The US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has been directed to cease conducting warrantless searches of travelers at airports and other transportation hubs.

The directive, issued by the Justice Department’s Office of the Inspector General (IG), stems from an investigation that identified significant deficiencies in DEA practices.

The IG’s investigation revealed that DEA agents lacked sufficient training and frequently failed to properly document their search activities, as required by agency policy. Inspector General Michael E. Horowitz criticized the agency for its failure to track data on consensual encounters and assess the effectiveness of its interdiction efforts, stating that these shortcomings raise serious concerns about the efficient use of law enforcement resources.
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A new study published in the journal Molecules shines a spotlight on cannabigerol (CBG), a non-psychoactive cannabinoid that’s rapidly gaining attention for its therapeutic possibilities.

Unlike THC, which is associated with the “high” associated with cannabis use, CBG offers potential medical benefits without intoxication, similar to CBD, making it a compelling candidate for clinical use.

Conducted by researchers from the United States and China, the review explores CBG’s molecular mechanisms and its ability to modulate key physiological processes. “CBG does not induce intoxication, making it an attractive option in the clinic,” the authors note. The study highlights CBG’s interactions with the endocannabinoid system, particularly CB1 and CB2 receptors, as well as transient receptor potential (TRP) channels and α2-adrenoceptors. These pathways suggest that CBG could alleviate inflammation, pain, and neurodegenerative conditions.
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Legal marijuana sales in Canada saw a noticeable drop from August to September, but remained on par with previous months.

Licensed marijuana supplies in Canada sold CA$443.9 million worth of product in September, according to data released by Statistics Canada. Although this is a decrease from the CA$475 million sold in August, it’s similar to the CA$453 million sold in July and the CA$433 million sold in June. September sales generated around $88 million in tax revenue.

In September, Ontario had the largest share of marijuana since, with CA$177 million in sales. Alberta came second in sales with CA$76 million, followed by British Columbia at $69 million and Quebec at $55 million. Of these provinces, only British Columbia saw sales increase from August to September.
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Efforts to pass the SAFE or SAFER Banking Act during the lame duck session of Congress are gaining momentum, though time is running out.

The Secure and Fair Enforcement (SAFE) Banking Act currently has 131 sponsors in the U.S. House of Representatives, more than any other marijuana-related bill in Congress. The updated Secure and Fair Enforcement Regulation (SAFER) Banking Act in the Senate has 36 sponsors and was approved late last year by the Senate Banking Committee with bipartisan support.

Both measures would establish explicit federal protections for banks and credit unions that work with marijuana businesses operating legally under state law. They would also allow state-legal marijuana businesses to take standard IRS tax deductions. With the measures set to expire at the end of the year and a new Congress convening in January, proponents are racing against the clock to secure passage.
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Florida’s Office of Medical Marijuana Use has issued letters of intent to approve licenses for 22 companies vying to operate as Medical Marijuana Treatment Centers (MMTCs).

These approvals come after a months-long wait for the 74 applicants who initially submitted their applications in April 2023. The companies granted licenses include:
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Lancaster County District Court Judge Susan Strong has dismissed a legal challenge aimed at invalidating medical marijuana initiatives that were overwhelmingly approved by voters earlier this month.

According to Judge Strong, the petitions met all constitutional and statutory requirements, making them legally sufficient under Nebraska law. This allows the law to take effect on December 12, although the decision may be appealed to the Nebraska Supreme Court.

Earlier this month, Nebraskans overwhelmingly voted in favor of legalizing medical marijuana and implementing a regulatory framework for sales, with 70% of voters supporting the initiatives. Certification of the election results is expected next week.
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