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“We have a moral obligation, the governor would argue, to support these communities and help them repair,” said RaShelle Davis, a senior policy adviser in Inslee’s office. The fund parallels recommendations from the Social Equity in Cannabis Task Force, which advises the Legislature and governor on policies that even the playing field in the weed industry. The move parallels a nationwide push among state governments, including New York and Illinois, to confront the legacy of the war on drugs 一 which saw the criminalization of people of color, particularly Black Americans, for drug-related offenses. Advocates consider the reinvestment fund a good start…

JACQUON BENEJAN, also known as “Blick,” 20, of Bridgeport, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Janet Bond Arterton in New Haven to 97 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for offenses stemming from his membership in  a violent Bridgeport street gang. Today’s announcement was made by Leonard C Boyle, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut; Joseph T. Corradino, State’s Attorney for the Fairfield Judicial District; Bridgeport Acting Police Chief Rebeca Garcia; James Ferguson, Special Agent in Charge, ATF Boston Field Division; David Sundberg, Special Agent in Charge of the New Haven Division of…

Although intentional drug overdose deaths have dropped off over the past few years in the U.S., increases were seen for certain groups, including young people (ages 15-24), older people (ages 75-84), and Black women. (American Journal of Psychiatry) A mother in Connecticut filed a lawsuit against Meta and Snap, alleging that her 11-year-old daughter’s addiction to Instagram and Snapchat contributed to severe anxiety prior to her death by suicide. (Hartford Courant) Psychiatrist Alan A. Stone, MD, best known for pioneering ethics in the field of psychiatry, including by helping to remove homosexuality from the list of mental disorders, passed away…

The state is about to take a major step toward the sale of recreational cannabis for adults in Connecticut. The first application period for certain licenses will open on Thursday. It is for retailers as well as cultivators setting up in areas impacted by the war on drugs. Cannabis was approved for adult use in Connecticut in June 2021 and retail sales are anticipated to begin in the state by the end of the year. The state Department of Consumer Protection is going to start accepting the applications. The Department of Consumer Protection will hold multiple lotteries on an ongoing…

Michigan activists have filed a statewide ballot initiative that would legalize possessing, cultivating and sharing psychedelics and set up a system for their therapeutic and spiritual use. The national psychedelics advocacy group Decriminalize Nature, its Michigan chapter and the youth-led organization Students for Sensible Drug Policy (SSDP) are partnering on the effort. The Michigan ballot measure would legalize a range of entheogenic substances for adults 18 and older. Laws currently prohibiting psilocybin, psilocyn, ibogaine, mescaline, peyote and DMT would be affected by the policy change. “We are excited to have filed language with the state of Michigan, we look forward…

Michigan activists have filed a statewide ballot initiative that would legalize possessing, cultivating and sharing psychedelics and set up a system for their therapeutic and spiritual use. The national psychedelics advocacy group Decriminalize Nature, its Michigan chapter and the youth-led organization Students for Sensible Drug Policy (SSDP) are partnering on the effort. The Michigan ballot measure would legalize a range of entheogenic substances for adults 18 and older. Laws currently prohibiting psilocybin, psilocyn, ibogaine, mescaline, peyote and DMT would be affected by the policy change. “We are excited to have filed language with the state of Michigan, we look forward…

Concern over an increase in fentanyl-laced marijuana swept Connecticut after the state Department of Public Health reported potentially 39 overdoses on Nov. 18, but only one case was later found to be accurate. “The [Connecticut Overdose Response Strategy] assesses that the positive confirmation of marijuana with fentanyl was likely accidental contamination and an isolated incident,” Chris Boyle, a state health department spokesperson. Between July and October 2021, the state recorded 39 reports of “suspected” marijuana and fentanyl overdoses, Boyle said. In each of these cases, the person who overdosed claimed that they were only consuming marijuana, but experienced an opioid…