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California BIPOC Cannabis Operators Rally in Sacramento for Tax Relief

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A group of BIPOC cannabis business owners gathered on the steps of the California capitol to protest high pot taxes and call for changes to the state’s social equity rules.

A group of licensed cannabis business owners rallied on the steps of the California capitol on Thursday to bring attention to the impact high cannabis taxes have on independent entrepreneurs. The demonstration, which was held in response to the proposed state budget released by Governor Gavin Newsom last month, was organized by Supernova Women, an Oakland nonprofit that works to create opportunities for Black and Brown people in the cannabis industry.

The rally featured more than fifty cannabis business owners, patients, and policymakers who are Black, Indigenous, or people of color (BIPOC) and gathered to call for several changes to the state’s cannabis regulations, including eliminating the cannabis excise tax for licensed social equity businesses.

“I have been in business 3 years and we have paid half a million dollars in excise taxes alone, and this is in addition to a state excise tax and a 4% city tax,” said Maisha Bahati, founder and owner of Sacramento licensed cannabis retailer Crystal Nugs. “This business has to survive. Failure is not an option for me. I’ve put everything I have into this business and being a social equity business taxed at 40% is killing me and my dreams of creating generational wealth for my children.”

Budget Proposal Temporarily Reduces Pot Taxes

On May 13, Newsom released a budget proposal for the 2022-2023 fiscal year that included temporary tax relief for licensed cannabis businesses. Under the proposal, Proposition 64, the 2016 ballot measure that legalized recreational pot in California, would be amended to eliminate the cultivation tax paid by cannabis growers.

But those attending the rally in Sacramento on Thursday say the proposed tax relief does not go far enough and are calling on Newsom and state legislators to take further action before the budget deadline on July 1. The proposal calls for the state to repeal the cannabis excise tax for social equity businesses, reduce the cannabis excise tax to 5% for all other companies, and codify a statewide definition of social equity to establish eligibility for the state excise tax exemption.

“Governor Newsom promoted Prop. 64 less as an opportunity for tax revenue and more as a historical opportunity for racial and social justice and economic empowerment—to remedy the damage of a drug war that had disproportionately criminalized Blacks and Latinos,” Amber Senter, rally organizer and executive director of Supernova Women, explained in a statement before the event.

“And yet five years later, California’s Black and Brown cannabis operators, many of whom voted for Newsom not once but twice, are literally sitting on the brink of extinction, due to onerous state taxes, while the Governor sits on a $100B surplus,” Senter continued. “Where is the racial and social justice in that? Without meaningful tax reform NOW, California’s few remaining BIPOC cannabis operators and social equity businesses will not survive, and the communities and patients they serve will not be able to access affordable and safe cannabis. This is a major health crisis today and a missed economic opportunity for tomorrow.”

Two Bills Would Provide Cannabis Tax Relief in California

In a video released last week, state Senator Steven Bradford expressed his support for the goals of Thursday’s rally. Bradford is the sponsor of two bills to provide tax relief to cannabis businesses and their owners, including Senate Bill 1281, which would eliminate the cultivation tax and reduce the cannabis excise tax from 15% to 5%. Separate legislation, Senate Bill 1293, would allow a $10,000 tax credit against the Personal Income and Corporation Tax for social equity applicants and licensees.

“Without meaningful changes to California’s cannabis tax policy, the industry is destined for failure, especially equity cannabis operators who are operating on a very thin margin,” Bradford said in the video posted online.

The demonstrators at Thursday’s rally are also seeking changes to the social equity provisions in California. Under state law, social equity programs, which are presently governed by local jurisdictions, are not permitted to consider race or ethnicity as eligibility criteria. Rally organizers recommend a new statewide definition establishing eligibility for businesses with at least 51% ownership by someone who has lived for at least five years in a low-income community disproportionately impacted by the War on Drugs or by a person with an immediate family member who has an arrest or conviction for a pot-related offense.

“In 2020, 75% of cannabis-related arrests in Los Angeles were Blacks and Latinos, according to LAPD records,” said Whitney Beatty, CEO of L.A. weed speakeasy Josephine & Billie’s. “With Los Angeles’ majority-minority population, L.A. alone could help rewrite our state’s recent history of white operators dominating an industry that has physically, emotionally, psychologically, and economically imprisoned so many BIPOC people… but not without true tax reform at the State level that protects our vulnerable social equity operators and BIPOC patients.”

Source: https://hightimes.com/news/california-bipoc-cannabis-operators-rally-in-sacramento-for-tax-relief/

Corruption & Governance

Goa PWD Tenders Worth ₹1,000 Crore Come Under Government Probe

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The Goa government has initiated a detailed investigation into alleged irregularities in Public Works Department (PWD) tenders worth nearly ₹1,000 crore, following complaints of document manipulation and misuse of contractor eligibility credentials.

The probe focuses on claims that certain construction firms may have secured high-value infrastructure contracts by submitting falsified or altered work completion certificates to qualify for top contractor categories.

