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Federal Rescheduling is Here: After 10 years

5/18/2024

I can't believe I've been on this journey for ten years. Just feels like yesterday I was petitioning the city council in Gold Hill to allow me to open my apothecary that would carry local herbs plus cannabis for OMMP patients as well. We finally opened to the public on June 9th, 2014.

Flash forward to 2024 and after a decade we can now serve all adults and we still carry 40+ other amazing botanicals from Southern Oregon. On Thursday this week the US Department of Justice, under Biden's direction, submitted a proposed regulation to reschedule cannabis to a schedule 3 drug from a schedule 1 drug under the controlled substances Act. Wow, how times have changed. Not exactly sure what this will mean for Oregon's dispensary program in the next decade or if I can hold on for the ride, but it will be interesting.

We wondered back in 2014 if Obama would legalize or if he would stop Oregon's new dispensary law. The Cole memo gave us some hope that Obama was going to allow states to operate a marijuana program as long as certain conditions were met. Was risky for us to support this wonderful plant, but I saw so many people living a better life because of the plant. I was convinced I was doing the right thing. Obama did not make any further move to legalize or reschedule. Then when he left office I wondered if Trump would work to legalize or reschedule as he was a proponent of individual rights and less regulation for business, but that did not happen. However, he seemed to take the stance that Obama took to allow states to develop their own cannabis programs. Now we are finally seeing some action under the Biden administration. This enormous decision represents a crucial period in federal cannabis policy, finally acknowledging the importance of the plant for our health, the economy, and society in general.

The rescheduling is an unknown for the Oregon cannabis industry. It's just one step on a long journey that will continue as the nation works out what it means for the cannabis industry, the pharmaceutical industry, small business vs large corporations. Will there be a place for small family cannabis farms or will big ag take over the production of this medicinal herb that historically has been grown by the people, for the people. Will small herbal product manufactures like our vary own Sun God Medicinals be able to navigate FDA regulation and cGMP regulations? In the near future, there will be an opportunity for everyone to provide public comments about the proposed rules. There will be a lot of voices...I'm hoping Americans will stand up for small family businesses as Oregon once did when forming their recreational program. I believe in small batch, artisan craft cannabis. Hoping America does as well.

What I know for sure is that in the next two weeks we will be celebrating a decade of serving Southern Oregon. A decade of generating taxes for our region, supporting Southern Oregon farmers, and supporting organic and natural plant medicine. Feels good. Please come celebrate with us at the Gold Hill store Saturday June 8th.

Public Statements from Oregon’s Congressional Delegation

Senator Ron Wyden: “It’s official, the Biden administration has taken a historic step toward ending reefer madness and bringing commonsense to federal cannabis policy. Now it’s time to follow the lead of 24 states and more than half the country by decriminalizing and putting in place smart federal regulations.”
Senator Jeff Merkley: “I pushed the Biden administration to address the harms done by the criminalization of cannabis and move quickly to remove cannabis’ Schedule I status, and it’s great to see this action taken. I will continue to work to fully deschedule cannabis.”
Rep. Earl Blumenauer: “We are one step closer to ending the failed war on drugs. Marijuana was scheduled more than 50 years ago based on stigma, not science. The American people have made clear in state after state that cannabis legalization is inevitable. The Biden-Harris Administration is listening.”
Rep. Suzanne Bonamici: "Rescheduling cannabis is a step in the right direction toward ending a failed war on drugs policy that has ruined too many lives—particularly for Americans from communities of color and low-income communities. I applaud the Biden Administration for this needed action.”
Rep. Val Hoyle: “This historic decision is long overdue! Let's keep the progress rollin' to end the failed War on Drugs by fully descheduling and regulating cannabis.”

Here are the official rules and information from the DOJ and White House:
White House Press Briefing on Cannabis Rescheduling
Justice Department Submits Proposed Regulation to Reschedule Marijuana (DOJ Press Release)
DOJ Notice Of Proposed Rulemaking
Office of Legal Counsel Memorandum Regarding Rescheduling Marijuana

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Infused Skin Salve Recipe for Spring

5/3/2024

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As we look forward to spring, it’s time to take a deep breath and refresh our bodies internally and externally from the cold of winter. Our daily rituals and habits provide us with a luxury moment of serenity, self love, and gratitude. What we nourish externally has the same effect as what we nourish internally.

