WEEDecide

Audio is not supported in your browser Matt is joined by author and Harvard Kennedy School professor Maya Sen to talk about the state of the American judiciary. They discuss Breyer's unwillingness to retire, the pervasive influence of prestige on the "legal elite," the cult of RBG, the influence and role of The Federalist Society, and the inherent biases in the elite legal system that have led to an "affirmative action"-like feeder program for conservative judges. Resources: The Judicial Tug of War: How Lawyers, Politicians, and Ideological Incentives Shape the American Judiciary by Adam Bonica and Maya Sen (Cambridge University Press, 2020) "The Endgame of Court-Packing" by Adam Chilton, Daniel Epps, Kyle Rozema, and Maya Sen (May 17) Ideas with Consequences: The Federalist Society and the Conservative Counterrevolution by Amanda Hollis-Brusky (Oxford University Press, 2015) The Rise of the Conservative Legal Movement: The Battle for Control of ...

“New and Improved!” That’s a go-to claim used by companies trying to re-launch a product or regain the market share they’ve lost to a competitor. Sometimes it’s simply used to juice sales. In many cases, nothing noteworthy has actually been changed or added to the product. It’s just a well-known fact – at least among marketing gurus – that customer interest is piqued when a product is labeled “new and improved!” But many products really don’t need any new ingredients, and improving them may not even be possible. Some original products or formulas are already terrific, and it may be impossible to make them any better. That’s a nearly-perfect description of Hindu Kush. This pure Indica strain has been around a lot longer than any of us, harvested for millennia in the mountains of Afghanistan and Pakistan. In fact, it was even widely available in America before most of us were born. Think of any stereotypical mid-20th century stoner movie with characters who are so blazed they can’t...

New regulations promulgated by the State of New York appear to ban the sale of Delta 8, a previously legal hemp-derived product. These regulations, which came into effect last week, have already caused havoc amongst some New York retailers. One prominent example of these business consequences appears to be Upstate New York’s Empire CBD, which […] The post As New York Bans Delta 8 THC, CBD Retailer Sales Take A Hit appeared first on The Weed Blog . * This article was originally published here

As the cannabis legalization movement continues to gain traction and create policy change, it is essential that equity and social justice be placed at the front of the conversation, not as an afterthought. The work that is happening in Oregon is on par to be used as a model in other legalized states, and hopefully […] The post City of Portland approves $1.8M in Cannabis Equity, Restorative Justice & Community Reinvestment Grants appeared first on The Weed Blog . * This article was originally published here

Every cannabis-related ballot initiative put in front of voters in 2020 passed with relative ease.  Arizona, Montana, and New Jersey voters approved statewide measures to legalize adult-use marijuana, residents in Mississippi passed legislation to legalize medical marijuana, and South Dakota voters approved initiatives for both adult-use and medical marijuana in a historic victory for cannabis […] The post GOP-Led States Continue Attempts To Weaken Or Overturn Marijuana Legalization appeared first on The Weed Blog . * This article was originally published here

Big companies spend an enormous amount of money to come up with the perfect name for their brands or products. More than anything else, a great name evokes the feeling or mood that users will experience when trying the product. What does the name “Sunshine Daydream” evoke for you, other than perhaps the documentary of the same name that focused on The Grateful Dead? A warm day spent with your significant other and a glass of white wine, lying on a blanket in the grass? A lazy weekend afternoon, relaxing in a hammock with a good book? Those are actually pretty ways to describe the experience of smoking Sunshine Daydream – but only if you’re relaxing in the middle of a truck stop. That’s because a strong diesel flavor and aroma accompany this pot strain’s potent high. Sunshine Daydream: The Quick Summary Sunshine Daydream is an Indica-leaning hybrid. It has high THC content which provides a slowly-building, relaxing high that many users describe as euphoric and dreamy, making the n...

Audio is not supported in your browser Matt is joined by economist and NYU faculty fellow Morgan Williams, Jr. to talk about his research on policing and gun control legislation, and the consequences of policy on crime and incarceration. Resources: "Police Force Size and Civilian Race" by Aaron Chalfin, Benjamin Hansen, Emily K. Weisburst & Morgan C. Williams Jr. (Dec. 2020) "Body-Worn Cameras in Policing: Benefits and Costs" by Morgan C. Williams Jr., Nathan Weil, Elizabeth A. Rasich, Jens Ludwig, Hye Change & Sophia Egrari (Mar. 2021) "When You Add More Police To A City, What Happens?" by Greg Rosalsky (Apr. 20, NPR) "Gang Behavior, Law Enforcement, and Community Values" by George Akerlof and Janet L. Yellen "The Effects of Local Police Surges on Crime and Arrests in New York City" by John MacDonald, Jeffrey Fagan, and Amanda Geller (2016) "Peaceable Kingdoms and War Zones: Preemption, Ballistics and Murder in New...

