thewakingtimes--2020-12-02--Mexico Senate Votes In Landslide To Legalize World’s Largest Cannabis Market

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Mexico is hurtling toward legalizing cannabis for a variety of uses , opening up the Latin American country to becoming the largest legal marijuana in the world .
Just days prior to the Thanksgiving holiday in the U.S. , Mexico ’ s Senate approved a bill that would put an end to prohibition measures in a landslide vote of 82 to 18 , with seven abstentions .
Lawmakers in the ruling Morena party have been working hard to seal the approval of the landmark cannabis @ @ @ @ @ @ @ draws to a close in December .
Morena , alongside its allies , holds majorities in both chambers of Congress .
The move would amount to a huge U-turn after decades of anti-drug policies led to the explosive growth of transnational cartels – and ferocious local cartel wars – in Mexico .
In recent years , violence related to drug cartels has claimed upwards of 10,000 lives .
Advocates of legalization in Mexico have long argued that legalizing the plant would allow the country to advance alternative drug policies , halt the criminalization @ @ @ @ @ @ @ efforts to better address public health .
The demands of advocates came significantly closer to being realized in 2018 , when the Mexican Supreme Court ruled that recreational marijuana should be permitted .
One year prior , legislators voted to legalize the plant for medical purposes .
While Mexico has a long and storied history of cannabis usage , the consumption of the plant is still not as culturally accepted on a widespread level as in the United States .
However , the creation of legal commercial markets for the sale and purchase @ @ @ @ @ @ @ large systems of illicit cultivation in the country .
Socially conservative Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador , popularly known by his initials AMLO , has largely shied away from vocally supporting the legalization of the plant .
However , Lopez Obrador has long endorsed the need to radically reform the country ’ s laws to put an end to rampant drug violence in Mexico , where drug cartels still hold sway over the illicit trade of narcotics .
But while the president hasn ’ t been an outspoken champion of legalization efforts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as Senate leader Ricardo Monreal and senior cabinet members like Interior Minister Olga Sanchez have been clear in their calls to open the doors to legalizing and regulating the recreational usage of cannabis .
Under the proposed measures , Mexico would place strict controls on ownership and the supply chain used for domestic production and international commerce of cannabis .
The trade surrounding the industry would also have to comply with various forms of financial source verification , ensuring that the business doesn ’ t fall into the hands of criminal syndicates , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ adults over 18 will be allowed to cultivate and possess up to 28 grams of cannabis for personal use .
Possession of up to 200 grams would also be decriminalized .
Individuals would be allowed to grow up to 20 plants provided their annual yield isn ’ t in excess of 480 grams .
Medical patients would be able to grow over 20 plants , if necessary .
Public consumption of cannabis would also be allowed in all spaces besides those marked as “ 100 percent smoke-free.
” Cannabis sales would also be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with revenue going toward drug abuse programs .
The new laws and regulations would be enforced and overseen by the Mexican Institute of Regulation and Control of Cannabis .
Advocates have also expressed caution about moving forward while taking into account social equity concerns and safeguards to prevent transnational corporations from monopolizing the massive , burgeoning weed market in the North American country .
The success of these efforts would make Mexico the largest country in the world , by population , to legalize cannabis .
With a population exceeding 125 million people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ consumer market for cannabis products , marking a huge step forward in bringing the international cannabis marketplace out of the shadows .

Mexico Senate Votes In Landslide To Legalize World’s Largest Cannabis Market
Elias Marat, The Mind Unleashed
Waking Times
Mexico is hurtling toward legalizing cannabis for a variety of uses, opening up the Latin American country to becoming the largest legal marijuana in the world.
Just days prior to the Thanksgiving holiday in the U.S., Mexico’s Senate approved a bill that would put an end to prohibition measures in a landslide vote of 82 to 18, with seven abstentions.
Lawmakers in the ruling Morena party have been working hard to seal the approval of the landmark cannabis legalization bill before the current congressional session draws to a close in December. Morena, alongside its allies, holds majorities in both chambers of Congress.
The bill is designed to “improve living conditions” and “contribute to the reduction of crime linked to drug trafficking,” according to its text.
The move would amount to a huge U-turn after decades of anti-drug policies led to the explosive growth of transnational cartels – and ferocious local cartel wars – in Mexico. In recent years, violence related to drug cartels has claimed upwards of 10,000 lives.
Advocates of legalization in Mexico have long argued that legalizing the plant would allow the country to advance alternative drug policies, halt the criminalization of drug users and refocus its security efforts to better address public health.
The demands of advocates came significantly closer to being realized in 2018, when the Mexican Supreme Court ruled that recreational marijuana should be permitted. One year prior, legislators voted to legalize the plant for medical purposes.
While Mexico has a long and storied history of cannabis usage, the consumption of the plant is still not as culturally accepted on a widespread level as in the United States. However, the creation of legal commercial markets for the sale and purchase of the plan will likely displace the large systems of illicit cultivation in the country.
Socially conservative Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, popularly known by his initials AMLO, has largely shied away from vocally supporting the legalization of the plant. However, Lopez Obrador has long endorsed the need to radically reform the country’s laws to put an end to rampant drug violence in Mexico, where drug cartels still hold sway over the illicit trade of narcotics.
But while the president hasn’t been an outspoken champion of legalization efforts, members of his center-left party such as Senate leader Ricardo Monreal and senior cabinet members like Interior Minister Olga Sanchez have been clear in their calls to open the doors to legalizing and regulating the recreational usage of cannabis.
Under the proposed measures, Mexico would place strict controls on ownership and the supply chain used for domestic production and international commerce of cannabis. The trade surrounding the industry would also have to comply with various forms of financial source verification, ensuring that the business doesn’t fall into the hands of criminal syndicates, writes Forbes.
Under the bill, adults over 18 will be allowed to cultivate and possess up to 28 grams of cannabis for personal use. Possession of up to 200 grams would also be decriminalized.
Individuals would be allowed to grow up to 20 plants provided their annual yield isn’t in excess of 480 grams. Medical patients would be able to grow over 20 plants, if necessary. Public consumption of cannabis would also be allowed in all spaces besides those marked as “100 percent smoke-free.”
Cannabis sales would also be subject to a 12 percent tax, with revenue going toward drug abuse programs. The new laws and regulations would be enforced and overseen by the Mexican Institute of Regulation and Control of Cannabis.
Advocates have also expressed caution about moving forward while taking into account social equity concerns and safeguards to prevent transnational corporations from monopolizing the massive, burgeoning weed market in the North American country.
The success of these efforts would make Mexico the largest country in the world, by population, to legalize cannabis. With a population exceeding 125 million people, Mexico would quickly become the largest consumer market for cannabis products, marking a huge step forward in bringing the international cannabis marketplace out of the shadows.
By Elias Marat | Creative Commons | TheMindUnleashed.com


thewakingtimes--2020-12-02--Sun Ejects Biggest Solar Flare In Years Ahead Of Active Cycle

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On Sunday , SpaceWeather said the sun ’ s solar explosion was measured as an M4.4-category eruption , which produced a shortwave radio blackout over some parts of Earth and a bright coronal mass ejection ( CME ) .
“ Remarkably , the flare was even bigger than it seemed .
The blast site is located just behind the sun ’ s southeastern limb , so the explosion was partially eclipsed by the body of the sun .
“ X-rays and UV radiation from the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s atmosphere , producing a shortwave radio blackout over the South Atlantic… Ham radio operators and mariners may have noticed strange propagation effects at frequencies below 20 MHz , with some transmissions below 10 MHz completely extinguished , ” SpaceWeather said on its website .
A coronagraph video via the Solar and Heliospheric Observatory ( SOHO ) shows the massive burst of electromagnetic radiation ejecting from the sun .
SpaceWeather said the flare and an associated CME were not Earth-facing but erupted behind the sun ’ s southeastern limb .
This is good @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by the body of the sun .
If the flare were Earth-facing , it would ’ ve likely been an X-class event , meaning it could ’ ve resulted in widespread radio blackouts , downed power grids , and disrupted communication networks .
The last decade of solar activity has been on the decline , though the latest flare-up in activity could suggest a new busy cycle is about to start .
In 2017 , we noted that FEMA ( Federal Emergency Management Administration ) planned for a massive solar event that would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ power grids .
There has also been a couple of notable solar flare events in the last three years : With the Earth entering what appears to be an active solar period that could last through 2025 – this would present many challenges for the new digital economy as remote working has been kicked into hyperdrive because of the virus pandemic .
Solar flares can disrupt satellite-based communications networks , as show below : SpaceWeather warns that from Dec. 1-2 , Sunday ’ s M4.4-class solar flare might sideswipe Earth ’ s magnetic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be bad news for the digital economy as disruptions sparked by solar flares could create massive economic damage .
By Tyler Durden / Republished with permission / Zero Hedge Like Waking Times on Facebook .
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Sun Ejects Biggest Solar Flare In Years Ahead Of Active Cycle
Tyler Durden, Zero Hedge
Waking Times
On Sunday, SpaceWeather said the sun’s solar explosion was measured as an M4.4-category eruption, which produced a shortwave radio blackout over some parts of Earth and a bright coronal mass ejection (CME).
“Remarkably, the flare was even bigger than it seemed. The blast site is located just behind the sun’s southeastern limb, so the explosion was partially eclipsed by the body of the sun. “X-rays and UV radiation from the flare ionized the top of Earth’s atmosphere, producing a shortwave radio blackout over the South Atlantic… Ham radio operators and mariners may have noticed strange propagation effects at frequencies below 20 MHz, with some transmissions below 10 MHz completely extinguished,” SpaceWeather said on its website.
A coronagraph video via the Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO) shows the massive burst of electromagnetic radiation ejecting from the sun.
SpaceWeather said the flare and an associated CME were not Earth-facing but erupted behind the sun’s southeastern limb. This is good news because the explosion was partially eclipsed by the body of the sun. If the flare were Earth-facing, it would’ve likely been an X-class event, meaning it could’ve resulted in widespread radio blackouts, downed power grids, and disrupted communication networks.
The last decade of solar activity has been on the decline, though the latest flare-up in activity could suggest a new busy cycle is about to start.
In 2017, we noted that FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Administration) planned for a massive solar event that would be strong enough to take down the power grids.
There has also been a couple of notable solar flare events in the last three years:
With the Earth entering what appears to be an active solar period that could last through 2025 – this would present many challenges for the new digital economy as remote working has been kicked into hyperdrive because of the virus pandemic. Solar flares can disrupt satellite-based communications networks, as show below:
SpaceWeather warns that from Dec. 1-2, Sunday’s M4.4-class solar flare might sideswipe Earth’s magnetic field.
“The hidden sunspot that produced this major event will rotate onto the Earthside of the sun during the next day or two,” according to SpaceWeather. “Then its ability to spark geomagnetic storms will be greatly increased.”
An active solar cycle could be bad news for the digital economy as disruptions sparked by solar flares could create massive economic damage.
By Tyler Durden / Republished with permission / Zero Hedge
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thewakingtimes--2020-12-04--‘Immunity Cards’ To Be Issued To All Americans – Enable CDC To Track COVID-19 Vaxx Status In Databas

