Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ) is “open to compromises” when it comes to federal cannabis reform. He is even considering the possibility that his chamber could green-light a marijuana banking measure that would include social equity components, before taking action on the Cannabis Administration And Opportunity Act (CAOA), the senator signaled in a recent interview published by NJ Spotlight News.
In late July, Booker, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR) introduced a long-awaited marijuana bill that would decriminalize and deschedule cannabis on the federal level, while also promoting social equity.
U.S. Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer (D-NY) (C), joined by Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ) (L) and Sen. Ron Wyden (D-OR) / Photo by Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images
Shortly after, Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime and Terrorism, chaired by Booker, held a hearing called “Decriminalizing Cannabis at the Federal Level: Necessary Steps to Address Past Harm,” during which the senator called for an end to the federal ban on marijuana, saying that “federal cannabis prohibition has failed.”
Despite criticism for accepting a more dialed-back approach to the issue of federal marijuana reform, the senator remains firm in his position to be open to compromise.
“New Jersey sent me down here to get things done—not to make stands where I make good points but don’t pass bills,” Booker said. “I’m open to compromises that are going to achieve my goals of safety, of investment opportunities that are equal for business communities and, finally, to make sure we do something for all of these people right now who have marijuana possession charges that deserve some relief from the impact that it’s having on their economic and family wellbeing.”
Referring to the bipartisan Secure and Fair Enforcement (SAFE) Banking Act that seeks to protect financial institutions wanting to provide their services to state-legal marijuana businesses, Booker supports it. He’s called it a “very important” measure, though believes it should include “some restorative justice as well.”
SAFE Banking Act has passed the House seven times. However, it is still in the Senate under Republican and Democratic leadership.
In a speech he delivered last week in Las Vegas, Nevada, Former President Donald Trump said that the US should replicate the drug policies of China where drug dealers face the death penalty after quick trials.
He discussed drastic measures which he believes are the solution for law and order in the country, praising China’s preferred method of governance. “The penalties should be very, very severe. If you look at countries throughout the world, the ones that don’t have a drug problem are ones that institute a very quick trial death penalty sentence for drug dealers,” he said.
“It sounds horrible, doesn’t it? But you know what? That’s the ones that don’t have any problem. It doesn’t take 15 years in court. It goes quickly, and you absolutely – you execute a drug dealer and you’ll save 500 lives,” he explains. He went on to say that the US needed a crack down on illegal drug dealers with the strengthening of police force, whom he thinks should be present in every corner.
“It’s terrible to say, but you take a look at every country in this world that doesn’t have a problem with drugs, they have a very strong death penalty for people that sell drugs,” Trump said.
The United States is already well on the way to spreading cannabis legalization, as well as the legalization of therapeutic psychedelics, both of which have tremendous benefits for society as proven by the data. But the opioid epidemic still haunts us, taking lives each day — and the death penalty is no solution to the opioid epidemic.
Death Penalty Is Not The Solution
If any country has a drug problem, the presence of illegal drug pushers is merely a symptom of a bigger issue. Death penalty is never the answer.
For people like Trump who think it is, their moral compass is seriously off the radar. Nobody has the right to take someone’s life from them.
According to a 2018 report by Harm Reduction International, some 35 countries around the world still issue the death penalty for drug related offenses. However, while these countries choose to use capital punishment, that doesn’t mean that it’s right or that it works. In fact, the trend is that more countries are working to abolish the death penalty for crimes – not just drug-related crimes, so if the US decides to adopt such an extreme measure, it would go against the global trend. Besides, the countries that have these measures in place don’t have any proof that it works in stopping the cycle of the illegal drug trade and the pushers behind them.
One also has to remember that in numerous cases, many people who have had no choice but to become pushers have only done so out of desperation. They are usually tricked or forced into going against the law, and oftentimes they are only teenagers. It is simply not fair to rob a teenager of their right to live – they are not the ones the law should be after.
Take the case of Shahrul Izani of Malaysia, who was only 19 years old when he was convicted of drug trafficking back in 2003. He was found with 622 grams of marijuana on him and was then given the death penalty due for 2009, with many fighting for his life. Thankfully, Amnesty International Malaysia was effective in their campaigns for his clemency and instead was sent to prison, where he is scheduled to be released in 2030.
