CBD Producten: July 2022

Sunday 31 July 2022

DIY Cannabis Skin Cream for the Ultimate in Skincare

We love that weed markets are opening everywhere, but we also love that weed’s increasing popularity has led to a massive DIY world. Sometimes consumers want to know that their product is specifically what they want it to be, especially when its going in, or on, their body. When it comes to looking great, check out this DIY cannabis skin cream recipe, for glowing skin, and no unnecessary chemicals.

Who wants a store bought product when you can make DIY cannabis skin cream in the comfort of your own home? Best way to know you’ve got a great product, is to make it yourself. This site focuses on independent reporting of the cannabis and psychedelic landscapes. You can follow along by subscribing to the THC Weekly Newsletter, which comes full of deals on products likes vapes and edibles, for those who’d rather just buy. Plus, we’ve got tons of offers for popular cannabinoid products including HHC-O, Delta 8, Delta 9 THC, Delta-10 THC, THCO, THCV, THCP & HHC. There are a lot of great products out there, so do your research, and make sure to make the best purchase possible.

Why DIY?

There are plenty of reasons why a person might want to make their own product, rather than buy from a store. Stores generally have standard and streamlined items, which are the same from store to store, state to state, and sometimes country to country as well. There’s not a lot of individualism in product marketing on a large scale, so when buying from a store, you’re getting the same basic product that everyone else gets.

This doesn’t leave a lot of room for variation. And though providers often do supply product listings that include alternative options (no-sugar options, gluten-free options, animal-friendly options, vegan options), it’s sometimes hard to get all your needs met in a regular store. Even a specialty store generally runs off specific recipes, so though it might provide different options to bigger marketplaces, it still can’t necessarily get you the exact product you want.

Besides the inability for personalization, standard product markets are oftentimes dirty. If you want a skin cream, you might prefer it without a bunch of toxic chemicals. Those chemicals are there because these products are made via mass production, whereby they’re expected to travel long distances, and sit on store shelves without going bad. Sometimes, you won’t have the benefit of knowing (or trusting) anything about a product you’re buying off a shelf. As more information comes out about the dicey ingredients in cosmetics, making your own products becomes that much more enticing.

DIY products come out exactly how you desire, since you’re choosing what goes in, and all cooking/processing techniques. When you do it yourself, you don’t have to question what added chemicals there might be, what processing techniques were used (and if they could have left behind residue), and what quality of ingredients went into making the product. When you make it yourself, you can control for all the mentioned factors. Plus, if you happen to like your product with just a little more of this, or just a little less of that, you can make it specific to your needs.

DIY cannabis skin cream can be used for different purposes. Cannabis creams are often used to strengthen the skin and remove blemishes, while other skin ailments like rashes or infections, are also treatable with the same creams. For some, the main purpose is simply to achieve glowing skin, and general beauty maintenance. When it comes to skincare, there are different terms to know, like salve, lotion, ointment, balm, and cream.

A salve can be defined as anything that goes on the skin, whether a lotion, ointment, cream, or balm, although there are more specific definitions. Often, the amount of water in the product will dictate what it’s called. Lotions and creams have more water, for example, while balms are made without water. According to the water definition, salves are in between, but are the starting point for making creams and lotions.

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Tons of things can be made at home. Read on for DIY cannabis skin cream options, and also check out other DIY guides for cannabis tea, making your own hash, creating CBN at home, making cannabis tinctures, and infused oils, which are necessary for making salves and creams.

Before you start

The first part of making a cannabis salve, is to start with an infused oil. We already went over the process for making an infused oil, and it remains the same here. First, the cannabis must be decarboxylated if the user wants a THC or CBD cream (rather than THCA and CBDA). On the other hand, as a lot of creams are medicinal, this step is not necessary for many users. Either way, if its to be decarbed, this part comes first.

Different people have their own decarb methods, and the most important thing about getting it right, is matching up your temperature with the amount of time its left in the oven. The general range is 200-300º F (93.3-149º C). At the lower limit, a longer decarb is usually done of between 45 minutes-1 hour, while at the higher limit, its more like 15-20 minutes.

It’s possible to go as high as 325º F (162º C) and only leave it in for about 5 minutes. Before sticking it in an oven, the weed should be broken up to just above a powder, and spread out evenly on a baking sheet, pan, or tin foil. Some opt to cover with a baking sheet or tin foil to catch (and re-condense) vaporized cannabinoids, but how much this helps, is hard to say.

Another option here is to use an already-made infused oil. In this case, you might actually find it best to pick something up from your local dispensary, if that’s an option, or use something you already have lying around. Your third option is to do the raw-cannabis-directly-in-the-oil method, which will decarboxylate the weed, but maybe not as completely as with an oven.

On the plus side, for this last option, an oven isn’t necessary, so if you don’t have one, you don’t need one. Interested salve-makers can decide what works best for their specific situation. The instructions for in-oil decarbing, and making a cannabis infused oil, are here. The following ingredients are necessary once you have your oil.

DIY Infused Cannabis Oil – At Home

1.5 cups of infused cannabis oil
1/3 cup olive oil
1/3 cup beeswax (vegan options: organic soy wax, candelilla wax, or carnauba wax – in the same amounts)
A double-boiler, or standard pot
Container for the salve, glass is best.
Your choice – want to smell nice? Add in a few drops of your favorite essential oil, like lavender or peppermint
Your choice – want it to help your skin more? Add in 1 tablespoon of Shea butter, or 1 teaspoon of vitamin E oil

DIY cannabis skin cream instructions

Now that you’ve got your infused cannabis oil, the next part is to turn it into a salve. Always remember, that more heat equals more ruined cannabinoids, so in all parts where heat is necessary, never go above the intended limit, or for longer than a safe amount of time. If you’re using a pre-made oil, and its solidified, you’ll need to melt it first, for which a double boiler works best. Once its liquified, or if you just made some oil, the next step is to mix stuff together.

Put 1/3 cup beeswax in a pot or double boiler, and heat until melted. You can have the heat up for this, but turn it down to low upon melting.
Stir in 1.5 cups of cannabis-infused oil, along with 1/3 cup olive oil. If you’re adding in vitamin E or a few drops of an essential oil, now is the time.
Stir until everything is evenly mixed together.
Once mixed completely, immediately remove from heat and put in storage containers.
It will harden in the containers as it cools. And is ready for use once its stiff and at a resting temperature.
Best to store in a cool dark location, and if possible, use storage containers that don’t allow in the sun (tinted glass, for example).

That’s actually about it. The process is pretty quick, and nets you an oil you can use all over your body. Sometimes, the salve will crack as it cools down, and though this has no bearing on the product, for those who prefer a cleaner aesthetic, the salve-maker can put the salve in a mixing bowl when its still hot, allow it to partially cool down, and then whip it with the mixer, before putting in storage.

If you want a more cream-like or lotion-like product, you can create this from your salve. You’ll always need your salve first, as making a lotion is the last step. To do this, take your salve, along with 1 cup Aloe vera, 1 teaspoon vitamin E oil, and 2 tablespoons of shea or cocoa butter. And then mix it all together. Voila, your salve is now a lotion.