‘ Immunity Cards ’ To Be Issued To All Americans – Enable CDC To Track COVID-19 Vaxx Status In Database Get the latest Waking Times articles delivered to your inbox .
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On Wednesday the Department of Defense released the first images of a COVID-19 vaccination record card as well as vaccination kits , according to CNN .
“ Everyone will be issued a written card that they can put in their wallet that will tell them what they had and when their next dose is due , ” says Dr. Kelly Moore , associate director of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s do the simple , easy thing first .
Everyone ’ s going to get that.
” What ’ s more , vaccination clinics will also report to their state immunization registries which vaccine was given so that third parties can verify one ’ s vaccination status regardless of what their card says ( or if they ’ ve lost it ) .
Moore said many places are planning to ask patients to voluntarily provide a cell phone number , so they can get a text message telling them when and where @ @ @ @ @ @ @ administered .
Every dose administered will be reported to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , said Claire Hannan , executive director of the Association of Immunization Managers .
–CNN The DoD also released information on vaccine kits , which include a card , needle , syringe , alcohol wipes and a mask .
There are approximately 100 million such kits ready to go as soon as ‘ the ’ vaccine ( s ) is ( are ) chosen , according to Operation Warp Speed CEO , Gen. Gustave Perna .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ after the UK government proposed “ freedom passes ” in order to reboot their economy – which would seemingly allow those willing to vaccinate a return to normal life .
It also comes after signs of industries adapting to a future of immunity cards and vaccinations – with Ticketmaster and Quantas airlines both announcing they will require proof of vaccination before people can attend concerts or fly .
Meanwhile , the vaccination roadshow has begun .
On Wednesday , former presidents Obama , Clinton and Bush publicly announced that they would take the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ day , NIH Director Dr. Anthony Fauci ominously warned that it would create a “ very serious situation ” if people don ’ t take the vaccine .
The frontrunning vaccine candidates come from two companies – Pfizer and Moderna – which are both awaiting emergency use authorizations in the United States .
And FDA panel is expected to discuss the issue on December 10 and 17 .
By Tyler Durden / Republished with permission / Zero Hedge Like Waking Times on Facebook .
Follow Waking Times on Twitter .

‘Immunity Cards’ To Be Issued To All Americans – Enable CDC To Track COVID-19 Vaxx Status In Database
Tyler Durden, Zero Hedge
Waking Times
On Wednesday the Department of Defense released the first images of a COVID-19 vaccination record card as well as vaccination kits, according to CNN.
“Everyone will be issued a written card that they can put in their wallet that will tell them what they had and when their next dose is due,” says Dr. Kelly Moore, associate director of the Immunization Action Coalition. “Let’s do the simple, easy thing first. Everyone’s going to get that.”
What’s more, vaccination clinics will also report to their state immunization registries which vaccine was given so that third parties can verify one’s vaccination status regardless of what their card says (or if they’ve lost it).
Moore said many places are planning to ask patients to voluntarily provide a cell phone number, so they can get a text message telling them when and where their next dose is scheduled to be administered. Every dose administered will be reported to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, said Claire Hannan, executive director of the Association of Immunization Managers. –CNN
The DoD also released information on vaccine kits, which include a card, needle, syringe, alcohol wipes and a mask. There are approximately 100 million such kits ready to go as soon as ‘the’ vaccine(s) is(are) chosen, according to Operation Warp Speed CEO, Gen. Gustave Perna.
The announcement comes less than two weeks after the UK government proposed “freedom passes” in order to reboot their economy – which would seemingly allow those willing to vaccinate a return to normal life. It also comes after signs of industries adapting to a future of immunity cards and vaccinations – with Ticketmaster and Quantas airlines both announcing they will require proof of vaccination before people can attend concerts or fly.
Meanwhile, the vaccination roadshow has begun. On Wednesday, former presidents Obama, Clinton and Bush publicly announced that they would take the vaccine, on camera.
“I may end up taking it on TV or having it filmed, just so that people know that I trust this science ,” Obama said in a Wednesday interview with Sirius XM radio – while Bush and Clinton made similar vows.
The next day, NIH Director Dr. Anthony Fauci ominously warned that it would create a “very serious situation” if people don’t take the vaccine.
From the party of "you don't need an ID to vote" comes "show me your papers" to go anywhere and do anything. — Tim Young (@TimRunsHisMouth) December 3, 2020
The frontrunning vaccine candidates come from two companies – Pfizer and Moderna – which are both awaiting emergency use authorizations in the United States. And FDA panel is expected to discuss the issue on December 10 and 17.
By Tyler Durden / Republished with permission / Zero Hedge
Like Waking Times on Facebook. Follow Waking Times on Twitter.


thewakingtimes--2020-12-04--How Operation Warp Speed Generates Big Payouts For Pharma Execs

