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May Day! May Day! Calling for All of Us to Unite, Protest and Pray.

100 Days are 100 ways to Be Prepared to Say, Enough was Enough.

They say, and I concur, that numbers don’t lie. When the truth is in the paper trail, one has to rely on the facts when they are authenticated and validated.

As a means to gauge the impact of the new administration and measure its effectiveness, we Americans look at the first 100 days into the Presidency for historic purposes and notable accomplishments or blunders:

 

For this writing we are going to use two different ways to create involvement. History and Advocacy are our primary sources for information and understanding about what we are going through and will continue to until understanding prevails.

May Day, day commemoratingthe historic struggles and gains made by workers and the labour movement, observed in many countries on May 1. In the United States and Canada a similar observance, known as Labor Day, occurs on the first Monday of September.

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In 1889 an international federation of socialist groups and trade unions designated May 1 as a day in support of workers, in commemoration of the Haymarket Riot in Chicago(1886). Five years later, U.S. Pres. Grover Cleveland, uneasy with the socialist origins of Workers’ Day, signed legislation to make Labor Day—already held in some states on the first Monday of September—the official U.S. holiday in honour of workers. Canada followed suit not long afterward.

In Europe May 1 was historically associated with rural pagan festivals (see May Day), but the original meaning of the day was gradually replaced by the modern association with the labour movement. In the Soviet Union, leaders embraced the new holiday, believing it would encourage workers in Europe and the United States to unite against capitalism. The day became a significant holiday in the Soviet Union and in the Eastern-bloc countries, with high-profile parades, including one in Moscow’s Red Squarepresided over by top government and Communist Party functionaries, celebrating the worker and showcasing Soviet military might. In Germany Labour Day became an official holiday in 1933 after the rise of the Nazi Party.

Ironically, Germany abolished free unions the day after establishing the holiday, virtually destroying the German labour movement.

On This Day: May 1Kurt Heintz of Encyclopædia Britannica explores the significance of May 1 as a labour holiday, a day traditionally used to celebrate the return of spring and much else.(more)

With the breakup of the Soviet Union and the fall of communist governments in eastern Europe in the late 20th century, large-scale May Day celebrations in that region declined in importance. In dozens of countries around the world, however, May Day has been recognized as a public holiday, and it continues to be celebrated with picnics and parties while serving as the occasion for demonstrations and rallies in support of workers.

 

On the other side of the current labor movement, signs of cracks in the economy have emerged that have made some economists nervous and frustrated that the government is overstepping their authority and not giving thought to their actions. Protests over this issue are growing and some analysts say that the administration will “hear from the people”. This is evidenced by this week’s May Day protests given by the free press and speech campaigns as follows.

Standing in Solidarity 

A core principle behind our May Day actions is a commitment to nonviolence in all we do. We expect all participants to seek to de-escalate any potential confrontation with those who disagree with our values. 

A future that works for working families

This is a war on working people—and we will not stand down. They’re defunding our schools, privatizing public services, attacking unions, and targeting immigrant families with fear and violence. Working people built this nation and we know how to take care of each other. We won’t back down—we will never stop fighting for our families and the rights and freedoms that propel opportunity and a better life for all Americans. Their time is up.

How You Can Help

Why Is Immigration and Due Process an Issue?

2 Recent Presidents, Obama and Trump, were not only the direct descendants of immigrants, but they have been notorious for deportation.

WE ARE THE MANY.

– This is a non partisan issue that has been a topic for many decades – Our United States democracy is based on allowing those seeking refuge in our country to be afforded the freedom to choose their own future. As did our recent 2 former Presidents. –

On October 7, 1885, Friedrich Trump, a 16-year-old German barber, bought a one-way ticket for America, escaping three years of compulsory German military service. He had been a sickly child, unsuited to hard labor, and feared the effects of the draft. It might have been illegal, but America didn’t care about this law-breaking—at that time, Germans were seen as highly desirable migrants—and Trump was welcomed with open arms. Less than two weeks later, he arrived in New York, where he would eventually make a small fortune. More than a century later, his grandson, Donald Trump, became the 45th president of Friedrich’s adopted home. But for decades, Trump denied this German heritage altogether, instead claiming that his grandfather’s roots lay further north, in Scandinavia. “[He] came here from Sweden as a child,” Trump asserted in his co-written book The Art of the Deal. In fact, his cousin and family historian John Walter told The New York Times, Trump maintained the ruse at the request of his own realtor father, Fred Trump, who had obfuscated his German ancestry to avoid upsetting Jewish friends and clients. “After the war,” Walter told the Times, “he’s still Swedish. [The lie] was just going, going, going.” Trump is the son, and grandson, of immigrants: German on his father’s side, and Scottish on his mother’s. None of his grandparents, and only one of his parents, was born in the United States or spoke English as their mother tongue. (His mother’s parents, from the remote Scottish Outer Hebrides, lived in a majority Gaelic-speaking community.)

