Culture
Lots Of Politicians And Companies Are Tweeting About Marijuana On 4/20

It’s 4/20 again, and that means another slew of tweets from politicians and mainstream brands looking to use the marijuana holiday as a hook to get their message out.
Here’s a roundup of some of the best, funniest, most important or otherwise notable cannabis-related tweets of the day…
Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ), a presidential candidate:
As we work to legalize marijuana nationwide, we’ve got to also ensure equity in the marijuana industry. Communities that have been historically targeted by the failed War on Drugs can't be left out of opportunities to participate in the legal marijuana economy.
— Cory Booker (@CoryBooker) April 20, 2019
The Marijuana Justice Act wouldn’t just legalize marijuana—it would expunge the records of millions of people who have been hurt by the War on Drugs.
— Cory Booker (@CoryBooker) April 20, 2019
Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT), a presidential candidate:
Nearly 7 in 10 Americans—and a majority of both Republicans and Democrats—support marijuana legalization.
The American people agree. It is time our federal government listens. We must end the criminalization of marijuana in this country.
— Bernie Sanders (@BernieSanders) April 19, 2019
Sen. Kamala Harris (D-CA), a presidential candidate:
It’s time we legalize marijuana at the federal level and restore justice to our communities. Communities of color have been disproportionately impacted by the War on Drugs. We must reverse this trend.
— Kamala Harris (@KamalaHarris) April 20, 2019
Marijuana laws have not been applied & enforced in the same way for all people. Too many lives have been ruined by these regressive policies and while more states are moving to legalize marijuana through ballot initiatives, it is not enough. Time to legalize at the federal level. pic.twitter.com/W5f34h4I8Y
— Kamala Harris (@KamalaHarris) April 20, 2019
Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), a presidential candidate:
65% of Americans agree: We have to legalize marijuana.
It's critical to dismantling mass incarceration and institutional racism, and to achieving fundamental justice. https://t.co/PHMqorrZ3q
— Kirsten Gillibrand (@SenGillibrand) April 20, 2019
Rep. Tulsi Gabbard (D-HI), a presidential candidate:
Legalizing marijuana is a basic question of fairness & freedom for the American people. We must legalize marijuana, expunge the records of those w/ marijuana possession charges/convictions & hold Big Pharma accountable for the opioid epidemic that has killed thousands #420
— Tulsi Gabbard (@TulsiGabbard) April 20, 2019
Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-CA), a presidential candidate:
Happy 4/20! Here's my stance on marijuana: pic.twitter.com/BFFntUbKiR
— Eric Swalwell (@ericswalwell) April 21, 2019
Former Rep. Beto O’Rourke (D-TX), a presidential candidate:
“O’Rourke said the influence of money can be seen in the criminal justice system, because people are jailed for using non-addictive drugs like marijuana, but Purdue Pharma executives who had a hand in marketing dangerous opioids are not serving jail time.” https://t.co/Lvw3csHk1v
— Beto O'Rourke (@BetoORourke) April 20, 2019
Former Sen. Mike Gravel (D-AK), a presidential candidate:
*for tobacco use only, of course
— Mike Gravel (@MikeGravel) April 20, 2019
Mike Gravel is running this #420 to end the war on drugs! Watch the campaign's official 42020 video and donate $1 (or $4.20) to help us shift the conversation.#Gravel420 #Gravelanche pic.twitter.com/WYpvG33lKW
— Mike Gravel (@MikeGravel) April 20, 2019
Washington State Gov. Jay Inslee (D), a presidential candidate:
Our nation’s current drug laws are counterproductive, fueling racial disparities and drug wars. I’m proud of my state’s progressive policies on this issue. Now let’s legalize marijuana nationwide.pic.twitter.com/7QOZTxD17Q
— Jay Inslee (@JayInslee) April 20, 2019
Last year, I offered pardons to 3,500 eligible people who have a single conviction on their records for misdemeanor marijuana possession. Now, let’s legalize marijuana nationwide. https://t.co/ng0wo8LAdA
— Jay Inslee (@JayInslee) April 20, 2019
It’s time. Let’s legalize marijuana nationwide. pic.twitter.com/uuJdruqVGx
— Jay Inslee (@JayInslee) April 20, 2019
Former San Antonio, Texas Mayor Julián Castro (D), a presidential candidate:
It’s not enough just to say we want to #LegalizeIt. We will also regulate it, taking best practices of states that have successfully legalized marijuana. And while we’re at it, we’ll expunge the records of folks who’ve been incarcerated for using it. pic.twitter.com/z7JZyz9PPP
— Julián Castro (@JulianCastro) April 20, 2019
Democratic presidential candidate Andrew Yang:
I’m for full legalization of marijuana. I would go a step further and on 4/20, 2021, exactly 2 years from today, I would pardon everyone who’s in jail for a low-level, non-violent marijuana offense and I would high five them on their way out of jail. 👍 pic.twitter.com/Q8txZNa2I1
— Andrew Yang (@AndrewYang) April 20, 2019
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY):
Last year, I introduced the Marijuana Freedom & Opportunity Act.
