The New Arab • 19th November 2024

What Trump's 'Israel first' cabinet means for the Middle East

US President-elect Donald J. Trump announced his cabinet nominees last week ahead of the 20 January inauguration following his November election victory. Across roles like secretary of state, Middle East envoy, secretary of defence, US ambassador to Israel, and United Nations ambassador, Trump signalled a resolutely pro-Israel position. Marco Rubio, nominated for secretary of state, has long been a staunch Israel supporter, even attacking Trump in 2016 as ‘anti-Israeli’ for his stance on peace...

Forbes • 18th November 2024

What Can We Expect From Trump On Cannabis Reform?

Donald J. Trump’s victory in November’s Presidential election coincides with a pivotal moment for the U.S. cannabis reform, as efforts to reschedule the substance could significantly reshape the future of the industry, with him potentially having a say. During his campaign, Trump expressed support for rescheduling cannabis from Schedule I to Schedule III of the Controlled Substances Act, which would acknowledge its medical value and ease the business tax burden. He also supported providing banki...

Forbes • 15th November 2024

Inside Attorney General Nominee Matt Gaetz's Complicated Pro-Cannabis Stance

President-elect Donald J. Trump has nominated Matt Gaetz, one of the most vocal, marijuana-friendly Republican congressmen, for U.S. Attorney General. Trump announced on Wednesday his nomination of Florida Congressman Matt Gaetz as U.S. Attorney General, set to join his cabinet after the presidential inauguration on January 20. The U.S. Attorney General is the nation’s top lawyer, overseeing the Department of Justice, enforcing federal laws, and advising the President on legal issues. This role...

Forbes • 12th November 2024

Researcher Sues DEA Over Marijuana Rescheduling Process

A researcher has filed a lawsuit against the Drug Enforcement Administration, accusing the agency of multiple legal violations in its process of marijuana rescheduling. David Heldreth, researcher and CEO of psychedelic research and development company Panacea Plant Sciences, filed a complaint last week in the U.S. District Court for Western Washington against the Department of Justice, Attorney General Merrick Garland, the DEA, its Administrator Anne Milgram, and DEA Judge John J. Mulrooney II....

dw.com • 11th November 2024

War in Lebanon: Aid groups struggle to offer food, shelter – DW – 11/11/2024

Israel's bombing and ground invasion of Lebanon have displaced over a million people. Lebanese relief organizations are struggling to make ends meet and provide for the growing numbers of those in need.In a small kitchen in al-Fawar — a village near Sidon, about 40 kilometers (24 miles) south of Beirut, Lebanon — a dozen women of all ages are cooking rice and chicken in large, gas-fueled pots. Among them, and overseeing every detail to ensure everything runs smoothly, is 42-year-old Zainab Jumaa...

The New Arab • 11th November 2024

What could lame duck Biden still do in the Middle East?

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was among the first world leaders to congratulate Donald J. Trump before he was officially declared the winner of the 2024 US presidential election. In a post on X, Netanyahu hailed Trump's "huge victory" as "history's greatest comeback," sharing a photo of himself, his wife Sara, and Trump at Mar-a-Lago in July. Netanyahu's congratulations to Trump were echoed by other members of his far-right coalition, including newly appointed Defence Minister Isra...

The New Arab • 5th November 2024

Inside Israel's campaign to undermine the United Nations

Israel officially notified the United Nations on Monday of its decision to cut ties with the agency for Palestinian refugees, UNRWA, after adopting two bills last week banning its operations. The new legislation will take effect in 90 days and the UN has warned of devastating consequences for the humanitarian situation in Gaza, where it is the largest aid provider amid famine-threshold levels of malnutrition. Experts interviewed by The New Arab say that Israel’s ban on UNRWA is a political act...

Forbes • 29th October 2024

Teen Marijuana Use Drops, But Girls Now Outpace Boys, New Study Finds

Marijuana use among teens has declined over the past decade, but new research shows that girls are now using it more than boys. A recent study by researchers from Florida Atlantic University, published in Pediatric Reports, shows that despite concerns that state-level marijuana legalization in the U.S. might lead to increased use among teens, usage is actually decreasing. However, the study also notes that girls are now surpassing boys in marijuana consumption. The study analyzes marijuana use t...

Forbes • 25th October 2024

Accountants Group Urges Clarity On Cannabis Tax Amid Rescheduling

An association of accountants is urging the federal tax agency to update its guidance for cannabis businesses in light of the potential for rescheduling. The American Institute of Certified Public Accountants sent a letter to the Internal Revenue Service and the Department of the Treasury on Monday, urging them to update their guidance for cannabis businesses. This request comes as cannabis may soon be rescheduled to Schedule III of the Controlled Substances Act, which would allow these business...

Forbes • 22nd October 2024

Arkansas Votes On Medical Marijuana Ballot Measure Won’t Be Counted, Court Says

Arkansas Supreme Court has ordered that votes for and against a proposal to expand access to medical marijuana should not count. In a 4-3 decision on Monday, the Arkansas Supreme Court ruled in favor of Protect Arkansas Kids, a group that intervened in the legal dispute regarding Issue 3. At the same time, the Court dismissed Secretary of State John Thurston’s complaint that claimed the group did not collect enough signatures to qualify for the ballot. As a result, although Issue 3 will appear o...