Friedrich Trump came to the United States amid a flood of Germans—that year alone, an estimated 1 million made the journey to settle in America. It was, the Times reported, “the start of an adventurous life as a barber, restaurateur, saloonkeeper, hotelier, entrepreneur, gold rush prospector, shipwreck survivor and New York real-estate investor.” He married a woman from his German hometown, Kallstadt, where his parents had owned vineyards, and attempted to return home with his fortune.

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But when his draft dodging came to the fore, the couple lost their Bavarian citizenship and were obliged to return to America for good. There, they had three children: Trump’s father, Fred, was the middle child. Born in the Bronx borough of New York City in 1905, Fred Trump was an all-American child who spoke no German. Later, he would become one of the city’s most successful young businessmen, amassing a fortune even as many around him slumped into financial ruin. In the mid-1930s, a young Fred Trump went to a party “dressed in a fine suit and sporting his trademark moustache.” Two Scottish sisters were at that same party in Queens: The younger one, Mary Anne MacLeod, was a domestic worker considering a return to her island homeland. “Something clicked between the maid and the mogul,” write Michael Kranish and Marc Fisher in their biography Trump Revealed. When Trump returned that night to the home he shared with his mother, the authors continued, he made an announcement: He had met the woman he planned to marry.

MacLeod might have been living in poverty in the United States, but her origins were even less palatable. She was the child of a fisherman and subsistence farmer, and the last in a family of 10 children born in the village of Tong on the Scottish Isle of Lewis. “It was not an easy existence,” reports Politico. This vast Gaelic-speaking family lived together in a modest gray pebble-dash house, “surrounded by a landscape of properties local historians and genealogists characterized with terms like ‘human wretchedness’ and ‘indescribably filthy.’” Married to Fred Trump, MacLeod lived a radically different life of fur -coats and 50-foot yachts. In 1942, she became an American citizen and returned only occasionally to her native Scotland, where her son now owns multiple properties. While Friedrich Trump had had moderate success in real estate, he died unexpectedly in a flu pandemic before his 50th birthday, and so did not live to see many of his projects come to fruition. At his death, his net worth was around $510,000 in present-day dollars. Under the Elizabeth Trump & Son moniker, Fred Trump and his mother Elizabeth continued this work, and turned it into a flourishing business. Trump’s international origins make him relatively unusual among American presidents. Of the last 10 presidents, only two—Trump and Barack Obama—have had a parent born outside of the United States. Trump’s own immediate family has been similarly international: Two of his three wives were naturalized American citizens, originally from the Czech Republic and Slovenia. Only one of his five children, Tiffany, is the child of two American-born citizens, while his daughter, Ivanka, is the first Jewish member of the First Family in American history. But so far as his biographers have been able to tell, none of his international roots extends to Sweden.

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AllRightsReserved-InspirationalTechnologies2025 I hope this information was helpful and informative. If you have any more questions, please feel free to ask me. 😊 Inspirational Technologies – IT is Time

We, at Inspirational Technologies are at the forefront of Inspirational and Frontrunners on the frontier of current technology.

We are often faced with our own personal conflicts which directly influence our interactions with our peers and family. 

When Inspirational Technologies is an endorsement of the “Cannabis” approach to the medical condition, we say, let’s let the look at the data and the people who say that they benefit for cannabis alternatives.

Steven M Smith InspirationalTech.org CEO since 2013. Thank you for consideration.

Inspirational Technologies
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The legalization of marijuana varies drastically between States in 2024

The legalization of marijuana varies drastically between states, with some lawmakers approving its use entirely, others allowing its use only for medical conditions, and some still punishing possession of the drug by a prison sentence.

Thirty-eight states currently have it legalized for medical use, with 24 permitting recreational use, allowing many Americans to have access to marijuana, also known as weed, in one way or another if they are over the age of 21

While it is still illegal on a federal level, President Joe Biden has made it clear that his administration intends to pursue decriminalization during his time in office. Whether this is likely ahead of the looming election, however, appears questionable.

Since Colorado and Washington’s legalization of recreational marijuana in 2012, 22 other states, and Washington, D.C., have slowly amended their laws in favor of decriminalizing the substance.

Five more states could amend their laws soon: Wisconsin, Florida, Hawaii, South Dakota, and South Carolina.

Amid the arrival of “4/20” day—a celebration for cannabis smokers each year, on April 20—Newsweek looks at some of the states that could push ahead with legalizing use of marijuana in some way.

Florida

Florida Marijuana Laws: The State of Smokable Marijuana in Florida

Florida voters will be able to decide if recreational use of marijuana should be legal in the state at the ballot in November.

Users will need to be 21 years or older to legally consume it. Medical marijuana is currently permitted.

Gov. Ron DeSantis has been one of the proposal’s most vocal critics, saying he believes recreational use of the drug should not be legal in the state

The law change will require a 60 percent approval for the amendment to pass when voters head to the polls in November.

