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An article posted yesterday in Psychology Today reveals familiar tactics from the purveyors of Reefer Madness, but within the thicket of mumbo-jumbo are two findings that I had not seen in a scientific publication before, and both are potentially huge. According to this article, research shows: TOBACCO INCREASES RISK OF SCHIZOPHRENIA and CANNABIS REVERSES TWO KEY CAUSES OF MENTAL DECLINE IN OLDER ADULTS. OK, back to the top: the article with the historically-consistent and titillating title, “Does Cannabis Cause Schizophrenia?” by Gary L. Wenk, PhD, a Professor of Psychology & Neuroscience & Molecular Virology, Immunology and Medical Genetics at the Ohio State University and Medical Center. (Note: PhD, not MD) To be efficient with your time, Dear Reader, let us dispatch with the age-old trope that cannabis causes schizophrenia. This article does NOTHING to advance the scientific discussion on the subject. There are vague “findings” of correlation between schizophrenia and cannabis and, despite the suggestive headline, there is NO INDICATION HERE about which causes which. In fact, the majority of the article suggests that there is no causal relationship whatsoever; that schizophrenia has distinct causes that are largely genetic AND IN FACT ANOTHER RISK FACTOR FOR SCHIZOPHRENIA IS TOBACCO. ("Making matters worse, tobacco use increases the risk of becoming schizophrenic (we do not read as much about this link in the popular press.") ABOUT CORRELATION: the article states: “… people who are affected by the early symptoms of schizophrenia might be turning to marijuana to self-medicate.” As a foundational issue, patients with mental illness are known to try virtually anything that helps alleviate the trauma and symptoms of their illness, from cannabis to exercise to alcohol to risky behaviors to self-harm. I was encouraged to find some honesty about the limits of scientific understanding of either psychosis or cannabis use. Having admitted no causality, Psychology Today still has the nerve to wastes our time by saying “recent studies indicate that the answer depends on three factors. Your genes How much THC, the principal active ingredient, is being taken into the body. Your age" (I re-ordered these here to make a point). ABOUT GENETICS: Dr. Wenk says if you have a schizophrenic sibling, you are genetically pre-disposed to schizophrenia. Headline-question answered, Full Stop. But the author goes on to suggest that if you have the gene for this illness, you should not use cannabis. Really? Why? What if cannabis makes a person feel better or reduces symptoms? Isn’t that the point of medicine, doctor? (or Editor, depending on who added this comment.) Also: “Inheriting a genetic predisposition to psychosis makes one vulnerable to the consequences of long-term, high-dose cannabis use.” There is no basis for these statements and no definition of “…the consequences of long-term, high-dose cannabis use.” It sounds science-y, but it’s empty Reefer-Madness rhetoric. HOW MUCH THC: No evidence whatsoever and shouldn’t have bothered mentioning it. THC is the modern version of the boogeyman under the bed. The truth is that the function and effects of THC are not fully understood by science or anyone. THC’s positive effects are rarely (never?) mentioned in scientific literature The effect of the combination of all the cannabinoids, terpenes and flavonoids and their interactions with the endocannabinoid system are all well over the heads of scientists, who have been handcuffed for nearly a century by Reefer-Madness-motivated anti-cannabis laws that have stifled learned investigation and innovation. It's as if scientists studying fish do not understand water. LACK OF CONTROL: Also, all the evidence submitted here is in uncontrolled environments, with patients acting in their own normal patterns in their own homes and then reporting their own memories and opinions rather than having them controlled and observed in a laboratory environment. No control over behavior, food intake, other behaviors... and yet cannabis is pulled out from all this noise? Nonsense. ABOUT TOBACCO AND SCHIZOPHRENIA: This reporting says cannabis use is strongly correlated to tobacco use, AND that tobacco use increases the risk of becoming schizophrenic. ("Making matters worse, tobacco use increases the risk of becoming schizophrenic (we do not read as much about this link in the popular press)." So scientists have discovered a causality between tobacco use and schizophrenia… Is this printed on the warning label of your Marlboro reds? “This association essentially undermines any direct genetic link between marijuana use and schizophrenia, for example, if a person smokes, then it becomes impossible to establish a causal connection between cannabis and psychosis.” This conversation should be over right here. ABOUT AGE: The article warns about