Tag: marijuana

West Virginia Supreme Court Considers Whether Smell Of Marijuana Can Be Basis For Police To Search Homes

The Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia is considering a case that questions whether the odor of marijuana alone is enough for law enforcement to obtain a warrant to search a person’s home.

The Supreme Court is expected to rule on an appeal of Berkeley County Circuit Court’s decision to throw out evidence Martinsburg police officers found in a home after detecting the “strong odor” of the drug. Excluding the evidence effectively stopped the state from prosecuting a man on drug charges, an attorney told justices last week.

Aaron Lewis was arrested in 2020 on three counts of drug possession with intent to deliver and being a prohibited person in possession of a firearm, according to reporting by the Herald-Mail.

Court documents say Martinsburg police were answering another man’s call about a suicidal woman who had reportedly stabbed herself when they came across Lewis while searching the caller’s backyard. Officers were unable to locate the woman so they started going door-to-door looking for her.

The officers went to Lewis’s home where his son, Aaron Lewis Jr. answered the door. The officers detected the “strong odor of marijuana,” according to court documents. The younger Lewis refused to give officers permission to search the home.

Before they obtained a search warrant, they entered the home to conduct a “protective sweep,” during which they found a bundle of money and two clear bowls with a leafy substance on the kitchen stove, court documents say. Two officers then left to obtain the search warrant while other officers stayed on scene to secure the apartment.

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Louisiana Lawmakers Pass Bill To Send People To Jail For Smoking Marijuana Near College Campuses

Louisiana lawmakers have approved a bill that threatens to send people to jail for up to one year if they smoke marijuana within 2,000 feet of a school property—including a college campus.

The legislation from Rep. Gabe Firment (R) was passed by the House of Representatives in a 59-34 vote last week.

HB 568, which now heads to the Senate for consideration, applies to people who violate drug laws “while smoking, vaping, or otherwise abusing such controlled dangerous substance while on any property used for school purposes by any school, within two thousand feet of any such property, or while on a school bus.”

The pro-legalization Marijuana Policy Project (MPP) said the “incredibly draconian penalties” in the legislation threaten to reverse cannabis reform progress made in the state in recent years.

In 2021, then-Gov. John Bel Edwards (D) signed a bill decriminalizing marijuana by removing the threat of jail time for possessing up to 14 grams.

“HB 568 would make cannabis use a felony in huge swaths of urban and suburban areas. Two thousand feet is a little over ⅓ of a mile,” Kevin Caldwell, MPP”s Southeast legislative manager, said in an action alert to supporters. “In addition to mandatory incarceration of up to a year, the bill includes a fine of up to $1,000.”

“This is an attempt to bring back the draconian penalties that Louisiana was infamous for in decades past. This bill seeks to undo years of hard work by advocates for ending jail time for minor cannabis offenses,” he said. “Under this legislation, a student could be incarcerated for a year for consuming in a college dorm room.”

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The Top Ten Marijuana Myths That No One Should Believe

Even today, with 80% of states legalizing cannabis in some form, and half the country legalizing it for medical purposes, I have been called a lunatic for ever thinking that cannabis would be recognized for the miracle plant that it is. Shockingly enough many have yet to see through the mainstream media facade to the ruling puppeteers behind. 

Many still hold fast in their belief that cannabis is dangerous and not medically efficacious, despite the overwhelming evidence to the contrary backed by scientists and industry leaders alike. The only ones, it seems, that are not reconciling their incorrect beliefs, and intentionally so, are the politicians with their hands in Big Pharma’s back pocket, also known as, the American political elite. 

They continue to stand on their podium of lies broadcasting their misinformation, casting aside what little integrity they retain while making the conscious decision to sell out their constituents, their country, and themselves, all for a little extra paper, that they most likely did not truly need in the first place.

Despite the onslaught of ridiculous claims and outright lies reminiscent of the days of “Reefer Madness” that have been cast into minds of unsuspecting Americans, it would seem that We, as a nation, or rather as the people of a nation, have chosen to see past the obvious attempts by the government to misdirect our attention and feed us State-sponsored comforting lies, that only benefit an elite few, and perpetuate a Deep State agenda. 

We, as the American people, have shown this country’s ruling masters that we see though their half-hearted attempts to coral us into an aligned way of thinking and viewing the world, a way of thinking that primarily benefits those in control and casts what little remains down to those of us still scrabbling for the scraps from their table. We have shown them, that we will think for ourselves. 

As there are most definitely more pressing issues facing this nation, and the world for that matter, the topic of cannabis and its subsequent legalization is, in my opinion, one of the primary catalysts that began the awakening we are currently experiencing. It showed every American citizen that when the people stand together, truly unite, our voices are all that matter.

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56-Million-Year-Old Fossil Found in Germany May Be Oldest Known Cannabis Plant

A fossil discovered in Germany may be the oldest known cannabis-related plant ever identified, potentially pushing the timeline of the genus back by about 30 million years.

