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Musings From Abroad

US President, Joe Biden, makes bold marijuana policy, pardons all offences, others

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The United States President, Joe Biden has made a revolutionary policy on the use of Marijuana in what he regarded as ” steps to end our failed approach”

President Biden in a series of Tweets on Friday said his position remains that no one should be in jail just for using or possessing marijuana. He then announced what would be the official policy of the US in the use of the plant which is widely reckoned as hard drug across the world.

“First: I’m pardoning all prior federal offenses of simple marijuana possession. There are thousands of people who were previously convicted of simple possession who may be denied employment, housing, or educational opportunities as a result. My pardon will remove this burden.” Biden tweeted.

“Second: I’m calling on governors to pardon simple state marijuana possession offenses. Just as no one should be in federal prison solely for possessing marijuana, no one should be in a local jail or state prison for that reason, either.”

“Third: We classify marijuana at the same level as heroin – and more serious than fentanyl. It makes no sense. I’m asking Secretary Xavier Becerra (@SecBecerra) and the Attorney General to initiate the process of reviewing how marijuana is scheduled under federal law.”

President Biden reiterated that “as federal and state regulations change, we still need important limitations on trafficking, marketing, and underage sales of marijuana.”

Marijuana is part of or products from the plant Cannabis sativa that contain substantial amounts of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC).

The cultivation of cannabis is gradually becoming legal in countries across the world as recent research has shown the medical relevance of “the weed. Earlier this week in North Africa, Morocco granted permits to ten firms for the legal use of cannabis in industry, medicine, and export.

Until President Biden’s declaration this morning, the use and possession of cannabis are illegal under federal law for any purpose by way of the Controlled Substances Act of 1970 (CSA) but the medical use is legal with a doctor’s recommendation in 37 states.

 

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Musings From Abroad

Swiss company Mercuria partners Zambia’s IDC in new metals trading firm

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According to a statement released by Swiss commodities trader, Mercuria, on Thursday, it has established a metals trading arm with Zambia, the second-largest producer of copper in Africa.

The trading unit is jointly owned by Mercuria and an arm of Zambia’s Industrial Development Company (IDC), and its purpose is to allow Zambia to engage directly in the minerals trading market.

The joint venture “envisages the establishment of a vehicle to market and trade Zambian copper by mutual leverage,” according to a statement from Cornwell Muleya, the CEO of IDC.

The southern African nation wants to increase copper output to roughly 3 million metric tonnes within the next ten years, and in 2023, it produced roughly 698,000 tonnes of copper, down from 763,000 metric tonnes the year before.

In June, the Zambian government announced that it would establish a minerals trading unit.

Investors including First Quantum Minerals and Barrick Gold are ramping up production, with output set to receive a further boost once Vedanta Resources’ Konkola Copper Mines restart activity.

“Our joint venture with IDC marks a significant milestone for Zambia as it positions itself more strategically in the global minerals market,” Kostas Bintas, Mercuria’s global head of metals and minerals, said in the statement.

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Musings From Abroad

Blinken to reveal UN Sudan funding additions

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Additional financing for humanitarian aid to Sudan and initiatives to strengthen civil society in the nation, where a conflict has killed tens of thousands of people and displaced millions, will be announced by U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken at the United Nations on Thursday.

Blinken will make many announcements when he leads a UN Security Council meeting on Sudan on Thursday, which will centre on humanitarian aid and civilian protection, Deputy U.S. Representative to the UN Ned Price told reporters on Wednesday.

According to Price, the announcements would include more money for humanitarian help, initiatives to strengthen civil society, and the return of democracy.

“Sudan, unfortunately, has risked becoming a forgotten conflict,” Price said.

“So part of the reason the secretary … opted to convene a signature event on this very topic is to make sure it remains in the spotlight,” Price said.

For almost 18 months, the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces and Sudan’s army have been engaged in combat, resulting in a severe humanitarian crisis that has forced over 12 million people from their homes and made it difficult for U.N. organisations to provide aid.

A power struggle between the RSF and the Sudanese Armed Forces preceded a planned shift to civilian administration, which sparked the conflict in April 2023.

Although the army declined to join this year’s U.S.-mediated peace negotiations in Geneva, the warring parties did pledge to increase assistance access, which prevented any movement towards a ceasefire.

Price stated that before President Joe Biden’s term ends next month, the United States would keep collaborating with allies to enhance humanitarian access in Sudan and eventually end hostilities.

“We are going to leave nothing on the field in our efforts to work with allies, with partners, with the Sudanese stakeholders themselves, on the issues that matter most – humanitarian access, the provision of humanitarian assistance, ultimately, the process by which we can work to get to a cessation of hostilities, which is most urgently needed,” he said.

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