Tennessee’s first bar and restaurant to serve THC opened today in the Germantown neighborhood located in Nashville. The restaurant gets away with it as the THC in the products is derived from hemp, making it legal at the federal level, according to the company.
Buds & Brews is the state’s first brick-and-mortar THC-friendly bar and restaurant located at 1246 3rd Avenue in Nashville. “Buds and Brews features a menu of upscale bar fare paired with our own line of delicious cannabis-infused sauces,” the website reads.
In other words, the restaurant and bar will serve all-American type dishes, but also provide over 25 THC-infused condiments for common dressings like ketchup, honey mustard, ranch dressing, steak sauce, but infused with hemp-derived THC in 1-5 mg servings.
The restaurant will also feature recently released Cannabis-Infused Beverage Coolers and sauces that contain hemp-derived THC. WKRN reports that you can choose things like “Smokey Margarita” or “Bloody Maryjane.”
While cannabis will be at the bar to consume, the products are divided into individual pouches and jars.
The coolers come in pouches in the following flavors: GrapeApe, LemonHaze, and Sweet Tea OG Kush. The sauces, on the other hand, are made with locally grown and extracted hemp-derived THC. Each sauce contains 5 mg of THC in each jar.
Restaurant patrons can choose from 28 sauces with locally grown and extracted hemp-derived THC. The culinary sauce line includes ingredients such as olive oil or the company’s own specialty barbeque sauce.
Mike Solomon is part owner of Buds & Brews, along with part owner Dalton Crow, and discussed what patrons can expect with local media.
“You can get chicken tenders and then you can order some THC ranch,” Solomon told WKRN. “What is infused is the condiments. We have the 25 most common used condiments from ketchup, honey mustard, ranch dressing, steak sauce.”
In addition, all products are made in Tennessee by Craft Cannabis products.
“Everything is 1 to 5 milligrams a serving, which is very small so you can try a bunch of things,” Solomon said. “A rookie, a novice or an experienced cannabis person can have a fun time here portion controlled micro-dosing.”
“I’m excited to make my footprint and teamed up with some great guys to do it,” said Dalton Crow. “We want to appeal to everyone. We want everyone to try and come give us a shot and try us out.”
For now in Tennessee, only hemp-derived THC can be served at establishments like Buds & Brews. An adult-use bill in the state recently failed to gain ground. The bill, called the “Free All Cannabis for Tennesseans Act,” is effectively dead after its sponsor, state House Representative Bob Freeman, pulled the legislation from the floor.
The Free All Cannabis for Tennesseans Act would have authorized the possession of cannabis and concentrates for adults who are 21 years of age or older and “transfer of marijuana or marijuana concentrate between adults, in permitted amounts, without remuneration,” and the “cultivation of up to 12 marijuana plants for adults.”
It also would have opened up medical cannabis options for minors under the age of 18 by authorizing “a parent, guardian, or conservator to administer a marijuana product, excluding any combustible product, to a minor, over whom the parent, guardian, or conservator has legal authority.”
Until then, fun establishments like Buds & Brews have figured out how to operate within the boundaries of the law.
Buds & Brews will hold an official grand opening on August 20.
Like the banking act, the advertising bill would let federally-licensed media companies serve cannabis businesses without punishment from federal regulators. The banking bill has passed in the House six times, but has never received Senate approval.
Read the full bill here. And keep reading for Leafly’s breakdown of the SAFE Advertising Act and its potential impact on the cannabis industry.
How the SAFE Advertising Act protects media companies
The newly-filed bill would protect TV and Radio stations from losing their Federal Communications Commission (FCC) licenses for allowing legal cannabis licensees and service providers to advertise products and services where at least 70% of the audience is reasonably expected to be above 21 years of age.
It also eliminates the legal financial issues at the federal level surrounding the proceeds from business transactions with licensed cannabis businesses.
