Russia sentences Griner to nine years in prison, White House calls for her release
Khimki, RussiaReuters A Russian court sentenced US basketball star Brittney Griner to nine years in prison on Thursday after finding her guilty of deliberately bringing cannabis-infused vape cartridges into Russia, a ruling that US President Joe Biden called “unacceptable”. Griner was escorted out of the courtroom in handcuffs by police after the ruling, turning to […]
Cannabis use has risen with legalisation and COVID lockdowns – UN report
Vienna, Austria Reuters Places including US states that have legalised cannabis appear to have increased its regular use, while COVID lockdowns had a similar effect, raising the risk of depression and suicide, a UN report said on Monday. Cannabis has long been the world’s most widely used drug and that use is increasing while the […]
More than half of Europeans support cannabis legalisation – report
Reuters More than half of the European population support legalisation of adult use of cannabis and around 30 per cent of them are interested in purchasing it, according to polling data by industry consultants on Thursday. Europe’s liberal approach could reap multiple financial and economic benefits as seen in the United States, which has witnessed […]
UN drug agency loosens global controls on cannabis, following WHO advice
Vienna, SwitzerlandReuters The UN drug agency’s member states on Wednesday narrowly voted to remove cannabis from the most tightly controlled category of narcotic drugs, following the World Health Organization’s recommendation to make research into its medical use easier. The annual Commission on Narcotic Drugs, the UN Office on Drugs and Crime’s governing body, voted 27 […]
New Zealand approves euthanasia, set to reject recreational marijuana
Reuters New Zealand has provisionally voted to legalise euthanasia but is on course to reject law changes that would allow recreational marijuana use, the country’s Electoral Commission said on Friday. New Zealand voted on the two referendums this month while casting ballots during a general election that returned Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern to power. Issuing […]
New Zealand divided over historic marijuana vote
Wellington, New ZealandReuters A referendum next month on legalising recreational cannabis has divided opinion in New Zealand with ruling party politicians staying clear of the contentious issue ahead of a general election they are likely to win. If passed, New Zealand would be only the third country in the world after Uruguay and Canada to […]
New Zealand PM Ardern calls 19th September election, faces tight race
Wellington, New ZealandReuters New Zealanders will go to polls on 19th September to decide on a second term for Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, and also to vote in referendums on the divisive issues of legalising cannabis and euthanasia. Ardern is hugely popular among liberal voters overseas thanks to her compassionate but decisive response to a […]
US-based Christian Book Distributors drops CBD initials to avoid cannabis confusion
RNS A popular US Christian bookseller is changing its name after a deluge of requests for cannabis-related products. For years, Peabody, Massachusetts-based Christian Book Distributors has been known by the initials CBD. The logo for newly rebranded Christianbook company. PICTURE: Courtesy of Christianbook The bookseller announced last month it will now go by “Christianbook” to avoid confusion with […]