Author: News Room

Technology and robotics have long been examined in science fiction literature, art, film, and television, often exploring what the future could hold and how technology could be integrated into our lives through both positive and negative perspectives. Today, many of the leading technology companies are working on impressive and advanced robotic creations that have been constructed to benefit humanity. What these creations mean for the distant future is anyone’s guess, but Polish artist Agnieszka Pilat is a self-described tech optimist who is inspired by the innovations of today’s modern robotics. After moving to San Francisco, Pilat became fascinated with honoring…

The sun keeps shining on Alejandro Carranza’s world and he intends to keep it that way. Carranza—known professionally as the rapper OhGeesy—is a founding member of the Los Angeles hip-hop group Shoreline Mafia and has since gone on to have a quite formidable career as a solo artist. He attributes his success to his work ethic, one he feels is simple input/output: Work hard, see results—keep working hard, exceed those results. In many ways, it’s the same philosophy in any business—when things are hitting, lean in, and that’s exactly what OhGeesy plans to do. “Becoming a father made me want…

The Nevada legislature has given final approval to a bill to create a new working group to study psychedelics and develop a plan to allow regulated access for therapeutic purposes. It now heads to the governor’s desk. The Assembly passed the measure from Sen. Rochelle Nguyen (D) in a 40-0 vote on Sunday, one day ahead of the scheduled end of the session. This comes days after it cleared the full Senate, as well as an Assembly committee on Friday. There was no discussion on the floor ahead of the unanimous vote. Nguyen told committee members at the Friday hearing…

The Louisiana Senate has approved a bill to streamline expungements for people with first-time marijuana possession convictions, sending it to the governor’s desk. The House first cleared the legislation from Rep. Delisha Boyd (D) last month, and it then moved through committee in the Senate before passing on the floor in a 32-7 vote on Monday. The measure makes it so people who are convicted of possessing up to 14 grams of cannabis as a first offense can petition the courts to wipe their record after 90 days from the time of the conviction. That would significantly speed up the…

The governor of Minnesota says that tribal government could possibly get a head start selling marijuana for the adult-use market within the state’s borders before private businesses are approved by regulators. While it’s expected to take more than a year for the state’s Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) to start licensing conventional cannabis shops under the legalization law he signed last week, Gov. Tim Walz (D) said that Indian tribes in the state could begin operating sooner. “I have toured the facility up in White Earth. It is a world class operation,” he told Fox affiliate KMSP-TV, referring to the…

Several studies have found psilocybin to be safe and effective in treating substance use disorders—but a first-of-its-kind analysis released on Monday is offering novel insights into exactly how psychedelic-assisted therapy works for people addicted to alcohol. Researchers at NYU, UC San Francisco and the mental health practitioner training provider Fluence set out to investigate the therapeutic mechanisms that led a cohort of people with alcohol use disorders (AUDs) to significantly reduce negative drinking behavior after participating in an earlier landmark psilocybin clinical trial. Thirteen volunteers who received the psilocybin treatment were contacted months later, and the investigators asked them in-depth…

Maryland officials are now accepting applications for grants to help existing medical marijuana businesses convert into dual licensees that can serve the adult-use market when legalization takes effect next month. Also, as regulators publish new guidance for the industry, the Department of Commerce (DOC) announced that, starting on August 1, it will additionally be taking applications for grants and loans to support market participation from social equity licensees by providing startup capital and covering operational costs. The Cannabis Business Assistance Loan/Grant Fund (CBAF), which was established under a cannabis regulations bill that Gov. Wes Moore (D) signed last month, will…

Joel Kim Booster wants you to feel connected to him. The multi-hyphenate stand-up comic, writer, and actor is taking this year to lay the groundwork on his already blossoming career—working on a ton of new writing projects, filming season two of Loot on Apple, and working on a new hour of stand-up—all with the intent of expressing himself creatively and building a stronger relationship with you, the audience. Part of what drives Booster’s success, self-admittedly, is the connection he’s able to foster with his audience. It’s a connection that people are both looking for and need in today’s era of…

Seven in 10 Louisianans support legalizing recreational marijuana possession for adults—and nine in 10 back medical cannabis legalization—according to a new survey released as lawmakers work to enact expungements legislation. The poll from Louisiana State University (LSU) revealed a “substantial increase over the past decade in support for legalizing marijuana for recreational use,” with 70 percent of respondents saying that they favor ending prohibition for adults who possess “small amounts” of cannabis. When the poll was administered 10 years ago in 2013, only 42 percent of Louisiana residents said they supported the reform. “Support for legal possession of marijuana for…

CBD has taken a permanent position as a mainstream ingredient and wellness tool over the past few years, and business owners are continuing to find new and innovative ways to add CBD to unique new products, such as coffee. Other than water, coffee is one of the most consumed beverages across the country. According to a recent survey published by Statista earlier this year, 57% of Americans drink coffee regularly, and 51% of coffee drinkers say that drinking coffee is “pure pleasure.” For Lindsey Sozio, founder of Lavender Coffee Boutique, CBD-infused coffee is a great way for consumers to add…