to the FDA. For a long time naloxone was somewhat hard to find, only available through a prescription and very expensive especially for anyone in active drug addiction. Previously, doses could cost upwards of $100 but today, single doses currently run about $45 through most pharmacies and some overdoses require more than one dose of naloxone to reverse it. The letter from the Biden administration emphasized how critical it is that our nation’s teachers and school administrators understand this life-saving medication and stay prepared to use it. “Our schools are on the frontlines of this epidemic, but our teachers and students can be equipped with tools to save lives,” the letter said. “There is no time to waste when responding to an overdose, and it is critical that youth and school personnel can access naloxone on school grounds during and after school.” There are now several programs which will provide a certain number of free doses of naloxone to eligible participants. A cursory Google search of “free naloxone + your local township, county or state” will, in many places, provide options for free naloxone for at-risk people if not everybody. If your area does not have a free program, you can visit Next Distro which sends free doses to people who cannot otherwise access it. I must break from journalistic candor for a moment to urge everybody reading this, even people who do not use drugs, even people who do not believe they know any addicts (though I can assure you that you do), please carry naloxone with you whenever possible. Opiate addiction affects people of every shape and size, every cultural and economic background. It’s affecting children, it’s affecting everybody and carrying naloxone unequivocally saves lives. Don’t take my word for it either, take the president’s.

https://hightimes.com/

Report: Texas Law Enforcement Won’t Stop Raiding Hemp Shops

When Congress legalized industrial hemp in 2018, it prompted a tidal wave of CBD-based products while also eliminating a front in the war on drugs. But in Texas, some local law enforcement officials continue to fight the old battle, as a report this week in the Dallas Observer highlights. The story details a recent raid at the store Venom Vapors in Killeen, Texas, where cops, building inspectors and even the local fire marshal showed up one morning earlier this month saying they had received “a tip about narcotics sales and crime at the business and were there to check it out.” It was a shock to the store’s owner, Kyle Brown, who recounted the unwelcome visit to the Observer. More from the story: “Those authorities managed to find some minor violations, like extension cords that were plugged in where they shouldn’t have been, for one example. But the cops were more interested in some of the products the business was selling – namely hemp products like delta-8, delta-10 and THCa…Many of the products Venom Vapors sells come with a certificate of analysis (COA), which lists the constituents and shows that they are compliant with state law. A detective told Brown he scanned the COA for one of the shop’s delta-8 dab products and that it showed there was too much THC for it to be legal.” Brown disputed that claim, but according to the Observer, but “the cop said the COA showed the product had something like 80% THC. Brown tried to explain that the COA showed it was within the legal limit of delta-9 THC and that the 80% was actually the delta-8 content.” “That’s when things kind of went sideways,” Brown told the publication. “They didn’t take the certificate of analysis for what it was. They instead turned it around and used it against us, which was very alarming.” In a press release, the Killeen Police Department explained its version of events. “On Thursday, October 19, 2023, detectives with the Special Investigation Division, conducted a special detail at the Venom Vape/Sweep Stakes located at 1518 S. Fort Hood Street due to crime and narcotic complaints. During the operation, officers arrested seven individuals for Possession of Controlled Substance Penalty Group 1 (under 1 gram), Possession of Controlled Substance Penalty Group 1 (over 1 gram under 4) Fail to Identify Fugitive, Fail to ID, Walking in the Roadway, Resisting Arrest, Search or Transport, and Felony Warrant for Debit Card Abuse,” the press release said. “On Friday, October 20, 2023, detectives conducted an inspection, with the assistance of the Killeen Fire Marshals, Killeen Code Enforcement, and Killeen Building Inspectors. During the inspection, illegal narcotics were displayed inside the business. A narcotics search warrant was executed, and detectives seized 120 grams of THC products, 56 grams of marijuana, 8 electronic gambling devices (computer towers), 6 gambling ledgers, gambling paraphernalia, and $36,117.00 in US currency.” According to the Dallas Observer, raids like the one that occurred at Venom Vapors “have cropped up around North Texas in recent months.” The Observer reported that “Brown claimed the police used the COA to secure a search warrant from a judge, but he thinks if the COA had been presented accurately, the police wouldn’t have been able to get the warrant.” “The police confiscated all the delta-8 dab products, some delta-8 and delta-10 hemp flower, and some THCa prerolls. They also took over $36,000 from the business as evidence, and eight electronic gaming machines that they say were being used for illegal gambling. (Brown said the machines are also compliant with state law.),” according to the Observer. The dispute calls to mind another recent story in that part of the Lone Star State: despite the passage of an ordinance by local voters to decriminalize marijuana, officials in Denton, Texas have defied those results. Voters in Denton –– which is home to the University of North Texas –– overwhelmingly approved the ordinance last year, but in June, members of the city council voted against adopting it. Under the ordinance, “Denton police officers [would] no longer write tickets or make arrests for possession of small amounts of pot and paraphernalia, [and] no longer stop and frisk people when they smell weed,” the Cross Timbers Gazette reported last year. But in February, Denton’s city manager, Sara Hensley, sounded the alarm on the implementation of the ordinance. “I recognize the voters have spoken and I understand that, but we don’t have the authority to implement those because of state law and the conflicts,” Hensley said at the time. “I do not have the authority to direct the police chief to not enforce the law,” Hensley added. In June, the Denton City Council voted 4-3 against adopting the ordinance, although the city’s mayor “insisted that police officers still have the discretion not to cite or arrest for marijuana possession but advocates want more assurance they won’t be prosecuted,” CBS News Texas reported at the time.