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April 16 was a big day for Moderna , a Massachusetts biotech company on the verge of becoming a frontrunner in the U.S. government ’ s race for a coronavirus vaccine .
It had received roughly half a billion dollars in federal funding to develop a COVID shot that might be used on millions of Americans .
Thirteen days after the massive infusion of federal cash — which triggered a jump in the company ’ s stock price — Moncef Slaoui , a Moderna board @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was awarded options to buy 18,270 shares in the company , according to U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission ( SEC ) filings .
The award added to 137,168 options he ’ d accumulated since 2018 , the filings show .
It wouldn ’ t be long before President Donald Trump announced Slaoui as the top scientific adviser for the government ’ s $ 12 billion Operation Warp Speed program to rush COVID vaccines to market .
In his Rose Garden speech on May 15 , Trump lauded Slaoui as “ one of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on vaccines .
The Trump administration relied on an unusual maneuver that allowed executives to keep investments in drug companies that would benefit from the government ’ s pandemic efforts : They were brought on as contractors , doing an end run around federal conflict-of-interest regulations in place for employees .
That has led to huge potential payouts — some already realized , according to a Kaiser Health News ( KHN ) analysis of SEC filings and other government documents .
• Slaoui owned 137,168 Moderna stock options worth roughly $ 7 million @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump announced his senior role to help shepherd COVID vaccines .
The day of his appointment , May 15 , he resigned from Moderna ’ s board .
Three days later , on May 18 , following the company ’ s announcement of positive results from early-stage clinical trials , the options ’ value shot up to $ 9.1 million , the analysis found .
The Department of Health and Human Services said Slaoui sold his holdings May 20 , when they would have been worth about $ 8 million , and will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Separately , Slaoui held nearly 500,000 shares in GlaxoSmithKline , where he worked for three decades , upon retiring in 2017 , according to corporate filings .
• Carlo de Notaristefani , an Operation Warp Speed adviser and former senior executive at Teva Pharmaceuticals , owned 665,799 shares of the drug company ’ s stock as of March 10 .
While Teva is not a recipient of Warp Speed funding , Trump promoted its antimalarial drug hydroxychloroquine as a COVID treatment , even with scant evidence that it worked .
The company donated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the drug received emergency use authorization from the Food and Drug Administration in March .
In the following weeks , its share price nearly doubled .
• Two other Operation Warp Speed advisers working on therapeutics , Drs .
William Erhardt and Rachel Harrigan , own financial stakes of unknown value in Pfizer , which in July announced a $ 1.95 billion contract with HHS for 100 million doses of its vaccine .
Erhardt and Harrigan were previously Pfizer employees .
An HHS spokesperson said the advisers are in compliance with the relevant @ @ @ @ @ @ @ investments in the pharmaceutical industry are emblematic of a broader trend in which a small group with the specialized expertise needed to inform an effective government response to the pandemic have financial stakes in companies that stand to benefit from the government response .
Slaoui maintained he was not in discussions with the federal government about a role when his latest batch of Moderna stock options was awarded , telling KHN he met with HHS Secretary Alex Azar and was offered the position for the first time May 6 .
The stock options @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a result of his departure from the Moderna board in May , he said .
According to the KHN analysis of his holdings , the options would have been worth more than $ 330,000 on May 14 .
The fate of Operation Warp Speed after President-elect Joe Biden takes office is an open question .
While Democrats in Congress have pursued investigations into Warp Speed advisers and the contracting process under which they were hired , Biden hasn ’ t publicly spoken about the program or its senior leaders .
Spokespeople for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ request for comment .
The four HHS advisers were brought on through a National Institutes of Health contract with consulting firm Advanced Decision Vectors , so far worth $ 1.4 million , to provide expertise on the development and production of vaccines , therapies and other COVID products , according to the federal government ’ s contracts database .
Slaoui ’ s appointment in particular has rankled Democrats and organizations like Public Citizen .
They say he has too much authority to be classified as a consultant .
“ It is inevitable that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ co-chair of Operation Warp Speed makes him a government employee , ” Holman said .
The incoming administration may have a window to change the terms under which Slaoui was hired before his contract ends in March .
Yet making big changes to Operation Warp Speed could disrupt one of the largest vaccination efforts in history while the American public anxiously awaits deliverance from the pandemic , which is breaking daily records for new infections .
Warp Speed has set out to buy and distribute 300 million doses of a COVID vaccine , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ end .
Azar maintained that Warp Speed would continue seamlessly even with a “ change in leadership.
” “ In the event of a transition , there ’ s really just total continuity that would occur , ” the secretary said .
Pfizer , which didn ’ t receive federal funds for research but secured the multibillion-dollar contract under Warp Speed , on Nov. 20 sought emergency authorization from the FDA ; Moderna announced on Monday it would do so .
In total , Moderna received nearly $ 1 billion in federal funds @ @ @ @ @ @ @ contract with HHS for 100 million doses .
While it ’ s impossible to peg the precise value of Slaoui ’ s Moderna holdings without records of the sale transactions , KHN estimated their worth by evaluating the company ’ s share prices on the dates he received the options and the stock ’ s price on several key dates — including May 14 , the day before his Warp Speed position was announced , and May 20 .
However , the timing of Slaoui ’ s divestment of his Moderna shares — @ @ @ @ @ @ @ company ’ s board — meant he did not have to file disclosures with the SEC confirming the sale , even though he was privy to insider information when he received the stock options , experts in securities law said .
That weakness in securities law , according to good-governance experts , deprives the public of an independent source of information about the sale of Slaoui ’ s stake in the company .
HHS declined to provide documentation confirming that Slaoui sold his Moderna holdings .
His investments in London-based GlaxoSmithKline — which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sanofi and received $ 2.1 billion from the U.S. government — will be used for his retirement , Slaoui has said .
Moderna , in an earlier statement to CNBC , said Slaoui divested “ all of his equity interest in Moderna so that there is no conflict of interest ” in his new role .
However , the conflict-of-interest standards for Slaoui and other Warp Speed advisers are less stringent than those for federal employees , who are required to give up investments that would pose a conflict of interest .
For @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on as an employee , his stake from a long career at GlaxoSmithKline would be targeted for divestment .
Instead , Slaoui has committed to donating certain GlaxoSmithKline financial gains to the National Institutes of Health .
Offering Warp Speed advisers contracts might have been the most expedient course in a crisis .
That includes multiple drug industry veterans working as HHS advisers , an academic who ’ s overseeing the safety of multiple COVID vaccines in clinical trials and sits on the board of Gilead Sciences , and even former government officials @ @ @ @ @ @ @ employees but have since joined drug company boards .
Dr. Scott Gottlieb and Dr. Mark McClellan , former FDA commissioners , have been visible figures informally advising the federal response .
Each sits on the board of a COVID vaccine developer .
After leaving the FDA in 2019 , Gottlieb joined Pfizer ’ s board and has bought 4,000 of its shares , at the time worth more than $ 141,000 , according to SEC filings .
As of April , he had additional stock units worth nearly $ 352,000 that will be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , according to corporate filings .
As a board member , Gottlieb is required to own a certain number of Pfizer shares .
McClellan has been on Johnson & Johnson ’ s board since 2013 and earned $ 1.2 million in shares under a deferred-compensation arrangement , corporate filings show .
The two also receive thousands of dollars in cash fees annually as board members .
Gottlieb and McClellan frequently disclose their corporate affiliations , but not always .
Their Sept. 13 Wall Street Journal op-ed on how the FDA could grant emergency @ @ @ @ @ @ @ roles and said they were on the boards of companies developing COVID vaccines but failed to name Pfizer and Johnson & Johnson .
Both companies would benefit financially from such a move by the FDA .
A spokesperson for the Duke-Margolis Center for Health Policy , which McClellan founded , noted that other Wall Street Journal op-eds cited his Johnson & Johnson role and that his affiliations are mentioned elsewhere .
“ Mark has consistently informed the WSJ about his board service with Johnson & Johnson , as well as other organizations , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ & Johnson ’ s vaccine is in phase 3 clinical trials and could be available in early 2021 .
Still , while they worked for the FDA , Gottlieb and McClellan were subject to federal restrictions on investments and protections against conflicts of interest that aren ’ t in place for Warp Speed advisers .
According to the financial disclosure statements they signed with HHS , the advisers are required to donate certain stock profits to the NIH — but can do so after the stockholder dies .
They can keep investments in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t apply to stock options , which give executives the right to buy company shares in the future .
De Notaristefani stepped down as Teva ’ s executive vice president of global operations in October 2019 , but according to corporate filings he would remain with the company until the end of June 2020 in order to “ ensure an orderly transition.
” He ’ s been working with Warp Speed since at least May overseeing manufacturing , according to an HHS spokesperson .
When Erhardt left Pfizer in May , U.S. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was beginning vaccine clinical trials .
Erhardt and Harrigan , whose LinkedIn profile says she left Pfizer in 2010 , have worked as drug industry consultants .
Rachana Pradhan , correspondent , reports on a broad array of national health policy decisions and their effect on everyday Americans .
She came to KHN from Politico , where for five years she covered health care policy and politics on national and state levels .
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How Operation Warp Speed Generates Big Payouts For Pharma Execs
Rachana Pradhan, Children’s Health Defense
Waking Times
April 16 was a big day for Moderna, a Massachusetts biotech company on the verge of becoming a frontrunner in the U.S. government’s race for a coronavirus vaccine. It had received roughly half a billion dollars in federal funding to develop a COVID shot that might be used on millions of Americans.
Thirteen days after the massive infusion of federal cash — which triggered a jump in the company’s stock price — Moncef Slaoui, a Moderna board member and longtime drug industry executive, was awarded options to buy 18,270 shares in the company, according to U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) filings. The award added to 137,168 options he’d accumulated since 2018, the filings show.
It wouldn’t be long before President Donald Trump announced Slaoui as the top scientific adviser for the government’s $12 billion Operation Warp Speed program to rush COVID vaccines to market. In his Rose Garden speech on May 15, Trump lauded Slaoui as “one of the most respected men in the world” on vaccines.