Potential impacts on the cannabis industry
(AdobeStock)
Under the SAFE Advertising Act, state-licensed cannabis brands, retailers, and third party companies like Leafly would be able to advertise on FCC-licensed media, including radio and television.
While some legal states (including New York and Montana) have already updated their state advertising rules to accomodate cannabis, the new federal bill would allow both local and multi-state media to expand awareness in legal markets.
The bill does not protect advertisements that run in prohibition states, or from companies that are not licensed.
The bill would not impact advertising on social media. No federal agency has licensing authority over websites and social platforms. Each platform has the freedom to set their own rules for cannabis content. Platforms can still face consequences from agencies like the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), which fined Facebook for $5 billion for privacy violations back in 2019.
Potential opponents of the SAFE Advertising Act
Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Ark) had mostly negative things to say about cannabis at this week’s Senate hearing on the Cannabis Administration and Opportunity Act (CAOA). (Tom Williams/Pool via AP)
Sen. Lujan’s office said the new bill is being supported by the National Association of Broadcasters and the Safe Advertising Coalition. But it may face stiff opposition from conservatives, and possibly from Democrats who favor competing cannabis bills.
At a Senate hearing this week, Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) said ”There should be no Joe Camel of cannabis.” He argued that advertising to kids, and false advertising of medical and recreational effects, are two of his party’s concerns about the broad Cannabis Administration and Opportunity Act (CAOA) bill, which would deschedule cannabis federally and create economic opportunities for communities harmed by the War on Drugs.
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Pain Relief from Cannabis Without The High? Studies Show CBD Is Just As Promising As THC for Treating Pain
With some 50 million adults living with chronic pain, pain has become one of the most common dreaded conditions. That’s not even considering the millions of others globally who struggle with different kinds of pain: pain from the joints, chest, back, nerves, tissue damage, and more can affect anyone.
But whether pain is acute or chronic, caused by a damaged joint or long-term illness, is nonetheless always unpleasant. When it persists for too long, it can rob anyone of their quality of life, making even the most mundane everyday tasks a serious challenge. However, we can’t rely on pharmaceutical solutions to treat pain; the opioid epidemic has left thousands dead in its wake because of fatal and addictive effects, while over-the-counter medicines also have its own side effects.
Thankfully, various parts of the cannabis plant have been shown to be beneficial in treating pain.
For many years, the studies (and anecdotal evidence) surrounding the efficacy of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) products have long been in the limelight for its powerful pain killing properties. THC is perhaps most famously known as the psychoactive compound in the marijuana plant. Countless patients have been able to find relief from a variety of pain conditions thanks to THC which can be smoked, vaporized, eaten, or used as an oil. But along with pain relief, patients also experience its psychoactive effects. While some don’t mind getting high as a way to medicate, there are simply those who prefer not to get high – and have thus shied away from using cannabis as pain medicine.
However, there is a growing body of studies showing that cannabidiol (CBD), the non-psychoactive compound in the plant, can work just as well as THC in treating pain. CBD will not get you high; in fact, it’s relaxing but has powerful anti-inflammatory properties that can address pain at its root.
What The Studies Say
One of the latest studies on the topic was conducted by researchers from the NYU Grossman School of Medicine’s Department of Orthopedic Surgery. They tested ORAVEXX, a tablet with CBD, on patients after they underwent minimally invasive rotator cuff surgery. The capsule is a buccally absorbed tab conceptualized by Orcosa, Inc., a company in life sciences.
“On the first day after surgery, patients receiving CBD experienced on average 23 percent less pain as measured by the visual analog scale (VAS) pain score compared to patients receiving the placebo, highlighting that in patients with moderate pain, CBD may render a significant benefit,” they wrote.
“On both the first and second days after surgery, patients receiving CBD reported 22 to 25 percent greater satisfaction with pain control compared to those receiving placebo. Further analysis also showed that patients receiving 50mg of CBD reported lower pain and higher satisfaction with pain control compared to patients receiving placebo. No major side effects were reported,” reads the analysis.
