Latest news with #ReeferMadness
Chicago Tribune
12-05-2025
- Business
- Chicago Tribune
Mundelein home to latest example of evolving cannabis industry; ‘If moms are using it, it's legitimate'
A few weeks ago, representatives of Terrabis stood before the Mundelein Village Board discussing their proposal to turn a former bank building into their newest cannabis shop location. The board members were deciding whether or not to give a thumbs-up to the company to move ahead with more planning. The company's co-founders had backgrounds in the corporate world of McDonald's and Insomnia Cookies, and their shop's design looked closer to a new fast-food restaurant than a drug store. As the trustees shared their views, two voiced their opposition, with one noting its proximity to a playground. When Trustee Kara Lambert spoke, she said that as a mother she has reservations about cannabis. But, with a shrug, Lambert said she didn't consider the proposed shop as much different from a bar, and gave it a thumbs up. The scene was an example of how different the cannabis industry and its perception have become since its legalization in states across the country, including Illinois in 2019. Today, executives with backgrounds in corporate America pitch sleek stores to local boards who, as Lambert and her fellow trustees showed, largely support such businesses moving forward, hesitations driven by motherly instincts notwithstanding. According to Richard Miller, an emeritus professor in the Department of Pharmacology at the Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, perceptions related to marijuana have changed repeatedly throughout history. Cannabis goes back beyond recorded history, he said, and had an 'enormous number' of medical benefits in ancient times. But, the public perception of cannabis in the U.S. would change drastically in the 20th century, becoming illegal in the late 1930s, he said. It was later taken up by the counterculture movement in the 1960s, along with psychedelics, and the administration of President Richard Nixon labeled it as a Schedule I drug in 1971, putting it in the same category as heroin and LSD. It was 'completely demonized,' Miller said, and made out to be 'absolutely dangerous,' potentially even fatal. He pointed to the film 'Reefer Madness,' a 1936 anti-marijuana movie that he said shows the level of paranoia around marijuana at the time. 'It's just completely bonkers,' he said. Miller and Ashlee Humphreys, a professor at Northwestern University who studies the legitimization process for industries, both noted that cannabis use was used to stigmatize marginalized communities, including people of color, immigrants and low-income individuals. But in the decades since, perceptions have shifted, Humphreys said. 'We've seen that change,' she said. 'The stigma with marijuana use is really just not as present as it was even 20 or 30 years ago.' The real turning point in the perception of cannabis can be credited, or blamed, on mothers, Humphreys said. 'I think when it went over to moms, that was the new test,' she said. 'If moms are using it, it's legitimate.' Since its legalization in Colorado, Humphreys said she's seen it grow from a 'niche industry' into a 'big business.' Today, there's a 'critical mass' of states that have legalized cannabis. In the early days, the industry was run by enthusiasts, young entrepreneurs and small businesses, she said. Now, as seen with the Mundelein proposal, the people getting involved come from the business world because there's good money to be made. Aleks Glass, director of product for Spark'd, which runs several cannabis shops throughout Illinois, said the industry has become a legitimate career option for some. It's seen steep growth in recent years, with a rise in dispensaries and the types of products being sold. He admitted it is a 'crowded spot' in some ways. Humphreys said that in Illinois, cannabis is generally accepted and well on its way to legitimacy, and both the consumers and the product types have expanded in recent years. Instead of smoking, there's been a rise in gummies, patches and other methods of ingestion. Groups who have never tried cannabis before are also giving it a go. 'It's really just a broadening of the market, where you have consumable products that are perhaps more appealing to a broader audience, and you have also a broader audience who's willing to try cannabis,' she said. The retail spaces have changed to match. 'Many of the retail stores where we did our research, they look like Apple stores,' Humphreys said. 'They're really modeled on just normal, legitimate businesses. You can see that not only in the product, but also in retailing.' One example in Lake County is the Spark'd cannabis shop in Winthrop Harbor. The interior is full of light, with colorful decorations and high-tech touch-screens for purchasing a range of products. A decorated patio area offers board games and a place to relax. It sits only a few minutes from the Wisconsin state border, and store manager Jennifer Cruz said she sees the difference between Illinois and Wisconsin buyers. 'They're always so nervous,' she noted. But today's cannabis businesses are a far cry from 'hitting up a guy you meet in an alleyway,' Cruz said, laughing. 'You know exactly what it is you're getting, and it's such a nice, easy experience.' Cruz sees the 'broader audience' Humphreys talked about every day, including some of her former grade school teachers, grandparents and even police officers. 'People have that idea of what the typical stoner is, but truthfully that doesn't exist,' Cruz said. 