National

From the Office of Senator Welch:

Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.) joins Rep. Becca Balint (D-VT-AL), Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and other members of Congress at a press conference calling for Mohsen Mahdawi’s immediate release. Mahdawi, a Vermont permanent resident for the last ten years, was abruptly arrested earlier this month by masked, hooded ICE agents without being charged with a crime. Members of Congress will call for his release ahead of his next hearing the following day, where arguments will be heard for his release.

In attendance:

• Rep. Becca Balint (VT-AL)
• Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.)
• Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.)
• Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.)
• Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-WA-07)
• Rep. Nydia Velázquez (D-NY-07)
• Rep. Maxwell Frost (D-FL-10)
• Rep. Ayanna Pressley (D-MA-07)
• Rep. Maxine Dexter (D-OR-03)
• Rep. Veronica Escobar (D-TX-16) and more! 

Catherine Antley, MD, invited speaker, gives a lecture at the Stanford REACH Lab’s 6th Annual Teaching Cannabis (and other drugs!) Awareness & Prevention Virtual Conference.

From the organizers:

Please join us for the 6th Annual Teaching Cannabis (and other drugs!*) Awareness & Prevention Virtual Conference: *Tobacco/Nicotine, Fentanyl/Opioids, Alcohol, Hallucinogens, and other substances! to learn about the latest research on cannabis, tobacco/nicotine, fentanyl/opioids, alcohol, hallucinogens, and other substances, state and federal policies affecting youth, and available lessons for teaching substance education and prevention to middle and high school-aged youth. The program is targeted towards pediatricians, primary care providers and the entire healthcare team along with those who work and interact with adolescents including educators, community-based organizations, school administrators, parents, and school resource officers. Throughout this 2-day conference, attendees will learn about: (1) lessons to teach middle and high school-aged youth about cannabis, tobacco/nicotine, fentanyl/opioids, alcohol, hallucinogens, and other substances; (2) the latest research on cannabis and youth including the effects on the brain, heart, and lungs; and (3) early interventions for youth using cannabis and other substances.

"Does Cannabis Cause Psychosis?" includes updates on articles which have been published in the last year. This workshop updates the newest evidence of whether cannabis is a component cause of psychosis. It draws on the Bradford Hill Criteria as it was employed with tobacco and lung cancer. In addition the presentation includes a description of psychosis for those lacking first hand experience with the experience or diagnosis. There is also a review of the implications of the event for the individual and for those surrounding the person. We review mounting documentation of increasing health impacts with varying THC concentrations, changing perception of harm and availability. We also consider new developments in criminal justice implications, the role addiction may play in the development of psychosis, impacts on the
family and community and an estimate based on published peer review literature of the cost to society of cannabis induced psychosis. We also review of proven public health interventions which have been shown to decrease individual and community impacts.

For more information visit: https://stanford.cloud-cme.com/course/courseoverview?P=5&EID=51766

From the organizers:

Donald Trump and Elon Musk think this country belongs to them. We are fighting back!

They're taking everything they can get their hands on—our health care, our data, our jobs, our services—and daring the world to stop them. This is a crisis, and the time to act is now.

On Saturday, April 5th, we're taking to the streets to fight back with a clear message: Hands off!

This mass mobilization day is our message to the world that we do not consent to the destruction of our government and our economy for the benefit of Trump and his billionaire allies. Alongside Americans across the country, we are marching, rallying, and protesting to demand a stop the chaos and build an opposition movement against the looting of our country.

A core principle behind all Hands Off! events is a commitment to nonviolent action. We expect all participants to seek to de-escalate any potential confrontation with those who disagree with our values.

Check out handsoff2025.com for more information.