Monthly Archives: June 2022

The election of the first-ever leftist leader in Colombia, Latin Americas most conservative country, suggests the US is no longer boss in its own backyard.

New president and former-guerilla fighter Gustavo Petro has horrified Colombias conservative establishment and signalled that the leftist wave sweeping Latin America is still going strong.

The recent election of left-wing leaders in Chile, Honduras, Peru and Bolivia, had already prompted talk of another pink tide, of the type that swept in leaders such as Evo Morales in Bolivia, and Lula in Brazil in the early 2000s.

On Monday US Secretary of State Antony Blinken congratulated Petro on his victory with appropriately diplomatic language. But tensions between Washington and the nation that has until now been its closest ally in the region seem inevitable.

The first casualty may be Americas War on Drugs. Petro, the 62-year-old former mayor of the capital Bogota, has signalled that he wants an end to the failed policy that has done nothing to reduce the production and export of Colombian cocaine while creating a blood-soaked black market, and environmental destruction with indiscriminate spraying of pesticides to destroy coca crops.

In May Petro asked whether the million dead Latin Americans the majority Colombians and Mexicans has been worth it, in an interview with Semana magazine. Drugs are so demonised that its politically correct to say: lets ban them and start a war, but we never consider the consequences, Petro said.

So far, officials in the Biden administration appear determined to stick to the plan and maintain the half-a-trillion dollar-a-year drugs underground economy.

Petro has said he wants to legalise marijuana. But this drug is already legal in over 20 US states. So, thats not earth-shattering. The big news concerns Petros plans for cocaine.

Therell be a shift in Colombias drug policy, says Christopher Sabatini, the senior research fellow for Latin America at the Chatham House think-tank. I think Colombia will be in a stronger position now in putting the drug issue on the table to dictate changes to US policy.

Petro has indicated he wants to treat cocaine abuse more as a health issue than a crime.

Petro wants to wean peasants off growing coca by investing in agricultural development, though this will rely on removing some of the criminal remnants of guerilla groups such as Farc, from their cocoa fields.

Petros attitude to extradition of Colombian drug lords may prove to be another source of tension with Washington. The new president is not alone in claiming that Colombias authorities have used extradition to prevent traffickers from revealing to Colombias justice system their links with high-ranking politicians and military officers.

Colombias relations with Venezuela could prove another bone of contention. But with the Biden administration softening its approach to the Maduro regime, in an attempt to unlock some of its oil, a Petro administration in Colombia might equally prove to be a useful diplomatic bridge with Caracas.

This will all change, of course, if Trump or his ilk return to the White House in 2024. But ahead of that, or even at the ominous mid-term US polls, other events will decide the significance of Petros breakthrough election victory.

In October Brazils rejuvenated leftwing populist Lula may have his chance to return to power when he takes on the far-right incumbent Jair Bolsonaro. A leftwing presidency in Latin Americas most powerful country and the worlds eighth-largest economy will probably energise Latin Americas spirit of independence even further.

If Lula is re-elected, we could see a much more independent, muscular, policy towards the United States, with which other Latin American countries would fall in line, says Sabatini.

But before then Pero, despite having won the election fair and square, will have to survive some bitter economic headwinds and open hostility from the conservative elite that remains powerful in politics, business, and the media. I think his political honeymoon will be short, says Sabatini.

No doubt, Petro would shore up the support of many of those who voted for him if he succeeds in creating a fairer society with his plans for free healthcare and tax reforms.

He has picked Francia Marquez, a single mother and former housekeeper, as Colombias first black woman to be vice-president. Marquez is an environmental activist whose opposition to gold mining in her hometown of Suarez saw her receive the prestigious Goldman Environmental Prize in 2018 as well as death threats from criminal groups.

By getting the states hands on private pension pots and seeking to end oil exploration in a climate-centered policy approach, the government will make plenty of enemies.

Petro will have a tough time delivering on his promises because he lacks a majority in a fragmented Congress. Compromise and careful coalition building will be his priority as he seeks to build a more equal society, already rocked by civil war, crime, Covid and now a world economic downturn.

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Failed US War on Drugs in doubt after Colombia elects its first left-wing president - iNews

A Harm Reduction information booth within the Healing Fields of Earth Garden festival opened its doors between the 3rd and 5th of June 2022.

Addressing drug use through a non-judgmental, non-stigmatised approach, Harm Reduction Malta, in partnership with Dr Giulia Zampini and Dr Fabian Steinmetz, delivered three workshops addressing drug use in society, focusing on the relationship between drugs and crime, cannabis quality and transparency, and the People and Dancefloors project.

