A new study has attempted to explore how people on antidepressants such as Lexapro (escitalopram) and psilocybin process emotions on a neural level. The researchers behind the recent study wanted to analyze how people process their emotions when under the influence of psilocybin compared with Lexapro, a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) that is commonly used as an antidepressant.
Depression is the largest cause of disability across the globe, affecting tens of millions of people and costing adults in the United States more than $200 billion in 2018.
While some people have greatly benefitted from current therapies, these treatments are ineffective for a majority of depression patients and often leave individuals with side effects including loss of appetite, dizziness, indigestion and low libido.
In recent years, an influx of psychedelic research, dubbed the “psychedelic renaissance,” revealed that hallucinogens can be very effective against various mental -health conditions, delivering long-term benefits at minimal doses and causing few if any severe side effects. Although the research is still in its early days and researchers still don’t understand exactly how psychedelics deliver many of their benefits, the findings have been encouraging enough that investors have poured millions of dollars into furthering psychedelic research.
SSRIs alleviate conditions such as anxiety and depression by increasing serotonin levels in the brain and allowing for improved message transmission between neurons. However, they often cause side effects such as “emotional blunting” by increasing serotonin levels and activity on brain receptors that inhibit action in neurons associated with pleasure and emotions.
The researchers wanted to compare psilocybin’s and antidepressant effect on emotional processing because psychedelics have proven that they can alleviate depression symptoms without causing emotional blunting. Prior studies have revealed that psilocybin can be especially effective against major depressive disorder when paired with talk therapy.
For the study, 46 participants were broken into two groups with 21 receiving Lexapro and 25 receiving psilocybin. Participants in both groups were then shown images expressing happiness, neutrality and fear with researchers taking MRI scans. This happened before the study began, six weeks after participants received either the psychedelic or antidepressant, and a day after the six-week period ended.
The researchers also used several scales to measure the impact of both treatments and evaluate the participants’ experience throughout the study period.
Their findings revealed that the brains of participants who received the antidepressant became less sensitive to emotions such as sadness, fear and happiness after dosing while the psilocybin group did not exhibit similar changes in brain chemistry. Participants in the antidepressant group who reported the strongest reduction in symptoms had lower emotional function while psilocybin patients with the highest reduction in depression symptoms also had higher emotional function.
The findings indicate that psilocybin-assisted therapy boosts emotional acceptance and increases emotional function in patients, significantly aiding in their overall recovery, while escitalopram reduces emotional sensitivity.
As more studies by industry companies such as Compass Pathways PLC (NASDAQ: CMPS) shed more light on the specific mechanisms through which psychedelics exert their influence on human health, the shift in perception toward these substances could accelerate.
About PsychedelicNewsWire
PsychedelicNewsWire (PNW) is a specialized content distribution company that (1) aggregates and distributes news and information on the latest developments in all aspects and advances of psychedelics and their use, (2) creates PsychedelicNewsBreaks designed to quickly update investors on important industry news, (3) leverages a team of expert editors to enhance press releases for maximum impact, (4) assists companies with the management and optimization of social media across a range of platforms, and (5) delivers unparalleled corporate communication solutions. PNW stays abreast of the latest information and has established a reputation as the go to source for coverage of psychedelics, therapeutics and emerging market opportunities. Our team of seasoned journalists has a proven track record of helping both public and private companies gain traction with a wide audience of investors, consumers, media outlets and the general public by leveraging our expansive dissemination network of more than 5,000 key syndication outlets. PNW is committed to delivering improved visibility and brand recognition to companies operating in the emerging markets of psychedelics.
To receive instant SMS alerts, text “Groovy” to 844-397-5787 (U.S. Mobile Phones Only)
Please see full terms of use and disclaimers on the PsychedelicNewsWire website applicable to all content provided by PNW, wherever published or re-published: https://www.psychedelicnewswire.com/Disclaimer
Do you have questions or are you interested in working with PNW? Ask our Editor
(Globe Newswire) Ashkelon, Israel and Vancouver — BYND Cannasoft Enterprises Inc. has announced the closing of a firm commitment underwritten public offering with gross proceeds to the company of approximately US$2.6 million, before deducting underwriting discounts and other estimated expenses payable by the company.
The base offering consisted of 1,733,334 common shares at a price to the public of US$1.50 per share. The company intends to use the net proceeds from this offering primarily for product design and manufacturing, sales and marketing campaigns, patent prosecution and working capital.
Aegis Capital Corp. acted as the sole book-running manager for the offering.
