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New Hampshire Lawmakers Move Forward With Plan To Legalize Simple Possession Of Marijuana

Committees in New Hampshire on Wednesday took action on a handful of marijuana bills, advancing a plan that would legalize the simple possession by adults as well as a proposal to double existing possession limits for medical cannabis patients and caregivers. They put a pause, however, on broader legislation to legalize and regulate a commercial recreational marijuana market.

At a hearing, the House Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee gave its approval to two different bills. One—HB 198, from Rep. Jared Sullivan (D)—takes a simple, unregulated approach to marijuana legalization.

If approved, the measure would allow adults 21 and older to possess up to two ounces of marijuana flower, 10 grams of concentrate and up to 2,000 milligrams of THC in other cannabis products.

Retail sales of marijuana products, along with home cultivation, would remain illegal under the plan. Consuming marijuana on public land would also be prohibited.

Another bill—HB 190, from Rep. Heath Howard (D)—would increase the possession limit of medical marijuana by patients and caregivers, raising it to four ounces from the current two. Existing 10-day patient purchase limits would also increase from two ounces up to four.

Members of the committee voted 9–7 in favor of HB 198 and 14–0 to advance HB 190.

“We as a body have passed bills legalizing cannabis again and again,” Rep. Alissandra Murray (D), who made the motion to advance HB 198, said before Wednesday’s vote. “The people of New Hampshire have made it clear that they would like us to legalize cannabis.”

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BlackRock strikes $23 billion deal to place Panama Canal ports under American control

The Hong Kong-based conglomerate that operates ports near the Panama Canal has agreed to sell shares of its units that operate the ports to a consortium including BlackRock Inc., after President Trump alleged Chinese interference with the operations of the critical shipping lane. 

In a press release, CK Hutchison Holding said Tuesday that it would sell all shares in Hutchison Port Holdings and all shares in Hutchison Port Group Holdings, in a deal valued at $22.8 billion. The two units hold 80% of the Hutchison Ports group that operates 43 ports in 23 countries, including two of the four major ports that exist along the Panama Canal. The deal will give the BlackRock consortium control over 43 ports in 23 countries, including Mexico, the Netherlands, Egypt, Australia, Pakistan and elsewhere.

The consortium, comprised of BlackRock, Global Infrastructure Partners and Terminal Investment Limited will acquire 90% interests in Panama Ports Company, which owns and operates the ports of Balboa and Cristobal in Panama, according to the filing. 

“This agreement is a powerful illustration of BlackRock and GIP’s combined platform and our ability to deliver differentiated investments for clients. These world-class ports facilitate global growth,” BlackRock CEO Larry Fink said in a joint announcement with TilL of the deal. “Through our deep connectivity to organizations like Hutchison and MSC/TIL and governments around the world, we are increasingly the first call for partners seeking patient, long-term capital. We are thrilled our clients can participate in this investment.

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Using Marijuana Every Day Could Help People Quit Opioids, New Study Indicates

A newly published study found that among drug users who experience chronic pain, daily cannabis use was linked to a higher likelihood of quitting the use of opioids—especially among men.

“Participants reporting daily cannabis use exhibited higher rates of cessation compared to less frequent users or non-users,” says the report, published last week in the journal Drug and Alcohol Review.

When results were split by sex, researchers observed that “daily cannabis use was significantly associated with increased rates of opioid cessation among males.” Those differences “suggest potential differences in cannabis use behavior and effects,” the paper says, and underscores the need for further research.

The report was authored by an eight-person research team from the British Columbia Centre on Substance Abuse as well as the University of British Columbia and Simon Fraser University.

Between June 2014 and May 2022, the team examined data from 1,242 people who used drugs (PWUD) while also living with chronic pain. Of those, 764 experienced “a cessation event.”

Daily cannabis use, it says, “was positively associated with opioid cessation.”

“Our findings add to the growing evidence supporting the potential benefits of cannabis use among PWUD, underlining the need for further research,” authors wrote.

Indeed, a growing body of research to date has examined the associations between cannabis reform and opioids, often finding reductions in opioid use in areas that legalize marijuana for medical or adult use.

A recent federally funded study in the U.S., for example, found an association between state-level marijuana legalization and reduced prescriptions for opioid pain medications among commercially insured adults—indicating a possible substitution effect where patients are choosing to use cannabis instead of prescription drugs to treat pain.

That research, which was supported by a grant from the National Institute on Drug Abuse, looked at national records of opioid prescription fills as well as prescribing of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and other pain medications. Analysis showed that prescription opioid fills dropped following legalization in U.S. while prescribing of non-opioid pain medications saw “marginally significant increases.”

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Expect a NATO false flag attack to drag America into a global world war – If Europe wants world war III against Russia, let them be the ones to pay for it and fight it

Liberal pundits, along with warhawk RINOs (Republicans In Name Only), and European leaders all clutched their pearls and got out the fainting couches after President Trump told Zelenskyy he was risking “World War III,” yet the war between Russia and Ukraine has already involved multiple countries, whether they put boots on the ground or not.