Alabama Governor Kay Ivey signed legislation on Monday that will legalize medical cannabis in the state.  Medical Marijuana Legalized in Alabama Following Alabama’s state House passing the legislation last month with a vote of 68-35, Alabama Gov. Ivey announced on Monday that she has signed off on Senate Bill 46 – making Alabama the 37th […] The post Alabama Governor Signs Medical Marijuana Bill Into Law appeared first on The Weed Blog . * This article was originally published here

Support social equity and racial justice in Oregon! There are two great opportunities this weekend to do so. Your activism is working, let’s keep it up! Social Equity in Oregon: HB 3112 Call to action: TODAY!!! Sign the letter to support Oregon House Bill 3112, the Equity Investment Act, TODAY, Friday May 21st! A big […] The post Support Social Equity and Racial Justice in Oregon appeared first on The Weed Blog . * This article was originally published here

People in many parts of Texas love their Big Red soda. In New York, not everyone loves Cel-Ray soda but everyone knows it. Then there’s Vernor’s in the upper Midwest, Moxie in northern New England, Cheerwine in North Carolina, and Kemper’s in the Pacific Northwest. Those are all local favorites that are virtually unknown elsewhere in the nation. That’s the opposite of Coke and Pepsi, of course, which are not only ubiquitous in America but around the world. There are lots of obscure pot strains, too. Some are only well-known in the areas where they were developed or where they’re grown. Others are simply not very popular. Then there are strains which are famous and beloved almost everywhere – just like Coke and Pepsi. One of those strains is White Widow. It’s revered for its potency, its balanced Sativa/Indica effects , and the wonderful high it produces. It’s also one of the cannabis plants commonly used around the world to create outstanding new strains. One of the best is White ...

Women and mothers especially stand to be one of the most collectively pivotal voices in the cannabis movement, and really in drug law reform overall.  The changes we have seen in cannabis policy over the last several years in the United States are arguable due to the voices (and votes) of women and mothers, and […] The post When Cannabis Use is Normal for Moms, it will be Accepted by all of Society appeared first on The Weed Blog . * This article was originally published here

Millennials, particularly those who grew up on the West Coast, may have fond memories of Tangerine Dream. (The pot strain, not the German electronic music group.) Tangerine Dream was actually created by Barney’s Farm in Amsterdam, even though it was commonly seen in California and Colorado in the mid-1990s. It’s still available and potent; in fact, it finished in first place at the 2010 Cannabis Cup. But as often happens, the son has surpassed the father – at least, metaphorically speaking. In reality, the Tangie strain isn’t a direct descendant; Tangie was created as either a remake of or a tribute to Tangerine Dream. But it has most of the same terrific qualities and effects and has received even more honors than Tangerine Dream. Just like its predecessor, this is a strain developed in the Netherlands but you’re probably most familiar with it if you live in the Western U.S. However, its availability throughout North America is growing rapidly. And most who’ve sampled Tangie would...

Ever since cannabis products started becoming available, products offering CBD, THC, or both have become available in a growing range of varieties. In the past, the most common products were CBD oils and raw hemp flowers. Now, you can find CBD in just about any form imaginable. One of the rising stars in the industry is CBD rosin (sometimes called CBD concrete) — which is a special type of CBD extract. But what is CBD rosin, exactly? Let’s take a closer look at what it is, and how to make CBD rosin at home. What Is CBD Rosin? Essentially, CBD rosin is similar to other cannabis or hemp concentrates, the main difference being that while many concentrates are made using harsh solvents (which can leave nasty chemical residues). Rosin is extracted using pressure and heat but no solvents at all, resulting in greater potency and purity. CBD rosin is highly versatile. Perhaps the most common involves “dabbing” (a process that involves vaporizing your resin through a “dab rig” attached ...