https://hightimes.com/

Ohio Pot Legalization Backers Outraise Opponents Three to One

The organization behind the state issue to legalize adult-use cannabis in Ohio stomped its counterpart opposition group, outraising them in funds ahead of the general election—by a 3-1 margin. Cannabis advocates are currently assembling to rally round before Ohio voters head to the ballot box next week to decide on adult-use cannabis and several other issues. Coalition to Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol, the organization behind Ohio’s adult-use cannabis issue, raised over three times the amount of money raised by the opposition group, Protect Ohio Workers and Families. (Keep it going by donating here.) Next week, on Nov. 7, Ohio could become the latest state to legalize adult-use cannabis, joining dozens of other states and territories that have done so. If passed, Ohio’s Issue 2 would allow adults ages 21 and older to possess and purchase up to 2.5 ounces of cannabis and 15 grams of concentrates. The Tribune Chronicle reports that during the pre-general election reporting period that started June 3 and ended Oct. 18, the Coalition to Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol raised $1,186,731.80. Washington, D.C.-based Marijuana Policy Project supplied the coalition $275,000. It’s the largest organization in the country that is focused on cannabis policy reform. The coalition also received nearly $800,000 from Ohio cannabis companies and those affiliated with those companies during the pre-general period. If you include the first six months of this year, in the previous report, the coalition raised $2,957,500 with the Marijuana Policy Project giving $1,375,000. On the other hand, Protect Ohio raised just $342,900 in the pre-general election period with $101,000 from the Ohio Manufacturers Association and $100,000 from Angela Phillips, CEO of Phillips Tubes Group Inc. in Middletown. Local news stations reported on how well the issue is gaining support despite opposition from Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine. “We’ve seen it be such a success and we’ve seen it in other states,” voter Megan Schmidt told WTOL 11. “I mean, in Michigan the tax revenue that it’s generating, I would think that in Ohio we would want something like that as well.” DeWine admitted the potential for profit but said that legal pot would create other problems. Benzinga and The Dales Report described his opposition to cannabis becoming “more vociferous” at recent appearances. “I don’t think it’s worth the money that we’re going to get because of all the other problems that it’s going to create,” he said recently. “More people are going to die on the highway and you’re going to see more kids who end up in the emergency room. I don’t think it makes sense. I don’t think it’s a good deal for the little tax dollars that this may create,” DeWine said. Lobbying is expensive, and efforts consume a lot of money. To advance the issue, during the pre-general period, the coalition spent $818,389.23, $600,378.90 going to Cambridge Communications LLC of Columbus for digital advertising, consulting, campaign literature, and yard signs, and $60,000 going to Battleground Strategies LLC of Columbus for consulting. Protect Ohio, on the other hand, spent $230,258.77 with $68,000 to Causeway Solutions LLC of Metairie, La., for data and research services, $47,149.24 to Majority Strategies of Dallas for public communications and $33,000 to Castletown Media of Lake Forest Park, Md., for video production, The Tribune Chronicle reports. You may remember failed attempts to legalize pot in Ohio in the past such as the embarrassing effort in 2015, when Nick Lachey and others supported Issue 3, which would have only allowed for four commercial producers, costing a fortune to get a license. Even some growers didn’t support it. Coalition to Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol backs 2023’s Issue 2 which would legalize home growing and have much more reasonable provisions—looking much more appealing to voters. “Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol is an effort to encourage Ohio legislators to regulate marijuana for adult-use, just like we do for alcohol,” the coalition website reads. “Our proposal fixes a broken system while ensuring local control, keeping marijuana out of the hands of children, and benefiting everyone. The proposed law would: “Marijuana legalization is an issue whose time has come in Ohio. According to recent polling, Ohioans are not only in favor of legalizing marijuana for regulated adult-use, they view it as inevitable. We hope that Ohio’s leaders seize this opportunity to take control of our future.” In addition to cannabis legalization, abortion rights advocates in Ohio also raised considerable funding.

https://hightimes.com/

Japanese Hemp Cultivators Working To Revitalize Hemp Industry

According to a recent report from The Japan News, the region with the most hemp cultivation in Japan is the Tochigi Prefecture, located north of Tokyo. Farmers in the area initially cultivated a variety of hemp called Tochigishiro in 1982, which they still grow today. The number of hemp farmers has dwindled, with 6,000 growers in the Tochigi Prefecture at its peak, down to just 12 today. Many of these remaining growers are in their 60s and 70s. One 44 year old cultivator, Yoshinori Omori, told The Japan News that his family has been growing hemp for centuries (since the Edo period, 1603-1867). Today, he grows on a four-hectare farm (approximately nine acres) and that property alone makes up more than half of Japan’s remaining hemp production. The news outlet stated that some of Omori’s crop was used to craft the belt of former Yokozuna sumo wrestler Hakuhō Shō. However, the reduction of growers is worrisome to Omori. “If nothing is done, hemp farmers will disappear from Japan,” he said. Omori is trying to create new hemp products to revitalize interest in hemp production. “I’d like to broaden the use of hemp and stabilize our business to make the industry attractive to young people,” Omori explained. Items like paper and construction materials take advantage of the versatility of hemp as a material. In February, Omori also created packaging materials made of hemp for a company in Osaka. In the Mie Prefecture, located southwest of Nagoya, the town of Meiwa also announced its interest in becoming a hub for hemp cultivation. Previously the town delivered hemp to Ise Jingu shrine in the area, but no more hemp farmers remain. Earlier this year in March, the Meiwa city council, Mie University, and local farmers decided to work together to launch a hemp cultivation project, and planted hemp in a 6,000-square-meter-plot (approximately 64,583 square feet, or about 1.5 acres). Shingo Matsumoto, an executive at an agricultural company called Iseasa, led the cultivation project. “Hemp is the epitome of a Japanese tradition,” Matsumoto said. “We’d like to revitalize the product in a joint effort with the whole community.” Kogakkan University professor Hitoshi Nitta also told The Japan News that the government should also be making an effort to preserve the country’s long hemp history. “Governments should work to spread accurate knowledge on hemp that is grown by license holders to eliminate prejudice and misunderstanding,” Nitta said. Historically, the fibers of hemp stalks have been used to make sacred ropes at Shinto shrines, as well as for belts worn by Yokozuna sumo wrestlers (Yokozuna being the highest rank attained by sumo wrestlers). Other than exceptions for hemp, cannabis is illegal in Japan and the country has a zero-tolerance policy for anything containing THC. Japanese prohibition is continued through the Cannabis Control Law, which was put into effect in 1948.a Back in 2015, Japan’s former “first lady,” Akie Abe, expressed a desire to see Japan’s hemp industry return to its former glory. In January 2021, the Hokkaido Industrial Hemp Association published a statement addressing the country’s cannabis law. “The Cannabis Control Act is a profoundly unreasonable law that restricts all cannabis regardless of the quantity or even presence of THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol, the active ingredient in marijuana, the chemical synthetic substance of which are designated as an illegal drug in Japan), and even prohibits the cultivation of hemp from overseas (see note below) containing none of this substance,” the association wrote. Later that year in August 2021, the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labour, and Welfare wrote a report recommending that Japan should follow the example of other countries when it comes to medical cannabis. In May 2022, the Japanese Ministry of Health began to discuss medical cannabis legalization as a way to help those who suffer from refractory epilepsy. In September 2022, the ministry published another report recommending that the Cannabis Control Act be amended and mirror that of other countries that have legalized medical cannabis. The report stated that only 1.4% of people in Japan have ever used cannabis, while consumption rates in the U.S. range from 20%-40%. Last year, a Hash Marijuana & Hemp Museum in Barcelona, Spain featured a historic Japan exhibit called “Cannabis Japonica.” It featured many unique items that showed the country’s cultural ties to cannabis. According to the exhibit, ninjas would plant hemp and strive to jump over it every day. Since average hemp plants can grow between 9-13 feet tall, it would help them train. Another interesting exhibit piece featured a children’s story that detailed how families would grow “four to five furrows of hemp seeds,” and the hemp fibres were used in weaving cloth for summer kimonos, samurai attire, and garments for Shinto priests. The increase in cannabis legalization in other Asian countries is leading Japan officials to also consider cannabis legalization once again. According to Time, officials may begin discussing the current cannabis laws “as early as October” during the next parliamentary session. For now, it remains illegal to sell or possess, with up to seven years prison sentence if caught, but still technically legal to consume. According to Michiko Kameishi, an Osaka-based lawyer who regularly works on cannabis cases, the law specifically relates to sales and possession. “Also, if you are at a party and there’s a joint going around and if you smoke it, if you say that it doesn’t belong to you—‘it’s somebody else’s, I just puffed on it’—then police cannot arrest you,” Kameishi said.