The offering was made pursuant to an effective shelf registration statement on Form F-3 (No. 333-272374) previously filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and declared effective by the SEC on June 14, 2023.
Advertisement
A final prospectus supplement and accompanying prospectus describing the terms of the proposed offering was filed with the SEC and is available on the SEC’s website located at www.sec.gov. Electronic copies of the prospectus may be obtained by contacting Aegis Capital Corp.
There was no offering of common shares by the underwriter in Canada.
This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any state or jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state or jurisdiction.
Here you can find a selection of cannabis scientific studies published in the latest months. Each article is correlated with a short summary describing the purpose of the study and the main research findings.
A great cannabis culture comes from great and peer reviewed sources! For this reason we believe in the importance of consulting reliable sources. Whether you are interested in a particular article don’t hesitate to read the full piece for more information — we provide all the sources.
Cannabis and Health — Best New Findings
Does the co-use of cannabis exacerbate the effect of alcohol on the risk of accidents? A systematic review and meta-analysis
This review is written taking into account the systematic literature published about the improved risk of crashing induced by cannabis consumption. Many articles highlight the strong dose-related effects of alcohol on the risk of accidents while driving.
Nevertheless, significant main effects linked to tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) consumption are not mentioned in the consulted literature. The main question of the article is whether the joint use of cannabis with alcohol makes any difference to the effect of alcohol itself on the risk of crashing.
Even if some authors claim the incurrence of cumulative effect of cannabis and alcohol, according to the meta-analysis of literature there might not be enough to support this claim.
Temporal Associations Between use of Psychoactive Substances and Somatic Symptoms in the Daily Lives of People with Fibromyalgia
This study provides insights regarding the temporal association between the consumption of psychoactive substances such as alcohol, nicotine, caffeine, opioids, and cannabis, and the fluctuations in somatic symptoms induced by fibromyalgia.
The rating of mental and physical fatigue were taken into account in order to predict the later use of psychoactive substances, Moreover the use of substances was explored in order to predict later changes in symptoms.
It came out that even if somatic symptoms predicted later use of substances, it was not the case for the other way around. In fact the use of substances didn’t show an appreciable alleviation of somatic symptoms in people affected by fibromyalgia.
Hormonal control of promoter activities of Cannabis sativa prenyltransferase 1 and 4 and salicylic acid mediated regulation of cannabinoid biosynthesis
This in depth study of the hormonal regulation of cannabinoid biosynthetic genes offers relevant information to plant biology. The research focuses on the molecular signals initiating and regulating cannabinoid biosynthesis starting with trichomes formation.
Studies with salicylic acid, an important hormone in plants involved in plant defense, growth and development, demonstrated an increased gene expression of those downstream of the cannabinoid biosynthetic pathway.
So, researchers demonstrated the interaction between certain hormones and cannabinoids biosynthesis, as well as the correlation between molecular mechanisms regulating gene expression and influencing plant chemotypes.
Characterizing heterogeneity among people who use cannabis for medicinal reasons: A latent class analysis of a nationally representative Canadian sample
This research investigated the cannabis use frequency, the forms of cannabis used, concurrent non-medicinal cannabis use, and the medical conditions and symptoms cannabis was used for, in order to identify the socio-demographic conditions of people using cannabis for medicinal reasons. The risks of cannabis-related harms in these subgroups of people is also investigated.
From this study a considerable heterogeneity of people reporting cannabis use for medical purposes was revealed. The risks of harm coming from cannabis consumption of these groups of people is linked to the specific motivations and behaviors of individuals
Longitudinal associations between insomnia, cannabis use and stress among US veterans
A large portion of military veterans are particularly vulnerable to irregular sleep schedules, mood disorders, combat-related stress among other mental illnesses.
Researchers performed this study on a sample of US veterans aged between 18 and 40 years old over 12 months.
The attempt was to evaluate veterans’ proportional change of insomnia, perceived stress and cannabis use.
The study results reveal a complex pattern of the three constructs. To make an example for those with chronic sleep disorders the use of cannabis can reduce the perceived stress about that.
Nevertheless this could lead to an increase of symptoms of insomnia. In general, increased levels of cannabis use are associated with greater levels of stress. Increased cannabis consumption could also increase the severity of insomnia and stress.
Coronary thrombosis and cannabis abuse: a case report
The main psychoactive cannabinoid delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC-9) can have various cardiovascular side effects such as acute coronary syndrome, arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death. This study case is based on the hospitalization of a young man without prior heart issues due to heart attack induced by cannabis overconsumption.
