The Spike in Marijuana Airport Smuggling May Have a Lot to Do with High Tax Rates

During a search of an elderly man and his suitcase, authorities discovered around 70 pounds of vacuum-sealed marijuana packages hidden and labeled “T-shirts,” “cold weather” and “sexy pants.”

This is just another normal day for Calfornia airports, according to recent studies, since the legalization of marijuana in California, trafficking arrest has skyrocketed 166% at LAX The light punishment and fading negative stigma of cannabis have enticed smugglers to take to the sky’s,  a way to escape the competitive California cannabis market, confirmed by authorities, cannabis industry experts and lawyers across the state who have represented those accused of smuggling.

Due to the increase, LAX known as the world’s fourth-busiest airport is now putting efforts into expanding security through the hubs to confiscate illegal marijuana.

“This is normal procedure for these guys, and I would say 29 out of 30 times they make it through without a problem,” said Bill Kroger Jr., a 20-year criminal defense lawyer who specialized in cannabis-related cases.

Reports from LAX, have claimed that their staff has encountered more airline passengers who are carrying small amounts of marijuana for personal consumption, but the number of checked luggage with bags stuffed to the brim full of marijuana has skyrocketed. Authorities in Oakland and Sacramento have also reported the same growing problem.

“We intercept large quantities of marijuana regularly,” stated Sgt. Ray Kelly of the Alameda County Sheriff’s Office. “We find it in about 50-pound quantities … the carry-on rate for luggage. I would imagine we’re only intercepting some of it, not all of it,” he added.

Not only is the sudden rise in airport marijuana smuggling the result of legalization and a full market, but California also grows a copious amount of marijuana, far more than the average resident consumes. Some experts say up to five times more than other states, and other marijuana users in different states will pay a hefty price for Cali Bud.

“Since pot’s been legalized in California, there’s no money to be made because everyone got involved in it,” Kroger explained. “They’ve got this big 50,000-square-foot [grow] houses, and they’re flooding the market. The money is outside of California.”

According to the L.A. Times and the Los Angeles police reports, “During 2018 — the state’s first year of legalized recreational pot use — L.A.X. Police conducted 101 trafficking arrests, compared with 38 trafficking arrests in 2017 and 20 in 2016″

“I think we anticipated it,” announced Los Angeles World Airports police spokesman Rob Pedregon. “If you look at the sheer numbers for us — 87 million passengers a year … I wouldn’t be surprised if, in a couple of months, we do what the other airports do in a year.”

Despite the recent legalization of medical and recreational use, under federal law, it remains illegal and considered to be a Schedule 1 drug in the same classifications as heroin, L.S.D., and ecstasy.

In their efforts to avoid any complications with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration the California Bureau of Cannabis Control has banned the export of marijuana into other states.

However, many experts suggest that the prohibition will do almost nothing to stop Californians from illegally exporting bulk amounts of cannabis crops and products.

A paper published by the University of California Agricultural Issues Center, on the economic effects of marijuana’s legalization, claims that almost 80% of the hemp cultivated in California is shipped out of state will never be taxed or regulated here.

“Projections from all sources indicate that illegal cannabis will remain significant,” the study suggests, “given that it is a market with long-established producers and consumers.”

Furthermore, due to the ongoing black market and other factors, the state has been nothing but disappointed by the amount of tax revenue the legal pot facilities are generating. Many users of marijuana have also confessed to purposely purchasing non-taxed marijuana because of the ridiculous tax that has been added. In some areas of L.A., a buyer could pay up to 35% in tax.

As a result of this ongoing black market — and other factors — the state has been disappointed by the amount of tax revenue that legal pot generates.

“I don’t think we’re surprised by the numbers. These are things we foresaw, and we’ve warned folks about,” explained Kyle Mori of the D.E.A.’s Los Angeles office. “When states legalize it, you give folks a false sense of security that they can come through T.S.A. checkpoints…. They believe what they’re doing is legal.”

Just last year L.A.X. released reports claiming 503 bags filled with cannabis and only one-fifth of those bags involved trafficking suspects, as compared to 400 reports of marijuana in 2017 and 282 reports in 2016.

 

The Recover is an unbiased substance abuse and mental health news provider. Helping individuals looking for the right treatment programs in their area. Also providing information on drug rehab centers for addiction recovery.