https://hightimes.com/

Power of the Wonder Flower

Super Mario Bros. games have always been fun for people of all ages, but Super Mario Bros. Wonder takes players on a delightful new journey that we can’t help but think was inspired by substances of the psychedelic variety. Super Mario Bros. Wonder is fun for everyone, but should you choose to imbibe while playing, you’ll find tons of psychedelic parallels that can’t be denied. In Super Mario Bros. Wonder, you’ll get choose one of the core game’s usual heroes: Mario, Luigi, Peach, Daisy, Toads, and Toadette. As you traverse the Flower Kingdom, you’ll find tons of Wonder Flowers emanating a mysterious cosmic force in each course. The power of these Wonder Flowers brings on Wonder Effects—which Nintendo describes as items that “trigger spectacular moments you have to see to believe.” Wonder Flower effects are strange and often hilarious, and each one will cause something fantastical to happen. The first example of this comes in the game’s introduction. The gang is hanging out in the Flower Kingdom at the invitation of Prince Florian—a very adorable green caterpillar. In true villainous fashion, Bowser comes out of nowhere, snags a Wonder Flower, and stuff gets weird. Bowser’s body merges with Prince Florian’s castle to become a massive, floating head wearing the castle as a hat, complete with pink and yellow spiraling eyes. The psychedelic inspiration immediately takes shape. Cue the metal music while newly colored black and green variations of vining piranha plants burst out of the ground, and Bowser’s huge floating head floats by before he sets out to imprison the people of the Flower Kingdom (called Poplins). It’s a typical day in this world really. I settled down to play Super Mario Bros. Wonder the weekend it came out with an edible that was already beginning to take effect—and found that especially for a first playthrough, the Wonder Flowers warp this new kingdom into something new, unexpected, and just seriously delightful. Essentially, grabbing a flower either turns the player character into something wonky (like a spiked turtle creature that can jump exceptionally high in the air), or it alters the course landscape in some crazy way (like unleashing a stampede of flying buffalos that you can surf on top of). Some Wonder effects are less crazy, such as making stars or snowflakes fall from the sky or enabling invisible platforms that you can traverse to get to a wonder seed at the top of a course. But others transport you into a multiverse of weird situations to address the “what ifs” of this already weird world. What if warp pipes were alive, and move around like inch-worms? What if all of the foreground details of a course became darkened silhouettes, including your body and all enemies, but also your body is now extremely tall? Or one of my personal favorites: what if piranha plants decided to bust out into a full-scale musical performance and march around? If you can complete the course’s crazy conditions and collect the Wonder Seed at the end, the course resumes its normal appearance, and you can reach the flagpole at the end. Depending on how high you land on the pole, you’ll see little wholesome little praises like “Wonderful!” and “Incredible!” While the Wonder Flowers are the core feature of the game, a few new power-ups also add extra variety as well. First, players can pick up the Elephant Fruit and become a chunky bipedal elephant that can break down brick blocks, punt goombas, and hilariously Naruto-run across a course. I mean, cat suit power-ups from Super Mario 3D World (2013) felt both ridiculous and amazing at the time, so it’s hard not to laugh at a herd of elephants running around using their trunks to slap enemies around. The Bubble Flower allows players to encapsulate enemies in adorable pink bubbles, but they can also be used to bounce on for an upward boost. Finally, the Drill Mushroom gives players a dorky drill hat that allows them to drill down into the floor, up into the ceiling, and travel underground both above and below enemies. In addition to those power-ups, players can also collect 24 badges by: 1. Helping players traverse level obstacles (like a Parachute Cap to slow your descent while falling, Fast Dash which allows you to run faster, or Grappling Vine to aid in pulling you to the ceiling or a tall wall), 2. Implementing passive changes (Auto Super Mushroom gives you a Super Mushroom automatically at the beginning of each course), and 3. Adding useful but challenging abilities (like Invisibility, which makes you invisible to enemies, but as a player you also can’t see yourself, or Spring Feet, which makes you jump nonstop and higher than your normal jump). As my high kicked into gear, I found that badges were more difficult to obtain because, well, they’re meant to be a challenge and at this point I’m feeling very relaxed. You can play Super Mario Bros. Wonder locally with a total of four players, but a new feature allows one of your fellow players to experience a more stress-free playthrough. Two of the character choices include Yoshis (either green, red, yellow, or light-blue) or a purple rabbit called Nabbit, were designed for players who “are just starting out,” or maybe those who are a bit too high. Playing a Yoshi or a Nabbit means that you don’t take damage, so you won’t have to worry about dying to baddies. However, you can still lose a life by falling in a pit. Another new feature allows you to see other players who are starting on the same course as you. Their character silhouettes are slightly transparent, and you can’t chat or interact with them. However, if they die they turn into a ghost and have five seconds to fly over to you or another player in order to get revived. Also you can throw up a character standee (like a cardboard cutout of a character) that is stationary, but can also be used to help resurrect other players if they can reach it in time. It’s a cute, subtle connection you get to make with others—and you see some players very weird usernames too. (Shoutout to “Dad” and “xXsadboyXx” from my personal playthrough.) Also if playing with your personal friends is more your style, you can create a co-op room of up to 12 players, join their game, and play alongside them in the same way. The real world has been especially bleak lately, so Super Mario Bros. Wonder came at a good time to introduce some fun and positivity to our lives. Honestly, it’s wonderful, weird, and right down my alley. There’s plenty to enjoy and collect for longtime players, but new players are welcome to enjoy the experience too. Like previous Super Mario games, it’s charming and entirely worth picking up for a night in.

