Billionaire Branson Criticizes Singapore's Decision To Execute Man Over Kilogram Of Pot: This Week In Weed Chronicles

Billionaire Richard Branson openly condemned Singapore’s death penalty several times, recently making a case for Tangaraju Suppiah, who was sentenced to death in 2018 for smuggling more than one kilogram of marijuana.

Suppiah is set to be hanged on Wednesday after the Court of Appeal has upheld his sentence.

“Singapore is an otherwise wonderful country, so it’s very sad to see some of its policies harking back to colonialism, and even reminiscent of medieval times,” Branson, who is a member of the Global Commission on Drug Policy, wrote on a blog post.

Suppian's family members, relatives and friends are pushing to appeal, with activists announcing the petitions to the presidents, reported Barron’s.

“We don’t think my brother’s had a fair trial... I have faith the president will read all our petitions,” Suppiah‘s sister Leelavathy Suppiah told reporters at a news conference.

Even though this is the 21st century, Singapore is a country still known for its capital punishment, which can be warranted for 33 offenses, including murder, drug trafficking, terrorism, kidnapping and use of firearms. After a pus of more than two years, the country resumed execution by hanging in March 2022, making a total of 11 executions until then — all for drug crimes.

Suppiah’s niece said that her uncle is brave and that even though he is “prepared,” his death will be unjust, adding: “He believes that God will help him.”

Medical Marijuana Patient Sues Testing Lab

Jakie Hann, a medical marijuana user in Arkansas, filed a lawsuit against a marijuana testing lab Steep Hill, claiming the lab was pumping the potency numbers on medical cannabis to make it more expensive.

The lawsuit, filed in February, was recently moved from the Pulaski Country Circuit Court to federal court. This lawsuit doesn’t argue a violation of RICO, but it claims that cannabis is being sold with a lower-than-advertised potency, hence violating the Deceptive Trade Practices Act.

“Due to inconsistency in potency, the products were unable to reliably provide Plaintiff [Hanan] the relief he expected,” the suit states, asking for a jury trial.

A trial date has not been set yet.

Morocco Authorities Seize Pot From Freight Truck; Cocaine From Frozen Tuna

Moroccan police reportedly seized 5.4 tonnes of cannabis resin from a freight truck in the northern port of Tangier, according to the General Directorate of National Security.

As per the United Nations data, Morocco is the biggest producer of cannabis resin in the world. Just in 2022, the police seized 100 tonnes of it.

In a different operation, but also in Tangier, police seized 60 kilograms (132 pounds) of cocaine hidden in frozen tuna, labeled as coming from Ecuador and heading for Spain.

Teenager Arrested For Selling Xanax, Psilocybin Mushrooms, And Pot On Telegram

A teenage boy from Ventura County, California, was arrested last month for allegedly operating an illegal online drug marketplace on the social media platform Telegram. The boy was suspected of selling alprazolam (better known as Xanax) psilocybin mushrooms and various marijuana products to other high school students, according to Ventura County Sheriff’s Office press release.

The illegal online drug sales to minors were discovered as part of another investigation into a deceased female, which was possibly the result of a drug overdose. The investigators seized Farmapram (a medication produced in Mexico containing Alprazolam) at the boy’s home in Oxnard. Because of his age, the boy was released to his guardian upon arrest. The District Attorney's Office is reviewing the case.

Photo: Shutterstock