Author: News Room

The Washington State Senate passed a bill Wednesday that would protect most job candidates in the state from being discriminated against simply for using marijuana outside of the workplace. Senate lawmakers approved the measure, SB 5123, on a 28–21 vote after adopting an amendment from Sen. Curtis King (R) that excludes positions where impairment would create a “substantial risk of death.” The measure now proceeds to the House. The legislation notes that most drug tests detect only THC metabolites, which can remain in a person’s system for weeks after using cannabis. “It simply doesn’t make sense to base an employment…

Three Republican members of Congress are celebrating the results of a new poll showing that more than two-thirds of likely 2024 GOP presidential primary and caucus voters support federally legalizing marijuana so that states can make their own decisions on the issue. The survey, released on Wednesday by the Coalition for Cannabis Policy, Education, and Regulation (CPEAR), found that 68 percent of respondents back ending federal marijuana prohibition. There was majority support across age, gender, educational and religious groups. The overall level of backing for reform has increased by 10 points from a similar poll the group conducted a year…

Another North Carolina Senate committee has approved a bill to legalize medical marijuana—the third panel to advance the measure in as many days. The momentum in the Senate comes shortly after a top House lawmaker said his chamber is positioned to enact the reform this session despite blocking similar legislation last year. The Senate Rules and Operations Committee advanced the proposal from Sen. Bill Rabon (R), who serves as chair of the panel, in a voice vote on Thursday. The bill, which cleared the Judiciary and Finance Committees earlier this week, next heads to a vote on the Senate floor—expected…

A federal conservation agency says that the steep costs associated with marijuana business licensing in California are contributing to illegal grow sites, where unauthorized chemicals are being used, thus endangering species of spotted owls. In a notice published in the Federal Register on Thursday, the Fish and Wildlife Services (FWS) said it is proposing to list two population segments of spotted owls under the Endangered Species Act. Part of the problem, FWS says, is the use of prohibited toxic rodenticides in illicit cannabis grows. While licensed marijuana cultivators are regulated in a way that penalizes the use of certain anticoagulant…

Alright, now that the lovey holiday’s over & I’m not ruining anyone’s relationship, let’s get into the weird. I’m treading lightly here, but this is the best shot I can take at explaining the vibrant subcultures of a foreign world while still respecting our domestic political-correctness. Please don’t cancel me. Nana Plaza I’ll admit up front, I don’t know if it’s Nana or the NaNa, but what I can tell you is this is basically Bangkok’s strip club strip mall, and it’s otherworldly. That’s not meant as praise. Going several stories up with dozens of small blacked-out storefronts facing you…

Understanding the basic differences and similarities between tripping on shrooms and experiencing psychosis as a mental health condition. In the hours leading up to my first magic mushroom experience, I was overwhelmed with conflicting thoughts. On the one hand, I was exhilarated by friends’ tales of wandering the woods in a state of psychedelic wonder and oneness. But on the other hand, there was also a sense of trepidation. Urban legends of people who have hit the mushies hard and never been the same again played over in my mind and made me wonder whether I should rethink the trip…

Lawmakers in Kentucky and Virginia have floated laws that would ban delta-8 THC products, citing safety concerns over the popular synthetic compound, which is made from hemp-derived CBD. Stakeholders in both states say they fear the bills could deliver a harsh blow to a CBD sector already reeling from a worldwide glut of biomass that sent prices plummeting beginning in 2020. Many states are grappling with delta-8, which the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) recently declared is a controlled substance. Some states have outlawed the compound altogether while others are regulating it under rules for products made from the more common…

A Hawaii Senate committee has approved a bill to promote studies into the therapeutic potential of psilocybin, MDMA and other alternative treatments for mental health conditions, while also advancing another measure that more narrowly focuses on psilocybin research only. Both measures cleared the Senate Ways & Means Committee with unanimous votes after receiving supportive testimony from the governor’s office. They next head to the Senate floor. The broader bill to create a “beneficial treatments advisory council” is being sponsored by Sen. Chris Lee (D), and perviously moved through another panel earlier this month. The separate proposal to establish a state working…

Minnesota lawmakers are hoping to join the ranks of states that are advancing psychedelics reform this session, introducing legislation to establish a task force to study and advise on the potential legalization of substances like psilocybin, MDMA and ibogaine. The House bill is being sponsored by Rep. Andy Smith (D), while the Senate companion is being carried by Sen. Kelly Morrison (D). These developments come as legislators work expediently to enact marijuana legalization in the state. Under the new proposals, a “Psychedelic Medicine Task Force” would be established in order to “advise the legislature on the legal, medical, and policy…

A second North Carolina Senate committee approved a bill to legalize medical marijuana on Wednesday—one day after it cleared an initial panel and shortly after a top House lawmaker said his chamber is positioned to enact the reform this session despite blocking similar legislation last year. The Senate Finance Committee advanced the proposal from Sen. Bill Rabon (R) in a voice vote. It has already received approval in the Judiciary Committee and will next head to the Rules Committee, which Rabon chairs, before potentially going to the floor. The measure would allow patients with qualifying conditions such as cancer, epilepsy, post-traumatic…