https://hightimes.com/

Russian Astronauts Find Mysterious Holes in International Space Station

Some routine repairs on the International Space Station unveiled something mysterious last week when a Russian astronaut found holes drilled into the side of the orbiting vessel. According to a NASA press release, two Russian astronauts by the names of Oleg Kononenko and Nikolai Chub were on a spacewalk on October 25, attempting to repair a radiator that was leaking coolant into the vacuum of space when they found an additional irregularity. According to an article in Space, Kononenko was inspecting one of the outer panels of the leaky radiator when he noticed what appeared to be multiple holes drilled into the surface of the radiator panel. “The holes have very even edges, like they’ve been drilled through,” Kononenko said to the flight controllers working in Moscow Mission Control. “There are lots of them. They are spread in a chaotic manner.” Neither NASA nor Roscosmos, which is essentially Russia’s post-Soviet-Union-Era version of NASA, had addressed the holes as of the time this article was written to offer speculation as to how the holes may have ended up there. The only information about the holes online is all sourced back to the same information in the Space article. This is not uncommon for space agencies, however, as NASA and Roscosmos both have long-standing reputations for being very selective with what they disclose publicly, without going too deep into conspiracy theories. After locating and documenting the mysterious holes, the spacewalk took another unexpected turn when Kononenko and Chub encountered a large blob of coolant which had broken free from the leaky radiator, posing a contamination risk. “During the spacewalk, Kononenko and Chub inspected and photographed an external backup radiator on the Nauka multipurpose laboratory module, as well as isolated the radiator from Nauka’s cooling system,” a NASA press release said. “During the radiator inspection, a bubble of coolant liberated at the leak site and the crew wiped down their suits prior to continuing the spacewalk.” The radiator was originally reported leaking on October 9 and was a backup radiator for another which is used to regulate temperature inside the ISS. Coolant supply for the backup radiator was cut off shortly before repairs were made, which is believed to be what led to the coolant bubble forming. According to Space, the bubble reportedly came close enough to Kononenko that one of his tethers became contaminated and had to be bagged and left outside the ISS after the spacewalk. Tethers are cables used to keep the astronauts attached to the orbiting space vessel rather than hurtling off into space (and certain death). The two Russian astronauts reportedly gave their spacesuits a thorough wipe-down before they returned to the ISS and ended their spacewalk. Contamination risk by unknown microorganisms poses a much bigger threat in the vacuum of space than it would on Earth, according to information published by NASA, the National Institute of Health, and many others. These risks necessitate astronauts to sterilize their tools and suits before re-entering the spacecraft. “At the end of the spacewalk, before reentering the Poisk airlock, the two spacewalking cosmonauts as usual inspected the Roscosmos Orlan spacesuits and the tools used during the spacewalk to look for signs of coolant and wipe off any coolant as necessary,” NASA said. “The cosmonauts also wiped down their suits and tools as usual after repressurization to further reduce introduction of trace contaminates into the space station environment. Additional filtration will then be used inside the space station in order to quickly scrub the atmosphere of any remaining traces of contaminant.” This is not the first time Roscosmos has reported holes drilled into the ISS. A Russian news agency accused a NASA astronaut of drilling holes into the ISS in 2021 due to a failed romantic relationship with another astronaut, though this was never confirmed. Another report of small holes in the ISS came earlier this year. Another report of a coolant leak from last December was caused by small meteorites, according to the Russians. In fact, there are many stories online about small holes in the ISS that go back years, many of them having to do with Russia. That is not to say the information is untrue, just a small caveat to what appears to be an ongoing problem. Kononenko and Chub reportedly ended their spacewalk after seven hours and 41 minutes without any further complications. The Oct. 25 spacewalk was reportedly the sixth such walk in Kononenko’s career, a first for Chub and the 268th in the history of the ISS. The next spacewalk for the ISS, undertaken by NASA astronauts Loral O’Hara and Jasmin Moghbeli, was actually underway at the time this article was written. It began at 8:05 a.m. EDT Monday morning and was scheduled to last about six-and-a-half-hours.

