TUCSON, Ariz. – State authorities express grave concerns over DUI incidents after the passage of recreational marijuana in Arizona.

With recreational marijuana use legalized in the state, more dispensaries are opening their stores for recreational users. The industry is booming, but authorities urge people to be responsible and think before getting behind the wheel after using cannabis.

It comes after experts report the increase of traffic deaths related to cannabis use in states that previously legalized the drug’s recreational use. A Phoenix lawyer reported that DUI incidents are on the rise even before Proposition 207 went into effect.

Fennemore Craig, P.C. attorney, Marc Lamber, expressed his immense concern with rising marijuana-related DUI incidents with his first-hand experience as a personal injury lawyer. He commented that he has hands-on knowledge of the devastation driving after getting high from using cannabis can cause.

Lamber said that once getting someone hurt or killed after getting behind the wheel while impaired changes many things. It can affect the victim’s life, including the families, and could also change the suspect’s life, he added.

Lamber has been keeping a close eye on the statistics from other states that already legalized the use of cannabis, especially for recreational purposes. He exclaimed that everything is still in the early phase, and the real data isn’t available yet, even in states that already passed the legalization of recreational cannabis.

According to him, what is present is the two-fold increase in the THC-fatality rate in states like Washington and Colorado. From a report made by RMHITDA after the legalization of recreational marijuana in Colorado, traffic deaths increased by 35%, and the cannabis-related traffic deaths boosted by 151% in 2018.

It’s the kind of increase that he wishes to never see in Arizona, he stated. However, he also admitted that it might take some time before drug driving enforcement reaches the drinking and driving level in terms of the law.

Lamber stated that drinking while driving has been unlawful since the 1900s, with the earliest laws in New York regarding it established around 1910. Breath analyzers for alcohol have also been present for the longest time and have been used even back in 1950. However, THC only gets detected through the blood.

Lamber commented that among the methods they are testing are police drug vans. In this case, they won’t have to send people to the police station or the hospital to test for THC. However, dug vans will require the office to be certified phlebotomists.

According to Lamber, another challenge is the lack of a standard amount to consider a case of drug impairment, unlike in alcohol. So, police officers will only need to show the slightest degree of drug impairment to get someone prosecuted for drug DUI. Lamber added that such cases are largely similar to alcohol DUI but have heftier penalties, larger fines, jail time, and even suspension of driver’s license.

There is also the fact that researchers pointed out, like marijuana staying in the body for a couple of days. It means that even with toxicology tests, there is no way to point out whether a driver was under impairment during the accident. Although there are conflicting studies about this topic, researchers agree that more testing is necessary.

PHOENIX, Arizona – Arizona’s new bill poses tremendous changes in the state’s cannabis testing law.

The new marijuana testing guidelines required for all Arizona dispensaries, which started on November 1, 2020, also further caused a supply shortage. With the mandatory testing, there were fewer medical cannabis products on the shelves in stores. It happened as dispensaries wait for products to get through the testing phase.

Another issue, even before the mandatory testing began, was the potential that not all medical marijuana products would pass. The increased chance that many cannabis wouldn’t pass as some growers couldn’t meet the pesticide regulations will lower the number of available products.

Although there was a reassurance from the Department of Health Services that the disruption in supply, if there is any, will be limited and is only temporary, it wasn’t enough to curb the concern for some.

However, a new bill aims to fix Arizona’s cannabis supply shortage when the mandatory testing began. One of the critical issues during the original testing law was that it launched before many testing labs were ready for operation. There wasn’t an adequate amount of labs to handle the huge amount of marijuana ready for testing.

As testing labs failed to test a massive amount of cannabis promptly, it caused shortages throughout Arizona. It greatly affected medical marijuana patients as it became more challenging to get the medicine they require.

In part, the new Arizona bill reads that if an independent third-party testing laboratory couldn’t provide necessary test results within seven business days, they are to remit the supposed payment to the department of deposit. The test results include those for usable marijuana and other marijuana products intended for medical use sent to the testing labs by nonprofit medical marijuana dispensaries.