It would end federal prohibition & provide opportunities for minority-owned businesses & communities to benefit from de-criminalization.
I’ll re-introduce it with a special new cosponsor when Congress re-convenes.
— Chuck Schumer (@SenSchumer) April 21, 2019
House Committee on Small Business:
Today, the Committee is examining the small business perspective in the cannabis industry.
— House Committee on Small Business (@HouseSmallBiz) April 20, 2019
The legalization of cannabis has the potential to invigorate our national economy. Already the industry registered $8 billion in sale in 2017, with sales estimated to reach $23 billion by 2022.
— House Committee on Small Business (@HouseSmallBiz) April 20, 2019
States have recognized the change and have moved to legalize cannabis in different forms. Below is a detailed map of state marijuana laws (current as of February 2019). Credit: @FSCDems pic.twitter.com/iQr31QTDCI
— House Committee on Small Business (@HouseSmallBiz) April 20, 2019
There are now more than 211,000 full-time jobs in the legal American cannabis industry. When indirect and induced jobs are added, that figure reaches nearly 300,000. CREDIT: @Leafly
— House Committee on Small Business (@HouseSmallBiz) April 20, 2019
Legalization of cannabis has an impact on state economies as well. In states where cannabis is legal, new tax revenue streams and filling state coffers. In the first year of legalized sales in California, the state collected $345.2 million in new tax revenue. pic.twitter.com/YvGF9WX0AF
— House Committee on Small Business (@HouseSmallBiz) April 20, 2019
Though more states are moving to legalize recreational cannabis and new businesses are flourishing across the country, we must ensure those communities disproportionally impacted by criminalization of cannabis are able to fully participate and benefit from the growing industry.
— House Committee on Small Business (@HouseSmallBiz) April 20, 2019
Cannabis small businesses encounter the same access to credit issues that many other small businesses face. We must ensure those interested in entering the sector in states where it’s legal, are able to access credit similar to other new startups.
— House Committee on Small Business (@HouseSmallBiz) April 20, 2019
The high cost of entry is a barrier for many entrepreneurs. It's estimated that the start-up costs for a small dispensary range between $250,000 to $750,000. This & regulatory uncertainty, have created both racial and wealth inequalities in the cannabis industry.
— House Committee on Small Business (@HouseSmallBiz) April 20, 2019
We must take the necessary steps to ensure all have a level playing field in this growing sector.
— House Committee on Small Business (@HouseSmallBiz) April 20, 2019
Congressional Black Caucus:
Today is 4/20, a day increasingly marked around the nation as an unofficial cannabis holiday. Join @RepBarbaraLee and #MarijuanaJustice advocates as we use this day as a CALL TO ACTION for equity and restorative, especially for communities of color.
