Former UFC Lightweight Paul Kelly Convicted of Trafficking Heroin

Former UFC lightweight Paul Kelly faces a lengthy prison sentence after being convicted of running a heroin trafficking ring in Liverpool, England.

Kelly (14-5) rose to prominence in mixed martial arts competing in local British MMA events. He made his UFC debut at UFC 80 in January 2009 with an undefeated 7-0 record. He fought nine times in the promotion amassing a 5-4 record. He was released following a loss to Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone at UFC 126 in February 2011.
Kelly was arrested in May of 2012 as part of a wide-ranging sting operation.

Detective Inspector Mark Kameen, who was the lead on the investigation, stated at the time, “This operation was part of our ongoing crackdown on criminals involved in the illegal drugs trade.”
Judge Mark Brown told jurors they had made the right decision on the “clearest evidence,” and added that he considered Kelly “the boss” in the organization.

After a four-day trial, jurors returned a unanimous guilty verdict and Kelly, along with his best friend Christopher St. John McGirr and childhood friend Paul Rogers were detained and await sentencing next month.
According to the Liverpool Echo, when the verdicts were read, Kelly shouted, “I’ve got two kids!”

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California Senate Moves to Crush Medical Marijuana Profits

A bill approved by the California state senate on Monday would further restrict the state’s medical marijuana industry by requiring the end of all for-profit sales of the drug to licensed patients and caregivers.

The proposed law would go further than the state attorney general’s non-binding guidelines issued in 2008, making the not-for-profit collective model mandatory for dispensaries. Provisions in S.B. 439 would also place even greater records-keeping requirements on dispensary owners, who would still be entitled to reasonable compensation for their time and efforts. In theory, that should allow tax enforcers to peer more closely at dispensary finances to ensure shady businesses are not taking profits while reporting none.

“Everybody benefits from tighter regulations,” Chris Lindsey, legislative analyst for the Marijuana Policy Project, told Raw Story. “Where you run into problems is when you have a law that can be interpreted several different ways, which means that people trying to comply with the law don’t know where they stand.”

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Failed drug test to cost Pat Healy $135,000 UFC vs Marijuana

Pat Healy is set to lose $135,000 after he tested positive for marijuana following his recent victory over Jim Miller at UFC 159.
Healy’s UFC debut was a memorable one as he emerged victorious in a war of attrition with Miller, eventually ending the bout 58 seconds from the final klaxon with a rear naked choke.
The former Strikeforce man picked up the Fight of the Night and Submission of the Night honours – in addition to his win bonus, working out at $135,000. In total he pocketed $152,500, a portion of which was his appearance fee.
However, the New Jersey Athletic Control Board’s post-fight drug examinations delivered a positive test for marijuana, and the UFC does not pay bonuses until drug tests are cleared.

Healy will be suspended for 90 days, and his win will go down as a no-contest on his record. The American confessed it was the poorest decision of his career.
“I would like to start off by apologising to the UFC, Jim Miller, the MMA community, its fans, my family, team-mates and coaches for my positive testing for marijuana after my UFC 159 fight with Jim Miller,” he said. Continue reading

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Tommy Chong: Says ‘I’m Cancer-Free!’

After I came out with the news last June that a cancer doctor told me I had prostate cancer and suggested a high frequency treatment that is not approved in America and could only be done in Mexico at the cost of $25,000, I immediately looked at alternatives. I contacted my nephew in Vancouver, who was about to become a doctor, and he suggested I meet with a Dr. McKinnon in Victoria, BC. That doctor changed my diet and put me on supplements, and within a year I brought my PSA numbers down drastically and eliminated the cancer threat.

I also treated the condition with hemp oil (hash oil). With the diet, the supplements and the hash oil, plus a session with a world-renowned healer, Adam Dreamhealer, I’m cancer-free. That’s right, I kicked cancer’s ass! So the magic plant does cure cancer with the right diet and supplements. I’m due for another blood test, MRI, etc., but I feel the best I’ve felt in years. And now for a celebration joint of the finest Kush…

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UFC on Fuel TV 9 Drug Tests: Robbie Peralta Tests Positive for Marijuana Metabolites

The Ultimate Fighting Championship on Wednesday confirmed every fighter on the recent UFC on Fuel TV 9 fight card was drug tested. All fighters, save for one, Robbie Peralta, returned negative test results.
Peralta, however, tested positive for marijuana metabolites, and received sanctions from the UFC.
The Swedish MMA Federation regulates mixed martial arts events in Sweden, but does not manage drug testing, so the UFC contracted to have drug testing performed by a third party.

“The UFC organization has a strict, consistent policy against the use of any illegal and/or performance-enhancing drugs, stimulants or masking agents. All fighters on the UFC Stockholm 2013 card were drug tested at the event and all fighters passed their drug tests with the exception of Robbie Peralta,” read a UFC statement on the matter.
As a result of his positive test, Peralta has agreed to attend drug rehabilitation classes and has been placed on suspension by the UFC. Continue reading

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North Carolina: Senate Blocks Testing Themselves When Passing Welfare Drug Testing Bill

By Steve Elliott
Hemp News

Republicans in the North Caroline Senate on Monday pushed through a bill that would take away food stamps and job training for people who fail a drug test. At the same time, they rejected an amendment offered by Democratic Senator Gladys Robinson which would have drug tested the governor, cabinet secretaries and the lawmakers themselves.
In a 35-15 vote almost completely along party lines, the senators passed SB 594. One lone Democrat voted for the bill, and no Republicans voted against it, reports David Edwards at The Raw Story.
The bill requires Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) applicants to pay for their own suspicionless drug tests. Those who test negative would be eligible to have the cost of the tests reimbursed.
The policy could cost the state more than $2.1 million.

