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Presidential Candidates and the Cannabis Industry.

Presidential Candidates and the Cannabis Industry.

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Presidential Candidates Still in the Race and Their Effect on the Cannabis Industry

We have been waging the so-called war on drugs since the 1970s, with something like marijuana being placed on the Schedule 1 controlled substance list alongside LSD and heroin. Fortunately, we are now amid a stark reversal of this war with both Democrats and Republicans ready to take their blindfolds off.

While there has been a rapid spread of state legalization of  medical CBD, marijuana and Cannabis across the US, there is still a long way to go towards ending prohibition. Now with the election just around the corner as a voter, it is important to know what each candidate still in the race thinks about Cannabis and what they’d do to make access to those living in Louisiana and other states easier.

Joe Biden 

Most people know him as Barrack Obama’s vice president, but what many people don’t know is that Biden has every now and then flirted with the idea of legalizing marijuana. While the federal government has mainly taken a hands-off approach to legalization, Biden was once quoted as saying he’d favor full-blown legalization if it was supported by medical experts.

When recently asked on the presidential election trial he said that his previous stance had not changed. The problem with this stance is that medical experts can’t all agree on one thing. Then there is also the question which medical experts would he consider? Because there are just as many in support of legalizing marijuana as they are who are not. In other words, his stance isn’t clear or decisive for that matter.

Donald Trump

Donald Trump, for the most part, in our opinion, is undecided. On the 2015 campaign trial, his position was that even though he believed that there were therapeutic benefits of marijuana, but it didn’t merit legalization. At one point he was quoted as saying “it was a bad idea” when speaking about legalizing marijuana.

Later on, his stance changed to that states were in the best position to legalize marijuana how they saw fit, but without any input from the federal government. Though his support for medical marijuana was clear from the beginning.

During his time as president trump tried to make it harder for states to legalize marijuana, case in point being the 2021 fiscal year budget announced in February 2020. Further solidifying our suspicions that Trump isn’t in the camp of legal marijuana is a leaked conversation from 2018, during which he can is heard saying that people who use cannabis “lose IQ points!”

While many Republican lawmakers insist that President Donald Trump supports states making their own decisions regarding legalization, so far the initial five years have proven otherwise. 

Conclusion

While we are months away from the presidential elections, it is unclear which candidate would do the most to favor the legalization of recreational Cannabis. Even though democratic supporters would argue that Biden has a stronger stance but relying on the medical community to give him the green signal isn’t a stance. If anything, that’s never going to happen because doctors are unable to agree to anything!

Quality And Packaging Of Medical Cannabis

Quality And Packaging Of Medical Cannabis

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MEdical Cannabis Products and Packaging

Medical cannabis and recreational use among adults has been legal in a few states for several years. As an avid consumer of cannabis it is nice to be able to relax and not worry about law enforcement. At least, as long as you are not acting like a fool. Having a nice selection at the shop makes us all feel like kids in a candy store. Even though it can be a bit overwhelming to have so much to choose from. One of my favorite movie lines from Grandma’s Boy – “I don’t care what it’s called. I just want a bag of pot” becomes more real at times. You do get used to it and find strains and deals that work for your budget. Everything is great until you get home and roll one up. Then you notice the back of the package with the harvest date. There is an issue with all the packaging and retail aspects of the legal cannabis industry.

Fresh Cannabis, Maybe

Paying a fair amount for the product you kind of expect something fresh. We do not buy rotten apples do we? So why is it that some places you go, a vast majority of their products are a year or more past the harvest date. But not all of them. Sometimes you find a brand or strain that is still fresh, only a few months old. I do not mind a well aged bud, but can we keep it from getting crispy and falling into dust. It is not the fault of the grower or the retail location. Not at all. There is a bigger issue at fault and it needs to be addressed.

An Obvious Problem

The issue for some states is that there were far more producers licensed that there were retail locations. This caused an overflow of product that could not be moved fast enough to keep the stock fresh. Growers and retail shops had to sit on product far longer than anyone would want to. By the time it hits the shelf and the customers hand, the bud has dried out severely in the plastic package or the glass jar with a cheap lid. A crispy nug is not fun to roll with. Since there are so many growers and companies packaging product there is a large selection. Some stuff on the shelf is fresh but it sells fast.

Environmental Impact Of Legal and Medical Cannabis

As much as I love having legal weed in my country, the way we are packaging 1g in a small ziplock pack has to stop. With all the people who smoke in the states that have legal adult use that is a ton of unnecessary garbage. For a “Green” industry the marketing and packages could be a bit more green. Most people would be willing to pay slightly more for a product in an eco friendly container. Or, why not bring your own glass jar? They weigh it and place your freshly filled jar into a paper bag for exiting the dispensary. If a customer can walk into a grocery and refill a growler with beer what is so different about filling a jar with fresh nugs? It is not perfect and may need to work, but it is a step in the right direction.

The Future Of Medical And Recreational Cannabis

We all know this is still a new industry and new laws. When prohibition of alcohol ended there was madness for a while. There will always be those among us who may take things a bit too far at times. It will pass. This industry is no different and there will be many kinks to work out and obstacles to avoid. Especially for those getting into the industry as a grower or a retailer. As a consumer, I think we are all happy to have legal cannabis be it for medical or recreational use. Be mindful of the products packaging as well as the harvest date and the date you are purchasing the product. 

What To Expect

As Louisiana puts it’s medical cannabis program into effect what can we expect with the products? How will the state and producers handle the packaging and the time from growth to consumer? Although there will not be any smokable forms of cannabis our friends and family deserve fresh products. Who wants a stale brownie? I would hope the state has thought about this and has a plan to get fresh medicines to patients. We have yet to see what products will be available. But, that should change soon with doctors and dispensaries ready to serve patients around the state.
Louisiana Schools Select Growers For Medical Cannabis

Louisiana Schools Select Growers For Medical Cannabis

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Cajun Cannabis!

From September 2017

Medical cannabis research and legalization is on the rise along with recreational use around the world. Many states here in America have either legalized medical use or it is a hot topic on many ballots. Society is opening its eyes on a healthy alternative to many medications that are just as, if not more, dangerous as the cancer or tumor they are intended to treat. Health conscious people are seeking out more natural alternatives to pharmaceuticals. As people continue to accept cannabis, more funding becomes available and more research is done on the medicinal properties of the plant.

The majority of cannabis users have known about the medicinal properties for a long time. I myself find cannabis does a wonderful job of relieving headaches and nausea. Having a blood disorder, Often I have no appetite. A quick toke or two and in little time at all I am able to eat without forcing it. A family member uses Rick Simpson Oil, also known as RSO, to combat seizures.

Home Grown Medical Cannabis

Louisiana recently updated its medical marijuana policy which previously only allowed LSU Agricultural Center to cultivate and research cannabis. Although there has been some form of medical marijuana program in the state since the late 1970s, there were no places to access medical cannabis, nor were there any doctors that would actually recommend cannabis for medical purposes. The state will now allow LSU and Southern University to cultivate cannabis and produce medical products in the form of oils, topical applications, and pills to name a few.

A big issue is that any form of cannabis that can be smoked will be against policy. What is the purpose of this? People are going to smoke it just as they always have. Seems like that might be an issue if and when recreational passes here. Certainly that will be a legal battle that we will see soon. LSU Agricultural Center and The LSU Board of Supervisors have selected GB Sciences of Las Vegas to be the producer of high grade cannabis.

Southern University has not yet selected a producer at this time. Board members are working on a selection but nothing has been confirmed yet. As things move forward we will continue to post new information. Maybe we will see Southern make their selection. And soon after, some medical products for patients available at the dispensaries.