— Black Caucus (@OfficialCBC) April 20, 2019
Three bills have been introduced by @RepBarbaraLee to end cannabis prohibition, bar feds from interfering in state cannabis programs and encourage reforms that help communities of color participate in the cannabis industry. We need #MarijuanaJustice pic.twitter.com/mv6WRHIEdX
— Black Caucus (@OfficialCBC) April 20, 2019
The Marijuana Justice Act would reform drug laws by descheduling marijuana & ensuring that profits from the legal cannabis industry get re-invested into low-income & communities of color that have been devastated by unequal marijuana law enforcement. #MarijuanaJustice pic.twitter.com/ktqyBaH48J
— Black Caucus (@OfficialCBC) April 20, 2019
Less than ONE PERCENT of the cannabis industry is owned or operated by people of color. The RESPECT Resolution encourages policy reforms to help communities of color take part in the growing cannabis industry. #MarijuanaJustice
— Black Caucus (@OfficialCBC) April 20, 2019
Sen. Jacky Rosen (D-NV):
April 20th seems like a good day to point out that Nevada’s booming marijuana industry has brought new jobs and a wave of revenue to our state. I joined the #SAFEBankingAct to give cannabis businesses access to financial services and take our economy to new highs!
— Senator Jacky Rosen (@SenJackyRosen) April 20, 2019
Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-OR):
The movement is cresting and the public is behind us.
On this 4/20, we can say that the end of the prohibition of cannabis is in sight. https://t.co/NOXLnDXuHH
— Earl Blumenauer (@repblumenauer) April 20, 2019
Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN):
Cannabis criminalization disproportionately impacts communities of color. We must finally legalize cannabis nationwide and expunge records for those incarcerated for cannabis-related offenses. https://t.co/C8jhxlWAgW
— Ilhan Omar (@IlhanMN) April 20, 2019
Rep. Barbara Lee (D-CA):
On #420, millions will gather to celebrate marijuana. But for many, it’s just another painful reminder of our nation’s discriminatory practices. My Marijuana Justice Act would reform our outdated marijuana laws while providing restorative justice to communities of color.
— Barbara Lee (@BLeeForCongress) April 20, 2019
As millions of Americans celebrate 4/20 today, millions more are trapped in the criminal justice system for marijuana possession. #MarijuanaJustice https://t.co/VaCA3SIcJ4
— Rep. Barbara Lee (@RepBarbaraLee) April 20, 2019
The War on Drugs has devastated our communities and torn families apart for far too long. It’s time to reform our system and enact real #MarijuanaJustice now. pic.twitter.com/OZ4w5sLtSN
— Rep. Barbara Lee (@RepBarbaraLee) April 20, 2019
Less than ONE PERCENT of the cannabis industry is owned or operated by people of color. The RESPECT Resolution encourages policy reforms to help communities of color take part in the growing cannabis industry. #MarijuanaJustice pic.twitter.com/tXihHDweY8
— Rep. Barbara Lee (@RepBarbaraLee) April 20, 2019
People are increasingly turning to cannabis for medicinal purposes – including our veterans. Instead of criminalizing safe cannabis use, we should be making it easier to access for those who need it the most. #MarijuanaJustice pic.twitter.com/6An9DKUG5E
— Rep. Barbara Lee (@RepBarbaraLee) April 20, 2019
The majority of cannabis related arrests are for non-violent possession, but people of color get disproportionately long sentences. What’s more, black people are 4x more likely to be arrested although black and white people use cannabis at comparable rates. #MarijuanaJustice pic.twitter.com/ZfVCte45yc
— Rep. Barbara Lee (@RepBarbaraLee) April 20, 2019
Less than 1% of licenses for legal marijuana businesses nationwide are held by African Americans. Check out this great @BlackEnterprise story on black cannabis entrepreneurs, featuring Oakland's own @bluntsandmoore. #Happy420 #marijuanajustice https://t.co/MpBuHzIXP0
— Rep. Barbara Lee (@RepBarbaraLee) April 20, 2019
It’s time to end cannabis prohibition, bar feds from interfering in state cannabis programs, and encourage reforms that help communities of color participate in the cannabis industry. We need #MarijuanaJustice. pic.twitter.com/AXX72XbJKG
— Rep. Barbara Lee (@RepBarbaraLee) April 21, 2019
Rep. Ro Khanna (D-CA):
As corporations profit from legal weed, people of color continue to get arrested for using cannabis.
