CBD for Health and Wellness: Spotlight on Kannaway

Posted on by The Queen of Clovers

Hemp-derived CBD products are growing in popularity, from cannabis-derived non-psychoactive oils and nutritional supplements to pain relief and refreshing beauty routines. Kannaway is one company leading the industry with their revolutionary new products. We asked Blake Schroeder, CEO of Kannaway, about his thoughts on CBD, hemp and cannabis. From Kannaway products qualifying for world anti-doping standards, to helping him get a good night’s sleep, read on for Blake’s insight. Continue reading CBD for Health and Wellness: Spotlight on Kannaway

A Hazy Halloween: 9 Best Horror Movies for Stoners

Posted on by The Queen of Clovers

It’s Halloween, and that means it’s time to get high AF and enjoy some great scary movies. The weed will enhance your senses, making the horror genre extra spooky and satisfying. Here are nine of our favorites that we recommend you watch right now. Continue reading A Hazy Halloween: 9 Best Horror Movies for Stoners

THC Legal Group: Slaying Stigmatization & Protecting Cannabis Business

Posted on by The Queen of Clovers

“Personally, I don’t use cannabis, but I think it is absolutely critical that people who do choose to enjoy the plant are permitted to do so…The cannabis industry is exploding with passion and excitement and we love helping these amazing entrepreneurs fulfill their dreams.”

The cannabis industry (both medical and recreational) has many proponents, both avid cannabis users and those who abstain. We hear a lot from our fellow weed smokers, but we don’t often get to connect with those who are actively supporting and forwarding the industry, and don’t choose to use cannabis personally. Howard Cohn, Managing Partner of THC Legal Group is a non-cannabis user who is still passionate about supporting the budding industry; his practice represents marijuana startups and specializes in intellectual property protection. Read on to find out what he had to say.

What is your name and title?

Howard Cohn, Managing Partner of THC Legal Group

howward-m-cohn.jpeg

How did you get started practicing cannabis law?

I have been a registered patent attorney for over 35 years and during the course of my career, I have worked with some truly amazing and innovative companies.  While cannabis has been legal in some form or another in various states for the last couple of decades, only recently has it made its way to the forefront of the Startup community.  As a law firm specializing in startup law and intellectual property protection, we have been increasingly contacted by new cannabis businesses seeking our counsel.  We are thrilled and honored to be a part of the cannabis journey for so many brilliant and passionate young companies.

What states do you practice in, and what is a brief overview of the cannabis laws there?

As a registered Patent attorney, I have a license from the United States Trademark and Patent Office (USPTO) to draft and prosecute patent applications anywhere in the country.  Additionally, I am licensed to practice “traditional” law in several other states throughout the nation.  Our headquarters is in Cleveland, Ohio, an incredibly exciting place to be for anyone involved in the cannabis industry.   As of September 8, 2016, House Bill 523 was put into effect and officially legalized medical marijuana in Ohio.  The mechanics involved in applying for and acquiring a dispensary license has not been fully issued but hopefully, Ohio’s cannabis market will be operational by the first quarter of 2018.

Why are you representing the cannabis industry?

Principally, our interest in the cannabis industry stems from two separate imperatives.  The first is a deep-seated concern with excessive government intrusion in the private lives of its citizens.  As a schedule 1 drug under the Controlled Substance Act (CSA), cannabis is considered to be an exceptionally harmful substance with zero medicinal benefit.  Yes, it was as shocking for me to write that sentence as it was for you to read it.  We want to see the government remove itself, as much as is reasonably possible, from the private lives of its citizens. Cannabis criminalization is a paradigmatic example of the sort of government interference that we find intolerable.

Second, as a legal group specializing in intellectual property protection, we are obsessed with working with people that are innovators and visionaries.  The cannabis industry is exploding with passion and excitement and we love helping these amazing entrepreneurs fulfill their dreams.

Why do you think it’s important for cannabis companies to have adequate legal representation?

Like any business, cannabis companies must take any and all steps available to protect their economic interests. Given the novel and unique nature of cannabis law, it is imperative that cannabis companies work with attorneys who are specialists in this field.

What would you say is the best way for businesses in the cannabis industry to protect their intellectual property?