Audio is not supported in your browser Matt is joined by Rachel Silverman, a policy fellow at the Center for Global Development, who talks about the extreme dangers and high prevalence of lead contamination globally. Despite the manifest health benefits that would be served by Biden's plans to finally replace lead pipes in the U.S., this is marginal compared to the lead poisoning occurring due to unregulated electronics recycling, traditional ceramics glazing, and by bright, yellow turmeric. Resources: "Biden Wants to Eliminate Lead Poisoning in American Children. We Propose an Even More Ambitious Goal: Global Eradication" by Susannah Hares, Rachel Silverman, and Lee Crawfurd (Apr. 20, 2021) "Your old phone is full of untapped precious metals" by Bianca Nogrady, BBC (Oct. 18, 2016) "Ground Turmeric as a Source of Lead Exposure in the United States" by Whitney Cowell, Thomas Ireland, Donna Vorhees, and Wendy Heiger-Bernays, Public Health Reports (...

The Minnesota House approved a bill on Thursday that would legalize adult-use cannabis in the state – the furthest a cannabis legalization proposal has made it in Minnesota’s Legislature. However, the measure faces difficult odds and major opposition as it advances to the GOP-led Senate.  Minnesota House Approves Cannabis Legalization in Historic Vote After a […] The post Minnesota House Passes Adult-Use Marijuana Bill appeared first on The Weed Blog . * This article was originally published here

Audio is not supported in your browser Matt and Dara are joined by Vox's Andrew Prokop to talk about the very notion of a president's "first hundred days," whether or not it is a useful or important metric for their performance. Andrew talks about the history of the term, originating with F.D.R., and our hosts evaluate some of the recent lines of comparison between Biden and Roosevelt that have been floating around in the discourse lately. Plus, some research is analyzed that examines the effect of the channel placement of Fox News in certain areas, and Republican performance in federal elections. Resources: "The myth of a president's 'first 100 days'" by Andrew Prokop, Vox (Apr. 29, 2021) "Biden's first 100 days, explained in 600 words" by German Lopez, Vox (Apr. 30, 2021) White paper Hosts: Matt Yglesias ( @mattyglesias ), Slowboring.com Dara Lind ( @DLind ), Immigration Reporter, ProPublica Andrew Prokop ( @awprokop ), Senior...

Audio is not supported in your browser Matt is joined by New York Times education reporter Dana Goldstein to talk about what Biden's American Families Plan will do to bolster and expand public education access in this country. They talk about the plan for universal preschool, free community college, and also talk about how the administration has been involved in pandemic-related school reopening decisions behind the scenes. Resources: "Schools Are Open, but Many Families Remain Hesitant to Return" by Dana Goldstein (New York Times, May 9) The Teacher Wars: A History of America's Most Embattled Profession by Dana Goldstein (Anchor; 2015) "Biden Directs Education Funding to Community Colleges, a Key Lifeline" by Stephanie Saul and Dana Goldstein (New York Times, Apr. 28) Learning in Public: Lessons for a Racially Divided America from My Daughter's School by Courtney E. Martin (Little, Brown; August 2021) Guest: Dana Goldstein ( @DanaGoldstein ), nat...

With so many people using CBD to manage their health conditions these days, it’s only natural that people are wondering if it’s safe to give to their children too. It’s safe to give CBD gummies to children, but there are a few things to keep in mind. These include the circumstances under which you’re using CBD, the dosage, and the type of CBD products you choose. Always speak with your child’s doctor before administering CBD — especially if they’re using any other medications or have underlying health issues. With that aside, let’s explore how people are using CBD with their children. Is It Safe for a Child to Take CBD Gummies? As long as the CBD product you’re using contains less than 0.3% THC, it’s legal under federal law and won’t produce any intoxicating effects — even in children. Some types of CBD products, such as alcohol-based tinctures, concentrates, capsules, and vapes, are not suitable for children to use. Best CBD Gummies For Kids (Top Brand Reviews of ...

Audio is not supported in your browser Matt and Dara are joined by Vox Politics and Policy Fellow Jerusalem Demsas to talk about homelessness, and the policies that have failed to even properly confront this problem. They talk about the decline of SRO housing, the progressives who seem to oppose any way to help out, and the 1951 sci-fi classic The Day the Earth Stood Still . Then, some research is discussed that takes a look at how Italian workers responded to a 2011 pension reform. Resources: "Iowa is making it harder to be a low-income renter" by Jerusalem Demsas (Vox, May 5) "Homeless Reflect on Life in a New York City Hotel Room, One Year Later" by Claudia Irizarry Aponte (The City, May 10) "The effort to recall California Gov. Gavin Newsom, explained" by Jerusalem Demsas (Vox, Apr. 26) White paper Hosts: Matt Yglesias ( @mattyglesias ), Slowboring.com Dara Lind ( @DLind ), Immigration Reporter, ProPublica Jerusalem Demsas ( @JerusalemDemsas ), Po...