We need to follow the will of the people to end prohibition, expunge prior offenses & reinvest in the communities that have been impacted by decades of failed drug war policies. pic.twitter.com/65iGhvca5C
— Ro Khanna (@RoKhanna) April 20, 2019
Rep. Charlie Crist (D-FL):
LEGAL Florida cannabis revenue worth $1 billion by 2020 – yet outdated federal law means ALL CASH business, putting employees/owners at greater risk of being robbed. Last week, I asked Sec Mnuchin to do more to tackle this public safety issue! #SAFEBankingAct @AppropsDems @NORML pic.twitter.com/7Xg51mrg1M
— Rep. Charlie Crist (@RepCharlieCrist) April 20, 2019
Rep. Steve Cohen (D-TN):
The Marijuana Justice Act would reform drug laws, deschedule #marijuana & ensure profits from the legal #cannabis industry get re-invested into low-income & communities of color that have been devastated by the unequal marijuana law enforcement. #MarijuanaJustice #420 pic.twitter.com/C6t3fjydX8
— Steve Cohen (@RepCohen) April 20, 2019
4:20 est on 4/20/2019
— Steve Cohen (@RepCohen) April 20, 2019
Rep. Deb Haaland (D-NM):
Recreational marijuana is one of the industries that can open up a whole new economy for our state & the jobs that come with it. At the same time, legalization would keep our criminal justice system from targeting nonviolent offenders #LegalizeIt https://t.co/FDs8D2MNM5
— Rep. Deb Haaland (@RepDebHaaland) April 20, 2019
Pennsylvania Lt. Gov. John Fetterman (D):
“More than half of Republicans (56 percent) now think marijuana use should be legal — the first time a majority of them has supported it in CBS News Polls.” https://t.co/qPpvMX9n9W.
This is 100% consistent with what we’ve been seeing on our listening tour in 🔴 County PA.— John Fetterman (@JohnFetterman) April 20, 2019
Los Angeles, California City Council President Herb Wesson (D):
Wishing a #Happy420 to all those observing it. For those in Los Angeles, here are a few tips from the Department of Cannabis Regulation's Executive Director Cat Packer on how to make sure you’re celebrating safely and responsibly. pic.twitter.com/hFD0a2PnwU
— L.A. City Council President Herb Wesson (@HerbJWesson) April 20, 2019
Cook County, Illinois State’s Attorney Kim Foxx (D):
Today I spoke at the Chicago Cannabis Health Fair about the reforms the @CookCountySAO has implemented to move away from prosecuting most possession cases. It's important that we continue to reframe our thinking around marijuana and how charges effect vulnerable populations. pic.twitter.com/ijEhCtr4Sb
— Kim Foxx (@SAKimFoxx) April 20, 2019
The American Civil Liberties Union:
ALL personal drug use and possession should be decriminalized.https://t.co/LC9g0nRSWx pic.twitter.com/iZTKmISbxN
— ACLU (@ACLU) April 20, 2019
Don’t miss out on today’s one-day 420 bundle🌳⤵️https://t.co/LC9g0nAhxX pic.twitter.com/7xiLbzx20h
— ACLU (@ACLU) April 20, 2019
Ben & Jerry’s:
It’s hard to celebrate 4/20 when so many people of color are still being arrested for pot. We have to do better. Learn more: https://t.co/DPCcqND0SI pic.twitter.com/fLsngGteOF
— Ben & Jerry's (@benandjerrys) April 20, 2019
Denny’s:
do we sell edibles? buddy, all our food is edible.
— Denny's (@DennysDiner) April 20, 2019
Hidden Valley Ranch:
✨GIVEAWAY✨ Get Blasted this 4/20! We're giving 5 winners FREE Blasted for a year and a $250 food delivery gift card so you can get blasted anywhere, anytime. It’s always Ranch O’ Clock somewhere.