Contact: Kennedy Adams
Company: The Recover
Address: Huntington Beach, CA 
Contact Number: (888) 510-3898
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source http://www.ivdaily.com/the-spike-in-marijuana-airport-smuggling-may-have-a-lot-to-do-with-high-tax-rates

Denver Makes History With The Decriminalization of Psilocybin

The controversial and groundbreaking news surrounds Denver at the moment as they become the first city in the country to decriminalize psychedelic mushrooms. After a long day of counting votes which continued into the night and early Wednesday the votes were posted which showed a gleam of hope-with Initiative 301 set to pass narrowly with 50.6 percent of the vote. According to the Denver times, the total stands currently at “89,320 votes in favor and 87,341 against, a margin of 1,979.”

Even though the Denver Elections Division will continue to accept military and overseas ballots, that only account for a meager percentage of the final results, which will be certified on May 16.

“It’s been one hell of a 21 and a half hours,” the Initiative 301 campaign director Kevin Matthews stated. “If these results hold, this is an example of the absurd comedy of the great metaphor. Against all the odds, we prevailed. This is what happens when a small team of dedicated and passionate people unites under a single idea to create change.”

Denver’s push to legalize mushrooms has attracted national attention, and two states have planned to follow. Oregon and California are in the midst of creating their psilocybin-related bills to make it on the 2020 ballot.

The Organizers of the campaign note that the city of Denver was the first one to host the first ever U.S. popular vote on the matter, despite a previous effort in California last year that failed to qualify for the ballot.

The Initiative 301 didn’t initially attract an organized opposition group, although the critics of Colorado’s legalization of marijuana rued the decisions claiming that it would yet again create a trail of harmful and possibly dangerous cases.

The new measure would allow adults to use psilocybin without any legal repercussions. Jeff Hunt, director of the Centennial Institute at Colorado Christian University, noted that “We’ll see what the final numbers are, but we’re a little stunned to see a 7,000-vote flip overnight on that.” Hunt took to Twitter to question whether vote-tampering was involved saying “We’ll continue to fight the growing drug culture. Denver’s becoming the illicit drug capital of the world. The larger issue here is not good for our city.”

He also noted that “Marijuana has brought more problems than it’s solved to our city and our state, and if we continue to go down this track, we’re going to continue to see Colorado get in worse and worse shape.”

Countless studies were cited in the ballot measure which showed emerging potential medical benefits from the use of psychedelic mushrooms. Many are speculating that the bill was pushed over the top by young voters, who typically tend to submit their votes closer to election day.

Just last fall, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced that they had granted psilocybin “breakthrough therapy” status for its potential to help with treatment-resistant depression. This status means that the process of development and clinical trials will speed up and pushed further for review for a medicine containing the mushroom substance.

According to the I-301, police in the ordinance would be ordered to treat enforcement of laws against the possession of psilocybin mushrooms as their lowest priority. The measure is similar to the decriminalization of rules approved by Denver voters a few years ago for marijuana before Colorado’s Amendment 64 won statewide approval.

However, under the new bill, Psychedelic mushrooms are still illegal to buy, sell or possess with the latter crime a felony that could come with a year-long jail sentence and a hefty fine. But they hope that with the new 301 they will lower the risk and potential of users getting caught with fungi.

Although the 301 is in place, Denver voters once signed off on decriminalization measures back in 2005 and 2007, that didn’t stop police from enforcing the old law. Still, advocates of the previous action believe that the public outcry and discussion helped lead to full legalization in 2012.

“I’ll say this: We’re looking forward to creating a positive relationship with city officials,” Matthews stated. “We have the resources ready to make sure the Justice Department, the (district attorney’s) office and the Denver Police Department have the education they need to implement this in a way that’s fair.”

Another point in Initiative 301 is that the city will be required to organize a panel that will monitor the effects and implementation of the ordinance.

Due to the early results, national media outlets including the Recover wrongly announced the fail of I-301 a bust late Tuesday, but the gap continued to tighten as the votes began to add up by 1 am Wednesday- with Denver coming out victorious.

 

The Recover is an unbiased substance abuse and mental health news provider. Helping individuals looking for the right treatment programs in their area. Also providing information on drug rehab centers for addiction recovery.