In other words, laboratories will be forfeiting their revenue for tests that they cannot complete promptly or in seven business days as required in the regulation. The forfeited revenue from the third-party laboratory will be under the medical marijuana fund established by Section 36-2817.

Meanwhile, Arizona’s recreational marijuana sales, which only began on January 22, 2021, are booming at most cannabis dispensaries. The recreational marijuana market in Arizona is growing following the cannabis legalization passed during the election in November. Arizona joins 14 other US states to move towards broadly legalizing cannabis use.

Early this year, the state’s Department of Health Services started accepting license applications from businesses wishing to dip in the recreational cannabis market. Many businesses and facilities already received licenses to begin adult-use cannabis sales.

Cannabis companies in the state are reporting long customer lines and increasing sales weeks after the market launch and a couple of months after the approved legalization of recreational cannabis for adults.

Dispensary operators who received the first recreational licenses from the department report two up to three times of boost in adult-use sales. Dozens of existing medical cannabis dispensaries already opened their stores to recreation shoppers, sparking new concerns about supply problems.

With many dispensaries opening to sell cannabis recreationally, medical cannabis patients start to worry about supply shortages.

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Ill. – According to the survey published in the American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology’s scientific journal, 50% of people suffering from uncontrolled asthma smoke cannabis.

The number of states that moved to legalize cannabis, whether for medical or recreational use or both, is rapidly increasing. 2020 saw a boom in the cannabis industry, and a wave of legalization increased, with states including Arizona, Mississippi, South Dakota, New Jersey, and Montana all made a move. There are now 36 states that legalized medical marijuana, while 15 already legalized medical and recreational cannabis. Other states are also showing signs of legalizing cannabis use in 2021.

With more states considering cannabis use as legal, physicians are keener on explaining the importance of discussing the effects of cannabis on patients, especially those with asthma. A new survey published in ACAAI’s Annals of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology shows that around half of those who used cannabis and a third of those who vaped it will harm their lungs.

The study’s principal researcher, Dr. Joanna Zeiger, said that it surprised her that more than half of the cannabis users involved in the study who suffer from asthma are smoking cannabis. Also, there was around half with uncontrolled asthma who reported cannabis use. Zeiger also explained that the study found that people experiencing asthma don’t receive routine questions and advice from their physicians regarding cannabis and its use.

The anonymous survey was with the help of the Allergy & Asthma Network. It involved individuals who are 18 years old and older.

There are 489 adults with asthma or allergy involved in the survey, and 88 individuals, or 18% of the participants, reported current cannabis use. The majority of these 88 cannabis users with asthma or allergy are under 50, white, and female.

Meanwhile, 2.5% of the non-cannabis user participants in the study reported allergy to marijuana. Also, two-thirds of those currently using cannabis did so for medical or both recreational and medical purposes.

The study looked closer at individuals’ cannabis knowledge, their attitude towards the substance and its use, and their patterns of use of cannabis.

The study’s co-author, allergist William Silver, commented that it’s striking to find out that only 40% of participants reported having their physicians ask about cannabis use. He said there are also around the same number of patients actively inquiring and discussing cannabis with their physicians.

Dr. Silvers also stated that allergists should look into cannabis and inquire about its use and effects to manage their asthma and allergy patients. He likened cannabis smoking to cigarette smoking and expressed that there may be potentially safer routes to consume cannabis like tinctures and edibles for asthma patients.

The study’s findings also included a frequent report of positive effects from using cannabis like calmness, improved sleep, and reduced pain than reports of adverse effects like anxiety and reduced appetite. Meanwhile, 20% of those in the survey reported coughing after smoking cannabis, with 60% of respondents reported current asthma and 40% with uncontrolled asthma based on the Asthma Control Test.

In the 1940s, cannabidiol or CBD was discovered. It is a phytocannabinoid extracted from the plant cannabis. Forty percent of the plant is made of this compound. Since its discovery, studies on its relationship with human cognition, anxiety, pain, and movement disorders have been mobilized.

More recently, studies are also made on how CBD works with patients who have epilepsy. It dwelled on its medicinal uses and how they are related to neurological disorders. CBD oil products, in particular, do not contain tetrahydrocannabinoid or THC in them. Without, THC, the plant does not cause a feeling of high to the user. This makes it appealing for people who need immediate relief from epileptic attacks minus the addicting factor from the same cannabis plant family.