Malaysia doesn’t disclose their execution statistics, though according to experts, more than half of the death sentences in the Asian country have been due to drug convictions. However, Iran and Malaysia were once two countries that were prime supporters of the death penalty yet both countries have already made efforts necessary to minimize having to go to this extreme for drug-related measures. It makes no sense for a country supposedly as progressive as the United States to start going in the opposite direction.
Instead, we should be looking at measures that are always humane and evidence based. More importantly, any measure should seek to address the root cause of any public health crisis. Policies are needed to ensure that marginalized communities are always protected while spreading awareness and information on harm reduction policies. Treatment and medication for those who are addicted to drugs need to be provided, but these things simply do not happen in cultures that use the drug penalty to punish drug pushers with the death penalty.
At the end of the day, capital punishment goes against the values of a democratic system. There are many things that are unfair, unjust, and inhumane about it but in the United States (and many other countries), what makes it worse is that it’s carried out on people based on their wealth status. It’s far more common for marginalized people, people of color, and the poor to be executed compared to rich, white people.
Besides, going after the death penalty will only waste resources: law enforcement, taxpayer money, and more. There is no real benefit for public health and will not even stop violent crime. Experts know that the real solution to end violent crime is to provide more employment, work on a better, more lucrative economy, and increasing the police force.
Photo by MachineHeadz/Getty Images
The data is there: based on the FBI’s Uniform Crime Reports, states that have the death penalty have a higher murder rate compared to states that don’t. It does nothing but fool the voting public that the government is indeed working on reducing violent crime but these laws really do nothing to protect you from criminals. Nobody deserves to die — not by the hand of another man and most especially not the law.
Brittney Griner was arrested in Russia for possession of marijuana. She’s not the only athlete to use the drug for medical purposes.
Last week, Brittney Griner testified in front of a Russian court after being arrested for possession of marijuana. She claimed she used marijuana to treat her sports injuries. And she isn’t the only one.
“Because of my injuries that I’ve had over the long career of basketball. From my spine, no cartilage in my knee. I was in a wheelchair for four months. I broke my ankle and I also sprained my knee really bad. So I was wheelchair-bound,” she explained.
Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images
Griner shared that she had purchased the cannabis in Phoenix, and had winded up with them in Russia by accident. “In the seven years that I came back and forth (to Russia), I never brought any substance that needed to be declared. And I didn’t plan on bringing any substance when I came on Feb. 17,” she said.
While banned by all sports, athletes are amongst the most consistent cannabis users in the world. In an interview with GQ, retired NBA pro Al Harrington said that he thought about 85% of NBA players used “some type of cannabis.” Martellus Bennett, a retired NFL player, said he believed “about 89 percent” used cannabis.
It’s usually when players retire that they come clean about their drug use, claiming that marijuana helped them calm down and manage the pain that comes from submitting their bodies to long hours of stress and exercise. “When we looked at the positive effects of cannabis for this population, sleep, pain levels, and the ability to calm down were the most common areas where athletes saw improvement,” said Joanna Zeiger, who conducted a study on the matter.
Despite the large numbers of cannabis users involved in sports, there’s not a lot of research on the matter. Kevin Boehnke, a researcher at the University of Michigan’s Chronic Pain and Fatigue Research Center, spoke with the New York Times and explained that while cannabis tended to be safer than anti-inflammatories and opiates, “that doesn’t mean it’s without risk.” Still, he believes the drug should be studied.
As we’ve reported before, although there is the prospect of developing a marijuana dependency, research shows that less than 10% of consumers end up doing so. Plus, unlike opioids, there are no recorded marijuana overdoses on record.
Griner’s future remains in limbo. She plead guilty but made it clear that it wasn’t her intention to smuggle any substances into Russia. It’s up to the US and Russia to figure out what to do next and how that will impact the sporting community.
As people are becoming more open to experimenting with alternative treatments for various health issues, or simply for wellness purposes, both cannabis and psychedelics are coming into play. While it has been confirmed that cannabis is the world’s most consumed substance, with around 209 million people using it in 2020, psychedelics are another story. At least for now.