The doctors, after coronary angiography the thrombotic occlusion of the left anterior descending coronary artery. This article describes the association between acute coronary syndrome and cannabis abuse.
Medicinal cannabis for pain: Real-world data on three-month changes in symptoms and quality of life
Medicinal cannabis became legal in Australia in 2016. By November 2022, 55 participants with chronic pain completed the first three month follow-up. They did it to check the pain intensity and the interference with their life.
The primary evidence from this study is that medical grade cannabis may reduce pain interference and severity. The study also shows a significant amelioration of life, mood, sleep, and general health in chronic pain patients.
Cannabis Use Disorder and Subsequent Risk of Psychotic and Nonpsychotic Unipolar Depression and Bipolar Disorder
The association with cannabis use disorder and incurrence of psychiatric disorders has not been studied sufficiently. This research focuses on Denmark individuals. The findings suggest that cannabis use disorder independently associates with bipolar disorder and unipolar depression..
The increased risk of psychotic and non-psychotic disorders have been highlighted and estimated as hazard ratios using Cox proportional hazards regression with time-varying information on cannabis use disorder.
Co-exposure to cannabis and nicotine during pregnancy alters fetal lung development
In this study, the researchers analyzed human fetal lung development in vitro after administering physiological concentrations of THC, CBD, and nicotine alone and in combination for 72 hours. They conducted the experiment on human fetal lung explants cultured on air-liquid interface after 10-20 weeks of gestation.
It was observed a thickening of the mesenchymal compartment of lung explants and increased formation of cysts.
The study results highlight an age dependent senescence and alteration of lung fetal cellular proliferation that appears to be age dependent. The use of cannabis and cigarettes during pregnancy can pose serious risks on fetal development and health.
Cannabis use in gynecologic cancer patients in a Canadian cancer center
One of the aims of this study survey is to analyze patterns of cannabis use among patients with gynecologic malignancies. The most commonly described symptoms inducing survey participants in consuming cannabis were anxiety, pain and insomnia.
Many women affected by gynecologic cancer reported their interest in discussing cannabis prescription if their doctor would have introduced the argument. From this study came out that there is a lack of evidence-based information about cannabis and their potential benefits for gynecologic cancer patients treatment. And The survey indicates that patients would like to talk to their oncologist about cannabis.
Chronic cannabigerol administration lowers blood pressure in phenotypically normal mice
In this study, researchers investigated the hypothesis that cannabigerol (CBG) could potentially decrease blood pressure in mice when administered chronically. They continuously tested heart rate, blood pressure, and locomotor activity by applying implanted probes in animals.
Chronic CBG administration may produce a small but significant decrease in blood pressure in normal mice. The chronic CBG administration had a lower impact on blood pressure compared to CBG acute administration. This study gives important info regarding the potential hypotensive CBG effects under normotensive conditions.
Hemp Seed Meal: A Potential Feedstuff in Equine Rations
This literature review focuses on investigating the potential of hemp seed meal to replace other protein sources, such as linseed and canola meals, for animal diets.
Hemp Seed meal doesn’t fully replace soybean meal, but it is an important source of simple carbohydrates, high fiber and high crude proteins.
Furthermore, researchers observed that the equine diet’s hemp seed meal is highly digestible compared to other types of feeding. Other research studies have indicated that including hempseed meal as 10-20% of the animal diet could be optimal. Notice that incorporating this type of meal in slaughtered animals doesn’t negatively impact the final meat taste, as well as the quality of milk or eggs.
Source: Springer, Ryon Wilson. Hempseed Meal: A Potential Feedstuff in Equine Rations. Diss. Tarleton State University, 2023.
Hemplime and Free-Form Hybrids: Sustainable Design through Computational Innovation
This study employs a hybrid free-form design blending traditional construction techniques with the use of modern and eco-friendly materials. Digital fabrication and computational design permit the creation of projects focusing on sustainability.
Researchers investigate the optimal balance of strength and insulation of prefabricated hempcrete blocks with a tectonic frame, minimizing the need for formwork. This study serves as inspiration for architects to shape a more environmentally friendly building approach.
Challenges and Potentials of New Breeding Techniques in Cannabis sativa
This review focuses on the current status of cannabis breeding techniques. Researchers propose the suggestion of new breeding techniques to overcome the issue of modifying the cannabinoid profile when introducing new traits.
Information on suitable target genes, introducing a genome editing tool into plant tissue, and the ability to regenerate plants from transformed cells can overall support successfully using genetic-engineering breeding methods.