https://hightimes.com/

High Rhymes Vol 2: RXKNephew

RXKNephew is smiling ear to ear, his face under a shade provided by the brim of his wicker sun hat and sunglasses resting on his face. He looks fit to go on vacation, perhaps a tropical island or resort. In reality, it’s a Wednesday afternoon and he’s drunk off nearly a whole bottle of Hennessy, in the midst of driving to his mom’s house after a shopping spree in Walmart. “Man, I filled my mom cart up to the tippy top, both carts. I’m letting her know that your son got your back. My mom don’t need no man, she got me,” he says with pride. “RXKNephew’s raps are a Pandora’s box of his darkest thoughts, channeled through unfiltered stories of selling drugs, late night hustles, and fake rappers. Neph, born and raised in Rochester, NY, broke brainwaves in 2020 with the 10-minute spectacle “American Tterrorist,” which feels like a Martin Scorsese film on a bad acid trip. The music exudes authenticity, every word an eyewitness account of something that’ll be later reported on the Citizen app. RXKNephew recently released The ONEderful Nephew tape produced entirely by DJ Rude One. It’s a project that puts Neph into the world of 90s boom-bap beats and golden age aesthetics. Like most of Neph’s collaborations, this was a money-for-service transaction. Neph acts as a mercenary, paid to rap on beats without any questions asked. “I first met that nigga in Chicago, I was doing a show. I met that nigga once. He paid me to do a mixtape. I don’t know that nigga like that. I get paid to rap on beats, bro. Once I see money landed in my cash app, that’s when I start rapping. Nothing is personal. It’s all business.” Recently, Nephew has also entered the world of cannabis, dropping a strain distributed by the legendary Teds Budz and grown by an anonymous cultivator in the Bay Area. Ooze, Neph’s new strain named after Ivan Ooze and his ability to place individuals under a trance, is a lineage of High-Octane OG crossed with Lemon Cherry Zkittlez. RXKNephew talks to High Times about the new album, recording his music sober, and taming his alter ego Slitherman. By the time the call finished, he finished the entire bottle of Henny. Out of all these tapes that you’ve been paid to make, is there anything that sticks out to you as your favorite so far? Every single one of them, man. Slitherman Activated, everything I pretty much dropped was people I just met through the internet, basically. Even the “American Tterrorist,” I don’t even know Boss Up. I’ve never met him a day in my life. The amount of beats you use for him, you’d think there’s more of a relationship. Brainstorm, that’s my producer. Brainstorm is my producer. Brainstorm come to my house, he see I got bitches cooking pancakes. He make beats and we rap. Brainstorm is my nigga. Staying on Brainstorm, Till I’m Dead, that’s your technical studio debut album. He did the whole tape, right? Yep, he did every single beat. Till I’m Dead is a little different because you did that tape entirely sober. I did that whole tape sober. What made you want to do that tape? No, let me stop lying. I don’t know why I just lied to you. I just lied. I was so drunk. I was so drunk, I was about to fall on the floor. I was so drunk when I recorded that tape. I don’t know who came up with that conspiracy theory that I was sober, but hell no. Look at it. Yeah, because if you go on Pitchfork, I read that review. I guess they go with the whole thing that you were sober making that. I was drunk as shit, mad and depressed. I was depressed. That’s why I’m going to tell you one thing. I was very depressed, but I knew shit was going to go up. I ain’t have as much money as I got now when I recorded that. What was probably your favorite track off that tape, if you remember? “Till I’m Dead,” “Critical,” “Long Song.” Every single one of them songs is so hot that I can listen to them all day. Have you ever recorded a tape sober? No, sir. I don’t do shit sober. I ain’t even have my kids sober. I don’t drive sober. I don’t fuck my bitch sober. Man, listen here, man. I don’t do shit sober. Listen, I be drunk at Walmart. That’s why I spent so much money because I be drinking so much. You’re getting a lot of praise on the internet, more than usual. So one shout out that you got recently was from Rihanna because she was playing “I Love my Girlfriend.” What was your reaction to that shit? I felt crazy because I know that’s a popping artist. Fuck popping, she put in work. She put in as much work as I put in. She probably got 1,000 songs … I love it, but big shout out to A$AP Rocky. I’ve been linked up with him last year. We did six, seven songs together, so everything all makes sense. I used to hear A$AP Rocky songs when I was in prison in 2012, ’13. Rihanna, I’ve been listening to Rihanna since I’ve been in group homes. Your work ethic feels like a lost art. No one really seems to grind anymore, so that grind definitely gets you what you deserve. It depends on the person. Producer is no different from rapper. It’s rappers out here that’s viral that don’t get paid, but they’re viral. They just don’t understand the business part of it, and if you don’t understand the business part, you’re never going to eat. You could have the best songs, best features. I know niggas who produce for Migos, Gucci Mane. In Atlanta everybody did some of everything. Everybody somewhere that did something, but they’d be still fucked up not getting their residuals. They’d be fucked up in apartments begging for weed, bust downs on cigarettes, Newports, asking for a couple dollars and they got hit records. You have a hit record and you asking me for $30. You don’t know the business aspect of this. When did you first conjure up Slitherman? Slitherman is the old me, basically. That’s the old me that I don’t want to come out. When he come out, that shit … You know what I’m saying? But coming up with that whole thing is that’s just the alter ego, bro. I don’t want that to come out. Slitherman may be wanting to come out. I be wanting to rob niggas, slap niggas, punch niggas in they shit, dump, break neck. I want to shoot people’s house up. I be wanting to extort people, but that’s not me, that’s Slitherman. I don’t do that. RXKNephew, Christopher Williams don’t do that, but Slitherman might do that. So we don’t want him around though. We boycott Slitherman. Slitherman, stay away. That’s a demon that we don’t want here. Because when Slitherman still around, a lot of people was in trouble. Lately you were in the studio with a number of producers. You have a tape with F1lthy coming out and you were in the studio with Harry Fraud as of the other night. Oh, yeah. I fuck with them niggas. I fuck with F1lthy and Harry Fraud. Harry Fraud is a legend. He’s a GOAT. My favorite rapper is Max B. Boy, listen here, that’s a blessing to work with that. That’s like a dream come true. I’m blacking on every song. We create history, Harry Fraud is my nigga. Me and F1lthy about to be in France. I just went to the dentist, got my teeth right and shit. I’m about to catch this flight. We about to be out in Paris going crazy. You also recently just broke into the weed industry, so tell me more about that. What was your original vision of doing that shit? Did you always want to do that? I’ve always been selling drugs my whole life, but now we can do it legal, now we be doing weed. Big shouts out Ted Budz, man, because he brought the shit to my attention. It’s crazy because we sat down last year and talked about what we want to grow and it took a year to come out with this shit, and this shit is the best weed on planet Earth. You got to smoke it. Have you smoked it? That shit is top shelf, and this in all the stores, bro. It’s legal. We track it. I’m a hustler.

