Recreational

MONTEVIDEO Uruguay's three-year process of legalizing recreational cannabis consumption reached its final stage on Thursday, when the government said it would authorize pharmacies to begin selling the substance as of July. Sixteen pharmacies have registered with the government of the tiny South American country to be able to sell marijuana for recreational purposes. That number is expected to increase to 30 in the coming months, said Juan Roballo, head of the National Drug Board. Uruguay became a global pioneer when it legalized the cultivation, distribution and consumption of marijuana in late 2013.

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So you are a recreational cannabis consumer.

(HealthDay)—There has been an alarming increase in young Americans' exposure to marijuana ads as more states legalize the drug, a new study contends.

Recreational and/or medicinal use of marijuana is now legal in more than half of U.S. states, researchers from Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis said.
"Advertising can be powerful," said study first author Melissa Krauss, a research statistician in the department of psychiatry. "That's why we're concerned that so many young adults are seeing ads for marijuana.

Opponents of marijuana legalization have long argued that it will only lead to increased use in teens, but a new study has proven that to be wrong.

The latest Washington State Healthy Youth Survey found that the 2016 rate of teen marijuana use has remained steady since the state voted to legalize the substance in 2012, reports the Washington Post.
The state-run survey of 37,000 middle and high school students found no measurable effect on the rate of teen marijuana use, either from the state’s 2012 decision to legalize recreational use, nor the 2014 implementation of retail dispensaries.

(HealthDay)—Cupcakes, brownies and candies containing marijuana can look irresistible to kids—but eating even one treat might poison them, a leading group of U.S. pediatricians warns.

With marijuana legal in recreational or medicinal form in more than half of U.S. states, edible forms are a popular alternative to smoking pot. But, parents must take steps to keep these potential temptations away from their children, says the American Academy of Pediatrics.
A single pot cookie or candy bar can contain several times the recommended adult dose of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the psychoactive ingredient in marijuana.

As soon as cannabis enthusiasts learned how to smoke with the help of glass paraphernalia, glass art was born. Even more so than wood, acrylic or other materials, glass has caught the attention of seasoned cannabis smokers. Nowadays, there seems to be increased interest around the topic … and not only from cannabis users! Glass, the favourite child of the stoner family Consuming cannabis by way of combustion is one of the most common methods used by recreational users.

Using marijuana raises the risk of stroke and heart failure even after accounting for demographic factors, other health conditions and lifestyle risk factors such as smoking and alcohol use, according to research scheduled for presentation at the American College of Cardiology's 66th Annual Scientific Session.

Coming at a time when marijuana, medically known as cannabis, is on track to become legal for medical or recreational use in more than half of U.S. states, this study sheds new light on how the drug affects cardiovascular health.

The second largest city in the United States is officially set to become the largest in the world with a regulated cannabis market, as Los Angeles voters passed Measure M yesterday in a crushing victory.
More than 242,000 Los Angeles residents showed up to the polls to cast their ballots yesterday, and Measure M was approved by 79.36% of voters, according to the L.A. Times.

Measure M will allow the City of Los Angeles to issue licenses to marijuana businesses for the first time.

Four states legalized recreational marijuana in November, nearly doubling the number of states where recreational pot is legal.

Australia's first medical marijuana farm received its growers' licence Wednesday, opening up domestic production of the drug for people seeking relief from serious illnesses.


The Cann Group, who last month received a cannabis research license, was awarded the cultivation permit after a "rigorous on-site security assessment".
"This major development will lead to improved access to domestically produced medicinal cannabis products for Australian patients," said Health Minister Greg Hunt.
"We are now making it easier to access medicinal cannabis products more rapidly, while still maintaining strict safeguards for individual and community safety," he added, with more licences expected