Trump expands access to cannabis in a major shift in drug policy

Former President Donald Trump has signed an executive order to reclassify marijuana, directing the US attorney general to expedite federal reclassification and reduce barriers for research studies. This marks a significant shift in U.S. drug policy, aligning cannabis with substances like Tylenol with codeine, a change not seen since 1971.

In Minnesota and Illinois, residents have been confronting federal agents from ICE with snowballs as a form of protest against aggressive immigration raids targeting local communities. Videos have emerged showing these confrontations, where federal agents often respond with force, including pepper spray and teargas, escalating tensions in the area.

Donald Trump signed an executive order reclassifying marijuana from a Schedule I to a Schedule III controlled substance, which will ease restrictions on research and certain regulations without legalizing it nationwide. This move was announced during a press conference in the Oval Office.

The United States has intensified its military presence in the Caribbean, particularly targeting Venezuela, as President Trump ramps up pressure on Nicolás Maduro's regime. This includes the recent seizure of an oil tanker off the Venezuelan coast, which Trump confirmed as part of a broader strategy to undermine Maduro's government.

The Trump administration has proposed new regulations aimed at banning gender-affirming care for transgender youth, labeling such treatments as 'sex-rejecting procedures.' This initiative will prevent Medicaid from covering essential services like puberty blockers and hormone therapies for minors, raising significant concerns among healthcare advocates and experts.

Pope Leo XIV has appointed Ronald Hicks, the current bishop of Joliet, Illinois, as the new archbishop of New York, succeeding Cardinal Timothy Dolan. This decision signals the Vatican's ongoing opposition to the Trump administration's immigration policies, particularly in light of Hicks' previous condemnation of ICE raids.

President Trump is intensifying military pressure on Venezuela, recently confirming the U.S. military's seizure of an oil tanker off its coast, which marks a significant escalation in the ongoing campaign against President Nicolás Maduro's government. Despite this escalation, Trump has not clearly endorsed regime change, leaving his ultimate intentions ambiguous.

Hamas's refusal to disarm and relinquish control over Gaza is obstructing the implementation of Trump's peace plan, which aims to stabilize the region following ongoing conflicts. This impasse has significant implications for the future of peace negotiations and the humanitarian situation in Gaza.