Should States Ban Synthetic Cannabis?

 

Starting July 1, 2022, Oregon became the first state to ever ban synthetic cannabinoids from retailers and grocery stores.

 

According to regulators, sales of synthetic cannabinoids have been banned due to rising concerns regarding the dangerous chemicals used in these harmful products. To make these products, manufacturers isolate them or make them synthetically through a lab. While they don’t contain THC, most synthetic cannabinoid products are wildly unregulated.

 

Synthetically made cannabinoids have made headlines due to the numerous dangerous, if not nearly fatal, intoxications that they cause. Delta-8 THC, in particular, has been on the radar of the Centers for Disease Control due to over 100 hospitalizations in half a year. But Delta-8 THC, as well as other cannabinoids that are made synthetically such as CBN and CBD, already exist naturally in the cannabis plant though in such tiny amounts that a laboratory process is needed to make more of it.

 

According to Christopher Hudalla, ProVerde Labs’ chief scientific officer, there are a lot of serious health and safety risks associated with making synthetic cannabinoids. “It’s very easy to do in your garage,” he told Analytical Cannabis last year. “CBD is almost free. There’s so much oversupply of CBD that it’s very, very inexpensive. It used to be something like 12 cents a milligram. Now I can buy it for probably 0.1 cents a milligram,” he said. “And you can take that and, in your garage, convert it to delta-8. So there’s very good margins in it.”

 

“There’s no regulatory control,” Hudalla adds. “And so we know children are consuming these products without any indication about how safe they are. That’s hugely irresponsible in my opinion.”

 

How Did We Get Here?

 

It was sometime back in the mid-2000s that synthetic cannabis products started to appear in gasoline station shops and convenience stores. They were also known as Spice and K2, made from substances that weren’t specifically banned by federal or state laws. However, once we reached the end of the decade, many states have already banned their sale.

 

In 2012, President Obama enacted the Synthetic Drug Abuse Prevention Act. This was helpful in making numerous synthetic cannabinoids highly restricted under the Schedule 1 classification – unfortunately, the same classification that real marijuana is on at the moment.

Oregon is the very first state to ban the sale of laboratory-grown marijuana, but at least 43 other states have already placed restrictions of some sort on synthetic cannabinoids. However, I believe that all states should follow suit with Oregon because this highly unregulated product is a serious risk to society. Even though the FDA doesn’t regulate the medical marijuana industry, a strict (and expensive!) licensing process is required for individuals or businesses to establish dispensaries. In addition, there is a huge difference from synthetic cannabinoids and the legal marijuana industry because states set their own regulations about cannabis, and educated consumers know to look for established brands. A certificate of analysis is also provided by some brands for consumers who want peace of mind about what truly goes into every product they put into their body.

 

Marijuana is cultivated primarily for its therapeutic purposes, similar to its CBD-rich cousin – hemp – which is cultivated for other uses too such as its use in textiles and even concrete substitutes. On the other hand, synthetic cannabinoids, it seems, only merely seeks to mimic the impact of marijuana. That’s why it’s so appealing to those who don’t know better – such as teenagers, who also don’t have the budget to buy from dispensaries. And because of this, there is such a big risk allowing synthetic cannabinoid manufacturers operate in the market.

 

There needs to be some kind of regulatory framework at the very least so that we can prevent its harms.   Back in the day, Spice and K2 were sold as marijuana though one sniff or touch of the stuff and you can already tell that it isn’t the real deal. But these days, synthetic cannabis is already being infused into gummies, after which there’s no way to tell the difference.

 

Delta-8 THC products are flourishing in the market nowadays, too, but one has to tread with caution, no matter how much of a seasoned cannabis consumer you think you are. According to the FDA, there were 104 cases of adverse reports among people who consumed delta-8 THC from December 2020 through February 2022. Fifty-five percent of them needed medical intervention, such as through hospitalization or emergency medical services while 66% reported adverse effects after consuming delta-8 THC edibles. The adverse effects included vomiting, anxiety, tremors, loss of consciousness, and hallucinations to name a few.

 

It also puts the real thing in a bad light.

 

In 2019, the American Association of Poison Control Centers stated that CBD was considered an “emerging hazard” because of cases involving contamination and mislabeling, according to a CNBC report.

 

At the end of the day, it’s up to states to make use of the necessary prosecution methods and administration actions to ban these substances and sales entirely. While regulating them could help in a way, but all the bad news of the dangers simply outweigh the benefits, and simply put, when the real marijuana is out there, why do people need to succumb to the fake stuff anyway?

 

Sure, it’s much cheaper to make synthetic cannabis – but is your health worth the risk? Going into a coma, being hospitalized, and feeling like you’re going to die? These are things that cannabis will never do to you.