prenatal exposure and adolescent use, as one would expect here in Psychology Today. (I personally believe that until the endocannabinoid system is understood by science as well as all the roles of all the phytocannabinoids, terpenes and flavonoids, that there is no basis other than fear that harm is caused by cannabis, or that any harm that is detected cannot be reversed.) Here’s another nugget from this study THAT SHOULD BE THE HEADLINE, the two reasons older people have mental decline is because of inflammation and that stem cells have stopped regenerating. “Research in my laboratory has demonstrated that a daily low dose of cannabis can significantly reduce brain inflammation. My lab’s research also demonstrated that stimulating cannabis receptors on surviving stem cells can restore neurogenesis." The articles author and editors have buried two very important details under a headline that smacks of generations of reefer mad misdirection and inaccuracy. Fortunately, The American Cannabis Report read it closely and made the effort to shine a light on these progressive new ideas. ### Image source: https://posterfoundry.com/laminated-thc-marijuana-molecule-science-green-funny-sign-poster-12x18-inch/

Remember when Steve Martin starred in the movie “The Jerk”? and the phone book arrived? and he ran around telling anyone who would listen that he was “somebody”? So the Leafly Jobs Report for 2021 is out, and on behalf of the entire industry, I’d like to say, “We’re Somebody! We’re really Somebody!” “The US Cannabis Industry Now Supports 428,059 Jobs” “The 2022 Leafly Jobs Report found 428,059 full-time equivalent jobs supported by legal cannabis as of January 2022. “The industry added 107,059 new jobs in 2021 The finance industry, which employs 9 Million workers, only added 145,000 “That’s a 33% increase in jobs in a single year. And it marks the FIFTH year in a row of annual jobs growth greater than 27%. An average of 280 new cannabis jobs per day.” And I know that many of our Dear Readers are responsible for these new jobs, so bravo to you! RELATIVE TO OTHER PROFESSIONS A few more statistics from the report that might make it more pertinent: There are now 3x as many cannabis employees as Dentists in the US In addition, Cannabis workers now outnumber: Firefighters Hairstylists, barbers and cosmetologists (combined) Machinists Insurance agents Bank Tellers CALIFORNIA: MORE CANNABI THAN POLICE Not surprisingly, CALIFORNIA is the largest cannabis job market with > 83,000, and what’s amusing about that number is more than all the actors, directors and producers combined, and also, more than law enforcement patrol officers. LEGAL MARKET IS ONLY 25% OF ALL SALES Whitney Economics, which did the study, calculates that the 2021 sales figures of just under $25 BILLION, represents about 25% of the total potential US cannabis market. In other words, it estimates 75% of the market is still on the illicit side. "Over the coming year, we expect the US legal cannabis market to grow at a rate of 18%, to $29.2 billion," says the Leafly Report. GROWTH EXPECTED FOR YEARS TO COME The Leafly Report explains that the jobs boom is expected to continue through at least 2025, considering NM, NJ, NY, CT are all going adult-use in the next 18 months. The mature market jobs number is estimated between 1.5 and 1.75 Million workers, so at least 3x what it is today.

Here's a story today from BevNet, “… the leading food and beverage-oriented media company”: “Pocket-Sized, Potent Cannabis Beverage Drink Loud Launches in California” The BevNet story is about a new product, but the subject I’d like to talk about is POTENCY. There are multiple conversations going on around the country about limiting THC levels in cannabis – Illinois, Mississippi, Colorado, Vermont... and Cannabis Now just did a big story about potency-caps which is a reefer-madness issue all the way. THE DEEP DIVE So here’s a California product that flies in the face of limits: it’s called Drink Loud. (It seems to be so new – as of this writing the website doesn’t show any locations where it’s available and its Instagram account has no posts - only shows the company logo … so it’s early days at Drink Loud.) I’m not into edibles personally, but I’ve got two beverages in my fridge. One is a single serving bottle with 10 mg of THC in 8 ounces of tea. The other is a bottle with 100 mg. of THC in 8 ounces of Lemonade, and the instructions say a capful is a dose. That’s legal, according to the regs. Drink Loud is 100 mg in a bottle that’s less than 2 ounces. So it’s way more concentrated. 100 mg THC in a bottle that appears to be about the size of a nail polish bottle. THE LOOP BACK I’m curious what anyone thinks about high-potency, low dose edibles like this, and appreciate your comments. I always worry about how our enemies are going to come at us. I worry about the bad-parent stories which are framed as "kids getting into stuff" I think Drink Loud may get some regulatory pushback for its branding – the logo is a big smiley face and the bottles are bright colors… On the other hand, delivering 10 doses of THC in a 2 oz. container instead of 8 oz. means the company is shipping far less water, which saves water (duh) but also saves weight, and therefore saves fuel, which saves the environmental costs of extracting/shipping/procressing the fuel and the pollution expended as the fuel is used. image source: Drink Loud