Contact: Mckenzie Santa Maria
Company: The Recover
Address: Huntington Beach, CA 
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source http://www.ivdaily.com/denver-makes-history-with-the-decriminalization-of-psilocybin

Colorado Couples Struggling with Addiction Feel at Ease Thanks to Couplesrehabs.org

Typically, couples who are struggling with addiction to drugs or alcohol are unable to find rehab programs that will allow them to stay together and fight their addiction as a unit. However, with the information provided in the newly published Inpatient Drug Rehab For Couples in Colorado and Addiction Treatment, individuals and couples will feel at ease and gain the knowledge they need to achieve sobriety.

Couplesrehabs.org provides a friendly team of staff that help couples give up on their addiction and find the root of the problem. Their website aims to help people get rid of addiction by focusing on the root cause of their addiction and assisting couples to fight together while understanding themselves. They also support couples to help their partners to overcome drug addiction mutually.

They realize that addiction isn’t always visible nor the same and that’s why they hope that through the right information and detailed descriptions, anyone attempting to find help will be able to locate the correct treatment.

According to the resource page, there a multiple Colorado rehab that will allow both partners to receive addiction therapy at the same time, joining themselves with a shared purpose—a dedication to sobriety and recovery.

It is said that Couples who get sober together in couples rehab will work as a unit toward solving the underlying issues that may be driving the addictive habits.

Couplesrehabs.org has partnered with various treatment facilities across the country to help couples locate local programs tailored to their personal and relationship requirements.

Their highly trained staff is available 24/7 through a helpline and will explain any questions or concerns couples and loved ones may have.

Colorado couples now have a source of information that will hopefully, in the end, change their lives for the better. Couplesrehab.org hopes they will now have peace of mind when it comes to finding the right treatment center.

The staff guarantees the quickest placement but with actual needs in mine.

Couples or loved ones who need more insight can take a look at what the site has to offer, gather information and be prepared before attending a Colorado couples drug rehab.

Organization: CouplesRehabs

Phone: (888) 325-2454

source http://www.ivdaily.com/colorado-couples-feel-at-ease-with-the-new-resource-page

The Truth Behind Traveling with CBD

Within the last year, CBD has made its way into every aspect of Americans daily life including air travel. The status quo of airlines just became a new level of “high” although the rules and regulations on bringing CBD onto planes and into airports are very vague.

Despite, the fact that CBD is legal in some states, the TSA is still a federally ran agency and airports are subject to federal laws, and unfortunately marijuana is still considered federally illegal.

This is why TSA has the right to ban or stop any traveler with edibles, dried flower or any forms of marijuana that contain a certain amount of THC.

However, CBD dangles in the realm of question primarily if it is derived from hemp. According to the DEA and FDA, CBD made from hemp is not considered to be the same as psychoactive marijuana. The agency suggests that if the THC content in the CBD oil is below 0.3 percent, no legal action will be taken place.

The main problem most American have is the fact that CBD oil is widely sold in medical dispensaries and is often derived from cannabis, not hemp. THC concentrations can be detected easier and test at a higher level making the source of the CBD illegal under federal law.

But the legalities of CBD oil is so gray, the companies that produce these products have been manipulated the system for years before the government took effect.

The point is it would take a furious and determined TSA agent to spot out and flag a traveler’s cannabis-derived CBD product, but the scary truth is it is happening around the states that don’t allow CBD.

The single four states that have not budged when it comes to the cannabis compound are Idaho, South Dakota, Nebraska, and Kansas.

Idaho has not moved to legalize any form of CBD or THC but may see an option on the Ballot this November, South Dakota will be putting their initiative on the Ballot this coming voting season. So will Nebraska which has two cannabis measures hoping to find its way on the Ballot, but Kansas still passes on having any medical marijuana initiative on the Ballot.

According to the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA), along with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) when it comes to traveling with CBD oil, it must contain  THC content below 0.3% to be cleared. Many are advised to purchase their merchandise from a reputable company with a Certificate of Analysis from a reliable laboratory that explicitly outlines the content of the product.

The Transport Security Administration (TSA) regulations are required to report any speculated violations of law if they encounter one.

“Meaning an extract containing one or more cannabinoids that have been derived from any plant of the genus Cannabis, other than the separated resin (whether crude or purified) obtained from the plants(58) Marihuana Extract–7350”-DEA. 

