Free Republic

<p>Police benefit from marijuana legalization in ways you probably don’t expect. Research shows no longer enforcing marijuana policies allows cops to redirect their attention to solving more pressing crimes, including burglary, theft, and property crimes. But multiple states and municipalities also allocate legal marijuana tax revenue to police budgets. That could change following nationwide protests against police brutality and systemic racism.</p>

Cannabis shops that were broken into during the last weekend of May in the wave of civil unrest following the brutal killing of George Floyd are reeling from the financial toll. Though several have said they supported the protests, the burglaries and looting perpetrated by a number of individuals has left some business owners worried about whether their operations can survive. Dispensaries were hit hard; Leafly reports that 43 businesses in California and Oregon were ransacked. Boston’s Pure Oasis — the first minority-owned adult-use dispensary on the East Coast — reportedly lost $100,000. Chicago’s Mission Dispensary South Shore was “mostly...

CHARLESTON, WV (WOWK) – The Mountain State held its primary election today, deciding on who will face off for races including governor and who will represent West Virginia in the United States Senate. Putnam County voters decided to allow medical cannabis organizations to operate growing facilities, processing facilities and dispensaries with approximately 64% pf the vote for each. Voters approved laboratories with almost 65%. Current Gov. Jim Justice will face off against the Democratic candidate for governor in the General Election after winning the Republican nomination. Sen. Shelley Moore Capito (WV-R) held on to the Republican nomination for her United...

People who regularly smoke cannabis are almost three times more likely to commit a violent offence as those who abstain from the drug, new research has found. Scientists involved in a landmark study of almost 300,000 teenagers and young adults believe that over time, prolonged cannabis use profoundly alters the brain, making the user less able to control their temper. In addition, the research found addicts may also suffer from withdrawal symptoms, making them irritable and prone to lashing out.

“Because they are trying to find out whether or not there is any impact on the use of marijuana, not in leading you to other drugs, but what it effects—does it effect long-term development of the brain,” said Biden. “And we should wait ‘til the studies are done. I think science matters.” Charlamagne responded: “I think we got, I think we got decades and decades of studies from actual weed smokers." “Yeah, I do,” said Biden. “I know a lot of weed smokers.”

May 20, 2020, 7:21 p.m. EST: BREAKING: The Minnesota Catholic Conference and The Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod in Minnesota sent Governor Tim Walz separate letters today announcing that they will resume worship services on May 26 despite Governor Walz’s current COVID-19 executive order which allows retailers to operate at 50 percent capacity but caps church worship services at ten people. Governor Walz’s latest re-opening order allows the Mall of America to open its doors to those seeking retail therapy but disallows churches from providing spiritual healing to their congregations. At the same time, The Becket Fund for Religious Liberty sent Governor...

They have high hopes for a coronavirus breakthrough. A team of Canadian scientists believes it has found strong strains of cannabis that could help prevent and then treat coronavirus infections, according to interviews and a study.

Legal weed sales during Illinois’ first full month of coronavirus lockdown amounted to almost $37.3 million, surpassing every month of recreational marijuana sales in Illinois so far except January. Dispensaries have been allowed to stay open during Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s stay-at-home order, which has been extended through May. But operators have had to adapt, implementing online ordering systems, curbside pickup and enforcing social distancing in stores. Even April 20, the well-known holiday celebrating marijuana, was subdued this year. Dispensaries stretched out 4/20 deals to reduce overcrowding in stores, and some celebrated the occasion virtually. Still, last month’s sales bested March’s...

Nearly $1 million in cash was dumped on a Central California road during a police chase that ended with the arrests of two New York men who apparently planned to buy marijuana with the money, the California Highway Patrol said. Frank Capraro, 23, and Desmond McDay, 25, both of Medford, were arrested Friday evening, the Merced Sun-Star reported. It wasn’t immediately clear whether they had obtained lawyers. The chase began shortly before 6:30 p.m. when a CHP officer tried to stop one of three black SUVs that appeared to be traveling together on Interstate 5 south of Los Banos in...

TEL AVIV – An Israeli hospital will begin testing COVID-19 patients with medicinal cannabis, which is known to have anti-viral properties, as part of a new experimental treatment. Researchers are investigating cannabidiol, the non-psychoactive component of cannabis also known as CBD, can slow down the spread of the virus and stop moderate patients from turning critical. Dozens of COVID-19 patients in moderate condition at Ichilov Medical Center in Tel Aviv are expected to be treated. Barak Cohen, a senior anesthesiologist who is in charge of managing the hospital’s coronavirus response, stressed the treatment would alleviate symptoms by using “a component...