Fundamentally, intellectual property covers ideas, inventions and other creative productions of the mind.  Depending on the nature of the idea, different avenues of intellectual property protection are required. Cannabis companies should work to protect their branding materials (logo, names, taglines) with trademarks (if and when possible) and novel inventions with patents.

Have you ran into any big hurdles regarding current cannabis laws?

Cannabis’s status as a Schedule 1 Drug under the Controlled Substance Act (CSA) has created massive difficulties in a number of regulatory sectors for businesses in the industry.  For our purposes, trademarks have been particularly burdened by their CSA classification and have proven to be challenging to acquire.  Under trademark law, an individual/company cannot acquire a trademark on a good that cannot be legally sold in commerce.  Of course, as an illegal substance, cannabis cannot legally be sold in commerce (at least at a federal level) and we must therefore develop creative and dynamic solutions to help companies acquire trademark rights.

If you can share, what is the most interesting case you’ve had?

To a large extent, the cannabis industry is so fascinating because of the people who have engineered and driven it.  I will not get into too much detail but a client of ours had a particularly brilliant idea involving an agricultural tool to expedite the growing process of the cannabis plant. This client had a tremendous amount of experience in growing other vegetation, which he was able to call upon to develop a unique system specifically tailored to cannabis.  We wish him a great deal of success.

What makes you passionate about cannabis?

TT.IG.Meme.THCLegalGroup.10.14.2016.png

Personally, I don’t use cannabis but as I alluded to earlier, I think it is absolutely critical that people who do choose to enjoy the plant are permitted to do so.  Cannabis has tremendous heeling properties, both physical and mental, and I am supremely excited to be a part of an industry that has helped so many people in so many different ways.

Have you encountered canna-bias in the workplace or your personal life, and what steps have you taken to overcome it?

While I have certainly received a few raised eyebrows when people learn about our firm’s specialty in cannabis law, the overwhelming amount of feedback we’ve received has been positive.  Fortunately, the stigma of the lazy and inept stoner has been replaced with an appreciation for the very real and material industrial benefits the cannabis business has for individuals and States alike.

Where do you see the cannabis industry headed in the future?

It is difficult to know with certainty when cannabis will be fully recreationally legal but there is no doubt that its legalization is inevitable.  In the meantime, we expect to see an increasing number of states legalize cannabis, either medicinally or hopefully, recreationally.

Is there anything else you would like to share?

We are often asked by our clients to supply them with a good counterargument to critics of cannabis legalization.  It is crucial for both advocates and dissidents alike to remember that the key question is not whether or not one personally chooses to use cannabis, but rather as a matter of public policy; do we really want to throw people in jail for their choice to enjoy this gift from mother earth?

Photo: Toke Tank; Howard’s headshot provided by THC Legal Group

Hooray for Hemp: Spreading Awareness through Cannabis Activist Clothing

Posted on by The Queen of Clovers

“[Cannabis] has been a helpful assistant, a critical thought-provoker and the creative catalyst to my life’s work.”

Have you ever worn a hemp t-shirt? They’re soft, comfy and more environmentally friendly to create; Cannabis Activist Clothing is one company providing kickass style while also spreading a positive, pro-cannabis message. They’re running a Kickstarter campaign to launch their products and gain more widespread awareness of cannabis activism and the benefits of hemp as a superior material. Read on for Dustin Kay, Co-Founder of Cannabis Activist Clothing’s insight into how hemp can change the future.

What is your name and title?

Dustin Kay, Co-Founder of Cannabis Activist Clothing

cac-ks-frame-grab-4

What sets Cannabis Activist Clothing apart from its competitors?

Cannabis Activist Clothing stylishly supports and brings attention to the benefits of cannabis/hemp without gimmicks. Cannabis Activist® is hemp activism in comfort and fashion. We outfit the cannabis enthusiast with fashionable ways to support and spread awareness of the superior resources of cannabis/hemp.

How / Why did you get into the cannabis clothing industry?