Also, since the discovery of CBD, many people have benefited from it when it comes to pain and anxiety relief. In addition, cannabidiol can also be used safely for children because it does not have the THC substance in it, which make users high.

CBD Oil from Marijuana

Oil of CBD is extracted in many various ways; one is through the use of CO₂.

CO₂ is utilized as a solvent during the extraction process. CO₂ is considered to be clean and pure, which causes no residue after the process of extraction. CBD is extracted when individual compounds are separated. The oil is then, distilled.

The process where CBD is extracted can be divided into two parts. The first one is called “winterization,” and the other one is called “short path distillation.”

The removal of unwanted elements is what we call “winterization.” Undesirable parts may include wax, lipids, and some fats during the time CBD is extracted. Winterization may only be necessary if the oil was placed at a very high temperature or pressure during extraction. Too much pressure may cause other unwanted elements to be taken away from the plant. Thus, the process will have to go through better refining. After the extraction, it will now be mixed with two hundred proof of alcohol. A Buchner funnel is used to filter the fats. The next process, “short path distillation,” is almost the same as “winterization” as it also makes use of high temperature to further isolate unwanted particles in the CBD oil.

Radiate CBD

Being a leader in organic US hemp products, Radiate CBD aims to provide quality legal marijuana for patients and other health care providers in the American states supporting its use.

Medical marijuana has long been a debate in most parts of the globe. However, its legal existence in the field of medicine in the American states has been there for quite some time. The least controversial extraction of the cannabis plant is the CBD, which is safe enough even for use on children.

The American Cannabis Company, Inc. was founded back in 2013, and since then it continued to grow successfully in the industry. The ACC attributes the company’s success much to its wide client base. The cannabis industry has continued to evolve through the years, but the American Cannabis Company strives its best practices, company methodologies, and up-to-date equipment. The ACC also maintains various partnerships strategically.

The company offers a great deal when it comes to cannabis businesses. They also help through consultancy, project management, and product solutions. The American Cannabis Company shares exceptional support that they give to their business partners.

In 2010, its founders, C. Hollister, and E. Smith were one of the first to join the first medical marijuana program officially regulated by the state. Due to the demands in the cannabis market, they have finally started the American Cannabis Company by 2013.

One of the top products of the American Cannabis Company is the SoHum Living Soils. The ACC began selling this in 2015 to operators of medical marijuana operators.

The American Cannabis Company also helps in the design process and management of construction for business owners in the industry. ACC’s consultancy includes processes from the design of the facilities, operations, staffing, and regulatory inspection and compliance. The ACC has been instrumental to many people running businesses in the legal marijuana industry. The company also has trustworthy partners from accounting down to legal aspects of the business.

The Satchel is the company’s patented product that helps protect children and animals of accidentally ingesting cannabis. It is a vessel that is child-resistant.

Radiate CBD

Radiate CBD is a company that helps in bringing only the best products to its clients. Patients, women, senior citizens, and American health care providers trust Radiate CBD as their partner in delivering quality medical marijuana to clients.

If you are a cannabis user, you are surely investing efforts in supporting the legalization of marijuana. Not only that, but you might also be interested in investing in cannabis stocks as well. However, you might have second thoughts about it because you don’t have any idea if it will be a successful venture.

Two cannabis companies are leading in the stock market: Aurora Cannabis and Cronos Group. Many people are wondering why people would invest a lot of money on cannabis stocks, so here are the reasons why:

1.Differentiating Dynamics

Aurora Cannabis can be set apart from the rest of the companies because they have the highest level of production capacity in the market. Aside from that, the company is also leading in the international marijuana markets – which is an essential factor.

Maybe you have also heard of Canopy Growth. It is one of the companies that have a huge production capacity, a big partner, and substantial international operations. Maybe you were thinking, why not invest in them instead, right? It is because the $18 billion stock market cap already shows these positive factors on Aurora Cannabis.