Nevertheless, things seem to be changing. According to a new poll by YouGov, some 28% of Americans have tried at least one psychedelic drug. The poll, which questioned 1,000 adults between the ages of 22-25, revealed that the most used psychedelic substance is LSD and that 14% of participants confirmed trying it, followed closely by psilocybin with 13%.
Poll Highlights
9% of participants have tried MDMA, 6% ketamine, 6% DMT, and 5% salvia;
51% of those self-defining as very liberal have tried at least one psychedelic substance;
42% of those with a family income of at least $100,000 have tried at least one psychedelic substance;
42% of participants with a postgraduate degree confirm they tried one psychedelic drug;
Out of those who have tried one, 39% belonged to the 30-44 age group, and 37% were Americans living in the Western part of the U.S.;
Among those questioned, the following groups showed the lowest propensity for trying psychedelic substances: Black Americans – 14% have tried; seniors (aged 65 and older) – 14%; Protestants – 19%; people living in rural areas – 19%; conservative people – 21%.
While progress on psychedelic decriminalization and research has been noticed over the last couple of years, most Americans are still against it.
By 44% to 27%, Americans oppose decriminalizing psilocybin (mushrooms);
By 53% to 20%, Americans oppose decriminalizing LSD (acid);
By 53% to 19%, Americans oppose decriminalizing MDMA (ecstasy);
Those who have tried one of these three drugs are more inclined toward backing their decriminalization.
68% of people who have tried psilocybin say it should be legal;
48% of people who’ve tried MDMA say it should be legal;
43% of people who have tried LSD say it should be legal;
House Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) and Dan Crenshaw (R-Texas) recently filed separate bills toward further advancing research on psychedelic-assisted post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) treatments for veterans. Based on the poll, some 54% of Americans support that type of research, while 18% are against it.
Sleep. It’s so vital for health and wellness, yet so many of us struggle with it. Getting a good night’s rest isn’t as easy as you think, at least for a great deal of the population. If you’re between the age of 18 to 64, you need 7 up to 9 hours of good sleep each night. Yet, a surprising 35.2% of American adults sleep less than 7 hours a night while 10-30% of adults report that they struggle with chronic insomnia. Here is what to know about using cannabis for sleep.
A night of deep sleep is essential to feeling great the next day, and it also helps prevent a host of health problems down the line. It’s crucial for helping the body to repair internally, prevent sickness, keep the immune system up, prevent weight gain… the list goes on.
Photo by Acharaporn Kamornboonyarush via Pexels
Because so many people find good sleep to be elusive, we’ve seen a rise in over-the-counter medications meant to address sleep. Yet, so many of them don’t work and leave people feeling extremely groggy the next day. And that’s where cannabis comes into play.
Why Cannabis Works So Well As A Sleep Aid
Cannabis has been a known sedative for centuries, thanks to its relaxing properties. There are numerous studies that prove this point. On top of that, a survey conducted in 2019 where 1,000 people were polled revealed that three-fourths of them used cannabis to help them sleep, saying it was helpful.
But for anyone who’s starting out in the world of cannabis, and for those who desperately want it to help them sleep, read on to help you better navigate dispensaries for the right product.
There are hundreds of naturally-occurring chemicals within the cannabis plant that affect sleep. The two main compounds are broken down into cannabinoids and terpenes. There are three main cannabinoids:
THC: Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is the primary psychoactive compound in the plant that gets you high. It’s famous for its pain relief and anti-nausea properties, but it also has potent sedative effects and can help you fall asleep faster. THC has also been found to reduce your time in REM sleep, which in layman’s terms means that you have reduced dreams. This is especially helpful if you are prone to nightmares which can wake you up in the middle of the night and make it harder to go back to sleep.
CBD: Cannabidiol (CBD) is a therapeutic compound that doesn’t get you high. It’s relaxing properties are well-known, and it’s already widely used for the treatment of anxiety, pain, and depression. Studies have shown that it’s also beneficial for promoting alertness and reducing sleepiness during the daytime.
CBN: Cannabinol (CBN) is a lesser-known compound though it does have potent sedative properties, which have been found to be enhanced when taken with THC. CBN also has valuable medicinal benefits such as its ability to fight pain, inflammation, and stimulate the appetite.
