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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

Nebraska authorities continue to search for missing mother [Video]

A massive two-day search in central Nebraska turned up no new leads on the disappearance of a missing Lincoln mother according to police.Jerica Hamre, 31, has not been seen for four months and police call her disappearance suspicious.Police said new evidence led investigators with dog teams from LPD, the Nebraska State Patrol and Nebraska Game and Parks to search a single private property in Overton.Hamre could also have last been in the area of Arapahoe, Holdredge, and Lexington. “Unfortunately, we did not find anything of evidentiary value through the searches that we did the last 48 hours, but it is a large space. So, the more eyes, the better,” Erika Thomas, Lincoln police information officer, said.Police are tight-lipped about the evidence that led them to central Nebraska.”It was part of the investigation and evidence that they reviewed throughout the last four months,” Thomas said. Hamre was last seen at her apartment near 35th and Huntington Ave. on June 25.She had been working at Bow Wow Wow Pet Grooming for about three weeks.Chyrel Kritikos the owner of the business said she talked to Hamre just days before she went missing.”She said she spent time in the hospital because she was beat up by her boyfriend and two girls,” Kritikos said. ”(They) gave her a concussion and a broken nose, and at that time, she wanted to get more hours and make more money, so we were supposed to have a meeting on a Thursday, and she never showed up,” Kritikos said.Police said Hamre reported the incident but didn’t want to press charges.Additional coverage: Missing Lincoln mother reported assault three days before she disappearedPolice would not say if they believe the alleged assault had anything to do with Hamre’s disappearance.”Right at this point, no one’s been named a suspect,” Thomas said.Lincoln police are asking anyone with information to call investigators at 402-441-6000 or Lincoln Crime Stoppers at 402-475-3600 if you want to remain anonymous.”Maybe someone will come forward and, you know, give some information that they need to help bring either some closure or Jerica home,” Kritikos said.She said her heart goes out to Hamre’s little girls and her parents.”I can’t imagine, as a mom, not knowing where your child is at any age,” Kritikos said.Click here for the latest headlines from KETV NewsWatch 7