Originally published at: https://peakprosperity.com/good-news-friday-weed-psychedelics-reform-vaccine-mandates-dropped-massie-targets-surveillance/
Health
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche reclassified state-licensed medical marijuana from Schedule I to Schedule III, a move the administration described as recognizing its potential medical uses as an opioid alternative. Some conservatives, including Rep. Andy Harris, criticized the reclassification as undermining public health efforts. The change preserves federal limits on recreational use while reducing research restrictions to support studies on benefits, risks, and treatments. With medical marijuana authorized in 40 states, the policy brings federal rules closer to state practices and aids access to hemp-derived CBD for pain management, including among seniors with serious conditions.
Relatedly, a White House executive order instructed federal agencies to speed up research and approvals for psychedelic drugs such as ibogaine, targeting mental health issues like depression, PTSD, and addiction. The FDA has granted Breakthrough Therapy status to several psychedelics and intends to offer priority review vouchers, potentially cutting approval times from months to weeks. Critics have highlighted ibogaine’s cardiac risks despite its potential benefits. Officials cited veteran suicide rates above 6,000 per year—more than double the non-veteran rate—as a key factor, alongside clinical trial results indicating effectiveness for treatment-resistant conditions.
In other news, HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy revised the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices charter to add experts in vaccine injury recovery, toxicology, pediatric neurodevelopment, and safety surveillance, despite a court challenge. The charter highlights needs for more research on vaccine safety gaps and adverse effects.
Speaking of vaccines, the U.S. military ended its flu vaccine mandate for active-duty, reserve, and civilian personnel, shifting to voluntary participation. Democratic lawmakers, including Sen. Mazie Hirono, criticized the change as endangering servicemembers. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth called it a practical update, referencing a 1945 origin for such mandates and a Cleveland Clinic study reporting 27% higher flu risk among vaccinated individuals. The policy coincides with President Trump’s executive order restoring eligibility for service members discharged over COVID-19 vaccine refusals, with reenlistment open until April 2027.
Additionally, Arizona’s Senate approved the Medical Freedom Act, which bars businesses, schools, and government bodies from requiring medical interventions like drugs or injections, with exceptions for Medicare- and Medicaid-funded providers.
Rounding out vaccine news, a Greek court ruled the state responsible for a woman’s death from AstraZeneca vaccine-linked immune thrombotic thrombocytopenia during the rollout, awarding her family €300,000—€120,000 to her husband and €90,000 each to her daughters—despite arguments of voluntary participation. The decision follows prior similar awards and is likely to face a government appeal.
Moving to 5G concerns, grassroots groups and local governments blocked H.R. 2289, the American Broadband Deployment Act, in the House Rules Committee, maintaining local control over cell tower locations near homes, schools, and parks. Supporters of the bill argued it would accelerate broadband infrastructure deployment. Critics pointed to 1996 FCC radiation standards unchanged after a 2021 court finding of arbitrariness, along with reported health effects from close exposure.
US Politics
On 4th Amendment protections, Representatives Thomas Massie and Lauren Boebert introduced the Surveillance Accountability Act, requiring warrants based on probable cause for government access to private data, including financial records, browsing history, location, biometrics, and behavioral patterns. The bill rejects the third-party doctrine from Smith v. Maryland, bans warrantless searches of data held by banks, ISPs, or brokers—even with consent—and covers facial recognition and license plate readers. It also enables lawsuits for Fourth Amendment breaches, with attorney fees for prevailing parties.
On free speech, the Justice Department denied French requests for help investigating X over alleged algorithmic bias and antisemitic content, invoking First Amendment protections for platform choices. An Office of International Affairs letter rejected summonses, interviews, or aid, viewing the probe as a misuse of criminal law against U.S. speech rights.
On election integrity, attorneys general from 12 states—Alabama, Florida, Indiana, Kansas, Louisiana, Montana, Nebraska, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Texas, and Missouri—joined to defend President Trump’s March 31 executive order, “Ensuring Citizenship Verification and Integrity in Federal Elections.” The order directs federal agencies to provide state citizenship data for election officials and bolsters mail-in ballot security with USPS tracking. Progressive groups have sued, claiming overreach, while the coalition backs precise voter lists, secure absentee voting, and clear processes.
On government accountability, pro-life activist Mark Houck, a father of seven, secured a more than $1 million settlement from the Justice Department after a Biden-era armed SWAT raid on his home. He had been charged under the FACE Act for pushing a violent abortion protester who had put his hands on his young son, but was fully acquitted at trial. His family suffered post-traumatic stress, economic harm, miscarriages, and lasting anxiety among the children from the ordeal. Some former DOJ officials and abortion-rights advocates described the settlement as concerning.
