Congress

Opinion: U.S. Olympic athletes need more than just fans at the Games. We’re in Paris for their safety.

Published

7 months ago

July 29, 2024

admin

Medals should never come at the cost of athlete well-being. That’s the message the U.S. Center for SafeSport is bringing directly to the Paris Games. For the first time, the Center is sending a delegation to the Olympics and Paralympics to remind athletes we are in their corner.

For all the celebration and excitement of the Games, there is still a long shadow cast by abuse and misconduct. The failures of the past will plague the present without accountability and clear rules for everyone to play by.

The recent Olympic qualification of a Dutch beach volleyball player who was convicted of raping a 12-year-old is a striking example. His embrace by national and international sports bodies rolls back the clock on culture change and sends a dangerous message that victory is worth more than the safety of young athletes and the experiences of survivors.

Read the rest of this story on TheKnow.DenverPost.com.

Source link

Cannabis

RFK Jr. Does Champion Cannabis

Published

3 weeks ago

January 30, 2025

admin

He is in middle of the process to be the new Health and Human Services Secretary, the good news he aligns with their stance on marijuana.

Robert F Kennedy, Jr has some unique healthcare ideas and it is causing a bit of a stir in Congress. He is being nominated to be the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services. The agency, among other things, is responsible for advancing the sciences underlying medicine, public health, and social services along with ensuring food and drug safety, and provide health insurance programs. Part of the programs they oversee include the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the National Institutes of Health (NIH). It is a massive job with million of lives effected. His approval by the Senate could make a difference in one area, RFK Jr does champion cannabis.

Kennedy has gained the ire of public health officials, the Kennedy family, bipartisan Congressional members and more…but the new administration backs him. When he announced his endorsement of this GOP nominees, the current President embraced him wholeheartedly. He would have influence of the chaos of the rescheduling process. He would also provide home to the thousands of small business in the industry.

Kennedy’s stance on marijuana is multifaceted:

Federal Legalization: He supports the complete federal legalization of marijuana, which would align federal policy with the growing number of states that have already legalized cannabis for recreational use.
Banking Services: Kennedy advocates for opening up traditional banking services to the cannabis industry. This would address the current cash-intensive nature of the business, which he believes encourages crime.
Tax Revenue Allocation: A central aspect of Kennedy’s plan is to implement a federal tax on marijuana sales. He proposes using this revenue specifically to fund drug treatment and rehabilitation centers.
Treatment Centers: Kennedy envisions creating “renewal centers” that would focus on treating mental illness, PTSD, and drug addiction. These centers would also incorporate therapeutic activities like organic farming.
Personal Freedom: While acknowledging his own past struggles with addiction, Kennedy emphasizes the importance of personal freedoms and views the current policy of criminalizing and incarcerating people for drug use as unsustainable.

As the debate around marijuana legalization continues, Kennedy’s stance represents a an updated and science based cannabis policy. It also emphasizes treatment and regulation over criminalization. His position aligns with a growing bipartisan trend towards cannabis legalization, reflecting changing public attitudes and a reevaluation of America’s approach to drug policy

Source link

Cannabis

Will Representative Dina Titus Help Cannabis

Published

4 weeks ago

January 27, 2025

admin

Representative Dina Titus (D) Nevada is the new chair of the cannabis caucus in Congress – will it make a difference?

She has been appointed co-chair of the Congressional Cannabis Caucus, succeeding retiring Congressman Earl Blumenauer. This appointment, announced on January 2, 2025, positions her as a leading voice on cannabis-related issues in Congress. But will representative Dina Titus help cannabis? Her co-chair is Ilhan Omar (D-MN) and both are in the minority party. The causcas has included bi-partisan chairs, but it is troubling at critical point, the marijority is not represented in leadership.

Titus represents Nevada’s 1st Congressional District. This includes Las Vegas, home of the national largest dispensary Planet 13 and soon to open Cannabition, an immersive cannabis experience. But does she have the political savvy and clout to make headway, especially since the Speaker of the House, Mike Johnson (R-LA) is against the green plant?

As the doyenne off of the Nevada delegation, she has established herself as an effective lawmaker, focusing on issues such as affordable housing, transportation infrastructure, and environmental protection. With a background in education, Titus taught American and Nevada government at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas for 34 years before retiring in 2011. She serves on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and the Foreign Affairs Committee.

Congress Approves CBD Use For Military Members — Photo by uschools/Getty Images

Some of her positions have run counter to the current admisntartion including legislation to ban bump stocks and her vocal support for the DREAM Act and comprehensive immigration reform. Titus has championed policies supporting children, seniors, and people with disabilities5. Her commitment to public service and her constituents has made her a respected figure in Nevada politics and on Capitol Hill.