https://hightimes.com/

Cannabeginners: Cannabigerol (CBG) Explained

While much of the focus on cannabis is on the well known cannabinoids like THC, CBD, and CBN, there are over a hundred cannabinoids in the cannabis plant. Cannabigerol (CBG) is one of the lesser known cannabinoids that has been getting increased attention in recent years for its unique properties and can now be commonly found in all types of cannabis products. Like many cannabis discoveries, the original discovery of CBG can be attributed to Dr. Raphael Mechoulam and his colleague Dr. Yehiel Gaoni. While they were able to isolate CBG from some samples of hashish, the full importance of CBG in cannabis chemistry wouldn’t be understood for another decade. Before he passed, Dr. Mechoulam created multiple derivatives of CBG which showed anti-inflammatory, pain relieving, and obesity preventing properties in rodents. In 1975, Yukihiro Shoyama led a team of researchers who were the first to show the biosynthesis of cannabinoid acids, including how cannabigerolic acid (CBGa) is formed and how it converts into other cannabinoids, like CBG. For many years it was believed that CBG was exclusively produced by cannabis, but recent research definitively confirmed it is also produced by the wooly umbrella plant, which produces the largest number of cannabinoids found anywhere other than cannabis. This discovery gives cannabis companies interested in CBG an additional source they can extract from. While much is still unknown about cannabis biochemistry and we are constantly learning more, we do have a clearer picture of how CBG and other cannabinoids get made than in 1975. Though there are a few earlier steps in the conversion process (as shown in Figure 4), most sources online focus on olivetolic acid as the starting chemical. When olivetolic acid combines with geranyl diphosphate, CBGa is formed, which then combines with various synthases to create CBG, THCa, CBDa, and CBCa (which further convert into THC, CBD, and CBC). This is why many researchers have referred to CBGa, and in some cases, CBG, as the “mother of all cannabinoids” or the “stem cell” cannabinoid. There is some mixed opinion on if CBG itself can convert into THC, CBD, and CBC, or if just CBGa. Some of the most current research on CBG, contains a flowchart showing the biochemical pathways that can be taken, and on that chart (Figure 4 above), CBG is clearly a dead-end. That seems to indicate that once CBGa becomes CBG it will remain in a somewhat stable form (as stable as THC or CBD at least, which are both known to break down into other cannabinoids). A few years ago I interviewed Seth Crawford, one of the founders of Oregon CBD, who told me about their CBG breeding efforts. “We developed the first pure CBG Type IV line,” said Crawford, noting “I know GW developed those years back, but they are held proprietorially. We are a seed farm and sell seeds to farmers.” For anyone not sure what he meant by a “Type IV,” that is a way to describe cannabis cultivars by their chemotype rather than indica or sativa. The first Type IV chemotypes were identified in 1987, but it still has not seen widespread use, likely because so few plants exist. “Our ratio is 100-1 CBG to THC, Crawford boasted, adding “Some individual varieties can go over 300-1.” Since I spoke to Crawford, many other breeders have begun to breed for CBG, and there are several CBG-rich cultivars available. Since CBGa becomes more than just CBG, leaving only trace amounts of CBG in most plants, you might be wondering how people were ever able to breed CBG-rich plants. In 2005, Etienne de Meijer followed up on his previous research on cannabis genetics, aiming to “clarify the genetic mechanism that is responsible for the accumulation of cannabigerol (CBG) in certain phenotypes of Cannabis.” They found a genetic mutation in certain cultivars of European hemp that caused dramatically increased CBG production, from about 10% of the “cannabinoid fraction” to up to 90%. Now, thanks to years of breeding those CBG-rich lines, we have stabilized CBG cultivars and are seeing more and more CBG products every week. In 2008, GW Pharmaceuticals applied for, and eventually received US and EU patents on CBG in the manufacture of medications to treat “diseases and conditions benefiting from concurrent agonism of the CBi [sic] and the CB2 cannabinoid receptors.” The now withdrawn or abandoned patents listed examples of those diseases, including: “pain, neurodegenerative disease, ischemic disease, brain injury or damage, acquired brain injury, age related inflammatory or autoimmune disease, cachexia, nausea and vomiting, glaucoma, movement disorders, rheumatoid arthritis, asthma, allergy, psoriasis, Crohn’s disease, systemic lupus erythematosus, diabetes, cancer, osteoporosis, renal ischemia and nephritis.” Aside from GW’s research, several studies over the past decade or so have substantiated CBG’s benefits for a range of medical conditions in cats and rodents. We’ve known since 1984 that CBG has benefits to animals suffering from glaucoma (specifically cats), lowering intraocular pressure like THC without the feeling of being high. A 2009 study followed up on that research and showed CBG and THC had notable benefits to both cats and rats, finding “cannabigerol and related cannabinoids may have therapeutic potential for the treatment of glaucoma.” Aside from glaucoma, CBG has also shown multiple mechanisms to treat the inflammation that leads to inflammatory bowel disease. Those anti-inflammatory effects are not limited to the bowels and a 2012 study noted “CBD and CBG also have analgesic and antiinflammatory effects.” Perhaps one of the most unique properties of CBG is that it has been shown to aid “neuronal regeneration” in recovery after spinal cord injuries. One potential downside could be nausea, where it has been suggested that “Interactions between moderate doses of CBG and CBD may oppose one another at the 5-HT(1A) receptor in the regulation of nausea and vomiting.”