How to enter:
1️⃣ Follow us
2️⃣ RT this post #HVRlove pic.twitter.com/2PDBk9ETCo— Hidden Valley Ranch (@HVRanch) April 20, 2019
Carl’s Jr.:
4/20 Only: We're dropping our Rocky Mountain High Cheese Burger Delight with CBD infused Santa Fe sauce only at one Denver location #rockymountainhigh pic.twitter.com/GZKR8SD6Uw
— Carl’s Jr. (@CarlsJr) April 20, 2019
Boston Market:
All joking aside, tomorrow only buy one Pot Pie & a drink and get one Pot Pie FREE. https://t.co/0I4ZYfc4gf
— Boston Market (@bostonmarket) April 19, 2019
George Washington’s Mount Vernon:
Did George Washington really grow hemp? Find out on #420day: https://t.co/2OpoS2vTpb pic.twitter.com/JKGUvzRG5Y
— Mount Vernon (@MountVernon) April 20, 2019
Bill Maher:
Happy 420 everybody!!! And remember kids, you do not need drugs to have a good time. But why take chances?
— Bill Maher (@billmaher) April 20, 2019
Miley Cyrus:
HAPPY 4/20!!! pic.twitter.com/EqPBK1rOF3
— Miley Ray Cyrus (@MileyCyrus) April 20, 2019
311:
Happy 420 from Colorado! @pnut #RockyMountainHigh #multitasking (photo @311Kimbo) pic.twitter.com/O9Wzuv29pB
— 311 (@311) April 20, 2019
The Onion:
84% Support Marijuana Legalization https://t.co/Yap16oVP5p #WhatDoYouThink? pic.twitter.com/F7QbqL1q4h
— The Onion (@TheOnion) April 20, 2019
Ben & Jerry’s Stands Out From Companies Just Trying To Make Money From 4/20
Culture
NFL Explores How Marijuana And CBD Can Be Used As Opioid Alternatives For Players

The National Football League and NFL Players Association are launching an effort to learn about the potential of marijuana and its components like CBD as alternative treatment options for pain.
They’re also more generally interested in discovering how cannabis use affects athletic performance.
A request for information that was published on Tuesday states that the league’s goal is “to identify investigators who have the current capability to carry out studies aimed at supplementing the NFL-NFLPA Pain Management Committee’s (‘PMC’) knowledge about pain management and athletic performance in NFL players.”
The notice lists three areas of interest:
1. The potential therapeutic role of medications and non-pharmacological interventions that are considered to be alternatives to opioids in routine pain management of NFL players. Medications may include, but are not limited to, cannabinoids such as cannabidiol (“CBD”).
2. The impact of cannabis or cannabinoids on athletic performance in NFL players.
3. The potential therapeutic role of medications and non-pharmacological interventions that are considered adjunctive to routine post-surgical orthopedic pain management in NFL football players.
The joint NFL-NFLPA committee also noted that, in 2020, it held two informational forums on CBD “to learn about the current state of CBD science and manufacturing in North America.”
The findings of those forums weren’t definitive, as PMC found that while the non-intoxicating cannabis compound shows promise in the treatment of some forms of pain, the science doesn’t currently live up to the “hype.”
“CBD is a promising compound, but the level of its use in the United States outpaces the level of research at this point,” the committee wrote in a white paper for players. “Most of the hype about CBD is based upon results from animal studies.”
This new request for information stresses that NFL is not committing to funding any particular studies but is more generally meant to help the league find qualified scientists if it does move forward with research projects on these issues. Interested parties have until March 31 to submit relevant information.
Meanwhile, the league’s drug testing policy changed demonstrably last year as part of a collective bargaining agreement.
Under the new policy, NFL players will not face the possibility of being suspended from games over positive tests for any drug—not just marijuana.
The decision reflects a significant shift in the league’s approach to drug use by players, with the agreement emphasizing the need to focus on “ensuring evaluation and treatment” rather than punishment. Now those who test positive for drugs, exhibit behaviors that indicate drug misuse or self-refer themselves will be required to enter an “intervention program” where they would receive an evaluation and treatment plan.
Testing positive for prohibited substances after that point would result in a half-week salary loss for first violations, a one-week salary loss for second violations, a two-week salary loss for third violations and a three-week salary loss for fourth and subsequent violations. The threat of suspensions would be removed.