Then there are terpenes. Terpenes have been getting more attention lately because newer studies have shown its promise in adding to cannabis’ medicinal properties. These invisible molecules are also found in other plants, and are responsible for giving cannabis strains their unique smell and taste. More importantly, terpenes also have medicinal properties and certain terpenes are helpful as a sleep aid:
There are certain ways you can make the most out of cannabis to ensure you get a good night’s rest:
Timing: Timing your intake plays a big role in using cannabis for sleep. This is especially true if you are using edibles. Edibles do take a while to kick in, though they are more potent so they can help you stay asleep for longer. However, it can take anywhere from thirty minutes to two hours for it to kick in but once it does, the duration can last 8-12 hours. To be sure, medicate at least an hour before you plan to go to bed.
Strains: When it comes to the plant’s sedative and relaxing properties, more people are likely to buy indica strains as opposed to sativas. However, studies have shown that there are few differences between the two strains, and the same strain can make one person sleepy while excite the other. So instead of buying cannabis based on whether it’s an indica or sativa, look for products that have been laboratory tested so that you have a good picture of its chemical makeup. Many dispensaries nowadays sell products that provide detailed information on a strain’s effects, so go with that instead of its name.
Experiment: Different cannabis products affect people differently. There’s no one-size fits-all solution; though generally speaking, CBD is widely accepted as a calming sedative that works well for many people, there are also those that find either low or high dose THC to be best when it comes to sleep. You can also shop for cannabis products that are made specifically for sleep. It won’t hurt you to experiment and see what works for you.
Of course, it also helps to follow other well-known bedtime habits that will improve sleep. Don’t rely on cannabis as a one-off solution. Here are some tried-and-tested tips to do together with cannabis:
Reduce exposure to bright lights before bedtime (this includes limiting time on tablets, smartphones, and television)
Limit caffeine consumption later in the day. Try to get your last cup in at noon; better yet, replace coffee with green tea
Stop taking daytime naps
Go to bed at the same time each night
Don’t consume too much alcohol before bed
Last but not least, if you are taking medications especially prescription drugs, always consult with your doctor before taking cannabis.
While on the one hand these layoffs may trigger some red flags of warning for investors, it is important to remember that this is not uncommon in business.
The legal cannabis industry is booming in North America. Both Canada and many states in the US where recreational marijuana is legal have seen record breaking sales year after year. As we have previouslyreported, experts predict marijuana sales will reach an astonishing $33 billion in 2022. Considering these numbers it is hard to imagine cannabis companies downsizing, and yet some are. So why are marijuana companies laying off workers as the industry grows?
Over the last few years several major players in cannabis have laid off a sizable percentage of their workforce. Even though the cannabis industry was resilient throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, one by one, more companies made announcements that they were trimming the fat. In some cases, entire locations were shut down.
Photo by Hoptocopter / Getty Images
These recent layoffs are a surprising outcome in an industry that continues to grow. When you look closer at why these companies are eliminating jobs, however, you can begin to understand the necessary new vision of these companies as well as certain mistakes companies in the industry are learning from.
For some companies, the layoffs come after they have yet to see a return on giant investments. “The layoffs came after the cannabis sector spent billions to build cultivation facilities but ended up destroying cannabis they could not sell. The supply glut also led to the sale of properties at a fraction of their construction cost,” according toMarketWatch. With instances of money left on the table, with large work forces, some large companies have had to make tough decisions.
Aurora is a company that bet big on cannabis and in turn invested in facilities and land. Over the last year it has had to make several layoffs as it now tries to scale its operation down to stop hemorrhaging costs, and eventually start turning a profit. “Several cannabis companies, including Aurora, have been overhauling their operations to better align supply with demand in hopes of becoming profitable in the next few years,” the Canadian Broadcasting Company (CBC)wrote. Aurora will contend to make their operation leaner, even announcing it will close three facilities, as the large company looks to the future and tries to get out of the red.
Aurora is not the only company that seems to be leaning out its workforce this year. While the opportunity in the marijuana industry continues to rise, with more and more competition on the market companies have to fight to hold their ground, which means constant involution and often prices lower than they would like to offer.
