Government
No Cops Getting High, Veterans Want MMJ Access, Mother of Sick Child Pushes Legalization – Global Cannabis News
Thailand’s Cops Banned from Getting High on The Job
Thailand has recently become the first country in Asia to legalize marijuana, and it seems that the cops are benefiting from that too!
General Suwat Chaengyodsuk, from the Royal Thai Police, just released an order prohibiting all cops from consuming weed or hemp in police stations. The Public Health Act will also prosecute anyone who goes to the police station smelling like weed or selling it, and these rules will be applicable to any situation where people come into contact with government officials or the cops as it would distract them from work.
Now, “Do not smoke marijuana or hemp” signs are mandated to be posted in police stations.
Mother of Sick Child Sparks Debate on Legalization of Medical Marijuana in Indonesia
Santi Warastuti, a 43-year old mother, went viral on social media recently after calling on medical marijuana to be legalized while in Jakarta. She took to the streets with her daughter, 13-year old Pika Sasi Kirana, who is suffering from cerebral palsy.
She was unaware that a famous local singer, Andien Aisyah, passed by, took her photo and posted about it on Twitter. “This is beyond my expectation. I went to the car-free day because I demanded a decision from the Constitutional Court on our request to review the material of Narcotics Law,” Santi disclosed to This Week in Asia. “The court’s headquarters is in Jakarta, so I thought I had to go there, to open the hearts of the judges, to show them my daughter, to show that she needs medical marijuana,” she explained. “So that was me demanding the court to announce a decision on my case soon,” she said.”
Santi is one of other mothers who have children struggling with cerebral palsy; together, they filed a request in 2020 for the courts to review the country’s 2009 drug laws that prohibit the use of all kinds of cannabis. The mothers plead for their children who have conditions that medical marijuana can treat though unfortunately the herb is still a type-1 drug in Indonesia.
Germany Continues Moves to Legalize Marijuana
Germany is well on the way to legalizing medical marijuana. According to Health Minister Karl Lauterbach, a drafted law is expected to be ready by year end. The new law is considered “a long-awaited step for many”, he says, also adding that the government will be using a “safety first” approach. “The current, primarily repressive way of dealing with cannabis has failed,” he said.
In the past, Lauterbach was against marijuana legalization, saying that it could have potential risks for health. However, he changed his position on it within the last two years though he says that many key details still need to be ironed out especially when it comes to preventing underage use, taxes, road laws, and more. “Cannabis use is not a small thing for young people, and especially for children, and can destroy a life before it has really begun,” he said.
He also acknowledges the need for the public to access their medicine, saying that it “must be accepted and is a part of a modern society.”
The health minister adds that some 4 million adults in the country already use marijuana.
Veterans in Australia Push to Legalize Marijuana
Currently in Australia, medical doctors can prescribe the use of cannabis for as long as it’s been approved by the Therapeutic Goods Administration as well as the Territory or State’s Health Department. However, medical marijuana comes at a high price: with costs ranging from $150 to as much as over $3,000 a month, many people simply cannot afford the medicine down under.
Now, an Iraqi war vet started a campaign for medicinal cannabis to be subsidized by the government, saying that those with PTSD are only given financial support if they take antipsychotic medications that make them suicidal. The campaign, named “No More Zombie Veterans” is being led by Derek Pyrah, revolving around a petition to get the attention of Matt Keogh, the Department of Veterans’ Affairs and a Minister. According to Pyrah, many vets complain that they simply can’t afford using medicinal cannabis even if it can treat PTSD, reports News.com.au.
At the moment, Veterans have to either save up for the costs of medical marijuana, or end up getting their medications from the black market, which can result in criminal charges. Alternatively, vets may have to do nothing else but take the current antipsychotic medications which Pyrah says “have been scientifically proven to be harmful to human health, are ineffective and can lead to suicidal ideation.” Hopefully, with 25,000 signatures, it will reach Mr. Keogh as well as the DVA.
Switzerland Will Soon Launch MMJ Market
Late last month, the Swiss government announced that the existing ban on medical marijuana will finally be lifted based on amendments made to the Swiss Narcotics Act, which was approved on March 2021 by parliamentary. A report by Agence France Presse says that the move “intends to facilitate access to cannabis for medical use for patients.”
“The decision to use a cannabis-based medicine for therapeutic purposes will rest with the doctor, in consultation with the patient,” said the government. By August 1, medical marijuana patients in Switzerland will no longer need to seek approval from the Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH) though recreational use will still be illegal. Currently, patients can only access medical marijuana with the approval of a doctor, and it must contain under 1% THC.
In addition, a study by the University of Geneva and consulting firm EBP revealed that since around 56 tons of marijuana is consumed annually in the country, if they regulate recreational cannabis, this has the potential of generating around $582 million Swiss Francs and generate around 4,400 full-time employment jobs.
Corruption
Vigilance Arrests Officials After Bribery Complaints at Supply Office
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.
Business
A Tipping Point for Cannabis: President Trump Champions CBD & Cannabis Science on Truth Social
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.
Business
New Mexico cannabis operator fined, loses license for alleged BioTrack fraud
New Mexico regulators fined a cannabis operator nearly $300,000 and revoked its license after the company allegedly created fake reports in the state’s traceability software.
The New Mexico Cannabis Control Division (CCD) accused marijuana manufacturer and retailer Golden Roots of 11 violations, according to Albuquerque Business First.
Golden Roots operates the The Cannabis Revolution Dispensary.
The majority of the violations are related to the Albuquerque company’s improper use of BioTrack, which has been New Mexico’s track-and-trace vendor since 2015.
The CCD alleges Golden Roots reported marijuana production only two months after it had received its vertically integrated license, according to Albuquerque Business First.
Because cannabis takes longer than two months to be cultivated, the CCD was suspicious of the report.
After inspecting the company’s premises, the CCD alleged Golden Roots reported cultivation, transportation and sales in BioTrack but wasn’t able to provide officers who inspected the site evidence that the operator was cultivating cannabis.
In April, the CCD revoked Golden Roots’ license and issued a $10,000 fine, according to the news outlet.
The company requested a hearing, which the regulator scheduled for Sept. 1.
At the hearing, the CCD testified that the company’s dried-cannabis weights in BioTrack were suspicious because they didn’t seem to accurately reflect how much weight marijuana loses as it dries.
Company employees also poorly accounted for why they were making adjustments in the system of up to 24 pounds of cannabis, making comments such as “bad” or “mistake” in the software, Albuquerque Business First reported.
Golden Roots was fined $298,972.05 – the amount regulators allege the company made selling products that weren’t properly accounted for in BioTrack.
The CCD has been cracking down on cannabis operators accused of selling products procured from out-of-state or not grown legally:
- Regulators alleged in August that Albuquerque dispensary Sawmill Sweet Leaf sold out-of-state products and didn’t have a license for extraction.
- Paradise Exotics Distro lost its license in July after regulators alleged the company sold products made in California.
Golden Roots was the first alleged rulebreaker in New Mexico to be asked to pay a large fine.
Source: https://mjbizdaily.com/new-mexico-cannabis-operator-fined-loses-license-for-alleged-biotrack-fraud/
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