Leaflets produced by the UK-based NGO Drugs and Me offered information on different drugs, with tips on how to minimise harm and maximise pleasure. Visitors had the opportunity to scan a QR code and access detailed information on different substances effects, building awareness of potentially dangerous drug combinations. The European Coalition for Effective Drug Policies (ENCOD) supplied a leaflet addressed at parents and caregivers covering drug use, problematic drug use and health guidelines. Dialogue and respect for the views of people who use drugs are at the heart of the work of ENCOD and Drugs and Me.

People visiting the booth were encouraged to practice safe sex and use protection against unwanted consequences. Free condoms were received with jubilation by people who could not access this basic public health device elsewhere on the festival site.

Some visitors spoke at length about the importance of offering education to people who use drugs. Others asked if the booth provided a drug checking service, which would provide information about substances contents and potency to prevent unnecessary harm.

The team spoke with MEP Cyrus Engerer and Labour MP Randoph Debattista about the aims of harm reduction and the role of education to address drug use in society. Karen Mamo, of Harm Reduction Malta, explained that the legislative changes enacted in 2021 promise a paradigm shift in the way society perceives and treats people who use cannabis: no longer criminals or pathologised patients, but human beings in need of evidence-based tools to make responsible decisions without fear of criminal and social repercussions.

Mamo also spoke about the mutual relationship between public health and education, highlighting that dialogue and a non-coercive approach remain a priority to promote the well-being of people who use drugs, and by extension that of society.

During the drugs and crime workshop, Dr Zampini discussed some of the evidence around humans perennial relationship with drugs, defining such relationship as natural. Conversely, she defined the relationship between drugs and crime as socially constructed, highlighting some examples of the very real consequences that such a relationship has on peoples lives and wellbeing. The prohibition and criminalisation of drugs has grave social costs and is a significant financial burden to the state, she said.

Drawing on the theme of healing as integral to the festival, Dr Zampini asked participants to reflect on how we, as a society, can heal the problematic relationship between drugs and crime. Among the solutions proposed by participants were decriminalisation of drug possession, better drug treatment provision, and even legal regulation of drug supply.

Delivering a workshop on cannabis quality and transparency, Dr Steinmetz congratulated Malta for the recent legislative changes partially decriminalising cannabis in late 2021. Criminalisation increases harms to the person and fuels a culture of stigma and discrimination. Furthermore, criminalisation and prohibition directly impact levels of cannabis quality and hinder the exchange of greatly valuable information about cannabis cultivation.

Addressing contamination of cannabis and bioburden (presence of microorganisms), Dr Steinmetz highlighted the importance of educating cannabis home growers on how to properly dry and cure cannabis flowers. This is particularly important in humid and hot climates, such as that of Malta, Steinmetz said, calling for quality testing services to be made affordable and accessible, with the Authority for the Responsible Use of Cannabis acting as a regulator and an educational hub for growers and associations.

Answering questions about urine testing for employees, Dr Steinmetz explained that such testing is unnecessary from an impairment and health and safety perspective. In fact, non-psychoactive metabolites produce false positive results even if there is no impairment. The issue of false negative results, whereby the person is impaired when the drug is yet to be metabolised, should be considered when adopting an evidence-based approach to safer working environments.

Answering a question about the link between Cannabis and psychosis, Dr Steinmetz highlighted that psychosis affects only around 1% of the population, irrespective of the levels of cannabis used by a particular society. Nonetheless, people with a history of schizophrenia in the family or previous psychotic episodes have a higher potential to experience a psychotic episode or accelerate and worsen symptoms.

A third workshop delivered by Dr Zampini and Karen Mamo focused on the people and dancefloors project, a qualitative study delving into the role of pleasure, drug use, and dancefloors as spaces of encounter. Reading quotes from the study, participants were invited to guess the quotes context, eliciting reflections on personal experiences. The discussion focused on the role of stereotypes and stigma linked with people who take drugs in music spaces.

The interaction with participants provoked interesting observations, particularly around the tension between professional, family, and pleasure-seeking identities and behaviours. The lack of honest conversations about drug experiences for fear of legal, economic, and social repercussions, negatively impacts peoples mental health and self-perception, while hindering the reduction of harm.

Originating in the UK as a documentary-based project and spreading to Brazil and Malta, the people and dancefloors project aims to explore differences and similarities across social and cultural environments. Given that drug use happens within a prohibition policy framework, Dr Zampini highlighted the crucial role of a harm reduction approach to facilitate non-coercive dialogue and positive behavioural change.

Mamo clarified that harm reduction practices range from providing drug checking to other basic services, including the provision of free water and condoms. The validity of this approach, especially when considering the high temperatures hitting our island, and the increased prevalence of sexually transmitted diseases. By promoting harm reduction, I hope Malta soon will take the leap towards a human rights-based approach for people who use drugs, Mamo said.

The Harm Reduction Information Booth was sponsored by the University of Greenwich.

