The Moroccan press is in full turmoil around potential international drug trafficking involving around twenty people, including police officers, civil servants, business leaders, a notary and a tourist promoter.

The two central figures are notably Saïd Naciri, owner and financier of Wydad Casablanca, the largest football club in Morocco, and Abdenbi Bioui, leading entrepreneur in the field of construction and real estate. Both are members of the Party of Authenticity and Modernity (PAM), a party closely linked to politics and business in Morocco, and also in favor of legalizing cannabis in the kingdom.

The charges against these people range from international drug trafficking to the creation of a criminal gang, including money laundering, spoliation and falsification of official documents. The case stems from revelations by a drug trafficker known as “the Malian” or “the Pablo Escobar of the Sahara”, who is currently serving a prison sentence, and who implicated Naciri and Bioui in large-scale cannabis trafficking from 2010.

The trafficker claims that his alleged accomplices seized his property in Morocco during his incarceration in 2015, including properties in Casablanca. His second arrest in 2019, linked to a shipment of 40 tonnes of cannabis, helped to elucidate the case. Naciri and Bioui were subsequently arrested and have been in detention since December 22.

Despite the serious allegations, Naciri's lawyer denies any connection to international drug trafficking or money laundering, saying Naciri only provided personal assistance to an acquaintance. Naciri and Bioui, both members of the PAM, voluntarily suspended their membership in the party, and the PAM stressed that the party offered no protection from the law.

This case adds to a growing trend of investigations and convictions against elected representatives in Morocco, with at least six members currently in prison of the 395 members of the House of Representatives. The situation is seen as emblematic of a broader problem where political parties prioritize obtaining votes from notables, leading to questionable practices. The legal proceedings against Naciri and Bioui are expected to continue with the first interrogation session scheduled for January 25, which promises an important political and legal saga in 2024.

Snoop Dogg is preparing for a new adventure. The American television channel NBC recently announced that Snoop Dogg would be the channel's special correspondent for the Paris 2024 Summer Olympics and that he would bring his particular touch to the sports coverage of the competition.

In an official statement, Snoop expressed his excitement for the upcoming Paris Olympics: “I grew up watching the Olympics and am excited to see these incredible athletes perform at their best in Paris. »

The multi-talented artist and businessman views the event as a celebration of skill, dedication and the pursuit of greatness. Beyond commentating on the competitions, Snoop Dogg wants to explore the iconic sites of the City of Lights and interact with the competing athletes, their friends and family.

Snoop Dogg has already given his fans a glimpse of what they can expect from his Olympics coverage. In an announcement on New Year's Eve, he shared a short clip featuring interviews with Team USA athletes, including skateboarder Jagger Eaton, gymnast Suni Lee, basketball player A'ja Wilson and beach volleyball duo Kelly Cheng and Sara Hughes.

Yup, it's official. 2024 Paris Olympics I'm there!! @miketirico save a seat for the Dogg ???????????????????????? pic.twitter.com/atXnKu9HJj

— Snoop Dogg (@SnoopDogg) January 1, 2024

Snoop's foray into Olympic coverage began during the Tokyo 2021 Games, where he teamed up with comedian Kevin Hart to provide a unique and humorous take on different sports, including Olympic events. horse riding. His commentaries broadcast on NBC's Peacock network attracted attention for their unconventional approach, with descriptions of sports that the duo didn't necessarily understand.

In the same style, another of his specialties is the dubbing of animal documentaries on Jimmy Kimmel's show.

The Ukrainian Parliament has voted in favor of legalizing medical cannabis.

The bill, proposed by Prime Minister Denys Smyhal, awaits official approval from President Zelensky and is expected to come into force in six months. The decision comes after a period of debate and is driven in part by the ongoing war with Russia.

❕@GolosZmin party was the first in the @verkhovna_rada to insist on the importance of legalizing medical cannabis in Ukraine. Today it's done ✅ Keep working! pic.twitter.com/ahKDHsGN6R

— Kira Rudik (@kiraincongress) December 21, 2023

Ukraine's unicameral parliament, the Verkhovna Rada, passed the bill by an overwhelming majority of 248 votes to 16, despite opposition and numerous “spam” amendments filed. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy must now sign the bill for it to take effect, and lawmakers estimate patients will be able to start receiving prescriptions in the second half of 2024.