The fossilized leaf, dated to between 56 million and 48 million years ago, was found in the Saxony-Anhalt region of Germany and is now being highlighted as a possible early relative of modern marijuana. That would make it far older than previous estimates suggesting the Cannabis genus emerged around 20 million to 28 million years ago.

According to researchers, the fossil had actually been sitting in a museum collection for around 150 years after first being described in 1883. Only recently was it reexamined in detail, leading to renewed interest because of how closely it resembles today’s cannabis leaves. Researchers say the shape of the leaf and its vein pattern are both strikingly similar to modern marijuana plants.

Even so, the fossil is not believed to be the same as modern Cannabis sativa or Cannabis indica. Instead, it appears to represent an extinct relative from much earlier in the plant’s evolutionary history. Researchers note that today’s marijuana varieties have been heavily shaped by human cultivation and selective breeding, likely over thousands of years.

The discovery is notable not just because of its age, but because of where it was found. For years, cannabis was widely believed to have originated in the Tibetan Plateau region of Asia. This fossil suggests the genus may have a far older and broader history than previously thought, and that its origin may not be tied only to high-altitude regions in Asia.

Researchers say they can’t determine whether the ancient plant contained THC because the fossil does not preserve the tiny structures where cannabinoids are produced.

Still, the fossil is offering one of the strongest signs yet that the history of marijuana may stretch back much further than once believed, while also opening the door to new questions about where the plant first emerged.

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Can cannabis save us from the apocalypse caused by antibiotics?

The world is on the brink of a new pandemic. This time, it won’t be caused by a new virus, but by an incurable infection. By 2050 , drug-resistant infections are projected to kill up to 10 million people annually, surpassing cancer deaths and exceeding the capacity of healthcare systems designed to combat infectious diseases. Pathogenic microorganisms have evolved like seasoned strategists, rewriting their genes to survive and evade drugs that were once easily effective. 

For many years, antibiotics have been prescribed as a miracle drug for a wide range of ailments, from sore throats to runny noses. In agriculture, they are used mixed into animal feed to promote livestock growth and increase survival rates in overcrowded farm environments.

Doctors in the hospital wards are beginning to notice something disturbing. Infections that used to clear up in a few days are now lingering, and patients are being readmitted with the same symptoms as before, but the same treatments are no longer effective. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is spreading throughout the hospital and thriving in places where disinfectants are ineffective. 

Carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CREs) emerged in intensive care units (ICUs) and  earned the nickname “nightmare bacteria” due to their ability to resist almost every antibiotic recorded.

Pseudomonas aeruginosa has corroded ventilators and surgical instruments, and drug-resistant tuberculosis has reappeared like a ghost from medical history, becoming more difficult to treat than ever before. Vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) have emerged in intensive care units , defeating one of our most powerful antibiotics and turning routine infections into medical crises. 

As the world faces the problem of antibiotic resistance, researchers are increasingly exploring the potential antimicrobial properties of plant-derived compounds. However, many of these plants remain heavily regulated, limiting research, clinical trials, and public access. Hemp is a prime example. Cannabinoids found in hemp have shown antimicrobial activity against certain bacteria, fungi, and other microorganisms in laboratory studies.

Most of the findings described below are from laboratory (in vitro) or early preclinical studies. While these results are promising, they do not represent established treatments in humans. Clinical trials are needed to determine safety, dosage, and actual efficacy.

Cannabinoids as antibacterial agents

Cannabinoids can be described as nature’s quiet chemists. These plant-derived molecules, found in hemp and other hemp plants (including the lesser-known Trema micrantha ), are structurally different from conventional antibiotics, and this difference is significant. Instead of following the same biochemical mechanisms as common pharmaceuticals, cannabinoids interact with microorganisms in novel ways that science is only just beginning to understand. 

We’ll take a closer look at cannabinoids that have been most frequently reported to have antibacterial properties and explain why they are attracting increasing attention in modern research .

CBDa and CBD

Cannabidiol (CBD) and cannabidiolic acid (CBDa) have been demonstrated to exhibit antibacterial activity in laboratory studies. Antibacterial assays using resistant strains of Acinetobacter baumannii with CBD suggest that CBD may disrupt bacterial membrane integrity under controlled conditions. Acinetobacter baumannii is a Gram-negative bacterium, well-known as a causative agent of hospital-acquired infections, and is also notorious for its multidrug resistance. 

The same researchers observed that CBD synergistically interacts with gentamicin, meropenem, and colistin, lowering the concentrations needed to inhibit bacterial growth in vitro. While this may sound like a major breakthrough, further research is needed into the potential drug interactions and how they might affect users. 