Conclusion

There you have it. If you’re in the market for some skin care products and don’t want the standard off-the-shelf offering, get in there with some DIY cannabis skin scream, from your very own kitchen. Luckily, cannabis products are some of the easiest to make, and when done properly, create healthy options, for which you as the maker, know exactly what went down to create them. As always, remember there are multiple recipes for everything, so if you’re not quite happy with what’s in this article, do a little research to find your perfect recipe.

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The post DIY Cannabis Skin Cream for the Ultimate in Skincare appeared first on Cannadelics.

Via https://cannadelics.com/2022/07/31/diy-cannabis-skin-cream-for-the-ultimate-in-skincare/

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Saturday 30 July 2022

The Dynavap M Is My Favorite Vape And You Should Buy One Too

Dry herb vapes have been around for almost 20 years, and provide a safe way to smoke cannabis without the dangers of lighting up. There are tons of different vapes on the market, and I’ve tried my fair share. I can say that after two solid years of use, the Dynavap M is my favorite vape of all time (at least so far). I reviewed the device when I got it two years ago, and am reviewing it again upon two years of use. Here’s a look at this product and how it holds up through time.

The Dynavap M is an analogue dry herb vape with a super-cool heat click system. Nope, you never need to plug this sucker in! Thanks for making it to our wholly independent cannabis and psychedelics publication. Stay current on goings-on by signing up for the THC Weekly Newsletter, and also get yourself some pretty sweet deals on smoking equipment and cannabinoid products like HHC-O, Delta 8, Delta 9 THC, Delta-10 THC, THCO, THCV, THCP & HHC. You’ve got a million weed options these days, so make sure to pick the products that you’re most comfortable with using.

The Dynavap M

Dynavap creates vapes unlike the majority of vapes on the market. Though many brands will often tout such lines about their products, for this one, it really is true. And the main reason is that they don’t require battery or electricity. Of the different models out there that don’t require either of these factors to power on, the Dynavap M, along with other models from the company, has a design not seen anywhere else.

It looks like a metal pen with a cap. I got the simplest one two years ago because I wasn’t sure how I’d like it. Honestly, the guy in the store sold me on it pretty fast. He asked if I was into gadgets and then showed me how it worked. As a traveler, I knew immediately this was a great vape to have so long as it worked like it was supposed to.

Dynavap vapes require a torch lighter. I suggest getting a good one. I’ve cycled through a lot of cheaper ones over the years, and its frustrating when they break down. I also suggest getting one with a decent size tank. What I use, pictured below, lasts at least a week, with many smoke-ups during the day.

To use it, you take off the cap at the end, insert your weed (as a piece of a nugget, or ground to whatever degree you like). Then the cap is put back on. Heat the cap end with the torch, and move the flame around to heat the entire area. This can take anywhere from 6-20 seconds depending on the lighter. A regular lighter is technically usable as well, though this leaves soot on the end, and requires a bit longer to heat.

You know you’re ready when you hear the clicks. And this is what makes Dynavap so cool. The vapes are’s designed around a heat click system. When the weed is at vape-ready temperatures, the device clicks twice. At that point, the vaper simply semi-covers the little carb hole on the body of the vape, and sucks through the other end. When the vape has cooled to the point that re-lighting is possible for a new vape pull, it clicks again twice, though the second click can take a little longer on the way down. Heating again before the cool-down clicks can burn out the whole bowl.

The metal does get hot, but cools quickly enough. I find that within a couple minutes I can stick it right back in my pocket. If there’s a cool surface you can put it on, you can cool it down much faster.

The vape comes with a 30-day money back guarantee (no questions), and the company provides tons of aftermarket products. When I originally reviewed it, I gave it an excellent score, but at the time, I had no way of knowing how it would hold up in the future. Now I do. Since purchase, Dynavap came out with further similar lines including the VonG(i) made of titanium, the Omni made of titanium, and the BB’s made of glass. All pack .1 grams, but vary in size and other features. The M is made of stainless steal.

Two years later

Everything looks great when you take it out of the packaging, right? And sometimes a product works great for a few weeks or a few months before some fatal flaw makes itself apparent. I’ve used so many products that looked nice, but didn’t quite cut it in the end. Which is why a two-year review is a bit more useful, than a two week review. So after two years, this is now how I rate the Dynavap M:

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Design/durability – 10/10 – Interesting design and mechanics, sturdy build. Doesn’t look like a vape, and easy to travel with. I’ve dropped it too many times to count, and you’d never know at all.

Usability – 8/10 – Easy to use, but not as easy as a one-click device. There is a process, but it’s an easy enough one to do. For those not interested in such a process, a click-on vape is preferable. This vape does require a lighter.

Price – 10/10 – At under $100, and a three-month no-questions-asked money back guarantee, the price is a massive plus. The company also takes returns past this point so long as the damage isn’t from improper use, or something of that nature. Considering its going strong after two years, I’ll consider the $70 bucks I paid for it, money well spent.

Vapor quality – 8/10 – More expensive devices might produce a slightly cleaner vapor, and often come with more controls for temperature. Having said this, the Dynavap M is great with providing consistent and strong hits, and with little-to-no smoke. Unlike some vaporizers, however, the vaper must be careful not to let it overheat, or the weed will combust. For those who want more specific controls, this vape is not ideal.

Upkeep – 10/10 – After two years I’ve never had to replace anything, or do a full cleaning. Still functions as perfectly as the first day, with nothing more than a screen cleaning by flame at this time.

Total: 46/50

Pros

It requires very little cleaning. Honestly, I still haven’t taken it apart to clean it, for which there are instructions online. I haven’t needed to do it. The screen does get a bit caked after a time, but I find that taking the cap off and letting the flame touch the screen area, burns away whatever is on it. And makes for some nice resin hits as well. Maybe I’m not the heaviest smoker, and another person might get to the cleaning point quicker. It seems that taking it apart and soaking it would get it back to new condition pretty quickly, and without a lot of scrubbing.

It doesn’t break. I mean, sure, if you work hard enough, you can damage it, but it takes a lot. The cap is the flimsiest part. Yet, in two years, even as most other things around me have broken, I’ve managed not to crush it, or bend it out of shape at all. Pretty much every other vape I’ve had required replacement of a piece (generally glass) by now. So even if you’re a little clumsy, this thing should be able to survive you.

It’s easy to use. The instructions might make it sound like there’s some complicated mechanics, but it’s a simple analogue design. And it’s kind of fun. If you’re a gadget lover, it’s about the coolest way to get high. If you’re not, it’s still functionally easy enough to be a good product. Plus, it’s super cool design will make you feel rather James Bond-ish, every time you use it.

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Good hits. This is one area where I would never say this vape is the ultimate vape. But it does functionally well nonetheless. What I mean is that there are definitely vapes that can give a cleaner hit, and which have better temperature control. However, for the most part, due to the easy functionality and sturdiness of the product, what it gives is pretty great. As far as I’m concerned it’s perfectly good vape quality, but for those looking for the ultimate vapor, this might not be the first choice. It should be noted, that the cap does keep anything from the lighter touching the weed, so there’s no issue of contaminants in the vapor.

Presentation is pretty awesome. It’s a little pen like thing that fits in your pocket, looks cool to smoke, and can be slid right back into your pocket after. It doesn’t appear like a smoking device, and since it has no battery, can be packed with any luggage.