Titus aims to address several key issues:

Banking services and tax treatment for cannabis businesses
Veteran access to medical cannabis through the VA
Reforming the federal scheduling of marijuana

While 24 states have legalized recreational cannabis use, it remains a Schedule I drug under federal law. Titus advocates for federal recognition of the cannabis industry’s responsible practices in these states. Titus has emphasized the need for federal reform, stating, “It is time for the federal government to recognize that and treat it accordingly”. Her appointment is seen as a step in advancing cannabis policy reform at the national level.

Cannabis industry leaders and advocates have expressed strong support for Titus’s appointment, citing her long-standing advocacy and knowledge of the challenges faced by cannabis businesses. With Mike Johnson and others seeing cannabis as an enemy, it will take wisdom, strength, ally building and more to have movement.

Source link

cannabis cafes

Cannabis predictions for 2025: Low prices, high taxes, and hash

Published

2 months ago

December 19, 2024

admin

Best of times? Worst of times? … Why not both at once?

The year 2025 will be good for consumers in terms of pricing, stores, selection, home growing, and hash. Prices will be low, more stores will open with more options, cool seeds will flourish, and hash will be everywhere.

But it’s going to be another bear of a year for growers, sellers, and activists. Both Republicans and Democrats love soaking the pot industry with taxes and regulations. America’s 40 million or so past-month smokers have yet to find their voice and push back.

The wheel of time is set to turn once again. So let’s punch up our annual predictions in the style of asking questions to a Magic 8 Ball. We’ll let you make the pot puns.

Big legislative moves

Will Congress legalize marijuana? My reply is no.

Will the federal government reschedule marijuana? Outlook not so good.

Will Congress further regulate hemp-derived products? Most likely.

Will the States further regulate hemp-derived products? It is decidedly so.

Leafly’s top 7 hemp pre-rolls of 2024

State legalization in 2025

Will Pennsylvania legalize marijuana? My reply is no.

Will Oklahoma legalize marijuana? My reply is no.

Will Hawaii legalize marijuana? My reply is no.

Will New Hampshire legalize marijuana? Very doubtful.

American budtenders’ best strains of 2024

Will Florida legalize marijuana? My reply is no.

Will more local, state, and federal expungement efforts continue? Outlook good.

Will more local cities and counties decriminalize cannabis? Yes.

Retail

Will more than 100 new dispensaries open in legal US states? It is certain.

Will more delivery, pickup, and drive-through options open up in legal US states? You may rely on it.

Will more lounges open up in legal US states? It is certain.

Grand Openings: Wu-Tang Clan opens shop in New Jersey

Will the East Coast states gain stores, farms, and clout in the legal market? Signs point to yes.

Will California cannabis cafe culture hit new heights? As I see it, yes.

Strains & Products

New strain for 2025: Ridgeline’s Blueberry Caviar perfumes the room. (David Downs/Leafly)

Will blueberry be a hype flavor of 2024? Most likely.

Will Zoap be a hype flavor of 2024? Outlook good.

Will Lemon Cherry Gelato peak? Very doubtful.

Will consumers see a lot more live rosin all-in-one vapes? Yes.

close up of white disposable vape pen resting on its bright blue packaging — Peanut Butter Breath Rosin Syrup disposable vape from Arcata Fire. (David Downs/Leafly)

Will consumers see a lot more seeds for sale? Yes.

Will even more of the crop go to fresh-frozen? Most likely.

Shop highly rated dispensaries near you

Showing you dispensaries near

See all dispensaries

Will even more of cannabis culture become about hash? As I see it, yes.

Will cannabis prices find their bottom? Don’t count on it.

Will cannabis prices find their bottom? Don’t count on it.

Will value-added cannabis products like live rosin reach new price heights? Signs point to yes.

Will the home grow movement get bigger? Signs point to yes.

More legislation

Will more cities or states debate and pass THC caps? Most likely.

Will cannabis face continued censorship on social platforms? Better not tell you now.

Will the US government legalize cannabis banking? Unclear, ask again later.

Will cannabis taxes and regulations go up? Signs point to yes.

Nebraska just voted to legalize medical marijuana. Here’s what happens next.

Will more states try ‘social equity’ laws? Yes.

Will more legal challenges narrow or nullify ‘social equity’ laws? Most likely.

Will consumers form a big association and find their political voice? Concentrate and try again.

Will Canadian cannabis remain stagnant and over-regulated? Better not tell you now.

See how easy that was? If you don’t like our Predictions, leave one of your own in our survey below. Afterward, get out there and prove us wrong. The future is unwritten. Our fates are what we make it, so go make yours a good one. See you in 2025.

Source link