The OLCC Is Dragging Its Feet on Recreational Licenses, and the Clock Is Ticking WHEN THE Oregon Liquor Control Commission (OLCC) was tasked with handling Oregon's adult use cannabis program-AKA the recreational weed sales that we have come to know and love-the news didn't send massive throngs out dancing in the streets. To say that Oregonians have a complex relationship with the OLCC is an understatement. Among the agency's new, cannabis-related responsibilities? Issuing all the recreational licenses in the state-be they for dispensaries, growers, processors, wholesalers, labs that test cannabis and cannabis products, and the makers of edibles. [continues 625 words]
A Plea for Descheduling Cannabis NOT LONG AGO, I wrote about the slight, slim chance that the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) would reschedule cannabis from Schedule I to Schedule II [Cannabuzz, July 6]. You remember what Schedule I is-it's the list of drugs defined as having "no currently accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse." Along with cannabis, some of the other drugs listed as Schedule I are heroin, LSD, ecstasy, peyote, and Quaaludes. Not exactly respectable company. [continues 689 words]
What to Read Before-and After-You Get High HELLO THERE! Do you enjoy reading? How about reading about cannabis? I ask because if you're reading this column (or if it's being read to you by a service monkey using typing-to-speech-recognition software), it seems like you might enjoy some books on cannabis. I certainly hope so, because this week's column is about four of them. You could get them all through Powell's or many local, independent booksellers. [continues 605 words]
You're Welcome IN THE PAST, I've written about how long I've been making super-strong cannabis-infused cookies [Cannabuzz, June 24, 2015], and how their strength has resulted in some serious mishaps [Cannabuzz, June 1, 2016]. For two decades, people have asked about my trade secret. But unless the person asking was an Oregon Medical Marijuana Program patient of mine, I've always politely sidestepped how I manage to make my cookies "so damn strong." But since I'm not planning on opening up an edibles company, I recently decided it was time to share what I know. Sadly for some of you, this involves the Great White Devil to most of the GOP... science. If facts and the like offend you, I suggest chalking up the how and why of that part to the magic of one J.H. Christ. [continues 560 words]
For One Whole Day IT WAS the mid '80s, and I was living in the jewel of Northern California: Sacramento, where the only culture was the agriculture. I was doing my time in high school, trying to sort out all the things that go on during those golden years, particularly trying to figure out what was "cool." And that included cannabis. I had already tried drinking. My first few forays involved beer-or, at least, some Mickey's Big Mouths, as this was still a long time before craft microbrews were a thing. Not long after, someone produced a bottle of tequila. My first time drinking it, I quite literally went blind in the city's only 24-hour doughnut shop, and then proceeded to vomit until the early hours of the next day in their tiny, filthy bathroom. [continues 607 words]
WHEN MEASURE 91 passed, I heard more than one prohibitionist sneer at the idea and ask, "What's next, legalizing all the other drugs?" And certainly there is a small, albeit growing, movement to decriminalize all drugs, and to treat the use of them more as a public health issue than a criminal one. But this being 'Murica, how would that work? What would it look like? Sweet Jesus, I'm glad you asked, because that's what this week's column is about. Welcome to... [continues 640 words]
Potfolio. Get It? POP QUIZ! Remember last week when we talked about how cool it was that banks are full-on supporters and cheerleaders for cannabis businesses? Trick question. Actually, last week I wrote about the exact opposite of that. It turns out that obtaining and keeping even a simple checking account is difficult beyond measure for legal cannabis enterprises. I didn't even touch on how impossible it is for a canna business to get funding from a traditional bank. It was sort of a bummer column, actually. [continues 645 words]
It's Still Impossible for Cannabis Businesses to Open Bank Accounts AT A RECENT cannabis event I went to, the crowd was made up of cannabis professionals: dispensary owners and staff, growers, edible makers, processors, and wholesalers. Among the speakers was the head of the Oregon Liquor Control Commission's (OLCC) cannabis program. During the Q&A, a grower brought up how that very week, his bank account had been shut down-the third time in the past year. "The bank said it's because I'm involved with cannabis," he said, "and I wanted to ask you a question: I pay my taxes and fees to the OLCC in cash, which I made growing and selling cannabis. I take it the OLCC has a bank account. Correct?" [continues 603 words]
Hold Your Horses, Rescheduling Weed Isn't Happening Just Yet HEY, YOU GUYS, did you hear? The federal government is about to make weed legal. No, for reals, I saw it on Facebook, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) is going to totally make it so doctors have to give it to you, for free! Thanks Obama! I'm gonna make my doctor give me an ounce next week! Before you start demanding that your podiatrist procure you some shatter, maybe we should do what Americans sort of suck at-taking a pause and examining what's really up. [continues 634 words]
Here's How a Component of Weed Helped Someone with Seizures THESE ARE DAYS when it's important to find some good news, to seek out stories that remind us of our fellow human's capacity for decency, compassion, and selflessness. So turn away from the darkness-just for a minute, it'll still be there if you start to miss it-and let's examine the light for a minute. At a recent cannabis event, I spoke with Jesse Peters, CEO of Eco Firma Farms. We talked about upcoming events, projects, and the ever-changing landscape of cannabis regulations. Peters is a friend-full disclosure-and I asked him if he was aware of anything that I may have missed that would make a good column. He paused for a second. [continues 589 words]
