Cannabis: a genus of hemp- and drug-type plants with a long history of medicinal use and social/policy relevance
A riot at Negombo Prison in Sri Lanka has left at least several dead and more than 100 wounded as clashes between rival prisoner groups continue into Monday. Authorities have launched an investigation and deployed military support.
A cross-border crackdown on county lines has led to multiple seizures, arrests and safeguarding actions as authorities target recruitment of vulnerable youths and drug distribution networks in Merseyside and across the UK.
Tokyo, a 5-year-old black Labrador retriever, has been rescued after ingesting cannabis on a Ben Nevis ascent in Scotland. A volunteer Lochaber Mountain Rescue Team carried the dog to safety as rescue efforts followed a period of confusion and concern about the dog's condition.
New LiBBY trial data shows a THC-CBD oral formulation reduced agitation in late-stage dementia, with about 84% improving within two weeks and roughly 90% showing overall improvement after 12 weeks. Results emerged from 120 participants; placebo showed far fewer improvements. Experts call the results promising for end-of-life care, though officials note the treatment differs from consumer cannabis products.
A body of studies is showing that a blood marker called p-tau217 can forecast an elevated risk of cognitive impairment in healthy older adults years before symptoms appear. The evidence is not yet clinical-ready, but it is guiding trials that aim to slow or prevent Alzheimer’s disease and is being tested in Scotland’s primary care setting.
Kenya's High Court has dismissed a bid by Rastafarians to legalise cannabis for religious purposes, stating the law does not violate freedom of religion. The ruling urges a broader national discussion on cannabis policy, acknowledging widespread use while underscoring the colonial-era roots of drug laws.
Travelers are warned that cannabis and other contraband remain illegal across many borders. Recent policy shifts in Thailand heighten penalties for cannabis crossing, while UK border force reports rising cannabis seizures and warnings against accepting offers of free trips. Experts stress travelers must verify destination laws and avoid carrying unfamiliar items.
Multiple UK outlets report on Christopher Phillips, 60, who pleaded guilty to preventing a lawful burial and fraud after storing his mother Sylvia Phillips’s body in a chest freezer in Porthcawl, Wales. He benefited from pensions and benefits while disguising her death; he has been sentenced to two years and four months in prison.
A 16-year-old has been convicted of murder in Seaford, East Sussex, after fatally stabbing Joshua Ingram during a confrontation linked to a cannabis debt. The court found two other youths not guilty of conspiracy to commit grievous bodily harm, while the 15-year-old and 17-year-old faced different verdicts involving assisting an offender. Sentencing is scheduled for October.
A cross-border crackdown has led to major drug seizures in several countries. In the UK, 2.9 tonnes of class A drugs hidden in a banana shipment have been seized at London Gateway Port, with nine men questioned. Africa and the Middle East report further seizures and arrests tied to cocaine, cannabis and captagon networks. The operations highlight ongoing efforts by national police agencies to disrupt trafficking chains and cut profits.
Independent Truth Commission hearings have begun to examine extrajudicial killings tied to Duterte’s drug crackdown. Families of victims testify as the panel seeks information, with rights groups citing tens of thousands killed and the government contrasting figures.
Multiple road-traffic deaths have led to court proceedings across Britain. In Wakefield, a driver was sentenced after stuffed toys obscured visibility in the fatal crash of John Nottingham. In Weston-super-Mare, a driver has been jailed for dangerous driving that killed Emily Jordan. In North Tyneside, Linda Hall pleaded guilty to causing Rita Grimshaw’s death in a busy car park. A separate case in Aberdeen involves Samantha Lee after a claw hammer attack.