Weed goes far. Not a lot is packed in the little chamber, in fact it only holds .1 grams. But each packing yields several strong hits. I find weed lasts significantly longer, even if I’m smoking heavily. I get 1-3 hits off each heating, and with good quality weed can re-heat the same bowl about 3-5 times.

It’s cheap! You don’t have to pay out hundreds for this guy, and its made of clean materials so there’s no danger of contamination. With all the aluminum parts, and bad heating equipment, a quality product at a decent price is sometimes hard to come by. At under $100, this is one of the best deals you’ll get, for a safe way to vape, and a nearly unbreakable product.

Cons

It does get hot. And let’s be honest, we’re using it to do something whereby we often temporarily dull our own intelligence. Over the years I’ve burned myself on the hand a couple times, but nothing major. I’ve also had to intervene quickly when a friend nearly put the hot end to their lips instead of the other end. For the most part these aren’t big issues, but should be considered if you get a little clumsy when you’re high.

It does require a lighter, though this isn’t generally a big deal so long as you make sure to have gas for refills. The company does sell an aftermarket device for plug in, which heats the vape by contact. I have not tried this product as I’m perfectly happy using the lighter.

The vapor can be hot, but this is a standard vape complaint. The company offers bigger models with more cooling space, and aftermarket water devices for cooling as well. Honestly, I just deal with it, it’s not the worst thing in the world, and doesn’t cause me any damage. Plus, though I can feel it, it’s not actually uncomfortable, and not as intense as other vapes I’ve used.

This isn’t a real con, but I’ll mention it anyway. It sort of looks like you’re lighting a crack pipe when you heat it. I’ve definitely gotten some surprised looks, and had to give some explanations. Of course, it’s not a crack pipe, so in the end, someone else’s confusion doesn’t detract from your vaping experience at all.

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Tips and tricks

One of the best tips is for cleaning the screen, as mentioned above. The screen is not standard, and is curved, meaning, unless you can find a way to fashion your own, this is a part that might need replacement. Two years in, and I’ve never had an issue simply cleaning it off with the flame. I just hold the flame in close and let the gunk burn off the screen. Sometimes I take advantage of the resin hits too.

If you hold the lighter farther away and only let it click once, you can get a lighter hit. If you hold the flame on for a couple seconds after the second click, you can get a more intense hit, though the longer you do this, the more you risk a little combustion and real smoke in your hit. You can also light it on the edge of the cap for a lighter hit. Without temperature controls, its good to know there are ways to vary the temperature, but you have to pay attention.

You can smoke kief directly out of the vape. Some online sources say to pack it between weed, but I started using kief when I was out of standard weed. It creates an incredibly strong hit, but will cause resin to come out of the mouth end eventually. This is easy enough to clean up. I expect if kief is often smoked, it will require a bigger cleaning job, more often. I only do it here and there.

It does get hot, so placing it on a cool surface cools it down faster. It can be placed on natural fibers without a problem, but can mildly melt plastic fibers if placed on them. I’ve had no issue placing it on any standard surface, and have never burned anything. The company sells aftermarket products for this as well.

Conclusion

I like the Dynavap M for a lot of reasons. Beyond doing a good job, and being simple to use, it’s sturdy, easy to travel with, consistent, and doesn’t require an outlet or charger. Everyone’s got their own smoking proclivities in life, and not every product is for every person. If you’re in the market for an excellent quality vape that won’t fail on you, and is fun to use, I can’t recommend this product more. Most certainly my favorite of all the vapes I’ve used.

As a quick reminder, this is in reference to vaping actual cannabis flowers. To smoke oil or concentrates you’ll need an adapter for this gadget, a different dry herb vape that handles both flower and concentrates, a dab rig, or a vape cart with a battery.

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Friday 29 July 2022

Scopolamine The Blow It In Your Face Drug

While it’s not one of the more well-known hallucinogens, scopolamine is a well known deliriant. It’s been used for centuries, but not always for good purposes. Though some question its misuse in criminal activity, there is valid evidence of these occurrences, highlighting, along with its medical properties, the two very different sides of scopolamine.

Scopolamine is an interesting drug with a history for medical use, government use, and criminal use. This publication focuses on providing independent news for the cannabis and psychedelics fields. Head over to the Cannadelics Weekly Newsletter for daily updates, and also get yourself prime access to deals on everything from smoking devices to cannabinoid products, like HHC-O, Delta 8, Delta 9 THC, Delta-10 THC, THCO, THCV, THCP & HHC. You can find more info in our ‘Best of’ lists, and please, only buy products you’re happy with using.

What is scopolamine?

Scopolamine, which also goes by the names hyoscine and Devil’s Breath, is an alkaloid found in plants like Hyoscyamus albus and Datura stramonium. It’s a part of the antimuscarinic family of compounds, which makes it an anticholinergic drug. Anticholinergic drugs – especially in big doses – are considered deliriant hallucinogens, because of their ability to cause hallucinations in users. Scopolamine is also found in many plants of the nightshade family, a family that includes tomatoes, potatoes and bell peppers. It first gained attention in the late 1800’s, and began being used as an anesthesia around 1900.

Scopolamine has been used for centuries, going back 3000 years, but most information on it, centers on the last hundred years, or so. Around the time it started being used as an anesthesia, it also began use as an amnesia-causing agent for women in childbirth, wherein it was given along with morphine. The two together started the practice of what’s called ‘twilight sleep’ where a patient is put in a state where they’re awake, but in a dreamlike trance. This state is induced for many medical procedures today.

The drug resides in the World Health Organization’s List of Essential Medicines, and is generally used these days to treat motion sickness, as well as nausea and vomiting after operations, and to decrease saliva before operations. Scopolamine is given orally, by injection, or with a patch. By injection it takes about 20 minutes for effects to begin. Standard side effects are listed as sleepiness, blurred vision, dilated pupils, and dry mouth, but these relate to use of the drug in small amounts, and do not account for what happens when more is taken.

The other side of scopolamine

Everything above makes the plant sound like a generally good natural medicine, and this is true. But another truth of almost any compound, is that in different doses, wildly different effects can take place. Scopolamine is a great example. An interesting finding during the time scopolamine was used for women during childbirth, is that when they were on it, they answered questions very honestly.

This ability was co-opted by none other than the US’s CIA, where it was used as a truth serum for interrogations. This ability implies quite a bit though. It implies that when on a high enough dose, that a person can’t create argumentative thoughts or lies, and becomes passive to all suggestion. It’s apparently been used a few times in Czechoslovakia to get dissidents to confess. There are also reports of scopolamine use by Nazis for interrogation purposes, and by different crime fighting organizations in the US.

According to a CIA document via Truthout, scopolamine use was discontinued because “Among the most disabling of the side effects are hallucinations, disturbed perception, somnolence, and physiological phenomena such as headache, rapid heart, and blurred vision, which distract the subject from the central purpose of the interview. Furthermore, the physical action is long, far outlasting the psychological effects.”

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The document further revealed that scopolamine was used in a US Navy research program by the name of Project Chatter from 1947-1953. The program “focused on the identification and testing of such drugs for use in interrogations and in the recruitment of agents.” Of course, though this was the reasoning, the drug was used later on detainees in the War on Terror, making the reasoning sound like a story to tell the public only.