Mr. Zelenskyy gave his support for legalization in a speech to the nation on June 28.

“All the best practices in the world, all the most effective policies, all solutions, even if they seem difficult or unusual to us, must be applied in Ukraine so that Ukrainians, all our citizens, do not have to endure pain , the stress and trauma of war,” Mr. Zelenskyy said.

Bill 7457 authorizes the cultivation of medical cannabis, the manufacture of processed products and medicines derived therefrom and the prescription of medical cannabis by Ukrainian doctors. Patients with a cannabis prescription will also be allowed to enter or leave Ukraine with small quantities of the medication. The Ministry of Health will determine the specific conditions and medications permitted under the new law.

The Fuga Group, a Canadian cannabis company, acquires the French brand Équilibre. In an industry where collaboration and innovation are the keys to success, the union of the two brands illustrates this spirit

A story of passion and cannabis

Initiated during a trade mission to Quebec in May 2022, the alliance between FUGA and Équilibre emerged as a strategic response to the dynamic nature of the CBD market. Québec International and Cosmetic Valley played a central role in bringing these two complementary brands together, fostering an environment where mutual growth and expansion could flourish.

Equilibre, navigating the French CBD landscape, recognized the opportunity to accelerate its journey by aligning with FUGA to navigate the market for CBD products in France and beyond.

FUGA, which has already established its presence in Germany under the Avaay brand, sees this partnership as a gateway to a second European market. The goal is ambitious but clear: to propel their expansion onto the international stage and emerge as a leading force in the cultivation of premium hemp and cannabis products. This mission is built on the pillars of sustainable and responsible organic production, where knowledge, science, education and credibility converge to shape a new era in the legal cannabis sector.

Behind this alliance lie the personal stories of Philippe Laperrière and Léa Ruellan, the driving forces behind FUGA and Équilibre, respectively. Philippe's journey began after a mountain biking accident in 2018, where cannabis became his ally in recovering from severe head trauma and concussion. FUGA was born with the mission of defending the therapeutic potential of the plant, by integrating societal and environmental aspects into its cultivation practices.

Léa, for her part, discovered the benefits of CBD while she was looking to relieve her premenstrual dysphoric disorder. Her personal experience pushed her to explore the untapped potential of cannabis, which led to the creation of Équilibre. The union of these two visionaries demonstrates a commitment to innovation and creativity in the extremely competitive cannabis industry.

CBD Equilibre products sold at the SQDC

Philippe Laperrière highlights the importance of innovation and creativity in the competitive cannabis sector, saying: “This is exactly what FUGA and Équilibre are doing, and through our union we are sure to achieve new summits”. The group plans to become one of the most influential players by offering diversified, high-quality products to an increasingly demanding clientele.

Équilibre, which is now part of the Fuga Group, reaches an important milestone by becoming the first French brand distributed in Quebec. It now offers, via the Société Québécoise Du Cannabis (SQDC), CBD flowers comprising up to 21% CBD and less than 1% THC as well as a 1 gr pre-roll of 100% CBD flowers.

The government of New Caledonia recently authorized the import, cultivation, processing and export of industrial hemp.

This decision, which follows an 18-month trial period, marks an important step in the search for sustainable practices in the region. The New Caledonia Hemp Union, which has been advocating for this opportunity since 2022, aims to explore the potential applications of hemp, particularly in the construction sector.

As reported by La 1ère, the experimental initiative focuses on the production of lightweight concrete, incorporating hemp with slag from the nickel industry. The president of the New Caledonia hemp union, Frédéric Gérard, explains that four varieties of seeds have been recommended by France, Europe's leading hemp producer. These seeds will be subjected to rigorous tests by technicians from the New Caledonia Development Agency to ensure their compatibility with the climatic and soil conditions of the region.

