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

Coke, Aurora in Talks to Make Cannabis-Infused Drinks
Coca-Cola is closely watching the cannabis space — and is reportedly eyeing a deal with one of Canada’s biggest producers with Aurora Cannabis Inc. The discussions over a possible product tie-up could open a new front in Coke’s battle to overcome sluggish demand for its sugar-heavy sodas by diversifying into coffee and health-focused drinks. Three reasons an Aurora Cannabis-Coca-Cola tie-up would make perfect sense.

Cannabis Sales Booming in a State That ‘Knows How To Regulate Vice’
The roll-out has been smooth because “Nevada knows how to regulate vice,” said Brandon Wiegand, Director of Operations at The+Source which operates two dispensaries in Nevada. “The government is good at providing the security and rules the public desires while still allowing business to thrive.” The Nevada state government has already created systems for gambling, liquor and prostitution he said, so adding cannabis wasn’t a problem.

South Africa Legalises Private Use of Cannabis
South Africa’s top court ruled Tuesday that private, personal cannabis use was legal in a landmark case that had pitted law enforcement agencies against marijuana advocates and the judiciary. The court also ordered parliament to draft new laws within 24 months to reflect the order.

DEA Allows University to Import Pot Extracts
The University of California San Diego’s Center for Medicinal Cannabis Research announced Tuesday that the Drug Enforcement Administration has approved its plans to import capsules containing CBD and THC from Canada to study their effectiveness in treating tremors that afflict millions of people, especially those over 65.

Canada’s Military is Using Weed Goggles to Simulate What it’s Like to be High
The Canadian Armed Forces has spent $35,000 on 26 “fatal vision marijuana simulation experience” kits including a special goggle which simulate the effects of being stoned on cannabis without actually consuming it.

Marijuana Museum Opens in Vegas
The new museum celebrating all things cannabis with displays that include a glass bong taller than a giraffe and huggable faux marijuana buds is the newest tourist attraction in Las Vegas. Guests will wander through 12 installations with rooms like “seed,” where people can lie down in a bed shaped like a marijuana seed, and “grow,” which features artificial plants in sizes ranging from inches to feet tall placed under bright lights to represent an indoor cannabis grow facility.

New York Can’t Afford to Let New Jersey Pass Retail Pot Alone
With New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy leading a fast-track push to legalize recreational marijuana, pot dispensaries could soon be as close as a seven-minute train ride from Manhattan. Once people start hopping the PATH train to Jersey City to purchase marijuana, New York lawmakers will start feeling pressure about losing taxable sales, said Hadley Ford, chief executive officer of pot retailer iAnthus Capital Holdings Inc.

Maine Restaurant Sedates Lobsters with Marijuana Smoke
A Maine seafood restaurant is using marijuana smoke to sedating its lobsters before cooking them – granting them a blissfully humane death.