This ability for use in interrogation certainly brings up questions about just how powerful the drug is, and just how dangerous it can be. Though some articles like to downplay use of scopolamine in crime, many more back it up. Why there are two different stories here is a good question, and it could be nothing more than pressure to protect the interests of companies producing pharmaceutical versions of scopolamine (supposition), since it is widely used as a medicine, where its undesirable to have fear. Outside of medical use, however, scopolamine is known by some as ‘the most dangerous drug in the world.’

Scopolamine and crime

While there are articles that downplay the danger, it should be remembered that we’re talking about a compound that was used to elicit confessions. We might not have much official information from those times, as government entities aren’t usually big on releasing their private (and often controversial) testing information, but we do know it made women going through childbirth, super willing to be honest. So, we know its not about inducing pain in an interrogation, but essentially, taking away the person’s ability to lie or fight back intellectually.

It’s not shocking that a compound of this nature would find itself used for criminal activities. After all, isn’t it easier for a criminal if you give up your bank code, and willingly let them take your stuff? Well, that’s exactly how it’s used, with rumors of it slipped in drinks, or a powder blown in people’s faces. Stories out of Colombia tell of local women taking advantage of rich tourists, and of robberies where the victim simply sat there and watched their things be taken. To anyone watching, no crime was committed. Some stories go as far as saying touching the substance is enough for these effects, but its likely such exaggerations are what cause confusion in the first place.

How often does this happen, and where? The where is easier. Reports surface in South America, with Colombia being a main hot spot. And there’s a lot of documented evidence to support these occurrences, like this report from 2017 entitled Million dollar ride: Crime committed during involuntary scopolamine intoxication. As of yet, there aren’t official numbers, but an advisory from 2012 used the number 50,000. Several reports have come out over the years, with the Overseas Security Advisory Council stating in 2014:

“The U.S. Embassy informs U.S. citizens that the Regional Security Office has received a number of recent reports regarding the use of the drug Scopolamine to facilitate robberies and in the furtherance of other crimes. This drug can render a victim unconscious for 24 hours or more, but the initial effect is to render a person complacent and unaware of their surroundings. In large doses, as in a recent case in Guayaquil, it can cause respiratory failure and death.

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It is often administered in liquid or powder form in foods and beverages. Scopolamine can also be given in a residue on handouts from street vendors and promoters. The majority of these incidents occur in night clubs and bars, sometimes men, perceived to be wealthy, are targeted for crimes of opportunity. Other cases involve women victims for the facilitation of sexual assaults. To minimize the chances of becoming a Scopolamine victim, never leave food or beverages unattended, and do not accept food or beverages offered by strangers or new acquaintances. If you are a victim of Scopolamine or other drugs, seek immediate medical attention.”

A study out of Madrid from 2022 shows that the drug is used elsewhere in the world. The study, Drug facilitated crimes by “burundanga” or scopolamine, assessed drug facilitated crimes in San Carlos Clinical Hospital in Madrid. All analysis was done at the National Institute of Toxicology and Forensic Sciences, also in Madrid.

According to the findings, 1 out of 292 records included scopolamine. While this might not sound like much, consider that this is usually a crime carried out in South America, so the fact that there was any case in a place like Madrid, says a lot for possible uses in other places.

Let’s think about it…

The situation around scopolamine is odd, and a little like the situation with absinthe, in that there shouldn’t be confusion. Both wormwood (from absinthe) and scopolamine are testable substances, each with a long enough history of accumulated evidence. Why are there different stories? This can be seen with drugs like cannabis and psychedelics as well, where though plenty of evidence from years of use exists, publications will often still put out stories saying the opposite, even as the stories go against nearly all personal experiences.

It’s almost funny that with wormwood’s long history, and absinthe’s many decades of use, that there’s still uncertainty. Yeah, it could be the high proof alcohol, but wormwood is a tincture. All you’d have to do is test out different quantities, in something other than alcohol. It’s strange that no study was done like this, or if it was, it’s certainly not available to the public. It gets weirder still when considering the absinthe craze was so big, culminating in bans. Bans which then got lifted…but without this testing done. So while plenty exists about wormwood, the question of simply whether it causes its own specific high and hallucinations, wasn’t answered, though plenty of people attest to its abilities.

In the same vein, scopolamine has been around for centuries, with Datura used for tons of ritualistic ceremonies, purely for the reason that it gets people messed up, and causes hallucinations and other spiritual feelings. Plus, we actually know it was used by different groups in interrogation, specifically because it got people to talk honestly, to not fight back, and to not even remember the session.

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Is it that weird to think the same thing capable of eliciting confessions from those who otherwise wouldn’t give them, would also be used to rob people (and kidnap or rape them)? Seems pretty straightforward to me. Yet for whatever reason, even with evidence, many publications will deny this entirely. Sometimes as consumers, we just don’t get the full story, and unfortunately, we don’t always get to know why.

Conclusion

Scopolamine, like many other plants, has plenty of medical benefits, but it also has a darker side. Travelers should always be wary of their surroundings, as scopolamine is certainly not the only way to drug a person. It does seem this deliriant hallucinogen has some interesting effects, but should definitely be used with caution, outside of a medical setting (Eastern or Western).

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Thursday 28 July 2022

Mescaline and San Pedro Cactus The Sacred Plant of Peru

When most people think of mescaline, peyote cactus is what generally comes to mind. Peyote, which was somewhat popularized in the 1970s (think Jim Morrison tripping in the desert), is illegal to cultivate, possess, or consume in the United States, unless you’re a member of the Native American Church.

Luckily, many other plants contain mescaline, and one of the more popular alternatives to peyote is yet another species of cactus from Peru that also has thousands of years of cultural and historical use under its belt: the San Pedro cactus.

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What is San Pedro Cactus?

San Pedro (Trichocereus/Echinopsis pachanoi) is a tall, thin flowering columnar cactus that hails from the Andes Mountain region of South America. It is also referred to as aguacolla, cardo, cuchuma, gigantón, hermoso, huando, and Peruvian torch. It grows well in the Southwestern US, as far north as Colorado, although it truly thrives in California and Arizona, where it can be seen with regularity in residential areas and shopping centers.

San Pedro contains mescaline, but unlike peyote, it’s not very strictly regulated – in the United States or globally. Additionally, it’s one of the longest-studied psychedelics, as well as the first cactus to be labeled with the term (psychedelic). San Pedro has a long history of use in various indigenous cultures – for both spiritual and medicinal aims. Traditionally, San Pedro can be consumed either on its own or mixed with other plants in a psychedelic, ceremonial brew called cimora.

Today, San Pedro can be obtained with relative ease, regardless of where you are in the world. You can buy it online from websites that ship to numerous countries (including the United States). In South America, particularly Peru, Bolivia, and Ecuador from where the plant originates, San Pedro can be found at “witches’ markets”, also known as El Mercado de las Brujas and La Hechiceria.

More About Mescaline

Mescaline is a naturally occurring, plant-based psychedelic protoalkaloid belonging to the phenethylmine class. It’s known for its powerful hallucinogenic properties, comparable to those of LSD and psilocybin. In addition to Peyote, mescaline can be synthesized from a few other cactus species as well such as the San Pedro cactus (Echinopsis pachanoi), the Peruvian torch (Echinopsis peruviana), and others.