Hawaii

Hawaii Marijuana Laws • Marijuana Laws

A bill to legalize the recreational use of marijuana for adults in Hawaii was approved by the House Consumer Protection and Commerce Committee in March, raising hopes that laws could be extended from granting medical use.

The bill was earlier passed by the Hawaii Senate, and Gov. Josh Green, a Democrat, has indicated he would sign the bill into law once the House passes the second version.

The law would specifically allow anyone aged 21 and older to possess up to 1 ounce of marijuana and up to 5 grams of cannabis concentrates. Hawaiians would also be able to possess their own produce—up to six plants and up to 2 pounds of harvested marijuana.

It would also expunge the criminal record of past convictions related to cannabis possession.

South Dakota

Is Weed Legal in South Dakota? - South Dakota Marijuana Laws | Leafy Mate

South Dakotan law changes are less advanced down the legislative path than other states on this list but campaigning to legalize recreational use—as well as the already legal medical use—remains vocal.

The state has tried several times in the past to achieve this, including a 2020 election ballot from voters approving the law change. But the South Dakota Supreme Court shut down the approval as unconstitutional a year later.

Voters then rejected another initiative in 2022. Now campaigners are working again to put the question to the electorate in November, requiring almost 18,000 signatures by May.

Wisconsin

Wisconsin marijuana legalization may be coming soon thanks to new bill | GreenState | GreenState

At the start of the year Wisconsin appeared the most likely of any state to decriminalize medical marijuana, but a Republican bill fell flat ahead of an official vote.

The state bill was being considered to legalize use of the substance, but this would have been limited to severely ill people and would only be dispensed from five locations around the state. It would have also ruled out the legalization of smokable marijuana.

Leaders of the Republican-controlled Senate and state Assembly have largely supported the legalization, while Democratic Gov. Tony Evers has also previously voiced support to permit medical marijuana.

Currently possession of the drug is illegal in Wisconsin. Depending on the quantity of the substance you are caught with, it is possible to go to prison or incur heavy fines.

Despite the bill failing, conversation of reform has still grown steadily—and, while the state may fall short of legalization this year, Wisconsin remains one of the most likely areas of the country to proceed with medical marijuana laws.

Announcing the bill was effectively dead earlier this year, however, Assembly Speaker Robin Vos did give legalization supporters hope when he announced a public hearing to build support for passage next session would ensue later this year.

South Carolina

Coat of arms or logo

The South Carolina Senate passed a bill in February to allow the use of marijuana and related products for medical needs. But the bill has now sat in the state’s House of Representatives for two months with little hope of being debated on the floor.

State lawmakers will need to get a move on, with just weeks left before the House adjourns. Anything that does not make it to the House will have to be proposed again next year.

This has been the case for several years, with an almost identical bill dying in the House in 2022. Many state senators have been working for almost a decade to change the law.

It would still be illegal to smoke the drug or use it recreationally under the new law. Patients could instead use vaporizers or patches to gain the medical benefits.

Any use of cannabis is currently illegal in the state and can carry a fine of up to $1,000 and even 30 days to six months in jail.

The recreational use of marijuana is legal in 24 states, and Washington, D.C., as of April 2024. While jurisdictions differ on the legal quantity allowed for legal possession, almost half of U.S. states have now approved its use.

These include Alaska; Arizona; California; Colorado; Connecticut; Delaware; Illinois; Maine; Maryland; Massachusetts; Michigan; Minnesota; Missouri; Montana; Nevada; New Jersey; New Mexico; New York; Ohio; Oregon; Rhode Island; Vermont; Virginia; and Washington.

Other states have pushed ahead with legislation approving the substance’s use for medical conditions. While the laws vary, these states include Alabama; Arkansas; Kentucky; Louisiana; Mississippi; New Hampshire; North Dakota; Oklahoma; Pennsylvania; South Dakota; Utah; and West Virginia.

Marijuana is effectively illegal in the remaining 11 states: Georgia; Idaho; Indiana; Iowa; Kansas; Nebraska; North Carolina; South Carolina; Tennessee; Texas; and Wyoming.

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I hope this information was helpful and informative. If you have any more questions, please feel free to ask me. 😊

Inspirational Technologies – IT is Time

We, at Inspirational Technologies are at the forefront of Inspirational and Frontrunners on the frontier of current technology.

We are often faced with our own personal conflicts which directly influence our interactions with our peers and family. 

When Inspirational Technologies is an endorsement of the “Cannabis” approach to the medical condition, we say, let’s let the look at the data and the people who say that they benefit for cannabis alternatives.

Steven M Smith InspirationalTech.org CEO since 2013.

Thank you for consideration.

Inspirational Technologies
InspirationalTech.org for your Health Wellness Beauty and Inspirational Goals

For More Information on Cannabis and CBD and YOU.