At last, some good news about cannabis taxes: “Maricopa Community Colleges Get $17.1M from Cannabis Tax in First Year of Legality” THE SCOOP The State of Arizona is on a roll… during its first year the state “… took in more than $215 million last year on combined taxes of both adult use and medical marijuana” All that tax money is good news for Maricopa County, which is the county around Phoenix and Scottsdale. “Maricopa County Community College District received $17.1 million from the state’s cannabis excise tax. The district said it has earmarked $7.6 million of the funds toward 35 career-specific training programs, with focuses including beauty and wellness, healthcare, and trades and technology.” “The district said community colleges get the most funding from the tax at 33%... THE DEEP DIVE The other big cannabis tax story is California, of course. Small farmers are begging for cultivation taxes to be lowered, Humboldt County has already reduced a key tax; and we’re waiting to hear what Governor Gavin Newsom does. Considering the state already jacks about $1 Billion a year from cannabis businesses and keeps the taxes so high generally that the illicit market is reportedly larger than the legal market… And then there’s that weird twist that was reported by Jason last week: As reported in NBC News: Jim Keddy, executive director of the advocacy organization Youth Forward, and others have warned Governor Newsom ‘that "if the industry is successful in persuading state leaders to lower, suspend and/or eliminate the tax rates approved by voters in Proposition 64, we will see an immediate, negative impact on thousands of children living in poverty and children of color across our state." So that sucks… who wants to choose between hurting kids and hurting farmers? …Or is that NOT the only choice? Remember when I said that in Maricopa County, 33% of the tax revenue goes to community colleges? According to the 2020 study by the Public Health Institute [called, “California Cannabis Tax Revenues: A Windfall for Law Enforcement or an Opportunity for Healing Communities?"] In California under Prop 64, “new revenues such as those from cannabis that go into the general fund end up heavily benefiting the police. On average, for the 28 cities in the study, police spending represented 39% of general fund spending.” The Cannabis tax money going to police smells like this: 62% to police in Cloverdale in Sonoma County 59% to police in Woodlake in Tulare County 51% in Modesto… etc. Between 2016 and 2020, 23 of the 28 cities we researched experienced … double-digit increases in the amount of general fund dollars going …to police. … the average increase in police budgets of 19% In just those 23 cities, over $455 mil­lion more in general fund dollars was spent on police in 2019-20 than was spent just three years earlier.” And by the way, what exactly are these tax dollars funding in California? MORE POLICE UNITS DEDICATED TO PUNISHING CITIZENS FOR THE MISTAKES AND CATCH-22s OF CANNABIS REGULATION, which created too many growers, too few retail outlets, too-high taxes, ridiculous regulations on hemp (0.3% THC is random and meaningless)... I could go on and on... "Moreover, beyond the 28 cities highlighted above, jurisdictions all across the state are pouring resources into specialized law enforcement units dedicated to cannabis enforcement. For example, Sacramento created a unit of 15 new officers dedicated to unlicensed cannabis. Working with SWAT teams, they raid suspected unlicensed cannabis grows across the city. There are many similar (and often well-staffed and highly-resourced) law enforcement units across the state, including: Santa Clara County: Marijuana Eradication Team San Luis Obispo: Cannabis Regulations Unit San Jose: Division of Cannabis Regulation Santa Barbara County: Cannabis Compliance Team San Bernardino County: Marijuana Enforcement Team Los Angeles is directing millions of dollars per year in cannabis revenues to the police “overtime fund” where it is used for “investigating and enforcing laws relative to illegal cannabis businesses” among others. THE LOOP BACK In my mind, the tax problem is not for children or against farmers… it’s against the most bloated, HammerStriking, anti-vaxxing, white supremacist organization of all… the police. And if you’re butt-hurt because I said white supremacist, here’s another quote from the Public Health Institute: “Plus, while the enforcement of cannabis laws has always been concentrated within communities of color, it has become even more so in recent years. People of color represented 68% of cannabis arrests in 2013, but by 2018 that had risen to 75% (though with far fewer cannabis arrests in total)." These problems are much bigger than taxes. ### Image source: https://www.orientaltrading.com/special-police-badge-a2-BB52.fltr

