Author: News Room

Lawmakers on Rhode Island’s House Judiciary Committee considered a bill on Thursday that would effectively legalize psilocybin mushrooms in the state, temporarily removing penalties around possession, home cultivation and sharing of psilocybin until mid-2026. The proposal, H. 7047, from Rep. Brandon Potter (D), would not establish a commercial retail system around the psychedelic—at least until after federal reform is enacted. Until then, it would exempt up to an ounce of psilocybin from the state’s law against controlled substances provided that it “has been securely cultivated within a person’s residence for personal use” or is possessed by “one person or shared…

It’s already fairly well known that music festivals tend to come with plenty of illicit drug use. The activity is so common at festivals, and in dance scenes as a whole, that organizers and attendees alike are becoming increasingly more equipped to combat potential overdoses through a variety of measures. A new study published in the International Journal of Drug Policy underscores the impact of these harm reduction strategies and consciously incorporating them into events, looking at the amount of drug-related deaths at Australian music festivals, the common trends and what may have helped to prevent them. Moreover, the researchers…

Blue Dream is a popular and well-loved cannabis strain that has gained a strong following for its unique combination of effects and medical benefits. In this comprehensive guide, we will explore everything you need to know about Blue Dream weed strain, from its effects and medical uses to its potential side effects and consumption methods. Whether you’re a seasoned cannabis enthusiast or someone looking to explore the world of marijuana for the first time, this article will provide you with valuable insights into the characteristics and potential benefits of Blue Dream. So, let’s delve into the fascinating world of Blue…

The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) is facing criticism over its decision to commemorate President Richard Nixon’s drug war legacy in a social media post that coincided with the beginning of Black History Month. DEA’s Throwback Thursday (or TBT) post on X featured a picture of Nixon receiving a “certificate of special honor” from the International Narcotic Enforcement Officers’ Association in December 1970 “in recognition of the outstanding loyalty and contribution to support narcotic law enforcement.” #TBT On Dec. 14, 1970, at the White House, the International Narcotic Enforcement Officers’ Association presented President Nixon with a “certificate of special honor” in…

“Fast-tracking the large existing medical marijuana corporations would ring a bell that cannot be unrung, much to their investors’ delight.” By Chelsea Higgs Wise, Marijuana Justice If you are experiencing déjà vu over the marijuana legislation before the Virginia General Assembly this year, you could be forgiven. As was the case in 2023, the General Assembly is currently considering various proposals on how to implement the retail sales of marijuana to adults 21 and over. Specifically, the issue boils down to either fast-tracking adult-use marijuana sales by allowing existing medical marijuana operators—most of which are based out of state—to sell…

A Virginia House subcommittee advanced amended legislation on Friday that would allow existing medical marijuana dispensaries and some small businesses to begin selling cannabis to all adults 21 and older as of next January, with plans to license other retailers over the course of 2025. To take advantage of the early opening date, a medical business would need to “accelerate” six microbusinesses, each of which would get $400,000 in aid under the current version of the legislation. Microbusiness licenses, in turn, would need to be at least two-thirds directly controlled by people who meet certain social equity criteria, with priority…

Yelawolf is back in Nashville, Tennessee not long after performing a sold-out show with rapper-turned-country star Jelly Roll in Denver, Colorado. Wolf’s explosive set was a lesson in how all artists should command a stage—he was energetic, engaging, and a little bit enigmatic. Wearing a pair of aviator sunglasses, a black beret, and a leather jacket, the Alabama-born artist doesn’t look like the average MC. The tattoos, leather cuts, and patches make him look more like a Hell’s Angel than a former Shady Records signee. But that’s partly what makes Yelawolf so intriguing. Not to mention his musical versatility is…

Harm reduction advocates in Rhode Island announced this week that they’ve secured a location for the nation’s first state-regulated overdose prevention center where people can use illegal drugs in a safer environment under the supervision of trained professionals. And on Thursday evening, the Providence City Council gave formal approval to the plan. News of the plan’s finalization was trumpeted on Wednesday by the group Project Weber/RENEW, which is working with clinical partner VICTA to open the site adjacent to the Rhode Island Hospital campus in Providence. Organizers are aiming to open the facility sometime this summer and provide services on…

An attempt to advance a South Carolina medical marijuana legalization bill failed in the Senate on Thursday, despite a majority of members voting in favor of the special order motion from the Republican majority leader. The Senate voted 25-16 in favor of the special order motion from Senate Majority Leader Shane Massey (R) that would have put the S.C. Compassionate Care Act back in play for the 2024 session. It needed at least 28 votes to meet the two-thirds supermajority requirement for special orders, however. This doesn’t mean that the legislation, sponsored by Sen. Tom Davis (R), won’t be taken…

The Brooklyn Nets and New York Liberty have entered into partnerships with a CBD beverage company—the first teams in the National Basketball Association (NBA) and Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA), respectively, to forge deals with the cannabis industry. The New York-based clubs are partnering with Mynd Drinks, a hemp-based CBD sparkling beverage company that also made history last year when it became an official partner of the Major League Baseball (MLB) team the Chicago Cubs. Now, months after the NBA removed marijuana from the banned substances list for players and also freed them up to invest in and promote cannabis…