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A common dose for mescaline is roughly 200 to 400 mg, depending on the person’s size, level of experience with the compound, and other factors. Traditionally, San Pedro dosing is calculated at roughly 3.75 mg/kg of weight. However, potency can vary wildly from cactus to cactus, so it can be quite difficult to get consistency in dosing. For example, 50 grams of powdered cactus can have anywhere from 150 mg to 1,150 mg of mescaline. Factors such as where and how the cactus grew (the plant’s terroir) and access to water and sunlight can influence the plant’s potency.

Mescaline binds to virtually all serotonin receptors in the brain but has a stronger affinity for the 1A and 2A/B/C receptors. It’s structurally similar to LSD and often used as a benchmark when comparing psychedelics. Proper brain function is dependent on accurate signaling between these receptors.

Some History About San Pedro

San Pedro cactus has a long history of use that can be traced back to the pre-Columbian Chavin culture that developed in Peru between 1300 to 200 BCE. This is evidenced by numerous stone carvings depicting mythical beings holding San Pedro cacti, the oldest of which was discovered in an old temple at Chavin de Huantar in the northern highlands of Peru. Numerous other artifacts from the region bore San Pedro symbolism as well, and perhaps the most concrete proof of its use are the 3,000-year-old cactus cigars found in the same cave as the carvings.

San Pedro has been used therapeutically and ceremoniously throughout South America for over 3,000 years and can be obtained at stores, farmers markets, and “witches’ markets” in the region. Originally, it was known as Huachuma, but European settlers renamed it San Pedro, after Saint Peter who is believed to guard the entry to heaven.

What’s interesting about this, is that the name implies that even the European missionaries knew the plant had healing and spiritual properties, despite their over-regulation of indigenous San Pedro use. But because of their strong contempt for native culture, they were very negative in their reporting of plant therapies and ceremonial traditions, and thus, very harsh laws developed against the cultivation and possession of psychedelic plants – San Pedro included.

Regardless, while knowledge and documented information on other plants like peyote and mushrooms was nearly wiped out in many regions, San Pedro managed to stay relatively lowkey and was able to fly under the radar for centuries. A handful of shamans and other spiritual healers continued conducting ceremonies with Huachuma, and in recent years, it has gained popularity in Europe and US as the psychedelic renaissance flourishes in the west.

How to Prepare San Pedro

The standard native preparation of San Pedro consists of boiling slices of the stem for a few hours, then simply drinking the cooled liquid. It was sometimes mixed with other psychoactive plants such as coca, tobacco, Brugmansia, Datura, and Anadenanthera; but more often it was used on its own.

The basic technique has remained comparatively the same over the years, meaning the most effective and common way to prepare San Pedro for consumption is by making a tea. Below is one of the most common methods:

Step 1: Estimate your dose – As previously mentioned, this isn’t always easy to do with entheogens, but based on the somewhat standard measurement of 3.75 mg/kg of weight, you can get a rough estimate of how much cactus you’ll need. A recommended beginner dose is around 200-300 grams of fresh San Pedro.

Step 2: Prepare the cactus – First you will need to remove the spine, but make sure to leave as much flesh intact as possible. Then peel the waxy, translucent outer layer off the cactus, again, leaving as much flesh as you can. Once you do that, you can continue to remove the lighter colored flesh, leaving only the dark green part of the cactus. This isn’t a requirement, but some people believe it helps to prevent nausea. The final step is to break the cactus down into small chunks, either by chopping or using a food processor.

Step 3: Make your tea – Place the cactus bits into a saucepan or slower-cooker. Fill will three times as much water as there is cactus, and cook on low heat for a few hours (6ish). Some people like to add lemon juice to the boil, claiming that it helps with the mescaline extraction. Although this is somewhat common practice, I couldn’t find any solid sources to back up this theory.

Step 4: Remove the bulk and reduce volume – After simmering for some hours, use a strainer or cheesecloth to remove any excess plant material. Then continue simmering for a few more hours to boil out some of the extra water, this will leave you with a more potent final product so you don’t have to drink a ridiculous amount of tea to feel the high.

Step 5: Enjoy or store your tea – Whatever you don’t use right away, you can store in the fridge for up to one week. After that, you can separate it into doses and put it in the freezer, but make sure to split it up first so you’re not defrosting more than you need at one time. You don’t want to defrost and refreeze your San Pedro brew too many times.

Ayahuasca In the Fight Against Drug Addiction

How it Feels

Let me start by mentioning that I have not had the opportunity to try it myself (but plan to in the very near future, now knowing how easy it is to obtain San Pedro). That said, it’s described as a powerful empathogen (or entactogen) which can increase feelings of empathy benevolence, overall connectedness with others.

The effects take roughly 15 to 40 minutes to kick in, and usually peak in about 3 hours. San Pedro highs are very long – anywhere from 10 to 16 hours – so make sure to prepare mentally and physically. You can do this by getting in the right set and setting (you don’t want to enter an all-day or all-night psychedelic high being in the wrong state of mind), and making sure to eat a light, healthy meal at some point before your trip (a few hours preferably). Additionally, San Pedro leaves a “lasting afterglow”, similar to psilocybin, so it might be difficult to sleep after you come down – something to prepare for as well.

In higher doses, San Pedro will produce visual distortions that can include flashes of light and color, auras and ghostly outlines around people, and the infamous kaleidoscope effect that is almost standard with these types of substances. One common thread I noticed in the way people describe mescaline, is that many were surprised at how different it felt from other psychedelics that they were familiar with.

Something unique about San Pedro, it that despite a potent high, users till feel very “in control”. Take this person who described their high on Reddit: “It was like all the best effects from all the drugs all put into one… the great body feeling and incredible empathy and understanding of ecstasy… the focus and energy and drive of acid… the journey effect that I always enjoyed from shrooms… It was the soberest we had ever felt in our life.”

Good Trip Guaranteed: Common Mistakes To Avoid When Using Psychedelics

All of this often culminates in a clear and connected thought, self-realization, empathy, and euphoria. However, “bad trips” and dysphoric symptoms may be more common among people who don’t pay attention to set and setting and/or have histories of mental illness.^[14]

Final Thoughts

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Wednesday 27 July 2022

TIME Interview and Why Legal Weed Industry Is Suffering

We see a ton of headlines all the time, and sometimes they conflict with each other, creating confusion over what’s going on. We see some headlines that speak of massive cannabis tax revenue in legal states, and then others lamenting the failings of the modern cannabis industry. Here we look at a recent TIME magazine interview on why the legal weed industry is suffering. The interview includes two notable economists from the University of California’s Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics, in Davis, who just put out a new book on the topic.

Check out the TIME interview with authors of a new book about why the legal weed industry is having a hard time, despite reports to the contrary. This independent publication focuses on cannabis and psychedelics in the modern world. Subscribe to the Cannadelics Weekly Newsletter for daily updates, and also get access to tons of promotions on all kinds of products including cannabinoid compounds, like HHC-O, Delta 8, Delta 9 THC, Delta-10 THC, THCO, THCV, THCP & HHC. Head over to our ‘best of’ lists for deals, and make sure you only make purchases for products you are happy to use.

Why headlines matter

Before getting into the TIME interview on legal weed, it’s important to go over why this subject is confusing. We’re constantly told different things as readers. One day the weed industry is the new cash cow in America, and the next, it’s a floundering industry that can’t take off. Some headlines talk of the tax dollars brought in, in comparison to alcohol taxes, and some talk of a legal industry 1/3-1/2 the size of the black market.

