Skimm'd while staying fresh

"Broccoli is like my favorite vegetable. It's the sh*t. I love it." – John Legend.

YES WE CANNABIS

The Story

Mary Jane has a new home.

What are you talking about?

Starting today, recreational weed is legal in Canada. It's only the second country in the world (hi, Uruguay) – and first industrialized one – to legalize the green stuff for fun.

Give me the ground rules.

All 13 provinces and territories have rules on things like where you can buy it. For most, the legal smoking age is 18. No selling to minors. No driving high. And no edibles until next year. Otherwise, party on Wayne.

Why the change?

Canadian PM Justin Trudeau campaigned in part on making it legal. Last year, the gov intro'd legislation to make it happen. The goals: stop money from going to the black market and make it harder for minors to get their hands on it. Canada's House of Commons gave it the (green) thumbs up. The country's senate OK'd it just a few months ago.

What are the issues around it?

Since the rules are different around the country, Canadians are feeling dazed and confused about what is and isn't allowed. There's also concern that there could be a shortage of legal weed. And illegal drug dealers are apparently dropping prices to try to keep customers. There are worries that all of this could lead to people turning to the black market – the exact thing Trudeau wants to stop.

What are the laws in the US?

You're good to smoke in nine states plus DC (if you're 21 or over). 30 states have given the OK to medical marijuana. But federal law still says 'very much illegal.' The Justice Dept has been cracking down on it too. Also, don't try to bring your new green friend back to the states with you. It's illegal.

theSkimm

Legalizing weed is expected to make some Canadians very happy. But there are fears that the rollout has been rushed, and could cause problems for smokers and businesses there.

PS: Want to know the history of weed and how it became a thing in the US? Get our app to hear an audio episode.

REPEAT AFTER ME...

What people are worried about…

Yemen. The UN is reportedly warning that up to 14 million people there are in danger of famine. Since 2015, the country's been caught in a civil war between the Yemen gov (backed by Saudi Arabia) and the Houthi rebels (backed by Iran). More than 10,000 people have been killed, and millions more have been displaced. The worst violence right now is in a rebel-controlled port city, which the gov is trying to get back. But that area is crucial for food and aid access. In recent weeks, food prices have skyrocketed. Earlier this week, the UN said 12 or 13 million people were at risk of starvation. Now, the UN's reportedly saying it underestimated by 1.5 and 2 million, and that children are expected to be worst hit by this man-made famine – which could be the world's worst in 100 years.

What people are watching…

This caravan. Yesterday, President Trump threatened to cut aid to Honduras if it doesn't somehow stop a caravan of more than 1,000 Honduran migrants from reaching the US. The migrants are fleeing things like violence and poverty back home, and so far are showing no signs of stopping. Speaking of money talking, key Democrats are outraising Republicans they're trying to unseat in advance the midterms. It has Dems hopeful this means a blue wave is coming for the House. Speaking of Dems, Sen. Heidi Heitkamp (D-ND) is facing some heat for an ad she ran about sexual assault survivors. The problem? Some women in the ad hadn't agreed to share their names, and others said they're not even abuse survivors. Add this to an already challenging race for her – she's running for re-election in a state Trump won by 36 points.

What people don't want a comeback of...

Polio...or anything like it. Yesterday, the CDC said it's seeing dozens of cases of a polio-like illness that can cause muscle weakness or paralysis. The CDC is saying 'to be clear, this isn't polio.' But it's also struggling to understand what's causing this illness to show up in 22 states.

What to say when you hear the interim USA Gymnastics CEO lasted less than a week…

There, there – you'll find something else. New government data shows the US hit 7.1 million job openings back in August – the most on record. Might be a good time to ask for a raise.

What to say when you hear Apple fixed its sad bagel…

Twitter fixed its notifications.

THING TO KNOW

Stress sweat

Different from regular sweat. It's what happens when you're under psychological stress. And because nerves aren't fun enough, it also smells a lot worse than the kind of sweat you drip after spin class. Secret Clinical Deodorant can help you stick it to the stress sweat. It provides fast protection and works overtime to keep you fresh. Get on it.

SKIMM PICKS

For when you want to treat your feet…

These flats are lightweight and royally comfortable. As in Meghan Markle wears them. Yes, really. Skimm'rs get $20 off their next purchase. Here you go.*

For when you want to make money moves…

Stay invested. Literally. Vanguard's Women & Investing Webcast will show you how. Sign up here to get expert info from women in finance. Think: industry trends and what it means to invest as a woman. Go for it.*

For when you want new accessories…

Skimm'r of the Week Karen Larson wants you to treat yourself, guilt-free. She's the president and CEO of Friendship Bridge, an org that works to empower Guatemalan women through things like microcredit and programs to up their biz skills. Buy up from women in their program here.

SKIMM BIRTHDAYS

* indicates Skimm'bassador. Treat yo'self.

Tom Dubois IL, Celeste Stuczynski OH, Caroline Mehl NY, Ronn Owens, *Caitlin Dodd TX, *Elizabeth MacAulay NY, *Kelsey Rothhouse CA, *Lauren Fong FL, *Kayla Merritt AL, *Abinaya Kunarathnam NY, *Rachel Schor LA, *Sarah Flessas VA, *Hansika Ramchandani MA, *Kora Dreffs GA, *Emily Smith TX, *Jenna Day IN, *Jenna Blythe CO, *Whitney Petralia NY, *Kat Kulzer MA, *Alexandra Youngman FL, *Adele Marchant DC, *Kaitlyn Rochelle LA, *Julianne Aldous UT, *Yarissa Reyes NJ, *Dian Nease ON, *Anna Patrick VA, *Lauren Swope NJ, *Patrick Wong CA, Charlotte Ruppel TN, Kate Scalzi MI, Leslie Thatcher UT, Ali Shaw IL, Brittany Verduzco, Tammy Lynn Schaefer MN, Heather Louis CA, Lexi Leonie TX, Lexie Mize, Melissa Bandoian NY, Lauren Utley CO, Kim Selent IL, Jade Bassil PA, Maddi Pescatore NY, Cecily White PA, Kaitlin Laurent LA, Kendall Cook TX, Julia Briggs IL, Kristin Stoller CT, Nima Khosravani FL, Danielle Stuart CAN, Christopher Simms IL, Wendy Goodyear Costigan FL, Patricia Davis FL, Kathy Lheureux Reidy, Sarah Kim CO, Vishalli Loomba CA, Jessica Williams TN, Pooja Patel DC, Mitchell Sherman PA, Jasmine Sarkis OH, Jamie Brond KS, Dana DiCamillo CT, Ashley Villanueva CA, Christine Bang NC, Kourtlyn Rochelle CA, Clara Slight PA, Maggie Hall DC, Kim Westphal IL, Tonia Wiggins KY, Kelly Smith NY