“There is an urgent need for viable alternatives for pain management, and our study presents this form of CBD as a promising tool after arthroscopic rotator cuff repair,” says Michael J. Alaia, MD, study lead investigator and an associate professor in the Department of Orthopedic Surgery. “It could be a new, inexpensive approach for delivering pain relief, and without the side effects of anti-inflammatory drugs like NSAIDS and addiction risks linked to opiates. Additionally, CBD has the benefit of pain relief without the psychotropic effects associated with THC or marijuana,” he said.
In 2021, a survey of patients who underwent spinal surgery in New York found that 1 in 4 patients used CBD to help them manage their symptoms. Forty-six percent of the respondents said that CBD was effective in reducing pain while 33% said it helped with sleep issues, and 20% reported reduced anxiety. “This is the first study, to our knowledge, to examine the consumption patterns and perceived effects of CBD in patients with spinal pathology,” said the authors. “This investigation demonstrates that CBD is a prevalent alternative therapy used by many patients with spine-related symptoms. As the popularity of the supplement is only expected to increase over time, spine surgeons must educate themselves on the evidence behind the use of CBD, understand its legal status, and be aware of the potential for mislabeling of ingredients,” they cautioned.
Also in 2021, a study found that CBD was effective in treating migraine pains. Individuals who struggle with migraine pains have a difficult time treating these conditions; oftentimes, the pain can be so severe that it leads to vomiting and nausea, as well as increased sensitivity to light and sound.
The 2021 study involved sending out a survey to customers who used Axon Relief’s CBD oil, which is designed specifically for treating migraine pain. The clinically validated poll analyzed the impact of headaches on the daily life of participants, as well as their ability to function. The respondents were asked to complete the survey before and after they consumed the CBD oil, which they took for 30 days. They reported 3.8 less headaches compared to the time before they consumed the CBD oil from Axon, while those with chronic migraines experienced 33% less headaches.
Conclusion
Pain patients now have more choices than ever when it comes to treating acute and chronic pain conditions. The studies on cannabidiol are surely promising to say the least, and provide an excellent alternative for patients who don’t want to get high while treating pain of many kinds.
Of all the industries that suffered during the COVID-19 pandemic, tourism was among the hardest hit. The federal government has released statistics that paint a grim picture: employment in tourism dropped almost 30 percent in 2020, with food and beverage services and accommodations suffering the most. To help the recovery, the federal government has earmarked $67 million to boost the sector.
Many people who work in canna-tourism say it has the potential to help the recovery; since recreational cannabis became legal in Canada in 2018, casual use has become more normalized, with a growing number of people keen to incorporate it into their vacations. Travel agencies, tour companies and other businesses in the sector are taking steps to accommodate them, but they continue to face obstacles in doing so.
Regulations restrict access and promotion
Although Canadians can now buy recreational cannabis through the mail or in person at provincially regulated stores thanks to the Cannabis Act, they still face many restrictions about where they can consume it. Those restrictions vary across jurisdictions.
There are other headaches for businesses that cater to canna-curious travellers. For example, farmgate stores, which enable licensed producers to sell their products to consumers on-site, are now legal in Ontario, but the cannabis they sell must be provided by the provincial supplier rather than by the producers themselves.
(Courtesy roxxyphotos/Adobe Stock)
Furthermore, cannabis companies face onerous restrictions in advertising. Because the law takes the position that promoting cannabis is prohibited, a company authorized to sell or distribute cannabis must adhere to informational promotion or brand-preference promotion.
Cannabis industry experts believe that if all these obstacles were removed, canna-tourism would flourish here just as it has south of the border, where American states that have legalized recreational cannabis have seen an explosion of cannabis-friendly accommodations, lounges, festivals, and other services and activities.
Traditional tourism activities such as tours, outdoor recreation and cooking classes could incorporate cannabis or, alternatively, companies could provide services and events that are entirely cannabis-focused.