I have a pretty disturbing story today from the front line of the War on Drugs. But I also feel very fortunate to have some help in telling what’s being done to rectify this sorry situation. That help will come from Mr. Stephen Post, who is a campaign manager and communication strategist for the Last Prisoner Project who has very kindly taken the time to join us today. The headline to the story from Ganjapreneur gets to the heart of the matter, “Man Serving Life In Prison for $20 Cannabis Sale Gets Chance at Freedom Under New Louisiana Law” THE SCOOP Kevin O’Brien Allen, a 39-year-old Louisiana man, is serving life in prison without parole after being arrested for selling $20 worth of cannabis to a police informant. And how sad is it that we are not surprised to learn from the photo of Mr. Allen that he's black? From now on, when you hear the phrase “unfairly targeted by the war on drugs”, Mr. Allen’s face should appear before you. Here's his story: “On December 27, 2012, and March 13, 2013, the Bossier Sheriff’s Narcotics Task Force paid a confidential informant to approach Allen and solicit marijuana. Mr. Allen provided the snitch* with a grand total of $20 worth of weed... (*By the way, in an especially cruel twist of targeting, the informant was Mr. Allen’s childhood friend, who betrayed him and caused his future to be stolen from him). “… and in 2014, Allen was sentenced to 10 years hard labor for each count – 20 years hard labor for $20 weed… “But the nightmare didn’t stop there: state prosecutors ultimately pushed to enhance the punishment under Louisiana’s habitual offender statutes (also known as Three Strikes, looking at you California, looking at you Bill Clinton, looking at you Joe Biden). "Due to multiple past drug-related convictions, Allen’s sentence was increased to life imprisonment without the chance of parole, probation, or sentence suspension." A man’s life was ruined and future stolen from him by the State of Louisiana for $20 of weed. "Fortunately, a new Louisiana law, La.C.Cr.P. art. 930.10, provides an opportunity for J. Schuyler Marvin— the Bossier and Webster Parish District Attorney—to reduce Mr. Allen’s sentence by working with him to come to mutually agreed upon “post-conviction plea agreement”. In layman terms, DA Marvin can release Kevin." WHAT CAN YOU DO? Stephen Post from the Last Prisoner Project has helped us understand details surrounding this case, including the fact that Mr. Allen was convicted by a split jury, which has been found unconstitutional multiple times and is one of the bases for the Last Prisoner Project’s work to free him, and more than 40,000 prisoners like him. LEARN MORE AT https://www.lastprisonerproject.org/freekevinallen SHARE THE HASHTAG #FREEKEVINALLEN Last Prisoner Project is launching the #FreeKevinAllen advocacy campaign to generate public pressure on DA Marvin to do just that! You can help by calling and emailing DA Marvin's office to #FreeKevinAllen using the information below. Then, you can amplify your direct action by sharing Last Prison Projecct graphics and using #FreeKevinAllen to spread awareness of our campaign on social media. Grab the image below and post it EVERYWHERE you can Sample email and call scripts can be found on the #FreeKevinAllen webpage. DA J. Schuyler Marvin | (318) 965-2332 | Email: SMARVIN@26THDA.ORG ADA Alexandra S. Aiello | AAIELLO@26THDA.ORG ADA Andrew Jacobs | AJACOBS@26THDA.ORG ADA John M. Lawrence | MLAWERENCE@26THDA.ORG ADA Richard R. Ray | RRAY@26THDA.ORG (SAMPLE SCRIPT) “Hello, my name is ______. I’m calling in regards to Kevin Allen (C-199853), a Louisianan currently incarcerated at Louisiana State Penitentiary in Angola, Louisiana serving a life sentence without the possibility of parole after he was convicted of selling $20 worth of marijuana. In 2021, Louisiana passed a law decriminalizing medical marijuana so possession of up to 14 grams is only punishable by a $100 fine, without the threat of jail time. Now, a newly-enacted law (La.C.Cr.P. art. 930.10) provides an avenue for Allen to remedy his protracted post-conviction litigation and instead work with you all in the DA’s office to come to a mutually agreed upon “post-conviction plea agreement.” In light of the minor nature of Allen's offenses, marijuana's growing legality, as well as time Kevin has already served, I'm respectfully urging DA Schuyler Marvin to use his authority to free Kevin Allen and allow him to return home to his supportive community. Thank you so much for your time." #FREEKEVINALLEN #FREEKEVINALLEN #FREEKEVINALLEN ###

