Feds still fear ‘Reefer Madness’ as states weigh legal marijuana

Edition: US - Today's top story: Millions more voters legalizing marijuana won't clear up regulatory haze [Click here to view this message in your browser]. Edition: US 27 October 2016 [[The Conversation]Academic rigor, journalistic flair] Editor's note A choice between Clinton or Trump isn’t the only contentious issue on the ballot this year. Voters in nine states will decide whether to legalize marijuana for recreational or medicinal use. That means that potentially a quarter of Americans may soon live in a state that has fully decriminalized pot. But as long as the feds don’t follow suit, businesses and banks that try to cater to the [growing industry will face many legal and financial landmines], argue Colorado State’s Raymond Hogler and the University of Utah’s Greg Robinson. To better understand these challenges, a team of researchers including Robinson is conducting a survey of businesses that grow, process and sell marijuana in the states that have already legalized it. Meanwhile, the Islamic State is quickly losing ground in the battle for Mosul, Iraq’s third-largest city. As IS fighters confront the imminent loss of their “caliphate,” what could they be plotting as their next move? An expert on modern Middle Eastern history, James Gelvin of UCLA, says [there are five possible scenarios] in the short term. But, in the long term, “movements that attempt to realize the unrealizable have a short shelf life.” Bryan Keogh Editor, Economics and Business Top story Millions of Americans in nine states will vote on Nov. 8 for the right to do this. Robert F. Bukaty/AP [Millions more voters legalizing marijuana won't clear up regulatory haze] Raymond Hogler, Colorado State University; Greg Robinson, University of Utah Nine states are deciding whether to legalize marijuana. Yet the drug's prohibition at the federal level has created an unstable financial environment for producers and retailers. Politics + Society - [Is the Islamic State finished? Five possible scenarios] James L. Gelvin, University of California, Los Angeles What happens to the Islamic State if it loses the battle for territory in Iraq and Syria? Here's a list of ways it might go down. - [How women are harmed by calling sexual assault 'locker room talk'] Kathryn Holland, University of Michigan Making sexual assault seem normal or like no big deal can have profound effects on millions of victims. Election 2016 - [How a new generation is changing evangelical Christianity] Richard Flory, University of Southern California – Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences Younger evangelicals have a very different view of their faith.Their perspective on issues such as immigration and economic inequality differs widely from that of the religious right. Arts + Culture - [Could razing Hitler’s first home backfire?] Despina Stratigakos, University at Buffalo, The State University of New York In the past, demolishing the dictator's residences created a void exploited by Nazi sympathizers. - [The World Series of the Apocalypse?] Chris Lamb, Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis No team in sports has inspired better literature than the hapless Chicago Cubs. The oeuvre includes a little-known tale by W.P. Kinsella: 'The Last Pennant Before Armageddon.' Health + Medicine - [Why Zika has infected so many people in Puerto Rico] Diana Rojas, University of Florida It's hard to contain a mosquito-borne infection like Zika when the conditions are ideal for it to spread. Education - [Toilet training from birth? It is possible] Rebecca English, Queensland University of Technology An increasing number of parents are choosing to toilet train their children from birth, without using nappies. But how effective is this? Economy + Business - [Made in China: three ways Chinese business has evolved from imitation to innovation] Bruce McKern, University of Sydney There is a tidal wave of competition approaching the developed world from China – and foreign businesses have much to learn how Chinese companies evolved from imitators to innovators. Rest of the World - Australia [Relax, the expansion of the universe is still accelerating] Tamara Davis, The University of Queensland New research out this month has led to speculation that the acceleration of the expanding universe might not be real after all. So what's really going on? - United Kingdom [How overfishing and shark-finning could increase the pace of climate change] Rick Stafford, Bournemouth University Poor management of the oceans, including the killing of crucial marine predators, could result in more greenhouse gasses. - Australia [‘Healthy’ fast food chains not living up to their claims] Lyndal Wellard, University of Sydney; Kathy Chapman, University of Sydney, and Margaret Allman-Farinelli, University of Sydney With the "eating-to-go" habit here to stay, healthier fast food chains have an important role to play in ensuring healthy food options are available. [The Conversation on Twitter] [The Conversation on Facebook] 3.7 million unique visitors a month You’re receiving this newsletter from [The Conversation]. Not interested anymore? [Unsubscribe instantly]. We’ll miss you. 745 Atlantic Ave. 8th Floor Boston, MA 02111