Floridians will vote in November to legalize recreational marijuana use for adults 21 and up. The Florida Supreme Court approved a ballot initiative to legalize recreational marijuana. The Florida Supreme Court will allow the state's voter to decide on whether to protect abortion rights and legalize recreational marijuana in November. https://t.co/rwWSFipQVG — The Associated Press (@AP) April 1‚ 2024 “A ballot initiative to legalize the recreational use of marijuana under Florida law obtained the required number of signatures to trigger mandatory judicial review of the initiative’s validity. Our role is narrow—we assess only whether the amendment conforms to the constitutionally mandated single-subject requirement‚ whether the ballot summary meets the statutory standard for clarity‚ and whether the amendment is facially invalid under the federal constitution‚” Florida Supreme Court Justice Jamie R. Grosshans wrote. “In light of those limited considerations‚ we approve the proposed amendment for placement on the ballot‚” Grosshans added. BREAKING: Adult Use Cannabis Will be On the 2024 Ballot in Florida! https://t.co/lJeZArjm4t pic.twitter.com/Dih6Ln40qL — Chris Nelson (@ReOpenChris) April 1‚ 2024 From the Associated Press: The justices voted 5-2 to allow on the ballot a measure that would allow companies which already grow and sell medical marijuana to sell it to adults over 21 for any reason. The ballot measure also would make possession of marijuana for personal use legal. Moody argued that the proposal is deceptive‚ in part‚ because federal law still doesn’t allow recreational or medical use of marijuana. She argued that the court previously erred when it approved the language for the medical marijuana ballot initiative voters passed in 2016. In the majority opinion‚ Grosshans rejected Moody’s argument‚ saying the measure will not confuse voters as it “clearly states that the amendment legalizes adult personal possession and use of marijuana as a matter of Florida law.” Grosshans rejected an argument by others that the measure violates the prohibition against multi-subject ballot measures because it both decriminalizes marijuana and allows for its sale. Grosshans wrote that those two are logically linked. “Legalization of marijuana presumes the product will be available for the consumer. Likewise‚ the sale of personal-use marijuana cannot be reasonably undertaken while possession is criminalized. Selling and possessing marijuana appear‚ for better or worse‚ directly connected‚” Grosshans wrote. “The Florida Supreme Court has ruled to allow Smart &; Safe’s ballot amendment for recreational marijuana in Florida. This November‚ Floridians will be not only be voting for President‚ they will also decide if they want people to be able to buy cannabis without a medical card‚” Martha Bueno commented. Breaking news: The Florida Supreme Court has ruled to allow Smart &; Safe’s ballot amendment for recreational marijuana in Florida. This November‚ Floridians will be not only be voting for President‚ they will also decide if they want people to be able to buy cannabis without a… — Martha Bueno (@BuenoForMiami) April 1‚ 2024 Forbes noted: “This is one of the most important cannabis legalization campaigns in recent years‚” Matthew Schweich‚ executive director of the Marijuana Policy Project‚ said in a statement from the cannabis policy reform advocacy group. “We have the opportunity to end the injustice of cannabis prohibition for over 22 million Americans.” To become law‚ the ballot measure must receive at least 60% of the vote in the November election. Of the 24 states in the union with an initiative process‚ Florida is the only one to set a 60% threshold for passage. “The challenge in Florida is reaching the 60% mark‚” added Schweich‚ who has served as campaign director for six successful cannabis reform ballot initiative campaigns since 2016. “We need a well-funded campaign but just as importantly we need a strong grassroots operation that can mobilize support and turn out pro-legalization voters.” In June 2023‚ state elections officials revealed that the adult-use cannabis legalization proposal from Smart &; Safe Florida had received enough signatures to qualify for the 2024 general election ballot. Before it could appear on the ballot‚ the initiative faced a review by the Florida Supreme Court‚ which is tasked with verifying that the measure is limited to a single issue and is not likely to confuse voters. In 2021‚ the Florida Supreme Court invalidated marijuana legalization bids on two separate occasions.