Here in the LA area we’re all coming down from our little weekend hoo-ha, where we added a 2nd Lombardi Trophy to our 2 Stanley Cups, 7 World Series Trophies, and 17 NBA Championships. It’s good to be kings! That’s quite a legacy for the City of Angels, going back to 1949, although it was the Minneapolis Lakers who won that first NBA trophy. THE SCOOP 1949 was a massive year in world history but in LA, our LEGACY industry put James Cagney in a little GANGSTER picture called White Heat. Cagney wasn’t a PROHIBITION-busting bootlegger, he played a hyper-VIOLENT psychopath named Cody Jarrett who gets killed at the end, shouting “Made it Ma! Top of the World.” Legacy. Prohibition. Gangsters. Violence. The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse when Government tries to Prohibit something that people want. I’ll say it again, The Legacy of Prohibition is Gangsters and Violence. And when some of the gangsters are inevitably psychos – Top of the World Ma - the violence spills all over the place. Which is how I interpreted this story from Friday’s news (remember: two days before the Super Bowl): "A Threatening Phone Call to a US Inspector Endangers the Mexican Avocado Industry" THE DEEP DIVE “Exploding gang violence, gun battles, bombs dropped from drones, the forced displacement of thousands of people — none of it has dampened the U.S. appetite for avocados from Mexico’s western state of Michoacán. But a threatening phone call made to an [American] avocado inspector … could change that.” “U.S. authorities informed Mexico US would temporarily suspend avocado shipments until the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) could investigate the threat …” and guarantee the safety of Americans. And you’re wondering how this all ties together? Production of avocadoes in Michoacan “…has lifted thousands out of poverty but also fed the coffers of organized crime, which often charges a tax on every kilo sold…” "[Michoacan] has become the battleground for a bitter fight for control between the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, and … the United Cartels. Criminal groups are … seeking to control the avocado market outright as a means to finance their operations.” Cartels have already disrupted Michoacan’s lime industry, which raised prices 90% since 2020. But avocadoes are BIG BUCKS: “Nearly a million tons of avocado, valued at around $2.4 billion, are exported to the U.S. annually, virtually all of it from Michoacán… giving the industry the nickname the “green gold.” THE LOOPBACK And the US suspended imports on February 12th, the eve of the biggest avocado day of the year: The Super Bowl. Did we get hurt? Hardly. But the people of Michoacan? “Exploding gang violence, gun battles, bombs dropped from drones, the forced displacement of thousands …” prove that the only LEGACY of PROHIBITION is GANGSTERS and VIOLENCE. END PROHIBITION NOW! ### Image source: https://rear-view-mirror.com/2020/06/10/cinemas-greatest-scenes-made-it-ma-top-of-the-world/ https://dallas.culturemap.com/news/restaurants-bars/12-17-21-avocados-from-mexico-jalisco/

Another Mama Bear came to my attention this weekend, this time in the US. "South Carolina Mom Became Advocate For 'Severely Autistic' Daughter To Use Medical Marijuana” "Advocates for medical cannabis have hope after the South Carolina Senate approved the bill and now it's on its way to the State House. And it does so with the support of 72% of South Carolinians." Judy Ghanem, the former executive director of Compassionate South Carolina and advocate for medical cannabis, says, “Voters understand that medical cannabis can provide life-changing relief, and that the law should not stand in the way.” “Judy is among that 72%. She's a fierce Mama Bear who’s willing to fight on behalf of her severely autistic daughter Kira, who also can’t speak. Another Mama Bear, Jill Swing of the S.C. Compassionate Care Alliance, has a daughter named Mary Louise – was diagnosed with cerebral palsy and epilepsy before she turned two years old and experiences between 800 and 1,200 seizures each day. Jill Swing has a quote that bears repeating: "Serious illnesses are not bound by zip code, neither should relief.” Poor little Kira, who looks to be about 10-12 years old in pictures in the article, has been on the big Pharma hamster wheel of doom – Mom says she was prescribed “Risperidone for years” So let’s just stop for a second. I don’t know much about her condition or what’s available to treat it, and I’m certainly not a doctor, but common sense check: the National Library of Medicine says Risperidone is used for schizophrenia in people 13 and older, for bipolar disorder, and some other major psychological issues. The site lists 39 major side effects, and there may be others. But one that little Kira suffered: drug withdrawal. In