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If we really want to change the world, it starts with shedding the ego and the manipulation of mainstream media and governments – returning humanity to a simpler state of mind that rewards connection, community and love for each other. And if we are really going to start with change in America, I recommend a heroic dose for every politician in the country. That’s the true melting pot that a new age of enlightenment can be spawned from.

-Wes Abney

DEPUTIES SEIZE $200K WORTH OF DRUGS AT THE GORGE

Thousands of grams of weed, psychedelics such as LSD, and even cocaine were seized in July during two Dead and Company shows at the Gorge Amphitheatre in Washington state. Officials said the street value of all the drugs seized totaled more than $200,000.

"The Grant County Sheriff’s Office said 13 arrests were made by detectives, who conducted nine different investigations."

The Grant County Sheriff’s Office said 13 arrests were made by detectives, who conducted nine different investigations, resulting in more than 15 felony drug distribution charges. Dead and Company is a band featuring several former Grateful Dead members.

“Many concert events attract narcotics users, as well as people involved in the distribution of illegal narcotics and controlled substances,” the sheriff’s office claimed on Facebook. “The types of controlled substances seized by law enforcement over the weekend ranged from hallucinogenics (psilocybin mushrooms, LSD), dissociative anesthetics (Ketamine), stimulants (MDMA, MDA, cocaine), and Cannabis.”

Normalization

Legal Cannabis Helps Companies Relax Drug Testing

Businesses are at last cutting back preemployment marijuana testing as a condition for hiring. This happy news comes thanks to increased weed legalization, shifting attitudes and efforts to build more diverse pools of job applicants, reports Bloomberg Law.

Recreational Cannabis use in the work force hit “historic highs” in 2022, according to Quest Diagnostics – one of the largest American drugtesting corporations.

August marked Minnesota becoming the 23rd state, plus D.C., to legalize adult-use Cannabis. Most states, with a few benighted holdouts, now allow some form of medical marijuana.

2 percent or less of a state’s population typically enrolls in a medical Cannabis program.

Germany Unveils Legalization Bill

Germany’s Health Ministry has unveiled a bill to legalize adult-use Cannabis, submitting it to officials and the public for review, reports Marijuana Moment.

The legislation would allow adults 18 and older to cultivate three plants for personal use. It would also sort out rules for “social clubs” where they could buy weed.

Officials also plan to introduce a second measure establishing programs for commercial sales in cities throughout the country. No extraction of oils or concentrates from Cannabis are allowed under the measure.

Pennsylvania Lawmakers File Legalization Bill

A bipartisan duo of Pennsylvania legislators in July introduced a bill to legalize adult-use Cannabis in the Keystone State. Senate Bill 846 was filed by Sen. Dan Laughlin (R) and Sen. Sharif Street (D) on July 6. “Legalized adult use of marijuana is supported by an overwhelming majority of Pennsylvanians and this legislation accomplishes that while also ensuring safety and social equity,” Laughlin said. The 224-page bill would allow adults 21 and up to buy and possess up to 30 grams of flower. Registered medical marijuana patients could grow up to five plants for personal use. No recreational home cultivation would be allowed. Pennsylvania legalized medical marijuana in 2016.

More Than 1 Million Florida Voters Want Legalization On Ballot

Over a million Floridian voters want to see an adult-use Cannabis legalization measure on the 2024 general election ballot, reports Forbes. The data comes from the Florida Division of Elections.

State officials in June revealed the proposal from Smart & Safe Florida got enough signatures to qualify for the ballot.

With the current count, the initiative has more than 120,000 signatures beyond the 891,000 required.

But it still must pass muster with the Florida Supreme Court, which must determine the measure is limited to a single issue and is not likely to “confuse voters.” The same court has already invalidated legalization bids on two separate occasions in 2021.