The application of new breeding techniques based on genome editing could lead to an overall improvement of cannabis understanding and it could also help reveal completely the potentials of this valuable plant.
Evaluation of different hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) progenies resulting from crosses with focus on oil content and seed yield
This study investigates the breeding potential of 17 different hemp varieties crossed for the purpose, focusing the research on seed and oil characteristics.
One of the main objectives of cannabis breeding is the maximization of seed yield and also of the contained oil. This study focuses on this exact aspect.
Hemp seeds contain high amounts of fatty acids including oleic acid, linoleic acid and linolenic acid, stearic acid and palmitic acid. In particular linoleic and linolenic acids also known as omega-3 and omega-6 are particularly important for metabolic life processes in the human and animal diets.
For this reason, in the idea of commercial hemp cultivation optimization, studies related to different genotypes and cross breeding leading to different plant traits are particularly important.
Valorization of cannabis green waste to cellulose nanomaterials via phosphoric acid hydrolysis
Through phosphoric acid hydrolysis it is possible to isolate cellulose nanomaterial from hemp biomass. In the context of circular economy, this research proposes a method to valorize hemp green waste while minimizing the impact of this expanding industry. They used hemp as a model for high tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) containing varieties.
Phosphoric acid-hydrolyzed bast fibers produce cellulose nanocrystals (CNC), while hurd-derived fibers give nano-fibril like particles without chemical pretreatment.
Moreover this study highlighted that the addition of hydrogen peroxide to the sodium hydroxide pretreatment can reduce the variation of cellulose nanocrystals sizes independently if they derive from bast or hurd fibers.
Combining cannabis and melatonin treatment with a rehabilitation program improved symptoms in a dog with compulsive disorder: A case report
Sometimes dogs manifest repetitive and compulsive behaviors because of their incapacity in dealing with stressful situations. This article investigated a tailored rehabilitation program for dogs with compulsive disorder.
A combined treatment using cannabinoids such as cannabidiol (CBD) and melatonin may be an effective treatment to improve mood disorders, fear, anxiety and phobia in dogs.
Even though this study reported a positive outcome after long-term treatment of the dog showing obsessive-compulsive behavior, there is not enough evidence of the combined effectiveness of CBD and melatonin. In any case, this study provides important data that researchers could take into account for future investigations on this topic.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer has said that enacting the cannabis banking bill is a top priority for this summer, but it won’t be simple without backing from GOP leaders. In a letter sent to his coworkers last week, Schumer made that statement.
The letter specifies that lawmakers will prioritize pushing defense and appropriations measures that must pass before moving on to other matters. To advance the bill in a number of policy areas, Schumer stated that Democrats will also keep working with their Republican counterparts. This includes moving forward on bicameral legislation, such as a bill to protect cannabis banking that was already heard in the Senate Banking Committee in May and that proponents expect will be put to a vote in that body this month.
Schumer has stated numerous times that he believes the SAFE Banking Bill should be changed to include wording on the expungement of earlier cannabis convictions. However, he chose not to reiterate that argument in his recent letter. However, a representative for the primary Republican sponsor of the standalone SAFE Banking Act said recently that he is open to including the additional reform provision, despite having warned Democrats against significantly broadening the bill’s scope in a way that could jeopardize the support of GOP lawmakers.
Insiders claim that the bill, as it stand, has enough support from Republicans to garner the 60 votes necessary for approval in the Senate.
Senate Banking Committee members are still debating Section 10 of the marijuana measure, which has drawn criticism from certain Democrats, including Senator Jack Reed, who claims it would essentially weaken banking laws that do not apply to the cannabis industry.
But, as Schumer pointed out in the letter, Republican support is necessary to see the proposal through to the end. Furthermore, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell has already obstructed incremental reform. Additionally, it’s uncertain when the Senate will be able to finish working on budget legislation and the NDAA, which Schumer argued should come before the other bipartisan initiatives.
Although a committee markup for the SAFE Banking Bill has not yet been set, members from opposing parties are indicating that the votes are present for passage — as long as there are no significant disagreements or roadblocks. Senator Tommy Tuberville declared last month that he would vote in favor of the bill. He merely has his worries about the Democratic leadership’s ability to deliver on their campaign promise this year.