Not Everyone in the Cannabis World Is Chill "That's the thing about people who smoke weed," said a friend to me recently. "They are some of the most laid-back, easygoing people I've ever met." We were talking about how people who have just consumed cannabis behave compared to those who have consumed alcohol. And within the context of that particular comparison, I absolutely agreed. But recently, I've found the exact opposite to be true. And after conversations with others in the cannabis industry, I'm beginning to rethink my position. Because there is some truly fucked-up behavior going on, and it's not helping anyone. [continues 643 words]
Let's Twist Up a Fattie... of News! Halfway There!-What's round at both ends and high in the middle? Snoop Dogg standing between two medicine balls. Also, Ohio! Governor John "Welp, I Tried" Kasich signed a bill this month to legalize medical cannabis, making the Buckeye State the 25th state. It won't go into effect for 90 days, and when it does, it will have some restrictions: Although residents with a doctor's recommendation will be allowed to use cannabis, there will not be any (legal) licensed growers or dispensaries in the state until 2017 or 2018. [continues 561 words]
A Look at the Cannabis-Friendly North Fork 53 Homestead IN A FUTURE COLUMN, we'll take a closer look at the seemingly schizophrenic rules being issued by city and state agencies that are making it damn near impossible to find anyplace outside your home to consume cannabis. (Spoiler alert: It's not going to be a feel-good column.) But for now, let's talk about something that will be a feel-good experience, namely the multifaceted gem North Fork 53, just down the road a piece on Highway 53 by Manzanita. [continues 619 words]
It's Easy to Overdo Edibles. Here's Proof. RECREATIONAL CANNABIS EDIBLES are legal in Oregon starting June 2, which is great news. To be honest, I've actually been crafting them for recreational and medical use for more than 20 years. I often get asked, "Have you ever gotten too high on edibles?" And the answer is: Of course-regular readers will recognize impulse control isn't one of my strong points. The real question, though, is: "What's the worst experience someone's ever had from eating too many of your special cookies?" That's a long list from which to choose. [continues 667 words]
It's Easy to Forget About Anti-Weed Prohibitionists. Don't. AS WE APPROACH the one-year anniversary of recreational cannabis legalization in Oregon, it's easy to forget about the prohibitionist forces that aren't happy about it. This is a mistake, though-these opponents are spending massive amounts of time, money, and energy to roll back the progress that's been made. I've always struggled to understand who these prohibitionists are. I get that some religious people have a moral objection to cannabis and its use-which they've somehow extrapolated from that very popular book about the zombie miracle worker with a cool beverage party trick, who struggled with some serious daddy issues before being immortalized as a white Middle Easterner who looks like the Dude. [continues 611 words]
You Can't Overdose on Pot-But Don't Eat Too Much of It AS MY POT COLUMNIST colleague Vince Sliwoski pointed out in his Ask a Pot Lawyer column last week, early recreational sales for cannabis edibles, extracts, and topicals will begin in Oregon on June 2. The edibles must stay at a low dose of 15 milligrams or less, while edibles sold to medical patients won't have a THC limit, just like at present. Why the difference between recreational and medical users? [continues 660 words]
What Last Week's Investor Pitch Forum Was Like LET'S PRETEND that you're operating or want to start a cannabis business. Maybe you want to grow, make edibles or concentrates, start or expand a dispensary, or produce ancillary products like rolling papers and vaporizers. Where do you get the funding? You can't get approved for a standard bank account if you're involved in the weed industry. So unless you own a scary clown mask and starter pistol, or have a wealthy elderly relative with a serious heart condition, your options are limited. [continues 609 words]
Cannabis Helps with PTSD, and So Can You I'M A BIG SUPPORTER of allowing armed forces veterans access to cannabis-seeing as how I'm a huge wussy who wouldn't have made it through three hours of basic training, much less full-on combat. I have enough trouble fighting off a cold. Recently it seems hell may have frozen over, as the Drug Enforcement Administration has authorized a study to see how the use of smoking cannabis can treat post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). It's the first clinical study on PTSD to use cannabis in its raw, smokeable form. [continues 592 words]
WHO LIKES POT NEWS? We like pot news! Come get some pot news before it gets cold... DEA to Reschedule Cannabis... Maybe-Do you need another reason to love Elizabeth Warren? Okay, here's one. Because of a letter the Massachusetts senator wrote in July 2015 asking the government to "facilitate scientific research on the potential health benefits of marijuana"-which was signed by not one but two Oregon senators, Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden-the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has announced they will decide by July if they plan to reschedule cannabis. The government has five different designated categories, or schedules, of drugs, and cannabis has always been listed as a Schedule I drug along with heroin and LSD, all of which are considered as having "no currently accepted medical use" and a "high potential for abuse." This current designation for weed has about as much credibility as a 1981 Afterschool Special called Timmy Shot Up Some Marijuana, Turned Gay, and Died. [continues 596 words]
Some Very, Very Stupid Ideas I HAVE BRUISES on my face this week. (No, not from Fight Club, which I really shouldn't even be talking about.) These bruises are from slapping my forehead repeatedly as I read what's up in the world of weed. Much as I have trouble comprehending anyone voting for a micro-fingered, angry tangerine wigman, I cannot grasp the logic behind some of the proposals that are happening in Colorado. In the Centennial State, a (surprise!) Republican state representative has proposed a ballot initiative and amendment to a bill that would limit potency of "marijuana and marijuana products" to 15 or 16 percent. As a frame of reference, a Colorado Department of Revenue study states that the average potency for flower is 17.1 percent THC, and 62.1 percent for extracts. [continues 575 words]