The Trump administration relied on an unusual maneuver that allowed executives to keep investments in drug companies that would benefit from the government’s pandemic efforts: They were brought on as contractors, doing an end run around federal conflict-of-interest regulations in place for employees. That has led to huge potential payouts — some already realized, according to a Kaiser Health News (KHN) analysis of SEC filings and other government documents.
Slaoui owned 137,168 Moderna stock options worth roughly $7 million on May 14, one day before Trump announced his senior role to help shepherd COVID vaccines. The day of his appointment, May 15, he resigned from Moderna’s board. Three days later, on May 18, following the company’s announcement of positive results from early-stage clinical trials, the options’ value shot up to $9.1 million, the analysis found. The Department of Health and Human Services said Slaoui sold his holdings May 20, when they would have been worth about $8 million, and will donate certain profits to cancer research. Separately, Slaoui held nearly 500,000 shares in GlaxoSmithKline, where he worked for three decades, upon retiring in 2017, according to corporate filings.
Carlo de Notaristefani, an Operation Warp Speed adviser and former senior executive at Teva Pharmaceuticals, owned 665,799 shares of the drug company’s stock as of March 10. While Teva is not a recipient of Warp Speed funding, Trump promoted its antimalarial drug hydroxychloroquine as a COVID treatment, even with scant evidence that it worked. The company donated millions of tablets to U.S. hospitals and the drug received emergency use authorization from the Food and Drug Administration in March. In the following weeks, its share price nearly doubled.
Two other Operation Warp Speed advisers working on therapeutics, Drs. William Erhardt and Rachel Harrigan, own financial stakes of unknown value in Pfizer, which in July announced a $1.95 billion contract with HHS for 100 million doses of its vaccine. Erhardt and Harrigan were previously Pfizer employees.
“With those kinds of conflicts of interest, we don’t know if these vaccines are being developed based on merit,” said Craig Holman, a lobbyist for Public Citizen, a liberal consumer advocacy group.
An HHS spokesperson said the advisers are in compliance with the relevant federal ethical standards for contractors.
These investments in the pharmaceutical industry are emblematic of a broader trend in which a small group with the specialized expertise needed to inform an effective government response to the pandemic have financial stakes in companies that stand to benefit from the government response.
Slaoui maintained he was not in discussions with the federal government about a role when his latest batch of Moderna stock options was awarded, telling KHN he met with HHS Secretary Alex Azar and was offered the position for the first time May 6. The stock options awarded in late April were canceled as a result of his departure from the Moderna board in May, he said. According to the KHN analysis of his holdings, the options would have been worth more than $330,000 on May 14.
HHS declined to confirm that timeline.
The fate of Operation Warp Speed after President-elect Joe Biden takes office is an open question. While Democrats in Congress have pursued investigations into Warp Speed advisers and the contracting process under which they were hired, Biden hasn’t publicly spoken about the program or its senior leaders. Spokespeople for the transition didn’t respond to a request for comment.
The four HHS advisers were brought on through a National Institutes of Health contract with consulting firm Advanced Decision Vectors, so far worth $1.4 million, to provide expertise on the development and production of vaccines, therapies and other COVID products, according to the federal government’s contracts database.
Slaoui’s appointment in particular has rankled Democrats and organizations like Public Citizen. They say he has too much authority to be classified as a consultant. “It is inevitable that the position he is put in as co-chair of Operation Warp Speed makes him a government employee,” Holman said.
The incoming administration may have a window to change the terms under which Slaoui was hired before his contract ends in March. Yet making big changes to Operation Warp Speed could disrupt one of the largest vaccination efforts in history while the American public anxiously awaits deliverance from the pandemic, which is breaking daily records for new infections. Warp Speed has set out to buy and distribute 300 million doses of a COVID vaccine, the first ones by year’s end.
“By the end of December we expect to have about 40 million doses of these two vaccines available for distribution,” Azar said Nov. 18, referring to front-runner vaccines from Pfizer and Moderna.
Azar maintained that Warp Speed would continue seamlessly even with a “change in leadership.” “In the event of a transition, there’s really just total continuity that would occur,” the secretary said.
Pfizer, which didn’t receive federal funds for research but secured the multibillion-dollar contract under Warp Speed, on Nov. 20 sought emergency authorization from the FDA; Moderna announced on Monday it would do so. In total, Moderna received nearly $1 billion in federal funds for development and a $1.5 billion contract with HHS for 100 million doses.
While it’s impossible to peg the precise value of Slaoui’s Moderna holdings without records of the sale transactions, KHN estimated their worth by evaluating the company’s share prices on the dates he received the options and the stock’s price on several key dates — including May 14, the day before his Warp Speed position was announced, and May 20.
However, the timing of Slaoui’s divestment of his Moderna shares — five days after he resigned from the company’s board — meant he did not have to file disclosures with the SEC confirming the sale, even though he was privy to insider information when he received the stock options, experts in securities law said. That weakness in securities law, according to good-governance experts, deprives the public of an independent source of information about the sale of Slaoui’s stake in the company.
“You would think there would be kind of a one-year continuing obligation [to disclose the sale] or something like that,” said Douglas Chia, president of Soundboard Governance and an expert on corporate governance issues. “But there’s not.”
HHS declined to provide documentation confirming that Slaoui sold his Moderna holdings. His investments in London-based GlaxoSmithKline — which is developing a vaccine with French drugmaker Sanofi and received $2.1 billion from the U.S. government — will be used for his retirement, Slaoui has said.
“I have always held myself to the highest ethical standards, and that has not changed upon my assumption of this role,” Slaoui said in a statement released by HHS. “HHS career ethics officers have determined my contractor status, divestitures and resignations have put me in compliance with the department’s robust ethical standards.”
Moderna, in an earlier statement to CNBC, said Slaoui divested “all of his equity interest in Moderna so that there is no conflict of interest” in his new role. However, the conflict-of-interest standards for Slaoui and other Warp Speed advisers are less stringent than those for federal employees, who are required to give up investments that would pose a conflict of interest. For instance, if Slaoui had been brought on as an employee, his stake from a long career at GlaxoSmithKline would be targeted for divestment.
Instead, Slaoui has committed to donating certain GlaxoSmithKline financial gains to the National Institutes of Health.
Offering Warp Speed advisers contracts might have been the most expedient course in a crisis.
“As the universe of potential qualified candidates to advise the federal government’s efforts to produce a COVID-19 vaccine is very small, it is virtually impossible to find experienced and qualified individuals who have no financial interests in corporations that produce vaccines, therapeutics, and other lifesaving goods and services,” Sarah Arbes, HHS’ assistant secretary for legislation and a Trump appointee, wrote in September to Rep. James Clyburn (D-S.C.), who leads a House oversight panel on the coronavirus response.
That includes multiple drug industry veterans working as HHS advisers, an academic who’s overseeing the safety of multiple COVID vaccines in clinical trials and sits on the board of Gilead Sciences, and even former government officials who divested stocks while they were federal employees but have since joined drug company boards.
Dr. Scott Gottlieb and Dr. Mark McClellan, former FDA commissioners, have been visible figures informally advising the federal response. Each sits on the board of a COVID vaccine developer.
After leaving the FDA in 2019, Gottlieb joined Pfizer’s board and has bought 4,000 of its shares, at the time worth more than $141,000, according to SEC filings. As of April, he had additional stock units worth nearly $352,000 that will be cashed out should he leave the board, according to corporate filings. As a board member, Gottlieb is required to own a certain number of Pfizer shares.
McClellan has been on Johnson & Johnson’s board since 2013 and earned $1.2 million in shares under a deferred-compensation arrangement, corporate filings show.
The two also receive thousands of dollars in cash fees annually as board members. Gottlieb and McClellan frequently disclose their corporate affiliations, but not always. Their Sept. 13 Wall Street Journal op-ed on how the FDA could grant emergency authorization of a vaccine identified their FDA roles and said they were on the boards of companies developing COVID vaccines but failed to name Pfizer and Johnson & Johnson. Both companies would benefit financially from such a move by the FDA.
“It isn’t a lower standard for FDA approval,” they wrote in the piece. “It’s a more tailored, flexible standard that helps protect those who need it most while developing the evidence needed to make the public confident about getting a Covid-19 vaccine.” About the inconsistency, Gottlieb wrote in an email to KHN: “My affiliation to Pfizer is widely, prominently, and specifically disclosed in dozens of articles and television appearances, on my Twitter profile, and in many other places. I mention it routinely when I discuss Covid vaccines and I am proud of my affiliation to the company.”
A spokesperson for the Duke-Margolis Center for Health Policy, which McClellan founded, noted that other Wall Street Journal op-eds cited his Johnson & Johnson role and that his affiliations are mentioned elsewhere. “Mark has consistently informed the WSJ about his board service with Johnson & Johnson, as well as other organizations,” Patricia Shea Green said.
Johnson & Johnson’s vaccine is in phase 3 clinical trials and could be available in early 2021.
Still, while they worked for the FDA, Gottlieb and McClellan were subject to federal restrictions on investments and protections against conflicts of interest that aren’t in place for Warp Speed advisers.
According to the financial disclosure statements they signed with HHS, the advisers are required to donate certain stock profits to the NIH — but can do so after the stockholder dies. They can keep investments in drug companies, and the restrictions don’t apply to stock options, which give executives the right to buy company shares in the future.
“This is a poorly drafted agreement,” said Jacob Frenkel, an attorney at Dickinson Wright and former SEC lawyer, referring to the conflict-of-interest statement included in the NIH contract with Advanced Decision Vectors, the Warp Speed advisers’ employing consulting firm. He said documents could have been “tighter and clearer in many respects,” including prohibiting the advisers from exercising their options to buy shares while they are contractors.
De Notaristefani stepped down as Teva’s executive vice president of global operations in October 2019, but according to corporate filings he would remain with the company until the end of June 2020 in order to “ensure an orderly transition.” He’s been working with Warp Speed since at least May overseeing manufacturing, according to an HHS spokesperson.
When Erhardt left Pfizer in May, U.S. COVID infections were climbing and the company was beginning vaccine clinical trials. Erhardt and Harrigan, whose LinkedIn profile says she left Pfizer in 2010, have worked as drug industry consultants.
“Ultimately, conflicts of interest in ethics turn on the mindset behavior of the responsible persons,” said Frenkel, the former SEC attorney. “The public wants to know that it can rely on the effectiveness of the therapeutic or diagnostic product without wondering if a recommendation or decision was motivated for even the slightest reason other than product effectiveness and public interest.”
About the Author
Rachana Pradhan, correspondent, reports on a broad array of national health policy decisions and their effect on everyday Americans. She came to KHN from Politico, where for five years she covered health care policy and politics on national and state levels.


