NJ Activists Plant Cannabis Garden On State House Lawn, Fentanyl Replaces MDMA In Fed Drug Testing, Psychedelics Therapy For Vets

New Jersey Activists Defy Law And Plant A Cannabis Garden On The State House Lawn, Cops Show Up

New Jersey activists staged a protest on the State House lawn by planting a cannabis garden without a permit, later sparking a confrontation with the police, according to Heady NJ. Despite the state’s legalization of over 100 cannabis dispensaries, home cultivation remains a felony.

After some 40 cannabis seedlings were planted in a deliberate act of protest, New Jersey State Police demanded their removal, citing state property regulations. Despite efforts to negotiate and even an offer to give the plants to the cops, activists reluctantly dismantled the garden under police supervision.

Bipartisan Congressmen Urge Veterans Affairs To Implement Psychedelics Therapy Plan

US Reps Morgan Luttrell (R-TX) and Morgan McGarvey (D-KY) spearheaded a letter urging the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to devise a strategic plan for implementing psychedelic MDMA therapy for veterans, pending FDA approval. The letter, signed by seven other Congress members, to VA Under Secretary for Health Shereef Elnahal, emphasizes the potential of these therapies in veteran healthcare, particularly in addressing combat-related trauma. 

"The effects of emerging therapies for our veterans have been groundbreaking, and I'm proud to be a leader on pushing forward this innovative tool into the proverbial toolbox, especially while moving away from opioids," said Luttrell in a press release. "As the FDA is finally playing ball to move towards approving these therapies, it's critical we ensure the VA has an implementation plan and can effectively and efficiently treat veterans," Luttrell added. McGarvey echoed support, highlighting the VA’s expertise in treating military-related trauma.

Shift In Federal Workforce Drug Testing: MDMA Out, Fentanyl In

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is proposing notable changes to the federal workplace drug testing guidelines. The key adjustment involves removing MDMA (commonly known as ecstasy) from mandatory testing due to its extremely low positivity rates. Simultaneously, fentanyl, the potent opioid linked to a significant increase in overdose deaths across the U.S., was recommended for inclusion in the mandatory drug testing panel.

According to a Federal Register notice, this decision aligns with recent studies showing a surge in fentanyl prevalence, underscoring its public safety threat. These changes were discussed in a recent web conference held by SAMHSA's Drug Testing Advisory Board, reflecting ongoing adjustments to federal health and safety standards in response to evolving drug use patterns.