her case, she developed a whole new disease that’s listed on the “Rare Disease Database” called Tardive Dyskenesia, which basically causes her muscles to constrict. Guess what gives this little angel relief from all this agony? Cannabis. THE DEEP DIVE Both girls, in fact, find relief from THC-based medicines – and isn’t that enough reason for everyone to join hands and at least make a special case for kids like them? Apparently not, in very conservative states like South Carolina (though we still hold out hope). Even though the suffering of Kira and Mary Louise and others is very well-known in South Carolina (including major media coverage), there’s still opposition to Medicinal Cannabis. And I’ll bet you could tell me WHO OPPOSES LEGALIZATION with your eyes closed. Of course: Johnny Law himself. The South Carolina Sheriff’s Association. Bet you can guess why, too. It’s right from the 1930’s Reefer Madness Playbook: “Public Safety”. It’s like you stick a hand up their butt and they sing along like a talking dummy. Like this: “Jarrod Bruder, said on behalf of the Sherriffs: “The number of impaired drivers has gone up when marijuana has become legal as medicine or anything else, so there’s certainly an expectation that we will see that…”930’s “And South Carolina is already number 2, I believe, in the country in impaired driving with just alcohol and other drugs.” So let’s get this straight: legalizing, regulating, and controlling exactly who is legally allowed to have cannabis for the first time doesn’t seem like something to try, considering you’re already FAILING SO BADLY. Let's be clear: the traffic conversation is a diversion. It keeps law enforcement focused on arrest quotas (i.e. fundraising) for minor possession offenses that significantly target black and brown people instead of solving prosecuting major crimes like murder, rape, and robbery. AND rips our focus away from sick children like Kira and Mary Louise and their families... As well as the thousands of other South Carolinians suffering from typically approved conditions** for medicinal cannabis such as cancer, multiple sclerosis, Post-Traumatic Stress, and other grueling conditions. And it’s not only the coppers are spitting this heartless drivel, it's the putative conservatives (again) fighting against compassion and freedom of South Carolina citizens to pursue Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness: "… opinion was clearly split on party lines. While polling highly among Democrats (55 percent) and independents (68 percent), medical marijuana’s favorability remains at just 41 percent among Republicans…" THE LOOPBACK Sheriffs and Republicans sitting in a tree F-u-c-k-i-n-g sick people in South Carolina. I know it doesn’t rhyme. Their opposition doesn’t make sense, either, ### ** What Conditions Are Approved For Medical Marijuana Treatment in South Carolina? When medical marijuana is finally legalized in South Carolina, the following conditions may qualify you for a medical marijuana card: Cancer Multiple sclerosis Neurological disease or disorder, including epilepsy Sickle cell anemia Autism Chronic pain Glaucoma Post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD Crohn’s disease Ulcerative colitis Cachexia, or wasting syndrome Severe or persistent nausea — Senate version requires patient to be homebound Terminal illness with less than a year to live A condition causing severe and persistent muscle spasms A condition for which opiates could be prescribed Any debilitating condition the recommending doctor is qualified to treat — House version only [IMAGE SOURCE: https://fox28media.com/news/local/sc-medical-marijuana-cannabis-south-carolina-senate-bill-approved-mom-advocate-autism-daughter-february-11-2022 ] ​

Two talented Olympic athletes, two banned substances. One gets a pass, one goes home... Anyone wondering why? (The photos should tell you everything you need to know.) image source: https://www.grunge.com/443394/what-do-the-olympic-rings-actually-stand-for/ PostScript: Many others recognized the RACISM AT WORK in the skater-decision today. Here's one of many:

Did you miss how The Game snuck into the big game? Let's just start here:

