News

Smoking marijuana more than once a week may lower men's sperm counts by about a third, according to a new study.

Researchers found that the men in the study who smoked marijuana more than once a week had sperm counts that were 29 percent lower, on average, than those who did not smoke marijuana, or used the drug less frequently.

The researchers thought that amount of reduction in sperm count "was quite a lot," said study author Tina Kold Jensen, of the University of Copenhagen in Denmark.

They also found that the sperm concentrations (which is measured slightly differently than sperm count) were 28 percent lower in the men who smoked marijuana more than once a week.

It is not clear why marijuana use may decrease a man's  sperm count and concentration, but it may have something to do with how THC — marijuana's psychoactive ingredient — interacts with certain receptors in the testes, the researchers said.

Read More:http://www.livescience.com/52015-marijuana-lowers-sperm-counts.html

I think that it is well known that Portland, Oregon is one of, if not the, most liberal city in America. Virtually everything is tolerated there, and in many ways Portland is a leader in marijuana culture and in the marijuana industry. The late great Jack Herer owned a headshop (which is still there and ran by his family) in Portland for a reason. With that being said, marijuana discrimination still occurs in Portland. Case in point is the refusal by a Portland media outlet to air a TV commercial for the upcoming Oregon Medical Marijuana Business Conference. Per Marijuana Politics:

Even after marijuana is legalized in a state, the fight for true equality continues. The fight can be personal, such as the unjust firing of a TV news anchor, or it can be on behalf of a business, or industry as a whole, like KATU in Portlandrefusing to air a commercial for the Oregon Medical Marijuana Business Conference (OMMBC). Portland is known as being one of the most cannabis-friendly cities in the world, so it comes as a great surprise to me that a marijuana commercial airs in Eugene and Medford after Portland TV rejects the ad. The OMMBC commercial is currently playing on KMTR in Eugene and KTVL in Medford, both network stations are playing the commercial during prime time, including the news.

A commercial for a cannabis vaporizer was supposed to air in Colorado, but was pulled at the last minute recently and some medical marijuana clinics, like Ashland Alternative Health, have advertised on television, but this is, I believe, the firstmarijuana business commercial to mention “recreational” marijuana on network television in Oregon, or anywhere in the country (if there are other “recreational” marijuana commercials airing on network television, please let me know in the comments). It is a shame that KATU, broadcasting in a progressive place like Portland, Oregon, would refuse to run the ad, especially when TV stations in Eugene and Medford were happy to air the commercial. 

Read More:http://www.theweedblog.com/marijuana-tv-commercial-airs-in-eugene-and-medford-after-portland-rejects-it/

Coffee and cannabis are the peanut butter and jelly of the drug world; they complement each other so well it’s unreal. But what makes them a match made in drug heaven? Does smoking marijuana while drinking coffee actually improve your high? There seems to be a relation to places with premium coffee also demanding top quality cannabis like Seattle and Portland—or it might be the rain, who knows. However, turns out there may be some science surrounding your brain, marijuana and coffee and how they all interact when being consumed at the same time.

Caffeine is the world’s most used drug to encourage brain activity and keep you alert. Caffeine doesn’t give you energy, but it does block receptors in your brain from receiving adenosine which is the chemical compound that causes your brain to relax and get sleepy. Because the chemical compound of caffeine is so similar to adenosine, this switch is seamless, but after 6 hours the effectiveness of coffee decreases by 50 percent.

Unlike many other intoxicants available (like alcohol), cannabis contains cannabinoids that are naturally produced in the brain. Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) also highly resembles anandamide, which is natural transmitter to the neurones in your brain. After a neuron fires, there is a break in the transmission of thought to not overwhelm the mind and keep you calm and controlled in thought. However, cannabis stops these breaks and allows the user to amplify their thoughts and imagination.

Read More:http://www.thestonerscookbook.com/article/2015/08/27/does-drinking-coffee-improve-your-high/

Supporters of an Illinois doctor who's in trouble for a marijuana recommendation say his case could have a chilling effect on other doctors' participation in the state's medical cannabis pilot program.

Dr. Joseph Starkman, 36, faces possible suspension or revocation of his license or multiple violations of the Medical Practice Act. Starkman finished his testimony Friday, said Stephanie Wolfson, an attorney for Starkman who was at the hearing.

State regulators allege Starkman misled a 79-year-old patient by issuing a bogus medical marijuana certification for a $250 fee. They claim Starkman told the patient he qualified for marijuana after learning the man had a previous diagnosis of glaucoma, but that Starkman didn't perform an eye exam himself.

"The Department will investigate complaints of illegal or unprofessional behavior by physicians, including those involved in the Medical Cannabis Pilot Program, and, if the evidence clearly demonstrates non-compliant actions, intends to discipline violators," said Terry Horstman, a spokesman for the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation.

Read More:http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/ct-marijuana-doctor-complaint-20150828-story.html

DENVER (AP) -- Talk about higher learning. A Colorado county may create the world's first public college scholarship program funded with marijuana money.

Pueblo County is considering a 5 percent excise tax on marijuana growers, with half the proceeds designated to a scholarship fund that boosters say would be the first of its kind.

County Commissioner Sal Pace, the sponsor of the tax measure, says it could produce a couple million dollars a year. The full commission will vote on his proposal next week, and if approved, voters would have to approve the excise tax in November before it would take effect.

"What the concept is, is to create the world's first college scholarships funded by marijuana growers," Pace said.

Fifty percent of the proposed excise tax would be divided among Pueblo County high school graduates who stay in the county for college.

Pace called his proposed pot scholarship a natural next step for marijuana legalization. The statewide pot-legalization measure specifically mentioned schools as a beneficiary of pot taxes.

"These are the type of promises folks expected when they approved" marijuana, Pace said.

Read More:http://www.hightimes.com/read/higher-learning-colorado-county-mulls-scholarship-pot-tax

I try to keep an open mind about things. I think that anyone who has ever met me will vouch for that claim, and will say that I’m an even-keeled, reasonable person who is open to new ideas (I don’t always participate, but at least I’m willing to listen). But something happened today that I just can’t understand. I have tried to approach the idea from every angle, and I still can’t arrive at how this came about. The ResponsibleOhio campaign has been using a mascot to promote its campaign. I think activist Sam Tracy described it best when he tweeted ’This is pretty much Duffman, for marijuana.’ Per Cleveland.Com:

Pro-marijuana group ResponsibleOhio introduced its new mascot to supporters this week, but its chosen face of marijuana legalization hasn’t been a hit with everyone.

Part Superman, part cannabis plant, “Buddie” has a green marijuana bud for a head, sports six-pack abs and wears a cape. On his chest: The letter B over a cannabis leaf and the state of Ohio.

ResponsibleOhio posted photos of the mascot to Facebook. Followers drew instant comparisons between Buddie and Joe Camel, the cigarette mascot that was retired to settle a lawsuit alleging R.J. Reynolds used the cartoon character to market to children.

Nick Lashutka, president of the Ohio Children’s Hospital Association, said he’s shocked that ResponsibleOhio appears to be marketing marijuana to kids before voters even see it on the ballot. Lashutka said it’s disappointing the group would choose a superhero character to represent a substance that has proven to be dangerous for children. 

Read More:http://www.theweedblog.com/buddie-the-marijuana-mascot-worst-idea-marijuana-politics/