Many liken the war in Ukraine to the one being waged in Israel, but the differences are like night and day, because only one of those two have the potential to ignite a literal world war, which makes comparisons like comparing apples to oranges, making it a false equivalent.

When the Biden regime allowed Ukraine to use U.S. manufactured missiles to hit inside of Russia, the U.S. became a direct participant in the Russia-Ukraine war, against a nation, Russia, who has the capabilities to directly attack America  and/or American interests, or military bases throughout Europe.

Europe on the other hand has been preparing for war with Russia, not out of fear that Russia would attack them when finished with Ukraine, as they claim, but rather because war is money, and European nations are facing failing economies.

We have argued here at ANP that the world is already seeing the beginning of WWIII, because unlike WWII or WWI, the technology exists to become active participants in a war without having military boots on the ground.

We see President Trump taking the stance that Ukraine be willing to talk about a cease-fire and peace talks, or withdrawing U.S. support, to which the majority of Americans think we have spent far too much on Ukraine while Americans are suffering high prices from Biden’s four years, massive credit card debt, and food prices that are making it hard to feed their families.

Now, parts of Europe are saying they are prepared to put their military on the ground in Ukraine to fight against Russia, which would escalate a war that would have been over years ago had nations like the U.S., and other NATO state members, simply minded their own business.

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Trump BANS UK and Other Allies From Sharing US Military Intel With Ukraine

One Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky met with Democrats and Rinos and decided to engage in a confrontation with US President Donald J. Trump in the Oval Office in front of dozens of journalists, he was told by Trump: ‘Your troubles are just getting started’.

And so it happened, that the US ceased all military aid to Kiev, guaranteeing that it will have no chance to stabilize the 600-mile-long frontline and its crumbling defenses.

But that was hardly all of it, as it arises now a Daily Mail report saying that the US has also banned Britain and all other allies from sharing intelligence from Washington with Ukraine.

Daily Mail reported:

“But on top of missiles and ammunition, all UK intelligence agencies and military outlets also received an order expressly forbidding the sharing of US-generated intelligence, previously known as ‘Rel UKR’ – short for Releasable to Ukraine’.”

The UK, Australia and New Zealand – among others – have been sharing such vital information with Ukraine, but now the ban affects UK’s GCHQ, as well as the spy agencies and intelligence branches of the Ministry of Defense.

“Last night, UK military intelligence expert Phil Ingram told the Mail: ‘The United States’s instruction to stop allies sharing US-derived intelligence with Ukraine is what I would expect’.

‘The US’s intelligence partners, including Britain, have had their authority to pass on intelligence revoked. The US will tightly control distribution of its intelligence to Ukraine through agencies based in Kiev’.”

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‘Cody’s Law’: Florida Lawmakers Weigh First State Law to Compensate Vaccine Injury Victims

Florida lawmakers are considering a bill that would expedite the review and payment process for vaccine injury claims under the Medicare, Medicaid and Medicaid Medically Needy Programs.

If passed, “Cody’s Law: Florida No Vaccine-Injured Patient Left Behind” would be the first such law in the U.S. and could supplant federal vaccine injury compensation programs.

The bill, filed in the Florida House of Representatives in January and the Florida Senate last week, is named after Cody Hudson, a previously healthy college student who sustained serious — and now terminal — vaccine injuries in 2021.

Cody’s mother, Heather Hudson, advocated for and drafted the legislation. She said the law would fill the “gaps of all the vaccine injury compensation programs and Social Security disability.”

“It provides expedited claims processing, like is done for other severe and major illnesses, by Medicare and Medicaid, and affords the vaccine-injured and Emergency Use Authorization protocol-injured medical care at the onset of injury, when it is needed most,” Hudson said.

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Unhinged Democrat Al Green Speaks After Getting Kicked Out of Chamber — Wants to Impeach Trump Again!

Chaos erupted during President Donald Trump’s congressional address on Tuesday night as unhinged Representative Al Green (D-TX) threw a tantrum, disrupting a speech meant to unify the nation and highlight the administration’s bold vision.

The disgraceful outburst forced Speaker Mike Johnson to intervene, ordering the Sergeant-at-Arms to kick Green out of the chamber like the disgrace he’s proven himself to be.

But that wasn’t the end of Green’s unhinged antics — he’s now doubled down, vowing to push yet another baseless impeachment against Trump.

As President Trump was outlining his administration’s achievements and future plans, Green rudely interrupted, shouting that Trump “has no mandate” to enact his policies. His childish and desperate attempt to derail Trump’s address forced Speaker Johnson to intervene immediately:

“Members are directed to uphold and maintain the quorum in the House and to cease any further disruptions. That’s your warning,” Johnson warned.

Green ignored the warning and continued shouting, leaving Speaker Johnson with no choice but to order the Sergeant-at-Arms to remove him from the chamber.