Peanut butter and jelly, milk and cookies, Bobsleds and Cannabis... right? It's Super Bowl Weekend, but my main story today is about another little sporting event: the Winter Olympics. They got a little thang going on called the Bobsled Race, which reminds me: there are actually two stories involving the Bobsled & Cannabis today but remember people, ... when bobsledding, please use cannabis responsibly. BOBSLED AND CANNABIS STORY #1 First of all, you all know that our superstar friend Roz McCarthy has launched her own brand called Black Buddha Cannabis, right? Props to Roz, and the hot news that the brand is launching in California, Nevada, Michigan, and Ohio. Bam! But the big news for me is that she’s added a new Chief Strategy Officer by the name of Malik Yoba. And you’re thinking "Malik Yoba..., that name sounds familiar, is he a cannabis guy?" Well, yes he is, but he’s also a huge Hollywood star … with Bobsled in his Backstory: Yoba played “Yul Brenner” in the hit movie Cool Runnings, about the Jamaican Bobsled Team. It's that film's 30th anniversary very soon. So that’s Bobsled Cannabis Story #1... Bobsled Cannabis Story #2 comes from Hemp Industry Daily: “2022 WINTER OLYMPICS FEATURE CANADIAN HEMP FIBERS IN LUGE, BOBSLED TRACKS” "Canadian hemp is speeding onto the world stage in the 2022 Winter Olympics … in Beijing. Calgary, Alberta-based processor Canadian Greenfield Technologies sent more than 60,000 pounds of its NForce-Fiber for use in competition luge and bobsled tracks. The fibers were used in place of plastic fibers as a concrete strengthener." “The company sells hemp fibers for outdoor construction projects that use sprayed concrete – commonly called shotcrete – such as outdoor pools and skate parks. The fibers strengthen the concrete.” THE DEEP DIVE The big deal here is that hemp fiber is really getting a special place in a high stress environment, where failure is absolutely NOT an option. (Could you imagine if the Olympic Bobsled track fell apart?) Picture this: if a skateboard park is Steve Urkel, a bobsled Track is Arnold Schwarzenegger. A Bobsled track is about a mile of solid ice and comprises 16 CURVES. And that’s where the hemp is going to be used. The curves have to contain the kinetic force of bobsleds with 4 big athletes inside – about 1,400 hundred lbs. fully-loaded - which reach speeds of 90 miles per hour and pull 5 G’s – 5 times normal gravity - which is greater than the force than astronauts feel when their rocket takes off… So while you’re packing your comfy little bowl on your comfy little couch this weekend, that hemp is doing real work! THE LOOPBACK In conclusion, for the first time, HEMP is going to be part of the mix in a major, high-stress construction project with the eyes of the world on it AND it’s replacing plastic, which "international team of engineering and construction experts" deemed inferior to HEMP! That’s a GOLD MEDAL PERFORMANCE in my book!

My story starts with The Daily Journal of Tupelo, Mississippi, birthplace of the King himself, Elvis Presley. The Daily Journal of Tupelo calls itself "A LOCALLY OWNED NEWSPAPER DEDICATED TO THE SERVICE OF GOD AND MANKIND", it says so at the top of this story: "TVA Asking Feds If It Is Legal to Supply Power to Medical Marijuana Facilities" THE SCOOP “Days after Mississippi legalized marijuana for medicinal use, the Tennessee Valley Authority — one of the main suppliers of wholesale electricity to north Mississippi — is uncertain if it can provide its resources to medical cannabis facilities.” “In a document obtained by the Daily Journal, TVA announced that since it’s a federally owned utility company, it must adhere to federal drug laws. Though marijuana use is legal in several states, the product is still federally illegal. “Given this important point, TVA will not direct any federal resources or funds to the cultivation and/or distribution of marijuana,” the statement reads. THE DEEP DIVE The Tennessee Valley Authority was created by FDR back in the 1933, whom my friend Jason Beck probably thinks was a socialist because he used federal money to help poor people, but I was not aware that the TVA is the LARGEST PUBLIC POWER COMPANY IN THE UNITED STATES, and it provides power to SEVEN STATES via more than 16,000 miles of transmission lines. And a whole bunch of those miles end up in Mississippi, which just legalized medicinal cannabis like, a minute ago, after a huge legislative rumble that we reported on for months (HERE, HERE, HERE) BUT WAIT … ONE MISSISSIPPI: The TVA also serves Virginia and Alabama, which are adult-use and medicinal states, respectively. Why didn’t TVA threaten those states? TWO MISSISSIPPI: TVA is only a wholesaler. There are several local utility companies that directly plug into North Mississippi businesses (Tupelo Water & Light and Tombigbee Electric Power Association, to name just two…) Now, some will say they’re bound by the same rule: "all are resellers of Power from the TVA" But why is it the TVA’s business what a local utility does with the power it’s bought and paid for? Once those electrons leave TVA lines, it’s not their power anymore. TVA is not directly powering anything in Mississippi. SO GET THAT BIG FEDERAL BOOT OUT MISSISSIPPI'S BUM!. TVA spokesperson Scott Brooks "... would not specifically answer if local recipients of TVA power … could … service cannabis facilities …" Well, let me help you see the light, Scott: THREE MISSISSIPPI: Pretty sure Jason Beck and I can agree: this is a case of STATES RIGHTS anyone could get behind. In 2020, Mississippians turned back decades of Prohibition and won the right to cannabis medicine for its most vulnerable citizens. In 2022, Mississippi legislators just fought the Governor to protect that right. You think they won’t fight the federal government for infringing on the rights of at least 300,000 friends, family and neighbors with serious illnesses who need cannabis medicine to survive? FOUR MISSISSIPPI: Fight the Power! THE LOOPBACK And since we’re talking about The Plant that grows just fine without electricity, don’t forget that Mississippi has 216 days of sunshine every year. ### Image source: https://www.tva.com/kids/tva-history

