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Small Business Lifestyle

Eliza Dushku joins Question 4 rally as Election Day approaches [Video]

Supporters of ballot Question 4, which would legalize psychedelics in Massachusetts, gathered Tuesday outside the State House in hopes of rallying additional support in the final week before Election Day. One high-profile supporter in the group was former actor Eliza Dushku, who is now an advocate for psychedelic-assisted therapy. Known for her roles in “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” and “Bring It On,” Dushku said the treatment helped her to recover from childhood trauma.”I come at this as somebody who has been a client or a patient, so to speak. Psychedelic-assisted therapy that completely changed my life,” she said. She subsequently obtained a certification in psychedelic-assisted therapy and set out for a masters degree in counseling and clinical mental health.Opponents of Question 4 argue the measure leaves out important safeguards, particularly around the lack of required medical professionals at therapy sites and allowing users to cultivate the mushrooms at home. “This allows for 144 square feet of grow in your house. It’s not safe for children. It’s not safe for pets and, frankly, it’s self-medication,” said Chris Keohan of Coalition for Safe Communities. Keohan’s group also expressed concern that communities can’t opt out. “If this is to pass next week, this goes before the Legislature, where we could have two years where they could improve the bill,” said Dushku. A “yes” vote on Question 4 would allow people 21 years of age and older to grow, possess and use some natural psychedelic substances in certain circumstances. They could be bought at an approved location and used at licensed therapy centers. It also allows people to grow and possess limited numbers at home. The measure would also create a commission to regulate them. A “no” vote would make no change in the law.Recent polling indicated the state was split on the measure, with 43% planning to vote “yes” and 43% planning to vote “no.” The remaining 14% were undecided. Earlier this month, a 5 Investigates analysis showed that 80% of the money donated in support of Question 4 comes from out of state. In fact, more money has come from California than Massachusetts. Meanwhile, a spokesperson for the campaign opposing the legalization of psychedelics said the effort is being run by “volunteers and grassroots supporters who know this is an ill-conceived ballot question with dangerous repercussions” that “provides nothing more than false hope and empty promises to people in desperate need of help and it is truly shameful.”Election Day is Nov. 5, but more than 1.1 million Massachusetts voters have already submitted their ballots through mail-in or early voting.

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Small Business Lifestyle

Wisconsin DOT to close park and ride lots to discourage camping [Video]

The Wisconsin Department of Transportation is cracking down on people camping at two park and ride lots in Milwaukee. The lots along Interstate 94 at Holt Avenue and College Avenue have been the focus of controversy since encampments cropped up there in early 2023. Video from News Chopper 12 shows the homeless encampments at the Holt Avenue and College Avenue park and ride lots that have only grown since WISN 12 News first started highlighting the issue more than a year ago. WISN 12 News reporter Nick Bohr spoke with people staying at the lot on Monday. Wanda Ward, 63, who has lived in a camper at the College Avenue lot for months, said she believes a rise in crime at the lots is responsible for the intensified attention from the state.”For the money I make, I can’t pay rent, so I stay here. And these other people ruined it for everybody else,” said Ward. The DOT said there had been 275 emergency calls to the lots in the past three months, including robberies, shots fired and drug overdoses. On Monday morning, the DOT placed white notices on all the vehicles at the Holt lot, warning the lot would be indefinitely closed and all vehicles would be removed in one week on Oct. 21. “We gotta be able to get in and out,” Ward said. “I don’t see how they can do that. Isn’t that holding us captive? Sort of. Because if we can’t come and go, what would we do?””We’re just out here trying to survive, said another resident who would only be identified as Rocky. She started living at the College Avenue lot in a tent earlier this year but now lives in a donated camper. “What are we going to do? These are our homes,” Rocky said. We don’t camp in these; these ain’t for vacation. We live in these. So, what are they going to do, take these away from us? Then what are we going to have? Nothing.”But in a statement Monday, the DOT said the lots “Continue to degrade and become less safe every day.” “It’s crazy because I shouldn’t be out here. I’m cold,” said Joann Romas, 73, who emerged from a tent walking with the assistance of a cane. She said she would agree with the DOT that the lots are nowhere to live but said she doesn’t have anywhere to go. When asked what she plans to do when the lot is closed, she said simply, “I’ll do the best I can, try to find somewhere else,” she said. “But I don’t have no money to do anything right now, but I know I need to be out of here.” Milwaukee County said Monday it has worked with the residents at the lots for more than a year and have found stable housing for more than 80 people over that span of time. Those in need of housing are asked to call 211.