And sometimes it simply matters where something is read. Some publications talk of it one way, some publications, another way. Why is the information so drastically different? Or at least, why is the same information packaged to appear differently in different places, effectively telling a different story? Because headlines are meant to give an idea of the story, and often stories are meant to change reader opinion.

We all know it on some level, though no one likes to admit its happening to them. How many times have you seen someone else’s social media post espousing their understanding of the world, just to think ‘you’re the one being fooled’. Think of how republicans and democrats point at each other, each side thinking they know the better story, and each on a side that spits out its own headlines. Headlines, that contradict the other side, even when the underlying information is the same. Everyone thinks the other side is wrong based on their intel, while ignoring that that means a lot of people who think they’re right, have to be wrong.

Headlines are a part of the game, giving little snippets of stories and ideas, in one line statements. The psychology has been written about enough at this point, exemplified by this New Yorker article from 2014. Headlines matter, and help govern how an article is read, and what the reader takes away from it. Headlines play on first impressions, and on emotions in general, leading readers to form beliefs, even before they read the article (and sometimes in place of reading it.)

How does this apply to the cannabis industry? Well, it’s a new industry, and one rife with conflict from the get-go, owing to weed’s history as an illegal drug. Different parties have their own reasons for wanting to encourage or discourage consumers, and some just want to get the news out. Add onto this that nearly every big publication is corporate owned, and the idea of censorship reels its ugly head, often to the point that journalists don’t need to be told, and will simply censor themselves out of fear. (I’d like to point out that this publication is 100% independent.)

The book

TIME magazine did an interview with economists Daniel Sumner and Robin Goldstein, who recently published the book Can Legal Weed Win?: The Blunt Realities of Cannabis Economics. Both men work out of UC Davis’s Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics. Sumner used to work at the U.S. Department of Agriculture as the assistant secretary of economics, and Goldstein is also author of bestselling book, The Wine Trials.

The two authors together draw a compelling picture of today’s legal weed landscape, and don’t give much credence to the headlines blaring about a super productive industry. Instead, they make the argument that legal weed is weighed down by factors including strict regulatory measures, competition among legal operators as well as the black market, and other agricultural issues that come up with farming in general.

According to the two men, the legal weed industry might not have the ability to outgrow its obstacles, and the reality doesn’t match the hype around it, or the news stories that come out. They go into the current status of legal weed from an economic standpoint, and are clear and specific about what the issues are, and why they may not be solved. In doing so, the authors shine a light on the lack of finite market information known, and how most of what comes out, is merely speculation.

Grey Market and Black Market in the World of Cannabis

Points from the TIME interview

When it comes to why Sumner and Goldstein think the legal weed industry isn’t doing as well as some think, they bring it down to a few specific points, with competition and regulations creating the most problems. This is what they have to say about it.

Competition

The black market never went away with cannabis. As the legal industry sprouted up, the black market morphed as well, still retaining much of its clientele, even in this new dispensary world. Says Sumner, most consumers stick with their black market dealer, especially if they already have a relationship, “they have been consuming the product for the last 20 to 40 years; they’ve been dealing with this guy who knows a guy and they’re reasonably happy with the product.”

When asked if they thought the legal aspect brought in clients that otherwise might not have smoked weed, Goldstein says, “Yes, but it’s a small percentage. In many of these states that have legalized, the penalties weren’t that harsh already for the buyer. People who wanted to try it could try it. Evidence from around the world, from places like the Netherlands that have had forms of legalization well before the U.S., suggests that you don’t see a big increase in the total amount of weed smoking just because you legalize it.”

This last point is a big deal, because it neutralizes one of the big fear points about weed legalizations. That legalizing will lead to a world of stoners. The weird aspect of this fear tactic, is that we’re literally talking about legalizations for recreational use because of how not dangerous cannabis is, so why this concern is substantiated at all, creates its own confusion. If it’s not dangerous, why does it matter if more people smoke it? Nonetheless, if this is what gets people riled up, and if they need to see a study for confirmation, there’s now research evidence that legalizations don’t lead to mass cannabis uptake.

Regulatory measures

Regulatory measures themselves are sinking tons of cannabis operators. “In many states, the agencies are understaffed and the process is very lengthy, time-consuming and difficult for people to get through. So it can take years and years and in the meantime, they have investors, they’re burning cash and a lot of people have lost their money just by waiting,” explained Goldstein.

Added in Sumner, “And at the farm level, the illegal producers really are, for the most part, off the grid. They’re not paying attention to labor regulations or pesticide regulations or other things that are the same for every farmer, not just for cannabis. That is a cost disadvantage for the legal guy.”

He goes on later, “You can [have so many rules that you] make sure that you have this very heavily regulated pure product that no one buys, and all those people buy the illegal product. We’ll let all these kids go out and buy illegal weed and let that industry prosper. For example there’s a rule that says in California, you can’t buy it after 10 p.m., which is when lots of people are just starting to party. Why would you close the legal store at 10 o’clock?”

In terms of how not well the systems are working, Sumner points out Vermont, “It’s been four years. Nobody has got an adult-use weed license in Vermont.” Vermont legalized back in 2018, meaning that in four years, the state hasn’t figured out a way to make a recreational market work.

Grey Market and Black Market in the World of Cannabis

Overall impressions

When asked about economic reports saying business is booming in some states, Sumner counters, “There are companies that have done well and there are lots of companies that have not done well at all. There are growers that are doing OK and there are lots of farms that are not doing OK at all… It’s been a gold rush and a few people have found some gold and a lot of people haven’t.”

And what of investors? Goldstein comments that consultants have done fine, “The ones that are probably making the safest money are probably the ones who were taking flat fees… But folks who took their compensation in the form of shares in these big cannabis holding companies, those stocks have not done well on the whole.” This is an interesting sentiment as many people are interested in investing in this market.

The men even explain how social justice initiatives have failed by not taking account of the population they’re dealing with. Social justice initiatives are laws meant to help those who have been hurt by the system, by giving them first crack at some part of business, like licensing. Though that sounds nice, the reality is grimmer, almost like setting people up to fail.

“Access to capital is part of it and access to political capital is another part of it. In many cases they didn’t have either. No matter how many well-meaning, good faith equity programs there are, having the resources to get into this business is way more than just no longer being officially considered a criminal.”

And the actual size of the market?

While we often hear estimates as to how much this industry can be worth, the men are also skeptical of this. For one thing, scalability is an issue. Pointed out Goldstein, “One of the problems with scaling is that it’s all state-by-state at the moment… Expanding to multiple states is less like scaling up a business nationally and more like starting a whole new business in every state.”

Plus, Sumner goes on, “People say this is a $100 billion industry. Robin and I are skeptical of that, but there could be a $10 billion industry, which is a lot of money if shared among a few players… We’ve seen nothing like the consolidation yet where the really big money could be coming. We haven’t even seen an indication that it’s going that direction.”

Interested readers should most certainly check out the interview here, and pick up a copy of the new book.

Conclusion

Perhaps one of the big issues with the legal cannabis industry, is simply the expectation and hype that’s around it. And maybe it’s that there are too many laws and too strict regulations to compete with an already functional black market. Whatever the reasons exactly, these two want you to actually know what’s going on. They aren’t spouting out sales data out of context, but are clearly explaining through this TIME interview and their book, why the legal weed industry is not what people think.

