The Daily Valet. - 4/20/22, Wednesday

✔️ Up In Smoke

April 20, 2022

Wednesday, April 20th Edition

Cory Ohlendorf, Editor in Chief of Valet.

This newsletter may give you the munchies.

Cory Ohlendorf , Editor ⋯ @coryohlendorf

Today’s edition is presented by

Today’s Big Story

It’s 4/20

Looking into the day’s absolutely unexpected origin story

It’s the 20th of April ... 4/20, the day tens of thousands of people gather around the country (and the world) to celebrate marijuana—a drug that remains illegal in most places. The day has gotten so big that major companies are getting in on the fun.

So how did the dankest day on the cannabis calendar go from a seemingly secret code to mainstream weed lingo? One common belief is that 420 was the California police code for marijuana, but there’s no evidence to support those claims.

The Los Angeles Times went digging for the real story and uncovered a group of California high schools students, dubbed The Waldos, who would go on “safaris” around the Bay Area to escape the banality of suburban youth. The group would meet at 4:20 PM and only had two rules: They had to go somewhere new, and participants had to be stoned.

The Waldos have thoroughly documented the term’s origins with postmarked letters, high school newspaper clippings and even military records to corroborate their first 4:20 PM safari. The ritual spread, and soon 420 became a common codename for smoking marijuana. Eventually, it morphed into 4/20 for calendar purposes, and the day of celebration was born.

It was once something of a counterculture holiday to protest, at least in part, the social and legal stigmas against weed. In recent years, marijuana legalization activists have tried to bring a more formal aspect to the celebration.

As of April 2022, 37 states have legalized the medical use of cannabis and 18 states allow it for recreational purposes. But federally, under the Controlled Substances Act of 1970, the Drug Enforcement Agency still classifies cannabis as a Schedule I drug. Which is why, instead of giving away ice cream today, Ben & Jerry’s is encouraging its fans to call on the Senate to pass the Marijuana Opportunity Reinvestment and Expungement (MORE) Act, which would legalize cannabis on the federal level and expunge the records of nonviolent drug offenders.

↦ JOINTS: These special release sneakers from Vans commemorate 4/20 in the most unapologetically baked way.

Russia Begins New Offensive

The Kremlin has issued a new ultimatum for Ukrainian fighters holed up in Mariupol

Russia has opened a long-anticipated new phase of the war in Ukraine. It reflects Moscow's hope to reverse its battlefield fortunes after a catastrophic seven weeks of war. Russian forces have sharply intensified artillery barrages and airstrikes on Ukrainian positions in the industrial heartland known as the Donbas.

According to the Associated Press, once Russian forces crush the last remaining pocket of Ukrainian resistance at a giant steel mill in Mariupol, experts predict Russia may concentrate its forces north of Crimea to try to capture the industrial hubs of on the Dnieper River, effectively cutting Ukraine in half.

The United States is expected to announce another package of military aid, which is expected to be similar in size to the $800 million one the administration announced last week, reports NBC News.

While Russia has faced increasing isolation and sanctions, China has highlighted the strong relationship between the two countries. Vice Foreign Minister Le Yucheng said China would continue to strengthen its “strategic coordination” with Russia, regardless of how the “international landscape may change.”

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Listen to Your Gut

There are some surprising things affecting your gut health

Warm weather and longer days are a welcome benefit of the seasons changing, but the downside is the arrival of spring allergies. And if sneezing and watery eyes weren't enough, it turns out that seasonal allergies can also negatively affect your gut.

A gastroenterologist explained to Well + Good that when histamines (the substance that causes allergy symptoms) are released into the GI tract, they can cause some nasty symptoms. The good news is that research shows improving your gut microbiome is correlated with fewer allergy symptoms, and other studies show prebiotic fiber can decrease those symptoms as well.

According to a report by Axios, 70% of your immune system sits in your belly. Your gut has as many nerves as your spinal cord and is also called a second brain. Not only do the millions of bacteria in the gut extract nutrients from your food and deliver them to your body, but its nerve endings talk to your brain and your hormones to regulate your mind and sense of well-being.

So how can you treat your gut right? Make sure you're tending to the good bacteria in your system with a diet full of fiber and natural probiotics. If you're seeking simple supplements, Healthline dove deep into the topic of dietician-vetted probiotics, rating them by price, shelf-life and efficacy.

↦ Dig Deeper: A recent episode of The Doctor's Farmacy podcast with Mark Hyman, M.D. tackled three things that destroy your gut health.

Are You a Member?

Private clubs have never been more popular

After the original Soho House made headlines in the late '90s and early aughts, the members-only model has seen its popularity wax and wane. But as we cautiously eye the worst days of the pandemic in our rearview mirror, private clubs are once again on the rise, reports Travel + Leisure.

The most popular clubs at the moment seem to focus on a consumer's passions— whether that's fitness at Heimat, in L.A., or wine and spirits at WS New York. Creator-centric clubs, like Fitler in Philadelphia and The Battery in San Francisco, offer libraries and event venues, in addition to guest rooms. In Boston, the 'Quin House takes a community-minded approach, offering grants to city nonprofits with input from members.

Whatever the model, each club strives to offer a curated experience that you can't find anywhere else. Fitler Club president Jeff David tells T+L, “we offer members a community of like-minded individuals they otherwise might not have the opportunity to meet.”

According to Robb Report, high-end hotels are now getting into the game. Why only court out-of-towners when you could get locals to pay a fee to regularly use your facilities? Of course, members will also receive priority in-room booking and discounted rates.

↦ Quoted: “I don’t want to belong to any club that would accept me as one of its members.” - Groucho Marx

In Other News

↦ Netflix Preps Bigger Password-Sharing Crackdown

↦ Size Matters: Inside the Politics of Festival Posters

↦ Scientists Invent Device for Optimally Separating Oreos

Other Things We’re Talking About Today

Phone radiation

This palo santo holder

Sliding into these

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Many restaurants are looking to automation as labor costs rise and workers are in short supply. An employee shortfall of 3.7 million is expected over the next 10 years, hurting restaurants (and consumer prices) if solutions aren't implemented. Miso Robotics is solving that problem by filling in the gaps with their robotic cooks, powered by artificial intelligence, along with real industry knowledge and learnings accrued through brand partnerships over its first five years.

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Menswear Finds on Sale Now

↑ Using inspiration from military surplus liner jackets and sturdy twill shirts, this jacket from Everlane ($128 / $89) is perfect for transitioning any season. Made up of recycled plastics, it's easy to pack for weekend getaways and meant to be layered for any climate.

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