'It's really fun to see all these different people come in and interact, that you wouldn't think would normally have interactions with each other.' Cannabis branding today is far friendlier, associating with wellness and mindfulness, Humphreys said. But she cautioned that some of the branding can be a little too friendly, such as with marijuana candies that could confuse young children. 'It's growing, and that's a good thing for the industry … but I think people in the industry should also be cautious about exactly how they're growing and trying to see ahead in terms of obstacles,' she said. Glass also shared some concerns about the industry at large. He feels there is a lack of regulation for some products being sold at gas stations and grocery stores. 'I think more consistent education the industry can provide to the consumers is the next step for creating a more equitable industry for both employees and consumers,' he said. The shift could open up real medical breakthroughs in any number of areas. Miller pointed to a 2017 report from the National Academy of Sciences that discusses the wide-ranging claims about the effects of different chemicals from cannabis. He cautioned that there is plenty of false information also circulating, but noted several generally accepted claims, such as its potential to inhibit emesis sickness in cancer patients and help some patients with pain. Various chemicals come from cannabis, with the most commonly discussed being THC. It's only 'the tip of the iceberg,' Miller argued, of 'a whole world of cannabis molecules.' But any in-depth research into the medical aspects of cannabis is complicated by the fact that it's still illegal at the federal level, cutting off grant funding, he said. 'Most are in a kind of gray area,' Miller said. 'It's difficult because it's been hard to do clinical trials with cannabis, which are considered to be the gold standard of what the medical profession accepts.' That gray area means doctors aren't getting training related to cannabis in school, despite the potential benefits it could provide to some patients. 'Most people go to their doctor … and say, 'Should I take some cannabis?'' Miller said. 'The doctor has no freaking idea what to tell them, because they don't know anything about it. The normal medical profession, like the doctors you go and see every day, has very little idea what to make of cannabis at all.' There are risks to consider, Miller said. People can react to drugs differently, including marijuana. And much like with drinking, driving while intoxicated is dangerous. Miller also recounted stories of people he's known who had bad trips. 'They didn't die or anything like that, but there are dangers,' he said. 'And if you decide you're going to sit in your dungeon and do nothing but smoke 24 hours a day, there's probably some dependency that can occur.' For now, it's still an arena full of both misleading information and untapped potential, but Miller predicted cannabis will one day be 'a much wider aspect of medicine,' and he expects the larger pharmaceutical companies to step in at some point.
Yahoo
12-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Emerging Markets Report: A Milestone for Mycelium
Underreported D.E.A. Letter and Policy Position Could be a Game Changer for Mushroom Enthusiasts An Emerging Markets Sponsored Commentary ORLANDO, Fla., May 12, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- At the Emerging Market Report we are comprised of a team of veteran journalists, authors, former stock brokers, financial professionals, and unabashed opportunists who all come together to publish these tidy missives on our client profiles. We are constantly searching for impactful news that could be gamechangers for the Companies we cover. And we sure missed a big did just about everybody else. That big piece could be a major catalyst for Hypha Labs (OTCQB: FUNI) which makes the first at-home and commercial patent-pending mushroom ingredient maker of its kind. The elevator pitch is that Hypha Labs is to mushrooms as the clever Keurig was, is, to coffee. Massive potential disruptor in a massive market. Hypha's story is already a game changer as it is going to allow the soccer mom at home to make her preferred mushroom ingredient in a simple eight-day cycle. Pop in a cartridge, scan the bar code, wait eight days and enjoy the magic of the privacy, no more growing 'shrooms in animal feces. But the mushroom industry is a decade or more behind the Emancipation of Cannabis. That cannabis revolution has almost completely come already with weed available most everywhere and a reasonable expectation that the government will change the arcane way it is classified/scheduled at the federal cannabis movement started simply enough; some vocal folk argued the medicinal benefits AND the economic benefits to states that would listen and states started to go green. Once a few states implemented pro-Cannabis legislation they provided good working test market examples for other states to see that there wasn't a new filming of Reefer Madness on the streets and there were indeed many a cannabis driven dollar going into the state coffers that could be used for things like better schools and roads. I've buried the lead here but then again, it's been buried for a long, long time. Don't kill the the buried bombshell: The Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) appears to have taken a firm position that mycelium is ok to ship across state lines, although there are three states which currently don't allow mycelium to be shipped across state lines. Mycelium is the inactive root-like structure which later becomes a mushroom when it begins to fruit, which is what happens when it is fed nutrients. That's pretty good news if you're a company like Hypha Labs that will ship mycelium across eligible state lines once the retail roll-out of the Micropearls machine goes live. As