Aerial of Kooragang Island. Image via Flickr user Tim J Keegan, CC licence 2.0

As Lebanon reels in the aftermath of a catastrophic ammonium nitrate explosion, residents in the Australian port city of Newcastle are calling for their own stockpile of the chemical—four times the size of that which triggered the Beirut blast—to be moved away from the CBD and surrounding suburbs.

At least 100 people have been confirmed dead, nearly 4,000 are injured, and as many as 300,000 have lost their homes as a result of the explosion in the Lebanese capital, which officials have linked to a massive stockpile of 2,750 tons of ammonium nitrate that had been stored at the port for years.

Orica’s Kooragang Island plant in the Port of Newcastle currently stores between 6,000 and 12,000 tons of the stuff—up to four times the amount that wreaked citywide devastation on Beirut. It’s also located within 800 metres of residential housing and less than three kilometres from the city’s CBD.

“It’s a totally inappropriate place to have such a dangerous material produced and stored, and it’s something we’ve been complaining about for many, many years,” Keith Craig, one of 300 residents who has long called for the Orica plant to be either relocated or have its stockpiles drastically reduced, told the ABC. “Many people would be killed and injured if we had an accident at Orica.”

Explosives expert Tony Richards echoed those concerns, telling Fairfax: “if that went off, people in Sydney would say ‘what the hell was that?’ And the answer would be: ‘it used to be Newcastle’.”

In response, Orica—one of the world’s largest providers of commercial explosives and blasting systems—insisted there was no need to worry about their mass stockpile of ammonium nitrate. In a statement, the multinational corporation said that while thousands of tons of the highly explosive chemical is indeed stored at the plant on any given day, there are stringent practices in place to ensure its safe storage and handling.

“Ammonium nitrate storage areas are fire resistant and built exclusively from non-flammable materials,” they said. “There are no flammable sources within designated exclusion zones around these areas.”

It is believed that the Beirut blast was caused by a fire in a nearby port that spread to the warehouse where the ammonium nitrate was being stored. It is the latest in a number of similar explosions to have occurred over the past 10 years—including one incident in Texas that killed 15 people and destroyed an estimated 150 buildings in 2013, and another in France that killed 29 people in 2001. About 300 tons of ammonium nitrate was stored at both facilities.

It’s worth noting that plants used in the production and storage of ammonium nitrate and other explosive chemicals are not uncommon, and there are presumably thousands of facilities just like the ones in Beirut, Texas, and Paris all over the world. Ammonium nitrate is one of the world’s most widely used fertilisers, and in order for there to be a detonation there has to be a smaller shock, ie a firework explosion, to trigger it.

But Priyan Mendis, a professor of engineering and explosion expert from the University of Melbourne, pointed out that although the risk of an explosion at the Newcastle plant is low, it cannot be ruled out—and Orica is thus under an obligation to reassess its operations.

“I can understand the concerns of the residents in Newcastle, of course there is a risk,” he told the ABC. “The ammonium nitrate has to be triggered, something like a fire has to happen. But given the scale of the event in Lebanon I think Orica needs to review things and reassess what would happen here.”

Orica is licensed to produce up to 385,000 tonnes of ammonium nitrate a year, most of which is bought and used as an explosive by the mining industry.

In 2014 another mining and explosives chemicals manufacturer, Incitec Pivot, won approval for its own storage facility on the Port of Newcastle’s Kooragang Island, which would have the capacity for 30,000 tonnes of ammonium nitrate—more than ten times the amount that blew up in Beirut. It has not yet built the facility.

Following the Beirut explosion, Lebanese Prime Minister Hassan Diab condemned the failure to safeguard the dangerous stockpile that caused the blast as unacceptable, and promised harsh consequences for those found responsible.

“It is unacceptable that a shipment of 2,750 tonnes of ammonium nitrate has been present for six years in a warehouse, without taking preventive measures,” he said. A probe has been launched, with the investigating committee due to refer its findings to the judiciary within five days.

Diab further declared three days of national mourning, and appealed for international assistance.

“We are witnessing a real catastrophe,” he said in a televised address. “I make an urgent appeal to friendly and brotherly countries… to stand by Lebanon and to help us heal our deep wounds.”

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Keto is the dietary diet plan taking the health world by storm. Just way to make keto better? Add a little canna! Read on for a basic breakdown on making your own cannaflour to utilize in our Keto Pumpkin Loaf! In addition, more individuals are turning to CBD edibles, like Tribe CBD Gummies, for their dosage of daily CBD. If you would rather make your own cannaflour, feel free to follow the recipe below!

What is cannaflour and how is it made?
Not like butter or cooking oil infusions, cannaflour incorporates cooking with and consuming ground-up cannabis. Cannaflour is easy to prepare and is a core staple of cooking with marijuana. To properly prepare your cannaflour, make certain you are utilizing marijuana that has actually been decarboxylated marijuana (aka, heated up) ground really carefully. The preparation and storage of cannaflour is really essential, to make sure freshness and taste. To decarboxylate your cannabis, preheat oven to 200-250 degrees. On a big baking sheet, spread your marijuana and place in oven in between 40-60 minutes, turning the sheet or turning the marijuana throughout to make sure even heating. Get rid of from oven and allow to cool. Next grind your marijuana as carefully as possible, using a mixer or food mill.

