The Daily Populous

Wednesday August 30th, 2017 night edition

image for Big-name investors pour millions into marijuana — both medicinal and not

Wealthy investors are pouring tens of millions into the cannabis industry in a bid to capitalize on the gold rush that’s expected when California legalizes recreational marijuana on Jan. 1.

Among the noted investors: tech and biotech mogul Peter Thiel, who co-founded PayPal and made a fortune with the cancer drug startup Stemcentrx.

Thiel contributed $300,000 to the California ballot campaign that paved the way for legalization.

Pot has been legal for medical use here since 1996, but with broader legalization, the industry is poised to explode.

Experts say the market for marijuana and related products in California will reach $6.5 billion in 2020, and likely spark legalization efforts elsewhere.

His investments have included vaporizer companies and Meadow, a website and delivery service that helps customers compare marijuana products.

As with medical marijuana for humans, the FDA has not approved any form of cannabis for pets. »

Australia plans random drug tests for people receiving welfare

Authored by newscientist.com

The Australian government is planning a two-year trial of random drug tests for welfare recipients starting in January 2018.

The group will be required to undergo random saliva, urine or hair tests to see if they have consumed illicit drugs, including methamphetamine, MDMA, cannabis or heroin.

Drug testing of welfare recipients has previously had little success in New Zealand, and in Utah and Missouri in the US. »

Construction crew finds rare triceratops fossil in Thornton

Authored by kdvr.com
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THORNTON, Colo. -- Construction crews working on Thornton’s new public safety facility uncovered a rare dinosaur fossil.

Most fossil finds along the Front Range are from the ice age, just 10,000 to 12,000 years old, but this fossil is much older, and much rarer, Sertich said.

Construction crews have stopped work in the area of the fossil find, officials with the city of Thornton said. »

How Uber conquered London | Sam Knight

Authored by theguardian.com

On Uber’s first day in London, in the middle of June 2012, Howard had around 50 drivers on the platform.

Howard’s job was to get drivers on the road, to provide that feeling of plenty if someone should open the app.

The group wants a cap on driver numbers in London, and is planning a series of pay protests against Uber. »