In a cannabis roundup this week, Singapore executed its second cannabis offender in three weeks; Amsterdam bans cannabis smoking outdoors in its famous red light district; STIIIZY opens its 30th retail location and Costa Rica issues its first medical cannabis cultivation license
Singapore executes its second citizen in three weeks for cannabis trafficking
Despite mounting calls for the city-state to halt ancient executions, Singapore stuck to its policy of the death penalty over drug charges by hanging a second citizen on Wednesday for smuggling cannabis – the second in just three weeks.
The 37-year-old, who has not been identified to respect his family’s privacy, was executed after a court rejected his latest attempt to reopen his case on Tuesday without allowing him a hearing. Kokila Annamalai, an activist with Transformative Justice – an organization that advocates for the abolition of the death penalty in Singapore – shared this information. According to AnnamalaiThe man had been jailed for seven years and convicted in 2019 of trafficking nearly three pounds of cannabis. His attempt to reopen the case was based on DNA and fingerprint evidence linking him to a much smaller amount, which he admitted to possessing. However, the court rejected this evidence, Annamalai reported. It should be noted that Singaporean law states that trafficking in more than one pound of cannabis may result in the death penalty.
“If we don’t come together to stop it, we fear this killing spree will continue in the coming weeks and months,” Annamalai said. It added that 60 prisoners are on death row in Medina State, primarily for drug-related offences.
Three weeks ago, a 46-year-old Singaporean woman Tangaraju Suppiah It made global headlines when he, too, was executed for cannabis trafficking. Prosecutors relied on phone records that implicated him as the person responsible for coordinating the delivery, an allegation he vehemently denied.
Amsterdam bans cannabis smoking outdoors in the red light district
Amsterdam’s world-famous Red Light District will no longer allow cannabis to be smoked outdoors after city councilors voted in favor of a ban. The ban will take effect on May 25 and will be enforced by local officials and the police. According to Margrethe Lutekhuizen, a spokeswoman for the city, individuals caught smoking weed in the central district will face a fine of €100 (US$108).
“The ban is part of a broader set of measures aimed at reducing nuisance, improving residents’ nighttime sleep, and increasing livability and safety.” Luttikhuizen said.
Mayor Phimke Halsema has called for reforms in the notorious district to combat disruptive behavior and organized crime within the city centre. As part of these efforts, the city is exploring alternative sites for the popular Erotica district.
While cannabis is still illegal in the Netherlands, possession of up to five fines is illegal. “Cafes” licensed to sell small quantities to adults.
STIIIZY opens thirty retail website
solid Celebrate the grand opening of the inaugural dispensary in Costa Mesa, CA on Saturday, May 13th. To celebrate the occasion, the store offered a special promotion for the first 6,000 Californians who can present Proof of Residency: a free 1/8 bag of the brand’s premium hemp for just a penny. This new Orange County location is the iconic cannabis lifestyle brand and retailer’s 30th store nationwide.
“Costa Mesa is easily the heart of Orange County,” Co-Founder and President Tak Sato said in a press release. “It’s the epicenter of shopping, and we’re proud to do business in this area. For years, we’ve had a significant following in the OC, so we’re very excited about the opportunity to offer our products and shop environment to its citizens. The City of Costa Mesa leadership has also been very supportive in normalizing cannabis, and we’re thrilled that We are partners in our vision to bring cannabis into culture.”
STIIIZY Costa Mesa offers customers the unique retail experience they deserve on Instagram. The sprawling 10,595-square-foot facility at 2701 Harbor Boulevard displays sleek, modern design, with 22 registers, 24 product display cases and a 6,000-square-foot handcrafted sale floor.
“Our Costa Mesa store features one of our largest sales floors ever, as we don’t want our customers to wait,” said Sato. “We know we’ll have big crowds here, so this space is specifically designed to ensure that our customers can still have the best personal shopping experience with our sales associates.”
Costa Rica issues its first medical cannabis cultivation license
The Costa Rican government has Obtained the first license To grow and process medical cannabis. Costa Rica’s Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAG) issued the permit, according to local media reports.
Azul Wellness SA has announced plans to set up an 800 square meter production and processing facility in the province of Guanacaste, Costa Rica. To support its operations, the company has partnered with Merida Capital Holdings, a US-based cannabis private equity firm.
In addition to the Azul Wellness SA license, MAG in Costa Rica has issued eight cannabis cultivation licenses. Former President Carlos Alvarado legalized medical cannabis and hemp on March 2, 2022. In October of the same year, newly elected President Rodrigo Chavez honored his campaign promise to begin the process of preparing regulations for medical cannabis and licenses for industrial cannabis.
By approving the license, Costa Rica has taken a huge step forward in its cannabis policy. The country’s favorable climate and strategic location make it a promising center for cannabis cultivation and processing. As the industry continues to develop, Costa Rica has the potential to emerge as a major player in the global medical cannabis market, boosting the country’s economy and giving patients access to vital therapeutic treatments.