Canopy Growth, another major cannabis company, is laying off 250 employees in attempts to lower the costs of goods and streamline their operation. Profits continue to be an issue for them as well. “These necessary changes are being implemented to ensure the size and scale of our operations reflect current market realities and will support the long-term sustainability of our company,” Canopy Growth CEO David Klein said in a companypress release.
Even marijuana tech companies are having to scale back. The overcommitment is being felt by many organizations, including Dutchie, a tech company that has announced layoffs as unclear financial times loom ahead. “Dutchie is the latest tech company to lay off workers in response to the broader ongoing economic uncertainty. Several cannabis software companies have slashed staff in recent weeks, including Eaze and Akerna,” according toGeekWire.
The common thread in many of these layoffs seems to be a narrowing of focus, scope and size in order to achieve desired profits. While on the one hand these layoffs may trigger some red flags of warning for investors, it is important to remember that this is not uncommon in business. Other industries have experienced these growing pains as they navigated uncharted waters. The important part moving forward is to learn from this era of trimming the fat to ensure fewer affected jobs and increased profits in the years to come.
Remarkably few jobs disclose that they require drug testing before confirming employment, or during employment. On average, only 1.47% of job postings in the U.S. mention that they require pre-employment drug tests.
According to a study conducted by Quest Diagnostics Inc., drug use among American employees, as measured by the percentage of employees who tested positive in urine drug tests, hit a 14-year high in 2018, reaching 4.4%.
Cannabis continues to be the most popular substance, with 2.8% of all employees tested showing positive results.
The news led addiction experts at the American Addiction Centers to wonder about the impact this might have on pre-employment drug testing in professionals. Seeking for an answer, they conducted an analysis of job postings on the popular website Glassdoor. They were trying to find out what types of jobs are most likely to include requirements for drug tests, and regular drug screening.
Overall, remarkably few jobs disclose that they require drug testing before confirming employment, or during employment. On average, only 1.47% of job postings in the U.S. mention that they require pre-employment drug tests.
Even fewer jobs disclose that they require regular drug screenings during employment. On average, only 0.66% of job postings mention regular drug testing.
A few of the most likely industries to require pre-employment drug tests were:
Government
Health Care & Hospitals
Manufacturing
Automotive
Transportation & Logistics
Private Security
Aerospace & Defense
Construction
Information Technology
Education & Schools
A few of the most likely industries to require regular drug screenings were:
Health Care & Hospitals
Transportation & Logistics
Government
Automotive
Manufacturing
Information Technology
Insurance
Biotech & Pharmaceuticals
Real Estate
Non-Profit
“Overall, we were surprised that more employers were not up front with the sobriety expectations for their employees, particularly in some of the more manual fields such as manufacturing or construction. Additionally, incredibly few office jobs discuss drug testing in their job postings,” American Addiction Centers experts said during an exclusive conversation.
Now, while drug testing numbers are surprisingly low on average, there’s considerable variation between states.
Still, only one city in the country boasts a number above 2.4%: in Arlington, TX, almost 7% of jobs require pre-employment drug screenings. On the other end of the spectrum was New York City, with just 0.46% of all jobs requiring screenings.
One very surprising discovery made from the data was that Omaha, NE had absolutely no jobs that required regular drug screening according to their job postings. However, according to a study from earlier this year, residents of the city have the highest substance abuse rate in the country. It seems contradictory that a city experiencing a pronounced issue with substance abuse would have absolutely no job postings addressing the issue.
But, beyond city-specific data, one thing is clear: drug testing before or during employment is a thing of the past.
This article was originally published on Forbes/Benzinga, and republished here with permission.
Cannabis growing is a great adventure. You’ll never stop learning, but if you keep these points in mind, you should be off to a flying start.
If you’re considering growing your first ever cannabis crop, congratulations! It’s a massively rewarding thing to do and even experienced growers will feel envy, a little like seeing someone discover a great movie or piece of music for the first time.
However, you are also embarking on a road strewn with traps for the unwary. Here, we highlight some of the more common rookie errors and how to avoid them.