The government of New Caledonia hopes to exploit the full versatility of hemp. All parts of the hemp plant, including seeds, straw, fibers and dust, can be used in various sectors, such as cosmetics, food production, textiles and construction. The potential even extends to industries such as plastics and fertilizers.

Frédéric Gérard insists on the economic and environmental logic underlying this initiative. The increase in freight costs and the upcoming implementation of a carbon footprint in construction by 2030 in France, and 2050 in Polynesia and New Caledonia, are all reasons to develop local hemp production. Frédéric Gérard suggests that New Caledonia has the opportunity to play a leadership role in this change, by aligning with global trends towards sustainable and environmentally friendly alternatives.

To ensure the success of this pioneering project, the New Caledonia hemp union is actively engaging with potential economic partners. The information meetings planned for next January will bring together farmers and manufacturers to discuss the various aspects of hemp cultivation, its processing and its applications in different industries.

Although the main focus is on industrial use, the hemp union is also working to obtain an exemption for the use of hemp for medical purposes. Despite a recent refusal from the government, Frédéric Gérard remains optimistic, citing the wide application and well-known virtues of Cannabis. The union plans to continue its efforts with a scientific approach, aiming to address all concerns and misconceptions surrounding the medical use of hemp.

The Canadian province of Alberta has announced plans to implement a series of changes to its retail cannabis regulations, including allowing cannabis retailers to operate temporary sales outlets at trade shows and festivals.

The new changes, set to come into effect on January 31, 2024, have been welcomed across the industry, with Canadian cannabis producer Organigram saying it was a “significant step forward in reducing bureaucracy and increasing operational efficiency.

Additionally, retailers can now store cannabis products in locked display cases, eliminating the need to transfer them to secure storage on a daily basis.

The revisions aim to reduce unnecessary regulations, support the legal cannabis industry and promote job preservation.

Other recent changes to Alberta's cannabis rules include more flexibility in store names, simplified age verification for online cannabis websites, reduced fees for licensed producers and retailers, removing window covering requirements, and allowing the distribution of samples at cannabis events.

L'Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis (AGLC) will also provide producers with regional sales reports, which will promote transparency in the cannabis market.

This is the latest development from the state, which removed the window covering requirement for cannabis retailers in 2022, while allowing retailers to hand out samples at events and significantly reducing cannabis retail fees. UGS registration for cannabis producers.

Hill Beverage and co-founder Snoop Dogg have launched Do It Fluid, an innovative line of cannabis-infused beverages.

These drinks are positioned as a healthier, smoke-free alternative to traditional alcohol and tobacco options, with natural ingredients and a blend of THC and CBD.

“As I take the next step in my evolution, Hill Beverage’s vision for cannabis beverages was the perfect transition,” Snoop said in a note sent to El Planteo. “What we've created is an all-natural, delicious alternative that doesn't sacrifice the high, while still giving fans the perfect option for day or night. »

Revolutionizing Cannabis Consumption with Snoop Dogg's Infused Beverages

The product line, a collaboration between Snoop Dogg's Death Row Records and Hill Beverage, aims to redefine cannabis consumption. It offers a new experience with four distinct flavors: Blood Orange, Blue Razz, Cherry Limeade and Peaches N Honies, available in CBD only and THC + CBD versions.

Snoop Dogg expressed his enthusiasm for the transition to cannabis beverages, in line with the vision of Hill Beverage Co. CEO Jake Hill highlighted the brand's role in the new direction of the cannabis industry, highlighting the emphasis on natural and tasty alternatives.

Do It Fluid drinks are now available at HillBeverageCo.com and DeathRowCannabis.co, and offer multiple flavors with detailed ingredient lists and calorie counts. The company plans to expand its availability in dispensaries and stores across the United States through 2024.

Hill Beverage Co, founded by Jake Hill in 2023, specializes in cannabis-infused beverages and collaborates with several industry leaders. Death Row Records Cannabis, revitalized under the leadership of Snoop Dogg, reflects 90s hip-hop culture and aims to reintroduce the label to a contemporary audience.