Not all companies that have operations connected to marijuana are facing banking challenges. For example, entities such as IGC Pharma Inc. (NYSE American: IGC) that are focused on developing medicinal formulations containing THC follow a set of regulations formulated by the FDA regarding drug development. Since these operations are federally regulated, operators are regarded as federally permitted firms and aren’t denied banking services in the same way that entities selling state-level recreational or medical marijuana are.
NOTE TO INVESTORS: The latest news and updates relating to IGC Pharma Inc. (NYSE American: IGC) are available in the company’s newsroom at https://cnw.fm/IGC
About CNW420
CNW420 spotlights the latest developments in the rapidly evolving cannabis industry through the release of two informative articles each business day. Our concise, informative content serves as a gateway for investors interested in the legalized cannabis sector and provides updates on how regulatory developments may impact financial markets. Articles are released each business day at 4:20 a.m. and 4:20 p.m. Eastern – our tribute to the time synonymous with cannabis culture. If marijuana and the burgeoning industry surrounding it are on your radar, CNW420 is for you! Check back daily to stay up-to-date on the latest milestones in the fast -changing world of cannabis.
To receive instant SMS alerts, text CANNABIS to 21000 (U.S. Mobile Phones Only)
Please see full terms of use and disclaimers on the CannabisNewsWire website applicable to all content provided by CNW420, wherever published or re-published: http://CNW.fm/Disclaimer
Do you have questions or are you interested in working with CNW420? Ask our Editor
Another BC city that had previously banned cannabis stores could be getting its first one soon.
In 2018, Pitt Meadows city council voted to prohibit the retail sale of cannabis, although they did allow for interested parties to apply for rezoning of specific sites on a case by case basis. However, the city had no bylaws in place if an applicant did come forward.
In 2022, cannabis retailer Seed & Stone applied, which led to a city staff report on how to address these types of applications. Council was largely supportive, and passed several bylaws this past April to allow for hearings from applicants looking to open a cannabis store, as well as a separate licence for a cannabis farmgate storefront. Seed & Stone has five locations in BC, including a partnership with the Songhees Nation.
The retailer’s application was approved at third reading by council Tuesday evening July 18. City staff informed council that once it was passed at third reading, the city would then receive a referral from BC’s Liquor and Cannabis Regulation Branch (LCRB). At that time, the city will then hear a fourth reading to adopt the zoning bylaw and request a licence recommendation to the LCRB.
The location, at 725-19800 Lougheed Hwy, is in a large shopping mall at the eastern edge of town, and within a relative stones throw to two other retail stores in adjoining Maple Ridge.
The fee to apply for a retail cannabis licence in Pitt Meadows is $1,000, while a farmgate application are $2,500. The licence fee is $157.
While Pitt Meadows hasn’t allowed retail stores, it is home to several cannabis growers and processors. One councillor noted the possible discrepancy.
“As we all are aware, the city of Pitt Meadows enjoys quite an industry of growing the stuff. We just don’t sell it. So, I’m not quite sure what the difference is, to be quite blunt,” Councillor Bob Meachen pointed out when city staff first presented to council last November.
Surrey, BC’s second largest city by population after Vancouver, which also banned cannabis stores, is currently reconsidering its ban, as well. Richmond BC, located west of Surrey and home to more than 200,000 people, also does not allow any cannabis retailers, but representatives of the city have said they have no interest in lifting the ban.
Vikram Sachdeva, the founder of Seed & Stone, which operates five other locations in BC, says he and his team have been the first cannabis store in several communities.
“We were the first ones in Delta, first ones in Hope, and one of the first in Coquitlam. We’ve always tried to work to change the minds of cities on why it is important to allow cannabis retail.”
Sachdeva says they chose the location for their store due to its proximity to other amenities after an extensive search of the area. Being located in a large outdoor shopping centre was important, he explains.
“To have a successful store, we need to be on a level playing field—having a location that is retail oriented, that has big box stores that can bring in the foot traffic, So we just wanted to put it where it can showcase our brand and is convenient for the community. There’s a liquor store there, there’s a convenience store there, there’s other amenities, and now this can be a part of their routine as well.”
Get ready for the next phase of the government’s war on thought crimes: mental health round-ups and involuntary detentions.
Under the guise of public health and safety, the government could use mental health care as a pretext for targeting and locking up dissidents, activists and anyone unfortunate enough to be placed on a government watch list.
In New York City, for example, you could find yourself forcibly hospitalized for suspected mental illness if you carry “firmly held beliefs not congruent with cultural ideas,” exhibit a “willingness to engage in meaningful discussion,” have “excessive fears of specific stimuli,” or refuse “voluntary treatment recommendations.”