The idea for Cannabis Activist Clothing came to me after realizing the prohibition of cannabis is far more harmful than the resource itself. Despite its multitudes of ecological, economical and public benefits, there is still stigma surrounding cannabis brought about by almost a century of “reefer madness” propaganda. This disadvantaging stigma can only be broken by awareness. I created Cannabis Activist Clothing to be fashionable and comfortable styles of supporting and bringing attention to the safe, sustainable solutions of cannabis/hemp.

What makes hemp a better clothing material?

Hemp fiber creates very luxurious fabrics and has been developed into high quality materials such as fleece, twill, stretch knits and even silk. Our hemp blends have a look and feel unlike any typically used clothing fiber. Hemp fiber is soft and porous which retains color exceptionally well while maintaining a good look and cushy feel for a long time. It has been said that hemp doesn’t wear out, it wears in, providing a soft touch and comfortable look outlasting many other commonly used fibers by years.

How does your company support cannabis/hemp legalization?

Cannabis Activist strives to provide cannabis/hemp supporters with an easy and effective way to support hemp and spread awareness of cannabis in fashion. Cannabis Activist Clothing is a cannabis conversation starter which stylishly helps enlighten others to the safe, sustainable solutions of cannabis/hemp. Public awareness of the truth about cannabis/hemp is the key to legalization. Cannabis Activist Clothing spreads the cannabis message in style.

What challenges do you face being located in Utah, a state where cannabis is still illegal?

Being located in Utah has been challenging, yet one of the driving forces of my cannabis clothing campaign. The Utah public’s lack of awareness to the benefits of cannabis is staggering in this area, despite being neighbors with Colorado, however, there are a plethora of passionate and knowledgeable cannabis activists in this state. Whether I wear Cannabis Activist in Utah or elsewhere, I can always expect happy smiles and head nods from kids passing by on the sidewalk, or a friendly cannabis chat with the older couple in the grocery line. Cannabis Activist Clothing seems to have universal appeal even in the most conservative states I’ve been to.

How do you ensure that your products are the best they can be?

I have been involved with many respectable and reputable hemp material suppliers for over a decade now. Our hemp fabrics are the finest in the industry. Our clothing is cut-and-sewn, tagged and dyed in the same factories major label apparel is made. I’ve also been a professional designer, screen printer and embroidery specialist in the Northern Utah area for over 15 years. I work with a phenomenal screen printing and embroidery company based in Ogden, Utah where I can personally oversee the printing, embroidery, quality and shipping of Cannabis Activist Clothing. We have a high quality policy we intend to continue.

Do you enjoy using cannabis? If so, what is your favorite strain?

I’ve very much enjoyed using cannabis over the years. Mr. Nice Guy and a strain called Huckleberry I picked up in Nor Cal years ago have been my all-time favorites. I like many kinds, but those two strains and I are rather fond of one another. I prefer kush over haze any day but I don’t discriminate!

What can we do as citizens to help support legalization?

I believe, as citizens, the key to supporting legalization is awareness. Spreading public awareness of the vast benefits of cannabis/hemp, being active in the movement and voting is the way toward liberation. When we educate others to the truth of cannabis and stand up united, there’s nothing we can’t accomplish. Cannabis Activist Clothing is also a stylish and effective way to be active in educating others and supporting cannabis legalization.

tt-quote-cac-10-18-2016

How has cannabis helped define who you are?

Cannabis has been part of my life for over two decades. It has been a helpful assistant, a critical thought-provoker and the creative catalyst to my life’s work. I whole heartedly believe cannabis has played a big part in defining me as an American and the freedom we stand for. It’s been the reason I’ve met some of my favorite people and the cannabis activists who inspired me to design this clothing line. It enhances my sense of compassion for others and the planet, and is an effective medicine for many ailments without harsh side effects. I’ve witnessed first-hand the medicinal powers of cannabis remarkably alleviate a child’s chronic seizures and an old man’s rheumatoid arthritis. Cannabis deserves the credit for the passionate cannabis activist that I am and will continue to be.

What products are you about to release?

Following the success of our Kickstarter funding campaign, we will be producing a new hemp hoodie line, a beautiful hemp sundress line, along with men’s T’s, ladies T’s & V’s, tank tops, hats, long sleeves and tote bags all made with our high-quality hemp materials.

What year would you guess marijuana will be federally legalized in the United States?