“We receive state funds, we represent the law, we institute policy,” Sen. Robinson told the other senators on Monday night. “So, it should not be above any of us to submit to drug screening.”
Republican Sen. Jim Davis claimed he didn’t mind being tested, but said that he would vote against the amendment because it had no mechanism to reimburse him for the $100 test. He didn’t seem overly concerned that welfare applicants — who have far less money than Senator Davis — will face the same problem. Continue reading

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Veteran MMA ref Josh Rosenthal awaits sentencing in marijuana case

Veteran MMA referee Josh Rosenthal awaits sentencing after pleading guilty to conspiracy to manufacture and distribute marijuana and possession with intent to distribute.

One year ago, federal agents raided an Oakland, Calif., warehouse owned by Rosenthal and an associate that contained 1,356 marijuana plants, according to a copy of the agreement, which MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com) obtained from the U.S. District Attorney’s office in Oakland.

The drug’s street value was estimated at more than $6 million. Continue reading

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Sustainable Hemp Buildings Provide Healthier Living

Sustainable Hemp Buildings Improve Air Quality and Reduce Water Damage Pollutants for Healthier Living Standards
Building with industrial hemp products is a way to create a more sustainable way of life for human beings. Most Hemp building products are carbon negative products, often regulating the air quality and keep water issues from causing real damage in a building.

Currently being used in construction projects in countries like France, South Africa, The United Kingdom, Canada and the US, Hemp buildings have an unlimited life expectancy and cost less to construct.
Here, I have listed some of the most common hemp building products on the market today with reasons why more buildings should be constructed using these materials.

HempCrete
HempCrete is made by mixing hemp hurds, the interior of the stalk, with Lime creating solid building walls lasting thousands of years. The process was developed in France over a decade ago and has picked up in popularity as more hemp buildings are constructed in countries all over the World. The lime in Hempcrete is constantly trying to turn into rock as a part of the petrifaction process. It needs carbons to accomplish this task, so it extracts them from the air both on the inside and outside of the building. This makes a Hempcrete wall what experts call “a breathable wall structure”, an environmentally sustainable product with a negative carbon foot print.

Breathable wall structures improve air quality all around the building. As the lime extracts carbons from the air over time, the results are removed toxins dangerous to human beings and cleaner air all around. Airborne allergies would decrease for those living in or around hemp buildings.
Another benefit to a hemp building is its vapor permeability. Breathable wall structures mediate moisture issues by allowing water to escape without causing damage. For these reasons, hemp buildings do not have mold, mildew or dry rot, issues most common in areas of high humidity or with damp conditions. Termites and other wood pests are not a problem, either.

The walls density is 91lbs per cubic foot making it one of the best insulators on the market. Hemp walls change temperature very slowly, so if the exterior temperature is fluctuating between extremes, the interior will not be affected.
The best part of a hemp building? It’s biodegradable, compost-able and even soil enriching! Crushed up and spread over farm fields, the lime improves the PH balance of the soil and the hemp material will break down naturally adding to the organic qualities of the soil. Continue reading

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UFC Joins the Fight to Save Olympic Wrestling, Calls on Bellator and Viacom for Cooperation

When the International Olympic Committee (IOC) voted in February to cut wrestling from the Olympic Games starting in 2020, the decision sent shock waves not only through the wrestling community, but throughout the sports world; perhaps none more so than the mixed martial arts community.

Wrestling is a core component to mixed martial arts. Several Olympic wrestlers have made their way into MMA, including Daniel Cormier, Matt Lindland, Dan Henderson, Randy Couture, Sarah McMann, among others. 2000 Olympic Games gold medalist Rulon Gardner has one professional MMA bout on his resume as well.
“This is a process of renewing and renovating the program for the Olympics,” IOC spokesman Mark Adams said at the time the decision was made. “In the view of the executive board, this was the best program for the Olympic Games in 2020. It’s not a case of what’s wrong with wrestling, it is what’s right with the 25 core sports.” Continue reading

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Dave Herman passes drug test,Weed suspension over

Following a 30-day stint in rehab, Dave Herman this past week passed a UFC-mandated drug test and is now cleared to fight, manager Shu Hirata today told MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com) and the UFC confirmed.

“He passed everything, so he just wants to get back to his normal life of fighting,” Hirata said.

Hirata said Herman, who declined an interview request, underwent rehab in his home city of Temecula, Calif. Upon completing the program, Hirata notified the UFC, which ordered the treatment program and a clean test following Herman’s second positive test for marijuana.

With a clean result this past Monday, UFC Vice President of Regulatory Affairs Marc Ratner and UFC matchmaker Joe Silva approved the returning Herman to fight, Hirata said.

“They’re looking for fights now,” he said. Continue reading

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