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Happy 4th of July, 2024 BACK LAST YEAR  July 11, 2023 More than 965,000 signatures collected to legalize recreational marijuana in Florida.

Happy 4th of July 2024

More than 965,000 signatures collected to legalize recreational marijuana in Florida, Trulieve says.

  TAMPA, Fla. – Trulieve says it has collected more than 965,000 signatures for the Smart and Safe Campaign to legalize the adult use of recreational marijuana in Florida. That’s more than enough signatures to get on the 2024 ballot, assuming the ballot language is approved by the state supreme court, a heavily conservative-leaning court. Attorney General Ashley Moody is among those fighting it, saying the court should reject the proposal. Still, this advancement in the process has the pro-legalization side feeling confident. “I have confidence that it’s going to pass the Supreme Court review. And then really, you know, it’s up to the voters and the people of Florida,” said Michael Minardi, an attorney and Chairman of Regulate Florida.

 

If the initiative does pass, it would need the approval of at least 60 percent of voters. In 2016, 71 percent of voters approved medical marijuana. Minardi believes legalization would increase tourism, jobs and create a tax windfall. “Absolutely, I would see in excess of, you know, one to two billion dollars the first couple of years of adult use here in the state of Florida,” he said. On the other hand, opponents say Florida doesn’t need another intoxicant, especially in the hands of kids. “There’re more problems with abuse and addiction. We need more treatment. So, I think the costs would be much higher than the average voter would know about,” said Ellen Snelling with the Hillsborough County Anti-Drug Alliance. “It’s kind of like marijuana on crack. We do not need this legalized in our state,” she added. Trulieve says it has polling that shows 65 percent of Floridians support legalization.

Back to the Future, now 2024 on the Ballot!

 

The Florida Supreme Court has given the green light to a ballot measure that could pave the way for recreational marijuana legalization in the state. If this provision receives 60 percent approval from voters in November, it will make recreational marijuana use legal in Florida, which is the third-most populous state in the country1. Here are the key points:

  • The ballot initiative aims to amend the Florida Constitution to allow individuals over 21 years old to purchase and consume marijuana.
  • Additionally, it seeks to protect medical marijuana clinics and future licensed businesses from criminal penalties for selling marijuana for recreational use.
  • The proposal faced legal challenges, including opposition from Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody and other groups. However, the Supreme Court disagreed with their argument that the initiative covered more than one subject.
  • The Court’s opinion emphasized that allowing businesses to distribute personal-use marijuana and authorizing individuals to possess it are logically related. Legalization of marijuana implies availability for consumers, and selling it cannot reasonably occur while possession remains criminalized.
  • The group Smart and Safe Florida, which pushed for the issue to be on the ballot, expressed satisfaction with the decision and looks forward to advocating for safe cannabis use among adults.
  • On the other hand, Florida House Speaker Paul Renner criticized the ballot initiative, calling it overly broad and driven by self-interests.

Recreational pot is now set to be a significant issue driving Florida voters to the polls on November 5th. For the change to take effect, 60% of Floridians must vote in favor of it12

More than 965,000 signatures collected to legalize recreational marijuana in Florida, and the Florida Supreme Court Agrees. No April Fools, majority Rules. #IntheWeedswithSteveBe patient Florida, this too, shall pass!

Florida has specific laws regarding marijuana, and it’s essential to understand them. Here are the key points:

  1. Medical Use:
    • Medical use of marijuana is legal in Florida.
    • Qualifying patients (21 years and older) with specific medical conditions can purchase or use medical marijuana as recommended by licensed physicians.
    • Some qualifying conditions include ALS, cancer, epilepsy, glaucoma, HIV/AIDS, multiple sclerosis, PTSD, and chronic pain related to specific medical conditions.
    • Minors can designate adult caregivers to assist in obtaining medical marijuana.
  2. Recreational Use:
    • Recreational cannabis remains illegal in Florida.
    • Possession of any amount of weed is against the law.
    • Possession of more than 20 grams (25 lbs) of cannabis is considered a felony.
  3. Growing Marijuana:
    • Individuals and businesses are prohibited from growing marijuana.
    • However, state-licensed cultivators are allowed to grow it.
  4. Penalties:
    • Florida imposes fines and jail time for simple possession of marijuana.
    • Possession of any quantity of marijuana is illegal.
  5. Medical Marijuana Cards:
    • Patients must possess active medical marijuana cards to legally use medical marijuana.
    • Over 750,000 Floridians currently hold active medical marijuana cards.
    • More than 2,500 certified doctors assist in determining appropriate medical marijuana treatments.
  6. Dispensaries:
    • There are over 450 open marijuana dispensary locations in Florida as of October 2022.
  7. Legalization Efforts:

Remember that while medical use is permitted, recreational marijuana remains illegal in Florida, and the state prescribes stiff penalties for those caught in possession of the drug2345.