Salves and Infused Oils are a great way to deliver the power of herbs to the largest organ of the body: the skin.

As the seasons change, so does our skin. Let your skin heal with this super herb skin salve and enjoy the healing power of plants. This beautiful recipe was created to bottle the beauty of spring for nourishing body care and to celebrate the re-awakening of the earth.

This is a multi-step, step-by-step, herbal infused oil recipe. Skip step #2 if you have an existing herbal infused oil that you’d like to use. Otherwise, you’ll need to follow the steps outlined below to create an infused oil that’s rich in herbs to promote healthy skin. You can store the infused oil for massages, bath salts, or salt scrubs. Or, you can continue down the line and make a salve out of it, as we have done in this recipe.

INFUSED SKIN SALVE RECIPE
Makes about: 8 1-oz jars
Step 1: Making herbal infused oils
Materials needed:

8-10 tins or jars with lids: 1-2 oz sizes, depending on your preference
Long wooden spoon
Grater with large holes (for beeswax)
Liquid measuring cup
Double boiler (or makeshift double boiler)
Cheesecloth

Ingredients:

1.5 cups dried herbs (We used equal parts dried calendula, red clover, plantain, and cleavers). Of course we recommend using the organically grown herbs we have selected at Breeze Botanicals, free of synthetic pesticides or herbicides.
2 cups organic olive oil (or other carrier oil of choice: jojoba, avocado, apricot, etc.)

If you are using your own freshly harvested herbs, they will need to be dried first to avoid the growth of any mold from the moisture of the plants. You can dry herbs in a dehydrator if you have one, or in an oven at low temperature (start at 120°F, then reduce to 100°F after a few hours) to dry them completely. It’s best to process the herbs before drying by removing any large stems or parts that need to be composted. Here’s more information on storing dried herbs.
Directions:

Add water to the bottom pot of your double boiler until half full. Place herbs and oil into the top pot and place above.
Once water is boiling, turn to low heat, and let the herbs and oils infuse for about 60 minutes.
Take care to keep attended and not to get any water into your herbal oil.
Once infused, pour the oil through a cheesecloth into a glass jar.
Once drained, gather the cheesecloth with clean, dry hands and squeeze out the remaining oil, discard the herbs, and retain the oil.
Store in a dry place for up to 6 months, or use as we have in this spring salve.

Double Boiler

Step 2: Making the salve
Ingredients:

¾ cup infused herbal oil
¼ cup coconut oil
1 oz beeswax
Optional: 15-18 drops essential oils of your choice – we used geranium and orange essential oils for a fresh and grounded scent.

Directions:

Add water to the bottom pot of your double boiler, and then pour your infused oil into the top pot and place above. You can also create a makeshift double boiler if you don’t have one. The main goal is to provide non-direct and even heat without burning.
Bring your double boiler to low heat and grate in your beeswax; then add coconut oil. Once everything has melted, add your essential oils.
Stir the mixture, and then quickly turn off your burner.
Now you can put this mixture into a liquid measuring cup to make pouring your final product easy. Slowly pour into each tin, and allow the salves to cool for an hour or two.

When the finished salve has cooled, generously apply the salve to the appropriate body parts needing relief, being careful not to get any in the eyes. To strengthen and cleanse the skin, we recommend rubbing the oil into the skin in circular movements, traveling in the direction of the heart.

Let's embrace our inner and outer beauty and be our best selves!

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Federal Rescheduling is Here: After 10 years

Infused Skin Salve Recipe for Spring

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The Breeze Blog

Federal Rescheduling is Here: After 10 years

Infused Skin Salve Recipe for Spring

Authors

Archives

​SUBSCRIBE AND BE THE FIRST TO KNOW ABOUT SALES and herb education and new product releases!

FOLLOW US!

We Would Love to Have You Visit Soon!

Hours

Telephone

Address

SUBSCRIBE AND BE THE FIRST TO KNOW ABOUT SALES and herb education and new product releases!