Legacy Cannabis Operators Shunned From Billion Dollar Industry

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Tuesday 26 July 2022

Albanians Vote Yes to Cannabis and Government Responds

Albania is an interesting country in the weed game, because it acts as a hub for trafficking, as well as a main producer for illicit cannabis. Recently, Albanians were asked to vote yes or no on cannabis legalization, and came back with a resounding yes. The government is actually listening, and now promises a medical legalization.

Recently, Albanians made a yes vote for cannabis, and the government claims it will respond accordingly by legalizing cannabis for medical use. This is a news publication specializing in the cannabis and psychedelics fields of today, which you can play along with by signing up for THC Weekly Newsletter. Get your industry updates along with deals for vapes, edibles, and smoking paraphernalia, and cannabinoid products like HHC-O, Delta-8, Delta-9 THC, Delta-10 THC, THCO, THCV, THCP, and HHC. We only encourage buyers to purchase products they are happy with.

The vote

In the last year, Albania’s legislature held a National Consultation poll to establish citizen support for cannabis legalization. A majority of 308,000 Albanians voted yes on the cannabis measure, compared with 148,000 that voted no. 51,000 had no opinion on the subject. 560,000 participated in the poll. The poll specifically asked if citizens were cool with the authorization of production, processing, and export of medical cannabis.

In response, Prime Minister Edi Rama stated: “We will legalize cannabis for medical purposes, paving the way for new jobs and economic prosperity. What the public have stated will be done; there will be no debate.” According to Rama, this is a decision of the citizens, and the government will therefore implement it. Rama said nothing about a recreational legalization, but said that cultivating and exporting medical cannabis will be legalized.

As of yet, this has no bearing on recreational cannabis, or an update to personal use measures. Since no statement was made on these matters, the current assumption is that all other Albanian laws regarding cannabis will stay the same. When an official bill comes out, we’ll know more about what to expect.

Interestingly, whereas these legalizations are generally touted as a way to control the illicit drug trade, its actually posited that the opposite will happen in Albania upon this legalization going through. How much this response comes from fear, or simply from political opposition, is hard to say. According to Democrat MP Flamur Noka:

“After Rama and his cabinet make this decision, you should expect gangs to flourish and the drug trade to reach terrible dimensions in Albania. Do you see that the ministers are under the claws of organized crime, and do you believe that Rama’s 4-5 clients or businesspeople who he would license to cultivate cannabis will not be? Who will keep them safe from this heinous crime? Either it is a scenario that indirectly legalizes cannabis growing to crime, or those businessmen will become criminals because the government has changed.”

Cultivation in Albania

Others are less concerned about the security issues involved with allowing cannabis cultivation. Since Albanians made a yes vote to legalize medical cannabis, much has been said on both sides. Whereas Noka is skeptical of the whole thing, Deputy Interior Minister Julian Hodaj has a different view.

Albania Might Be the Dark Horse of the Cannabis Game

According to Hodaj, the Albanian government is going to license, supervise, and control the industry making for little room for problems. He went on, “It is about controlled areas and security measures. Not everyone can plant it. It will not be planted everywhere in Albania. There will be increased security measures on these planted areas.”

Hodaj continued, “There is no problem, we are talking about controlled cultivation, there will be licenses for some entities and not everyone can have a license.” He also went over precursor checks for credibility, and the supervising of the new industry, including periodic visits by law enforcement.

Opposition concerns are related to the ability of law enforcement and government to effectively oversee the new industry. Much of this fear stems from known corruption in law enforcement, the judicial system, and all government institutions. This is as per a US State Department report, though how much this compares to the corruption of other countries, is certainly debatable.

Albania and illicit cannabis trade

Part of the reason for concern, is the role Albania already plays in the illicit drug trade. Albanians might have made a vote in favor of cannabis, but cannabis is already a big industry in the country, albeit a black market one only. Albania is considered an illicit cannabis source country, and even has operations in other European countries for cultivating the weed. This is also as per the US State Department’s 2022 report on global narcotics trafficking.

This is backed up by another US report through the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs, which said “Albania is a source country of cannabis and a home base for organised crime groups moving illicit drugs from source countries into European markets.” Cannabis seizures led officials to estimate the illicit cannabis market brings in €4 billion euro a year. This is around half of the country’s GDP for a year.

The United Nations also chimes in, saying Albania is one of the top European countries for illegal cannabis production and exportation. And reminds that the country also functions as a transfer hub for drugs like heroin and cocaine, which are trafficked to different places through the country. In a 2017 National Drug Report, Albania was fingered as a main exporter, mainly to the EU and the Western Balkans.

International Drug Treaties: Do They Really Mean Anything?

The country has been on a rampage to destroy illegal operations in order to appease EU requirements, since it wants to join the EU. For example, in 2015 as many as 1,198 cultivation plantations were found and about 797,422 plants were destroyed. In opposition to this, Albanian smugglers resorted to different tactics, like fishing boats and high-speed zodiac inflatable boats, and making/using new networks for getting drugs in and out of the country. It’s resilience in the market earned it the title of ‘Colombia of Europe’.

In fact, a 2020 Italian public broadcast on Rai 3 claimed Albania’s illicit cannabis production actually increased by as much as 1200% despite government measures to drown out the industry. That percentage was supposedly leaked by Italian police personnel, and there is no confirmation. Albania is one of the biggest suppliers of cannabis to Italy, though, so it certainly makes sense for Italy to keep tabs.

Cannabis in Albania

In terms of internal cannabis law, cannabis is illegal for all uses in Albania as per the 1994 Albania Law of Narcotic and Psychotropic Substances. Having said this, the following year the Criminal Code of the Republic of Albania came out, and didn’t mention cannabis use as a crime, creating a decriminalization loophole.

To clarify the gray area, the government set a one-dose limit. If an offender is caught with more than a single dose, they can incur trafficking charges. If the person can prove it was only for their use, they are likely to get treatment only. This creates a conundrum in that a person can’t legally buy cannabis or grow it, or have it prescribed by a doctor. But if they’re caught self-medicating with it, this is somehow okay.

Cannabis cultivation comes with 3-7 years in prison. Hemp and CBD are also illegal. CBD is not differentiated by law in Albania, and maintains the same restrictions as THC, meaning the same personal use loophole applies here too. Hemp production is likewise illegal, though there’s been more push recently to change this, in light of the economic possibilities that come with an industrial hemp market.

Conclusion

It’s hard to know whether Albania will follow through on this or not. There was no official government vote, and what the people voted on, isn’t a binding measure. Albanians made a vote for their desire for cannabis legalization, but there’s nothing saying it must happen now. Perhaps the biggest incentive, and the reason it likely will, is the same for many countries. Cannabis is a growing and lucrative industry, and everyone wants to get in on it to improve their economies.

Against Voter Will: How South Dakota Took Away Legalized Cannabis

One interesting aspect to all this, is that while some legislators fight hard not to let their people have their way, Rama is listening. Ige of Hawaii won’t sign off on cannabis bills passed by congress, and governor Kristi Noem of South Dakota was willing to bring in the Supreme Court to overrule a voter-approved legalization measure. Albania, on the other hand, seems like its actually listening to its people. Maybe its just timing, and this was coming anyway. But it sure is nice to think that perhaps, the governance heard what the people had to say, and are giving them what they want.