I would guess that marijuana will be federally legalized in the United States in approximately 8 years, granted we eventually elect a commander-and-chief smart enough economically and ecologically to support it. I recent read an article on Toke Tank explaining polls are showing a growing majority, well above 50% of Americans are in support of ending marijuana prohibition. If we don’t get a commander-in-chief in office who can influence and accommodate that demand, these politicians obviously aren’t working for the people.

What are you working on next?

After we fulfill our backer’s rewards following the success of our Kickstarter funding campaign, we plan to design new Big & Tall hemp clothing, new hemp jeans & cargos and launch a reusable hemp shopping bag campaign to help eliminate the pollution caused by plastic grocery bags.

cac-campaign-5

Is there anything else you would like to share?

When you make a pledge to the Cannabis Activist Clothing Kickstarter campaign, even if it’s just $1, you are helping create a highly fashionable hemp clothing line that will stylishly support and spread awareness of the safe, sustainable and renewable resources of cannabis/hemp. I leave it to you, the Cannabis Activists, to help us grow organically by liking, sharing and pledging to Cannabis Activist Clothing, and Be Heard Without Saying a Word.

Like Dustin, we at Toke Tank owe our passion, drive and cannabis activism to love of the plant itself. Hemp has the power to change the future. It is durable, renewable and environmentally sustainable; the plants mature to a full harvest within 120 days and don’t require harmful pesticides or dangerous fertilizers.

Check out more details about the benefits of hemp here.  To learn more about Cannabis Activist Clothing, click here.

Photos: Cannabis Activist Clothing, Toke Tank

 

New Report: 57% of Americans Support MJ Legalization

Posted on by The Queen of Clovers

The issue of marijuana in the polls is heating up; three states (Arizona, California and Maine) — have already started voting on initiatives aiming to regulate and tax marijuana for adult use; Massachusetts and Nevada voters are weighing in on similar proposals this week. Continue reading New Report: 57% of Americans Support MJ Legalization

Bold, Bright & Beautiful – Achieving Perfection with Hemp-Based Beauty Products

Posted on by The Queen of Clovers

These products leave you feeling radiant and ravishing, bold and bright, beautiful and confident.

As firm believers in marijuana’s ability to change the world, and improve an individual’s lifestyle, we are always open to trying exciting new cannabis and hemp-based products. Before dismissing or embracing the idea of CBD, cannabis and hemp’s benefits for the body, we wanted to try them out for ourselves. Based on our own real-life product trials, we hunted down the seven best, most effective products to make your skin and body appear bold, bright, beautiful and ageless; read on to check them out.

Note: We are not doctors, and our product recommendations should not be taken as medical advice. Please seek the advice of a doctor before beginning a new regimen or if you have questions. We received several complimentary products in exchange for these mentions, but did not receive monetary compensation. All opinions are our own and are based on real-life trials of these products. You may have a different experience.

7 Best Hemp-Based Beauty Products

  1. Cannabis Beauty Defined by Kannaway

    OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

A great luxury product that’s rich in hemp-derived CBD, the Cannabis Beauty Defined line has rightfully earned its place as a top-shelf regimen. Perfect for the cannabis enthusiast who is hip on the latest products, a full set contains:

  • Cleanser: Start with deep cleansing, which draws dirt, makeup and dead skin from your face. It helps your skin feel nourished, hydrated and loved.
  • Exfoliant: Designed to polish, balance and bring impurities from your pores, the exfoliant helps your face shine and appear more youthful.
  • Toner: Alcohol-free and restorative, the toner freshens and tightens your pores and enlivens them with a blend of hemp oil, goji berry, ginseng and angelica.
  • Serum: A blend of licorice root, green tea and dragon’s blood, the serum encourages natural functioning and soft, supple skin.
  • Moisturizer: For intensive moisture and anti-aging defenses, the moisturizer is the final luxurious step of Cannabis Beauty Defined’s facial beauty routine.
  • Detox Soak: An uplifting botanical blend or herbs and hemp oil, the Detox Soak provides relief and refreshment at the end of a long day, or as a jumpstart to your morning.
  • Salve: Featuring hemp oil and East Asian botanicals and great for exercise rescue and pain management, the Cannabis Beauty Defined Salve is smooth, hydrating and moisturizing.
  • CBD Capsules: Beauty is both inside and out; nourish your face and skin with the above skincare line, and encourage good internal health with these Defined CBD capsules. A blend of sustainable hemp oil and Cannabis Beauty Defined’s bi-bong formula, these will help you feel revitalized.