 

So it’s up to the states to ban them. And it’s high time all states should follow in the footsteps of Oregon.

 

THE DELTA-8 DEBATE, READ MORE…

THE MARIJUANA INDUSTRY IS DEAD – THE CASE OF HEMP DELTA-8

 

United Arab Emirates Attorney General Reduces Drug Penalties

 

Being caught with marijuana or other drugs, even alcohol, while in the United Arab Emirates can lead to long jail sentences.

 

Now, things may change as the Attorney General has just given local courts the ability to treat more illegal crimes with fines instead of jail. Dr. Hamad Saif Al Shamsi, AG, has listed 13 offenses now punishable by fine including crimes for getting caught with products with CBD or cannabis; in this case, these products would already be confiscated instead of people facing the risk of going to jail, reports The National News.

 

In addition, people who have been caught with drugs face penalties ranging from USD $2,720 to $8,170 for first offenses, which will significantly increase for the second and third offense. However, those caught for drug smuggling can still face 5 years and a death sentence if prosecutors choose to pursue them.

 

Dr. Al Shamsi explains that it’s the prosecutor’s goal to “rapidly resolve lawsuits and provide innovative, judicial and legal services, which are in line with global trends, meet the needs of the community,” he said in a statement. “The new anti-drug law considers the fact that some users are patients and victims of drug dealers,” he said.

 

Malaysia Discusses Developing Medical Marijuana Industry, Ends Death Sentence

 

Last April, the Medical Cannabis Caucus (MCC) of Malaysia met with the Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob to confer on policy issues related to medical cannabis, hemp, and ketum in Malaysia. They released a statement acknowledging the Prime Minister’s positive feedback regarding the issues in question.

 

“This is an industry that is being actively developed by many foreign countries. More than 40 countries have already allowed the use of cannabis for medicine. The market value of this industry has reached RM 60 billion. In fact, neighboring countries like Thailand are also studying this industry for their country,” said the Malaysian cabinet in a statement, reports The Straits Times.  “The Prime Minister responded positively on issues concerning the industry and said the matter will be discussed in further detail by the Cabinet.”

 

“The MCC believes that Malaysia has great potential and opportunity in this industry for medical purposes and research, and is able to provide great benefits to this country,” the statement said. “Legal views were also the main concern during the official meeting just now. The MCC thanks the Prime Minister for attending the meeting.”

 

A recent survey revealed that decriminalization of medical marijuana is favored by a great deal of Malaysians.

 

The Malaysian Cabinet has also just decided to end the mandatory death penalty, which made the Asian country notorious for having some of the harshest drug laws in the world, reports High Times. The death penalty was removed for 12 crimes including non-violent drug crimes, which was a “welcome step in the right direction,” said Amnesty International. It could be that medical marijuana reform has been the primary cause for reform, given the government’s keen interest in medical marijuana.

 

Ukraine-Russia War Prompts Medical Cannabis Legalization

 

The Ukrainian government is working to legalize medical marijuana.

 

Part of the decision has been brought about due to the trauma caused by the war started by Russia, reports NPR. Last Tuesday, Minister of Healthcare Viktor Liashko stated on Facebook that the cabinet had just approved a law “on regulating the circulation of cannabis plants for medical, industrial purposes, scientific and scientific-technical activities to create the conditions for expanding the access of patients to the necessary treatment of cancer and post-traumatic stress disorder resulting from the war.”

The drafted bill is on its way to the Ukrainian parliament, though a minimum of 226 votes are needed for its approval.

 

Germany Prepares To Legalize Production And Sale Of Recreational Marijuana

 

Germany’s Health Ministry is now getting ready to legalize recreational cannabis, starting with expert discussions on the topic, reports US News. According to them, over 200 experts from the legal and medical field as well as others will be partaking in the talks with government officials.

 

In 2021, a coalition deal among the 3 social liberal parties under Chancellor Olaf Scholz pledged to legalize regulated recreational cannabis sales within licensed marijuana shops as part of drug reforms. Five hearings are expected to take place throughout June 2022 to establish what needs to be put in place for recreational cannabis to be legalized while ensuring that the youth are protected. Other agendas include consumer protection, health, supply chains, criminal liability, international experience, licensing, control measures, and economic issues among others.

 

“Like many others, I have worked for years toward us in Germany finally ending the criminalization of cannabis consumers and beginning a modern and health-oriented cannabis policy,” said Burkhard Blienert, designated drug czar, in a statement.

 

“The hearings are intended to discuss which measures can be used to ensure the best protection for young people, health, and consumers in the event of implementation,” he adds. “Because one thing is clear: we want to protect children and young people in particular from possible risks,” he said.