Hello all! We appreciate you taking the time to check out Cannadelics.com, your #1 web spot for comprehensive news stories of the cannabis and psychedelics landscapes. Join us for daily updates on these dynamic industries, and check out The Cannadelics Weekly Newsletter, so you never miss an important headline.

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Elvis Presley: The Dark Truth of Addiction

Elvis Presley is considered to be one of the greatest musicians of all time. His beautiful voice, shaking hips, and stylish aesthetic will forever be remembered by the entire world. Whilst his career was fruitful, it only lasted until the youthful age of 42 when he sadly died. However, In recent news, Baz Luhrman has just released his new film: an Elvis Presley biopic.

This movie – starring Austin Butler as a very believable Elvis – does a great job at bringing the star back to life and allowing his fans to relive some of his greatest moments. But with each great moment, comes an equally distressing one, as Elvis struggles with addiction. It’s important to remember that with stardom, there are both highs and lows. Let’s take a look at the dark truth of Elvis Presley.

Elvis Presley

To understand the dark side of his fame, first we need to understand how Elvis Presley became who he was. Elvis was born in Mississippi in 1935 and had a modest upbringing. Elvis lived in a poor neighbourhood, which meant he was surrounded with a diverse collection of cultures – including many African American families. Whilst slavery was abolished in 1865, it took a long time before racial equality existed in America. In fact, like with much of the world, no one can say with all honesty that it yet does in 2022. Nonetheless, in 1935, when Elvis was born, racial mixing was frowned upon. In his book in 1935, Du Bois writes:

“What are American children taught today about Reconstruction?… He would in all probability complete his education without any idea of the part which the black race has played in America; of the tremendous moral problem of abolition; of the cause and meaning of the Civil War and the relation which Reconstruction had to democratic government and the labor movement today.”

As you can see, the US establishment did not want to accept the guilt of human slavery, or give credit to the work that black communities had done to make America what it was. This was much the same with music. Rock n Roll, blues, jazz – all of these genres of music were born from black culture. Like many other musicians – including Johnny Cash – Elvis Presley was inspired by this sound from a young age and made it his own. Graceland writes:

“Elvis grows up within a close-knit, working class family, consisting of his parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins, who all live near one another in Tupelo. There is little money, but Vernon and Gladys do their best to provide for their son… Elvis attends the Assembly of God Church with his family, and the music and preaching register deeply with Elvis Presley. Childhood influences include black blues-men in the neighborhood and country music radio programs enjoyed by his family.”

It’s a difficult debate. Elvis Presley was hugely inspired by this kind of music and the dancing around it, but he was allowed to perform and become famous due to the colour of his skin. However, those he was inspired by, had to sit idly by and do the best they could in a world that did not accept them. Many of his hit songs – including Hound Dog, Mystery Train, Money Honey and Milkcow Blues Boogie – were first sung by black artists. So, the question is, did Elvis steal music from black communities? Or did he shine a light on the greatness of that music? The answer to this is definitely up for debate. Nonetheless, Elvis Presley had a charisma, a moving style and a sound that was unlike anything that the mainstream media had heard before.

His Career

Elvis Presley was bought a guitar by his mother when he was only 11 years old, and from there, he went on to win a talent show at his school in Memphis. He continued to sing and play, until he was signed by a record label. His first single was That’s All Right, which was released in 1954. In 1955, his career started to heat up, with his number 1 hit: Heartbreak Hotel. People loved his goodlocks, sound and promiscuous hips. In response, he signed with RCA Records – thanks to his manager: Tom Parker. Elvis Presley’s manager was an infamous figure:

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“Colonel Tom is credited as being the man who made Elvis Presley a star. He received more than half of the income from Elvis’s early success, which at the time was an unprecedented figure for a music manager. The manager negotiated Elvis’s expensive merchandising deals, TV appearances, and acting roles, but turned down offers to allow Elvis to tour overseas, potentially due to his status as an illegal immigrant, which would have been exposed.”

The role of Tom Parker in Elvis’ death has been much debated. Nonetheless, From the 50s to 60s, Elvis’s career went from strength to strength. He became a Hollywood star, a TV host and continued to release some of his greatest ever music: Viva Las Vegas (1964) and Girls! Girls! Girls! (1962). He also married Priscilla, the mother of his children and true love. Presley went on to win three grammy awards, the lifetime achievement award and had 18 number 1 hits. He is considered by many as the best solo artist that ever lived.

The King’s Fall

Every bright star will inevitably one day go out. Elvis Presley, at age 42, was found dead in his Memphis mansion. It was 16th August, 1977. At first, it was released to the press that he had died from a natural heart attack, not triggered or involving drugs. However, it was soon revealed that drugs had played a major part and, in fact, Elvis Presley had been suffering from a prescription drug addiction for many years. PBS writes:

“When the toxicology report came back several weeks later, however, Elvis’ blood was found to contain very high levels of the opiates Dilaudid, Percodan, Demerol, and codeine — as well as Quaaludes.”

Elvis Presley, like many others, had an opioid addiction. A drug that is highly addictive due to its pain relief. It can be very hard to wean yourself off it once you get used to it. Elvis was given an illegal amount of prescribed drugs by his personal physician, “Dr Nick”. Dr Nick went on to give Elvis Presley thousands of opioids and amphetamine drugs to help him through arduous tours and performances. This became an addiction. Dr Nick, when being trialled for his irresponsible dealings with Presley, said that Elvis…

“felt that by getting drugs from a doctor, he wasn’t the common everyday junkie getting something off the street.”

Unfortunately, Elvis, like many others, was struck by the power and hollowness of fame. What began as a passion, became work. Elvis Presley was made to perform like a puppet, and was fed whatever drugs would keep him from cancelling a show. His manager, Tom Parker, is highly responsible for this. He was an avid gambler, and had a deal with the Las Vegas Hilton that Elvis played a great deal of his shows at. He owed the casino around 30 million dollars. The deal was that they would eradicate all of Parker’s debts, if Elvis Presley continued to play. Elvis played there for months without the knowledge of this deal. By the end of Elvis’ life, his addiction and long tours meant he really didn’t have that many people around him left that he could trust. Priscilla had divorced him after Elvis rejected her plea for him to get medical help. Elvis History writes:

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“In 1976, at the age of 41, he worked tirelessly on the road—122 concerts in 74 cities. In the first six months of 1977, he kept up the tempo with 54 shows in 49 cities. That frenetic pace fueled his drug habit and certainly contributed to his early death.”

In his last ever performance on June 26th, 1977 in Indianapolis, there were 18,000 people present. From watching the video, you can see that Elvis still had the same natural ability and charm. It is, however, obvious to see how the drug addiction had changed him. It became more usual to see him slur his words and mumble his crowd interactions out. He was a different person to who he had been, but he still had the undoubtable talent within him.

Conclusion

Elvis Presley is one of the most adored and successful solo musicians ever. The music he played will forever be listened to for centuries to come. The sad truth is that his death, unlike his career, was not extraordinary. In the history of fame, it was a very usual demise. He, like many other musicians, was swallowed by the world of music business and fame, packaged, used, and thrown back up again. The young boy from Mississippi that loved to play and sing was never lost. But as time went on, the drug use – brought about by deep unhappiness – made that version of him harder to find.

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