described, Hypha sends you mycelium and based on your desires and a little A.I. you set your eight day harvest to whatever mushroom crop you're feelin'. Here are two sources for the D.E.A.'s position, which of course, come from cannabis sources who know what this means for the mushroom. One has an actual letter from the D.E.A. to the inquiring attorney way down at the bottom of the page. Read on either headline to read the coverage:DEA CONFIRMS PSYCHEDELIC MUSHROOM SPORES ARE LEGAL DEA Confirms That Psychedelic Mushroom Spores Are Federally Legal Prior To Germination (DEA letter at the bottom.) What is absolutely bizarre is we can find ZERO national news coverage other than these industry blogs. And we are good at means you are among the very few who knows about the milestone moment for mycelium and mushrooms and what an absolute gamechanger it is for Hypha Labs and their magical Micropearls. As this article was being prepared for release, breaking news from New Mexico warrants mention. The state's governor has signed a bill allowing for psilocybin use in the state. As indicated in this release from Hypha, this is a massive step forward to acceptance and a rapidly expanding market for Hypha Lab's revolutionary Micro Pearls device. More on Hypha here. We intend to cover Hypha Labs for the next couple months at minimum and to closely track their development and execution of their business model. If you see what we see, we suggest you add the ticker 'FUNI' to your watchlist and take a moment to review the Company's Investor Presentation at the following link: About The Emerging Markets Report:The Emerging Markets Report is owned and operated by Emerging Markets Consulting (EMC), a syndicate of investor relations consultants representing years of experience. Our network consists of stockbrokers, investment bankers, fund managers, and institutions that actively seek opportunities in the micro and small-cap equity markets. For more informative reports such as this, please sign up at Must Read OTC Markets/SEC policy on stock promotion and investor protection Section 17(b) of the Securities Act of 1933 requires that any person that uses the mails to publish, give publicity to, or circulate any publication or communication that describes a security in return for consideration received or to be received directly or indirectly from an issuer, underwriter, or dealer, must fully disclose the type of consideration (i.e. cash, free trading stock, restricted stock, stock options, stock warrants) and the specific amount of the consideration. In connection therewith, EMC has received the following compensation and/or has an agreement to receive in the future certain compensation, as described below. We may purchase Securities of the Profiled Company prior to their securities becoming publicly traded, which we may later sell publicly before, during or after our dissemination of the Information, and make profits therefrom. EMC does not verify or endorse any medical claims for any of its client companies. The Company's external Investor Relations firm, Integrity Media Inc, has contributed significantly to this report and holds or is owed six-million shares through a current or previous service agreement. EMC has been paid $50,000 by Hypha Labs on its own behalf for various marketing services including this report. EMC does not independently verify any of the content linked to this editorial. Please see our full disclaimer. For media inquiries, please contact Maggie Caraway at maggie@ in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Associated Press
12-05-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
Emerging Markets Report: A Milestone for Mycelium
Underreported D.E.A. Letter and Policy Position Could be a Game Changer for Mushroom Enthusiasts An Emerging Markets Sponsored Commentary ORLANDO, Fla., May 12, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- At the Emerging Market Report we are comprised of a team of veteran journalists, authors, former stock brokers, financial professionals, and unabashed opportunists who all come together to publish these tidy missives on our client profiles. We are constantly searching for impactful news that could be gamechangers for the Companies we cover. And we sure missed a big piece. So did just about everybody else. That big piece could be a major catalyst for Hypha Labs (OTCQB: FUNI) which makes the first at-home and commercial patent-pending mushroom ingredient maker of its kind. The elevator pitch is that Hypha Labs is to mushrooms as the clever Keurig was, is, to coffee. Massive potential disruptor in a massive market. Hypha's story is already a game changer as it is going to allow the soccer mom at home to make her preferred mushroom ingredient in a simple eight-day cycle. Pop in a cartridge, scan the bar code, wait eight days and enjoy the magic of the mushroom. Total privacy, no more growing 'shrooms in animal feces. But the mushroom industry is a decade or more behind the Emancipation of Cannabis. That cannabis revolution has almost completely come already with weed available most everywhere and a reasonable expectation that the government will change the arcane way it is classified/scheduled at the federal level. The cannabis movement started simply enough; some vocal folk argued the medicinal benefits AND the economic benefits to states that would listen and states started to go green. Once a few states implemented pro-Cannabis legislation they provided good working test market examples for other states to see that there wasn't a new filming of Reefer Madness on the streets and there were indeed many a cannabis driven dollar going into the state coffers that could be used for things like better schools and roads. I've buried the