By: Holly Hodges
According to reports from The Appalachian, Holistic Health Solutions, a local business which branded itself as Boone’s first dispensary, will be expanding and rebranding for the North Carolina Compassionate Care Act. The act would legalize medical marijuana for those suffering from severe medical conditions such as cancer, epilepsy, or Parkinson’s. App. State Alumnus Michael Taylor owns the dispensary and told The Appalachian the expansion and rebranding is important because they would be eligible to receive a permit to sell medical cannabis shortly after the bill has been passed.
In national news, the U.S. suspended all imports of Mexican avocados after a U.S. plant safety inspector received a threat. According to reports from the Associated Press, the suspension was confirmed on Saturday. Avocado exports have been the latest victim of drug cartel turf battles. The avocado ban is the latest threat to Mexico’s export trade stemming from the government’s inability to rein in illegal activities. The ban was announced on the day that the Mexican avocado growers and packers association unveiled its Super Bowl ad for this year. Avocados for this year’s Super Bowl were already exported weeks prior to the game. The suspension is in place until further notice.
According to the Associated Press, police have begun to move in on protestors at the U.S.-Canada bridge and arrest them, ending the demonstration against COVID restrictions. Protests reverberated across the country and internationally with similar demonstrations being spotted in France, New Zealand and the Netherlands. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has warned that similar convoys may spread throughout the country. The convoy has blocked a crossing which oversees 25 percent of all trade between the U.S. and Canada. Ontario Premier Doug Ford declared a state of emergency allowing for fines up to 100 thousand Canadian dollars and up to one year in jail for blocking roads, bridges, walkways, and other critical infrastructure.
Today’s weather is brought to you by Ray’s Weather Center at BooneWeather.com. It’s going to be a cold Valentine’s Day with a high of 39 degrees and a low of 21 degrees. There is a slight chance for snow flurries, so be sure to layer up when heading outside.