2. Limited Alternatives

If you are using Robinhood as your investing app, then you might already realize that it only supports listings on U.S. exchanges when it comes to buying and selling stocks. Stocks that exchange in other countries or trade over the counter are not an available option.

There are only six cannabis stocks that are available on the New York Stock Exchange: HEXO, Innovative Industrial Properties, CannTrust Holdings, Canopy Growth, Aphria, and Aurora Cannabis. Moreover, there are fewer pot stocks on the Nasdaq stock exchange.

In total, there are only nine pot stocks listed on two U.S stock exchanges. As a result, Aurora Cannabis doesn’t have much competition in the stock market.

3.Positive Publicity

Would you buy a product that you don’t know a thing about? Of course not. Since you are a cannabis user, you are most likely to invest in something related to cannabis.

Aurora even became more popular to investors when news sprouted about Coca Cola partnering with the company. Although it was not confirmed, it undoubtedly helped Aurora get good publicity. From then on, the company has taken Nelson Peltz on their company as its strategic advisor.

Lompoc, CA – Despite the impending legalization and regularization of marijuana all throughout the US states and cities, not everyone is happy about it. But the people who strongly uphold their opposition to the legalization of cannabis are those who have witnessed the negative impacts of the drug firsthand to the healthy well-being of those who abuse it.

Thomas A. Hurd, DDS, a Lompoc resident with a degree in Psychology, showed his strong opposition to the legalization of pot by addressing alarming issues and concerns about the effects of continued marijuana use. Hurd also talked about the negative effects of pot during his speech as a guest commentary speaker in the city of Lompoc.

He narrated his experiences while in UCLA for his Pre-Med as he witnessed marijuana abuse and other recreational drug use, and how it altered people’s normal state of mind into something destructive and violent. He also mentioned that he saw some of his friends lose their normal self after consuming weed and entering an altered reality based on hallucinations and paranoia caused by the drug.

Hurd said that not many people understand the negative effects of marijuana as nobody can really justify or conclude the real effects of the drug on our brain. All the clinical studies and tests conducted to learn more about using the drug as a medicine often end up with futile results when it comes to the real effects of it on a person’s well-being.

But the main concern of Thomas Hurd as he addressed the audience at UCLA is that once marijuana is legalized and regulated, people who are high on pot and continue to work in a dangerous area such as those who operate heavy machinery or handle dangerous weapons could get into fatal accidents, highlighting the advantages and disadvantages of weed.

The impact may not be seen immediately after the implementation of weed legalization, but Hurd is sure that the people will notice the drastic negative impacts of it in the long run. Hurd ended his speech by telling the audience that marijuana and other illegal drugs continue to end and ruin the lives of the users and other innocent people who collide with these substance abusers. He urged the people to vote against the legalization and use of recreational marijuana to save lives and continue to live in a more peaceful environment.

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If you’re beginning your journey into the world of vaping, you may hear about many different types of pens that you can use to ingest cannabis, CBD, and other substances. Vape pens, wax pens, dab pens – what are the differences between these products, and what requirements come with their usages? Here’s what you need to know about the differences between vape pens and dab or wax pens.
 

What Are Vape Pens?
 

Vape pens are battery-powered devices used to inhale vapors produced by oil or liquid cartridges. Vape pens are often rechargeable and can accept a variety of different oil cartridges.
 
Vape pens contain four main components:
 
-The tank that contains the vaping liquid or oil
-The atomizer that turns the liquid or oil into vapor to inhale using heat
-The sensors that control the vaping power, atomizer, voltage, and other mechanisms
-The battery that powers the device

 
When you inhale from a vape pen, you suck the vape liquid or oil into the atomizer which uses heat to turn the liquid into vapor. You inhale the vapor through your mouth to feel the effects of your chosen substance.

What Are Wax Pens?
 

Wax vaporizers are similar in design to vape pens, but they do not vaporize liquid or oil. Instead, wax pens melt down wax concentrates of cannabis and other substances. Wax pens have a battery to power the device, a chamber with a heating coil to melt to wax, and a mouthpiece for easy inhalation. Since wax pens use a great deal of heat, a steel casing usually protects the user from burning their hands.