https://hightimes.com/

Halloween Warnings Scare Trick-Or-Treaters of Weed Edibles in Fresh Round

Nothing is scarier than cannabis-infused edibles “disguised” as candy for some parents. Like clockwork, the annual wave of warnings to trick-or-treaters rolled out this year, alerting parents about the imminent danger of edibles getting mixed in with candy. But some people are skeptical if the problem is as prevalent as we’re being told. While some edible makers ignore trademark laws to rip off major candy companies, they’re not doing it for the purpose of targeting children. “That framing is misleading in at least two ways,” Reason reporter Jacob Sullen wrote. “First, it assumes that producers of marijuana edibles that resemble popular candy brands are targeting children, who cannot legally buy such products even in states where adults can, as opposed to nostalgic grownups with a sweet tooth. Second, it implies that nefarious adults are apt to distribute THC treats on Halloween, requiring extra vigilance by parents who already worry about the danger allegedly posed by needles, glass shards, or poison that might be lurking in their kids’ candy hauls.” As it turns out, adults also like candy, and infused candy doesn’t have to be a problem if it’s stored properly. But that hasn’t stopped the stigma of cannabis and the people who are constantly looking for ways to prove that legalization was a mistake. Some officials simply want to educate people and parents in particular about safety. On Monday, New York officials provided Halloween safety tips for parents who consume cannabis as Halloween approaches. Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman, Police Commissioner Patrick Ryder, and Health Commissioner Dr. Irina Gelman discussed Halloween safety tips. The warning described what they call a “new threat” this year of edibles within reach of children, now that adult-use cannabis stores are open across Long Island and the state of New York as a whole. Officials in Kansas did the same. Last month, the St. Mary’s Police Department (SMPD) in St. Mary’s, Kansas, warned of THC-infused candy that they say is marketed to children. On Sept. 19, the SMPD issued a community advisory for infused candy that was seized locally. The SMPD said the THC edibles are “very dangerous in the hands of children and are disguised as popular brands.” The SMPD shared a picture of THC-infused candy that was “disguised” as Airheads Extremes. The SMPD pointed out areas on the packaging that read “Medicated Candy.” But on the back of the candy wrapper, a disclaimer clearly reads “Contains Cannabis, A Schedule I Controlled Substance. Keep out of Reach of Children.” Dr. David Kling Jr., a pediatrician and a pediatric emergency medicine fellow at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, wrote an op-ed in The Columbus Dispatch warning about the threat of edibles this Halloween. “While working in the emergency department at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, I have cared for dozens of children who unintentionally ate edibles, thinking it was a safe snack or piece of candy,” Kling wrote. “Since medical marijuana became legal in Ohio in 2016, Ohio’s poison control centers have seen a surge in the number of children who have unintentionally ingested foods containing THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), the active component in marijuana.” Kling offered advice such as locking up edibles in a place your kids can’t get them or keeping them out of the house entirely. Edibles need to be kept out of reach from children as though they are the same as pharmaceuticals. “Of all children who went to the hospital after an unintentional marijuana ingestion, nearly 60% of patients required some form of hospital-based intervention like blood work or intravenous fluids, according to the study Pediatric Edible Cannabis Exposures and Acute Toxicity: 2017-2021 published by the American Academy of Pediatrics,” Kling continued. Children’s small bodies are not equipped for THC, and the same goes for pets. Heather Trnka, injury prevention supervisor at Akron Children’s Hospital in Akron, Ohio, was skeptical to say the least, and told the Akron Beacon Journal “people typically aren’t going to be handing out any cannabis-infused candy or other drugs to trick or treaters.” “That is a low-risk item,” Trnka said. “We know that those folks who get their hands on fentanyl or other drugs are going to be using it for themselves. It shouldn’t be a concern that we’re going to be worried that we’re going to get it from our neighbors or passed out as candy on Halloween night.” In New Jersey, these warnings were “derided as a scare tactic.” While typically overblown, there are a few exceptions. Last year, an actual case of a delta-8 gummy landed in a kid’s candy bag. The St. Charles, Missouri Police Department said that it received a single report of a parent discovering an infused gummy in her kid’s Halloween haul. In 2017, the executive director of the New Jersey chapter of NORML had to address a similar warning from the state’s attorney general, and explain how these warnings are often exaggerated or misleading. “Cannabis consumers are not looking to dose children with cannabis. That is not something that I’ve ever heard of anybody ever being interested in doing or wanting to do or would think is ethical,” said Evan Nison, executive director of the New Jersey chapter of NORML. “This is just something that some police officers sometimes say every year, never really comes to fruition, and is just a scare tactic.”