While these programs are ostensibly aimed at getting the homeless off the streets, when combined with advances in mass surveillance technologies, artificial intelligence-powered programs that can track people by their biometrics and behavior, mental health sensor data (tracked by wearable data and monitored by government agencies such as HARPA), threat assessments, behavioral sensing warnings, precrime initiatives, red flag gun laws, and mental health first-aid programs aimed at training gatekeepers to identify who might pose a threat to public safety, they could well signal a tipping point in the government’s efforts to penalize those engaging in so-called “thought crimes.”
As the AP reports, federal officials are already looking into how to add “‘identifiable patient data,’ such as mental health, substance use and behavioral health information from group homes, shelters, jails, detox facilities and schools,” to its surveillance toolkit.
Make no mistake: these are the building blocks for an American gulag no less sinister than that of the gulags of the Cold War-era Soviet Union.
The word “gulag” refers to a labor or concentration camp where prisoners (oftentimes political prisoners or so-called “enemies of the state,” real or imagined) were imprisoned as punishment for their crimes against the state.
Totalitarian regimes such as the Soviet Union also declared dissidents mentally ill and consigned political prisoners to prisons disguised as psychiatric hospitals, where they could be isolated from the rest of society, their ideas discredited, and subjected to electric shocks, drugs and various medical procedures to break them physically and mentally.
In addition to declaring political dissidents mentally unsound, government officials in the Cold War-era Soviet Union also made use of an administrative process for dealing with individuals who were considered a bad influence on others or troublemakers. Author George Kennan describes a process in which:
The obnoxious person may not be guilty of any crime . . . but if, in the opinion of the local authorities, his presence in a particular place is “prejudicial to public order” or “incompatible with public tranquility,” he may be arrested without warrant, may be held from two weeks to two years in prison, and may then be removed by force to any other place within the limits of the empire and there be put under police surveillance for a period of from one to ten years.
The age-old practice by which despotic regimes eliminate their critics or potential adversaries by making them disappear—or forcing them to flee—or exiling them literally or figuratively or virtually from their fellow citizens—is happening with increasing frequency in America.
Now, through the use of red flag laws, behavioral threat assessments, and pre-crime policing prevention programs, the groundwork is being laid that would allow the government to weaponize the label of mental illness as a means of exiling those whistleblowers, dissidents and freedom fighters who refuse to march in lockstep with its dictates.
That the government is using the charge of mental illness as the means by which to immobilize (and disarm) its critics is diabolical. With one stroke of a magistrate’s pen, these individuals are declared mentally ill, locked away against their will, and stripped of their constitutional rights.
These developments are merely the realization of various U.S. government initiatives dating back to 2009, including one dubbed Operation Vigilant Eagle which calls for surveillance of military veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan, characterizing them as extremists and potential domestic terrorist threats because they may be “disgruntled, disillusioned or suffering from the psychological effects of war.”
Coupled with the report on “Rightwing Extremism: Current Economic and Political Climate Fueling Resurgence in Radicalization and Recruitment” issued by the Department of Homeland Security (curiously enough, a Soviet term), which broadly defines rightwing extremists as individuals and groups “that are mainly antigovernment, rejecting federal authority in favor of state or local authority, or rejecting government authority entirely,” these tactics bode ill for anyone seen as opposing the government.
Thus, what began as a blueprint under the Bush administration has since become an operation manual for exiling those who challenge the government’s authority.
An important point to consider, however, is that the government is not merely targeting individuals who are voicing their discontent so much as it is locking up individuals trained in military warfare who are voicing feelings of discontent.
Under the guise of mental health treatment and with the complicity of government psychiatrists and law enforcement officials, these veterans are increasingly being portrayed as ticking time bombs in need of intervention.
For instance, the Justice Department launched a pilot program aimed at training SWAT teams to deal with confrontations involving highly trained and often heavily armed combat veterans.
One tactic being used to deal with so-called “mentally ill suspects who also happen to be trained in modern warfare” is through the use of civil commitment laws, found in all states and employed throughout American history to not only silence but cause dissidents to disappear.
For example, NSA officials attempted to label former employee Russ Tice, who was willing to testify in Congress about the NSA’s warrantless wiretapping program, as “mentally unbalanced” based upon two psychiatric evaluations ordered by his superiors.
NYPD Officer Adrian Schoolcraft had his home raided, and he was handcuffed to a gurney and taken into emergency custody for an alleged psychiatric episode. It was later discovered by way of an internal investigation that his superiors were retaliating against him for reporting police misconduct. Schoolcraft spent six days in the mental facility, and as a further indignity, was presented with a bill for $7,185 upon his release.