What Are Dab Pens?
 

Dab pens are devices that users only utilize to consume dabs. Dabs are small concentrates of THC, used to produce more potent effects than traditional cannabis inhalation. Dab pens contain the same components as vape pens and operate using similar functions. You place the dab onto coils included on the pen, which heat and melt the dab onto a wick. This wick absorbs the dab liquid and further heats it into a vapor, which you can inhale.
 
Many people refer to dab pens and wax pens interchangeably. While these devices are very similar in that they both use THC concentrates, not oils or liquids, you can only use dab concentrates with dab pens. You cannot use dab concentrates with wax pens.

Similarities Between Wax Pens, Dab Pens, and Vape Pens
 

There are a few main similarities between wax pens, dab pens, and vape pens. Wax pens and dab pens are very similar, since dab pens are technically a form of wax pens that use a specialized concentrate. While dab pens and wax pens are quite different from liquid and oil vape pens, all three devices have some similarities.
 
-Vape, wax, and dab pens are all very portable. They are usually small, sleek, and you can tuck them away for easy carrying. Sometimes, you can even purchase a carrying case for use on the go.
-All three devices are extremely easy to use. Depending on the make and model, you can usually use these pens with the press of a button and an inhale. Dab pens and wax pens usually have a more complicated process.
-Wax, dab, and vape pens are also very discreet. You can easily carry them in a purse, bag, or pocket, and enjoy a vape quickly and at any appropriate time.
-Vape, dab, and wax pens also have temperature control features for safety purposes. In many pens, you can choose the temperature at which you want to operate your device.
-All three devices use similar batteries and units of energy storage. Oil and wax consumption usually use the same amount of battery energy.

Differences Between Wax Pens, Dab Pens, and Vape Pens

You should know several key differences between these three devices prior to investing in a pen.

-Wax pens and dab pens use wax concentrate and dabs, while vape pens usually use liquid or oil.
-In vape pens, you load an oil cartridge in the device to use. With wax pens and dab pens, you load small amounts of dab concentrate or wax into a coil in order to use them.
-Wax pens and dab pens can be quite messy when loaded by hand. Vapes use pre-loaded cartridges for greater convenience and less mess.
-Wax and dab pens use a higher temperature than vape pens. Wax and dab pens often require temperatures of 350 to 400 degrees Fahrenheit, while vape pens usually require 315 to 385 degrees.
-Wax and dab pens can get dirty and sticky quickly due the loading process. You will have to scrape away lots of wax to clean it regularly, and may need to replace the coil. Vape pens do not require as much maintenance and do not usually cause a mess with regular use.

Today, there is more public support for cannabis than ever before. Buoyed by this support, legislation to legalize medical as well as recreational continues to pick up steam. More than half of the people in the country now support cannabis legalization and its medicinal use for managing various health conditions.

As of now, 33 states have legalized medical marijuana, and these include Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Hawaii, Illinois, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Utah, Vermont, Washington, and West Virginia. 

Out of these, 12 states have also legalized recreational marijuana, which include Washington, Alaska, Oregon, Nevada, Massachusetts, Illinois, Michigan, District of Columbia, Vermont, California, Maine, and Colorado. And if you are living in any of these states, you may wonder if investing in a medical marijuana program is even worth it anymore?

To answer this question, let’s head to Los Angeles for a bit. Medical cannabis has been legal here since 1996. Actually, California was the first state to legalize marijuana for medical use. But all that changed when, in 2016, recreational marijuana legalization hit the state. So, does a canna enthusiast in Los Angeles really need to go through the hassle of getting a  doctor’s recommendation when they could get legal recreational marijuana with a state-issued ID card? 

Yes! A medical marijuana card comes with several benefits and still hasn’t lost its charm entirely. Let’s take a look at why you should hold on to your mmj card.

Consumption

Although many states have legalized recreational marijuana, this comes with certain restrictions and regulations. Recreational users are not allowed to smoke cannabis in public areas, whereas a person with a MMJ card can smoke marijuana in areas where smoking tobacco is legal. But this might not hold up in all the states as each has its own set of laws. Growing cannabis is also legal in some states but again under specific conditions. Here too, medical marijuana users are given preference as they are allowed to grow more amounts of cannabis than recreational users. Don’t forget! You can grow marijuana for personal use only; otherwise, you may end up facing a penalty or even land yourself behind bars. 

