17 Mar Top Stories From The Edge – Week of March 13th

A Weekly Roundup of Stories We Found Interesting – From The Profound To The Profane

Fluffy’s On Weed
Pets owners increasingly turn to marijuana to treat their pets illnesses. Veterinarians aren’t so sure that is a good idea, but many swear by improvement in their pets health.

Jobs and Wages In Oregon
The economic impact from Oregon legalization of marijuana has been significant.   A recent report suggested the industry employs 12,500 and produces $315 million in wages. That’s over $1.25 billion in economic activity in the state. These figures are comparable to Colorado when it first legalized marijuana.  On the one hand, it is incredibly impressive considering Oregon’s population is only 4 million and Oregon’s GDP in 2016 is estimated to be $200 billion. It’s still only the beginning, folks.

The War On Drugs
Shortly after Trump took office, The American Spectator, one of the oldest conservative magazines in the country, published this 5-part series on the growing drug problem in the country. The marijuana themed piece is Part 3.  Part 1 and 2 are well worth reading as well.

Is Canada Getting Cold Feet On Legalization?
The hipster Prime Minister Trudeau promised legalization during the election, and yet, the police continue to arrest pot-related crimes across the country. Last week, seven Cannabis Culture dispensaries were raided, resulting in the arrest of Marc and Jodie Emery, who are known in the industry as the “Prince and Princess of Pot” in Canada.

Marijuana Still Holds Many Mysteries Researchers Trying To Solve.
There are no shortage of stories on the health benefits of Cannabis. Kevin Loria, a science, and tech journalist by trade, presents his own view on the current state of research, and debunks a few myths along the way.

Facing Drought, Indian Farmers In Shivamogga Switched To Growing Cananbis
I love stories from faraway lands. Farmers in a Shivamogga, a farming community in south western India, switched their crops to cannabis when faced with persistent drought. Unfortunately, they got busted for it. The region has long standign traditions in cultivating cannabis, and the locals made drinks using a mixture of flowers, ganja seeds and semi-liquid jaggery during the harvest season.

The Fed’s Weed Is Weak and Moldy
Researchers complained that their only source of marijuana supplied by the U.S. government are low in THC, and even worse, moldy! As one researcher said, “It doesn’t resemble cannabis. It doesn’t smell like cannabis.”

Sir Patrick Stewart Turns To Cannabis To Treat Arthritis
The famed actor offers his support to Oxford University research to explore the benefits of cannabinoid based medicines.  Sir Patrick Stewart has been using cannabis based sprays, pills and ointments to treat a painful arthritis condition that he inherited from his mother.