Marine Brandon Raub—a 9/11 truther—was arrested and detained in a psychiatric ward under Virginia’s civil commitment law based on posts he had made on his Facebook page that were critical of the government.
Each state has its own set of civil, or involuntary, commitment laws. These laws are extensions of two legal principles: parens patriae Parens patriae (Latin for “parent of the country”), which allows the government to intervene on behalf of citizens who cannot act in their own best interest, and police power, which requires a state to protect the interests of its citizens.
The fusion of these two principles, coupled with a shift towards a dangerousness standard, has resulted in a Nanny State mindset carried out with the militant force of the Police State.
The problem, of course, is that the diagnosis of mental illness, while a legitimate concern for some Americans, has over time become a convenient means by which the government and its corporate partners can penalize certain “unacceptable” social behaviors.
In fact, in recent years, we have witnessed the pathologizing of individuals who resist authority as suffering from oppositional defiant disorder (ODD), defined as “a pattern of disobedient, hostile, and defiant behavior toward authority figures.” Under such a definition, every activist of note throughout our history—from Mahatma Gandhi to Martin Luther King Jr.—could be classified as suffering from an ODD mental disorder.
Of course, this is all part of a larger trend in American governance whereby dissent is criminalized and pathologized, and dissenters are censored, silenced, declared unfit for society, labelled dangerous or extremist, or turned into outcasts and exiled.
Red flag gun laws (which authorize government officials to seize guns from individuals viewed as a danger to themselves or others), are a perfect example of this mindset at work and the ramifications of where this could lead.
As The Washington Post reports, these red flag gun laws “allow a family member, roommate, beau, law enforcement officer or any type of medical professional to file a petition [with a court] asking that a person’s home be temporarily cleared of firearms. It doesn’t require a mental-health diagnosis or an arrest.”
While in theory it appears perfectly reasonable to want to disarm individuals who are clearly suicidal and/or pose an “immediate danger” to themselves or others, where the problem arises is when you put the power to determine who is a potential danger in the hands of government agencies, the courts and the police.
Remember, this is the same government that uses the words “anti-government,” “extremist” and “terrorist” interchangeably.
This is the same government whose agents are spinning a sticky spider-web of threat assessments, behavioral sensing warnings, flagged “words,” and “suspicious” activity reports using automated eyes and ears, social media, behavior sensing software, and citizen spies to identify potential threats.
This is the same government that keeps re-upping the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which allows the military to detain American citizens with no access to friends, family or the courts if the government believes them to be a threat.
This is the same government that has a growing list—shared with fusion centers and law enforcement agencies—of ideologies, behaviors, affiliations and other characteristics that could flag someone as suspicious and result in their being labeled potential enemies of the state.
For instance, if you believe in and exercise your rights under the Constitution (namely, your right to speak freely, worship freely, associate with like-minded individuals who share your political views, criticize the government, own a weapon, demand a warrant before being questioned or searched, or any other activity viewed as potentially anti-government, racist, bigoted, anarchic or sovereign), you could be at the top of the government’s terrorism watch list.
Now consider the ramifications of giving police that kind of authority in order to preemptively neutralize a potential threat, and you’ll understand why some might view these mental health round-ups with trepidation.
No matter how well-meaning the politicians make these encroachments on our rights appear, in the right (or wrong) hands, benevolent plans can easily be put to malevolent purposes.
Even the most well-intentioned government law or program can be—and has been—perverted, corrupted and used to advance illegitimate purposes once profit and power are added to the equation.
The war on terror, the war on drugs, the war on illegal immigration, the war on COVID-19: all of these programs started out as legitimate responses to pressing concerns and have since become weapons of compliance and control in the government’s hands. For instance, the very same mass surveillance technologies that were supposedly so necessary to fight the spread of COVID-19 are now being used to stifle dissent, persecute activists, harass marginalized communities, and link people’s health information to other surveillance and law enforcement tools.
As I make clear in my book Battlefield America: The War on the American People and in its fictional counterpart The Erik Blair Diaries, we are moving fast down that slippery slope to an authoritarian society in which the only opinions, ideas and speech expressed are the ones permitted by the government and its corporate cohorts.
We stand at a crossroads.
As author Erich Fromm warned, “At this point in history, the capacity to doubt, to criticize and to disobey may be all that stands between a future for mankind and the end of civilization.”