Age Restriction

In most states, recreational marijuana is legal for people over 21 years of age. So, if you don’t fall under this bracket, you won’t be able to access cannabis. But you can access cannabis through a medical marijuana recommendation. If anyone below the age of 21 requires cannabis to manage their health condition, they can approach a licensed MMJ doctor and get a recommendation for their medical condition. Also remember that underage medical marijuana users do not get to access any smokable products. All 33 states with legalized medical marijuana have laws for minors to help them get cannabis for their treatment with the assistance of caregivers. They may not be able to access all cannabis products but it’s better than what recreational cannabis offers. 

Tax Relaxation

Yes! One of the most important things to consider is the difference in cost for medical and recreational cannabis. And these differences pile up when you take you need to shop for marijuana products all around the year. Some states have exempted taxes for medical cannabis patients, while while others have relaxed the percentage of tax charged. But in both cases, medical cannabis users benefit by paying less or no taxes. For instance, let’s travel back to Los Angeles. Out here, medical cannabis patients have to pay all MMJ taxes except sales tax. And this happens to save you a lot of money eventually.

Quality & Potency

Like any other medication, the potency of any cannabis product holds a lot of significance for a patient. If quality and potency are two things that you look for before buying a product in a dispensary, then you may want to get yourself a medical marijuana card immediately. For recreational users, there are considerable restrictions when it comes to potency of the cannabis strain. Many people require highly potent strains to manage their medical condition, and they probably won’t find anything suitable and potent enough in a recreational cannabis dispensary. A Californian with a MMJ card can access double the amount i.e., 2000 mg of tinctures and lotions than a recreational user. 

In Conclusion

Legalizing recreational cannabis is definitely a way forward, but to say that it would impact or affect the value of a medical marijuana recommendation would be wrong. Patients that suffer from a medical condition won’t benefit from the products available in a recreational marijuana dispensary. 

Getting a doctor’s recommendation isn’t a very lengthy process honestly. With telemedicine, the process has considerably become easy and convenient. But it is good that people are progressing and understanding the medicinal benefits of cannabis. The future of the herb looks quite bright and is touted to be one of the fastest-growing industries in the country. 

Inside the womb of a pregnant woman, the fetus rely all the nourishment it receives from the blood of its mother. The majority of women minimizes or completely cut the consumption of soft drinks, alcoholic beverages, and cigarettes. On the other hand, there are pregnant women who continue smoking marijuana because they consider it as a safe drug.

These women think that weed is completely safe during pregnancy. This perception usually comes from the fact that their mothers have also consumed marijuana while pregnant and delivered healthy and normal babies.

But irrespective of marijuana use, many women still had healthy babies and experienced normal pregnancies. It is because not all women experience the same effects from smoking marijuana.

Conflicting Theories

People have divided their stand when it comes to smoking weed during pregnancy given that the studies conducted about it have shown conflicting results. One study in Jamaica revealed that pregnant women who smoked weed to treat their nausea and morning sickness had no negative effects on their babies.

In a different study in Great Britain, the children of mothers who smoke weed in the course of their pregnancy had a higher chance of acquiring psychotic personalities. Another study in Australia discovered that ingesting weed can potentially cause a pregnant woman to go into labor or have a premature baby.

Lack Clinical Evidence

Granting that there is no enough evidence to prove the dangers of smoking weed during pregnancy, it is best to avoid using it. If you want to get rid of morning sickness or motion sickness while pregnant, there are other ways to cure it aside from smoking weed. You can always turn to natural remedies to relieve pain and discomfort while carrying your baby.

While you cannot remove the fact that marijuana has cured a lot of health conditions, these studies must present data that its healing properties outweigh all the detrimental effects that go with it. The debate about marijuana continues to this day, and you will come across different theories.

As a pregnant woman, weigh the pros and cons before you continue smoking weed. Whatever your decision, it must be for the benefit of your baby.