Photo by Jordan Siemens/Getty Images
The Bag Seed of Doom
Oh, it is so tempting. A free cannabis seed that magically appeared in your bag of buds. The buds were great, so surely this will produce a plant that delivers more of the same? Don’t waste your time. The seed could be anything, it’s most likely a male, in which case you won’t get any buds at all, and even if it is not, it’s highly unlikely to produce the same buds that you bought.
Getting off on the right foot starts with having the right seeds, so visit an online seed bank such as Zamnesia and choose the exact type that you want. There will be more than enough surprises on your growing journey without throwing mystery seeds into the mix!
Trusting Luck With pH and Nutrients
Remember what your mother told you about what it takes to grow up big and strong? The same applies to cannabis plants. It’s easy to get overwhelmed by all the nutrient advice that’s out there and the associated acronyms, and you wouldn’t be the first rookie grower to throw your hands up in despair, give the plants a good watering and hope for the best.
Even if you think you’ve got it covered with nutrient-rich organic super soil, it counts for nothing if the pH is off-kilter, as this will prevent the roots from absorbing whatever nutrients are there. Most nutrient problems are actually pH problems, so keep that at the right level and the battle is more than half won. If you are growing in soil, the pH should be between 6.0 and 6.5. With coco coir or hydroponics, aim closer to 6.0, or fractionally below.
Underestimating Light Requirements
Lights are expensive, and so is electricity these days, that is understood. But here’s a word to the wise. If a basic household lightbulb was sufficient, then all the professional growers would be using them instead of their expensive HID and LED set ups!
Younger plants can manage without lots of light, but you need to be able to crank it up when they get to the flowering stage or your buds will be a disappointment. In short, there is a direct correlation between the light intensity and the amount of bud produced. The type of lights you need depend on your personal set up, but if possible, invest in LEDs. They deliver phenomenal intensity without producing heat and are very energy efficient, so you will thank yourself later as they don’t take long to pay for themselves.
Over or Under Watering
It’s easy to make a blunder on the watering, and it’s something that trips even experienced growers up occasionally. An underwatered plant is plain to see. With thin and brittle leaves that feel dry to the touch, the plant will look generally sickly and sorry for itself. Don’t over-react, but increase the watering frequency and when the plant is looking healthier, consider transferring it to a larger pot.
An overwatered cannabis plant has droopy leaves that are curling downwards and might have yellow or brown spots. The problem is not necessarily that you are giving the plant too much water. It could be down to insufficient drainage or even too large a pot.
Getting the watering just right is a fine art, and different strains of cannabis have different needs. The most important tip is to be on the lookout for signs of trouble so you can react quickly.
Photo by DaveLongMedia/Getty Images
Not Enough Ventilation
When you grow indoors, you can be so busy monitoring temperature, humidity and so on that you forget to give your plants a little fresh air. Inadequate ventilation can lead to mold, which in turn, can destroy an entire crop.
Assuming you’re not growing on a large scale, a free-standing fan should be more than adequate to keep the air moving.
Lack of Care
Ventilation is no problem when you grow outdoors, but it does expose you to a whole new set of risks. In short, it boils down to two things: Don’t forget to protect your valuable property and be considerate towards your neighbors.
As far as the first point is concerned, growing cannabis where any passerby can see it is never a good idea, even if you live somewhere where it is perfectly legal. Let’s assume your plant will yield 300g. Average dispensary prices are around $10 per gram. Even in the best neighborhood, you wouldn’t leave a $3,000 car in your yard day and night with the keys in the ignition for all to see. By growing companion plants like chamomile and lavender, you’ll disguise the smell, too.
It’s not just thievery you need to think about. You might have been punching the air with delight when cultivation was legalized in your state, but that doesn’t mean your neighbors felt the same. Keep your plants a respectful distance from boundaries so that they are not obvious to the eyes or nose. That’s doubly important if the neighbors have children.
Harvesting Too Soon
Every new grower finds the first harvest stressful, it’s only natural. Harvesting too early is a shame, as it reduces the overall potency and weight after all your hard work. Be patient and wait till most of the pistils have darkened and started to curl in. Choosing the right moment comes naturally with experience, but if it’s your first harvest, these tips will help you along.
Cannabis growing is a great adventure. You’ll never stop learning, but if you keep the above points in mind, you should be off to a flying start.