Steven M Smith InspirationalTech.org CEO since 2013.

Thank you for consideration.

Inspirational Technologies
InspirationalTech.org for your Health Wellness Beauty and Inspirational Goals

For More Information on Cannabis and CBD and YOU.

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Inspirational Technologies – FREEDOM and what we wanted in 1774 = 250 Years of Waiting

Let’s explore some significant events from 1774:

  1. Punishment for Boston Tea Party (March 7): King George III accused colonists in Boston of attempting to harm British commerce, leading to the closing of the port as a consequence of the Boston Tea Party. Colonists had thrown the cargoes of tea ships into the river at Boston1.
  2. Louis XVI Ascends to the Throne of France (May 10): Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette became King and Queen of France2.
  3. The Discovery of Oxygen: In the scientific realm, this year marked the first sighting of the Orion nebula by astronomer William Herschel, and French astronomer Charles Messier added M51 (a spiral galaxy) to his catalog1.

These events provide a glimpse into the political, historical, and scientific landscape of 1774.

 

Some of the political events that happened in 1774 are12:

  • The Kingdom of Great Britain orders the port of Boston, Massachusetts closed pursuant to the Boston Port Act, sparking the American Revolutionary War.
  • Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette become King and Queen of France.
  • The Quartering Act is enacted, allowing a governor in colonial America to house British soldiers in uninhabited houses and buildings.
  • Twelve of the thirteen American colonies adopt a trade embargo against Great Britain at the first Continental Congress in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
  • Four hundred New Hampshire militiamen successfully attack Fort William and Mary, the first incident of the American Revolution.
  • Revolution and revolt have a shared origin, both ultimately going back to the Latin revolvere “to revolve, roll back.” When revolution first appeared in English in the 14th century, it referred to the movement of a celestial body in orbit; that sense was extended to “a progressive motion of a body around an axis,” “completion of a course,” and other senses suggesting regularity of motion or a predictable return to an original position. At virtually the same time, the word developed a sharply different meaning, namely, ”a sudden radical, or complete change,” apparently from the idea of reversal of direction implicit in the Latin verb. Revolt , which initially meant “to renounce allegiance,” grew from the same idea of “rolling back,” in this case from a prior bond of loyalty.
  • How a Defeated President can incite, however, with the legal ramifications, be cleared of all?

    Insurrection, an organized and usually violent act of revolt or rebellion against an established government or governing authority of a nation-state or other political entity by a group of its citizens or subjects; also, any act of engaging in such a revolt. An insurrection may facilitate or bring about a revolution, which is a radical change in the form of government or political system of a state, and it may be initiated or provoked by an act of sedition, which is an incitement to revolt or rebellion.

    In the United States, insurrection against the authority of the federal government is a crime under 18 U.S. Code §2383, which provides that:

    Whoever incites, sets on foot, assists, or engages in any rebellion or insurrection against the authority of the United States or the laws thereof, or gives aid or comfort thereto, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than ten years, or both; and shall be incapable of holding any office under the United States.

    Federal law also grants to the president of the United States the authority to employ the armed forces of the United States and nationalized state militias to put down an insurrection against a state government upon the request of the state’s legislature or governor (10 U.S. Code §251) and to suppress or prevent civil disturbances—“unlawful obstructions, combinations, or assemblages, or rebellion[s]”—that, in the president’s judgment, have interfered or would interfere with the enforcement of federal laws in any state (§252) or have effectively deprived citizens of their rights under the U.S. Constitution (§253). These and other provisions of Chapter 13 of the U.S. Code, entitled “Insurrection,” originated in two pieces of legislation from the late 18th and early 19th centuries: an act of Congress (1795) that extended to the president Congress’s constitutional authority “to provide for calling forth the Militia to execute the Laws of the Union, suppress Insurrections and repel Invasions” (Article I, §8) and the Insurrection Act (1807), which additionally authorized the president to deploy the armed forces of the United States in the same circumstances and for the same purpose. During the subsequent two centuries, the Insurrection Act was amended numerous times and invoked by presidents including Abraham Lincoln (to enable the use of federal troops to defeat the secession of Confederate states in the American Civil War), Dwight D. Eisenhower (to assist efforts to desegregate public schools in the South), and George H.W. Bush (to quell riots in Los Angeles following the acquittal of police officers involved in the beating of Rodney King). In 2020, in response to sometimes violent demonstrations against police brutality and anti-Black racism in several U.S. cities (see United States: The killing of George Floyd and nationwide racial injustice protests), Pres. Donald J. Trump threatened to use his authority under the Insurrection Act to unleash deadly force against lawbreaking protesters.