“There is an opportunity for cannabis tourism to thrive. This industry is ready to go. It has supply and demand. The only thing it doesn’t have is regulations that would enable it.”
Susan Dupej, a researcher at the University of Guelph, recently told Leafly.
Related
How to get weed in every province in Canada
Dupej feels that the success of coffee shops in Amsterdam makes it clear that the tourism industry benefits when consumers are able to purchase and consume cannabis in a lounge-type setting, without fear of reprimand by the authorities or judgment by the general public.
Mounting interest for an industry bounceback
Despite the current challenges in the canna-tourism space in Canada, Wendy Forwell, who founded a travel advisory called Cannabis Hotels in 2018, is optimistic about the future of canna-tourism in Canada.
“There is a sense of community in the cannabis space. People want to be with their tribe. One day, we’ll see the opening of many lounges and restaurants that specialize in cannabis consumption,” she says. “It’s clear that the world didn’t end when we legalized cannabis. Authorities now need to start looking towards the future.”
Despite hampering, buzzkill restrictions, travellers eager to indulge with indicas or sate themselves with sativas on vacation still have options. Here are the best tours, hotels, and getaways Canada has to offer.
Grab your weed and explore Canada
Canada High Tours
Canada High Tours offers a variety of cannabis tours and experiences in several Canadian cities. People can consume cannabis while taking part in several activities such as graffiti tours, hikes, and painting.
HiBnb
HiBnb is an online booking marketplace that caters to people looking to enjoy cannabis while travelling or doing other activities in Canada. The company says it “offers opportunities to explore cannabis in safe, supportive, and welcoming environments.”
The Movement Cannabis Tours
The Movement Cannabis Tours provides various cannabis-focused experiences in Vancouver, where it is based, including walking tours, luxury vehicle tours, and custom tours.
Cannanakis
Cannanaskis gives cannabis-focused tours in the Rocky Mountains. Based in Calgary, owner Dave Dormer isn’t licensed to provide cannabis to clients, but he educates them about the history of the plant and provides them with food as well as a safe and legal space to consume their own cannabis during tours.
Sir Sam’s Inn and Spa
(Courtesy Sir Sam’s Inn and Spa)
In 2019, Sir Sam’s Inn and Spa, in Haliburton, Ont., became Ontario’s first resort to openly permit the consumption of cannabis by guests.
“We’re not looking to become a signature pot-smoking hotel or anything like that,” Jon Massey, the resort’s director of business development told The Toronto Sun at the time.
“It’s more about acknowledging it is legal now, we are an adult and couples resort and we do have professionals who like to come up and relax with the setting we provide. Really, it’s a natural progression.”
Aurora Cannabis
Edmonton-based producer Aurora Cannabis has a store in the famous West Edmonton Mall that does more than selling cannabis. It offers consumers experiences such as musical shows, comedy evenings and movie nights.
Mary Jane Manor
Mary Jane Manor is a new cannabis-themed retreat in the rural community of Mossleigh, Alberta. It was opened recently by Serena Donovan, the owner of a micro cultivator or processor.
Tweed
Tweed*, one of Canada’s most well-known licensed producers, has a visitor centre at its facility, a former chocolate factory, in Smiths Falls Ontario. The centre gives consumers the chance to visit their grow rooms and learn about the science and history of cannabis.
The Hotbox Lounge
The Hotbox Lounge in Toronto has a patio – known as “the Potio” – where visitors can consume cannabis as well as a vape lounge available all year. The lounge has music and special events most nights.
The Cannabis Cooking Company
(Courtesy The Cannabis Cooking Company)
The Cannabis Cooking Company* is a Toronto-based culinary school that teaches you how to cook cannabis-infused dishes, focusing on various strains, terpenes, cannabinoids and flavonoids.
Toronto Toke Tours
Toronto Toke Tours provides customers with the opportunity to consume cannabis while doing a walking tour of the city. The company also offers massages and yoga classes.