A bottom line traveling with CBD is still not the safest thing a traveler can do.

 

source http://www.ivdaily.com/the-truth-behind-traveling-with-cbd

Mental Health Disorders and Living Alone

The reality of living alone seems so glamorous until you peel back the layers of mental health issues. Statistically, most adults that live alone are likely to have common mental disorders, which include depression and anxiety- the main reason being loneliness.

This is according to a newly published journal PLOS ONE, which gathered data from three different surveys conducted in the United Kingdon over twenty years.

“In our study, the prevalence of common mental disorders (CMDs) was higher in individuals living alone than in those not living alone in all survey years. Multivariable regression analyses corroborated these findings, as there was a positive and significant association between living alone and CMDs,” wrote Louis Jacob, chief author of the research and member of the department of medicine at the University of Versailles Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines, France.

The experts analyzed a survey date from the United Kingdom during the years 1993, 2000, and 2007, which tested for over 20,000 adults.

They claim that between 1993 and 2007, the percentage of adults living alone consistently increased from 8.8 to 10.7 percent and no surprise so did the rate of mental health conditions from 14.1 to 16.4 percent.

According to the study, the gender did not play a role in those numbers, but the CMDs were “invariably more prevalent in individuals who lived alone.”

In particular cases, those individuals who lived alone were more than twice as likely to couples to have a mental condition.

In addition to the recent study, multiple others have found that living alone with CMD is not healthy.

For example, a research trial of nearly 5,000 adults residing in Finland discovered a twofold increase of anxiety and depression in individuals living alone compared with people who were married or in a relationship.

Also, a 2011 study from Singapore of approximately 3,000 adults age 55 and older discovered that living alone was a contributor to lower mental well-being, with loneliness at the root of the cause.

Experts would describe loneliness as a complex issue, and its association with living alone including mental disorders has developed into a topic of increasing concern for public health officials.

Interestingly enough some experts have accused cities as a whole for promoters of isolation and loneliness. While many would agree with the increase in the use of social media and technology has forced us into a black hole of new isolation. The digital world delivers feelings of FOMO and depression mixed with anxiety. The fakeness behind the lens and marketing of ones “brand” is creating self-esteem and confidence confuser to the max.

Because of the rate of suicide many are trying to highlight the effects of loneliness as a genuine public health concern. Past mental health and well-being, the consequences can also take a physical toll.

According to a 2015 study in the British Medical Journal observed that loneliness and isolation were high-risk factors for both coronary heart disease and stroke.

Jessy Warner-Cohen, Ph.D., MPH, a health psychologist at Long Island Jewish Medical Center noted that “The most robust finding of this study is the effect of social support on those living alone.”

“The takeaway message for me from this study is that those not in cohabiting relationships, whether living with a partner or marriage, need to seek means of developing social support more actively,” said Warner-Cohen, who wasn’t associated with the research in any way.

The idea of social support is different among everyone, and the idea is to find what works.

“Look for meet-up groups related to something you enjoy. This will help with meeting other people with similar interests and provide a natural means of developing social support. Fill your life with fun and exciting things,” said Warner-Cohen.

source http://www.ivdaily.com/mental-health-disorders-and-living-alone

Artificial Intelligence Promising Breakthrough Treatment for Chagas Disease, NTDS

Clinical trials using artificial intelligence technology to search for better treatments for Chagas disease resulted in the development of a drug-like compound. The drug-like mixture will be subjected to additional tests to determine whether a drug could be made out of it and provide relief to the 6-7 million patients of Chagas disease.

The artificial intelligence-aided test showed promising results that the technology could be used in the discovery of new and better treatment of Chagas disease and neglected tropical diseases in general.

Atomwise, Inc, a biotech company which uses artificial intelligence for drug discovery in collaboration with Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative led the clinical trials that led to the development of a drug-like compound.

The drug-like compound will be subjected to further tests before the development of a new drug out to be used in treating Chagas disease, a proof that there is a possibility for AI technology to be used to deliver drugs for the neglected tropical diseases.

“Early success in Chagas disease is exemplary of the goal we seek to accomplish. Our scientists are working creatively with DNDi research to apply our technology to targets that some might consider undruggable or too early for rational drug design due to insufficient data. While these targets present the greatest challenge, they also present an opportunity for transformative treatments for Chagas disease,” said DNDi.