thewakingtimes--2020-12-04--Lockdowns Are Based On Fraud: Open Letter To People Who Want Freedom

Lockdowns Are Based On Fraud : Open Letter To People Who Want Freedom Get the latest Waking Times articles delivered to your inbox .
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This article is arranged so you see the fraud in more detail as you read further .
The lockdowns are based on high levels of COVID cases .
This claim is based on the diagnostic PCR test .
The more tests you do , the more positive results come up .
A positive result is taken to mean : the person is infected with the virus .
But overwhelmingly , these so-called @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
They are healthy .
Nevertheless , each one is called a “ COVID case.
” This is absurd .
A case should mean the person has clinical symptoms ; he is sick .
These people aren ’ t sick , and there is no indication they will get sick .
So…expand testing , test millions of people , obtain results claiming “ infection , ” call all these healthy people “ cases , ” and order lock downs .
This is a straight-out con .
The real goal is lockdowns and economic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ background here .
The PCR test is run in “ cycles.
” Each cycle is a quantum leap in amplifying or magnifying the original tiny , tiny piece of material taken from the patient ’ s swab sample .
It ’ s like blowing up a small photo to an amazing size .
The question is : how many cycles should the PCR test be run at ?
This is vital issue , because the number of cycles changes the result .
July 16 , 2020 , podcast , “ This Week in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Fauci makes a point of saying the PCR COVID test is useless and misleading when the test is run at “ 35 cycles or higher.
” A positive result , indicating infection , can not be accepted or believed .
Too many cycles , and the test will turn up all sorts of irrelevant material that will be wrongly interpreted as relevant .
What Fauci failed to say on the video is : the FDA , which authorizes the test for public use , recommends the test should be run up to 40 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all labs in the US that follow the FDA guideline are knowingly or unknowingly participating in fraud .
Fraud on a monstrous level , because… Millions of Americans are being told they are infected with the virus on the basis of a false positive result , and… The total number of COVID cases in America—which is based on the test—is a gross falsity .
The lockdowns and other restraining measures are based on these fraudulent case numbers .
Let me back up and run that by you again .
Fauci says the test @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at 35 cycles or higher .
The FDA says run the test up to 40 cycles , in order to determine whether the virus is there .
This is the crime in a nutshell .
If anyone in the White House has a few brain cells to rub together , pick up a giant bullhorn and start revealing the truth to the American people .
If anyone in the Congress has a few brain cells operating , pull Fauci into a televised hearing and , in ten minutes , make mincemeat out of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ whole foul , stench-ridden assault on the US economy and its citizens .
Naturally , MANY testing labs reading this guideline would conclude , “ Well , to see if the virus is there in a patient , we should run the test all the way to 40 cycles .
That ’ s the official advice.
” Then we have a New York Times article ( August 29/updated September 17 ) headlined : “ Your coronavirus test is positive .
Maybe it shouldn ’ t be.
” [ 3 ] Here are money @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the capper , the grand finale .
Labs don ’ t or won ’ t reveal their collusion in this crime .
IS THE PCR TEST USEFUL AND MEANINGFUL ?
Now let ’ s go to published official literature , and see what it reveals .
Spoiler alert : the admitted holes and shortcomings of the test are devastating .
Translation : A positive test doesn ’ t guarantee that the COVID virus is causing infection at all .
And , ahem , reading between the lines , maybe the COVID virus might @ @ @ @ @ @ @ body at all , either .
Translation : Some PCR tests register positive for types of coronavirus that have nothing to do with COVID—including plain old coronas that cause nothing more than a cold .
Translation : We ’ re not sure which tissue samples to take from the patient , in order for the test to have any validity .
Translation : On the one hand , we claim the test can “ generally ” detect the presence of the COVID virus in a patient .
But we admit that “ the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by which we mean COVID virus , “ may not be the definite cause of disease.
” We also admit that , unless the patient has an acute infection , we can ’ t find COVID .
Therefore , the idea of “ asymptomatic patients ” confirmed by the test is nonsense .
And even though a positive test for COVID may not indicate the actual cause of disease , all positive tests must be reported—and they will be counted as “ COVID cases.
” Regardless .
Translation : Don ’ t use @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or disease .
Oops .
Translation : Although this company states the test can detect COVID , it also states the test can read FALSELY positive if the patient has one of a number of other irrelevant viruses in his body .
What is the test proving , then ?
Who knows ?
Flip a coin .
Translation : This clearly means the test is not suited to detect how much virus is in the patient ’ s body .
That ’ s another indication that the test is useless for determining whether @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of virus must be present , in order to produce illness .
Translation : Don ’ t use the test as the exclusive basis for diagnosing a person with COVID .
And yet , this is exactly what health authorities are doing all over the world .
All positive tests must be reported to government agencies , and they are counted as COVID cases .
Those quotes , from official government and testing sources , torpedo the whole “ scientific ” basis of the test .
CONCLUSION : The PCR test is useless @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dictators the opportunity to cite “ new case levels ” and lock down populations , creating economic and human devastation .
RESIST , REBEL , PROTEST , OPEN UP THE ECONOMY ANY WHICH WAY YOU CAN .
Jon Rappoport is the author of three explosive collections , THE MATRIX REVEALED , EXIT FROM THE MATRIX , and POWER OUTSIDE THE MATRIX , Jon was a candidate for a US Congressional seat in the 29thDistrict of California .
He maintains a consulting practice for private clients , the purpose of which is the expansion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a Pulitzer Prize , he has worked as an investigative reporter for 30 years , writing articles on politics , medicine , and health for CBS Healthwatch , LA Weekly , Spin Magazine , Stern , and other newspapers and magazines in the US and Europe .
Jon has delivered lectures and seminars on global politics , health , logic , and creative power to audiences around the world .
You can sign up for his free emails at NoMoreFakeNews.com or OutsideTheRealityMachine .
This article ( Lockdowns Are Based On Fraud : Open @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was originally created and published by Jon Rappaport ’ s Blog and is re-posted here with permission .
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Lockdowns Are Based On Fraud: Open Letter To People Who Want Freedom
Jon Rappoport, Guest
Waking Times
This article is arranged so you see the fraud in more detail as you read further.
QUICK OVERVIEW:
The lockdowns are based on high levels of COVID cases.
“We have so many new cases, we have to lock down.”
This claim is based on the diagnostic PCR test.
The more tests you do, the more positive results come up. A positive result is taken to mean: the person is infected with the virus.
But overwhelmingly, these so-called “infected” people have no symptoms. They are healthy. Nevertheless, each one is called a “COVID case.” This is absurd.
A case should mean the person has clinical symptoms; he is sick.
These people aren’t sick, and there is no indication they will get sick.
So…expand testing, test millions of people, obtain results claiming “infection,” call all these healthy people “cases,” and order lock downs.
This is a straight-out con. The real goal is lockdowns and economic devastation.
IS THE PCR TEST DECEPTIVE?
You need one piece of background here.
The PCR test is run in “cycles.” Each cycle is a quantum leap in amplifying or magnifying the original tiny, tiny piece of material taken from the patient’s swab sample. It’s like blowing up a small photo to an amazing size.
The question is: how many cycles should the PCR test be run at? This is vital issue, because the number of cycles changes the result.
July 16, 2020, podcast, “This Week in Virology” [1]: Tony Fauci makes a point of saying the PCR COVID test is useless and misleading when the test is run at “35 cycles or higher.” A positive result, indicating infection, cannot be accepted or believed.
Here, in techno-speak, is an excerpt from Fauci’s key quote (starting at about the 4-minute mark [1]): “…If you get [perform the test at] a cycle threshold of 35 or more…the chances of it being replication-competent [aka accurate] are miniscule…you almost never can culture virus [detect a true positive result] from a 37 threshold cycle…even 36…”
Too many cycles, and the test will turn up all sorts of irrelevant material that will be wrongly interpreted as relevant.
That’s called a false positive.
What Fauci failed to say on the video is: the FDA, which authorizes the test for public use, recommends the test should be run up to 40 cycles. Not 35.
Therefore, all labs in the US that follow the FDA guideline are knowingly or unknowingly participating in fraud. Fraud on a monstrous level, because…
Millions of Americans are being told they are infected with the virus on the basis of a false positive result, and…
The total number of COVID cases in America—which is based on the test—is a gross falsity.
The lockdowns and other restraining measures are based on these fraudulent case numbers.
Let me back up and run that by you again. Fauci says the test is useless when it’s run at 35 cycles or higher. The FDA says run the test up to 40 cycles, in order to determine whether the virus is there. This is the crime in a nutshell.
If anyone in the White House has a few brain cells to rub together, pick up a giant bullhorn and start revealing the truth to the American people.
“Hello, America, you’ve been tricked, lied to, conned, and taken for a devastating ride. On the basis of fake science, the country was locked down.”
If anyone in the Congress has a few brain cells operating, pull Fauci into a televised hearing and, in ten minutes, make mincemeat out of the fake science that has driven this whole foul, stench-ridden assault on the US economy and its citizens.
All right, here are two chunks of evidence for what I’ve written above. First, we have a CDC quote on the FDA website, in a document titled: “CDC 2019-Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV) Real-Time RT-PCR Diagnostic Panel For Emergency Use Only.” [2] See pdf page 38 (doc page 37). This document is marked, “Effective: 12/01/2020.” That means, even though the virus is being referred to by its older name, the document is still relevant as of Dec 2020. “For Emergency Use Only” refers to the fact that the FDA has certified the PCR test under a traditional category called “Emergency Use Authorization.” FDA: “…a specimen is considered positive for 2019-nCoV [virus] if all 2019-nCoV marker (N1, N2) cycle threshold growth curves cross the threshold line within 40.00 cycles ([less than] 40.00 Ct).”
Naturally, MANY testing labs reading this guideline would conclude, “Well, to see if the virus is there in a patient, we should run the test all the way to 40 cycles. That’s the official advice.”
A disastrous inference.
Then we have a New York Times article (August 29/updated September 17) headlined: “Your coronavirus test is positive. Maybe it shouldn’t be.” [3] Here are money quotes:
“Most tests set the limit at 40 [cycles]. A few at 37.” “Set the limit” would usually mean, “We’re going to look all the way to 40 cycles, to see if the virus is there.” The Times: “This number of amplification cycles needed to find the virus, called the cycle threshold, is never included in the results sent to doctors and coronavirus patients…”
Boom. That’s the capper, the grand finale. Labs don’t or won’t reveal their collusion in this crime.
Get the picture?
IS THE PCR TEST USEFUL AND MEANINGFUL?
Now let’s go to published official literature, and see what it reveals. Spoiler alert: the admitted holes and shortcomings of the test are devastating.
From “CDC 2019-Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV) Real-Time RT-PCR Diagnostic Panel For Emergency Use Only.” [2]: “Detection of viral RNA may not indicate the presence of infectious virus or that 2019-nCoV is the causative agent for clinical symptoms.” (doc page 40)
Translation: A positive test doesn’t guarantee that the COVID virus is causing infection at all. And, ahem, reading between the lines, maybe the COVID virus might not be in the patient’s body at all, either.
From the World Health Organization (WHO): “Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) technical guidance: Laboratory testing for 2019-nCoV in humans”: “Several assays that detect the 2019-nCoV have been and are currently under development, both in-house and commercially. Some assays may detect only the novel virus [COVID] and some may also detect other strains (e.g. SARS-CoV) that are genetically similar.”
Translation: Some PCR tests register positive for types of coronavirus that have nothing to do with COVID—including plain old coronas that cause nothing more than a cold.
The WHO document adds this little piece: “Protocol use limitations: Optional clinical specimens for testing has [have] not yet been validated.”
Translation: We’re not sure which tissue samples to take from the patient, in order for the test to have any validity.
From the FDA: “LabCorp COVID-19RT-PCR test EUA Summary: ACCELERATED EMERGENCY USE AUTHORIZATION (EUA) SUMMARYCOVID-19 RT-PCR TEST (LABORATORY CORPORATION OF AMERICA)” [5]: “…The SARS-CoV-2RNA [COVID virus] is generally detectable in respiratory specimens during the acute phase of infection. Positive results are indicative of the presence of SARS-CoV-2 RNA; clinical correlation with patient history and other diagnostic information is necessary to determine patient infection status…THE AGENT DETECTED MAY NOT BE THE DEFINITE CAUSE OF DISEASE (CAPS are mine). Laboratories within the United States and its territories are required to report all positive results to the appropriate public health authorities.”
Translation: On the one hand, we claim the test can “generally” detect the presence of the COVID virus in a patient. But we admit that “the agent detected” on the test, by which we mean COVID virus, “may not be the definite cause of disease.” We also admit that, unless the patient has an acute infection, we can’t find COVID. Therefore, the idea of “asymptomatic patients” confirmed by the test is nonsense. And even though a positive test for COVID may not indicate the actual cause of disease, all positive tests must be reported—and they will be counted as “COVID cases.” Regardless.
From a manufacturer of PCR test kit elements, Creative Diagnostics, “SARS-CoV-2 Coronavirus Multiplex RT-qPCR Kit” [6]:
“This product is for research use only and is not intended for diagnostic use.”
Translation: Don’t use the test result alone to diagnose infection or disease. Oops.
“non-specific interference of Influenza A Virus (H1N1), Influenza B Virus (Yamagata), Respiratory Syncytial Virus (type B), Respiratory Adenovirus (type 3, type 7), Parainfluenza Virus (type 2), Mycoplasma Pneumoniae, Chlamydia Pneumoniae, etc.”
Translation: Although this company states the test can detect COVID, it also states the test can read FALSELY positive if the patient has one of a number of other irrelevant viruses in his body. What is the test proving, then? Who knows? Flip a coin.
“Application Qualitative”
Translation: This clearly means the test is not suited to detect how much virus is in the patient’s body. That’s another indication that the test is useless for determining whether the patient is ill—since millions and millions of virus must be present, in order to produce illness.
“The detection result of this product is only for clinical reference, and it should not be used as the only evidence for clinical diagnosis and treatment. The clinical management of patients should be considered in combination with their symptoms/signs, history, other laboratory tests and treatment responses. The detection results should not be directly used as the evidence for clinical diagnosis, and are only for the reference of clinicians.”
Translation: Don’t use the test as the exclusive basis for diagnosing a person with COVID. And yet, this is exactly what health authorities are doing all over the world. All positive tests must be reported to government agencies, and they are counted as COVID cases.
Those quotes, from official government and testing sources, torpedo the whole “scientific” basis of the test.
CONCLUSION: The PCR test is useless and deceptive. It provides de facto dictators the opportunity to cite “new case levels” and lock down populations, creating economic and human devastation.
RESIST, REBEL, PROTEST, OPEN UP THE ECONOMY ANY WHICH WAY YOU CAN.
About the Author
Jon Rappoport is the author of three explosive collections, THE MATRIX REVEALED, EXIT FROM THE MATRIX, and POWER OUTSIDE THE MATRIX, Jon was a candidate for a US Congressional seat in the 29thDistrict of California. He maintains a consulting practice for private clients, the purpose of which is the expansion of personal creative power. Nominated for a Pulitzer Prize, he has worked as an investigative reporter for 30 years, writing articles on politics, medicine, and health for CBS Healthwatch, LA Weekly, Spin Magazine, Stern, and other newspapers and magazines in the US and Europe. Jon has delivered lectures and seminars on global politics, health, logic, and creative power to audiences around the world. You can sign up for his free emails at NoMoreFakeNews.com or OutsideTheRealityMachine.
(To read about Jon’s mega-collection, Exit From The Matrix, click here.)
This article (Lockdowns Are Based On Fraud: Open Letter To People Who Want Freedom) was originally created and published by Jon Rappaport’s Blog and is re-posted here with permission.
SOURCES:
[1] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a_Vy6fgaBPE
[2] http://www.fda.gov/media/134922/download
[3] nytimes.com/2020/08/29/health/coronavirus-testing.html
[4] http://web.archive.org/web/20200301092906/http://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/technical-guidance/laboratory-guidance (for http://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/technical-guidance/laboratory-guidance)
[5] http://www.fda.gov/media/136151/download
[6] http://www.creative-diagnostics.com/pdf/CD019RT.pdf


