Current consumers of cannabis are 50 percent less likely to suffer from metabolic syndrome as compared to those who have never used the substance, according to findings published online ahead of print in The American Journal of Medicine.

Metabolic syndrome is a group of risk factors, including high blood pressure, high blood sugar, unhealthy cholesterol levels, and abdominal fat, which are linked to increased risk of heart disease and/or type 2 diabetes, among other serious health consequences.

Big Ideas

In 2014, Kyle Sherman made a significant career decision: to delve into the world of cannabis. Leaving behind a successful advertising career in Los Angeles, the long-time entrepreneur relocated his family to Denver, Colorado, the spot to eat, sleep, and breathe the real-time culture of the industry he was passionate to learn more about.

During his time at a commercial grow-op, Sherman realized the technology used to manage cannabis grow-ops and dispensaries was lagging behind. Compliance issues in daily operations were costing time, energy, and dollars, which he found stifling.

Fourteen years ago, B.C. Marijuana Party candidate Joshua McKenzie ran in the staunchly conservative provincial riding of Fort Langley-Aldergrove. He spent a memorable all-candidates meeting answering every question with one sentence: “If government legalized and taxed marijuana, there would be plenty of money for health care, education and other priorities.” By the end of the meeting, people were chanting his answer along with him.

McKenzie only drew 674 votes, but the belief that legalizing and taxing marijuana could pay for everything has only grown since 2001. The examples south of the border, however, seem to suggest that the truth is very different.

The lineup is nearly full in this week's Cannabis Calendar, with pot anthropology to a mixer for single stoners and almost everything in between.

On Monday, November 16, All Times High Events and Rocky Mountain Singles are hosting a mixer at an undisclosed location for those that RSVP. For $10, you can enjoy live music, art and refreshments with other like-minded folks, and you'll even get a free gift basket on your way out. The mixer starts at 7 p.m., and you don't have to be single to attend. 21+

SAN DIEGO — Alicia Tucker’s hand rested on her oxygen tank as she listened to a representative from Altai – a company that produces marijuana edibles – talk up a gourmet display of pot-infused bon bons at PotLuck, a medical cannabis expo.

Five years ago, Tucker, a 43-year-old Temecula resident, would have scoffed at the idea of using medical marijuana. But that was before her genetic lung condition progressed to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, which makes her breathing difficult. 

Her treatment originally included steroids, steroids and more steroids, she said. At one point, she was on 19 medications. Then a friend suggested she explore marijuana as an option. 

Legalization of medical marijuana can't come soon enough for 8-year-old Lorelei Ulrich, who suffers hundreds of debilitating seizures each day due to epilepsy.

“We’re hoping that we get something passed and something passed soon because people are suffering,” said her mother, Middletown native Dana Ulrich.

To help gain advocates, a rally to support the legalization of medical marijuana hemp will be held in Bristol from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday in Lions Park along the borough waterfront, 148 Basin Park.

By Russ Belville

Ever since the popularization of marijuana in America, there has always been a concern from cannabis consumers that Big Tobacco would swoop in and create the “Marlboro of Marijuana”, full of additives. For the opponents of legalization of marijuana, “Big Marijuana” is the corporate bogeyman that adulterates cannabis to make it more addictive and markets it to kids.

So far, however, “Big Marijuana” looks like three pot-smoking musicians cashing in on their celebrity, and one private equity firm cashing in on another pot-smoking musician.

Minnesota has one of the most restrictive medical marijuana programs in the country. For starters, patients are not allowed to smoke medical marijuana – they can only eat it or vaporize it. Also, Minnesota does not allow home cultivation. Only two entities are allowed to grow medical marijuana in Minnesota. Minnesota has one of the smallest lists of qualifying conditions to become a medical marijuana patient out of states that have legalized medical marijuana. Below is the current list of qualifying conditions, per the Minnesota Department of Health:

A severely autistic teenager has inspired a major law change requiring school districts to allow minors under medical marijuana care to receive those treatments on school property. The law is a first in the nation.

“We didn’t think it would ever happen,” Lora Barbour, the mother of that teen —16-year-old Genny Barbour of Maple Shade, N.J., pictured above — told CBS Philly this week. “A godsend.”

With less than eight months before Washington medical-marijuana businesses must join the state-sanctioned market or shut down, retailers are jumping on the bandwagon, while manufacturers worry about being left behind.

The state Liquor and Cannabis Board said 962 applicants are seeking a retail license.

The question is how many licenses to hand out. That will depend on a soon-to-arrive report from consultants researching market demand for marijuana.

That leaves applicants like Tacoma Holistic Collective on Sixth Avenue waiting to learn if they will shut down or survive with tight requirements for security, packaging and tracing of their products. “I don’t mind jumping through some more hoops on the back end,” THC general manager Kevin Heiderich said.