In a similar vein, the MLB decided in 2019 to remove cannabis from the league’s list of banned substances. Baseball players can consume marijuana without risk of discipline, but officials clarified last year that they can’t work while under the influence and can’t enter into sponsorship contracts with cannabis businesses, at least for the time being.
Meanwhile, a temporary NBA policy not to randomly drug test players for marijuana amid the coronavirus pandemic may soon become permanent, the league’s top official said in December. Rather than mandate blanket tests, Commissioner Adam Silver said the league would be reaching out to players who show signs of problematic dependency, not those who are “using marijuana casually.”
37 Members Of Congress Ask Biden To Issue Mass Marijuana Pardons Ahead Of Legalization
Image element courtesy of Marco Verch.
Culture
Elon Musk Thinks CBD Is ‘Fake,’ But Joe Rogan Teaches Him A Lesson

Elon Musk might know a thing or two about rockets and electronic vehicles, but during an interview with podcaster Joe Rogan this week, he revealed something of a blind spot when it comes to cannabis, saying he thinks CBD is “fake.”
That’s not to say he believes the non-intoxicating cannabinoid doesn’t actually exist. Rather, the tech entrepreneur indicated he feels it’s overhyped and “doesn’t do anything.” Rogan, for his part, had a lot to say about cannabidiol’s benefits in response.
The exchange started with Musk and Rogan reflecting on an earlier podcast show in 2018, where the SpaceX and Tesla CEO puffed on a marijuana blunt (which he later claimed he never actually inhaled), prompting an investigation by NASA over his aerospace company’s “workplace safety” and “adherence to a drug-free environment.”
Rogan, who relocated his podcast headquarters from California to Texas last year, noted that his new home state has not yet legalized marijuana, but “CBD is legal here.”
“CBD doesn’t do anything. Does it?” Musk said. “I think that’s fake.”
Listen to Musk and Rogan discuss CBD below, starting around 50:00:
Rogan promptly gave Musk a crash course in the numerous therapeutic benefits of CBD that have been identified in an ever-growing body of scientific literature.
Read the rest of the exchange below:
JR: Well, no—no, it definitely does something for inflammation.
EM: It does?
JR: Yeah, for sure.
EM: Well, how much CBD do you have to have before you notice it?
JR: Physically?
EM: Yeah.
JR: Yeah, physically, you don’t have to have a lot. Physically, CBD works great for people with arthritis and people with sore muscles and things like that. Yeah, no, CBD definitely works for that, but as far as like psychoactive effects, not much. It relieves anxiety for people.
EM: Okay.
JR: It helps people sleep, especially when it’s combined with things like melatonin, you know, things along those lines. But it doesn’t get you high. People do mix CBD with THC for muscle creams though, and that doesn’t get you high either, but it increases the effectiveness.
EM: Okay.
JR: Yeah, there’s some creams that are really good that people like that have THC and CBD in it.
EM: Alright, so you have like sunscreen or something and then, I mean why not just throw it in there?
JR: Why not? Well, it’s great for soreness.
EM: You smell like weed all day.
JR: It doesn’t smell like weed, though.
EM: It doesn’t?
JR: No, no—some of it does, though. That’s the thing about anything that’s unregulated, right? Like hippies making it, that’s always the problem.
EM: Quality control.
JR: Yeah, no quality control. That’s the problem with edibles. They’re made by a bunch of crazy people, cooking them up and some, you know, Chula Vista apartments, you really don’t know what’s in there.
Musk might not be quite up-to-speed on CBD, but he does enjoy playing into marijuana culture from time to time.
When shares of Telsa hit $420, for example, he responded on Twitter with crying laughing emojis and said “Whoa … the stock is so high lol.”
Of course, 420 is well known among cannabis enthusiasts, as it represents the unofficial cannabis holiday, 4/20. And that wasn’t the first time that Musk has played into it, either.
The billionaire tech entrepreneur landed in hot water with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) in 2018 after he said he was considering taking Tesla private at a share price of $420—an announcement that SEC described as “false and misleading” and that was made without required notification to regulators.
Rogan, for his part, is a proud cannabis and psychedelics enthusiast, and once, for example, shared a story about how he hung out with Dave Chappelle while the comedian ate psilocybin mushrooms that were gifted by a stranger.