thewakingtimes--2020-12-04--Landmark Study Finds Masks Are Ineffective

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The first randomized controlled trial1,2 to assess the effectiveness of surgical face masks against SARS-CoV-2 infection specifically — which journals initially refused to publish — is finally seeing the light of day .
The so-called “ Danmask-19 Trial , ” published November 18 , 2020 , in the Annals of Internal Medicine,3 included 3,030 individuals assigned to wear a surgical face mask and 2,994 unmasked controls .
Of them , 80.7 % completed the study .
To qualify , participants had to spend at least @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and not be required to wear a mask during their daily work .
At the end of the study , participants reported having spent a median of 4.5 hours per day outside the home .
For one month , participants in the mask group were instructed to wear a mask whenever they were outside their home .
Surgical face masks with a filtration rate of 98 % were supplied .
In accordance with recommendations from the World Health Organization , participants were instructed to change their mask after eight hours .
Antibody testing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the end of the study period .
At the end of the month , they also submitted a nasal swab sample for PCR testing .
The primary outcome was a positive PCR test , a positive antibody test result ( IgM or IgG ) during the study period , or a hospital-based diagnosis of COVID-19 .
Secondary end points included PCR evidence of infection with other respiratory viruses .
Based on the adherence scores reported , 46 % of participants always wore the mask as recommended , 47 % predominantly as recommended and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ So , what did they find ?
As you might expect , there ’ s a reason why the researchers had such a hard time getting this study published : • Among mask wearers , 1.8 % ( 42 participants ) ended up testing positive for SARS-CoV-2 , compared to 2.1 % ( 53 ) among controls .
When they removed the people who reported not adhering to the recommendations for use , the results remained the same — 1.8 % ( 40 people ) , which suggests adherence makes no significant difference @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) tested positive for antibodies compared to 1.8 % ( 44 ) of controls .
• Among those who reported wearing their face mask “ exactly as instructed , ” 2 % ( 22 participants ) tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 compared to 2.1 % ( 53 ) of the controls .
• 52 participants in the mask group and 39 in the control group reported COVID-19 in their household .
Of these , two participants in the mask group and one in the control group developed SARS-CoV-2 infection — a finding that suggests @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was outside the home.
” • 0.5 % ( nine participants ) in the mask group and 0.6 % ( 11 individuals ) tested positive for one or more respiratory viruses other than SARS-CoV-2 ( secondary outcome ) .
All in all , this landmark COVID-19-specific study failed to deliver good news to those who insist face masks are a crucial component of the pandemic response .
Masks may reduce your risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection by as much as 46 % , or it may increase your risk by 23 % .
In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ still shows that masks have virtually no impact on viral transmission .
Another take-home point that you get from this study , which Del Bigtree points out in The Highwire video report above , is that the vast majority — 97.9 % of those who didn ’ t wear masks , and 98.2 % of those who did — remained infection free .
So , we are destroying economies and lives around the world , for what , exactly ?
To protect a small minority from getting a positive PCR test result which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Casedemic ’ Is a Perpetuation of Needless Fear , ” means little to nothing .
As reported by the authors:4 The researchers point out that results could potentially turn out differently if everyone were wearing a mask .
At the time of the study , Danish authorities did not recommend universal mask use and most Danes did not wear them .
Hence “ participants ’ exposure was overwhelmingly to persons not wearing masks.
” That possibility , however , is a big “ if , ” and not sufficient to mandate universal mask @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is nothing but a wholly unscientific guess .
Despite that , many local leaders are now doubling down on mask mandates , some even requiring them to be worn inside your own home when anyone outside the family is present and even if physical distancing can be maintained.5 As an example of extremes , a June 2020 Harvard University paper6,7 even suggested couples should wear face masks during sex .
Others are tripling down on masks , recommending you wear two or even three at the same time.8 Former Food and Drug Administration @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to wear N95 surgical masks whenever possible.9 Missing entirely from most recommendations is common-sense health guidance known to improve your immune function and lower your infection risk naturally , such as supplementing with vitamin D , NAC , melatonin , quercetin and zinc .
As noted by Angela Rasmussen , a virologist and affiliate of the Georgetown Center for Global Health Science and Security , in a November 15 , 2020 , op-ed in The Guardian,10 our immune systems know how to handle the virus ; it ’ s our politicians who have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ writes:11 As noted by Rasmussen , the data collected on the responses of T-cells to SARS-CoV-2 infection “ underscore that SARS-CoV-2 is not an anomalous virus capable of miraculous feats of immune evasion.
” In other words , provided your immune function is normal , the virus is as vulnerable as any other virus and you ’ re not destined to die just because you develop symptoms .
So , the reason we ’ re in the situation we ’ re now in , Rasmussen says , is not because SARS-CoV-2 is somehow @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has come before .
We ’ re in this situation due to political failures .
Mask Mandates Have Had No Impact on Infection Trends Other data analyses that add support to the Danish study ’ s results include Yinon Weiss ’ work presented in his article12 “ These 12 Graphs Show Mask Mandates Do Nothing to Stop COVID.
” In it , he shows that states ’ mask rules appear to have had nothing to do with infection rates , which is what you ’ d expect if masks don ’ t work @ @ @ @ @ @ @ matter how strictly mask laws are enforced nor the level of mask compliance the population follows , cases all fall and rise around the same time.
” To see all of the graphs , check out Weiss ’ article13 or Twitter thread.14 Here are just a select few to bring home the point : What everyone needs to come to terms with is that we have a new respiratory virus in town — one that may stay with us indefinitely .
The question then becomes , just how long do we lock ourselves @ @ @ @ @ @ @ relationships ?
How long do we neglect our children ’ s education and social development by keeping schools closed ?
How long do we leave our elderly family members to languish in isolation ?
A better part of the global population has essentially stopped living altogether , and for what ?
For fear of an illness that 99.7 % of people recover from15 — an illness that is as likely to kill you as the seasonal influenza if you ’ re under 60.16 Data clearly show that COVID-19 has not resulted in excess @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people who die in any given year , on average , have died in this year of the pandemic.17,18 Several studies19,20,21,22,23,24,25,26 also suggest immunity against SARS-CoV-2 infection is far more widespread than anyone imagined .
In an October 28 , 2020 , Wall Street Journal opinion piece,27 Joseph Ladapo , an associate professor at UCLA ’ s David Geffen School of Medicine , points out that we really must accept reality and move on with life , unpredictable as it may be .
He writes : There ’ s Nothing to Fear but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ve been reading this newsletter , you ’ re no longer incapacitated with fear and are capable of making more level-headed decisions based on the data at hand rather than the fear porn published in the daily papers .
For the latest news and top tips for combating COVID-19 , check out my Coronavirus Resource Page .
Everything really points to this pandemic being overblown and prolonged for purposes that have nothing to do with saving lives and everything to do with “ resetting ” the global financial and power structures — none @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lockdowns are essentially just conditioning you to accept a radically new way of life — one in which we have limited ability to travel or work , one in which we ’ re conditioned to being partially or wholly dependent on a government handout , one in which we must submit to being tracked and surveilled with little or no right to privacy , one in which the government dictates how you can spend your time , where you can go , who you can spend time with and for how long .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ in irreparable shambles , the central banks will roll out a debt erasure program to solve all our problems .
The price will be your humanity , your freedom .
Will you pay it ?
Or will you resist the whole deviled scheme while you still can ?
Like Waking Times on Facebook .
Follow Waking Times on Twitter .