Allegations of Fake Experience Certificates in Tender Bids

According to complaints filed by engineers and contractors, several companies allegedly used questionable documentation to obtain Class IAA contractor status, a designation that allows participation in large-scale government infrastructure projects.

Investigators are examining whether manipulated work completion certificates were used to falsely demonstrate prior project experience, thereby inflating eligibility during the tender evaluation process.

One of the key concerns involves references to infrastructure projects executed under Karnataka Neeravari Nigam Limited, including the “Mudi Tank Filling Scheme.” Authorities are verifying claims that duplicate or inconsistent completion certificates may have been issued for the same project.

JV Structure Alteration Under Scrutiny

Officials are also investigating alleged changes in joint venture (JV) agreements submitted during tender applications. In one case under review, a 2019 JV reportedly listed Amrita Constructions Private Limited as the lead partner, with another firm as a supporting entity.

However, documents submitted to Goa PWD allegedly reversed these roles, naming Bagkiya Constructions as the lead partner. This change is suspected to have significantly enhanced the company’s technical eligibility and past performance record.

Authorities believe such alterations may have allowed firms to qualify for contracts they would otherwise not have been eligible for under standard procurement norms.

Allegations Linked to Karnataka Project Documentation

Another complaint under review concerns the “Akka Mahadevi Memorial Project” in Shivamogga, Karnataka, valued at over ₹51 crore. It is alleged that the project, executed in phases, was incorrectly represented as a single completed contract to meet eligibility requirements for higher-value tenders.

Investigators are verifying whether such representations were used to gain unfair advantage in experience-based qualification criteria.

Government Launches Comprehensive Inquiry

Following the emergence of these allegations, the Goa government has ordered a preliminary inquiry into all related contracts, approvals, and supporting documentation.

Officials have stated that every stage of the tendering process—including eligibility checks, certificate validation, and contract award decisions—will be examined in detail.

If irregularities are established, possible actions may include contract cancellation, blacklisting of firms, recovery of funds, and legal proceedings against those involved in submitting false documentation.

Concerns Over Procurement Transparency

The case has raised broader concerns about transparency and verification systems in public infrastructure procurement. Experts point out that reliance on manual documentation without robust digital verification increases the risk of fraud in large-scale government contracting.

Transparency advocates have called for stronger auditing systems, centralized contractor databases, and real-time verification of project credentials to prevent misuse of public tender processes.

Probe Continues

Authorities have confirmed that the investigation is ongoing and a detailed report will be prepared after reviewing all evidence and documentation. Further action will be taken based on the findings in accordance with applicable laws and procurement rules.

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Corruption

Vigilance Arrests Officials After Bribery Complaints at Supply Office

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HARIDWAR, Uttarakhand — Officials from the Dehradun-based Vigilance Department have arrested Haridwar District Supply Officer Shyam Arya and two other employees on charges of accepting a bribe of ₹50,000, authorities confirmed. The arrests took place during a planned operation after investigators laid a trap at the District Supply Office in response to repeated complaints from the public.

According to vigilance sources, the accused were caught “red-handed” while receiving the alleged bribe, reportedly demanded in exchange for official services within the department. The operation, coordinated from the state capital of Dehradun, underscores the department’s commitment to tackling corruption.

Complaints That Triggered the Operation
The arrests followed months of complaints alleging that officials at the Haridwar District Supply Office were routinely soliciting illegal payments for government services. These included the issuance of ration cards, approvals for licenses, and other administrative clearances under the public distribution system.

Vigilance officials said preliminary verification of the complaints indicated a recurring pattern rather than isolated incidents. Following this assessment, the department used a standard anti-corruption tactic of laying a trap to obtain direct evidence of bribe solicitation and acceptance.

Inside the Supply Office
After the arrests, vigilance teams established a presence inside the office, sealing parts of the premises while examining files and records. Investigators are reviewing documentation related to recent approvals and transactions to determine whether the alleged bribery was systemic.

The accused are also being questioned to identify potential accomplices and to ascertain whether accepting bribes was a routine practice. Officials noted that the investigation could expand depending on findings from the document review and interrogations.

A Broader Anti-Corruption Push
The case has drawn attention across Uttarakhand’s administrative machinery, particularly within the Supply Department, which plays a vital role in delivering welfare services. Vigilance officials said the arrests reflect a “zero-tolerance” approach toward corruption and warned that similar operations will continue wherever credible complaints arise.

The state’s anti-corruption drives have intensified in recent months, emphasizing both deterrence and accountability. While the investigation in Haridwar remains in its early stages, officials say it highlights the risks faced by public servants accused of exploiting their positions and the growing willingness of enforcement agencies to act on citizen complaints.

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Business

A Tipping Point for Cannabis: President Trump Champions CBD & Cannabis Science on Truth Social

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When the President of the United States shares a video about the life changing potential of hemp derived CBD on his personal social media platform, it is more than news, it is a cultural shift.