 

 

Morocco Looks To Regulate Legal Marijuana

 

Morocco, the number producer of cannabis resin in the world, adopted laws last year that would authorize the legal use of cannabis for medical, industrial, and cosmetic purposes. Part of the plans to do so involved creating a national regulatory agency that met for the first time early in June to discuss the next steps involved.

 

The National Agency for the Regulation of Cannabis Activities (ANRAC) finalized their 2022 budget and organizational chart during the meeting, reports Africa News. Moving forward, ANRAC will be tasked with overseeing all phases of marijuana production including seed importation to cannabis product marketing. Meanwhile, they will soon be launching the licensing process needed for international as well as local operators in the cannabis industry.

 

However, the use of recreational cannabis is still illegal in Morocco. This hasn’t deterred tourists from attempting to score what is considered among the world’s best quality hashish and resin though if caught, they are often let off with a fine.

 

THE CANNABIS NEWS FROM AROUND THE WORLD, READ MORE..

CANNABIS NEWS FROM AROUND THE WORLD IN 60 SECONDS!

Next time read the actual article. It’s ok to admit it’s not a miracle drug. We are past that point. I get that redditors ignore and downvote all negative info on weed but that doesn’t change the fact that it’s not really a healthy thing to do in excess.

THC and inflammation

The researchers analyzed the genetic and medical data of about 500,000 people ages 40-69. The data was from the UK Biobank. Nearly 35,000 participants reported smoking cannabis; of those, about 11,000 smoked more than once a month. The more-than-monthly smokers were significantly more likely than others in the study to have a heart attack after controlling for other factors including age, body mass index and sex. The researchers found that frequent marijuana smokers were also more likely than nonusers to have their first heart attack before the age of 50 — an unusual medical event called a premature heart attack that increases a person’s lifelong risk of subsequent heart attack, heart failure and life-threatening arrhythmias that can cause sudden death.

The research was supported by the Stanford Cardiovascular Institute, the American Heart Association, the Steven M. Gootter Foundation, the Taiwan Ministry of Science and Technology, the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons, the Leducq Foundation, and the Tobacco-Related Disease Research Program.

Top 10 YouTube Channels about Growing Cannabis at Home

 

In need of tricks and tips on how to grow healthy cannabis plants? YouTube is the place to visit as it offers various audiovisual approaches to growing healthy cannabis plants.YouTube is one of the best platforms for novice marijuana farmers can get accurate and useful information about cultivating marijuana. So, if you need the right tips and tricks on how to go about cannabis cultivation, check out the channels discussed below.

 

YouTube and Cannabis

More often than not, YouTube channels and users have been sanctioned for publishing cannabis-related content. However, YouTube remains one of the top platforms to get cannabis culture tips and general information.

 

So, if you need to learn how to expertly cultivate cannabis from seedlings to harvest or learn how to create your setup, Youtube is the right platform. It offers a wide and deep perspective into the modern global cultivation of cannabis

 

 

TOP YOUTUBE CHANNELS ON GROWING CANNABIS

Below is a list of the top 10 best YouTube channels that offers the best knowledge about growing and cultivating cannabis plants.

 

1. CALI GREEN

Cali Green publishes some of the easiest and most accurate content on cannabis cultivation. Operated by a medical cannabis patient based in California, the changes cover topics across strain and product reviews, beginner tips, and many more.

 

Just recently, Cali Green published a mini-documentary that explains to viewers a complete growing cycle of the Bubble Bomb plant. The documentary carefully explains every detail starting from soil preparation to harvest. This makes the channel an incredible resource for novice and expert cannabis growers

 

2. FROM SEED TO STONED

The From Seed To Stoned YouTube channel kicked off in 2018 and since then has amassed a large following. At the time of this writing, the channel has more than 230,000 subscribers. The YouTube channel covers cannabis topics ranging from cultivation to harvesting tutorials and equipment reviews.

 

Apart from cannabis cultivation-related content, the YouTube channel also publishes cannabutter content, equipment giveaways, and lots more. Whether you are an expert or novice cannabis grower, we are sure you will find valuable content on the From Seed To Stoned YouTube channel.

 

3. HOME GROW ENGINEERING

While Home Grow Engineering is a small YouTube channel, it has a lot of cannabis content to offer. As the name implies, the channel offers remarkable insight into how to design growing equipment, as well as grow tents. The founder of the YouTube channel also published the documented process of building his apartment-friendly grow tent.

 

The Home Grow Engineering channel also features several videos ideal for novice growers, like the simplest equipment required to grow cannabis at home, how to nurture seedlings, basic nutrients, and so on If you’re a novice cannabis grower, Home Grow Engineering will offer you valuable information.