Our friend Thom Baccus at Cannabis.net points a spotlight at a vexing conundrum for the cannabis industry: consumers are not responding to the $Millions being invested in branding. The Marijuana Industry's Biggest Lie: Cannabis Branding Matters to Consumers THE SCOOP Baccus says, "A new survey is out that confirms what every other study has reported in the past about cannabis branding and marketing, it just doesn’t matter to consumers, and they don’t remember what your logo, your colors, or your packaging looks like a few days after buying your product. The three factors they 100% do remember are: 1. How much your product costs, 2. How well did the product work, and 3. Where they got the product." "Branding is not even in the top 10 results when cannabis consumers listed reasons they purchased a certain product… Over 4 out 5 consumers (82%) said a brand’s reputation did not matter when making a final purchasing decision" This theory (which is about adult use only, not MMJ, and let's focus on the US market because Canadian cannabis branding is dead by regulation.) suggests that for most people, the decision about which cannabis product to buy is strictly practical. Consumers want to go to their usual spot, don’t overspend, and get reliably high. This is consistent with previous studies: A 2020 Survey by New Frontier Data “… shows marijuana buyers are much more price and quality conscious than anything else.” Branding was … dead last A 2020 Article suggests that lack of consistent dosing and performance is just plain confusing. It is titled. “The Cannabis Branding Myth - Consumers Don't Know What They Bought or How Much They Took” THE DEEP DIVE There are many branding challenges in cannabis: Cannabis is an Agricultural Commodity. I can think of only 3 Ag Brands: Chiquita Bananas, Dole Pineapples, Green Giant… Those brands spent MILLIONS over decades on mainstream channels - - cannabis can’t do that. Gaps in Growing Seasons: A brand is a promise that the company will deliver what it promises. If a brand can’t deliver product month after month. Cannabis (flower, anyway) is a fresh product and with gaps between growing seasons - - consumers might forget and buy whatever the budtender*** tells them is "close" Regional Loyalty: You might be inclined to support products from your state – but in cannabis, all product is in-state. You might be loyal to your region (think about how Trader Joe's shelves their wines... by country, by state...) But how does one choose from all the Humboldt brands … Or all the Sun Grown brands… HOW DO YOU KNOW WHICH IS WHICH? *** We’ll get back to that. *** Strain Disconnect: Any difference between sativa and indica is now heavily debated. But more importantly, "strains" are NOT completely aligned with companies - - whose White Widow or OG Kush did you buy? Do you care? If you simply like White Widow but don't care who grew it... then your brand loyalty is not with a company. (%#@+&?!} Regulations: Product branding is not allowed (fully) on mainstream or social media - - a massive disadvantage Product branding is all stored inside the case or behind the counter – you can’t interact with product in the store except through a budtender... *** THE LOOPBACK What should brands do? TELL A STORY: FIVE YEARS AGO I read the founder's story about Papa & Barkley (Papa is the founder's father who was ill and used cannabis to feel better; Barkley was Papa's faithful dog)... I read it once AND NEVER FORGOT IT - Papa & Barkley's is a brand with a big heart I read the story about Lowell Farm’s Jail Billboard years ago and remain loyal to that brand for its courage and commitment to social justice FOCUS ON *** BUDTENDERS *** Create events specifically for Budtenders Have a party for Budtenders (don't you dare charge them for it, and publicize the hell out of it) Create Training Programs for budtenders Create or sponsor "Budtender of the Year" awards Cash ‘em out: Pay the budtenders who sell well. Nothing communicates like $ INNOVATE THE BUSINESS MODEL: INSTEAD of paying for shelf space, offer to pay for some of your dispensary’s advertising FOCUS ON DISPENSARIES WITH POPULATION DENSITY: Work your ass off to get into EVERY dispensary, especially the urban ones where there are the most people ### image source: https://industrialbrand.com/well-design-a-brand-identity-but-branding-is-up-to-you