  • Insurrections and other acts of violence against governments by their own citizens or subjects (some of which are not clearly distinguishable from revolutions, coups d’état, civil wars, or resistance to foreign rule) are commonplace in world history. Among many historically significant insurrections of the 20th and 21st centuries are the March on Rome of 1922, which brought Benito Mussolini and his National Fascist Party to power in Italy; the July Plot against Adolf Hitler in 1944; the briefly successful Hungarian Revolution of 1956; the student revolt in Paris in May 1968; the Zapatista rebellion in Mexico beginning in 1994; and the United States Capitol attack of January 2021.

 

Revolution is defined as,

Set Your Mind… From the bible to the Koran, the mind is the center of our being.

Certainly! The idea of setting our minds on higher things is a timeless concept found in various religious texts. In the Bible, specifically in Colossians 3:2, it says: “Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.” This encourages us to focus on heavenly matters rather than getting entangled in the transient concerns of this world1. It’s a beautiful reminder to elevate our thoughts and seek spiritual growth.

Mindlink, is a vision that Steven Smith envisioned as being our Link to the world of possibility. A Link, even as a premise, to a human continuance to the future. We have not yet, envisioned the possibility, of everlasting life (on Earth). Why not, perhaps, push that envelope and give everyone hope.

We have no immediate answers. Patience, indeed, will be a virtue.

 

#IntheWeedswithSteve Be patient Florida, this too, shall pass! 
Steven M Smith InspirationalTech.org CEO since 2013.

Thank you for consideration.

Inspirational Technologies
InspirationalTech.org for your Health Wellness Beauty and Inspirational Goals

For More Information on Cannabis and CBD and YOU.

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Cannabis – Happy 4/20 and Happy Earth Day 2024. Celebrate the Inclusions.

Cannabis – Happy 4/20 and Happy Earth Day 2024. Celebrate the Inclusions.

Happy 420 Day

According to National Day Calendar, 420 Day is celebrated every year on April 20, where cannabis producers, consumers and advocates celebrate and smoke marijuana.

“Once an unconventional day, the day has become the rallying cry of those who seek to legalize marijuana for medicinal and recreational uses,” the company wrote.

weed1

A cannabis plant grows in the Amsterdam Cannabis Colleges (Photo by Christopher Furlong/Getty Images)

While federal law in the United States still classifies cannabis as illegal, many states have legalized the substance for medicinal or recreational use — or both.

Where did 420 originate?

Since the 1970s, people have celebrated the unofficial holiday. But why is it celebrated on 4/20 and where did the celebration originate?

Well, it’s not exactly clear.

There are many myths that have circulated across social media and the globe about how the day 4/20 came to be, with most reports proving unverifiable.

However, most believe 420 Day originated in California

 in the 1970s when a group of teenagers from San Rafael High School in Marian County would ritualistically smoke marijuana at 4:20 each day. The number 420 became their code for marijuana.

The five students called themselves the “Waldos,” which referenced the wall they would sit on at their school. The origin of the Waldos has been documented in letters, military records and high school newspaper clippings to corroborate these origins.

Subsequently, the term 420 ultimately became synonymous with the drug and was promoted by bands like The Grateful Dead.

420 lights up on social media

Social media users across the U.S. rang in the unofficial holiday Wednesday by calling for the legalization of weed nationwide and by posting pictures of their cannabis products.

“Happy 420,” XXL magazine posted along with a picture of actor Seth Rogen alongside rappers Snoop Dogg and Wiz Khalifa smoking marijuana “blunts.”

Happy Earth Day, 2024

As the climate crisis becomes ever more serious, each Earth Day that comes along takes on extra significance. Established in 1970 in the US, the annual event brings together millions of people from around the world in support of the environment, highlighting the urgent action we need to take to save our planet.

Earth Day 2024 comes as a worrying new report found that global concentrations of carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide—the top three heat-trapping gases—reached a record high again in 2023. Meanwhile, a separate study found that Antarctica saw an astonishing rise of 38.5 degrees Celsius above its average seasonal temperature back in 2022, leading to major concerns about the alarming rate at which global warming is affecting our planet.

That’s why it’s more important than ever that Earth Day is seen as a rallying cry for real action on the climate crisis. Want to ensure that you play your part? Here’s everything you need to know.

Image may contain People Person Adult Clothing Hat Animal Canine Dog Mammal Pet Accessories Bag and Handbag
The first Earth Day held in 1970 in New York.Photo: Getty Images

What is Earth Day?

Marked by millions around the world, Earth Day is an annual event designed to shine a light on the serious environmental problems we’re facing, from the climate crisis to air pollution and deforestation.

When is Earth Day 2024?

Earth Day takes place on April 22 every year, but the entire month of April (sometimes called Earth Month)—and especially the week running up to Earth Day (sometimes called Earth Week)—is a time when environmental issues take center stage.

Why is Earth Day on April 22?

Earth Day was the brainchild of US senator and environmentalist Gaylord Nelson, following a 1969 oil spill in Santa Barbara, California. He came up with the idea of having college teach-ins to highlight the importance of clean air and water, with April 22 chosen as a convenient date between Spring Break and finals.