The New Arab • 21st October 2024

What military options does Hezbollah still have against Israel?

After Israel announced the assassination of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar on 17 October, Hezbollah said it was entering a new phase in its fight against Israeli forces. How Hezbollah's new escalatory phase will unfold, however, remains to be seen, especially after facing heavy setbacks since Israel's war on Lebanon was launched. In mid-September, a series of Israeli attacks broke the tacit rules of engagement established since the conflict between Hezbollah and Israel began following Hamas' 7 Octo...

Forbes • 21st October 2024

U.S. Army Expands Drug Policy To Ban Delta-8 THC Hemp Products

The U.S. Army has updated its drug policy to explicitly ban the use of delta-8 THC hemp products, clarifying that soldiers are prohibited from using them. It is also warning servicemembers to avoid foods with poppy seeds, as they can cause false positives in opioid tests. The Army updated its substance abuse policies in early October to reduce drug and alcohol abuse among service members. The new policy has a “prohibited substances” list, as well as updated requirements for training and reportin...

Forbes • 15th October 2024

California Judge Rules Against Attempt To Block Hemp THC Ban

A California judge has denied a request from hemp businesses seeking to temporarily suspend the ban on intoxicating hemp product sales while they challenge the state’s ban in court. The U.S. Hemp Roundtable, several hemp companies, and a cannabis company co-owned by the comic duo Cheech Marin and Tommy Chong filed a lawsuit against a California public health agency to prevent the agency from enforcing the regulations, arguing that the new regulations could cost hemp businesses millions and poten...

The New Arab • 14th October 2024

The role of Lebanon's army as Israel wages war on Hezbollah

On 3 October, Israeli military forces struck a Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) post in Bint Jbeil in southern Lebanon, killing one soldier, as Israel pushed ahead with a ground invasion of the country. During the incident, and for the first time since hostilities began in October 2023, Lebanese soldiers returned fire at Israeli forces. That same day, another Lebanese soldier lost his life in separate Israeli strikes in the region. These Israeli attacks on Lebanon's army were not an isolated incide...

Forbes • 11th October 2024

Businesses Partially Win Lawsuit Against New Jersey’s Hemp Ban Law

A federal court has partially blocked New Jersey’s new hemp law, finding it unlawfully restricts sales and transportation of federally legal hemp products and discriminates against out-of-state businesses. Federal Judge Zahid Nisar Quraishi granted a partial win to hemp businesses on Thursday, challenging the state’s new law on intoxicating hemp products but refused to strike down the law in its entirety, as first reported by New Jersey Monitor. A group of hemp businesses filed a lawsuit challen...

Forbes • 8th October 2024

Spain Introduces Draft Royal Decree To Regulate Medical Cannabis

Spanish patients could soon have access to medical cannabis as regulators push forward with a new bill. However, its use is expected to be strictly limited to specific medical conditions, highlighting the cautious approach being taken. After the request of the subcommittee for the Health and Consumer Affairs Commission in 2021, the Ministry of Health of Spain introduced last week a draft royal decree for a public hearing that seeks to regulate medical cannabis. With this decree, the government a...

Forbes • 1st October 2024

California Legalizes Cannabis Cafes Amid Hemp THC Ban

California municipalities can allow cannabis businesses to open cafes where patrons can consume cannabis on-site while also being served non-cannabis-infused food and beverages. California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed Assembly Bill 1775 into law yesterday, allowing specific cannabis retailers to prepare and sell non-cannabis food and beverages, as well as host live events and sell tickets at their licensed locations, similar to coffee shops in Amsterdam. The new legislation allows licensed cannabis...

The New Arab • 30th September 2024

After Nasrallah's killing, what will Israel do next in Lebanon?

Grief and anguish filled Beirut's southern suburbs of Dahiyeh after Hezbollah confirmed the death of its leader Hassan Nasrallah on Saturday. Screaming in sorrow, some collapsed to their knees as despair and rage swept over them, with spontaneous rallies erupting in Beirut and across the region renewing allegiance to the veteran leader. A day earlier, Israel announced it had killed Nasrallah using 85 US-produced ‘bunker-buster’ bombs designed to target underground facilities in an attack that...

dw.com • 27th September 2024

Israel-Hezbollah conflict deepens Lebanon's economic crisis – DW – 09/27/2024

The escalating conflict between Hezbollah and Israel is contributing to Lebanon's economic instability. People in the crisis-ridden country are struggling to survive.In his small currency exchange shop in Beirut, 86-year-old Farouk Khoury is watching the news on television, showing the escalating conflict between Hezbollah and Israel spreading across Lebanon. No customers ring the bell to exchange money. "Today, I have money to exchange, tomorrow, I don't know. Maybe tomorrow we close," Kouri t...

Forbes • 19th September 2024

Thailand Unveils New Bill To Regulate Cannabis Industry

Thailand’s new government has introduced a bill to regulate the cannabis industry without expressly criminalizing recreational cannabis. The Ministry of Health, under the new government led by Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, has published a bill open for comments until September 30 to regulate the cannabis industry, avoiding the criminalization of recreational cannabis but without explicitly regulating its use. This represents an anticipated U-turn for cannabis legislation in Thailand, as...