1877 - 1st Easter egg roll held on White House lawn 1917 - Jeannette Rankin (Rep-R-Montana) begins her term as 1st woman member of US House of Reps 1932 - "Tarzan the Ape Man" released starring Olympic swimmer Johnny Weissmuller in the first of his 12 Tarzan films 1944 - Dmitri Shostakovich's 8th Symphony premieres in NY 1960 - Cuba buys oil from USSR 1993 - 1st test flight of Fokker 70 (Amsterdam) 1996 - Vancouver Grizzlies beat Minnesota Timberwolves‚ 105-103 at General Motors Place Arena to end their NBA single-season record 23-game consecutive loss streak 2017 - 36th NCAA Women's Basketball Championship: South Carolina defeats Mississippi State‚ 67-55; Gamecocks power forward A'ja Wilson‚ 23 points 2019 - NASA states it wants to send astronauts to Mars by 2033‚ and land on the Moon again in 2024 2020 - Brazilian president Jair Bolsonaro downplays the COVID-19 pandemic saying "its not all its being made out to be" More Historical Events »

Historical Events 1905 - Cairo-Capetown railway opens 1987 - IBM introduces PS/2 and OS/2 1995 - Longest strike in American major league sports history (232 days) ends as MLB owners accept players’ offer to return to work without a contract; MLB is first major pro sports league to lose an entire postseason due to labor struggles 1996 - Vancouver Grizzlies beat Minnesota Timberwolves‚ 105-103 at General Motors Place Arena to end their NBA single-season record 23-game consecutive loss streak 2010 - Basketball superstar Kobe Bryant signs a three-year contract extension with the NBA's Los Angeles Lakers worth $87 million 2013 - Uruguay passes legislation to legalize same-sex marriage More Historical Events » Famous Birthdays 1740 - Armand-Gaston Camus‚ French revolutionary and Chairman of the Council of 500‚ born in Paris (d. 1804) 1900 - Roberto Arlt‚ Argentine writer (The Seven Madmen)‚ born in Buenos Aires‚ Argentina (d. 1942) 1910 - Arnie Herber‚ American Pro Football Hall of Fame quarterback (NFL C'ship 1930‚ 31‚ 36‚ 39; First-team All-Pro 1932‚ 35‚ 36; Green Bay Packers‚ NY Giants)‚ born in Green Bay‚ Wisconsin (d. 1969) 1963 - Dermot Reeve‚ English cricket all-rounder (3 Tests‚ 29 ODIs)‚ born in Kowloon‚ Hong Kong 1982 - Jeremy Bloom‚ American alpine skier (FIS Freestyle World Ski C'ships gold dual moguls 2003) and football wide receiver (Philadelphia Eagles‚ Pittsburgh Steelers)‚ born in Loveland‚ Colorado 1982 - Leyla Milani‚ Iranian-Canadian actress and model‚ born in Toronto‚ Ontario More Famous Birthdays » Famous Deaths 1787 - Francisco Javier Clavijero‚ Mexican Jesuit teacher and writer‚ dies at 55 1956 - Chester Clute‚ American actor ("Arsenic and Old Lace"; "Too Many Girls"; "Niagara Falls")‚ dies of a heart attack at 65 1980 - Pascual de Rogatis‚ Argentine composer (Huemac; Estampas Argentinas)‚ dies at 99 1993 - Eugenie Leontovitch‚ Russian actress (Homicidal‚ The Rains of Ranchipur)‚ dies at 93 1995 - Harvey Penick‚ American golfer‚ coach‚ author (World Golf Hall of Fame)‚ dies of degenerative arthritis at 90 2002 - Henry Slesar‚ American writer and playwright (The Edge of Night)‚ dies at 74 More Famous Deaths »

A duo back in the 60s‚ Medicine Head is now effectively just John Fiddler‚ whose new album Heartworks is filled with love