Organizers decided to name the date Earth Day, with the first event in 1970 leading to an astonishing 20 million people across the US taking to the streets—around 10 percent of the country’s population at the time. The event undoubtedly had a major impact, with President Richard Nixon creating the Environmental Protection Agency just months later in December 1970, as well as signing the Clean Air Act.

Earth Day later became an international campaign in 1990, when environmental activists asked one of the original organizers, Denis Hayes, to help create another event to spotlight the ecological challenges facing our planet.

What is the Earth Day 2024 theme?

The theme for Earth Day 2024 is Planet v Plastics, highlighting the fact that 380 million tonnes of plastic are now produced every year—while only 9 percent of plastic ever produced has been recycled. Campaigners are now calling for a 60 percent reduction in plastic by 2040. “The Planet v Plastics campaign is a call to arms, a demand that we act now to end the scourge of plastics and safeguard the health of every living being upon our planet,” Kathleen Rogers, president of Earthday.org, explains.How can you celebrate Earth Day?

There are thousands of events taking place around the world this Earth Day. You can find out what’s happening near you via this map, or even create your own event. Organizers have put together a number of ideas for celebrating Earth Day via its handy action tool kit, from avoiding single-use plastic to taking part in The Great Global Cleanup campaign. Other suggestions include signing the Global Plastics Treaty petition and saying no to fast fashion, the majority of which is made from plastic.

What else can you do to help the planet?

Of course, at Vogue we believe that every day should be Earth Day, so it’s vital that we continue to take action throughout the whole year. If you want to find out more about the challenges we’re facing, here are the books to read, the documentaries to watch, and the activists to follow.

This story was originally published by British Vogue.

Initiatives underscoring that the global community has its eyes on plastic:

What’s the status of the Global Plastics Treaty?

In March 2022, 175 nations agreed to develop a legally binding agreement on plastic pollution by the end of 2024, prompting a major step towards reducing greenhouse gas emissions from plastic production, use and disposal. The agreement is referred to as the Global Plastics Treaty.

In consensus with the countries agreeing on the treaty and stating that there is ‘no time to waste’, major commercial businesses joined in on the wish to tackle the issue of plastic pollution.

The countries met again in late May 2023, and by September UNEP launched the Zero draft text of the international legally binding instrument on plastic pollution, including in the marine environment in which the ambition of completing a final agreement by the end of 2024 is highlighted.

 

Steven M Smith InspirationalTech.org CEO since 2013.

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Trulieve is Florida’s and now National leader in vertical integration in Marijuana.

Trulieve, Florida’s largest medical marijuana operator, has made significant strides in the cannabis industry. Notably, they recently achieved a historic milestone by becoming the largest cannabis retailer in the United States. This achievement was made possible through their acquisition of Harvest Health & Recreation, a former competitor, in a deal worth $2.1 billion123. Trulieve’s success is attributed to its vertical integration approach. As a seed-to-sale company, Trulieve cultivates and produces all its cannabis products in-house. They distribute these products through their Trulieve-branded dispensaries across Florida and also offer direct home delivery to patients. Additionally, Trulieve operates in several other states, including California, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia1.

Marijuana dispensary Trulieve opens second Mass. locationTheir combined income with Harvest Health & Recreation in the second quarter of the year was an impressive $317.6 million. Trulieve’s strategic moves, such as securing $350 million in debt financing and Harvest’s recent $55 million licensing sale in Florida, have contributed to their financial strength. Trulieve reported $215 million in cash and cash alternatives, while Harvest brought in $71 million during the same period. Together, they achieved a combined revenue of $318 million, making Trulieve the top public reporting cannabis company in the country1. Trulieve’s CEO, Kim Rivers, expressed excitement about the acquisition, emphasizing the shared values and focus on core markets. This strategic move allows Trulieve to expand into growing markets nationwide, including the adult-use space in Arizona. Their goal is to create an iconic U.S. cannabis brand and provide best-in-class service to patients and customers across the nation1. Furthermore, Trulieve has actively contributed to efforts aimed at pot legalization in Florida. They recognize the challenges faced by small business owners due to hefty application fees and the state’s vertical integration model. By supporting legalization, Trulieve aims to foster a more accessible and inclusive cannabis industry in the state4. In summary, Trulieve’s commitment to vertical integration, strategic acquisitions, and dedication to serving patients and customers has solidified its position as a leader in the cannabis industry, both in Florida and nationally.  

Kim Rivers, the CEO of Trulieve , has been a driving force behind the company’s substantial growth and strategic direction, especially in the context of recent federal rescheduling discussions and the company’s operational optimizations.

Trulieve CEO Kim Rivers to Give Keynote Address at Benzinga Cannabis ...

With her expected appearance at the Benzinga Cannabis Capital Conference in April in Hollywood, Florida, let’s dive into her expertise and what attendees can expect from Rivers at the conference.

