Welcome to Senior Cannabis Digest. This week we look at a cannabis reform bill that might actually get signed by the President, a new cannabis brand from a Hall of Fame baseball player, a device that simplifies the process of making edibles at home and more. Enjoy.
Policy Matters
A bipartisan bill described as “the first standalone cannabis reform proposal to ever reach the president’s desk,” has been approved by the U.S. House of Representatives. The Senate is expected to “follow suit” in a matter of days.
According to Kyle Jaeger, reporting for Marijuana Moment, the “Medical Marijuana and Cannabidiol Research Expansion Act” was considered on the House floor under a procedure known as suspension of the rules. The process, which is generally reserved for non-controversial measures, requires a supermajority of two-thirds support to pass a bill. No amendments were allowed and debate was limited
House members approved the legislation, sponsored by Reps. Earl Blumenauer (D-OR) and Andy Harris (R-MD), in a vote of 325-95.
Said Harris, “This bill makes it easier to do the necessary, rigorous medical research—just like is done for any other drug that has a claim of efficacy in this country. The American public deserves to know what medical marijuana is useful for because, for anyone with those conditions where it is found to be useful, it could be a godsend—but for other conditions where the claims won’t be found to be valid with rigorous research, it would be found to be ineffective.”
Harris is said to oppose legalization, but does support expanded research.
Jaeger noted that several bipartisan lawmakers spoke in favor of the measure ahead of the vote, and none rose to oppose it. All 216 Democrats who were present for the vote supported the measure, while Republicans were divided—with 109 voting in favor and 95 against.
Jaeger said a congressional source familiar with the planning told Marijuana Moment last week that the Senate is expected to “move quickly” on the proposal.
Among other things, the bill would streamline the marijuana research application process, make it easier for researchers to request larger quantities of cannabis for studies and encourage the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to develop cannabis-derived medicines.
To learn more, we encourage you to read the article by Kyle Jaeger in the July 26, 2022 issue of Marijuana Moment.net.
Tips on Trips
There’s more cannabis news involving a State Fair. Last week we discussed the cannabis exhibit at the California State Fair. This week it’s the announcement that the New York State Fair will once again have designated smoking areas where mature cannabis consumers and others can light up and be left alone.
According to a report from the CNYCentral website, there will be six designated outdoor smoking areas around the perimeter of the NYS Fairgrounds. Since New York legalized adult use of marijuana, the law allows smoking cannabis wherever tobacco smoking is permitted—although there have been recent rumblings that there will soon be changes to that provision.
Interim Fair Director Sean Hennessey, told CNYCentral that he understands concerns about smoking close to children. He added that security will make sure people follow the rules and stay in the designated smoking areas.
Said Hennessey, “I’m a father of four. I try to be as health conscious as I can, but we want to make sure people with those habits have an ability to take care of those things while at the fairgrounds.”
If you are headed to the Fair, here’s a tip. Cannabis and corn dogs, good. Cannabis and cotton candy, not so much.
The New York State Fair runs from August 24 through Monday, September 5. Tickets are now on sale.
To learn more, you can read the article in the July 27, 2022 issue of CNYCentral.com.
cnycentral.com/news/local/smoking-rules-marijuana-pot-new-york-state-fair-2022
Cannabis Quote of the Week
“Once I embraced the flow of the flower everything changed. Cannabis has helped me relax, sleep better, manage stress and heal physically after a lifetime of playing ball, and I look forward to sharing Papi Cannabis and my personal journey to help people understand its benefits.” —David Ortiz.
Mr. Ortiz, known to many as “Big Papi,” recently had the unique experience of entering Major League Baseball’s Hall of Fame the same week it was announced that he will be teaming up with the cannabis company Rev Brands to produce a new line of curated products called “Papi Cannabis” that are designed to to keep the plant’s “healing properties at the forefront.”
According to Javier Hasse, who covered the story for Benzinga.com, Ortiz found out about the benefits of cannabis later in life, using it to help him cope with stress, physical ailments and anxiety.
The first products from the Massachusetts-based Rev Brands will be a line of pre-rolled joints called “Sweet Sluggers” that are filled with flower taken from Ortiz’s choice strains, such as Black Mamba #7, Lava Cake #7, Motorbreath #15 and Bootylicious #4. The blunts are rolled in non-tobacco wrappers produced with tea leaves and hemp.
Said Ortiz, “I personally prefer pre-rolled blunts and these ones are special to me because I was able to work with my daughter Alexandra on the colorful artwork for the packaging. I love that we were able to incorporate her design.”
Tom Schneider, chief marketing officer of Revolutionary Clinics added, “It’s been incredible to learn about David’s cannabis journey and the benefits he’s experienced far beyond just recreational use.”
Sweet Sluggers—only sold in Massachusetts at present— are available as a single 1 gram pre-roll blunt packaged in a tube made of 100 percent reclaimed ocean plastic ($18) or a three-pack ($49).
Future products in the line are said to include hash-oil infused pre-rolled blunts, a vape cartridge, an edible made from free-trade Dominican chocolate and a healing salve.
Known primarily for his career with the Boston Red Sox and as an unofficial cheerleader for the City of Boston after the Boston Marathon Bombing, Mr. Ortiz was born in the Dominican Republic and became a U.S. citizen in 2008.
To learn more we suggest you read Javier Hasse’s article in the July 27, 2022 issue of Benzinga.com.
Tech Talk
There’s good news for mature consumers who like the thought of making their own edibles but find the process a little complicated. There’s a new device designed to make infusing oil or butter with cannabis—the key step in making most edibles—much easier. Some say it’s almost “goof proof.”
Called Levo II , the machine can be set to dry cannabis or other herbs—an essential first step when making edibles. Called decarboxylation, the process involves heating cannabis to a specific temperature for a certain length of time. This activates the THC in the cannabis, which releases its psychoactive effects. It also activates all the other cannabinoids inside the plant.
The dried material is then placed in a container resembling a tea-strainer which is then placed in the device’s infusion chamber. A liquid base, such as clarified butter (ghee), honey, or any type of oil, is then inserted in a larger chamber and after a few hours the infusion process is complete, with minimal muss or fuss.
This infused liquid is then added to your favorite edible recipe. It’s as simple as that. The machine can also be used to make a variety of herb-infused oils and butter, minus the cannabis.
The LĒVO II, which is available in a variety of designer colors, allows consumers to use its default modes or fully customize the time, temperature, and cycles they want to use for a particular creation. When the process is complete, all components are easily removed and top-rack dishwasher safe.
To learn more, you can read Erica Radol’s article in the July 18, 2022 issue of The Daily Beast.com.
www.thedailybeast.com/best-herb-oil-infuser-for-edibles
If you prefer, you can also go directly to the company website.
levooil.com/collections/all/products/levo-ii?
Senior Cannabis Digest is compiled and edited by Joe Kohut and John Kohut. You can reach them at joe.kohut@gmail.com or at 347-528-8753.