Tennessee made history late last month by signing the Ensuring Likeness Voice and Image Security Act (ELVIS Act)‚ which was the first piece of legislation specially designed to protect artists from unlawful AI mimicry. Governor Bill Lee lauded the historic event‚ underscoring Tennessee’s dedication to preserving its rich musical history. A landmark decision: the ELVIS Act The ELVIS Act is an important amendment to Tennessee’s current right of publicity statute‚ expanding protections to include AI-generated content. Governor Bill Lee emphasized the significance of this act‚ saying‚ “Tennessee is the music capital of the world‚ &; we’re leading the nation with historic protections for TN artists &; songwriters against emerging AI technology.” Individuals will be barred from using artificial intelligence to imitate an artist’s voice without agreement under the ELVIS Act‚ ensuring that musicians retain control over their digital likenesses. The regulation is due to take effect on July 1‚ marking a watershed point in the ongoing debate over AI ethics and intellectual property rights. Honoring Tennessee’s musical legacy Tennessee’s cultural importance in the world of music cannot be emphasized. From the famous sounds of country to the soulful melodies of blues‚ the state has served as a breeding ground for musical invention for years. Elvis Presley‚ Dolly Parton‚ BB King‚ and Taylor Swift have all established themselves in Tennessee‚ adding to the state’s rich musical history. The state’s commitment to its artists is reflected in its strong music sector‚ which employs over 61‚000 people and has over 4‚500 music venues. Governor Lee thanked the General Assembly for emphasizing the necessity of protecting Tennessee’s artistic legacy in the face of advanced AI technology. Navigating the AI landscape: challenges and solutions The rapid growth of AI technology has faced politicians with a slew of issues‚ particularly in areas such as music‚ where intellectual property rights are crucial. With the rise of AI-generated material‚ concerns about copyright infringement and illegal copying have grown. Last year’s viral hit‚ “Heart on My Sleeve‚” highlighted the need for legislative action‚ with an anonymous TikTok user using AI to impersonate the vocals of Drake and The Weeknd. While the song gained popularity‚ it also highlighted concerns about the ethical usage of AI in artistic pursuits. AI in music: threats and breakthroughs Despite the hurdles offered by artificial intelligence‚ there have been significant advances in music production. AI-powered tools have allowed artists to explore new creative channels and push the limitations of traditional composition. The Beatles’ final release‚ “Now and Then‚” which was out in November 2023‚ exemplifies AI’s revolutionary potential in music. Furthermore‚ musicians such as Grimes have welcomed AI-generated content‚ agreeing to split earnings with producers who use AI to create unique works. Tennessee’s ELVIS Act establishes a model for other states to follow in protecting artists’ rights in an increasingly digital society. By achieving a balance between innovation and protection‚ policymakers hope to ensure that artists may continue to create and thrive in the age of AI.    The post Tennessee’s ELVIS Act: A pioneering legislation protects artists from AI misuse first appeared on The Optimist Daily: Making Solutions the News.

In a revolutionary study published in the journal Environmental Research‚ researchers discovered a substantial link between living on green streets and having better sleep quality. With sleep deficiency being a major public health concern‚ this study highlights the critical significance of natural surroundings in encouraging healthier sleep. The relationship between greenery and sleep quality Using data from the BlueHealth International Survey‚ a comprehensive survey covering 18 nations‚ researchers investigated the link between environmental conditions and sleep habits. Leanne Martin from the University of Exeter’s European Centre for Environment and Human Health and the study’s lead author‚ notes that “people that lived in greener streets reported better mental health‚ which was the driving factor behind getting a better night’s sleep.” The study’s findings highlight the importance of green areas in urban environments‚ implying that attempts to improve streetscape vegetation could have far-reaching repercussions for public health. Discovering nature’s role in mental well-being The study investigates many types of nature exposure‚ ranging from subjective views of greens to objective indicators like closeness to green regions. Mathew White from the University of Vienna‚ co-author of the paper‚ says‚ “Whilst a five percent difference may seem small‚ these findings are comparable to the difference in sleep between people who are coping on their present income and those under financial strain.” The link between mental well-being and sleep quality emphasizes the interdependence of psychological health and restorative surroundings‚ underlining the importance of holistic approaches to urban development. Street greening: a prescription for better sleep As policymakers cope with the issues of urban living‚ the report recommends incorporating green infrastructure into residential areas. Leanne Martin puts it this way: “Streetscape greening initiatives… should extend… to support public health by promoting healthier sleep habits.” Governments can address both environmental and public health challenges by prioritizing green areas in urban development‚ encouraging communities that value well-being. Policy implications: identifying street greenness as a public health priority The study’s findings call for a rethinking of public policies‚ with researchers pushing for the inclusion of street greenness as a significant factor in sleep quality. White points out‚ “With money worries widely recognized as an important determinant of sleep‚ we think this demonstrates street greenness should be recognized by governments as an important public health issue.” Recognizing the impact of environmental factors on sleep allows policymakers to conduct tailored measures that improve citizens’ quality of life. Investigating the effect of green and blue spaces on sleep While the study focuses on the benefits of vegetation for sleep quality‚ it also investigates the effects of visiting green and blue places. Although regular visits to these regions are linked to improved mental health and physical activity‚ the study highlights the importance of psychological health in the nature-sleep association. As researchers explore deeper into the complex association between nature exposure and sleep quality‚ they call for additional study and focused interventions to harness the power of green and blue spaces in creating healthier societies. Finally‚ the study heralds a new age in urban design‚ in which the incorporation of green infrastructure is synonymous with public health and well-being. Recognizing nature’s transforming power in promoting better sleep allows communities to strive for surroundings that nurture both body and mind. Source study: Environmental Research—Mechanisms underlying the associations between different types of nature exposure and sleep duration: An 18-country analysisThe post New study reveals the link between green streets and quality sleep first appeared on The Optimist Daily: Making Solutions the News.