Advocating For Federal Cannabis Reform

Rivers has been vocal about the potential impact of federal cannabis rescheduling on the industry. She highlighted the significant tax burdens cannabis businesses face due to current federal classifications.

Rivers expressed optimism about the Health and Human Services Department’s recommendation to the Drug Enforcement Administration regarding cannabis rescheduling. This change could significantly alleviate operational challenges for companies such as Trulieve​​​​.

Operational Growth And Expansion

Under Rivers’ leadership, Trulieve expanded dramatically, growing from 10 employees in one state to a presence in 11 states with 9,000 employees. Last year, Trulieve made seven acquisitions, including a billion-dollar merger with Harvest Health & Recreation Inc. This growth strategy increased Trulieve’s market presence and its ability to serve a broader customer base​​.

Optimizing Operations And Financial Efficiency

Following Trulieve’s first quarter 2023 earnings report, Rivers discussed the company’s approach to optimizing its portfolio and efficiencies across its platform.

Despite declining revenue, Trulieve reported record results for the 4/20 period and demonstrated a commitment to financial efficiency by significantly reducing selling, general, and administrative expenses.

Rivers emphasized the importance of aligning operations across the combined assets of the company’s acquisitions and the strategic management of facilities to match market demand​​.

 

Addressing Overproduction, Market Demand

Rivers also noted Trulieve’s achievements in improving gross margins and managing inventory levels, even in the face of overproduction challenges.

The company’s new 750,000-square-foot facility in Florida produced higher yields and quality than anticipated, showcasing Trulieve’s operational capabilities and commitment to product excellence​​.

Speaking At Benzinga Cannabis Capital Conference

Rivers is slated to be a speaker at the upcoming Benzinga Cannabis Capital Conference in April, where she will likely share more insights into Trulieve’s strategies, market perspectives and vision for the future of the cannabis industry. Her participation underscores her role as a thought leader in the cannabis space, offering valuable perspectives on navigating the complexities of the rapidly evolving market.

The CBD Effect on Cannabis

While Cannabis is a very crucial part of the Marijuana movement, we must remember that CBD is a complex field with ongoing research, legal considerations, and exciting technological advancements.

Cannabidiol (CBD) is a non-intoxicating cannabinoid compound that has been studied for its potential therapeutic effects on various psychiatric disorders 1. A systematic review of neuroimaging studies investigating the acute impact of CBD on human brain function found that CBD induces significant alterations in brain activity and connectivity patterns during resting state and performance of cognitive tasks in both healthy volunteers and patients with a psychiatric disorder 1. The review also found that acute CBD enhanced fronto-striatal resting state connectivity in healthy volunteers, both compared to placebo and THC 1. Furthermore, CBD modulated brain activity and had opposite effects when compared to THC following task-specific patterns during various cognitive paradigms, such as emotional processing, verbal memory, response inhibition, and auditory/visual processing 1. In individuals at clinical high risk for psychosis and patients with established psychosis, acute CBD showed intermediate brain activity compared to placebo and healthy controls during cognitive task performance 1. CBD modulated resting limbic activity in subjects with anxiety and metabolite levels in patients with autism spectrum disorders 1. CBD is thought to have neuroprotective effects due to how it interacts with CB2 receptors in the brain. CBD acts on these receptors by creating an anti-inflammatory response in immune cells in the brain. This reduces the amount of damage caused by inflammation in the brain. Oxidation is one of the most common causes of brain tissue damage 2. Inspirational Technologies is likely to be adopting AI on social media to improve the efficiency of their content creation and marketing campaigns. AI-powered tools can help marketers generate new content ideas, optimize social media campaigns, and measure brand and trends across each social media channel 1. AI prompts for social media can help marketers overcome creative blocks and generate new post ideas 2. AI can also enable personalized recommendations, create more efficient customer service, and analyze data in real-time to help improve overall marketing campaign performance 3. AI tools have taken the world by storm over the last few months, and for good reason. Tasks that used to take hours are now finished in just a few minutes. The results AI tools can produce are blowing people away 2. However, it’s important to note that there are also plenty of examples where AI completely misses the mark. The difference between “omg that’s amazing 😱” and “omg… that’s not right 😐” is usually a well-crafted prompt 2. In conclusion, AI can be a powerful tool for social media marketing, but it’s important to use it wisely and with a human touch. AI can help marketers save time and improve efficiency, but it cannot replace human creativity and empathy 1. IF12278 (congress.gov)   Inspirational Technologies history 2018 farm bill hempsmart mcoa ceo cannabis reformation florida 2024 ballot on recreational marijuana #IntheWeedswithSteve

Be patient Florida, this too, shall pass! Steven M Smith InspirationalTech.org CEO since 2013.

Thank you for consideration.
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Continue reading Trulieve is Florida’s and now National leader in vertical integration in Marijuana.