Heart Attacks & Hemp D9 Domination
Plus: Multipurpose accessories.
Tuesday, March 5, 2024
Time to read: About 6 minutes. Contains 1,248 words.
Good morning!
We’re getting caught up on a bunch of big headlines this week. I’m working on a couple different Friday dispatches right now—however the week shakes out, you’ll see fresh Bits in your inbox this Friday.
One last BIG reminder to pre-order your copy of Green Scenes, the first-ever guide to cannabis destinations in legal states! This is my first time working with a big international publisher, I honestly don’t even know the total number of copies they ended up printing, make sure you get a copy by ordering now. Copies will ship out a week from today! 🥹
If you’re a retailer interested in wholesale, let me know.
One-Hitters: Cannabis News at a Glance
A new fear emerges connecting cannabis and cardiac issues. The latest fearmongering headline involving cannabis to make the rounds: weed leads to heart attacks. I’m familiar with the fact that THC is a vasodilator—a substance that increases blood flow and decreases blood pressure, like alchohol does at intoxicating levels—so I can buy that it can play a role with higher risk individuals, but upon closer examination of the studies referenced, I wonder how much of this is cherry-picked clickbait. The New York Times, for example, cited an analysis of self-reported survey answers spanning 2016–2020 as its primary source. This amalgamation of surveys includes responses from 434,104 people in 27 US states and 2 territories, only 4% of which reported daily cannabis use. (I have a hard time imagining folks living in states where cannabis is still illegal answering honestly when contacted via phone in a seemingly formal capacity, which casts some doubt on these numbers). The researchers suggested daily use “raised the chance of a heart attack by 25% and of a stroke by 42%.”
There’s more. The NYT article also points out that among daily cannabis users “who never smoked tobacco,” the risk of a heart attack and stroke “nearly doubled.” Sorry, what? People who smoked tobacco and weed had lower heart attack risks than those who only smoked weed? I’m confused by this, and although I acknowledge there are newly emerging health risks related to cannabis that we need to accept and adapt to, I’m skeptical of recent stories like this one being more inspired by a trending backlash reacting to cannabis normalization than clear assessments of scientific facts. So, I’m bringing neuroscientist Dr. Adie Rae back into the ring for an upcoming dispatch about this cardiovascular question, plus a breakdown of the science behind cannabis-induced psychosis, suggested links to schizophrenia, and all of the other scary headlines swirling right now.
Hemp-derived Delta 9 just keeps growing, despite bans. Perhaps the greatest testament to “hemp-derived” Delta-9 THC’s unstoppable momentum: Even in states like Washington and Massachusetts where products made with hemp-derived D9 is specifically banned, it remains widely available. The same goes for states like Arkansas and Connecticut where “synthetic cannabinoids” are banned. Cannabis Business Times wrote a helpful breakdown of how different states are approaching hemp-derived THC regulations and a few new ideas on the docket.
A real crackdown on illicit operators in New York? Governor Kathy Hochul is done messing around with polite cease-and-desists and fines to stop unlicensed dispensaries in New York. She’s ready to start padlocking doors.
The white couple behind multiple state’s social equity license holdups. In some fantastic reporting by MJBiz, one white couple has been revealed to be a common factor in lawsuits challenging social equity programs in multiple states, including New York. Jeffrey and Justyna Jensen were rejected when they applied for a license in their current hometown of Pasadena, California, in 2019, and since then, they’ve filed suits over residency requirements violating the constitution’s Commerce Clause in California, New York, Washington state, and Maryland, causing costly and prohibitive delays. Those who have been following along as this issue held up New York’s rollout may remember the name Variscite NY One, the plaintiff in the suit who was denied a license because the 51% owner Kenneth Gay did not have a cannabis conviction in New York. Jeffrey Jensen is the other 49%.
NYT misses the mark covering the CBD dip. On the other end of the well-researched spectrum: this NYT story on the stall-out of the CBD industry makes no mention of the impact of the hemp-derived Delta 8/9, which, in my eyes, is responsible for stealing at least half of the air from the CBD scene’s sails. It does remind me of this past dispatch, though, where we pointed out the fact that hemp-derived Delta 8 and CBD are not interchangeable experiences. Regardless, I think a lot of the initial CBD consumers are either using hemp-derived Delta products or have moved on to the non-intoxicating nootropic tip.
Thailand’s over it. If you’ve been planning to get high in Thailand, better book your trip this year. Officials are well on the way to repealing legalization by year’s end.
California regulators' new statewide database lacks….data. One quick, easy way to help direct California cannabis consumers to the legal dispensaries nearest them—have up-to-date maps! Hirsh Jain, founder of Ananda Strategy, penned an illuminating op-ed for Marijuana Moment after a deep review of the Department of Cannabis Control’s new set of “interactive dashboards.” The belated delivery of a place to find basic, regularly updated data on the state’s cannabis market isn’t quite there yet. In one example, the Find Retailers Near Me tool indicates there are only nine dispensaries open in the city of San Jose, when there are 14 open today. It shows five licensed shops operating in Tracy when there are actually only two. What Jain is most disturbed by, though, is how the data shows the state’s legal market is smaller than commonly repeated estimates, and shrinking.
A new intergalactic smoke-friendly space in Michigan. A new space-themed consumption lounge opened in Kalamazoo, Michigan. Only Alien is the first location in the state to open a Class A microgrow with an attached lounge.
High Finds: Multitasking Tools
Grinder + Jar. Honest’s new grinder features a glass bottom and a silicone seal, offering a great short-term storage solution for freshly ground buds. I also like how easy the silicone connector is on my hands—a simple pull on or off, no twisting required. The brand’s two-in-one joint case + lighter merits mention here, too.
Matchbook Holder + Portable Mirror. I missed whenever Edie Parker dropped this matchbook mirror keychain. I love how it’s a mini, modern, Weed Gal spin on the compact mirror.
Scented Candle + Smoke Concealer. I know—most of us use scented candles to cover our seshes up from the detection of nosy neighbors. These Zero Two Four candles are actually developed by a woman who worked in Big Fragrance for years, who understands the science behind “odor-removing” products, and who put that experience into this smoke-dispelling formula. These also just smell really good.
Poker + Ashtray. A debowling ashtray is nothing new, but Heir deconstructed the concept to be a whole lot more. There is a detachable poker that can be added to the built-in poker for extra length or used to help roll a cone for a joint. When not in use, it fits into the top of the cover for the ashtray.
Statement Purse + Travel Stash. I’m not going to say it’s the most practical way to travel with goods, but there’s no question that this see-through inflatable bag with a refillable storage container by Theodore Musa is doing the most.
Your news + trend dealer,
Lauren Yoshiko