After consistently trying the Cannabis Beauty Defined facial regimen for many weeks straight, I am ready to shout out from the rooftops that hemp-based beauty products are the most amazing thing I’ve ever put on my skin. It’s not just how good it felt to use, it’s how good it made me feel and how wonderful it made my skin appear. After an initial breakout during the first week, (which is normal due to the deep exfoliation’s power to pull dirt, debris and bad stuff out of your pores), I began to notice my face begin to glow, light up and look more alert, youthful and free. In addition to this new radiant complexation, I began to feel my energy and confidence raise as well.

Learn more about Cannabis Beauty Defined here.

  1. CBD Lotion and Body Butter by MüV

    OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

One of the essential benefits of hemp-derived CBD lotions is topical pain relief. For those wishing to feel the benefits of cannabis without the high, products like CBD Lotion and Body Butter by MüV are a must-have. MüV uses a science-based approach to improve people’s quality of life and movement; the products we swear by for sports injuries, chronic pain and strain and exercise muscle rescue are:

  • CBD Hydrating Lotion: Enriched with shea butter, safflower, hemp oil and rose hip oil, this rosemary mint scented lotion provides immediate pain management and helps improve your body’s range of movement after a brisk workout, solving chronic pain or even when lounging around the house. It helps soothe your skin while leaving it smooth and shiny.
  • CBD Body Butter: A delightful grapefruit-orange scent, this body butter is powerful and pleasant. It smells a bit like delicious ice cream and provides several hours of wonderful CBD relief. It takes effect almost immediately and powerfully attacks lingering soreness. It isn’t greasy like many body butters, and instead is refreshing and hydrating.

Learn more about MüV here.

  1. Itch-A-Way by Belize Hemp

    OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

A product discovered personally while traveling in Belize, Itch-A-Way by Belize Hemp is a product that we’d swear by for life. It’s a beach, jungle and mountain tested skincare formula designed to stop itching, rashes and so very much more. Created from pure hemp seed oil, this product is the first thing we turn to whenever we get a bug bite, have a sunburn or need to heal our skin in any way (I first discovered it to remove the pain and itching from jungle fire ant bites!)

It’s even safe for kids and pets, and perfect for hot spots, skin impurities, tanning, massage, dandruff, fungal infections, chapped lips, acne and even athlete’s foot.  You can even ingest it in small quantities.

Learn more about Itch-A-Way by Belize Hemp here.

  1. Rev!ve Pro X by Kannaway

    OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

A liquid CBD hemp oil that guarantees no exposure to THC, the compound that gets you high, Rev!ve Pro X by Kannaway is something that can be enjoyed and used for health without the fear of failing a drug test. Derived from coconut and sustainable palm oils, it’s “an excellent daily source of CBD, essential vitamins, minerals, fatty acids, fiber and protein, terpenes, flavonoids and other trace cannabinoids.”

Kannaway believes that ingesting 50mg of CBD per day can have an amazing impact on our health and wellness. Since we don’t have regular access to cannabinoids via our food sources to feed our bodies’ natural endocannabinoid system, we can feel lethargic, tired and depressed. Try Rev!ve Pro X in your morning smoothie, with dessert or to improve a hangover after a night of drinking.

Find out more about Rev!ve Pro X here.

  1. Ultra Moisturizing Herbal Lip Balm by Hempz

    OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

Made with 100% pure natural hemp seed oil (and picked up at Seattle HEMPFEST), the Ultra Moisturizing Herbal Lip Balm by Hempz is a go-to product for those seeking ultimate hydration with all-natural benefits. Why does your lip balm need to contain hemp oil?

According to Hempz, “Hemp Seed Oil is rich in Vitamin E, C, B1, B2, B3 and B6, which is ideal for maintaining healthy, younger-looking skin and hair.” Using hemp also is more environmentally-friendly, since the plants mature to a full harvest within 120 days and don’t require harmful pesticides or dangerous fertilizers. It’s a great pick for those wanting to live a cannabis-centric, eco-conscious lifestyle.