*These locations are currently closed due to Covid precautions but will reopen.
More ways to enjoy weed on vacation
Randi Druzin
Randi Druzin is an author and journalist in Toronto. She has worked at several major media outlets, including the National Post and the CBC, and has written for dozens of publications, such as The New York Times, Time magazine, ESPN The Magazine, and The Globe and Mail.
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Ice T and a Playboy Playmate Charis B, founder of The Medicine Woman, are teaming up to open a dispensary in Jersey City, New Jersey, and cleared the first hurdle in doing so.
On July 25 The Medicine Woman New Jersey, a proposed dispensary co-owned by Ice T and Charis B, was approved by the Jersey City’s Cannabis Control Board meeting, along with three other proposed dispensaries. The news was posted on Instagram the following day.
The Medicine Woman Jersey City will encompass 5,000 square feet of retail space featuring local New Jersey cannabis brands, limited edition merch, and provide the necessary education. Medusa NJ, Oceanfront Holding, and The Other Side Dispensary were also approved by the board. Jersey City Cannabis Control Board oversees rules and regulations over licensing, cultivation, testing, and retail, and getting approved is no easy feat.
Charis B, or Charis Burrett, founded The Medicine Woman originally in California before eying the East Coast.
“It’s super, super exciting for us because New Jersey is many years behind where we are in California in terms of legalization,” Burrett tells High Times as she waited for her cab. “And it’s exciting to bring it to a state that is really [motivated] and looking forward to the growth of the cannabis industry in general in their state.
“And in terms of New Jersey and the fact that, you know, Ice is a resident, so Jersey City and the state of New Jersey means so much to him personally. And he is a long time personal friend of my husband and myself. And, you know, obviously, this synergy and everything coming together.”
Burrett’s dispensary will follow the same mindset of other Medicine Woman locations, which initially began as a non-profit delivery service. “Our mindset is to bring global medicine to local areas at an affordable price for everybody,” says Burrett. “We believe that cannabis should be available to everybody that needs it. You know, it is a beautiful medicine. It’s been around for centuries. And we love being able to educate people and communities, have healthy debates and like I said, bring global medicine to local communities at affordable prices.”
Ice T, aka Tracy Lauren Marrow, lives in Edgewater, a community relatively close to Jersey City. He’s well aware of the problems the cannabis industry faces locally. In New Jersey, Black people are over three times more likely to be charged with possession of cannabis than white people, despite similar rates of consumption. With that in mind, initial partnerships include The Last Prisoner Project, Jersey City Mural and Arts Program, Jersey City Employment and Training Program, Hudson County Community College, with more to be announced.
“I’ve dedicated my life and career to giving back and paving the way for minorities. As a New Jersey native, I’m excited for the opportunity legalization offers our community and I look forward to ushering in a new era for Cannabis in the state,” Ice T said in a statement. “I’ve partnered with my friend of over 25 years, Charis B who is an authority in cannabis and founder of The Medicine Woman to ensure a premium experience for our customers and community.”
Burrett said that she’s “100%” in favor of expungement and helping people that have gone to prison over pot—some people for life, for cannabis offenses and cannabis-only offenses is something that is very important to both the community and Jersey City.
Burrett says she has been reading the magazine for longer than most, when buying a magazine was an actual concern over drawing too much attention to ones’ self. “When I was 15, all I wanted to do was get a subscription to High Times magazine,” she admits. “But I was just worried about being on that same government list that everybody would get in. It was the 80s. And to be here today like, you know, 30 to 33 years later talking to you. I couldn’t be more proud of where the industry has gone and kind of, you know, that I’m here. I am. So thank you.”
The Medicine Woman Jersey City is set to open in the fall of 2022 and the team is currently accepting applications for employment for a variety of positions. To apply, send your resume to HR@themedwoman.com, they are committed to sourcing a local workforce with a focus on providing opportunities for former cannabis offenders.