lead here but then again, it's been buried for a long, long time. Don't kill the messenger. Here's the buried bombshell: The Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) appears to have taken a firm position that mycelium is ok to ship across state lines, although there are three states which currently don't allow mycelium to be shipped across state lines. Mycelium is the inactive root-like structure which later becomes a mushroom when it begins to fruit, which is what happens when it is fed nutrients. That's pretty good news if you're a company like Hypha Labs that will ship mycelium across eligible state lines once the retail roll-out of the Micropearls machine goes live. As described, Hypha sends you mycelium and based on your desires and a little A.I. you set your eight day harvest to whatever mushroom crop you're feelin'. Here are two sources for the D.E.A.'s position, which of course, come from cannabis sources who know what this means for the mushroom. One has an actual letter from the D.E.A. to the inquiring attorney way down at the bottom of the page. Read that. Click on either headline to read the coverage: DEA CONFIRMS PSYCHEDELIC MUSHROOM SPORES ARE LEGAL DEA Confirms That Psychedelic Mushroom Spores Are Federally Legal Prior To Germination (DEA letter at the bottom.) What is absolutely bizarre is we can find ZERO national news coverage other than these industry blogs. And we are good at Googling. This means you are among the very few who knows about the milestone moment for mycelium and mushrooms and what an absolute gamechanger it is for Hypha Labs and their magical Micropearls. Editor's Note:As this article was being prepared for release, breaking news from New Mexico warrants mention. The state's governor has signed a bill allowing for psilocybin use in the state. As indicatedin this release from Hypha, this is a massive step forward to acceptance and a rapidly expanding market for Hypha Lab's revolutionary Micro Pearls device. More on Hypha here. We intend to cover Hypha Labs for the next couple months at minimum and to closely track their development and execution of their business model. If you see what we see, we suggest you add the ticker 'FUNI' to your watchlist and take a moment to review the Company's Investor Presentation at the following link: About The Emerging Markets Report: The Emerging Markets Report is owned and operated by Emerging Markets Consulting (EMC), a syndicate of investor relations consultants representing years of experience. Our network consists of stockbrokers, investment bankers, fund managers, and institutions that actively seek opportunities in the micro and small-cap equity markets. For more informative reports such as this, please sign up at Must Read OTC Markets/SEC policy on stock promotion and investor protection Section 17(b) of the Securities Act of 1933 requires that any person that uses the mails to publish, give publicity to, or circulate any publication or communication that describes a security in return for consideration received or to be received directly or indirectly from an issuer, underwriter, or dealer, must fully disclose the type of consideration (i.e. cash, free trading stock, restricted stock, stock options, stock warrants) and the specific amount of the consideration. In connection therewith, EMC has received the following compensation and/or has an agreement to receive in the future certain compensation, as described below. We may purchase Securities of the Profiled Company prior to their securities becoming publicly traded, which we may later sell publicly before, during or after our dissemination of the Information, and make profits therefrom. EMC does not verify or endorse any medical claims for any of its client companies. The Company's external Investor Relations firm, Integrity Media Inc, has contributed significantly to this report and holds or is owed six-million shares through a current or previous service agreement. EMC has been paid $50,000 by Hypha Labs on its own behalf for various marketing services including this report. EMC does not independently verify any of the content linked to this editorial. Please see our full disclaimer. For media inquiries, please contact Maggie Caraway at [email protected]
Yahoo
04-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
ISU honors century of theater productions
TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV)—Indiana State University is celebrating 100 years of theater productions with a special event on April 12. The event will feature a luncheon for alumni, students, and friends of the department, as well as tours of Dreiser and Seventh Street Theaters. During the evening, those who attend the event will be treated to a pre-show toast ahead of a performance of 'Reefer Madness'. The performance is a musical based on the original 1936 film of the same name. This comedy takes a tongue-in-cheek look at the hysteria caused when straight and narrow kids fall prey to marijuana. The show is said to include musical numbers inspired by Vegas-style ensembles and Broadway-style showstoppers. Indiana State University President, Dr. Mike Godard, stated, 'For a century, Indiana State University's Theater productions have become a pillar of the greater Terre Haute community, and a hub dedicated to first-class performances and enriched storytelling. I want to extend my gratitude and congratulations to the dedicated students, staff, and faculty who have helped shape the theatre into what it is today, and I look forward to the next century of success.' The theater on campus was founded in 1925 and originally started as a club named The Sycamore Players. In the 1930s, The Sycamore Playhouse was constructed in the basement of the Administrative Building, and