This week’s straightlaced news wrap up includes Florida democratizing, NBC clickbait, terror in Iowa and German smokeshows
Serious stuff going on. Photo by Hunters Race on Unsplash
There is nothing funny about a democracy where judges spend days deliberating if residents should be allowed to vote, or headlines about billboards being used for marketing in Iowa – cannabis news is an incredibly serious tool for PR agencies and fundraising campaigns that readers should base their lives around. With that in mind, there will be no “F-bombs” or demonic politicians from Idaho this week … well, maybe one from Florida, but no nonsense in this week’s parody wrap up.
Time is a precious commodity here at Marijuana Venture, so when it comes to news briefs, we like let the more incremental coverage fall to the wayside.
Here is a candid, possibly even antagonistic, recap of the stories from the past week that we didn’t cover in full detail:
Florida to democratize
U.S. marijuana businesses saw premarket share values rise from nonexistent to abysmal on Tuesday after the Florida Supreme Court decided to allow the state’s more than 22 million residents the right to vote on establishing a recreational cannabis market. The unprecedented decision by the court to allow residents of the country’s third-most populated state to vote on recreational cannabis was followed by dual press releases from the court and Governor Ron DeSantis issuing their heartfelt apologies to the Trulieve executive team and assurance that “the decision will not impact long-term goals.”
“This is simply too extreme,” Gov. DeSantis said in regard to residents voting on Florida law. “That is not how we get things done in Florida.”
Heavy cannabis use linked to psychiatric disorders
Amid the growing concerns of the country’s homeless crisis, housing crisis, international wars, mass shootings and a litany of other problems stemming from corrupt politics and unchecked capitalism, the heavy use of high-potency marijuana is suggested to be linked to psychiatric disorders, according to an NBC News report published this week. Although the report states that scientists do not know how marijuana use triggers mental disorders, researchers were ready to speculate on the subject and did not include the crushing, hellish realities of modern life in their speculations.
Iowa billboard used for advertising
Image by Engin Akyurt from Pixabay
Shocking news hit this week as Iowa residents commuting on Interstate 235 have become the targets of a Missouri-based cannabis retailer’s efforts to sell its wares. The billboard, which looms menacingly over innocent commuters, reads “90 MILES EAGLEVILLE, MO,” against a charcoal-black background with, what can be assumed to be, a wisp of cannabis smoke dancing nefariously behind the letters.
One resident commuter who wished to remain anonymous told the press, “Oh, I didn’t know that was for a cannabis store.” Moments later the commuter was heard asking for directions to the Show Me State followed by maniacal laughter and the squealing of tires.
Germans gather to smoke outdoors
Image by Alexandre Gonçalves da Rocha from Pixabay
Cannabis advocates and enthusiasts gathered in strategically coordinated locations across Germany at midnight on Monday for a synchronized celebration of the country’s new cannabis laws and to showcase German-engineered cannabis consumption. While the country’s residents practiced civil obedience in clockwork-like fashion, the neighboring country of Austria has pledged to increase patrols along the German border, watching for potential cannabis smugglers under the country’s new “Papers, Please” initiative.
Least appealing of the week
A wistful week in Hawaii. Photo by Roberto Nickson on Unsplash
Almost through this straightlaced news bit … Apologies, for the digression, here are the remaining and very serious headlines readers may have seen thousands of times during this past week: Bay Area cannabis business offers up to $85,000 annually for a cannabis tester; Hawaii declines to vote on adult-use cannabis legalization; and judge sides with Leafly’s challenge against marketing restrictions in New York. And in the same order: With a roommate or two the cannabis tester may actually be able to afford to live in the Bay Area; A tough break for Hawaii, meanwhile Germans are holding bongs and dancing in the streets of Berlin; Great news and I am sure no one is going to sell ad space to the estimated 2,000 illicit dispensaries currently operating in New York City.