Texas Would Study Psilocybin And MDMA To Treat PTSD And Depression Under New Bill
Photo courtesy of Joe Rogan Experience/Spotify.
Culture
Sierra Club Gives Tips On Using Marijuana In An Environmentally Friendly Way

A leading environmental conservationist group wants to help you sustainably and safely consume marijuana.
The Sierra Club, which has not historically weighed in on cannabis issues, released a guide last week that makes a series of recommendations about how to source marijuana in a way that’s healthy and good for the environment.
They said that, absent regulations from federal agencies like the Food and Drug Administration or U.S. Department of Agriculture, consumers are left in the dark when it comes to best practices. And the 129-year-old environmental nonprofit is here to help.
“The majority of Americans now live in states where they can legally consume medicinal or recreational cannabis,” the new guide published this month in the Sierra Club’s print magazine says. “As more ways to lawfully partake become available, the choices can be confusing.”
The medicinal and recreational cannabis industry is in many ways opaque and in flux. Here are some best practices for consuming safely and sustainably: https://t.co/0BYXguLoME via @Sierra_Magazine
— Sierra Club (@SierraClub) January 4, 2021
The article lists five tips for marijuana enthusiasts during a time when more and more state-legal markets are coming online.
–Buy organic—or “organic-ish.” Because marijuana remains federally illegal, there isn’t an opportunity for cannabis companies to obtain a standard organic certification. But consumers should look for a Clean Green or Sun+Earth label, as these third-party organizations also maintain strong standards and help businesses gain formal certification.
–Buy outdoor-grown marijuana. The carbon footprint for indoor-cultivated cannabis can be significant, as the process relies heavily on electronic lighting. That’s not the case for outdoor-grown flower. Sierra Club said “the production of one kilogram of indoor-grown cannabis results in 4,600 kilograms of carbon dioxide emissions, the equivalent of driving the United States from coast to coast 11 times.”
–Familiarize yourself with the marijuana producer. The illicit market doesn’t disappear when a state launches a legal cannabis market. And because illicit sellers are unregulated, they may be using harmful pesticides, or cultivating their products on public lands in ways that can hurt surrounding wildlife. That said, a 2019 study did find that illegal cultivation in national forests declined post-legalization in Oregon and Washington State.
The guide also notes that certain states encourage cannabis companies to enroll in energy-saving programs. Colorado has taken it a step further, with the governor announcing last year that the state was rolling out pilot programs to promote sustainability cooperation between the cannabis and alcohol markets by using carbon dioxide from the brewing process to stimulate marijuana plant growth.
–Look for a Certificate of Analysis. That’s easier said than done in states where marijuana remains prohibited, but for consumers in legal states, it’s an important component, as it means the products have been tested for heavy metals, mold and other potentially dangerous substances.
–Be wary of packaging. As in other industries, plastic and packaging is an environmental problem. Seeking out products with low-waste packages can help mitigate that issue, Sierra Club said. For example, there are some companies that use recycled plastics recovered from the ocean. Alternatively, consumers could try to find hemp-based packaging.
The guide also offers tips for specific types of cannabis products.
For example, when it comes to edibles, consumers should seek out vegan goodies. Beyond arguments that a plant-based diet represents a humane alternative, it’s also the case that animal agriculture is overly polluting and resource intensive.
For smoking, the group says that glass pipes are “inherently earth-friendlier” than rolling papers, as they cut down on waste and production. The environmentally conscious cannabis consumer should also buy flowers in jars instead of as single pre-rolls, “to reduce throwaway packaging.”
As far as vaping goes, Sierra Club recommends spending your money with companies that offer recycling programs for used cartridges.
Meanwhile, activists in Montana are also seeing a link between environmentalism and marijuana. A voter-approved initiative to legalize cannabis in the state calls for a significant amount of tax revenue from marijuana sales to be allocated to conservation programs.
Biden AG Pick Merrick Garland Wants To Defer To DEA On Marijuana Science And Classification
Photo by davide ragusa on Unsplash.