Hong Kong bans use of CBD

Penalties include up to life in prison and about $638,000 in fines for smuggling, producing or possessing CBD. [Forward to a friend]( | [Subscribe]( | [View in your browser]( [Top of The World]( --------------------------------------------------------------- What The World is following Hong Kong bans use of CBD [An employee adds drops of water-soluble CBD, or cannabidiol, an essential component of medical marijuana, into a coffee glass at the Found Cafe, Hong Kong, Sept. 13, 2020.] Credit: Vincent Yu/AP/File photo Hong Kong Hong Kong plans to [ban the use of CBD]( — or cannabidiol, an essential component of medical marijuana — starting next Wednesday, classifying it as a “dangerous drug" and mandating harsh penalties for anyone who smuggles, produces or possesses it. Penalties include up to life in prison and about $638,000 in fines. Authorities decided last year to prohibit the [prohibit the substance](, though supporters say it can treat a range of ailments, including anxiety, and that it doesn’t get users high. Middle East US Secretary of State Antony Blinken is [visiting the Middle East](, with stops in Egypt, Israel and the West Bank. It comes amid escalating violence, following Israel’s [single-deadliest operation]( in the West Bank in two decades, with Israel Defense Forces (IDF) soldiers raiding the Jenin refugee camp. Blinken’s visit was planned for weeks, but the unrest will now likely dominate the talks. Finland A court in Finland has [convicted two journalists]( from the nation’s largest daily Helsingin Sanomat for revealing classified defense intelligence. Prosecutors say the information was presented in an article titled "Finland's most secret place," written in 2017, by journalists Tuomo Pietilainen and Laura Halminen, and included data on the rough location and tasks of the Finnish Intelligence Research Center, an intelligence unit of the defense forces. Pietilainen [received a fine]( and Halminen wasn’t given a penalty because of her minor role. --------------------------------------------------------------- From The World [Blocking BBC documentary on Gujarat riots goes against India's democratic values, journalist says]( [A security personnel speaks to people from inside the main gate of Jamia Millia Islamia university in New Delhi, India, Jan. 25, 2023.]( Credit: Manish Swarup/AP A new BBC documentary looking at Prime Minister Narendra Modi's role in the 2002 Gujarat riots has [sparked controversy]( in India. The government is trying to ban it, while students and activists are finding ways to watch it in defiance. Rana Ayyub, author of the book "Gujarat Files: Anatomy of a Cover Up," discussed the situation with The World's host Marco Werman. [Big tobacco is forced to pay for cigarette butt pollution in Spain, but smokers may soon be on the hook]( [Antonio Trujillo holds a cigarette while resting on a bench, in Pamplona, northern Spain, Sept. 25, 2020.]( Credit: Alvaro Barrientos/AP/File photo They’re tiny, they’re toxic, they’re everywhere. Cigarette butts are a huge source of pollution in Spain and lawmakers have said, enough. They're ordering cigarette makers to [pay for the cleanup](, but smokers worry they’ll end up footing the bill. --------------------------------------------------------------- Bright spot Friday marks the birthday of 18th-century composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. Born in Salzburg, Austria, he composed more than 600 works that changed the course of music history. They included some of the [most famous and loved pieces]( of symphonic, chamber, operatic and choral music. He died just shy of his 36th birthday. 🎶 [Screenshot of Classic FM tweet]( Credit: Twitter In case you missed it on The World --------------------------------------------------------------- Don't forget to subscribe to The World's Latest Edition podcast using your favorite podcast player: [RadioPublic](, [Apple Podcasts](, [Stitcher](, [Soundcloud](, [RSS]( [The World logo]( [The World on Facebook]( [The World's Twitter account]( [Donate]( | [Forward to a friend]( | [Subscribe]( | [Edit your subscription]( | [Unsubscribe]( | [View in your browser]( Top of the World is written weekday mornings by the team at [The World](. [The World]( is produced by [PRX]( and [GBH](.