When you ‘detox’ from all you’ve known you allow new ideas, modalities, potential and most of all, wonder and beauty to enter the possibilities for a happy life to grow in our imaginative capabilities. Quite the ‘mouthful’, I know. but we’ve left so much behind there is nothing but new to become.
Enjoy and see with me. Cheers Cambell
Summer Special Available $150USD ( 2 for 1 – bring a Friend ) for the Full Course & Monthly Zooms
Join our Patreon Page-Explore with Us! https://www.patreon.com/NewTartarianTimes
One on One Work/Explorations Here: https://newagora.ca/in-love-unlimited/
Use Code AUTO for 10% off
5 G Protective Clothing Code: THENEWAGROA – SAVE 11% Here:
Detox with Dragon’s Blood Code: TheNewNOW – Save 10% Here:
This month Hi Flora, a vegan restaurant, will have its unveiling. The exquisite eatery specializes in delectable plant-based dishes, and if customers desire, they can accompany their meals with invigorating, nonalcoholic beverages infused with THC derived from hemp.
Heather Klein, owner of Hi Flora and the brilliant mind behind Roots to Rise, aims to create a unique and distinguished experience that sets her establishment apart from other vegan restaurants in the Twin Cities. Hi Flora customers have the opportunity to purchase 5mg THC tinctures and incorporate them into their chosen culinary delights or beverages. Klein aims to provide an assortment of flavors in the future, allowing customers to create their own distinctive combinations.
Klein’s restaurant introduces a fresh and innovative concept amid the prevalent cannabis craze, which was sparked by the legalization of THC edibles by state lawmakers the previous summer—provided those edibles are derived from hemp. Furthermore, the recent legislation passed by the DFL-led lawmakers permits the recreational use of marijuana, which is slated to become legal on Aug. 1, 2023.
Marijuana and hemp are akin to close relatives, differing primarily in the levels of THC present in each plant. According to the federal standard, hemp can only have a maximum dry-weight THC content of 0.3%. The maximum permitted dosage for hemp edibles in Minnesota is 5 mg per serving and 50 mg per package.
“Last year’s change in the Minnesota law opened opportunities for an array of delightful and unconventional THC experiences. Now, those possibilities are expanding even further,” Klein said. “We were genuinely thrilled to incorporate these offerings into our menu, making them accessible to all.”
Along with THC tinctures, Hi Flora’s bar menu offers two THC-infused drinks made by neighborhood breweries.
Many Minnesotans were surprised by the passing of the hemp edibles bill, as no state licensing system or additional levies other than the regular sales tax had been put in place prior to its passage. However, as part of a more complete cannabis package, which legalized marijuana this year, legislators have since proposed new rules and taxes. The new regulations permit the sale of THC-infused beverages in liquor outlets.
Angie Heitz, wine director of North Loop Wine and Spirits, attested to the rise in acceptance of THC-infused beverages. The shop currently stocks a wide range of alcoholic beverages made by regional producers and brewers.
According to Bob Galligan, director of government-industry relations for the Minnesota Craft Brewers Guild, the new law has largely eliminated the uncertainty that surrounded the operation of companies in the THC edibles sector.
As the market matures, more opportunities will be created in tandem with the growing demand for marijuana products. This growth in demand will trickle down to cultivators, and they in turn may require more cultivation equipment, such as the micro-gardens commercialized by Advanced Container Technologies Inc. (OTC: ACTX).
NOTE TO INVESTORS: The latest news and updates relating to Advanced Container Technologies Inc. (OTC: ACTX) are available in the company’s newsroom at https://cnw.fm/ACTX
About CNW420
CNW420 spotlights the latest developments in the rapidly evolving cannabis industry through the release of two informative articles each business day. Our concise, informative content serves as a gateway for investors interested in the legalized cannabis sector and provides updates on how regulatory developments may impact financial markets. Articles are released each business day at 4:20 a.m. and 4:20 p.m. Eastern – our tribute to the time synonymous with cannabis culture. If marijuana and the burgeoning industry surrounding it are on your radar, CNW420 is for you! Check back daily to stay up-to-date on the latest milestones in the fast -changing world of cannabis.
To receive instant SMS alerts, text CANNABIS to 21000 (U.S. Mobile Phones Only)
Please see full terms of use and disclaimers on the CannabisNewsWire website applicable to all content provided by CNW420, wherever published or re-published: http://CNW.fm/Disclaimer
Do you have questions or are you interested in working with CNW420? Ask our Editor
Recent Comments