On waste, fraud, and abuse, CMS Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz launched expanded anti-fraud measures across all 50 states, mandating 30-day revalidation of high-risk providers and beneficiary verification. After notifying California, Florida, Maine, and New York of potential Medicaid fraud, the initiative focuses on waste in personal care and related programs, aligning with President Trump’s fraud-reduction efforts.
Economy
Maryland lawmakers passed the Protection from Predatory Pricing Act, the first state law banning surveillance pricing in grocery stores, where algorithms set personalized prices using data on habits or income. Starting October 1, 2026, stores must offer fixed prices one day per week, with violations treated as deceptive trade practices carrying fines up to $25,000. Similar bills are advancing in California, Colorado, Illinois, New Jersey, and New York; Governor Wes Moore intends to sign it amid complaints of real-time price surges during inflation. Consumer Reports highlighted Instacart’s abandonment of variable pricing, which showed up to 23% differences and could save families around $1,200 annually.
Privacy & Surveillance
An Arkansas federal judge halted Act 900 the day before it took effect, issuing a preliminary injunction to NetChoice against rules on “addictive practices” like notifications and recommendations, minor privacy defaults, and parental tracking of non-users. The court found these measures vague, overly broad, and speech-burdening under the First Amendment, including restrictions like overnight notification bans despite parental preferences or mandatory surveillance of minor guests. The ruling mirrors blocks on earlier Act 689 and follows precedents like Moody v. NetChoice and Packingham.
Sources
Trump’s Acting AG Reclassifies Medical Marijuana to Schedule III, Easing Research Barriers
Shifts it from Schedule I to Schedule III, and also eases some research barriers on cannabis.
Greek Court Orders State to Pay €300,000 for AstraZeneca Vaccine Death
A Greek court has just ruled in favor of the family being paid compensation after a woman died from the AstraZeneca covid vaccine.
Source | Submitted by sand_kitty
12 State AGs File to Defend Trump’s Voter Citizenship Verification Executive Order
Attorneys general from a dozen states on April 20 asked to intervene in two lawsuits that oppose President Donald Trump’s executive order on citizenship verification and other election integrity efforts.
Pro-Life Dad Wins $1M Settlement from DOJ After Biden-Era SWAT Raid
The Biden admin sent a SWAT team to arrest this pro-life dad. He just won a million-dollar lawsuit against the DOJ
Massie and Boebert’s Surveillance Accountability Act: Warrants for All Data, No Exceptions
If the government wants your data, it needs a judge’s permission.
DOJ Blocks France’s X Probe, Citing First Amendment
This investigation seeks to use the criminal legal system in France to regulate a public square for the free expression of ideas and opinions in a manner contrary to the First Amendment of the United States Constitution.
Maryland to Become First US State to Ban Data-Driven Surveillance Pricing
Maryland is set to become the first US state to ban surveillance pricing in retail grocery stores, after the legislature last week passed the Protection from Predatory Pricing Act.
White House Executive Order Accelerates Psychedelics for Mental Health Crisis
White House Greenlights Psychedelic Therapies for Mental Health Disorders
Federal Judge Blocks Arkansas Act 900, Deems It “Death by a Thousand Cuts” to Speech
Arkansas cannot sentence speech on the internet to death by a thousand cuts.
Grassroots Triumph: Bill Forcing Cell Towers on Communities Stalled—for Now
Grassroots Opposition Sinks Bill to Limit Local Control Over Cell Towers — for Now.
Arizona Senate Passes Medical Freedom Act, Banning Broad Medical Mandates
The Arizona Medical Freedom Act has officially passed the Senate.
Kennedy Bypasses Judge’s Block, Amends ACIP Charter to Include Vaccine Injury Experts
…urging him to amend the charter directly. He did it within days.
Dr. Oz: CMS Anti-Fraud Crackdown to Target All 50 States
We are going to announce this week that all 50 states are going to be requested to give us a plan over the next 30 days.
U.S. Military Ends Flu Vaccine Mandate for All Personnel
We’re seizing this moment to discard any absurd, overreaching mandates that only weaken our war-fighting capabilities.
In addition to sources submitted by community members, the following were also used in the creation of this report: Jon Michael Raasch, Julia Manchester, CNN, @maziehirono, Punchbowl News, ScarletReeds, MS Now, and Violeta.