Landmark Study Finds Masks Are Ineffective
Dr. Mercola, Guest
Waking Times
The first randomized controlled trial1,2 to assess the effectiveness of surgical face masks against SARS-CoV-2 infection specifically — which journals initially refused to publish — is finally seeing the light of day.
The so-called “Danmask-19 Trial,” published November 18, 2020, in the Annals of Internal Medicine,3 included 3,030 individuals assigned to wear a surgical face mask and 2,994 unmasked controls. Of them, 80.7% completed the study.
To qualify, participants had to spend at least three hours per day outside the home and not be required to wear a mask during their daily work. At the end of the study, participants reported having spent a median of 4.5 hours per day outside the home.
For one month, participants in the mask group were instructed to wear a mask whenever they were outside their home. Surgical face masks with a filtration rate of 98% were supplied. In accordance with recommendations from the World Health Organization, participants were instructed to change their mask after eight hours.
Antibody testing was performed before the outset and at the end of the study period. At the end of the month, they also submitted a nasal swab sample for PCR testing.
What the Danmask-19 Trial Found
The primary outcome was a positive PCR test, a positive antibody test result (IgM or IgG) during the study period, or a hospital-based diagnosis of COVID-19. Secondary end points included PCR evidence of infection with other respiratory viruses.
Based on the adherence scores reported, 46% of participants always wore the mask as recommended, 47% predominantly as recommended and 7% failed to follow recommendations. So, what did they find? As you might expect, there’s a reason why the researchers had such a hard time getting this study published:
Among mask wearers, 1.8% (42 participants) ended up testing positive for SARS-CoV-2, compared to 2.1% (53) among controls. When they removed the people who reported not adhering to the recommendations for use, the results remained the same — 1.8% (40 people), which suggests adherence makes no significant difference.
1.4% (33 participants) tested positive for antibodies compared to 1.8% (44) of controls.
Among those who reported wearing their face mask “exactly as instructed,” 2% (22 participants) tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 compared to 2.1% (53) of the controls.
52 participants in the mask group and 39 in the control group reported COVID-19 in their household. Of these, two participants in the mask group and one in the control group developed SARS-CoV-2 infection — a finding that suggests “the source of most observed infections was outside the home.”
0.5% (nine participants) in the mask group and 0.6% (11 individuals) tested positive for one or more respiratory viruses other than SARS-CoV-2 (secondary outcome).
Masks May Lower, or Raise, Infection Risk
All in all, this landmark COVID-19-specific study failed to deliver good news to those who insist face masks are a crucial component of the pandemic response. Masks may reduce your risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection by as much as 46%, or it may increase your risk by 23%. In other words, the preponderance of evidence still shows that masks have virtually no impact on viral transmission.
Another take-home point that you get from this study, which Del Bigtree points out in The Highwire video report above, is that the vast majority — 97.9% of those who didn’t wear masks, and 98.2% of those who did — remained infection free.
So, we are destroying economies and lives around the world, for what, exactly? To protect a small minority from getting a positive PCR test result which, as detailed in “Asymptomatic ‘Casedemic’ Is a Perpetuation of Needless Fear,” means little to nothing. As reported by the authors:4
“Although no statistically significant difference in SARS-CoV-2 incidence was observed, the 95% CIs are compatible with a possible 46% reduction to 23% increase in infection among mask wearers.
These findings do offer evidence about the degree of protection mask wearers can anticipate in a setting where others are not wearing masks and where other public health measures, including social distancing, are in effect …
Transmission of SARS-CoV-2 may take place through multiple routes. It has been argued that for the primary route of SARS-CoV-2 spread — that is, via droplets — face masks would be considered effective, whereas masks would not be effective against spread via aerosols, which might penetrate or circumnavigate a face mask. Thus, spread of SARS-CoV-2 via aerosols would at least partially explain the present findings …
The present findings are compatible with the findings of a review of randomized controlled trials of the efficacy of face masks for prevention (as personal protective equipment) against influenza virus …
Our results suggest that the recommendation to wear a surgical mask when outside the home among others did not reduce, at conventional levels of statistical significance, the incidence of SARS-CoV-2 infection in mask wearers in a setting where social distancing and other public health measures were in effect, mask recommendations were not among those measures, and community use of masks was uncommon.”
Government Tyrants Double Down on Mask Mandates
The researchers point out that results could potentially turn out differently if everyone were wearing a mask. At the time of the study, Danish authorities did not recommend universal mask use and most Danes did not wear them. Hence “participants’ exposure was overwhelmingly to persons not wearing masks.”
That possibility, however, is a big “if,” and not sufficient to mandate universal mask wearing. Any claim to such effect is nothing but a wholly unscientific guess. Despite that, many local leaders are now doubling down on mask mandates, some even requiring them to be worn inside your own home when anyone outside the family is present and even if physical distancing can be maintained.5
As an example of extremes, a June 2020 Harvard University paper6,7 even suggested couples should wear face masks during sex. Others are tripling down on masks, recommending you wear two or even three at the same time.8 Former Food and Drug Administration commissioner Dr. Scott Gottlieb is urging Americans to wear N95 surgical masks whenever possible.9
Epidemic of Spineless Leadership
Missing entirely from most recommendations is common-sense health guidance known to improve your immune function and lower your infection risk naturally, such as supplementing with vitamin D, NAC, melatonin, quercetin and zinc.
As noted by Angela Rasmussen, a virologist and affiliate of the Georgetown Center for Global Health Science and Security, in a November 15, 2020, op-ed in The Guardian,10 our immune systems know how to handle the virus; it’s our politicians who have failed to cope with it. She writes:11
“Most of the evidence in both COVID-19 patients and animal models shows that the immune response to this is quite typical for an acute viral infection. Initially, the body ramps up high levels of IgG antibodies, but after the infection is cleared, those antibodies drop to a baseline level, which may be below the limit of detection of some serological tests.
Antibodies are produced by B-cells, a specialized type of immune cell that recognizes a specific antigen, or viral target. When an infection is cleared, B-cells producing antibodies convert from being plasma cells, which are specialized to pump out massive quantities of SARS-CoV-2-specific antibodies, to being memory B-cells.
These cells produce lower levels of IgG antibody; but, importantly they persist in the body for years. If they are re-exposed to SARS-CoV-2, they rapidly convert to plasma cells and begin producing high levels of antibody again.
There is no indication that most COVID-19 patients are not developing immune memory, and animals experimentally infected with SARS-CoV-2 are protected against rechallenge with high doses of virus …
Furthermore, antibodies are not the only important part of the immune system. T-cells are also a key component to the immune response. They come in two flavors: helper T-cells, which coordinate immune responses and facilitate immunological memory, and killer T-cells, which kill infected cells. Previous studies have shown that SARS-CoV-2 infection induces robust T-cell responses.”
As noted by Rasmussen, the data collected on the responses of T-cells to SARS-CoV-2 infection “underscore that SARS-CoV-2 is not an anomalous virus capable of miraculous feats of immune evasion.”
“No matter how strictly mask laws are enforced nor the level of mask compliance the population follows, cases all fall and rise around the same time. ~ Yinon Weiss“
In other words, provided your immune function is normal, the virus is as vulnerable as any other virus and you’re not destined to die just because you develop symptoms. So, the reason we’re in the situation we’re now in, Rasmussen says, is not because SARS-CoV-2 is somehow different or more lethal than anything that has come before. We’re in this situation due to political failures.
Mask Mandates Have Had No Impact on Infection Trends
Other data analyses that add support to the Danish study’s results include Yinon Weiss’ work presented in his article12 “These 12 Graphs Show Mask Mandates Do Nothing to Stop COVID.” In it, he shows that states’ mask rules appear to have had nothing to do with infection rates, which is what you’d expect if masks don’t work.
Weiss points out that “No matter how strictly mask laws are enforced nor the level of mask compliance the population follows, cases all fall and rise around the same time.” To see all of the graphs, check out Weiss’ article13 or Twitter thread.14 Here are just a select few to bring home the point:
Masks Delay Inevitable Acceptance of COVID-19 Reality
What everyone needs to come to terms with is that we have a new respiratory virus in town — one that may stay with us indefinitely. The question then becomes, just how long do we lock ourselves in our homes and shun all social relationships?
How long do we neglect our children’s education and social development by keeping schools closed? How long do we leave our elderly family members to languish in isolation? A better part of the global population has essentially stopped living altogether, and for what? For fear of an illness that 99.7% of people recover from15 — an illness that is as likely to kill you as the seasonal influenza if you’re under 60.16
Data clearly show that COVID-19 has not resulted in excess mortality, meaning the same number of people who die in any given year, on average, have died in this year of the pandemic.17,18 Several studies19,20,21,22,23,24,25,26 also suggest immunity against SARS-CoV-2 infection is far more widespread than anyone imagined.
In an October 28, 2020, Wall Street Journal opinion piece,27 Joseph Ladapo, an associate professor at UCLA’s David Geffen School of Medicine, points out that we really must accept reality and move on with life, unpredictable as it may be. He writes:
“By paying outsize and scientifically unjustified attention to masking, mask mandates have the unintended consequence of delaying public acceptance of the unavoidable truth.
In countries with active community transmission and no herd immunity, nothing short of inhumane lockdowns can stop the spread of COVID-19, so the most sensible and sustainable path forward is to learn to live with the virus.
Shifting focus away from mask mandates and toward the reality of respiratory viral spread will free up time and resources to protect the most vulnerable Americans …
Until the reality of viral spread in the U.S. … is accepted, political leaders will continue to feel justified in keeping schools and businesses closed, robbing young people of the opportunity to invest in their futures, and restricting activities that make life worthwhile.”
There’s Nothing to Fear but Fear Itself
Hopefully, if you’ve been reading this newsletter, you’re no longer incapacitated with fear and are capable of making more level-headed decisions based on the data at hand rather than the fear porn published in the daily papers. For the latest news and top tips for combating COVID-19, check out my Coronavirus Resource Page.
Everything really points to this pandemic being overblown and prolonged for purposes that have nothing to do with saving lives and everything to do with “resetting” the global financial and power structures — none of which will benefit us.
The lockdowns are essentially just conditioning you to accept a radically new way of life — one in which we have limited ability to travel or work, one in which we’re conditioned to being partially or wholly dependent on a government handout, one in which we must submit to being tracked and surveilled with little or no right to privacy, one in which the government dictates how you can spend your time, where you can go, who you can spend time with and for how long.
Eventually, once the global economies are in irreparable shambles, the central banks will roll out a debt erasure program to solve all our problems. The price will be your humanity, your freedom. Will you pay it? Or will you resist the whole deviled scheme while you still can?