Just like other tropical neglected diseases, the popular treatment methods of Chagas disease are not sufficient, require long periods of treatment, and there is not always treatment for patients diagnosed with chronic stages of Chagas disease.

The disease is easily spread by an insect, kissing bugs, and is easily transmitted from the infected mother to child or consumption of food infected by the Chagas-disease-causing insect.

The clinical trials were conducted using the technology of artificial intelligence to screen the components of three different protein targets which are usually targeted during conventional treatments of Chagas disease.

They described it as promising results for the drug discovery regarding a new and better Chagas disease treatment, which was initially intended to identify the functioning of the three proteins to see which ones will bind and those which will prevent protein function in the eradication of the disease-causing pathogens.

The new drug development will be a breakthrough in the treatment of Chagas disease which affects 6-7 million people out of which 30% of the people conditions deteriorate into untreatable disorders of the cardiac functioning, digestive and neurological.

DNDi described the success of the clinical trial is also a perfect demonstration of the efficiency of using technology in drug discovery as it helped them achieve a milestone termed as exemplary.

The DNDi has promised the people that they will continue with the success achieved so far in the next phase of the clinical trials through the same technology of using artificial intelligence in the screening of the drug targets. The sophisticated next step of the research will test more drug targets even those who have been considered undruggable for Chagas disease, and they are prepared for the challenge however difficult it is.

 

The Recover is an unbiased substance abuse and mental health news provider. Helping individuals looking for the right treatment programs in their area. Also providing information on drug rehab centers for addiction recovery.

Contact: Everlyne Otieno
Company: The Recover
Address: Huntington Beach, CA 
Contact Number: (888) 510-3898
Email: info@therecover.com
Website: www.therecover.com

source http://www.ivdaily.com/artificial-intelligence-promising-breakthrough-treatment-for-chagas-disease-ntds

Mental Health Awareness Month is Upon Us and Burger King is in Full Spirit

The month of May has been solely dedicated to raising awareness in America about mental illness and the available mental health resources. Mental Health America set out 70 years ago with one mission in mind, according to the organization’s mission statement. Year after year the agency has been building a following of thousands of groups and individuals with that same goal in mind.

“Mental health is essential to everyone’s overall health and well-being, and mental illnesses are common and treatable,” said a Mental Health America statement.

According to data collected covering mental health in the U.S. by the National Alliance on Mental Illness, “One in 5 adults in the U.S. lives with a mental health condition. One in 25 (10 million) adults in the U.S. lives with a serious mental illness.”

In addition to those facts, “43.8 million adults in the U.S. face the day-to-day reality of living with a mental illness, and half of all lifetime mental health conditions begin by age 14 and 75% by age 24, but early intervention programs can help.”

To support the month of May the fast-food chain, Burger King is launching the range of “Real Meals” meant to represent “real” moods.

The boxes are a dig at the Happy Meals sold by the large and rival Mcdonalds chain. Burger Kings meals include Blue Meal, the Salty Meal, the Yaaas Meal, the DGAF [Don’t Give A F—] Meal, and the Pissed Meal, reported the NBC News.

“Burger King restaurants understand that no one is happy all the time,” the fast-food chain announced in an online Press release. “That’s why they’re asking guests to order a Whopper meal based on however they might be feeling.”

The meals are stuffed with the chains famous Whopper, fries, and a drink, and will be sold across five cities: New York City, Los Angeles, Austin, Seattle, and Miami.

In addition to the Real Meals, the chain released a tweet themed-Mental Health Awareness Month saying, “It’s ok to #feelyourway.” This is a spin-off from the companies years-old “Have It Your Way” slogan and its most recent “Be Your Way,” introduced in 2014.

According to the media reports, the “Real Meals” are part of the brand’s partnership with the non-profit organization Mental Health America.

Paul Gionfriddo, the group’s president and chief executive, informed the outlet that the unconventional pairing of fast food and mental health is designed to raise awareness of mental health problems “in all communities.”

Gionfriddo concluded his statement with, “By using its internationally known reputation to discuss the importance of mental health, Burger King is bringing much-needed awareness to this important and critical discussion — and letting its customers know that is OK not to be OK.”

source http://www.ivdaily.com/mental-health-awareness-month-is-upon-us-and-burger-king-is-in-full-spirit