the stage in the Physical Education Building was fitted with new equipment. In 1935, the Delta chapter of Theta Alpha Phi came to campus; they were a drama fraternity that grew and sponsored events like the Sycamore and Campus Revue. In 1950, the new Sycamore Playhouse was built with a larger capacity and better amenities, leading to the Indiana State Theater Division of the Department of Speech becoming more involved with the Terre Haute Children's Theatre in the 1960s. The New Theater, built next to the Cunningham Memorial Library, opened in 1980. Throughout the decade, Theta Alpha Psi would host Theaterfest, where students could perform each year. In April 1990, the University Theater received an award from the American College Theater Festival, held by The Kennedy Center, for 'Downwinder Dance'. In 2023, Dreiser Hall, the home of the Department of Theater, was rededicated after the $18 million state-funded renovation. Dr. Chris Berchild, Chair of the Department of Theater, added, 'Theater at Indiana State University has transformed from a small student club into a thriving program that continues to inspire and entertain. This celebration is not just about the past, but about the future—embracing new talent, new stories, and new experiences. We invite our alumni and the community to join us in honoring this incredible journey.' Registration for the celebration lunch and pre-show toast closes Friday and sign up at this link. 'Reefer Madness' will run from April 10-13 from 7:30 p.m. with an additional matinee performance at 1:30 p.m. on April 13. The event is open to alumni, current students, and community members. Tickets to the show can be purchased here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
25-03-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
This Habit May Make You Six Times More Likely to Have a Heart Attack
Listen, by now you know the habits crucial for good heart health: A diet low in sodium and saturated and trans fats and that's largely plant-based (like the Mediterranean diet!); keeping your blood pressure in check; getting regular exercise and managing stress the best that you can in this very darkest of timelines. That said, there are some habits that may seem harmless on the surface that can actually raise your risk of a heart attack—and a new study reveals that one habit in particular that many people use to unwind can raise the risk of a heart attack by six times, especially in younger people. What is it and how can you stay safe? 🩺 SIGN UP for tips to stay healthy & fit with the top moves, clean eats, health trends & more delivered right to your inbox twice a week 💊 Sorry if this evokes flashbacks to Reefer Madness, but a new, large-scale study reveals that regular marijuana users under age 50 are more than six times more likely to have a heart attack than non-users in the same age range. Researchers conducted two large-scale studies, including a meta-analysis of more than 75 million people and a retroactive study of 4.6 million individuals over the course of three years. Most participants in the meta-analysis were younger than 50 (though some individual studies didn't provide participants' ages) and otherwise healthy: They didn't have any issues with their blood pressure, LDL ("bad") cholesterol, tobacco use, diabetes or prior heart disease history at the time of the study. Their findings? Cannabis users presented more than six times higher risk of heart attacks, and that's not all: The study also found that marijuana users were also four times more likely to suffer an ischemic stroke, twice as likely to have heart failure and three times more likely to die from a heart attack, stroke or other cardiovascular event. Active cannabis users (as in, people using marijuana currently, not former users) were more than 150% more likely to have a heart attack than non-current users. Related: Here's where it gets tricky: Scientists aren't actually sure exactly how cannabis or its components impact the cardiovascular system. The current belief is that marijuana may cause arrhythmia, increase the need for oxygen in the heart muscle and cause endothelial dysfunction (meaning it makes the inner lining of the blood vessels not work properly), leading to disrupted blood flow. Some findings in the study showed marijuana had the highest correlation with heart attacks within one hour after use. That said, those are just hypotheses so far, as more research needs to be done to find out exactly what's happening. What's more, researchers admitted that this study has some limitations. "We should have some caution in interpreting the findings in that cannabis consumption is usually associated with other substances such as cocaine or other illicit drugs that are not accounted for," lead research author , said in a statement. Related: Listen, would it hurt to quit using out of an abundance of caution? Probably not. But if nothing else, talk to your doctor about your marijuana use honestly, because they'll know what's best for you and your individual situation—and in case of an emergency at some point, you'll absolutely want to be forthcoming to avoid potential complications or weird drug interactions. Dr. Kamel notes, "Asking about cannabis use should be part of clinicians' workup to understand patients' overall cardiovascular risk, similar to asking about smoking cigarettes. Patients should be forthcoming with their doctors and remember that we are their No. 1 advocate and having the full story matters." He added, "At a policy level, a fair warning should be made so that the people who are consuming cannabis know that there are risks." Up Next:"Myocardial Infarction and Cardiovascular Risks Associated with Cannabis Use: A Multicenter Retrospective Study." JACC Advances.