Learn more about Hempz here.

  1. Kannactiv by Kannaway

    OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

Health, wellness and eco-conscious shoppers should seek out companies who truly believe in quality and sustainability both inside and out. Kannaway is one of those companies; its Kannactiv skincare line is free of parabens, synthetic dyes / fragrances, phthalates, petrochemicals and sulfates. It centers around three steps:

  • Activate – a gentle scrub to wipe away dirt, excess oil and dry, dead skin cells
  • Balance – a nutrient-rich, alcohol-free toner with natural astringent and pH balancing properties that deeply cleanses the pores without excessive drying of the skin
  • Clarify – a light moisturizer that hydrates and protects skin cells to function at their optimal level giving you healthy, radiant looking skin

Each bottle is labeled with directions and the letters A, B or C. This helps you remember which products to use in which order. A little goes a long way; we recommend using it sparingly, as the amount specified for use in the directions for cleansing, exfoliating and moisturizing proved to be way too much. The results of the Kannactiv routine were incredible! It not only makes the skin appear more soft, supple and ageless, but it provides a silky smooth shine. Confidence radiates from inside out and you will feel more beautiful than ever before.

Check out details about Kannactiv here.

  1. Hemp Seed Hand & Body Lotion by Earthly Body

    OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

A quick absorbing lotion perfect for refreshing dry hands, Hemp Seed Hand & Body Lotion by Earthly Body is a great non-greasy hemp-based option. Leaves your skin feeling radiant and ravishing, bold and bright, beautiful and confident.

Check out Hemp Seed Hand & Body Lotion by Earthly Body here.

Beauty comes from within; sustainable hemp and CBD products naturally nourish your body both inside and out to make you look and feel radiant, ageless and elegant. What are your favorite hemp-based beauty products?

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

 

Photos: Toke Tank

Finding Your Purpose with Puffco’s Roger Volodarsky

Posted on by The Queen of Clovers

It’s like living the dream.

The best business people know that incorporating feedback into new projects can make your products even better than before. Roger Volodarsky, CEO of Puffco, contributes his entrepreneurial success to being a cannabis fan first, and an entrepreneur second. By targeting cannabis industry leaders and showing them their innovative products, they were able to gain traction and make a name for themselves. We recently chatted with him about what sets the Puffco Plus apart from other vapes and his thoughts staying ahead of the curve in the quickly moving cannabis industry. Continue reading Finding Your Purpose with Puffco’s Roger Volodarsky

Pot Shop Punch Cards Banned as of July 1, 2016

Posted on by The Queen of Clovers

When we took a recent weed trip up to Spokane, Washington, we were excited to get a few more punches on our pot shop loyalty punch cards. Having saved them up for a while, many of them promised discounts once fully filled in. When we arrived, we learned of a brand new I-502 rule, which states that this type of marketing is banned as of July 1, 2016. According to the FAQ’s in the I-502 law, “Giveaways, coupons, and distribution of branded merchandise are banned.” Continue reading Pot Shop Punch Cards Banned as of July 1, 2016

A Greener Green: Interview with Honest Marijuana’s Anthony Franciosi

Posted on by The Queen of Clovers

Eco-conscious living is important.

Those wishing to eat local, source organic products and lower the environmental impact of their food have lots of options these days, but those wishing to source their marijuana with the same conscious mindset have a harder time finding a reliable product. Honest Marijuana in Colorado is one company paving the way for providing a greener green. We chatted with Anthony Franciosi from Honest Marijuana about how they are taking a more environmental approach to cannabis; read on to see what he had to say. Continue reading A Greener Green: Interview with Honest Marijuana’s Anthony Franciosi

Best Strains for Every Mood

Posted on by The Queen of Clovers

One of the best things about cannabis is that there are thousands of different strains to choose from, each with their own flavors, feelings and essence. This gives marijuana uses the ability to choose certain types based on their moods and desires; it’s a way to “curate” your day of weed smoking. How can you pick the strain that’s right for you? Let’s start with the two main categories: Indica and Sativa. Continue reading Best Strains for Every Mood