Another study revealed that CBDa inhibits  biofilm formation in E. coli ATCC . Biofilms play a crucial role in bacterial antibiotic resistance. A biofilm is a structured bacterial community enclosed in the extracellular matrix, produced by bacteria themselves, protecting cells from environmental stress, immune responses, and antimicrobial agents. 

Biofilms not only increase survival rates in harsh environments but also promote the transmission of resistance genes, making infection treatment difficult and increasing the risk of chronic and recurrent infections. The anti-biofilm effect of CBD has also been reported against MRSA and Candida albicans, a fungus that produces biofilms . In laboratory studies examining bacterial biofilms, CBD showed activity equivalent to or greater than certain antibiotics under specific experimental conditions . These findings were obtained in vitro and have not been validated in human clinical settings.

CBD and CBDa restrict intermicrobial communication that modulates resistance strategies and toxin release. This is known as quorum sensing . By disrupting these communication networks, CBD weakens the collective strength of bacterial colonies. Several studies have suggested synergistic effects between CBD and certain antibiotics, suggesting that CBD may enhance the effectiveness of conventional drugs by weakening microbial defenses. This could have significant implications for future research on difficult-to-treat infections, although clinical application has not yet been proven.

Early studies have investigated  the potential activity of CBD against certain parasites, such as Echinococcus granulosus and Leishmania species.

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The Archaeology of Marijuana

In June, monthly sales for recreational and medical marijuana in my hometown of Colorado reached a record high of $199 million .

The industry’s growth took eight years. In 2012, with the passage of the 64th Amendment, Colorado, along with Washington, became one of the first states in the U.S. where consenting adults could legally purchase and consume marijuana for recreational purposes.

Since then, Colorado’s tourism landscape has changed dramatically. Legalization of recreational marijuana has fueled six of the eight consecutive years of record growth in the tourism industry. In June 2019, the Colorado Department of Revenue announced that total marijuana-related revenue had reached $1 billion since sales began in 2014. This funding has generated hundreds of millions of dollars in new tax revenue for the state, which can be used for education, transportation, environmental protection, and other initiatives.

However, despite the clear economic benefits, many in the United States oppose marijuana legalization. Some of my friends dislike the smell of marijuana. Others are concerned about marijuana use among teenagers, the potential effects of secondhand smoke on children, or people driving under the influence.

I haven’t smoked cigarettes in years, and I’ve never tried edible marijuana. However, I’m very pleased that America is starting to move away from its long road of unnecessarily criminalizing mild recreational drugs.

I voted in favor of Amendment 64 because I oppose the double standards regarding alcohol in the United States. Studies show that alcohol is far more dangerous than marijuana. I also voted in favor because I oppose the systemic racism in the justice system that unfairly punishes people of color for drug-related crimes .

My perspective as an archaeologist is relevant to this matter. I pay close attention to what humanity has done in the past, and from the long-term perspective of human history, I know that not everything in the present is “normal.” The modern fear of marijuana is one of the concerns that seems particularly strange, because researchers estimate that humans have been using cannabis for at least 10,000 years.

What do scholars say about the long history of human use of cannabis? How did cannabis transform from a plant highly valued in many parts of the world to a notorious drug? 

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Governor Silent as Chinese Cannabis Cartels Swallow Rural Maine — Some With Her Brother’s Help

On April 1, 2025, Somerset County sheriff’s deputies executed a warrant at a South Road property in Harmony and arrested Wenfeng Chen, 51, of Malden, Massachusetts. Inside, they found 1,405 marijuana plants, approximately 100 pounds of processed cannabis, a 9mm pistol, ammunition, and $1,600 in drug proceeds. Chen and his co-defendant, Xinwen Zhang, 71, of Boston, now face Class B felony charges — unlawful cultivation and drug trafficking — the kind of charges that can put you in prison for ten years, or get you deported.

It was the second time law enforcement had hit the same Harmony property. Deputies raided it in May 2024 and seized more than 1,200 plants, but no one was home.

Law enforcement would have to wait another eleven months to find Wenfeng Chen on the premises.

But one year before Chen was arrested with illicit drugs, cash, and a firearm, the Maine Wire photographed a 2017 Mercedes-Benz sedan bearing Massachusetts plates registered in Chen’s name at his Charles St. address in Malden, Mass.

The vehicle was parked at the site of a separate illicit cannabis grow, 51 Cider Hill Road in Corinna, where the local code enforcement officer had repeatedly denied requests from the owners to upgrade the electrical capacity because large-scale cannabis cultivation is illegal in that town.

Chen happened to share an address with Xiling Ou, 44, the man who owned the Corinna property until he gave it away, allegedly to his mother, Xiaoyu Lu of Guangdong Province, China.

The attorney who made that gift happen was Paul H. Mills — better known as the brother of Maine Gov. Janet Mills (D), the woman currently vying for the Democratic U.S. Senate nomination and a chance to square off against Republican U.S. Sen. Susan Collins.

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