Related: If you’re searching for a high-strength CBD tincture, take a look at Blue Ribbon Hemp’s 5,000 mg CBD tincture!

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Next, integrate 1/2 cup finely ground cannabis with 1 cup flour of your choice for a cannaflour mixture.

Now that we have our cannaflour, let’s get down to the delicious goodness! Keep reading for a scrumptious and elevating Keto Pumpkin Loaf.

Cannaflour Keto Pumpkin Loaf

• Cannaflour 1 Tablespoon
• Almond Flour 1 1/4 Cups
• Coconut Flour 1 1/4 Cups
• Psyllium Husk 2 Tbsp
• Flaxseed 1/2 Cup
• Gaia Goldenmilk Mix or Turmeric 1 1/2 Tbsp
• Pumpkin Pie Spice 2 Tbsp
• Baking Powder 1 Tbsp
• Walnuts Chopped 1/4 cup
• Pumpkin Seeds 1/4 cup
• Eggs 3
• Demerara or Coconut Sugar 2 Tablespoon
• Unsweetened Apple Sauce 1/2cup
• Pumpkin Puree 15 oz
• Coconut Oil 4 Tbsp
• Ghee 1 Tablespoon

Mix all dry components in big bowl with a whisk. Integrate all damp components in separate bowl.
3. Fold together with dry components.
4. Bake in a greased loaf pan for about 50 minutes or till a toothpick comes out clean! 5. Attempt to let the loaf cool before slicing and enjoying with butter, whipped cream, cream cheese, or your favorite nut butter.
6. Stay stoney!

For more CBD dishes like this one, ensure to take a look at CBD Elders!

When global travel resumes after COVID-19 lock downs are alleviated, most tourists will likely feel a little nervous to return to the airport.

In Addition To all the normal travel stressors like long lines to get through security, and possible hold-ups, a return to taking a trip will likewise consist of larger stress and anxieties like keeping yourself and your liked ones healthy and safe and not adding to any additional spread of the virus.

Once it’s safe to travel again, carrying a little assistant along to unwind and relieve any anxiety is a fantastic idea. August 8th is National CBD day, and this natural tension reliever can be an outstanding buddy on long journeys.

So, to commemorate National CBD day, we asked some professionals from Sunday Scaries to share the rules regarding taking a trip with CBD.

What is CBD?

CBD or cannabidiol is a substance found in the Marijuana sativa or cannabis plant. It’s not the part that people smoke to get high, however, some have actually reported that it makes them feel calm, unwinded and that it can reduce discomfort.

You can get CBD in mints, oil, cosmetics and even shimmering beverages, like the natural CBD beverages from Bimble They can be found in Grapefruit Basil Mint or Blueberry Lemon Ginger taste and consist of 25 mg of broad-spectrum hemp extract.

CBD can be an exceptional aid to help with travel worries and stress and anxieties, but can you take a trip safely with it and what are the regulations around carrying it from place to put?

The Farm Bill of 2018 made a difference between CBD originated from hemp which from marijuana. It made hemp derived CBD legal federally, meaning it can be transferred throughout borders.

However, there have actually been other updates to the guidelines surrounding CBD and travel.

CBD and Travel

We asked Mike Sill and Beau Schmitt, Co-Founders of Sunday Scaries, about the TSA regulations concerning CBD and which items get a location in their carry-on bag.

Why should travelers pack CBD for their journey?

Mike Sill: “If you have actually ever been stuck on the runway, experienced flight delays, and long security lines, then you understand the inescapable battles and disappointments that include taking a trip.

I always take a trip with my Sunday Scaries CBD Tincture to help put my mind at ease.”

The 1-ounce bottle, which consists of 500 mg of CBD, remains in line with the TSA policies concerning liquids, in addition to the rules that CBD must be capped at 0.3%of THC.

Just how much CBD can you fly with?

Beau Schmitt: “Thanks to the TSA clarifying its policies last May, (May 2019) flying with CBD items consisting of less than 0.3%THC in your carry-on is now permitted.”

Many states have actually altered their rules concerning CBD however as many CBD oils still remain unlawful at the federal level it’s important to thoroughly check TSA policies before taking a trip. You can find them here.

Why do you bring CBD on flights?

Beau Schmitt: “From being stuck in a middle seat to weeping infants, a lot can toss me off throughout a flight, and for this factor, I always keep CBD gummies in my hand like a security blanket.”

Sunday Scaries CBD Gummies include 10 mg of CBD per gummy along with vitamins D3 and B12

The business also makes other CBD instilled products including vegan gummies without the typical gelatin discovered in other gummy products, casts, caffeinated YOLO shots, and the oh so pretty and fun Unicorn Jerky

These colourful rainbow CBD candy strips were at first provided to celebrate Pride however were so popular that they have become an irreversible component.

Prior To You Fly

If you are traveling internationally and decide to take CBD with you, you’ll wish to really carefully examine the guidelines of the nation you will be reaching, as guidelines do differ around the globe.

If you need a little non-alcoholic pick me up before you fly or while we are all grounded in your home throughout lock downs grab a chilled Bimble instead and plan that next flight somewhere amazing!