 

4. MR. CANUCKS GROW

Mr. Canucks Grow is another Youtube cannabis cultivation channel owned by a Canadian named Matt. The Youtube channel features slots of content that explains indoor cultivation and every aspect of cannabis cultivation. The channel teaches how to transplant, feed, train, and prune cannabis including how to dry, trim and cure cannabis buds during harvest.

 

In addition to these, the Mr. Canucks Grow YouTube channel also regularly publishes cultivation videos that are strain-specific. In this video, Matt explains how to grow specific cannabis from seedlings to harvest. The channel also publishes several tutorials on how to make rosin, hash, and lots more.

 

5. TOP SHELF GROWER

 

Another small but effective YouTube cannabis chapel is Top Shelf Grower. The cannabis content published on this channel is quite remarkable for both cannabis growers and consumers. A distinctive content that makes Top Shelf Grower unique is its recent Seasons Of Outdoor Cannabis” series. The series has a total of 26 episodes offering deep insights into the cultivation of ResPoisom, Stardawg, and several auto-flowering cannabis strains.

 

Top Shelf Grower examines every aspect of outdoor cultivation throughout 6-month which includes, watering, feeding, pruning, and training. The last video in the series shows the plants just before harvest and the green leaves were beautiful to see. You should check it out yourself.

 

 

6. GROWERS NETWORK

This is arguably the biggest channel on the list. However, the level of professionalism and quality of its contents may infer otherwise. Growers Network was created in 2017 but the brand initially kicked off as a social media platform. However, the brand has evolved over the years and has been fined as one of the top cannabis brands on YouTube.

 

While this Youtube channel doesn’t publish the usual how-to videos, it focuses on and publishes comprehensive content about the legal marijuana industry. These videos include tours ro varnish huge processing labs and cannabis farms. Periodically, Growers Network also uploads videos concentrating on distinctive topics such as equipment financing, cannabis lighting plans, extraction, and lots more.

 

7. GROWING EXPOSED

Dubbed the MTV of cannabis, Growing Exposed is hosted by Amanda Mackay and produced by  Jeremy Deichen. The YouTube series usually involves visits to processing plants and professional cannabis farms to interview several experts in the industry. Growing Exposed also hosts a special series known as “Ask The Garden Sage” in collaboration with David Robinson.

 

The series covers several topics ranging from ideal humidity and temperature levels, dry vs wet trimming, time to flick cannabis plants, and lots more. If you’ve got some unanswered questions, you can visit the YouTube channel to get the answers you’ve always needed.

 

 

8. YOUTUBE CANNABIS REVIEWS

 

YouTube, run by Bud, is a YouTube channel that primarily focuses on cannabis reviews. The biggest strength for Bud is his strain reviews and this channel offers remarkable resources regarding which strain to add to your cannabis garden. Asides from strain-specific reviews, the YouTube channel also focuses on grow equipment, paraphernalia, and nutrients reviews.

 

Furthermore, youtube has several published tutorials on harvesting, outdoor growing, and trimming, including beginner videos explaining how to best enjoy and consume cannabis.

 

 

9. INDICA INSTITUTE

Created in 2018, Indica Institute is dedicated to educating both expert and novice cannabis growers in the industry. Since its establishment, the YouTube channel has been able to amass more than 100k subscribers. This is because the tutorials published on this channel are easy to understand, detailed, and cover every aspect of cultivation.

 

Indica Institute in its series of videos explains in detail how to grow robust mother plants, prepare yourself, take clones, and choose viable seeds. One thing we love about Indica Institute is its equipment videos which offer great insights into tools best for beginner growers.

 

 

10. CANNABIS LIFESTYLE TV

Cannabis Lifestyle TV is operated by a cannabis enthusiast and professional grower for home cultivators. The channel regularly publishes videos on cannabis cultivation-related topics every week. It offers great videos that explain how to deal with pears such as this, powdery mildew, and more.

 

Cannabis Lifestyle TV product reviews are also exceptional. The host often discusses the best growing equipment, nutrients, and genetics available. So whether you’re a novice or expert cannabis grower, ensure you check out Cannabis Lifestyle TV on a regular basis.

 

 

Conclusion

If you’re truly in need of in-depth knowledge and information about how to grow and cultivate weed or general information about a specific strain of weed, you can always rely on these platforms to give you the answer. The free and quality information available on these YouTube platforms is second to none. So you should worry about DIY weed cultivation if you tricky follow the guides and steps explained on the channels.

 

YOUTUBE AND CANNABIS READ MORE…

BEST CANNABIS CHANNELS ON YOUTUBE? START HERE!

OR..

WHY DOES YOUTUBE KEEP DELETING CANNABIS CONTENT?