“Finding that members continue to engage in willful and concerted disruption of proper decorum, the chair now directs the sergeant at arms to restore order. Remove this gentleman from the chamber,” Johnson said.

And just like that, Al Green was escorted out like a tantrum-throwing child who couldn’t handle the reality of a strong and successful Trump administration.

Outside the chamber, Green wasted no time whining to reporters, painting himself as some noble martyr for the “poor people” he claims Trump is out to destroy.

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Starmer’s Summit Gives Birth To A Mouse – It’s Stillborn.

A mountain was in labour, uttering immense groans,
and on earth there was very great expectation.
But it gave birth to a mouse. This has been written for you,
who, though you threaten great things, accomplish nothing.”

Sundays meeting of selected European leaders in London reminded me of the above Aesop fable.

Prime Minister Starmer’s summit, called for in haste, has achieved nothing:

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer rallied his European counterparts Sunday to shore up their borders and throw their full weight behind Ukraine as he announced outlines of a plan to end Russia’s war.
…
Starmer said he had worked with France and Ukraine on a plan to end the war and that the group of leaders — mostly from Europe — had agreed on four things.

The steps toward peace would:

  • keep aid flowing to Kyiv and maintain economic pressure on Russia to strengthen Ukraine’s hand;
  • make sure Ukraine is at the bargaining table and any peace deal must ensure its sovereignty and security; and
  • continue to arm Ukraine to deter future invasion.
  • Finally, Starmer said they would develop a “coalition of the willing” to defend Ukraine and guarantee the peace.

“Not every nation will feel able to contribute but that can’t mean that we sit back,” he said. “Instead, those willing will intensify planning now with real urgency. The U.K. is prepared to back this with boots on the ground and planes in the air, together with others.”

It is far from certain whether Russian President Vladimir Putin will accept any such plan, which Starmer said would require strong U.S. backing. He did not specify what that meant, though he told the BBC before the summit that there were “intense discussions” to get a security guarantee from the U.S.

“If there is to be a deal, if there is to be a stopping of the fighting, then that agreement has to be defended, because the worst of all outcomes is that there is a temporary pause and then Putin comes again,” Starmer said.

Starmer said he will later bring a more formal plan to the U.S. and work with Trump.

That mouse the mountain gave birth to is stillborn:

– Trump has made clear that the U.S. will not agree to back any European forces in Ukraine.

– Zelenski, unless under more pressure, will not agree to a ceasefire without U.S. backing.

– Russia does not agree to any temporary ceasefire. It wants a new permanent security architecture for Europe and beyond.

– Russia does not agree to forces from NATO countries in Ukraine. It started the war to prevent that to happen.

– Russia will not agree to a rearming of Ukraine. Its declared aim is to ‘de-militarize’ the country.

– Russia is winning the war. Neither Starmer nor Europe have the means to prevent it from doing that.

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President Trump to Congress: “My Administration Will be Reclaiming the Panama Canal, and We’ve Already Started Doing It”

President Trump on Tuesday celebrated increased American presence and influence over the Panama Canal, declaring in a speech to Congress that the U.S. is taking back the Panama Canal. 

As The Gateway Pundit reported, BlackRock Inc. struck a $23 billion deal and secured control over key ports near the Panama Canal, stripping away Chinese-linked influence over one of the world’s most crucial shipping routes. This reportedly will effectively place the strategic ports under American control.

This comes after Secretary of State Marco Rubio traveled to Panama last month to meet with Panamanian President José Raúl Mulino and Foreign Minister Javier Martínez-Acha to discuss CCP control of the Panama Canal and fighting the border crisis.

President Trump commented on the deal, announced before his speech Tuesday, and indicated his administration will be reclaiming the entire Panama Canal.

He tasked Rubio with taking the area back.

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Chancellor set to cut welfare spending by billions

The chancellor has earmarked several billion pounds in draft spending cuts to welfare and other government departments ahead of the Spring Statement.

The Treasury will put the proposed cuts to the government’s official forecaster, the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR), on Wednesday amid expectations the chancellor’s financial buffer has been wiped out.

Sources said “the world has changed” since Rachel Reeves’s Budget last October, when the OBR indicated she had £9.9bn available to spend against her self-imposed borrowing rules.

The OBR’s forecast is likely to see that disappear because of global factors such as trade tariffs, as well as higher inflation and borrowing costs in the UK.

The Treasury will on Wednesday inform the OBR of its “major measures” -essentially changes to tax and spending in order to meet the chancellor’s self-imposed rules on borrowing money.

The government has committed to get debt falling as a share of the economy during the course of this Parliament, and to only borrow to fund investment, not to cover day-to-day spending.

Such rules, put in place by most governments in wealthy nations, are designed to maintain credibility with financial markets. Reeves has repeatedly said her rules are “non-negotiable”.

The spending cuts drafted by the Treasury will help plug the gap that has emerged in recent months, ahead of the OBR publishing its forecast and Reeves giving a statement on 26 March.

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