The Marijuana Misdemeanor Expungement Act aims to restore justice to millions of Americans who have suffered inordinate collateral consequences associated with marijuana-related misdemeanors.
Congressmen Troy A. Carter, Sr. (D-LA) and Rodney Davis (R-IL) introduced bipartisan legislation on Friday that would create a mechanism for federal misdemeanor marijuana offenses to be expunged, amid a new push for decriminalization at the federal level.
“I’m proud to introduce The Marijuana Misdemeanor Expungement Act, bipartisan legislation that will restore justice to millions of Americans who have suffered inordinate collateral consequences associated with marijuana-related misdemeanors,” said Congressman Carter in a press release. “These misdemeanors — even without a conviction — can result in restrictions to peoples’ ability to access educational aid, housing assistance, occupational licensing and even foster parenting. Delivering justice for our citizens who have been impacted by marijuana-related misdemeanors is a key component of comprehensive cannabis reform.”
Photo by Tetiana Strilchuk/Getty Images
Illinois Congressman Davis added, “Given the number of states, like Illinois, where marijuana has long been legalized for adult use, we must ensure that our criminal justice system keeps pace so that individuals with low-level misdemeanor violations related to its use does not preclude them from getting jobs and participating in society.”
Cannabis Reform Advocates Approve
Cannabis reform advocates, including Weldon Angelos, founder and president of the Weldon Project, Roz McCarthy, founder and CEO of Minorities 4 Medical Marijuana and Dr. Chanda Macias, CEO of National Holistic Healing Center shared their support for the legislation.
“For far too long, millions of Americans have been affected by the lifelong consequences of marijuana-related convictions on their record for simply possessing a small quantity of cannabis,” said Angelos who called the bill life-changing for so many people and their families.
McCarthy called the bill landmark legislation that will allow thousands of Americans to move forward with their lives and maximize their full potential. “Addressing the negative societal & economic effects permeated by marijuana prohibition at both the federal and state level will be critical as we seek to deliver comprehensive cannabis reform in this country.”
Dr. Chanda Macias said it is unacceptable that those who have been convicted of low-level marijuana offenses, often disproportionately black and brown people, continue to have convictions hanging over their heads, “especially as cannabis legalization, research, and reform efforts are more supported by the American people than ever before.”
The chief justice would have one year upon enactment of the bill to promulgate procedural rules for expungement. Each federal district would have up to two years to “conduct a comprehensive review and issue an order expunging, sealing, and sequestering” pursuant to those rules.
Angelos, McCarthy and Macias will all be at the upcoming Benzinga Cannabis Capital Conference in Chicago, Sept. 13-14. Join us there and meet these extraordinary marijuana reform advocates and many more.
A new study claims a common antibiotic can help prevent STDs, which have been on the rise following the pandemic.
As STDs are on the rise, a new study claims that taking a common antibiotic after having unprotected sex can help prevent common sexually transmitted diseases like chlamydia, syphilis, and gonorrhea.
The study, published in the journal Science, was conducted on a majority of queer men and found that the antibiotic reduced the risk of chlamydia and gonorrhea by 60%. Results will be presented at the Annual International Aids Conference in Montreal.
The study involved 544 participants deemed at high risk of STIs. A group of participants was asked to take the antibiotic after having unprotected sex, while another one simply received standard STI tests and treatment. Participants were informed of their group.
The antibiotic is called doxyPEP and it normally has few side effects, commonly used to treat conditions like acne and Lyme disease and can be used to treat parasites like Malaria. The study was so successful in preventing STDs that researchers didn’t have to continue the study. “This is very encouraging,” said Carlos del Rio, an HIV/AIDS clinician at Emory University School of Medicine.
Still, there are some caveats. Researchers think that using the medicine post unprotected sex could develop resistance within the body and stop working as effectively. They also argue that some STDs resolve on their own and have relatively few symptoms and side effects, with antibiotics producing effects in the gut that may be uncomfortable.
Despite the caveats, it’s an important study, one that could lead to real-world results soon, particularly for queer men, a demographic that’s exposed to rising numbers of STDs. Currently, the CDC recommends getting tested for STDs often, getting the necessary vaccines, and using condoms regularly.