For decades our government lied to us about cannabis. It demonized the plant, waged war on its users, and filled prisons while allowing pharmaceutical companies to flood the nation with addictive and deadly drugs. For over a century we have been fighting uphill, not just for legalization, but for truth, for science, and for the right to heal ourselves naturally.

Now in 2025, the most powerful political figure on Earth is using his own voice and platform to talk about the endocannabinoid system and the science backed benefits of CBD. That is monumental. It is validation for everyone who has fought, been arrested, been silenced, and been dismissed for telling this truth. The President’s video post is already being described as a pivotal moment in cannabis history, and President Trump CBD Cannabis Science Truth Social is trending across platforms as advocates celebrate the breakthrough.


The Science Behind the Endocannabinoid System

The video begins by introducing something most people, including many doctors, still know little about, the endocannabinoid system. Discovered in the 1990s, the ECS is a network of receptors and signaling molecules that works as the body’s master regulator, coordinating communication between major systems like the nervous, immune, cardiovascular, and digestive systems.

The roots of this discovery go back much further. CBD was first isolated in 1940 by American chemist Roger Adams, but it was Dr. Raphael Mechoulam, an Israeli organic chemist, who fully elucidated the chemical structure of CBD and identified its stereochemistry in the 1960s. His pioneering work not only opened the door to modern cannabinoid science but also earned him the title “Godfather of Cannabis Research.” It was this foundation that led to the identification of the endocannabinoid system itself decades later, revealing how cannabinoids interact with our physiology on a fundamental level.

The ECS is now widely recognized as a vital part of human biology, with extensive research supported by the National Institutes of Health. When functioning properly, the ECS acts like the conductor of an orchestra, ensuring every section plays in harmony. As we age, the system weakens. That imbalance is linked to inflammation, chronic pain, cognitive decline, sleep problems, and many other conditions associated with aging.

Mainstream medicine often addresses these issues with pharmaceutical band aids, dangerous and addictive drugs that treat symptoms rather than root causes. Lifestyle changes such as diet and exercise help, but they only partially support the ECS and do so slowly over time.


Hemp Derived CBD: A Game Changer for Aging

Here is where the science gets exciting. As the video explains, the ECS can be restored much more quickly with hemp derived CBD. Strengthening this system naturally helps the body regain balance, reducing pain, improving sleep, lowering stress, slowing disease progression, and even extending healthy lifespan.

It is not theoretical. One in five seniors is already using CBD to manage pain, arthritis, cancer symptoms, sleep disorders, Alzheimer’s, and more. Despite decades of research and acknowledgment from institutions like the National Institutes of Health, most physicians receive no training on the ECS. There are still no FDA standards for CBD products on the market. If that were the case for any other class of medicine, it would be considered malpractice.

The World Health Organization has confirmed CBD’s excellent safety profile and non addictive nature in its critical review report. The result is that millions of older Americans are suffering unnecessarily when a safe and natural solution exists.

Hemp derived CBD is a powerful first step in restoring balance to the endocannabinoid system, but it is only part of the picture. Research shows that full spectrum cannabis extracts, which include a broader range of cannabinoids and terpenes, can work even more effectively. Complete concentrated cannabis oil, containing the full spectrum of natural endocannabinoids, may deliver the most profound results for certain patients. Expanding access to these therapies will be essential if we want to unlock the full healing potential of this plant.


The Economic and Social Impact

The video cites a powerful figure. A PricewaterhouseCoopers analysis estimates that fully integrating cannabis into the healthcare system could save the United States nearly 64 billion dollars annually. These savings reflect reduced pharmaceutical dependency, fewer hospitalizations, improved chronic disease outcomes, and enhanced quality of life for aging Americans. You can read more about PwC’s research on healthcare innovation here.

It is a financial argument, but it is also a moral one. Why should our elders endure pain, anxiety, and cognitive decline when nature has given us tools to help them live longer, happier, and healthier lives?


A Call to Action: Finish What the Farm Bill Started

The message concludes by crediting the 2018 Farm Bill, championed by President Trump, for legalizing hemp and laying the groundwork for today’s CBD market. The Farm Bill was just the first step.

Now the call is for bold next moves.

  • Educate doctors about the endocannabinoid system
  • Include CBD under Medicare coverage
  • Provide clear federal standards for CBD quality and dosing

These steps would constitute the most significant senior health reform in modern history, one that would transform aging and cement a powerful legacy for any administration that makes it happen.


What This Means for Future Cannabis Medicine

For those of us who have been in the cannabis community for decades, this is not just another news story. It is a signal that our movement is winning. A conversation that was once criminalized and censored is now being amplified by the President of the United States on his own platform.

It means the science is undeniable. It means the truth can no longer be buried. It means the wall of prohibition is cracking, not just legally, but culturally, scientifically, and politically.

It also means that everything we have been fighting for at 420 Magazine since 1993, education, access, healing, and justice, is finally moving full steam ahead. The President Trump CBD Cannabis Science Truth Social moment is proof that science and policy are finally converging.

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