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No more 'war': reducing harm is the new language on drugs - MaltaToday

Could cannabis-infused cocktails surface as the next restaurant trend? Will concert venues offer pre-rolled joints? Would comedy screenings become legally enhanced by edibles?

Two prominent cannabis stakeholders recently proposed that New York states Office of Cannabis Management permit certain cannabis dispensaries to include consumption lounges and allow venues like restaurants and theatres to serve marijuana products.

Reggie Keith and Kaelan Castetter, who drafted the proposal, are finding support from other regulators, entrepreneurs and industry power players. On the other hand, critics argue that allowing established and already-thriving businesses to sell cannabis for consumption runs counter to the states prioritizing of social equity applicants those impacted by the war on drugs or a cannabis-related conviction.

The special-use permit under consideration would:

Keith and Castetter plan to continue to build support while mounting a public support campaign this summer.

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Permit Proposed for Cannabis Dispensaries, Restaurants and Theatres to Allow On-Site Consumption - JD Supra

Nightlands is the side-project of The War On Drugs bass guitarist, Dave Hartley. He has just shared with us the video for Stare Into The Sun, the final single to be taken from his new album, Moonshine which is due out on the 15th of July on Western Vinyl.

Stare Into The Sun follows in the rather excellent footsteps of previous singles No Kiss For The Lonely and the forthcoming albums imperious title track. Speaking about Stare Into The Sun, Dave Hartley says: The spark for this song started when I heard Human Nature (from Thriller) at a gas station. The chords in the intro of that tune activated something in my heart and I wanted to write something with similar modulating chords. Theres some surrealism happening here. Hundreds of vocals overdubbed creating an uncanny, fractured gospel vibe. The lyrics stand in contrast to the overall vibe, though: its a lush, melancholy song about pure anger. I love the arpeggiating synth solo in the break and Im proud of the way the lyrics poured out. It didnt feel like composition, it felt like therapy.

Moonshine Is the following-up to Nightlands last album, 2017s I Can Feel the Night Around Me and features contributions from Joseph Shabason on saxophone, Dave Hartleys fellow The War on Drugs band members, Robbie Bennet, Anthony Lamarca, Eliza Hardy Jones, and Charlie Hall, as well as Frank Locrasto (Cass McCombs, Fruit Bats) and producer Adam McDaniel (Avey Tare, Angel Olsen).

Moonshine is available to pre-order now.

Photo credit: Charlie Boss

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NEWS: Nightlands shares 'Stare Into The Sun' video from new album, Moonshine - God Is In The TV

CHICAGO and VANCOUVER, British Columbia, June 02, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Green Thumb Industries Inc. (Green Thumb) (CSE: GTII) (OTCQX: GTBIF), a leading national cannabis consumer packaged goods company and owner of RISE Dispensaries, opened applications for the third round of its Good Green Grant Program.

The Good Green Grant Program was born out of the desire to reinvest cannabis funds back into the community and create opportunities for nonprofit organizations who are doing the groundwork to create real and sustained progress against the War on Drugs, said Green Thumb Founder and Chief Executive Officer Ben Kovler. Through this program, we are supporting nonprofits to help create opportunity and change in impacted communities.

First launched in the fall of 2021, Good Green offers affordable mixed bud flower products. Sales from Good Green products fund grants awarded to nonprofit organizations that give back to communities of color disproportionately affected by the War on Drugs. Since the brands launch, Good Green has awarded more than $500,000 in grant money to eight organizations who encompass the brands three core pillars: education, employment and expungement. Good Green is on track to give more than $1 million by the end of year.

Good Green is committed to bringing responsible consumers and change-making organizations together to create real, lasting change. The brands current product offerings, including indica, sativa and hybrid mixed bud flower products, are available in Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Virginia.

The Good Green Grant Programs third round of applications are now open to local 501(c)3 organizations through 11:59 p.m. EST on August 19. For more information on Good Greens nonprofit application process, winners and product, please visit http://www.good.green.

About Green Thumb Industries:Green Thumb Industries Inc. (Green Thumb), a national cannabis consumer packaged goods company and retailer, promotes well-being through the power of cannabis while giving back to the communities in which it serves. Green Thumb manufactures and distributes a portfolio of branded cannabis products including Beboe, Dogwalkers, Doctor Solomons, Good Green, incredibles and RYTHM. The company also owns and operates rapidly growing national retail cannabis stores called RISE. Headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, Green Thumb has 17 manufacturing facilities, 77 open retail locations and operations across 15 U.S. markets. Established in 2014, Green Thumb employs approximately 4,000 people and serves millions of patients and customers each year. The company was named to Crains Chicago Business, Fast 50 list in 2021 and 2022 and a Best Workplace by MG Retailer magazine in 2018, 2019 and 2021. More information is available at http://www.GTIgrows.com.

Source: Green Thumb Industries

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Green Thumb Industries Opens G - GuruFocus.com