thewakingtimes--2020-12-05--BREAKING: Congress Passes Historical Bill To Decriminalize Cannabis At The Federal Level

BREAKING : Congress Passes Historical Bill To Decriminalize Cannabis At The Federal Level Get the latest Waking Times articles delivered to your inbox .
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On Friday , the House voted 228-164 to decriminalize marijuana and and expunge nonviolent marijuana-related convictions , marking the first time that either chamber of Congress has endorsed the legalization of cannabis .
On November 3 , 2020 , history was made in the American war on drugs .
Drugs won .
Oregon moved to decriminalize all drugs , even hard ones like meth and heroin as five other states moved to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ today , Congress passed a historic vote to end federal cannabis prohibition once and for all .
Voting to overturn the tyranny of the drug war can not happen fast enough and it looks like Americans — both on the blue team and the red — are finally beginning to grasp this .
According to a recent Gallop poll , 68 percent of the country favors legal access to cannabis — not just medicinal either .
Sadly , however , although the Joe Biden claimed he will “ pursue modest marijuana reform ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , these claims ring entirely hollow given his lust for locking brown and black people in cages in his past four decades in Washington .
The prohibition of cannabis is a major tool used by the police state to go after communities of color and the poor and those who profit from preying on these groups will not give up that power easily which is why Biden has refused to even consider legalization .
The Marijuana Opportunity Reinvestment and Expungement ( MORE ) Act , was supposed to go up for a vote @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who were worried about how it would look to pass a legalization bill without passing another coronavirus relief package .
Well , since that relief package never came , the vote for the MORE act took place , and passed today .
The MORE Act removes cannabis from the Controlled Substances Act ( CSA ) .
But that is not all .
It goes one step further and seek to undo the horrific damage caused by the state ’ s war on this plant by expunging the records of those persecuted by cannabis @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a massive effect on bringing cannabis prohibition to its knees .
It will also bring in revenue to cash strapped states who are going in debt amid COVID-19 lockdowns .
According to the legislation , the act will : provide for expungement and resentencing of prior convictions and prevent federal agencies from using cannabis as a reason to deny access to benefits or citizenship status for immigrants .
It would also impose a five percent federal tax on the sales of marijuana products .
Some of that revenue would be directed toward a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ grant programs to provide job training and legal aid for people impacted by prohibition enforcement , loans for small marijuana businesses owned and controlled by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals and efforts to minimize barriers to licensing and employment in the legal industry .
Some of these efforts would be run through a new Cannabis Justice Office in the Department of Justice .
Even though the bill has bipartisan support in the House and passed by a large margin , drug war addicted dinosaurs in the Senate will likely hold it up .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) has made his reefer madness stance clear and he will likely convince many other tyrants in the Senate to oppose its passage .
Nevertheless , the symbolic nature of a bill passing the House to legalize cannabis on a national level can not be understated .
It is also important to point out that this legislation was presented last year and approved by a majority in the House Judiciary Committee .
However , a vote by Congress has been delayed multiple times .
In August , however , the organization formerly known @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) , now known as Law Enforcement Action Partnership , along with the National Black Police Association , and Fair and Just Prosecution signed onto a revolutionary letter to Congress urging the federal government to legalize marijuana and expunge all past convictions relating to marijuana .
This provided the impetus for the vote today .
Those who continue denying the evidence , while continuing to lock people in cages for a plant , will ultimately be judged by history .
They will not be the heroes they claim to be now .
They @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for mass incarceration , fostering the police state , and dealing a near-death blow to freedom .
The time for change is now .
Matt Agorist is an honorably discharged veteran of the USMC and former intelligence operator directly tasked by the NSA .
This prior experience gives him unique insight into the world of government corruption and the American police state .
Agorist has been an independent journalist for over a decade and has been featured on mainstream networks around the world .
Agorist is also the Editor at Large at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Twitter , Steemit , and now on Minds .
**This article ( BREAKING : Congress Passes Historical Bill To Decriminalize Cannabis At The Federal Level ) was originally published at The Free Thought Project and is re-posted here with permission .
**

BREAKING: Congress Passes Historical Bill To Decriminalize Cannabis At The Federal Level
Matt Agorist, The Free Thought Project
Waking Times
On Friday, the House voted 228-164 to decriminalize marijuana and and expunge nonviolent marijuana-related convictions, marking the first time that either chamber of Congress has endorsed the legalization of cannabis.
BREAKING: US House votes 228-164 to pass historic bill that would decriminalize cannabis and clear the way to erase nonviolent federal marijuana convictions; bill moves to US Senate. pic.twitter.com/ZcRgdSN9ez — NBC News (@NBCNews) December 4, 2020
On November 3, 2020, history was made in the American war on drugs. Drugs won. Oregon moved to decriminalize all drugs, even hard ones like meth and heroin as five other states moved to legalize cannabis in some form. And today, Congress passed a historic vote to end federal cannabis prohibition once and for all.
Voting to overturn the tyranny of the drug war cannot happen fast enough and it looks like Americans — both on the blue team and the red — are finally beginning to grasp this. According to a recent Gallop poll, 68 percent of the country favors legal access to cannabis — not just medicinal either.
Sadly, however, although the Joe Biden claimed he will “pursue modest marijuana reform” after he gets in the White House, these claims ring entirely hollow given his lust for locking brown and black people in cages in his past four decades in Washington. The prohibition of cannabis is a major tool used by the police state to go after communities of color and the poor and those who profit from preying on these groups will not give up that power easily which is why Biden has refused to even consider legalization.
The Marijuana Opportunity Reinvestment and Expungement (MORE) Act, was supposed to go up for a vote in September but was shelved by Democrats who were worried about how it would look to pass a legalization bill without passing another coronavirus relief package. Well, since that relief package never came, the vote for the MORE act took place, and passed today.
The MORE Act removes cannabis from the Controlled Substances Act (CSA). But that is not all. It goes one step further and seek to undo the horrific damage caused by the state’s war on this plant by expunging the records of those persecuted by cannabis prohibition.
Federally descheduling cannabis would have a massive effect on bringing cannabis prohibition to its knees. It will also bring in revenue to cash strapped states who are going in debt amid COVID-19 lockdowns.
According to the legislation, the act will:
provide for expungement and resentencing of prior convictions and prevent federal agencies from using cannabis as a reason to deny access to benefits or citizenship status for immigrants. It would also impose a five percent federal tax on the sales of marijuana products. Some of that revenue would be directed toward a new Opportunity Trust Fund aimed at supporting grant programs to provide job training and legal aid for people impacted by prohibition enforcement, loans for small marijuana businesses owned and controlled by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals and efforts to minimize barriers to licensing and employment in the legal industry. Some of these efforts would be run through a new Cannabis Justice Office in the Department of Justice.
Even though the bill has bipartisan support in the House and passed by a large margin, drug war addicted dinosaurs in the Senate will likely hold it up. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) has made his reefer madness stance clear and he will likely convince many other tyrants in the Senate to oppose its passage.
Nevertheless, the symbolic nature of a bill passing the House to legalize cannabis on a national level cannot be understated. It is also important to point out that this legislation was presented last year and approved by a majority in the House Judiciary Committee. However, a vote by Congress has been delayed multiple times.
In August, however, the organization formerly known as Law Enforcement Against Prohibition (LEAP), now known as Law Enforcement Action Partnership, along with the National Black Police Association, and Fair and Just Prosecution signed onto a revolutionary letter to Congress urging the federal government to legalize marijuana and expunge all past convictions relating to marijuana. This provided the impetus for the vote today.
Those who continue denying the evidence, while continuing to lock people in cages for a plant, will ultimately be judged by history. They will not be the heroes they claim to be now. They will be remembered as the ones responsible for mass incarceration, fostering the police state, and dealing a near-death blow to freedom.
The time for change is now.
About the Author
Matt Agorist is an honorably discharged veteran of the USMC and former intelligence operator directly tasked by the NSA. This prior experience gives him unique insight into the world of government corruption and the American police state. Agorist has been an independent journalist for over a decade and has been featured on mainstream networks around the world. Agorist is also the Editor at Large at the Free Thought Project. Follow @MattAgorist on Twitter, Steemit, and now on Minds.
**This article (BREAKING: Congress Passes Historical Bill To Decriminalize Cannabis At The Federal Level) was originally published at The Free Thought Project and is re-posted here with permission.**