At the age of 81 and having survived a bout with prostate cancer, marijuana icon Tommy Chong meets the definition of someone the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention considers "vulnerable" to the coronavirus. But when contacted by ABC News, Chong, who has been adhering to stay-at-home orders at his Southern California residence, said he doesn't plan to let the virus, also known as COVID-19, get in the way of celebrating one of the most synchronistic dates the pot world has ever anticipated: 4/20/2020. "I know everybody calls me because of my age, asking, ‘How are you feeling?''' Chong said...

If you're smoking weed to ease your stress during the coronavirus pandemic, experts say it's time to think twice. Smoking marijuana, even occasionally, can increase your risk for more severe complications from Covid-19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus. "What happens to your airways when you smoke cannabis is that it causes some degree of inflammation, very similar to bronchitis, very similar to the type of inflammation that cigarette smoking can cause," said pulmonologist Dr. Albert Rizzo, chief medical officer for the American Lung Association. "Now you have some airway inflammation and you get an infection on top of...

George Soros's first major effort to reshape America was undertaking the legitimization of illegal drug use, especially marijuana. Soros initially said his overarching goal was to promote informed discussion of drug policy. But debate and discussion are not his style and were not his objects. Instead, he used his resources to fund think-tanks, foundations, and public policy action groups that successfully muddled public opinion enough to change public laws, making illegal drug use legal. In the early 1990s, the notion of legalizing marijuana in the U.S. was unthinkable and unacceptable. The voices to legalize drugs were marginal and not in...

Hours after Denver Mayor Michael Hancock announced liquor stores and recreational marijuana dispensaries would close across the city in an attempt to slow the spread of coronavirus, his office reversed course, a report said. The mayor sent a tweet at 5 p.m. Denver time saying liquor and marijuana stores in city would be open as usual, but following extreme physical distancing rules (social distancing). The new rules will continue through April 10, the Denver Post reported. The city defined “extreme” as six feet, or the normal amount of social distancing now recommended, the report said.

Earlier this week, Newsom ordered all non-essential businesses to close, including bars, beer pubs and wineries. Grocery stores, pharmacies, banks, cannabis clubs and other businesses deemed as essential are still open, state and local officials say.

It is certain that cigarette-smoking and heavy drinking result in serious negative effects on immune function. These behaviors should be discouraged for the benefit of both individual and society, especially in the time of coronavirus. We also need to address the touchy subject of how smoked and ingested marijuana could influence the course of the pandemic. Obviously, pot is prevalent as never before. Attitudes have relaxed, and many states have approved recreational and medicinal marijuana. A good number of medical personnel consider marijuana benign, at least in adults. Apart from writing prescriptions, they may use it themselves in retirement. Seniors...

Facing a potentially historic vote on whether to legalize medical marijuana in Kentucky, Republican lawmaker John Schickel is conflicted. A retired law enforcement officer, Schickel once steadfastly opposed medical cannabis, but his stance has softened. Now he says he’s approaching the question with an open mind. […] Schickel’s dilemma stands as yet another sign that views about marijuana are changing across the South, where efforts to legalize it have long been stymied by Bible Belt politics. While medical cannabis is legal now in 33 states, including Arkansas, Louisiana and Florida, other Southern states remain among the holdouts. Whether wavering resistance...

BOSTON - The first recreational marijuana shop opened Monday in Boston, where owners are bracing for large crowds. Pure Oasis owners Kobie Evans and Kevin Hart say they’re preparing for up to 1,000 customers a day to visit the store, which is also the first pot shop owned and operated by black entrepreneurs, in its initial days. Evans and Hart say their shop marks a significant step forward for the East Coast’s pot industry. “It’s bittersweet. It’s a great feeling to be first, but we know that also comes with a level of responsibility,” Hart told The Associated Press last...

CHICAGO (CBS) — Statewide legal marijuana sales in Illinois totaled nearly $35 million in the month of February, according to the state. The Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation announced preliminary numbers showed statewide sales totaled $34,805,072.01 for February. Dispensaries sold 831,600 items in total, with $25,615,371 worth being purchased by Illinois residents, and $9,189,701.01 being purchased by out-of-state residents. The figures do not include taxes collected. The state charges a 7% tax on the sales of cannabis by cultivators and craft growers to dispensaries. The governor’s office has estimated cannabis tax revenues will grow to $127 million in...

Like a number of states, concealed pistol license holders in Michigan are exempted from the requirement to undergo a NICS background check every time they purchase a new firearm. That’s because permit holders have already undergone an extensive background check and fingerprinting in order to be issued a permit in the first place. Michigan has had that exemption from the ATF since 2006, but yesterday the ATF rescinded it. Why? Because recreational marijuana is now legal in the state. Voters approved legalization in 2018 and retail sales started December 1, 2019. While buying and using weed may not be a...