https://hightimes.com/

Massachusetts Cannabis Businesses File Lawsuit Against the U.S. Attorney General

A handful of cannabis companies recently initiated a lawsuit with U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland regarding the negative effects of federal prohibition, which hinders their business. According to the plaintiffs, which includes Massachusetts-based Canna Provisions Inc., Wiseacre Farm, Inc., and Gyasi Sellers, and Illinois-based Verano Holdings Corp., the Controlled Substances Act (CSA) causes harm to their respective businesses and is unconstitutional. The lawsuit document filed on Oct. 26 refers to a court ruling, Gonzales v. Raich, from nearly 20 years ago. “In 2005, the United States Supreme Court held that because Congress intended to ‘eradicate’ marijuana from interstate commerce, including both economic and noneconomic uses of marijuana, the federal government had a rational and therefore lawful purpose in intruding on the states’ internal regulation of marijuana,” the lawsuit stated. “…This unjustified intrusion of federal power harms Plaintiffs, threatens the communities they serve, and lacks any rational purpose.” The plaintiffs are represented by law firm Boies Schiller Flexner and Lesser, Newman, Aleo, & Nasser LLP, specifically principal David Boies, who has previously represented clients such as Microsoft, Al Gore, and a wide variety of others since it was founded in 1997. Boies explained that with more than 38 states legalizing cannabis, the 2005 court case is. “Outdated precedents from decades ago no longer apply—the Supreme Court has since made clear that the federal government lacks the authority to regulate purely intrastate commerce; moreover, the facts on which those precedents are based are no longer true,” Canna Provisions Inc. offers free training for those interested in a job in the legal cannabis industry, but because it’s illegal under the CSA, it “has been barred by one of the primary career services organizations in Massachusetts, MassHire, from posting jobs or running workshops.” Employees have also had their personal bank accounts closed and mortgages decline due to working “in a lawful intrastate marijuana businesses.” While Wiseacre Farm, Inc. cultivates legally in Massachusetts, it was barred from leasing more farming land because its activities were deemed illegal under the CSA. “That illegal status renders farmers unwilling to lease their underused farmland to Wiseacre Farm out of fear that having marijuana cultivated on their land will cause them to lose federal agriculture grant money,” the lawsuit explained. Gyasi Sellers, who is CEO of the delivery service Treevit, delivers to communities that were negatively impacted by the War on Drugs and offers jobs for ex-offenders, but faced many hurdles in order to operate his legitimate business. “These include not being able to obtain loans from the Small Business Administration, which deems his and all other marijuana businesses ‘ineligible for SBA financial assistance,’ regardless of whether they comply with state law,” the document stated. Finally, Verano Holdings Corp., which is a Canadian-based company that is primarily based in Illinois but also operates in Massachusetts and in other states as well. However, the restrictions of the CSA prevent them from conducting various cultivation, manufacturing, medical, and adult-use licenses. “Because of that illegal status, Verano faces ongoing harms, including that Verano’s Massachusetts retail operations are unable to accept credit cards,” the document stated. “That illegal status also results in Verano having to pay higher insurance premiums and limits Verano in terms of service providers willing to work with the company.” Following all of these individual experiences with the difficulties of operating a cannabis business under the CSA, the section concluded: “All of these harms, along with numerous other harms to Plaintiffs alleged herein, are caused by the federal government’s unconstitutional ban on cultivating, manufacturing, distributing, or possessing intrastate marijuana.” In a press statement, Boies explained how federal criminalization of safe cannabis businesses is unfair and denies small businesses the opportunity and services that they should be eligible for. “The federal government lacks authority to prohibit intrastate cannabis commerce,” Boies said. “Outdated precedents from decades ago no longer apply—the Supreme Court has since made clear that the federal government lacks the authority to regulate purely intrastate commerce; moreover, the facts on which those precedents are based are no longer true.” Verano President Darren Weiss explained their intention to have the CSA ruled unconstitutional. “We are prepared to bring this case all the way to the Supreme Court in order to align federal law with how Congress has acted for years,” Weiss said. “We believe that the Supreme Court will adhere to the core value on which our country was founded and which is central to guaranteeing freedom: that the federal government’s powers are limited.” Canna Provisions CEO and co-founder, Meg Sanders, also explained their desire for equal treatment as all other Massachusetts-based small businesses. Many other lawsuits have attempted to challenge or address the CSA, including the previously mentioned 2005 Gonzales v. Raich lawsuit. In May 2022, a Pennsylvania court ruled that cannabis is still a controlled substance, but in October 2022, a Nevada state judge ruled that cannabis should be removed from the state list of controlled substances.

https://hightimes.com/

Indoor Growing, Made Simple: VGrow Smart Grow Box by VIVOSUN

But, you might be wondering about the cost. During the Kickstarter campaign, you can grab it early bird pricing for just $420 USD. It’s an investment that’s well worth considering, especially when you factor in the money you’ll save on buying weed once you start growing your own. Now, let’s delve into why VGrow is a game-changer: Climate Control Made Easy: This smart grow box comes equipped with a sophisticated climate control system. It’s equipped with sensors to monitor temperature and humidity, and it adjusts these factors to ensure your plants thrive. Say goodbye to manual fussing and hello to effortless growing. LED Lights that Love Your Plants (and Your Wallet): VGrow boasts energy-efficient Samsung LM301H EVO LED lights that mimic sunlight. You can customize the lighting to fit your plant’s needs, and they’re designed to save energy and last forever. Well, not forever, but for at least 50,000 hours. Intelligent Control: Your Garden in Your Pocket: VGrow boasts a fully automatic IoT grow system compatible with both iOS and Android. Key Features of the App: Climate and Irrigation Control: With the VIVOSUN app, you can manage your botanical wonderland from anywhere, adjusting climate conditions like lighting and ensuring your plants receive the right amount of water. Grow Pilot Function: The app includes a special Grow Pilot Function, designed to be user-friendly, suitable for all growth stages, and developed based on VIVOSUN’s extensive home and commercial grow experience. You can select between normal and pro modes based on your experience level. Intuitive Control Panel: Managing your plant haven is a piece of cake. With the local control panel, you can tweak settings with a few taps. Whether you’re a pro or a newbie, you’ll love how easy it is. Sleek Design: In terms of visual appeal, VGrow features a minimalist, modern aesthetic to seamlessly fit into any living space. The clean design and glass top create an attractive yet subtle look that works with various décor styles. Fits Anywhere: Short on space? No problem. This sleek grow box is designed to maximize your gardening potential without eating up your room. It blends in like it was always meant to be there. Get All the Help You Need: Don’t fret if indoor gardening feels like a foreign language. All the accessories you need to start growing are included, and VIVOSUN supports you with grow guides, a friendly customer support team, and an online community of fellow gardening enthusiasts. You’re not alone in this journey. VGrow is more than just a product; it’s the answer to your gardening dreams. Whether you’re a casual hobbyist, a dedicated gardener, or a pro aiming to enhance your indoor crop game, this smart grow box is the solution. Ready to get one? You can find out more about it here. About VIVOSUN: VIVOSUN is a trusted name in indoor gardening, committed to quality, innovation, and user experience. With a range of products designed to simplify indoor gardening, VIVOSUN is the go-to choice for growers worldwide.

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No. This page is for news and education. Hemp rules can change quickly and vary by state—always verify against the latest official guidance and consult qualified counsel for compliance decisions.

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High Rhymes Vol 2: RXKNephew

Cannabeginners: Cannabigerol (CBG) Explained

Halloween Warnings Scare Trick-Or-Treaters of Weed Edibles in Fresh Round

Massachusetts Cannabis Businesses File Lawsuit Against the U.S. Attorney General

Indoor Growing, Made Simple: VGrow Smart Grow Box by VIVOSUN

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